RECENT TRIP TO SAN FRANCISCO, KIDNAPPED BY VESUVIANS: As some who read my posts have discovered, they sometimes seem outrageous and farfetched, but more often than not that is only because they contain more truth than reality allows. So like always, Ill let it rip and you be the judge. The recent trip to S.F. was so delightful. We stayed at the Best Western Hotel in Corte Madera, great rates and wonderful accommodations. J-9 attended a conference, Through the Eye of a Needle held at the Hotel and I was free to roam for a week. Last Tuesday I awoke at 6am and staggered, shivering 50 yards from our room to an outdoor, heated, lap lane swimming pool. It wasnt 80 degrees like they said, but it was ok. After a succulent breakfast, the hotel shuttled me to the ferry and in no time I was off to S.F. with my Cannon Rebel camera in hand. Arrived in S.F. about 9am. My primary mission was to walk to City Lights bookstore and see if they had a copy of The Plum in the Golden Vase by Jin Ping Mei. No hurry, time to photo downtown S.F. at the height of rush hour. Before arriving at City Lights I came across a unique mens clothing store by the name of Wing Tip. They had everything your heart could wish for. Then off to complete my task. Finally I saw it and approached with an added spring in my step. Stopped at the corner to take a couple pictures of the store front. Turned to look at an interesting bar named Vesuvio Cafe and a young girl named Lisa, standing in front of the bar, asked, are you going in? Looked at my watch, 10am. Depends, any good beer? Immediately she took my hand and lead me into the bar. Sat me down. Sat beside me. Ordered us both a Lagunitas IPA and payed for it herself. Four possibilities: 1. she was insane 2. I was a mark 3. just a serendipitous moment 4. somehow she perceived I was a Mesphistophian bone doctor. I said ok, but just one. Im on a mission to City Lights. We talked. The bar tender joined in. She bought me another round. Others joined our little cabal. What a merry time. I could feel my purpose wilting and my resolve dissolve into the beer. Have you ever had Fernet Branca, she asked. No. You must. Well, ok. A merry moment turned into a jolly time. We began to flirt. It seemed only natural, Im 63 and she was 23. Then she turned away. Ouch. A tactic perhaps. The other younger man, part of a couple, was determined to out shine me. I got it. I sat in silence. He went on and on. She rebuffed him constantly. This was starting to be fun. The more she rebuffed him, the harder he tried. I waited. First he tried to sell her on the music he liked. She hated it. She asked me about the Bakersfield sound and was ecstatic with my familiarity with it. He tried again. He brought up Ayahuasca and was surprised I knew about it, she didnt, and didnt care to. A final try, he started going on and on about consciousness and unconsciousness and she wasnt biting. Again she shot him down. Finally in frustration, he turned to me and asked, what do you think. Wrong question. A shot, a quick coup de grace answer, watch out for word riddles. He was furious, I was her hero. He went out side for a smoke and she turned back to me. Another beer. My treat this time. Our eyes melted together, I thought, sure we could have a baby. Being old doesnt mean Ill stupid. I finished my beer, said my good-byes and went to City Lights. Later at Union Square, I met John Zoccali, Jackie Os secret son. His story is farfetched, but his radiant good looks lend an element of truth to his tale. That night J-9 asked, how was your day. Fine, I was able to slip an edited version past her. Later I filled her in on the details. As I look back on the day, it wasnt really surprising considering the fact that the Vesuvio Cafe was Jack Keroucas old hang out. More stories to follow.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Mar 2014 19:25:21 +0000
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