Ok...first three days of AFF and no shakes. Solid. When can I expect the migraine headaches and sweats?

Every time you feel depressed about where you are in the world, just head West to a little place in they call San Francisco. I will never get tired of visiting that city. Went south to San Jose on Saturday and trespassed across a brussel sprout farm to get to a private beach. A small, circular cove...excellent for digging for mussels and relaxing with Tom, Jane and Cal (these are the times when a digital camera is really necessary).

Saturday night, attended the 924 Gilman hardcore festival, known as "Super Sabado Gigante". Anyone who told you "hardcore is dead" is very wrong, brother...very wrong. Gilman is a punk Mecca by itself - imagine a 40 X 30 yard mini-airplane hangar with graffiti tags on every surface and cage wire and padding on everything important (read AC compressor, speakers, etc). $5 gets you into one night of the festival - but the earplugs you had to bring yourself - call me a realist, but I want to hear my first child say "Gee, Dad...this Kylesa record kicks ass!" Kylesa did bring the 300+ into a frenzy, but my new favorite is Holier Than Thou?.

Evidently, their lead singer took a header doing a skateboard trick - so they had volunteer vocalists. A very enthusiastic bunch - the bass player announced, "We're gonna play the songs. If you know the words and can get a hold of the mic...it's all yours." One pit on the floor, one on the stage.

When witnessing the unreal (like this occasion) I often catch myself smiling - but you can't smile at a hardcore show! I quickly changed the reaction and regret the error. Can't get my 924 Gilman membership card revoked - seriously...they issue cards.