We're back at home in Berkeley after a great visit in Chucktown, South Cackilacky. It's good to be home. The kids haven't been able to go to school because of bad coughs (and hysteria over the swine flu), so they've been happily bustling around the house, putting on old costumes and dancing.
Speaking of costumes, Adeline got a Supergirl costume for her second birthday. She put it on and Cole began to cry. "I want it. She has to share. I want it." Luckily I had prepared for this moment and had brought his superman costume to Charleston. The two ran around screaming, "We're Superman! We're superman."
We celebrated her birthday at Babu's house with some of my high school friends and their kids. Nineteen years later and we're still partying... only with panda inflatable jumpy thingys and strawberry Sugar Bakery cake (and damn it was good. We had to sneak extra pieces while the kids were off jumping). The toddlers were the only ones with bikinis on and the pool only had 6 inches of water (and was outfitted with baby turtles).
It was fun, though. It was nice to catch up with friends and share differences and similarities.
The Charleston Film Festival went well. I met some very interesting people. I learned a lot, made some friends and yes, some contacts.
Here are the pre-gala pics. Okay one. I can't get the others to turn around and I'm too tired to fuss.
I saw two friends (Lisa and David) whom I have known since I first came to America (at 9). They have seen me through accents, hair, speech impediments, names, hair... I saw Tara who knows a little too much about me (do not tell about Sister Loyola and what I did with her lack of peripheral vision), Melanie and Shane and remembered purple gotees and the like... I saw Angela (my next door neighbor) who once told me that eighth graders and beyond are sentimental about music and therefore unable to recognize what is new (seventh graders are much more cutting edge). It's funny what we remember. I think she had something there...
It was comforting that these friends' voices and inflections were the same. Although we have gone down different roads and have different world views in many cases, Tom says that he clearly saw why these people are friends. They are all very kind, good people.
I am so glad that you are home and spilling the beans again. I missed the past few days in the lives of my favorite family of five. I am off to New York for a few days. Going to Pete Seeger's 90th bithday concert with many other
( performers) and singers in the audience ( Ben and Sara and Libby, my college roommate) and whoever else Madison Square Garden can hold. I have heard it is sold out.
Keep writing and your number one fan will keep reading. Hope to catch up in person when I get back. Smooches to all, especially the birthday girl.
Posted by: Barbara | May 01, 2009 at 09:16 AM