Summer Fun

So, I went to recorder camp the last week of July. I'd been holding off making the decision to enroll because it has moved to a new location this year, after some 15 years in San Rafael. I don't take kindly to change. After I realized that I was overreacting to the change, I signed up at the last minute, and am very glad that I did so.

The new location, St. Albert's Priory, is a lovely place, built around a central courtyard with grass, a koi pond, and two tortoises. The main chapel is great acoustically, and elegantly appointed with dark wood choir stall, marble floors, and stained glass. The grounds are invitingly rustic, with trees and creek doing their darnedest to absorb noise and pollutants from Highway 24 next door.

The faculty rotates through the technique classes, so I got to spend one session with each of them, and took classes all week with two of my favorite teachers. I also arranged jam sessions in the off-hours with old and new friends, getting to play some of their music, and, most happily, with a 9-part piece of music that I had been introduced to 2 years ago and hadn't had the chance to play with that many sufficiently capable players ever since. And I even have a recording of our session!

Then, I barely had time to unpack before I was at a rehearsal for a healthcare town hall being hosted by my synagogue last Wednesday. It was attended by Assemblyman Mark Leno, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, and representatives from Senator Carole Migden, Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger, and Speaker of the House (my Congresswoman) Nancy Pelosi. Under the guidance of San Francisco Organizing Project mentors, I was part of the committee that wrote the script for the evening, and I wound up reading the part of the co-chair. Thanks to those who phoned congregants of the various SFOP congregations, we had a full house! Standing room only. It seemed to make a positive impact on the politicos, who assented whole-heartedly to our principles calling for a statewide universal healthcare plan this year.

So now I'm back to trying to work and real estate decisions, and stuff like that.