Viva the Absurd

 Had a great night down under in our not so yellow submarine. Two virgin spelunke visitors came: a naval academy friend of Chuck's, and the best girl ever- Kristy M (you remember her??). She has a new film out about a music school in Haiti- Serenade for Haiti, that is getting rave reviews among black turtlenecks across the land. Both of them were blown away by everything- from the concept to the ebay decor to our office window. Our office window has become something of a neighborhood sensation. It has in it: a dishwasher replacement valve, an orange ball from the neighboring school and some art from a down syndrome kid whose parents asked if we would be so kind.

Under each, written in Thomas' distinctive hand, is a description: "dishwasher replacement valve" and "ball that rolled down the hill". Also in the window is the book 'Howl' by Ginsberg because our office used to be a publishing house for the Beats. Chuck knows the history better than Thomas or I. He is kind of our historian and window curator.
Anyway we had the chips and some scotch and warned the newbies that in the spelunke, one gets the best ideas one has ever ever had, so they should bring a pen. Kristy for example envisioned a temporary show in the window; perhaps a brief performance piece. There is a homeless guy who stops traffic in North Beach by dragging a couch around. Perhaps he would be inclined to perform? Also she thinks the spelunke needs a nod to the basement that it is- a 70's classic like a poster of Burt Reynolds or - and this was genius, that cat poster where the cat is hanging on with the caption: "Can't wait for Friday." Tommy was not so convinced....he doesn't really see the kitsch that surrounds us. But he was mollified when she suggested Cheryl Tiegs instead of Burt.

The other thing we warned the newbies about was the post spelunke funk. To ward against this, Chuck suggested we drop in to the next door art gallery. And were we richly rewarded -not by the art, our dishwasher replacement valve was better- but oh what a great scene! Behold, in the faces of the men below, a San Francisco that is disappearing- a bevy of flannel shirted (SF used to be chilly) alcoholic (ish) artistic types with more ex wives than present ones; men who have never been to yoga; men who had beards before beards were a thing; men who can fish. My favo was the guy on the far right. I mean that has got to be the best outfit ever for a wine and cheese vernissage.

Chuck actually overheard them a few days before in Cafe Trieste talking about our window and the replacement valve! They said "that window is old North Beach"-
meaningless, absurd; not for profit.

The big belly can contain,
embracing matters difficult to withstand in this world.
The smile is always there,
laughing at those who are laughable in this world.
– Buddhist Saying

Ellie and the curator