Everybody I Shot Is Dead: Harmony Festival

Getting there was a pain in my ass.

I picked Cucumber Rob up at LAX around six, six-thirtyish. He was outside and waiting right where he was supposed to be. Originally I was planning to pack up the car and drive up to the Bay Area straight from the airport, but Cucumber Rob had sent four large (read heavy) boxes of Jefferson Starship CDs, plus I had my boxes of stuff that would be sold. And if that wasn't enough, I was also taking a coffee table (mounted on the roof of the Jeep) up to my girl child. I decided it was best not to provoke the airport security into searching the car so we stopped back at my place to do the loading.

That was the problem. After waking at 7am and spending the day working, packing/prepping for the trip, I still had a bunch of pictures to print. I thought it would be cool to show the Starship some photos of the band I took way back when, and we were also planning a side trip on the way back to see the lead singer of a mega UK band I shot in '75. Scanning, retouching, printing...it all had to be done. And Cucumber Rob needed my wifi to take care of some biz back in the UK. And I had to make and print a sign for him to advertise the CDs. And, and, and.

By the time all the 'ands' were done with it was 10:30 or 11ish pm when we got back on the 405 heading North. We didn't get very far out of town before we needed to stop for food. I went to Mickey D's for a 1/4 pounder meal, knowing that if I ate it all I would definitely be able to stay awake for the long haul. Finicky Mr. Vegetarian Cucumber Rob refused to order from Ronald, so we found Mike's diner (his new favorite place) where he picked up a cheese sandwich.

Within a half hour of eating (and me driving), Cucumber Rob fell asleep in mid-sentence, maybe a couple of miles past the Grapevine, leaving me to navigate the darkness of the I-5 all by myself. Between the flapping of the sheet (meant to protect the roof of my car from the potentially scratchy coffee table) and Cucumber Rob's incessant snoring, it's a wonder I wasn't lulled into a permanent sleep. By the grace of somebody, we managed to hit the Bay Area around 3:30 but didn't make it to Chez Jaimie until at least 4. Due to the brain damage caused by my lack of sleep and Cucumber Rob's surplus of snoring I took the wrong turnoff and ended up on the road to nowhere, then forgot to make a turn to the 101 S after crossing the architectural anomaly known as the Richmond Bridge.

By the time my head hit the pillow I was dead asleep. I was awake again 5 hours later, although it felt more like 5 minutes, to help Cucumber Rob unbungee the coffee table from the roof before he, me and the girl child headed to girl child's fave restaurant for breakfast (this was required in lieu of payment for the accommodations). Oh before I forget, there was a list of rules that came with the privilege of staying at the Chez. These were emailed to me and forwarded to Cucumber Rob prior to our LA departure.

I figure I should reprint them here just in case you find yourself booked in at Chez Jaimie:

No Shoes inside.
No Gum chewing.
No whistling.
No Coffee inside.
You will be expected to clear your sleeping area as soon as you awake, this includes vacuuming (provided it is after 8 am).
No towels will be provided without a $5 service charge for laundering.
The toilet seat must always be down when not in use.
You must turn out every light before leaving a room.
All doors are to remain closed except when entering/exiting.
You must be mindful of the cats and not let them out.
You will be expected to wash all your own dishes or incur a $5 service charge for each dish.
All cell phones must be turned off in my apartment to avoid unnecessary electromagnetic radiation. OFF, silent mode does not count.
You will walk lightly on the stairs and refrain from conversation in outside corridors.
You will be charged for water for showers, brushing teeth, flushing toilet etc.
You absolutely must flush the toilet. You must flush twice if it smells and then light a match. Please bring you own matches.
You may not move furniture around... if you are not comfortable with the space provided for sleeping then go to a hotel.
You will be kicked out for loud noise or sudden movements.
You may not open closets or drawers.
You must be respectful of the hostess at all times.
Telling jokes pertaining to race, religion, or politics are grounds for being kicked out... unless you are poking fun at Jesus.
You may not leave anything in the bathroom. IE take your toothbrush in when you are brushing your teeth and then take it out with you--otherwise I will throw it away.
If you walk into the kitchen for any reason you will be required to mop the floor.

And finally, I reserve the right to refuse service and kick you out, or to charge you a service fee for any inconvenience you may cause me.

Enjoy your stay and look forward to seeing you.

Fortunately, we were not there long enough to break many of the rules. Although, as I recall, Cucumber Rob's matches were confiscated on boarding his plane in Mexico City.

Enough of my blathering...here are some photos from Day 1...