Amusements.....

When I'm sitting in my backyard, late in the day, sometimes I hear what sounds like bagpipes.

A couple of my neighbors have followed the sounds and it's on the corner of Lafayette and Union. And s(he) plays on Friday: late afternoon or early evening. I can often tell what song it is...otherwise it just sounds like... bagpipes.

Flowers in my friend's garden.

They're gorgeous!

I've been a subscriber to the Oakland Speaker Series for years, but I'm not sure who or what got us into this. I think it was Carl who got us started or it could have been one of his sailing friends. Maybe it was daughter, Sutter, who got us started.

The series is held at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Oakland. 

This past year it was done remotely, due to the pandemic. This season we have a choice: remotely or in person. The series is also held in Marin and on the  Peninsula.

A couple of us have met other folks at the theater, but they sit closer to the stage (more $$$) while we sit in the nosebleed section. 

If I had to attend in person this year, I just wouldn't go. I'd give up the seat. If given the choice, I'd rather watch a streaming version of each of the speakers. One of my friends says more folks can watch it when you have a computer tuned into it. 

Here's the lineup for this season:

(The season tix are not cheap.)

Barrack Obama

Nicole Perlroth

Dr. Danbisa Mayo

Thomas Friedman

Joel Santore

Janet Napolitano

Niall Ferguson

One of the side benefits (there are really no benefits from Covid ) is the technology: you can watch a live program (or not) and get a copy of the zoom link and watch it at your leisure. 

Another benefit of not going to a theatre is not having my car (vent) windows smashed in. That's happened twice, maybe 4 years ago in downtown Oakland, while attending the Speaker Series. 

Thank goodness my insurance covered it completely, but there's the hassle of driving to the shop, waiting around, and finally driving home. One of those times I needed to drive to Carmel the next day for a 2-day conference. And I did, with blue tape holding the window together. 

I feel the same way about driving out to Pleasanton for committee meetings with the BayEast Association of Realtors. Thank goodness I can sit in front of my computer, these days.

BTW... I attended an Alameda City meeting regarding homelessness, via zoom, this evening. And much to my surprise....I knew one of the women on the committee! I called her right away...once the meeting (which was very well-run) was over! And I just listened, as a member of the public. 

Live richly, marilyn