I've been too busy to post to my blog of late. In the midst of the 24th annual San Francisco Jazz Festival, while simultaneously working at KQED more of late, I have little time for much else but work work work. Today, my only day off from The Festival, I did a full shift at the Q, as we call it. It hasn't been all bad I've been lucky enough to witness some genius musicians, included the great latin showman Arturo Sandoval as well as Sonny Rollins and many others while on breaks. Honestly though, when asked about the music I often admit that I am too busy working to actually enjoy it, even if I hear a song or two it's with my mind elsewhere usually. Our concerts range from intimate solo piano concerts to full fledged jazz funk bands like Meshell Ndgeocello.
Back at it for week 3 with 11 concerts in 5 days, I have something to do with each of them, but will be physically working the Front of House for 8 of them including a rare appearance by Alice Coltrane, John's widow.
The Festival ends Nov. 12, and I look foward to a few days off after where Gia and I will get away to a secret location followed shortly after by a trip to San Diego for Thanksgiving weekend with my Dad and brother Ken. Looking foward to seeing family and going to a warmer climate, as the winter has seemed to arrive today in SF, just after the time change.
Halloween will include a staff meeting, production meeting, basketball game (I'm in a league now) and maybe a quick visit to nearby Castro Street to gawk at the 10's of thousands of revelars.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Josefa connects with Delilah re: Mama
My Mama died. I am one of 12 kids. She was 88. She died peacefully at home. I took care of her the last weekend of her life. My Dad is alive. The greatest gift my mother gave me is to reach out and help others even if you are down. She also taught not to be judgemental and accept others differences no matterwhat. We all miss Mama and all came together to celebrate her life with a wonderful rosary, mass and party afterwards. All her relatives were there. Her only sister just recently overcame cancer but still came to see Mama almost everyday. DELILAH I WANT TO THANK YOU BECAUSE LISTENING TO YOUR SHOW EVERY NIGHT HAS HELPED THRU THIS GRIEVING TIME. Right now I am telling all my sibs about your show. I lost my voice 4 days ago due to grief and talking, I want my father Wes to know that he did a great job taking care of Mama as did all my bro and sisters who came to help. My brother Kevin came every week for 3 to 4 days. He is so sweet and we all love him for making Mamas life so comfortable up to the end.
Thanks, Josefa Ruth Warren-Snider Number 8
Josefa,
I am so very sorry for the loss of your sweet Mother. I know how hard it is to say goodbye to someone you love so much. I pray that the Lord will send His angels to comfort you and to guide you through the grieving process.
I pray that with every day and with every step you take, you will begin to have peace in your heart and a smile on your face as you think of special memories you shared with your precious Mama.
May God bless you and heal your heart as you wait for the day He returns to renite us all with our loved ones.
Delilah
www.delilah.com
1-88-633-5452
Thanks, Josefa Ruth Warren-Snider Number 8
Josefa,
I am so very sorry for the loss of your sweet Mother. I know how hard it is to say goodbye to someone you love so much. I pray that the Lord will send His angels to comfort you and to guide you through the grieving process.
I pray that with every day and with every step you take, you will begin to have peace in your heart and a smile on your face as you think of special memories you shared with your precious Mama.
May God bless you and heal your heart as you wait for the day He returns to renite us all with our loved ones.
Delilah
www.delilah.com
1-88-633-5452
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Jazz Festival starts
Today is the start of the 24th Annual San Francisco Jazz Festival and runs through November 12. The fall festival is the trademark event of SFJAZZ. There have been several name changes to the festival and the organization, including Jazz in the City. We have volunteers who go back to the early years. Randall Kline is the Executive Director and Founder.
I am the Volunteer Coordinator and Sr. House Manager. Since we don't use any one venue (concert hall) there are alot of logistics that go into presenting the shows; and much of that is my job. I am responsible for the Front of House which includes scheduling volunteers (about 250), coordinating with house managers and venue contacts and working with the artists or their managers to arrange merchandise sales. Our Production Manager, Cecilia, handles the Back of House or everything that is on the stage. Each Tuesday during the festival I run the production meetings where all the information we've collected from departments is outlined and we make sure we're all on the same page. This weekend we have five shows in three days. Next week we have nine shows in five days. So one has to be ahead of the game. I've been assembling this miscellaneous information and scheduling volunteers for about three months. One season tends to either run into the next or overlap, as we just completed our free summer series. SFJAZZ presents about 100 shows a year.
On my mind today is our opening day concert with the SFJAZZ High School All-Stars, a free noon concert in Union Square. This will be followed by meetings, phone calls and the volunteer orientation at 6pm where new and lapsed volunteers will gather to get general information and be able to ask questions. It's going to be an especially busy day.
The pay-off of all this work is going to the concerts where I serve as the Front of House Manager for most shows, about 30 out of 35 concerts. I dress in a suit and tie, so I've gotten my shirts pressed in advance and organized a growing tie collection. At the shows I work with the volunteers I've scheduled, where I get to see all the familiar faces. We also present about 8 special events before or during the shows with wine and cheese which I help manage.
Hope you can come out the festival sometime. The website is www.sfjazz.org
I am the Volunteer Coordinator and Sr. House Manager. Since we don't use any one venue (concert hall) there are alot of logistics that go into presenting the shows; and much of that is my job. I am responsible for the Front of House which includes scheduling volunteers (about 250), coordinating with house managers and venue contacts and working with the artists or their managers to arrange merchandise sales. Our Production Manager, Cecilia, handles the Back of House or everything that is on the stage. Each Tuesday during the festival I run the production meetings where all the information we've collected from departments is outlined and we make sure we're all on the same page. This weekend we have five shows in three days. Next week we have nine shows in five days. So one has to be ahead of the game. I've been assembling this miscellaneous information and scheduling volunteers for about three months. One season tends to either run into the next or overlap, as we just completed our free summer series. SFJAZZ presents about 100 shows a year.
On my mind today is our opening day concert with the SFJAZZ High School All-Stars, a free noon concert in Union Square. This will be followed by meetings, phone calls and the volunteer orientation at 6pm where new and lapsed volunteers will gather to get general information and be able to ask questions. It's going to be an especially busy day.
The pay-off of all this work is going to the concerts where I serve as the Front of House Manager for most shows, about 30 out of 35 concerts. I dress in a suit and tie, so I've gotten my shirts pressed in advance and organized a growing tie collection. At the shows I work with the volunteers I've scheduled, where I get to see all the familiar faces. We also present about 8 special events before or during the shows with wine and cheese which I help manage.
Hope you can come out the festival sometime. The website is www.sfjazz.org
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Trenton the Banana Slug/Operations Manager
Last Christmas I was lucky enough to pick my nephew Trenton's name as a secret Santa. He had recently moved to Santa Cruz to attend UCSC (the Banana Slugs). After his girlfriend moved out she told me he needed a few basic things so I bought him some towels, a hamper and a Banana Slug cap.
Nearly a year later we caught up at a local ice cream shop where he ordered (grandpa) Wes' favorite: a chocolate malt. Gia joined us and we each had a humble ice cream cone. This reminded me of the time that Kevin and I took Trenton to San Diego for Anita's wedding and stopped in at a country cafe. Telling him he could have anything on the menu he surprised us by ordering the 2 by 2 by 2 by 2 which Kevin and I each startingly realized was 2 eggs, 2 sausages, 2 bacons and 2 pancakes. The waitress asked if wanted 2 orange juices, and the way I remember it he just said, "yes." LOL. Good times! Later that weekend Kevin and "T" drove home in Steve's old Honda Civic and affectionately named it the "shakey mobile."
Trenton's current car looks shakey too, but he claims it's in good running order, just without a front bumper.
After Trenton got off work last Sunday night we were able to relax at the ice cream parlor and converse about life, work and studies. Finding out that he is deep into computer programming and has a background from junior college in Sacramento in a different platform than what he's been offered at U.C. He's managing to wing it and learn the new platform while working full-time at 24 Hour Fitness as a Operations Assistant. He currently has Friday's and Saturdays off. The company is trying to find a way to promote him to Operations Manager where he'll have more responsibilities regardless of his school load. The District Manager made it clear that he's far more equipped than the last few managers he's worked for.
Good luck to Trenton and keep drinking those Wes malts you Banana Slug!
Nearly a year later we caught up at a local ice cream shop where he ordered (grandpa) Wes' favorite: a chocolate malt. Gia joined us and we each had a humble ice cream cone. This reminded me of the time that Kevin and I took Trenton to San Diego for Anita's wedding and stopped in at a country cafe. Telling him he could have anything on the menu he surprised us by ordering the 2 by 2 by 2 by 2 which Kevin and I each startingly realized was 2 eggs, 2 sausages, 2 bacons and 2 pancakes. The waitress asked if wanted 2 orange juices, and the way I remember it he just said, "yes." LOL. Good times! Later that weekend Kevin and "T" drove home in Steve's old Honda Civic and affectionately named it the "shakey mobile."
Trenton's current car looks shakey too, but he claims it's in good running order, just without a front bumper.
After Trenton got off work last Sunday night we were able to relax at the ice cream parlor and converse about life, work and studies. Finding out that he is deep into computer programming and has a background from junior college in Sacramento in a different platform than what he's been offered at U.C. He's managing to wing it and learn the new platform while working full-time at 24 Hour Fitness as a Operations Assistant. He currently has Friday's and Saturdays off. The company is trying to find a way to promote him to Operations Manager where he'll have more responsibilities regardless of his school load. The District Manager made it clear that he's far more equipped than the last few managers he's worked for.
Good luck to Trenton and keep drinking those Wes malts you Banana Slug!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)