Thanks


Subject: Thanks
From: Gregory MacNicol (gregorym@beema.com)
Date: Fri Jun 18 1999 - 01:48:33 CDT


Dear Birthday Enthusiasts,

Well, as Gorbachev once said, “The party’s over”. And so it may seem. But
the memories of six or seven hundred people partying together all day and
all night in the Santa Cruz hills will linger for a long while. At least
until next year.

The stacks of photos and videos revealed more than I knew what was going on
at this annual obligatory get-together. In fact, it was hard to believe it
was only one event. With the Marimba band, fire dancer, the trance dance
band, Magenta’s flaming belly dance performance, high-energy techno-trance
dancing in the living room, and spontaneous music everywhere, I’m surprised
anyone had time to play Ping-Pong. The video also revealed the Animation
Studio (for kids only) had all video screens on, with feverish focus of all
participants. And the group shot came out great. OK, so it took 3 shots to
get everybody in there. But, as promised, everybody was exposed.

In the “In Case You Missed It Category”, a big, white, stretch limo
sauntered up the driveway in the late evening and parked next to the
campfire. Why there? When its doors opened up, you could see the roaring
fireplace, a video, comfortably communing with its brethren spirit, real
flames. Apart from its profound symbolic gesture, it made a nice place to
hang out, particularly with all the food, brandy, and good people inside.
Thanks Reid.

One thing we all missed was the laser show. Well, Paul, who does the big
shows for Michael Jackson and such, suddenly had an offer (paid) that he
couldn’t refuse. Next year. And poor Terry, who was going to bring his Tesla
coil (on a truck) and a generator (on another truck) just couldn’t take on
such a massive project – this time. But he’s thinking already about next
year. Be warned.

Like perhaps many of you, I was unprepared for the next day. However, an
army of champagne-bearing well-wishers arrived in the early morning, I think
about 12:00 P.M., while another round of bagel, cream cheese, and
salmon-types brewed some delightfully strong coffee – made even better with
whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Luckily the hot tub was also cooking
and plenty warm enough. And so, between rounds of different activities – and
great, wide-eyed story-telling of the night before – everything got cleaned
up by dusk. Hard to believe, considering all that happened only hours
before.

That day, I received a number of truly wonderful phone messages. Thank you.
However, many of them went like: “Wow. Great party. Thanks. Hey, listen, I
met this woman, you must’ve seen us talking, we were near the stage, and,
well, I forget her name, but do you have her number? She’s into astrology
and I think she lives in Santa Cruz.” Sorry, I don’t. Try 411. They might.
But next year, you’re on your own: Get the number (the name too) of the
person you want to meet after the party.

So if this were the Academy Awards for birthdays, I’d be at the podium
tearfully saying, “ I’d like to thank all of you who participated and gave
so much. In particular Al, Ned, Mike, and Jim for building the stage, Cheryl
for decorating it, Paul (who flew in from the East Coast), Mike, and Donna,
who cooked and provided lots and lots of healthy food, and Devon who brought
the Paul Bunyon style BBQ, and Pauline who made and brought that massive
strawberry birthday cake (took two people to move it – and more to watch),
and Couger for cleaning up. And thanks to Vaughn for taking the group shot.
(I told him, “Everybody gets shot.” And he did it.) And to Magenta, who
mesmerized us while dancing under her 3-tiered candelabra, And to Karen, who
made flames dance. And Sadanam, who performed with his big gong. And Om, who
DJ’d the pounding trance-dance music in the “living” room. And thanks to
those who brought that tea and other goodies to share. And all of you who
brought plants, seeds and flowers, and beautiful gifts, and funny cards. And
to Cheryl, whose birthday it was. Goodness – there sure was a lot of loving
and appreciative energy in one spot at one time”. Why are they turning off
the lights and removing the podium?”

What if you missed this grand, ever-so-Santa-Cruz event? Too bad. But I do
promise to have many more birthdays. Lots. So plan ahead. And thanks again,
all of you, for another incredible Gathering of the Tribe.

Timelessly Yours,
Gregory



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