Flagging in the Park closes out 2013

Another gorgeous day for a gorgeous experience.

And a truly heartfelt thank-you to DJ Wayne G for truly special soundtrack. I do hope he posts a "classics/anthems" podcast set soon. It was just one lively remix after another, and songs we knew and loved. Check out his remixes on iTunes.

October is Super Happy Fun Time

The frist week of October is always a blast with everything going on. This year was made double-delighful with the return of Andrew Parker from Australia. Andrew was visiting SF and the Castro Street Fair in 2009 and I pulled him from the sidelines (how could I not?) and onto the dance floor. We've stayed in touch and have had fun times when he visits ever since. And he tried to make it Castro Street Fair weekend.

Indian Summer is here in force, and we enjoyed warm autumn nights and touring the gayest neighborhood on earth. Apparently, there is noting like the Castro in Sydney.

Andrew started his trip by joining us for the Alec Mapa show at UCSF and dinner at Kezar, then over the next week or so we dined and danced our way across the City. Andrew took in some of the sights, braved Muni madness, and experienced the Shit Show at Badlands but other than the Fair, I'm told the highlight of his trip was joining the San Framily celebration that is Flagging in the Park.

It was such a beautiful day for it, and one of the organizers was kind enough to loan us some flags and give us some lessons.




Seriously: Way harder than it looks. But super fun!






Andrew and I were invite to a Sunday morning Pre-Castro Street Fair at the top of the hill, and it was a hot sunny day for a walk. Such lovely people and a great way to start the fair.


While in the back garden, we met John (pictured). When introduced, John said, "Hey...Wilson...that's an interesting name. I only know one other Wilson. Well, I don't know him know him, he's just kind of famous around town. Have you heard of...wait, are you Wilson Hardcastle?

I had to think a moment about (1) where had he heard of me; (2) what had he heard of me; and finally (3) considering the possibilities of (1) and (2), how is best to answer.

Of course I tend to be all Popeye on things like this (proudly state that I am what I am) and freely admitted my identify, however hesitantly I awaited his clarification. It turns out he knows me from the Facebooks, originally through Coco (Co-Captain, Team Wilson) and now subscribes to my posts even thought we are not FB friends.

The Castro Street Fair was even more crowded this year, but as always a lot of fun. Basically just an enormous community/block party with random booths, some entertainment stages, and food on sticks.


And, of course, nuts:


The naked people controversy continues, and a bunch of guys climbed to the edge of the rooftop above the Walgreens at 18th & Castro and drank, danced and shook their junk at the crowd far below.


Or what I captioned: "Crappy way to die." I'm amazed no one fell.

The Sundance Saloon stage was ridiculous fun as always,


and attracted non-country but ridiculously fun people:


LOVE to Suzan and Joanna!

And I am excited that Andrew got to meet Donna Sachet, although the significance of that may have been lost on him.


And I can't believe that hanging out with other friends, I ran into James Sikes who lives here now.


And he recognized me from years ago!

All in all an exhausting and wonderful weekend. After naps, dinner and showers, Andrew and I met back up and hid from the Sunday circuit parties and Sundance Saloon and just had extended quality time in the window of Twin Peaks.


We watched the neighborhood revert to what passes for normal, shared conversation of hopes and dreams, anecdotes, and anticipations of future adventures.

Come to San Francisco, and see the world.

disco semaphore

I love Flagging in the Park.  They don't do it very often and when they do I often can't attend.  But it is a great group of people and a beautiful experience, and a lovely way to spend a sunny Sunday in San Francisco and to celebrate life and the struggle.  Here are scenes from the August event, with music from good friend and great DJ Christopher B.

flag day

"Flagging in the Park" has become an annual celebration in the AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park. Trying to be diligent, I wouldn't let myself walk over to the party until after I had gotten most of the Saturday chores done—but it was such a great time and a beautiful day I wish I had left more of my domestic work undone. While I did not join in with the flagging, it was hard to resist the dancing—the DJ was amazing and I was properly schooled for not knowing who DJ Susan Morabito is. She played such a fun all-day set of celebratory highs, grooves, downslides and climaxes. So. Much. Fun.

.

I took some fun pics, and some video clips (that pic above is supposed to be animated). The accompanying music, Brendan James' The Lucky Ones, is clearly not the style of music everyone was flagging to, but as I was walking to work and thinking of putting together a clip video, this song came on my iPod's playlist and just seemed to fit. We are the lucky ones—the lovers, the thrivers, and the survivors. We celebrate not the loss, but the lives.

Let your flag fly.