".bar a into walks tachyon A"

Last night, I met elisem, along with Patrick and Teresa (friends of Velma's and Soren's; nice, smart, SF-type people) at a place called Quarter in Brooklyn. I had strong memories of Quarter from going there with Velma and Soren, particularly during Soren's recovery from the stroke (I don't think I'll ever be able to listen to the Buzzcocks' "Why Can't I Touch It?" on the jukebox there without thinking of them); this was only the second occasion I'd been there since they had left New York, and memories were strong. We talked about them; about memories occasioned; about science fiction, and music (Patrick and Elise were both carrying ukeleles, both of which came into play during the evening); of Civil War trivia (quick- who was the leader of the Union forces at Gettysburg?). An interesting dynamic, not made less so by the fact that, while I've known all concerned for quite some time, and come to care for each of them in our individual degrees, this was really the first time we'd hung out without Velma and Soren, and we can all be fairly said to still be getting to know one another. Which is good: exploring new people (assuming they feel right to begin with) is definitely part of the fun. (Random: Elise used to be close with the science fiction author John M. Ford, a man with an Asimov-style brain. They were in a car, when the driver happened to mention that "Polish" is the only word that changes pronunciation based on whether or not the first letter is capitalized. From Ford, with no discernible pause: "tangier".)

(no subject)

Datum: Quarter is a space with surprisingly strong memories for me; all night long, I dreamed about Rose's Turn, no doubt because I associate Quarter so strongly with people I knew from Rose's.

Today, elisem and I went to Green-Wood cemetery, and walked around the interior perimeter until we reached the grave of Jean-Michel Basquait. Teresa had given me a piece of mica last night; today, I placed it on the corner of the stone, finding the mica somehow reminiscent of this artist who had had so many cultural levels to his life. On the way, we talked on the phone with Velma, and it was lovely and touching to have her familiar voice speaking to me as Elise and I walked under lowering skies. On the way back, it began sprinkling rain, and Elise and I harmonized on "Desperado" as we walked.

It may be raining,
but there's a rainbow above you...

Back to Patrick and Teresa's, where we watched the "Drum Boogie/Match Boogie" Gene Krupa scene from Ball of Fire, as well as old footage of a female black singer/guitar player (and an amazing one) from the 30s through the 60s- Sister Rosetta Tharp. An incredibly energetic performer; one wishes Bill Graham could have booked her at the Fillmore, that the kids of the 60s might have known her, and she might be better remembered today. Well, well worth a listen.