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fiction and musings from a gay black dude with delusions above his station

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the gar spot fiction and musings from a gay black dude with delusions above his station

Tag: Bay Area

The Day the Bay Shook: Remembering Loma Prieta 30 Years Later

Posted on October 16, 2019October 16, 2019 by gar

October 17, 1989. Around 5:02 pm or so, I left my office, old room 349 Boalt Hall at UC Berkeley. I wound through the narrow catacombs that made up the third floor at that time, skipped down the stairs and exited the building via a backdoor between the second and third floors. The door exited…

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The Dust Journals – Part XVIII

Posted on June 10, 2015 by gar

Wednesday, May 25, 2157 I got up early that morning, went to the kitchen and had a small bowl of fruit. I ate alone. I remember thinking that it was the first time I ate alone since getting there. The thought did not linger. I switched to thinking about my library and all the books…

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The Dust Journals – Part XVII

Posted on May 23, 2015June 4, 2015 by gar

Friday, May 20, 2157 Walter and I took the long elevator ride back to the surface. His electric car sat exactly where he left it, fully charged now, good to go. That’s when I broke the silence: Take me home. He asked, why. I said, I don’t want to be any part of this. He…

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The Dust Journals – Part XV

Posted on April 19, 2015 by gar

(Editor’s note: Find previous installments here.) Sunday, March 20, 2157 We had to take the car to our next adventure. It has a three-hundred mile range, he said, though he rarely went farther than about 100 miles. Our destination was barely 10 miles. Still, it felt good to be out. Views of the Bay Area…

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The Dust Journals – Part XIII

Posted on January 25, 2015February 14, 2015 by gar

Thursday, March 17, 2157 So what sent me over the edge over a week ago? I have it on my lap: a book called Titans. That Saturday I remember getting up early and going outside for a walk. It was already hot, so I didn’t stay outside for long. I’ve spent so little time outside…

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The Dust Journals – Part XII

Posted on January 21, 2015 by gar

Friday, March 11, 2157 Walter is so wonderful. Most of my life, the people I’ve encountered don’t give a damn about anything but their immediate existence. They have no time for anything else, especially other people’s complex emotions. I’ve lived most of my life, most of my adult life, among this class, 22nd century hunter-gatherers….

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The Dust Journals – Part XI

Posted on November 30, 2014 by gar

Saturday, March 5, 2157 The voices returned, violently. So violent came their onslaught that I blacked out and am just coming to. Whatever it was Walter wanted to show me, it hasn’t happen yet. I’m back in the bed again with bloodstained bandages on my head. It’s too hard to write, physically and mentally, too…

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The Dust Journal – Part X

Posted on October 29, 2014 by gar

[Editor’s note: For earlier installments of this series, click here.] Friday, March 4, 2157 What an extraordinary few days it has been. His name is Walter. He alone takes care of the desalination station. Techs come out twice a year, he says, to service various systems that he cannot take care of by himself. Otherwise…

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The Dust Journals – Part IX

Posted on August 10, 2014 by gar

Monday, February 27, 2157 I found myself in a bed. It has a white frame with arching head- and footboards made of metal. The sheets are clean and the mattress is comfortable. It looks like one of those hospital beds you see in old World War II movies, but this bed looks too new to…

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The Dust Journals – Part VIII

Posted on August 2, 2014 by gar

Friday, February 24, 2157 Destitute was one of those words my great-granddad did not believe in. Whenever he heard that a group of people were destitute, the first thing he would ask was, Well, do they have a television? A car? A dishwasher? If they do, then they don’t sound ‘destitute’ to me! If pushed…

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A gorgeous day at the #oaklandgreekfestival #oakla A gorgeous day at the #oaklandgreekfestival #oakland #greekfestival #greek #music #food #ilovemycity
I used to rock the hell out of these. Cards of dis I used to rock the hell out of these. Cards of discovery and endless possibilities. I still miss them. 
#cardcatalog #library #knowledge #og #searchengine
A sunny Saturday in 1990 found my sister Tania (@m A sunny Saturday in 1990 found my sister Tania (@makeuptogoblog) and I outside of the Julia Morgan Center waiting. I had seen the great Maestro Pt. Shivkumar Sharma in LA—he even autographed an album for me. And I was studying tabla with his accompanist Ud. Zakir Hussain at the time. We couldn’t wait. But wait we did, because the maestros weren’t there. As my sister and I stood at the front of the line, they came. Ud. Zakirji was laughing and joking. Pt. Shivji looked as if he floated in as he passed and entered the theater. After we got settled in our seats, it was on. A beautiful concert with the two maestros playing rapturously, holding us spellbound. Pt. Shivji floated in like a deity and played to the heavens, taking us all with him. By far one of my favorite concerts. 

Words cannot describe how devastated I am at the great master’s passing. His gifts to music and the world are incalculable. My condolences to Panditji’s family, to @zakirhq9 , and to all who loved his beautiful music. #ptshivkumarsharma #indianclassicalmusic #santoor #rip
This makes me very happy. #oaklandgreekfestival # This makes me very happy. 
#oaklandgreekfestival #theyreback #yahoo #greek #oakland #ilovemycity
Happy 85th Birthday to legendary Maestro Ron Carte Happy 85th Birthday to legendary Maestro Ron Carter! The most recorded bassist in history, he was a huge inspiration for my late brother Robert. And he continues to inspire bassists and musicians to this day. 
#happybirthday #roncarter #legend #bassist #jazz #music
Dinner on the back porch. #alfresco #dinner #pizza Dinner on the back porch. #alfresco #dinner #pizza #arizmendi #evening
My sacred music day where I pay homage to Duke Ell My sacred music day where I pay homage to Duke Ellington (1899-1974) and Ustad Alla Rakha (1919-2000) on their shared birthday. This year I’m also celebrating the 100th birthday anniversary of harmonica and whistling maestro Toots Thielemans (1922-2016). Enjoy the music of all of these legends! ✌🏾 ❤️ 🎶 
#dukeellington #allarakha #abbaji #tootsthielemans #centenary #happybirthday #music
Happy Birthday Ella Fitzgerald! Born on this day i Happy Birthday Ella Fitzgerald! Born on this day in 1917. 
#ella #ellafitzgerald #firstladyofsong #jazz
It’s the only home we got. Let’s treat it with It’s the only home we got. Let’s treat it with respect and love. 
#earthday #earthday2022 #home #planet #environment
A harrowing day, but it ended safely. I’m home n A harrowing day, but it ended safely. I’m home now with a nice cup of tea. ☕️ 
#berkeley #shelterinplace #allclear #home #tea #murchies
This pale blue beauty is destined to become part o This pale blue beauty is destined to become part of my #sundaybrunch #pancakes. Fresh from my next door neighbor!
Celebrating the centenary of a great musician. Hap Celebrating the centenary of a great musician. Happy 100th Birthday Ustad Ali Akbar Khan Sahib!!! His great legacy lives on. 
#aliakbarkhan #centenary #indianclassicalmusic #sarode
Booster number 2. #teammoderna #booster #covid #k Booster number 2. 
#teammoderna #booster #covid #kaiseroakland
Lunch today. @arizmendilakeshore #pizza #nomnom # Lunch today. @arizmendilakeshore 
#pizza #nomnom #lunch
History achieved. #confirmed #justiceketanjibrown History achieved. 
#confirmed #justiceketanjibrownjackson #justicebrownjackson #ketanjibrownjackson #history #scotus
Banners appear all over the #Cal campus highlighti Banners appear all over the #Cal campus highlighting its 150+ year history. These hang on lampposts, painted in African-themed colors, around a square just off Sproul Plaza that has served as a gathering place for Black Cal students for decades. A nice acknowledgment that Black students have been and continue to be a part of the campus history. 
#blackhistory #blackstudents #blackstudentsmatter #blackatcal
The most Robert photo ever, smiling and on the pho The most Robert photo ever, smiling and on the phone. Thinking of you on your birthday. 
#missyoumadly #happybirthday #fuckcancer
Meanwhile, Miss Lucy keeps careful watch. #catsof Meanwhile, Miss Lucy keeps careful watch. 
#catsofinstagram #neighborscat #catguardian #frommybackyard
Definitely back home in Oakland. #californiagaspri Definitely back home in Oakland. #californiagasprices
Foggy morning. Just waiting for the plane. Farewel Foggy morning. Just waiting for the plane. Farewell #nola and #sas22! Until the next time. 
#traveling #flying #writersofinstagram #writerslife
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