It’s been a whirlwind and exactly two months have gone by since my last Bill Murray Affair post. It’s currently the middle of a solar eclipse, all the planets have aligned and the angels are singing. Okay, it’s really just an incredibly gorgeous Fall day. (The eclipse part is true.) I still haven’t unpacked from the event in San Francisco. (My wee suitcase still sitting in the corner propping up my laundry likely says more about my organizational and time management skills more than anything else. Call me timely if not tidy.) Charming personal flaws aside, the event was a blast.

The last minute prep was crazy: readying all work for travel and getting all customs paperwork perfectly prepared and ready only to have the customs agent look at me perplexed, shrug and tell me he ” … has no idea what to do with my paperwork and to just ship my work next time”. All said and done in .5 seconds. Finis!

I had read horror stories of artists attempting to bring work into the US and then having it confiscated. I was stunned at the brief exchange and it was comical how I stood there with my paperwork, extended in hand, when I had already been waved through. But, but, but … I have paperwork. :)

The few days spent there was speedy and wonderful. I always enjoy time spent in San Francisco. I had expected it to be rather warm and again was surprised by the weather.  The universe likes to throw me a chuckle and flagrant HUZZAH or two every now and then. The last time I was in San Francisco there was a heat wave and I had packed Arctic wear. I can’t complain as I’ll never pass up a chance to supplement my wardrobe. This time it was completely frosty and I had expected August to be downright balmy. I had brought flip flops and capris. Silly rabbit expectations are for kids. A complete character of a taxi driver, who has wandered and meditated his way through various deserts, attributed the following quote to Mark Twain in response to my weather surprise “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” Great quote. It’s cheeky. I completely love it whether it’s correctly attributed to Twain or not.

I adore that I was able to dine on some of the most fabulous Indian noms I’ve ever eaten (and I’m pretty well versed in South Asian eats). Mela Tandoori Kitchen I heart you, completely, and the fact you deliver. I will happily recommend and order your food the next time I’m in town. (Why you no deliver to Vancouver, BC, Canada? Cheeky wink)

I also loved that I got to pick my own space and hang my own work at the venue earlier in the day. Anyone who knows me knows how much it would take for me to hand over my creative heart for someone else to haphazardly hang. Some call it control issues. I call it creative motherly love. Wink.

The night of the show was absolutely fabulous. Let me repeat that … FAB-U-LOUS. I got to speak to a lot of wonderful people and didn’t get the chance to speak with many, many more. My apologies to the fellow standing by my work waving furiously at me to come speak to him. I have no words as to why I didn’t clue in quickly enough to wade my way through the crowd to speak with you. I was in complete awe by so much going on. (That, old age and copious glasses of wine also likely contributed.) So many talented artists, their work and so many freakin’ art lovers all combined in the same place? Utopia I tell ya. I had never seen so many people stuffed into one place with such a massive line up waiting to get in. I was humbled and honored. It was electric. I got over the anxiety of watching to see if a red “sold” dot was placed on my work and played it cool while I “sat” in chaotic awe. (It felt like grade 6 gym class and being chosen for dodge ball teams all over again.) Thankfully, was lucky to have sold a bunch of my work to people whom I suspect I had spoken with. The night couldn’t possibly have been better. Well except if the man himself had show up and placed a big smooch on my cheek but in all honesty I can see him showing up at a nice tame ice cream social or somewhat tame (?) bachelor party. I can’t see him showing up at a wonderfully and freakishly crowded event in his honor that didn’t involve a life time achievement award or a celebrity roast. Which I’m good with. I still openly admire the legend if not the man. I pay tribute to his mystique.

Ezra and Julia Croft (and volunteers) put on a fabulous event and I can only imagine what a pain in the ass all the details were to pull together. I’m surprised their sanity remains intact after this event let alone the others they’ve thrown and are currently crafting. I bow down to you. Thank you for the opportunity. I’d also like to thank the hub for supporting me in the entire venture and our wonderful friends David and Ron from Laguna for flying up to support me. I can’t properly express the gratitude and love I feel for you for this act of absolute kindness. Thanks also for the wee hours of the morning after event(s). It was a hilarious blast.

This night will remain as one of my top 10 and will be one I will sit back and remember while rocking away my crotchety twilight years. All I can say is … grateful. That and I’m now craving me some  wicked tasty channa masala.

(Side note: unfortunately I don’t have the names of the artists who created the works shown below. If you know the artist or any of these are your own work please contact me so that I’m able to give complete credit and devotion where it’s due. Otherwise and in the meantime enjoy the photos of the event and these individual works but please do not distribute or copy them, in part or in whole, as they’re covered by universal intellectual property and copyright laws and I’m sure the artists will personally kick your ass if you do. Thanks. Wink.)

 Fabulous, yes?

 I can have my own knitted Peter Venkman? Whaaa?  Pure awesome-sauce.

Who ya gonna call? Ya, I’m a dork. I almost molested the poor people dressed as the Ghostbusters. Thankfully my shoe wear didn’t allow me to speedily pursue them and they escaped my dork huggish grasp.

See previous awesome comment.

These were massive and davoon. I kept trying to figure out how the artist was able to store and transport them.

Guess I can’t call myself a Murray fan until I finally watch this movie. Personal challenge accepted.

Random crowd shot. That guy totally *caught* me taking this photo and gave me the fish eye which is now frozen in time for prosperity. Hopefully he’s not currently wanted by any law enforcement agencies or I may have busted his cover.

Didn’t catch the first chapter? CLICK ON ME to read the lead up to the tryst …
Want to eyeball the official event deets? CLICK HERE.