Sorry

for the delayed blog.. I didn’t want to let out the fact that I had

planned ot surprise by brother and mom at my brother’s 50th birthday

party down in houston.

I got down to Houston around 6 PM .. I

was off the plane for about 15 seconds when I remembered that wet

blanket feel of Houston summer air..How in the world did I survie

nearly 20 years of this weather ?   Weather aside.. The flat sprawl and

jungle heat felt familiar and welcoming..  I drove to our friend

Jenny’s house to meet up with my sister Mary.. her visit was also a

surprise. As I got out of the airconditioned car my glasses fogged up

from condensation.. How do people wear glasses here ?

I

grabbed a quick shower and caught up with Mary and Jenny.. Pretty soon

it was time to wander down to Shoeshine Charlies, the bar for billys

party. We wanted to be discreet as e walked in.. so mary and I put

decorated paper bags over our heads… real stealth.. especially wiht

my LED headpand going inside.. practicaly invisible !

We

walked in and quickly homed in on Billy.. beleive it or not.. he

couldn’t figure out who we were for a few seconds. When we lifted our

bags he freaked !.. He was genuinely surprised to see us.. which was a

surprise.. since our family surprises like  that are expected.. so not

showing up would be a bigger surprise.. does that surprise you ?

(wait.. did those last two sentances make sense ? )

It was

worth the trip down to see billy’s reaction.. He’d been worried that

nobody would show up.. By 8 the place was packed.. and it only got more

so as the evening progressde.

It

was great seeing so many relatives and friends from so long ago.. I ran

into my coausing Leslie.. whom I haven’t seen since Sam’s memorial ..

We used t build tents under dining room table and read dictionaries to

her.. Or..we’d take turns flicking my grandfather’s cigar ashes off..

much to his (probably faked) displeasure.

I

saw my freind Bill (who avoided my camera) . and his wife Jeanette and

their son (both in this pic)  . Bill was our mischiveous neighbor that

always got us in trouble. I rmemeber him setting off fireworks at Diane

and my wedding.

Oh

man.. here’s Bruce J and his Mom Bertha.. Bruce and his brothers were

our closest Neighbors and best friends growing up.  It was so cool

catching up with Bertha..  She and her husband Jim who

passed away about 2 years back.. were epic figures in our childhood

stories..Bertha was a school theacher, then principle.. who always

tested her new tests and reading equipment on billy and me.. I was

proud to be a lab rat ifor the betterment of texas ed.

My ausn sis and uncle phil from Ohio. also  showed up as a surprise..  I hadne’t seen them in ages either.. It was great catching up with them

I

got to see all of my nephews and neice as well. He’re Ben with his

girlfriend Sami and his friend Omar.. We had a good long talk about

rave toys..  Actually here were about 4 other burning man folks there

and we lamented being outside on this day 2 days before the brn .

The

party was open bar.. but.. I was strictly on diet cokes.. as I had a 3

hour drive to do afterwords. There was also a great Barbecue spread

from my brothers freind Professor Alex and his wonderful family..   I’m

not much f a meat eater.. but they had some of the best potato salad

I’ve ever had. .. 

The

band was lightrock express.. a very good 70’s cover band of billys

firends and band mates.. Billy took the stage and belted out a good

‘Back in the USSR” and a couple of other numbers. I’ll try and upload

soem vids of that   He was defintiely looking and soundg good.

It was so wonderful seeing billy in his element and surrounded by so many folks who love him !.

As

I visited the gents at one point I saw a calendar for the Contenental

Club.. which is next door.. billy and his band are playing there on

Spet 24th.. If you’re in Houston, check it out !

THen

it was time to cut thte cake.. It was decorated with an image of

Billy’s iconic spray painted Nocona’s with the red cross.. he always

wears them in surgery .

Then more singing, more dancing.. it was jumping..

I spent until about 1 AM milling around tlaking to folks.. hugging my family.. takign pictures..

Around 1 Anm things started to wind down.. So I hugged all my fmaily members

and

headed out.. Billy walked out wtih me to show me his 50th gift to

himself.. An amazing Adi A8.. owe of 140 made, top speed of 200 + MPH

with a Lamberghini rear mounded image, carbon fiber body panels..

We

are alike in so many ways.. but here.. we differ 🙂 .. I would not

know what to do with that sort of machine.. maybe dismantle it for it’s

wonderful parts

I

got on the freeway and pointed my rental towards san antoni.. it was a

3 hour drive through the straightest and flatest roads in amaerica.. I

drove the familier route listening to whatever I could get on the

raido, indian music, dico, christian raido, BBC..     

I got to San Antonio about 4 AM..  and my next day began..

more on that later
nite all, nite Sam
-me