I'll miss ya, Mike

My last night in San Francisco I learned that one of my oldest and dearest friends had passed away that day.

Mike Brown was a great man and a great friend who selflessly touched the lives of many people. He was a long-time volunteer with the Winnipeg Folk Festival and Lower Fort Garry. He played, coached and acted as trainer for countless amateur sports teams in and around the city. He climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for and awareness of Alzheimer's disease. Mike was a caring nurse who also cared for his colleagues by acting as a union rep and negotiator.

He was a loving husband to Nancy for 20 years and two days. As proud as I was to be your best man, my friend, I was equally happy that you agreed to be mine. I just wish you could've been here to celebrate our 20th with us.

Mike did a lot of things in his life and this song , which was played at his funeral, captured Mike's spirit perfectly. Goodbye, my old friend. I'll miss you always.

Ramblin' Boy

Words and Music by Tom Paxton

He was a man and a friend always
He stuck with me in the hard old days.
He never cared if I had no dough
We rambled 'round in the rain and snow.

[Chorus]
And here's to you my ramblin' boy
May all your ramblin' bring you joy
And here's to you my ramblin' boy
May all your ramblin' bring you joy.

In Tulsa town we chanced to stray
We thought we'd try to work one day
The boss said he had room for one
Says my old pal, "We'd rather bum!"

[Chorus]

Late one night in a jungle* camp
The weather it was cold and damp
He got the chills and he got 'em bad
They took the only friend I had.

[Chorus]

He left me here, to ramble on
My ramblin' pal, is dead and gone
If when we die, we go somewhere
I'll bet you a dollar, he's ramblin' there.

[Chorus]

* hobo jungle

I left my heart...

I met a lot of interesting people on my visit to San Francisco. Perhaps none moreso than a gent I met on my last night there.

By myself on my last night in the city by the bay, I headed over to Union Square (a large outdoor plaza surrounded by all the major retailers) and to take in one last taste of SF.

I was just walking around taking in the sights when I saw this man standing outside the grand old Westin Hotel. I couldn't tell how old the fellow was - somewhere between 40 and 70 - because he hadn't had an encounter with a razor, hairbrush or nail clippers for quite some time. Perhaps not a real bed either. But looking at him you could tell this fellow was a learned man; he gave off the vibes of someone who was literate. He was wearing two or three jackets and a woolen hat, as well as a sign that read "will take verbal abuse for spare change."

I had a buck or so in change in my pocket and I walked over to this fellow and said "you're creative. I like that."

He leaned towards me and said "thank you sir. And if I may say, you're probably as sick as I am, and I mean that in the kindest possible way."

Here's thinking of you, my friend...

_____________________________

And earlier in the week I had another interesting and pleasant (but very different) encounter with Northern Californians. On Monday I and a colleague had started our training in San Bruno. It was my wife's last night before heading home so I thought I'd take her out for some Mexican food, our favourite. So I asked the trainer where we should go. He recommended Don Pico's a local place down the street.

My colleague and I agreed to meet there at 7:30 but we ran a little bit late. When we got to the restaurant we saw one long table running the length of the restaurant with around 50 people sitting on either side. An old fellow come to the door and said "I'm sorry this is a private party."

My colleague Cathi came up and said "Sid, these are my friends."

Sid: "So, you're the other Canadians. My wife was born in Montreal. I love Canadians. Please join us."

So we sat and enjoyed a feast beyond imagining. Twenty-five dollars per person and 25 courses. 25? I like so as much as most people, but 25 courses?

The courses came out one at a time, introduced by chef Isaac Mejia. Some were from the restaurant's menu, others he just dreamed up, such as the ambrosia-like ribs with orange tamarind sauce or the cilantro rice. One month later I can still taste them.

All the while our neighbours at the table welcomed us like family. We were even invited to join some of them at a jazz bar in San Mateo two nights later.

Anyway, Isaac proved too much for all of us. After 19 courses everyone said enough is enough and dessert - a lovely fresh mango cheesecake - was the finishing touch for the night.