Hell update - arrived right on time back again in L.A. today happy as a clam. We've been recounting everything, of course, laughing and wistful at the same time. In the midst of all of this we received a few calls from fellow wistful festers who wanted to wish us a good night out! But it's been a quiet night and we are in recovery mode for the moment. Reality also hit late last night when I learned my father had been hospitalized - think he will be O.K. - but it's always a fragile situation. If all goes well Hell and I may go see Peter Erskine and Dave Carpenter tomorrow night at Rocco's for only ten bucks ;-) And I haven't forgotten to mention more of you but last night I was literally listing off to starboard with exhaustion and had to go with that. So on to - Mr. Lama - yes, you ARE as good as Diltz - you have the magic eye and touch with the camera. I saw some previews of what Jim took last weekend and every single one is incredible - I can't wait to drool over them all. I was so happy to see you again. What a total prince you are getting Yael to the Fest, too! Thank you for your enduring friendship, Lama. Marilyn - it was great to see you at the Fest this year and I'm glad you got up on stage to join the group. Please post more - you are too quiet! ;-) And I didn't meet Pauline at all - but welcome to the list and to Jonifest! Bob (THE Bob) - Boy, you can sing and we have been seeing more and more of your talent unfolding over the past few fests. "Blue Motel Room?" Yep, you have graduated to the big time! Thanks for your tireless emcee-ing and constant sense of fun! Thanks also for the latest covers disc and the organic mosquito repellent (thanks to Alison and Jody for the same!). I wasn't bulletproof but only ended up with about 6 bites instead of 60 this year! I groaned though, when I saw them heading the same way they have at other Fests. I never have such allergic reactions to them normally and I've been in some heavy duty tropical places in my time. Interestingly, I was waiting to see the doctor the other day and found this little fold-out display made by Claritin of the whole process of allergic skin reactions, including insect bites - LOL! So I perused it and I learned something that had escaped my knowledge previously. Seems that strong emotion alone can bring on the aggravated reaction. Aha! So now we know the real reason and there is no cure because there is no repellent for the heart ;-) Les the Great - I could hug you all the time for how sweet you are, and cute and talented and yeah, yeah, yeah ;-) Thank you as ever for giving us this place to find each other and ourselves. We love you very much. Kakki
