S P A C E C O W B O Y S

I know it’s a little late into 07 to be talking about New Year’s resolutions, and I generally don’t even go in for those sorts of things because the only time I seem to remember them is right before the next new year starts to approach. I frantically read Gravity’s Rainbow and Finnegan’s Wake at the same time, then spend quality time with all the friends I hardly see because they live more than 3 blocks of my home (or worse, in the East Bay), then meditate until I’m able to slow my heart beat like a ninja, then I quit drinking (again), then I finish a novel and rewrite a couple stories, and then update the Space Cowboy blog, and then take the clothing I bought but never looked good in to Good Will, then getting my finances in order, and then finally I go on a diet and lose 10 lbs, all in one day. Resolutions are just too much pressure, IMHO, and I decided if I want to make an effort to be a better person, I’ll just do it whenever the fuck I remember to do it, and so far that seems to be working out. Still, I do think there’s room at the end of the year for some small resolutions. One year I decided to figure out what the lyrics to Interpol songs mean – “She can read, she can read, she can read, she’s bad” – WTF? I’m still at a loss. The other sort of resolution I dig is the ones when people agree to ditch some cultural phenomenon that’s been overplayed, like “That’s how I roll”, or wearing big sunglasses and bangs. This year I’d like to suggest we say goodbye to the Pirate. I know everyone loves Jack Sparrow, but the last movie was a sad sibling of the first – a Stephen Baldwin to the first’s Alec Baldwin, if you will. And there’s a good chance the next one could be worse – it could be Daniel. But I’m not going to pull your Pirate without giving you something in return. No, I’m suggesting an exchange. You put down the Pirate, but for 07 you get to pick up the Hobo. How’s that for a trade? The Hobo is the perfect iconic figure to replace the Pirate – like the Pirate he’s a bad dresser, like the Pirate he smells of booze and like the Pirate a Hobo is all about Freedom. But the Hobo finds his Freedom on the land, riding rails with his brother ‘boes, all while hailing the Man with a one-fingered salute from here to Poughkeepsie. Stylistically, the Hobo’s grunge is the natural next step after the Pirate’s new wave. So next time you’re waxing the tips of your moustache and slipping into your skinny, tapered jeans, take a moment to Google images of Chaplin’s tramp, and think how much cooler and more comfy his baggy outfit is…

is spray-painted on the side of a warehouse down the street from my house here in E’ville – Emeryville that is. It inspired me today to write a little something about my and your BOC experience. I have received via tribe lots of wonderful thanks and kudos to me, Kirk and the Space Cowboys and I wanted to share some with everyone. I also wanted to express to everyone that came to our party how much it means to me personally that it means so much to you personally – if that makes any sense.

One encounter that I will never forget – well of course I have forgotten her name – was a woman who told Kirk and I that 2 years ago during his set her boyfriend proposed marriage. Yes, right by the stripper pole – to your right of the dj (that was not there that year) but in that vicinity. She said yes, she got married and came to this year BOC with an awesome story to share. I never met the husband – he was passed out somewhere I believe. Every once in a while – while I was rocking out during Kirks set I would see her on the dance floor dancing her arse off!!

I danced like I have never danced before. Kirks chunky bass and breakdowns possessed me – I was bouncing and bounding to my favorite person in the world. The energy level was intense. I was truly happy – as I think a lot of people were. One tribe email asked me, “to confirm that the breaks room was levitating?” And well my answer is, “yes it was!”

Thanks to everyone who came out to play, to work and to experince BOC2007.

My highlights for the beginning of 2007: Ending the bus in three not four hours, the smile on Erik’s face and I saw him dance, Yeah! Eva’s racing outfit – purrs, the giraffes and the parrot – the sunshine, Sara aka pink koosh on the pole during Kirks set – hot! Kirk and the look in his eyes as every track dropped – and the dance floors explosion of heads banging and bouncing, Amazing, every room was going off!! But the very best thing was seeing new and old friends there having the time of their lives, at least for now. What a way to bring in the year – I feel blessed and honored to be a part of this slice of life.

We here at the cowboy camp owe a shout out to everyone who came to BOC this past weekend. Best BOC ever, best DJs ever, best something under the table ever, even perfect sunny sunglasses weather.

Seeing all the pictures posted around town (check mvgals & pleasuresean ) makes me wish I was still there. I didn’t get to give Otto a hug, and I missed Kirk’s set. I only had one piece of bacon, and only made it to the upstairs patio once.

That said, we had a kickass time bringing the kickass beats to SF once again. Greeting 1000+ plus people through the door by 9AM is a joy and pleasure that I hold dear to my heart.

Business wise – I have some lost and found items. Mostly clothing, a random boot, and a purse with tampons and absolute vodka in it. If you are missing cell phones, keys, cameras, etc please check in with the club at Whisper – we mostly grabbed clothing.

I’d also like to invite all of you space cowboy house lovers and disco reject covers to come to SHINE (9th & mission, free b4 11pm) this Friday January 5th for the very last installment of VISION We will be celebrating the end of our 7 year run of this monthly, along with rrrus aka Ace Cow’s birthday. Come by for more hugs, more dancing, more smiles and more beats.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

xx Andrea

I called my grandfather to wish him a Happy New Year. My grandmother died a few years ago, and sometimes I worry about the man, he’s turning 95 next month after all. So out of love and concern I dutifully call with the hopes of keeping him company with a nice long chat. Our conversation proceeded as follows:

“Hi Gramps! Its your eldest grandson.”

“Hello Barbara! So good to hear from you, you’re my favorite after all.”

“No, Grandpa it’s…., (oh, its pointless), I’m just calling to wish you a Happy New Year!”

“Oh, thank you, and you too. Have a good time tonight. Bye, I’ve got a date.”

And then he hung up.

But the man knows what’s up, apparently he’s got some young little hottie back at the senior center, she’s 76 and it’s causing quite the stir down in Fort Lauderdale. And apparently I’ve got those genes, ‘cause the party only seems to get better, the older I get. Granted, my grandfather throws down with the Yiddish folk tunes and not the nasty breaks, but its looking like I’ve got quite a few parties left it me yet. True, its getting harder to stay up past midnite and easier to wake up before dawn, but that just works out fine for the Breakfast of Champions, and it just gets better with age. Maybe wisdom really is knowing when to take your vitamins. It was my favorite BoC yet, and I have you all to thank for it. The word around the SC corral is that most peeps feel the same way. So on behalf of all of the Space Cowboys let me say thank you to the crew at Whisper, to the dj’s who rocked the house, but most of all to all to you, the peeps that came out and make that party what it is.

Happy New Year!

-pk.