Friday was a special day. Roger Waters was performing The Wall at AT&T Park. The Wall was released over 30 years ago and is considered a rock and roll masterpiece. I have listened to many of the songs hundreds of times yet never understood the meaning of the album. I searched the web and found a site that breaks down each song. If you enjoy Pink Floyd, you should check it out. The album is about Roger's life: the loss of his father in WW2, teachers bullying him, rock and roll super stardom, a cheating spouse and much more. All these aspects lead him to build a wall around himself and then he finally breaks the wall down.
I had invited my best bud Frank to join me for the show. Since the show was at the ball park, I decided the only way to do this was to sail to the show and use the boat as our celebration platform. I had planned a leisurely sail to the park with a departure around 1pm but fate would have none of it. I was at an appointment when my wife called to say their was a rattle snake in the house. She discovered it when Kona started barking at it in the kitchen. Animal control was called and they came and took it away. The problem was, had Kona been bit? A call to the vet told us that he would need to be under supervision for the next 12 hours. My wife had an appointment that could not be missed so I was pressed into action to watch him while she went to the appointment. That delayed me by 3 hours, but you do what you gotta do! Kona was fine and I made it to the boat by 4pm. I had planned to meet Frank about 5:45 so off I went. The wind was blowing 25 as I exited the channel. Our little 13 horse Yanmar barely got me out to the end of the channel and then a bit of jib went out and I was off to the races. I had to tack a few times to line myself up to get under the Bay Bridge. Once under, the wind and waves calmed down and I had a nice sail to the park. I tied off the boat to look up and see Frank walking down the pier. Perfect timing. We motor over to McCovey Cove and set the hook. I had hoped to get a slip at South Beach but this is a popular thing to do and there were no slips available. I broke out some nice French Champagne and we chatted as the boat swung in the wind. The stadium is off to starboard. After a nice hour or so, I pull out the double kayak and off we go to the show. We arrive, find our seats and admire the WALL! It is gigantic! We are facing the out field and the wall stretches from outfield foul pole to outfield foul poll. This is also the length of the stage. Amazing. It's 2/3's built with the middle of it not yet finished. The show begins and the sold out stadium erupts with thunderous applause and fireworks from the stage. The wild part is that the wall is the largest video screen ever made. It comes alive with images, movies, the band, everything. I really cannot do justice in describing this part because it is so awesome. As the concert goes along, so does the building of the wall. During the second half the wall explodes into many pieces and is gone. This is done thru video images and the wall is still there and the amazing images continue. This was the best concert of my life. And I am a true concert fan having attended over 500 shows over the years. State of the art masterpiece!!! If this show comes to your town, don't miss it.
Frank heads home and I head to the boat. By this time, there are a dozen boats in the cove. They are hanging out getting the echoes of the music from afar. I get back on board, put some music on and settle in for a night on the hook. In the morning, I am up early and the wind is still in the 20's. Don't you love these wind patterns of the bay area? I head out with jib again and in a short while we are sailing towards the fog shrouded Angel Island. My boat partners are heading out today for a sail, so I don't have all day to get back. We are on a nice beam reach and I pullout the Coleman for some tea and blue berry pancakes in the cockpit. I am mostly in the lee of Angel so the wind is light and the food is great. Just as I hit the wind line to head back, I take everything below and sail home. Back in the sun, I have a perfect reach to the harbor. What an amazing experience. Even though sailing there is alot of work and time, it is always worth it. Wish you were here! ; ~}
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