Pirate Cat Radio interviews Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi
during a holiday art party held yestereve at San Francisco City Hall.
Photos by Luke Thomas
By h. Brown
December 12, 2009
You believe in voices from the grave?
(Joe Lynn and Dick Hongisto)
I always ask (pray, if you must) my friends who die (animals as well as humans) to send me back a sign that they are still there and can communicate with me. Often they reply. Sometimes when I’m asleep they send dreams. Or, rarely, almost instantly when I’m awake, I get messages of some sort. Well, it happened again and I’m here to tell you that the spirit of Joe Lynn is alive and well despite the fact that his body is no longer the vessel of his identity.
Hongisto’s advice to Matt Gonzalez
When much beloved Progressive politico (Sheriff, Chief of Police, Assessor etc.) Dick Hongisto died a few years back, I took my last remaining cash and went down to Original Joe’s where he hung out (he took me to lunch there once) and tipped a couple of drinks to his memory.
He’d died only a few hours earlier and I made a silent prayer that he’d give me some political advice as I stumbled down the early morning Tenderloin sidewalk.
The answer was instantaneous. “Tell Matt Gonzalez to run for Lieutenant Governor, because he cannot lose and he’ll be the next Governor and then President if he does.” Matt didn’t take the advice. As one of his advisers said to me (not on behalf of Matt) … “Even if it’s from beyond the grave, it’s still just Dick Hongisto’s opinion.”
Well, I got the same kind of instant response from Joe Lynn right after I got the message saying he’d passed on a few days ago (within hours like Hongisto I made the request). Joe told me to pick up (this is in my head – not a voice or images or anything, just instructions) … he told me to pick up the first book within reach and go to page 53. Hey, that’s pretty specific!
The first book within reach was a short story I did almost 20-years ago about mine and my wife’s efforts in an animal rescue organization run through teachers at Clemson University in South Carolina. On page 53 was described my work with a young white huskie puppie named Laura. I had no idea what relationship that had to Joe’s death, or my future, but I quickly started thinking of women I knew named Laura and came up blank. But I decided that it must mean that I was going to meet someone by that name at Ross Mirkarimi’s holiday party at City Hall a couple of days hence.
The party came last evening and it was wonderful. Pirate Cat Radio broadcast live and the main conversation there, and around the room, was all Joe Lynn. His memories were there. Was his spirit?
I wound down and when the wine ran out (another sign from God) I decided to leave. I gathered my raincoat and started out and as I passed the front desk there was a last bottle of wine that had appeared and I quickly held out my glass and was given the last drink.
I turned to an attractive Amy Goodman-type who’d also waited with an empty glass and handed her the final wine then turned to go. She called out as I took the first step toward the door: “Share it with me,” I shrugged. Hell, why not. “What’s your name?” I asked.
“My name is Laura”
I swear to God. I, of course, immediately replied: “Will you marry me?” It was perfect. But she was already engaged and amused by my offer. Her name is Laura Wells and, like myself, she’s a perennial candidate for public office. A long time (founding member?) of the California Green Party who is running for governor. Trust me, I’m supporting her.
Green Party candidate for Governor, Laura Wells, with h. Brown.
What does this tell you? It tells me that not only did Joe’s identity not cease to exist but that he was able to communicate with me and put me hip to an event that was going to happen in the future. Not that he was setting me up with a new lady (which would be nice), but that he was able to predict that I’d meet someone named Laura.
So, this morning, before starting this column, I asked for any other comments from our mentor. In a laughing and raucous mood, he referred me to Page 54 (final page) in my book. It opens with: “It is time to quit on this piece.” Then, he told me to thank David Waggoner and Marc Salomon for the love and care they gave him in his final hours.
Former SF Ethics Commissioner Joe Lynn, RIP, and attorney David Waggoner.
Joe Lynn with Sue Vaughan, Marc Salomon, Rafael Mandelman and Susan King.
Believe it or don’t, it’s all true and happened as I said it. The lesson I learned from Hongisto and Joe is that we don’t end with our final breath. Our identities not only continue, but are able to communicate with those of us still earthbound and give notice and advice regarding future events. That works for me.
The party
I’ve been going to parties in that office for the past 9-years and this may have been the best overall. Certainly the validation of Joe’s communication made it the most memorable. But, there were so many wonderful people and overlapping experiences that paralleled that.
From the Pirate Cat Radio presence (they broadcast from the top of Ross’ desk) to an amazing little 4-piece band with singer/songwriter/keyboard player Jeremy Diamond-Ortiz who sounded like and played a bit better than Dr. John (Malcolm John “Mac” Rebennack, Jr.) … Luke Thomas walked over with me and got lots of shots that froze the moment in time.
Jeremy Diamond-Ortiz and his band, ThE CLEaN-UP!
On the way over in the rain Luke asked if I thought the weather would keep the crowd down. No problem. It was the best-attended of all the parties over the last decade. Ross said the sheriff’s deputies told him they were ordered to limit the gate to 200 people. There was a line snaked out and waiting to replace guests as they left. Hmmm, is this a matter for the Entertainment Commission?
I had the most fun talking to Tina Johnson and her little darlings Ally and Katie who are like 9 and 6. I hunkered down on the fab leather couch in Ross’ office where a lady named Meg was sitting on the arm next to me. Introduced her to a couple of dozen folks as they passed by. At my age you learn to get stationary and sitting as soon as possible at one of these events. Like a sidewalk cafe in Paris, eventually everyone you know will walk by.
Ally, Amy, Katie and Tina Johnson.
I danced with Ali Uscilka in front of the band to the amusement of the crowd and had a good conversation walking Terrie Frye to her bus stop near my SRO. Did a short interview on Pirate Cat and got a hug from Enrique Pierce who’s running Jane Kim’s campaign for D6 supe I believe.
Ali Uscilka
Such a Bittersweet Day co-author Sunny Angulo, Bicycle Coalition Board Member Dan Nguyen-Tan,
District 6 candidate-in-waiting Jane Kim and Left Coast Communications founder Enrique Pearce.
My son had asked me to see if Ross still had the two guns he used to own cause he was interested in buying them, but Ross said he’d sold them long ago and we talked about his brother (Ross’) who just retired as a Major in Special Forces in the army.
The crowd was so large that I couldn’t connect with Michelle Mongan (an old friend forever bound by a common cat) whom I’d attended largely to see. At least we were able to wave, albeit across a crowded room. Did get to chat briefly with Bruce Wolf and his service puppy, Charlie.
Luke took some great shots (I’m certain) all around. He got a couple of ex’es (not his) to pose (you guess which ones) which is always tough, but they’ll never look better than they did last evening.
I was surprised at the paucity of office holders and candidates at a gathering that was certain to bring out people able to promote their careers. Mirk was there of course. Eric Smith (running in D-10) made an appearance, as did Jane Kim to whom I’ve already alluded.
Green Party spokesperson Erica McDonald, partner John-Marc Chandonia and their little Green toddler, Amy, moved beaming through the crowd (there were a half dozen or so kids who all paused when they saw someone who wasn’t an adult and sized one another up).
I talked to Susan King and learned that her kitty and my old cat-sitting buddy, Lark, is feeling the tug of time which brought a tear to both of us. Bruce’s pooch, Charlie, has also aged and seemed merely tolerant of the crowds he’s always adored.
Bottom line
Joe Lynn was there and got his message across to me. It was somehow both an energetic and peaceful night in the San Francisco rain, filled with loving people socializing in the opulent marble halls with the gigantic holiday tree decorated with a thousand origami swans and all their best wishes at the top of the magnificent layer-caked staircase that climbed elegantly to the tree before the polished antique wood doors of Board chambers.
Happy holidays all.
Go Niners!
More Photos
 
Pirate Cat Radio interviews Ali Uscilka
and freelance reporter Patricia Decker.
D6 candidate Debra Walker, h. Brown, FCJ columnist Hope Johnson and Marc Salomon.
DJ Blue with mystery lady in blue dress.
Ross making the rounds.
Supervisor Mirkarimi aide Jeremy Pollock and Keely Zahn.
Peter Warfield, Shannon Hasson and Rick Hauptman.
Patricia Decker, Karen Babbit, Beth Byrne and DJ Blue.
 
Marc Salomon, h. Brown and Tina Johnson.
The Hunger Site
December 16, 2009 at 9:18 am
So, tend to your friggin’ garden!
And, I mean the one you’ve spent the most time clearing and fertilizing and pruning and … politics.
You need to get into the D-6 race. You and Meko and Joe were my IRV slate 4 years ago. It takes more balls to run when you think you can’t win. You can.
On losing causes and St. Augustine and the end of the world? I’ll take the great Monday night football joke:
Frank: “Don, we’ve just gotten this bulletin that says that the U.S. and the Soviets have fired all of their missiles and the world will end in 15 minutes!!!”
‘Dandy’ don: “Right you are Frank and it looks like the Packers are going to go for it here with 4th and 1.”
h.
December 16, 2009 at 7:34 am
And Joe would have said, “Well, you know, David, Saint so and so was confronted with this exact same problem in such and such a circumstance in ancient who knows where,” and go on to weave together anecdotes of biblical criticism and interpretation with obscure episodes of classical history to shine a multidisciplinary light on the matter at hand from a variety of perspectives.
My favorite of those was when I had finally come to the conclusion that I did not want to seek elective office again, in 2006, and Joe asked me what I was going to do. I said that my time was often more productive and rewarding tending my garden than in doing politics in this context, that the slow pace of plant growth and the palimpsest of the seasons over our tiny patch of earth bears more fruit and satisfaction than the diminishing returns we’re seeing from a progressive politics that is ultimately governed and democracy thus held hostage by the imperative of directing cash to the right nonprofits and the bizarre rituals of venal social networks.
Joe’s reponse was “well, you know, Marc, St. Augustine, when asked what he’d do if he knew the world was going to end imminently, said that he’d drop everything and tend to his garden.”
-marc
December 15, 2009 at 12:58 pm
around the campfire,
David, I tossed out the thought: “Any messages, Joe?” day before yesterday and forgot I’d written first things that came into my head (in Joe’s voice, of course – I know, it’s certifiable that I take this stuff seriously) … he said that you should have fun and keep working and that he knows about Laura from some connection to ‘Doug’ and to tell David Waggoner that: “The fire atop the house was real.”. Any of that make sense?
h.
December 15, 2009 at 12:34 am
Most people in SF politics couldn’t hold a candle to Joe Lynn. He was brilliant, caring, kind, compassionate, humble, funny, loyal, generous, tenacious, and irreverent. A Saint Francis for our time. As Joe survived and made meaning of his own losses, we too should remember Joe by making meaning of his loss. There are so many questions i should have asked him but didn’t. that is my profound regret.
December 14, 2009 at 11:23 am
First and foremost, Joe was the kind of guy who would go the extra mile, or 100 miles, to help a friend — something my wife, Carolyn, and I know first-hand.
And despite the fiercest efforts from certain people at City Hall, San Francisco is a better place because of Joe.
Rick
December 14, 2009 at 9:44 am
Cool,
I watched a couple of your other interviews from few years back thru google. I’ve actually voted for you a couple of times. Thanks for keeping up the struggle and giving us options.
h.
December 13, 2009 at 10:59 pm
h.
If you mean the Fox link, it’s not dead yet – just real slow popping up on the page. I start out serious-faced, but we got rolling.
Laura
December 13, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Laura,
Who’s laughing? Joe handed all of us a piece of the puzzle and he did it by referring me to your name and then I met you. Isn’t that enough for you to break your engagement and go on a bank robbing spree with me? Luke’s pics of you so reminded me of Patty Hearst in those gigs.
the link on your site is dead
coincidence?
Go Niners!
h.
December 13, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Ah, h, you make me laugh, and that’s a a very good thing. Plus you remind me there are people who’ve moved on, but who still walk with us. We need everyone!
P.S. Check out my website http://www.laurawells.org – it’s in development, and feedback is more than welcome!
December 12, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Arthur, don’t get any wise ideas, Katie, Ally and Amy are my stable of hot young things.
-marc
December 12, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Hey Pat,
Happy holidays for you and that hot young chick who married you but is still way too good for you. You must have something going for you I don’t know about cause all 6 of my wives have dumped me.
Say, huh? Yeah, I’ve got enough German Jew in me to ask for verification and Joe was definitely validated as being able to communicate after dying as weird as that sounds. And, I know from other cases that it isn’t a short term thing. I can still ask for advice and get a dream (Neska calls them ‘visits’) decades after they’ve gone to dust.
Happy holidays good buddy.
Arthur? … Hell, good holidays to you too.
h.
December 12, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Beautiful piece h. But then I expect no less from you than genuine, heartfelt, hellraising truth and hullabaloo.
Sorry to have missed Joe’s swan-song but I was pedalling my arse all over town visiting patients.
I love you – you besotted ole curmudgeon.
Thank god Joe was looking out for and protecting any unspoken for ‘Laura’ who might have fallen prey to your devilish blandishments.
Take care, hasta la vista.
December 12, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Thanks for the fab pics of Ross Mirkarimi’s holiday party. My favorite pice of all: Ally, Amy, Katie and Tina Johnson. Very sweet.
In light of the season’s gift-giving and good cheer, Ross could deliver a great holiday gift to his constituents in the Haight – if he would support the proposals by Capt. Teresa Barrett of Park Station for making the Haight safer. So far, though, mum’s been the word on Ross’s part.
May all our neighborhoods enjoy a safe and happy holiday season!