Shawn Greer Visit • Summer 2009

Shawn drove in last week and stopped over for a couple of days of hiking and hanging on his way to work a gig up in Napa Valley. His wife, Denise, was flying into Oakland and they had plans to go Sailing in San Francisco Bay and a tour of Alkatraz.

I love my oldest and dearest friend. We’ve been friends for 30 years and never lost touch. I like that Shawn is pure of heart and has a good magical mind. Having had the same mentors mainly: Larry Pringle, Paul Swinford & of course Cellini as guides in our artistic progress we share many of the same philosophies with regard to technique and attitude. Might be a Cincinnati thing or Norwood. . .

We’ve seen each other through rough times, becoming stronger people and better friends. We’ve replaced older negative behavior with worse behavior. Just kidding. On his way back home from the gig in Napa Valley, again he stopped over and spent a couple of days at “Camp Paradise” (What we affectionately call our residence here in N. Hollywood). He introduced me to something called Bikram Yoga. 26 Poses in 90 minutes in a room heated to 100 degrees. . . I shit you not! It was awesome. Got a really good workout and am still sore days later (in a good way).

Before he split we made a special visit to Dean Dill’s Magic/Barber Shop and enjoyed a Wednesday afternoon session. Dean did his latest goodie “The Revelation” for Shawn, I think the picture says it all. I was also picking up my Dean’s Box which was much in need of some routine maintenance. Dean went above and beyond my expectations and the box looks brand new.

Shawn has gone back home to Phoenix, and life is back to normal. I’ve always maintained that I was lucky to have the friends that I do, and can’t afford to loose even one.