Mari Mack Music : Attitude of Gratitude

https://marimackmusic.blogspot.com/2026/04/attitude-of-gratitude.html

May 9th in San Francisco

CA Governor Debate 1 - Takeaways

My takeaways from the first CA Governor debate: 

Some of the questions were real head scratchers. What was that private insurer question all about? Why not a question on how to make our public insurance fund more robust? 

The candidates: 

Porter obviously cares about public service. She's not taking any corporate money, and I sense that I can trust her to relate to and listen to the majority of citizens. I would feel very inspired and optimistic should Katie Porter end up being our next Governor. Yes

Becerra seems trustworthy and knowledgeable, but seems a bit too much of the status quo, so I don't see him offering much in the way of change. I would be OK with him being elected. Mehbe.

Steyer can do a lot of public good by continuing to engage in philanthropy. I am uncomfortable with billionaires buying their way into public office. His ads are annoying. Enough already. I don't care who endorses him, I'm not voting for him. And stop with the comparison to JB Pritzker. JB inherited his money, he didn't acquire it by questionable means. It doesn't matter that Steyer regrets it. Private prisons are a hard pass. With the money he has spent on ads, he could have done so much good. No.

Mahan has some good ideas, but not enough experience for Governor. Not doing it for me. No. 

Bianco - that stunt he pulled with the ballots, and says we have to "get over" racism? No. 

Hilton - wants to cut our trees and drill  for oil. NO

Ups and Downs

Hey Everybody! 

Please bear with me if I repeat myself. There is more good than bad in this world, it's just that the bad gets more press. 

Just because I don't repeat the bad news does not imply that I'm not paying attention, so please feel free to ask my any questions. I'll do my best to steer you in the correct direction. 

Anyway, no music gigs this week, but there are some spaces available at Mark Drive Studios, so if you know of someone looking for a quiet art creation space in central San Rafael, please have them contact me at 415-789-6274 and leave a message. When I call you back, it might show up as "spam,"  so take note. 

Here's some good news: 

Did you hear about the hot air balloon that had an emergency landing in someone's small backyard in Temecula? Cool looking balloon! Kudos to the pilot, who managed to avoid power lines and trees while landing, then navigating up and over the house,  relocating into the quiet street...and no one got hurt. 

Here's the video. Warning, the videographer says "wow" a lot...who can 

https://youtu.be/cQFJYUuw_jo?si=vgS1yu_wQtJx0D0b

Hope you have the best week possible. 

Ox, 

Mari 

p.s. Someone asked me "Why did you use the title 'hers and his...' in your post about the podcasts?"  It's simple: alphabetical order. 

All You Need Is Love

https://youtu.be/_7xMfIp-irg?si=QlUjYsMsZ-p9zf-7

Creative Conversations in San Rafael. 4/16/26, 4 - 7 pm

In conjunction with the statewide "April is Arts Advocacy Month" initiative, a few of us currently working out of Mark Drive Studios are presenting "Creative Conversations" - 

4 - 7 pm 

- which leaves plenty of time to go see some live music!

Mark Drive Studios is located at 7 - 11 Mark Drive 

(Formerly known as Smith Ranch Studios) 

Shannon Meadows will discuss social activism and art 

Bill Russell will discuss narrative visual storytelling 

Mari Tamburo will speak about music's past present and future trends, AI vs. + Human, streaming and DIY, social media tips 

From the website: 

Mark Drive Studios is a collective of visionary artists dedicated to pushing the boundaries of creativity. Founded on a passion for art and community, they strive to create a space where artists can thrive..." 

“In these chaotic times, creating joy through artistic expression is an act of power.” - Mari Tamburo

Thanks to Marin Cultural Association for the incentive and opportunity to participate in this statewide initiative. 

Learn more about the studio at https://markdrivestudios.com

If you do facebook, here is the event link: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/817173977494220/

Hers and His "Talks from the Essex Hotel"

This week, I was honored to be invited for a conversation on the podcast, "Talks from the Essex Hotel" baaed in San Anselmo: 

https://youtu.be/OgxTBEwVJZ8?si=0iSv-6Cwu_a2LQTD

The previous week, Arne was a guest, while I went to pick up an autoharp tuning wrench at Amazing Grace and then spent about an hour petting kittens at the Pet Cottage. Arne's episode can be found here: 

https://youtu.be/TmiDU1sA3Zw?si=-4lKl7UDifrLlci5

Saturday Recap, Thursday, Creative Conversations in San Rafael

https://marimackmusic.blogspot.com/2026/04/saturday-recap-thursday-creative.html

April 11th in San Francisco

Back at The Saloon. 

If you know, you go. 

Recent Writes

Music, Art, Democracy

https://marimackmusic.blogspot.com/2026/04/music-art-democracy.html

Easter and Spring Fever 

https://marimackmusic.blogspot.com/2026/04/easter-and-spring-fever.html 

When...

Every day we make choices: What clothes to wear, what foods to eat, what activities in which to engage or not to engage, what news programs to watch, what to believe or not believe, whether to become cynical and give up on just about everything we ever dreamed about doing or creating... or to remain hopeful and keep trying. 

But then, there are times when we allow ourselves to adjust those goals and simply "be" -- to accept the choices we have already made and keep doing what needs to be done in order to maintain that to which we have already committed. 

That said, sometimes, outside forces get in the way of allowing us to simply live the life we are doing our best to live -- and the "simple life" becomes not so simple after all. 

People say one thing and do another, or may try to force us into accepting or doing things that to many, seem unjust and unecessary, force us into doing things we simply do not want to do, or we feel compelled by curiosity find out more about something before forming an opinion about it. 

In 2011 I found myself in such a position, and it led me on a personal journey where in March of 2012, I still believed that "when given all the correct information, people will do the right thing." 

Therein lies the rub...getting all the correct information. Especially these days, when we are bombarded with so much BS and everyone has an agenda, and is in a big rush, that we are barely given enough time to think - and that is the point of sales:  to create urgency. 

And let's edit that to state "most people..." or maybe even just "some people."

Because most people are so busy maintaining "the status quo" - that they barely have time to look up, look around, or look inward. 

Take the time. It is all we've got, and not much of it. 

Thanks for reading. I wish you love in your heart and peace in your soul. 

Ox, 

Mari 

Related: 

https://marimackmusic.blogspot.com/2026/03/mondays-march-on.html