by John Byrne Barry
Last month, I walked down the hill to The Junction, a beer garden in Tam Junction, to join a hundred or so Deadheads for a free “Dead At The Junction” concert hosted by Alex Jordan. I ran into some friends who are regulars at Dead-adjacent concerts and I also chatted with three strangers, all of whom knew who I was.
“You’re the crossing guard guy,” one said.
I am a bit famous, arguably infamous, in my small community of Tam Valley. Primarily because I’ve been a crossing guard for seven years, on Shoreline Highway, kitty corner from Good Earth Natural Foods, for those who know the area.
Of course, I wear a fluorescent yellow vest, which says “CROSSING GUARD” in bold black type on the back, and a matching hat. Plus my stop sign. So I’m very visible.
I am also known for doing exercises on my corner. Every shift, morning and afternoon, I do six sets of bicep curls with a red resistance band with black handles, plus two sets of lunges. A passer-by who teaches at a gym once praised me on my technique!
I am also frequently spotted walking to and from my corner, to pickleball at our local park, or to the Tam Valley Community Center, for murder mystery rehearsals and performances.
I’ve achieved a small bit of fame as an actor in these murder mystery plays, as well as a writer and director — we perform our show four times each year and usually sell out, so that’s an audience of about four hundred every year.
Over the years, I’ve also volunteered at Creekside Friday, serving beer and wine, or preparing buns for burgers and hot dogs. Three or four times, I’ve volunteered for the Crab Feed, a couple times for Oktoberfest.
In short, I am famous, or at least well-known, in my community, primarily for being a crossing guard, but also to a lesser extent, for walking, acting, volunteering, and playing pickleball.
What I am not famous for, alas, is writing novels. I’ve written four novels, but that’s more of a secret than I’d like it to be.
True, there are dozens of friends and acquaintances who know I’m an author, and many have purchased or read or listened to my books. Or come to my author events. And now and then I hand out bookmarks promoting my books or upcoming events.
Of course, the main reason I’m not famous for being an author is that I don’t write in public, but in my teeny-weeny book-lined study that used to be a storage shed.
Here I am tabling at Maritime Day in the Park two years ago, right where some of the true events Pirates of Sausalito is based on took place. I’ll be there this year on August 1. It’s free, with live music and food and drink. Come and say hello.
And I don’t walk around the neighborhood with a fluorescent vest that says “AUTHOR.” I could.
I do have a book bag that says “ASK ME ABOUT MY BOOK” and I have draped it around my neck at festivals and book fairs.
I am writing another book, which I hope to publish next year, and who knows, after that I might not only be famous in Tam Valley but worldwide. A guy can dream.
Author
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