Ninja Jim was a little sleepy (he says he was awake but cuddling) while we lounged about the VIP “Tiki Nation” area of this year’s Now & Zen Fest, held at Sharon Meadow of Golden Gate Park. Before heading to the park, we met up with blogger Heather, who I had never met in person but had been talking with online for the past year and a half. Her twin brother Nephi tagged along and we parked about a mile away from the event (near the paddle boats and lake for anyone familiar with the park).

A mile and twenty minutes later, we arrived at the check-in point for Sharon Meadow’s musical event. Another five minutes of going through the crowd and we were let in, thanks to Heather’s awesomeness, into Tiki Nation, where the people were awesome and the free food was better (how can you not like free barbecued pork ribs and chicken?). While we were taking our seats, Peter, Bjorn and John were delivering their opening set. PB&J’s short 20 minute stage appearance was followed by the Gin Blossoms, who for some reason kept making Arizona references, but nonetheless warmed the crowd up during a slight drizzle that would last through their set.

An hour later, the lovely British singer Joss Stone rocked the stage with her amazing voice and charismatic charm. Her physical beauty made everyone in the audience feel warm, and her vocal beauty kept everyone on their toes. During her set, which featured words of inspiration about life and love in-between songs along the same topic, the sun broke free of the clouds and would continue to linger over the San Francisco skyline for the rest of the concert.

Hearing Joss Stone made me wonder how the headliner of the day, James Blunt, would ever top her performance. Boy, was I surprised—James delivered a stellar set, featuring songs from his old and new albums, and even a special treat for the San Francisco audience: a cover of Peter, Bjorn and John’s smash song Young Folks which was beyond amazing.

A few days before the event, I wasn’t sure I was going to make it, and I was really sad that Ninja Jim wouldn’t be able to come with me. But in the end…Ninja Jim was able to go after all, Heather and Nephi provided amazing company and lots of laughs, the people inside Tiki Nation were amazingly awesome, the view was incredible, the DJs were great (finally got to meet Dayna of the night shift at Alice) and the music was beyond words. Last year, I gave away my tickets to Now & Zen; this year, I’m really glad I went. And I can’t wait to see what next year has to offer.