A View from Behind Bars
He’s Not a Kid Anymore
Join us for a *Surprise* Birthday party for
Tom Hanshaw
10 February 2026
6:30 pm
The Tabard Inn
(Lounge area near the Fireplace)
1739 N St NW, Washington, DC
Beverages and Appetizers in the Lounge area.
Then join us at 7:15 pm for Dinner, if interested.
Please RSVP below.
He’s Not a Kid Anymore
Join us for a *Surprise* Birthday party for
Tom Hanshaw
10 February 2026
6:30 pm
The Tabard Inn
(Lounge area near the Fireplace)
1739 N St NW, Washington, DC
Beverages and Appetizers in the Lounge area.
Then join us at 7:15 pm for Dinner, if interested.
Please RSVP below.
A Quick Backgrounder
A Quick Backgrounder
“I Didn’t Do It”
“I Didn’t Do It”
As a child, Tom committed petty crimes frequently. In this snapshot, he’d just been caught red-handed with his sticky little mitts in the proverbial cookie jar (reaching for cash in Mom’s purse).
As a child, Tom committed petty crimes frequently. In this snapshot, he’d just been caught red-handed with his sticky little mitts in the proverbial cookie jar (reaching for cash in Mom’s purse).
Uber Eats
Uber Eats
My parents never pressed charges against Tom, but obviously they needed to get the kid out of the house. My Dad pulled some strings and got him an entry-level position at Uber Eats.
My parents never pressed charges against Tom, but obviously they needed to get the kid out of the house. My Dad pulled some strings and got him an entry-level position at Uber Eats.
“Juvie”?
“Juvie”?
The job at Uber Eats did not go well. Pizzas went missing. Sandwiches arrived half-eaten. Exorbitant tips were demanded by the screaming child driver. Local Authorities stepped in quickly and dispensed what many called “rough justice.” Tom was sentenced to five years in Juvenile Detention (aka “Juvie”).
The job at Uber Eats did not go well. Pizzas went missing. Sandwiches arrived half-eaten. Exorbitant tips were demanded by the screaming child driver. Local Authorities stepped in quickly and dispensed what many called “rough justice.” Tom was sentenced to five years in Juvenile Detention (aka “Juvie”).
Riding the Rails
Riding the Rails
That Juvenile Detention would never happen, however. The night before his scheduled intake, Tom and his mentor, Sean “Shorty” Mulligan, hopped the “Midnight Ghost” to Frisco. Sadly, the family lost touch with Tom for 13 years. We only heard rumors of his new life in California, The Golden State.
That Juvenile Detention would never happen, however. The night before his scheduled intake, Tom and his mentor, Sean “Shorty” Mulligan, hopped the “Midnight Ghost” to Frisco. Sadly, the family lost touch with Tom for 13 years. We only heard rumors of his new life in California, The Golden State.
Backgrounder continued
Backgrounder continued
California Dreamin’
California Dreamin’
Rumors were that he had become a Cowboy. A Busboy. A Hustler. All of this was true and more. It certainly was a transformative time for Tom. He got rid of the buzz cut and became a “long hair” (as was de rigeur in 1971). He learned the craft of caddying and secured a residency at the Stanford Golf Club. At the Club, he met a lifeguard by the name of Anastasia “Stacy” Kesey. (Seen here downing yet another Jack and Coke before her shift at the pool.)
Rumors were that he had become a Cowboy. A Busboy. A Hustler. All of this was true and more. It certainly was a transformative time for Tom. He got rid of the buzz cut and became a “long hair” (as was de rigeur in 1971). He learned the craft of caddying and secured a residency at the Stanford Golf Club. At the Club, he met a lifeguard by the name of Anastasia “Stacy” Kesey. (Seen here downing yet another Jack and Coke before her shift at the pool.)
On The Bus
On The Bus
Stacy introduced Tom to her brother, Ken Kesey (who was doing a graduate fellowship in creative writing at Stanford and participating in Project MKULTRA at the time). You may have heard of Ken as the founder of “The Merry Pranksters” and the author of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Tom commuted to the Stanford Golf Club every day in Kesey’s Psychedelic Bus. In this photo, we see Tom enjoying a picnic (while Jerry Garcia and Ken are drinking Kool-Aid in back).
Stacy introduced Tom to her brother, Ken Kesey (who was doing a graduate fellowship in creative writing at Stanford and participating in Project MKULTRA at the time). You may have heard of Ken as the founder of “The Merry Pranksters” and the author of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Tom commuted to the Stanford Golf Club every day in Kesey’s Psychedelic Bus. In this photo, we see Tom enjoying a picnic (while Jerry Garcia and Ken are drinking Kool-Aid in back).
Bowling with Janis
Bowling with Janis
Ken and Jerry were the gateway to an entirely different social life for Tom. No more Bingo at the Country Club. Now Saturday night was reserved for poker with Ron “Pigpen” McKernan and the band. On Sunday, it was all-you-can-eat Naked Brunches and Russian roulette with William S. Burroughs. And Monday was set aside for bowling with Janis Joplin, Allen Ginsberg, and their crew.
Ken and Jerry were the gateway to an entirely different social life for Tom.
No more Bingo at the Country Club. Now Saturday night was reserved for poker with Ron “Pigpen” McKernan and the band. On Sunday, it was all-you-can-eat Naked Brunches and Russian roulette with William S. Burroughs. And Monday was set aside for bowling with Janis Joplin, Allen Ginsberg, and their crew.
Paradise Found and Lost
Sienna
One evening, Janis introduced Tom to Sienna Ferlinghetti (Lawrence’s niece), a high school student with a good part-time job as a Sensory Analyst at Ghirardelli Chocolate.
It was love at first sight. Sienna was young, beautiful, and had access to free samples from work. Tom took Sienna to her Senior Prom, they were engaged soon thereafter, and the wedding was set for July 4, 1973.
Diego
Unfortunately, one week before the wedding, Sienna attended a Confectioners Conference in Palo Alto and met Diego Sanchez, a very talented pastry chef. Diego was handsome, wore Armani, and had won the Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest (Éclair Category) for three years running. After just one bite of Diego’s signature dark chocolate and hazelnut éclair, Sienna was smitten.
They ran off to Mexico and Tom never heard from Sienna again.
Paradise Found and Lost
Sienna
Diego Sanchez the pastry chef
Mexico
One evening, Janis introduced Tom to Sienna Ferlinghetti (Lawrence’s niece), a high school student with a good part-time job as a Sensory Analyst at Ghirardelli Chocolate.
It was love at first sight. Sienna was young, beautiful, and had access to free samples from work. Tom took Sienna to her Senior Prom, they were engaged soon thereafter, and the wedding was set for July 4, 1973.
Unfortunately, one week before the wedding, Sienna attended a Confectioners Conference in Palo Alto and met Diego Sanchez, a very talented pastry chef. Diego was handsome, wore Armani, and had won the Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest (Éclair Category) for three years running. After just one bite of Diego’s signature dark chocolate and hazelnut éclair, Sienna was smitten. They ran off to Mexico and Tom never heard from Sienna again.
Burnt
The Sweater
The Sweater
The Sweater
Tom certainly felt burnt by Sienna. Both his muse and his unlimited supply of free chocolate had suddenly evaporated. Tom decided to return to family on the East Coast to detox and heal from the traumatic journey he had taken into the vortex of America’s counter-cultural revolution.
However, as the physical manifestation of his pain, Tom bought a sweater whose color could only be described as “Burnt Sienna.” Tom wore the sweater every day for five years to memorialize the Hell he had been through. The sweater became the modern-day equivalent of a hairshirt.
Burnt
The Sweater
Tom certainly felt burnt by Sienna. Both his muse and his unlimited supply of free chocolate had suddenly evaporated. Tom decided to return to family on the East Coast to detox and heal from the traumatic journey he had taken into the vortex of America’s counter-cultural revolution. However, as the physical manifestation of his pain, Tom bought a sweater whose color could only be described as “Burnt Sienna.”
The Sweater
Tom wore the sweater every day for five years to memorialize the Hell he had been through. The sweater became the modern-day equivalent of a hairshirt.
The Dust Settles: HBB
Hegel
Once Tom returned to New York, his life trajectory became quite linear and the polar opposite of his California days. He finally learned to read at Hamilton College, became a dedicated fan of Spiro Agnew, ran the “Students for Nixon” chapter on campus, picked up several other degrees along the way, became a commercial banker, and then worked in development finance.
Bagels
Most importantly, Tom discovered his true passions: HBB: Hegel, Bagels, and Bonds. This is where we find him today.
In all seriousness, we hope you can join us to celebrate Tom as he hits this birthday milestone. He’s been the best kid brother I could have asked for.
John
Bonds
The Dust Settles: HBB
Hegel
Bagels
Bonds
Once Tom returned to New York, his life trajectory became quite linear and the polar opposite of his California days. He finally learned to read at Hamilton College, became a dedicated fan of Spiro Agnew, ran the “Students for Nixon” chapter on campus, picked up several other degrees along the way, became a commercial banker, and then worked in development finance.
Most importantly, Tom discovered his true passions: HBB: Hegel, Bagels, and Bonds. This is where we find him today.
In all seriousness, we hope you can join us to celebrate Tom as he hits this birthday milestone. He’s been the best kid brother I could have asked for.
John
