Chicken Butt

Little Brother - Meeting Cory

I went to a book discussion/signing tonight. Cory Doctorow is touring with his new YA novel Little Brother. It is really good. I'm about four/fifths into it.

I almost didn't go because of the commute and fear that it would be mobbed. I've never gone to a reading before. I plan to go again. He was exactly the way I expected he would be. I've been reading Boing Boing for years and he is my favorite contributor. Usually if I find a post really interesting the byline is Cory. I've only read one of his books before this. I really liked Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, but this is better.

A sign I'm loving a book is that when I put it down and go back to real life I have trouble remembering that the book isn't part of reality. I keep wanting to discuss events in the book as if the people around me are experiencing too. I think part of this is because this book pulls in bits and pieces of Cory's BB posts from the last few years. Maybe that's why I had an accurate picture in my head of him. Not just how he looks, but how he sounds, how he phrases things. It was weird to be browsing in a book store, look up and hey, isn't that Cory Doctorow? Even though I was expecting to see him, it was odd. I smiled and said hi. It must be odd to be recognized by so many strangers.

So the reading. He started out doing Q&A to let stragglers settle in. I didn't ask anything before the reading. I didn't show up with questions in my head. I just wanted to hear him talk about his work. It was funny to listen to the people who desperately wanted to impress him. I find that painful to witness. I see it at work functions too. Some people ask questions just to ask something, so the questions are generic and a bit pointless. Some people love to hear themselves talk and will ask a five-part question that requires so much backstory that the question takes as long to ask as to answer. The worst I ever saw was the last time I saw Colin Powell speak at work, those new senior executives are so full of themselves and eager to impress. I wanted to howl or crawl under the table.**

Where was I, the reading. He read a passage that I read today at lunch. Marcus and Ange's first date, pages 184 through 197. I spaced out a few times during the reading. I'm a visual processor. It's easier for me to read and absorb than listen and absorb. Often after time I can't remember if I've read something or seen it on TV. My mind does it's own visuals and soundtrack and as time goes by I often cannot remember the original source. Having read the section only hours before it was almost too familiar. But it was cool to hear him read it. I guess he does a podcast and had read this section a while ago. Again, more of a reader than a listener, so I was oblivious.

Then there was about 20 minutes of Q&A. This is when I started asking questions and was unable to stop. He had mentioned a company that he bought his LINUX laptops from fully loaded and with tech support. I had missed the name. It's Emperor Linux Linux is something I'm interested in, but not enough that I want to fart around with it. I like the idea, but my focus isn't on hardware/software right now. I want tools that do what I want. I get enough troubleshooting at work right now. Wow, I'm rambling tonight. I'm a bit hyper actually.

I also wanted to know what he thought was the youngest age his book was appropriate for. He said 12. My nephew is way too young, I knew that. I bought a copy for ksl's kids QNE and had him sign it. I wanted to support the store and I had already bought my book at a big chain. I love small book stores in principle, but in reality I get annoyed by the small selection. Especially if I don't match their target demographic.

Someone actually asked where he gets his ideas from. Seriously? What are you ten? But he answered and it was interesting. He confirmed what I thought. All the posts he writes for BB are little nuggets he writes that helps him remember interesting things. Like a nemonic, he said. Someone also asked for writing tips. Here is a paraphrase of what he said:*

1. Write everyday.
2. If you don't know what happens next, make it worse. Make the character try to fix things and fail.
3. Stop writing in the middle of a sentence. It will make it easier to pick it up the next day. Like the hint in knitting. (Okay, not sure I got that last part down right.)

I also asked if kids had taken up some of the more destructive jamming methods up in their own rebellions again authority. Instructables has been posting HOWTOs inspired by Little Brother. He said no, and that people make the mistake of thinking that reading or seeing rebellion or mischief causes kids to imitate. But that really it was kids will be kids. Okay, that is simplified from what he said. I wasn't taking notes and he went in a direction I wasn't anticipating. A little defensive maybe? He had an interesting quote from another YA writing, he thought it was Garth Nix, about adolescence being a series of one way gates. For example, one day they have never told a lie of consequence and the next day they have. No going back.

I would really like to have a conversation with Mr. Doctorow. I may have broken a rule of signing events by asking multiple questions. But I really wanted to know and I did wait for someone else to raise their hands before sticking mine up yet again. He did thank me for asking questions. Even if he was just being nice, it was nice. A woman asked me if I was a school or public librarian while waiting for the restroom. She assumed from my questions that I was a librarian. I told her I just read a lot. She is a librarian, so I guess I couldn't have been too out of line if she identified me as one of her own.

Wow, this has taken much longer to write than I planned. Past bedtime for me. I'm glad I went and I need to continue doing this kind of thing. I took down info from a poster at the bookshop to about a lecture at Fermi Lab on June 4. It looks interesting. I've never gone to any events there, but always meant to. Oh, and while most of the men at the reading tonight were too young or married, there was one handsome man who took the chair next to mine. I didn't notice whether he had a wedding ring though. I was busy trying to remember if I had put on anti-perspirant today (Alas, this was not the first time I questioned this today. I'm pretty sure the answer is no.) Then I could not find my signing number. I had number five and lost it. I spent several annoying minutes searching everything in my purse before giving up and getting another from the front desk. So, not only was fat and smelly, I was also annoying.*** Nice.

Oh, there was someone recording the whole thing and there was a guy taking pictures and another with his MacBook Pro possibly blogging or twittering it. He sat in front of me and his phone or some other gadget went off during Q&A and he didn't turn it off. I wasn't the only one in my row giving him the hairy eyeball. I'm glad I went right from work and therefore wasn't seriously tempted to wear my robot celebrity t-shirt that I found via BB. There were several people there with boing boing or Cory related gear on and he complemented each one, but it seemed a bit like wearing a concert t-shirt at the concert. But that's me over-analyzing the shit out of everything. If I wasn't so judgmental I'd more serene. Time for bed.

* Yes I did take notes. It helps me absorb information. So just take that Loser sign you are making on your forehead right now and cram it.

** I never posted the latest picture of Gen. Powell and me. I didn't like it, but at least this time my eyes were open.

*** I am allowed to call myself fat. You are not. I weigh 254 pounds. Don't tell me I'm not fat. I'm not being mean to myself. This is how I saw myself sitting next to the handsome man with a bit of gray in his hair and number one signing number. Sigh. Can't wait to meet the handsome charming man at my blacksmithing class where I will sweat like crazy working the forge and probably maim myself with hot iron.

Baggage

Did I mention I ordered my MINI Cooper? I did, a few weeks ago. It's supposed to arrive around the first week of November. I've been fine since I made my final decision, but I'm getting tired of waiting. I want my new car and I want it now!

I'll have to reduce and declutter the stuff I keep in my car. Besides having far less space behind the driver's seat (where I like to keep a case of bottled water) the trunk space is very tiny. I didn't notice how much stuff had built up in my car until I pulled everything out a few weeks ago. I have a lot of crap just in case I need it. In the trunk I had two small blankets, jumper cables, two flash lights, two window scrapers, an old pair of flip-flops, a bag containing a swimsuit, towel and t-shirt, a box full of OA literature, two scarves, three mittens, two winter hats, and three Trader Joe bags. Of these I probably only need the two of the Trader Joe bags (one insulated) and a window scraper. It would feel weird to drive around without a flashlight, jumper cables and an all-purpose blanket. Oh there were about 13 books in my car too. Three are OA books I keep in there for meetings and I always have my current read with me, but the rest were recently returned to me or books I had finished reading but hadn't brought back upstairs yet.

I'm trying to declutter my home too. I just pulled two big bags full of clothes from my closet for Good Will. I bought new work pants and jeans in the next smaller size so I got rid of all bigger sized pants. I pulled some summer tops I hadn't worn all summer and some sweaters that are too big now. I also got rid of all but one flannel shirt. I haven't worn any of them for a long while, but it doesn't feel right not to have at least one well-worn plaid-flannel shirt in my closet. For those of you who don't read my OA blog, I've now been abstinent for two years and have lost 93 pounds.

I've purged a few books from my collection in the last six months, but it is coming time to really dig in. I've got a growing pile of books on my library floor because there is no shelf space. I'm thinking seriously of switching my bedroom and the library/craft room. My bedroom is 14' x 14' with a walk in closet and master bath. I could buy another Billy bookcase or two from IKEA and bring my huge table back up from the garage for projects. I'd have to run cable into it as well. Right now all my projects are done on the living room floor.

The thing is, I love my bedroom as it is. It's huge and comfy and perfect. But it is the biggest room in the condo and much of it is just empty space. The library is sunny and in the front and has a regular closet. Maybe the morning sun would help me wake up easier. Sigh. Is it greedy to want two 14' x 14' bedrooms with walk-in closets?

Speaking of projects scattered on the living room floor, I'm going to be a pirate for Halloween. I'm tired of being a witch. I'm going to sew a red cotton dress with puffy sleeves and a ruffle to wear under my now-too-big corset from a few years ago. It's too big to be effective support now, but will be a lovely pirate-y garment. I'll wear a head scarf, some big clip-on hoops and this necklace I just bought from etsy.

I've been procrastinating on BugBoy's three-headed costume. As long as I haven't started yet I can tell myself that it probably won't be that difficult.

So, I have two questions for my loyal readers (all four of you):

1. What to you keep in your car just in case?
2. What are you going to be for Halloween?

RIP Madeline L'Engle

Madeline L'Engle died last Thursday. I just found out via BoingBoing, I missed their post last week. I am sad and feel real loss at the news. She was my favorite author. I learned so much about growing up from her work. A Severed Wasp was my favorite book for years. I love how her characters are all intertwined. I love how she wrote from a strong Christian faith, yet caused no recoil in my agnostic leanings. I can and do believe in the power of love.

I discovered L'Engle in my tweens and have reread all of her books at least once. I first found Arm of the Starfish, then And Both Were Young. My neighbor was a grade school teacher and loaned me the books I could not get my hands on. When my neighbor died her son gave me all her L'Engle books because I was seen reading The Anti-Muffins in her house the day she died. This same neighbor got me a personally autographed copy of Many Waters when she attended a writers workshop Madeline taught. I have 31 L'Engle books cataloged in LibraryThing

I feel like I've lost a friend. She put so much of herself into her fiction and non-fiction. I love her autobiographical Crosswicks Journals. Two-Part Invention: The Story of a Marriage is my favorite of these. I am so sad to know that there will be no more stories with my favorite characters.

Bless you Madeline L'Engle. Thank you for expanding my world.

HP7 just as good the second time

Yesterday at lunch I finished up Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows for the second time. I read it in two days the first time, then started again a few hours later. I've discussed it over at Karenworld so I'm not going to get into it here. Not today.

The HP7 Midnight party was a blast. ksl has awesome kids. Why does it take a major event for us to get together? That's madness. The radish earrings went over well. Of course now I know that they are actually a fruit that grows on bushes and that they enhance one's ability to accept the incredible. I'm trying to remember the name but it isn't coming to mind.

I went to the Geveva Arts Fair on Saturday and bought two watercolors, an etching and a purse. I hung three of the four in my kitchen Saturday night. They look awesome, although the etching gets sort of overpowered. The new ones are grouped in the center: daisies and lemons on the red background, three pears on a dramatic black scarf, and the etching of a window shutter, a table and a chair (titled The Tempest). Click on the image to see it bigger.

Which also illustrates why I'm pissed off at my camera. The digital noise is killing me. I want to throw it away and buy a new one. I was standing in my kitchen taking a picture of a wall. Why is everything so grainy? The spider plant is fuzzy. The wall is fuzzy. I don't want to post-process all my pictures to make them look decent. I hate it. It looks and feels good, the software is well designed, the lens maker has a fantastic reputation, but my old cannon elph 4 mp was so much better.

Oh, and I want a sewing machine for my birthday. I've got some research to do. I want a basic machine with enough power and flexibility to handle tough materials like velcro, fun fur, and vinyl. I'll use it for crafting and Halloween costumes more than anything so that's probably the most important feature. I've started with this post from Not Martha. There are lots of good links there that lead to other good research too. For those keeping score at home, my B-Day is September 3rd.

If JKR kills any Weasley I'll be so pissed*

I'm re-reading book six right now. I've re-read HP1-5 already. I'm planning to pick up HP7 with my college roommate ksl and her boys. Part of me thinks I should just go on my own locally or just pick it up Saturday morning, but I'm sure it will be fun even with the hour+ drive home. I plan to self-isolate until I've finished HP7. I will not tolerate spoilers.

I saw HP5 the movie on Saturday. It was okay. Probably would have enjoyed it a lot more if I hadn't just finished the book on Friday morning. I could not let go of the differences. I was distracted by the stilted dialog and lack of motivation left in the plot. They hit most of the action from the book, but left out stunning amounts of backstory. I think I pissed off the noisy group of young women sitting in front of us when I booed at the end.

*Percy wouldn't bother me much, but the rest are off limits! I have a bad feeling about Ron and Ginny.

I am Charlotte Simmons

I wanted to love I am Charlotte Simmons. It was a birthday gift from ksl because she loved it. I love books and I adore getting them as presents. Except, I did not love I am Charlotte Simmons.

I found it laborious to read and actively disliked all the characters. A 752 novel that feels like homework about people I despise is not what I expected. I read Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test while in college and it blew my mind. Maybe my expectations were too high. If I had bought this for myself I would have stopped reading it by page 150. I finally got caught in some momentum around page 600.

Charlotte never transformed enough to like. She is annoying in the same way a friend's 13-year-old neighbor is. Her concerns are so trivial or self-focused that I mentally shoo her away like a fly. To focus on her too long makes me want to shake her by the shoulders to knock some sense into her. This is not a mental state I volunteer for.

The only redeemed character is Jojo. Still dumb as a box of rocks, but finally self-aware and taking hopeful actions. I guess I want more than just one positive when I spend that long reading a book.

I was also aware during all the Charlotte chapters that I was reading a teenage girl written by an old man. I've read many believable women characters written by men, but Mr. Wolfe kept me at arm's length throughout. I never really let go and disappeared into this book.

I'm an early reader!

Karen emailed me the second draft of her book to read. I'm so excited! I want to be a slacker and start reading right now. But I won't, I have work to do and I was late getting here this morning. Parts 1 & 2 together are 250 pages. I didn't get part 3 yet.

I could take it along on my flight to Oakland this weekend, but it might be kind of bulky. Plus I like to make notes on the margins and I'd feel like an ass doing that in public. Why I care, I do not know.

I read the first chapter months ago and enjoyed it. Not only that, I really wanted to know what happens. Mostly I'm thrilled for Karen. I'm vicariously living an author's life (all the excitement, none of the pain). Way to go Karen!

Dolphins, holy chickens and settled

Three quick things:

1. I managed to do dolphin on the wall three times in class on Monday. They were all pretty good, solid, straight-legged, tail-bone tucked and shoulders wrapped. I'm still proud of myself today. I'm finally getting comfortable upside-down. What's next? Bring it on.
2. I love the paintings I bought this weekend. When I bought them I was smitten, living with them is increasing my affection. I'm so glad I bought them. The three I bought Saturday are very nice and easy to live with. The three paintings on paper make my heart skip with joy. I'm still discovering new bits in the big found wood piece.
3. Did I mention I finished unpacking? Only took me 23 months. I still have some organizing to do, but all the moving boxes are unpacked. My books are all cataloged at LibraryThing. Well not all, some I'll probably have to input manually and I think I've missed some. Plus there are books that I know I own, but can't find. They are probably on loan. Linda, did you ever read the His Dark Materials trilogy I lent you?

The Year of Magical Thinking

I finished reading A Year of Magical Thinking, by Joan Didion at lunch today. I saw Didion on Charlie Rose and knew I had to read it. I could relate to her denial and what ifs. I can see the same affect of grief in my sister. Yesterday was the fourth anniversary of my Mom’s death. It is still horrible and shocking to think about. I’m still mad at her for dieing.

I’d like to write a comprehensive review of the book, but it is too fresh and personal today. If you’ve lost someone dear to you and are starting to feel a little saner about it (maybe if you aren’t) I recommend this book. I’d love to read passages of this book to my sister. I know she would never sit down and read it. I think it would help her to hear someone else’s experience of active grief.

I’ve never read any of Didion’s, or her husband’s books and the only movie I’ve seen that they wrote was “Up Close and Personal.” Sometimes I felt a bit lost when she dropped names of people I’ve never heard of. I assume they are people I would know if I were more widely read. But mostly it is a personal exploration of her thoughts and feelings during the year after her husband of almost 40 years died. They sat down to dinner and he just died. Their daughter was in a coma for five days when he died.

Three unrelated thoughts

One) I just got the nicest complement from a friend at work. She said I have the prettiest hair and that if she could choose anyone's hair for herself she would choose mine. Wow! She's so sweet. I blushed terribly and may still be a bit red. She made my day.

Two) I try not to be a knee-jerk Democrat conspiracist when it comes to all things Bush, but is anyone else wondering what the media is missing while they focus on this hunting accident story? It must be something pretty big for the Veep to shoot someone, right? I mean, he used a 28-gauge that would do less damage than a 12-gauge (if I read the stories right, not claiming any gun knowledge here), obviously they couldn't foresee a heart attack because of the bird shoot. Too wag the dog-ish?

Three) I'm not enjoying my current book. It's Mr. Muo's Travelling Couch by Dai Sijie. I bought it because I loved Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress. I thought at first that it was the translator (French to English), that maybe the little seamstress had someone more enjoyable to read. But they are both translated by Ina Rilke. I've had several impulses to grab a different book to read, but I know if I don't finish it now I'll never pick it up again. I kept thinking that it would get better, but I think I dislike the main character now more than in the beginning. He's a pompous, deluded ass and possibly crazy. Some people may enjoy it, reminds me of Wooster and the protagonist from Portuguese Irregular Verbs. Both characters I found annoying and charmless. It is hard for me to put down a book unfinished, but I am sorely tempted with this one.