This weekend was the annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books down at UCLA. And I thought it was the perfect even to discuss around the watercooler this week.
I've been going every year since 2001, and I love it. In fact, it's the even I look forward to most in the spring.
It's billed as the largest book festival in the country. I don't know how they measure. All I know is, it really is huge. There are booths all over the campus, and keep in mind this is a huge campus. Okay, the booths are probably only on half, but it is quite large with hundreds of exhibitors.
As always, I went with my friends Angelique. We generally haunt the mystery bookstore booths, and this year was no exception. We got to catch up with old favorites Joanne Fluke and Laura Levine. In fact, I got Laura's latest, which isn't officially out for a month yet. Hailey Lind was there, so I got her second and third books signed. Fortunately, I ran into Lee Goldberg early on Saturday since I couldn't be there for his signing on Sunday. And I got to meet Deborah Turrell Atkinson. And if you are noticing a theme with some of the authors I've been reading lately, you'd be right. I always wind up with a list of books to get through before the festival.
In years past, the event has been so crowded it was hard to walk from one booth to another, much less browse a booth quickly. I might be wrong, but it seemed the festival was less crowded this year than normal. I'm guessing it was because of the heat. After a week in the high sixties, it started really heating up on Friday, and by Saturday and Sunday, it was in the high 90's. Believe me, it was hot! I took a water bottle with me and kept refilling it often.
The range of stuff you can find there is unreal. One booth was giving away free Bibles. And a couple rows down, you could get your free Koran for comparison. Yes, the self-publishers are there. And some authors get an entire booth to hawk their wears. Several travel bookstores show up. Borders is there. Barnes and Noble used to be there as well, but we haven't seen them for several years.
And they have panels on just about everything. Lots on mysteries, but some on biographies and autobiographies, true crime, modern culture, and Hollywood. To be honest, we normally don't attend the panels because we are too busy browsing the booths. The big name panels fill up fast. You should have seen the lines to hear Julie Andrews speak. If the free tickets were gone, I would have been tempted to go to that one myself.
And this isn't just for adults. There is a whole area dedicated to kids' books and authors. Bill Peet's son has been there for several years. And they have programs for the kids with speakers and popular characters. I don't know who was there this year, but Barney has been there in years past.
They even manage to keep the crazies to the side lines. The food service employees at UCLA seem to have an on-going issue with their pay, and once again they were out wandering around with their signs about how unfair they are being treated. But the back way to the student union (where we always go for a quiet, air conditioned lunch) is where to go if you want some good laughs. Angelique and I have dubbed it "Conspiracy Alley" and you've got just about everything there. Most of the people and their homemade signs are trying to point of the truth of what happened on 9/11. And there are the calls for impeachment. But I think I saw something about AIDS this year, too.
This year, I brought a lot of books with me to get signed and by lunch time I had seen most of those authors. So I took a trip to my car and dumped the books I no longer needed. My back is still thanking me.
Speaking of which, I was able to try out my new backpack. I love it. It looks like the right choice, and I'll be enjoying it for a long time to come.
Sunday, I went back after church to get another few autographs from authors who weren't there on Saturday. In fact, I got the inside scoop from Steve Hockensmith about his next book.
I can't believe it is over already. I'll start the countdown for next year now.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Word Association for April 27th
A day late, but here you go.
- Thug :: Criminal
- Slurp :: Drink
- Alley :: Dark
- Sweater vest :: Cold Weather
- Targeted :: Elimination
- Snazzy :: Dresser
- Oy! :: Unbelievable
- Jury duty :: Court
- Low fat :: Yogart
- Responsibility :: Job
Friday, April 25, 2008
Mini Review: The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax
Time for another mini review. This time, we're looking at a reread, The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman (link takes you to a full review.)
Grandmother, widow, garden club member, and part time CIA agent is off again. This time, she's smuggling passports into Bulgaria in a bird's nest, I mean a hat that looks like a bird's nest. To complicate matters, she will be under the watchful eye of Bulgaria's tourist board at every turn. Can she meet her contact without arousing suspicion? And what other mischief might Mrs. Pollifax make while there?
The thing to remember about this series is that each book takes place around the time it was written. So the fact that this book was published in 1971 helps explain why Mrs. Pollifax is smuggling those passports. Bulgaria was still behind the Iron Curtain.
The books in this series are predictable and unrealistic. I freely admit that. But they are also so much fun I can't resist. Plus Mrs. Pollifax is a great characters who is fun to be around. And they are a great way to get a glimpse of another time and culture.
Grandmother, widow, garden club member, and part time CIA agent is off again. This time, she's smuggling passports into Bulgaria in a bird's nest, I mean a hat that looks like a bird's nest. To complicate matters, she will be under the watchful eye of Bulgaria's tourist board at every turn. Can she meet her contact without arousing suspicion? And what other mischief might Mrs. Pollifax make while there?
The thing to remember about this series is that each book takes place around the time it was written. So the fact that this book was published in 1971 helps explain why Mrs. Pollifax is smuggling those passports. Bulgaria was still behind the Iron Curtain.
The books in this series are predictable and unrealistic. I freely admit that. But they are also so much fun I can't resist. Plus Mrs. Pollifax is a great characters who is fun to be around. And they are a great way to get a glimpse of another time and culture.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Thursday Threesome for April 24th
This week's edition is brought to us by found money and The Back Porch.
Onesome: The-- endless onslaught of junk snail mail: how much do you get each week? I'm thinking maybe we could use it as insulation in our houses...
You know, that's a good idea. Since I live in a condo, I'll be fully insulated 5 times over by the end of the year. Okay, so it isn't that bad, but I bet I get a dozen pieces a week. I seems like more, but some of those go to my roommates.
Twosome: Convenience of-- a quick in and out? Do you have a convenience store nearby that is really convenient for you?
There are several stores near me, but they are all located on major roads, so there is no such thing as quick in and out.
Threesome: Extra cash--? When you need some, where do you get it? ...the ATM? ..."write for over" at the store? What is this 'cash' thing you speak of?
Always at the ATM. Helps me balance my banking a little better.
Onesome: The-- endless onslaught of junk snail mail: how much do you get each week? I'm thinking maybe we could use it as insulation in our houses...
You know, that's a good idea. Since I live in a condo, I'll be fully insulated 5 times over by the end of the year. Okay, so it isn't that bad, but I bet I get a dozen pieces a week. I seems like more, but some of those go to my roommates.
Twosome: Convenience of-- a quick in and out? Do you have a convenience store nearby that is really convenient for you?
There are several stores near me, but they are all located on major roads, so there is no such thing as quick in and out.
Threesome: Extra cash--? When you need some, where do you get it? ...the ATM? ..."write for over" at the store? What is this 'cash' thing you speak of
Always at the ATM. Helps me balance my banking a little better.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Thinking About Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed
This week around the water cooler, I want to discuss Ben Stein's documentary Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. No, it won't be a full on review. If you'd like my official review, head over to Epinions. Or just follow this link.
Instead, I'd like to talk about the reaction to it.
Frankly, the reaction has been very predictable to me. It seems to fall into the love it or hate it camp. Those who believe in Intelligent Design (or Creationism, and they aren't the same), like it. Those who hate ID and believe in Evolution hate it. And there's name calling on both sides. Frankly, it saddens me. Have we really sunk to the point where we can't discuss anything without yelling or name calling? Are we becoming more or less civilized.
The media certainly came out swinging against it. If you look up Google's reviews, the ones from the official media sources are all negative. Okay, so they might be classified as neutral by Google, but they really are negative. The only positive reviews are the ones they've picked up from Epinions.
And watching the reviews over there has certainly been an interesting thing. We've actually had people joining the site just to write reviews for or against.
I had read an article about the film before I saw it, but not any reviews. While watching it, I knew the part that the critics would jump all over, and I have been right. At one point, Stein takes on Social Darwinism and Eugenics and follows them down the path they ultimately lead to, the Holocaust. Frankly, taking this part out and allotting that time to fully develop the huge amount to data in the piece would have made everything stronger.
The other issue people are using to write off the film is Stein's emphasis on how life began. "Evolution doesn't try to explain how life began," they claim. Then that's a flaw with the theory, wouldn't you say? And considering that is exactly what Intelligent Design is trying to answer, it seems to me to be a major point that should be discussed.
Some people are crying foul because the documentary doesn't prove Evolution false. That wasn't the point. While he does get into that a little, the main point was that people are being blacklisted for even mentioning Intelligent Design. Didn't you get that from the title of the documentary? It was called Expelled, not Intelligently Designed.
And, of course, there are the arguments about how we can't have religion taught in the science classroom. Um, guess what. Atheism is a religion recognized by the US government. Not only the Supreme Court, but also the IRS for tax write off purposes. And you know what one of their major beliefs is? That's right, Evolution. So, we already have religion being taught in the classroom. The problem is, another religion wants to be taught along side, and the dominant religion is throwing a hissy fit over it.
I actually had one person today tell me that Christians had no right to claim they were being discriminated against since they had been oppressing others for the last 2000 years. I didn't realize that two wrongs now made a right. Glad to know things have changed.
But you know the height of irony? Some of those who have joined the site to write negative reviews of Expelled have also voted my review Not Helpful, which would essentially hide it from view. And the point of Expelled was that Evolutionists are doing all they can to silence anyone who doesn't believe as they do.
Thanks for proving our point.
Instead, I'd like to talk about the reaction to it.
Frankly, the reaction has been very predictable to me. It seems to fall into the love it or hate it camp. Those who believe in Intelligent Design (or Creationism, and they aren't the same), like it. Those who hate ID and believe in Evolution hate it. And there's name calling on both sides. Frankly, it saddens me. Have we really sunk to the point where we can't discuss anything without yelling or name calling? Are we becoming more or less civilized.
The media certainly came out swinging against it. If you look up Google's reviews, the ones from the official media sources are all negative. Okay, so they might be classified as neutral by Google, but they really are negative. The only positive reviews are the ones they've picked up from Epinions.
And watching the reviews over there has certainly been an interesting thing. We've actually had people joining the site just to write reviews for or against.
I had read an article about the film before I saw it, but not any reviews. While watching it, I knew the part that the critics would jump all over, and I have been right. At one point, Stein takes on Social Darwinism and Eugenics and follows them down the path they ultimately lead to, the Holocaust. Frankly, taking this part out and allotting that time to fully develop the huge amount to data in the piece would have made everything stronger.
The other issue people are using to write off the film is Stein's emphasis on how life began. "Evolution doesn't try to explain how life began," they claim. Then that's a flaw with the theory, wouldn't you say? And considering that is exactly what Intelligent Design is trying to answer, it seems to me to be a major point that should be discussed.
Some people are crying foul because the documentary doesn't prove Evolution false. That wasn't the point. While he does get into that a little, the main point was that people are being blacklisted for even mentioning Intelligent Design. Didn't you get that from the title of the documentary? It was called Expelled, not Intelligently Designed.
And, of course, there are the arguments about how we can't have religion taught in the science classroom. Um, guess what. Atheism is a religion recognized by the US government. Not only the Supreme Court, but also the IRS for tax write off purposes. And you know what one of their major beliefs is? That's right, Evolution. So, we already have religion being taught in the classroom. The problem is, another religion wants to be taught along side, and the dominant religion is throwing a hissy fit over it.
I actually had one person today tell me that Christians had no right to claim they were being discriminated against since they had been oppressing others for the last 2000 years. I didn't realize that two wrongs now made a right. Glad to know things have changed.
But you know the height of irony? Some of those who have joined the site to write negative reviews of Expelled have also voted my review Not Helpful, which would essentially hide it from view. And the point of Expelled was that Evolutionists are doing all they can to silence anyone who doesn't believe as they do.
Thanks for proving our point.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
I've Just Got to Point This Out
I know, I know, I'm really late for April Fool's Day. Like four weeks. But I found this so funny I just had to share.
Back on April 1st, Think Geek.com introducted several new items, all of which were jokes. My favorite was the Betamax to HD-DVD converter. Talk about the perfect match! I can't wait to get one for myself.
Follow the link and take a look at it. Be sure to read everything because there's some very funny stuff there.
Back on April 1st, Think Geek.com introducted several new items, all of which were jokes. My favorite was the Betamax to HD-DVD converter. Talk about the perfect match! I can't wait to get one for myself.
Follow the link and take a look at it. Be sure to read everything because there's some very funny stuff there.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Another Week Begins
I'd say there's no one defining event in my week if that's the best I can come up with for a title, wouldn't you?
I've continued to research cell phones. I have it narrowed down to Sprint or AT&T. I just can't decide between the two. But I plan to talk to my family about them this weekend.
And, thanks to a marathon writing session this weekend, I should hit 40 reviews at Epinions this month. I wrote 9 over the weekend. No wonder I feel like I'm out of words today.
And keep in mind that wasn't all I did this weekend. I finished a book Sunday and I went to a book signing on Saturday. My mom's cousin was in Glendale signing her novel that I helped her edit, so I went down there to visit and support her. I hadn't seen Marjorie in years, so it was nice to visit with her for a little while.
And I watched the pilot to Burn Notice. Not sure how I feel about the show, but I think I'll give a few episodes to grow on me before I write it off. And I went to two movies. Granted, I turned them both into reviews, so does that qualify or not?
Okay, so writing reviews was a lot of what I did this weekend.
And I got the great news last Thursday that I am definitely in for Ultimate Frisbee Summer League. Now I need to get into what passes for shape with me so I am ready come June. Of course, since I am running three mornings a week and walking another 3 mornings a week, I'd say I'm already well on my way. I can not wait for summer league to start!!!
I've continued to research cell phones. I have it narrowed down to Sprint or AT&T. I just can't decide between the two. But I plan to talk to my family about them this weekend.
And, thanks to a marathon writing session this weekend, I should hit 40 reviews at Epinions this month. I wrote 9 over the weekend. No wonder I feel like I'm out of words today.
And keep in mind that wasn't all I did this weekend. I finished a book Sunday and I went to a book signing on Saturday. My mom's cousin was in Glendale signing her novel that I helped her edit, so I went down there to visit and support her. I hadn't seen Marjorie in years, so it was nice to visit with her for a little while.
And I watched the pilot to Burn Notice. Not sure how I feel about the show, but I think I'll give a few episodes to grow on me before I write it off. And I went to two movies. Granted, I turned them both into reviews, so does that qualify or not?
Okay, so writing reviews was a lot of what I did this weekend.
And I got the great news last Thursday that I am definitely in for Ultimate Frisbee Summer League. Now I need to get into what passes for shape with me so I am ready come June. Of course, since I am running three mornings a week and walking another 3 mornings a week, I'd say I'm already well on my way. I can not wait for summer league to start!!!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Word Association For April 20th
Taken from here.
- Questioning :: Beliefs
- Immunity :: from Prosecution
- Online dating :: Scary
- Calcium :: Milk
- Dressing :: Stuffing
- Bucket :: Water
- Stain :: Removal
- Advanced :: Whiting
- Dramatic :: Scene
- Self-medication :: Dangerous
Friday, April 18, 2008
Mini Review: Primitive Secrets
Today's review is on Primitive Secrets by Deborah Turrell Atkinson. (Link will take you to a full review.)
Storm Kayama enters the law office where she works that Monday morning to find her "Uncle," adopted father, and founder of the firm dead at his death. Because of his age, most people assume it is a heart attack. But after Storm is attacked and her home broken into, it looks like murder. Was it a family squabble gone wrong? Or did something happen at work that lead to his death?
The book started pretty slowly, with details about Storm's personal life that I, frankly, didn't care about. Once the plot picked up, however, I really got into the book. The characters grew on me, and the mystery had several nice twists. The writing was rough at times (it is a first novel), but there were several scenes that really drew me in and had my heart racing.
And did I mention the setting is Hawaii? While I've never been (first trip planned next month), I really enjoyed a chance to pretend I was there for a few hours.
This book was worth reading. Just give it some time to get going.
Storm Kayama enters the law office where she works that Monday morning to find her "Uncle," adopted father, and founder of the firm dead at his death. Because of his age, most people assume it is a heart attack. But after Storm is attacked and her home broken into, it looks like murder. Was it a family squabble gone wrong? Or did something happen at work that lead to his death?
The book started pretty slowly, with details about Storm's personal life that I, frankly, didn't care about. Once the plot picked up, however, I really got into the book. The characters grew on me, and the mystery had several nice twists. The writing was rough at times (it is a first novel), but there were several scenes that really drew me in and had my heart racing.
And did I mention the setting is Hawaii? While I've never been (first trip planned next month), I really enjoyed a chance to pretend I was there for a few hours.
This book was worth reading. Just give it some time to get going.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Thursday Threesome for April 17th
This week's edition is brought to us by blender manufactorers and The Back Porch.
Onesome: Visualize-- Hmmm...How are you on maps and mapping? Are you one of those people who can translate the paper version to what you're seeing on the road? ...or do you rely on a 'trusy native guide' (or GPS unit) to get you around someplace you've never been?
If the map is detailed enough, I am usually okay with it. However, I use Google or Yahoo maps and just follow those directions 95% of the time.
Twosome: Whirled-- about in your head: did you ever have a phrase or song lyric you "just got wrong"? You know, like that Hendix "Kiss this guy" malapropism...
Absolutely. But do you think I can remember any of them right now? No....
Threesome: Peas-- porridge hot? Even though we're looking to the end of Winter (at least here in the Northern Hemisphere), what has been your favorite hot meal this past few months?
I've really enjoyed getting soup in the cafeteria on cold days more than normal this year.
Onesome: Visualize-- Hmmm...How are you on maps and mapping? Are you one of those people who can translate the paper version to what you're seeing on the road? ...or do you rely on a 'trusy native guide' (or GPS unit) to get you around someplace you've never been?
If the map is detailed enough, I am usually okay with it. However, I use Google or Yahoo maps and just follow those directions 95% of the time.
Twosome: Whirled-- about in your head: did you ever have a phrase or song lyric you "just got wrong"? You know, like that Hendix "Kiss this guy" malapropism...
Absolutely. But do you think I can remember any of them right now? No....
Threesome: Peas-- porridge hot? Even though we're looking to the end of Winter (at least here in the Northern Hemisphere), what has been your favorite hot meal this past few months?
I've really enjoyed getting soup in the cafeteria on cold days more than normal this year.
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