november 2005

The grandson and granddaughter and I left the house early Sunday morning, going into Berkeley to see the latest installment in the Harry Potter films. This would be the first viewing for the grandson and myself, the third for the granddaughter. She has certain films that for her are like comfort food. The grandson enjoyed it but as he has read all the books, and by nature is a bit of a quibbler, he had a few quibbles. As a Potter nonreader, I found it very watchable and I left the theatre without quibbles. I didn't think it as good as the third in the series, which I found more than watchable in many places, it having some fine faux forties Universal horror film moments.

Later in the afternoon, I brought the grandson along to the Terry Bisson and Paul Park event at Other Change of Hobbit. I enjoyed listening to Paul Park read, even though I have not read any of his books. And, I really enjoyed listening to, and meeting, Terry Bisson, who I have read and whom I can highly recommend reading. Finding his short story, "They're Made Out of Meat", is one of the few things I can think of that actually justifies all the time I've spent on-line.

I have Andrew at gmtPlus9 to thank for the email my better half received last week from Rowena Dugdale, who actually bothered to find out who is querylily and how to contact her. Not only is Ms. Dugdale a fantastic artist but she also fronts an excellent band out of Bristol, U.K., Santa Dog, which plays, in her words and to my ears, "heartfelt guitar pop". Well worth a listen and a credit card purchase.

Don't just take my word. Take Your Medicine has an opinion. So does Grant at Three From Leith.

Gary Trudeau's speech to the American Association of Sunday and Features Editors

Hey. Thanks for the call. It was good to hear your voice, that you made it in okay. Now go get a good night's sleep. I'll try to call you this weekend.

I don't think my previous post does justice to all the mixed emotions I have about Drew's move. He is my closest man friend, someone who has never failed to be there to lend an ear, catch a cup of coffee, or top off a strained day at work with a beer and conversation. Even when the beer was wishful thinking and the conversation was through the phone wires. The amazing thing is that he has been there for so many people, with such openness and caring, embodying big mind and an open heart. So...I am happy for him, yet I'm sad that he's going....er, gone. No doubt, there'll be some emails to exchange once he's gotten settled...and a certain blog to monitor.

Sheeeit...I'm not really in a scatological mood...but sheeeit! After a month of goodbyes, Drew is headed back to the land of the Floridians, soon to joined by his sweetie. He came by my office yesterday, dropping off a couple of unopened bottles from his liquor cabinet, gave me a hug and a goodbye wave. So...that's that.

The day before, he joined with me and several of his former co-workers in a last round up of sorts at the Eagle Tavern for the Sunday afternoon beer bust. The sun was bright, air was cool, the beer was good, the crush of men was...well that could be another story, but it isn't. We hung out for a couple of hours, chatting, watching the parade of guys and taking note of one or the other of our fellow beer imbiding neighbors.