Summer Repeats

When I enjoy a movie, I don't mind seeing it again. If I really like it, I'll watch it again and again. Tonight I'm going to watch Seabiscuit again.

It's odd that so many people don't like to see a movie again, but they'll listen to a song they like over and over. Some people read the same book again. Illustrator Edward Gorey read books multiple times, often keeping a log on the inside cover of the dates he read the book.

Wine and Cheese

Last Saturday, we went to Wine Steals, a wine bar on University Avenue in Hillcrest. The atmosphere is laid back; low lights, sofas, armchairs, oak barrel tables with glass tops. The bartender could be Rob McElhenney's (of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia fame) twin. The clientele was mixed; some groups of friends, some couples, some lone wolves at the bar. My only complaint was the lack of air conditioning; Saturday was the beginning of the heat wave that's currently gripping the city.

We had a nice Stephen's Cellar's pinot noir/zinfandel blend called Rocky's with a cheese and bread platter containing blue, brie, gouda, Swiss, and Havarti cheeses. Overall, a really nice evening.

It's Getting Scary for Harry

Author J.K. Rowling hinted today during a British talk show interview that her boy wizard, Harry Potter, may be one of two cherished characters to perish in the upcoming final book of her series. I don't know about you, but I'm still reeling from Dumbledore's demise.

I understand her logic: no one can pick up her story after Book VII if Harry is dead. No author wants someone making a name for himself/herself (or making money) off of your intellectual property. But all the same, I hate to think that Harry, Ron, and Hermoine won't fly off into the sunset in Mr. Weasley's flying muggle car to a magical future.

What do you think? Will Harry die in the final installment? Who else will be killed?

News Perspective

I know that local news is about local news, but sometimes the San Diego news station that I catch (KFMB) blows things out of perspective. The top story for last night's 6:30 newscast was about a child almost drowning in a swimming pool. I doubt that anyone outside of his family, classmates and teacher, and neighbors were interested. In the meantime, in other local news, wildfires are burning out of control one state over, Marines from Camp Pendleton were killed in Iraq, North Korea has a possible nuclear missile that could land in our front yard, and the California National Guard is posted on the U.S.-Mexican border. I think I would give one of these stories top billing.

And, oh yes, the second most important story of the evening: the cost of a round of golf at Torrey Pines Golf Course will rise about $20 over the next five years. Come on!

Anywhere USA

There's been a lot of discussion in the news recently about the nation's least healthy cities, the most expensive cities, the up-and-coming cities, etc. If you could live anywhere in the United States, where would you live and why?

Well-Deserved Recognition

I'm really excited! I received news from The Chronicle of Higher Education today that they're going to publish Donna Barr's End Paper on June 30. I worked very hard to make this End Paper happen, as did Nicole in Special Collections and Donna herself. The artist's statement she wrote was great and very topical, considering world events. I have no doubt that's one of the reason this piece was selected. The publication of this End Paper will get nationwide recognition for Donna and for the comics/graphic novel genre and, well, it won't hurt me either! It's just so nice when something you've put a lot of work and sweat into pays off!

Currently on My Car's CD Player

Runrig's Stamping Ground

Runrig keeps me sane during insane times. Here's a sample from "Running to the Light":

Only those who
Greatness see in little things
Worthy are the simple
They're happy in their ways
Self will wither out of sight
Running to the light

The boys from Scotland keep me grounded.

Too Hot for Hell to Freeze Over

I don't know what it's going to take for the crew in Washington to address global warming. They won't believe cadres of scientists, nor will they believe what's going on in front of their eyes. I see something akin to the events leading up to the extinction of the dinosaurs, but hey, that's just me.

Chinky Vision

No, I'm not being politically incorrect. That's the name of a zine created by one of the student assistants where I work. She's a shy young Asian woman who loves to swing dance, hates articokes, and writes, illustrates, and prints a cool little zine called Chinky Vision. In it, she talks about her likes and dislikes, shares news about her life, and draws comics of her coworkers. She's a person of few words in a conversation but many when she takes a pen in hand.

If you're unfamiliar with the world of zines, go to your nearest university library and see if they collect them. They usually cover politics, culture, feminism, or the arts. Some are just funny. Some extremely edgy. Many are created by college kids; some by aging hippies. Be prepared to spend an hour or ten looking at them because they're addictive.

Crazy Kid Lady

"We don't know which country. But we're looking at different countries," (Angelina Jolie) tells (Anderson) Cooper. "...it's gonna be the balance of what would be best for Mad and for Z right now. It's, you know, another boy, another girl, which country, which race would fit best with the kids."

Okay, this woman is getting a little spooky. She reminds me of the crazy cat lady who can't stop taking in strays. She's starting to collect children from different countries like souvenirs. Can't she just bring home a snow globe or a thimble decorated with the name of each country she visits?

Not Your Father's Comic Books

Although I'm not a devotee of drawn books (aka comic books), I'm a great admirer of Donna Barr, the creator of the series The Desert Peach and Stinz. Her work is in an exhibit where I work, and she'll be giving a talk here in July, so I've had the opportunity to go through originals of her writings/drawings. I believe she may be a genius, and I've never seen a more prolific writer or artist. She has a series of books called The Black Manuscripts, and she bound them herself in handmade and designed needlework covers that are as amazing as the artwork and language within. If you want a taste of her work, check out her Web site.

Much Ado about Da Vinci

The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
--William Shakespeare, Hamlet

Where there's smoke, there's fire.
--My mother

When I read The Da Vinci Code, I enjoyed it as an interesting story. I had no interest in uncovering secret cabals and conspiracies or discrediting the Catholic Church. I love history, Arthurian literature, suspense and thrillers, and toying with interesting ideas, such as Jesus having a wife and child. And I enjoyed the movie, even though I couldn't completely picture Tom Hanks in the lead role. But since the movie's release, the Catholic Church has been making a lot of noise about author Dan Brown's best-seller. Too much noise. Recently, National Geographic published an article about the Gospel of Judas, written in Coptic script, that was lost for centuries. If this gospel was excluded from the Bible, what else could have been omitted? Are there other things the church doesn't want us to know? And if their faith is so strong, why are they so worried about a literary gadfly? The church's protests have aroused my curiosity more than the book.

It's Not Fair

I'm anxiously awaiting for the results to be posted for the craft show I entered at the San Diego County Fair. I entered four cross-stitch pieces and a set of decoupage plates. Here's a look at my award-winning entries from last year.

We're going to the fair this weekend, so I'll know the results then, but I wouldn't mind finding out early.

UPDATE: I received one second place and three honorable mentions. I'm bummed.

Also Reading....

Which means it will be a long time before I finish both this book and My Life.

I met Greg Bear through a function at work last March. He is gregarious, brilliant, polite, relaxed, and has a good sense of humor. You can talk to the man about anything. There was a "more important celebrity" (who will go unnamed) at this party, but a group of us followed Bear around like we were his paid entourage. I think he got a kick out of us.

Currently Reading

So far, it's like listening to one of my friends down South tell a long, interesting story while sitting on the front porch drinking a beer.