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Sunday, September 30, 2007

2007 national book festival

Anyone else go?

I've been in Washington for three Septembers now, but this was the first one I went to. The first one I didn't know about, the second one I was stoked about but then forgot about it. What can I say? Third time's the charm.
I was most excited about seeing Jodi Picoult. I've read her last three books and loved them. And yes, I had hoped to have a book signed, but the line was about three lines deep and I thought "you know, chances are she'll have another book out and go on another book tour. I can wait then." I admit, I'm not the most patient of people, especially when wearing a black shirt with the sun beating down on me.
Plus...I wanted to go hear more writers talk. So my friend and I wandered over to the Mystery & Thriller tent, way down on the other side. I guess I should first say that I got there around 1:00pm and that was just in time to hear Joyce Carol Oates speak. I admit...I haven't much read from her but I definitely know the name. I think I've read a few short stories. And later when I told my Dad about it, he said "wow...I think I remember reading her in high school!" So...I'll definitely check her writing out. She was a wonderful speaker. Actually, they all were.
So we caught the end of David Ignatius and then stuck around for Daniel Silva, another writer I haven't read but know the name. I've seen his name during my frequent bookstore trips on the shelves of new releases or best sellers, etc. But to be honest, I don't read a lot of Mystery and Thriller. I enjoy them, but I don't usually pick up something there. I think I'll have to deviate from my usually Fiction and Literature section to pick up his books. He was also engaging and told some interesting stories. How cool would it be to go research for your novel in Russia and visit some inner room of an old KGB headquarter? And what interesting characters to write about. I think he said his main character is an Israeli spy/art restorer. Well, I guess you have to have a cover if you're spy and that's as good as any.
After him we grabbed a quick lunch/dinner and chatted before heading back over to Fiction to hear Jodi Picoult. She was a wonderful speaker, and here's someone else who has done incredibly awesome things in the name of research: spent time in a prison, gone ghost hunting, spent time in Alaska (if it was in the winter, I'm even more impressed). She's definitely one of my favorite writers, and part of it is the way she writes, but also what she writes about. Her topics are definitely difficult to conquer, and yet they seem very real. I've only read three of her novels, but I think My Sister's Keeper and Nineteen Minutes are perfect examples. She mentioned briefly her new book about death row and organized religion that will come out in March. I'm going to keep that one in mind and pick it up when it comes out.
I do have some pictures online, not many but one of each author I saw. I know this is only a brief recap but I didn't want a very long entry and bore you with every little detail. I'm stoked I made it out this year and I will definitely go next year. As we walked back to Metro Center, my friend said that this was one of the great things about living in DC. You know? You don't have to plan a trip around these festivals and events. And the other thing Daniel Silva said was about the festival itself. He urged the audience to write their Congressman if they really enjoyed this, to make sure that it continues. This was one of Laura Bush's initiatives and has her backing, but she'll be heading back to Texas soon and then what? If the size of the festival goers is any indication, I think the Festival definitely has support. I saw so many of those little yellow bags on my walk down to the mall, and my friend saw them on the metro as she headed down, so there were countless people there before we even got there.
I'm a fan.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

how's it going?

One of the wonderful things about the internet is connectivity. We're able to remain in contact with people from high school and college and it's easier than it was pre-internet. We don't have to take the time out of our hectic schedules to sit down and write out a letter, look up the address and then post it. We don't have to wait until after 9 for a ridiculously priced long distance phone call or worrying if it's too late or too early to call.
All we have to do is shoot of a quick email, even if it only consists of four lines or so. A quick "Hey, how you're doing? What's going on? Hope all is well." Ciao.
But the thing is, I think sometimes we expect an equally short response back. The note is more just about staying in touch, making a quick connection to show I'm still there and still thinking about you and hope that this connection continues into the future.
And even if we happen to be having the worst day in awhile, or are stressed about work, life, finances or, in my case, the time and creativity to sit down and actually write/edit more than a page, we're not going to say that. Ok, some might. But I'm not. I'll say that things are great, busy and I'm just trying to get some writing in. Because if I go on for much longer, or start talking about what I'm working on, I feel like I'm digressing and no one really wants to hear all of that.
Mostly these are people you knew from class or from the halls, or friends of a friend or maybe someone you would have connected well with but just didn't get the chance to know. And who knows, they may never be close enough to hear your entire life story. But even my really good friends just need a brief email for me to say I'm thinking about you.
Lately I've had a couple of those, where you just shoot back a quick response and know that you'll get a short but sweet one back. And it's not a bad thing, but...I don't know, I guess I sort of feel it's almost superficial. But, at the same time, I'm glad to still connect with these people. I do prefer catching up in person because it feels like a greater connection. With these little connections, then maybe someday there will be an opportunity to meet up for coffee and have a real conversation and catch up on the little details.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

shakespeare theatre

I do this a lot living in DC. I walk all over the city streets and pass interesting places and restaurants and think to myself "I really need to come back and check this place out." And then I don't.
Case in point: The Shakespeare Theatre.
I've walked past it numerous times while hanging out or walking through Chinatown, and I must think the same thing every time I pass it. I've been here two years now, and last night I finally went. I was asked to go see The Taming of the Shrew, which is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. So of course, I had to go.
And I had a great time. First of all the theatre is great and I don't think there could be a bad seat there. Then there was the play itself which was a very good production. There were many moments where I laughed out loud, and not only due to Shakespeare's wonderful dialogue and jokes, but also through the movements and little things that were added.
As can so often happen with Shakespeare there were some delivered lines that were...a little over the top. And to be honest, there's something with a wedding dress (I don't want to give anything away) that initially was great, but overall I'm not so sure it worked. I still haven't decided.
But again, overall, it was wonderful. Of course now I'm really in the mood to rent it again and see Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton thunder away at each other. That may still be my favorite version, and maybe that's because that was the first version I saw ages and ages ago.

Monday, September 24, 2007

revisiting an older story

Last night I went back to a story idea I had years ago. I remember working on it Junior year in college, but since I spent the bulk of that year writing Paradise without Heaven, I think I must have started even earlier. I lost the text of that story my first year in Washington when my laptop inexplicably died. Talk about a great homecoming from vacation.
Anyway, I've thought about that story occasionally in the past two years because I really liked those characters. I liked the dynamics between them, their personality quirks, their loves, and their surroundings. The story revolves around the arts and last night I was practicing piano and that story came flooding back to me, urging me to bring these characters back to life.
So I did. I still know their names (though I have done some edits) and the personalities to these characters I haven't visited with in years. The only thing left I have of that story is an excerpt I posted online from a very early draft, a very short excerpt.
Last night I started from scratch, remembering the opening scene from years ago but hopefully embellishing more and adding more maturity to it that I hope my writing has gained in the five plus years of the initial writing.
And all I have to say is that I'm excited. I'm very excited about this one again. It's all I want to work on. So if you're looking for me within the next few weeks, chances are that's where I'll be.

another reason I miss the mountains

There was this bluff where I went to university, and I can't quite remember the first time my friend took me there, though I'm guessing it was Freshman year. It felt like it was out in the middle of nowhere, but it was really just away from the usual areas we frequented. I remember the last time I went it looked like at the base there was some construction going on, so I'm sure it's all built up now.
But you could go up there and then climb up to this other little platform and see around our little valley. You could see the highway and the cars, and all the little lights sprinkled against the darkness of the mountains. And we weren't very high up, there were certainly higher points, but it was an accessible area to go to if you needed to blow off steam and see some of the stars.
We went up there once during junior year to take a look at the fires that were creeping towards our campus, but thankfully stayed away. From my apartment that year, at night, you could see the flames licking up at the sky from the mountain ridge and it freaked me out. I was from a place where nothing burned, and this was a new concept...and to be able to see the flickering from my kitchen and living room was...well, I'm not sure there's a way to properly describe it. But I remember when it was still far off, we went up to that spot and looked at the redness on the horizon.
It was always cool up there. Partly because the temperature dropped at night, but with nothing else around, there was nothing to block a breeze, to divert around you. And it was quiet there too. We went from our cocoon in the car with house music usually blaring, to that stillness with a dull hum from the traffic below.
Elsewhere a friend this evening talked about driving through the desert and I guess that's what made me think about this. I don't think I ever went to that spot Senior year, I was too busy with papers and finals and my senior paper. Oh and resumes and figuring out what I wanted to do with my life. But if it's not built up, and if I manage to make it out to California in the near future, I'd like to go back and visit.
I think I miss that stillness and that breeze. But I've had similar moments here. And I know that if I left, I'd be reminisicing about those moments, and missing the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, or the park up the street, or even my rooftop.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

909

This morning I woke thinking about California. I don't know if I maybe had a dream about it, but what I do know is that I miss California. I miss the palm trees and the mountains in the background. I miss the attitude, the sun, the breezes...I miss that state.
I was lucky enough to spend four sun-filled years there, and while there were moments that I disliked, I have a lot of great memories. And that's not just because those four years were college years. As it is, whenever I hear Placebo's Every You Every Me I am instantly back in my car with the windows down, an iced soy chai from the Starbucks on Orange Street, cruising and shifting (God I miss my car!) back to the University or up through the mountains. There's nothing better than driving through the mountains.
It's been two years since I've been back. May 2008 will mark three years. You'll probably laugh, but I was sad when I switched my cell phone to a local number. That 909 area code was the last thing connecting me to California. Except of course my friends. My friends I haven't seen in years and really need to go back and visit.
So why am I waxing nostalgic for California? I'm not really sure what made me think of it this morning. Lately I've been thinking about planning a trip back to LA and yes, maybe even visiting Redlands, sometime early next year. I'm thinking that might be a great birthday present to myself. But this morning...this morning clinched it. I have to go back before 2008 ends, since I don't think I'll make it back this year.
This morning, after lying awake for a little bit and enjoying the coolness floating in through my open window, I rolled over to check out the time. Usually on the weekends I'm up around 8ish. I know, I'm crazy. I hate it too sometimes.
But the time was 9:09 am.
I'm not a superstitious person. I don't usually believe in signs and if I do say something's a sign, I'm usually only kidding. Except maybe when it comes to shopping (if there's something I want but don't think I should buy, I'll leave. If it's still there when I go back, it was meant to be). But I like thinking that I'm supposed to go back to California to visit. I'm overdue.
And if you're unfamiliar with California area codes, 909 is the area code around San Bernardino. My University was in San Bernardino county and that was my old area code. I have some really good friends still in the area, and many others spread throughout California.

Friday, September 14, 2007

an inkling of what's to come?

It's in the air. Summer's winding down (and of course my fingers are crossed that I'm not speaking too soon). I know there will be a few more days where the air is thick and heavy and the sun shining down is a little too hot for comfort, but I'm ready to head to the grocery store and stock up on my hot chocolate and pull down a couple of sweaters and light sweatshirts from the top shelf in my closet.
Last night I was able to sleep with the window open and woke up to the scent of fresh air and a cool breeze. I even needed an extra blanket over my sheet and I admit it...I am looking forward to unpacking my down comforter and weekends spent curled up inside watching movies. I know I'm jumping a little ahead of myself, because that's more for the transition of fall to winter, but I'm already looking forward to that.
You see, as much as I love getting dolled up and going out to dance the night away, I love just as much to curl up with something warm and watch or movie or read through a great book. And even though I complain, I do like the cooler months when I can do that. Although to be fair, I only complain when I have to go outside in that ice-cold weather that freezes you down to the bone. Which for this Texas-raised girl doesn't take much.
With this morning's coolness, I wanted to stay at home with the first few light hours, drinking my coffee and writing, with the window still open and that breeze circulating through my tiny apartment. But if this continues, that may have to wait for the weekend. Especially since this morning there was more construction work and standard weekday city noise going on outside. That can be a little distracting.

Sunday, September 09, 2007

montana

Get thee to Montana.
Try not to go during the forest fire season though. Those mountains in the background there are normally much more clear. Granted...they're incredible just the same.
The first three-fourths of my visit had that lingering haze from the forest fires that took away some of that 'take-your-breath away' feeling. Like obscuring the mountains from view on the other side of the Flathead. But I didn't really mind so much.
The lake at Tally was still so incredibly clear you could see straight to the bottom as far out as you looked. I come from a place where you probably can't see even a centimeter out. I was an awe the first time I stood on Tally's shores.
One day I was there we hiked up through the Hidden Lake Trail up in Glacier on the Going to the Sun road (don't you just love that name?). It was wonderful. I never saw any bears this trip, but I did see some wildlife that I'd never seen in the wild before: mountain goats, bighorn sheep, chipmunks and prairie dogs. I also saw a lot of deer this trip, but those I've seen before.
I loved hiking in the mountains, and those who know me know that I'm not an outdoors person. I grew up with concrete, steel and glass, and I don't do well with the possibility of bugs. But there was something about hiking in August way up high with a few piles of snow around you (more still on the other mountains). I didn't on the hike, but there were many times in Montana where I wore my sweater. Plus...it was still spring up there. The colors of the flowers were vibrant and clear. There was a cool breeze and the wildlife. The bighorn sheep we only saw from a distance, but the mountain goats came right up to the trail and there was even a little bit of a spat between two of them, almost like a show.
A few days before I left, we took my Dad's boat out on the Flathead for lunch and to lounge around on a Sunday afternoon. There's no better place to eat lunch than the middle of this beautiful blue lake, rocking on the waves with so much greenery around you. I even got to drive for a little bit.
To complete the full Montana experience, the night before I left I had a few bites of steak. Those of you who know me know that somehow I became a vegetarian very early in my life. I don't think I've ever had steak before, though I have tried beef in many forms. The steak had a good taste, but it's just that texture. Montana may have made me want to become more of an outdoors kind of girl, but I'm still a vegetarian.
I do intend to write more. I just wanted to give a brief recap of my visit which was pretty full: went to Glacier two days in a row, went to Tally, went out on the Flathead, filled up the days with other activities. Pretty much every day was spent doing something, starting from walking the dog with my Dad early in the mornings to hanging out late in the evenings with a drink and a movie and letting the legs rest from hiking.
I didn't get a lot of writing done while I was there, even though I had intended to do so, but I do feel quite recharged from that vacation. I hope that it's not another three years before I'm able to go again.
I have more pictures of Big Sky country here.

Sunday, September 02, 2007

do a lot of reading?

Earlier today I came upon this post on Nathan Bransford's blog that referenced this article. The article says that polls indicate that one in four adult Americans read no books last year. None. Not one.
Now granted, I am an avid reader and I have probably read four books within the past month, which was apparently how many books the average person says to have read. And I know people who are less than fanatical readers and maybe reading one book in a year would be a stretch. But I guess the sheer percentage of one in four not reading any books staggers me.
Because even with the success of the Harry Potter series or The DaVinci Code, I would have thought that these might make up for that. I probably couldn't estimate the amount of bookseller bags I saw with the seventh Harry Potter the day it came out. I also saw quite a few people with it on the streets. Normally you can't really pick out what a person is reading walking down the sidewalk. I found that intriguing.
Anyway. I understand that movies, TV and the apparent greatness that is YouTube makes up for reading, but still...how many people find themselves in waiting rooms? Or at restaurants with your friend running late? Or in urban settings, public transportation? I've always found it's good to carry a book with me for those very reasons. It makes five, ten minutes go by much quicker.
I've been curious as to how many books I read and even which ones and when. About a month ago my friend pointed me to the site goodreads and I'm using that to keep track. We're in the same book club and I should play copy cat and make a seperate list for my book club books. I may eventually have to do that.
Mainly I just wanted to share that article. It's pretty interesting and actually makes me want to read more and start recommending the great books I'm reading. If you happen to be on goodreads as well, let me know if you have any suggestions. Or let me know on here. I've got a stack of books I'm reading and in my 'to read' pile, but that's never stopped me from adding to them.
Read anything good lately?

Saturday, September 01, 2007

fall cleaning

Ok, so I've been doing some cleaning and reorganizing of many things: books, computer files, CDs, what have you, and have also extended this into this blog and my website. I've changed my links here to include some links about DC or writing and have removed the very personal links.
This has been done for professional reasons. If your link was removed, please, please don't take it personally. I have you bookmarked and will of course be checking you out as often as possible to continue my daily (or weekly) enjoyment.
I will have an update on Montana by the end of this lovely three day weekend. I'm actually working on my manuscript and fleshing out some other story ideas I had, so the Montana update has been placed on the back burner. But it will get done. And I will soon have pictures up, although the pictures won't do that state any justice because of the smoke from the forest fires. I think I'll be able to link to some pictures from earlier visits (three years ago) that were much clearer, but much, much colder.
Thanks for the understanding. Have a great holiday weekend!