Frith O’Steen

So, I forced myself to read HP slowly this time, so I could savor every bit of the genius that is JKR, and it was soooo worth it! Started it on Saturday night, and can’t believe I waited until Wednesday night to finish it, but was glad that I did. This latest book was amazing, and while GOF is still my absolute fave so far (for a variety of reasons I won’t bore you with here), this one was right up there. She just gets better and better - I can’t wait to introduce Decker to the series myself - little does he know what he has in store for him! After I finished the book, I immediately went online to “The Leaky Cauldron” to see what other folks were saying, and I felt like a big geek but it was also very satisfying - like getting my own instant book club! Props to my dad for calling me up the next morning (he finished it the night before as well) and being interested in discussing the story with me - you are so great, Dad!

So I was pretty worn out from staying up so late reading night after night, but I had enough time to gather some energy back up so I would be ready for…another trip to PIXAR! Yes, lightning can strike twice (particularly when your mom is good friends with people who work there, but hey) and Sean and I were once more invited along with my family to come and visit PIXAR studios in Emeryville. This time we were invited specifically to join Marie and David for the annual company “Motorama”, which included a big barbecue and lots of cars on display (Decker was in 7th Heaven). And…the usual celeb spottings, including John Lasseter, Brad Bird, and - wait for it - Cliffy himself, John Ratzenberger! I just about hyperventilated - but I’d like to say I kept my cool for the most part. (Folks who were with me, just shut up). Heh. We got to walk around the grounds more this time, and had an amazing day thanks to the kindness of our hosts - thank you so much, you guys! Everyone there just seemed so psyched and happy to be working at PIXAR - it’s something all too rare in the work world. Neat to see it.

And lastly, Sean and I were honored to be invited to the wedding of two former students of mine from Berkeley, which happened last night over in the Brazil Room in Tilden Park. It was really fun and I got a chance to catch up with some folks from my Cal days, which was cool. It was a very touching evening - I like to tease Jen and Steve that I was there from the beginning (which I sort of was, since my co-RD and I were making ‘bets’ as to when they would start dating, since they seemed so perfect for each other), and you could feel how good a partnership this is and how happy everyone was for them. Good times - and Sean and I actually got out and danced a bit (sorry if we hit anyone!).

Happy Pioneer Day!

Argh! As of yesterday, my precious treasure was in transit to Pleasant Hill from Concord - they could practically walk it over to my front door! Where is my book?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is killing me. Softly.

Amazon, you sure as heck better come through!

I got a chance to hang out with good bud Rebecca last night, and as always I knew I could count on her to find something fun and interesting for us to do. Sean and Decker and I joined her and her hubby Todd at the International Market in Emeryville for dinner, and after Decker got hopped up on “full sin” juice and cheerios, and had had his fill of running around and exploring the entire food court, I let his lucky dad take him home (heh) and then I took off to see the Burning Man Art Preview at The Crucible in Oakland. (Wow, I think that sentence just ran on longer than Proust!).

What is The Crucible?, one may ask. (I did). It’s an unbelievable huge warehouse that serves as the home to an arts collaborative, where they teach classes in all sorts of cool stuff, from arc welding to glass blowing to wood working to jewelry making. They had 3 different sections for welding, depending on whether it was TIG, MIG, or arc. The size of this place was outstanding, and it seemed really neat. They teach both adult and children’s classes, and you could go and learn how to fix up your motorcycle, or build a canoe, or pretty much anything you can think of. It used to be located next to Urban Ore on Ashby, but now it’s on 7th in West Oakland. So we toured around the warehouse, and then settled in to listen to a few of the better-known Burning Man artists come up and talk about their art, how they make it, what inspires them, and what people can look forward to seeing at this year’s festival. I was floored - I knew Burning Man is a big deal and that thousands of people go, but I didn’t really ever comprehend the sheer magnitude of the art that is brought there. Giant temples made of recycled wood pieces, big enough for people to walk around inside. Sculptures that feature 22,000 lb granite slabs and boulders, which are suspended by cables and which people can climb on and hang from while they spin on ropes. 30 foot high welded sculptures of a mother and her child, which will be spouting fire and water, and symbolize the sharing of experience and wisdom. It was really really really cool, and you can tell these folks are so passionate about what they do and also have a fun time doing it. The engineer who’s working on the suspended boulders sculpture got up and was wearing these tight leopard print pants, a tux dinner jacket, and a mohawk…and he sounded brilliant - I loved it.  I got a better glimpse as to what Rebecca has been up to all these years, and I can see why she cares about it so much.

So, very different than stuff you typically see around here in quiet lil’ ol’ Pleasant Hill. It was a nice night out, and fun to be around such a energetic and creative group. I didn’t get to see anything actually burn, but if I had, I sure looked from the pictures like it would have been cool!

If you have to ask what is happening in one week, then you really don’t know me very well!

I can’t believe the 6th  book is actually (almost) here! I cannot wait to get reading and then re-reading - and given the fact that having Decker around means I don’t really get to read unless it’s late at night, then I know for a fact I’m gonna be having some major book-hangovers in the coming days. It’s all worth it though!

Can’t wait can’t wait can’t wait!

And if you are a fellow HP fan and are also reading it straightaway - please DO NOT tell me anything! I do not want to hear any spoilers or what not! I’ll be happy to discuss it a month from now…but not until then!

Until the 16th rolls around, I’ll have to make do with some New Yorker articles and such. I finished “Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell” about 2 weeks ago, and it was good but then I wanted to cleanse my palate (as it was a book about magic in England as well), so I read “Daughter’s Keeper” and “Assassination Vacation”, and they were both very good and very different and now I am ready and prepped for more magic and the genius that is JKR. (JKR trumps JRR - sorry rabid LOTR fans! Please don’t hate me!).

I do recommend “Daughter’s Keeper” and “Assassination Vacation”, by the way. Both writers are very good with words and descriptions, and Sarah Vowell made me laugh out loud!