Catching up (and question about tasting gin)
Doesn't seem like I've been doing a lot, but have been okay these days.
Spent time w/my sis and have plans for additional activities.
Have gone to a couple of author events. One was very low-key: it was for the second novel by a cousin of my cousins, Julie Otsuka. Her first, When the Emperor was Divine, was a critical success. The new one, "The Buddha in the Attic, seems to be gathering similar reviews. The reading/signing was at Bookshop West Portal in San Francisco, a much smaller venue than I'd figured she'd have. It turned out to be the right size, with the 30+ seats all taken. She recognized me afterward, probably because my cousins talked me up as "the one who reads and buys all those books."
The more recent event was, um, bigger. As part of the UC Berkeley Fall Free for All, a day of free music, dance and other arts, I went to hear Jane Lynch speak. Yes, the mean cheerleading coach of Glee who also played memorable characters in the movies Best in Show and A Mighty Wind. I understand the hall where she appeared could hold 700 and I think the actual audience was close to that number. She was definitely talking up her book, Happy Accidents, but she was still engaging. Her description of her Emmy Award Show hosting prep was funny and real. She was also open about being ... a choir nerd growing up.
Sadly, we were asked not have personalizations for the booksigning afterward, but I did get my copy of the A Mighty Wind lp cover signed in addition to the books. Perhaps I'll post a pic.
Due to the work being done on the condo building where I live, my neighbors and I haven't been able to enjoy the lovely autumn evenings as we had last year, lingering on the open common area on our floor. We need to make alternate arrangements to be able to dine outdoors here.
Oh, a question for y'all out there: for those who enjoy gin, what are favorite ways of drinking it? I hadn't gone out of my way to taste gin though I've had my share of gin & tonics as well as other cocktails, but St. George Spirits recently released three gins (http://www.stgeorgespirits.com/gin/). I was at a local supermarket that had them and since I have no self-control I bought all three in order to do a taste comparison. I think I should have at least one other non-cheapo gin to act, perhaps, as a baseline. At minimum, I plan to drink them with some water, like single malts, in order to get the aromas and such out of the alcohol. Other suggestions?
Spent time w/my sis and have plans for additional activities.
Have gone to a couple of author events. One was very low-key: it was for the second novel by a cousin of my cousins, Julie Otsuka. Her first, When the Emperor was Divine, was a critical success. The new one, "The Buddha in the Attic, seems to be gathering similar reviews. The reading/signing was at Bookshop West Portal in San Francisco, a much smaller venue than I'd figured she'd have. It turned out to be the right size, with the 30+ seats all taken. She recognized me afterward, probably because my cousins talked me up as "the one who reads and buys all those books."
The more recent event was, um, bigger. As part of the UC Berkeley Fall Free for All, a day of free music, dance and other arts, I went to hear Jane Lynch speak. Yes, the mean cheerleading coach of Glee who also played memorable characters in the movies Best in Show and A Mighty Wind. I understand the hall where she appeared could hold 700 and I think the actual audience was close to that number. She was definitely talking up her book, Happy Accidents, but she was still engaging. Her description of her Emmy Award Show hosting prep was funny and real. She was also open about being ... a choir nerd growing up.
Sadly, we were asked not have personalizations for the booksigning afterward, but I did get my copy of the A Mighty Wind lp cover signed in addition to the books. Perhaps I'll post a pic.
Due to the work being done on the condo building where I live, my neighbors and I haven't been able to enjoy the lovely autumn evenings as we had last year, lingering on the open common area on our floor. We need to make alternate arrangements to be able to dine outdoors here.
Oh, a question for y'all out there: for those who enjoy gin, what are favorite ways of drinking it? I hadn't gone out of my way to taste gin though I've had my share of gin & tonics as well as other cocktails, but St. George Spirits recently released three gins (http://www.stgeorgespirits.com/gin/). I was at a local supermarket that had them and since I have no self-control I bought all three in order to do a taste comparison. I think I should have at least one other non-cheapo gin to act, perhaps, as a baseline. At minimum, I plan to drink them with some water, like single malts, in order to get the aromas and such out of the alcohol. Other suggestions?