g why these look better than normal, I didn't take these photos. Karl and Hideki
are certainly much more adept.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Stinson Beach
I'm slacking on posts these days - mostly out of lack of things to report. Work is really busy, and I haven't been traveling much. So, to make up for it, here's a bunch of shots from a skim boarding lesson last weekend (the first for most of us shown here). As you can tell, some of us picked it up faster than others. And in case you're wonderin
g why these look better than normal, I didn't take these photos. Karl and Hideki
are certainly much more adept.
g why these look better than normal, I didn't take these photos. Karl and Hideki are certainly much more adept.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
June 2007 Book Reviews
We're having a beautiful summer, the kind San Francisco is absolutely not known for. Warm evenings, long hot days, bright mornings. I've spent a lot of time reading in the yard and at my local swimming hole, Lake Temescal.
1. The Hypocrisy of Disco, Clane Howard, Rating: 4.0
This is an upcoming Fall release from Chronicle Books. I was pleasantly surprised by it - the author recounts a few years of her decidedly non-traditional upbringing in Northern California (think camping in abandoned fields, macrobiotic food, and a complete lack of knowledge of - or access to - basic hygiene). She very accurately captures the language and attitudes of her 13-year-old self. I hope this sells well enough to allow her publish the rest of her story.
2. Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, John Perkins, Rating: 1.0
I hated this book. Finishing it was painful. Perkins clearly has a point to make: if you miss it the first time, don't worry, he'll say it again. And again. And then 10 times more in the next chapter. Basically it goes like this: "What I and other economic hit men do is terrible. We're awful people. We fly to exotic lands first class and hang out with world leaders. Because of our jobs we exploit the people of third world countries. Did I mention that I spent time with world leaders? Let me tell you how cool it was the time I hung out with Fidel Castro." And repeat.
3. The Emperor of Ocean Park, Stephen L. Carter, Rating: 3.2
To enjoy this book it's necessary to forget that the story is a mystery. The writing and characters are quite good, the plot long-winded and at times hard to follow. Once I resigned myself to just being along for the ride, I liked it quite a bit.
4. We Are all Fine Here, Mary Guterson, Rating: 3.9
This is a bitterly funny, slim little book. It's short but packs a surprising amount of emotional impact. The story follows a woman who has a one-time fling with her high school flame, and finds herself pregnant, unsure if the father is her husband or old boyfriend. This isn't chic-lit; the narrator's emotional journey as she approaches the birth is smart, honest, and very real.
5. Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall, Bill Willingham, Rating: 3.0
This is a one-off in the Fables series, a self-contained side-plot. The art is stunning, the story itself uneven. If you're a huge Fables fan, check it out, otherwise stick to the main series.
6. Y The Last Man: V. 8, Vaughan & Guerra, Rating: 3.2
I can't tell if I'm just losing my interest in this series, or if the writing is declining. This is fine, slightly formulaic. The plot line is progressing too slowly for my taste - it's time for a major revelation or a new central character.
7. The Bible Unearthed, Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman, Rating: 3.0
The subject matter of this book is fascinating: modern archaeological finds, and how they support / don't support stories in the Bible. The treatment is too scholarly - in the hands of a different set of writers, I really think this could be a real eye-opener. Instead, it's dense and extremely hard to digest. It also really should have included pictures to bring the finds to life.
8. In My Father's Court, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Rating: 4.2
Singer has collected his childhood memories in this charming collection. He grew up in an ultra-orthodox home in pre-WWII Warsaw, one of the youngest children of two highly intelligent, devout people. It's a very intimate account, and also quite moving. The upcoming Holocaust is a constant shadow over the characters, but it doesn't interfere with the joy that comes across in many episodes. (As a random aside, Singer also wrote the story that became the movie "Yentl", and won the Nobel Prize in 1978.)
9. Prisoner of Tehran, Marina Nemat, Rating: 3.8
Nemat was imprisoned as a teenager for her political views, one of tens of thousand such prisoners. After two years (and forced marriage to one of her captors), she was freed and eventually able to move to Canada. She buried her memories for nearly twenty years. Although not a natural writer, Nemat has a fascinating story to tell, and very successfully captures the conflicting emotions she's had about her past.
1. The Hypocrisy of Disco, Clane Howard, Rating: 4.0
This is an upcoming Fall release from Chronicle Books. I was pleasantly surprised by it - the author recounts a few years of her decidedly non-traditional upbringing in Northern California (think camping in abandoned fields, macrobiotic food, and a complete lack of knowledge of - or access to - basic hygiene). She very accurately captures the language and attitudes of her 13-year-old self. I hope this sells well enough to allow her publish the rest of her story.
2. Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, John Perkins, Rating: 1.0
I hated this book. Finishing it was painful. Perkins clearly has a point to make: if you miss it the first time, don't worry, he'll say it again. And again. And then 10 times more in the next chapter. Basically it goes like this: "What I and other economic hit men do is terrible. We're awful people. We fly to exotic lands first class and hang out with world leaders. Because of our jobs we exploit the people of third world countries. Did I mention that I spent time with world leaders? Let me tell you how cool it was the time I hung out with Fidel Castro." And repeat.
3. The Emperor of Ocean Park, Stephen L. Carter, Rating: 3.2
To enjoy this book it's necessary to forget that the story is a mystery. The writing and characters are quite good, the plot long-winded and at times hard to follow. Once I resigned myself to just being along for the ride, I liked it quite a bit.
4. We Are all Fine Here, Mary Guterson, Rating: 3.9
This is a bitterly funny, slim little book. It's short but packs a surprising amount of emotional impact. The story follows a woman who has a one-time fling with her high school flame, and finds herself pregnant, unsure if the father is her husband or old boyfriend. This isn't chic-lit; the narrator's emotional journey as she approaches the birth is smart, honest, and very real.
5. Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall, Bill Willingham, Rating: 3.0
This is a one-off in the Fables series, a self-contained side-plot. The art is stunning, the story itself uneven. If you're a huge Fables fan, check it out, otherwise stick to the main series.
6. Y The Last Man: V. 8, Vaughan & Guerra, Rating: 3.2
I can't tell if I'm just losing my interest in this series, or if the writing is declining. This is fine, slightly formulaic. The plot line is progressing too slowly for my taste - it's time for a major revelation or a new central character.
7. The Bible Unearthed, Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman, Rating: 3.0
The subject matter of this book is fascinating: modern archaeological finds, and how they support / don't support stories in the Bible. The treatment is too scholarly - in the hands of a different set of writers, I really think this could be a real eye-opener. Instead, it's dense and extremely hard to digest. It also really should have included pictures to bring the finds to life.
8. In My Father's Court, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Rating: 4.2
Singer has collected his childhood memories in this charming collection. He grew up in an ultra-orthodox home in pre-WWII Warsaw, one of the youngest children of two highly intelligent, devout people. It's a very intimate account, and also quite moving. The upcoming Holocaust is a constant shadow over the characters, but it doesn't interfere with the joy that comes across in many episodes. (As a random aside, Singer also wrote the story that became the movie "Yentl", and won the Nobel Prize in 1978.)
9. Prisoner of Tehran, Marina Nemat, Rating: 3.8
Nemat was imprisoned as a teenager for her political views, one of tens of thousand such prisoners. After two years (and forced marriage to one of her captors), she was freed and eventually able to move to Canada. She buried her memories for nearly twenty years. Although not a natural writer, Nemat has a fascinating story to tell, and very successfully captures the conflicting emotions she's had about her past.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Cardin
Peter and Lauren got married in Hawaii a few weeks ago, and had their wedding reception in Walnut Creek last Sunday. They're some of the best neighbors I've ever had - friendly, quiet (they claim they're not, but I never hear them), and easygoing, with nearly the same set of interests (cats, movies, comics books, food) I have. We recently realized that we've been neighbors for five years now. They're a very well matched pair - here's to a happy life together!
I took a couple of distinctly below-average photos at the wedding (time for a new camera...). They're kind of fun to look at as a flickr group, though. A little research turned up Mosaic Maker - you should try it! It's a fast, easy tool for creating grouped photos. And if you're interested in cataloging and grouping in general, this article from Evil Mad Scientist Labs is worth a read.
I took a couple of distinctly below-average photos at the wedding (time for a new camera...). They're kind of fun to look at as a flickr group, though. A little research turned up Mosaic Maker - you should try it! It's a fast, easy tool for creating grouped photos. And if you're interested in cataloging and grouping in general, this article from Evil Mad Scientist Labs is worth a read.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Elese's wedding
IMG_2240.JPG
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.
I'm significantly late posting these pictures - my sister is staying with me, and those aforementioned computer problems really slowed me down. But it's worth it! I found the pictures of another wedding guest online recently, and they're way better than mine (she's a professional photographer). So thanks Becky! Most of the images I've posted are hers.
Elese has been planning this wedding for a year and half. I was incredibly impressed with her level of organization - she seemed relaxed and calm throughout the several days leading to the actual event. It was a four day affair, which worked out well - by the time the wedding rolled around, I felt like I knew all the guests.
The trip actually felt like a vacation, too - we had highly social nights and relaxing days. Here are Elese's mom and Becky (another Becky, my roommate) hanging out and getting pedicures.
The Little Guys
_MG_8210.CR2.jpg
Originally uploaded by beckythale.
These are the groom's brothers and nephew. I loved that little one in the middle - he consistently looked exactly how I felt. Let's face it, North Carolina is hot.
Placecards
IMG_2336.JPG
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia. These were my creative contribution to the wedding (the cutting of the cards). I'm thrilled with how they came out!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Happy Birthday Gabe!
Gabe's party marks the second out of town birthday I've made it to this year - as I (and most of my friends) are turning 30, I suspect there will be a few more. If you live in New York, he's a great guy to know.
(The symbolism of the chocolate lamb is lost on me, but I love the photo.)
Please back up your files
My computer died last week, necessitating a fairly long break from blogging. Everything is almost back to normal, but it's been a harrowing ordeal. If you're not already backing up your files, please do so! External harddrives and online storage are quite cheap these days.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
May 2007 Book Reviews
Several of the books on my library queue showed up this month, all at the same time. I've been reading quite a bit, trying to get through them.
1. Talking with My Mouth Full, Bonny Wolf, Rating: 3.7
Entertainment Weekly ran an article last fall about the best in food writing and food memoirs. Some were certainly not the best (I found Madhur Jaffrey's Climbing the Mango Trees unreadable), but several have been worthwhile. This particular book is perfectly fine - it's fun to read, has funny anecdotes and personal details, and passes the time well. It's a good summer beach book for people that like food.
2. Low Life, Luc Sante, Rating: 2.3
Low Life is a history of New York City's underbelly - the gambling, corrupt cops, tenements, prostitutes, etc. While a wonderful premise for a book, the execution rarely rises above the level of a catalog. Each chapter is basically a list (Smelly Joe did X on Houston, rival gang leader did Y on Broadway), making for horribly tedious reading. The one chapter I did like was about the draft riots. If you're interested in New York history, I'd recommend the PBS documentary ("New York") instead.
3. The Castle in the Forest, Norman Mailer, Rating: 4.2
Norman Mailer is a remarkable writer - advanced age certainly isn't slowing him down. This novel (about Adolf Hitler) is bizarre, at times quite dirty, and impossible to put down. It bears more than a passing resemblance to some of Neil Gaiman's books (the narrator is a devil who interacts with the Hitler family).
4. Ask Again Later, Jill Davis, Rating: 3.0
I wrote "fairly standard chic lit" in my book journal when I finished this 10 days ago. Given that I've already forgotten most of the plot, I think that it's an especially appropriate summary.
5. Medicus, Ruth Downie, Rating: 3.7
Ruth Downie was interviewed on NPR recently. She has a lovely British accent and sounds like a kind, sensitive person. She has raised several children and only began writing seriously in late middle age (this is her first novel). The interviewer made a big deal of how readable the novel is, and also how it accurately represents what it was like to be a doctor in the roman era. The first claim is certainly accurate; the second is probably a stretch (very little doctoring actually happens). It's a pleasant book.
6. Chinese Lessons, John Pomfret, Rating: 4.0
John Pomfret has spent most of his adult life in or around China, starting with a year during college in the early 1980s. This book chronicles the rise of modern China through the stories of his classmates. It's fascinating - and deeply disturbing. I'd definitely recommend reading this.
1. Talking with My Mouth Full, Bonny Wolf, Rating: 3.7
Entertainment Weekly ran an article last fall about the best in food writing and food memoirs. Some were certainly not the best (I found Madhur Jaffrey's Climbing the Mango Trees unreadable), but several have been worthwhile. This particular book is perfectly fine - it's fun to read, has funny anecdotes and personal details, and passes the time well. It's a good summer beach book for people that like food.
2. Low Life, Luc Sante, Rating: 2.3
Low Life is a history of New York City's underbelly - the gambling, corrupt cops, tenements, prostitutes, etc. While a wonderful premise for a book, the execution rarely rises above the level of a catalog. Each chapter is basically a list (Smelly Joe did X on Houston, rival gang leader did Y on Broadway), making for horribly tedious reading. The one chapter I did like was about the draft riots. If you're interested in New York history, I'd recommend the PBS documentary ("New York") instead.
3. The Castle in the Forest, Norman Mailer, Rating: 4.2Norman Mailer is a remarkable writer - advanced age certainly isn't slowing him down. This novel (about Adolf Hitler) is bizarre, at times quite dirty, and impossible to put down. It bears more than a passing resemblance to some of Neil Gaiman's books (the narrator is a devil who interacts with the Hitler family).
4. Ask Again Later, Jill Davis, Rating: 3.0
I wrote "fairly standard chic lit" in my book journal when I finished this 10 days ago. Given that I've already forgotten most of the plot, I think that it's an especially appropriate summary.
5. Medicus, Ruth Downie, Rating: 3.7
Ruth Downie was interviewed on NPR recently. She has a lovely British accent and sounds like a kind, sensitive person. She has raised several children and only began writing seriously in late middle age (this is her first novel). The interviewer made a big deal of how readable the novel is, and also how it accurately represents what it was like to be a doctor in the roman era. The first claim is certainly accurate; the second is probably a stretch (very little doctoring actually happens). It's a pleasant book.
6. Chinese Lessons, John Pomfret, Rating: 4.0
John Pomfret has spent most of his adult life in or around China, starting with a year during college in the early 1980s. This book chronicles the rise of modern China through the stories of his classmates. It's fascinating - and deeply disturbing. I'd definitely recommend reading this.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Alibris
I just started writing email newsletters for Alibris (thanks Jason for the recommendation!) - the first should be sent out next week. If you like books, I'd recommend signing up. Being a site specializing in used and new books, they're not locked in to recommending new releases. I've had a lot of fun digging through my book archives to find some great classics.
Flying Overhead
My dad took Adam and I up for a flight over Napa and Sonoma last weekend. This is the Sonoma coastline, near Bodega Bay. I really loved it, especially given how much time we've been spending camping in that area lately. It's very cool to see how it all comes together - and also to see how much open space is still out there. If you look closely at this photo, you can tell that the road ends at that house in the center, but there's a fire road that extends past it, hidden from view. I'd definitely like to go check that out.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
April 2007 Book Reviews
Sorry for such a long delay on this post! I actually wrote it last week, and then blogger crashed and the post was lost. Ugh. It's taken a while to find the motivation to write it again. It was an great month for books, though.
1. One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Rating: 4.7
As best as I can remember, I read this for the first time in 2001 or 2002. I liked it well enough, but just couldn't quite see why people were so enthusiastic about it. Adam read it on our Colombia trip, and I decided to give it another try when he finished. Wow - it's incredible! I was completely absorbed and couldn't put it down. I think it must have been too young, or found it too different, or... something. Who knows. If you haven't read it recently, I definitely recommend giving it another try.
2. The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse, Louise Erdrich, Rating 4.3
This is the third book I've read by Erdrich in the past year (read about the other two here and here), largely because I continue to be incredibly impressed by her writing. While her novels are mostly set in the same geographic area, her plots and characters are wildly different. This story, the first of her books to reach a wide audience, includes a cross-dressing priest, fake saint, a shoot-out, and 100 years of history. What's not to love?
3. Alternatives to Sex, Stephen McCauley, Rating: 1.3
I think I can credit Entertainment Weekly for this recommendation - clearly the reviewer read the jacket but never cracked the book open. What is the Alternative to Sex? Real estate. There are a number of genuinely witty lines throughout, loosely held together by some truly god-awful prose. Seriously, reading this book is like spending an entire day at the dentist. Just say no.
4. The Thin Place, Kathryn Davis, Rating: 3.2
Davis is a gifted writer, able to very quickly create highly atmospheric, slightly surreal worlds. This collection of somewhat disjointed vignettes is lovely and involving, but doesn't quite come together. This book wasn't for me, but I'll certainly try to read one of her novels again.
5. Angle of Repose, Wallace Stegner, Rating: 4.9
Yes, 4.9! This book is making the top 10. I LOVED it. Couldn't put it down. Cried a few times. Got out a map so I could visualize the places that were described. The introduction claims that it was voted "the best book about the west" in the San Francisco Chronicle, and I have to say I agree. It's largely set in the 1870s-1890s in various places west of the Mississippi, is largely based on the life of a real person, and it won the Pulitzer. You'll have to read it to find out more.
1. One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Rating: 4.7
As best as I can remember, I read this for the first time in 2001 or 2002. I liked it well enough, but just couldn't quite see why people were so enthusiastic about it. Adam read it on our Colombia trip, and I decided to give it another try when he finished. Wow - it's incredible! I was completely absorbed and couldn't put it down. I think it must have been too young, or found it too different, or... something. Who knows. If you haven't read it recently, I definitely recommend giving it another try.
2. The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse, Louise Erdrich, Rating 4.3
This is the third book I've read by Erdrich in the past year (read about the other two here and here), largely because I continue to be incredibly impressed by her writing. While her novels are mostly set in the same geographic area, her plots and characters are wildly different. This story, the first of her books to reach a wide audience, includes a cross-dressing priest, fake saint, a shoot-out, and 100 years of history. What's not to love?
3. Alternatives to Sex, Stephen McCauley, Rating: 1.3
I think I can credit Entertainment Weekly for this recommendation - clearly the reviewer read the jacket but never cracked the book open. What is the Alternative to Sex? Real estate. There are a number of genuinely witty lines throughout, loosely held together by some truly god-awful prose. Seriously, reading this book is like spending an entire day at the dentist. Just say no.
4. The Thin Place, Kathryn Davis, Rating: 3.2
Davis is a gifted writer, able to very quickly create highly atmospheric, slightly surreal worlds. This collection of somewhat disjointed vignettes is lovely and involving, but doesn't quite come together. This book wasn't for me, but I'll certainly try to read one of her novels again.
5. Angle of Repose, Wallace Stegner, Rating: 4.9
Yes, 4.9! This book is making the top 10. I LOVED it. Couldn't put it down. Cried a few times. Got out a map so I could visualize the places that were described. The introduction claims that it was voted "the best book about the west" in the San Francisco Chronicle, and I have to say I agree. It's largely set in the 1870s-1890s in various places west of the Mississippi, is largely based on the life of a real person, and it won the Pulitzer. You'll have to read it to find out more.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Austin Creek
IMG_2166.JPG
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.
We made another camping trip this past weekend. While not one of our most successful, the campsite was spectacular. That's a pond right below our spot (complete with bullfrogs and fish, and turkey vultures above). It's a neat park, or rather two - you enter through Armstrong Redwoods state park, which has expansive old-growth redwoods, and after several miles enter Austin Creek, which is higher and has a vastly different landscape. It's about 3 miles north of Guernville in Sonoma County; 30 minutes drive from Goat Rock Beach and Jenner to the west.
We took a fairly strenous 4 mile hike (lots of up and down climbs) in the Austin Creek portion. You could probably do it as a day trip, but the camp is so lovely it's nice to stay for the night.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Orange County
IMG_2004.JPG
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.
We returned from a quick trip to Orange County last night. It was Elese's wedding shower, and a good excuse to get away for a long weekend. Elese lives in North Carolina now, so our relationship consists of these little trips, most of the time in places neither of us live. It's actually sort of nice - we're always on vacation when we see each other.
Adam and I planned on having Sunday and Monday to laze at the beach, but our plans quickly changed...
Day Two
IMG_2017.JPG
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.
The coast was fogged in, so we headed inland. Our choice was almost completely random - we were looking for a National Park away from any of the main routes near Palm Springs (to avoid all the traffic leaving Coachella). We ended up at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, apparently the largest State Park in California, and definitely a new favorite for me. The hike we took, while punishingly hot, was varied and packed with wildlife and unusual succulents. Adam thinks it was the best hike we've been on all year.
I also LOVED eating dinner outside in 80 degree weather. That's the life.
Day three
IMG_2044.JPG
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.
As I mentioned above, it's really hot out there in the desert. We googled "Swimming hole" and found the trail to Cedar Creek Falls. It's roughly 12 miles south of Julian (a darling mining town worth visiting in its own right). The way down, and the pool at the end, are well-worth the effort; the way up was brutal. 2 miles uphill in 90-degree heat was tough. I'd do it again, though.
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