There is a comfortable pleasure in revisiting books. This is especially true in the case of the Aubrey and Maturin novels by Patrick O’Brian. Each book is an immersive wallow in a warm bath. And when you consider the length of the series, you realize what an indulgence awaits.
A moment’s digression before I begin: Happy Birthday Bilbo and Frodo! I wonder, on this wet and drizzly first day of autumn if Tolkien deliberately chose the fall equinox for the Baggins’ joint birthday. Perhaps it was a question of age, both hobbits having entered their autumnal years, if you will, before embarking on their adventures. I don’t know. Any suggestions, readers?
Some might consider that I wasted a three-day pass to Rose City Comic Con by only attending Friday night. But downtown Portland is a bit of a trek from my house, and I only needed to be there Friday for my panel. I took a few trips through the maze of the convention floor, seeing the merchandise and the artist and writer tables. Friday is the evening for it, if, like me, you don’t care much for crowds.
It is self-evident, of course, that if no one hears of your work, no one will purchase it. I understand that, I acknowledge and accept it. That doesn’t mean I have to like the necessary corollary: publicity.
I have been writing about little excursions here and yon recently, haven’t I? Well, I’ve been taking these little trips, after all. No reason not to mention them. For example, today I drove MBW and the HA down to the State Capital for the State Fair. Rides, livestock, and fried foods. Under a brutally punishing sun. What’s not to like?
MBW, the HA, and I just returned from a weekend at the central Oregon coast, visiting my father and step-mother. A late return means much to do in a short time before Monday’s inevitable arrival. Thus this will be primarily a pictorial post. Lucky you.
I enjoyed a quiet, uneventful weekend. I really can’t complain. After a morning’s work on the sequel to Karl Thorson and the Jade Dagger (look for it in mid-November from Twilight Times) I took MBW and the HA up to a friend’s cabin on the river, near Mt. Hood. And there was much relaxing.
I finished my last panel for MALCon 2019. Here it is noon, Mountain Time, and I have ten hours until my flight home. So, I suppose I’ll sit here in the lobby, write up this week’s web log, and watch the usual colorful con suspects go by.
Only a brief note this web log, I’m afraid. MBW, the HA, and I were in Washington State this weekend, visiting a couple places we’ve not been to before. A late arrival home, added to necessary chores, squeezed out the time required to scribble my usual nonsense.
Last year’s beer jamboree was the festival of guava and mango. That wave has receded. The new hotness (to employ an antiquated Smith-ism and indicate how old and out of touch I am) is sours. This year was heavy on sours, goses, and beers featuring citrus notes.