hbfm

Because of Columbus Day, I'm having a long weekend. I've also taken the rest of the week off. This is my first real vacation in seventeen months or so, and damn does it feel good. I do wish that election day was a holiday instead of today, though.

Saturday, I was at the National Book Fair all day. They drew a large number of popular authors, mainly fiction. Though I generally read fairly wonkish nonfiction, I am actually glad there was none to be had, both because it meant there were no ideological opposites, and because it meant there were no blowhards of every persuasion to spoil the fun. Well done, Mrs. Bush. The times in Texas and the first three here have doubtless also been similar successes.

The only real downside was the large number of noisy diesel generators and their noxious exhaust. If they're run on B100 next year, I'm sure the overpriced concession stands, as well as everyone else, will rejoice.

The candied nut stand was pretty cool. I love them. The pecans I got must have been the last of the lot, since it had a lot of crinkle, but the almonds were still hot and had no bits of candy or just pieces, so I'll call that even.

I got to my first event just as Ben Bova started taking questions. He was pretty cool.

Neal Stephenson reminds me of Sean K Reynolds. One of these days, I swear, I will read something he's written. NS, not SKR; I've already read some of his rules.

Had to duck out of the SF tent to grab a chair for Clive Cussler. I haven't read the last few most recent of his books, but I have a fondness for the pulppy goodness. Left when the Q&A started up because with so many people (plus occasional gusts of the aforementioned fumes), the air was starting to feel a little close.

So I heard Catherine Asaro take questions. Her explanation of the kernel was just simple enough, and very lucid. When she started talking about one her books and gender roles, though, I had to grimace. It sounded like my take on race in Master of Orion. In MOO, the humans always look like space cadets. The aliens are almost all Earth animals blown up to man size, with stereotyped traits imputed into sentience, so they seem like people-in-rubber-suits. Amusing, but you have to be in a certain mindset to appreciate it, I guess.

Fred Pohl is really old, and quite a character. One of these days, I swear, I will read something he's written.

Neil Gaiman really draws a crowd. With his sinister beard, he looks and sounds just like Alan Rickman. I'm sure the two will often be taken for the other once NG starts showing up on this cable spooky series he's introducing/hosting. Has the makings of interesting blog entries featuring misaddressed fan mail, at least. I'd say one of these days &c., but I already know his collaboration with Terry Pratchett was hilarious. One of these days, I'll read some of his graphic novels, then.

Sorry I missed Lois Bujold's talk, but by this point I was starving and went foraging.

Lawrence Block was a serendipituous discovery; I'll have to check out some of his stuff. Mmmm, noir. Also, from the stories about burglary, it is clear he's lead an interesting life.

Then, more nuts. Yum.

Listened to Azar Nafisi with half of one ear as I read the pot boiler I'd brought. Mostly I stayed because it was the thing to do, I guess. By then I was a little tired. Also, I couldn't get into the tent to hear her, so I sat on a bench across a path from it. The people beside me were very loud talkers, but they'd been working there, so I cut them some slack.

Yesterday, I luxuriated in doing nothing but bumming around, reading, and surfing the net. Today will also probably be fairly idle. Yay