HoodedHawk

I went to see Salman Rushdie give a reading from his latest book, The Enchantress of Florence on Monday night (June 30). The event was at the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue in Washington, DC (presented via Politics and Prose Bookstore). Quite engaging speaker. The event was sold out (you got free tix if you bought the book, as I did, at Politics and Prose) and I’d estimate 300 700 people were there. After the talk he answered audience questions, and then he did a signing in the hall in the basement of the synagogue. Long line, but they served refreshments so time passed fairly quickly.

I’ve read the book, and while I liked his prose very much (beautifully descriptive and evocative), I didn’t find that the book gelled. Part history and part fantasy, it was often a blurry line between the two and hard to follow with any sense of cohesion. But it was a quick read, and enjoyable if taken as a few loosely-coupled fables. This was the first book I’d read by Sir Rushdie (he was recently knighted by the Queen), and I liked his prose enough that I will be going back and reading one or more of his other books.

I video recorded the talk (the above is a still).

NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander dug a trench about four days ago, and this image shows that the bright substance (see lower left, in shadow) has disappeared. Scientists believe that it must have been ice (presumably water) which sublimated away, as other substances such as salt do not behave like this. Woo Hoo!

Some people collect books (ahem), others cars. John Travolta has his own 707 aircraft (and another one – a Gulfstream?). He built his house in Florida with two airport terminals (he has his own runway). Must be nice! Fuel alone must be out of this world, let alone the CO2, etc. emissions such vehicles produce.

Yes, that’s a 2GB USB stick, er, stuck into a computer. And you can have your very own for only US$128.00.

Last night I went to hear Carl Hiaasen give a talk at Politics and Prose Bookstore in Washington, DC. He is promoting his new book, “Downhill Lie“, a memoir about his foray back into the world of golf after 30 years. I’ve had his book, “Skinny Dip” on my queue for awhile, but haven’t read anything by him.

Anyway, his talk was hysterically funny, covering everything from sinking a golf cart to doing battle with rats. Monkey golf and late-night Golf Channel adventures were also covered. I recorded the talk, and I’m officially bumping his books up on my queue (meaning I may get to them this year).