Festival of Books- I hate crowds, but I love books, so its worth it

Me at the festival... I'm blurry becase I'm shaking, because there are WAY too many people here!



Kidlit panel (Kadir Nelson, Pam Munoz Ryan, David Shannon)



Seething masses. Did I mention that I'm an introvert?

(Gordon Korman, D.J. Machale, Neal Shusterman and the Pseudonyous Bosch) 

I enjoy books. LOVE them. I love authors too, and sunny days, and news papers, and the Bruin’s campus. I mean, who wouldn’t love the UCLA campus? Even die hard USC fans have to admit the Westwood campus is about as close as you’re going to get to bucolic glory this side of the Mississippi. So of course I planned to attend the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. And it was, as you’d expect; crowded and therefore far less bucolic than I’d hoped. And me, I’m a squirrel. I like to hide from crowds. So I had to really, really be motivated to stay once I saw all the chaos. But, with panels that included Kadir Nelson, Pam Munoz Ryan, David Shannon, Gordon Korman, D.J. Machale, Neal Shusterman and the infamous Pseudonyous Bosch, I stayed and am happy I did, because, like I said, I do love books.

  
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LA Times Festival of Books

I'm think I've figured out my route for today's festival activities, no easy task; all those feet, dangerous strollers... I'm hoping to run across a few distant cousins that might help navigate. Wish me luck!


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Welcome Back Flat Stanley!

A little party to welcome back our wayward friend.


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Andrew Garcia - Straight Up_ by Paula Abdul on American Idol 2010 Hollyw...

FYI- even though Andrew Garcia got kicked off American Idol this week, he's still the bees knees... not that I'd ever watch American Idol, 1-866-IDOLS-02 (866 436 5702) Text “Vote” to 5702, umm OK, I do watch it, but I'm not a fan; I just have three extra hours to kill a week, OK four if you count the voting time. Well anyway, Peace Andrew.

Flat Stanley gets stuck in London

My friend Flat Stanley came to visit me here in California (he's a dead ringer for that famous character in the books, but my guy's from Iowa) So Stanley was kick'n it here and the opportunity arose to fly to London and I was like, 'dude, you should totaly do that!' So he did.  And now this whole volcano thing's going on and my little friend Stanley is stuck in the UK. (and I'm feeling horrible.) And this kid from the midwest is eating chips with vinegar and saying 'cheers' instead of 'thank you' and I'm hoping when (and if) he gets back he'll ever be able to drop that limey accent and say 'you's guys like' the red blooded Dubuquer that he is.  Bummer.

Thankfully, it does seem like he's enjoying his adventure.  He's e-mailed the following:




Hang in there Stanley! Hope to see you soon!

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Oliver Jeffers Reading- Every Picture Tells a Story

Every Picture Tells a Story http://www.everypicture.com/ is one of the most unique stores in the Los Angeles area; part book store, part illustration gallery, and all kids’ books. Naturally I love it. So, when I heard Oliver Jeffers, (one of the best and brightest talents working today) would be reading from his new book THE HEART IN THE BOTTLE, I was more than a little excited. Jeffer's presentation included an amazing performance where he drew the spreads for his book THE GREAT PAPER CAPER in real time while another person read it for him. Seriously impressive! After that, he taught us how to make paper airplanes and we had a contest to see who could throw theirs the farthest. Mine didn't win. But then, mine was like two inches big and all those west side kids are crazy competitive. Note to self: contact the bear in the PAPER CAPER's forest for some folding lessons.

Catalina Coffee Company

There are only a few decent independent coffee joints in the South Bay so I consider it my responsibility as temporary resident rodent of Redondo Beach to patronize all those that I can. Catalina Coffee Company http://www.catalinacoffee.com/ is especially rewarding because it not only serves some decent brew, it has a fireplace, lots of books, and yes, a mean egg salad sandwich.

I have no idea why these are here, but I like 'em.

This is a giant bean grinder.

This is a giant head... no just kidd'n, this is the somewhat large head of my very good friend Namaka. (bit of an inside joke there, it's probably more funny if you know us) She does have a large head though, especially when compared to me and many of my friends, but it is in proportion to her and she looks good. So anyway, back on topic...

Here we are basking in sunshine on the outdoor patio, enjoying the hip 1950's architecture while we wait for our...
special of the day. Egg Salad Sandwich on toasted sourdough bread with lettuce tomatoe and onion (I picked that off)

Yum, yum, yum.


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Hibachi Hermosa

California is all about Artichokes, and some of the best artichokes in the state can be found at Hibachi’s in Hermosa Beach (On the north side of Pier Ave, just up from the beach) With a simple menu and a warm staff (Hi Bob) this place is one of those local happy places where you can chill out and watch a game after surfing or yogaing or whatever it is you like to do before eating and drinking and eating.



If I wasn't a vegetarian squirrel I'd be all over that beef kabob.

Simple perfection... (eating)

We Californians enjoy our aged grape juice. (drinking)

Almond cookies.. because that's how every meal should end. (eating)



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Coachella Lineup

It's here! The best music festival in all the desert! http://www.coachella.com/event/lineup

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Wisdom for a Wednesday

In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins

Monkey Boys

Creepy Monkey Boy Carvings... Um cool (?)

Earthquake

Dude. Serious earthquake earlier today. Things were shak'n in San Clemente.


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Happy Easter

Did you know that once a year a magical bunny hops around the world distributing colored eggs and candy? It's true. I met him last night. Nice guy, goes by the name Pete.



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Ground Squirrels are Afraid of Heights

So ya got to do it once, that's what they say about the Palm Springs Tram, but I'll tell you something...FYI. Burrow dwelling creatures are not comfortable riding rotating trams up a 2.5 mile mountain face while suspended from a ridiculously small wire that sways a bit too easily. Just so ya know.

Going up.

Up.

And up...

And up...

Starting to feel sick...


...praying for solid ground.

Ahhhh. Made it to the top.

Down already, really? @&$@!!!!!!
Still, I recommend the tram, truly; once.



- Posted by Joshua from my iPhone