Hello from a Californian transplanted in TX [Archive] - The Laurie R. King Virtual Book Club

JenCFrost

07-04-2007, 03:57 AM

Hi all!

As a Californian (temporarily in TX attending college--what's up with all the rain?) from Napa, I really appreciate Mary Russell...especially since I have the same bad habit of reading and walking simultaneously. I'm also a Sherlockian and a Holmesian and feel Ms Russell is a good match. I'm eagerly awaiting her next book.

I look forward to getting to know everyone better.

Cheers!

vicki

07-04-2007, 06:24 AM

Welcome, Jen! It's good to have you here. I wish you could send some of that rain over here to Alabama. The drought here has gotten so bad, we've taken to using the bath water and rinse water from the clothes washer to keep the hydrangeas alive. Crikey.

I was curious about your "Napa Valley Napoleons of Sherlock Holmes" tag, so I googled it and found this cool article (http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2006/09/24/features/community/iq_3612857.txt). That sounds like such a fun group! Have you been able to get back there for any of the meetings?

When you get a chance, do some thread-exploring--there are a lot of fun discussions. The monthly selection discussion of BEEK with LRK is going on here (http://laurierking.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=564#post564) in the Club Room area, and we're always looking for recommendations in the Beloved Bookshelf (http://laurierking.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=28) and movie-cabinet (http://laurierking.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=31) threads in the Great Room area. I look forward to seeing you around the VBC!

zoe52

07-04-2007, 06:49 AM

Greetings!

I'm a native Michigander, living again in the cottage on the family farm where I grew up. I first heard one of LRK's books in the late 90s when I was working on a project that included 2-4 hours of driving a day, five days a week. As you might guess, I developed a true addiction to audio books.
One day the selection was To Play A Fool. And I was hooked.

Then I discovered the Russell novels and they re-activated my Holmes habit.

I have both listened to and read all the novels, including Califia's Daughters

LRK's books are great companions, on the road and in the easy chair.

I'm looking forward to meeting all of you.

Zoe

vicki

07-04-2007, 07:13 AM

Hi, Zoe and welcome! I have some online friends from Michigan and always enjoy hearing about cider-time and the other regional fun that happens there in the fall. I'd like to go and see some of that for myself someday.

One day the selection was To Play A Fool. And I was hooked.

That's one of my favorites! It's a fabulous book.

I have both listened to and read all the novels, including Califia's Daughters

Our Califia's Daughters discussion is tentatively set for January of next year. We're doing The Handmaid's Tale just before that, as LRK's negative reaction to that book spurred her to write CD. I think those are going to be really interesting discussions!

If y'all get a chance, go by the Hospitality Suite thread and say hi to the gang. I think this link (http://laurierking.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=741#post741) will take you down to what is currently the end of the thread, but it's fun to go back up and look through it to see what a diverse and interesting group we have here in the VBC.

jtb1951

07-04-2007, 03:09 PM

I look forward to getting to know everyone better.

Welcome! As a professional analytical chemist, and a native Chicagoan who lived in the Bay Area and Sonoma Co. for 12 years (1976-87), I have to say a special hello to someone who lists chemistry among her interests! It's a great group here, and vicki is a terrific admin.:)

John.

vicki

07-05-2007, 03:15 AM

Thankee kindly, John!

Zoe, I also just noticed that you listed fiber arts as an interest. Have you read LRK's short story called "Weaving the Dark?" It features a weaver who is going blind. As her sight fails, she shifts her art more into the realm of texture, rather than appearance, which is interesting to read about. It's listed here (http://laurierking.com/books_and_reviews.php#shortstories) on LRK's website.

JenCFrost

03-17-2008, 03:04 AM

Deepest apologies for not responding more frequently! Indeed things have been quite interesting for me in my new, temporary digs. Special thanks to Vicki and to John for the thoughts of home and making me feel as though I were there in this virtual room. I look forward to being more active. (BTW, Vicki, thanks for the article link to the Napoleons...I hadn't seen that one before. And, yes, the group really is a lot of fun!) As for the chemistry, John, I picked up an interest in it when I was Instructional Assistant for Chemistry and Physical Sciences at my community college in Napa. I like the lab end of things, but the math really ruins the fun! LOL :)

Thanks again!

jtb1951

03-17-2008, 12:03 PM

Welcome, again, Jennifer!! I have many fond memories of the Napa Valley area; we lived in Sonoma Co. (Rohnert Park) for our last couple years in California, and frequently visited both valleys many wonderful wineries during our 12 years out there. Some of my favorite memories (and photos) were from the annual hot-air balloon festival in Napa; nothing quite like the sight of all the beautiful colors highlighted against a brilliant blue sky!!!

John.

tangential1

03-17-2008, 03:56 PM

Some of my favorite memories (and photos) were from the annual hot-air balloon festival in Napa; nothing quite like the sight of all the beautiful colors highlighted against a brilliant blue sky!!!

That sounds awesome, John! Hmm...I wonder when that takes place. I'm not too far from Napa/Sonoma; it would be cool to check it out, me thinks. Shall have to look it up!:)

Strawberry Curls

03-17-2008, 04:10 PM

That sounds awesome, John! Hmm...I wonder when that takes place. I'm not too far from Napa/Sonoma; it would be cool to check it out, me thinks. Shall have to look it up!:) One of my husband and my fondest memories was the time we spent a lovely weekend in Napa and went on a hot air balloon ride. We were drunk and sober several times in the same morning. You would ride the balloon, go back to the base where they had champagne and breakfast, eat, ride out with the chase cars to pick up others who were coming off their rides and repeat the process. Since the morning started at daybreak as we helped to inflate the balloons by eleven we had drank quite a bit of champagne and eaten much. Then they transported us back to our hotel where we took a nap. Wonderful way to spend a morning. The scenery from the balloon drifting over the vineyards was quite breathtaking.

Bachi

03-17-2008, 04:40 PM

tangential1

03-17-2008, 05:31 PM

Have you read LRK's short story called "Weaving the Dark?" It features a weaver who is going blind. As her sight fails, she shifts her art more into the realm of texture, rather than appearance, which is interesting to read about. It's listed here (http://laurierking.com/books_and_reviews.php#shortstories) on LRK's website.

Vicki, do you by chance have a copy of that short story? Or maybe know where to find it? I would love to read it.:)

Sara McClelland

03-17-2008, 10:37 PM

Vicki, do you by chance have a copy of that short story(Weaving in the Dark)? Or maybe know where to find it? I would love to read it.:)

AAAAAH!!!!! I spent three years of my art school life weaving things because of their texture! There exists a short story about someone going blind and weaving?!? Penned by LRK to boot?!!! Seriously, my entire BFA thesis was on using textile materials to create educational sensory experiences for special needs children- including the blind. Can I borrow/find this somewhere, too?? Vicki, please tell me you have this, or access to it! Please please please!!!!

JenCFrost

03-18-2008, 06:12 AM

A belated welcome, Jen! Jennifer is one of my favorite names (Guinevere in Gaelic). My inspiration was from a book "A Portrait of Jennie" by Robert Nathan. I decided on the full name to give her more options and predictable it became Jen from teens on up.
Hope you have comfortably settled in TX, I know displacement requires adjustments.

Ahhh! Settling in...there's the rub! I have been enjoying(?) the odd weather here. For example, I got to report the formation of a tornado about 16 miles or so from campus (good thing I got certified as a SKYWARN Severe Weather Spotter through NOAA and TESSA). I also had the enthralling opportunity of hearing our new tornado alarms sound while I took refuge in my shower (campus has no tornado shelters) after running around to warn my residents...give me a good ol' earthquake any day! LOL

JenCFrost

03-18-2008, 06:17 AM

Wow! I've never had the opportunity to see a full-out festival, but I would imagine it would occur in the spring when we still have cold mornings and warm days. **Sigh** I loved watching the balloons wafting over the valley from the height of the hills near Calistoga. From this vantage point, you also get the plume from Old Faithful in there with the wisps of fog and colorful balloons over the vineyards...getting homesick again! ;)

Bachi

03-18-2008, 07:05 AM

Ahhh! Settling in...there's the rub! I have been enjoying(?) the odd weather here. For example, I got to report the formation of a tornado about 16 miles or so from campus (good thing I got certified as a SKYWARN Severe Weather Spotter through NOAA and TESSA). I also had the enthralling opportunity of hearing our new tornado alarms sound while I took refuge in my shower (campus has no tornado shelters) after running around to warn my residents...give me a good ol' earthquake any day! LOL

You certainly lead a dull life, don't you! MY WORD! ;)

vicki

03-18-2008, 09:07 AM

Hi again, Jen! <Waves> :)

For those who are interested in "Weaving the Dark," it's in McSweeney's No. 10--here's an excerpt (http://www.mcsweeneys.net/quarterly/tenteasers/lking.html) from the McSweeney's site. It's OOP, and I have torn up my bookshelves looking for my copy to lend out, to no avail. :( But I did find this site (http://home.earthlink.net/~copaceticcomicsco/McsweeneysThrill.html) that purports to sell copies of that issue, and you can probably find even cheaper copies on ebay. Sara, it sounds like WTD might as well have been written just for you. I love the way LRK describes how this blind weaver works--that's really stayed with me in the few years since I've read it.

I got to report the formation of a tornado about 16 miles or so from campus (good thing I got certified as a SKYWARN Severe Weather Spotter through NOAA and TESSA). I also had the enthralling opportunity of hearing our new tornado alarms sound while I took refuge in my shower (campus has no tornado shelters) after running around to warn my residents...give me a good ol' earthquake any day! LOL

Wow--that's cool about the weather spotting. I have visions of you driving all over after tornadoes like in that movie, Twister (my imagination veers toward the dramatic, I'm afraid). And I'm sorry, but no access to a tornado shelter in Texas is double-plus ungood </Orwell>. The good thing about the earthquakes is that most of them are mild. But if you *do* get a bad one, the only place that's safe is a helicopter or airplane. I feel much better about tornadoes, so long as I have access to a basement or cellar.

jtb1951

03-18-2008, 11:57 AM

I loved watching the balloons wafting over the valley from the height of the hills near Calistoga. From this vantage point, you also get the plume from Old Faithful in there with the wisps of fog and colorful balloons over the vineyards...getting homesick again!

Ahhh, the Calistoga geyser; a very cool sight! Yes, the view from up on Mt. St. Helena, looking down the valley, was quite spectacular. There were often ultralights and gliders circling close to the summit of the mountain, taking advantage of the great thermals in the area! Wonderful memories!!:)

John.

tangential1

03-18-2008, 04:06 PM

For those who are interested in "Weaving the Dark," it's in McSweeney's No. 10--here's an excerpt (http://www.mcsweeneys.net/quarterly/tenteasers/lking.html) from the McSweeney's site. It's OOP, and I have torn up my bookshelves looking for my copy to lend out, to no avail. :( But I did find this site (http://home.earthlink.net/~copaceticcomicsco/McsweeneysThrill.html) that purports to sell copies of that issue, and you can probably find even cheaper copies on ebay.

Thanks for the info Vicki!! *sigh* Looks like we'll have to wait until next week, though, as the site says they are all off on vacation until the 28th.:rolleyes:

The good thing about the earthquakes is that most of them are mild. But if you *do* get a bad one, the only place that's safe is a helicopter or airplane.

Actually, the safest place to be in a large earthquake would be either a hospital, a school or a powerplant...at least in California. They are all built to a more strenuous seismic standard than other structures/buildings. </random knowledge>

Sara McClelland

03-18-2008, 08:32 PM

Thanks for the info, Vicki. I actually found a copy of McSweeney's at my local library (WOO HOO!!!!) and am about to settle in and read. I cannot wait to see how she chose to use words to describe a sensorial experience.

tangential1

03-18-2008, 10:41 PM

Huh...my local library actually seems to have a copy too. Go figure! I will definitely have to treck down there today and pick it up!

vicki

03-19-2008, 02:33 AM

Actually, the safest place to be in a large earthquake would be either a hospital, a school or a powerplant...at least in California. They are all built to a more strenuous seismic standard than other structures/buildings. </random knowledge>

Oooh--that's a fun factoid to have handy, just in case.

I actually found a copy of McSweeney's at my local library (WOO HOO!!!!) and am about to settle in and read.

Well, whadja think? Whadja think? <Jumps up and down>

Strawberry Curls

03-19-2008, 02:57 AM

Actually, the safest place to be in a large earthquake would be either a hospital, a school or a powerplant...at least in California. They are all built to a more strenuous seismic standard than other structures/buildings. </random knowledge>This didn't hold true during the 1971 Sylmar Earthquake. The worst damage and loss of life was at the brand new, just opened a month, Olive View Hospital and at the San Fernando Valley V. A. Hospital. Both were devastated. I was about 50 miles from the epicenter and that little shaker threw me out of bed. One minute I was asleep, the next I was on the floor unable to stand up for the shaking.

If given the choice I would opt for an open stretch of beach during a quake then get off the beach ASAP in the event of tsunami, which is a very, very rare occurrence in California, but it has happened.

kriddle

03-19-2008, 11:08 AM

So, basically, safety is just luck? Not an overly happy thought. On a tengent, are there any Native American myths in So. Cal. explaining earthquakes? If they have them for why popcorn pops, they HAVE to have at least one for earthquakes.

Welcome to the group, Jennifer! If this is the second time I've welcomed you, chalk it up to my extra poor memory of late. Glad you've joined us. Texas is a beautiful state. Hope you get to explore it all!

farmwifetwo

03-19-2008, 01:11 PM

..........

tangential1

03-19-2008, 03:40 PM

This didn't hold true during the 1971 Sylmar Earthquake. The worst damage and loss of life was at the brand new, just opened a month, Olive View Hospital and at the San Fernando Valley V. A. Hospital. Both were devastated. I was about 50 miles from the epicenter and that little shaker threw me out of bed. One minute I was asleep, the next I was on the floor unable to stand up for the shaking.

Hmmm...your comment made me wonder if maybe the regulations are more recent than that earthquake. And I found this at the end of an article about the Sylmar 'quake:

"In response to this earthquake, building codes were strengthened and the Alquist Priolo Special Studies Zone Act was passed in 1972. The purpose of this act is to prohibit the location of most structures for human occupancy across the traces of active faults and to mitigate thereby the hazard of fault rupture. "

God, I love the internet;)

Strawberry Curls

03-19-2008, 04:54 PM

Hmmm...your comment made me wonder if maybe the regulations are more recent than that earthquake. And I found this at the end of an article about the Sylmar 'quake:

"In response to this earthquake, building codes were strengthened and the Alquist Priolo Special Studies Zone Act was passed in 1972. The purpose of this act is to prohibit the location of most structures for human occupancy across the traces of active faults and to mitigate thereby the hazard of fault rupture. "

God, I love the Internet;)I read that quote on the Internet myself, then read it again, nothing about strengthening structures just keeping them away from active faults. I remember thinking -- where I live there are hundreds of faults and they are all active to some degree. Well, if they improved the codes, and I hope they did, that was a good thing. The Northridge quake in 1994 caused freeways, built after 1972, to collapse and caused wide spread destruction. You couldn't drive anywhere in the greater Los Angeles area and not see quake damage. The San Fernando Valley was like a war zone.

JenCFrost

03-19-2008, 05:35 PM

Ha Ha! I don't think I'll be tornado chasing [at least not intentionally ;) ] any time in the too near future! Though, if I were to be completely honest, the thought has crossed my mind. But, I do agree that no tornado shelters in TX is "a double-plus ungood"...especially since this city is on the scratch line of tornado alley!

Regarding EQs, how well your building holds up is directly related to how close to the epicenter you are! From my minimal geology background, tsunamis are not likely to occur in CA because the contour of the continental shelf would turn it back on itself (would hate to be in the ocean when that occurs!). It's a possibility that is somewhat improbable. At least with quakes you get the "CA Happy Cow" foot massage as opposed to the flying cows of Twister! LOL I couldn't refrain from that one! But, seriously, many buildings in CA are already retrofitted. I would just question anything in the SF Marina District since it is built on a filled-in ship dump (left-overs from the 1849 Gold Rush) that would suffer from extreme liquifaction.

However, the most frequent quakes for the US occur in Alaska (which also has the largest at a 9.2). For the contiguous US, the New Madrid fault zone covering parts of AR, TN, MS, IL, and KY holds the record for the largest with four back-to-back quakes at 7.5 or greater (Loma Prieta was a 7.1...there weren't enough stations near-by to accurately measure the 1906 quake), which formed water falls and lakes, not to mention temporary sand geysers and other fun geologic things. Therefore, good ol' CA is a baby among giants! (Rats! Now that I think about it...I moved closer to THAT mess too! LOL)

Just some fun, useless factoids!

PS- Hi Kriddle! I try to explore TX whenever I can!

Sara McClelland

03-19-2008, 09:23 PM

Well, whadja think? Whadja think? <Jumps up and down>

Haha! I pretty much picture Dinah from your icon when you do those little 'jump up and down' sorts of things....maybe not en pointe or speaking in French...

"Weaving the Dark" was less about the art of weaving and more about the weaving of lives. I was hoping for more techno-speak, more about the materials and what they felt like in her hands. I wanted to know what it felt like to push a shuttle under what you couldn't see, how you found a mistake, what the threads were made of and how you figured out the warp if you couldn't see. I wanted to know how she designed a pattern based solely on the feel of it. I wanted more synesthesia, but was given more synthesis of the things we are given to deal with, and how one copes with the happenings that suck in our lives. An ironic story, if not eerily foreshadowing- or dealing with- personal circumstances.

And then, there is the classic LRK-ism: "The mind, she reflected, often saw things the eyes did not perceive."

Also, whilst scouring the (loverly!) local library for the latest LRK (holy alliteration, Batman!) , I happened upon an audio book of "Locked Rooms." If gas weren't so damned expensive, I'd be driving endlessly just to listen to it! The drive to work never seemed so short. Does that narrator do all of the audio books?

Strawberry Curls

03-20-2008, 01:29 AM

Also, whilst scouring the (loverly!) local library for the latest LRK (holy alliteration, Batman!) , I happened upon an audio book of "Locked Rooms." If gas weren't so damned expensive, I'd be driving endlessly just to listen to it! The drive to work never seemed so short. Does that narrator do all of the audio books? If it is unabridged and narrated by Jenny Sterlin than, yes. I have the entire Kanon on audio and love Ms. Sterlin's performance in each book. Her Holmes is what I hear in my head now when I think of Holmes' voice. Sometimes I wish it were Jeremy Brett, but nope, I have the high voice she uses. Somehow it just fits Holmes.

Alice

Sara McClelland

03-20-2008, 03:42 AM

Yes, that is the version I have borrowed. I have not used audio books since my childhood days of 'turn the page when you hear the beep' sorts of early reading cassettes. I am starting to be able to see what I hear, and to leave the engine on for just a few more sentences....horrid habit, that.

At first I was a bit bothered by her voice of Holmes, but her contralto and the voices of subsequent males show a vastness of range that impresses. I cannot wait to hear more.

Bachi

03-20-2008, 05:08 PM

Audiobooks can also be enjoyed while doing household choirs, and go wonderfully with knitting or crocheting. Due to the popularity of audiobooks the talent and versatility of readers has vastly expanded and IMHO they offer a viable alterative to movies, since with the unabridged you are getting the actual authors story. Like SC, I also have the entire Kanon on audio (including Touchstone (on backorder awaiting its availabity)).

tangential1

03-20-2008, 07:40 PM

Audiobooks can also be enjoyed while doing household choirs, and go wonderful with knitting or crocheting.

My roommate keeps saying I should get audiobooks for while I'm knitting. She is entirely perplexed by how I can knit and watch TV at the same time:rolleyes:

Perhaps I'll see what the library has this weekend and try it out:)