soon, fireworks

I love quotes of people as they walk by such as "It's just a bookstore."  Too bad more businesses aren't open.  Radhika, sure, and they look pretty busy because PEOPLE WANT TO GO PLACES ON THEIR DAYS OFF.  Wish SoPas would figure that out.  And wouldn't it be great if The Rialto were open?  Here's something from Patch in regards to this: http://southpasadena.patch.com/questions/what-is-the-present-status-of-the-rialto-theater

So, this Thursday we have The Brad Dutz Quartet at 7 or so until about 9 or so, pm.  Some of his music can be heard here: http://www.myspace.com/braddutz.  I really like his music and I've seen and played a lot of it. This is a quartet of Jim Sullivan on bass clarinet, Paul Sherman on oboe and English horn, Chris Votek on cello, and Brad Dutz on marimba and percussion. 

Anyway, Wendy Carlos on the turntable, The Well-Tempered Synthesizer, when she used to be Walter, someone looking at a Roman Coins book, our neighbors from Alhambra just left with a stack, someone just scored from the free box, and a breeze is finally blowing through....

classical breakdancing

Some guy named Alvaro is in our foyer with lots of children showing breakdancing moves while his iPod plays Beethoven, the 5th, first mvt., at the moment.

Just put out a bunch of Japanese records from the 1960s.

A kid shows one of mine the lotus position.  Lots, obviously, going on.

But, sadly, I can't see the neighbors appreciating this.  It's just too loud.  Probably just the way Ludwig van liked it.  It has also cleared the store of customers which is never a good thing.  

Ben Rosenbloom's Group tomorrow night (that's Sunday the 26th)

Someone actually paid me back in full for a loan I made in December.  I guess I should feel good but maybe I celebrated too much last night. 

Ben Rosenbloom is the next musical guest.  I think he's got a quartet and it's kind of jazzy, kind of free jazzy.  Let's see what happens.  Starts at 8.

Reading Sideways by Rex Pickett and so far I've got a few favorite lines:

"'The Internet is a dark road to infinity potholed with links,' I opined.  'For a writer, it's like shitting where you eat.'"

"All around us, open fields of resplendent heather pastured daydreaming livestock chewing their cuds in the lazy mid-afternoon sun."

Why does that remind me of Fitzgerald?  It probably shouldn't.

Funny how the internet is capitalized.

Riner Scivally this Thursday

It's the first week of summer vacation and boy am I exhausted!  But I've taught the kids how to use Netflix streaming on the Wii.  That should come in handy as the season progresses.  Back at the store, we have a duo of musical talent on Thursday the 16th starting at around 5:30.  They start a little earlier than most on the day of the farmers' market.  Riner Scivally with Lorenzo Grassi, both on guitars. 

As far as books go I've been a little concerned about the future.  I mean, sales have been okay; our average is up but I'm concerned about what happens when our lease ends in another three years.  Sure wish we had more understanding landlords.  Like, why is it that they have to raise the monthly 3% every year no matter what?

A recent incident has prompted me to remind people that our hold policy is for one week only.  There's just not enough space on the shelf.  Isn't a week ample enough time to bum money from someone?

Alright, time to bring in the carts.

Oh, one more thing: Guy Bennett and Linda Lay will be doing a poetry reading on Sunday the 19th at 4pm, each reading for about 20 minutes.  Find out more about each of them at http://www.guybennett.com/# and/or http://www.lindalay.com/ .

 

been slow so long it looks like fast to me

A little semi-quote to start and we're off.  It really has been slow for days on end now.  I guess it's back to expecting nothing.  Mr Tyler has forgotten to pay us and it's been three weeks so the inner debate begins as to whether to just leave $900 worth of books in a box that could easily be sold or wait possibly three more months, a calculation derived from his last visit.  His studio is closed with no reply to the message I left on an answering service.  Speaking of studio that's the book that's missing, something by Kaluta and Wrightson and Windsor-Smith and Jones.  Frustrating.  "I sort of remember that one," L says as I give a proverbial pull to my hair. 


But what I really wanted to mention was the appearance of Guy Bennett and Linda Lay coming in June.  I'll be announcing more as we approach the date.  Poets both and good ones too.  It'll be our first poetry presentation.  I'll have to work on my announcing skills.

music of the past

http://www.flickr.com/photos/anomalous_a/

Flyers from long ago.  Great art regardless.  What a lost art.

Did I mention Scott Fraser?

Here's his first set at The Battery: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-TzsZ3qa3k 
I just love this stuff with all sorts of pictures going through my head; we could hide him in the walls and he could be playing all the time.