in other news

Got a letter from Patty last night. So prompt, so unexpected, so lovely. It's this perfect combination of funny and telling me about her work (I'm really still learning about) and wanting to come home, but also being really beautiful and about how good this dig has been for her. Makes me glad.

pre-Bastille Day time travel!

Smith Street becomes a true Parisian Thoroughfare once a year, and it is blocked off and covered with 10 tons of sand for the world's largest Petanque tournament, (the French spin on Bocce). Piping-hot Merguez, ice-cold Stella Artois on tap and plenty of Ricard annisette are the staples. And for you dancers, the street becomes so slick next to the pomme frites stand that it becomes just as good as any waxed parquet dance floor .

All this and the exquisite sounds of the Dreamland Orchestra. We recommend dressing to beat the sun; straw hats and sunblock are the perfect accoutrements for this day.

Annual Bastille Day Street Festival and Petanque Tournament

Sunday, July 13th
12-4 pm - The Sextet
5-8 pm - The 11-Piece Orchestra

Bartabac
128 Smith St. (Corner of Dean St.)
F, G train to Bergen St.
718.923.0918

www.bartabacny.com

May I just note:

- I'm a menace at bocce, and therefore assume I can kick some ass at petanque.
- Ah, Smith Street. That was another life.
- French stuff. Hahahaha, awesome.

Who's coming?

my Tuesday evening

I've just returned from performing Regency dance at the book release party for naominovik's Victory of Eagles, held at The Explorer's Club.

Under any other circumstances that would be the totality of the story in and of itself. But, of course, my life is not like that.

For one thing, they had a stuffed polar bear that roars when you touch its claw.

For another, I'd forgotten that Naomi's husband is a mystery author and there was a joint party for his book as well. Which, since it's all hard-boiled noir stuff meant that there was a moment where I was standing at parade rest (it makes me look less hip-y) in Regency men's formal wear, watching a really hot torch singer sing Fever. My brain has never come closer to exploding.

But it was a lovely affair and we did good and the book looks awesome, and seriously, HOW COOL IS ALL OF THAT?

Tres cool.

Photos and write-up:
http://igallo.blogspot.com/2008/07/naomi-novik-and-charles-ardai-book.html
(that's Naomi on my arm). Thanks to marchek for the find.