All things must begin slowly… this blog’s revival being one of those things. I have no idea how long it will actually take me to get back up to speed and begin posting regularly again but I will try… for the time being, I have this for you.

As said in my “Revival” post, this will be a work in progress. Recently, I have been reading more and more and have found a great amount of solitude and relief in doing so. Yet, nothing is easy these days and I am trying to do my best.

I thought that since the book reviews may take some time for me to get rolling again, I’d start by presenting you with some book related events happening this week in the bay area. Whether or not you attend them, have any interest in them, will see me there (most likely not), I really don’t care, you’re getting this information regardless.

Monday, September 22
@ 7pm Books, Inc. (Berkley)
- Nothing strikes me more than a compelling mystery, and the mystery of DB Cooper is certainly one of the most interesting of the past century. Geoffrey Gray will be in-store discussing his book “Skyjack: The Hunt for D.B. Cooper.” If you’re unfamiliar with DB Cooper and his mysterious crime I suggest reading this article here.

@ 730pm The Booksmith (Lower Haight)
- Sheila McClear will be talking about her book “The Last of the Live Nude Girls.” I’m not going to lie, I like nude girls and or women. I’m a 30 year old man, I can admit it. Will I read her book, probably not, but it sounds interesting enough. Ms. McClear, after falling upon hard times ended up working at a peep show in NYC for two years, longer than she or her parents (I imagine) had hoped for. Apparently Ms. McClear thinks that peep shows will be extinct in the near future and so will the stories that go along with them. All I can say to that is it clear that she has not been to Broadway Street in San Francisco. I can attest that the peep show is still very much alive there. This story does have a happy ending though (not like that), Ms. McClear is now a reporter for the The New York Post. Check out this event if you’d like to imagine this lovely lady posing nude for men peering through windows and hear her tales.

Thursday, September 25
@ 7pm Book Passage (Corte Madera)
- Penn Jillette, yes, Penn of Penn & Teller (Vegas celebrities extraordinaire) will be taking a break from his time in Vegas and visiting us lowly folk in the bay area to present his book “God, No!: Signs You May Already Be An Atheist and Other Magical Tales” (that’s a mouthful). From what I gather or have read, this is a book that takes some liberties with Moses’ Ten Commandments, in other words he has reinterpreted them. Penn, a self proclaimed atheist reveals his experience in the world as an exploration in his own amusing way. I have no doubt that this book is funny, but I’m about as likely to read his book as I am to read a book about Lindsay Lohan. Alright, I’d choose his first, but still I have some sort of phobia for reading celebrity tell alls or opinion pieces. I have seen his show once though, and it was pretty awesome.

Yep, you read that right, SF & LA in one post. I’m not going to lie, I’m feeling lazy and didn’t really find any events that looked interesting in San Francisco this week so I took the liberty of assuming the case was the same for LA. Although I’m certain I missed some things, my mind has been elsewhere. Read on to find out why. I assure to return, sans laziness, next week or soon there after.

Wow, what a big week this is going to be for me. Unfortunately for you it has nothing to do with the blog, and regrettably will most likely have adverse affects on the blog, for this week at least. So, what’s the “big” deal? Well… after five months of unemployment, four foreign countries visited, countless hours spent on the internet and pondering “what’s next,” I start work on Tuesday!!

I know, I know, you’re dying to know where I’ll be working. Well, I will be working as a member of the account management team at CrowdFlower. Broadly, CrowdFlower utilizes crowdsourcing to complete jobs or tasks using a scalable workforce. While I could explain to you in further detail what CrowdFlower is and what they do it’s much easier for me to just ask you to click on the link (yes more laziness coming through), so do it already! And to help provide CrowdFlower with some street cred, and because I know many of my readers are music lovers, I will tell you that that Arcade Fire website that’s making the internet rounds, you know The Wilderness Downtown, is actually utilizing CrowdFlower. Again, check the website and more specifically the awesome company blog to see just how they are involved.

As you can imagine as I embark in this new gig my reading time as well as many other things will probably take a hit, so please bear with me as I get my bearings. Feel free to leave a comment regarding any events this week, I will be doing so should I find anything!

My whole family, sans moi, was in Los Angeles (or the area) this past weekend for my big brothers first 100-mile race. Yes, 100 miles of running. He’s a nut. That said, he kicked some major ass finishing in 8th place over all and completing the run in less than 24 hours. One hell of a feat if you ask me. I’m pretty bummed that I wasn’t there but I kind of know the drill with these races now. I’ve seen him compete twice and honestly, it’s a lot of waiting around. Regardless, I wish I could have been there to support him and hang out with my family. Next time.

So, where does that leave me. Well, I’m not sure. But I guess what that means is that i’m due for a trip to Los Angeles sooner or later to see him and the rest of my family. One of these days.

Now, on to the point of this delicious post.

Monday, August 30th
@ 7PM
- Mr. Marcus, author and porn star, will be at Book Soup discussing and signing copies of his book Porn Star Guide to Great Sex. Hmm, I’m pretty sure that I don’t need to say much about what this book is all about. I’m going to leave it at that.

Wednesday, September 1st
@ 730pm
- Rick Moody, author, will be signing copies of his book The Four Fingers of Death at Skylight Books. I’ve been seeing copies of this book everywhere so there must be something to it right? The cover looks intriguing and although I have yet to pick a copy up and read the sleeve it looks as though it could be a good one. Set in the not too distant future this book is essentially a book about the novelization of a 1963 horror flick. While my little summary here does pretty much no good at all, I would recommend reading the sleeve and taking it from there. At least, that’s what I plan on doing.

It looks as though that since my brother is in recovery mode this week so are the authors for whatever reason they may have. That’s all I got for you this week, let’s all hope that more events pop up next week.

Holy crap, these months just keep on flying by, it’s practically September already and I have no clue where they time has gone. I can say though, that no matter where the time has gone, it’s been time well spent.

I’ve been reading quite a bit recently and it’s felt really good. Admittedly most of what I’ve been reading recently have been “best sellers” which always kind of frustrates me but there’s not much I can do there. At least they are quick reads. I was actually pretty shocked to see a recent list of paperback bestsellers and find out that I’ve read quite a few of them. Unfortunately on top of that list is Eat, Pray, Love. I just don’t get it, how could a piece of crap like that still be read by soooo many?? Honestly, I would rather have someone tell me they don’t read books than tell me they are reading that drivel. Oh well, people aren’t always that bright, right? Alright, I’ll stop venting.

Monday, August 30th
@ 7pm
- Mary Roach, author, will be at M is for Mystery in San Mateo talking about her latest and greatest book Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void. Roach, who has written several other books including Stiff, this time tackles space and the strange and interesting methods undertaken to train future astronauts. I was incredibly close to buying this one the other day at the bookshop and undoubtedly will sooner or later. Given her previous work, I am sure this one will be interesting.

Thursday, September 2nd
@ 7pm
- Mike Padilla, author, will be at Books, Inc. at Opera Plaza discussing his book Girls from the Revolutionary Cantina. Because I like Cantina’s, and really no other reason than that, I’ve decided to include this in my post this week. It would be seem that that would really be the only likely reason for the inclusion of this novel seeing as it’s a story about a bunch of women. Not that there’s anything wrong with that but it’s just not something that typically pop up on my radar.

Friday, September 3rd
@ 7pm
- Rick Moody, author, will be signing copies of his book The Four Fingers of Death at Books, Inc. in Berkeley. I’ve been seeing copies of this book everywhere so there must be something to it right? The cover looks intriguing and although I have yet to pick a copy up and read the sleeve it looks as though it could be a good one. Set in the not too distant future this book is essentially a book about the novelization of a 1963 horror flick. While my little summary here does pretty much no good at all, I would recommend reading the sleeve and taking it from there. At least, that’s what I plan on doing.

Alright, clearly the events this week are a little bit underwhelming, I’m sure there are other fascinating things happening this week so get out there and explore for yourselves.

In sad bookstore related news I’ve been reading all week about the plight of Modern Times Books in the Mission. The 39 year old Mission institution which focuses on new and used books about “globalization, politics and media, as well as an array of graphic novels, fiction, and criticism” is having a rough time of it. In a recent letter to customers they informed that they need an influx of cash in order to pay their current bills and remain in business. Let’s hope the citizens of San Francisco hear their cry for help and come to the rescue. No one likes to see an independent go under.

In Valet news I’ve had a pretty decent week of reading. I’ve finished two books, which is pretty good for me at the moment, and have had some success with the job hunt yet still have no work. It will work out, I know it!

And now, what you’ve really come here for.

Monday, August 23rd & Tuesday, August 24th
@ 7pm & 7pm
- Robert Wittman, founder of the FBI’s art crime division and author, will be at Book Passage in Corte Madera (Monday) and at M is for Mystery (Tuesday) discussing his book Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World’s Stolen Treasures. In what may be described as one of the more unusual FBI agent field objectives, Wittman has traveled the world looking for lost and or stolen of some of the most priceless and famous pieces of art in history. Working often times for foreign governments he had to go undercover numerous times to uncover the thieves and mysteries of long forgotten crimes. This book most definitely reminds of a book I reviewed not too long ago, Bartlet’s The Man Who Loved Books Too Much, and I’m sure promises to be an intriguing and interesting read.

Wednesday, August 25th & Thursday, August 26th
@ 7pm
- Loretta Stinson, author, will be at Green Apple Books (Wednesday) & Book Passage in Corte Madera (Thursday) reading from and signing copies of her book Little Green. Perhaps you recall, or perhaps you don’t, but I reviewed this book in May of this year and really enjoyed it. To learn more about the book and the harrowing tale in it’s pages I recommend you start by reading my review. I’m sure this will be an interesting discussion with Ms. Stinson and can’t urge you enough to get there and see what she has to say. W

Thursday, August 26th
@ 7pm
- Teresa Gowan, author will be at Modern Times Books in the Mission reading from her book Hobos, Hustlers, and Backsliders: Homeless in San Francisco. If you’re reading this, odds are you live in San Francisco and are aware of the situation of the homeless in our fair city. Her ethnography discusses homeless men in the city and the wide range of issues associated with them and how it affects the city. Discussing poverty, urban planning, illnesses (drug abuse and otherwise) she systematically and analytically brakes down these issues and speaks of them in a true light.

Thursday, August 26th
@ 730pm
- Nick Burns, author, will be at Books, Inc. in the Castro sharing his book The Bearded Gentleman. While I don’t and would never claim to be a bear expert, I do currently sport one. Burns’ book offers a fun and entertaining look at more than fifty different shaving options for men that are blessed with the ability to grow facial hair (yes, I do have many friends that are just incapable of doing so, poor bastards).

Friday, August 27th
@ 7pm
- Mary Roach, author, will be at Book Passage in Corte Madera talking about her latest and greatest book Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void. Roach, who has written several other books including Stiff, this time tackles space and the strange and interesting methods undertaken to train future astronauts. I was incredibly close to buying this one the other day at the bookshop and undoubtedly will sooner or later. Given her previous work, I am sure this one will be interesting.

Sunday, August 29th
@ 630pm
- Alex Cohen and Jenny Barbee, athletes and authors, will be at Amnesia Bar (presented by Modern Times Books“>Modern Times Books) partying, signing and discussing (discussion starts @ 730) their book Down and Derby. Although I have not yet jumped on the Roller Derby band wagon, I did have the pleasure of watching Whip It with my parents. That was a trip to say the least. Anyways, both Ms. Cohen and Barbee are current members of the L.A. Derby Dolls and have decided to write a book providing us with the history of the sport as well as how-to. So, for those of you intrigued, here’s you’re ticket.

Los Angeles, you’ve got some pretty stiff competition this week, San Francisco, to put it bluntly, is stacked this week with great author events. I have a little bit of faith in you that you’ll admirably compete but I really don’t think you can outshine the city by the bay. With any luck though these same authors, will, in due time make it to your neck of the woods.

Wednesday, August 25th
@ 7pm
- Eric Volz, author, can be heard talking about his book Gringo Nightmare: A Young American Framed for Murder in Nicaragua at Vroman’s. Here we have a book which a few months ago seemed all too real for me at the moment as I prepared for my trip to Central America. Although I haven’t read the book, the title pretty says it all, we all need to be more careful than we thought when traveling. Or maybe it’s just me that needs to be more careful because most of you probably already I. I mean getting picked up for something like drugs is pretty bad but getting framed for murder would be horrendous. I don’t know much about jails in Nicaragua but I have heard that some of the worst prisons in the world are in South America and I don’t imagine that some of those in Central America are very much different. Here’s hoping I nor you ever find out.

Thursday, August 26th
@ 7pm
- Mary Roach, author, will be at Diesel, a Book Store in Brentwood talking about her latest and greatest book Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void. Roach, who has written several other books including Stiff, this time tackles space and the strange and interesting methods undertaken to train future astronauts. I was incredibly close to buying this one the other day at the bookshop and undoubtedly will sooner or later. Given her previous work, I am sure this one will be interesting.

Yep, I was right, San Francisco has once again proven it’s dominance as a city over Los Angeles. You may have us beat in terms of warmth and sunshine but we sure as hell have you beat in author events, for this week at least. It’s hard to compare the two and I sure could use some sun right about now but I think I’ll stay in San Francisco and take my chances.

One of these days soon I’ll make a visit to Los Angeles. That is all.

Monday, August 16th
@ 7pm
- David Lynch, film maker and visual artist, will be at Book Soup presenting his latest work David Lynch: Dark Splendor. It must be nice to live in LA if you’re one of those people that is easily starstuck. It seems like every week you would have a plethora of free opportunities to meet the people that have been deemed “stars” by the public. Of course, Lynch is no ordinary “star” but he is one none the less. His book David Lynch: Dark Splendor is a collection of Mr. Lynch’s art that is sure to give the purchaser/reader a real glimpse into the man’s head. I’m not really interested in getting in there but I imagine some people are. The book has ink drawings Lynch did on matchbook covers, lithographs, photos and I’m sure a whole lot more.

Tuesday, August 17th
@ 7pm
- Damon Lindelof, badass and creator of my favorite tv show of all time, LOST will be in conversation with Tim Kring, the creator of Heroes and author of Shift at the Renberg Theatre in Los Angeles as presented by Book Soup. The name Damon Lindelof speaks for itself as far as I’m concerned. As for Tim Kring, I’m not familiar with him but if Lindelof is willing to sit down and have a chat with him I imagine he’s an interesting character as well. From what I can gather Kring’s book is about the 60′s, LSD, the CIA and mind control. Not so sure it’s up my alley but I’ll certainly have a browse the next time I’m at a bookstore.

After another fantastic weekend here in San Francisco that did not involve Outside Lands or any of the Padres games I guess I am ready for a new week to start. I mean, I’d rather it remain the weekend but being unemployed the week isn’t all that much different. Actually, that’s not true, it’s a whole lot different but that’s more or less irrelevant.

And with the week comes… book events, sometimes. It looks like there really isn’t a whole lot going on in San Francisco this week. What gives?

Tuesday, August 17th & Wednesday, August 18th
@ 7pm & 12pm
- M.G. Martin, poetry master and local San Franciscan (although he’s really from Hawaii and purportedly eats spam), will be at the Space Gallery on Polk signing copies, reading and most likely performing to help release his One For None, his first published collection of poetry. Helping him out at the event with be a collection of local musicians, writers, poets and comedians including Charlie Getter, Alia Volz, Janine Brito, Jess Silva & Andrew Paul Nelson otherwise. At this point you’ve probably noticed that I’m not exactly a big poetry reader but that’s not to say that I don’t respect and admire collections of poetry. Hell, I gave graphic novels a chance and love them now so whose to say that M.G. Martin’s work won’t make me a lover of poetry. That said, it must mean something important when I do promote poetry right? M.G. seems like the kind of dude you’d want to hang out with, just check out the video below, not only does he write but he’s a performer too! Oh, and how could I forget, it doesn’t end there. Mr. Martin is also the co-producer and co-host of SF’s Literary Death Match. This guy does it all, get there, see him and meet him before he blow ups on the scene.