Year: 2009

Congratulations to Michael McAllister for the continuing success of his “Barbershop Reading Series” — button-pushing literary events held right in the middle of an actual barbershop. This Saturday at 8 p.mA literary “barbershop quartet” will kick things off this Saturday at 8 p.m. at Joe’s Barbershop on 2150 Market Street (between Church and Sanchez) out here in San Francisco. This month’s barbershop quartet includes: KATIE CROUCH, whose debut novel, GIRLS IN TRUCKS, about Southern debs gone bad, was a New York Times Bestseller. KEMBLE SCOTT, author of the bestselling novel SOMA, whose new novel, THE SOWER is a twisted thriller about a San Francisco bad boy who becomes the sole carrier of a manmade virus that appears to be the cure for all diseases. WOLF LARSEN, singer-songwriter, wowed everyone at our opening event this past June with her beautiful voice. Details: The organizers suggest arriving a little early, especially if…

Drat! — I accidentally erased this. Anyhow, I am trying to set up an online clip file of old stories, essays, etc. For starters, here is a Sentinel story revolving around an interview with Yoko Ono. As I mentioned before, the person who set up the interview warned me not to ask her if she broke up the Beatles (the truth is more complicated, actually; see this month’s Rolling Stone cover story.) http://cactuseaters.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

I’m almost done with my second Cactuseaters Readers column; there is still room for one more bio. Send it in right now — and I will post next week (or the next.) http://cactuseaters.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

It was very cool to see a mention of The Cactus Eaters on Calexico’s Twitter feed recently. Calexico is one of my favorite bands; I first became aware of them in 2001 when I heard them at — of all places — a pre-San Francisco Marathon spaghetti feast. Their richly textured music evokes a genuine sense of place — especially the wide open spaces and desert landscapes of the Southwest. Don’t miss their appearances on Saturday at the Independent and on Sunday at Outside Lands right here in SF. http://cactuseaters.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Here is a link with more detailed information about that recent speed-record-shattering walk along the Pacific Crest Trail. (if you can call it a walk. It’s more like a 2,650-mile sprint!) http://cactuseaters.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

From time to time, I like to post interviews with various folks that I admire. Here is an oldie but a goodie — my discussion with the legendary musical satirist Tom Lehrer. This will (eventually) be part of an online clip file that I am compiling for Cactuseaters, mostly for my own organizational purposes. If you aren’t familiar with the work of Tom Lehrer, go out and buy one of his live ones, “An Evening Wasted With Tom Lehrer.” It is still incredibly funny, roughly a half-century after he recorded it. http://cactuseaters.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

If you live out here, you may have smelt something awful last night and this morning. Don’t blame it on your poodle or your gym clothes; it was something in the air. According to the latest news reports, “the stench could be smelled for a time in the Financial District” (and they’re not being metaphorical.) http://cactuseaters.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Thank you, Mike Palmer, for sending me news that superhikers Scott Williamson and Adam Bradley have apparently shattered a PCT speed hiking record set by David Horton. Scott, if you’re reading this, send me the details. According to a forwarded message I received a few minutes ago, “they hiked the trail in typical thru/hiker style in an incredible 65d9h58m. This incudes dealing with all their own resupply, etc. Mind boggling.” http://cactuseaters.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Yesterday, I witnessed two hook-up attempts at a local Trader Joe’s. Both of them were shot down in flames. It happened while I was hanging out near the legendary liquor aisle, trying to choose between Full Sail Ale or the horrible-tasting, recession-priced Simpler Times. I saw a nice woman — maybe 50 — flirting with a good-natured, portly guy, a bit younger than her. They got into a conversation about beer options: Red Oval Classic versus Simpler Times. Then the woman asked if she could take him home with her, and that way they could taste-test the beers together and have some dinner, too. Instead of taking her up on this friendly offer, he rebuffed her: “Get in line, baby!’‘ he said with a smile. So the woman backed off, and the guy walked over to that place in the back where they serve you free samples. There, he started…

I am extremely annoyed with a Haight-Ashbury boutique that (apparently) bans babies and children from entering the premises. The boutique has a note near the door that says NO BRATS with a picture of a weeping child. (huh? weren’t the store’s owners and employees children at some point in their lives? and did they never cry?) The problem is this; the store sells ugly knicknacks and clothes, and so I’ve never shopped there in the first place. Is it possible to boycott a store when you don’t shop there anyhow? I’m thinking of going in there, buying a couple of items and never shopping there again. That’ll show them! http://cactuseaters.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default