Neil Gaiman. October 18th. I had started this book a long time ago, I cannot even remember when. I do however remember how it happened. It was not to far from the time Virantha had his kindle. He liked this book and probably I had not chosen what to read and I started to read it, but then I wanted the paper version. It took me long enough to get the book. I had to wait for the library to have it available. We picked it up a Saturday and also tried a gelato (green tea and tiramisu). London Below - an adventure land full of interesting characters that have to fight for their existence in obscure ways. A joy to read from beginning to end.
Matthew Pearl October 9th. I went to Public Library in San Jose as the house was without power. I found a desk and worked there, it is hard for me to concentrate when there are people around, but I got better as time went by. When I was tired and seemed to be wasting time instead of getting things done. I decided to call it a day. I went to the fiction section but as I did not know what I wanted I ended up looking at many books but not choosing any. Headed to the first floor were there are displays of the newest arrivals. It is hard for me to pick books that way but I always try. I found it in what in the round table closes to the non-fiction part of books… how, well I think it was the cover and the red lettering. London, Boston, publishers wars, Dickens last novel. I enjoyed it very much. I accept that I did not even know about the Mystery of Edwin Drood existence before reading the book. I have not read many of Dickens book, and I think I should definitely add them to the list.
Our city was lucky to have a Mandala weekend. On Friday two Tibetan monks started building a Sand Mandala in the San Jose Museum of Art. In a few words the monks take crushed marble that is different colors, and placed a one grain at a time and design a beautiful picture. They worked from Friday until Sunday. On Sunday the monks joined Jennifer Prugh at Soula Power Yoga for a Yoga Mandala Workshop. It was very well attended and we had a combination of yoga postures and mantra (performed by the monks). It was very inspiring and calming. The money for the workshop was raised for the Childrens Tibetan Fund. After the workshop was over we walked to the museum and observed the ritual when the monks destroy the Mandala and share the sand with the onlookers.
Agatha Christie, September 25th. Browsing our bookshelves, surprisingly there are a few books I have not read (well my books, not Virantha’s)… I kept looking and nothing was catching my eye and after reading # 40 well I was in the mood for more happy memories, so alas I grabbed another one! This time it was Poirot - I do like him… A visit to Egypt, walking in pyramids, a murderous boat ride and some happy endings for two couples! I did remember all the details so no surprises for me. Oh well. I did go down to the pool and read the final two chapters. It was a nice Friday - there was no more sun so it was still warm from the day but I was not roasting, the water was warm enough but at the same time refreshing. I had walked a lot: between hour of power yoga at noon, farmers market trip, stop at San Jose Museum to see the Mandala (monks were having lunch when I arrived), and then to the post office… It was a good day that ended with dinner at Kumako Ramen at Japantown. We shared a shoyu ramen with a boiled egg and plate of eel with rice (my favorite), and two cream puffs. Then we could not resist and included a luscious dessert crepe = banana double choco at Banana Crepe.
Unfortunately this year I had to travel to Baltimore that same week, so I arrived on Sat Sep 12th after 8:30 pm to San Jose airport, to late to have a real birthday celebration. After clearing the Hudson St apartment and donating many items, opening boxes in San Jose, and also donating many items I was having a hard time choosing a birthday present for Virantha. The question was if I bought something where was it going to go? I have been trying to consolidate and find places for all our belongings, and for those that know me that is a very hard task for me. Fortunately email lists can become useful once in a while. Manresa had send me and update about their events, and one of them was taking place Sep 19 and Sep 20th. The event was called Tomato Modernista dinner. Love Farms and Manresa were getting together to provide a degustation menu inspired on Heirloom Tomatoes. Well so I choose and that was the present, and I have to say that was also a present for me! As I got to join Virantha ; ). We arrived punctually at 5 pm, we were the second table of the evening. We sat in a corner table that, the table setting was white table cloth and a set of three tomatoes in the vine, yellow, red and green, they were gorgeous, they were labeled with their names in very cute handwriting. Virantha decided to accompany the dinner with the wine degustation. And the adventure began (courses on in order followed by the picture - this time I did not let anything stop me from having a visual memory of my plate):
It really was a delightful event! We enjoyed every little bite and sip of what was placed in front of us. Of course we had our favorites, mine was: and Virantha’s : I do not think I could say if they had placed a different wine in front of me accompanying a particular dish if it was better or not, probably need to study more. To me they were nicely paired. We left with our tomato table ornament and more than two caramels offered by the Manager after you leave.
You can see the description of the plates in the pictures when they become larger.
After the food we strolled through Los Gatos, Halloween windows are starting to appear. We also spend some time at a candy store that has all sort of treats. Then a short drive home to end this birthday celebration.
Traditional Wine Pairings
N.V. Bailly-Lapierre Cremant de Bourgogne Burgundy
2008 Soalheiro Alvarinho Vinho Verde Portugal
2006 The Scholium Project The Prince In His Caves Farina Vineyards
2008 La Sibilla Piedrosso Campi Flegrei Italy
2006 Jacques Puffeney Pinot Noir Arbois France
2007 Bodegas Olivares Altos de la Hoya Monastrell Jumilla Spain
2007 Domaine de Durban Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise-France
Agatha Christie, September 20th. A re-read for me… as always reading Agatha makes me happy. It is quite odd that reading about people getting killed or living injustices for many years can make me be calm and think positively. Probably this reactions can be explained by the fact that Christie’s books filled in many of my summers when I was young and more care free… just reading those words and the characters bring me back to that time and make me be content. This particular one includes Miss Marple solving the mystery of the murder of Verity Hunt - a cruel one. I remembered the facts so it was not surprise when I got to the end, but it still makes me wonder how do you put it all together… I wish I could.
September 8, Audrey Niffenegger. I borrowed this book from Theresa’s book case. I read it in between planes and a little bit in San Jose, and then finished in my new room in Pasadena. Not surprisingly, I cried a lot at the end. Good languages, description and in my view very original idea. I was just too sad, I do understand that it would have been very difficult to just give us a happy end and that made it more real… well as real as it can be to time travel. Good book overall, many emotions felt while reading it.
Julie Powell, September 1st. The first time I saw this book was when Virantha took me to the used bookstore in San Jose. I spent quite a while browsing the cooking/novel section. About two book cases, after reading many excerpts of several books I decided on book 38… which probably was an okay decision. Then to my surprise I saw the preview of the movie and thought I was going to read that book! Therefore on my way to San Jose on August 29th I bought the book at the store beside the gate in BWI - paying full price and read most of it on the way to the West Coast. I enjoyed it thoroughly, I probably disliked the swearing - but oh well each to its own. It was funny and I loved all the cooking stories, it just seemed so real - and of course the logic of it all - it was! Interesting how things come about. It took me a little bit but here is the link to the original blog, and here is the link to Julie Powell’s current blog. It made me laugh a lot. Thanks for sharing your story.
Amanda Hesser, August 26th. This book I bought at the used bookstore in San Jose - cannot remember the name right now. It took me a while to choose this book, but I did. In the beginning my feelings were mostly “this would be a good chick flick”. It was entertaining and some of the characters Amanda shares her time with are pretty interesting. The recipes included look quite interesting and I would certainly like to try many of them. In the end it was an enjoyable read.
Beth Pattillo July 30th. All moved into Pasadena and ready to fly to Burbank through Phoenix, I borrowed a book from Theresa. She bought it for her trip to Hawaii. I was on my way to my Purpose Institute Workshop at Caltech. My flight was delayed - we were on the runway for a long time with mechanical problems. I read the book all through the trip. I was very close to the end but finished it the next day - in a very comfortable room at the Westin in Pasadena. I enjoyed the overall read, except the part of non-tenured people - that part was not fun to read. It was light enough and I am just glad that I have my blue prince with me.
Agatha Christie, September 25th. Browsing our bookshelves, surprisingly there are a few books I have not read (well my books, not Virantha’s)… I kept looking and nothing was catching my eye and after reading # 40 well I was in the mood for more happy memories, so alas I grabbed another one! This time it was Poirot - I do like him… A visit to Egypt, walking in pyramids, a murderous boat ride and some happy endings for two couples! I did remember all the details so no surprises for me. Oh well. I did go down to the pool and read the final two chapters. It was a nice Friday - there was no more sun so it was still warm from the day but I was not roasting, the water was warm enough but at the same time refreshing. I had walked a lot: between hour of power yoga at noon, farmers market trip, stop at San Jose Museum to see the Mandala (monks were having lunch when I arrived), and then to the post office… It was a good day that ended with dinner at 
