The Los Angeles Time Festival of Books

I had been looking forward to the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books for a while. For the first time ever, I even bought panel tickets (Highly recommended to compliment your festival going experience, by the way). The tickets became available at noon on the Sunday prior to the weekend event, and I went online about two hours in. The Michael J. Fox panel tickets were already sold out, but I got everything else I searched for - Young Adult fiction, mystery women writers, and even a panel with Pat Morrison and James Ellroy (more on the incomparable Reverend Ellroy later).

I attended both days - although I preferred Saturday when the air was a little crisper, the atmosphere more expectant and the excitement more palpable. I spent about 5 hours walking around campus, visiting booths, talking to writers, spennding money and getting signatures. I met Sue Ann Jafarian whose work I had read about online and have started her newest book "The Booby Trap" which features big and beautiful heroine Odelia Grey. I walked by the Target tent and listened to a few minutes of Tori Spelling out promoting her new book "Mommywood" (I saw her mother Candy at another part of the fair at a booth signing copies of her own book - but no one was in line for her when I walked by).

The Sunday atmosphere was different - Like the day after a night of heavy drinking or perhaps even a rave (although a literary rave)- The weather was a little warmer, the atmosphere a little less fresh and the crowd more chaotic. But I came back for two reasons: The first being to meet Sandra Tsing Loh at the Vroman's Bookstore booth and have her sign my newly purchased copies of "A Year in Van Nuys" and "Mother on Fire". Loh is an NPR commentator, writer and humorist. She was friendly and charming and her writing is hilarious. The second reason was to attend the Ellroy/Morrison event. For anyone who attended that particular panel, I think you can agree that it probably wasn't what you expected unless you are familiar with the author's peculiar personality. In that case, you probably got exactly what you bargained for.

Pat Morrison is great - She was dressed in a hot sky blue number with matching hat. As a fan of hers on KPCC, I looked forward to her interview. But the event turned out to be more of a pulpit for Ellroy (author of "LA Confidential" and other LA-based noir bestsellers) - Pat only gave an introduction (but a very good introduction) and let the author out like a wild untamed animal. He preached to us about how great he is as a writer - aggrandized his publisher as God to his own Jesus (publisher being Alfred Knopf) and promoted his book. It was all done like a performance piece filled with cursing and shouting. it was entertaining but I came away from that panel with an affirmation of what I had always known - Writers are a weird bunch.

Now, for anyone who has not attended the Los Angeles Time Festival of Books, well what have you been waiting for?! There is no way you can fathom the largeness of the event without attending. Despite the fact that I was there a total of 8 hours both days, there were so many booths that I never even walked by - areas of the festival map my path never even crossed, and waves upon waves of genres that I didn't even get a chance to investigate. There is an amusement park quality here, except the rides are talks by authors, book signings and the interaction with some of the weirdest people on the planet. Joy!

Running on the Sun – Victory for Victims 8K

I expected the day to be hot but my expectations were exceeded when I stepped outside at 7:30am on Sunday morning to an uncharacteristically sunny morning. If it was warm at 7:30am, how will it be a whole hour from now?

The sunny day piqued my concern since I was about to run an 8k race(about 5 miles exactly) in Encino for the annual Victory for Victims run. It's a charity race whose proceeds benefit the Child Assault Treatment Services of the Northridge Hospital. Since I live in Santa Monica and usually run early in the morning or at dusk, I am not really trained for running in the heat. But since I am planning on doing the LA Marathon in late May, I’ll need to get accustomed to it – Sooner or later.

Lake Balboa is a beautiful place to run. The lake itself reminds me of the Bois de Boulogne Forrest in Paris which has an immense lake nestled within its trees. In France, the lake is used for all sorts of recreation. I’ve seen runners looping around its circumference, lovers renting paddle boats and rowing downstream, and a group of dog therapists taking their pooches out for a walk. Lake Balboa is smaller, but it is also a favorite with local residents. There are paddle boats for rent here too. And unlike the dogs I had seen on regular visits in the Bois, the Encino lake is home to a large flock of geese.

Although the run started near the lake, it was mostly kept through running pathways away from the regular park crowd. One particularly long hot stretch was smack in the middle of a small field of dry brush. Around mile 3-4 was in a pretty arid area and the only thing that kept me going was the dream of an oasis – Some sort of water station up ahead. I would recommend organizers to add a water station here if it is as hot again next year.

My time was a little over what was expected but at a pace of about 10:26, I finished in around 51:43 minutes. I had to include a few brief walk breaks - It must have been 80 degrees.

Country music DJ Shaun Parr and the appearance of KTLA’s Commander Chuck Street (and his helicopter!) added to a great atmosphere. Next time – more country music!

Check out my photos - from fotojack.com


This is me at the home stretch.

Kara Goucher wins third place in Boston Marathon

Congratulations are in order for Kara Goucher who placed third for women in the Boston Marathon. I wish she had won, but the impressive finish for USA (along with the near win for Ryan Hall on the men's side) is better than not placing at all. Check her out in this month's Runner's World.

Pasadena Redux (As in Attempt # deux)

So I’ve been meaning to write about my experience at Pasadena Marathon Redux, the inaugural but second attempt at a marathon in the beautiful city of Pasadena, CA. The first attempt in November was cancelled due to poor air quality resulting from the fall fire storms. I had only planned on joining as a spectator back then but when the run was rescheduled to March 15, I decided to join in myself for the 5K.

Based on the two weeks leading up to the 15th, race day should have been beautiful – Clear, sunny, not too warm. And even when the forecast predicted rain the day before, I’m sure everyone involved hoped it would just be a drizzle and nothing more. But the day started out dark, gloomy and rainy, and the rain stopped only briefly (during my race thankfully). The marathoners and half-marathoners had to run in thundering spouts of rain which eventually cleared up as the day progressed. They were prepared in rain gear and the can-do attitude runners have.

There were sponsors and exhibitors and even a stage featuring musical performances - But I didn't stick around much longer after I saw the winner of the half-marathon. In fact, I was standing next to him after his win as we huddled with a bunch of others under one of the canopied-shelters as a momentary reprieve from being soaked.

This first attempt at a Pasadena race has had a lot of obstacles. This includes lack of organization in the wee hours of the early morning where a throng of driving runners (myself included) had no idea where to park and were given no guidance by the traffic coordinators.


The last race I had done was the Frontrunner's Pride 5K in June, so it had been a while since I participated in any kind of competitive run. So despite the problems (which also included a house catching on fire nearby!), it was just nice to be out. I find runners to be very positive people - on race day at least - and I definitely got some good energy from them. Even though I didn't make my goal time, I proudly hang my medal from my car rear view mirror. Hopefully, I'll have one from the LA Marathon hanging next to it soon.

I did the Bruin 5K a couple of weeks ago and have the Victory for Victims 8K in Lake Balboa this Sunday. Maybe one day a marathon in the Valley? Hmmm....if Pasadena can do it, I'm sure the San Fernando Valley can too!

Any jealous disgruntled writers in our midst?