Dispatch #3
Fun contest news and November book events.
Hello everyone, I hope you’re having a great weekend! I wanted to send a quick update on what I’ve been up to and what I have coming up.
Two weeks ago, I learned I’m a finalist in a local writing contest put on by one of my favorite spots in town, Hotel Greene. Every summer, they put on a fun contest where you submit an entry demanding an apology (or offering one) that will fit onto the back of a postcard. I’m truly delighted my entry has been deemed finalist-worthy! Once a winner has been chosen, I’ll share what I wrote through this newsletter.
I have some fun book events coming up, too.
I’ll be at the Strangeways Brewing Books & Brews event on Sunday, November 9, at their Dabney Road location in Richmond. It runs from 12P-5P.
And then I’ll be at the Chesterfield County Library’s Local Author Book Fair (mouthful!) on Saturday, November 15 from 10:30AM to 1PM at their North Courthouse Road location.
I’m pumped for both events and am looking at ways to promote this newsletter and offer a few giveaways at both gigs. Come hang if you can, I’d love to see you!
I was at the kick-ass Turnstile concert on Brown’s Island last week, along with thousands of other people. I really couldn’t see very well, but it didn’t matter, the energy of the concert was hella fun and overwhelmingly positive (aside from the shitty pepper-spray incident). One thought: I didn’t love the tiered ticketing at a hardcore/punk show (the whole front section was cordoned off for folks who paid more for their tix). Like, it just didn’t fit the equal-opportunity vibe of punk shows. But I did love the way everyone made the most of where they were standing. There was a mosh-pit behind the barrier near us. Some guy climbed up into a tree for a better view and, even better, a few folks even ascended a brick column with their rope-climbing gear to watch the show. Good times.
I went to see Goose last night at the Allianz Amphitheater here in Richmond. A friend had a free lawn ticket and I tagged along. Damn, those guys are talented!! I saw Phish once in high school, but have never really considered myself much of a jam-band fan, never really spent much time with the Grateful Dead. But I’m throwing any pre-conceived notions I have of jam-bands out the window after seeing Goose last night. Those guys rock! They riffed and flowed and soloed and were just so completely in sync, it was really fun to get lost in their music. And they opened last night’s set with a Prince cover (I Would Die For You)! Fucking badass.
I went to see Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER last week and damn, it really is as good as everyone is saying it is. It’s just such a great fucking movie. And it’s not just one thing, it’s an action film and a satire and a family drama, there’s just a lot at work in it and I felt moved watching it. I’m jazzed I live in a time where I can go and see a movie like that in the theater. Planning to seeing it again in a few weeks.
I’m bummed the Red Sox last their Wild Card Series against the Yankees. I hope the Sox retool as a team during the offseason in all the right ways and come back even stronger next season.
I’m off to Miami for a few days with my son this week and I can’t wait. Sightseeing, rest, art, record shopping, and good food are all on the itinerary.
That’s all for now. Until next time, The Ward Abides.