I need something about Jilli's reading in the SF area that I can cut/paste/email to someone in Oakland who would be interested. Will look here and in Press when I next have an opportunity to use a computer.

I'm in Pt. Townsend. I left Seattle on Sunday, and drove to pick up my friend in PT, then we drove at night to Sol Duc Hot Springs just to get there/be there the next day. Two heavenly days of soaking in hot water, the first 2 nights of 8 hrs. of sleep since before I left the Bay Area a week ago, some light hiking to the Sol Duc waterfalls, and 30 laps in the big cool pool this morning. Ahhhh. I leave for Portland tomorrow. It might be the last time I have computer access until next Monday, perhaps.

I'm all in favor of a longer F2F in a cool location where there's swimming and biking or hiking or whatever! I found a wonderful place for such a thing today, the Crescent Lake Lodge. Only thing is, it's kind of expensive, like $200/night, but completely picture postcard stunning. Or there is Sol Duc - little cabins, or camping for those who want to do that. My research earlier in the year (posted way above) is for Pacific Northwest only.

Florida in winter sounds wonderful, Laura. I'd help in any way I could if you pursue that!

The Buffistas are indeed a very foamy bunch.

For book tour info, go to [link] and go to the Events page.

Here's the SF & LA blurb -

San Francisco: Gothic Charm School reading, Q&A, and signing! Friday, June 26, 2009 7:00PM BOOKS, INC. 1375 Burlingame Ave. Burlingame, CA 94010

Los Angeles: Saturday, June 27, 2009 7:00PM Gothic Charm School reading, Q&A, and signing! BOOK SOUP 8818 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90069

And San Diego will be just the Comic-Con unless some book store suddenly asks us to do a signing while we're there. You can prod a local store if you wish.

Omnis, please remind me of the link to your Flickr page, please!

The release party was ... wow. Above and beyond my expectations. I am just giddy.

I'm all in favor of a longer F2F in a cool location where there's swimming and biking or hiking or whatever!

I think that a longer F2F could be WONDERFUL (...you know, assuming that there were also going to be less, um, strenuous activities available for the less outdoorsy folks) - but, on behalf of the teaching Buffistas, I'd have to say that it could only be viable for quite a few of us during the summer holidays. 'Cause I know I can't pull this taking-time-off-during-term-time thing again.

t Poking head

As far as I could tell, almost all of the pictures (other than P-C's were posted to the Flicker group. Is there a need for me to collect all the various links to individual accounts and post them at my town, like I have done every year, or is the group-y-ness of the group enough for the what-is-where I-don't-wanna-miss-anything aspects of pictures-looking?

(Don't get me wrong, I'd love to go over all the pictures - especially since it gives faces for fonts who were faceless so far, for me - but I wouldn't wanna bother anybody if it's not needed.)

Jilli, BChas on flicker (um, does the need to provide this link answer the question above? Hmm). And he has one of the faces I haven't seen before, and am grateful I got the chance now to see!

(Oh, and Jilli, how I wish I could take part in any of your book (it never gets old, saying that) events, other than watching your videos.)

[Edited to wave at Fay.]

Pete, I suspect every bookstore within 30 miles of SDCC is booked with authors of various types and genres. It may be easier to see if there are any, well I am not sure what they would be exactly but goth-friendly stores (clothing or accessory stores maybe?) or events and try to do something there if people were interested.

F2F-ers: I am in awe of this tower of wine: [link] Where was it?

Steph, that is Purple, a delicious restaurant just a block and a half from our hotel.

I want that tower of wine.

Dear god, how I want it.

Unfortunately, it is no longer your birthday. Had you asked yesterday, your dad would have gotten it for you.