Kate's comments (member since Sep 20, 2008)

Kate's comments from the Oly Reads group.

I am not a trl employee but I do work in a library. And my education for my library degree included discussion on whether fines were worth it or not (the consensus was that they were negative, that they caused people to avoid the library, think of the library as a negative in a negative way and were more costly to administrate than what was actually collected).

I seem to remember that there was this huge cry that Timberland was NOT CHARGING FINES from (what I perceive to be) the anti-tax, pro pay-your-own crowd of probably not library users when the budget woes of the library were discussed a year or so ago (not here but I remember fines discussed on Olyblog and the daily 0). My guess is that they cost more to administer in terms of money collected but were felt to be necessary for political reasons.

Another thing though: does the library allow you to work off your fines? It might be a nice way to connect and contribute to the community.

I just edited this because I am embarrassed by my gosh-darn grammatical errors. Please forgive them.

yippee! a birthday party too! Somehow I will have to hear about where Jackie lives but that can happen closer to the day.

Just to be sure, since we usually do Saturdays, this is a Friday evening gathering, right?

Goofy white elephant? The book group I used to belong to would exchange books in December. Books from our bookshelves. Not crappy ones, but ones that we really wanted to share. I liked that.

Beverage, eh? Anyway, the 20 and 21st works for me. The 28th does not work for me because I'm at the Guadalajara book fair (leaving the 28th, back the 6th). The 11th-12th works for me, too. I like the idea of A2 and they might like us there too. It hasn't been very busy when I've gone by. But that could be the time I go by, too.

Besides, it was sci-fi weekend! You were probably really busy.

I didn't, I didn't find anyone else to go with and I was too tired to do another one traveling by myself. Next year!

Is anyone planning to go to this?: http://www.seattlebookfest.com/event.php...

It's next Saturday-Sunday (Oct 24-25) and admission is free. If you are interested, I would love to go for a day or so but would rather not drive (I don't know Seattle and don't like driving when it's dark and rainy). It's in the Columbia City area of Seattle (south Seattle?).

Kate

Hi All, I will not make it this time. I'm going to the CIELO fundraiser on Saturday night. Be sure to let me know what everyone's reading! My most recent books are (for Kelsey's list): Dances with snakes / Horacio Castellano Moya; Wisdom of elders : traditional food ways of five tribes in western Washington; and am currently reading The financial lives of poets / Jess Walter.

mmmmm, pear cider. I've been going pear crazy this year. I'm up for Peppers or the Fishbowl. I liked the Dockside but would like to go a little lower on the price range. The 26th sounds good to me.

thanks for the reminder. i'm in minnesota but am returning tomorrow. i've already thought of which books to bring

Is the swap something Kelsey and Jackie were talking about for book group or for something at the library?

i couldn't finish The Last Chinese Chef. I didn't like that book. The descriptions of food were nice but the author threw this little romance thread throughout the part that I was reading and I hated it. It didn't fit. I tend to not read romance anyway, especially when it's got this dramatic presentation which this book did.

no prices listed: http://docksidebistro.com/index.html
If this is too much for some people, can we change our minds? (I'm still good with it but realize it might not be some people's cup-a-tea.) Kelsey, can you give people a few days to say no before making the reservation?

One of my neighbors and co-workers (Kirsten) used to work there and told me about it. Remember when that place was a little deli-like cafe? Now it's a bar-restaurant. Yeah, it is probably spendy. I'll save up.

Oh, the Brotherhood. I would like to try that, too, but would rather not go there in the height of the most wonderful season (it's been such a beautiful day today that I'm still feeling it!). I still vote for Dockside for August.

I would like to try both the Dockside Bistro and Red Bike. I like the idea of trying different local joints. One thing I'd like to say about the Dockside, is that it's on the water and it would be nice to go there while it's still summer. My vote is Dockside now, Red Bike later. I love the Fish Bowl but on a Saturday night???? It's very busy and noisy. I will go there, though (under no great duress).

22 and 29 work best for me, too

July is creeping up awfully fast! I'm good with August except that I will be in Minnesota for one of the weekends, the 14-16th. I'm encouraging the remaining people from my other book group to try this one (which I think works well for a number of reasons) so I hope you don't plan it for the weekend I'm gone.

That,s interesting. Half Magic is about the only book I remember from that era of my life. I loved it.