Mountain View Art + Wine Festival

After a morning spent doing far too little, I loped in to Downtown Mountain View to enjoy the street festival and the sunshine. The usual ranks of craft stands were pleasant enough — marvellous but overpriced photographs standing shoulder-to-shoulder with folding salad tongs — but the funk band was very good, and the communal atmosphere refreshed my jaded old soul. After listening to a cracking rendition of Superstition, performances of which follow me like slap bass vultures, I managed to make it to Books, Inc., my intended destination.

It's a while (a very long while!) since I had an afternoon in which to browse a bookshop solely as an anonymous customer, so I luxuriated in the experience. I noted down volumes I wished to purchase, browsed the booksellers' recommendations, which were uniformly good, recognised titles I'd been meaning to buy, and generally took my time. Bliss! The ‘chief’, a friendly guy with a beard, who I believe now recognises me — we keep discussing my t-shirts! — rightfully expressed horror at missing Forster. The discussion that ensued (between two booksellers and myself) about stock, reorders, and Sunday teleorders, was spookily familiar.

I will confess to being a little disappointed in the disaffected youth that served me; one of those bookshop girls that affect studied disinterest. She took my order with nary a smile, no curiosity, and no spark; I can't understand someone who can work in a bookshop and sustain no interest in the titles that flow past their fingertips.

Dead-cert recommendation in hand, and two orders safely in the ether, I decamped to the Dana Street Roasting Company for a cappucino and moist carrot cake. (For now I shall omit the account of the ensuing literary synchronicity.)

Life is good! Now I have to make more time to read….

Posted at 2005-09-10 19:06:23 by Richard • Link to Mountain View Art …
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