A Shameless Plug for the Barista

Fear and loathing, Baristastyle. I suppose we replace the red shark with a Prius, the LSD, cocaine, mescaline and pot with a large volume of lattes, and Raul Duke with a publicist. I miss Hunter.

No tomatoes. But also no intention of coming. Definitely not anywhere that just sells books at list price. (I mean, maybe with a Borders 30% off coupon, or half off via ABE, but likely never otherwise.) Thankee, however, for the completely gratuitous reference to self.

Perhaps walleroo might attend, especially if you bring a certain other Barista with you? Feel free to kick him in my name if he does.

I somehwat miss the Good Doctor, too, Spicoli. Had the pleasure of watching him in action during the '72 campaign in New Hampshire. But his schtick grew somewhat tiresome after a while -- his dementia went from a cleverly crafted act to the real thing, once he started believing it. Las Vegas was and is one of the great accomplishments of 20th century American letters, IMHO. I personally think that Fear and Loathing on the Campaign trail was a better piece of work, but that is the non-fiction critic in me.

Debby, I wish you well with your newest novel; as a one-time literay aspirant (where does the time go?) I admire anyone who has the intestinal fortitude to stick it out and then ply the markets to reap the gelt. Probably harder to do than the writing itself. Good luck, and if it gets boring, you can always sign it "Washington Irving," or "Irving Washington."

Knowing that cathar will be absent, perhaps I'll make an appearance. I'll be the swaggering executive type, the Brad Pitt look alike, in the expensive suit who buys 3 dozen copies.

I like the photo, too. Debbie, you look like quite the MILF. (And those of you who have been following this blog for awhile will understand that I am not just being rude and crude. The infamous "MILF" comment is still my favorite in the history of this blog...although about 1000 other exchanges come pretty close.)

I can only imagine those 3 dozen copies will go towards insulating your nest, walleroo, since you only need read one. Or perhaps you just need the roughage?