Hostel Girls Day

An interesting idea!

2012-04-19T06:56:00.001-07:00

I recently received an e-mail from author Kate Milford (whose book The Boneshaker I highly admire) about an interesting promotional idea for her upcoming book The Broken Lands. It's a kickstarter project to self-publish a complimentary novella. This explains it better (from her Kickstarter page):

The big idea:
I’m publishing a novella companion to release this fall with my second book,The Broken Lands (Clarion, September 2012). I want to experiment with self-publishing as a way to promote and enhance traditional releases by providing extra content to readers in the form of complete, related tales. I also want to use resources that support independent bookstores. It's my hope to release a self-published novella alongside as many of my forthcoming hardcover releases as possible in an ongoing effort called the Arcana Project, which is why it has the optimistic subtitle.

Fascinating idea, is it not? What do you think? Part of me wishes I was a faster writer and could try doing this myself...

It's never too late...

2012-04-18T17:54:00.001-07:00

I have finally put "U.S. Girls On Kraak" up on my bandcamp. You can download it for the tiny fee of $9.
U.S. Girls on Kraak on Bandcamp

april18th

2012-04-18T10:06:00.001-07:00

Guan Tian-lang - Is Golf"s New Young Gun Too Young?

2012-04-17T22:29:00.002-07:00

At Age 13, Many Feel Guan Tian-lang is too Young
Photo via GolfToday

One year ago, a 12-year-old by the name of Guan Tian-lang won the inaugural Mission Hills Nike Golf Junior Championship and proudly accepted the trophy from his long-time idol, Tiger Woods.

Both wore red as they stood on the stage together, surrounded by golf officials and Nike executives. Looking back at photos of that day, one gets the sense that the precocious, pubescent winner felt more than ready to assume his share of the stage.

Flash forward a few of hundred days and you'll find Guan Tian-lang, at 13, preparing to play in the Volvo China Open this week ...and poised to become the youngest player in European Tour history.

Having finished fourth in a qualifying event three weeks ago, the prodigious young player was put on a reserve list, and for a short while, feared he'd missed his chance at history. But his hopes were restored when it was announced that the player who won the qualifier already had a China Open exemption. So the Tiger trajectory... that began when Guan was introduced to golf at age four by his golf-obsessed, Woods worshiping Dad... remains solidly on course.

China golf expert, Dan Washburn wrote a piece for ESPN.com back in 2005 about huge impact Tiger Woods was beginning to have on golf in China. In the article Washburn introduces us to Guan Han Wen, an interior designer from Southern China, who spent a considerable amount of money to bring his wife and son up to Sheshan International Golf Club, outside of Shanghai for HSBC Champions tournament where Tiger would be playing. His son, you may have surmised, was Tian-lang who, at age 7 had just placed fourth in the 6-and-under division at the Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego.

The record Guan Tian-lang will break this week at age 13 years and 173 days is currently held by Lo Shik-kai who was about 100 days older when he played in the Hong Kong Open almost a decade ago, and as will be the case anytime such an age record is broken there are questions. It's a given that child prodigies are compelling to watch and young guns make headlines, but from an ethical standpoint, when is a young gun too young?

Guan Tian-lang on the front page of the European Tour site

"Are we fools?"

Writing in stellar Spanish golf blog Fuera de Límites Ovidiov Vidal asks that question, and it's clear from his post that when it comes to having children as young as 13... however talented and mature they may be... compete in professional tournaments against top tour players, we are, in fact, fools. ...and exploitative, self-interested fools at that.

As the father of young children himself the spaniard questions the purpose of encouraging such a young kid to play in a top level tournament. He points out when you put a 13-year-old in this kind of situation, he stands a chance of being unfairly compared to men who started playing before he was even born and as such this kind of test isn't even a good measure of potential.

What it definitely is... no matter what your opinion is on the ethics of encouraging youngsters to play in adult events... is a news story. Child prodigies are captivating; they grab ratings, sell tickets and generate buzz but as exciting as an ultra-young star like Guan may be, it's hard not to worry about the pressures that such an early entry into the top levels of any sport or dicipline may bring. After all there have been some epic flame outs that are hard to overlook.

Those stories won't stop Guan Tian-lang and his family from forging ahead this we. Nor will they stop the promoters from promoting him, the media from covering him or the fans from clamoring for him and hopefully this particular 13-year-old will be able to keep it all in perspective.

On the topic of child prodigies a couple of interesting links: The Downside of Being a Child Prodigy
presents Alyssa Quart whose own experiences inspired her to write "Hothouse Kids: The Dilemma of the Gifted Child" and 8 Child Prodigies so Amazing They'll Ruin Your Day and humorous look at prodigies both historical and contemporary who are amazing. And they did ruin my day.

Anything brûlée - Episode 179 - The Knitmore Girls

2012-04-16T22:40:00.001-07:00

Listen here:

This week's episode has been sponsored by:

We’re excited to be introducing to you, our discerning listeners, the newest Bar-Maids collection, the Almost Everything. This uber-moisturizing whole body kit includes a luxurious Lo-Lo Body Bar, a deliciously tingly O’For Feet Sake foot moisturizer, a handy Cuticle Intensive stick, and a silky smooth Lo- Lo Lips Lip Balm. It’s the perfect way to ensure that your whole body is soft, sensual, and ready for spring. It’s almost everything Bar-Maids has to offer at a great price. This is a great gift for the mom who never stops, your fellow friends in fiber that make your hobby a lifestyle, or for anyone in your life who deserves a little pampering. I think my mom definitely deserves some Lo-Lo love this Mothers Day – doesn’t yours?

Purlescence Yarns is the Bay Area's destination yarn shop. From the best in spinning and weaving equipment to luxurious yarns and fibers, we have what you need to make your fibery dreams a reality. We're always happy to provide mail order service for Knitmore Girls listeners. Call us today, it'll be on its way!

On the Needles:(0:33)

This week Gigi is working on the Kleio shawl by Rosemary Hill. We mention taking knitting classes from Ann and Eugene Bourgois, of Philosopher's Wool, and learning two handed knitting and doing knitted braids.

Gigi got pointers from Abby (from the Knit Knit Cafe Podcast). Jasmin finished the Mini Garter Yoke Cardigan for Genevieve, which she had knit from her handspun. Gigi is working on a number of socks and has finished her first pair of Sweet Tomato Heel socks. Jasmin is working on her second Houdini Sock. She is also working on the Garter Wrap Cardigan for Genevieve and is almost done.

Gigi has blocked the Taygete, the Katriel, and her second Daybreak. Gigi is planning to knit a Niebling pattern, the Goldmohn table cloth. Tour de Fleece: Training will start May 15th. Join Team Sasquatch!

Events: (21:31)

May 18-20: CNCH in Oakland, CA, at the convention center
June 2nd: Spinning at the Retzlaff Winery, in Livermore, CA
June 9: World Wide Knit In Public Day, we will be in front of the Ainsley House in Campbell, CA
June 22-24: Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene, OR. Maybe.

Contest: (22:52)

Spring Cleaning Contest, ends July 2nd. Read the thread on the board and get ideas and contribute your own!

Mother Knows Best:(26:25)

Anything worth doing is worth doing well. Especially when one is finishing hand knits.

When Knitting Attacks:(31:12)

Gigi's Odelia sweater out of 50/50 silk and merino from Tess Yarns attacked her again.

Purloined: (33:16)

This week we purloin the "Something I Really Like" segment from the CogKNITive podcast hosted by Dr Gemma.

We talked about the brûlée technique, Creme brûlée french toast (found on Pinterest through SomebunnysLove). We also liked the Cafe Brûlée at Barefoot Coffee. Jasmin brûlée-d Peeps with a small blowtorch. We mentioned donuts from Psycho Donuts in Campbell, CA, and Voodoo Donuts in Portland, OR

Review: (38:37)

This week we review: Knitbot Essentials by Hannah Fettig. We love it!

Straw into Gold: (46:13)

Gigi's spinning for the Eadon is progressing slowly, but she is enjoying the Merino/Corriedale. She bought some Ashland Bay roving (in "Mojave"), and some Crown Mountain superwash merino roving in the colorway "Homburg" from Purlescence. She is thinking of spinning it on her Golding spindle.

Jasmin is plying an oatmeal CVM. She finished plying Crown Mountain cormo that has a beautiful luster. She has started the wheel spinning for her SPAKAL sweater. The fiber is a rambouillet cross from Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival.

Book Signing and Mix and Mingle at The Eric Carle Museum

2012-04-16T13:39:00.001-07:00

This Friday, I'll be signing books and chatting with attendees of the NESCBWI annual conference at The Eric Carle Museum. If you are attending this year's conference, please come by and say hello! Details below.

Book Signing and Mix and Mingle at The Eric Carle Museum on April 20th from 11:30-1:30 pm. This event is part of the SCBWI-NE spring conference. Anna will be joined by Harry Bliss, Dan Yaccarino, Carlyn Beccia, Brian Lies, and Shelley Rotner.

Bubba Watson: Stylistic Shifts & Social Media Lessons

2012-04-14T23:28:00.001-07:00

After watching Bubba Watson's shot out of the woods for maybe the 10th time, and seeing him interviewed on several prime time TV shows, I came upon PGA Trending - Sean O'Hair and Bubba Watson's Hair, a post I wrote several years ago.

It was May of 2009 Sean O'Hair had just just won at Quail Hollow... despite the presence of a pre-scandal Tiger in field... and The 2012 Masters champion was still a couple of years away from a PGA Tour win. However he'd taken a share of second, and he... or more specifically his hair... was trending on a social network called Twitter that had just been proclaimed "the next big thing". Here's an excerpt:

... The inimitable, long hitting Bubba Watson, who also edged out Tiger yesterday when he tied with Lucas Glover for second, was, in fact, trending on Twitter.

And a though he played some excellent golf at Q.Hol, much of the BubbaCentric Twittering was not focused on golf, but on ...other aspects of Mr. Watson's persona. Like his...hair:

You see what I mean? ...And the thing is, this charismatic player has undergone a couple of rather radical stylistic transformations over the years as evidenced by the graphic.

So, now that we're officially on the subject of Bubba Watson's hair, which Bubba do you like best?

So yes, that was three years ago. Watson now owns a green jacket and when it comes to social media he's being seen as something of an expert, and someone to emulate. Sree Sreenivasan, of Cnet, claims to have learned a few things about twitter from the nascent golf star, he outlines them in "Five Social Media Lessons from Bubba Watson, Masters Champ".

2012-04-14T12:37:00.000-07:00

2012-04-14T12:33:00.000-07:00

2012-04-13T13:29:00.000-07:00

Can't get enough R. WOOD.

Naomichi Ozaki & the Curious Case of the Mouthpiece DQ

2012-04-13T00:55:00.000-07:00

Naomichi Ozaki Photo Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images

Out of Japan yesterday came an interesting story.

It has nothing to do with Ryo Ishikawa... who's currently T16 at the Token Homemate Cup... but instead involves Naomichi Ozaki, a brilliant player at the other end of the age spectrum, playing in the same tournament.

The 55-year-old, known as Joe, has won 32 times on the Japan Tour, has played on the PGA Tour in the 80s and 90s and has recently been playing on the Champions Tour where he's finished 2nd two times. Yesterday however, Ozaki ran afoul of Rule 14-3.

For those who don't have their rule books handy that's the one that deals with "Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment".

The "equipment" in question is being described as a "mouthpiece" and here's what I found most interesting: it seems these "mouthpieces" can actually give a player more distance. From what I understand, the veteran player was discussing the device... and the added distance he got from it... when the realization hit that a mouthpiece, when used for enhancement rather than protection, could be illegal. Rules officials were asked and ultimately the result was disqualification.

For now I've only found this story in Japanese but I'm guessing there'll be more on it by tomorrow. In the meantime I'm trying to figure out where I can obtain one of those mouthpieces.

Thank you Minoru Mike Aoki for sharing this unusual story.

2012-04-12T12:28:00.001-07:00

2012-04-12T12:28:00.000-07:00

Paula Creamer Presents Her Studley Golf Companion

2012-04-11T22:39:00.000-07:00

If I had to take a guess at the contents of Paula Creamer's golf bag I'd be thinking there might be some sparkley ball markers... and a supply of pink golf balls. That.. in addition to the kind of equipment that can get it done at the US Women's Open... is the type of thing I'd think of.

What I probably wouldn't think of, Paula reveals in the video below.

Thank you SAP Sponsors ... for sharing this ultra-cute video!

Follow SAP Sponsors on Twitter

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Visit the SAP Sponsorships website

2012-04-11T15:54:00.000-07:00

2012-04-11T15:52:00.000-07:00

2012-04-11T15:51:00.000-07:00

A HOW TO...

2012-04-11T11:24:00.000-07:00

Ryo Ishikawa's Engagement Defies Demographic Trends

2012-04-10T19:55:00.000-07:00

When he arrived at Tokyo's Narita airport on Sunday, Ryo Ishikawa wasn't dwelling on his disappointment over a missed Master's cut, choosing instead to tell the gathered media of his recent engagement.

"I got engaged last month, to a junior high school classmate," revealed the 20 year old Japanese superstar, without mentioning her name. Rumors of a Ryo romance first surfaced several months ago and speculation has been rife ever since, but the identity of the fortunate future WAG is still a mystery.

The Japanese press have described her only as "a tall, slender beauty with long black hair". No photos were released, though it seems she was in fact, in Augusta for the Masters last week, and at Bay Hill for the Arnold Palmer Invitational prior to that, and was introduced a number of her fiance's close friends.

"I'm now 20 years old, so I decided the time was right" Ishikawa told reporters without elaborating. In Japan, age 20 does hold a special significance as the year one officially comes of age, however the average marrying age in Japan is significantly old than that... 30.5 for Japanese men and 28.8 for Japanese women... and those demographic statistics are a source of concern for many of the country's economists, who worry about the subsequent declining birth rates and aging population.

For Japan it's a continuing conundrum that began quite a while ago. One look at a chart representing Japan's birth rate over the past several decades makes that clear. It resembles an ultra-treacherous black diamond ski slope, particularly as it's coupled with substantial increases in Japanese longevity.

The crisis is often attributed, at least in part, to the fact that young people are choosing to get married later... or not at all. And the government has tried everything from cash incentives to policies that provide more support for working parents. They've even gone so far as to develop a government dating site to help those unable to find Mr./Mrs. Right... and in what is perhaps the cutest/coolest initiative: robot babies.

Getting back to Ryo Ishikawa, he'll be competing at the Token Tado Country Club in Nagoya, Japan this week for the Japan Golf Tour's Token Homemate Cup. As for his recent announcement though many in the media are writing jokingly about legions of disappointed female admirers, I'm guessing that those saddled with the task of coaxing Japan's birth rate higher ~~were delighted~~ weren't unhappy to hear that one of the country's top role models has decided to marry so young.

Fans can congratulate Ryo on his engagment at his Panasonic site.

A few pictures from the Virginia Festival of the Book

2012-04-10T02:44:00.000-07:00

This year, in addition to visiting schools, I gave a book talk as part of Va Book's Storyfest line-up. It was a rainy day, but we had a nice group of families. Here are a few pictures, taken by my dad, our photographer for the day.

Coloring sheets for all:

Artwork on display:

Talking to kids about how to make a book:

Drawing demo:

Kids making their own illustrations:

And coloring in my drawings:

A quiet moment at the end of the day:

Of Green Jackets, Boyfriends and a Bubba-Bieber Bromance

2012-04-09T22:42:00.000-07:00

We wrote about the Bubba-Bieber Bromance a few months ago when it was in its early stages. Then, not long ago mega-popstar Justin Bieber revealed (see video above) that he had an ultra-close friendship with Bubba Watson.Soon after Mr. Watson's big Masters win yesterday, a tweet from @JustinBieber offering congratulations:

@bubbawatson proud of u man! congrats! #MASTERS
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) April 9, 2012

The youthful Mr. Bieber... by the way... has a new single. The much anticipated Boyfriend made its debut at number two on America's Billboard Hot 100 recently and has been conquering global markets as well. It's not often that a professional golfer gets covered by Access Hollywood... or makes the pages of contactmusic.com or starpulse.com or omg! or... you get my drift. Bubba Watson may be a bit... polarizing... within the rarified world of golf media, but the fact that he can transcend that insular world - thanks in part his friendship with The Biebs - is clearly going to expose the sport to a wider audience. I think the most impressive thing I've read about this relationship is that Justin Bieber is now down to an eight handicap.

Question and Images of the Week, and more!

2012-04-09T05:30:00.000-07:00

Last week's question of the week was "What made you laugh out loud?" I had intended to answer the question last week, but better late than never, right?

I laugh a lot in my life in general, but being around children makes me laugh and smile all that much more. Two weekends ago I had dinner with friends who have a two-year-old child, Violet. We all know that children fall down a lot, and depending on the fall, they either cry, or they just get up and keep going. Well, Violet's parents have established a routine of Violet "shaking off" her falls. This is how it works:

Violet falls down while running around.
Her parents: "You're okay! Shake it off!"
Violet stands up and proceeds to shake her whole body, especially her arms, while smiling broadly.

It was an extremely endearing sight and it made me laugh out loud. It also made me want to "shake it off" myself whenever I "fall down". I think it will work!

And speaking of kids, this past weekend some of us got together up in Western Mass. I loved taking pictures of (and with!) Anna's daughter Tilda, and here are two of my favorite shots:

Tilda looking "cool" in my sunglasses.

making faces!

***

And finally, if you're in the NY area, please come out tomorrow night (Tuesday, April 10 at 7 pm) to Word Bookstore in Greenpoint. Barry Lyga and I will be discussing his new book I Hunt Killers. Hope to see you there!

image of the week

2012-04-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

This stretch of street is usually not very picturesque, but with the trees in bloom it is like walking in a dream:

2012-04-07T15:02:00.000-07:00

Watching the Masters... With a Healthy Dose of Reality

2012-04-07T11:15:00.000-07:00

Watching the Masters... on television and online... is not quite the same for me this year.

Augusta National still looks sublime, as it no doubt always will, but this year its sublimity is contained, in a certain sense, by my not-too-distant memories of actually being there.

It's not that the velvety green of the fairways is any less vivid than it was... the azaleas are every bit as bright and the Masters song just as evocative... but for me, there's a difference.

After spending four sultry days there in 2011, strolling narrow paths through the towering loblolly pines, stopping regularly for icy pink lemonades and spending time before and after the tournament in the town of Augusta and the rural countryside that surrounds it, The Masters is real to me now in a way that, makes it more tangible... and consequently, less magical.

If you've attended the tournament you probably know what I mean, or you may have experienced a similar sensation after visiting Paris or Hawaii... or even Disney World... for the first time. When you grow up hearing, reading and catching carefully edited glimpses of a place purported to be magical, finally visiting that place... in the flesh... inevitably and forever changes the way you think of it.

Up till now my impressions of The Masters, and the classic MacKenzie course it's played on, were based entirely on the florid distillation of stories and imagery that came out of Augusta each year. It existed in my mind as a completely insular place, a kind of Brigadoon that appeared out of the mist, annually, for one week in early April, then disappeared until the following Spring... when we'd once again be able to briefly experience that cloistered corner of the world with it's well preserved traditions and old-fashioned sensibilities.

The thing is, I now realize that Augusta National during The Masters does feel magical from the inside. Like the fictional highland hamlet of Brigadoon it's quaint and beautiful, and the ~~Scottish villagers~~ patrons really do seem to be harboring some sort of mysterious secret.

Downtown Augusta

However, upon leaving the grounds each day... in the inevitable cloud of bliss a day at the Masters brings with it... a one encounters something a bit unsettling: reality. It's right outside the gates and it's just the normal reality of life in an American city, and Augusta apart from the Masters is a contemporary Southern river city. As in many cities though out the US, the big box retailers and ubiquitous chain restaurants make it a tough go for the small independent retailers. In downtown, one comes upon numerous empty store fronts, and some of the charming old wood houses are in woeful disrepair. Meanwhile gentrification has resulted in leafy suburbs lined with stately homes and a revitalized Riverfront... and the hospitality and charm of the Augustans is truly heartwarming.

So that's where the reality intersects with the fantasy, and if you're like me, once you've experienced it you'll find your Master's viewing experience has changed, just a bit... which in the end is probably a good thing.