How's is hang'n podna?

There are some authors that have one story to tell and repeat it endlessly, book after book. One of my favorite authors, James Lee Burke may be one of them, but I'll gladly pay full admission every time he wants to tell it.

I just finished "Last Car to Elysian Fields". Once more, Dave Robicheaux gets tangled up in an mess that reaches back through the years. Once more, a strange and powerful murderer flits in and out of the story. Once more a rich and influential family may be deeply involved. Good sons gone bad, trying to be good. Wives and daughters caught in the corruption and the sins of the fathers. And once more, Clete Purcel is there to happily stir the mayhem.

Yah mon. Burke has got the gift, the skill. When I read his work I can smell it, feel it, taste it. I see every picture in full high definition. And the man knows we've been down this road before and uses it to add to the tension and anticipation. Bad things are going to happen. Rough, karmic justice will be handed out.

I have a shelf devoted to Mr. Burke's works - they are a marvel. It's been a while since I've been back through them - perhaps it's time to start over. But I'm not sure I can. Dave's been through some rough territory.

Ah. I don't know the world that Robicheaux does, don't want to be any closer than these books. I don't want to wrestle with his demons, carry his weight. But I tell you honestly, there are moments, points of time in which I do, for just a moment, wish I could unleash the chaos, go full tilt boogie, get the creeps in my sights in a free fire zone.

Admit it, so do you.

No? You're right, neither do I. I was just josh'n with ya.

"Don't be shooting at nothin' you cain't see the other side of, no."

Long Week In San Francisco

OK, too busy to actually finish and post this. Here's what I intended to post on Wednesday or Thursday, but got pulled off onto something else.

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Been at Macworld Expo all week. These long shows wear on one.

I'm good for a three-day show, but the adrenaline will only carry me so far. And with a three hour difference in time I find that after a few days, rather than acclimate, it just catches up with me.

But, on to the show!

The show floor this year is much smaller than previous years - I believe that it's just too expensive for many companies to exhibit any more. The attendance is good and the traffic has been strong, so no complaints in that.

On the other hand, I haven't seen anything really new and unexpected - no stunning new technology, devices, or software. Why is that? Because the internet is a 24X7, 365 trade show.

What have I seen? Lots of accessories. Lots of computer, iPod, and device bags. Lots of well made software, but for the most part, not seen for the first time (ours fits in that category).

Oh, and not enough free wireless bandwidth! The show provider charges a huge amount for internet to the booth and those that do pay for it have to keep it to themselves. There are a few places where I can get it, but it's a walk and there's not much time in between meetings and spending time at the booth. Luckily, someone near our hotel room set up an open wireless connection. Thanks, macTools guys!

Ah, busy to finish - more next week.