Time for Tales

So today is the eagerly-awaiting release of the Netflix mini-series "Tales of the City"!

To say that I'm excited about this would be an understatement.  I mean, this blog was named after the books which inspired this miniseries!!

While the books were originally written as newspaper columns and took place in the late 70s and 80s, this miniseries was written to be a Netflix miniseries and takes place in current time. 

The 1st book "Tales of the City" was turned into a miniseries in 1993 and shown on PBS.  The cable network Showtime took over in 1998 with the miniseries of the 2nd book "More Tales of the City", and in 2001 the 3rd book "Further Tales of the City".

Its been nearly 20 years since we've seen our favorite San Franciscans on screen.  Most of the characters who didn't die in the books are present in the new miniseries, including Mary Ann Singleton, Brian Hawkins, Michael Toliver, Anna Madrigal, and Dee Dee Halycon Day, and are played by the same actors as before with the exception of Michael.

To be clear, this is NOT a re-telling of the "tales" we've already seen.  This will be new tales set in present time, with some additional characters.

Make some popcorn, grab a drink, and prepare to binge-watch all 10 episodes.

I don't know about you but I.  Can't.  Wait!

Meeting Armistead

Wed I left DE early enough to miss most of the DC rush hour traffic.  I decided to stop at the Trader Joe's for some goodies.  That place was like pumpkin overload!!  I've never seen so many products made from or flavored with pumpkin.  But since I love 'seasonal' merchandise I picked up a box of pumpkin Joe-Joes, some pumpkin biscotti, and some pumpkin spice coffee, as well as several other non-pumpkin goodies.

Then I drove through the old neighborhood where Spouse & I 1st lived together.  The house is still there, but is cuter now that they painted the siding a soft lilac and the shutters and front door a medium lilac.  Its not everyone's taste but I thought it was adorable.  Great memories.

Then I met up with our friend Roger (of Bugsy & Roger) for an early dinner at Taco House!  The owners changed the name to Cantina Mexicana years ago but it will always be Taco House to us.  The weather was sheer perfection so I chose a patio in the shade on the patio.  We had a delicious dinner then walked to the metro.

We arrived at the Smithsonian's Museum of the American Indian a bit early so we sat outside and enjoy the stellar weather and the beautiful facade of the building, meant to look like a pueblo.  

 Eventually we went inside and took our seats, eagerly awaiting the lecture.

Armistead Maupin was introduced and then received a standing ovation before uttering a word.  He began by stating that this book is a memoir, but that as readers learned about the people close to him throughout his life, they'd likely see characteristics of many of the "Tales of the City" characters.  He did a short reading (probably 5-6 minutes), then spoke a bit more.  Several of his extended family were there so he introduced his 2nd reading by saying to them that they will enjoy hearing his words of appreciation about his grandmother.  The 2nd reading was probably 20 minutes in length, and then he opened up the lecture for questions from the audience.

I can't accurately describe what it was like, except to say that his calm and gentle demeanor were exactly what I expected, and that I felt so connected to him that it was as if I was listening to an old friend I hadn't seen in a while but knew well.  It was kind of magical.

He thanked everyone for coming and received a 2nd standing ovation.

We filed out of the auditorium and were directed over to where Armistead was sitting at a table for the book signing.  Roger & I waited in line for 45 minutes but it was totally worth it.  They didn't take our books from us to be signed and then wisk us away quickly.  Oh no... each person was allowed to talk with Armistead while he signed their book. Maybe because we'd paid $30 for the lecture and book signing?

I said "At the risk of sounding like a 13 year old girl, I have to tell you that I'm a huge fan.  Honestly I don't read a lot but I've read every one of your books and just love them.  Hearing you speak and meeting you now is a bucket list item for me."  He was very gracious and thanked me for my kind words.  

Then as we shook hands I said "Oh, and please don't stop writing!!"

While I absolutely love all my Armistead Maupin novels, this memoir is extra special to me because he signed it and because of the extraordinary experience of meeting him.

New book

Look what arrived yesterday!

I pre-ordered it months ago on Amazon, and received notification that it would arrive on Tues, the official release date of the book.

In case you're new here, Armistead Maupin is my favorite author.  I love all of his "Tales of the City" novels, and also his novels not in the "Tales" series. My blog's title is a tribute to his fabulous body of work.

This new book is a memoir, so I'm looking forward to finding out more about his childhood experiences and life influences.  Maybe we'll learn about some of the inspirations for the characters in his novels.

And what could possibly be better than a new Armistead Maupin book?  

Getting my new book SIGNED in person tomorrow evening!  That's right - I'm going to a lecture and book signing tomorrow evening in DC and expect to have my book signed by Armistead.

I.  

Can't.  

Wait!