Bookbinding Project Gains Momentum, originally uploaded by johntynan.

I remember, years ago, reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and how Robert Pirsig blissed out on attention to detail. Well, I don’t know what precipitated this, but lately, I’ve been absolutely pleased to take my time with any number of projects, from restoring a pair of $100 Rockport tennis shoes that I trashed during a painting project, to raking up a years worth of detritus and pruning every living thing on our front lawn, to this, my long-time bookbinding project.

In addition to getting back up to speed with the ReST to Verse process as described here, I am now getting up to speed with some of the finer points of the Verse and Booklet plugins for LaTeX. Next step is to bind the printed signatures and more.

Either way, I hope to maintain this attention and keep writing about the results.

Walt, Michael, Me, Howard and Kevin all got together at Vista del Camino Park for a round of frisbee golf. My dad took photos. Hans came by too. It was a relaxing way to celebrate my birthday, casually walking in the park and talking with friends. Afterward, my dad, Kevin, Howard and I went to Delux where we sat at the bar and had burgers and brews. Bill showed up too! Afterward, Dad and Kevin dropped me off at home contented.

Nancy’s friend’s daughter and her daughter’s friend were all too eager to volunteer to pile-in to the passenger seat of the Mini and throw beads. This year’s King lived up to his title by coming out dressed as Elvis. He and the Queen took their throne in the back of Al and Linda’s Dodge truck and we all lined up at the end of the street as the crowd looked on from above. The girls stood on the passenger seat and threw beads out the sun roof as we slowly circled around the block. Stacy B directed the parade by way of her bullhorn.

The guests lined both sides of the streets, yelling “Gimme something mister” and they were rewarded generously for their requests. And no sooner than the last trinket hit the sidewalk, then we all lined up in the kitchen for a plate of muffalettas and a bowl of red beans and rice and some spicy gumbo.

Stacy awarded my teammates and me with the distinction “Best in Throw” for which I received a stegasauras cap in mardi gras colors. After a bit of chatting with friends and colleagues, I gave Holly, Al and Linda’s daughter, a test drive in the Mini. (Good luck with your next car! I’m sure you’ll make the right decision).

Next came the “adult pinata” — a paper mache cactus filled with airplane bottles of liquor. The first guest allowed herself to be blindfolded, then while wearing hight heels, she took swings at the pinata. The second guest tried his best as well. However Stacy’s cousin attacked the pinata like a designated hitter. After knocking off one of the arms, she proceeded, methodically, in denting the pinata till it agreed to give up its contents.

I chatted with Stacy and Carol. Then bid audeau for the night. What a great party! And what a great group of family and neighbors and friends. Laissez les bon temps roulez!