I got the chance to see one of my favourite authors last night, but it was an event not without its traumas. Laurie R King, author of the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes books, was at the San Francisco Public Library at 6.30pm, talking with Les Klinger, a Holmes expert. I got off work early, and left at 4.00, naively thinking that 2 1/2 hours was long enough to allow for what should be a 1 1/2 hour drive, even at rush hour. Unfortunately I was NOT driving against traffic, as I assumed I would be, and didn't get into SF until 6.30. Then, I got to the library to find that some other major event was taking place nearby and there was nowhere to park! Finally, by the time I'd found a parking garage and got into the library it was just before 7.00 and I was so flustered I'd left the book I wanted to get signed in the car. ARGGG! Fortunately I found a seat right away and enjoyed immensely the last half hour of the program. Both participants are intelligent, witty and very entertaining speakers. Afterwards Mrs King very kindly offered to send me a signed bookplate to put in the book I had left in the car, so it was not a total loss. I stopped for a consolation pizza on the way home and swore that if I ever have to attend a mid-week, evening event, I will just take the whole afternoon off.
