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Downtown Thursday

Going to see Stephen King lecture at PSU tonight. Tickets were more expensive than I would have liked ($30 for the cheap seats), but since he’s my favorite living author and he doesn’t tour often, I’m seeing this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If any Portlanders want to come check it out, it’s at Arlene Schnitzer Hall, Portland State University, tonight at 7:30PM.

I have absolutely no idea what King will be lecturing on — presumably writing — but at this point I don’t care. It could be a discussion of new advances in fly-fishing technology and I’d still be there with bells on.

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Elsewhere in Portland, my friends Jamie S. Rich and Joelle Jones are having a book launch party for their new romance comic 12 REASONS WHY I LOVE HER. If you haven’t picked up the book yet, this would be a fine opportunity to do so. Jamie and Joelle will be signing copies and selling original art at Floating World Comics (20 NW 5th Ave., Downtown) from 7:00-10:00PM this evening.

I understand there will be beer and wine, as well — which, of course, is wholly appropriate. If history has taught us anything, it’s that romance almost always goes over better when there’s booze.

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Also, my very good friend Warren Wucinich is showing his Urban Landscape series of paintings at Saffron & Turmeric Gallery (203 SW Pine St., Portland) this month. Tonight’s the opening, but his show will be running through the end of November. Stop by and, if you’re so inclined, buy a painting or two. Do it while his work is still affordable.

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Not doing NaNoWriMo this year. Too much going on right now. I might try to kick out a short story or two, just to quell the mild guilt I’m feeling for not participating in the event, but there’s no way I can clear my schedule enough to attempt a full-length novel. No way.

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Go see THE PRESTIGE, all of you. Best movie I’ve seen in a very long time.