Field Tested Books

by Erik Olsen on

I really like this concept of reading a book on location. I think we
often understate how much a place means to us as we go about our daily business. No matter what you might be doing –
reading a book, taking a walk, using your computer – your senses are engaged by your surroundings, and the effect of a
place on your state of being can be profound. That is, your sense of place can powerfully affect your relationship to
what you’re doing.

For example, think of the difference between reading a book on the beach (the susurration of waves, peals of gulls) on
how you relate to the book, versus how that book feels in your head when you are sitting on the subway. They are too
vastly different experiences, I contest.

I bring this up because as we move into beach-reading season, I found this
fine little list of things to read and where. Coudal is truly one of my
favorite sites for things new and interesting, and this list is no exception.

I like the idea so much, later today, I am going to post a list of the books I think are ideal for specific
locations.

Space Tourist Back On

by Erik Olsen on

Oh how I love this whole concept of space tourism!

Greg Olsen (no relation, unfortunately) is back in Russia training
to don his space suit and blast off into space. The millionaire inventor-entrepreneur from New Jersey, should the
mission proceed, will head to the international space station. His “mission” (do we call space tourists’ trips
“missions” or something else?), was suspended
earlier due to an unspecified health condition that was discovered when he was taking some routine tests.

Olsen would ride on the Soyuz, Russian-built craft that are
sent to the space station every six months. The next Soyuz flight is scheduled for September- or October, and Olsen
could theoretically complete his training in time to make that trip. Oh, you must be wondering what a trip like this
would cost. About $20 million.

Prague Music Festival

by Erik Olsen on

Even if Prague now has a reputation as one of the most Americanized cities in Europe, it is still a fascinating and
fun town. A buddy of mine just moved there, in fact, and says that the city, despite the Starbucks and McDonalds, still
maintains it charm.

So it’s worth noting that over the first weekend in June, the
United
Islands of Prague music festival will take place and could be a great event to check out if you’re lucky enough to
be in Europe at the time. A performance by local favorite Bradley Stratton is just one of the must-see events. Check
out the others here.

Eric Hansen Interview on NPR

by Erik Olsen on

Travel writer Eric Hansen is one of my favorites. I recently read
and reviewed his book The Bird Man and the Lap Dancer,
which I thought was wonderful. Vintage Hansen. Hansen lives in SF, but he gets around a lot, as travel writers do, and
he recently did this interview with NPR
which I thought was worth posting about.

Hansen is a thoughtful guy, a meticulous travel writer, but like most good writers, he loves to get himself in odd,
dubious situations (the master of such self-inflicted circumstance would have to be Redmond O’Hanlon). Take a listen,
and read the excerpt to Bird Man as well, which follows down the page.

Truffle Scuffle

by Erik Olsen on

I’ve had truffles before. No big whoop as far as I’m concerned. Kind of mushroom like, good flavor, but nothing to
die for, let alone get arrested. But it seems many disagree. In parts of Europe (Italy in particular), one type of
truffle, the
WHITE truffle is such a big
deal that people risk incarceration to get their hands on it. Of course, the reasons for this fungal malfeasance are
more economic than gustatory. The treasured tuber is the second most expensive food in the world. What does the white
truffle taste like? Aficionados say its flavors are a mix of methane gas, garlic, and soil with hints of honey, yeast,
and mushrooms. Excuse me? Is it just me or does that also sound like the description for a particularly healthy
turd?