So, in fact, I have been largely avoiding the news — actually not so much avoiding news as it is not having a whole bunch of time to read it. What I’m trying to say is I have no clue what is going on out there in the rest of the universe.

So: Anything you think I should know about?

Yeah, I totally trust you not to lie to me.

I noted earlier that I was looking forward to coming to Borderlands Books, and I’m happy to say I was not in the least disappointed; it was a great crowd, which included my sister and brother-in-law, as well as one of my best friends from high school (no pressure there), and of course Borderlands Books itself is just such a great store. And I met Ripley, the store’s famous hairless cat. Very cute, in a “I’ve been left in the tub for 10 hours and now I’m all wrinkly” sort of way.

Many thanks to Alan and Jude and all the rest of the Borderlands staff for making me feel welcome and at home during my visit. I love this store, loads and loads.

Today: I’m off to the Google mothership for a lunch event there, and then will slowly wind my way back up the peninsula, signing stock as I go, to end up at Dark Carnival in Berkeley at 5:30. I’ll be signing there, and then I’m off to the airport to land in Los Angeles, where tomorrow — gasp! — I have a day off, which I will spend sleeping and hopefully seeing friends. Sunday I have my LA Times Festival of Books appearance, with Cory Doctorow, Kage Baker and Harry Turtledove. That’s pretty good company.