Dude. That was like three kind of serious posts in a row. And I’m not at ALA so I don’t have superfunnamedroppy reportage to offer. But I will tell you this:

- It has been a blessedly mild summer here in SLC so far. WHEW. We have yet to come within 5 degrees of cracking 100, whereas usually at this time of year it’s like heat wave city. I’m grateful.

- I got my hair cut while I was in Banff. Yes, an out of town haircut in a different country for that matter, and with an apprentice! I was certainly feeling bold. And there’s nothing wrong with my hair, per se, but I have crazy hair in the first place and I think the young lady in question tried to tame and iron it into submission whereas I am more a wash-and-go personality. So unless I spend all kinds of time on it, I now have what can only be described as earmuffs. Hanks, really, is what they are. Coils of thick curly hair sticking out of my head and making my ears hot and bothered and not in a good way. So I’m getting my second haircut in a one month period, on Monday, and to make it even more exciting I decided to make a return visit to my stylist from two people ago and as many years. She worked magic on me for a long time, and then, fickle as I am, I got bored and sought new thrills. Yes, I am a hair slut.

- I wish I were more interested in following every detail of the Sotomayor hearings. Apparently my political awakening of 08 flamed hot and burned out fast, because I’m so tired of it all right now. Politics as usual—is there hope for any other way?

- Tomorrow I am off to the Listening Library studios for a few days to record the audiobook for Once Was Lost, which will be released around the same time as the book. After my experience last year recording Sweethearts and Story of a Girl (an ALA Amazing Audio pick, hello!), I’m looking forward to it and to reuniting with my wonderful director, Cassandra. Last time it was very exhausting, but I hope to send a dispatch or two from the road.

Congrats to all my friends at ALA giving speeches tonight!