I'm a fan of James Bond. I read most of the books, a long time ago. - Gordon Brown

There is something very cool about attending a London Book Fair event called "In Conversation With Sebastian Faulks", sitting around for 20 minutes as Faulks is 'delayed', then seeing Gordon Brown walk in the door. Faulks used to be a journalist, and he set a tone that allowed for Brown to comment on everything from the importance of literature to Iraq to his own writing.

Brown began by discussing how much he missed reading after a rugby injury impeded his sight for some of his childhood. He mentioned how writers such as Salinger and Kingsley Amis were key to him 'coming alive' as an adolescent, and how even now he tries to find time to dip in and out of novels as often as nonfiction. He then discussed his forthcoming book, which deals with the concept of courage and profiles numerous people he considers courageous. He is keen to understand the reasoning behind certain decisions, and feels that once we understand the reasoning, we can feel truly inspired.

They discussed the importance of cultural exchange to the political, intellectual and social climates, and, as the London Book Fair is concentrating on the Arab world and its literature, had much to say about the impact of culture, especially literature, on the relationship and understanding of diversity. Brown discussed freedom of movement and the Internet as the pinnacles of what will shape 21st century politics. The more people can communicate, can band together via text message to protest, can blog or write, the more likely the people will begin to shape politics on a more grassroots level.

Brown also touched on the influence of the internet and computers on creativity, how creativity is changing. Reading is not limited to books now, and the way we read has changed. He proposed that education continue to be open to new media and adjust to it as it becomes more prevalent. He talked about putting books into the homes of lower-income kids before the age of 5, then again at 11, to encourage reading.

Faulks cheekily asked about the contradiction between Brown's writing about his admiration of WWII leaders, soldiers in Afghanistan, Churchill and his decisions regarding the Iraq war. Brown gave a canned response to this, which was frustrating as he could have taken this opportunity to humanize the war and to perhaps extend an olive branch of admiration for the soldiers currently serving. Faulks is obviously against the war, and a few harsh words were begun and then quickly snuffed as they moved on to questions from the audience.

I sat there, a chick from Kansas amid a room full of publishing-types who are at the Fair for a reason, watching one of the world's major leaders (and an author himself) discuss books and education. Brown's appearance was a surprise to everyone in the room, but what I found more surprising was Brown's knowledge of and nods to the importance of publishing as an industry and the impact that writing and other creative outlets has on the general public and, in some ways, on political decisions. It is difficult to imagine Bush Junior knowing anything about contemporary fiction, nonfiction, and its content, let alone its potential impact. Witnessing the thoughtful commentary of a major world leader saddened me, as America deserves better.

And yes, Brown did say the above...

It was probably the biggest shot ever made in the history of Kansas basketball. - Bill Self

BREAKING NEWS: Classes are cancelled for Tuesday in celebration of the championship winWe'll start with a little good luck charm...praying to the basketball gods during a hike on Loch Ness on Sunday...

Then anxiously awaiting a 2:20am tipoff, clad in everything Kansas (the more good vibes sent up to the basketball gods, the better).And as if Dr. Naismith, Phog Allen, and Adolph Rupp got Mario the ball and gifted overtime to the boys. Just in time, as I was jumping up and down and hiding behind my hands and would have screamed and woken up the whole damn neighborhood.

Watching a team like KU isn't always fun. They play it so close that all I want to do is scream at the television and throw something. It would be interesting to monitor my heart rate during one of these close games. And it would probably be worth it to see a shrink to ensure that crying my eyes out at 5:00 in the morning after winning a national championship with only my laptop for company does not constitute a mental condition.That's how I had to watch the game...hooked up to Matt's monstrous television, squinting to watch on a fifth of the screen, but it still beats listening via a bad connection, which I've had to do before. And what a wonderful testament to a team that is a lovely bunch of guys who work hard and have such a great time out there. I want nothing more than to be in Lawrence, Kansas right now.

What is it about competition that touches the soul? Is it seeing a sport played well, or knowing the stories of the players? The constant of supporting a particular team for your whole life? Or perhaps having played a sport, imagining how it must feel, to juxtapose insane pressure with the love of the game. The magic of living in the moment that doesn't happen in the other facets of our lives.

I (heart) technology. In the age of YouTube, Chalmers' shot will live on forever. (forward to 3:41 to see the final....!!!)

Other things...going to London next week for the Book Fair, which is this massive event that twists the fiction writer's reality and reminds him or her that publishing is a business first, not a vehicle for the writer's pontifications. Meeting with my agent, which will be good. The rewrite is nearly finished, and far stronger than my last. I've found it difficult to get the matrix in my head onto the page, but it's getting there. This project is tedious, time-consuming, and frustrating as hell, but that craving is still there. The parallels to the yearning of the sportsman can't be ignored. Belief in your talent, in your support system, in what you know you're capable of achieving - cheesy as it may sound, it's the only damn thing to cling to when life isn't cooperating quite yet.
(Taken just an hour after above prayer shot, after our walk on Loch Ness in the sunshine turned into a blizzard. Perhaps foreshadowing the confetti after a KU win.)