Whyyyyyyy

Currently in Earphones: "The Incredible Hulk" soundtrack by Craig Armstrong

So I took a trip to Berkeley on Friday and visited the usual haunts. Games of Berkeley was its usual greatness and I got myself a travel version of Peg Solitare. I'm really liking the the little wooden folding peg games they have, I've been satisfied by their Nine Men's Morris and am liking my current purchase. Also hung out at The Musical Offering, which seems to have been made with me in mind: a cafe and classical CD store. Not only that, but the bookstore next to it is freaking awesome, with a great selection of literature from antiquity. They even have a section of Loebs! Suffice to say I was in heaven.

The only snag was when I went to redeem my gift certificate to Cody's Books. Cody's used to be a large and successful bookseller, and had three locations in Berkeley. I remember the Telegraph Ave. store with most fondness, though it was right next to the also popular Moes. As of late, they haven't had much business, and had to close all but one of their stores. My aunt got me a $25 gift certificate the day before I graduated, and after the ceremony at dinner she jokingly said that she hoped Cody's didn't close for good before I got a chance to use it. Fast forward a week to the 20th, where I amble up to Cody's on Shattuck, see the lights on and the shelves fully stocked, and look forward to getting something good.

But what's this? The doors are locked! The only notice are two notes taped to the doors, each saying "CODY'S IS CLOSED, THANK YOU." How cryptic. I figure it's something strange about the day, and resolve to come back later. So the next day my pop asks if I want to go to a movie, and chance has it that the theater down the street from Cody's is playing The Fall, so I ask if we can't stop by Cody's on the way there. I go online to re-check the hours, and find this. Well...hell.

I sent an e-mail to the enquiries address detailing my situation and asking the usual "any chance at all?" but I haven't yet heard back. I got an auto-response saying that, as I can imagine, they've been getting lots of e-mail and the lady in charge will get to me when she's able. I don't know what's going to happen, but can only hope that I can get at least one more book out of Cody's before they go down for the count.

And now, off to Catalina Island, for a last whoop-de-do with my Davis buddies.

Enough, More Later.
- James