Book Signings, Summer Wanderlust & Why E-Trikes Are Harder Than They Look 🚲
Ciaran Blumenfeld
Hello magical friends!
Arvida Books: A Community of Book Lovers
What a delightful weekend! I had the absolute pleasure of signing books at Arvida Books in Tustin, CA, and I'm still glowing from the experience. It's such a wonderful indie bookstore with that perfect blend of new and used books and a genuine feeling of community that you just can't replicate online.
I got to meet some of you who follow along with these newsletters and my social media, make some fantastic new friends, and I was completely blown away by how many friends and family members showed up to support me. We're heading into the thick of summer now when everyone has packed schedules and a million places to be—I was truly honored to be on yours.
Summer Wanderlust vs. Reality
Speaking of schedules, what is it about summer that makes me want to abandon them completely? I've always been a summer adventurer, and it feels like it's in my bones and blood to jet off somewhere every summer in search of new experiences and stories.
It just isn't in my cards this year, and honestly, I really cannot complain or feel sorry for myself. I'm living in my dream home, staring out at the ocean every single day, and it genuinely feels like a vacation. Except it's not, because there are deadlines looming and piles of work to be done.
I keep reminding myself to take small breaks and embrace local adventures: trying new cafes, catching a music festival, packing a picnic for a beach bike ride. Speaking of which...
The Great E-Trike Adventure (Or: How I Nearly Wiped Out)
We just purchased e-bikes to do exactly that kind of local exploring! Well, e-trikes, actually. I wanted something super stable that could handle hauling beach chairs and a cooler without me ending up in the sand.
Imagine my surprise when I climbed onto my shiny new trike and nearly wiped out immediately! Turns out, riding a trike is VERY different from riding a bike. I never realized how much I rely on leaning to steer my two wheeler. Apparently, that's not how three-wheelers work. Who knew?
It's taking me more than a minute to get the hang of riding a three-wheeler again (emphasis on "again" because I'm pretty sure I mastered this skill around age five). But I rode for a mile or two this morning, and my confidence has been somewhat restored. I'm looking forward to cruising to Dana Point Harbor or the San Clemente Pier without the hassle of parking a car!
I may just write next week's newsletter from the sand. Stay tuned.