A week or so ago, artmouse (my commentary indicated like so) and I were attending a lecture/discussion by noted author Haruki Murakami at the local Zellerbach Hall (which is, regrettably, not a library)(*tear*).

He turned out to be hilarious and charming. He was missing some baseball game in Japan (edit: he was actually lamenting over missing the Tampa Bay Devil Rays game, which in his lovely Japanese accent sounded like A's, so at the time I was very happy that he is an A's fan, but now I am not so happy upon realizing he isn't, the A's haven't played a game since September), and apparently the opportunity to talk with Thom Yorke, in order to pay us a visit. I was flattered. (!!! = my reaction at the time)(We felt loved, that he flew all the way over here instead of meeting with Thom. I wouldn't have been so nice if put in his situation.)

But immediately before he came on to speak, the master of ceremonies made a fatal announcement:

"Mr. Murakami has expressly forbid any photo or video documentation of the following event. Please respect his wishes"

I suddenly felt a task coming on. I wasn't certain it was an active task, or even a task, but I figured, eh, what the hell. This is what the game is about, right? (He suddenly gasped aloud and got this really mischievous grin on his face, making me momentarily very nervous)

So I got out my camera and started fumbling.

My first couple of attempts were throwaways. Flash was clearly not an option. But light was very low, and the only things I had to steady my camera were the people in front of me. Which may have gotten me kicked out faster. So I was shooting Annie Hall style.
Meanwhile Murakami was reading his short story, "The Rise and Fall of Sharpie Cakes" (Tongari yaki! Tongari yaki! Tongari yaki!) (a very good story that you should go and read - I can lend it to you) in Japanese, eliciting many laughs from those in the audience who spoke Japanese and those who wanted to look like they did.

So close!
Meanwhile, Murakami was talking about the letters he gets asking about squid. (and whether they have ten hands or ten feet)

Wow.
I had no idea that Murakami did not want to be captured on film because he was a vampire. (He's on the left)

That explains the seemingly unnatural energy he shows in pumping out books every year. (jealous. and considering vampirism.)