This is a delightful book whether read, or as we are doing, heard via audio book. Mr. Bennett is an actor as well as an author and playwright; the out loud version, read by himself, adds authenticity and sparkle. The British really have the accent down.

The novella gives us Queen Elizabeth, as a result of a contretemps with her ill behaved dogs, accidentally discovering the traveling library that visits Windsor and, long story short, gradually acquiring a reading habit to the consternation of her family and minions. Why? Well, reading is self indulgent, a thing done by oneself for oneself and therefore not seemly for a monarch. Inspecting shoe and cheese factories is so much more the thing, and her schedule is cluttered with such lethal command performances. Before long HRH is reading in the carriage, book held devilishly out of sight below the level of the windows, waving on automatic pilot to the crowds without taking her eyes from her book du jour. There’s no turning back; she’s a goner.

The Times of London review taps the larger implications of the slight tale, although in the reading/listening the humor is gentle rather than pit bullish to be sure.

“… beneath the tasteful gilt -and -beige cover seethes a savagely Swiftian indignation against stupidity, Philistinism and arrogance of public places, and a passionate argument for the civilizing power of art.” The Times, London.

I’d like to think our fearless leaders are so vapid at their teleprompters because between the lines, projected in a plane only they can see, works of art and literature engage their true interest, and we are only getting the leavings, the Queen’s wave.

Betsy Dorfman / Fine Art Shipping

FAST, CHEAP, GOOD – Pick two. Also known in our circles as the “MBA in a box” this formulation holds that of those three elements you will only get two in most business transactions. You don’t get all three. Think over the products and services you buy and it is amazing how this holds up over a range of experiences. If it’s fast and cheap it’s not good. if it is fast and good it isn’t cheap. Good and cheap it isn’t fast. Are there exceptions, sure. Hence, the fish sandwich!

The halibut sandwich in question (and photo ) is made by Canetti’s restaurant in San Pedro CA. At $8.95 breaks the mold: fast, cheap and way beyond good. Also available in cod, salmon or whatever else is fresh (see below) – and it’s grilled, not fried! Skip the tourist traps at Ports O’ Call Village down the road and drive five more minutes to this authentic place for a true bargain despite the seedy (appealingly, we think) look and the usually to be avoided nautical trappings. Normally we shun restaurants with anchors, buoys or fishnets out front, all three having proven reliable quality contra-indicators, but Canetti’s trumps the rule here as well. You may have to pour your own coffee; you may get offered a piece of someone’s birthday cake and you will have a hard time deciding between the offerings, all listed on blackboards — no menus.

You won’t leave broke or hungry. If fish isn’t your thing they have many other dishes, some, as the family name suggests, leaning towards the Italian. When was the last time you saw a meatball omelet on a menu? This is the kind of place that Calvin Trillin calls the antidote to “La Casa de la Maison House”- the “destination” restaurant of which the seafood variety is often called the something Grotto or , god help us, anything by-the-sea. Those establishments however also break the rule by managing to be slow, expensive, and awful. Take Mom to Canetti’s next Mothers day instead; she’ll be too busy eating to miss the tablecloth. Is there a place like this in your neighborhood? Send us a link! If this isn’t artist food (segue alert) what is?

Canetti’s Seafood Grotto
309 E 22nd St
San Pedro, CA 90731

(310) 831-4036

Across the parking lot and open in the early, very early, as in 5 a.m. early on weekday and Saturday mornings is a strip of wholesale fish markets that sell retail at hurry on over before we change our mind prices. They won’t sell you a quarter of a pound of anything and quality can vary but it’s worth a trip and a look see. Seals in considerable numbers hang around the water side of these docks scavenging for scraps, an extra bonus if you bring the kids. Followed up by a plate of salmon and eggs at Canetti’s there isn’t a better morning at any price.

The fast, cheap and good paradigm does have relevance (bet you guessed that) in the world of art shipping and shipping in general. In most instances expedited or faster shipping is more expensive. As is expedited packing, crating, or “first on” / “last off” service provided by art shuttles. The price structure for fine art services across the United States is in fact remarkably consistent. In most major markets all the serious contenders with museum quality facilities and services charge about the same. There are regional differences but these typically are in the 10-15% range.

When comparing bids among multiple companies our advice is to beware the entries that are either way high or way low. As there is remarkable parity in most markets the “oddball” price is a red flag. If it is fast, cheap and good it might be too good to be true. Ask for specific information as to the packing standard that will be imposed, the type of vehicle used for transport, and get all of the information including delivery schedule in writing in advance of booking. Two out of three can be bad if it is the “good” or quality part of the equation that is being shortchanged.

You will get best pricing if you call early, give accurate and complete information about the items to be shipped, and have flexibility in your shipping and receiving schedule.

* You may detect one, ok perhaps several, biases in these posts. Fish is one of them.

Betsy Dorfman/FINE ART SHIPPING

Artist Robbie Conal and Track 16 Gallery, both incidentally customers of FINE ART SHIPPING, have teamed up to present a retrospective of the artist’s gloriously politically incorrect work. A seriously trained artist, Conal is best known for his takes on right wing icons who are treated with the attention to satiric detail they so richly deserve. To confront Conal’s Nixon or Phyllis Schlafly on a dark evening in the warehouse is a must stop and shiver moment not to be forgotten. For the younger set, there is plenty of George W and Cheney to go around, as well as a foray into positive depictions of “good guys” painted in the wake of 9/11.

Here’s a link to the recent Los Angeles Times article on the show, which opened October 19th and runs through November 22nd.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-et-robbieconal13-2008oct13,0,1778852.story

Although the timing of this exhibition to coincide with election fever couldn’t be better, there is a range of works on offer and not all are political.

FINE ART SHIPPING salutes Mr. Conal for 30 plus years of speaking truth to power. And congratulations also to Track 16 Gallery for another “must see” exhibition. Before Jon Stewart there were these folks, and they are still at it when and where it counts.

Betsy Dorfman / FINE ART SHIPPING