Lolita and Gilda do it again!

We're everywhere!!! We even had a Burlesque dancer show up Monday night...

Burlesque Beckons!!!

What could be hotter than three women taking it off?

W-A-S-H-I-N-G-T-O-N D-C!!!

A great song by the Magnetic Fields, an also how my day went---started out with a wedding brunch at the Mansion on O street---talk about gaudy and the pairings of ham on the same table as Matzoh Mall soup. Oh, the horror, OY! And then on to a gathering of small press people at the lovely and talented Kim Roberts' house where I met a whole slew of folks who share the good work of the word and love of no money and no fame!!! (aside, amazon just asked for 3 more of my books). We're on our way...

It was sunny and I drove and walked around the city and was surrounded by wonderful people, especially the guys of VRZHU Press who seem to be as fascinated with me as I am with them. Here's what they have to say about lil' me.

And you all thought you knew!

And here's a new side of Frank that I witnessed this morning. He chases his tail. Perhaps he and I are one and the same, going in circles and chasing what you already have. My Frank, a bastard whirling dervish!

Ahh!

Last night I had a great reading in Annapolis. Ahh Coffee reminded me a bit of readings at the Brady---it really seems like they have a tight knit community of regulars with a good influx of newcomers joining in. It made me a bit nostalgic for the less professional side of what we do. It made me feel more grounded in a way---and then when I got home, my fall teaching schedule was in my email...classes on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Ahhh roots! And just found out that one of my former students was accepted into the Creative Writing minor. And don't forget, Burlesque is on Monday!

It's G'Vine!

You can find me over here today!

Vacation Story Board

Frank is glad we're home. He came out from under the bed to greet us.

A view from Sausilito after a 3 hour hike in Muir Woods.

Above the Redwoods!

Jonathan doesn't like the dark beer in the Saturn Cafe in Santa Cruz :(

Carly likes the Argonaut at a SF Kimpton Hotel but hopes the uniforms at Rouge aren't this extreme!

Jonathan and the pretty ponies at Fisherman's Wharf!

Back Home

One of the things that I loved about all of my travels was the time to read. I had forgotten what it was like to get lost in a book. On the way out to San Fran I read Tammy Stewart Greenwood's Nearer than Sky. I have this goal of reading all of the books of my colleagues. I was dazzled from page one. It's amazing how much this book speaks to the short stories I have been writing. Tammy has a way of writing about intimate relationships between men and women and women that are related that are so true to life, it's hard not to recongnize part of yourself within each of her characters. In reading this book, I came to discover more about how I handle my own personal relationships and was able to come to terms with some of my own anxieties and coping mechanisms.

I'm now reading Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking. I even cried on the airplane---another book that will make you rethink how you live and make choices. I'm not done yet, but I think this will be on my list of all time must reads. Yes, I'm having a serious case of fiction envy right now.

Cali

I don't know why the whole world doesn't live here. I remember when a friend from college was graduating and I was heading for NYC for grad school and she was heading out to San Fran for a job and thought we had it backwards. Ah well, there is always the possibility! Today we drove down to Santa Cruz via US 1, stopping in Pescadaro for lunch (as Erika recommended!). We bought some great artichoke bread which we'll eat tomorrow morning. Bummed around Santa Cruz and the beaches along the road and had dinner at a great vege-diner called Saturn and then rented a hot tub/sauna in a Japanese garden before heading back to SF. Also got a t, that says "vegetarians have more fun" for Ramona!

Wrote two poems in the Dallas airport and had another mishap with Corona...got my knife stuck in the bottle---was trying to get the lime down. So that ended up in my ode to beer as well.

Had lunch with Alice Anderson our first day here---she is lovelier than anyone I have ever met. And we both even use the same Rosebud salve for our lips. Another poetry crush, and her permissions just went through for the anthology---some good karma out here!

Cat Update

I think I'll name him Frank. Last night Jonathan and I got him to come out from under the bed. So far, he likes to play with string and look at himself in the mirror. And he likes being brushed and having his belly rubbed.

Now off to meet the lady poets for tea...how cliche of me, cat, tea! At least yesterday I wrote an Ode to Beer with my students---don't blame me, they picked that. Of course they would---it was the day before spring break.

An Addition to the Family

I just found out that I'm expecting...a cat. The shelter finally got a declawed cat and as long as I prove that I'm a fit cat mother during the home visit tonight, I should have four paws running around by the end of the week. Here he is in all his glory---now I just need a name!