Beatific

Every once in a while, people work together in a perfect symbiosis and my heart wants to burst, like the buds in a fistful of flowers that bloom all at once. Thanks, Humanity.

Cocky

You should all check out Taylur's superb story, "I Am My Rooster," up at Blackbird.

Story of the Week

Since no one likes Mondays, why not shirk your responsibilities and instead read Renee's categorically wonderful story in Narrative?

After reading it, I wanted to jump on a plane to eastern Nevada, to see how Ben and Ava are doing.

Monday Night Football

(Bryan--with Tim behind him, and Philip Rivers in front of him--

at the game. Photo courtesy of my mom and her digital television.)

Mad props to Tim for taking my husband out for a night on the town.

Tim won Jerome's Best Seats at the Q contest, which awarded seats in two leather recliners in the end zone for Monday's game versus the Jets (full disclosure--the latter is my husband's favorite team).

Bryan and Tim already had tickets for the game when Tim won these. I sort of thought Tim might take Lora, his wife, so they could enjoy the VIP treatment together. But Tim is a very good friend (a best man, in fact), and offered the other ticket to my husband.

Stories

I recently discovered an HGTV show called "If Walls Could Talk". If you love stories like I love stories, you might want to check it out. The dramatic recreations can at times be a bit corny, but the stories they tell about people's houses (typically the home's history, which also typically incorporates past owners) are fascinating.

The theme of storytelling continues. Today I read a Little Bill book to my Rolling Readers class. Basically, everyone in Little Bill's family has their "thing" (the father, jazz records; the mother, kitchen heirlooms; the brother, baseball cards). Little Bill doesn't. Upon learning of Bill's frustration, his great-grandmother asks him to make up a story for her. What follows is a silly, nonsensical story about a "something" becoming a "no big thing." I read those pages and thought, "This is like ninety percent of my writing."

I have been remiss in thanking Veronika, my mom, and Bryan for their editing assistance (in both English and Spanish) on a story I submitted to the Napa conference. The manuscript is by no means done, but it would be utter crap without each of your help. Muchas gracias!

"I Didn't Know if She Was Gonna Rub up on Me"

It seems my husband has a bit of bellydancer shyness. Last night at dinner (Armenian/Greek fare) Bryan, Steph, and I were treated to live ude music. Then, towards the end of the meal, dancer Nadira twirled and shook her way around the patio. I thought it was cool, but Bryan seemed a little squeamish. Afterwards, walking to the car, he confessed to be intimidated, because she'd dance directly in front of him whenever he glanced her way. And wouldn't leave. Steph had an acute case of heebie-jeebies, too; she'd watched a young boy tuck a dollar bill in the dancer's clothing. As usual, I hadn't known what was going on.

Tonight's dinner was spent with Pam, Becky, and, alas, no bellydancer. Bryan was doing well until he ate Pam's salmon nigiri. Luckily, we were able to order more, and BO was able to personally make it up with Godiva. Happy birthday, Becky. :)

Oh, and...HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DAD!

Mosey (No, Not a Misspelled Reference to Walter Mosley)

Brian Long recently asked me what triathlons I had lined up (none) and how my training was going (some running, very little cycling, no swimming). He was a bit surprised, I think, but I've been enjoying this slow life. Today, I enjoyed a little more slowness while also counting it as a day on my bike. Steph and I rode around Coronado in the beautiful summer sun. We stopped for corny pictures, picked out our new houses (Steph's choice? An $8.5 million property, but it comes with two houses), and dined at the swanky Hotel Del (in our not so swanky shorts and flip flops). Perhaps the next TCSD club race could be a breakfast with your husband, stroll along the beach, and take your dog to the park. BO and I (and Louie) would have it in the bag.

Spring Break

In a preparatory step to volunteering with United Through Reading's Inmate Program, I attended a training session at the local Juvenile Detention facility. For confidentially reasons, I won't be blogging much about my time with the program. But hopefully I'll be able to make vague comments about having a positive impact on others.

Stephanie--AKA World's Greatest Maid of Honor--is in town and came up with the brilliant idea of taking a dance class. Never afraid to make a fool of myself, I was up for it. Unfortunately, the class was cancelled, but we ended up at Target and then dinner. I wasn't able to make a fool of myself, but I was able to catch up with a wonderful friend.

Others

Happy birthday, Heather.

Good luck, Professor Matt, in Washington.

There is a wonderful poem, by Alison Stine, at Linebreak.