Not California, but the Hampden restaurant where I had a lovely brunch this morning. It's one of my favorite Baltimore restaurants.

The bathroom stalls have terrific graffiti, too. (I particularly like the red "Man Up" that has been changed to WOMan Up.") And then there is this sentence, which struck me as good advice for an author, two days ahead of publication:

"Right now, at this very moment, you are exactly what you need to be."

Not "where" -- although I certainly did need to use the facilities before leaving -- but "what." A lovely sentiment, one that reminded me that whatever pressure, doubts, etc. I have are all self-manufactured. I'm what I needed to be. In that spirit, I drove to the mall, looking for a coat that could serve in four distinct climates over 10 days and splurged on a ridiculously gorgeous golden metallic trenchcoat. Tim Gunn might not approve, but someone more important in my life does. (Not much more important, but slightly more important.)

So if you see me on the road, respect the trenchcoat and remember: You are exactly what you need to be.