I had hoped to do another journal entry before leaving for Texas, but, alas, I didn't get the time to do so. I went with Mi Camote to visit home--Austin, Texas. We just got back on Tuesday. And if I could figure out how to post pictures I might post a couple. Gotta figure out FTP and such.

Austin is a beautiful city. The capital building is just cool, with a new edition built underground to preserve the beauty of the capital grounds. They had designed it in such a way to let daylight into those underground corridors and offices using, basically, skylights.

Also in Austin, I discovered Mexican bakeries. Empanada De Pina! Empanada De Manzana! Empanada De Camote! Cemitas De Nuez!

At X's mother's house, we spoke a lot of Spanish. That is they did as I floundered for the words as I learned and practiced saying them.

We climbed Enchanted Rock and I was enchanted. Nice view.

It was hot, but bearable. More bearable in airconditioned buildings.

X and I had a long trip back. On our connecting flight outta Minneapolis, we had a two hour delay sitting in the damn plane. Computer malfunction and then the captain told us the new computer said a specific valve was closed or malfuncioning, but other tests by the technicians proved otherwise. The head tech gave the plane the go ahead and we took off, but I would have felt more comfortable in a fresh plane. When the flight attendant told us to reset our watches to Pacific time, she subtracted one hour instead of two and didn't correct herself, we had to wonder--Are You Sure About That Valve?

Add rough turbulence (again, are you sure about that valve?) early in the flight, long lines to the restrooms and bored, jumping, screaming children to make my most unpleasant flight ever. But being next to Mi Camote helped a lot.

I read a Robert B. Parker novel during the trip. Looking For Rachal Wallace on the recommendation of X (I wanted to read a Spenser novel and asked her for a good one). It's an earlier novel--published in the early eighties--and I enjoyed it. The dialog was great and it moved the story along quickly, giving needed information and characterization. I don't think any two characters sounded alike. That's good dialog, good voice. The Boston setting was good too.

I'm back on the ground, back home, ready to go back to work on the novel.

With the subject of Clarion in my last entry, I come home and find an e-mail from Clarion classmate, Paul Newman (has nothing to do with the famous actor). He's in Los Angeles now (originally from Florida) and he's sending out stories and is working on a script. Paul was my neighbor during Clarion, or suitmate--every two dormrooms share a bathroom. Good to hear from him. Glad to hear he's still writing.

Stories Circulating: 7

On Desk: 3 (After The Sky Fell just came back from Atlantic Monthly)