The trip to Arizona was a success, by all accounts. (This may seem like an odd way to talk about a vacation - a success?? - , but when you're traveling in a party of four people, two of whom have a great deal of influence over the tenor of the trip, and relative powerlessness about the agenda, you do spend at least some time walking on eggshells . . . ) But as it turns out, everyone got something: I really wanted us to have quality family time, which we did; Emil loved the desert; Charlie loved the Tempe nightlife; and Em . . . well, Em got to hate it . . . which has already been documented in what I'm calling, um, "Emma: Age Fifteen".

I'm also planning vignettes entitled, "Charlie Doesn't Want His Picture Taken," "Mr. Mellow Goes to Arizona," and "Grand Canyon." The first two are waiting for a soundtrack . . . soon, I hope.