San Francisco & Big Sur, California

Jules and I escaped to Northern California for a week of adventure and discovery.  We began our trip with an overnight in San Francisco, then visited Berkeley to attend a two-day couples seminar, followed by a journey along the coast to Big Sur where we enjoyed three days of mountain air and stunning ocean views ... Yes, Sir, Big Sur!

Creative Writing

Thirteen narcissists in a room.

One occupies the head of the table,
fondling his first published novel,

Milk Toast, 

which the university press declares
"a wry and energetic romp" 

chronicling the misadventures 

of an associate professor struggling with success
and an arranged marriage gone awry.

He admires the glossy cover of his book
while the rest of us huddle in groups of four

to discuss dialogue construction.

"Good dialogue should sound real," 

someone offers.

"It should advance the plot," 

says another.

They turn to professor.

He nods.

"Alright," professor says, 

"here comes a timed exercise 

to help you think more creatively."

He produces an assortment of newspapers
and instructs the class to find story ideas

in the headlines.

"You have twelve minutes."

I'm handed a paper 

and encounter a piece covering

a group of Japanese students
who built a world-record-breaking,

one-hundred-foot-tall structure
made of Legos.

The Japanese celebrated

with a parade of streamers, 

fireworks, and musicians.

The fireworks grew out of hand. 

The wooden platform supporting their creation 

caught fire.  

Attempts to control the blaze failed.

The structure collapsed.

A photo shows teenagers 

standing in horror and weeping.

The headline reads: 

       JAPANESE LEGO-TOWER RECORD 

       DESTROYED BY FIRE.

But those students:

        the months of planning and labor,

        their monument to God knows what 

        disappearing in flames.

I pass the paper.

Others scribble furiously,

pencils racing.

"Time's up!"

I get the hell out of there

and hustle to the Student Union Bar

before the story

gets away.

**First published in The American Dissident

**Illustration by Morgane Xenos

Thai Steak Salad

     This warm-weather salad is great for a romantic evening or intimate dinner party.  The bold flavors will surprise your guests and excite the palette.  The conversation is up to you.

INGREDIENTS 

• 4 limes, juiced
• 1 lime, quartered
• 6 tablespoons fish sauce
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon coarse black pepper
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 red Thai chilis, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped salted peanuts
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 pounds Asian sirloin steak
• 4 green onions (green part only), chopped
• 2 cups fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 cup carrot, shredded
• 1/2 cup sugar snap peas with pod, chopped (optional)
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced thin
• 1 cucumber, halved, seeded and sliced thin
• 1 mango, peeled, pitted, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
• 1/2 pound bean sprouts
• 1 large bag mixed spring lettuce

     1).  Whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, soy sauce, olive oil, brown sugar, Thai chili, garlic and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl.  Place steak (room temperature) in a non-reactive bowl with cover.  Marinate 30 minutes.  Reserve remaining marinade in a small bowl and refrigerate (also 30 minutes).

     2).  Toss mixed spring lettuce, green onions, bean sprouts, cilantro, sugar snap peas, carrots, red bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes and mango in a large bowl; add peanuts and a light portion of the reserved dressing (marinade); toss.

     3).   Heat grill pan over high heat.  Place marinaded steak in the pan, pouring remaining juice (from the steak bowl) atop the steaks.  Sprinkle with black pepper and cook, turning once, until desired temperature (about 4-6 minutes on each side for medium rare).  Transfer to a cutting board; cover loosely with aluminum foil.  Let rest 5 minutes.  Set aside the grill pan, keeping the pan juice in tact.

     4).  Slice steak across the grain into strips about 1/2 inch wide.

     5).  Divide salad mixture among plates.  Top each with steak slices.  Pour pan juice over the steak.  Pour remaining marinade over salad mixture.  Garnish with lime wedges.

 Accompany with a bottle of bold, red wine ... We like Tempranillo.

SERVES 4-6

Iyla Grace 2.0

   Iyla Grace 2.0 is available today.  New features include solo walking (still in beta), belly laughs, and teeth … The 1.0 release was miraculous.  Happy First Birthday, Sweet Girl!

Flirting

As far as

she is concerned,

the difference

between

my flirting

with an

attractive woman

and merely conversing

with one

lies in whether

or not

I am

enjoying

myself.

Zoo Report

He preferred the sea lions.

He admired their tranquil eyes 

and playful hijinks,
the ease with which they cut through water 

like a rollicking circus.  

He enjoyed them lounging in the midday heat, 

their ripe bellies basking in the California sun.  

Pups tossed a beach ball 

as human primates gathered 'round the exhibit
armed with chattering cameras, 

stuffed panda bears, 

and a detached curiosity afforded those 

atop the food chain.  

A man with a camcorder 

berated the docile, elder sea lions: 

        "Do something, you bums!  

        Do something!"  

His orders were ignored.

A boy launched a spitball at a sleeping bull.  

His mother pulled him aside and paddled him,
drawing shrieks from the child 

and hot remarks from nearby adults 

critical of her technique.

Harsh words were exchanged, 

escalating to threats of violence.  

The man with the camcorder attempted mediation, 

resulting in an awkward scuffle 

with a stout, walrus-looking gentleman.  

A caretaker arrived with buckets of herring.  

Sea lions surged onto the embankment, 

barking with wild enthusiasm.  

The crying boy took solace 

in his mother's embrace 

while eager bulls shuffled 

to the front of the gathering.  

Cameras scurried to capture 

the bustle of excitement.

  

Bystanders applauded 

as the ruffians were escorted to the gate.  

All was well with the animals.

**First published in Austin International Poetry Festival's 

      Di-Verse-City anthology

Colorado Trip

Iyla's first plane trip was a flight to Colorado where we visited family and friends in Denver, Vail and Boulder.  Julene and I hoped to encounter Rocky Mountain snow -- snow being such a rarity in Austin -- yet settled for immaculate weather and quiet off-season in ski country. 

6:00 AM Peek-a-Boo.  The hotel was our playground.

With Cousin Chris Van Vuren in Denver

With Aunt Roo (Amy) and Cousin Cohen at the Denver Botanical Gardens

Cedar & Hyde Mercantile co-founders, Christie and Poss Lambert.  Their store opened in Boulder, Colorado this week . . . Congratulations, you two!  

With Aunt Poss and Jared Southard in Boulder.

"Papa, take me for a walk?"