(no subject)

Every time I visit Santa Cruz, it seems completely obvious that I belong there. It's not that I'd "fit in"--I'm insufficiently young at heart for that. But when I'm there I'm constantly aware of how happy I am to be there. It makes sense: leftist politics, lots of vegetarian food, and the sun glittering in over the ocean. It's the distilled essence of what I love about California.

Then I go home and I forget.

Anyway, tonight I finally made it to an open mike in Santa Cruz. (It's hard to get down there on weeknights when you have a job.) It was fun--people were nice, listeners were receptive, and I met a bunch of friendly musicians. I hope to do some more performing there, although I have a lot to do before the big trip, so it might have to wait until fall.

(no subject)

I love Today's Papers:

A WP piece, inexplicably tucked away on A8, quotes officials from the electric oversight group charged with preventing blackouts, complaining that they're underfunded and don't have any enforcement authority. A plan locked in the larger energy bill would address that, though the White House opposes the proposal (as does, a group founded by Ralph Nader). Perhaps this didn't make Page One because it was crowded out by the plethora of other hot stories, such as the A1 breaking news piece about the many New Yorkers who don't drive.