I bought my plane tickets to the east coast.

I'm flying in and out of DC, and then will go up to New York to read at Segue with Tao Lin. It will be good to see people that I haven't seen in a while, and to meet Tao and hear him read, since I haven't done either. This isn't until October but I'm thinking about it because I haven't been on the east coast since I left. Also, because I always think three months ahead, I'm really thinking about December now.

It has cooled down. It=the weather. Does weather cool? I guess the temperature does.

In San Diego, it isn't the temperature outside that matters so much, but the temperature inside. Outside it was in the upper 80s, which isn't that hot, but because the buildings here aren't made for temperatures above 75, it was hot inside. Very hot. In the winter, it is cold inside. I don't turn on the heat because it is an old heating unit that is basically like a very large stove burner--it's creepy. Anyway, after spending time in San Diego, I've become more sensitive to heat, but not the cold. I don't know what it means that my temperature point of reference is inside and not outside. This is like using a treadmill workout to describe a walk outside.

I'm glad they're here, exclamation point.

Sandra and Ben are in San Diego county and they came up to dinner last night.

I made:

Egyptian spiced carrot puree with a garnish of toasted almonds, coconuts, coriander and cumin seeds all ground up together. I always feel like toasting whole spices before grinding them is a huge pain, but the spices really do taste better afterwards.

A thick, herbed yogurt that was more Turkish than Persian.

Skordalia--a kind of Greek garlicy potato dip with hazelnuts and other things.

Another version of muhammara (red pepper,pomegranate molasses, and walnut dip). This was my best version so far, though still not as intense or as thick as the kind we had at Ara's uncle's restaurant.

And some grilled lamb loin with a parsley, lemon and walnut sauce. Grilled lamb loin is always good. I marinaded it in what is becoming my default marinade--yogurt, some kind of chili pepper, cilantro, garlic, lemon juice, and lots of baharat seasoning.

There is a rock hyrax at the San Diego zoo--we only saw one, but there were signs indicating that a whole rock hyrax colony might be there! Remember, those aren't big buck teeth, they're actually little tusks.

And also, there was a flying fox!

Various Ye Haws

I have new book making and binding supplies.

I will pick up the bike on Tuesday. It will have new brakes and and a new saddle! I will have a better helmet! Eee!

I'm going to be teaching a TOFEL preparation class this month.

I wrote another poem today but will not post it!

I met people yesterday that I will probably never speak to again.