Rocky Raccoon, checked into his room...

You know you’re not in the South any more when you open the top drawer in the hotel where you’re staying and there’s the old Gideon bible...but also a copy of Teachings of the Buddha.

Yesterday was a big driving-around-the-city day. Got lost on the way to the Golden Gate somehow and a driving adventure (mis-adventure) that would have induced a panic attack 6 months ago wasn’t even able to ruffle me in the least.

This is an absolutely insane driving city. All the one-ways, the bus/streetcar/cablecar lanes. The symbol of driving here for me is coming up to an intersection with a “no left turn” sign...and a “no right turn” sign...kept imagining i was going to pull up to one that also had a “no going straight/backing up/or turning around” sign.

Signs, signs, everywhere signs...blocking out the scenery breaking my mind. Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the signs?

Did the tour at Arion Press yesterday. Met some great folks, and it far exceeded any expectations. Andrew Hoyem was in LA for a few days, so didn’t get to meet him. Highly recommended for anybody who likes books, art, artist’s books, type, tours, people...

Went to a thing for Dave Warnke with Julie last night. A program he’s working with to help teach street kids to turn their street art more in the art direction and less in the crime direction. Very cool. Met some lovely people. A girl with the biggest, bluest eyes clearly had a crush on me...but she was Dave’s nine-month-old daughter...We had a nice Italian dinner at L’Osteria in North Beach after driving around for a small eternity looking for a parking spot.

Headed down to Carmel Valley to see my sweetie today, then we’re heading back to LA along the coast.