The 14 Steps

Beatrice turns 15 months old on Wednesday and still no walking. But she's working on it. Here she is taking 14 consecutive steps on the Caltech campus.

Hot Dish

On Wednesday night I did a reading at the Echo Park Film Center with fellow writers and friends J. Ryan Stradal, Stacey Vanek Smith, Jonas Oppenheim, Margaret Wappler, and John Salcido.

"Hot Dish" was the first in a series of readings hatched up by J. Ryan and me. In keeping with the title, we served 4 different casseroles. Yes, casseroles, on the hottest night of the year.

Here's the story I read.

Here's the adorable program I designed (with Dev's help).

Our illustrious readers were L.A. Times contributors, NPR reporters, television producers, and award-winning playwrights! Also, me.

Together we learned about misanthropic cuddling, doggy detectives, curated grocery lists, mind-expanding Craigslist ads, self-help seminars, and parakeet reincarnation.

I didn't bring a camera but videos and photos are floating around online, I'll post one soon.

And if you missed it, fear not! I'll be reading again next month.

I also have two new columns next week and a new short story being published September 1 by Emprise Review.

Hot Dish

This month, come to the first in a new series of readings, Hot Dish. There will be quality readings by J. Ryan Stradal, Margaret Wappler, John Salcido, Stacey Vanek Smith, and Jonas Oppenheim. And I'll be reading the sort of mildly amusing personal essays for which I am certainly not famous.

Plus FREE CASSEROLE FOR EVERYONE.

At the Echo Park Film Center on Wednesday, August 25 at 8pm.

If you're in the L.A. area, go here for details and to RSVP.

The Road to Walking

Well, Beatrice is 14 months, 1 week old and still no walking! I admit, Dev and I are getting a little impatient. Especially since she crawls, stands, cruises, climbs, and does every thing except walk.

At least her cart-pushing skills have much improved. Today she and Miller, a recent walker, enjoyed pushing each other back and forth across the recreation center.

24 Hours of Travis

Travis spent a very brief twenty-fours visiting us in L.A., during which time he and Dev tried to teach Beatrice to walk.