… after the Angels’ momentous loss. Still reading the Sports page first thing, before any other section of the newspaper. And still getting used to the fact that I’m a fan of baseball, and specifically, the Angels. As for football, no thanks, and boxing, as Sonia brought up the other day, Yuck. If anyone loves boxing, please, tell me why, and what it does for you. I want to understand…I do.

I have the best students in the world. As well as being and great people to know and wonderful writers, they know how to throw a party and make their teacher happy. A total surprise! I loved it. This is one of three cakes
they brought last night for a surprise birthday fest (which is actually next week, a dark night for the class, the night of the debate. What will my family be doing on my birthday? Watching the debate from a restaurant or home! Better order something easily digestible…).

Speaking of which … I’m trying not to veer into politics, trying not to put down Palin too terrilby much or repeat too often how McCain’s voice and the phrases he uses (“my friends” ERGH) bug me, so I won’t.

I’ll close now, and go work on my novel and The ASJA Monthly.

What’s new with y’all? Tell me something!

Friday night Travis and I went to an Angels-Red Sox playoff game. They gave out the thundersticks at the entrance. Fortunately the guys behind us clapped them above our heads and not beside our ears. A few seats down, though, a fan kept us going with cheers. I’ve never cheered so much in my life or stood at a game so much. Every so often I checked in with my subconscious: Remember this, I telegraphed. Remember the volume of sound, remember the color red, the green of the playing field, the way the players look so white and pristine.

Later, at home, where it was quiet, my ears were ringing, the way it sounds after you go to hear a band that is LOUD.

The Angels sadly lost this second playoff game and last night they played the Red Sox in Boston. Everyone was giving them up for gone. I was worried and nervous and said to Brian, I’m going to be very upset when they lose.

When? he said. When!? No, you have to say ‘I’m going to be very happy when they win. When they win!’

I Googled the patron saint of baseball and found the name St. Rita. So all night we remembered St. Rita. Brian played the Rita Meter Maid song and substituted lyrics. I called out to St. Rita. After all, what could be more natural for a saint than to cheer on an Angel?

And when the Angels came back, I thanked St. Rita.

What a game. As my cousin John would say, What a fricken game!

In the LA Times Travel section yesterday, I loved the article about the Dominican Republic. I want to go there. Streets named after baseball players, baseball on ESPN in eateries. Such an addict! It could be worse; it could be much worse, this addiction of mine. It could be cocaine or shopping.

Tonight I teach at UCI so there will be no baseball for me. It’s their fourth playoff game, which they have to win, or they’re out of the running. I will be thinking of the game, though, and the players, and be reminding St. Rita, silently, to help our guys out.

I want to write about baseball; I just don’t know what about yet.

But my sense overload of the other night isn’t apt to go away anytime soon. Remembering is a good thing for writing.

It can be a very good thing, indeed.

Next Saturday, the 11th, I’ll be in Orange at what sounds like a fun event. Check it out by clicking here.

Here’s that link, again, for the West Hollywood Book Fair taking place tomorrow. My panel is at 2:00. There are a ton of great panels. You can find the schedule on the WEHO Book Fair web site. Hope to see you!

My editor at Westways, Beth Fhaner, is the best. She sent me this link to my article in the current issue of the magazine.

Sorry, my Republican friends, but we’re drawing upon the election and I just have to post things like this. People who voted for her as governor of Alaska do not want her for VP. If she makes it, I may really have to become an ex-pat.