This is the first year I haven't had a chance to go to the LA Times Festival of Books since it began--it's always one of my favorite events of the year--so I'm grateful that Mark Sarvas over at The Elegant Variation is blogging live. It's not quite the same as being surrounded by books and people who care about them, but it's a good vicarious visit. The LA Times is following its grand tradition of ignoring me and my work (dramatic sob), but one year I hope to be part of the festival schedule. Even if they never invite me, though, I will continue to go and soak in the fabulous readings and panel discussions and tents upon tents of books.

I suppose I could have gone today--our hiking trip was cancelled because of rain--but I was too wiped out to move. Matt and I didn't get home from his gig until 4:30 in the morning. It's weird to suddenly be ushered into the rock and roll lifestyle in my late 30s! I am still fuzzy headed and bleary eyed from the late night and all the smoke--the bar allowed smoking inside, which surprised me (and bummed me out) tremendously. Once again, I danced like crazy, so my lungs feel scorched. I'm ultra sore today, too, but it felt wonderful to let loose and get all sweaty. Bucksworth was incredible. So was the band who played afterwards, Rancho Deluxe. We stopped at Canter's Deli on our way home; even though I didn't go to a seder this year, at least I can say I have eaten some matzo (in the form of matzo brei) and horseradish this Passover season.