A FEW THINGS

- It rained very briefly here in San Francisco sometime last night. How about that!

- Given the cost of fuel and air pollution, does it make sense to maybe outlaw the use of leafblowers unless they're the electric kind? Whatever happened to just using a rake or a broom, anyway?

- I just discovered a long, thin, shallow scratch on the underside of my right forearm, right where a cut would be if I suddenly decided to ~~+XendX XitX XallX+~~. I do not remember the cause of this scratch even a little.

MORE OF A STEW THAN A SOUP, REALLY

I'm learning to restrain my boundless love of potatoes when making myself chicken soup from scratch, but it's still a process. Is it just that I'm not using enough broth? Two cans seems like a lot to use, but when I throw in all my ingredients, it turns out not to be a lot of liquid. Maybe I just need to use more, huh.

I'm not really complaining that hard; soup's kind of impossible to fuck up even if it gets fucked up, you know what I mean?

AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' (MOSTLY)

During the better part of the last two weeks, the following things occurred:

- I went on a small-scale tour of California with my band

- We played shows in San Francisco, Modesto, Merced, Hollywood, and Fresno

- I learned that my car's AC should probably get recharged, though honestly nobody needs that in San Francisco

- I discovered that you should always trust Twitter (or Wil Wheaton speaking through Twitter) when it comes to traffic updates
-- Corollary: Also trust Google Maps
-- Further Corollary: Maybe there is something to this whole "Web2.0" thing after all

- I was joyfully reacquainted with the Beatles' early catalog

- I met up with several different groups of my best pals under circumstances most happy
-- And got extraordinarily drunk with some of them
-- And bore witness to the champion drinking status of certain others

- I was reminded that San Diego Comic Con is one of my most favorite, surreal times of year

- I was physically present for the event described here -- in fact, I'm the one he points to in the very last moment of this video
-- Something that has to be mentioned is that I got the sense that Jonathan Frakes is a man who genuinely enjoys injecting moments of unrestrained magic into the lives of people who would just be happy to get a wave and nod from him
-- Also, seriously, Avery Brooks can play the piano, which is not information I knew before

- I introduced myself to Kaki King but did not have the presence of mind to find a place to put the free sandwich I had been given seconds earlier; this resolved itself eventually, but it took some doing

- I ate dinner with one of my all-time favorite authors anywhere ever, his lovely wife, and four other unimpeachably excellent humans

- I slept passed out in motels, on the floors of friends-of-friends, on couches, and on futons with purring cats transmitting bone-knitting healing powers into a body that needed it

- I paused every once in a while during this entire thing to reflect on the utterly sterling quality of the people I have come to know in my life
-- If you saw me this weekend, and you are reading this, do not doubt that I am speaking of you
-- Yes, you

I knew that was going to be long, but there was no way around it. Happy end of July, people. To cap it off, I updated the Dogblog. I don't know if I need to mention it anymore when I do that.

MIDSUMMER MADNESS

Internet, consider this your notice that I may be pretty scarce on you for the next week and a half. Be excellent to each other. I will return.

LIFE/SPICE RATIO REMAINS HIGH

Here's something you should try doing: refer to the act of going to the bathroom as "fulfilling the prophecy." For instance, if at a fancy dinner with important business clients, stand up and intone to your table companions, "Excuse me. I must fulfill the prophecy. I shall return." This will lend the appropriate gravitas to any social situation you may encounter.

TODAY'S IMPORTANT FACTS

1. I am actually supremely glad they altered Wanted for the movie, because the comic would have made absolutely no sense in cinematic form. Also, props abounding for being able to make a single kiss the sexiest thing on any movie screen this year.

2. You have two days before The Definite Articles hit the Rickshaw Stop with the Brass Liberation Orchestra and Mucca Pazza. I have seen the latter live; you do not want to miss them. Or us.

155 Fell St, 94102
Thursday 8pm
$12 (I know, but it's worth it)

We're first to hit the stage, so don't be late. Parking around there shouldn't be too big an issue, either, and it's crazy accessible from BART or MUNI.

3. You are fantastic. Change nothing.

THIS BETTER NOT BE PERMANENT

I got my phone wet this morning, which I'm guessing caused a minor short that made it heat up and dump a whole bunch of battery power. I've opened it up and taken the battery out, and I'm just going to let it calm down (read: dry, hopefully) over the next several hours before I put the battery back in and turn it on. This better not be a permanent thing. I actually like this phone, and would not want to buy another one. Although if I do, it'll just be another copy of this dude, let's be honest.

I am not getting an iPhone. I can't be fussed with switching carriers and working out a whole new plan, not right before leaving on vacation. I choose to wait.