Oh, by the way, it's the festival of the Autumn Moon. I just mention that in case you want to come across like someone who knows what they are talking about, when it comes to Chinese holidays. If you go you Chinatown, you'll find moon pies for sale, in honor of this occasion. Closer to home, I can tell you Saul survived his ordeal in the dessert. His urinal went over so well that a couple got married in it, and another guy wept at the beauty of it. He didn't mention whether that guy had eaten a peanut butter sandwich with a sprinkling of MDMA, which can make you more emotional.

Lately, meaning all week in the evening and all day saturday, I have been busy with a little side project, a commercial for KFC, which stands for Kentucky Fried Chicken. I'm doing it on spec, but I think it is coming along and should be done soon. It has a Saber Tooth Tiger in it.

I went down to the Marina Green today, just walking around, and while I was sitting there staring at a bird who seemed to be staring back at me, a seal came swimming by and kind of jumped out of the water right in front of me. It is still disorienting to think that right up the street from where I live there are seals jumping out of the water. There were also two military helicoptors flying in formation together, circling the bridge. And by the bridge I mean the Golden Gate Bridge. Just the other day in conversation someone said something about "you have to go the city for that" and I presumed they meant Manhattan. Hard to adjust to that.

Went to a place called Tommy's tonight, which about six people had recommended. It is the kind of place that crossed into accidental kitch, by virtue of their decorations, which were intended as kitch, but are like a Latvian immigrants vision of adding western color by hanging all sorts of farm implements and boots and stuff from strings. So it is sort of like a demented Ground Round. The food is mostly stuff I don't eat, like Buffalo meat, oxtail, and corned beef, but there is a charm to it. You have to serve yourself pickles from a barrel.

Today is also the going away party for my friend Dan, who is moving to Hanoi with his two twin newborn babies. I couldn't attend, as it is taking place in New Haven, where he lives and will be for another few days. I can't say I think it is such a hot idea, but maybe I'll use it as an excuse to visit Viet Nam. More likely I will not though.I left too many of my buddies face down in the mud to ever go back.