The reading was good! Despite the torrential rain, there were probably 25 people in the audience, which was a much better turnout than I anticipated. The bar was awesome -- with couches! -- and there was a good stage with a podium, fabulous soundguy, etc. Everybody read fairly dark work, which seemed appropriate (and two of the stories, in a bizarre coincidence, prominently featured intestinal parasites; made me want to throw a line about guinea worms into my story!). I read and it went fine, and I drank "solstice punch" and as much of Heather's hot toddy as I could coax out of her. I met Todd, the founding editor of Opium Magazine, and he gave me a copy of their latest issue, which has nice design and some very funny parts, or so it appears from a browse on the train. And we got home before 10 p.m., even. All in all, a good night, even though I got very damp.

During the day yesterday -- which was another day off from work -- I didn't do much except wash dishes, do a little laundry, play Splinter Cell: Double Agent (a birthday gift), and bake snickerdoodles. So it was a good day, too.

Here's wishing everyone happy holidays and much festivity!