…I did not meet my senator, but I did take some pictures.

Jaded Ibis had toys.

This reading was a lot better than it smelled.Oh, look! It’s the girl from the puzzle!

Justin Sirois explains to Debra Diblasi how RED DEAD REDEMPTION made him “teary.”

“Hey! I’ve got a Publishing Genius of an idea!”

“Wait. You don’t mean we should?”

“That’s right. Let’s stand up on this rock and invite writers to come read at this zoo!”

Mike Young: “I’ve got this thing about food. I could yell it.”Luckily Blake had this thing about goats and James is really into goats.

And here’s Michael Kimball who happened to be doing a reading at the zoo that afternoon.

Amy is more aware of the camera than Sasha.

Now Sasha trumps Lincoln in camera awareness.

Hawking Gigantics.

Great trip for Greg. He got a new job.

Tim prepares to read with me, despite the lurking presence of a mime named “Davis.”

The Hoyas won. By two. Should have been by more.

Really good to be back in the Charm City. Seems the same in a lot of ways – but better. It’s always had an active arts scene, but things are blowing up down there, especially in the words-on-paper world.

Here’s how it went (click pictures for details):

Went down Friday, and hit this place I used to call home. We talked to some of the current MFA students, who were very cool.

Then this guy seared us some amazing scallops for dinner.

These two friends dating back to my JHU days made it down from New England.

Our other dear friend from our writing group made the trip too.

Finally, met this guy who I’ve known over email for a long while.

He “paints” these images on his iPhone. With his fingers! (My phone died at the end of the weekend, and, inspired, I replaced it with an iPhone. I don’t think downloading a simple app will help me create things of such beauty.)

Met this excellent poet who uncovered the secret of free beer and food, and who also creates beautiful art.

Read with an old friend at the Baltimore Book Festival.

It rained the whole time, but our friends stuck out the whole reading (all eight readers).

The reading was hosted by these two generous human beings (and writers).

This is their series.

Also read with this guy, whose book (and presumably forthcoming book) can only be described as ‘important.’ This stuff has the power to change thinking (more on this later).

This guy published the other guy’s book, and a bunch of other amazing literature.

He invited us to see his band play. Awesome. He was good enough to take off his shirt (and join us for karaoke). This kid is tireless. Keep track of the things he touches.

Most of us finished the weekend at a Mexican buffet in the north of the city. Not as good as we remembered, but good enough. Hope all my readings are this much fun.