Speaking of validation, I can't help but notice that my new design involving pies and also a pie made of heads has not won any accolades from the fine Diarist.net people. Come on. They are PIES. There are HEADS. What's not to love?

(There's actually no such thing as a Design Award this time around. I just wanted to mention my pie made of heads because it brings me joy.)

One thing I keep meaning to mention is that I will most likely be back in Los Angeles the last week of December and will be available for fun or frivolity--or maybe both at the same time if I'm feeling really saucy. I thought about trying to get in touch with all of the people who will be in town for the Wedding of the Century, but it's quite possible that everyone will be so busy with the WotC that I won't be able to see them. Which is sad for me, but understandable. If you will be in town and have free time, you know I'd love to see you. Pam, call me! (HAHAHA.)

That actually reminds me of karaoke, which in turn reminds me of our Holiday Shindig this weekend. In addition to the tent, the waiting list, the limousine trip to wine country, and the almond champagne (I've had Veuve Clicquot and Dom Perignon--the almond is better, people) there will now be a professional karaoke machine at this party.

I have never forgotten the sage karaoke advice of Pamie, which is this: "You have to commit to the performance." I have also never forgotten that our level of "commitment" to karaoke actually got us blackballed from at least one karaoke bar. But I can't be blackballed from my own party, so I plan to do much commitment to the performance, helped along by my commitment to drinking at least two bottles of almond champagne.

The holiday season is going to be in full swing, starting tomorrow with our office Christmas party. Apparently it is followed by an infamous afterparty, where everyone does drugs and has sex with married people, so that should be fun. Then comes the Holiday Shindig, and then our department potluck dinner (I am making goat cheese toasts with rosemary, honey and pecans). The day after that is a gift exchange with friends. And more plans are in the works, of course.

I have not bought anything for anyone. Moving on.

Oh, good news on the writing front. I got my issues of Poem featuring my poem. It's a beautifully produced magazine, I have to say. I also got a charming acceptance letter from the editor of the Tulane Review who invited me to send more work and also is publishing one of my more bizarre poems in their upcoming issue. According to my records, I am still waiting (and waiting and waiting) to hear from seven markets. So that's exciting. Not to mention that slow response times usually mean good news, right?

I know I haven't been writing or submitting enough this year, and my number one and two resolutions for the new year are to carve out one night per week for writing, and to finish and submit my manuscript. That's in addition to sending my poems out to magazines, once I've heard from the last few places that still have my work.

Okay, I am all done with my Top Secret Classified Advertising Work, so it is time to go home. In the immortal word of Jen Fu: "Whoosh"!