Dan White

I’ve only been to one before in my life. Determined not to look at any of the name tags and see if I can recognize everybody. There is an outside chance that I will have a most unusual chaperone (or driver) for this particular event. By the way, I just stumbled across this crazy story about a woman who went to the same high school as me, but instead of going to her 10th reunion, she hired a stripper to go in her place! Wondering if this is a true story. Personally, I don’t think I’d get away with doing something like that. http://cactuseaters.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Thank you to Helene, who wondered if my Fuzzy Tree (see below) is part of the Yarnbombing trend. Check this out. http://cactuseaters.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

In Santa Cruz, people knit sweaters for trees. See below. http://cactuseaters.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Trying to make a reasonably sophisticated-looking mollusk puppet for an art project that is due in the coming weeks. It must be made out of cheap, easily available materials. It needs to have large and bulging eyes, a moveable mouth, etc. Send me advice or links off-blog if you’ve got them. (Nope, I’m not kidding.) http://cactuseaters.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Just wanted to let you know that I will be speaking and signing books at the 2011Literary Orange, a literary festival in Southern California. I know it’s a little early to get the notice out — it’s not happening until next April — but I’ll send reminders out before then on Facebook and elsewhere. It will be great to see everyone. I will be part of a travel-writing panel. Check the website in early fall for the full line-up. Last year the keynote speakers were Karen Joy Fowler and Dean Koontz. http://cactuseaters.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Disclaimer: There is some chance that the chickens described in a previous blog entry could cause Alektorophobia. http://cactuseaters.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Cactuseaters review: Glaum egg vending machine. Aptos, California. The Glaum chicken farm egg vending machine exceeded expectations, combining good nutrition with wholesome family entertainment and overall dollar value. Here’s what you should do: drive down Highway One from Santa Cruz and take a left on Freedom Boulevard, then take another left on Valencia. Soon, on the right, you will see the chicken farm, and signs pointing to the vending machine, which is open all the time. Seriously. You could drive up there at three in the morning. Anyhow, make sure to bring three crisp dollar bills (no quarters.) Insert the bills into the machine. Suddenly the curtain (blocking a small window) will go up, and 10 dancing chickens will emerge. They will sing. They will dance. They will wiggle their small, feather-covered butts to the tune of a loud Benny Goodman song. The song will go on for a very…

I will be taking part in a big literary event in springtime down in So.Cal (where lots of family lives.) Will post more when it’s official. Sorry to be vague, but it will involve a discussion of travel writing, plus book signing and more. http://cactuseaters.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

My parents have just gotten back from their 60th(!!!)wedding anniversary cruise. (That really puts things in perspective, in this day and age when people can’t even buy futons together anymore.) In other news, my visit to the Glaum Egg Vending Machine (featuring a group of dancing robot chickens) was a big success. Will post pictures when I figure that out. http://cactuseaters.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

This weekend, I met a live bat, and now I am about to visit the famous Glaum Egg Vending Machine. Full report soon. http://cactuseaters.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default