Oops

Have been working too much on the National Geo Traveler piece to write anything else of late. It goes well, very well, although it's coming in too long. This article started off as a 1500-word assignment, then was contracted for 3,000, reassigned at 5,000. I'm trying to keep it to 6,000, but may fail. One hopes this is simply the opening salvo on this subject, leading ultimately to a book. Already, the first spin-off from the research is done and bought, and there are other magazines sniffing around.

Not having as much luck on Japan pieces. Lousy time of year to try and sell these things. But Japan in winter is simply so very, very lovely.

Today's question: do I want to spend Christmas or New Year's on the ferry, headed to my new house in Skagway, a town four blocks wide and 22 blocks long, where it will be cold, dark, and the nearest junk food a 2-hour drive away, on roads that might not be much fun in the dead of winter.

Anything to get out of Arizona once and for all.