I know, I know–Happy New Year!

Folks!

2008 people are saying was a rough one and I get that but mine was OK as they go. They are individual things as well, these things we call years. I hope yours was not so bad and let’s all hope that 2009 is better. And by better I don’t just mean better than 2008 but I mean, unhinged from this recent past, with noble imagination as referrent. Let’s all work together to appreciate this planet and to live, if not happily, then contentedly and with respect for all living things, even little bouncing fleas. Or at least marmots and llamas and things like them. God damn it, said Vonnegut, you’ve got to be kind! Yeah, and have some fun. Especially that.

So I just got back from the desert and it was, as usual, very nice. I feel calm. The stars … the odors that rose in the dawn from the wash … the light … the shadows … the friends … Yes. As usual it was a refreshing grind that offered contrast to that daily one. Let’s do that again.

And coming home hunger struck. Suddenly it struck. There were many options but I said, “Hark! Let’s wait til El Cajon. I know in yonder El Cajon a proper burrito can be found!” And it was. The first of 09.

It was perfect. Yes, perfect. It was a strange little taqueria like a folded piece of paper called, appropriate for the theme of this year, El Compadre. My compadre behind the counter described to me the ingredients of the chile relleno (which, somehow, are exactly the same as the ingredients at La Posta in Hillcrest: chile relleno, lechuga, y salsa enchilada–the only two that I know that do it just so) and I said, Si, pero lo quiero con frijol. And he did it no extra charge. Happy New Year!

The result: stunning as we drove homeward into the winter sun. And very generous. Again, the salsa was La Posta-esque, which is to say like spicy, fresh-cut grass. Strange, delicious.

And a happy New Year to you, friend! Y las pulgas!

Paz on earth.