John Kilroy 10.19.01

Probably the coolest thing about moving from writing to reading one's work publicly is the opportunity to meet people in poetry. I read last night at the Pale Ale Poets gathering in Laguna Beach, held Thursday nights at 8 at the Laguna Beach Brewing Company. I think John Gardiner has been doing it for something like 10 years. He's the nicest guy. He makes everybody feel important. There were probably about 25 people there for the 2 features. I'd report on them, but I'm mixed up on who was which. Then, I met the guy who does the Next Calendar, G. Murray Thomas, and he's another nicest-guy-in-the-world. I just wanted to thank him for his work. I use the Next Calendar a lot. Then, someone named, I think, Carol Luther, came up to me and just thanked me for being there. Where else in the world does that happen?