Defining Cafe Rio

For those of you who don't know, Cafe Rio is a local Mexican Grill along the lines of Chipotle or Barbacoa. Unlike more traditional Mexican fare, Cafe Rio food is notable for its fresh, bright flavors.

Anyway. I parked in the Cafe Rio parking lot yesterday, so I have Cafe Rio on the brain, including this observation: females (especially young ones) ADORE Cafe Rio, especially the salads with tomatillo dressing on the side. But I have to say I have never met a guy who would make Cafe Rio his first choice. Dude. Where are the refried beans swimming in melted cheese and manteca?

Still, they go. They go a lot with girlfriends and sisters and sometimes even moms, thus making Cafe Rio the perfect restaurant for women and the men who love them.

Am I wrong about this?

More conference talk

Well . . . I meant to post all week long. But I've been REALLY tired at the end of each day. Tired but inspired. Great 411 each day all day long. I think the thing that's hit me this time is how important it is that a story have exterior and interior action--and that both kinds should keep the narrative moving forward. Simple. But genius, right?

I've had a wonderful class this year. Excellent writers. Excellent critics. I want them to e-mail me at Christmas and tell me that they've finished their novels and sent them out. That would be a grand gift.

Yesterday my class took me to Joe Vera's on Center Street where we dined on Bandidos. Muy excellente! And then last night I had dinner with an old friend from Provo and we had chicken tortilla soup from Cafe Rio. Here's what I learned about eating chicken tortilla soup at Cafe Rio with a broken wrist. Dude. It's hard.

Tonight I shared cake with famous author Claudia Mills.

It's been a fine week.