i know my readers are spread far and wide, so i'm hoping someone will drop me a line if you're reading this in belgium... 'cause i have a very specific question about a very specific belgian custom. (and, no, it has nothing to do with lawrence ferlinghetti.)

meanwhile, i've got a new ditty in the la times mag, which you can check out here, and another appearing in each of the next three issues. so stay tuned.