After missing my Week Two goal last Friday, I was in such a state of pessimism that I didn’t bother setting a carrot for this week: I figured I’d just take what I could get. As things worked out, though, I have just wrapped up the second half of Act 2 and am ready to write the reveal and roll into Act 3 tomorrow. (None of this is a coincidence: Rachel has been taking care of the girls almost full time all week to let me get caught up.)

So: A Friday celebration! Fortunately, there was a ready-made one waiting for us over at North House: A barbecue and contra dance that the girls theoretically slept all afternoon to get rested up for. The beauty and glee that characterize my family life right now are in bizarre contrast to the cynical vulgarity of the Pismo story—but you’ll find out all about that as soon as I can get a decent edit put together.