June 12, 2009 - CORPUS CHRISTI, TX

Serious life changes are underway. In two months, I will cease being nomadic. That's right! After nearly three years of itinerancy, I have paid a deposit on an apartment so that I can have a "room of my own" once more. The occasion: grad school. I'll be starting a MFA in Creative Nonfiction at the University of Iowa this fall, mainly for teaching credentials, but also to live in a writing community and to work on my next book project. (Still can't talk about it publicly yet, but the research has taken me to some interesting places lately, including the San Francisco Zen Center and a couple of maximum-security prisons.)

In the meantime, I'll be spending as much time on Mother Road as possible. I just returned from a glorious ten days in sunny Brazil for my best friend's wedding, and will soon be jetting off to Boston, New York City, Syracuse, Dallas, and San Antonio to speak at a variety of conferences and workshops, plus a week in Ireland with my boyfriend and family for vacation. Orale!

Here's wishing you all a beautiful summer.... Thanks for stopping by y saludos.

April 26, 2009 - SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Sorry for the silence! I've been traveling like loca lately, but just had an experience I must share with you:

Monday, April 20, 9:30 a.m., I was lounging in bed at the historic Adolphus Hotel in downtown Dallas, recovering from a weekend of teaching, when the quiet of the morning was assaulted by sirens. A fire engine and squad car cacophony were topped by an announcement over the intercom: "A fire has been spotted in the building. Take your room key and evacuate immediately."

I leaped out of bed, overwhelmed by all I suddenly needed to do: pee, brush my teeth, get dressed (as I wasn't wearing a stitch), bolt. I glanced out the window and - to my horror - saw what appeared to be every fire truck in Dallas hurtling toward me. This clearly was no drill. There had to be a fire, somewhere in the building. And I was on the fifteenth floor.

Yanking on a bathrobe, I grabbed my laptop and scrambled out the door. The hallway was eerily quiet: not a soul was about. I raced toward an exit and started barreling down the stairs in bare feet. Again, I was alone. Twice in my life, I have thought I was going to die, and experienced that eerie phenomenon of images of friends and family passing before my eyes. Not here: I just murmured "OhGodOhGodOhGod" as I tried not to trip. On the eighth floor, I encountered smoke. Not get-down-on-all-fours-and-crawl smoke, but smoke enough to fear that I would soon see flames. This is where I started to panic. Was life really going to end here, half naked and barefoot in a stairwell in Dallas?

Seven flights to go. Six, five, four. On the third, a man stepped out, dressed in a bad suit. We exchanged wide-eyed looks, but he was far calmer than me. I continued down the stairs, gripped with worry that the final door would be locked. It wasn't, but it led to the hotel kitchen, also deserted. Where the hell was everybody? I continued running (and screaming) from one exit sign to another until I finally found one leading into a parking lot. The door opened to a chaotic scene of firemen, police, and hotel management - the latter of whom darted toward me (the crazy lady in the bathrobe). One ushered me across the street to a police station, where I was led into an isolation unit to calm down.

This story continues, but let's jump to the kicker. The man from the stairwell turned out to be... David Sedaris! He's on tour right now, promoting his new memoir (which is, no joke, called When You Are Engulfed in Flames), and I've apparently become part of his nightly monologue. In his version, I'm hysterical by the time we meet in the stairwell. At first, he wants to save me, but then decides that I need to be slapped instead. How funny is that?! Apparently, he is speaking in Berkeley tonight. Tickets are sold out, but I'm tempted to show up in my bathrobe and run across the stage....

January 24, 2009 - WASHINGTON, DC

Finally, four days later, I have recovered enough from the inauguration to write about it. It is one of those experiences that words seem to cheapen, for it was triumphant and joyful, magic and glorious, and mad crazy fun. But I'll try anyway.

We arrived to our nation's capital on Sunday, roughly three hours before the start of "We Are One," i.e. the greatest concert ever assembled: U2, Bruce Springsteen, Shakira, Stevie Wonder, will.i.am, Sheryl Crow, John Bon Jovi, John Mellencamp, and Beyonce, plus actors like Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks, and Steve Carell, and even Tiger Woods. They gathered on the steps of Lincoln Memorial to sing songs of unity ("This Land Is Your Land" and Bob Marley's "One Love") and read excerpts from the finest political speeches composed by American minds. Joining this revelry was no easy feat: security was intense and the crowds topped 400,000. But we maneuvered to a spot where, if we leaped in the air, the performers were visible (albeit half an inch tall). The organizers had erected JumboTron screens throughout the Mall, but those were hard to see as well. My friend Suzy ended up watching the JumboTrons through the video camera of a man standing two body layers in front of her. But no matter: the music was fantastic and the energy ecstatic. We danced and sang in the bitter cold, tossing beach balls and applauding the efforts of nearby tree-climbers (one of whom carried a life-size cut-out of soon-to-be-President Obama). The undisputed highlights: U2 playing "Pride (In the Name of Love)" as a tribute to the Rev. Martin Luther King (whose birthday was the following day) and Garth Brooks. I'm not a country fan, but that man can seriously rally!

Next up was the Texas "Black Tie & Boots" Inaugural Ball on Monday night. My boyfriend Kevin nabbed tickets (at $200 a pop) by joining Washington DC's Texas State Society, and we invited two friends to join us. Kevin slid on a snazzy tuxedo; I opted for a black cocktail dress and red cowboy boots. Getting to the ball was quite a hike, as it was held at the new Gaylord Resort & Convention Center out in Prince George's County, Maryland. Why so far away? Because the Texas State Society had sold 12,000 tickets. Apparently, it was the only place that could fit us. But for all its glamour, the Gaylord turned out to be a miserable location. The coat-check, for one, had lines numbering several hundred people apiece. We waited over half an hour and got charged $5 a head for the pleasure. But you couldn't beat the people-watching. No one can do faux-formal like a Texan. We saw diamonds and furs, Stetsons and silicone - sometimes on the same person. And so many cowboy boots! Hand-painted, rhinestone-studded, a few with flashing lights. Mingling with the crowds were the red-white-and-blue members of Texas' famed drill team, the Kilgore Rangerettes. They're like the Rockettes, only in cowboy boots instead of stilettos. Confession time: when I was in high school, these ladies were my heroes. Even more embarrassing: I joined a drill team because of them, the Mary Carroll Tigerettes. You can stop laughing now. I AM from Texas, remember? I once took great pride in being able to kick my own cowboy hat off.

But! Black Tie & Boots wasn't just a gathering of silicone and Barbie dolls. Politicians abounded, as did Denzel Washington (spotted, it seemed, by everyone but us). Not too many Asians, but there was a healthy African-American presence and a number of Latinos. Unfortunately, the entertainment didn't reflect this. Some twenty-five bands played throughout the night on five different stages, and every single one was country. Who planned this, and have they actually been to Texas? Where was the salsa/conjunto/Tejano music? What about a hip-hop deejay from Houston? Or a funk rock band from Austin? How could the planners have been so narrow-minded? This wasn't a Bush ball, after all. We came to celebrate Barack Hussein Obama! Who in the Texas State Society didn't get that Memo? The only "representation" I could find were the bowls of chips and salsa on the buffet tables. Lame, lame, lame. The Texas State Society also forgot to plan an exit strategy for its 12,000 guests (another sign that its organizers were Bushies). We made it to the taxi line at 12:30, but by 1 a.m. had only moved an inch, in 10-degree chill. Forty people stood in front of us, and hundreds huddled behind, bitching incessantly. We wound up hopping a shuttle to the furthest Metro possible, caught the last train into the city, and fought the crowds on U-Street for a taxi for a 3 a.m. home arrival. Aye!

But our spirits were high, because now it was Tuesday, the day so many citizens never thought would come. We rolled out of bed a few hours later and started walking. And walking. By 10:30 a.m., we had joined the human ocean lapping against the Mall: waves of African-Americans, Asians, Latinos, Muslims, Jews, immigrants, activists, foreigners, ancient ones, children, people in wheel chairs, teenagers, soldiers, housewives, urbanites, suburbanites, farmers. People from every state, every nation, every race and nationality, all sweeping into the Mall with smiles upon their faces. Texting faraway friends "Could this be true?" Snapping photos to prove it. We maneuvered through the masses to Washington Monument, hoping for a view, but too many thousands had the same idea. Instead, we caught a human drift to a JumboTron and beached upon it. For the next hour and a half, we waited in the blistering cold, stamping our hands and feet. Jimmy Carter appeared on the screen. Uniform applause. Bush One: we hissed. The Clintons: cheers all around. Bush Two: resounding boos. How weirdly beautiful to be in such a massive crowd that shared such similar sentiment!

And then he appeared, the man we had traveled so many miles to see. The man who has - for the past two years - inspired us to cold-call strangers, sign petitions, register voters, and empty our pockets. Who lured us out of bed and onto the street this wintry morning to witness an instant of history. For a moment, the Mall was silent, as if awed by its own significance. And then voices erupted from all sides at once. We were shouting, laughing, singing, dancing from the Capitol to Lincoln Memorial and beyond. Waving as if he could see us. Chanting as if he could hear us. Praying as if he could feel us. For it wasn't just his victory but ours, something we had collectively achieved and were sharing together with joy. Obama isn't only our first African-American president (as extraordinary as that may be). He is also the first leader (in my lifetime) who genuinely seems to get it, us, and the terrible situation we are in. The road up ahead is long and it is treacherous, but if any man has a shot at leading us through, perhaps it is this one who melds so many and so much of us: Kenyan, Kansan, Hawaiian, Indonesian, Christian, Muslim. Who is, in many ways, our most "American" president yet.

I've spent more time on this than I intended, but there is so much more to say. Images I want to share with you. Like the surprising number of elderly people who had been wrapped in blankets and wheeled in chairs to bear witness. Or the gathering of drummers and chanters who started playing "We Shall Overcome" moments after Obama's address. Or the way 1.8 million people spontaneously screamed "Nah nah nah nah, nah nah nah nah, hey-heeeeey, GOODBYE!" when Bush's departing helicopter swooped overhead. But I'll end with the refrain so many chanted as they stumbled toward home, considerably lighter than when this journey began: "Yes We DID! Yes We DID! Yes We DID!"

Feliz Obama, everybody. May the New Era begin.

January 14, 2009 - LAKE FOREST, IL

Feliz New Year, everyone, and greetings from the wintry Midwest. I'm tucked away at a colony called Ragdale, along with a dozen amazing writers, painters, sculptors, and composers, commencing a new book project. I'm not ready to speak about it publicly, but it's taking me to some interesting places.... Anyway, Ragdale's deadline for the next season is fast approaching. Here is their application. You'll love it here, I promise!

So who is heading to Washington this weekend? It is looking to be the greatest street party this nation has ever thrown. I cannot wait to join the revelry. My boyfriend nabbed us tickets to the "Black Tie and Boots" Texas Ball on Monday night. All of my "formal wear" is still in storage in New York City, so I'm opting for flamboyant: red cowboy boots and a black cocktail dress. Yeehaw! I'm also psyched about the People's Concert set for Sunday at Lincoln Memorial. The lineup is unbelievable: Bono! Bruce Springsteen! Shakira! John Mellencamp! So much happiness; will our hearts be able to handle it? I am crazy thrilled to be celebrating the victory of our nation's first president-of-color. OBAMANOS!

What other news can I impart this month? Some groovy events have been scheduled for 2009; please check out Bloc Party for listings. A recent gig at Google is posted here on YouTube. As for any Portuguese speakers out there, my guidebook 100 Places Every Woman Should Go just got translated and published in Brazil! You can buy it here. Oh, and I'm judging a Travel Writing Contest organized by Beth Whitman of Wanderlust and Lipstick. The winner gets a 15-day trip to the Sacred Land of the Incas. Check out the details and send us your stories prontito.

Here's wishing you all much peace and joy in the new year. Gracias for stopping by.

December 1, 2008 - CORPUS CHRISTI, TX

Have I got a holiday treat for you. I've just joined a great new travelblog group called Passports with Purpose, which is hosting a fundraiser for Heifer International, a nonprofit organization that seeks to eliminate hunger and poverty around the globe. This month, we'll be raffling off some amazing prizes (including all-expense-paid vacations, clothes, books, and CDs) on scores of travel blogs. All proceeds will go directly to Heifer International. Thanks to the generosity of ExOfficio I will personally be raffling off a "His and Her Travel Shirt" package valued at $148. (Do a search on ExOfficio for the Men's Air Strip Shirt and Women's Dryflylite Shirt. Que cool, no?) These and other groovy travel prizes can be found on Beth Whitman's Wanderlust and Lipstick blog.

Ready to raffle? Visit First Giving to make your donation. For each ten dollar donation you make, you’ll be entered into the raffle for the prize you’ve selected. Be sure to enter your email address and the prize you want to win in the comments field, so we can notify you if you win! The contest runs from December 1st through the 29th. The founders will pull winners and notify them via email on December 30th. Many thanks and happy shopping!
 

November 13, 2008 - IN TRANSIT, CORPUS TO MIAMI

What glorious times! After eight dreary years, we have finally snatched back our nation. I have never been more elated about being American. Thanks to everyone who helped make this happen. OBAMANOS!

Lifetimes have passed since I last wrote. The book tour has whisked me around from the Northeast to the Midwest, Southwest, West Coast, Texas, and -- starting tomorrow -- South Beach! I'll be one of 400 authors participating in the Miami International Fair of Books, the largest of its kind in the world. Please stop by and say hi: I'll be signing all weekend at the National Latino Book Club booth.

This weekend, I'll also be joining Eva Mendes on American Latino TV! Okay, okay, not at the same time, but... we'll be on the same show. Check it out: http://americanlatino.tv/whatson

October 1, 2008 - NEW YORK, NY

It breaks my heart to say this, but my Washington DC event has just been cancelled because the bookstore where it was scheduled -- Olsson's -- has just filed for bankruptcy. That's right. Yet another independent bookstore has succumbed to Amazon. I've been scrambling around, trying to find an alternative venue, but am running out of time, so... I'm afraid there will be no "Border Party" in DC this time around. I'm hoping to return in the spring, so will be in touch about that.

September 17, 2008 - CORPUS CHRISTI, TX

Many thanks to everyone who wrote in the wake of Hurricane Ike. My hometown, Corpus Christi, was incredibly lucky to have been spared its wrath. We had a storm surge of about five feet that flooded a couple dozen homes, businesses, and motels in North Beach, but that was the extent of the damage. It has been absolutely devastating to see the destruction of Houston and Galveston. My heart bleeds for those communities. I am hoping to organize a fundraiser for some artist friends who lost their work in the flood. More details to come soon. I was actually supposed to be in Houston this week to speak at Lone Star College and the Latino Book and Family Festival, but those events were cancelled. I hope to reschedule later next year. To everyone in Houston & Galveston: Please accept my deepest sympathies. Godspeed....

In other news... I am excited to be included in an art exhibition by Cindy Kane called "Helmets." It features the handwritten notes of some 50 foreign correspondents on 50 steel helmets. Mine includes my Russian visa, notes from Mozambique, and ear plugs. Check it out: http://www.cindykane.com/helmets%2011.jpg. The helmets will be displayed in a group show entitled "War As A Way Of Life" from September 27 - December 19 at the 18th Street Arts Center located at 1639 18th Street, Santa Monica, California (www.18thstreet.org). If you happen to make it out there, please drop me a line and let me know what you think.

I'll be touring around South Texas for the next week, and then -- it's time for the Gran Manzana! New York, Washington DC, Boston, Princeton, and Philadelphia. Looking forward to connecting with all of you on the East Coast. Saludos!

August 8, 2008 - CORPUS CHRISTI, TX

Mexican Enough is officially out! I can't believe it. My life has revolved around this book since December 31, 2004. First was the 8-month trip to Mexico, followed by six months of academic/journalistic research and drafting five versions of the book proposal, selling the proposal to Simon & Schuster, then another full year of living in artist colonies while actually writing the book. I handed it in at the end of last summer, took a brief breather, then embarked on the edits. And now I'm about to devote the next six months to promotion. Que loca! A million thanks to all of you readers for sending so much love. I seriously couldn't have done it without you.

My awesome friends John and Irene at the Tango Tearoom/Yin Yang Fandango here in town just helped me create a MySpace page for the book that includes MP3 files, so you can listen to me read two chapters at www.myspace.com/mexicanenoughthebook. Check it out!

July 24, 2008 - CORPUS CHRISTI, TX

Saludos desde the sodden south! I returned to Corpus from a 10-day romp around the Berkshires, just in time to greet Hurricane Dolly. My bungalow is located about 70 feet from the seawall, so it's been a little intense. We've been pummeled by rain and wind for 24 hours now, and waves have actually scaled the wall and flooded the lawn. Yesterday, we were under tornado watch for much of the afternoon. At one point, the floorboards began to rumble!

Anyway, just wanted to give y'all a preview of Mexican Enough, which is excerpted in Texas Monthly's August issue: http://www.texasmonthly.com/2008-08-01/griest.php. Hispanic Magazine is running an interview in its August issue as well, and Urban Latino and Alcalde are printing reviews. I am still booking fall gigs: 15 cities and counting. (Tucson, Miami, and San Francisco are in the works.) My deepest thanks to everyone who has written in the past few weeks; your letters mean the world. We'll be launching this baby in just two weeks!

See you on the road!

June 12, 2008 - CORPUS CHRISTI, TX

Hola, beautiful people!

Just returned from a month at the lovely Can Serrat art colony in the Montserrat Mountains north of Barcelona, Spain. I logged in a good eight to ten hours of work a day, then went hiking through the surrounding olive groves and mountain wilderness, drank red wine from a barrel, and dined on the latest creation of Norwegian chef/wizard Anne Tonne. Heaven! Writers, take note: Can Serrat offers full scholarships to two writers annually. Apply between January 1-31 and July 1-31 via their website at www.canserrat.org.

Now I'm back in Corpus Christi, Texas for the summer. I'm renting a little bungalow right on the bay and planning my upcoming Border Party Tour for Mexican Enough. Click on the Bloc Party link above for confirmed gigs. Many more are in the works in cities like Austin, San Francisco, Boston, Madison, and Miami. We're also lining up some good media coverage, the most exciting of which is that Texas Monthly Magazine will excerpt the first chapter in their August issue! You can preview another chapter of Mexican Enough in the May/June edition of World Literature Today at: http://www.ou.edu/worldlit/onlinemagazine/2008may/Griest-essay.html.

That chapter profiles the amazing Mexican artist collective Malaleche and their exhibit on the murders in Ciudad Juarez. Mexican Enough has also been chosen as the August read in the National Latino Book Club, which is sponsored by Borders Books, the Association of American Publishers, and Las Comadres Para Las Americas. On Monday, August 25, I'll be doing a live teleconference with readers, and the first thirty to sign up will get a free copy of the book, shipped out by Simon & Schuster! I'll post more details on that soon, but you can learn more about the Book Club at www.lascomadres.org.

Other happy news: 100 Places Every Woman Should Go won "Best Travel Book" in the 2008 International Latino Book Awards, which were announced at Book Expo America in Los Angeles. Thanks to everyone who has sent good wishes about that.

Bueno, I need to start updating the rest of this baby. Hope this finds y'all peaceful and well, and that our paths cross soon. Thanks for dropping by y saludos!

April 23, 2008 - NEW YORK, NY

Hola everybody!

As you can see, my web site has undergone a bit of a face-lift, in preparation for the launching of my new memoir, Mexican Enough. I hope to upload all the changes by mid-June. Thanks for your patience. I've started this journal as a way of posting news. Not quite a blog, but I'll try to write something every couple of months.

I'm in New York City at the moment, but heading to Barcelona, Spain, for the month of May to work on a new book project. Please send your muses that way.

Happy spring y saludos!

Stephanie