Okay - I was going to begin my series on how to photograph a literary landmark today, but that will have to wait a day.  I've got news to report.  First is that the book launch party for Walking Boston is tonight at Amherst Books at 7:00 P.M..  I hope you will join us to celebrate the launching of my third book in three years.  It's been quite a ride so far, and I am thrilled with the path I've taken.

Secondly, I just received the October 2008 edition of National Geographic Travelerwith my very first printed piece in it.  I did an online guide to Boston for NGT's "Places of a Lifetime" series, but this is in actual print.  Best of all, it is a travel piece on Buffalo, New York.  Of all the places I discussed with the editor, she chose a piece on the new art scene in Buffalo.  As one who thinks Buffalo is the most underrated, least-deserving-of-a-bad reputation city in America.  Take that Detroit, Hartford, and Fresno!  There are two lessons I've learned from this:  the first is that you need to be flexible in this business.  Sure, I wanted to write about Dublin, Salzburg, or Corona del Mar, but I was assigned to Buffalo.  More importantly, I learned that there is a story almost everywhere.  The more I dug into the city, the more cool things I found.  Like the reopening of the Darwin D. Martin House -- a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece lovingly restored.  Or the Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center in a restored 1867 church.    There are new restaurants opening up and new flavors taking their place alongside Buffalo wings and beef on weck.  Check it out and check out the piece at your local newstand!