My two e-mail acquaintances who were in the Gulf Coast evacuation are safe. Blasted the hell out of their homes and hurting emotionally, but they're physically safe and well the hell away from the worst damage.

I finally heard from a friend of aoniedesade, someone I met through Caitlin R. Kiernan's phorums, that Ms. DeSade is OK. I'm guessing she's somewhere inland in Mississippi (she lived only blocks from the beach). Also in Mississippi is Poppy Z. Brite (docbrite), near Jackson with her husband. They've taken refuge with Poppy's mom. Poppy got to a Jackson Internet cafe yesterday afternoon and spread the word to those of us who know her. It was the first we'd heard from her since reaching her mom's Sunday night.

Poppy and her husband Chris DeBarr were part of the exodus from New Orleans. These are two people who deeply adore their city, as much as they make fun of how it was like a Third World country. I only really know New Orleans through Poppy's work; I've been adoring her "Rickey and G-Man" stories, about a longtime couple, John Rickey and Gary "G-Man" Stubbs, founding a successful New Orleans restaurant called Liquor. Poppy's love for her city is a major part of that work.

I can't imagine Portland being hurt the way New Orleans has been hurt. I can only hope I never have to.

Strangely appropriate: the radio just started playing Green Day's "Wake Me Up When September Ends." Is that good advice?