Well, I was thrilled last night when my very first ever New Orleans event was totally packed. I estimate about 80 people showed up at the Garden District Book Shop uptown for wine, food, and then a lecture by yours truly. I had actually had a beer beforehand, breaking one of my cardinal rules of public speaking, but it seemed appropriate for a New Orleans crowd. In my audience were old high school teachers, high school friends, and their familes, as well as members of the New Orleans Secular Humanist Association, which helped cosponsor the event.

Now it’s off to Houston, where I’m speaking as part of the Texas Freedom Network’s Faith and Freedom Speaker Series. Apparently I’ll be introduced by former Clinton science adviser Neal Lane (which is really cool). Hope to report again from the field soon enough…