I got some nice e-mails about Carrie Pilby over this weekend, after not having gotten any in a few months...I guess people had some chance to catch up on their reading this weekend. Give the gift of Pilby. That reminds me I have to finish the sequel for next year's holiday novella collection, to debut Nov. 2005.

Welcome back to waking up, putting on clothes, and going to work! It's Monday and I hope the turkey has digested well.

I finally finished edits on this draft of the third novel. I've been working on parts I and II in separate files, and over the weekend, I finally fused them together into a whole for the first time (evidence). I kept peeking at pages and finding new mistakes, but at least there's nothing to make me cringe (that's a crucial test. It takes a while to get it to the point where I've excised all the stuff I don't like).

It came out to 359 pages, believe it or not. Appox. 90,000 words.

There's still plenty of work ahead, but it's a great relief to have finished a draft after thinking about it for years and tinkering with it for many years more. The germ has germinated.

Next step: My lit agent will look at it, let me know what she thinks is worth changing and worth keeping, and I will go from there. I have a sense of what parts need work, but I didn't want to change anything else without professional wisdom, lest I cut out the best parts due to overediting.

Oh, the Giants lost, but we enjoyed going to the game anyhow. (That's American football, for European readers.)

And to the guy who complained about blogs: I don't think 1/2 of the world cares about this!!!

This is MY kind of weather - pouring rain, strong winds. And yet I am going to the Giants/Iggles game later.

I got this e-mail yesterday from someone I don't know:

Ya know, I'm really not trying to be a shit, but all this blogging...expain the attraction to the author ...what ever happened to diaries, and journals? pen and paper people!!! Why does one half of the people on the planet seem to think that the other half is interested in their every waking thought. DS.

I wrote back:

Why are you reading them?

I haven't heard back yet.

But actually, he makes an odd assumption. I don't think any of us believe half the world wants to read what we write. It's not as if there are only seven addresses on the internet and this is how each of us uses ours. The people who find their way here are either friends or people who for some reason were interested in my writing. I don't put every waking thought here, except, "Woke up, put on clothes, went to work." And I do keep a paper journal. Which is even more boring.

Funny Yahoo headline: U.S. marks holiday with parades, football

Oh, from now on, you may call me...

Erin Blogovich.

Just kidding. I came up with that last night at dinner. I checked the internet and no one else has used it! Shhhocking. Usually, someone else has come up with almost everything.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

You may have noticed that I haven't even had time to update this in a few days. Also, large amounts of e-mail have collected in my box. I'm trying to catch up, but work is keeping me busy.

I am thankful for all of you who are friends, and for all who are acquaintances and also those who are just blog readers.

Right now, it's dark and rainy outside. I'm thankful I'm inside someplace where it's warm and bright. I hope you are. Have a great turkey or Tofurkey, you turkeys.

Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.

So I sit down and read a page of my book and then make a bunch of changes in pen. Then I put them into the computer and print them out. The next day I read the page again and put it all back to the way it was. Then I think about it at night and I realize I shouldn't have put it all back. So I undo the changes. And on and on.

I lack the distance to know. I can't read this book anymore. It will go to someone who can tell me objectively whether it's in good shape the way it is, or if it needs more work.

Soon.

Wes created this lovely artwork of me...if only I looked that good!

The Daily News and Post today had similar covers...with one difference. They both had Spongebob Squarepants movie icons on top of the page. The Daily News' main story was "FOWL FIENDS FOUND." The Posts's is "FOUL SHOT."

However, the Post story is about the Knicks, while the News' story is about a woman who was sent to the hospital because a gang threw a 20-pound turkey through her windshield.

HISTORIC TECHNOLOGY MOMENT

I just got an e-mail from my father....and it included the phrase...

"LOL" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.

This morning, on the way to work, the local crossing guard (a lovely person) stopped me at the corner to tell me all about the book she's been reading on the Clintons.

HER: Hillary Clinton did some teeeeerrible things.
ME: Oh, it's probably written by some Republican who's out to get her.
HER: No, this is her friend! Hillary doesn't have a good attitude toward single parents. It says she's always trying to be like Queen Noor, and it doesn't work. And she lets Bill Clinton get away with everything!
ME: At least she tried to keep their marriage together.
HER: Did I tell you about the letter I sent her? What happened?
ME: No.
HER: I e-mailed Hillary Clinton a letter and I said, 'You should smack Bill across the face on national TV. That would solve all the problems.' And she had her secretary write back to me. And her secretary wrote back two words: 'Good idea.'

I have asked to see a copy of this e-mail, but she says her hard drive got switched and bla bla bla bla...

Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.

Ned Vizzini's great book 'Be More Chill' got named Book of the Month on the Today Show this morning by the venerable Judy Blume...watch what this does for its Amazon ranking!

Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.

Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.

Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.

I heard back from Kingsley.

DEAR,

please call me on ( 22507258813 ) u know there is war in
my country i will like you to call me first so i will know
what next to do bye

THANK's
KINGSLEY

please you can call me on ( +22507495921 ) so you will
contact me please await your call

I wrote back:

It's starting to sound like a scam, but good luck with everything, and God bless.

Hey, the guy has to make a living too.

I got through another edit of the book this weekend. Now I have to do the worst part: Print it out and read through it, making corrections, and then input them. Ewww. Takes forever.

Woke up, put on clothes, didn't go to work.

Rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard is dead at 35.

Is it me, for a moment?

Okay, so someone actually got offended that I took the blog link off my main page. You can still find it here. It wasn't because I don't like you. I just figured that people who Google me should come to the regular page first and not develop preconceived notions by finding the blog next - it only tells a little part of me, and there's so much I don't put on here. I always fear people will think that the characters in my books are based on me next, or that they know me just by reading the blog. In any case, it's not you.

Dawn sends this link showing that people in Bush states gave more money to charity. #1 is Mississippi. I don't get it!

Woke up, put on clothes, didn't go to work.

I know I've gotten so off-schedule I haven't been writing that. Anyway...

I got a small marigold-colored envelope from Newsweek saying "LAST CHANCE" in red in the cellophane window. I thought to myself, "I know I would have renewed that." I looked at my copy of Newsweek to see how soon it expires. The date for my subscription to expire is October...2006!!! So I opened the envelope. It says, "LAST CHANCE...YOU MUST ACT NOW TO USE YOUR SPECIAL 2-FOR-1 OFFER."

Newsweek, kiss my grits. Don't send me nonsense to threaten me! Can you imagine if I didn't know to look on the address label of my magazine to see how much time is left? It's not as if you tell me anywhere when you send me these offers. If I was a naieve old lady I would have renewed and probably had a subscription until 2025. I like your magazine, but give me a break.

Anyway, the offer says I have until Dec. 15, so that's like another month.

Wait...I just looked at it again, and I can get a year PLUS a bonus gift of a year to a friend for $41.08 total. That is a pretty good offer, actually.

Woke up, put on clothes, didn't go to work.

I know I've gotten so off-schedule I haven't been writing it. Anyway...

I got a small marigold-colored envelope from Newsweek saying "LAST CHANCE" in red in the cellophane window. I thought to myself, "I know I would have renewed that." I looked at my copy of Newsweek to see how soon it expires. The date for it to expire is October...2006!!! So I opened the envelope. It says, "LAST CHANCE...YOU MUST ACT NOW TO USE YOUR SPECIAL 2-FOR-1 OFFER."

Newsweek, kiss my grits. Better yet, ---- you. Don't send me threatening crap. Can you imagine if I didn't know to look on the address label of my magazine to see how much time is left? It's not as if you tell me anywhere when you send me these crappy offers. If I was a naieve old lady I would have renewed and probably had a subscription until 2015. I like your magazine, but give me a break.

Anyway, the offer says I have until Dec. 15, so that's like another month.

Wait...I just looked at it again, and I can get a year PLUS a bonus gift of a year to a friend for $41.08 total. That is a pretty good offer, actually.

Scam e-mail post of the day

I actually decided to answer a scammy-looking e-mail. Here is the conversation so far:

HE WROTE:

DEAR,

IN BRIEF INTRODUCTION,I MR KINGSLEY APETTE, THE DIRECTOR IN CHARGE OF AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING SECTION OF BANK OF AFRICA ABIDJAN COTE D'IVOIRE (BOA-CI ABIDJAN, COTE D'IVOIRE,FORMELY KNOWN AS IVORY COAST IN WEST AFRICA.

WITH DUE RESPECT AND REGARDS, I HAVE DECIDED TO CONTACT YOU
ON A BUSINESS TRANSACTION....

MY DEPARTMENT CAME ACROSS A HUGE SUM OF MONEY BELONGING TO A DECEASED PERSON, MR LEONARD.P.SMITH ,AN AUSTRALIAN CITIZEN WHO DIED IN 11 SEPTEMBER 2001 WORLD TRADE CENTER ATTACK ...MR SMITH HAD BEEN A MILLIONAIRE RANDY BACHELOR AND ALSO A WEALTHY LEATHER, TEXTILE AND SEA FOODS IMPORTER IN COTE D'IVOIRE.

I WROTE BACK:

Sounds good, Kingsley - Just send me the money.

HE WROTE:

then help me in the transfer call me on ( +22507495921

I WROTE BACK:

OK, give me your phone card number and I will call on your dime!

I haven't heard back yet.

It's a dark and stormy night.
And I'm going home to write.

But before I forget, I must thank the entrants to the poetry contest:

Wendy:

With enough tequila,
Cindy Crawford
Would look like Bob Vila

With enough wine,
Michael Jackson
Would look just fine.

With enough Merlot,
Willie Nelson
Would look like J-Lo.

With enough martinis,
Rush Limbaugh,
Would look like Isabella Rossolini.

Jon:

With enough crack
Gary Coleman
would look like Shaq

and finally,

Lorne:

With enough gin,
Cujo would look like
Rin Tin Tin

Thanks to all!

A garbage truck is rumbling by. For a moment, it blocked the reflections of my neighbor's white Christmas lights glowing in the windows of the store across the street. Only 45 shopping days left...

I just finished reading a book. One of the aspects of the job of being a writer - if I'm allowed to claim that it's at least my part-time job - is reading. I can't complain about it. In fact, I will never complain about the fact that I make money writing. It's what I've wanted to do since I was 12, and more importantly, it justifies my...er...idiosyncracies.

But I mentioned it to point out that the job of a writer isn't just getting up in one's underwear and writing, although, as I said, I could never complain about any of it. Besides reading to keep up with the market and to learn more about writing, it happens from time to time that I am asked to blurb someone else's book. It's flattering for another author to think that a reader would care what I think. Recently, I was asked to write a blurb for the second novel by an author whose first novel I really loved. So I said I'd love to do it, but I've sent her e-mails every few days saying, "I really will get to it. I swear!" To read it, I knew I'd need at least a three-hour stretch of time (I read fast if it's good), and any three-hour stretches in the last month have been spent tinkering with my own 90,000-word bundle o'joy. So I set aside tonight to sit by the fire and read this book.

It's good. It's heartfelt and sweet and suspenseful. But how do you say that in two or three sentences and not write the same thing that everyone else has written? How do you avoid cliches?

It's sort of like the food reviews I've had to write from time to time. There just aren't enough adjectives. "Tasty" and "savory" and "succulent" can only go so far.

I sent her a quote or two saying how I feel, but I told her to let me know if she wants me to fiddle with it some more. Amazing that writing fifteen words can be so hard for someone who's been playing with 90,000.

Hello to whoever it was that viewed my blog from the Princeton U. library last night. Nice campus!

Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.

I got a good night's sleep last night! AND I went to sleep at a reasonable hour! Hold all applause.

I've given myself a deadline of the end of this month to finish book revisions. Next I give it to my ag*nt, who will undoubtedly have more suggestions before we even try to sell it. So this could all take more months. That's why time is of the essence now, because when late spring comes around, people start going on vacations and you can't get two editors in a room to agree to buy something. I'm trying to go for this cycle.

The barometer is rather high today...if you have a headache, it may be due to high air pressure. Or it might just be your boss.

Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.

I'm finally getting some stuff done that too me a while to get to. That means I'm not at trivia right now.

'Gong Show' alum Chuck Barris will be reading from his new book at the KGB bar (which often has readings) in the East Village this Sunday at 7 p.m. I'd go if I didn't have to do book stuff all weekend, but I thought anyone with as strange a sense of humor as I have might want to know about it.

Sarah posted some photos of the '80s prom. I'm in some of them dressed like a nerd, which is probably what I would have looked like had I gone to my own prom.

There's a manuscript I have to read and write a blurb on, and it's by an author whose first book I really liked, and that's another thing I need to get to, but I'm looking forward to it - I just need the time. If I revise my book tonight and tomorrow night, I can start reading Thursday.

Woke up, put on clothes, didn't go to work.

I feel like it's Christmas morning. Probably just because it's nearly freezing out.

Even though I pledged to stay in and write all weekend, I did have to get out for two hours when a friend had free tickets to an interactive musical called the "Awesome '80s Prom." Everyone was there - the nerd, the criminal, the jock, the principal, and at the end of the night, there was a vote for Homecoming king & queen. Lots of fun photos were taken, which I can't download because installing the camera software crashes my computer (as seen in earlier posts), but I'll put some up from work. I brought my Rubik's Cube and nerd glasses, and I wasn't alone!

Someone asked me yesterday if writing can be called my job if I "enjoy it so much." Sometimes I enjoy it the way you enjoy it when someone is slamming a hammer into your head and it stops - what I enjoy is finally getting some story out of my system before it kills me, and seeing how it takes shape. Plus, the black-and-white cookies. Speaking of which, it's time.

Woke up, put clothes on, went to work.

I added a post yesterday, but I'm not sure it went up. If I am repeating, I'll just erase it later - so don't you worry! It's below.


>>I apologize to those whose posts I said I'd link to in the last week and didn't. I have to put the poem responses up, as well as one more link, and then I think I'm ok.

Rachel-Rose wrote in again to say that she has found out that Kerry actually did go to church services on Sunday before campaigning.

Here's one more reaction from an anonymous friend:

"Democrats do need to get in touch with the religious convictions of an incredibly large (and apparently actively voting) segment of society. Democrats should be embarrassed that they cannot win the poorest states in the deep South; those people are putting their belief that the Republicans stand for morals ahead of their economic needs (fairer tax system, health care, etc.). The Democrats have to stop nominating egghead Northerners (Dukakis, Kerry). They need to nominate candidates who can HONESTLY talk about how their faith inspires their beliefs. I'm sure Jesus would agree that starting wars against nations that do not pose a threat is "unChristian." As you point out, there is also a strong moral (and I would urge a Democrat to say, "Christian") basis for a fairer tax system and aid to the poor. I don't know if the abortion/gay rights things can be cast in "christian" tones, but ... The last time there was liberal change in America it was accomplished in the 1960's, largely through religious leaders like MLK. If the god-talk turns off some swing voters in Maine and New Hampshire but inspires voters in Ohio, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri . . . it is a trade off worth making. It will take a couple of election cycles for the Democrats to be perceived as being honest about these religious issues. (And it is unlikely that northeasterns would find the godtalk so unappealing that they vote Republican instead; they'll hold their nose and vote for the liberal.)

"I find it shocking that Republicans have so cornered the market on morals. Does anyone think John Kerry wants more s*x on television? Is that part of his platform? Does he want people to use drugs? Does he want to increase the number of abortions? Does he want to turn your kids gay?

"In eight years, Edwards, or someone like him, will be a viable candidate. The Democrats CANNOT nominate Hillary for the presidency, or they'll lose again. The Democrats should also see if they can get the first primaries out of Iowa and New Hampshire."

I apologize to those whose posts I said I'd link to in the last week and didn't. I have to put the poem responses up, as well as one more link, and then I think I'm ok.

Rachel-Rose wrote in again to say that she has found out that Kerry actually did go to church services on Sunday before campaigning.

Here's one more reaction from an anonymous friend:

"Democrats do need to get in touch with the religious convictions of an incredibly large (and apparently actively voting) segment of society. Democrats should be embarrassed that they cannot win the poorest states in the deep South; those people are putting their belief that the Republicans stand for morals ahead of their economic needs (fairer tax system, health care, etc.). The Democrats have to stop nominating egghead Northerners (Dukakis, Kerry). They need to nominate candidates who can HONESTLY talk about how their faith inspires their beliefs. I'm sure Jesus would agree that starting wars against nations that do not pose a threat is "unChristian." As you point out, there is also a strong moral (and I would urge a Democrat to say, "Christian") basis for a fairer tax system and aid to the poor. I don't know if the abortion/gay rights things can be cast in "christian" tones, but ... The last time there was liberal change in America it was accomplished in the 1960's, largely through religious leaders like MLK. If the god-talk turns off some swing voters in Maine and New Hampshire but inspires voters in Ohio, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri . . . it is a trade off worth making. It will take a couple of election cycles for the Democrats to be perceived as being honest about these religious issues. (And it is unlikely that northeasterns would find the godtalk so unappealing that they vote Republican instead; they'll hold their nose and vote for the liberal.)

"I find it shocking that Republicans have so cornered the market on morals. Does anyone think John Kerry wants more s*x on television? Is that part of his platform? Does he want people to use drugs? Does he want to increase the number of abortions? Does he want to turn your kids gay?

"In eight years, Edwards, or someone like him, will be a viable candidate. The Democrats CANNOT nominate Hillary for the presidency, or they'll lose again. The Democrats should also see if they can get the first primaries out of Iowa and New Hampshire."

Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.

Blog responses:

"Hi, Caren: Just want to tell someone in media that "moral" issues go across a broad spectrum for many of us. In your blog yesterday, you said:
"you can't pass judgment on someone until you've talked to him/her or walked in his/her shoes."

"Well, I am one who HAS walked in almost all of the shoes, from poverty to very close relationships with gays of both genders, to promiscuity to radicalism to Black Panthers to activism and living in the inner city to housing the mentally ill, and more. I know what it is like to have to go to the emergency clinic and wait all day, then to get hasty and unsanitary care. I know what racism is like, against me and my children. I still care about all the people involved in all these experiences, and my husband, myself and my children still give volunteer time and money to help the needy.

"BUT: What the liberal media and Hollywood still cannot understand is that Main Street America, which includes many poor and minorities (believe it or not) still believe in a family consisting of a father (faithful and effective, a leader and moral guide in the family), a mother (nurturing and all of the above), and (hopefully) children, with whom the parents stay for the rest of all of their lives. We do not like media nudity and foul mouths forced on our young children, nor do we like for them to be constantly tempted and taunted by irresponsible and meaningless sexual acts on TV, in magazines at the checkout counter at a child's height, etc.

"Most importantly, we can see through public personalities. We have had a long time to look at W and Laura and they pass inspection. Bush is known by friends and enemies alike as a warm, likeable and sincerely faithful guy. Hey, Bush never campaigned on a Sunday. He went to church. Kerry, who described himself as a deeply "faithful" Catholic, was never seen in his church or any anonymous Catholic church on Sundays. He was out early, campaigning, unless, of course, he was speaking in a Black evangelical church, praying that we "walk in the footsteps of the Lord". God is good. God is now _carrying_ that little wounded lamb in His footsteps. My heart goes out to Kerry. Kerry and Terry just didn't understand that a lot of us don't adulate intellect without sincerity of spirit. We love the ones who "walk their talk".

"And, yes, there is a commandment that supercedes all. I refer you to James Kushiner's essay in Touchstone Magazine, October, 2004: "First Things First". i cannot speak for all who voted for Bush, but I am a "Lifer" and, to me, that also means I am for gun control laws and against the death penalty. The War in Iraq is complicated, and I don't think that turning tail now is the best solution to terrorism and senseless wicked violence against humanity. Terrorism is the  biggest threat today, because we have no clear solutions. We DO have solutions to late-term abortions-on-demand.

"I think Abe Lincoln was right: You can't fool all of the people all of the time, even with George Souros, Michael Moore, Barbra Streisand, Dan Rather, Jay Leno, Jimmy Carter, and so on.

"Thank you for the hearing. I held all of your views and I understand where your good heart comes from. I walked in those moccasins, and you and I have much more in common than what is discussed in this e-mail.

"Love, Rachel-Rose

Fair enough. I'm glad you've walked in those shoes - I don't know if you represent the majority, and I hope that in conversation with fellow conservatives, you'd make some of your experiences clear, particularly if they bash minorities or the poor. But a few questions: 1. If you've hung out with people who are gay, do you think they chose their lifestyle, or do you want them to deny their feelings? 2. How is that going to get health care to the poor? Here is another comment:

"Health care should be a right, not a privilege. Everyone should be
eligible for the best health care available. Healthy 'choices' should be
encouraged, though they just stated vegetables won't keep the cancer
away.  I fail to see how this can be argued with, though some people do
argue with me about it. Why does Orrin Hatch have better health care
than me? Why is he better?

"Then again I don't go to clubs because I will have nothing to do with
the velvet rope rule that says Jeter gets in ahead of me.

(ed. note: See, that's the difference between a right and a privilege.)

"I was laid off last week but my health care will continue for a year and
a half or until I enter a new plan. I'm lucky. Some people who are laid
off have their health care cut off. Shouldn't happen in the USA.

"How do you pay for it? Taxes. And the rich people should pay a lot more.
Again why is this a point of argument?" - K

I don't know. Hopefully Bush will think about this.

These are important issues. But while we get lost debating the moral, is Bush going to protect our nuclear power plants and container ports, or is that going to get lost in the hubbub?

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming...the barometer in my apartment is 29.6 and rising, and it's wet and windy out.

Also, last call for mistakes you found in Carrie Pilby. (Besides that it got published - ha ha ha, you so funny). E-mail lizzner@aol.com.

New York City, election night

Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.

It's Thanksgiving weather today - white sky, 40 degrees out, no wind.

Two days stand between me and working on my book again. I think it should be ready to show my ag*nt in a month. (I know that sounds snobby.) Part of my mentioning the book in these entries carries another motive - sometimes friends believe I'm ignoring them, that I could write anytime, so how dare I turn down invitations? But I can't write anytime. I'm on a deadline (I'll explain later) and I can't write Monday through Friday. So time is limited.

Onward...Dawn, whose pre-election writing has mainly focused on Planned Parenthood's govt funding, criticized my political assertions from yesterday. Here's her response.

My comment was simply that an exit poll showed what was foremost on Middle America's minds - "moral issues," not Iraq. Dawn says liberals don't understand how important moral issues are in Middle America - well, I was saying the same thing. But my comment "I guess you don't understand it if it doesn't happen to you" can go for having a kid who's gay or a moral situation, too. Not just terrorism.

Of course I understand that moral issues are important. I don't want my kids to feel forced to grow up at 13. I also don't want my kids to believe that homosexuality is a bad choice people make because they're bored (and that's why Kerry brought up Cheney's daughter - because why the hell would Cheney's daughter make such a 'choice'?) I also don't want my kids to believe that if you're wealthy and healthy, it's because you worked hard and made good choices, and if you're not, it's because you're lazy and made bad choices. I want my kids to believe that people deserve at least a chance to get out of whatever bad situation they're in, that they all deserve basic health care if they're sick, and that you can't pass judgment on someone until you've talked to him/her or walked in his/her shoes.

My entry yesterday pointed out that Middle Americans, in an exit poll, said moral issues were more important than the others. Maybe Dawn is right - maybe liberals need to understand and take more seriously what is going through their minds, instead of saying, "Let me do what I want in my own bedroom." I don't want Bush telling me what to think, and they don't want Hollywood & Michael Moore telling them what to think. But can they be talked with? I always say, during political arguments, that I'm willing to listen to the other side and be convinced if I'm wrong. I imagine that Dawn agrees on that. Hopefully more of a dialogue will start now rather than just reactionary, scared palaver.

I'd like to ask Dawn, though, whether it's moral for someone to not be able to have health care because they lost their job or can't afford it. (Not everyone is eligible for Medicaid.) Then, I want to know what Bush is going to do about it. This is at least as important as other moral issues.

ABC News says that their exit polls in the heartland show that moral issues were their most important issues when voting, and Iraq is down around fourth. These folks aren't as worried about being hit by terrorists or the war in Iraq as they are about abortion and gay marriage? Actually, not surprising on certain levels. To some people, if it hasn't hit you directly, it doesn't exist.

Am still up, have on clothes, will have to go to work in five or six hours.

No matter who wins, it doesn't have to change who we are - at least, not for the worse. If Bush wins, and you're a Bush fan, don't take it as a license to be selfish, greedy or ignorant. I feel like I should add an "If Kerry wins," but it seems unlikely.

I'll be happy with whoever wins as long as they keep us from getting bombed. But of course I have my preference. ;)

Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.

Here are the letters in NEW YORK about trivia night.

I added some stuff to yesterday's entry besides the selfish book stuff.

Happy Election Day!

Bumper sticker I just spotted outside:

LICK BUSH AND DICK
IN 2004

ALSO: Trivia is canceled this week (Nov. 2) due to election day. It resumes next week. And we ARE having it Thanksgiving week, too. But not this week.

There are two letters in NEW YORK Mag this week criticizing the Amy Sohn column on trivia nights.

Happy November!

An announcement and request.

In September of 2005, Carrie Pilby will come out in a smaller paperback version. Thanks to anyone reading this who bought it, because you contributed to the sales, which resulted in the new edition. Thank you!!

Now, if you happened to notice a typo in the one you read (like frinstance, on page 77, there's a period after "At nine o'clock," where a comma should be), and you circled it, let me know. I'm lobbying to have those fixed. I have about five I need to fix, but there could always be one or two I missed. Just if you happen to remember.