Coupons
During my first few days of freshman year of college, it was sunny, bright, and contradictorily cool. We kept waiting for rain, and there was none, which was good for us suburban kids who weren't used to all that walking around in a city.
Several days were reserved for freshman orientation before classes began, and this orientation included "diversity training" on the grassy college green (where we designed our own skits about racial sensitivity), last-minute dropping and adding of courses, and "campus safety" seminars. There was a tree-lined brick walkway that ran the length of campus, past the Book Store and the main freshman dorm, and along the way, people stalked us trying to invite us to their club, sell us something, offer us membership.
During the first few days of school, everybody wanted us.
If we walked on the brick walkway, we'd get accosted by coupons: The local pizza restaurant, wing joints, bagel shops. Credit card companies set up desks to offer us gifts if we'd use their card, now that we were suddenly independent (probably not such a good idea). Clubs and non-profit volunteer groups begged us to be members.
And there were jobs. "JOBS!" the pink fluorescent flyers screamed, "$12-$15 an hour!" The $15 an hour one involved delivering newspapers on campus from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. before classes, a great way to earn yourself a reputation on your dorm floor while everyone else slept late. There were jobs editing the faculty newsletter, sitting in the dorm computer rooms, and working in the dining hall (which meant a nice discount on meal plan).
One night during orientation, there was an event at the Christian center with free burgers and a showing of a Monty Python movie. Of course, all the non-Christian freshmen came too, because it was yet another free dinner, a way to avoid spending money when people were throwing so many freebies at us.
Everybody wanted us. We were the future.
And we wanted each other, no doubt. Some of us had boy- or girl-friends back home, but not most of us. We were 18, without our parents for the first time, and our hormones were still raging. So there we were, with thousands of people our ages, of similar backgrounds, suddenly sprung from the stuffy halls of high school and shedding the social labels of nerd or geek or jock. Everyone wanted to sell things to us and get to know us.
It really felt like a beginning.
We could do anything from here, and some of us were bound to be successful at it. Those groups, credit card companies, and employers knew it. We were ripe for the picking. Get 'em while they're young. Feed 'em, stuff their mailboxes with offers and event notices, give 'em a plastic blue and red rape whistle if any of their late-night activities go too far.
It was an explosive, exciting time for those of us who'd been mired in the limitations of high school. It was the beginning of independence.
For some students, it was a time when they realized they didn't know how to handle that newfound independence and flunked out. Others started a romance within a few days and never ended it. Some just went through school and had a good time. Some prepared to make a lot of money. Some filled their heads with knowledge and didn't know what to do after graduation.
But no matter what happened, beginnings are nice. We didn't know which path we were about to take, only that it was all ahead of us and not much was behind.
That feeling comes back to me every year around this time, when everyone looked at us as the representatives of the future, and we knew anything could happen in love and life. You don't have to be 18 to believe that, but when you are 18, it sure helps other people feel that way!
8/28/2007
8/27/2007
Bat dog
The Boy and I went to a Trenton Thunder minor league game on Saturday night. The team had a "bat dog" that actually went out and picked up the bats after the players were done with them in the first inning. It was a Golden Retriever, I think. They also featured a dog later on that was up for adoption. So, definitely my kind of game. Anyway, we left early because it was soupy-hot that night. The Thunder apparently won 7-0. The next night, they played a 14-inning game!
Bloggin' may be light over the next month. But I will write something about the first day of school soon.
The Boy and I went to a Trenton Thunder minor league game on Saturday night. The team had a "bat dog" that actually went out and picked up the bats after the players were done with them in the first inning. It was a Golden Retriever, I think. They also featured a dog later on that was up for adoption. So, definitely my kind of game. Anyway, we left early because it was soupy-hot that night. The Thunder apparently won 7-0. The next night, they played a 14-inning game!
Bloggin' may be light over the next month. But I will write something about the first day of school soon.
8/23/2007
Uh oh!
A boy read my diary! It was my fiance! Okay, so it was my diary from when I was 8, but still...no boys allowed.
Now that he knows that I didn't get invited to Johanna's birthday party, or that my brother got better Life Savers flavors than I, I hope he will still be kind enough to marry me.
And I tried so hard to keep those things a secret...
A boy read my diary! It was my fiance! Okay, so it was my diary from when I was 8, but still...no boys allowed.
Now that he knows that I didn't get invited to Johanna's birthday party, or that my brother got better Life Savers flavors than I, I hope he will still be kind enough to marry me.
And I tried so hard to keep those things a secret...
8/22/2007
8/21/2007
8/20/2007
8/16/2007
This just makes no sense
Today I got an e-mail whose subject heading said "Help! My boyfriend's p*nis is too big to fit in my mouth!"
Interesting dilemma! I had never heard of the person who was sending it, but I was quite concerned for her (his?) well-being, so I opened it. It said:
"Dames always shrieked at me and even gentlemans did in the water closet! Well, now I smil at them, because I took Mega-Di*k for 6 months and now my c*ck is dreadfully longer than average."
I don't understand this crazy logic. If it gets bigger, then it will have even less chance of fitting in the mouth. Maybe this person should take Mini-Di*k for 6 months. Hmmm. Count me puzzled.
Today I got an e-mail whose subject heading said "Help! My boyfriend's p*nis is too big to fit in my mouth!"
Interesting dilemma! I had never heard of the person who was sending it, but I was quite concerned for her (his?) well-being, so I opened it. It said:
"Dames always shrieked at me and even gentlemans did in the water closet! Well, now I smil at them, because I took Mega-Di*k for 6 months and now my c*ck is dreadfully longer than average."
I don't understand this crazy logic. If it gets bigger, then it will have even less chance of fitting in the mouth. Maybe this person should take Mini-Di*k for 6 months. Hmmm. Count me puzzled.
8/14/2007
I am officially even more lame than before
I am afraid to go on rollercoasters. Not just rollercoasters, though. The last time I rode on the Buccanneer in Great Adventure, I was scared and decided I'd never go on that again, either.
Last time I was coaxed onto a Ferris wheel, I also decided I would never go on one again.
Now that I see that people actually died on one, I have more reason - although I know that's incredibly rare. Still, I think I'll skip it if I can.
I am afraid to go on rollercoasters. Not just rollercoasters, though. The last time I rode on the Buccanneer in Great Adventure, I was scared and decided I'd never go on that again, either.
Last time I was coaxed onto a Ferris wheel, I also decided I would never go on one again.
Now that I see that people actually died on one, I have more reason - although I know that's incredibly rare. Still, I think I'll skip it if I can.
8/13/2007
Talkin' baseball
The Boy and I had a nice weekend. We decided to see a minor league game out of the area. You may have heard of the incident a few years ago when people at a Toronto Blue Jays game witnessed a couple having sex in an attached hotel. Well, the team we saw also had an attached hotel, although we provided no such "free shows."
The minor league team, the Manchester New Hampshire Fisher Cats, were an affiliate of the Blue Jays.
Here is the view from our room:
The night we were there, the local Boy Scouts had a "sleep over" on the field. The Boy and I both agreed that it would have been a cool thing to do when we were growing up. However, by 6:30 the next morning, most of the people were packing up to leave. I could tell the adults had just had enough.
We went to a game the next day and had a lot of fun. There were fireworks after. Unfortunately, the boy caught a free t-shirt and injured his finger in the process.
There was a little non-sporty entertainment, of course. We took a walk downtown by the dozens of former mills, and enjoyed a view of the Merrimack River.
So if you are a big baseball fan or are in love with one, it's a weekend I recommend. We also soaked in the homeplate-shaped hot tub (no photo, sorry).
I might be pretty busy this week and not blog so much, so have a good week!
8/10/2007
8/09/2007
Good news
Starting today, Cablevision of New Jersey is getting the 24-hour "Sound of Music" channel! It replaces ESPN!!! I look forward to watching it on Sundays at 10 a.m. instead of "Sports Reporters"...Captain Von Trapp is much more handsome than Mitch Albom.
Anyway, apparently there was a huge storm yesterday morning that wreaked havoc all over the NYC area and even caused a tornado in Brooklyn, and I slept right through it. I've nearly lost the right to call myself a Weather Weenie.
Update: The Boy had this to say in response:
and as for the rest of the cablevision press release..........."not available in all areas, one of them being [our town] and even if it were available in [our county], we would simply move Sports Reporters, along with sports guru/genius Mitch Albom, to ESPN 2." Still not sure what you have against a show you may have spent all of five minutes watching. You are usually doing laundry, bathing or working out when Sports Reporters is on. You probably had to look up the show online to see who the moderators usually are. They tend to vary from week to week, but Albom is usually a constant.
Whatever. The Hillllls are Aliiiiiiiiive....
Anyway, he's wrong...I liked "Sports Reporters" when they were talking about The Sopranos.
Starting today, Cablevision of New Jersey is getting the 24-hour "Sound of Music" channel! It replaces ESPN!!! I look forward to watching it on Sundays at 10 a.m. instead of "Sports Reporters"...Captain Von Trapp is much more handsome than Mitch Albom.
Anyway, apparently there was a huge storm yesterday morning that wreaked havoc all over the NYC area and even caused a tornado in Brooklyn, and I slept right through it. I've nearly lost the right to call myself a Weather Weenie.
Update: The Boy had this to say in response:
and as for the rest of the cablevision press release..........."not available in all areas, one of them being [our town] and even if it were available in [our county], we would simply move Sports Reporters, along with sports guru/genius Mitch Albom, to ESPN 2." Still not sure what you have against a show you may have spent all of five minutes watching. You are usually doing laundry, bathing or working out when Sports Reporters is on. You probably had to look up the show online to see who the moderators usually are. They tend to vary from week to week, but Albom is usually a constant.
Whatever. The Hillllls are Aliiiiiiiiive....
Anyway, he's wrong...I liked "Sports Reporters" when they were talking about The Sopranos.
8/08/2007
8/8
I guess I did enough dwelling on myself and my days o' youth on Monday, right?
I'll spare you that today.
What can we do instead?
How about we look at puppies?????
I guess I did enough dwelling on myself and my days o' youth on Monday, right?
I'll spare you that today.
What can we do instead?
How about we look at puppies?????
8/07/2007
8/06/2007
When I was at the crossroads
A friend of mine recently noted that people only blog when they're upset about something. It's often true of writing in one's journal, too. Through the years, I mostly used my journals to help write out my feelings on things, more bad than good. As a result, most of my journals aren't of great literary quality. There are a few writers whose published diaries are so honest and heartfelt that they're fun to read, like Sylvia Plath's. But in reading hers, you can tell she actually tried to make them well-written. (At least, it seems that way.) I never had the patience - I am pretty sure my jottings won't ever be published.
Anyway, I thought it would be funny to take out my old "One-Year Diary" from when I was 8 or 10 (I got diaries for my birthdays those years) and transcribe a bit of it here, because those diaries are NOT angry - I was too young. They were mostly full of "We went to Wildwood today. The beach was butiful [crossed out] beatifull," which is always fun.
However, I couldn't immediately find them, though I know they're here somewhere. I did open a random journal that turned out to be from when I was 22.
Unsurprisingly, the literary quality was not high. But I did get pretty detailed. Detailed about the holding pattern my life was in. After graduating from college, I was broke, isolated, and desperate to find a job I really loved during an unforgiving economic recession. I didn't know what I would do, who I would love, who I would be, and whom to talk to about any of it.
The thing that saved me was typing skills I had honed since high school, because I knew I needed to get good at typing if I was going to write novels. Even though I couldn't land a publishing job right after college like I wanted, I was pleased that I was accepted for short-term temp jobs based on my typing speed, although they were not very fulfilling.
My only social activity was doing some college-related activities with other recent grads (like attending a Penn/Columbia football game), not because I had had a great time in school, but instead, because I figured maybe the social skills that had eluded me would allow me to enjoy all those college activities now that I was older and wiser. Besides, the only people I knew in the NYC area were two or three people who had graduated with me. There was no internet and not much of a way to make new friends in my new neighborhood.
I was, in other words, at a crossroads, and the journal makes that clear.
Just now, I typed up a few of my sample entries from that journal. These are not indicative of everything that was going on (I'm cutting out some family stuff below), but...a pretty good account of a recently graduated English major in Generation X...
8/26 10:28 AM Natalie [temp woman] gave me a six-day job at $14 an hour! Cool! I gotta learn Lotus tho. Not so cool. But at least I don't gotta get up every day & make phone calls searching for work.
A woman said she's been in word processing for seven years and refused to take a typewriter test. I agreed w/her in principle. But who cares, cuz I'm GONNA MAKE four hundred smackas.
This morning I saw a REALLY old guy reading the personals. It was depressing.
Another free weekend is coming up. I don't want to take my car anywhere far until I get Triple A. [Editor's Note: This was a used car I bought for $800 after graduation, and used it to move all my stuff from Philly up north.]
8/27 10:34 AM What a temp job! $14 an hour for the next 6 days - and it's a nice financial place. I'm up on the 19th floor right now. I'm listening to Howard Stern. This company is one of those that takes care of its employees. Free juices & water...whee! I only hafta answer phones. Barely.
1:28 I just chowed down on free Chinese. Top things to do at a temp job:
1. Make long distance calls
2. Make copies
3. Steal software (duplicate it)
I do not advocate these things, however.
8/28 8:38 Weird dream! Weird dream! Something about making G.F. [someone I had a pretty intense unrequited crush on in college] take a job on a bus or something. It all escapes me now.
8/30 9:07 AM I went past the new CBS David Letterman theater this morning (For those who don't know, he left NBC). Z-100 was broadcasting some contest w/Jason Priestly.
Last night I read that Elton John had a hit with "Your Song" at the age of 23. One year older than I, and I still haven't accomplished anything. I hang on to hope w/the Jason book [a kids' book I was working on at the time]. Without that project, I'd probably feel completely worthless.
8/31 They showed the Letterman scenes on the news. He came outside a few times.
Heard on the street this morning:
DAD - We're having sushi tonight.
LITTLE GIRL - Again?
A friend of mine recently noted that people only blog when they're upset about something. It's often true of writing in one's journal, too. Through the years, I mostly used my journals to help write out my feelings on things, more bad than good. As a result, most of my journals aren't of great literary quality. There are a few writers whose published diaries are so honest and heartfelt that they're fun to read, like Sylvia Plath's. But in reading hers, you can tell she actually tried to make them well-written. (At least, it seems that way.) I never had the patience - I am pretty sure my jottings won't ever be published.
Anyway, I thought it would be funny to take out my old "One-Year Diary" from when I was 8 or 10 (I got diaries for my birthdays those years) and transcribe a bit of it here, because those diaries are NOT angry - I was too young. They were mostly full of "We went to Wildwood today. The beach was butiful [crossed out] beatifull," which is always fun.
However, I couldn't immediately find them, though I know they're here somewhere. I did open a random journal that turned out to be from when I was 22.
Unsurprisingly, the literary quality was not high. But I did get pretty detailed. Detailed about the holding pattern my life was in. After graduating from college, I was broke, isolated, and desperate to find a job I really loved during an unforgiving economic recession. I didn't know what I would do, who I would love, who I would be, and whom to talk to about any of it.
The thing that saved me was typing skills I had honed since high school, because I knew I needed to get good at typing if I was going to write novels. Even though I couldn't land a publishing job right after college like I wanted, I was pleased that I was accepted for short-term temp jobs based on my typing speed, although they were not very fulfilling.
My only social activity was doing some college-related activities with other recent grads (like attending a Penn/Columbia football game), not because I had had a great time in school, but instead, because I figured maybe the social skills that had eluded me would allow me to enjoy all those college activities now that I was older and wiser. Besides, the only people I knew in the NYC area were two or three people who had graduated with me. There was no internet and not much of a way to make new friends in my new neighborhood.
I was, in other words, at a crossroads, and the journal makes that clear.
Just now, I typed up a few of my sample entries from that journal. These are not indicative of everything that was going on (I'm cutting out some family stuff below), but...a pretty good account of a recently graduated English major in Generation X...
8/26 10:28 AM Natalie [temp woman] gave me a six-day job at $14 an hour! Cool! I gotta learn Lotus tho. Not so cool. But at least I don't gotta get up every day & make phone calls searching for work.
A woman said she's been in word processing for seven years and refused to take a typewriter test. I agreed w/her in principle. But who cares, cuz I'm GONNA MAKE four hundred smackas.
This morning I saw a REALLY old guy reading the personals. It was depressing.
Another free weekend is coming up. I don't want to take my car anywhere far until I get Triple A. [Editor's Note: This was a used car I bought for $800 after graduation, and used it to move all my stuff from Philly up north.]
8/27 10:34 AM What a temp job! $14 an hour for the next 6 days - and it's a nice financial place. I'm up on the 19th floor right now. I'm listening to Howard Stern. This company is one of those that takes care of its employees. Free juices & water...whee! I only hafta answer phones. Barely.
1:28 I just chowed down on free Chinese. Top things to do at a temp job:
1. Make long distance calls
2. Make copies
3. Steal software (duplicate it)
I do not advocate these things, however.
8/28 8:38 Weird dream! Weird dream! Something about making G.F. [someone I had a pretty intense unrequited crush on in college] take a job on a bus or something. It all escapes me now.
8/30 9:07 AM I went past the new CBS David Letterman theater this morning (For those who don't know, he left NBC). Z-100 was broadcasting some contest w/Jason Priestly.
Last night I read that Elton John had a hit with "Your Song" at the age of 23. One year older than I, and I still haven't accomplished anything. I hang on to hope w/the Jason book [a kids' book I was working on at the time]. Without that project, I'd probably feel completely worthless.
8/31 They showed the Letterman scenes on the news. He came outside a few times.
Heard on the street this morning:
DAD - We're having sushi tonight.
LITTLE GIRL - Again?
8/03/2007
8/02/2007
Notes
Alex the Italian Carrie Pilby reader e-mailed me, and I told him I was getting married. He writes:
This is simply great and special!!! I...can't believe to that....oh Caren, l'm so happy for this great thing it is happening to you... .. It is what every man or woman would like to crown as the bigger dream in their life, specially if it is with someone who deserves this reciprocal and big heart and love! It is the best news that you ever could make and give me before!! I love it !! As i have ever loved the friendship who came up one day with you. You have been a so special person for me Caren, and it will be for ever of my life. Alex
He is sweet. I hope he finds someone wonderful too.
Alex the Italian Carrie Pilby reader e-mailed me, and I told him I was getting married. He writes:
This is simply great and special!!! I...can't believe to that....oh Caren, l'm so happy for this great thing it is happening to you... .. It is what every man or woman would like to crown as the bigger dream in their life, specially if it is with someone who deserves this reciprocal and big heart and love! It is the best news that you ever could make and give me before!! I love it !! As i have ever loved the friendship who came up one day with you. You have been a so special person for me Caren, and it will be for ever of my life. Alex
He is sweet. I hope he finds someone wonderful too.
8/01/2007
Well
I am behind on a few e-mails, so I apologize if you sent me a comment and I didn't respond. I got pretty busy.
The Scott Baio show is on again tonight. I may skip it in order to protect my relationship. Anyway, this may be more interesting, but have they gotten to home plate as many times as Scott?
My novel is now in my agent's hands and I think she will send it to editors in September, which is a good time for it. If one of them (or more) wants to buy it, I'm in luck! It's finally in good shape and I'm hopeful.
I am behind on a few e-mails, so I apologize if you sent me a comment and I didn't respond. I got pretty busy.
The Scott Baio show is on again tonight. I may skip it in order to protect my relationship. Anyway, this may be more interesting, but have they gotten to home plate as many times as Scott?
My novel is now in my agent's hands and I think she will send it to editors in September, which is a good time for it. If one of them (or more) wants to buy it, I'm in luck! It's finally in good shape and I'm hopeful.
7/31/2007
Damned if you do, damned if you don't
If you wear a skirt or dress to work, you are guaranteed to get sexually harassed on the way to work, or at least, treated differently. Okay, by "you" I mean, "me," because I always pass a few small-time construction operations during my short commute. Usually construction guys working on a street-level restaurant. But it's not really sexual harassment all the time; sometimes it's just a construction guy saying "Hi!" or "Good morning!", but I know the same one ignores me if I am not wearing a skirt.
It's really not a big deal. But anyway, the reason I mention this is that today, I passed two construction guys working on a corner bar, and one of them yelled at me, "Nice dress!"
But I was wearing pants.
I guess he wishes I was wearing a dress so he could be rude. Oh well. I ignored the remark and continued on my merry way.
You just can't win! (And by "you" I mean "me".)
If you wear a skirt or dress to work, you are guaranteed to get sexually harassed on the way to work, or at least, treated differently. Okay, by "you" I mean, "me," because I always pass a few small-time construction operations during my short commute. Usually construction guys working on a street-level restaurant. But it's not really sexual harassment all the time; sometimes it's just a construction guy saying "Hi!" or "Good morning!", but I know the same one ignores me if I am not wearing a skirt.
It's really not a big deal. But anyway, the reason I mention this is that today, I passed two construction guys working on a corner bar, and one of them yelled at me, "Nice dress!"
But I was wearing pants.
I guess he wishes I was wearing a dress so he could be rude. Oh well. I ignored the remark and continued on my merry way.
You just can't win! (And by "you" I mean "me".)
7/30/2007
Circling around New York
Even though we live here, it was very worthwhile to take the Circle Line's three-hour tour of NYC, which the Boy and I did this weekend. I saw parts of the city more scenic than I could have imagined, and learned many useful facts.
Did you know that railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt started out when he was 12 by taking his father's boat and ferrying passengers from NYC to Staten Island for money, which was the forerunner of the Staten Island ferry? I did not know that!
Our three-hour tour was conducted by award-winning tour guide Malachy Murray, who is also an author and actor, according to a Google search. He does look like a dark-haired Val Kilmer, doesn't 'e?
Here are some photos. (I'll spare the major touristy things...well, some of them.)
One of the last area companies to still use the local waters for shipping. But it closed down not long ago.
Even though we live here, it was very worthwhile to take the Circle Line's three-hour tour of NYC, which the Boy and I did this weekend. I saw parts of the city more scenic than I could have imagined, and learned many useful facts.
Did you know that railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt started out when he was 12 by taking his father's boat and ferrying passengers from NYC to Staten Island for money, which was the forerunner of the Staten Island ferry? I did not know that!
Our three-hour tour was conducted by award-winning tour guide Malachy Murray, who is also an author and actor, according to a Google search. He does look like a dark-haired Val Kilmer, doesn't 'e?
Here are some photos. (I'll spare the major touristy things...well, some of them.)
When the immigrants arrived in these waters, they didn't view this string of residential towers by Donald Trump.
Queensboro bridge looks a little rusty.
Riverside church, largest church in the world.
Columbia rowing team painted that. Doesn't even look like it's in NYC, does it?
A former smallpox hospital on Roosevelt Island (formerly Welfare Island). If you look closely, the architecture is pretty intricate. But it's going to be torn down soon. Waaa! (Clicking on any of these photos makes them bigger, by the way.)
One of the last area companies to still use the local waters for shipping. But it closed down not long ago.
Can I ass you a question? (These colorful specimens were sitting in front of us.)
Okay, I have to put in one touristy thing, but a very important one. Beautiful, isn't she?? To quote Henry Roth in the great immigration novel Call It Sleep, "I hear you can go up inside her for a quarter." Well, not anymore, but anyway.
So in short, if you are a tourist or a native, I suggest you take the tour. Good suggestion by the Boy!
7/27/2007
Humbling experience
Sometimes you get so busy that you forget to step back and realize how lucky you are, and how each person with whom you deal with in your job (or on a daily basis in general) may really depend on you.
I get a lot of calls from public relations people pitching things to the publication I work for (which shall remain nameless).
Sometimes I am busy and try to handle a call quickly if it's something that has nothing to do with our readership and is out of our jurisdiction.
But anyway, a few days ago a man called and I sensed something was different.
He was talking very slowly. He started off, "Hiii...my name iiiis...Herbert..."
He took a breath and added, "aaaaand...I've written a book."
"What is your book about?" I asked.
"It's about living with a head injury," he said.
Anyway, he doesn't live in our area, so it's not something we would cover. However, we did have the chance to help him, and to help people who might benefit from reading the book. I didn't want him to waste one of his review copies on us, but I said he should send us a press release. After all, we could probably put a short listing in our health section about how to find the book.
When I got the release, it turned out he wrote the book with his mother, who is from one of the towns we cover. So it actually is something we would write about!
The guy was in an accident when he was 19. I wonder how that changed him, what kind of guy he was before, and what his life is like now. I wonder if he looks back at his boyhood when he could dance and play without a care in the world.
Anyway, it was a refreshing reminder of one of the things I do in my job, the people out there who have so many challenges to overcome, and how lucky I am.
Sometimes you get so busy that you forget to step back and realize how lucky you are, and how each person with whom you deal with in your job (or on a daily basis in general) may really depend on you.
I get a lot of calls from public relations people pitching things to the publication I work for (which shall remain nameless).
Sometimes I am busy and try to handle a call quickly if it's something that has nothing to do with our readership and is out of our jurisdiction.
But anyway, a few days ago a man called and I sensed something was different.
He was talking very slowly. He started off, "Hiii...my name iiiis...Herbert..."
He took a breath and added, "aaaaand...I've written a book."
"What is your book about?" I asked.
"It's about living with a head injury," he said.
Anyway, he doesn't live in our area, so it's not something we would cover. However, we did have the chance to help him, and to help people who might benefit from reading the book. I didn't want him to waste one of his review copies on us, but I said he should send us a press release. After all, we could probably put a short listing in our health section about how to find the book.
When I got the release, it turned out he wrote the book with his mother, who is from one of the towns we cover. So it actually is something we would write about!
The guy was in an accident when he was 19. I wonder how that changed him, what kind of guy he was before, and what his life is like now. I wonder if he looks back at his boyhood when he could dance and play without a care in the world.
Anyway, it was a refreshing reminder of one of the things I do in my job, the people out there who have so many challenges to overcome, and how lucky I am.
7/24/2007
Quick notes
Last night, I saw TWO commercials on TV that mentioned "back to school," and one that used the Monday Night Football jingle as its background. I guess it's about six weeks until both things start again. Amazing, huh?
For those of you who saw the documentary "Capturing the Friedmans," here is an important update.
And if you're really a fan, you can see Jesse Friedman celebrating his freed-man status with his new wife.
Last night, I saw TWO commercials on TV that mentioned "back to school," and one that used the Monday Night Football jingle as its background. I guess it's about six weeks until both things start again. Amazing, huh?
For those of you who saw the documentary "Capturing the Friedmans," here is an important update.
And if you're really a fan, you can see Jesse Friedman celebrating his freed-man status with his new wife.
7/23/2007
Talkin' Baseball
The boy and I went to another Brooklyn Cyclones game in Coney Island this weekend, along with some lovely friends. It was fun. The Cyclones defeated the Tri-City Valley Cats of Troy, NY 7-3.
We didn't get there early enough to get a free Don Newcombe bobblehead, but someone was kind enough to give theirs to The Boy. It's okay for boys to have dolls, isn't it?
Anyway, as The Boy explained, the Cyclones are an "A" team, and a good player may progress to AA, AAA, or even the majors. It's nice to see guys there trying to follow their dreams, even though they don't really make much money until the big leagues, if they are lucky enough to get there. We are going to a different minor league ballpark next month.
No photos from this weekend. Think back to how it looked two weeks ago. It's still a lot like that.
I have a lot of writing to do this week, so probably posting will be light for the rest of the week.
By the way, what's up with these nor'easters that they don't predict until like 12 hours before? Two days ago, the weather report said it would be sunny all week. Weird.
Today I dropped off a revised manuscript for my agent, who intends to send it out. I was revising it to the point where I would change things, then realize they were better the way they were, and change them back. Time to wrap it up!
The boy and I went to another Brooklyn Cyclones game in Coney Island this weekend, along with some lovely friends. It was fun. The Cyclones defeated the Tri-City Valley Cats of Troy, NY 7-3.
We didn't get there early enough to get a free Don Newcombe bobblehead, but someone was kind enough to give theirs to The Boy. It's okay for boys to have dolls, isn't it?
Anyway, as The Boy explained, the Cyclones are an "A" team, and a good player may progress to AA, AAA, or even the majors. It's nice to see guys there trying to follow their dreams, even though they don't really make much money until the big leagues, if they are lucky enough to get there. We are going to a different minor league ballpark next month.
No photos from this weekend. Think back to how it looked two weeks ago. It's still a lot like that.
I have a lot of writing to do this week, so probably posting will be light for the rest of the week.
By the way, what's up with these nor'easters that they don't predict until like 12 hours before? Two days ago, the weather report said it would be sunny all week. Weird.
Today I dropped off a revised manuscript for my agent, who intends to send it out. I was revising it to the point where I would change things, then realize they were better the way they were, and change them back. Time to wrap it up!
7/20/2007
E-mail received this morning
Caren,
I hate you for getting me hooked on "Scott Baio is 45 and Single."
Just so you know.
Well, sorry, but someone has to watch it. And The Boy will probably never let me watch it again.
By the way, everyone, someone (ahem) informed me yesterday that tonight's Mets game starts at 10:40 p.m. Yes, you read that right.
Caren,
I hate you for getting me hooked on "Scott Baio is 45 and Single."
Just so you know.
Well, sorry, but someone has to watch it. And The Boy will probably never let me watch it again.
By the way, everyone, someone (ahem) informed me yesterday that tonight's Mets game starts at 10:40 p.m. Yes, you read that right.
7/19/2007
Scott Baio on VH-1
ME: "Oh good. We can watch 'Scott Baio is 45 and Single.' "
THE BOY: "If we have to watch that, YOU'RE going to be 45 and single."
The Boy is funny.
But actually, we ended up watching it. It was pretty interesting. Scott is scared that he is going to die alone. But he simply can't commit. He says he just gets bored with women after a while. When they wake up in the morning and "look like men," it's hard for him to be attracted. His type is blonde with a "big rack." He's very honest in this show. So he has this "life coach" who made him stop seeing his current girlfriend for two months. Instead, he has to go find every other girl he's been with and figure out what went wrong in the relationship. (Usually, he cheated with some Playmate or other).
Important things I learned:
-He lost his virginity to Erin Moran.
-One of his good friends is Jason Hervey (Wayne from "Wonder Years.")
So thank you to The Boy for letting me watch this. I am usually annoyed by reality shows, but I can't help it - this one amused me so!!
Words
On another note, Google informed me that this girl spoke well of my book on her blog.
ME: "Oh good. We can watch 'Scott Baio is 45 and Single.' "
THE BOY: "If we have to watch that, YOU'RE going to be 45 and single."
The Boy is funny.
But actually, we ended up watching it. It was pretty interesting. Scott is scared that he is going to die alone. But he simply can't commit. He says he just gets bored with women after a while. When they wake up in the morning and "look like men," it's hard for him to be attracted. His type is blonde with a "big rack." He's very honest in this show. So he has this "life coach" who made him stop seeing his current girlfriend for two months. Instead, he has to go find every other girl he's been with and figure out what went wrong in the relationship. (Usually, he cheated with some Playmate or other).
Important things I learned:
-He lost his virginity to Erin Moran.
-One of his good friends is Jason Hervey (Wayne from "Wonder Years.")
So thank you to The Boy for letting me watch this. I am usually annoyed by reality shows, but I can't help it - this one amused me so!!
Words
On another note, Google informed me that this girl spoke well of my book on her blog.
7/18/2007
7/16/2007
Wildwood
The Boy was kind enough to take me to Wildwood this weekend. We met up with some of his friends.
Wildwood was just as beautiful as I remembered it - the sand was extra fine, the air was cool, the motels looked kitschy, the water was calm, and there were vendors and rides galore, including lots and lots of fudge shops.
If you want to go, the best article on Wildwood was written by a terrific writer.
Anyway, here are some photos.
7/13/2007
Concidence
Just hours after I posted a blog post about waiting for my agent, she e-mailed me and said she read the new version of the book! (And no, she doesn't read this, to my knowledge. Although ya never know). She had taken it with her on a much-needed vacation.
She said she is ready to sell the book, which is a huge relief. But since I haven't looked at it since I gave it to her in April, I have to take another quick last look to see if any little things need to be changed.
After I hand it in, she'll be giving it to editors over the next few months. My work will be over.
Writing, Part II
The other day, I read this post in a chick-lit writing newsgroup I'm part of. It reminds me again how lucky I am to have been published. And that it always takes patience...
A woman wrote:
I was agented and ended up with two unsold mss. My agent and I parted ways back in September and I'm still looking for a new one (I have 3 mss I've written since and am wrapping up a fourth very soon). It's a bit daunting to try to find someone who is willing to A. sign me in this tight market and B. take on this backlist I'm accumulating. I never imagined it would be this hard to find another agent. Although I never imagined ANY of this (other than the actual writing) would be this hard.
When I started querying the first time over 4 years ago, I never imagined I'd be no closer to publication 4 years later. It is heartbreaking when you add up all the blood, sweat,tears and the time we've poured into our work to be no closer. Sure, I've learned a lot and improved my writing over the years, but I feel like I'm not any closer to selling a book.
My only consolation is knowing it's not just me; there are a lot oftalented writers out there in the same boat. We'll get there; what makes us true writers is the chutzpah to put our work out there and stick it out until something catches. I take heart in knowing the market WILL turn. It has to. Period.
And finally
I should note that today is Friday the 13th. Beware of black cats! You all have a great weekend. We'll be enjoying the sun.
Just hours after I posted a blog post about waiting for my agent, she e-mailed me and said she read the new version of the book! (And no, she doesn't read this, to my knowledge. Although ya never know). She had taken it with her on a much-needed vacation.
She said she is ready to sell the book, which is a huge relief. But since I haven't looked at it since I gave it to her in April, I have to take another quick last look to see if any little things need to be changed.
After I hand it in, she'll be giving it to editors over the next few months. My work will be over.
Writing, Part II
The other day, I read this post in a chick-lit writing newsgroup I'm part of. It reminds me again how lucky I am to have been published. And that it always takes patience...
A woman wrote:
I was agented and ended up with two unsold mss. My agent and I parted ways back in September and I'm still looking for a new one (I have 3 mss I've written since and am wrapping up a fourth very soon). It's a bit daunting to try to find someone who is willing to A. sign me in this tight market and B. take on this backlist I'm accumulating. I never imagined it would be this hard to find another agent. Although I never imagined ANY of this (other than the actual writing) would be this hard.
When I started querying the first time over 4 years ago, I never imagined I'd be no closer to publication 4 years later. It is heartbreaking when you add up all the blood, sweat,tears and the time we've poured into our work to be no closer. Sure, I've learned a lot and improved my writing over the years, but I feel like I'm not any closer to selling a book.
My only consolation is knowing it's not just me; there are a lot oftalented writers out there in the same boat. We'll get there; what makes us true writers is the chutzpah to put our work out there and stick it out until something catches. I take heart in knowing the market WILL turn. It has to. Period.
And finally
I should note that today is Friday the 13th. Beware of black cats! You all have a great weekend. We'll be enjoying the sun.
7/12/2007
Some summer reading
For those who haven't read Joyce Maynard's gripping memoir At Home in the World yet, here's a recent published essay by her that kind of speaks to what it's about. It's called "A Good Girl Gone Bad."
For those who haven't read Joyce Maynard's gripping memoir At Home in the World yet, here's a recent published essay by her that kind of speaks to what it's about. It's called "A Good Girl Gone Bad."
7/11/2007
New words, and writing update
I'm always kind of interested in how certain words come to be. Centuries ago, who made them up, and how did they change through different languages and regions?
The fact that new words are still being created today sort of sheds light on the process.
Today's news brings us the bulletin that "ginormous" has been added to Webster's dictionary. Obviously, it started off as slang, but you can tell right away what it means, right? It's also kind of a combonym.
There is a lot of slanguage (a combonym in itself!) that gets made up today whose meaning is pretty obvious just from the sound of the word. A "stank" is a stink. "Va-jay-jay" seems to be gaining in popularity. "Ho" gained popularity in the last 15-20 years, it seems.
I just find it interesting that we still make up new words, and that we find a need for them.
Writing update
Haven't done one of these lately, so here it is.
Someone posted a New Amazon review of Carrie Pilby recently, the first one in a while. It's now been out for four years, and it's still nice that people still pick it up. Even though it mostly appeals to confused young people, this person is a mom, so that's nice!
I'd like for the book to sell out and for my publisher to print some more, but I don't know if it'll happen. I'm still grateful for how many they put out initially.
It's summer, time off from writing. I'm still waiting for my agent to get back to me on the teen book I turned in a few months ago, so I can make a few final revisions. I'd like her to send it out in September, which is the perfect time for it. Depending on what she feels needs to be done, it shouldn't take long to do a quick final revision, but I have to wait for her pronouncements. So we'll see.
I have a few short stories I like, but I haven't done much with them. There's nothing really to do with short stories except a) send out a mass mailing to a lot of literary reviews or mags, hope your story is accepted, then hope it gets into Best American Short Stories; b) hope someone will ask you to contribute to an anthology (like This Is Chick Lit); c) sell a book of your short stories (only works if you're very well-known), or d) just kinda keep them around and enjoy them. For now, I'm keeping mine around, but maybe some day I'll send out a few of the best ones.
And of course, I have other novel ideas here and there.
I don't have any major publications coming up - my essay in the New Jersey collection was the last one. Hopefully some new work will be generated eventually.
Anyway, that's the writing update.
I'm always kind of interested in how certain words come to be. Centuries ago, who made them up, and how did they change through different languages and regions?
The fact that new words are still being created today sort of sheds light on the process.
Today's news brings us the bulletin that "ginormous" has been added to Webster's dictionary. Obviously, it started off as slang, but you can tell right away what it means, right? It's also kind of a combonym.
There is a lot of slanguage (a combonym in itself!) that gets made up today whose meaning is pretty obvious just from the sound of the word. A "stank" is a stink. "Va-jay-jay" seems to be gaining in popularity. "Ho" gained popularity in the last 15-20 years, it seems.
I just find it interesting that we still make up new words, and that we find a need for them.
Writing update
Haven't done one of these lately, so here it is.
Someone posted a New Amazon review of Carrie Pilby recently, the first one in a while. It's now been out for four years, and it's still nice that people still pick it up. Even though it mostly appeals to confused young people, this person is a mom, so that's nice!
I'd like for the book to sell out and for my publisher to print some more, but I don't know if it'll happen. I'm still grateful for how many they put out initially.
It's summer, time off from writing. I'm still waiting for my agent to get back to me on the teen book I turned in a few months ago, so I can make a few final revisions. I'd like her to send it out in September, which is the perfect time for it. Depending on what she feels needs to be done, it shouldn't take long to do a quick final revision, but I have to wait for her pronouncements. So we'll see.
I have a few short stories I like, but I haven't done much with them. There's nothing really to do with short stories except a) send out a mass mailing to a lot of literary reviews or mags, hope your story is accepted, then hope it gets into Best American Short Stories; b) hope someone will ask you to contribute to an anthology (like This Is Chick Lit); c) sell a book of your short stories (only works if you're very well-known), or d) just kinda keep them around and enjoy them. For now, I'm keeping mine around, but maybe some day I'll send out a few of the best ones.
And of course, I have other novel ideas here and there.
I don't have any major publications coming up - my essay in the New Jersey collection was the last one. Hopefully some new work will be generated eventually.
Anyway, that's the writing update.
7/10/2007
I'm not linked
A few years ago, someone invited me to join this job connection website called "linkedin," which I guess is sort of like a professional Friendster. For no special reason, I said yes and put in that I was a journalist. That was about it.
Since then, I've gotten 12 or 13 requests to link people, but didn't even feel like logging in in order to do it. I didn't even remember my password.
Today I got an email saying I had about 15 unread messages and things. So I logged in, emailed people to say they could e-mail me, and sent something to Linkedin asking to delete my entry.
So hopefully it will be gone in a matter of hours. In any case, if you asked to "link" to me, I don't hate you; I just don't want to deal with that site. So don't take offense!
A few years ago, someone invited me to join this job connection website called "linkedin," which I guess is sort of like a professional Friendster. For no special reason, I said yes and put in that I was a journalist. That was about it.
Since then, I've gotten 12 or 13 requests to link people, but didn't even feel like logging in in order to do it. I didn't even remember my password.
Today I got an email saying I had about 15 unread messages and things. So I logged in, emailed people to say they could e-mail me, and sent something to Linkedin asking to delete my entry.
So hopefully it will be gone in a matter of hours. In any case, if you asked to "link" to me, I don't hate you; I just don't want to deal with that site. So don't take offense!
7/09/2007
Reader mail
Blogfan Sam writes:
Your picture of your shadows in Coney Island are very telling. I can tell, for instance, "The Boy" is wearing parachute pants, and you are wearing bell bottoms. An interesting mix of nostalgia if you ask me. You are also carrying a giant bag (handbag, purse, or shopping bag?) and that "The Boy must be very mean to make you carry all that stuff. I can also tell you're both very tall, and "the Boy" must be at least 8' tall, but is a good head taller than you (so you must be 7' 5 or so). You're both also bald. Yes, the shadow can tell an awful lot about a person.
Actually, Sam, I am 7'9"...lucky I found an 8-foot man to be with!
Blogfan Sam writes:
Your picture of your shadows in Coney Island are very telling. I can tell, for instance, "The Boy" is wearing parachute pants, and you are wearing bell bottoms. An interesting mix of nostalgia if you ask me. You are also carrying a giant bag (handbag, purse, or shopping bag?) and that "The Boy must be very mean to make you carry all that stuff. I can also tell you're both very tall, and "the Boy" must be at least 8' tall, but is a good head taller than you (so you must be 7' 5 or so). You're both also bald. Yes, the shadow can tell an awful lot about a person.
Actually, Sam, I am 7'9"...lucky I found an 8-foot man to be with!
Monday, Monday again
Wasn't it just Monday last week?
The Boy and I went to Coney Island on Saturday and saw a Cyclones game. A few photos of Coney Isle to come.
Meanwhile, here's some reader mail regarding the hanging groundhog:
It sounds like a possible suicide to me. I have on many occasions had a groundhog run out in front of my car in an attempt, sometimes successful, to kill themselves. I have to admit that I have never seen a groundhog off itself by hanging.
By the way, a groundhog is referred to as a woodchuck, in the summertime. Perhaps it had just watched Groundhog Day and become depressed.
Interesting. Here's something from Dictionary.com: "The woodchuck goes by several names in the United States. The most famous of these is groundhog, under which name all the legends about the animal's hibernation have accrued. In the Appalachian Mountains the woodchuck is known as a whistle pig."
Wasn't it just Monday last week?
The Boy and I went to Coney Island on Saturday and saw a Cyclones game. A few photos of Coney Isle to come.
Meanwhile, here's some reader mail regarding the hanging groundhog:
It sounds like a possible suicide to me. I have on many occasions had a groundhog run out in front of my car in an attempt, sometimes successful, to kill themselves. I have to admit that I have never seen a groundhog off itself by hanging.
By the way, a groundhog is referred to as a woodchuck, in the summertime. Perhaps it had just watched Groundhog Day and become depressed.
Interesting. Here's something from Dictionary.com: "The woodchuck goes by several names in the United States. The most famous of these is groundhog, under which name all the legends about the animal's hibernation have accrued. In the Appalachian Mountains the woodchuck is known as a whistle pig."
7/07/2007
7/06/2007
T.G.I.F.
From the AP:
SPARTA, N.J. - The Humane Society is offering a $2,500 reward in the case of a groundhog who was found hanging from a tree. Spokeswoman Samantha Mullen told the New Jersey Herald of Newton the killing appears to be part of "a hideous, malicious prank."
The animal's body was discovered last month by a homeowner who emerged to find it about 12 feet off the ground with a wire around its neck. The other end was attached to a wooden stake in a higher branch.
I have a suspect...and his name...is Bill Murray!
From the AP:
SPARTA, N.J. - The Humane Society is offering a $2,500 reward in the case of a groundhog who was found hanging from a tree. Spokeswoman Samantha Mullen told the New Jersey Herald of Newton the killing appears to be part of "a hideous, malicious prank."
The animal's body was discovered last month by a homeowner who emerged to find it about 12 feet off the ground with a wire around its neck. The other end was attached to a wooden stake in a higher branch.
I have a suspect...and his name...is Bill Murray!
7/05/2007
Reader mail
A reader out West writes:
It's funny that you mentioned that in your blog, because a week or two ago, I was talking about how it would be cool to watch a game where only pitchers were hitting, and only hitters would pitch. Or they could have a game that's like the All-Star game, but it's the worst players in the league.
We are going to see the Rockies play the Mets tomorrow night. I live about two blocks from the stadium here, so I have been trying to go to as many games as they can. And living in New York for so long makes all of the food prices seem affordable!
Thank you. Now, please never mention those atrocious Rockies/Mets games again.
A reader out West writes:
It's funny that you mentioned that in your blog, because a week or two ago, I was talking about how it would be cool to watch a game where only pitchers were hitting, and only hitters would pitch. Or they could have a game that's like the All-Star game, but it's the worst players in the league.
We are going to see the Rockies play the Mets tomorrow night. I live about two blocks from the stadium here, so I have been trying to go to as many games as they can. And living in New York for so long makes all of the food prices seem affordable!
Thank you. Now, please never mention those atrocious Rockies/Mets games again.
7/04/2007
7/03/2007
Unsilent Bob
Kevin Smith weighs in (and that's a lot to weigh) with a nice tribute to Joel Siegel. He takes the high ground even though the two had a big brouhaha a year ago.
Kevin Smith weighs in (and that's a lot to weigh) with a nice tribute to Joel Siegel. He takes the high ground even though the two had a big brouhaha a year ago.
7/02/2007
Dear cassette tapes,
We don't spend that much time together these days, you and I.
But you really got me through high school, and some college studying. I remember the excitement of hearing a song on the radio and not knowing who it was by, but rushing to tape some of it. There was no internet to look up song lyrics, and sometimes it would take me years to figure out whose song it was. The mystery was always intriguing.
I named one tape "Wise Fool" because I made it during my sophomore year in college. Other tapes remind me of other tumultuous times in my youth. I can look at them fondly and remember.
Some tapes have my brother and me hamming it up, or trying to pretend we were DJ's. I have a friend on one or two doing song parodies.
Tapes, even though you and I don't spend much time together, I know you're there. So thanks for having provided a soundtrack to my growing up - or attempts to do so, anyway.
We don't spend that much time together these days, you and I.
But you really got me through high school, and some college studying. I remember the excitement of hearing a song on the radio and not knowing who it was by, but rushing to tape some of it. There was no internet to look up song lyrics, and sometimes it would take me years to figure out whose song it was. The mystery was always intriguing.
I named one tape "Wise Fool" because I made it during my sophomore year in college. Other tapes remind me of other tumultuous times in my youth. I can look at them fondly and remember.
Some tapes have my brother and me hamming it up, or trying to pretend we were DJ's. I have a friend on one or two doing song parodies.
Tapes, even though you and I don't spend much time together, I know you're there. So thanks for having provided a soundtrack to my growing up - or attempts to do so, anyway.
6/28/2007
Taylor Antrim's nightmare
Periodically I post about authors' fears that someone else is writing something similar to what they are writing. This past week, the New York Observer published a story called "Wonder Boy '07" about 33-year-old author Taylor Antrim, whose debut novel about a prep school is coming out. It says that as Antrim was writing it, halfway through it, young author Curits Sittenfeld's novel Prep came out, also about a prep school. Antrim could have thinking: "Ack! A best seller about prep school! No one will buy mine because Prep is already out." Editors could turn it down: "Sorry, we just bought Prep" or "It's too much like "Prep" (which incidentally was itself rejected by 14 out of 15 editors and then went on to be a best seller.) This kind of thing does happen sometimes.
Anyway, this is an excerpt from the article:
MR. ANTRIM WORKED ON THE NOVEL for almost two years, getting over 150 pages written on the Metro-North to New Haven visiting his girlfriend—now fiancée—Liz, who is completing her dissertation at Yale. “It’s an amazing place to write as long as you can block out the fact that people are looking over your shoulder and seeing what you’re writing,” he said. Midway through his work, Prep came out. “I didn’t read it, but I heard about it and thought to myself, ‘Just keep your head down and keep writing and get to the end.’ Because you really don’t believe you’ll get to the end. And then when you get there you stand up and say, ‘Holy shit, I wrote a novel!’”
So it just goes to show, if you love what you are writing, you just have to keep at it.
Here's the rest of the story, if you are interested.
http://www.observer.com/2007/wonder-boy-07?page=0%2C1
By the way, the Observer called him a "wonder boy" and now all other young writers will be jealous of him. Plus they started their article talking about how handsome he is. And yes, he went to prep school. So, let the snark begin.
Or, you may be focusing on the NBA draft right now like certain people. ;)
Periodically I post about authors' fears that someone else is writing something similar to what they are writing. This past week, the New York Observer published a story called "Wonder Boy '07" about 33-year-old author Taylor Antrim, whose debut novel about a prep school is coming out. It says that as Antrim was writing it, halfway through it, young author Curits Sittenfeld's novel Prep came out, also about a prep school. Antrim could have thinking: "Ack! A best seller about prep school! No one will buy mine because Prep is already out." Editors could turn it down: "Sorry, we just bought Prep" or "It's too much like "Prep" (which incidentally was itself rejected by 14 out of 15 editors and then went on to be a best seller.) This kind of thing does happen sometimes.
Anyway, this is an excerpt from the article:
MR. ANTRIM WORKED ON THE NOVEL for almost two years, getting over 150 pages written on the Metro-North to New Haven visiting his girlfriend—now fiancée—Liz, who is completing her dissertation at Yale. “It’s an amazing place to write as long as you can block out the fact that people are looking over your shoulder and seeing what you’re writing,” he said. Midway through his work, Prep came out. “I didn’t read it, but I heard about it and thought to myself, ‘Just keep your head down and keep writing and get to the end.’ Because you really don’t believe you’ll get to the end. And then when you get there you stand up and say, ‘Holy shit, I wrote a novel!’”
So it just goes to show, if you love what you are writing, you just have to keep at it.
Here's the rest of the story, if you are interested.
http://www.observer.com/2007/wonder-boy-07?page=0%2C1
By the way, the Observer called him a "wonder boy" and now all other young writers will be jealous of him. Plus they started their article talking about how handsome he is. And yes, he went to prep school. So, let the snark begin.
Or, you may be focusing on the NBA draft right now like certain people. ;)
6/27/2007
6/25/2007
Monday mindblowers
I think reading this made my head explode. And I actually like this kind of stuff.
I think reading this made my head explode. And I actually like this kind of stuff.
6/23/2007
6/22/2007
Oh, lordy
It may become a film, too:
Film rights to Doug Brown's JUST DO IT: How One Couple Screwed Their Life and Love Back Together, about the author's relationship-invigorating experiment to have sex with his wife for 101 consecutive days, optioned to 20th Century Fox, by Kassie Evashevski at UTA, on behalf of Daniel Lazar at Writers House.
Yike.
On another note, I got two nice e-mails about Carrie Pilby last week, within a day of each other, after I hadn't gotten any in a while; I get them when school is out and people are reading again...
Caren, Check out the comments on this blog post from Laura Lippman's website: http://www.journalscape.com/LauraLippman/2007-05-18-13:42 Bryon Q. "As the resident adolescent boy here, I feel it's my duty to hold up all that is great and wonderful about Catcher in the Rye. I do feel that's it's an entirely voice and character driven novel and that if that voice and character don't speak to you, then it ain't gonna work for you. But toward what Dusty said, I guess maybe because I am a drama queen it all works for me. Anyone looking for a female version of Catcher (with less drama and whining) should look up Carrie Pilby by Caren Lissner. I pimp this book at any chance I'm given and it's a close second to Catcher as my favorite book." His logic makes a lot of sense to me. I didn't read CATCHER until college and didn't see what the big deal was. But I certainly identified with and loved CARRIE PILBY. And congrats on the engagement!
And
Hi Caren-
So technically I'm not done reading Carrie Pilby just yet. Nonetheless, I have really enjoyed what I have read so far and got on Amazon.com to check out other books of yours. Always planning ahead...I guess that's the lawyer in me. Don't worry, I'm not "that kind" of lawyer. I actually had court today and wore socks that had Dots candy all over them. It's my little rebellion against becoming a stereotypical lawyer. So far it's working.
I hope this message finds you well and I look forward to reading more of your work. Your post on Amazon mentioned that you had a blog. I would love to get a link to it if possible.
Thanks for writing and doing what you do! Have a great day.
Sincerely,
L.
It may become a film, too:
Film rights to Doug Brown's JUST DO IT: How One Couple Screwed Their Life and Love Back Together, about the author's relationship-invigorating experiment to have sex with his wife for 101 consecutive days, optioned to 20th Century Fox, by Kassie Evashevski at UTA, on behalf of Daniel Lazar at Writers House.
Yike.
On another note, I got two nice e-mails about Carrie Pilby last week, within a day of each other, after I hadn't gotten any in a while; I get them when school is out and people are reading again...
Caren, Check out the comments on this blog post from Laura Lippman's website: http://www.journalscape.com/LauraLippman/2007-05-18-13:42 Bryon Q. "As the resident adolescent boy here, I feel it's my duty to hold up all that is great and wonderful about Catcher in the Rye. I do feel that's it's an entirely voice and character driven novel and that if that voice and character don't speak to you, then it ain't gonna work for you. But toward what Dusty said, I guess maybe because I am a drama queen it all works for me. Anyone looking for a female version of Catcher (with less drama and whining) should look up Carrie Pilby by Caren Lissner. I pimp this book at any chance I'm given and it's a close second to Catcher as my favorite book." His logic makes a lot of sense to me. I didn't read CATCHER until college and didn't see what the big deal was. But I certainly identified with and loved CARRIE PILBY. And congrats on the engagement!
And
Hi Caren-
So technically I'm not done reading Carrie Pilby just yet. Nonetheless, I have really enjoyed what I have read so far and got on Amazon.com to check out other books of yours. Always planning ahead...I guess that's the lawyer in me. Don't worry, I'm not "that kind" of lawyer. I actually had court today and wore socks that had Dots candy all over them. It's my little rebellion against becoming a stereotypical lawyer. So far it's working.
I hope this message finds you well and I look forward to reading more of your work. Your post on Amazon mentioned that you had a blog. I would love to get a link to it if possible.
Thanks for writing and doing what you do! Have a great day.
Sincerely,
L.
6/21/2007
Jersey Boys
Last night, the boy took me to see Jersey Boys, which I'd wanted to see since it opened.
I love the music of the Four Seasons, and besides, my dad grew up near their 'hood. I was impressed at what a great job they did, threading together the sometimes-painful biographies of four guys into one cohesive narrative, with a lot of funny lines. They made the music really rock. I've seen musicals (like "Movin' Out") that just relied on the strength of the music, and this one was much more appealing. Tickets are expensive, but I recommend that you see it if you can. Oh: There is some bad language, so keep small kids away.
The tickets were actually a b-day present that the Boy gave me a while ago. They were such good seats that...we were actually sitting not far from MEG RYAN!!! Other people pointed her out to us. Her hair is REALLY LONG now. She hasn't been in anything lately and is raising an adopted daughter. I found this picture online. See, her hair is really long.
Last night, the boy took me to see Jersey Boys, which I'd wanted to see since it opened.
I love the music of the Four Seasons, and besides, my dad grew up near their 'hood. I was impressed at what a great job they did, threading together the sometimes-painful biographies of four guys into one cohesive narrative, with a lot of funny lines. They made the music really rock. I've seen musicals (like "Movin' Out") that just relied on the strength of the music, and this one was much more appealing. Tickets are expensive, but I recommend that you see it if you can. Oh: There is some bad language, so keep small kids away.
The tickets were actually a b-day present that the Boy gave me a while ago. They were such good seats that...we were actually sitting not far from MEG RYAN!!! Other people pointed her out to us. Her hair is REALLY LONG now. She hasn't been in anything lately and is raising an adopted daughter. I found this picture online. See, her hair is really long.
6/20/2007
6/19/2007
6/18/2007
Goslings
In three different parts of the state today, I saw mother geese (or ducks or swans, I don't always know which giant bird I'm looking at) walking with fluffy yellow goslings/ducklings/chicks. It was CUUUUUTE.
In one case, The Boy had to stop his car and let them all cross the road.
I guess it has to do with the advent of spring -- birds and bees "do it", and now, on a very hot and sunny day, the momma geese must nudge their little goslings to water so they can swim and drink.
Have I mentioned how cute they were?
The Boy thought it was girly of me to mention that, but I still answered correctly who was pitching for the Mets today when he asked, so I get a break... (Although, shhhhh, I only knew the person's nickname and luckily he didn't ask the real name.)
On another note...you can disregard the stuff below about seeking a laptop, because I found a cheap new one with a rebate. Computers have come way down over the years.
And finally, right now "Bridezillas" is on our TV. While certainly there are spoiled people in the world, I feel bad for some of these girls because they are led to believe, either by peers (who've had similarly lavish weddings) or the wedding industry, that they must include all sorts of refinements in their wedding, and then one of them goes wrong and they get upset (like the girl on TV who is crying right now because a wheel just fell off a replica of a wagon, and her dad isn't taking it seriously). The important thing is bringing two people together who love each other.
I was going to blog about some other silly thing, but I forgot. It probably wasn't important, like 99.99 percent of whatever else is on here. I hope you all have a wonderful wonderful week!!!!
In three different parts of the state today, I saw mother geese (or ducks or swans, I don't always know which giant bird I'm looking at) walking with fluffy yellow goslings/ducklings/chicks. It was CUUUUUTE.
In one case, The Boy had to stop his car and let them all cross the road.
I guess it has to do with the advent of spring -- birds and bees "do it", and now, on a very hot and sunny day, the momma geese must nudge their little goslings to water so they can swim and drink.
Have I mentioned how cute they were?
The Boy thought it was girly of me to mention that, but I still answered correctly who was pitching for the Mets today when he asked, so I get a break... (Although, shhhhh, I only knew the person's nickname and luckily he didn't ask the real name.)
On another note...you can disregard the stuff below about seeking a laptop, because I found a cheap new one with a rebate. Computers have come way down over the years.
And finally, right now "Bridezillas" is on our TV. While certainly there are spoiled people in the world, I feel bad for some of these girls because they are led to believe, either by peers (who've had similarly lavish weddings) or the wedding industry, that they must include all sorts of refinements in their wedding, and then one of them goes wrong and they get upset (like the girl on TV who is crying right now because a wheel just fell off a replica of a wagon, and her dad isn't taking it seriously). The important thing is bringing two people together who love each other.
I was going to blog about some other silly thing, but I forgot. It probably wasn't important, like 99.99 percent of whatever else is on here. I hope you all have a wonderful wonderful week!!!!
6/13/2007
Snow Caps
In high school, I weighed about 100 pounds. I used to think it was just my metabolism, but looking back, I probably didn't eat that much excess junk considering I was only eating whatever my mother gave me for breakfast and dinner, and whatever the meager $1.65 school lunch was every day. I always had ice cream after school, but still, it wasn't like I had the money or time to buy my own snackage. There was one year when I had no friends in my lunch period, so instead of even eating lunch, I went to the library every day, bent into a carrel where the librarians couldn't see me eating, and pulled out a granola bar.
But I digress.
I got into college and signed up for the standard freshman three-meal-a-day meal plan.
Suddenly, not only were a full range of hot foods, sandwiches and cereals at my disposal, but for lunch and dinner, the "ice cream bar" was out. Besides hot fudge and the like, it featured such toppings as Heath bar crunch and Snow-Caps.
Clearly, draconian measures had to be instituted. I decided that I would allow myself to have "ice cream days" and "chocolate days" only two days a week. I made them the same days: Tuesday and Thursday, because I had my hardest classes those days. Ice cream and chocolate could ease the pain.
"You girls are crazy," this kid across the hall said to me once, "With your ice cream days." (I wasn't the only one.)
One Monday, I snuck a cup full of those delicious dark-chocolate Snow Caps out of the cafeteria and placed it on my dresser. I wanted it, but I couldn't eat it yet. After all, it was Monday.
That night, I had to study for my Calculus 141 exam. I sat Indian-style on my bed and started studying. My roommate sat on the bed across from mine, studying too. She knew I was salivating over those Snow-Caps, just a few feet away.
The red numbers on my clock radio changed. 11:48. 11:49.
At precisely 12:01 a.m., I put my Calc book down and plunged my mouth into the cup full of delicious Snow-Caps.
That anticipation really got me through.
I don't think this story goes very far to dispel the notion that women have food issues, does it?
In high school, I weighed about 100 pounds. I used to think it was just my metabolism, but looking back, I probably didn't eat that much excess junk considering I was only eating whatever my mother gave me for breakfast and dinner, and whatever the meager $1.65 school lunch was every day. I always had ice cream after school, but still, it wasn't like I had the money or time to buy my own snackage. There was one year when I had no friends in my lunch period, so instead of even eating lunch, I went to the library every day, bent into a carrel where the librarians couldn't see me eating, and pulled out a granola bar.
But I digress.
I got into college and signed up for the standard freshman three-meal-a-day meal plan.
Suddenly, not only were a full range of hot foods, sandwiches and cereals at my disposal, but for lunch and dinner, the "ice cream bar" was out. Besides hot fudge and the like, it featured such toppings as Heath bar crunch and Snow-Caps.
Clearly, draconian measures had to be instituted. I decided that I would allow myself to have "ice cream days" and "chocolate days" only two days a week. I made them the same days: Tuesday and Thursday, because I had my hardest classes those days. Ice cream and chocolate could ease the pain.
"You girls are crazy," this kid across the hall said to me once, "With your ice cream days." (I wasn't the only one.)
One Monday, I snuck a cup full of those delicious dark-chocolate Snow Caps out of the cafeteria and placed it on my dresser. I wanted it, but I couldn't eat it yet. After all, it was Monday.
That night, I had to study for my Calculus 141 exam. I sat Indian-style on my bed and started studying. My roommate sat on the bed across from mine, studying too. She knew I was salivating over those Snow-Caps, just a few feet away.
The red numbers on my clock radio changed. 11:48. 11:49.
At precisely 12:01 a.m., I put my Calc book down and plunged my mouth into the cup full of delicious Snow-Caps.
That anticipation really got me through.
I don't think this story goes very far to dispel the notion that women have food issues, does it?
6/12/2007
Needed
I need to buy a cheap used laptop. If you've got one or know anyone who is getting rid of one, please lemme know! E-mail me at the link at my webpage. Thanks!
I need to buy a cheap used laptop. If you've got one or know anyone who is getting rid of one, please lemme know! E-mail me at the link at my webpage. Thanks!
Tuesday
A few people commented on the fact that I posted my "Monday" entry on Saturday. Well, yes, I did, but I'm allowed to get ahead! All right?
I heard that a lot of people's screens went back at the end of the first hour of the Sopranos this past Sunday, and they didn't get to see the second hour, when everyone stripped off all their clothes and did the macarena. And then Bob Newhart showed up and it turned out it was all a dream. It's so sad that you all missed that!! It was great.
Yes, I am posting this on Monday. And it's for Tuesday. So do you want to make somethin' of it?
A few people commented on the fact that I posted my "Monday" entry on Saturday. Well, yes, I did, but I'm allowed to get ahead! All right?
I heard that a lot of people's screens went back at the end of the first hour of the Sopranos this past Sunday, and they didn't get to see the second hour, when everyone stripped off all their clothes and did the macarena. And then Bob Newhart showed up and it turned out it was all a dream. It's so sad that you all missed that!! It was great.
Yes, I am posting this on Monday. And it's for Tuesday. So do you want to make somethin' of it?
6/11/2007
6/09/2007
Saturday night madness
We are a really rowdy couple. A new CVS opened in the area, and they sent out coupons for $10 off $20 of goods. So this evening, we made sure to go to CVS and buy $20 worth of stuff to use the coupon.
That's us. Par-tay, par-tay, par-tay!!!! ;)
I bet you are wondering what we purchased. I think there was some conditioner in there. Tide pens too. And maybe -- hold on to your undies -- skim milk!
Seriously, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Oh, I also got a haircut. Shhhh.
We are a really rowdy couple. A new CVS opened in the area, and they sent out coupons for $10 off $20 of goods. So this evening, we made sure to go to CVS and buy $20 worth of stuff to use the coupon.
That's us. Par-tay, par-tay, par-tay!!!! ;)
I bet you are wondering what we purchased. I think there was some conditioner in there. Tide pens too. And maybe -- hold on to your undies -- skim milk!
Seriously, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Oh, I also got a haircut. Shhhh.
6/08/2007
Only in New York
Only in New York do they publish articles designed to make you relieved that you haven't gotten a book deal.
Check out the Observer's story from today, My Book Deal Ruined My Life.
Just remember that it doesn't have to be extreme as some of these writers make it. I guess I did more solitary writing years ago...now I work on it here and there. I think the key is to not assume you will make your only living at it right away, because then there's too much pressure to produce.
I like this quote: “You’re not letting people read it as you write it. Nobody has ever read what you’re doing. It could be terrible. It could be brilliant. And you start to think, ‘Oh God, this is a complete piece of shit that couldn’t be published...”
On another note
This book sold recently:
Denver Post writer Doug Brown's JUST DO IT: How One Couple Screwed Their Life and Love Back Together, about the 101 days the author and his wife committed to have sex every day, no matter what, and exploring how anyone can strengthen a relationship, and fall back in love with their spouse even after a decade together, to Allison McCabe at Crown, by Daniel Lazar at Writers House.
Only in New York do they publish articles designed to make you relieved that you haven't gotten a book deal.
Check out the Observer's story from today, My Book Deal Ruined My Life.
Just remember that it doesn't have to be extreme as some of these writers make it. I guess I did more solitary writing years ago...now I work on it here and there. I think the key is to not assume you will make your only living at it right away, because then there's too much pressure to produce.
I like this quote: “You’re not letting people read it as you write it. Nobody has ever read what you’re doing. It could be terrible. It could be brilliant. And you start to think, ‘Oh God, this is a complete piece of shit that couldn’t be published...”
On another note
This book sold recently:
Denver Post writer Doug Brown's JUST DO IT: How One Couple Screwed Their Life and Love Back Together, about the 101 days the author and his wife committed to have sex every day, no matter what, and exploring how anyone can strengthen a relationship, and fall back in love with their spouse even after a decade together, to Allison McCabe at Crown, by Daniel Lazar at Writers House.
6/07/2007
So anyway
I've been on my diet for a month as of this Sunday. And I'm a bit tired of it! I run on the treadmill almost every morning (kind of boring, but the iPod helps) and I haven't been eating sweets. Definitely no fried food, and less cheese than usual. No chocolate.
I did manage to lose the five pounds, so I will probably go back to a less-strict diet soon.
I also haven't really done any writing in almost a month. Which is good, because when I write, I eat. I am waiting for Superagent to read the novel I handed in last month. I do have some manuscripts that I pick and poke at now and then, but wedding planning and other things take priority.
The NJ anthology came out on Tuesday. Haven't seen any reviews, but at least my writing is out there, and can always lead to more publications. Or movies. Or stuff.
Happy Thursday.
I've been on my diet for a month as of this Sunday. And I'm a bit tired of it! I run on the treadmill almost every morning (kind of boring, but the iPod helps) and I haven't been eating sweets. Definitely no fried food, and less cheese than usual. No chocolate.
I did manage to lose the five pounds, so I will probably go back to a less-strict diet soon.
I also haven't really done any writing in almost a month. Which is good, because when I write, I eat. I am waiting for Superagent to read the novel I handed in last month. I do have some manuscripts that I pick and poke at now and then, but wedding planning and other things take priority.
The NJ anthology came out on Tuesday. Haven't seen any reviews, but at least my writing is out there, and can always lead to more publications. Or movies. Or stuff.
Happy Thursday.
6/06/2007
Mailbag
Two responses to Manhattanhenge:
Dave speculates:
Take whatever date that was and subtract it from June 22. Then take that difference and ADD it to June 22, and the sun should be in the same place.
Mickey writes:
Your comment on the East / West Sun was interesting. I was driving one day in Teaneck when that happened. It blinded all drivers. It stopped traffic. You could not see a thing. I don't remember the date though. Sorry.
Two responses to Manhattanhenge:
Dave speculates:
Take whatever date that was and subtract it from June 22. Then take that difference and ADD it to June 22, and the sun should be in the same place.
Mickey writes:
Your comment on the East / West Sun was interesting. I was driving one day in Teaneck when that happened. It blinded all drivers. It stopped traffic. You could not see a thing. I don't remember the date though. Sorry.
6/05/2007
BEA
So Friday I went to the Book Expo of America, an annual publishing industry convention where publishers flaunt their new books. It was at the Javits Center for three days.
I got to see an editor whom I'd pitched a book to a year ago (she's still considering it), and I saw some publicity people from Red Dress Ink. "You should publish 200,000 more copies of that Carrie Pilby book," I said. I don't think it helped.
Perhaps the most interesting book I got free was a light-blue uncorrected galley of something called FINDING IRIS CHANG: Friendship, Ambition, and the Loss of an Extraordinary Mind. Since Iris was an otherwise successful young woman who committed suicide at the age of 36, I was kind of curious about the book.
I debated taking it, as one's totebag gets heavy and runneth over at the conference, but I couldn't quite put the book down. And out of all the books I got, I somehow started reading this one first.
Apparently, Iris was an overachieving journalist of whom many other journalists were jealous. Yet, she also did some wonderful work at an early age, including exposing the extent of Japanese atrocities committed against the Chinese during WWII. The book is interesting on several levels:
1. It shows the kind of dangers faced by the rare journalists who really stick their necks out to uncover and write about wrongdoing, and there are so few people willing to do this kind of probing work. Sometimes, as a journalist, you find something you want to expose, and you know that it will take months of work and pushing and interviews for possibly little reward. But you know the story is there and you must follow it. Irish Chang ended up writing three important books in that vein.
2. On another level, the book shows the kind of naivete that still exists in this day and age about mental illness. The book is written by a friend and former classmate of Iris who can't understand how someone so smart and successful suddenly killed herself. In the days before Chang killed herself, she called the author and rambled for more than an hour, saying things like "I think I gave my son autism through vaccinations" and "If anything should happen to me, remember how I was before I got sick, ok?" Naively, the author believes people who tell her that Chang was merely "depressed" or stressed by the book tour. When someone is experiencing delusions like harming her son, it's more than stress. And when someone hints that they are going to commit suicide, you don't just let it go. Anyway, later in the book the author reveals (surprise) that Chang had more serious problems than depression. Chang's mom was reluctant to talk about it at first, but then spoke publicly on it later, because of the stigma of mental illness in the Asian community. There are so many people who just don't understand the pervasiveness and nuances of mental illness, and I think this book sheds a little light on how it can happen to someone who is otherwise successful.
3. The book is interesting on a gossipy level because of the extent of the jealousy of Iris by her superiors. Sometimes the book has a bit of a smarmy feel as certain people in it are a bit too curious about her suicide, more than they are saddened by the loss. But it's an important book about an important person.
Wow, I went off on one book...I'm not all the way through it but it seems worth reading.
I also got a novel called "The Flawless Skin of Ugly People" by Doug Crandell that's coming out this fall; a book called Grub that is described as a "send-up of the publishing world", a book about Jane Austen, Tom Perrotta's new book The Abstinence Teacher (signed!!), and a hardcover Red Dress Ink book, Welcome to the Real World by Carole Matthews.Other goodies included a free Mad magazine, some notebooks, and pads.
I also bumped into a few people I know, like Nichelle of the Nichelle Newsletter who is always nice enough to call out my name as we are making our ways through the throngs. All in all, a worthwhile visit.
Unfortunately, next year BEA will be held in L.A., so I'll be skipping that one.
Over and out.
So Friday I went to the Book Expo of America, an annual publishing industry convention where publishers flaunt their new books. It was at the Javits Center for three days.
I got to see an editor whom I'd pitched a book to a year ago (she's still considering it), and I saw some publicity people from Red Dress Ink. "You should publish 200,000 more copies of that Carrie Pilby book," I said. I don't think it helped.
Perhaps the most interesting book I got free was a light-blue uncorrected galley of something called FINDING IRIS CHANG: Friendship, Ambition, and the Loss of an Extraordinary Mind. Since Iris was an otherwise successful young woman who committed suicide at the age of 36, I was kind of curious about the book.
I debated taking it, as one's totebag gets heavy and runneth over at the conference, but I couldn't quite put the book down. And out of all the books I got, I somehow started reading this one first.
Apparently, Iris was an overachieving journalist of whom many other journalists were jealous. Yet, she also did some wonderful work at an early age, including exposing the extent of Japanese atrocities committed against the Chinese during WWII. The book is interesting on several levels:
1. It shows the kind of dangers faced by the rare journalists who really stick their necks out to uncover and write about wrongdoing, and there are so few people willing to do this kind of probing work. Sometimes, as a journalist, you find something you want to expose, and you know that it will take months of work and pushing and interviews for possibly little reward. But you know the story is there and you must follow it. Irish Chang ended up writing three important books in that vein.
2. On another level, the book shows the kind of naivete that still exists in this day and age about mental illness. The book is written by a friend and former classmate of Iris who can't understand how someone so smart and successful suddenly killed herself. In the days before Chang killed herself, she called the author and rambled for more than an hour, saying things like "I think I gave my son autism through vaccinations" and "If anything should happen to me, remember how I was before I got sick, ok?" Naively, the author believes people who tell her that Chang was merely "depressed" or stressed by the book tour. When someone is experiencing delusions like harming her son, it's more than stress. And when someone hints that they are going to commit suicide, you don't just let it go. Anyway, later in the book the author reveals (surprise) that Chang had more serious problems than depression. Chang's mom was reluctant to talk about it at first, but then spoke publicly on it later, because of the stigma of mental illness in the Asian community. There are so many people who just don't understand the pervasiveness and nuances of mental illness, and I think this book sheds a little light on how it can happen to someone who is otherwise successful.
3. The book is interesting on a gossipy level because of the extent of the jealousy of Iris by her superiors. Sometimes the book has a bit of a smarmy feel as certain people in it are a bit too curious about her suicide, more than they are saddened by the loss. But it's an important book about an important person.
Wow, I went off on one book...I'm not all the way through it but it seems worth reading.
I also got a novel called "The Flawless Skin of Ugly People" by Doug Crandell that's coming out this fall; a book called Grub that is described as a "send-up of the publishing world", a book about Jane Austen, Tom Perrotta's new book The Abstinence Teacher (signed!!), and a hardcover Red Dress Ink book, Welcome to the Real World by Carole Matthews.Other goodies included a free Mad magazine, some notebooks, and pads.
I also bumped into a few people I know, like Nichelle of the Nichelle Newsletter who is always nice enough to call out my name as we are making our ways through the throngs. All in all, a worthwhile visit.
Unfortunately, next year BEA will be held in L.A., so I'll be skipping that one.
Over and out.
6/04/2007
Monday, Monday
I got some interesting books at the book festival. It's like trick-or-treating for us publishing folks. I even got some ESPN books for the boy and some comic books for a friend. I'll write more about what happened there when I get time.
I also met Tom Perrotta. He's shorter than me, doncha know.
Also, the Mets won 6-1. Yay! And I got peanuts all over the place. Yay again.
***********CORRECTION***********
The score was SEVEN TO ONE. SEVEN TO ONE. My better half wanted that made clear immediately. Sorry, my little hug-muffin. Forgive me, Mets fans!
I got some interesting books at the book festival. It's like trick-or-treating for us publishing folks. I even got some ESPN books for the boy and some comic books for a friend. I'll write more about what happened there when I get time.
I also met Tom Perrotta. He's shorter than me, doncha know.
Also, the Mets won 6-1. Yay! And I got peanuts all over the place. Yay again.
***********CORRECTION***********
The score was SEVEN TO ONE. SEVEN TO ONE. My better half wanted that made clear immediately. Sorry, my little hug-muffin. Forgive me, Mets fans!
6/02/2007
Sunset in Manhattan
Twice a year, the sun sets in direct alignment with Manhattan's east-west streets, flooding walls and buildings with pink light for the last 15 minutes of the day. It's pretty cool to see. However, I keep missing it. Does anyone know which two dates it is this year? Please e-mail me if you do.
Here are some descriptions of it last year with maybe better explanations.
Here is something from Wikipedia suggesting that it's on specific dates each year. I didn't hear about it this year. But I often miss it. Wikipedia seems to believe a term was only coined for it five years ago. No one noticed before?? Or maybe there just weren't enough web sites that were talking about such things.
UPDATE: Okay, apparently it was a mere two days ago and I missed it! There will be another one in July but these articles don't say exactly when. Grrrr.
Anyhoo, there are rumors that this weekend, I will both attend the Book Expo of America, and I might see the Mets play as well. Cheers!
Twice a year, the sun sets in direct alignment with Manhattan's east-west streets, flooding walls and buildings with pink light for the last 15 minutes of the day. It's pretty cool to see. However, I keep missing it. Does anyone know which two dates it is this year? Please e-mail me if you do.
Here are some descriptions of it last year with maybe better explanations.
Here is something from Wikipedia suggesting that it's on specific dates each year. I didn't hear about it this year. But I often miss it. Wikipedia seems to believe a term was only coined for it five years ago. No one noticed before?? Or maybe there just weren't enough web sites that were talking about such things.
UPDATE: Okay, apparently it was a mere two days ago and I missed it! There will be another one in July but these articles don't say exactly when. Grrrr.
Anyhoo, there are rumors that this weekend, I will both attend the Book Expo of America, and I might see the Mets play as well. Cheers!
5/31/2007
Cherry red
I ate a pound of cherries for breakfast today. I did that a few days ago, too. They are REALLY filling and very sweet. I'm finding that this is a good breakfast on my diet. No fat, no cholesterol, lots of fiber and Vitamin C. Sugary, too, but at least it's fruit sugar.
I looked up the nutritional value to be sure.
They tend to range from $1.99 to $4.99 a pound now, depending on who is selling them. Anyway, if you're trying to eat healthy, I recommend them as a snack. But wear a paper towel over your shirt. They stain.
Disclaimer: I'm not responsible if you swallow one of those slippery pits!
I ate a pound of cherries for breakfast today. I did that a few days ago, too. They are REALLY filling and very sweet. I'm finding that this is a good breakfast on my diet. No fat, no cholesterol, lots of fiber and Vitamin C. Sugary, too, but at least it's fruit sugar.
I looked up the nutritional value to be sure.
They tend to range from $1.99 to $4.99 a pound now, depending on who is selling them. Anyway, if you're trying to eat healthy, I recommend them as a snack. But wear a paper towel over your shirt. They stain.
Disclaimer: I'm not responsible if you swallow one of those slippery pits!
5/30/2007
Oops
I was going to post about how I forgot to post today. But I thought today was Monday. Now I realize today is Tuesday, and I am actually TWO days behind. So you will probably read it on Wednesday.
And it really was worth waiting for, was it?
I could tell you about my weekend, but it can't compare to the weekend of a friend of mine who ordered something really disgusting at a Japanese restaurant, that will remain nameless. Ewww.
At one point this weekend we saw Asbury Park. Sadly, it has not been fully developed yet and some of it is frozen in time. Meanwhile, a few miles south, Belmar is booming. Asbury Park could be that way someday too, but it will take work.
I was going to post about how I forgot to post today. But I thought today was Monday. Now I realize today is Tuesday, and I am actually TWO days behind. So you will probably read it on Wednesday.
And it really was worth waiting for, was it?
I could tell you about my weekend, but it can't compare to the weekend of a friend of mine who ordered something really disgusting at a Japanese restaurant, that will remain nameless. Ewww.
At one point this weekend we saw Asbury Park. Sadly, it has not been fully developed yet and some of it is frozen in time. Meanwhile, a few miles south, Belmar is booming. Asbury Park could be that way someday too, but it will take work.
5/25/2007
Have a great weekend!
Sometimes I go to turn off my computer, and the program that actually turns off the computer stops working in the middle of the action, and the computer asks me if I should "end now" or wait for that program to work. So if I hit "end now" do you think that it STOPS the program that turns the computer off, or it does actually turn the computer off, meaning the move was actually successful? Usually the computer turns off.
I know, what?
Oh yeah, of course, it's a Dell.
Sometimes I go to turn off my computer, and the program that actually turns off the computer stops working in the middle of the action, and the computer asks me if I should "end now" or wait for that program to work. So if I hit "end now" do you think that it STOPS the program that turns the computer off, or it does actually turn the computer off, meaning the move was actually successful? Usually the computer turns off.
I know, what?
Oh yeah, of course, it's a Dell.
5/24/2007
Dear cupcakes,
I won't be seeing you for a while.
I ate too many of you lately, and am cutting down on sweets (okay, pretty much eliminating sweets) now that it's summer. I am looking to fresh peas, apples, cherries and oatmeal for sustenance, as well as the usual dinner foods. Fat-free stuff. Please do not get jealous. It's a necessity this time of year. But I sure do like to look at you, cupcakes. You are sweet, colorful, and you fill me with joy. Not as much as the boy, but joy nonetheless.
Don't go away, cupcakes. I'll be seeing you reaaaal soon.
I won't be seeing you for a while.
I ate too many of you lately, and am cutting down on sweets (okay, pretty much eliminating sweets) now that it's summer. I am looking to fresh peas, apples, cherries and oatmeal for sustenance, as well as the usual dinner foods. Fat-free stuff. Please do not get jealous. It's a necessity this time of year. But I sure do like to look at you, cupcakes. You are sweet, colorful, and you fill me with joy. Not as much as the boy, but joy nonetheless.
Don't go away, cupcakes. I'll be seeing you reaaaal soon.
5/23/2007
Scam e-mail, or real?
Received today:
Hi, C-ren! My name is T--- T----- and I'm from Romania.
I want to ask you something. Can you send me your book,Carrie Pilby?
I like to read a lot. And these kind of books. Like yours.
Why am I asking you to send me? Because.. I'd like to buy it,but I don't have money. My parents divorced soon and my father doesn't give me money. And my mother tries everyday to give me something to eat.
I love to read books write in English. That's the way how I learn better this beautiful language.
I hope to write me soon! Best wishes!
T---- T------
Anthology update
I think one of you must have bought this, because its Amazon ranking went up! Thanks.
Update: Reader mail
A reader writes:
I think that I really could have gotten it on with your mom! Sha g-a-delic! Groovy Baby!
I think that the book thing was a scam. This guy could afford a computer and the internet but not a book?
I assume it's a girl, and maybe she went to the library. And stop being creepy about my mom!
2nd Update: Reader writes again
Oh, I forgot about the library. And yes, I creep myself out sometimes also. But she is kinda cute you gotta admit. She has that shag-a delic look about her. After all she didn't find you and your bro in the cabbage patch like she told you.
Received today:
Hi, C-ren! My name is T--- T----- and I'm from Romania.
I want to ask you something. Can you send me your book,Carrie Pilby?
I like to read a lot. And these kind of books. Like yours.
Why am I asking you to send me? Because.. I'd like to buy it,but I don't have money. My parents divorced soon and my father doesn't give me money. And my mother tries everyday to give me something to eat.
I love to read books write in English. That's the way how I learn better this beautiful language.
I hope to write me soon! Best wishes!
T---- T------
Anthology update
I think one of you must have bought this, because its Amazon ranking went up! Thanks.
Update: Reader mail
A reader writes:
I think that I really could have gotten it on with your mom! Sha g-a-delic! Groovy Baby!
I think that the book thing was a scam. This guy could afford a computer and the internet but not a book?
I assume it's a girl, and maybe she went to the library. And stop being creepy about my mom!
2nd Update: Reader writes again
Oh, I forgot about the library. And yes, I creep myself out sometimes also. But she is kinda cute you gotta admit. She has that shag-a delic look about her. After all she didn't find you and your bro in the cabbage patch like she told you.
5/22/2007
I can't handle the truth
Someone who shall remain nameless recently pointed out to me that 1982 was 25 years ago.
"You know what was 25 years before 1982?" he asked. "1957. That means that we are as far from 1982 as 1982 was from 1957."
Ack!
Hmmm, seems like the world changed a lot more between 1957 and 1982 than between 1982 and now. I guess we have the internet now, and our enemy has changed from Russia to Al Qu**a, but I still think there were more changes from 1957 to 1982. I think the innocent '50s really ended when Kennedy was shot. All the things that used to be kept in the dark started coming out. Not just his affairs.
And that's my rambling for this morning.
The Boy shared this Jay Leno witticism with me: "Jimmy Carter said that Bush was the worst president in history. Bush responded that that's not true. He was actually the worst in math and English."
Someone who shall remain nameless recently pointed out to me that 1982 was 25 years ago.
"You know what was 25 years before 1982?" he asked. "1957. That means that we are as far from 1982 as 1982 was from 1957."
Ack!
Hmmm, seems like the world changed a lot more between 1957 and 1982 than between 1982 and now. I guess we have the internet now, and our enemy has changed from Russia to Al Qu**a, but I still think there were more changes from 1957 to 1982. I think the innocent '50s really ended when Kennedy was shot. All the things that used to be kept in the dark started coming out. Not just his affairs.
And that's my rambling for this morning.
The Boy shared this Jay Leno witticism with me: "Jimmy Carter said that Bush was the worst president in history. Bush responded that that's not true. He was actually the worst in math and English."
5/21/2007
Groovy, baby!
Yesterday I cleaned the apt. I came across the Austin Powers-esque photo of my mom.
After I finished cleaning, I made fresh lemonade. It's not always worth it to make fresh juice these days when there are brands of juice in the supermarket that are almost as fresh. But it's nice to make it truly fresh, the way you like it. The downside: the lemons alone cost $3.50, and then there's the bother of using the food processor, etc.
I felt very summery.
Finally, it's only two weeks until my tale of summer woe appears in this Simon & Schuster anthology of memoirs about growing up in NJ.
Even though I usually don't get too personal in my writing, there is some slightly personal stuff in here - mostly just stuff that's not very shocking (that my parents were getting divorced and it was uncomfortable...not very surprising).
Anyway, I'll be participating in a reading at some point. The anthology includes some famous folks like Josh Braff and Tom Perrotta (who wrote the book on which the flick "Election" is based). It's good beach and vacation reading this summer, so pick it up when it debuts June 5. Whee!
Super-important update: Look at today's puppy!!!
Yesterday I cleaned the apt. I came across the Austin Powers-esque photo of my mom.
After I finished cleaning, I made fresh lemonade. It's not always worth it to make fresh juice these days when there are brands of juice in the supermarket that are almost as fresh. But it's nice to make it truly fresh, the way you like it. The downside: the lemons alone cost $3.50, and then there's the bother of using the food processor, etc.
I felt very summery.
Finally, it's only two weeks until my tale of summer woe appears in this Simon & Schuster anthology of memoirs about growing up in NJ.
Even though I usually don't get too personal in my writing, there is some slightly personal stuff in here - mostly just stuff that's not very shocking (that my parents were getting divorced and it was uncomfortable...not very surprising).
Anyway, I'll be participating in a reading at some point. The anthology includes some famous folks like Josh Braff and Tom Perrotta (who wrote the book on which the flick "Election" is based). It's good beach and vacation reading this summer, so pick it up when it debuts June 5. Whee!
Super-important update: Look at today's puppy!!!
5/18/2007
T.G.I.F.
There are several things worth noting in this week's New Yorker Magazine.
One is the Shouts 'n' Murmurs piece by Larry Doyle, a fake wedding invitation. Notable quote:
E-vites are for the Guest only; there is no 'implied plus-one.' We’re sorry, but it’s a very small mountaintop, with limited ruins. We have gone to exhaustive lengths to achieve a proper mix of personalities, races, classes, ages, and orientations to insure a Fun and Romantic Event for all. So don’t be surprised to find that your True Plus-One is already there! (Though just one plus-one per guest, please. Do you hear me, Erika?)
I think we may use that in our invitation.
Also notable is a short piece about a screenwriter I wrote about on this blog a few months ago, Mike White, hanging around a zoo in his childlike way. He has a dry sense o' humor and I like it.
Finally, also in Talk of the Town, is this quote:
"College, from which some 1.5 million people will graduate this year, is, basically, a sleepover with grades."
Well said.
There are several things worth noting in this week's New Yorker Magazine.
One is the Shouts 'n' Murmurs piece by Larry Doyle, a fake wedding invitation. Notable quote:
E-vites are for the Guest only; there is no 'implied plus-one.' We’re sorry, but it’s a very small mountaintop, with limited ruins. We have gone to exhaustive lengths to achieve a proper mix of personalities, races, classes, ages, and orientations to insure a Fun and Romantic Event for all. So don’t be surprised to find that your True Plus-One is already there! (Though just one plus-one per guest, please. Do you hear me, Erika?)
I think we may use that in our invitation.
Also notable is a short piece about a screenwriter I wrote about on this blog a few months ago, Mike White, hanging around a zoo in his childlike way. He has a dry sense o' humor and I like it.
Finally, also in Talk of the Town, is this quote:
"College, from which some 1.5 million people will graduate this year, is, basically, a sleepover with grades."
Well said.
5/17/2007
Books that sold last week
From Publisher's Marketplace: Andrew Davidson's THE GARGOYLE, "a densely packed story about a car-accident victim in the burn ward befriended by a mysterious woman who claims to be a stone carver in a fifteenth-century German abbey" (per NY Mag), to Gerald Howard of Doubleday, at auction, reportedly for "around $1.25 million," by Eric Simonoff at Janklow & Nesbit (US).
For "Around $1.25 million"??
I'll take that for my next book, too. Thanks!
From Publisher's Marketplace: Andrew Davidson's THE GARGOYLE, "a densely packed story about a car-accident victim in the burn ward befriended by a mysterious woman who claims to be a stone carver in a fifteenth-century German abbey" (per NY Mag), to Gerald Howard of Doubleday, at auction, reportedly for "around $1.25 million," by Eric Simonoff at Janklow & Nesbit (US).
For "Around $1.25 million"??
I'll take that for my next book, too. Thanks!
5/16/2007
Crumbs
The Boy and I went to a famous cupcake place, Crumbs in NYC. They have a few locations. I think the 'cupcake craze' is really just a way to eat a lot of frosting on a tiny bit of cake, and it doesn't seem all that hard to gain a following if you open a cupcake store and dollop a LOT of frosting on and color it. More obviously, it's just a sneaky way to put butter and sugar in your mouth. But yum, some do it so very well.
The above photo shows what we bought.
Below, TIME ELAPSED: 12 HOURS.
The green one was supposed to be "key lime" but I think someone forgot to flavor it that day. The frosting was plain frosting that happened to look green. The raspberry one was delicious and had raspberry filling too. Fluffernutter (the one with white sprinkles) was also good.
Now if only I can find a way to work this into a diet...
5/15/2007
Tuesday Thoughts
(today's blog entry was previously recorded on an earlier day)
Why do I keep getting junk e-mail from Hoodia? I never liked any of his records with the Blowfish.
I was bored in the first "Shrek" and didn't pay attention to the others. But I do like the sign outside McDonald's with a picture of Shrek that says "Come ogre here."
One of the most wonderful feelings in the world is finding someone or something that fits. If you start reading a book and realize you're really drawn in, that's a happy feeling. If you find a piece of clothing that fits you just right and makes you look good and feel good, that's a happy feeling. Of course, the best feeling is if you find someone who says things that melt your insides, things that make you feel really, really glad you met him/her.
(today's blog entry was previously recorded on an earlier day)
Why do I keep getting junk e-mail from Hoodia? I never liked any of his records with the Blowfish.
I was bored in the first "Shrek" and didn't pay attention to the others. But I do like the sign outside McDonald's with a picture of Shrek that says "Come ogre here."
One of the most wonderful feelings in the world is finding someone or something that fits. If you start reading a book and realize you're really drawn in, that's a happy feeling. If you find a piece of clothing that fits you just right and makes you look good and feel good, that's a happy feeling. Of course, the best feeling is if you find someone who says things that melt your insides, things that make you feel really, really glad you met him/her.
5/14/2007
Monday meanderings
(Okay, I'm really writing this Saturday morning.)
My friend Jodi, who lives in LA, recently got to spend an evening with the Simpsons! Yes, the cartoon characters. It was a party for their movie. Check out the photo. Scroll down a day to the Simpsons entry.
I got an e-mailed comment on Carrie Pilby, the first in a long time. I'm so glad that people are still finding it:
Wonderful book. I rarely read books where I feel the female protagonist has much in common with me, but this one was an exception. Laugh-out-loud...I think of it more in the same genre as Mark Haddon's "Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time", where the author also succeeds in getting deeply inside the persona of, and making sympathetic, a character who most readers won't have much in common with.
Thanks for the blog link and good luck with the writing... I promptly put everything else you wrote onto the list, but it would be nice to have more to add. :-)
Hopefully I will provide more to add! Thanks for the compliments!
(Okay, I'm really writing this Saturday morning.)
My friend Jodi, who lives in LA, recently got to spend an evening with the Simpsons! Yes, the cartoon characters. It was a party for their movie. Check out the photo. Scroll down a day to the Simpsons entry.
I got an e-mailed comment on Carrie Pilby, the first in a long time. I'm so glad that people are still finding it:
Wonderful book. I rarely read books where I feel the female protagonist has much in common with me, but this one was an exception. Laugh-out-loud...I think of it more in the same genre as Mark Haddon's "Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time", where the author also succeeds in getting deeply inside the persona of, and making sympathetic, a character who most readers won't have much in common with.
Thanks for the blog link and good luck with the writing... I promptly put everything else you wrote onto the list, but it would be nice to have more to add. :-)
Hopefully I will provide more to add! Thanks for the compliments!
