Monday, November 20, 2006

My Lord and Taylor

OK, that was fun. I'm just back from the Chrismukkah promotion trip to New York where I did a series of book signing events at Lord and Taylor. While there, I also did a few interviews, including one inside the hallowed halls of New York's NPR studios. I had lunch with my editor Ann and publicist Claire, walked the streets in a downpour chewing on a folded slice of Rays pizza (orange grease dripping down my wrist) and munched on poppy seed bagels from H&H (it's the water). I slurped awesome hot and sour soup after midnight, got to ride around in big black limos, order room service, sipped glasses of Pinot Noir at the lobby bar, met lots of really cool people, and autographed several hundred books. All of it, ALL expenses paid. It was such an ego trip. And at some point, I realized how much I do miss New York. I wished Minna and Michelle were with me. In-between scheduled events, I prowled the streets of Manhattan... an activity that just isn't as compelling here in Bozeman. It's holiday season in New York City, the streets illed with garlands and green, bell ringing Santas, animated victorian window displays on 5th Avenue, Herald Square grid-locked with busy shoppers and workers readying Macy's for the big parade this Thursday. The empire state building all lit up for the holidays. Now, back home, it's back to a slower routine. I brought the Chrismukkah store orders over to Wanda at the fullfillment service, spent the rest of the day at Eco Auto, catching up on phone messages, posting updates to the website and talking "green car" politics with the people who wandered in. I bought a DVD of "Who Killed the Electric Car" and screened it for anyone who wanted to watch. It's a film that must be seen... it would make an excellent double feature with "An Inconvenient Truth." I don't know what to expect this year. It's still early. I'm very focused on getting the word out about my zero emmissions electric cars, and not so much on Chrismukkah. I'm sure that will change after turkey day. Walmart made the news last week. Apparently, they've caved under pressure and will be wishing shoppers a "Merry Christmas." Forward into the past.

Friday, November 03, 2006

Wakeup Call

It was my birthday yesteday. Worked during the day at Eco Auto (my new "green car" venture) and then had a really great dinner at home... my favorite: Hungarian Goolash over wide egg noodles - with Michelle, Minna and my Mom. This morning, the alarm chirped at 5 AM to signal the official start of the 2006 Chrismukkah season. A week before election day, it's hard to get into the mood, but in a few minutes I'm scheduled to do my first drive-time radio interview of the year. It's with Brian Freeman, a news guy at the Fox station in Miami - WIOD / News Radio 610. I'm a little rusty... haven't talked about Chrismukkah since last December. This strong cup of coffee should help. Minna just woke up early and barely glanced at me as she padded past me typing away here, heading to Mommies and Daddy's room for the early morning snuggle routine. Next week - book signings in New York. Over and out