I am here in gorgeous Grand Rapids, driving what may be the funniest rental car I've ever seen. Truly, this vehicle is an engineering marvel...it looks like someone left a Tahoe and a VW Beetle unattended in the back lot, and this is their love child. In a way, though, it reminds me of THAT DOG (a cocker spaniel/afghan mix): not necessarily something God intended, but rather unique and charming once you get to know it :)And, speaking of unique and charming, I've been thinking about my upcoming book events. Specifically, how to make them more interesting and interactive (Paige's recent blog post is to blame; she made me realize that EVERYONE has more fun when an author brings more to the table than just, "Hi. I wrote a book. Let me read to you for a few minutes...")
As I mentioned to Paige and the awesome folks I met that night in Philadelphia, I've been thinking lately (okay, mourning might be the better word) about how Barak Obama stole my favorite book title. The Audacity of Hope may be the single best title I've ever heard. I mean, can't you just SEE that emblazoned across the top of my lip glossed bullfrog??? It's the theme of my entire life. And--let's be honest--the life of every single interesting person I know.
After all, for any of us who dream that life could/should/would be about more than clocking hours in a cube--that we might secretly be a writer, or an entertainer, or even a super hero-- audacious hope is the name of the game. Because it take some audacity for any of us to believe that our lives could be more than the sum of the parts we see strewn about in front of us on any given day. And yet we have to believe, right?
So THIS is what I'll be talking about tonight in Grand Rapids at Schuler Books on Alpine (7:00pm). And tomorrow at Borders in New York City (also at 7:00pm) with A.J. Jacobs.
(A.J. doesn't know about this whole audacious hope thing yet; I should probably send him an email, right? But then again, WHO embodies the audacity of hope better than A.J. Jacobs???)
And as for my spiffy rental car? I'm christening it the AUDACITY MOBILE. Who knows? Maybe it will become THE car for superhero transport! There's certainly enough room in the back for the entire League of Justice...
Thanks, Paige, for inspiring me to raise my game ;)
13 comments:
You are audacious and bodacious. And I'm sure many other -acious things. I adore you.
That car is a sweet drive. In September, I was visiting one of my best gal pals in Lexington, by way of the Louisville airport. my rental car (a Saturn Ion) died on me just as I was getting ready to drive from Lex back to Louisville. My rental car company switched me out and gave me one of those things. It was brand new and a strange, I-am-from-Mars-like shade of orange, and I loved driving it. I hated how much gas it sucked, though, for my 1:30 drive around Kentucky!
Those cars are nice. PT Cruisers (the cars on which this is designed) are nicer. But oh the gas! Oh the shitty gas mileage! And oh the expensive gas station filler-uppers! That's entirely not fun.
My 80-something year old great-grandmother bought that car a few years ago and I haven't stopped laughing yet. It is a comfortable car, though.
The Philly reading was a lot of fun, less like a book signing and more like a forum to get to know other women.
I know! You can do your baton-twirling routine! :-) I was at a Cook's Illustrated cookbook-signing event once where they passed out chocolate samples and had everyone vote on their favorite. (Most people liked Hershey's best, beating out the "fancy" brands.) Anyway, maybe something a little interactive. Although I think you reading and talking would be just fine! You have so much light and energy and enthusiasm that just pours out of you.
I heart Schuler Books! I used to live right by one (in the East Lansing area) and my best friend worked in the cafe. Such a lovely bookstore. My brother lives right by Grand Rapids. Have fun while you're there!
AS and I have rented that car and PT Cruisers before and we are not fans. The blind spots get us both in trouble! (Not good when combined with infrequent driving skillz practice.)
good luck! i know where that is, have a great time :)
reminds me of a PT cruiser which isn't necessarily a good thing. :)
Every time I go on vacation to some place hip like Miami or LA, I get stuck with an effing PT Cruiser. It's usually metallic purple or gold lame. And every time, I beg the dude at the rental counter to give me something else. So that (a) I don't have to turn the AC off to merge onto the highway and (b) I have a shot in hell at getting laid. The compromise? I can have a minivan instead. It's useless.
Hope the reading was as awesome as the Philly one!!!
Sounds like you are having so much fun! And I agree--great title!
Yay you for kickin' it up a notch! ;)
i agree - it slightly resembles a p.t. cruiser. and btw, i love a.j. jacobs. i just finished his new book.
and it looks like i would love your memoir. i'm def. going to look into buying it.
That is actually an incredibly inspiring blog post. I wish I could be there for the book event! Thanks for reminding me that audacity is a good thing. Just what I needed to hear!
Ha! My husband and I just rented a similar-looking car on our vacation in Hawaii.
I can't wait to read your book!
Post a Comment