Blog No. 331
You know when you go to the doctor and they ask you about your drinking habits? How many drinks do you have in a week, sort of thing? (Once, my doctor told me that he was taught to triple whatever his patients tell him). I never know how to properly answer that one. It varies so wildly that I have to look at months in order to get an average. I can go for three months without having a drink, but if a friend is in town (maybe one from Owen Sound) that number could be six beers plus a-pitcher-and-a-half in two days. Add to those drinks, two late nights, and things get groggy. Don’t think that I was only out drinking, though. My good friend from my video store days had tickets to wresting and invited me along. It was a first for me, but it was a good time. Those wrestler folks do some crazy acrobatics. It’s certainly fun to watch.
I don’t think that I’m going to be a regular attendee. I’m not likely to start going to all the local shows, either. I am interested in checking out the broadcast to see all the interviews and story-lines that I didn’t get to see at the live show, though. And, if someone in the future gets tickets and wants to go, I’ll know what to expect. Mostly, it was about spending time with a friend who (whom?) I don’t get to see very often. He invited me up to Owen Sound, though, so I may have to find some writing excuse to go visit in the near future. He used to work at the bookstore there, so I think I have and in. With the hubbub over the cover for The Neon Heart pushing me over my deadline and my weekend full of late nights, body slams, drinking, and regret, I fell behind on the final read and layout, too. I was a little disheartened and the release deadline of the Sarnia Pop Culture Show is not realistic anymore, but I’m close and should be finished by the time this is released.
Christian came through in a big way, not only rushing to get the cover done, but working with me to get as close to that vague image in my head as possible. He even let me sit next to him while he worked on it, asking my opinion in real time. I tried very hard to let him finish things and ask me my opinion before jumping all over little details he was still getting to. In the end, I’m happy with what we ended up with. Even though he actually drew it (partially by hand) it was based on my idea and I helped work out the design. I’ll call it a collaboration with him doing the actual driving. I still have to add all the text, but with the cover out of the way, it’s all back on me, now. I may be too late for Sarnia, but my April release is all but ensured. Unless something horrible goes wrong, I’ll have my book in a matter of weeks.
As for the ChiSeries event that happened last night. I’m forced to assume it went as smoothly as silk. Christian was the solo host since I was one of the readers this time. I’m confident he will do (has done) a good job. He declined my usual script, though. He usually wings it more than I do, so, I’m sure it’s fine. I’ll do a proper write-up for the event next week, since it hasn’t happened as I write this. With Michael Drakich, MJ Gardner, and myself as readers, and the amazing Brendan Scott Friel providing the music, our only possible weak link being the attendance. The audience we do get is always lovely. There just aren’t very many of them. Hopefully we can buck the trend and keep this ChiSeries event growing. Either way, I should have by new book off to the printer by now, so I’m feeling no pain (until the first copies come back with a printing error).
Ben Van Dongen 