Monday Meanderings ... February 15th

First Meandering ...

Wiki Commons - Source

I am so sick of winter! Here in the Rockies we sometimes get what's called an inversion. When we lived in Sacramento, we'd get them too. The high pressure holds the colder air closer to the ground. The air's crap, and we tend to have fog/smog.

In Sacramento one December we had 30 days of no sun. The low was 38 degrees; the high was 40 degrees. We could barely make out the house across the street. By noon the fog would rise to about the rooftop and by 4 p.m. it'd be down again.

While our fog here is nothing that bad, it's still dismal. I'm so ready for some blue sky and the snow crocuses to break through.


Second Meandering ...

Have any of you read this post about there only being 40 self-published authors who are successful?

I've got a headache right now (I blame the air pressure), and it irritates me no end when people make what I consider to be outrageous claims.

First off, define success. I can almost guarantee you that my definition won't necessarily be the same as Alex Cavanaugh's or Pat Hatt's or Dezzie over at Hollywood Spy or any of you.

The thing that bother's me is that there are probably struggling artists who could read an article like that and give up their dreams. But why should another person's arbitrary definition of success define it for anyone but themselves? Grrr

Yes, I'm irritated. I said I have a headache. lol


Third Meandering ...

We saw Kung Fu Panda 3 this weekend. Loved it. Loved the message.

Fourth Meandering ...

This whole downsizing thing could be the death of me. We're settling on the floor plan for the twin homes, and my sister-in-law is busy looking through window designs and stuff.

Um.

I hate that kind of stuff. Just give me some simple choices, and I'm good.

It's a holiday here in the US today. Presidents Day. 

Do you have the day off? Did you do anything fun this weekend? 

Reflections on a Book Launch

This last week has been insane on so many levels.

For my day job, I run the election for my city. Last week we had eighteen (yes, you read that right) people file for council and five for mayor. We have also lost both of our office clerks who left to seek higher pay in the private sector. My deputy and I are going crazy as we try to carry our regular work load, the additional work that comes with an election, and the work our clerks used to do. Ha! And now we're going to be doing interviews. Like we have the time.

Crazy time to launch a book, wasn't it? But I was too busy during the day to worry much about the book launch.

Blog tours are interesting things, very much in flux. Real life happens and some of the people who signed up to help either couldn't, forgot, or posted late. And it's all good. I was just thrilled so many people were willing to help a debut author. I got to meet some awesome new people while wanting to hug so many that I already know. Thanks so much to my trooper followers who visited my blog every day and commented (Alex and Pat, you know who are).

As for the physical launch, I loved being able to do it with another author. It really lowered my stress level, and I'm so grateful to Jordan McCollum for suggesting it. If you aren't following her blog, you should. She's a great resource on writing. Her book, I, Spy, is a dang fun read. We had so much fun we're going another joint event (different theme) on June 19th at the American Fork Library.

Because of an arthritis flareup, my son, Paul, created some artwork to make a stamp to help with the signing. Pretty cool, huh? His wife, Kelsey, came to take pictures. In spite of her camera dying, she managed pretty well with my camera.

Some things I learned from watching the footage:

• I talk a lot with my hands. How did I never realize that?
• I'm a podium hog.
• I open my mouth a lot and make funny expressions. Embarrassing.

Following is a video montage of our Saturday event.



What's your experience been at book launches--either ones for your own books or that you've attended? What have you liked or not liked?