Friday, September 23, 2005

Goomba Chat!


I wish you could have heard the conversation before the one we taped! What a great time today with the Steve Schirripa interview. Steve needed to tape it ahead of tomorrow's show and he made me an offer I couldn't refuse!! (do it today - or not at all ...:) Due to his taping schedule for The Soprano's this worked out better and I wouldn't want to do anything to interfere with the taping of season #6 - which I cannot wait to see! *but wait we will - until March!*
Steve has a new book out called Nicky Deuce..Welcome to the Family! It's aimed at the 8-12 year old crowd but is an enjoyable story for all! Check out http://www.kidvidlit.com/nicky/ for a preview! As you read it...you can smell the "gravy" cooking on the stove!

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Jennnifer Weiner Event in Connecticut!


If you have not been to a Jennifer Weiner event - you are missing out! You must put this on your list of things to do! The Fairfield Library had a fabulous event yesterday - "Mommies That Lunch" We all enjoyed hearing Jen's stories about her Nana, the making of In Her Shoes (the movie!),her Nana, her wonderful, just-released novel, Goodnight Nobody, her Nana....Jen's incredible sense of humor had the whole room howling for her entire talk. What a treat!! Of course I began reading Goodnight Nobody the moment I got home (okay, I checked email first!) and I am LOVING it!! It begins with a murder which is a bit of departure for Weiner's stories. Enough of the blogging I am going back to the book! For more info on Jennifer Weiner check out her wonderful site www.jenniferweiner.com

Friday, September 16, 2005

"Reading is a gift you give to yourself"


Who said these immortal words? Give up? I did...only I didn't realize that they'd go anywhere besides the article for which I was being interviewed. Well, it turns out that once it's "out there" it's out there! I was contacted over the summer by someone representing a the C.H. Booth in Newtown, CT asking if they could use the quote for shirts they were printing to celebrate their 30th year. At first I thought it was some kind of joke, but then I remembered the article and expressing that sentiment and it's true. Reading is something that we do only for ourselves. (okay, unless it's a school assignment!)To say that I was flattered would be an understatement. I gave them the go-ahead with the request that I receive a shirt as a keepsake.
The shirt arrived and it was so cool to see my words up in...well, not lights - but close! The shirts are deep purple (my favorite color!) and on the back ...my words! I just LOVE it! I mentioned this on-air when the shirt arrived and have received a few requests for the shirts. I have spoken with the lovely woman in charge, Mary, and she says there are still some available which they are selling to raise money for the library. If anyone would like one they are $14. Just send me an email at robin@readingwithrobin.com and I'll get you the info!

Article about the C.H. Booth Library

A Successful Campout For The 30th Annual Labor Day Book Sale

By Nancy K. Crevier

Thousands of people visited the sale held Saturday, September 3, through Wednesday, September 7. "It was a mob scene," laughs Ms Maki, "and some people come back every day.".........................
One of the things Ms Maki loves about the book sale is that each year there is a story behind the scenes. And this year did not let her down. Every year volunteers sport T-shirts with a snappy saying. This year's quote, "Reading is a Gift You Give to Yourself," was gleaned from a story on National Public Radio. Ms Maki did a little research to disclose the source, and discovered that it came from Robin Kall, of the Providence radio program, Reading With Robin. As a gesture of thanks for granting permission to use her quote, Ms Maki sent Ms Kall a T-shirt and articles about the book sale. In return, Ms Kall made mention of the sale on her show, only to receive an email from one of her listeners: "We were at the sale and we saw the shirt!"....
Not to downplay the monetary benefit for the town's library, "It's the little stories that makes every book sale special and successful," says Ms Maki.

Thursday, September 15, 2005

To Honest With You......

Whenever I hear this lead-in I cringe. I hardly notice what comes after because I am immediately irritated. Why WOULDN'T you be honest with me? I assume that when I am speaking with someone that they are telling me the truth. I must hear this several times a week so apparently it has become acceptable - or perhaps nobody has ever challenged it. The latest offense was today when I called in to check on my car. (as the loaner is a mini-van...ugh!...I am more than anixous to get mine back.)I asked what was going on with my car and the response from the service manager was, "to be honest with you, I haven't heard anything about it yet." Well, why not just skip the first part and just let me know that there isn't any info yet. sheesh!!

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Walking With Robin...Chapter 3!

Sunday, October 16th is the 10th annual ACS Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk! I hope that you will join our team Walking With Robin..Chapter 3 and support this very important cause. Click on the link below to join or send an email to me at robin@readingwithrobin.com for more information. Hope to see you all on the 16th!
Free shirts for the first 50 who sign up!

http://www.acsevents.org/strides/ri/providence

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Making Excuses

I was at the market yesterday - just ran in for a few things so I wasn't there for more than 15 minutes. In that time I ran into two women that I know both of whom stopped to chat. What struck me on the way home (no, not a car thank goodness!) was that both conversations began in the exact same way. Each woman apologized for her appearance. The first let me know that she had just had a facial and thus the lack of make-up. I hadn't given it any thought but as long as it was brought to my attention I proceeded to take a look. She looked like she was relaxed and well-scrubbed. Woman #2 was at the deli counter and as soon as I said "hello" she commented that she had been working all day at home and hadn't even taken a shower yet. (isn't that one of the perks of a home office?) Are we all so worried that we are constantly being judged on our appearance that we feel the need for a preemptive strike?
I can just picture a similar exchange when men bump into eachother. "Hey, Joe....what's up?" "Dan, great to see you! Don't mind me I haven't had time for a shave yet." Yea, like that conversation is EVER going to happen. It's just not the same - never will be.

Monday, September 12, 2005

Jennifer Weiner luncheon - Sept 2004

Have finally figured out how to add photos to my site...all very exciting! So it was last year - better late than never!


Me!

Table photo

Leslie Pious and her mom, Estelle Handell

August 2004 Splash into Summer RWR!

Sunday, September 11, 2005

September 11th...

As September rolls along how can we not stop and think about what we were all doing four years ago today. How can four years go by so quickly? I was out and about today and you'd hardly know that it was the anniversary of the most horrific act certainly in my lifetime. I'm not sure what to make of this but I thought it was worth mentioning. I suppose everyone is caught up with what is going on today and the tragic events caused by hurricane Katrina. The focus shifts and we move on...

Friday, September 09, 2005

How Cool! From author, Johanna (THE NEXT BIG THING) Edwards, blog!


Great fun!
I had a fantastic time on Reading with Robin this past Saturday morning. The host, Robin Kall, is a terrific interviewer. She's sharp, funny, and she really does her homework. I think she knew my book better than I did! One of the coolest things about the show is that they play music coming in and out of the break. Anyway, I was delighted to hear Robin had cued up "Visions of Johanna" by Bob Dylan. She also played "Until the End of the World," by U2, which is my all-time favorite song. I had such a blast and I can't thank Robin and WHJJ enough for having me. The 45-minutes just flew by.
posted by Johanna @ 9:07 AM 0 comments
Friday, August 19, 2005

A post before bed
I've got an early day tomorrow so I'm about to climb into bed. I'll be waking up at 5:30 a.m. Memphis time (yes, you read that right) to be interviewed on the very cool radio show Reading with Robin. The show airs live from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. on WHJJ in Providence, Rhode Island. If you're up tomorrow morning and feeling talkative, call in and ask me a question. The number is 1-866-920-WHJJ and we go on the air at 7 a.m. Eastern time/6 a.m. Central. I'm so excited about the interview and I think it's going to be a blast.Night everyone :)

2004 WWR - Robin and sister, Jenn

WWR Family Girls!


Lisa (from Cumberland!) Abby, Emily, Me, (Aunt) Eileen, Jenn, Michele, Caroline and Lauren

Thursday, September 08, 2005

Crossing the finish line!

2004 Walking With Robin..Chapter 2 team photo



Ari striking a pose! Posted by Picasa

2003 Walking With Robin Team Posted by Picasa

Published!

Well, after years and years of talking about it - I've finally done it.
I have been published....okay, okay - so it's a blog and it's something that I'm publishing myself. Everyone has to start somewhere so here it is!