I would have been blogging like mad over the past week, but the pinched nerve in my neck has gone back into action and been doing bad things to my shoulder and arm. Mostly, it has been telling them that they are on fire, which is plain rude.
To all the pinched nerves out there, I say, Oh, shut up already.
Fortunately, I have borrowed one of those little TENs machines that administers electo-shocks through little pads. I have all four attachments on and the machine is turned up as high as it will go. My muscles are twitching so fiercely that I can barely control my arm to type this. As a result of my low level electrocution, I can hardly feel the pain. Yes! Screw you, nerve! Take that!
Okay. I didn’t start this blog just to complain about my arm. I wanted to send a huge thanks to the fine people at the Vancouver Public Library for hosting my reading at the downtown branch last night. Thanks to Kidsbooks for being the official bookseller and the Vancouver International Writers’ Festival for being a sponsor. And most of all, thanks to everyone who came out and who laughed in the right places and who asked such great questions.
Thanks also to the superfabulous people at Kidsbooks for hosting me at lunch. I didn’t eat my bocconcini and tomato and pesto sandwich because I didn’t want to scare the staff with my pesto smeared teeth, but I enjoyed it and my cookie on the ferry ride home. I was supremely unconcerned that other travelers would see me looking like I had only six teeth. I figure they’re used to it. Traveling is tough business and not all about dental aesthetics.
Whoa. The TENs machine just kicked things up a notch. Battery surge! Ha. Screw you, nerve pain. Let’s see you compete with FOUR electroshock pads! Also, nerve, you should know that I’m going to see a neck chiropractor on Thursday and I bought a new monitor and wireless keyboard and am planning to buy a new office chair. I’ll fight you with electricity and ergonomics. Bad language, too, if necessary.
More thanks to CBC Radio’s Stephen Quinn from On the Coast and Fanny Keifer for interviewing me. I also had the chance to speak with Sheryl MacKay from North by Northwest. That interview should air soon.
And to the kids and parents I visited the week before last at Christianne’s Lyceum: you are the best of the best of the book clubs. Christianne and her Ravenous Readers made a cool Getting the Girl crossword puzzle, made up fantasy menus for Sherm and his posse, and asked tough but fair questions. In fact, they were so tough and smart that I may have them speak to my nerve.
Okay. I’ve probably forgotten about ten events and twenty people but I blame it on my nerve. My most sincere gratitude to everyone for making me feel welcome and for your interest in Nice Recovery and little Sherman. If you haven’t bought a copy of Nice Recovery yet, feel free to do so. Yes, it’s hardcover, but it’s competitively priced! (And, to be quite honest, I’m saving up for a new nerve and could use the financial support. heh.)
Below is a picture of Susin Nielson, winner of the Red Maple, Caroline and moi at the Forest of Reading awards. I have another photo of Teresa Toten and I at a workshop we did together in Toronto, but I’ve misplaced it. Guess who I blame?
Until then.
xoxox