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So many times, I’ve
left an interview for my Quotable Notables column feeling like
I’ve stolen something: a revealing answer to one of my
off-the-wall questions, such as, “About what are you still
prejudiced?”; a few tears for another corker, “What do you wish
you’d said to your father?”; or some belly laughs after asking,
“In what ways are you stupid?”
So, it’s taken courage to look up all these celebrities with
whom I once “scored” an interview; snatched a bit of their
souls, so to speak; or captured their “essence,” as many kind
readers have reported.
Reminds me of the ancient lore that taking a photograph of
someone snatches their soul.
However, as the response letters pour in, I am inspired beyond
speech. “Much success and love!” “You go, girl!” “Wishing you
all the best in your endeavors!” “I’m honored to be included in
your book,” etc., etc.
And one, from Gus Arriola, a cartoonist renowned for his
endearing syndicated news column “Gordo,” made me cry as I sat
in my car outside the post office.
He thanked me for including him in my collection and said he
wanted his post script to say how privileged he felt for having
“walked with giants” in his field . . .
Talk about “going postal”! For the last two weeks my dining room
has looked like a post office, as I mail literary release forms
to the 62 people who will appear in StarWords. Stamp pads,
address books, staplers, paper clips, colored pens all bear
testament to the scavenger hunt I’m on.
Last night, in my quest for signed releases, I had to call
Buenos Aires. Yes, the one in South America. I needed a
signature from someone who was staying one night in a hotel
there, before embarking upon a two-month cruise, during which I
was sure never to connect with them. The concierge was going to
get a fax to the bellboy, who was going to get it to the guest
to sign.
They got it, just in the nick of time! The synchronicity keeps
flowing along . . . And the words of encouragement I am
receiving inspire me to complete this book project of Herculean
magnitude and messy details!
My book dedication was going to be short and sweet. Now, it’s
beginning to look like an Academy Awards speech. Maybe I should
thank some of these people online.
OK, here’s one: Brigid McGrath Massie, a widely known
motivational business speaker, who is showing me the ropes of
the field. When I told her I was shooting for May publication,
she shot back, “I think July is much more realistic. You never
know if the printer will have to back order paper stock, etc.”
Dag! I have a sinking feeling she may be right. She knows the
business, as she’s published two highly readable books infused
with her dry wit.
You’ve gotta buy them even if you don’t have time to read. The
titles, when carefully arranged on your coffee table or work
desk, guarantee good conversation with anyone who sees them.
Here they are: “What Do They Say When YOU Leave The Room?” and
“Selling For People Who Hate to Sell.”
Who can’t relate to that?
I interviewed this vibrant speaker over a decade ago, and was
transfixed by her violet eyes. Besides Liz Taylor, I’d never
seen eyes that color – and they weren’t contacts. When I asked
her if that helped her sell, she admitted that it did . . .
Tune in for a little inspirational
“vacation-in-your-own-backyard” next posting . . .
And here’s an aside I’ll call “Life in Hail!”
Out on my trusty bike, red cape wrapped around the handle bars
because the sky before me is a powder blue ocean, with puffy
cloud boats sailing across it. I’m blissing out with the sun on
my face, whizzing past board and batten charmers with fat cats
perched on their white picket fences.
However, I become puzzled by the ashen sky behind me. Ominous.
It’s way blacker than a rain cloud and reminds me of the
tornados my family and I endured when I was a kid in Minnesota.
So, just as I begin to unfurl my rain cape all hail breaks
loose! It’s bouncing off the fender of cars, gathering in the
gutters, frosting the lawns and me. My face is so cold I can’t
feel my cheeks as I madly peddle home. However, the child in me
supercedes the miserable adult, as I tilt my head to the sky,
open my mouth wide and feel the bee-bees of ice pelt my tongue .
. .
Just the week before, I drove to Salinas in another blinding
rainstorm to get my business resale license. And here’s the
miracle: I got to the State Board of Equalization 13 minutes
before it closed, and a lovely young woman, Monique, got me
processed and out the door in time. She even stayed over a few
minutes – on a Friday, no less.
You see? Another gift from the universe.
Not to mention, on the drive back, through the chocolate colored
fields along Davis Road, I spied the most miraculous shower of
rainbows ever. It looked like the Aurora Borealis; and though my
car tires got stuck in the mud when I pulled off the road to
take pictures, and my wheel shimmied for five miles until the
mud flew off the tires, I was again inspired to follow my dream
and make StarWords a reality, whether that happens in May, June
or July . . . |
