Dena on TV - Take Two

Spent this morning taping the 30-minute TV segment for Greensboro Community Access TV. The "Take Two" in today's title is accurate - we had to shoot it twice.

I was a little nervous going in because I never know where to look with TV.  I tend to oogle the host so I don't have to look at the camera.  But we had our 30-minute segment and I thought it went pretty well.  Then the producer motioned the host back to the cutting room.

"Uh-oh," I thought.  "I did something wrong.  My mike wasn't working.  I used too big of gestures and obliterated my face when I spoke. Something." Tyrone, the host, came back.

"We need to do that again," he said.  "They didn't have the recording equipment set up properly. "

So we ended up taping the entire show again.  I did well except for one question where I went on so long in my answer I forgot what the original question was.  I finally remembered and managed to bring it back around but it was not the most succinct of answers.

Better was that on the 2nd go-around Tyrone asked me to give my contact info, so I was able to cite my www.denaharris.com website.  Not a direct plug for the book, but anyone who visits there will certainly be able to find their way to the book with no problem.

Not sure when the piece will air.  Probably sometime in August.  And I have no idea how many people will see it.  I'm guessing being local cable it won't be hordes.  But it just takes the right person seeing it to make a difference.

Now I must go scrub my face.  I actually put on foundation today and in this 110 degree heat we're having (I kid not) I feel like my face is about to melt off.

More reasons I should never bear young...

As if I needed further proof, a 3 1/2 hour visit from my almost 4-year-old nephew today has once again shed a glaring light on the fact that I must never, ever be allowed to breed.

I have such a need to CONTROL.  My nephew dropped his napkin on the floor.  "Please pick that up," I said. He grinned at me and said "No."

I swear, I just wanted to reach over and whack that smile off his face.  I am not a violent person so where does such rage come from? Control issues, for sure.  It infuriates me that I can't make him do what I want.

And just having kids in the house puts me on edge.  For example, I set out cheese, crackers and strawberries and watched my nephew like a hawk as he ate the strawberry while sitting on our rug, barely following the conversation as my mind was occupied with what I could put on the rug if strawberry juice dripped on it.

Apparently my many hours spent watching Nanny 911 and Nanny Rescue (I'm addicted to both shows) are for naught. 

Such experiences make me deeply, deeply appreciate stay-at-home moms and dads (I know 2 stay-at-home dads who are excellent so we can't leave them out!).  These people are AMAZING to me and deserve not only our full respect and admiration, but heaps of praise and a standing ovation.

For those of you out there raising your young, you are better people than me.  I salute you.

2nd Book Order In - Whoo-Hoo!

Received my 2nd order today for my book.  The first was from my Dad because he didn't read the fine print which said the book wouldn't be out until September which counts as first order but you know... This is the first NON-FAMILY man-on-the-street order which makes it all the more exciting. 

In honor of being the first non-family ordering member, I am posting links to Margy's beautiful cat sonnets.  Here's one at Cleverkitty Caterwauling E-zinesand another at Fanc-e -mews .

I only need to sell about a billion more books to break even.  Very exciting!

I'm going to be on TV

A gentleman in my Toastmaster group hosts a local community cable show and has asked me on as a guest to speak about self-esteem and public speaking.  We've talked about this for a month and it's always been one of those, "Yeah, I'll call you and we'll set something up," and then nothing happens.  Well this morning (Saturday) I got a call from him asking if I could be at the studio at 11am on Monday for the interview.  I got the message off my cell phone, turned to Blair and said, "Of course we'll be chucking all our weekend plans in favor of going shopping for a new outfit for me."

Not really!  For Oprah, yes, I will hit the stores but community access is going to have to live with me wearing my has-beens.

I've read that people appearing on TV should wear solid colors, not white, and never go sleeveless.  A peek in my closet reveals striped and patterned long sleeve shirts or sleeveless solids.  Story of my life.

I need to submit a list of questions to him by tomorrow.  I was just working on it and it's harder than it sounds to come up with questions to interview yourself about.  My wanna-be-questions range from, "So tell us, Ms. Harris, is it true you're a natural genius or do you have to be a little thought into it?  to "How long do you think you can hold out until everyone figures out you're a fraud?"  (Just kidding on both counts....) =)

Although the topic is public speaking and not my humor book, you can be darn sure I'm going to manage to slip that in somewhere.  Every ounce of publicity counts... Wish me luck!