Making Time to Read

I'm not doing much reading these days. That's a problem, as reading is by far my favorite hobby and an intrinsic part of who I am. Yet I can't remember the last time I lost myself in a good book. It's been close to two months, at least. Most of the reading I do now is informational or by assignment. I just read two Dale Carnegie books and while they were good, it's not the same as disappearing into a different world.

When we were traveling this weekend, I found a couple of great books I'd like to read. One was a biography of Marie Antoinette and the other is a book called "The Colony: The Harrowing True Story of the Exiles of Molokai."  It's about the leper colony established on the island of Molokai in Hawaii and the people (lepers and non) who were forced there. That book had blurbs from Tracy Kidder and Paul Theoroux, two writers I admire, and I'm kicking myself for not just having bought it in the airport. I balk at paying $30 for a book though--that's why God made libraries and Edward McKay's (2ndhand bookstore).

I've got meetings most of today but should be home around 4. I'm marching myself straight to the library and checking out no less than 4 books and I am going to make finding time to read more of a priority in life.  If I can find time to watch, "My Name is Earl," I can find the time to turn the pages of a book.

Do you go through reading stages? For years, all I read was history and biography. Then I spent 6 months on archeology (having it to do over again, I'd study forensic archeology in school). Then there was the chick lit stage (not a pretty period), then the classics, then sci-fi, then two years of almost solely non-fiction. This past year or two has been a mish-mash of reading--young adult, middle grade, fiction, non-fiction, cookbooks (I like looking at the pretty pictures), and reading the manuscripts and stories of fellow writers.

I just hopped over to Amazon and they have The Colony for $12 so I'm going to buy it. A little reward for...well, I don't know but I'm sure I'll think of something.

Book suggestions, anyone? I love to know what people are reading.  

Awards

Each year the international Cat Writers Association (That's right--there are a lot of us. Be very afraid.) holds a writers conference and awards ceremony. I received notice in the mail yesterday that I'll be receiving "Certificate of Excellence" awards in the 3 categories I applied in: humor, column writing, and gift book.

The Certificate is the first step. Each category is judged by 3-5 judges and a point system is awarded. On a 100-point scale, you must earn 90 points or higher to receive the Certificate. The real award though, is called the Muse Medallion.  Let's say there are 3 certificate winners in a category. Those 3 will then compete against one another for the top award, which is the Medallion. I've won several Certificates of Excellence over the years but still haven't snagged a Medallion. 

I can almost guarantee I won't receive a Medallion for my book. I'm up against Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul and I (rightfully) don't see me beating that book.  Maybe for humor or for my column, which is also a humor column.

The one thing I've noticed with humor writing is that when in the same category against "reporting" or a "tear-jerker," it tends to get overlooked. I've talked about this with many humor writers at various conferences. Many of them complain that it's because people think writing humor is easy or anyone can do it, which is far from true. Humor writing is some of the hardest writing there is to do.

I think human nature comes into play. If you're looking at two columns and one is about rescuing a feral cat from a life of neglect and one is a humor piece about wiping a cat's butt, I think people would feel guilty "ignoring" the hard story in favor of the fun one. It doesn't mean the humor piece any less well-written, but I do understand why it's harder for people to select the humor articles as the winner. 

Anyway, it's still fun seeing who wins what. And the conference is held in conjunction with the Cat Fanciers annual cat show and that is a sight to behold. A coliseum full of felines--I'm in heaven. I'll do a book signing along with several other cat writers from our group. I was excited about the signing last year, thinking, "A cat show! What better place to sell cat books?"

Actually, it's a horrible place to sell cat books. That's because there are aisles and aisles and aisles of people selling nothing but cat crap - books, toys, food, furniture, jewelry, clothing, and on and on and on. It's so overwhelming that everything tends to just blend into one another and not a lot gets sold.

Besides, I've learned that people who own cats aren't the ones who buy my book.  People who have spouses, friends or relatives that own cats tend to be the people who buy my book as a gift for their friends.

Speaking of cats, there is a little feline face staring up at me now, wondering why I'm pounding away on keys instead of petting her. Good question. 

Whirlwind Weekend

We flew to Ohio this weekend for my cousin Amy's wedding. It was a simple wedding and reception, but filled with elegance and sophistication. My wedding was sort of "I get to play princess for a day" and I had the poufy dress, the 5 bridesmaids, the bridal bouquet to toss, etc.

 There was nary a princess moment in site for Amy. Instead, she looked like she should be on the cover of Vogue. Amy is stunning anyway--tall, thin, long blonde hair, looks like a model. Put her in a sleeveless lace form fitting wedding dress with champagne sash, hair twisted up, and makeup that looked like Bobbi Brown herself dropped in to do it and oh-my-God. Stunning.

Ben, her husband, has a host of interesting friends. So the person who did Amy's hair has also done hair for Miss America pageants. The person filming their wedding video is an Aussie who does work for National Geographic and PBS documentaries.  The ceremony was in a beautiful church that didn't need any flowers to "dress it up" and so they had none. The rain held off until everyone was inside (it was an early evening wedding) and then a thunderstorm started so there was the distance sound of rolling thunder and rain streaked the simple stained glass windows as they said their vows and it was incredibly romantic. The rain stopped again as we all left the church and for 1 minute, right as Amy and Ben walked outside and into the car and we all tossed rose petals at them, the sky turned a blossoming cherry pink.

None of our pictures turned out--all too dark. I'm hoping the relatives come through and send me some of theirs and I'll post a few here when I'm able.

Although it was fun seeing everyone, it's good to be home.  Our flight this morning left at 7 am so for the 2nd night in a row, we got about 4 1/2 hours sleep.  We were like the walking dead at the airport. A three-hour nap has helped. 

I'm going to go shower the "airport goo" off me (Even if I just sit in a chair at an airport, I feel like I'm covered in grime by the time I get home), eat dinner, conduct a phone interview and then collapse with the cats, Blair, and a new episode of "The Amazing Race."

Hey--you relax your way and I'll relax mine.

Internal Clock

I have a strong internal clock. I can be absorbed in work and not look at the clock for hours, or out hiking in the woods all day and before looking at a clock or watch, I'll guess what time it is. I'm usually within 10 minutes of the correct time. The skill holds even at night. If I wake up in the middle of the night, I'll still be within 10 minutes of the time before I glance at my clock.

Which is why this morning was such a rude shock. I woke up and knew I hadn't beeen asleep long. It figured it was maybe going on midnight.  I almost cried when I looked at the clock and it read "4:32."  Wha--???? My alarm was going to go off in 30 minutes? No way! For those of you who have found yourself there, that is just a heartbreaking scenario.

But now I'm up and it's a full day! I have an article that HAS to be written today. It's due Monday and I'm out of town this weekend. I'm going to yoga this morning and then leaving the house and locking myself in a Starbucks or Panera until this thing is done. (I do better writing away from home--less distractions). I'm hoping I'll have it knocked out by around 2pm but I'll stay there until dark if I need to.

I will need to come home and pack though.  My beloved cousin Amy is getting married this weekend! Amy and I are nine days apart in age (FYI, she's older. Bothered me when I was younger but now I point it out every chance I get) and we grew up literally in each others households. She sent me a pdf of her wedding program and I almost cried reading it. I'm going to be a soppy mess at the wedding itself, I'm sure.

I can't wait.