10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2...
Last Sunday, Mark and I walked into Barnes & Noble at Union Square and there was my book on the New Fiction table . I almost peed in my pants I was so thrilled. It wasn't supposed to be out until Thursday, so naturally I complained. NOT. Someone was actually looking at it, so I told her I'd heard it was a great book. She picked it up and hopefully bought it. Mark physically restrained me from stalking her to the cash registers. Then, I arranged the books so that one was on display, which I encourage anyone reading this blog to do should you see my book inadequately displayed at any store. I'm starting to get pretty excited about release. My friends and family are doing an amazing job getting the word out to their friends, family and media contacts. Rita, who I haven't spoken to in years told me she already ordered eleven books which she's giving away as gifts. My friends Kathleen and Matt are organizing this fabulous party in Denver. My brother-in-law Ted is talking to the media in Denver, while my brother Don is doing the same in Dallas. Augusta is helping me arrange an appearance with my old Amex friends - so many of us have lost our jobs there through the years, we actually have an alumni association. E-mail recommendations are flying willy-nilly through cyberspace. If nothing else, this experience has shown me how many friends I have. Anyway, the book will be on shelves tomorrow. If you need me, I'll be wandering aimlessly from bookstore to bookstore making the book displays more eye-catching.
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
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posted by Karen Quinn : 1:20 PM
Brain Tumor? What Brain Tumor?
You'll be happy to know that I don't have a brain tumor. I saw the neurologist today and he told me that my brain was perfect, according to the MRI report. We won't get into the fact that I can't remember a damn thing. What did I just say? Oh yes, no brain tumor. I'm reporting this news mainly for the benefit of my mother-in-law who I think may be the only person who reads this blog. Lynne, I don't want you to worry after last week's entry. After getting the diagnosis, I asked the doc what could account for my food tasting so bitter (yes, everything still tastes like shit, especially chocolate) - I've lost 5 pounds since the problem started! He figured out it must be the new tetracycilin I'm taking - apparently that's a common side effect. "What should I do Doctor?" I asked him. He suggested that I keep taking the medication until I've lost 10 more pounds. Very funny, I thought. Then I thought, you know, that's a good idea. This is a wise and knowing doctor. Anyway, all's well in the health department.
We're having a huge snowstorm this weekend. So, I rented 5 videos, bought two bottles of wine, brownie mix, chips and guacamole. I don't plan to leave the apartment. It's a perfect weekend.
You can just feel the excitement about my book coming out. It should hit the stores on Thursday. Lots of friends are coming to my first reading at The Corner Bookstore on Jan. 31. I'm really looking forward to it. I think that, in terms of importance, releasing your first book rises to the level of having a baby, getting married, winning a gold medal at the Olympics, getting fired or, perhaps, going to jail. Obviously the first three are preferred, at least by me. But these are all life-defining events, if you know what I mean. I'll keep you posted as the book release progresses.
Friday, January 21, 2005
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posted by Karen Quinn : 6:16 PM
My brain tumor
Don't panic, but I got this terrible headache starting last Saturday that went on until today (Thursday). Making matters worse, my food tasted strange - bitter. Even chocolate tastes bad, which bums me to the core. So this morning I went on-line and researched brain tumors and do you know what two big symptoms are? Headaches that last for days and tastebud changes. Unbelievable, right? Tell me about it! I totally panicked even though my husband and mother both assured me I didn't have a brain tumor. But what do they know? He's a lawyer. She's a jeweler. And she's on a cruise. I went right to New York Magazine and looked at their Best Doctors in New York section and found myself a neurologist. Luckily, there was a cancellation at 12 and they could take me. I was frazzled with worry all the way uptown on the 4 Train. And then I thought, why the hell did I take the subway when I could have a brain tumor? Next time my mortality is in question, I am definitely springing for a taxi. It's funny what comes to mind in the face of death. But was I worried about death? No, I just kept thinking, what if I can't go on my booktour. That would be so sad. Like a big cosmic joke. Then I thought, maybe they can operate and I can recover before January 31 when I have my first event. Nah, I doubt it. It took me weeks to get over my tiny knee operation. Brain surgery is much more complicated. They don't even do it on an out-patient basis. I'm doomed. Doomed. By the time I got to the doctor's office I was bordering on despondent. Then the doctor checked me out and said he was pretty sure my brain wasn't bleeding. Bleeding? I hadn't even considered that possibility. Brain bleeding is not to be taken lightly. No one's ever told me that specifically, it's just something one knows instinctively. It turns out, the doctor thinks I have a neck injury so he scheduled a neck MRI and a brainscan just to be safe. This made sense to me. Always good to play it safe when it comes to brain matters. Anyway, he gave me some anti-inflamatories and pain pills, so the headache has gone away. But the bad taste of food still lingers. On the positive side, maybe now I can drop the weight I've been meaning to lose for the last 18 months.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
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posted by Karen Quinn : 5:58 PM
dinner last night
Last night I served my son strawberry fruit roll-ups as a side dish. It was a desperate situation - no vegies in the house. Still, does that make me a bad mother?
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
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posted by Karen Quinn : 1:16 PM
Happy New Year
We celebrated New Year's Eve this year in the usual way. Mark wore tails and I put on my fancy black flowy dress. All made up and bejeweled (me, not Mark), we attended the annual late supper hosted by Tom and Loretta in their elegant east-side townhouse. There were assorted judges and lawyers present, as that is their line of work. The Kavaler friends are witty conversationalists who make you feel smart just talking to them. Always nice to feel smart. Since we've spent the last fifteen years or so with this group, I felt quite at home.
Sam stayed in to watch the ball drop in Times Square on TV. To our dismay, Schuyler, decided to go out on the town. We held our tongues as her plans kept evolving - a blowout in Brooklyn ("Don't worry Mom; I can take the subway by myself) to a rave ("Exactly what is a rave, Mom?") to a Times Square expedition to see the ball drop first-hand ("Over my dead body," I thought but didn't say). There was no point telling the child "no" until her plans were final. Eventually, she settled on dinner at Taco Bell and a movie with a friend (a BOY!!!). We picked her up from the theater at midnight. Sadly, we've hit a milestone. Our baby, the beautiful angel to whom I gave birth just yesterday (okay, thirteen years ago, but still!), has asserted her New Year's Eve independence. There's no turning back now. Soon, she'll be asking for a curfew past 7:00 p.m. and what will I say? Actually, I have that figured out: "No frickin' way! Why? Because you're thirteen years old, that's why." I just wonder how long that reasoning holds up. I know, I know, I'm the parent, but kids can be relentless when they want something.
Anyway, it's decided. My big purchase this year is going to be one of those cell phones with a satelite tracking device so I'll always know daughter's whereabouts. Unless of course, I can have a chip implanted under her skin while she sleeps. You might call it big brotherish (or big motherish) but I don't care. I'll sleep better at night.
On a more serious note...2004 was rough for so many people. Let's hope that the new year is a better, safer, and more peaceful one. I'm not religious but I pray daily for those who are suffering. At the same time, I do my best to focus on the positive - not always easy. My choice is to read funny books, watch movies with happy endings, laugh as often as possible, that sort of thing. You might call it denial, but I call it self-preservation in difficult times. I think we have the chance to define our lives every day and I'm doing my best to come from a place of happiness and joy. Anyhow, I wish you a happy, prosperous, and healthy new year.
Sunday, January 02, 2005
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posted by Karen Quinn : 5:59 PM
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