Success! Well, yesterday I spoke at the Brown Bag Lunch Book Review at the Princeton Public Library, and all in all I think it went over fairly well.  There were around 20 in attendance, so for my first outing, I'd say that's not bad. Granted, 1/4 of them were my relatives who were only there because I asked them to come, but it took the pressure off a bit and helped loosen up the rest of the group; encouraging them that it was ok to laugh at things from which they otherwise would have refrained.

I was amazed at how at ease I was speaking in front of people, even though it had been since college that I had spoken before a group. I was also aghast at the way I looked! My wife videotaped the entire thing - parts of which I had intended on posting - but when I saw myself and the condition I have let myself get to? No way, no how!

Ever seen those fat, bald preachers on television?  Well, that's precisely what I look like now! I had no idea either, honestly. I guess I always see myself from only one angle in a mirror, and while it's not ideal, it's not horrible, per se.

Now that I've seen what I actually look like, and what other people see me as, I realize something has got to be done!

I have my 25th year high school reunion coming up this summer, and I can't possibly go looking like THIS!  I figure I've got 4 months, so I'm going to give this a shot as soon as I catch up from doing taxes and preparing for this thing at the library.

Labels: family, fat, insanity, library, Princeton

  ¶ 2:47 AM 0 Comments

  Maybe I'm NOT for everyone? This afternoon Becca and I spent an hour at our public library to scope out the monthly "Brown Bag Book Review." Last week I had donated a copy of MOAGJ for placement in the local authors' section, and before I could even think about it, agreed to a speaking engagement there at the library to talk about my book.

I promote my book as being for everyone, just because it covers lots of subjects; some of which allow for only "black or white" opinions. I designed it so everyone would be forced to agree with something, but no one could possibly agree with everything.  Most of it, of course, doesn't require a stance or opinion; it just is what it is.

A couple of the topics which are potent(abortion, religion, politics, racism, etc.) however, might not even be proper discussion in any forum for any reason, which I never considered until I attended today's gathering.

As of today 2/20/11, I am 42 years old. Becca is 38. Adding our ages together, one might be able to calculate the average age of those in attendance.  And although most of the estrogen in the room had turned to dust decades ago, I was the only source of testosterone present.  There were a couple ladies that didn't seem to be AARP members, but most of them had probably, in their youths, been the proud occupants of a horse-drawn wagon . They also all seemed to know each other, as if this is something they attend each month, regardless of who the guest speaker is.

According to the librarian in charge, I am slated to be the guest speaker in March. How am I supposed to stand in front of the geriatric peanut gallery and talk about my book? "Hello, ladies. I thought we'd steer clear of any controversial topics entailed in my book, so who's up for talking about poop?!"

At least there's one more Brown Bag Book Review before I'm up, so maybe there will be a more diverse group there, or at least I might come up with some ideas for when I have to be in front of them.  Just glad I left the "when I was your age" essay out of this book. They would definitely have destroyed me in that respect!

Labels: library, Princeton, West Virginia

  ¶ 11:52 AM 0 Comments