Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): If Only by Fiction Plane [Holes soundtrack].
You guys are incredible, you know that? Do you realize how many things you've done in such a short time? Ripples people - just like in Pocahontas ^_^ (yes, I am still on a Disney kick. In fact, I'm not sure if I'm ever not on a Disney kick. Disney world just made it worse).
So, I'm betting you are wanting to know who won their choice of one of my lovely signed books, right? Patience. We'll get there, but I want to show you how incredible you really are.
Here are some of the things you have done (and much more, I'm expecting. Unsaid, unspoken, and many more by those who did not enter).
- Leaving behind cash in the pages of a library book for someone to find.
- Donating clothes
- Donating books
- Visiting with an estranged uncle for the first time in six years.
- Donating a critique to a charity auction
- Making banana bread for family
- Picking up a little sister from school
- Donating to a local hospital fundraiser
- Blogging or donating to Tu Publishing
- Turning off sprinklers to conserve water.
Like I said, you are incredible. And these are only some of the entries. There are even more not up there.
Now, it was a close call between two people. And it seemed they were both after the same book (alas. I fear I will be losing my precious Lightning Thief very soon. Sigh. I'll let go of it, I promise *glances at book* Really). Their vigor and verve was exhausting. It was fun to sit back and watch. :) However, one of their entries included feeding a possum (which her husband is deathly afraid of), so I'm not sure if that negates the good deed. ;)
Now, onto the winners!
...
...
a little longer
...
...
not yet
...
...
...
now I'm just being mean, aren't I?
...
...
...
okay
...
Shannon Messenger!
She came in at a whopping 24 entries. Even my jaw dropped. That really deserves a round of applause. She donated to Tu Publishing twice, for which I gave her an extra 5 points. A good deed is a good deed. Twice done is still a good deed done. So dear Shannon, take your pick! You have two days to contact me, or the choice will go to the next runner up, Tere Kirkland (she did an amazing number of things as well). Really, well done everyone. I can only imagine the impact you have had.
P.S Shannon - I don't think that possum one should have counted. I think your husband would agree with me. :)
And the winner is...
Back in Action!
Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Campus by Vampire Weekend.
I'm back everyone and happier than ever! (going to Disney world can have that effect on you). It feels so good to be back, though I can no long wear short sleeves out of doors (or indoors for that matter). I have some awesome pictures to share, stories to tell, and a secret mission to disclose (I went undercover. Of course I had a secret agent-type mission). :)
But now onto all the lovely blog posts I've missed.
Let's see... *cracks knuckles*
867.
...
...
Eeep.
*Gulp*
I, uh think I'm going to go drink some strong hot cocoa before getting started. Very strong. Uh, make that a double.
*glances at it again*
...
*passes out*
[The winner to the hot-awesome kind deed contest will be announced later today. That is, after I can poke myself awake *nudges corporal self with toe of shoe* She's kinda out. This may take a while. :) Hello? Heather?... wake up, you know you want to...]
Feature Fun Friday - Poison Study Book Trailer
Current Theme Song (aka what's playing in my ipod right now): Indian in the Cupboard Main Title by Randy Edelman [Indian in the Cupboard soundtrack].
The Archived Adventures!
Today we have another book trailer, an oldie but goodie. It is for one of the most riveting books you can happen upon. Poison Study, by Maria V. Snyder - it's got everything - action, adventure, intrigue, romance. The characters are fantastic and the story a thrill of wild ride. And the trailer isn't to shabby either. ;) Have a great weekend everyone! I'll be back from my infiltration of Disney world on Monday with secrets and pictures to spill. Don't forget to put in your last-minute good deeds for a signed book of your choice! There is only two days left.
August 2nd 2008. Need I say more?
Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Dare You To Move by Switchfoot.
The Archived Adventures!
Wow. All I can say is 'wow.' I have never seen the anticipation or build-up for a single book like I have seen for the release of Breaking Dawn. Maybe for Harry Potter (and we must give thanks where thanks is due. If not for that impish wizard, we might never have had midnight book releases at all). :)
Now, for those of you hiding under a rock, Breaking Dawn is the concluding book in the famed Stephanie Meyer's "Twilight Saga." Let's put it this way; Little, Brown Publishers have prepared for it by publishing the biggest printing run of the year - 3.2 million copies. And you know what? I don't think they've overestimated it at all.
Friday when I was driving home (to get ready to go to a wedding quickly followed by the release party), I heard something on one of my favorite radio stations. It made me stop and yank up the volume. They were talking about the Breaking Dawn release (just as a note: you know you're book has reached monumental proportions when you are being
talked about on non-specialty radio). They were actually giving away all three books currently out if people could call in and name the four "Uber Cheesy" song list they had created in celebration of the release. I didn't call in but here were their songs for their "honorary playlist"(I think they should have added "Hungry Like the Wolf" by Duran Duran, but I may be biased as that is one of my favorite random songs. They also said they should have done "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler which cracked me up).
But I have never heard of books being given away as a part of a call-in. They're usually concert tickets and the like, which just shows how crazy all of this has gotten. Speaking of crazy, I was totally unprepared for the response of the
fans of this book and I knew pretty well the kind of fan-following these books had. But my mouth literally dropped open when I saw over 700 people in and outside the little Barnes and Noble I had chosen for my release party haunt (it had the coolest promotion for it - an "official" wedding announcement for Edward and Bella with a list of games and activities that would be going on. It was printed on really nice paper and in a super-swirly font).I live in the desert and the night temperatures do not cool off until midnight or later in the summer. My car's temperature reader said 83 degrees as I pulled up but it must have been at least ten degrees hotter inside the store. You couldn't move for all the people that were there. I was completely blown away, but it was totally amazing to see this many dedicated fans all over unite in one happy moment of geekdom.
There was a line for pictures with Bella and Edward stand-ins that there was no way I was getting in line for, a trivia game with drawings for a free copy of the fourth book. There was a bouquet toss I couldn't find somewhere, but I did see and interesting Starburst game that I hadn't seen on the invite (there was also an "Alice psychic readings" at another bookstore that I was tempted to go to).
But my favorite, by far, was the game of "Pin the tail on the werewolf" - they has little Nerf guns to shoot at (which I thought was a very smart idea considering the mass chaos that that store was in. Can you imagine giving someone something sharp in that crowd, turning them around and letting them loose? Kudos to whoever thought of that one in advance, I wouldn't have. They deserve a cookie).
I am amazed at the creativity of some of these bookstores for their ideas in hosting a Midnight release party. Besides the psychic readings and the trivia games and photo shoots, pin the tail on the werewolf, and "Thriller" dance competitions, a little independent bookstore that is one of my absolute favorites to visit hosted a blood drive, which I thought was the most brilliant helpful thing anyone could have thought up. And how appropriate! It really is brilliant, and those who gave blood were entered in to win a free book. So cool.
I also heard of "Library Lock-ins" where they closed the doors at 7:00 PM and started a twelve-hour party of reading and treats and other ghoulish delights; they were encouraged to bring their sleeping bags and dress up as favorite characters and curl up with good books until the stroke of midnight and the librarians could whip out the real thing for them.
I love the energy this book has created and how much fun it is to be a part of something so big. Who ever thought that the release of a book could generate so much attention? But maybe that is exactly what readers need - that camaraderie, that sense of community. It was amazing and so much fun to see. I would love to see something this big happen everywhere, more often. It was the coolest thing to see that kind of response and that kind of kinship built over something that is normally such a solitary experience.
I HEART New York!
Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Katana by Justin R. Durbin.
The Archived Adventures!
Publishing capital of the US, the Statue of Liberty, and the most famous hot dog carts (that I know of), who can't help but love the city that never sleeps? This was my first time there ever, and you can tell I'm a little stoked about it. I was there for a day and a half and had four people's itineraries to fill. It was intense. It was crazy. It was amazing. We could only see our top two sites (luckily with everyone's, we got to see pretty much everything). Mine? The Statue of Liberty and the New York Public Library.
Waiting for the bus (and totally not ready for a candid shot)
Steam really does rise from the manhole covers!
Isn't that one of the most beautiful sites in the world?
My friend wouldn't get the camera off me, so here's me strutting my stuff, and getting really embarrassed about it.
The Carousel in Central Park!
Hot dog in Central Park. Dirty water hot dogs all the way. It was fantastic. It's the only way to buy a hot dog in New York.
Trinity Church.
Federal Hall. The history buff in me came out. This is where President Washington took his oath as the first President of the United States.
What is New York without its amazing street performers?
Just love this.
Make sure you see a Broadway show. I was skeptical. Not anymore. This one just barely opened. It was fabulous.
Oh, I love Japanese tourists, I really do. They all wanted a picture next to the New York street mountie, but they were all so afraid of the horse.
Here is my love and homage right back at the Japanese culture. ^_^
And my place I couldn't leave New York without seeing - the New York Public Library. I had to see those lions. I don't know which one is Patience, and which is Fortitude, but I think I was next to Fortitude.
Thank you for my small indulgence in sharing my adventure with you. And we totally watched Enchanted while getting ready for bed at who knows what hour. Times Square was amazing too. The bus ride there and back? Definitely an adventure in itself. :)
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