Jamie Patterson's Blog, page 10
December 6, 2011
Last Night in Geneva
We went right back to the same street to eat dinner as we did last night. Apparently, we like familiar things. So, too, it seems do the Clintons. We had dinner tonight with Hillary's security detail (they in the kitchen, we in the restaurant) because she either dined or was staying across the street in the same hotel Bill stayed in when he was here. Our waiter told us they (the security folks) like to come to the Brasserie-Restaurant de l'Hotel-de-Ville because they can easily see the Hotel les Armures from a back room. Tax dollars certainly enjoyed themselves tonight! The table where we dined last night (at the Hotel les Armures), was tonight full of dark suits with ear pieces.
Last night in Geneva for me. We're just going to miss the Course de l'Escalade but we got to see Dash's sister Leigh Anne! My next trip to Geneva will be in the summertime. This entire city is just asking you to sit out on a patio for an afternoon with a good book and a delicious drink.
Last night in Geneva for me. We're just going to miss the Course de l'Escalade but we got to see Dash's sister Leigh Anne! My next trip to Geneva will be in the summertime. This entire city is just asking you to sit out on a patio for an afternoon with a good book and a delicious drink.
December 5, 2011
My Favorite thing about Monday
One thing I love about Monday is actually in San Diego, not Geneva (where I currently am). There's a small Mexican restaurant in Ocean Beach that serves 99 cent margaritas on Mondays. That's right, you red that right. Under a buck. Okay, technically it's buy one get one 99 cents but who has only one margarita? I've done a lot of reading about voluntary migration the last few years because how people choose homes is so fascinating to me. Your life experience isn't just about the country, but the city, the neighborhood, the street you live on. Which means there's a million, gazillion different ways to experience life. How do you choose? Or do you really?
Here's my travel plan for the next few weeks: Milan (check), Geneva (check), Paris, Tokyo, home for Christmas, San Diego, home for the New Year. I'm excited but I'm also already thinking that there's no place like home. Or, you know, no place like a place that offers 99 cent margaritas.
Here's my travel plan for the next few weeks: Milan (check), Geneva (check), Paris, Tokyo, home for Christmas, San Diego, home for the New Year. I'm excited but I'm also already thinking that there's no place like home. Or, you know, no place like a place that offers 99 cent margaritas.
Take the Picture
You know how it goes. You're smiling. And smiling. And smiling. And finally, through clenched teeth "takethehicture" and, voila, you have a picture like this one. A really lovely day in Geneva, where we'll stay a few days. Today, Old Town, St. Pierre Cathedral, and constant reminders that my French is horrible. (Uh, oui. Oui. Non? Uhhhh. Je suis desolee, je ne parle pas Francaise. Oui?) Thousands on French lessons down the drain.
Bottom of the stairs.
Top of the stairs.
Bottom of the stairs.
Top of the stairs.
December 4, 2011
Duomo Square Today
Sorry for the sideways view but it might make you feel as funny as we do after traveling all night. A really nice day in Milan and the video is just outside the Duomo after morning mass. Seeing such a beautiful cathedral makes me want to read Pillars of the Earth again. Or perhaps give the book as a Christmas gift. If you receive a copy of the Pillars of the Earth from me for Christmas you can thank today's visit to the Duomo!
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December 3, 2011
Today I shall be in This Place or That
And today found me in New York. Tomorrow, Milan. If I'm lucky. I thought about bringing a copy of Lost Edens to leave at the Duomo or somewhere random but thought again. Just as much a chance of being thrown in a bin as there is being picked up by an English speaking (or reading) person desperate for something to read.
Okay, okay. I know what odds are where.
Okay, okay. I know what odds are where.
December 2, 2011
Almost 10,000 Views!
This is so unexpected. I don't even have a speech prepared.
I'd like to thank all the Russian spammers who account for at least five hits a day. I'd like to thank everyone all over the world for googling "voluntary migration" and "why is Harry Potter worth reading," which accounts for at least one hit each per day.
I'd like to thank my sister, Jeni, for checking for updates and leaving comments. And last, but not least, I'd like to thank my dog, Huey, without whom I would have far fewer posts. The blog started in April so I'm pretty pleased that you've found the blog and read now and then.
To 10,000 more!
Travis' Acceptance Speech
Clueless
— MOVIECLIPS.com
I'd like to thank all the Russian spammers who account for at least five hits a day. I'd like to thank everyone all over the world for googling "voluntary migration" and "why is Harry Potter worth reading," which accounts for at least one hit each per day.
I'd like to thank my sister, Jeni, for checking for updates and leaving comments. And last, but not least, I'd like to thank my dog, Huey, without whom I would have far fewer posts. The blog started in April so I'm pretty pleased that you've found the blog and read now and then.
To 10,000 more!
Travis' Acceptance Speech
Clueless
— MOVIECLIPS.com
December 1, 2011
I Want out!
Right after the events in Lost Edens I met a handsome, charming, gorgeous (not the same as handsome, two different descriptions here) who immediately became a good friend. I remember him telling me that (at 24-years-old) he couldn't believe he wasn't married with kids yet.
This kind of threw me. I didn't get it. He was 24. He explained that he just always thought he'd be married right out of school with kids and who wouldn't want kids. I think I spent the next year asking most single 20-something guys I knew if they couldn't believe they weren't married yet. (Don't worry, I tried to do it with a little tact.)
Then a friend of mine in London said he really didn't think he wanted kids at all. Why not? Because they change your life so much. Point well taken. And one, subsequently, that I think my 24-years-old and wants to be married has now adpoted. He's 30 now and still no wife and kids (but he's still handsome/charming/gorgeous).
I've always known that I fall somewhere in between the two. A lot of book clubs ask me when we're talking about Lost Edens if I'd like to get married again, have kids, and I do a lot of "ummm...well....you know...." because I'm mostly unsure. The best I can say is maybe someday.
Today is not my day. I spent most of the day with my sister and her two girls and by 3:00 in the afternoon I needed out. Silence. Quiet. No more negotiating with a wicked smart 2-year-old. As I walked around her kitchen with my 4-month-old niece in my arms I really needed out and told the refrigerator as much. And, apparently my sister, who was coming down the stairs. "Me too," she said, "story of my life."
But lucky, lucky me. I actually got to hand the kid over and go. I think my calling could be to be an aunt. That could be my in between. So next time a book club asks me if I want to get married and have kids my answer just might be: "no need to. My sister did!"
This kind of threw me. I didn't get it. He was 24. He explained that he just always thought he'd be married right out of school with kids and who wouldn't want kids. I think I spent the next year asking most single 20-something guys I knew if they couldn't believe they weren't married yet. (Don't worry, I tried to do it with a little tact.)
Then a friend of mine in London said he really didn't think he wanted kids at all. Why not? Because they change your life so much. Point well taken. And one, subsequently, that I think my 24-years-old and wants to be married has now adpoted. He's 30 now and still no wife and kids (but he's still handsome/charming/gorgeous).
I've always known that I fall somewhere in between the two. A lot of book clubs ask me when we're talking about Lost Edens if I'd like to get married again, have kids, and I do a lot of "ummm...well....you know...." because I'm mostly unsure. The best I can say is maybe someday.
Today is not my day. I spent most of the day with my sister and her two girls and by 3:00 in the afternoon I needed out. Silence. Quiet. No more negotiating with a wicked smart 2-year-old. As I walked around her kitchen with my 4-month-old niece in my arms I really needed out and told the refrigerator as much. And, apparently my sister, who was coming down the stairs. "Me too," she said, "story of my life."
But lucky, lucky me. I actually got to hand the kid over and go. I think my calling could be to be an aunt. That could be my in between. So next time a book club asks me if I want to get married and have kids my answer just might be: "no need to. My sister did!"
Fox in the City
On my way home from my sister's house this afternoon (via my parents' house so I could eat some delicious apple pie) a perfectly happy fox, that's right F-O-X went trotting down the street. I pulled over and watched his (her?) poof of a tail float happily behind as the fox stopped here, trotted there, like a dog off its leash an on a great adventure.
I called the city, they said they didn't deal with wild animals. "But it's a fox. In the city," I said. They didn't care. The poor fox! No one was going to come rescue it? So I called the DNR, who told me right away, "don't call the city, they won't do anything." Right. "What about you?" I asked. Nope. DNR doesn't want to have anything to do with fox or coyote in the city but will confirm that they have made their homes within the city limits. "Poor rabbits," the man said. "Perfectly safe for humans, though, don't worry." I didn't make a point of saying it wasn't me I was worried about.
A fox in the middle of the city wasn't at all alarming to the city or the DNR but it was such a strange sight. Maybe they'll become common like squirrels but for now it seems to point toward some kind of unknown bigger issue. What, I don't know. I live in the city so I don't have to worry about habitats being destroyed, but maybe that's what I'm thinking. Unless the fox and coyote have just decided to move away from the in-laws?
I called the city, they said they didn't deal with wild animals. "But it's a fox. In the city," I said. They didn't care. The poor fox! No one was going to come rescue it? So I called the DNR, who told me right away, "don't call the city, they won't do anything." Right. "What about you?" I asked. Nope. DNR doesn't want to have anything to do with fox or coyote in the city but will confirm that they have made their homes within the city limits. "Poor rabbits," the man said. "Perfectly safe for humans, though, don't worry." I didn't make a point of saying it wasn't me I was worried about.
A fox in the middle of the city wasn't at all alarming to the city or the DNR but it was such a strange sight. Maybe they'll become common like squirrels but for now it seems to point toward some kind of unknown bigger issue. What, I don't know. I live in the city so I don't have to worry about habitats being destroyed, but maybe that's what I'm thinking. Unless the fox and coyote have just decided to move away from the in-laws?
November 30, 2011
Officially Nominated
I'm officially an officially nominated author for the Minnesota Book Awards. Who needs finalists or even a big win? Nomination feels pretty nice. Okay, sure, winning is always fun but it's nice to have something that could be nominated. (Even if I did the nominating!)
As I struggle through my latest writing having any book at all seems like a small miracle. Just how did I managed to write a beginning, middle, end?
Thanks to everyone at Beaver's Pond Press and to Stephanie Barko for all your help making a book. I'm pleased as punch.
As I struggle through my latest writing having any book at all seems like a small miracle. Just how did I managed to write a beginning, middle, end?
Thanks to everyone at Beaver's Pond Press and to Stephanie Barko for all your help making a book. I'm pleased as punch.
November 29, 2011
Coming Soon
My sister and I ventured out tonight to grab a few things and at one of our stops we were reminded: Christmas is coming soon. How'd the end of November get here so quickly?!
