Jamie Patterson's Blog, page 13

A Monday Matinee

I worked all weekend, sadly, so once I wrapped up all my writing group work (I lead a writing group at 10:00 a.m. Monday mornings. Whose idea was that?!) I decided to go take in the 2:30 showing of Like Crazy. I got talked into the Large popcorn and the Large coke for just a quarter more (which I couldn't fit my hands around, very tricky) and settled in with all of the retirees and students. I loved the film. I even loved the ending, which kind of was more just the story fading with no real definitive outcome. I recommend it but it is a quiet film. Not for everyone.

I then went and mailed 30 more books to reviewers and award committees. "Isn't your publisher supposed to do this?" The mail clerk asked. No, actually. No they aren't, I responded. "With a last name like Patterson you shouldn't have much trouble." My dad is James Patterson, I responded. "Really?" The clerk asked, wide-eyed. Really, I responded. He's a lawyer, I responded. The conversation ended there, a nice fade away. Just like the movie.

Good Read: Hunger Games

I started my year reading all of Suzanne Collins's Hunger Games books in quick succession. I absolutely loved them, couldn't get enough. I would have liked a bit more robust end to the trilogy but I suppose you can't have everything.

I think I remember reading that she got the idea for the trilogy flipping through television one night and she was struck by the options for viewing: coverage of the war and endless reality TV shows. She had the idea to put the two together and from this we get Hunger Games. The movie trailer came out today and I kind of can't wait to see the films. (Lenny Kravitz as Cinna? Brilliant!)

Java Jack's Signing

Big thanks to Pam and Jerry for hosting a book signing today at Java Jack's in Minneapolis. It was so much fun to see friends and neighbors! My niece, Siena, came for the last half of the signing and climbed right into my lap. "What are you doing?" She wanted to know. When I explained I was signing my name in books she decided she wanted to sign her name, too--fortunately friend and neighbor Jeff let her have a try at it in his copy (below).

After we packed up for the day we stayed and had a nice dinner and Siena got the table to herself (bottom picture). We might have a young author on our hands? Thanks again to everyone who made the signing happen and who stopped by!

Sign of Winter

I know everyone's excited about 11-11-11 but I'm more interested in 11-15-11. At some point the city of Minneapolis decided that snow would most likely be on the ground from November 15 to April 1 so in a few days half of the neighborhood cars will vanish. I know it's silly but I always wonder where the heck they all go--the streets are completely full of cars on both sides of the streets from April 1 to November 14 and then *poof*! Gone. More than this, though, 11-15 marks the time during which the city of Minneapolis decided that snow would most likely be on the ground. I hope this winter is kind.

No Shopping. Still no Shopping.

Today it's been five months since I bought anything unessential. Unessential as in clothes, shoes, accessories, furniture, things like this. I still buy books (essential!) and some things are on the exception list like warm gloves, socks, winter boots.

This means I get to go to book signings in clothes that are from my (dwindling) closet that I've had for a decade or so but, hey! Sure beats not being able to find anything because the closets are stuffed full. Now that winter is here, it's time for a clean out of my sweaters, something I decided this summer I couldn't properly do without chilly weather. Dang. I think I just wrote now that winter is here.

This was probably the most beautiful fall in recent memory in Minneapolis and it's just getting cold enough now that adding snow to the mix wouldn't be too alarming. Not too much snow, though. And not too much cold. I have to get through the winter without therapy shopping--I have until June 20 to behave myself. Which I did tonight quite well, in and out of Target with only essential items. Unheard of six months ago; I hereby declare Target conquered!

A Two Latte Day

I had a really wonderful evening with a large book club here in Minneapolis. I thought I'd be there for 20 minutes and ended up staying nearly 2 hours. There were so many good conversations about Lost Edens and it was so interesting to learn even more myself about the book from their insights.

I decided to reward myself with a new book, which meant a late night trip to Barnes & Noble, which meant I didn't leave the store with just one book. Nor could I leave without furthering the celebratation with a sugar-free vanilla decaf soy latte, my second for the day (I had to celebrate a little interview earlier in the day, too).

I think I might need to find a better way to "celebrate" Lost Edens stuff. Dance party in the living room? Sounds like a better plan.

Leo Sayer - You Make Me Feel Like Dancing

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21 Books

My official Goodreads count for the year 2011 is 21 books, but there are a few books I didn't record there. For instance, I'm not sure if Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue is really something I need recorded for all time, although I probably would give it 3 stars and a decent review. Besides, Goodreads can produce all kinds of crazy reports and I'd like these reports to be full of books that indicate I'm not easily entertained (although I am). I'm trying to be a very serious student, after all. One report that was kind of entertaining was what Goodreads has determined are my top authors:

1. J.K. Rowling
2. Suzanne Collins
3. Joan Didion
4. Haruki Murakami

It's funny to think what I would consider my top authors versus what I (apparently!) am actually reading...or at least actually recording! You can vote now for the Goodreads Choice Awards 2011 for books you've read and recorded, read and not recorded, not read and won't read, or any other combination, which means I don't mind at all suggesting you vote for Lost Edens.

You Look Like Someone I Read About

I came home to a mailbox stuffed absolutely full and as I pulled and yanked on the letters and envelopes one fell to the floor and I saw my friend Kaus's name. He sent along a picture of Bugsy (below). Both Kaus and Bugsy are in Lost Edens and they were the last "characters" I had to hear from, and they're both doing really well: Bugsy is terrific and Kaus is engaged to be married!

While in San Diego I got to visit with Jack, the cat, another character, who is happily at home now as a Southern California cat. He still has the marks of Kansas City, though. I found him in a parking lot of a grocery store in Brookside and later learned that he was missing the tip of his left ear because that's how an animal group that was tracking his feral colony identified his little family. Sometimes I wonder if I should have left him in the parking lot but, then again, his life now is like one long, fantastic summer camp.

Anyway, I can happily report that all characters from Lost Edens are doing well--really, really well.

Sign of a Good Day

Had a really wonderful chat today with Cyrus Webb from Conversations LIVE. He asked great questions and the time flew by. After I hung up I drove on down to In-N-Out for a little celebration. Dash and I each had a number 2, me with a vanilla shake. Life is good!

Hello 80s, we Missed you

All the talk of what a life theme song would be, my brother, his wife (Dash), and I have spent the night spinning records. John's theme song might be Firework, maybe Wayward Son. Dash's would be Moon River, maybe Daydream Believer.

We all agreed, though, that Men Without Hats had maybe the most awesome music video ever. Ever.