Tuesday, July 24, 2007

...a variety of stimulants...

There aren't any words left, just disconnected sounds and the occasional grunt. I've lost logic, cohesion, communicative abilities. I just make noise.

It was so much easier to write this time last year when I was in love, so much more in love than I've ever been. (For those in our studio audience, I'll remind you that it did not materialize. This was an absent unrequited love). But at least I was functioning, present.

I want escape plans.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

...epilogues are tacky...

The success equation:

10,000 people + no riot = a job well done. It was pure adrenaline and (dare I say) terror? But so. Much. Fun.

(P.S. I finished the book, let's discuss yes?)

Friday, July 20, 2007

...earth to reaction boy (come in)...

Oh. My.

I cannot stress this enough - when it comes to events, and decorations, and anything on a spectacular scale, there is no store on earth that can touch us. I have never spent so much time and effort on anything like I have on the launch party of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Truly, honestly, if you are in Toronto and a friend of mine (even though because of this launch I haven't seen most of my friends in weeks), please please come check it out. Wander into the store, past Gringott's and browse the shops of Diagon Alley on the Mezzanine; drop down to Hogwarts and go through the Forbidden Forest to get to the children's books; or walk out onto street level through Platform 9 3/4 where the Hogwarts Express takes you to all the amazing events and activities (including my events - the kids crafts, that are happening on the Knight Bus!). Enter a raffle to win the beautiful house banners that my fantastic friend Sara made from scratch on gorgeous thick fabric.

Most importantly, stay until 12:01 and buy your book! I will stay until the bitter end, and read the first chapter before falling into a fitful sleep, and only after working all day Saturday will I get to read the book at leisure and completely. This is the last book, the end of a children's literary era, and it could only ever be commemorated like this, on this scale.

Every single member of this team gave great vision and worked their hearts out (mostly); and myself and Ash (coffee-jitters, blurry gaze) filled in the spaces working in our apartments and garages, on our breaks and days off, and everything came together, and we pulled off something you won't believe until you see it. I dare you not to be blown away. For the Harry Potter fans, it's a no-brainer. But even for the rest of you - you will be awed despite yourselves.

Unless you have ice-water and absolutely cynacism running through your veins.

Friday night, 8pm, Bay and Bloor, you can't miss it. I will see you all there.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

...a dark lit place (or your place or my place)...

To the girl who said "I love this song more than sex": you're not having the right kind of sex.

Monday, July 09, 2007

...far from all of the things that we are...

Marina Nemat's "Prisoner of Tehran" reads like what it must have been for her, a complete catharsis. I can't imagine the process she went through when she was working on the book, the writing and rewriting, retelling and reliving. Last week at the store she gave a stunning recollection of some of her experiences, with an inner strength that was calm and graceful. My own inner strength, it appears, has room for improvement. Later that night, in the back office, in a couple of sentences of broken Farsi mixed with English I told her my not-mine-to-tell which, though cathartic, made me cry in a way I didn't expect. Add an incredible warmth to Ms. Nemat's strength and eloquence, she was so lovely.

Saturday, July 07, 2007

...i feel a little bit...

My archives are broken, I hope you aren't feeling nostalgic.

This week's thoughts in brief:
i) Project Skinny is not moving along as quickly as i would like; my excuse (Project Harry) isn't either.
ii) All the couples around me are splitting up. Is it something in the water?
iii) I'm afraid to set a date for birthday celebrations. It might be my I-used-to-be-fat complex, but I'm worried no one would show up.
iv) Watching Star Trek Voyager on my laptop, in bed, with tea, pure nerdy night-off mellow.

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

...bargain bin clint eastwood (all in white)...

In my defense, and I hope you believe me (which, judging from the fact that you are not reading this, nor are you likely to, means you probably won't): I'm actually smart and confident and capable and funny, and I can throw moxy/be sexy when I feel it, and come in sly with sarcasm and brass to make you feel it. So that image you have? Too giggly by half, intermittently ditzy, and loud high-pitch, in that way of all the girls from high school I ever hated, ever? Please don't hold it against me, nerves nerves nerves. And the professional sounding heels click-clickety-clicking away were about overcompensation, and everything else is too.

What a disaster.

On the other line, someone is asking me for relationship advice. Hah.