Everybody's Working For The Weekend

...and the damn thing is still over two full days away....

BAH!!

Later.......

Arc Of A Wiener

I don't really have anything to go with that headline, but it seemed an appropriate teaser to drive traffic here, given the latest pecadillos (literally) being exhibited by a certain American wannabe mayor.

If Mr. Wiener (or Senor Danger) is about to celebrate a brithday soon, it might not be a prudent idea to updgrade the storage for his cell phone camera hard drive...

No go ahead, I've provided more than enough straight lines there for you comedians to work with!!

Later....

If It Walks Like A Duck...

It could just be that there are underwear issues....

Later!

My "Before Noon" Review: @CalgaryFolkFest 13

Calgary Folk Music Festival

CalgaryFolkFest.Com

The Sunday Morning "Nobody-Asked-Me-To, But-Here-I-Go-Anyway" "Before Noon (Barely)" Review:

Calgary Folk Music Festival Saturday Night Mainstage '13

Getting an unexpected morning invitation to attend Saturday's portion of the 4-day 34th Annual Calgary Folk Music Festival helped resolve the discussion we had been having at the time our phone rang - so Mrs. That Dan Guy and I passed on seeing Chubby Checker over at The Deerfoot Inn, and headed off to Prince's Island Park! 

Sudden Impulse Folk Festival Win!

No regrets, what an amazing night, and in absolutely perfect weather - the storm that had been forecast never materialized. 

We did delay a bit in making our way to the site however, so we missed all the workshops and other offerings during the early part of the day's schedule. Pretty much arrived in time to stake out a spot and sit on the outer outskirts of the still-recovering island lawn for the mainstage seating. Effects of the Calgary summer flood were still easily seen everywhere, but didn't prevent the Festival from proceeding. Well done, wood chips!

The first act we heard (and saw on the two large video screens) was Scot folkie Rachel Sermanni

Offering a pleasing acoustic set, Sermanni warmed the crowd nicely, and with her lovely sound, literally (perhaps subliminally) encouraged us to just stay the heck where we were, and enjoy the entire evening of mainstage performances.

Sermanni was followed by New Yorker Garland Jeffreys, who helped ramp things up for what was soon to follow...  

The program suggests Jeffreys is just back on the circuit after a 12-year hiatus - which was not obvious in any way, shape or form based on his progressively tasty set of rock, funk and soul. 

Speaking of tasty, this was also about the time in the Festival where we partook of a few (very, very wrong  - but so, so delicious) offerings from the food vendors. Not on any Jenny Craig menu that I'm aware of, we sampled mini-donuts, popcorn, and Anchor Fries...  

This was also about that the time that all decorum left the mainstage area. Another New York act hit the stage, and upped the entertainment ante. Hazmat Modine offered a crazy blend of world music that connected immediately with the audience. Blends of klezmer, reggae, Americana driven by a powerhouse vocalist and a wicked horn section made these cats a group that I really wanted to see after reading their bio. Not disappointed - this set flew by, but there was no going back afterwards with respect to the collective energy levels of the crowd!

The Cat Empire. Write that down. Google these folks. This Australian guitar-less troupe knocked the socks off whoever wasn't just wearing sandals. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G sound, and masters of audience engagement! Billed as Australia's best party band, they translate well to a North American audience that has just spent anywhere from 8-10 hours in the hot sun. Regardless of how you were faring to this point, The Cat Empire was instant rejuvenation. You need to see this group live...

Bringing things home to close the night was "new" country veteran Steve Earle, with The Dukes. Second time seeing him live, and the first three-quarters of his show was filled with material I hadn't seen him perform live before. Some real treats among them. 

Of course, that wasn't to say he didn't hit on a handful of old favourites, such as "I Ain't Ever Satisfied", "Guitar Town", and "Copperhead Road". But under the stars, with a crackerjack group to accompany his wonderful stories - you could not get any better than that...

During the fading moments of Earle's set, a parade of lights snaked throughout the festival site, just a nice touch in the darkness. 

May have been a last-minute decision, but it sure was the right one to have made! Well done Calgary Folk Music Festival - one last day today if you want to catch it for yourself!!

Later!

Chicken Scratch

(posted by weekend guest blogger Charlie Chicken...)

Howdy hoomans!

Juss tryin' ta save a few bucks on sum elective surgery!!

All these damn poultry bumps is so awkwerd - ah thought ah might git some wrinkle rahmoover tah smooth em out!

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

However, ah did see Mrs. That Dan Guy ironin' her man's lawndry, like she does every day faithfully - an ah thought - hey, why not try ironin' mah poultry bumps??

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

Ah waited until she poot tha iron down tah cool, an went ta snuggle up aginst it!

Ah am now icing second degree burns, as a CLUCKIN' IRON IS HOTTER THAN HELLL!!!!!!

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

HOTTER THAN HELL!!!!!

Mah cluckin' pinfethers went up in smoke....

Charlie out.

Cluck fer now! 

Perils Of Moving Furniture

My latest column for REM, where I share my challenges with relocating inanimate objects:

Leave Moving To The Professionals

Enjoy!

Later....

Backyard Jack Rabbit

In the absence of anything else to share this morning, please enjoy these photos of a visitor to our back yard yesterday...

Carrot anyone??

Later...

A Day Of Activity...

We're up a little earlier than normal, as I have to head across the city for some medical tests. After that, we will kill time by updating our passports and running a few other errands.

I've had to fast since last night, and have had no coffee since the day before.

I would advise idiot drivers to give me a wide berth this morning, at least until I have been blessed once more with ample amounts of caffeine....and at least a donut or a slice of toast.

Later!

#RoyalBaby Name Suggestions

I don't really have a horse in this race, but if I tried to be helpful, here are a few names I would suggest to the new parents for their little bundle of joy, using the letter "G":

1) Gesundheit - bless you!

2) Gerkin - It's a pickle, I know...

3) Garth - but his future brother would have to be named Wayne.

4) Gadfly - well, the kid is British, AND royalty...

5) Gnome - gnome, gnome on the range...

6) Gad! - with the exclamation mark - again, I point out the child is British.

7) Gawd - "Gawd? Gawd?" - fun with roll call....

8) Gonzo - what, a Muppet name hasn't even been considered yet??

9) G - James Bond reports to another Brit called Q - why not??

10) Gak! - a tribute from across the pond to beloved American newspaper cartoon strip character "Cathy"...

I should have placed a bet - one of those just may make it!

Later....

Hello Dampness My Old Friend....

I am staring out my window, wondering when the clouds will open up. I was awakened last night by ominous thunder rumbling at regular intervals, but the rain didn't come at that time.

Trying to plan my wardrobe for today, will I end up appropriate and cheered by my colleagues as a sage and snappy dresser, or will I be sweltering like a polar bear holidaying in Hawaii by noon?

Let's roll the dice, and prepare for the worst. I feel rain in my bones...

Later!  

Can You Hear Me Now?

If you can, please go see your doctor immediately.

This is simply type, NOT audio. The voices you are hearing did not come from this page.

You should also maybe cut back a bit on your Red Bull consumption...

Later!

Chicken Scratch

(posted by weekend guest blogger Charlie Chicken...)

Hello, Domino's??

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

Ah'd like ta order a large pellet an seed pizze, pleez...

Wut??

Pellet an seed...ya know - chicken feed.....

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

No, ah don prefer pepperony, or mushrooms...ah wan sum pellets, an sum seeds - on a cheesy bed a flaver!!!

PELLETS AN SEEDS!!!

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

Ah'll GO ta Hawaii, but I don WANT that on a pizze - i juss wants sum pellets an seeds - don ya got NUNNA that in yer lofty, hi-falutin' Dominos store???

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

Chicken??

CHICKEN???????

AH'M GONNA COME DOWN THERE AN WUP YER NOGGIN INTA NEXT WEEK!!!

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

You kin stick yer cluckin' 30 minute delivery up yer wazoo, buddy - this bird is goin' ta Pizza Hut!!!

Charlie out!!!

Cluck fer now........

Checking My Shares In Detroit City This Morning #Detroit

Soon as I finish my breakfast, I'm going to check in on how my shares in The City Of Detroit are performing!

I decided to take a bold move after talking to a stockbroker there online - I've put my entire retirement nest egg into shares and stocks in Detroit (The City)!!

I know, it sounds risky, but what could possibly happen? It's not like an ENTIRE city could go bankrupt, right?

I expect this investment strategy will reap BIG rewards -oh, I just HAVE to peek I'm so excited......

Wait, what's this news headline....................

What..............................................................

Oh my word..................................................

Happy Birthday, Mr. Mandela

Today, a trip down Memory Lane:

Mandela Day 2009

Recalling attending the first-ever U.S. hosted Mandela Day celebration, in New York City...

On our own first-ever trip to NYC.

Later!

Official Calgary Herald Review "Uptown Country Girls"

Stage West Calgary
"Uptown Country Girls"

My review is now in the paper and online:

Uptown Country Girls

I'm working on editing the cast interview, I'll post a direct link to that when I get it posted!

Later...

I'll Miss You, "Less Than Kind"....

Talk about doing my hometown of Winnipeg proud....

The brilliant HBO series "Less Than Kind" wrapped up last weekend, and went out with a satisfying one-hour finale that didn't frustrate, like so many shows end up doing trying to have a clever ending. So many nice touches...

We came to this party late, missing the first couple of seasons with the great actor that played the family patriarch, Maury Chaykin. However, with his passing between seasons, it seemed like a brand-new show moving forward, and we didn't take long to get into the endearingly wacky cast.

True, we could have been a bit biased. It was always nice to see familiar sites from Winnipeg, but overall it was the story and characters that made this show a treat week after week.

We will miss you, "Less Than Kind" - but thanks for being there as long as you were....

Later.

If Technology Were My Horse, I'd Be Taking It Out Behind The Barn...

Delay posting my blog today, thanks to some blasted technology challenges. Worked feverishly to load a new interview to YouTube this morning, and I'm hung up because Google+, which I don't even use, has mistaken me for Mrs. That Dan Guy. However, Google+ now oversees Blogger, and YouTube.

Fantastic...

Anyhow, hope to clear this up tonight, and have that interview loaded for tomorrow - and I expect my Calgary Herald review may also finally be live.

Later....

HBO's Brilliant "Barrymore"

No post trying to be funny today - just a rabid commercial for anyone that hasn't seen HBO's astounding feature "Barrymore", and the companion piece "Backstage With Barrymore".

SET YOUR PVR!!

DON'T MISS THIS FILM!!!!

BUY.THE.DVD.

Ahem...

Sorry, but this film and the short behind-the-scenes feature that typically airs at the same time are nothing short of perfection - Christopher Plummer is going to bring home a couple of full-sized garbage bags filled with awards, as should anyone connected with this project.

If you're an actor, this is the zenith of what can be accomplished in your craft. If you're a Canadian, this should make you swell with pride, as our creative fingerprints are all over every aspect of the movie - and of course the remounting of the live stage production here in Canada.

Sorry, I'd like to continue this ramble, but I have to head out and start stopping people in the street, to hand out my freshly printed "Barrymore" flyers. Everyone MUST see this show.

MUST!!!

Oh, in other news, I will be doing a cast interview at Stage West Calgary this afternoon, and I hope to have my podcast interview with New Jersey syndicated humorist and author Tracy Beckerman edited and loaded later tonight or tomorrow.

HAVE YOU SEARCHED YOUR PVR FOR "BARRYMORE" YET??

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?????

Later.......  

Chicken Scratch

(posted by weekend guest blogger - Charlie Chicken...)

Owww....

Oh boy....

Ole Charlie's feelin' kinda ruff this mornin', frends....

AAAAWK.....

Yup, ah decided ta try mah luck with sum bull-ridin' at tha Calgiry Stampede, and lemme tell ya - those bulls is HUUUUGE!!!

AAAAWK.....

An frankly, quite violent.

Tha one ah tried ta ride bucked me over tha fence, and inta tha stands - where ah landed on a hot dog vendir that squeeled in horror, like a little girl.

Akshually, it was a little girl, and mebbe she needs ta get a little more akustomed ta flyin' debris at events like this!!

AAAAWK.....

At any rate, ah musta landed on a condiment kintayner, cause tha buns mighta cushioned ma abrupt intraduktion ta her dogs....

Ah got bruised poultry bumps, a bent beak, an one a mah knuckles looks like tha arms that grab toys in them arcade games where ya try ta pluck a stuff toy outta a glass box - even mah cluckin' cardilage is achey breakey!! Not ta mention a few feather abrayshuns.....

AAAAWK.....

Ah needs a aspirin - Charlie out...

Cluck fer now...  

Things I'm Grateful For

1) Ketchup - how did cavemen EVER get along without ketchup??

2) Live Music, Comedy, and Theatre: any time, anywhere...

3) Showers - for myself, but certainly for others as well....failing that, deodorant...

4) Pandas. Just about the cutest dang things you'll ever see. Aside from the rabid ones that attack people. Those should be shot.

5) Macaroni. Nature's versatile food gift to humanity - especially when paired with cheese...

6) Chocolate. As a person affected by diabetes, that's probably wrong, but at least I had the good sense to move it down to #6, instead of where it really belongs (in my mind) at #1....

7) The Number 7 - not exactly the Number 11 I see so often, but without a doubt, we couldn't make it to eight without seven...

8) The Tooth Fairy - at my age, I expect to be coming into a LOT of cash from that generous sprite, very soon....

9) Coffee. Which I may be a few quarts short of at the moment...

10) Grates. A person doesn't necessarily needs grates to be grate full, but it probably doesn't hurt...

11) Conclusions - maybe YOU are all more grateful at this point for conclusions that even I may be??

Later................

Top Site Views (as of this morning)

Google Analytics indicates that as of about 1 minute ago, the top two views here on this site are:

1) My review of Uptown Country Girls, currently playing at Stage West Calgary - my review for the Calgary Herald has yet to run, but I'll post a link once that goes live in print and online... Scroll down a bit and you'll find that a day or so ago - Saturday's post I believe...

2) My podcast video interview with Baltimore humorist and author Michele Wjociechowski - click on the photo montage above to go directly to THAT link. The YouTube views are a little slow, but she is by far and away the top view on my official site.....

Those links are the tops as of this morning!!

Later....

A Cheeky Infection

I've been hoping for about a week that what I suspected was an infection in my gums would just go the flock away on its own.

No such luck. Yesterday my entire right side jaw became sensitive to the touch, and I even had trouble swallowing. My upper gum in that cheek was flared and puffy. I had to arrange to see my dentist...or an infection exorcist...

After work, we slipped over for the last appointment of the day. It was no time at all before the dentist decided it was indeed infected, and froze me up so as to perform a little oral surgery. He also called to cancel his tee off time.

One incision later, and the infection was draining - as was the pain and inflammation. I was like a soda fountain, but no one would have wanted to upsize THAT offering!

So, antibiotics for the next ten days, saline mix rinses, and chewing on the left side of my mouth. Soon enough, I'll be back up to my normal chewie self.

Later!

Facebook Fall - Hook, Line and Sink Her....

Ugh....

I'm usually pretty good when it comes to the online spammers and scammers, however yesterday I fell for one - now I have to hope I removed this individual before anyone else in my own contact/friends list  gets connected to "her".

On Twitter, I've come to recognize the porn spambots and other fake followers, but the one I decided to "friend" yesterday was wilier than most. We had a couple of mutual friends in common, and both of those folks are people I trust. But they must have had the same experience, seeing familiar names in the spammer's connections.

Well, as soon as I did connect, the crap started to arrive in my in-box. I'm hoping I''ve unfriended properly, but Facebook doesn't make disconnecting easy - or at least leave you with great confidence you've removed someone...

Maybe I should connect her with all those e-mail savvy Nigerian princes that are always offering me their inheritances.

Later!

Video Interview with humorist Michele Wojciechowski #nsnc13

While I was in Hartford for the annual NSNC conference, I caught up with a couple of very funny ladies.

This is the first interview I've had a chance to edit and post, which you can catch on my main podcast site, my YouTube channel, or by subscribing for free in i-Tunes.

She also has a new book out, with high praise from fellow funny folks like W. Bruce Cameron, and Alan Zweibel. Once I've had a chance to read and review it, I'll add it to My Favourites, or I Recommend - whatever that Amazon Associates feature over the the right of this is called...

Check it out!

Soon as I get my interview with Tracy Beckerman edited, I'll post links to that....

Later! 

Chicken Scratch

(posted by weekend guest blogger Charlie Chicken...)

Yahoo, amigos.

Yahoo...

Yeah, Calgary Stampede iz here again, but ah don think ah'll make it out this year.

I kinda down in tha dumps...

AAAAWK....

No, no - don worry about me. Ah'll be OK.

I mean, tha hoomans here go away FOR ALMOST TWO CLUCKIN' WEEKS, and leev me here alone - I guess that makes me a surv-eye-vor....

AAAAWK....

Left ta fend fer mahself - no considerashun fer mebbe bringin' me along...

AAAAWK....

Yup, ole Charlie kin get along juss fine - why does HE need ta get out an see tha wurld???

AAAAWK....

So, sorry Stampede. Ye'll juss have ta Yahoo without this ole chicken this year. 

Poke me once inna while, willya - juss ta see if I still gotta pulse...

AAAAWK....

I'll be over in tha corner. That's me doin' tha weepin'...

Cluck fer now.....

Sigh.................. 

"Uptown Country Girls" - Stage West Calgary review

Stage West Calgary

"Uptown Country Girls"

I've enjoyed a lot of shows at Stage West Calgary over the years. If I look back through my podcast interview series, I've been at every show going as far back as September, 2009.

So if the percentage of winning productions is so high that this is the FIRST negative review I've had to sit down and put to page, I can't imagine there's a business in the world that would be upset with a batting average that consistently successful.

Yes, Uptown Country Girls isn't going to make my list of all-time favourite Stage West shows. While the revue format typically works well there (so well that several revues have returned to as strong a success as their original runs enjoyed), this one just doesn't seem to connect with the audience.

To be fair, there are highlights, and I would say that the second act certainly delivers more high marks than the first - but the entire proceeding didn't even once generate impromptu audience participation, or more than moderate applause. If you've ever been in a cowboy bar, or have seen some of these originals artist live, that is the opposite effect these hugely popular artists have on their audiences...

I could be biased here - I'm a long-time country fan, and I've seen a lot of these actual artists live - some twice. With hot country exploding in popularity and crossing over now into the pop charts with many of the performers portrayed here in Uptown Country Girls, the songs I think are either going to have to be altered to stand on their own, or be as close to the originals as possible. The weaknesses are far too evident, and detract from the effort the cast has put into the show.

Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Martina McBride and Kelly Clarkson are some of the most powerful vocalists on the planet, male or female - so if you're not clearly and cleanly nailing each note...well, anyone that watches TV singing competitions has probably heard the judges somber comments before each of those contestants are dismissed...

However, as I mentioned earlier, there are some highlights, well worth making sure that if you are a country music fan, you'll enjoy hearing if you attend. "This Kiss", "Still The One", "Over You", and a nicely reworked version of Sugarland's "Stay" hit their respective marks and then some. The band, as always is tops. 

Maybe after a few more performances (media night showings are always early in the run) the actors can redirect and sharpen the areas that fall short of the level that Stage West audiences have come to expect. The talent is certainly there onstage...

Official Calgary Herald review to follow, I'll post links once that goes live online! 

    

Dashboard Whistles

I know - you're thinking I must have meant to say dashboard "bells and whistles", in anticipation of bragging about some features of my vehicle.

No, I indeed meant what I said. For the last few days, my dashboard has been whistling....

Not often. Not on purpose - at least I hope not.

However, something in my dashboard is whistling, so it must mean something.

How though, does one approach a mechanic about this issue, and expect to be taken seriously??

Maybe I should just whistle down an open-minded service professional...

Later!

My First Fourth Of July (Boston) - Happy Day all!!

I've probably already posted this piece here before - it's an old newspaper column from several years back.

However, it feels an appropriate use of space as I am running behind this morning - Happy 4th to all my colleagues and friends in the U.S. !!!

My First Fourth of July

After decades of celebrating Canada Day here at home, my wife and I had a chance to experience our first-ever Fourth of July celebrations on U.S. soil, around this time last year. We happened to be in Boston, a city literally brimming with history.

However, this story has two parts, beginning on the 3^rd of July. 

That morning, we were getting an early start to our day, having breakfast in our hotel - The Omni Parker House. The restaurant in this hotel has seen a fair share of history itself. It happens to be where John F. Kennedy proposed to Jackie. It also boasts Malcolm X as a former busboy. I understand a couple of recent American Idol contestants are going to be future waiters there...

After breakfast, we had time to fill, so we rushed off to Prudential Center, where we caught a  "duck" ride, a city and river tour on a World War II amphibious vehicle. Over hill and over dale, that was a total hoot - even though technically ducks don’t hoot. 

Zipping back to our hotel afterwards, we caught our breath before we had dinner, and took in a pre-4th of July Fife & Drum concert, in the courtyard of Old City Hall. Very cool! Made me wish I had taken my high school fife lessons more seriously... Boston is one history-filled place to attend the Independence Day holiday!!

All of this time-filling led to our eventual destination - we closed our evening with the free dress rehearsal of The Boston Pops, on The Esplanade. You literally enjoy the exact same 4^th Of July show that will be broadcast live on national TV the next evening. We saw the entire dry run, with hosts Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw, plus guests like Steve Tyler & Joe Perry doing a couple of huge Aerosmith hits. And of course, The Boston Pops masterfully running through the famous “1812 Overture”. Absolutely surreal... 

After experiencing the dress rehearsal for The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular however, we thought we might not want to be in a cozy little crowd of 500,000, for the real deal. So, we booked ourselves onto a “fireworks cruise”.

Which is how we eventually spent our first-ever Fourth of July, in the United States…

When we arrived at the harbor the next afternoon, there were a couple of ships lined up, so we settled onto a bench, chatting with a nice couple from Chicago.

There was one cruise boarding before ours, and we were surprised to notice that a modern, sleek twin-hulled catamaran was being loaded for that one. An older, somewhat rusty tub appeared to be the only one left for the next group - our group. You could hear the ripples of concern begin to circulate throughout the crowd on the dock...

So as not to allow those of us who had arrived early to get cold feet, they began to board The Rusty Tub. In the surprising crush of people anxious to embark on what looked like a retired tugboat, my wife and I ended up in the lower level, where we were about to enjoy a cozy three-hour sauna.

Once finally underway, I imagine it was with our safety in mind that The Rusty T made its way out to the “general area” of the fireworks, but kept to a very safe distance of what seemed like several miles away, in case I suppose any of the fireworks embers might ignite the original wood hull. We became concerned that we may ironically end up watching "The Spectacular" on a cell phone screen. Several Lions attending an international conference were quietly planning a mutiny, gathering up a supply of the onboard hot dogs - stiffer than billy clubs...

Suddenly though, the Floating Rust Barge hauled anchor over to another vantage point, where we could see the illumination of fireworks, from behind a row of tall buildings. The crew simulcast the audio of The Boston Pops over speakers throughout the ship. I’ve never, ever seen anything like it before. It was unforgettable...

We all had a few laughs on the cruise back to port, and nobody seemed to mind the accommodations that much anymore. 

Rust is relative after all, as long as it floats you back home… 

Where Are They Now: Jiminy Cricket...

I wonder what Jiminy Cricket is doing these days?? In a world of Snookis and Kardashians, I imagine his goody-two-shoes conscience routine lacks an audience.

Is he spending his time in seedy bars, nursing no-name gin and singing "When You Wish Upon A Star" to no one in particular??

Does his top hat and umbrella lie somewhere in a motel room, filled with holes and laden with dust? Did he pawn his spats to buy a can of Spam??

Or has he remained relevant to Boomers, reinforcing good behaviour and the benefits of doing what's right for their fellow Boomers?

Does he have a gambling problem, or struggle with cricket erectile dysfunction?

Was he swallowed by a bird while suntanning??

Anyone???

Just curious....

Later!

Back To Normal - at least partly...

Today marks my first day back to my regular weekly routine - preparing to head off to my day job for the first time in 10 days!

I've got some amazing memories from the columnist conference I attended, as well as Hartford itself, and the surrounding communities we visited. From that, I have a couple of video interviews to edit and post, and some columns to write and submit. Plus I need to (rapidly) get up to speed on what I've missed at work during my absence here.

I am also anxious to hear what I may have missed with regards to the historic flood in Calgary that was literally cresting as our plane took off for Connecticut. The images online and on TV indicate just how destructive it was - makes me proud to be a volunteer leader, seeing how volunteers rose to help out as quickly as the flood waters covered the city. It will be interesting just trying to drive into our downtown...

Gotta run!

Later......

Back Home Again #nsnc13

Exhausted. Invigorated.

Two sides of my coin as I awoke this morning back home in my own bed after the amazing NSNC13 conference in Hartford. A huge hand for all involved in putting that exceptional event together!

Despite a couple of terrific pics online now with me photo-bombing legendary humorists Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel, I did also happen to catch a couple of formal shots, happily. The duo were just one highlight of many over the official few days of the conference, but without a doubt the most outstanding memory for me will be networking with some of the most gifted, talented writers in North America. As a peer, no less! Thank God no one checked what I submitted for my bio too carefully....

The knowledge I took away, along with one hotel hand towel to protect my City Steam Brewery Cafe mug, will be invaluable moving forward. Yes, so much of it I already know, but the reminders will allow me to readjust my focus, and maybe take my writing to the level that so many of my esteemed colleagues have brought their own to - among them Pulitzer Prize winners, national award winners, and as celebrated Saturday night, NSNC award winners.

Later!