I am the champions!
Here’s a picture of me trying to take in the moment. (Click to enlarge my exultation.)
What moment? I knew you’d ask, possibly. My Thanksgiving decoration won the art contest that was held at the conclusion of the Utter Wonder Reading last night. Sure, I read from my book, host Chris Monks and special guest G. Xavier Robillard made guffawing drunks knock over their beers and lick the spillage off the legs of their barstools because they have a sickness, but let’s get back to what’s important: I am a winner. I have a trophy with a sticker that says “Winner!” on it. That’s how I know. I realize it’s the kind of trophy that campers get for winning water-balloon tosses, but don’t tear me down. Yesterday’s trophy was my first ever. After all, they don’t pass out awards for failing to register for the spelling bee or leaving your lunchbox on the bus or shoplifting post cards with ladies in bikinis on them, do they?
Thanks, Chris, for having me. It was great . . . except for the folk singers who took forever to stand down and let us take the stage on time. Apparently, shoving your mandolin in a case takes the same labor and coordination as dismantling an Olympic Village.
The Utter Wonder reading was actually my second that day. In the morning, I held another reading at my aunt and uncle’s house for their friends. What was great is that people were buying copies above and beyond the courtesy purchases I expected. I figured one per household to stave off awkwardness, but people were taking home multiple copies. I brought 20 books to Boston with me, and I leave with none.