From
3/19
- 3:30 P.M. | From
3/20
- 8 :30 A.M.
From Nora
Made it to Baltimore. The suite's lovely, and I
plan to try out the bed real soon as I have that
early TV tomorrow.
Settled in, got out clothes for tomorrow as I
don't like to try to make decisions when my brain's
still asleep. They appear to be doing construction
on the entrance of the hotel, but I'll be up before
the crew, so I've already fooled any travel mojo.
Nora
From Nora -- added on 3/19/01
@ 3:30 P.M.
Day One started early, but it's gone well. Up at
4:45. My God, what sort of world is it where people
want to watch TV before dawn?
Still, I've done this show before, and it was
just as much fun this time around. Just really high
energy and friendly. Did more chit-chat and goofy
stuff than interview, which I find much more
effective and certainly more entertaining for all
involved. Now if they could just move this show to
a civilized hour, it would be perfect.
Back to the hotel where I took dropped down and
slept for thirty minutes. Pretty well organized for
tomorrow, which shouldn't be that hard on day one.
Snatched again by my delightful escort Lottie for a
stock signing, then a radio taping. Good show where
the radio gal had asked for questions from
listeners earlier, taped them, then played them
back and took my answers. Nice job.
More stock signings. I believe I signed about
six million books for Jim at Waldens. Sweetie. It
was like the loaves and fishes--no matter how many
I stacked up, he had more. A guy stopped by who
recognized the name on the book as one of his
wife's favorites and is going home a hero with a
signed book of a brand new release.
It was a great mall, but I didn't have time to
shop. Just as well. Must pace these things.
Upstairs another bookstore. The manager came down
and asked me if I'd come up and sign stock, so away
we went.
Had time for some lunch. Perked me up again for
the final stock signing.
Hotel time now. Construction of the front is
well advanced. They're cutting bricks. LOL. What a
noise! I'm pitifully grateful I'm at the back of
the hotel and can't hear it.
Gonna recharge before tonight's formal signing.
Weather's cool yet, but I saw an island of
purple and yellow pansies. Soooo sweet.
Nora
From Nora -- added on 3/20/01
@ 8:30 A.M.
Wonderful, cheerful and patient crowd at the
signing last night. Events manager told me they had
to move the signing to another area--a BIGGER one
than last year. LOL. Good for me. Still SRO, and it
means a lot to me that readers would stand for
large chunks for time that way.
It was a really smooth event, so well run. Don't
know where my mind was though. Thi mall is a good
one, and I've been there before. Should've told
Lottie to pick me up a half hour early for some
power shopping.
Next time.
Saw more men--we're pulling them in. Some even
asked questions. Got the usual Baby Roarke question
and the Seth question. Signed tons of books--it was
close to ten before I got out of there.
The little cheese plate and the shrimp cocktail
I'd pre-ordered from room service was waiting for
me back in my room. Scarfed it up, got stuff in
order for this morning, then fell on my face in
bed.
Off to Cincy this morning. Storms moving into
the east coast. Hope they miss me.
Oh, I e-mail
Spooner,
the cartoon guy.* Got a lovely response.
Nora
[*Note from ADWOFF: Nancy D informed us that the
Spooner cartoon the other day featured one of the
characters reading one of Nora's books! We'll try
to provide the actual link to this strip when it's
posted online]
Nora's The Villa Tour
2001 