From Nora -- added on
Tuesday, April 3, 2001 @ 7:30 P.M. | From
Debbie
Had a couple of things left to do in SF before
heading north. Radio phoner in the morning.
Reminded me I was working again. LOL. Then it was
off to a TV date.
I'd done this station before, but at another
location. Remembered the people. It's taped, and
they always run late. Very California friendly
there, though. I'm slated as the second segment
behind one of the first transsexuals. She's 60 now,
and I have to say she doesn't look it. 45ish maybe,
and pretty striking. She was a playboy bunny and
had bit parts in several movies.
She had fabulous skin.
In the segment scheduled after mine is a Brit
writer guy. He's written a novel called Man and
Boy, and rose up as a rock journalist doing
interviews with bands like The Sex Pistols and
Talking Heads. He has his American publicist with
him, and they both know me. Really nice, and we
chat a bit. I hear them discussing the fact they
need to leave about one-fifteen if they're going to
get back for their bag, snag any lunch and make
their plane back to NY.
Time passes. They look nervous. It's almost one
before the transsexual goes in for her deal. So I
tell them if the producers can do it, we can
switch. Hell, I've already been waiting and don't
have a plane to catch. This little favor makes me a
hero, and the guy gives me a signed copy of his
book. It really looks good, too.
They go in next. There's a monitor in the
waiting area so I can watch both segments before
mine, get the rhythm of the hosts. I've met the
woman host before, but the male is a guest
host--Jamie from Real World, New Orleans, fame.
He's doing a good job of it on his first time out.
My turn comes and I do my seven minutes.
Jerry, my driver is waiting and it's back to the
hotel. As I get off the elevator at one minute to
two, I remember in a flash that I have a two
o'clock phoner. LOL. Not a plane, but still pretty
vital. I run into my room, see with great relief
there's no message light blinking. Dump my purse,
take a breath, and the phone rings.
Right on time.
God has rewarded me for being a Good Samaritan.
I even have time for a burger and fries. Pack
up, and BW comes in from his foray into galleries.
Then it's time to leave. Bye-bye to BW who now
plans to join me in NY.
Jerry says as it's going on five, and opening
day with the game just letting out, we're going to
detour and take the Golden Gate. More miles, but he
believes less traffic.
He's right. We miss the horror of SF traffic and
are soon out of the city and heading north. Just
miles out of SF are marshes. Who knew? Lovely green
rice fields and swatches and pools of blue water.
The surrounding hills are gorgeous.
We get to Benicia easily, and in about 90
minutes. Which makes me way early.
The store here is a little indy that reminds me
a bit of TTP. I scare the owner a bit at first, but
they rally. Everyone's so glad to see me, and I
hear again and again: We just can't believe you're
here. Stuff like this reminds me why I tour. I sign
the holds and stock in the back room. By the time
I'm done and we're getting ready to roll, the place
is packed. I never expected so many people--and
neither, I think, did the store. The staff is just
beaming.
I do the Q&A, stretch it out a little
because everyone's having such fun. Best story of
the night is the woman who dropped in with one of
my books that a friend had lent her. Never read me
before and really liked The Donovan Legacy, so
brought it in to ask the bookseller for more books
by me. Bookseller tells her, Nora's coming here
tonight.
Oh come on, she is not. Yes, she is. See? And
shows her the signage in the store. New customer
and reader is stunned and thrilled and stays for
the appearance. When she comes up to me in line,
she says now she's going to keep thinking Mel
Gibson, Mel Gibson, and maybe he'll show up. LOL.
I meet one of TTP's mail order customers who
brings me a lovely bottle of Napa wine, and another
woman gives me a lovely bag of pampering girl
stuff. Everyone, me included, has just a great
time. Toward the end, the new reader comes back
with two coupons from the Starbucks a couple doors
down. She'd gone in for coffee, told the three
girls there the story. They're big fans, I'm told
and crazy excited and very sad that they can't just
close down and come up and see me. If I'd come in
for a free cup of coffee, they'd be so happy.
After we're done, I tell Jerry to go to
Starbucks. We'll get some coffee. Or he will. I'll
try a latte. Starbuck girls are so thrilled--and
have a camera. LOL. It took me five minutes to make
them happy, and a good a really fine latte out of
it, too.
In Sacramento in an hour flat. Sign a book for
Jerry's girlfriend. He'd called her and found out
she reads me, too. Checked in, dumped stuff, hit
the sheets.
This morning, I took a look at my face. I've
been obsessing about my skin for two weeks as it
just got wrecked. I want to run back to SF, find
the clerk at the La Mer counter and kiss her on the
mouth. I can't believe the difference in the couple
of days since she talked me into adding their serum
to my moisturizer.
I'm back!!!
Nora
From Debbie
Attended the talk and signing yesterday evening,
and I must say it is an event forever in my heart.
Nora is quick witted and charming, and I thoroughly
enjoyed every minute. I brought my 6-year old
along, and Nora was gracious and patient with her.
I have read just about all the more recently
published books of Nora's, and they continue to be
my personal moments. They are my stress relievers.
THANKS Nora....I can only imagine how gruelling
tours can be. Please know I very much appreciate
you and your sacrifices. Nobody should expect more
than great books from you.....everything else
(including these talks, etc.) is above and beyond.
You are truly one in a million! Debbie, California
Nora's The Villa Tour
2001 