From Nora -- added on
Sunday, April 15, 2001 @ 1 P.M. |
Melissa
|
Laurie
|
Carla
All I can think is the is the last time I have
to get up in the dark on this trip.
Drag my butt out of bed, get dressed, and head
down to where Tom is waiting to take me to the
airport. I realize I've never flown out of Newark.
It's a madhouse even at six in the morning on
Easter Saturday, where I figure everybody who's
going anywhere for Easter should already BE there.
But no.
Spot Liz scanning the magazine rack and sidle
over to her. There's enough time for us to go into
the airline's lounge, away from the insane crowds
until boarding.
They put us on a bus and drive us out to the toy
planes. It's a jet, but it's still a toy. Inside I
screw my butt into the tiny seat and wonder how
larger people manage this stuff. I don't like being
there so will myself to sleep for about half of the
hour flight. It wasn't that hard.
I'm punchy, as I always am, when we get off.
Wegman's is waiting. Several happy faces, including
the book rep for this account, and his wife.
They're delighted to have me and scoot us off to a
black limo as long as an ark.
We go somewhere else first--a news agency--to
sign books, have a bagel, chat. They tell me the
basic set up and for the first time I realize this
is a grocery store. LOL. But the mother of all
grocery stores. They have a tent set up outside as
a staging area for the crowd they expect. Inside
will be food, coffee, musicians, books, tables.
This is very nice touch. They'll bring people
inside in groups of 25.
They've made up cool badges--like back stage
passes for a rock concert--with my picture. Huge
signage everywhere.
We take lots of pictures, then head over.
We don't have stores like Wegman's in my neck of
the woods. It's enormous, and has everything,
including its own little restaurant where they make
their own pizza.
They do indeed have a crowd, with the first in
line a group from Canada.
Sign, sign, sign, chat, chat, chat. I get
presents!
Then I see a familiar face. It's Laurie Jewells
from the boards! And right behind her is Carla from
the boards! Such a surprise, and such a kick to see
them. I'm so used to seeing them at TTP, it messed
with my head for a minute. LOL.
Which reminds me I saw Long Island Linda on
Friday night, and got the most beautiful flowers
from her garden.
More presents, more books. After about two and a
half hours it slows down enough for me to take a
break for a slice of pizza out in the tent. I'm
told there's a young boy who came up right after I
left the table. He's got one of my tee-shirts and
is so excited. His mother's the reader. He has his
whole family with him, so when I go back I talk to
him awhile. He's absolutely charming.
Sign more books, sign stock, sign tee-shirts,
until it's time to leave for the airport. More
pictures. More flowers as Wegman's gives me a dozen
gorgeous yellow roses. Another fan, a florist,
brought me flowers as well. I'm loaded!
Two of the Wegman gals ride with us in the limo
to the airport--along with a bottle of champagne.
Very nice way to end the event. It's been about as
classy as a signing can get.
Liz and I pile into the airline club and wait to
board what I'm pleased to announce is a real plane.
Easy flight back with just a few bumps. Then Liz
and I have to say goodbye. I feel weird for weeks
after a tour--Liz deprived, LOL. I get so used to
seeing or talking with her on almost a daily basis
during the stint.
Back to the hotel where BW is waiting after his
day out at galleries. Order in. Bed time.
I slept for nine hours. It's still not enough.
LOL.
Nora
From Melissa
Went to my first book signing in Cheektowaga
this weekend. Got up @ 5:30 after about 3 1/2 hours
sleep. Couldn't settle down enough to get solid
rest because I was too excited about meeting Nora.
Left Toronto @ 7 AM, got to Wegmans in
Cheektowaga at 9. Messed around for an hour
searching for some place to exchange currency, then
headed back to the store. The darling boyfriend
kept laughing at me because I was so nervous and
excited. I got a card for Nora, just to say thank
you. Matt just shook his head and wondered how I
could get something for someone I don't even know.
It still didn't get me down.
Went into the tent where everyone was gathered
and waited for about 5 minutes for the organizers
to hand out the numbered cards. Got #40.
Wandered around some more. Headed back to the
store @ 11 and got into my 26-50 group. Got a
little giddy, gave the bf something else to laugh
about. He really was being sweet by taking me,
after all. And taking the pictures.
We headed in and turned the corner and there was
Nora, sitting at the desk. She was and wasn't what
I expected to see. She looked very friendly,
smiling and talking to her fan.
Chatted w/the people in front and behind me.
Everyone was so friendly! Found Kathy from the
board. She was #39! hah, that was weird. We talked
until it was my turn. I went up and handed Nora my
books. Asked her the first thing that came to mind.
"Have you ever been to Montana?" (She was signing
my copy of Montana Sky) She said no, she'd had a
signing in Billings once, but that didn't really
count as Montana. I agreed and told her I was from
Montana. She asked where and I told her Bozeman.
She ah'd and said that's where she'd like to go. DB
took pictures while I smiled w/Nora. I can't really
remember everything else that was said. She thanked
me for the card. I felt silly giving it to her. It
was just a little card.
Shook Nora's hand (asked to) and thanked her,
then walked off. I'd forgotten to mention to Nora I
was from ADWOFF! grr. Beat myself up about that on
the way home.
Got a couple pictures w/Kathy, talked a little
more, then left.
On the drive home, crashed hard. All that
excitement kind of just reached it's pinnacle, then
fell off a cliff.
Everything's kind of a blur now. At least I have
pictures as proof that I met her. Great first
signing, hope I get a chance to do it again. And
again. And again....
Melissa
From Laurie
... To give a great big <albeit weary>
Hello Hug from her to the List Friends!~!
I saw her yesterday at her Buffalo signing.
Yep.. it's all true, she was signing her widdle
heart out at.. of all places.. A GROCERY STORE ~
"Wegmans", affectionately refereed to as "Weggies".
OK, yeahsurefine.. it's a HUGE grocery store.. but
still...bottom line here is.. <clearly, I have
'issues'> it was grocery store!!
Ok ... entire story: Feel free to zone out right
about now.. and I'll TRY to keep it short. (hehehe
like that's gonna happen!)
Carla arrived in Syracuse on Friday night.
Saturday's signing in Buffalo was to start at 11:00
(which it did). Since I'm about 175 miles east of
Buffalo, it's about a 2 1/2 hour drive from my
house. We left around 7:30 and filled up on Duncan
donuts coffee ( ok, so that was me with my large
coffee coolata, and a regular coffee - and Carla
had her OJ). Then it was on the BK for the
breakfast sammich and tatertots! yuummm. Then it
was on the thruway to Buff.
We'd made arrangements with Cindy (from the
McNabb group/JDRobb onelist) to meet outside the
store at 10....10:15.. to get a good spot. The web
page said this was going to be a Q&A. Now,
KNOWing that Weggies is NOT the place that
something like this could actually take place.. I
had my concerns. Natch.. I was "right". heheheh.
Anyway, we made it to Weggies at exactly 10:00.
And, knowing my "issues" with the location.. I WAS
RIGHT!. We pulled in to the parking lot and whatta
ye know.. There is this BIG white TENT outside the
entrance to the store. I turned to Carla and just
about wanted to scream. Could this possibly BE any
cheesier!?!?! Just soz ye-all know.. I have
'issues' with this whole setup. Oh.. did I mention
there was a Borders in the very same darn
location???
Ok ... moving on... Carla and I get out of the
truck and mosey on up to the tent. Half
hoping/praying I was wrong and that was for
something ELSE ... but nnnnooooo, big freaking'
sign with her <really gorgeous> photo on it
right outside the tent. INSIDE, a few tables (bar
type round tables) with two chairs each.. and some
longer lunch tables around the edges of the tent.
<bigol'groan.> So we get our numbers (41 and
42) and go into the store and do a spot of shopping
first, then head back out to the truck to see if we
can spot Cindy. Nope. So we hang out for a while,
and I think of this really kewl idea to stand on
the door frame and look out over the parking lot to
see if I can spot Cindy's car - upon arrival.
Well, shortly after that.. ( around 10:40?)
Doesn't this sleek ... long..... black... <now
stop that! gettchermindsouttathegutter!> Limo
pull into the parking lot! Wooohooo!! She's HERE!!
The limo pulled up to the far entrance (actually it
was an exit) but that's where the Weggies
contingent was standing around. They stayed outside
chatting for about 10 minutes. Then doesn't Cindy
and her friend Kristy pull in ... just as Nora and
the gang go inside.
We all mosey back up to "the tent" only to find
out that NO... Nora will NOT be doing the signing
in the tent. Nope ... she's doin' her thang INSIDE
the store. Whew! (in the shade of the building it
was on the chilly side.. but if you were smart -
you stood outside in the sun!) The tent was
actually the HOLDING PEN for all the fans.!!! And
lemme tell ye, there were over 200 to my
estimation. At least, when we left, they were just
getting to numbers 150-175.. and there were still
PLENTY of people hanging around.
Anyway... we get in line just inside the
entrance to Weggies. Naturally, we were standing
directly under the heater, so my back was nicely
fried to a crisp. Then after about 20-25 minutes of
standing in blazing heat, we were "escorted" single
file..(heheh flashback to kindergarten when you had
to hold hands.. don't get out of line, single
file.. buddy system). I couldn't help it.. as we
were walking in, single file of course ... there
was a young dad and his two little kids leaving,
and as we passed.. I said ..."Oh Look! A Parade!
..."
Then it was up to the Customer Service Desk -
where they had a nice velvet rope to cordon off the
rest of the "shoppers" from the signing crowd. We
get in line and Nora is seated at this fake oak
desk. They had it so that when you "get to Nora"..
it's basically just you and her, the rest of the
line is back about 3 feet. While in line.. we find
out that the three ladies in front of us, were all
ADWOFF members, and posted there regularly. Two of
them. Cathy (?) and ... oh jeezz.. I can't remember
her name, but she's a young lady, lives (for now)
in Toronto with her fiance. This was her FIRST
visit to the NY since moving from Montana to
Toronto. Her fiance was standing off to the side to
take pictures. He was a real sweetie. Anyway, we
were just chatting and then it's our turn already!
I get up to Nora and say ..." Hi ye sweetie!"
And was very pleasantly surprised to hear her say
..." Oh Wow, a familiar face!". <that's when she
said to give a big hello hug to the list pals>.
Then, you know me and my "issues"... I just has to
comment on it and said.." well, I see it's nuthin'
but the best for you. eh!? What GIVES with putting
you in a GROCERY STORE!?!?!?" She sorta rolled her
eyes, then Liz, who was standing off to the side of
the desk a bit, moseyed over and they both set me
straight. APPARENTLY... Weggies... sells just a TON
of Nora's books (they move very well, DUH!). The
Buffalo NewsGroup (at least I think that's the
name) is the organization that was sponsoring this
whole shindig. They'd been after Nora to do a
singing for some years now, and this was their
turn. Liz said that they were a HUGE account, and
since Nora hadn't done a tour in New England in a
while, they slipped in a Buffalo deal. And to be
fair, I have to say, there IS always a huge supply
of Nora's stuff there. So.. ok.. this brought Nora
as close to Up state NY as she's ever been (as far
as I know!?) And it was actually very well
organized. *sigh*. I still have "issues". It's a
freakin' GROCERY STORE!!!! hehehehh...
Anyway, while Carla was chatting with Nora and I
was chatting with Liz, I was about to take a
picture of Carla with Nora.. when Liz offered to
take a picture of the two of us with Nora. Yaaayyy!
So she took two.. "just in case". Both Carla and I
gave Nora a "gift bag" of stuff. The usual,
chocolate (mine was two, one-pound bags of M&Ms
and a "good travel Mojo" token for the rest of her
trip. I WAS going to start out my "meeting" with
her saying ..." I logged onto your sight this
morning and it's really kewl of you to add 4 more
stops to your tour"... just to see her reaction..
BUT.. what with Liz standing right there, I figured
I'd get hurt. Sooo, I didn't. Carla asked her
question, and after she answered her, I made a
purely INNOCENT comment about Jason...and the LOOK
she gave meee!!! Wooo! LMAO. Then she said "I
wouldn't trust you with MY son, you're a wild
woman." LOL. It's ALL rumors! I swear! I'm mostly
harmless! Then Carla and I chatted up Liz some
more, then we were on our way back outside. After
Cindy (No. 115 in line) and Kristy made it through
the line, the four of us were off ... TO NIAGARA
FALLS ... after a yummy lunch at The Olive Garden!!
~ Jewells
From Carla
Nora In Cheektowaga
I made Laurie start out from Syracuse at 7:30
a.m. Too early, she said. Let's add in time to get
lost, I replied. She rolled her eyes. Hey, she's an
early bird anyway; she'll get over it... I'm
obsessively early that way. <g>
So, we took the NY Thruway and made it to the
Wegman's at a bit before 10 a.m. for the 11 a.m.
signing. As a Marylander, I usually go to TTP for
my Nora's, so I hadn't been to a Nora Q&A
session since I first met her in 1999. I was
looking forward to how they were gonna pull this
off in a grocery store.
Soon as we get there, Laurie and I look at each
other-– no WAY IN THE WORLD are they gonna be able
to have a Q&A here. Too many folks, too little
space. Ah well... Laurie posted about the tent
set-up, the kicky limo from which Nora gracefully
emerged, the humongous crowd and the rest, so I'll
skip to what Nora was wearing. She had on a black
blazer and a gray knit shell/blouse. Sorry I didn't
get to see the shoes! She looked too cool for
words, and she greeted us by name! OMG! She said
seeing us made her feel like she was home.
Before I left my home, my family had wanted to
know (with not a little concern) why I was driving
6 hours from Maryland to Syracuse only to ride
2½ hours from Syracuse to Buffalo to see an
author I'd just seen 4 weeks ago, and who lives not
more than an hour away from me. Well, Nora's smile
and greeting... that made the trip worth it for me.
I suppose this only confirms what I've known for a
while: "My name is Carla and I'm a Noraholic." And
I couldn't be more pleased about it.
Nora's The Villa Tour
2001 