Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Work Once Writ Gone Sonic
I've received exciting news on the career front: A small publishing house has decided to put out an audiobook version of Hello, Future Me... ...Hi There, an existential space thriller of mine they published in 2004.
Upon hearing the news, Tumble and Chestnut immediately volunteered to be voice actors for the project. I hadn't really thought of doing anything other than a straight author readthrough, but once I saw the effort they put into making their costumes I didn't have the heart to burst their collective bubble. Chestnut had, after all, done me the munificent favor of posing for the cover art two years ago.

Anyway, it's good to have something to work on together since the last group project ended so poorly. I think I'll do some work in the kitchen, where the muted sounds of my roommates excitedly rehearsing in the laundry room can bring a smile to this tired author's face.
posted @ 06:35 PM est [link]

Monday, October 16, 2006

And So It Goes
I confessed my deception to Carly over a mid-morning phone call last week, one in which I admitted my altruistic intentions and ultimate failure as a friend. She was forgiving but understandably disappointed. I offered to set her up on a date with the real Chestnut, but after learning he was the one that carved a six-foot swath in her rhododendrons and left half a pant-leg hanging from her backyard gate, she politely declined. She ended the call with an invitation to keep in touch.

In my brain I skirted around the underlying futility of my actions, that regardless of how deep our connection might have grown, romance would have eluded this author with a body so different and place in the world so odd. But that's never something to dwell on too long. There's always wine and writing.

I think I'll do both.
posted @ 03:55 PM est [link]

Friday, October 6, 2006

The Pockmarked Arm and Vice-Like Grip of Shame
Some of you may be wondering how Chestnut's date went. Well, it went like this, with all the dignity of a C-level sitcom:

1) Carly and I (as Chestnut) decided to change the venue from dinner in Shadyside to dinner at her place.
2) I compiled all of our correspondences into a folder for Chestnut and readied myself to inform him of the good news: He was about to go on a date with the loveliest woman in Pittsburgh, thanks to the tireless efforts of yours truly.
3) One fit of loneliness and a mild spasm of envy later, I left said packet on my desk and hopped in a cab for Carly's place.
4) When I arrived home, and the early-morning fog broke to reveal Chestnut sitting on the porch, I realized the jig was incontrovertibly up, without even needing to see further evidence, which he provided anyway:

Chestnut and I had a long talk as the sun came up and in the end he said he understood my actions and forgave me, which I thought was big of him until I went in my room and realized he'd glued my laptop shut somewhere between discovery and forgiveness.
posted @ 01:29 PM est [link]