Retracing My Steps

Traveled to NYC from Oakland yesterday with Belle who was angelic on the flight.  Truly — she barely stirred.  Endless compliments from strangers.
Our first segment was delayed after we boarded because an over-zealous passenger whacked an Emergency Exit sign out of place when removing carry-on luggage.  They decided that since there were no replacement parts on-hand it was easier for us just to switch planes.
So Belle and I had to get off the plane and wait for an hour where she more or less created an entire fan club for herself.   Within ten minutes, several airline employees had pulled out their cell phones to share photos of their own dogs, not to mention our fellow passengers sharing dog experiences.  (Also, a very synchronistic encounter with a woman who turned out to the VP of marketing from one of the organic dog food companies on my target sponsorship list.)
Whenever I feel slightly frustrated that Oprah hasn’t re-started her show and her book club just to promote UPWARD DOG [it could happen, right?], it’s moments like these where people respond so powerfully to the message via their own dog experiences, that really renews my inspiration.
Read through lots on the plane, including what felt like an extremely long article about the publication of The Art of Fielding in VANITY FAIR.  Curious to read this now that I have my own novel out with high aspirations and publishing expectations given the Hollywood Optioning.
I have such a love/hate relationship with VANITY FAIR, particularly this kind of issue ranking media figures and other billionaires and moguls.  I even saw a quote from JK Rowling that was used in a completely distorted way from how I watched her say it during an interview;  she said a phrase about herself and the Beatles to demonstrate total shock by her intense popularity and they used it as an indicator of possible meglomania (I left the magazine on the plane, otherwise I’d give it exactly.)   Anyway, the whole issue is maddening.   Somehow, it seems to imply that one is failing tremendously by not having championed an internet start-up in college, a memo I somehow missed.
Nonetheless, I do always love stories about how much rejection artists face before triumphs, particularly these days of agents and publishers not “getting” books that became massive bestsellers.   It’s so reassuring and comforting and hope-inspiring.
Landed and re-traced my steps straight back to Amy — my BFF from Yale — ‘s  Chelsea digs where I stayed last and always.
Took this photo last year at Amy’s when I was here for the LLS benefit.  Although I did not immediately assume this shape again, I’m sharing because it gives a hint of our lifestyle (and of course, her brother, JA’s unmistakeable decorating style).
Fun to come back to NYC, particularly for an invent like the signing party.  And particularly nice to be staying in my NYC home away from home.