Diary of a Girl-Next-Door Heavy Metal Novelist

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...heading to the NY KISS Expo on May 1?

AND

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AND

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March 14, 2004
Just got home and received some bad news. It's about 2:30 a.m. and I don't have time to believe it yet, let alone reflect. If there is a higher power, TR is in good hands tonight. Nothing else seems very important.

March 15, 2004
As I look toward my birthday tomorrow, I thought I'd be celebrating the birth of my publishing deal. Instead, I received the awful news that a former student and generous assistant to Randy during the enormous task of sound editing "Living the Fantasy" was killed over the weekend. So much talent; so much spirit. Our film will be shown at next week's film festival right before "Bowling for Columbine." I want people to come out to witness Tim & Randy's work, but if they can only see one movie that week, maybe it should be "Bowling..."

I'm excited about returning to my alma mater. An old college friend and colleague, Sandra, has been a one-woman publicity machine for the film. Angel Zee, from the KISS tribute band Shock Me, has also been a huge supporter. Thank goodness. When you google "Old Dominion Film Festival" (in the quotes), 3 of the 4 listings that pop up belong to KISSfiction. That is either a testament to my celebrity or just a sign that my P.R. director deserves a big promotion.

Today was a big day for my book. I had today off from the day job, so I was able to visit some offices and take care of some transactions that pretty much seal my literary fate. I'd like to say that full disclosure is forthcoming, but it's not. I must now take on the Gigantic Kahuna.

March 16, 2004
Birthdays have never been all that lucky for this author. When I was seven, I was stuck at home with the mumps on my big day. In more recent years, I received a Yahoo greeting card from a significant other in which a monkey played "Happy Birthday" on a drum. "This card reminds me of you because you're a drummer," the card said. "By the way, we're history."

This year, I'm healthy as can be and I have a reunion planned with the greatest love of my life. I'm not sure any man will ever receive my abiding love the way Old Dominion University does. My alma mater accepted this awkward, virginal girl and taught her about life, love and most of all, learning. By the time I graduated, I had realized that I never wanted to end my relationship with academia. All these years later, I am still as enthralled by higher education as I was as an infatuated freshman. Today, I exchanged emails from ODU faculty and administrators who made me a better person and a better educator. I also received a welcoming message from a student leader whom I've never met (a.k.a. the voice of accountability). All the pieces are in place for a love story second only to Won't Get Fooled Again.

March 17, 2004
It's St. Pat's Day and you should be green with envy. I am so eager to fly to Old Dominion I can hardly stand to wait. I have the same giddy anticipation I usually only associate with watching KISS roadies setting up the concert venue. I love this blurb from a recent university publication. They make me sound rather cool. Little do they know...

...in order to keep up with my "One Fruit or Vegetable a Day Month," I purchased a giant bag of dried strawberries from a bulk food store over the weekend. Have you ever tried this alleged treat? A more appropriate name would be strawberry jerky. Lesson: Don't forget to order a salad with lunch.

I have to be on the road at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow for a consulting job. It's a pretty cool gig, and very much in keeping with what I want to do long-term. I'll be coaching job candidates who are going through a day of back-to-back interviews. I am a huge huge believer in pursuing your dreams, and I'm looking forward to creating a few more believers in the morning. I'm planning to tell them "It's good to eat a fruit or vegetable to give you energy before an interview. Wouldn't you know, I just happen to have a bag of..."

March 18, 2004
The Dean of All Media strikes again. I don't have any plane tickets, but I do have an interview lined up for 7:00 Sunday morning on either tv or radio. Old Dominion is giving me the total star treatment. And they've never even previewed Living the Fantasy! Suckers.

My consulting job was a lot of fun. I hope I can turn it into an annual gig. I think I helped give candidates confidence and I had a lot of fun. I forgot to pack my strawberry jerky, so I'm gnawing on it right now. If rubberbands tasted like...well... rubberbands, you'd know what I'm experiencing.

March 19, 2004
When I was a freshman at Old Dominion, officials evacuated the university because of a hurricane. I joined thousands of Hampton Roads residents who fled the area to escape the wrath of the storm. This fall, my beloved alma mater was hit once again by an explosive storm. Devestating winds and heavy flooding forced even the bravest souls to seek shelter.

Wake the kids and phone the neighbors. Hurricane Colette is comin' to town. (Continued)