Just like my memories of the Pepper Mill, all my my interactions at tonight's reunion mixer were positive. Loved some, laughed at some. I could see a Won't Get Fooled Again sequel taking shape here.

May 28, 2005
A small part of me still feels like Mr. Shaw's Daughter. Growing up as the school superintendent's offspring carries with it a certain burden to be a good girl. In 6th grade, my parents caught my friends and me playing spin the bottle at my birthday party, and my father's lecture to us went something like this: "What would people think if they found out you were all playing a kissing game at Mr. Shaw's house?" My virginal teenage years were haunted by the words "What would people think...?" Thank goodness for the glorious liberation of college. But apparently that wasn't enough, because as I heard former high school classmates at my reunion tonight talking about their own teenage kids, budding corporations and retirement investments, a part of me just wanted to go out back, smoke some dope, make out with the bad boy of the class and...I don't know...use the F word gratuitously?

But here I am, still a good girl who doesn't drink, uses words like "gratuitously", and can't think of anything better than eating fluffernutter sandwiches with her best friend's two little girls.

Maybe today was perfect. Were it not for the constant tension between my dark side and my innocence, I probably wouldn't have gotten as far as I have professionally or personally. I probably wouldn't have fallen under the seductive influence of some of the hottest men in the world. I would probably still have my fingers crossed, hoping that the bottle of destiny would spin in my direction.

F that. Luck, schmuck. I'm loving this life. What would people think? Let them eat their F-ing hearts out.

May 29, 2005
Man, I miss women in my life. Wise women. My former next-door-neighbor, Mrs. Padget was the town librarian. She was independent, intellectual, cultured... everything I thought small towners weren't supposed to be. She's currently hosting me in her guest room, and I'm gleaning wisdom just by listening to her and her best friend talk. We made 7 apple pies this afternoon (I took a picture to prove it) and I realized that the domestic task was just a lab class. We collaborated, contributed and learned from each other. In the next room, we sneaked peeks at Danica Patrick wupping 90% of the racing field in the Indy 500, I felt empowered in the kitchen. Is that what they call irony?

From domestic goddess to rock novelist... I enjoyed the hosts of "This Is Rock & Roll Radio" immensely tonight. We talked KISS, education, politics (off air) and plugged the heck out of Wednesday's book signing for 3 straight hours. I love this game!

I may have a date before I leave. Am I moving fast? Oh, life is too fast, for goodness sake. I had a 2:30 a.m. phone call from Koach Konscience, reminding me that speed is sometimes dangerous, but figment eyes are my weakness. What are figment eyes? Read Won't Get Fooled Again.

May 30, 2005
Was there a movie about a small town gal who goes home for a reunion after many years away and meets up with the former bad boy with a heart of gold? If so, I'll probably do research for a book anyway.

Tomorrow is my all-day stint at the high school. I have a script ready to go, but I'm ready to tweak it as necessary as the day goes on. A public high school audience is about as tough as I can imagine. Any other group I address will have at least a modest element of choice in being not only at my presentation, but in the larger setting, too. High school students are pretty much at the mercy of their environment, which is almost universally hostile. Can I inspire a flicker of hope? Tune in tomorrow...

May 31, 2005
This morning started out at the Tully High School, where they broadcast my return over the morning announcements. "We'd like to extend a warm welcome to author Colette Shaw [pretty cool opening!] from the class of XX [darn!] who is visiting the school all day." Oh, well. When you're 12, everyone seems like a geezer if they're over 21. I jabbered for 8 periods about writing, KISS, the evils of substance abuse, and for one particularly curious class, poop.

We went through a series of time warps. Some classes showed curiosity about my story and message, and the bell rang before we were through. Some would have enjoyed root canal more than the 30 minutes I sucked away from their lives. As always, I learned a lot, and wished I could try again. I guess that's the educator and entrepreneur in me. I made some sales to a few of the teachers, donated a copy of WGFA to the school library, and was glad to leave with the feeling that the students were in the hands of teachers who genuinely love what they do.

The newspaper ran a nice article about my return, including 2 photos. Regardless of the turnout at tomorrow's book signing, I'm collecting great material for my media packet. This bodes well for wide-spread release of Won't Get Fooled Again. Today, it's the Tully school announcements. Tomorrow, the world.

June 1, 2005
I'm enjoying my trip immensely, and feeling very much like Sandra Bullock in that movie with Harry Connick Jr. I never thought I would enjoy coming back to my home town, but I actually had to chase the thought away that I didn't want to leave -- yet.

Tonight was the big book signing. $elling was the reason I came on this trip at the beginning, and now just a tag on at the end of a fulfilling journey. I came close to a sales record, but I need to get some sleep before I do the final accounting. There were several highlights, including the appearance of my two most beloved teachers from high school.

I miss Joe. Having a personal assistant is really cool, especially when you enjoy his friendship so darn much. He would have loved this trip. I must have invoked his name at least 50 times over the past couple days. Traveling without him seems wrong.

June 2, 2005
Home again. Honeymoon over, but memories remain. Lancaster greeted me with a fairly uninspiring day job dinner and a better-than-usual karaoke night. Tomorrow, I'll endure my 1-day work week, then it's back to book work and domestic duties all weekend.

June 3, 2005
The second of two going-away receptions took place today. My bosses spoke from the heart, and I appreciated their words. Earlier in the day, the group that's taking over the Dean Shaw duties after I leave sat down to learn about the philosophy and nuts/bolts of my office. They're going to be great and I'm happy to pass the torch.

Tonight, I learned that BarnesAndNoble.com has my book! It was pretty to see my title pop up. The page is pretty naked, but I've been told that pictures will be added soon. Holy crap. I'm a real author! I keep wondering when the world is going to find out I'm just Colette Shaw, but the dream keeps unfurling its sails. I've just decided to try to keep up.

June 5, 2005
A weekend of domestic chores. Not fun, but the result is kinda nice. I celebrated with a karaoke night that included a rousing rendition of "God Gave Rock & Roll to You" with Matt & Joe. I did a little PR work in between scrubbing my bathrooms and laundering my bed linens, and I got my contract in the mail for an October 6 presentation I'm giving about being an author. I was thinking of titling it "If I Can Do It, Anyone Can," but I'm not sure if that's accurate. I have a week to ponder it.

June 6, 2005
The date for the Baltimore KISS Expo has been set. October 16, 2005. Oh, glorious day. (continue)