September 6 , 2004
I seem to go through alternating phases of confidence and fear. Today, after talking to friends who are going to go to the Baltimore KISS Expo with me, I was ready to take on the world. Tonight, after reading about how the promoters of KISS Expos are expected to shut out anything that is not officially licensed by KISS (like li'l ol' me), I'm nervous. All I want to do is make Gene Simmons richer!!!

Last night, I rewrote chapter 18 of Won't Get Fooled Again. It's just getting SO GOOD. This book, with all it's rock & roll celebration, must make it to the shelves.

September 7, 2004
At my first wind ensemble rehearsal of the year, we were given music for a piece called "Tempered Steel" by Charles Rochester Young. This dude has got to be a KISS fan. I play the anvil and get to pound on some rim shots. It's very rock & roll. One of the other percussionists asked me if I'd been practicing the piece over the summer. No way. Any song that has a relationship to "Music from the Elder" is already in my blood.

I came right home and ordered my table for the Baltimore KISS Expo. All signs point to success.

September 8, 2004
What would the world do without KISSfiction.com? I'm pretty sure life would be reasonably fine, albeit a little less fun. Tonight, I sent in my renewal forms for KISSfiction.com and the eponymous ColetteShaw.com so we'll never have to know.

I took care of a few business items for my publisher tonight (to whom I owe an enormous debt for his patience and willingness to see my project through all the funny things that go along with its nontraditional nature).

Teresa Heinz Kerry visited the college I work for today. I waited out in the rain to greet her, but the security staff whisked her through an alternate entrance. I felt like a groupie waiting backstage for Paul Stanley, only to watch his limo zoom away through the side door. Not that this girl-next-door author would actually know what that's like.

September 10. 2004
As I sit around keeping my fingers crossed very tightly, I've made time to contact the proofreader I'm hoping to work with in the final pre-publishing stages of Won't Get Fooled Again.

I went to a very rock & roll political rally this afternoon. John Kerry once played bass in a band, and he had some Paul Stanley-esque patter to go along with his remarks. Gigantic banners, loud music and throngs of passionate fans (some of whom were in the Army) made the experience very much like a KISS concert. I was able to score a seat upgrade, so I was fairly close to the front man, and two of the women I met talked their way up to the platform (the equivalent to a back stage pass).

September 11, 2004
Two of my favorite alums returned today and hung out. I'm counting it as official KISSfiction business because one of them is my web guru, but really it was just fun. Last year, I flew to see my family on 9/11. Friends, family... That's the deal.

When I got home, I asked my mailmain why I haven't gotten a return receipt from the packet I sent the Simmons people."Sometimes, they just forget," he told me. Sure enough. I was able to track the packet and it was indeed claimed on August 25.

And now back to my thumb twiddling.

September 12, 2004
I know it's hard to believe, but I started reading my own novel AGAIN. I'm really not sure what else to do with myself. The good news is, I really like it. You will, too. Especially if you're Gene Simmons.

Here's a kinda lame collage I made from the pictures I took on Friday to keep you entertained. (continue)