Spring '06
ISSUE #9
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If
someone had told me how crazy and magical the past year would be, I don't
think I could have imagined it. Lots of dreams came true and goals became
realities. Had I read my horoscope with more diligence I would have seen
it coming the whole time.
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Zodiological HooHah |
What
the Experts Said
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What
Really Happened
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March/April |
Something will arrive in the mail that will change your life. The stars in the west will make your dreams come true. |
After a professional trip to Nashville, where I saw lots of stars from higher education, I finally decided it was time to take a leap of faith and announce my resignation at Franklin & Marshall College. Soon after I got back to Pennsylvania, I got a box in the mail -- my novel Won't Get Fooled Again was released!!! My book tour began almost immediately, even as I was finishing my final months at the College. In April I was a special "celebrity" guest at the Cincinnati KISS Expo, where I gave former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick a copy of my book. A couple months later, he called me on the phone to tell me he loved it! And he gave me a review quote to use in future editions! So far, the astrologists get an A+. |
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April/May |
A date with an older man will stir your passions. |
My favorite older man, Dad, accompanied me to a banquet featuring an inspiring keynote speech by Bill Clinton. My book tour continued to New York City, where I don't recall meeting any older men, but I was definitely feeling the literary passion. |
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May/June |
Follow the northern lights and you will find unexpected friends. |
I headed north to attend my first-ever high school class reunion near Syracuse, NY. I saw many old friends and held a book signing at the local library where I'd spent many an hour during my teens. Later that month, I made my first appearance on a sports radio talk show in New York City. While my novel has nothing to do with sports, the host liked my rock & roll background, and he invited me back for two more shows. |
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June/July |
Your vagabond nature will have you traveling in circles. |
I flew round-trip to Los Angeles. Does that count? My trip was full of friends and fun brushes with show biz folks including my old friend/musician Scorpio and music producer Bob Kulick, who let me shadow him in his studio while he recorded a Cher tribute album featuring Sheila E. (who was the inspiration for my Halloween costume in 1986). Talk about going full circle! When I got back to PA, I participated in the annual Relay for Life walkathon to help raise money for cancer research. I hope you'll consider sponsoring me in the 2006 Relay by clicking HERE. |
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July/August |
Childhood fantasies materialize when you jump out of your comfort zone. |
The same month I officially left my college job, I went back to the town where I spent my childhood. While there, I appeared on the air with radio god, Danny Neaverth in Buffalo. I used to listen to him every morning as a kid, and I told him I was pretty sure my warped rock & roll alter-ego is partly his responsibility. My life was really becoming a dream. |
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August/September |
Work and play collide as you push toward notoriety. You will control your destiny. |
A moment of panic hit during my first week of "retirement" when I realized I hadn't accomplished anything work-related. It took a little while to understand that all the things I had done for my writing hobby before were now my "work." I was actually kicking ass and not realizing it was a job! Book travel continued around the east coast, including a writers expo in Virginia, where a fellow author confronted me with the local newspaper. "Why are you the only writer they featured in the paper?" he demanded to know. "Probably because I'm the only one who sent them a press release." Being my own press agent was working! Between trips, I honored my weekly karaoke ritual with friends in PA. I haven't won any singing awards, but I still fantasize about being a mediocre rock star. |
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September/October |
The stars align before your eyes. |
In the fall, as I got into my groove with my book travels, including a promotional trip to Chicago, I made time to envision my future in higher education. Being an author is lots of fun, but I still want to do something meaningful in education. I formulated a business plan, and recruited a board of advisors, all of whom I consider stars. We met for a weekend retreat, and refined the plan. I have a feeling you'll hear a lot more about this in 2007. |
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October/November |
A mysterious stranger may have the clue you need to make sense of your future. |
October was huge! At a booksigning at a library, they made pin-up posters of me! Later that month, my friends and I won a Halloween costume contest by dressing up as the characters from Clue. I was starting to feel like such a star! Little did I know... Four days before Halloween, I got an email from a guy I grew up with in New York State. He'd stumbled on my name by accident while searching Amazon.com. I had a feeling this guy was special. We spent the next six weeks emailing and phone calling like crazy. |
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November/December |
A sad farewell opens the door to a new path. A figure from your past will change your life. |
Even though I left Franklin & Marshall College, I maintained an important tie to the campus by continuing to play in the symphonic wind ensemble and orchestra. As 2005 drew to an end, I knew my schedule for the new year would prohibit my instrumental music pursuits. I played my last concerts in December, and I still ache. On December 16, I finally met my hometown pal, Rod, in person. After almost two months of constant conversation (including one phone call that lasted 9.5 hours!), meeting face-to-face was merely a formality. I was in deep. |
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December/January |
A long-eluded treasure will make its way to you. No matter where you go, Capricorn and Pisces collide.
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At the end of December, I made my annual pilgrimage to Florida to see my family and to go head-to-head with them in the yearly Shaw Cup Domino Tournament. I've never won the Shaw Cup, but the magic of the year definitely sent the dominoes my way. I clobbered my competition, and headed back up north with the trophy in tow. (Yes, there is actually a trophy.) While talking to my family about Rod, I learned that just like my mom and dad, Rod and I are Capricorn and Pisces. Is it just a coincidence that he's a fisherman and I'm a Pisces? In January, I made my second appearance on New York Rocks television show. I was finally starting to live up to my self-imposed title: "Dean of All Media." |
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January/February |
An unexpected opportunity will present itself. |
While the plot of my romance novel was starting to overlap in many ways with my real life, my professional life was more of a mystery. I had planned to begin a traveling seminar series, but after Rod came into the picture, I knew I did not want to spend 80% of my life on the road. Almost too coincidentally, some local consulting work availed itself, and as I started packing for a new life in Upstate New York, I breathed a sigh of relief that I could pay my expenses without having to be on the road. Oh, yeah. Did I mention that I'm moving to New York? |
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February/March |
Some of your oldest friends will turn cold. The change may reflect a positive shift. |
In February, Rod and I moved my first truckload of belongings, including my two old cats, to the cold cold north. The cats are adjusting to the change better than I would have imagined. In the meantime, I'm getting ready to sell my condo, gearing up for a promotional trip to Indianapolis, and preparing to resume my book tour from a new home base. |
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Future |
Love, fame and fortune await! |
If 2005 was any indication, I'm going to believe this forecast and enjoy every minute of 2006! I hope the same future awaits each of you! |
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Contact Info: |
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I hope you'll consider picking up a copy of Won't Get Fooled Again for your literary collection. This will be my last shameless Valentine plug. Promise!
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