House of Wolves

so - I've recently had a bunch of folks asking about the book, House of Wolves, and how it's doing. After reaching the milestone of 1000 copies in the spring - the book is slowly chugging out to bookstores that carry it around the country; but sales have really tapered off.

With the help of some local friends (and perhaps bearfuz and some other useage grammar officianados) - the second chapter of this project is embarking on a rewrite/polish of the original book block. A combination of bad typesetting - and "I'm on the fifth draft" blindness on my part - left the novel with a myriad of grammatical usage problems/inconsistencies, missing words and unfortunately one or two glaring inconsistencies in the facts of the story.

I'm glad that folks have supported the project even though the product was far from perfection. (not that it can be achieved honestly) So - this fall/winter - I'll work on a re-write - get it submitted - then 'relaunch' the book next spring in a 2nd edition.

I am really having trouble letting go of this book in it's current condition and moving on to a new project. The characters and story in House of Wolves continue to call out to me personally and deserve a polished edition of the writing. Once I accomplish that project - I am planning on book events in Portland, Seattle, Victoria, Vancouver and perhaps Chicago. (I have a good friend there who wants to help me set up a book event there)

theater traditions

okay - I know - superstitions are just that - but today - I started my opening night regimen. (official opening night is not till Saturday the 23rd but, tonight is our first audience - and that (for me) is opening night) For about 10 years now I've had a pretty solid regimen - with some SF tweaks here and there.

Step I: Listen to Jon Anderson and YES

I started off at 5am - with the alarm going off - and Miss Kate snuggling in for an extra 30 minutes. I slogged downstairs to the gym in the building with Yes loaded on my iPod.

( Yes Band History Chart behind a cut )

I am not sure how it came to be that I listen to YES on the opening day of a show. It's been so long - I just know to do so. It has never failed me. In high school with their HUGOMONGOUS return with 90125 - I am now blaring OWNER OF A LONELY HEART" in my office. (much to the pained ears of my born in the 90s interns outside my office). They are the band that defined my adolescence to a great deal - all the way back to their Starship Trooper days. :)

STEP II. Mexican Food

I always have Mexican food for lunch - and I took my assistant Kentaro to Tres Agaves for pork carnitas and margaritas. If you live in SF (or are visiting) it's hands down the best healthy Mexican in town. The carnitas in particular are always PERFECT - and their taco plates are without the cheese and refried frightening-ness of TacoBellish stuff. It's a fave.

STEP III. A long walk with Miss Kate then a long shower and a protein shake

I'm leaving work a few minutes early - and then I'm off to the organic fruit stand GOLDEN PRODUCE to pick up Mango and whatever other fruit strikes my fancy to go home and mix in the blender for a protein shake (I can never eat a full meal before going on stage - but protein - well - you know) Then I'll put the shake in a travel mug - and take Miss Kate for an hour or so stroll around the neighborhood - then come home and sit under the shower for a while (breaking all sorts of 'saving water' goals of most Californians). Then I'll start "becoming" Roger - and head to the theater to iron my clothes and the clothes of my "boyfriend Mike". Roger is the kind of boyfriend that will say "Let me contribute to the household by doing EVERYTHING... you sit and watch TV. let me get you that cake...." LOL! So its a fun pre-show ritual to iron his and my clothes. (Besides - anyone that has seen Leo with an iron knows that's simply NOT a safe environment!)

Then at 8pm Pacific - I'll make my professional stage debut in San Francisco..... and that - my friends - feels SUPER AWESOME³.