I'll Never Make it as a Photojournalist

If you already heard that I'm not quitting writing to start my filmmaking career any time soon...or my journalism career (see my interview with Class of 2k9's Ann Haywood Leal), then you probably won't be surprised to know that photojournalism is also not on the list of pursuits threatening my daily wordcount.

Not that I don't love to take photos, I do. I took a gazillion of my kids when they were small, just to capture that ephemeral cuteness, and I cropped them and framed them and let the whole digital thing pass me by. Then one of those cute kids cutely dropped my magnificent camera and my gorgeous zoom lens no longer zoomed. Or maybe it no longer it focused. I don't remember.

I finally asked for a digital camera a birthday or two ago, and I do love downloading them and such, more than I thought I would. But the artistic side of me hasn't been re-activated yet, unfortunately. And when I go places to visit, I'm terrible at chronicling the events and locations, only lately have I demanded people pose and smile. (I guess you could say I was one of those natural light/natural action snobs.)

Let's start with BEA: BookExpo America. And, look, as I load these photos, I notice that I am in some of them which means I handed my camera to someone else...further reducing my photo credits.

Shown above Swati Avasthi, Bonnie Doerr, and moi at the New Title Shelf. Amy Brecount White and moi at the Folk Art Museum. Photo taken by Irene Latham---I should've taken a photo of her as well.

Below, the lovely display at The Voracious Reader in Larchmont, NY. And Denise Jaden, CarolMerrilling with her book. Oh, and a brief semi-chance meeting with Josh Berk, mastermind of MasterBerk Theater! He looks dazed and a little frightened---that's kinda how everybody looks after meeting me I guess. Sorry Berk.

Long story short, I have very little to show for my recent travels. Maybe you'll be grateful to be spared the interminable Vacation Slideshow from Hell, but here are some highlights just the same. Oh, and it wasn't vacation anyway, it was work.

When I Grow Up, I Wanna Be a Walking Cliche

So much to catch up on. My super-busy week turned into a super-busy month. I've put many miles on my car and many blisters on my feet. I have a few photos to share, none of my feet---I'm sure you're relieved to hear.

Let's start with the end of May: I asked friends to think back to their own graduations. Could they remember who their speaker was, or what was said? Did they get any bad advice? You see, I had to write a commencement address for the grad school I attended years back---kind of an Alum Girl Makes Good speech. Now, I always say, if it's a speech you need, you could do worse than asking a writer. We have experience making something out of nothing, making order out of chaos, and squeezing blood from stones. But the only requirements to help me narrow down the universe of infinite combinations of letters, numbers and punctuation marks: "Five minutes; humor would be appreciated."

Endeavoring to write a commencement speech without the usual cliches, the whole thing became a reflection on cliche-free living and, oddly enough, perfectionism to some degree.

This is the whole ceremony: my part is around minute 44. The whole thing looks very crisp but you can't hear the audience reactions at all. This recording by faithful friend Penny has more ambient noise and I just love the interpeter's reaction and signing of "throw your typewriter off a cliff."

What did you want to be when you grew up? How did it work out for you? Now, what do you want to be when you grow up?

55,555

So I took Big Green to the AutoSpa for some love and attention before my next big monster drive on Friday (I will get some details and photos of all my travels on here soon) and what did MechanicBernie and I see when we looked at the mileage: 55,555.

Yes 5 FIVES!

You're either the kind of person who thinks that means something or you're not. But what? What does it mean? Play the lottery? Or good luck in general? I prefer my good luck to be highly specific...

Now my clever neighbor thought to look up what zip code that would be. It is Young America, Minnesota (looks like it recently merged to become Norwood Young America, but still...). What could be more perfect for a writer of children's books?

Also, funny: a friend from college had just written on Facebook "When are you coming to Minnesota?"

So, I don't mind a rumor starting that I'm coming to MN...but I've just been to MA, NYC, OH and now PA coming up this weekend. Then Boston the week after (only that one's for a family thing). Pretty soon here, folks, I need to sit perfectly still and stare into space, not to mention get some writing done.

But let's just say "What if" as writers like to do. What if I went to MN for a little visit...what do you recommend I go see? With kids or without? Restaurants? Nature? Art?

Ok, back to work. Trying to get some storylines sewn up before the kids get out of school for the summer.