Monday, November 17, 2008

One of Those Weeks

Ever have one of those weeks when it begins to feel as if anything that can go wrong, will? This past week…

My daughter ripped the bottom out of her low-slung sports car on one of New Orleans’s Katrina-ravaged streets. While it’s in the shop being repaired, she’s driving MY car (down those same Katrina-ravaged streets). Then…

The washing machine in my mother’s house broke down. Since it’s old, I decided to go buy a new one--not easy when I don’t have a car. Then,

Our cat Nick, one of the stupidest but also one of the sweetest felines in the world, went into kidney failure. We’re hopeful he’s going to recover, but he’s not out of the woods yet. He’s only eight years old, poor guy. Then…

I broke my toe. Without a car (see above), I’d been walking. No more. Then…

My washing machine broke down. Fifth time in two years. Grrrr.

And then, although it was technically not in the same 7-day streak, Steve and I did a booksigning at a local independent bookstore this past Saturday and sold not a single book. Not one. In all my years as a published author, I’ve never been skunked at a booksigning. I guess there’s always a first. I’m not taking it personally—I’ve talked to huge NYT bestselling authors who fly into a town for a signing and don’t sell, so I know it happens (plus we were able to sign a lot of stock). But still…

The good thing is that with the exception of Nick's health, these are all pesky (although in some cases, expensive) irritants. I know life could be so much worse. Nevertheless, here’s hoping for a better coming week!

9 comments:

Charles Gramlich said...

Sorry about all the hassels, especially that painful toe and your cat's illness. Sorry I missed the signing. Lana had a big arts thing in Madisonville most of the day Saturday.

Steve Malley said...

The Week of Moving Dangerously was a little bit like that for me. Not nearly so bad, though...

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about everything. One of my cats was very sick last spring -- seems that unlike her owner she's not particularly food motivated so didn't eat when she had a bladder infection and so developed fatty liver disease. She's now fine (after much handfeeding and much money to the vet), so here's hoping your cat does as well. And I have memories of rearranging furniture one Thanksgiving to accommodate many friends and family and then breaking a toe when I stumbled (literally) downstairs in the middle of the night for a drink of water and had an altercation with a table. Walking is supposed to keep you fit, so it adds insult to injury to break a toe while engaging in a supposedly healthy activity.

As for not selling a book, my sympathies. Just so you know, you made at least one sale, although in Washington DC, not LA. I bought "Where Serpents Sleep" on Saturday, finished it this morning, and have still not come out of its spell. Sebastian was a fully fleshed character from the first book on (though he has certainly continued to develop), but I loved your presentation of Hero in this one. I'm so looking forward to future books in the series. When is the next one scheduled to appear?

Barbara Martin said...

I'm sorry to hear about your mishaps, your poor cat's illness and not selling any books at your signing. Hopefully things will clear up soon.

RK Sterling said...

Oh, wow. I hope things get better soon! {hug}

Unknown said...

A week you won't want to repeat. Hope the cat is recovering.
lx

Shauna Roberts said...

Sorry to hear about everything. Hope your cat is past the critical point and is getting used to its treatment.

My cat Dulcinea was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease just after turning 13, and her littermate Susato was diagnosed at about the same time. Susato lived to age 15-1/2 (despite several other health problems in addition to failing kidneys), and Dulcinea turns 17 in a month. So cats can live a long time after diagnosis with proper care and some luck.

cs harris said...

Thanks, everyone. This week has been much better! And judging from the mischief he's been getting into, Nick seems to be on the mend.

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