Fun With Robin & Doreen & Tim in Philly

So far this has been a very fun summer. Last week after returning from my Massachusetts vacation I attended my friend Robin Altman's very first book signing for her new book Shrink Rap, at our local Borders book store.

Browsers throughout the store were drawn to the front to see what all the fuss and hilarity was about, since Robin had the crowd giggling like hyenas on helium as usual.















After reading a selection Robin sat at a table while throngs of fans surged forward breathlessly to throw money at her, all for an autographed copy of her book! Well, not quite. But it was a very impressive debut reading, and if I do half as well myself I'll be quite pleased.

A couple of nights later Robin and I drove to Phila where we met Doreen Orion and her husband Tim for dinner. Doreen was making the rounds of bookstores where she signed copies of her fun ultimate summer (or anytime, really) reading travel book, Queen of the Road: The True Tale of 47 States, 22,000 Miles, 200 Shoes, 2 Cats, 1 Poodle, a Husband, and a Bus with a Will of
Its Own (whew!) Doreen is even prettier in person than she is virtually, and her handsome Tim (a surprise redhead, just like my Ken!) was also a delight.

We all made our way to open mike night at Helium where we caught Robin's standup comedy act. Robin and I met in a standup class and she constantly amazes me with her ability to come up with new material. She also exudes confidence, even when about to go onstage, unlike some of us whose first impulse when doing public speaking is to frantically search for the nearest trash can in which to rudely deposit our last few meals. I don't know what meds you're on Robin, but I want a prescription.

Here is Robin in the middle of her shtick. If you're in the Philadelphia area you have to see her in person (see schedule.) Both Robin and Doreen are great inspirations for me as I continue to tabulate the feedback I'm getting on my finally-finished book, make final edits, and then venture forth into the big world of agent-seeking. In the past year I've learned that the world of writing is full of bright, generous women (and men) who are also a lot of fun, and Doreen and Robin are prime examples.

After returning from Philly I started packing for my 35th (scary!) high school reunion which took place on July 12th in the little burg of Winneconne Wisconsin. I've got lots of fun pictures of my trip plus a doozy of me and my first real boyfriend, so come back and check it out in a few days.