That's so sweet of you, Rrty!
But I wouldn't even accept it.
Now if he wants to propose marriage...that's different.
Photos and feedback from book tour events
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But I wouldn't even accept it.
Now if he wants to propose marriage...that's different.
I am hoping my trip to go see Mr. King is easy...no problems! I am leaving tomorrow morning for Albuquerque. I am sooo excited! I haven't had the opportunity to see him before. I will be on the road for about six hours, so I am going a day early...just in case I need extra time. The weather forecast is saying close to 100 degrees there on Thursday, so I'm hoping there will be some shade where the line is. (General admission, so there will be a long line I'm sure.) If I am able to get any pictures, I will post them after I return. I can't wait to get the book! It was so strange not buying it the day it came out.
I am sooo excited! I haven't had the opportunity to see him before. I will be on the road for about six hours, so I am going a day early...just in case I need extra time. The weather forecast is saying close to 100 degrees there on Thursday, so I'm hoping there will be some shade where the line is. (General admission, so there will be a long line I'm sure.) If I am able to get any pictures, I will post them after I return. I can't wait to get the book! It was so strange not buying it the day it came out.Check yer tires, me friend.I am hoping my trip to go see Mr. King is easy...no problems! I am leaving tomorrow morning for Albuquerque.
Definitely will! Double check...
If you could let him know I'll be going to Nashville again Friday, I will be a grateful SKMBer.
If you could let him know I'll be going to Nashville again Friday, I will be a grateful SKMBer.
Sure! And I'll talk to St. Valentine, too!
Oh my darlin'. (((hugs forever)))Here I am! I am okay, but had a very LOOONNNGGG day and night Saturday.
Nashville is about two hours away, so I decided to set out around 3:00 to get there a couple hours early, maybe grab something to eat, walk around and such. Good thing I left early. As I was getting ready to walk out the door, I somehow pulled a muscle in my back. How did you do that, you ask? Were you lifting heavy boxes, chasing cows, jack-hammering? No, I had crossed one leg over the other to put on my shoes. Wow, so who knew that putting on shoes could make you a cripple?? As I crossed the left leg over the right...BAM!!!!! Excruciating pain and lots of f-words. Well, I'm going to see Stephen King, (ticket was almost $50) so gotta go anyway. And of course, must wear my 4-inch wedges so as to look cute in case he asks me to marry him. So I'm hobbling round trying to back my azz down into a very low-to-the-ground car. More f-words. I turned on the seat warmer as a way to apply heat to my back and hoped I'd be able to exit the car when called upon to do so.
About 45 minutes outside of Nashville, my oil light came on. I wasn't too worried as this happens with Mazda RX-8s when you don't change the oil on the exact day it wants it changed. I decided to exit the Interstate, get gas and add a bit of oil to the car. After much groaning and f-wording as my back did not like any actual movement, I did so. When I started the car, I noticed the little indicator light came on that indicated that an indicated tire was indicatively low on air. No air compressor at the gas station to which I'd pulled up, but LO! Yonder station across the street had one!
I gave the air compressor (greedy lil thing she was) my credit card, and began airing my tires. Front driver's-side tire was a bit low; the two back tires were fine. I got to the passenger front tire and began airing it up. Adjusted the nozzle. The valve stem thingy broke off. All the air flooded out of my tire in about 30 seconds flat. More f-words. I couldn't find the broken part. A man pulled up with two young daughters and I asked him for help. As nice as he was, I knew more about cars than this gentleman. He went in the station store and another man came out to help me. After many tries, talking to a truck driver pulled up there (who was no help at all), we went inside and asked the cashier if she knew anyone who could fix the tire. She gave me several business cards with 24-hour service. The one I finally got through to was about 30 miles away, but said he would come and install an illegal (he didn't know why it was illegal) temporary valve stem and the tire would be safe to travel on. I would just need to get the sensor replaced so my indicator light wouldn't stay on forever. He finished his work about 6:15, took $65, (total for ticket and tire is now $105) and I still had about a 45-minute drive to get to Nashville for the event at 8:00. Phew.
I arrived in Nashville with about 85,000 other people who evidently love country music. And cowboy boots. And short shorts. I drove past the Ryman Auditorium thinking, I will never ever find a parking place near here. But, thank Gan, about 2 blocks away there was a small lot with some open spaces. I pulled into a space and paid the machine $30 (total is now $135), and began the short walk to the auditorium. In the meantime, about 1 million people had lined up to get into the auditorium, so I traipsed to the back of the line in my wedges with my back acting up like a kid in church. Then I traipsed the route I had just taken to get back to the doors. I was a bit stressed when I saw a man with long black curly tresses coming towards me. Lo and behold, it was dear hossenpepper and his friend! I let them cut line and we had a nice conversation before having to part ways in the lobby.
Found my seat. Sat down finally. Lady told me I had her seat. Said no, I am in seat M-4, here's my ticket. She said, You are in the wrong section. You guessed it. More f-words. Moved to correct section.
Mr. King was awesome, as I expected. I forgot every bad thing as he was up there talking. So that was heavenly. But wait, things get worse.
After the event, I stood in line with 2300 other people to get my book. It wasn't signed, but that was okay. As I always do, I got turned around outside the auditorium and had no idea where I'd parked my car. So lots more walking around. Finally recognized the lot and made my way to my space:
View attachment 15998
Well, I can't get it to rotate, but as you can see it was space 19, and I had no idea. So, cool.
Started home. Just outside Nashville, entering I-24 on a VERY busy stretch of highway, BLAM!!!!!! My front driver's-side tire blew out, and I was skidding all over the road, narrowly missing other cars, trying to keep control. The whole tire just blew off, and I could feel I was driving on the rim. I finally came to a stop on an overpass. I was crying like an idiot, because I thought I was gonna die. Cars were zooming by at 75 miles per hour, and so what do I do now?
I called my boyfriend (who's in Atlanta) and he said to call 911. I did. They actually put me on hold. I tearfully explained my situation to the operator and she said they'd send an officer out. So I waited. I called Allstate, my insurance company. Did you know they can't tell you much even when you give them your policy number? I had to go through at least 5 minutes of recordings to get "Emergency" Roadside Service department, where the lady proceeded to ask me every piece of my personal information except my blood type. This took at least another 10 minutes, while I'm hoping no one rear ends me or pulls a Ted Bundy and creeps up behind me in their yellow VW bug to offer assistance. So! We get to the part where I tell her where I am so she can send someone. I gave her the exit number and that I was entering I-24. She asked, What mile marker? Ma'am, it's pitch black out here, I'm on an overpass, there is no mile-marker. Oh, then if you can't give your exact location, then we can't help you. You'll need to call 911. M____________ F__________, thanks for nothing!!!!!!!!!! Many more f-words.
So I was on FaceTime with my boyfriend, crying, and he was trying to get me to calm down. After an hour of waiting, I called 911 again and said, Remember me? She said, You can't call back to 911, you must call this other number for a call back. Huh? So I'm trying to memorize the number to call, and then it comes up on my phone. I told them I was still a woman, all alone, in the dark, in a disabled car, on a busy Interstate, very frightened, could they please send someone? She said, he's on his way.
After about 15 more minutes, the officer showed up. He called a towing company to get my car. Lewis was the nicest tow-truck driver ever, dropping off my car at a Firestone Tire Store, taking me to the Comfort Inn, telling me the story of when he towed Garth Brooks's and Trisha Yearwood's Mercedes to their house, showing me his picture with them. Very sweet man (although the whole time I'm riding in that cab, I'm thinking, he could just take me anywhere and rape me and kill me). Towing - $135 + $135 from the other is now a total of $270.
At the Comfort Inn, the lady at the desk said, The best I can get you is $149 for tonight. Lots of Bonaroo (wtf?) people here. Total up to about $420. I went to the room, which was really nice, took off my damn wedges, took a shower and some pills for my screaming back, and slept.
Nice thing about the Firestone store: The girl who was in charge treated me like a war refugee. She came to the hotel to get the car keys, gave me promotional deals, was as sweet as anyone could be. She came to pick me up when the car was ready. I had to get all four tires replaced, replace the sensor in the one, got an alignment...total - $750. Grand total is about $1170, and that's not counting gas! Was Mr. King worth it? Sure! But my boyfriend says I should ask him to float me a loan or two!
So that's my story. I was so very frightened on that highway by myself. I really did think a serial killer would stop by at any time and take me with him. Seeing Mr. King and the very nice people who helped me made up for the scariness somewhat, but dang. I know things could have been so much worse. I'm lucky I didn't wreck for sure.
Now I have to go back to Nashville Friday to get on a plane to Atlanta. I hope the pilot knows what he's doing.
danie- from Charms7- cant use a computer right now.
Please give Danie my love and tell her that was a wonderful and frightening story, one that I can strongly relate to. Holding Danie in constant prayers! Charms7
Please give Danie my love and tell her that was a wonderful and frightening story, one that I can strongly relate to. Holding Danie in constant prayers! Charms7
Yes! Now that's what I call dedication! She deserves that book!
Check your oil, brake and radiator fluid levels, too!!!
Here I am! I am okay, but had a very LOOONNNGGG day and night Saturday.
Nashville is about two hours away, so I decided to set out around 3:00 to get there a couple hours early, maybe grab something to eat, walk around and such. Good thing I left early. As I was getting ready to walk out the door, I somehow pulled a muscle in my back. How did you do that, you ask? Were you lifting heavy boxes, chasing cows, jack-hammering? No, I had crossed one leg over the other to put on my shoes. Wow, so who knew that putting on shoes could make you a cripple?? As I crossed the left leg over the right...BAM!!!!! Excruciating pain and lots of f-words. Well, I'm going to see Stephen King, (ticket was almost $50) so gotta go anyway. And of course, must wear my 4-inch wedges so as to look cute in case he asks me to marry him. So I'm hobbling round trying to back my azz down into a very low-to-the-ground car. More f-words. I turned on the seat warmer as a way to apply heat to my back and hoped I'd be able to exit the car when called upon to do so.
About 45 minutes outside of Nashville, my oil light came on. I wasn't too worried as this happens with Mazda RX-8s when you don't change the oil on the exact day it wants it changed. I decided to exit the Interstate, get gas and add a bit of oil to the car. After much groaning and f-wording as my back did not like any actual movement, I did so. When I started the car, I noticed the little indicator light came on that indicated that an indicated tire was indicatively low on air. No air compressor at the gas station to which I'd pulled up, but LO! Yonder station across the street had one!
I gave the air compressor (greedy lil thing she was) my credit card, and began airing my tires. Front driver's-side tire was a bit low; the two back tires were fine. I got to the passenger front tire and began airing it up. Adjusted the nozzle. The valve stem thingy broke off. All the air flooded out of my tire in about 30 seconds flat. More f-words. I couldn't find the broken part. A man pulled up with two young daughters and I asked him for help. As nice as he was, I knew more about cars than this gentleman. He went in the station store and another man came out to help me. After many tries, talking to a truck driver pulled up there (who was no help at all), we went inside and asked the cashier if she knew anyone who could fix the tire. She gave me several business cards with 24-hour service. The one I finally got through to was about 30 miles away, but said he would come and install an illegal (he didn't know why it was illegal) temporary valve stem and the tire would be safe to travel on. I would just need to get the sensor replaced so my indicator light wouldn't stay on forever. He finished his work about 6:15, took $65, (total for ticket and tire is now $105) and I still had about a 45-minute drive to get to Nashville for the event at 8:00. Phew.
I arrived in Nashville with about 85,000 other people who evidently love country music. And cowboy boots. And short shorts. I drove past the Ryman Auditorium thinking, I will never ever find a parking place near here. But, thank Gan, about 2 blocks away there was a small lot with some open spaces. I pulled into a space and paid the machine $30 (total is now $135), and began the short walk to the auditorium. In the meantime, about 1 million people had lined up to get into the auditorium, so I traipsed to the back of the line in my wedges with my back acting up like a kid in church. Then I traipsed the route I had just taken to get back to the doors. I was a bit stressed when I saw a man with long black curly tresses coming towards me. Lo and behold, it was dear hossenpepper and his friend! I let them cut line and we had a nice conversation before having to part ways in the lobby.
Found my seat. Sat down finally. Lady told me I had her seat. Said no, I am in seat M-4, here's my ticket. She said, You are in the wrong section. You guessed it. More f-words. Moved to correct section.
Mr. King was awesome, as I expected. I forgot every bad thing as he was up there talking. So that was heavenly. But wait, things get worse.
After the event, I stood in line with 2300 other people to get my book. It wasn't signed, but that was okay. As I always do, I got turned around outside the auditorium and had no idea where I'd parked my car. So lots more walking around. Finally recognized the lot and made my way to my space:
View attachment 15998
Well, I can't get it to rotate, but as you can see it was space 19, and I had no idea. So, cool.
Started home. Just outside Nashville, entering I-24 on a VERY busy stretch of highway, BLAM!!!!!! My front driver's-side tire blew out, and I was skidding all over the road, narrowly missing other cars, trying to keep control. The whole tire just blew off, and I could feel I was driving on the rim. I finally came to a stop on an overpass. I was crying like an idiot, because I thought I was gonna die. Cars were zooming by at 75 miles per hour, and so what do I do now?
I called my boyfriend (who's in Atlanta) and he said to call 911. I did. They actually put me on hold. I tearfully explained my situation to the operator and she said they'd send an officer out. So I waited. I called Allstate, my insurance company. Did you know they can't tell you much even when you give them your policy number? I had to go through at least 5 minutes of recordings to get "Emergency" Roadside Service department, where the lady proceeded to ask me every piece of my personal information except my blood type. This took at least another 10 minutes, while I'm hoping no one rear ends me or pulls a Ted Bundy and creeps up behind me in their yellow VW bug to offer assistance. So! We get to the part where I tell her where I am so she can send someone. I gave her the exit number and that I was entering I-24. She asked, What mile marker? Ma'am, it's pitch black out here, I'm on an overpass, there is no mile-marker. Oh, then if you can't give your exact location, then we can't help you. You'll need to call 911. M____________ F__________, thanks for nothing!!!!!!!!!! Many more f-words.
So I was on FaceTime with my boyfriend, crying, and he was trying to get me to calm down. After an hour of waiting, I called 911 again and said, Remember me? She said, You can't call back to 911, you must call this other number for a call back. Huh? So I'm trying to memorize the number to call, and then it comes up on my phone. I told them I was still a woman, all alone, in the dark, in a disabled car, on a busy Interstate, very frightened, could they please send someone? She said, he's on his way.
After about 15 more minutes, the officer showed up. He called a towing company to get my car. Lewis was the nicest tow-truck driver ever, dropping off my car at a Firestone Tire Store, taking me to the Comfort Inn, telling me the story of when he towed Garth Brooks's and Trisha Yearwood's Mercedes to their house, showing me his picture with them. Very sweet man (although the whole time I'm riding in that cab, I'm thinking, he could just take me anywhere and rape me and kill me). Towing - $135 + $135 from the other is now a total of $270.
At the Comfort Inn, the lady at the desk said, The best I can get you is $149 for tonight. Lots of Bonaroo (wtf?) people here. Total up to about $420. I went to the room, which was really nice, took off my damn wedges, took a shower and some pills for my screaming back, and slept.
Nice thing about the Firestone store: The girl who was in charge treated me like a war refugee. She came to the hotel to get the car keys, gave me promotional deals, was as sweet as anyone could be. She came to pick me up when the car was ready. I had to get all four tires replaced, replace the sensor in the one, got an alignment...total - $750. Grand total is about $1170, and that's not counting gas! Was Mr. King worth it? Sure! But my boyfriend says I should ask him to float me a loan or two!
So that's my story. I was so very frightened on that highway by myself. I really did think a serial killer would stop by at any time and take me with him. Seeing Mr. King and the very nice people who helped me made up for the scariness somewhat, but dang. I know things could have been so much worse. I'm lucky I didn't wreck for sure.
Now I have to go back to Nashville Friday to get on a plane to Atlanta. I hope the pilot knows what he's doing.
Oy vey. Quite a night. Glad you're OK. Of course if Stephen King reads about your adventures, he'll write a 1000 page book about it, because what if... The important thing in such situations is to stay under arc-sodiums and not get into a 58 Plymouth Fury, 53 Roadmaster or any police cruiser driven by an oversized deputy, who talks to himself and doesn't make much sense. Also, run away from any person wearing a pickup truck over his dirty overalls.
You're a goodie rooney girl!Sure! And I'll talk to St. Valentine, too!
Isn't she a doll? Tell her I said thank you and give her a big hug from me!danie- from Charms7- cant use a computer right now.
Please give Danie my love and tell her that was a wonderful and frightening story, one that I can strongly relate to. Holding Danie in constant prayers! Charms7
Will do! You get some rest. Be safe on the next trip.