STRUMPDATE

Here's an exclusive CrapCam photo of Ridley and me tapping away on our laptops at the airport in (we think) Phoenix. This photo may appear blurry, but in fact it is crystal clear; WE are physically blurry, because we're almost done with our book tour, as you can see by the visible smell rays emanating from the vicinity of our undershorts. Tonight at 7, as we stagger toward the finish line, we'll be at The Bookcase in Wayzata, Minn. (Yes! Wayzata Minn.!)

Thanks to everybody who came out to see us on the tour. Even those of you who dressed as squirrels.

Comments

[danceswithsquirrels]

Aw, nuts.

[Cheesewiz]

Dave:

Always remember in Minnasota Minnisota Minn., tell them you like tater tot hotdish and answer every question with "ya sure."

[Tash]

I'm bringing nose-plugs.

[spazztic]

"...smell rays emanating from the vicinity of our undershorts."

* grateful that "smell rays" aren't transmitted over the internet *

[Tash]

Wayzata is the elite Westchester of Minnesota.... more caviar and less (um fewer), tater-tots.

[Meanie the Blue]

You guys are way blurrier than when I saw you in NY. And, thanks for putting NYC early in the tour. The air here is bad enough.....

[Schadeboy]

I regret I was not able to come up there this time to visit with you and Ridley on your tour, Dave. I hope that you will consider coming by again soon. Both you and Ridley should write another book (either together or seperately) sometime, then go on another tour. That's about the best advice I can offer right now.

[wiredog]

Don't forget to ask for lutefisk when you're in Minnesota. It's a local delicacy.

[eilbeback]

Yeah, Wayzata has a Lexus dealership! *nose in air*

[Siouxie]

We here in Miami are the lucky ones. We usually get the "fresh shorts" strumpeting.

[Siouxie]

Also, they're pretty clear (visually).

[Tinkerbell]

Thanks from my family (3 generations of us) for all the fun at Chester County Books. Dave and Ridley were funny, gracious and appeared to be well-groomed (of course, this was early in the tour.)
BTW, the squirrels were cool.

[CJrun]

I sense a writerly bash at Jasperwood.

Or maybe it's just the shorts.

[Brian]

Minnesota??
*he says in a snooty, Miami-ish tone of voice*

You're gonna need a good pair of mukluks, aren't you? Maybe a nice high-top, something in blue.

[nursecindy]

Just curious butt...it is colder here in NC (which last time I checked was still in the south) than it is in Minnesota. What's up with that? Is this global warming? All I know is my southern bones are freezing at night and I don't like it. Am I going to have to move to Minnesota to warm up? btw, even fuzzy you guys look great. A little tired but great. Also what is lutefisk? Is it like liver mush?

[Meanie the Blue]

Lutefisk is the staple of desperate, light-deprived Northern populations: see here.

[Shark Tooth John]

I guess I'll have to say it . . .

Undershorts Smell Rays - WBAGNFARB

. . . and I apologize to all the other rock bands for suggesting this.

[nursecindy]

Uhmmmmm, Thanks mtb. I'll stick with liver mush and grits. I'm sure lutefisk is very tasty not that I'll ever know.

[MartiniShark]

I'm growing unillusioned with this publishing lifestyle. I find it remarkable that they don't provide you guys with a per diem for new underwear purchases.

[Brian]

I drive an hour or two most early Saturday eveings, so I've gotten to like listening to A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor on NPR. No, I don't wear Birkenstocks. He is funny and very educational, at least to me as far as lutefisk is concerned. And from what I remember about his descriptions, if Dave and Ridley think they have BVD smell rays now.....

I'm just sayin'....

[Clankazoid]

They're going to try to tell you Barry Ave ( 4 blocks w. ) is named after you. Don't believe them. They just want money.

[Tash]

Really! Am I the only one going to be there? Overlooking the beautiful drunken-boating mecca known as Lake Minnetonka? I'll arrive in the area at about 3:30 and have 9 cups to glaze before hoppin (no wait -- scramblin? What is it that squirrels do anyway?) over to Ye Bookstore for Ye Book Presentation and Reception of Hologramme Bookmarkes.

I'll try to stay focused.

[nursecindy]

What's wrong with Birkenstock? I wear them occasionally and have been told I look cute in them. And yes it was by men not other women. Tash, please take lots of pictures. You're so lucky. I would love to talk to Dave and Ridley but I'd probably just stand there with a stupid look on my face. Those two are my literary heroes! Along with Stephen King and Carl Hiaasen.

[NotSherly]

Have fun Tash. And represent us well!
(Don't forget to collect your Craig Ferguson prize when you buy the book.)

[Meanie the Blue]

We're with you in spirit, Tash, if not in body. (Just like Leetie).

Be sure and bring the Glade.

[somedude]

"Also what is lutefisk?"

Best description of properly cooked Lutefisk is "fish jello that smells like old crab", probably give Dave and Ridley's shorts a run for the money.

Only reward for dishing it up yearly at the Sons of Norway Lutefisk dinner was the gallon of Dago Red consumed by the kitchen crew.

[Tash]

nc, who knows what look I'll have on my face!! (if i can get throught the crowds)
*runs to grab a school camera before she forgets*

[Brian]

nursecindy...

Far be it from me to disparage Birkenstock wearers. I'm sure that you are an absolute image of cuteness in them, especially in maybe a crisp white uniform with your little hat-thingee on. (Does anyone except nuns ever where those things anymore?) Or maybe in scrubs and a ponytail. I'm working on mental images here...ah-huh...ah-huh...**poof!**. OK, I have to stop now since I'm still at work.

My Birkey remark was related to the...ahem...somewhat, well..."liberalish tendancy" of NPR and perhaps the fact that when a big fat guy like me might wear birkenstocks, we look pretty much like big fat guys in comfy, funny looking shoes.

OK, NOW I'm diggin' myself into a hole, so I'll just shutup.
: )

[Allen at Division]

Tash, don't forget the squirrel costume! (The UM gopher is close enough, nobody will know the difference...)

[danceswithvowels]

> Be sure and bring the Glade.

Or the Glaze. Whatever you need to survive your 9 cups of whatever. Not to mention the "Adverb Ray" and the "Red Nose/Lip Ray".

[nursecindy]

Brian, for Halloween I wore the white uniform dress, white hose, and white hat but with heels. And when I wear my scrubs I do put my hair into a ponytail. I don't wear the white heels at work though. Too hard to work in three inch heels.

[Brian]

Depends what you call work cindy.

; )

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000157977058]

Wayzata....Doesn't it have the lake that the people of Edina put their boats on?

Ya fer sure..don't cha know!

[Bernard Scooper]

Speaking as a Naperville squirrel, the Authors were pristine when they came to us and in the same state when we let them go on with the tour. It must have been California that caused the overwhelming BVD-BO, because when we squirrels sniffed them all over here in Illinois, Dave and Ridley were as fresh as Twinkies. So there.

[EB]

(weeps)

If I hadn't agreed to cover for a friend here in Fricking ND, I would have been in Wayzata, myself..

But NO I've got to detox drunks, instead..grrrrrrr...

EB

[Danny]

There must be some Wayzata here,
Said the joker to the thief.

[nursecindy]

EB, I'm sure your warm, encouraging attitude will go a long way towards helping those intoxicated individuals. btw, I've had to detox drunks and drug addicts too and it is no fun. Bless you and good luck. Watch the fire escapes. I had one almost jump off one of those and had another jump out of a second floor window with me hanging onto him to keep him inside. He hit me and then jumped. This was AFTER 20 mg of I.V. Valium. He didn't get hurt until the police brought him back up to me.......'nuff said. On the bright side he doesn't do drugs anymore!

[Tash]

Wee-hee, I just got back! It's a small "comfy" bookstore and was getting so packed as they were about to start, I said to Dave, "sorry, there's no room for you."..... Having taught elementary for..... those many years, it was a hoot to see how the kids were into the books, and couldn't wait to answer the "pop quizzes." Except I was the only one who got "Montpelier" correct.... Ouch, I gave up my seat and tried to stand against the sales counter, which is curved, and so many people got in front of me that I was kind of pushed back over the top of the counter..... sending Judi some pics. Let's just say that 1, the authors are in total focus and I'm the blurry one, Photoshop could only do so much, and 2, we don't need to worry about the underwear problem any more.

[nursecindy]

Lucky Tash! I can't wait to see the pictures. What question did they ask that Montpelier was the correct answer to? Evidently those kids don't read the blog or they would know that Montpelier is always the correct answer.

[Tash]

nc, after asking a lot of questions, he built toward a question they would all know, and just as they were all anticipating an easy question he instead said "what's the capital of Vermont?"

[Mary]

"He is know working for Scotland Yard and suspects that the heir to England's throne, Prince Albert Edward, is under the influence of shadow creatures."

Is that typo in the book, or just the promo from the bookstore?