Marley and Me
Monday, October 30, 2006
A Texas Two Step
The ringing of the telephone pulled me from deepest sleep. I fumbled in the dark for the receiver. "Mr. Grogan," the voice on the other end said, "this is your 4:15 a.m. wake-up call." Oh, cruel fate. No human should ever be forced to rise at an hour that starts with any number lower than 7.
That was two hours ago and now I'm sitting in the Austin, Texas, airport -- still inky black outside -- waiting for my flight back home to Pennyslvania.
I was in town over the weekend for the Texas Book Festival, held in the ornate House and Senate chambers of the Texas state Capitol. This is the festival Laura Bush started more than a decade ago when her husband was elected governor. It's been going strong ever since.
My appearance was on Sunday, and it was a little strange talking about my book from the podium of the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives with audience members sitting at lawmakers' desks. I felt a little like LBJ or something.
Austin is one of my all-time favorite cities, and I had Saturday free to just enjoy myself. Frank McCourt is one of my favorite authors, and I took a lot of inspiration from his "Angela's Ashes" while I was writing Marley & Me. I was thrilled to be able to catch his presentation on Saturday. He's as charming in person as he is in print. I also was impressed with Tavis Smiley, the former NPR commentator who is an inspiring and moving public speaker.
The weather was grand, warm, breezy and sunny, and some of the best action of the book festival took place out on the Capitol steps where musicians played throughout the day -- everything from Texas two-step to cowboy to zydeco.
Saturday night, Sixth Street, Austin's legendary bar and nightclub strip, was absolutely hopping. Thousands of University of Texas students, most of them in costume for Halloween, jammed the street, which the police barricaded off to traffic. I caught a couple of great, great local bands. But, really, the best show was out on the street, where many of the costumes were wildly provocative (think French maids, dominatrixes and Playboy bunnies). What made the moment so great was that it also happened to be parents' night on campus, and many moms and dads were strolling the main drag. To watch the expressions on the parents' faces was too good for words.
Now I'm ready to get home. The busy fall schedule continues. On Thursday, I'll be in New York City to attend a banquet at The Rainbow Room, where the ASPCA, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, will honor Marley & Me for its depiction of a family that did not give up on a high-need, hard-to-control dog. Those are the very same types of dogs that so often end up abandoned or abused and neglected. For all our flaws as dog owners, Jenny and I did not give up on Marley, and I'm honored that the ASPCA is recognizing the book's central message of commitment to the animals we bring into our lives.
Then on Sunday, Nov. 5, I speak on the campus of Bryn Mawr College outside Philadelphia. A few days after that, I fly to Evansville, Indiana, where Marley & Me is the pick for the city's One Book/One Community program, and then on to Hartford City, Indiana for another One Book/One Community presentation.
If you are interested in attending any of my appearances, you can click on "upcoming events" on the home page of www.marleyandme.com for a detailed schedule. I always enjoy chatting in person with readers.
Time to catch my flight. Over and out for now.
posted by John Grogan at 3:57 PM
 
3 Comments:
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I thought of your book when my own personal version of Marley who is known as Josie in our house ate the face of the jack o'lantern we had worked so hard on and carved.
I do live near Bryn Mawr College, I loved the book and find that it gives me hope and confidence when I am furious w/Josie (which is often). I have a friend that works at the college so maybe I'll snag tickets.
I wanted to thank you for sharing your story. I am still in the process of reading your book. My Aunt sent it to me before I told her the story or our Golden Libby and her recent antics. Thunder defiantely sets her off but here in CA our biggest hinderance is whistles. We live next to a school field. I came home tonight to a chewed up door frame because I forgot to turn on the music to block out the whistles. I instanly though of your book and knew that we weren't alone. Can't wait to finish the book!
Hi there! I am a 'frustrated' lab owner because I don't think I will ever be allowed to own one :).
I loved your book and it was such a pleasant book to read! I have never giggled so much while reading a novel in the plane :).
I would like to ask when you would have Marley & Me translated in French. I have a wonderful aunt who I know would love to read your book (in French please!). I will be watching out for this!
Cheers and best wishes for your book's success!