RJ Book Highlighted in TV Guide

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Before we get to the miscellaneous obscura. . please note to the right (if you're on the blog webpage), you can sign up for notification anytime this is updated (FSS Feed). The update will be delivered directly to your email box with the photos and fonts. Maybe its simpler for you? It's simpler for me, I don't send out a mass email--And given that this had 300 hits from the last update, I guess some folks are reading it. . .
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What's up with the Book?

I want to thank everyone who asks about the book. A few things have happened since it's release. I always knew this would be a small event (even with the 600+ people at my launch), given the 'niche-cult' aspect of Grayson's fandom but it has been a pleasure and a joy. And below, a few tidbits on what's happening~~

TV Guide comes a callin'

In January, I was contacted by a columnist from TV Guide to highlight my book in his soaps column, Mike Logan on Soaps-Logan RAVE segment. For those in the dark (oh wait who would that be?) Grayson's biggest "pop culture" gig was on the daytime soap, Dark Shadows--hence the interest and placement of the blurb. Now this is full of some nostalgia for me as I was a big TV Guide addict back in the early 80s. Every week I'd save my 35 cents, walk across Vine Street and get my TV Guide! I had stacks in my closet (I am over being ashamed of my little collection!) That habit formed the basis for my head full of useless pop culture for which I am still known to this day. The Mike Logan RAVE column will be in the March 5th (goes on sale Wednesday, March 1st). TV Guide's circulation, is "20 million plus" with a "net paid circulation of 4.5 million. Still one of the largest weekly circulations in the USA. [quotes- interview- publisher Scott Crystal, MediaVillage.com, 10-14-2005]. Logan said "Jamison portrays the late actress as a smoking, drinking ass-pincher who swore like a Teamster yet was deeply sensitive. . . A Hard Act is as sharp and campy as Hall herself, and a terrific way to celebrate the soap's 40th anniversary."

Forgetting my own Ad!

With my publisher, I arranged for an ad for the book to appear in the prestigious New York Review of Books. I signed the release, etc. back in October or November. Then there was the Holidaze (Thanksgiving, Christmas, MLK day). I got a call on January 26th or 27th from a friend. An aquaintance of his had seen the NYRB ad and favorably commented. Let's hope other "eyes" saw it and ordered it!

The House of Grayson Hall

It was brought to my attention that a cd was being sold on ebay that had a song entitled, "The House of Grayson Hall". Curiosity got the best of me and by using an intermediary I acquired the cd by Dementia Procox, a 1980s New Wave band. Together with her son and grandchildren, we listened to the cd, specifically the "GH" song in the house (make that apartment) of Grayson Hall. The cd was very interesting, it reminded Matthew Hall of the Wall of Voodoo which we then subsequently listened to as well. I never quite got the artistic connection to Grayson (and barely heard her voice in another song on the album), it was a weird and fun way to spend a Saturday night in Manhattan.

Okay I've posted about this before: RJ being mistaken for who?

In December at a Borders bookstore on Park Avenue I was mistaken for again for someone--at least this time I knew who! It went something like this

Nice but mistaken lady: "I'm sorry I don't normally do this, sorry to disturb you but I just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed your new show --I don't normally watch SciFi but it is so much better than the 70s version."

Me (opening my mouth ruined the whole illusion as I don't sound thing like who she believes I am): "Thank you but I'm not Mary McDonnell, though I also think the new Battlestar Galactica is a great show."

Who did she think I was? Do you know Mary McDonnell , Stands with Fist, Donnie Darko's mother, Robert Redford's girlfriend in Sneakers, Carter's mom in ER . . .a very distinguished career. (see earlier Adventures entry-- my friend Chen suggested that I was being mistaken for MM 2 years ago and i pooh poohed it!)

I look at it this way--I finally fulfilled my high school destiny of being Madam President! (MM plays President Laura Roslin on Battlestar Galactica. And my high school graduating class voted me most likely to be President--see photgraphic evidence below.) Yeah yeah yeah I hear my sister and others saying why am I not in politics? My mouth is too big that's why. But I have made overatures here in New York city but man, am I tough enough?

Mistaken Identity #2:

I had lunch with Richard Seff in January in my neighborhood. At a nearby table, a gentleman with little subtlety eaves dropped on our conversation. At some point he asked if I was Tracy Chevalier, the author of The Girl with the Pearl Earring? okay--a least i was mistaken for another author. But here's a photo of her--Tracey Chevalier photo. I don't really see it.

I look forward to the day when someone in 5-10 years is mistaken for me! and writes about it in a stupid blog.

Miscellaneous tidbits - not about me but fun all the same

Let it snow, let it snow. .STOP!!!!!

Photos of Oswego County, New York. The massive "lake effect" snowfall made the national news. .but here are some great photos taken by a friend's nephew in northern New York:

Plowing through the snow and a car bravely comes forth

My Favorite In Living Color Clip

I'm not a big Jim Carrey fan but this clip is a riot-The Wrath of Farrakhan When I originally decided to include this clip, over a week ago, it was before Farrakhan's last public speech: