First thing this morning I went to a sweet, one-story house in Los Angeles where I was interviewed by Mike Cuthbert who was in Washington, DC. It was for the AARP radio show. It will air next week and they tell me I should be able to post a link to the show here on my website. It was a fun conversation. Tulea slept at my feet and I had a nice view out a small window onto a garden.
Then I did 45 solid minutes of cardio. I started on the recumbent bike, then to the elliptical and finally to the treadmill. I wore a heart monitor so I could be sure I got my heart rate up into my ‘training zone,’ where I know I am burning fat. While I did that I watched a video that Richard’s been watching about the historical Jesus. It was shown on the History channel a long time ago. It was very interesting.
Then I decided what clothes to bring to New York for all the appearances. That took a few hours. Most of them are things I’ve had for ages and several are shiny, colorful fabrics that I tend to wear more and more as I get older. My up-coming events are posted on my website. Check me out on Regis and Kelly and The Joy Behar Show. I’ll be all shiny. Colorful but less shiny on Good Morning America on Monday the 8th.
Anyhow, comments and reviews are starting to come in from those who have read my new book which has its official release this Tuesday. The feedback makes me feel wonderful because what I hoped would happen seems to be happening. Here, for instance is what Susan Korzetz wrote me yesterday: “Thank you so much for the autographed book! I am enjoying every second of reading it, though I am taking it nice and slow so that I can truly reflect on my own self as I read it. I am already hooked. I think people of every age should read it. At 41 years of age, I am able to reflect on how I am living my life at this moment and how I wish to carry on in the future. I think this is just the book to help direct me to the right path of life!”
During the radio interview with Mike Cuthbert this morning, he asked a good question (I am paraphrasing here): “you are famous, priviledged, etc etc. Why do you think you have anything to say to people who are none of these things?” I told him that when I began writing my memoirs in 2000, I had a feeling that despite these differences, if I dug deep and told my truth, it would resonate with other women. There are so many things that are universal. Many of them things we’re not supposed to talk about. What I heard back most often from my readers (and what I continue to hear…and from people all over the world) is “I feel you are writing about me. So much of what you say is true of me too!” And what surprised me even more, is how many men have written me these same words.
I feel the same is true with my new book. And, for sure, this one is for men as well as women.
I have been blogging, tweeting, facebooking (is that a verb?) for almost 3 years now and I learn so much from my friends who write me via one or another of these social media forms. I would appreciate hearing from those of you who read my book about your thoughts: what it brings up for you; what you have found useful and what is less useful. What inspires you the most and what leaves you cold. BTW, there are several chapters about sex…quite detailed. I say at the beginning of that part of the book that many older people have closed the chapter on this part of their lives and that is just fine. One can live an exciting, thrilling even, third act with friends, grandchildren, hobbies, traveling, whatever. Sex doesn’t have to be part of it. For those of you in this category, just skip the sex chapters. I’ll tell you one thing though, you may be in your 40s like Susan Korzetz, but don’t think those chapters about sex aren’t for you cause you’re not old yet. I wish I had known at 40 what I’ve written about sex. Especially the parts about how knowing who you are, becoming a whole, authentic person, makes intimacy (of all kinds, including sexual) deeper and better.
Okay, time to wind down for the day and make something for Richard and me for dinner.
I’ll be sending updates throughout the week, and hope to see you if I’m in your neck of the woods.
