I was tickled pink just to be invited to the events surrounding the release of the book, but when its editor, Daniel Jones told me that he thinks thisfish.com is “just the best-written thing,” I could have tripped with giddiness. Okay, I did trip. But that was when I ran back to tell my friends about the compliment.
The best-written thing? Do go on!
With the amazing Biscuit and New Work Friend at my side, I followed Daniel and his entourage (including his wife, Cathi, who is most exceptionally charming) to the release party at Fez. Wine and beer were on the house, but of course being me, I went straight for the hard stuff.
During the reading at the Astor Place Barnes & Noble, I had something of an evil moment. Or two. I tend to lose count. Anyway, one of the contributors (a rather self-assured, perpetual bachelor type) read an excerpt of his essay, which he prefaced with the warning that it would be misogynistic. And by the end, I leaned over to my companion and declared, “This makes me want to date him, and destroy him.” But, the night passed without my having made his acquaintance, thus rendering him safely out of harm’s way.
At home, I introduced New Work Friend to the world of This Fish, and once I was alone, read a bit more of the book. Flipping through each section to check out the other epigrams, I almost choked on my swiss and tomato omelet.
Each of the four sections begins with a quote (mine being at Section III. “Bicycles for Fish”).
The others epigrams were by:
Richard M. Nixon
Steve Martin
And…
God. (Genesis, I believe)
Any book that puts my wisdom on par with those guys is fine by me. Or, maybe there’s really no one with any sort of real clout who would say anything half as snarky as I on the subject.
Who cares? I’m an epigram!
My level of thrilled-ness went up a few more notches, which, considering I’d thought it reached its apex at being introduced as a “contributor,” made me feel as though I had to go lie down. Or, maybe it was the hour.
It was way past my bed time.
you’re just the f’ing queen! Go you!
Ain’t getting published grand?
i love this post. although, for some reason, i can only pronounce New Work Friend if New Work rhymes with New York.
Good for you! I plan to check out this book soon.
For some reason I kept reading New work FRIEND as New YORK FIEND.
What was the quote of yours that was mentioned? Or do I need to seek it out for myself to find out?
What auspicious company you keep! Congrats again, Fish.
Yes, I’m curious about the quote too since Irina Dunn – made famous by her brilliant little quip about fish and bicycles (everyone wore that t-shirt in the 70s) – is the inspiration for anything remotely resembling fish and bicycles meeting.
Celebrities, huh? I was in a men’s room with John DeLorean once when he took off his shirt right there in front of me. Wait, that didn’t sound right. Let me finish: he took a clean shirt out of an otherwise empty briefcase for the afternoon meeting. And I once stood in a Washington, D.C., buffet line with Strom
Thurmond, who was even then dead. Nobody tops my celebrity sightings!
I found another book worm
Um, Bunnicula? Ms. Dunn is quoted at the top of this page. No one’s trying to take her fame.
http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2004/04/29/bastard_couch/index.html
They say everyone gets fifteen minutes of fame. Some get more. I believe everyone has a few quotes of wisdom for the world to learn from.
some have more…