Today I traveled back to Pittsburgh, PA, for another hour-long interview. This interview was to be recorded in place of my previous interview. On that interview, we experienced technical difficulties and there was no quality sound. The producer of the show told us that had never happened before and apologized.

No big deal, right?

Well, turns out when we started this second interview, the sound began to lag and then cease. We were almost a half hour in before we had to call it quits and begin again.  Hmmm. The producer laughed and said they had recorded three other shows today and none of them had experienced any technical difficulties.

My friend said maybe a spirit was disrupting the interview. I said stranger things had been known to happen. And then the hostess asked in a very pleasant voice if there was a spirit present, perhaps it would be gracious enough to allow us to begin the interview again and not cause technical problems.

We waited a few minutes and then began the interview once more. It flowed quite nicely for a half hour or so before the producer told us the same sound problems were starting to happen again, but this time they were minimal and we could continue with the show.

Two separate shows weeks apart, no technical difficulties on any of the other shows with which I was not involved.

Odd, isn't it?

Maybe there is a presence that enjoys being with me because these technical problems do tend to occur around me.

Nighty-nightmares,
F~

I had a great conversation with Renee tonight on her BlogTalkRadio show. We discussed my books and my work with animals, and we also discussed the poetry collection to benefit Jollity Farm in Cornwall, England. Thank you, Renee, for a great time; I hope to be back again soon.

Also, I will be traveling to Pittsburgh this Sunday to record another podcast interview, so be on the look out for that.

And don't forget the benefit for the Humane Society in Lebanon, PA, Saturday 14 November from 1-4 PM. Come out and help us help the animals. I will be signing with fellow authors Brian Keene, J.F. Gonzalez, Byron Neal Morrison, David Boyle, Charlene Haines, and some others.

Nighty-nightmares,
Frank

Had a great time last Saturday at the Country Club Mall for the Second Annual Author Extravaganda. Fifty-three authors in total turned out for the event.

I sold a couple dozen copies of my books and met lots of great people who stopped by to say hello and tell me how much they enjoy reading my books. I'm glad I do what I do.

I look forward to 17 October in Hazleton, PA, at the Waldenbooks; 14 November in Lebanon, PA, at the Waldenbooks (this signing with Brian Keene, myself, J.F. Gonzalez, and everyone is to benefit the Humane Society), and 19 December in LaVale, MD at the Waldenbooks with Brian Keene, myself, and J.F. Gonzalez.

My buddy Charlene Haines and I have been invited to the Waldenbooks in both Hagerstown, MD, and Uniontown, PA, so we will be there sometime between now and Spring, so keep your eyes open for us.

Of course, work continues on my house, but I'm getting closer and closer to finishing everyday. I worked in the living room again today and got a lot done. By the end of this week, the roof over the back patio will be replaced, and then work begins on closing up the second story roofline. See, I'm making great strides.

Mr. GreenJeans is doing great, as are all the other animals that live with me. They are enjoying be able to explore more and more of the house, as I get more and more done of course.

Until next time...Nighty-nightmares,
F~

I did not watch the VMAs on MTV because I am simply not the awards show kinda guy. I did hear about the events which transpired when Taylor Swift won for, I believe, female video. So I went to that old standby youtube and watched the events.

To say I was appalled at the crass behavior of anyone interrupting another person's win to spout his/her own personal comments is an understatement. Poor Taylor Swift. I am not a fan, I confess--this is no reflection on her as an artist, I merely have a different taste in music--but it was difficult to see the expression on her face during what was supposed to be a truly high point in her career. I will not name him, but it was unprofessional and showed a total lack of manners, courtesy, whatever you wish to call it, when this man took it upon himself to interrupt her and spout what he spouted.

However, things do have a way of coming around, don't they?

I wonder how the unnamed felt when Beyonce later won for video of the year, and here he'd made an ass out of himself already. I also confess, I am not a fan of Beyonce, whether as a solo artist or as a member of Destiny's Child. As I said for Taylor, this doesn't take away from her as an artist; I simply have a different taste in music. I will say Beyonce, in one of the classiest moves I have ever seen, took it upon herself to make it right by accepting her award and saying how wonderful she felt when she was 17 years old and won her first VMA and then said she wanted Taylor to come back to the stage and have her moment in the spotlight.

Very well done, Beyonce, for rising to the occasion and stepping aside from your moment in order rectify a horrendous situation and allow another young artist to receive her moment much as you did. You showed maturity, compassion, respect, and quite a bit of class.

Congratulations to both young ladies for their wins, and may you both have long careers.