Saturday, September 26, 2009
eBay
Well lookee here. I never thought I'd be for sale on eBay but it's happened. At a discount and all.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
A really nice email
So, let me tell you, when you write a book emails like this really make it all worthwhile. It's from a friend of a friend talking about their friend...
I also wanted to share with you guys a small world story. Last night I had dinner with an old friend of mine Christopher. He's just been on holidays in Thailand and started to tell me about this great book that he had read while away. He said, it's called "Lessons I Learnt From My Left Testicle". Anyway, he started to describe Ben the man that has written this book and I said, does he have a wife called Annabelle? Christopher said yes, and then we realised that it is your friends Ben and Annabelle! What a small world. So I wanted to let you guys know, so you can share it with them some readers feedback. He said that he had dropped into his local bookshop Colddrake quickly when getting ready for the trip and the shop assistant said ... you should really read this book, it's great! And sure enough he did. And now he's telling me about it, his mum is going to read it and so on! So congrats to your friend Ben for writing the book. There's already one person I know whose gotten something out of it and was telling me little anecdotes which had rung a bell with him from it. What a great title as well. :)
I also wanted to share with you guys a small world story. Last night I had dinner with an old friend of mine Christopher. He's just been on holidays in Thailand and started to tell me about this great book that he had read while away. He said, it's called "Lessons I Learnt From My Left Testicle". Anyway, he started to describe Ben the man that has written this book and I said, does he have a wife called Annabelle? Christopher said yes, and then we realised that it is your friends Ben and Annabelle! What a small world. So I wanted to let you guys know, so you can share it with them some readers feedback. He said that he had dropped into his local bookshop Colddrake quickly when getting ready for the trip and the shop assistant said ... you should really read this book, it's great! And sure enough he did. And now he's telling me about it, his mum is going to read it and so on! So congrats to your friend Ben for writing the book. There's already one person I know whose gotten something out of it and was telling me little anecdotes which had rung a bell with him from it. What a great title as well. :)
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Preggas
A well long overdue update. And an end to the story that came a little too late to be in the book.
Annabelle and I have been trying to make babies for about years now. Alas, until now, no banana.
We tried it this way and that way. We went overseas. We got fit. We gave up bad things. We tried it the other way. Finally, we went to see the IVF people.
We booked a time and a date. Then on the morning we were due to start, Annabelle used her last pregnancy test, 'just in case'.
Hey ya, voila.
We called and cancelled the appointment with an hour to spare. Now, three months on I an tell y'awl Annabelle is officially pregnant and things are cooking in the kitchen.
Proof that there are happy endings after all.
PS: Roasting on the news, I scored a record 8 goals in one half in indoor soccer the day we got the scans. As one wise friend said, 'He shoots, he scores..."
Friday, June 5, 2009
Birth of a book cover
I've just been scrimmaging through a few of the deeper folders on my hard drive and I came across some of the earlier versions of the book cover which I thought might be interesting. In fact, not just book covers but names too. The pix below are some of the first incarnations that I put forward to the publlisher. Below that, a couple done by the incredible Ian Masek. And, right at the bottom, the final few drafts that lead to the end result.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Three years and counting
A wee milestone this week.
After another trip through the giant donut I am pleased to announ that, after poring over the films of my insides once again, the doctors that be have once again confirmed a status of cancer free. Hell yeah.
Of course, as usual, I started off quietly confident then ended at least with small beads of sweat on the 'ole forehead when the results took an hour longer than usual to come back. At least now I don't get sick the day before.
Now this is of a little more consequence than past results. See, in some parts of the world three years is considered to be out of remission and cured. In Australia, they wait five before making any such declaration. Think I might move to one of those other countries for a while lest the Little Bastard get any ideas of making a comeback.
Anyway, so, good news. I must say I was a bit nervous that launching a book all about surviving might be a jinx (yes after cancer it's easy to worry about things like this) but as it turns out I am, once again, hopefully, worried about nothin'.
After another trip through the giant donut I am pleased to announ that, after poring over the films of my insides once again, the doctors that be have once again confirmed a status of cancer free. Hell yeah.
Of course, as usual, I started off quietly confident then ended at least with small beads of sweat on the 'ole forehead when the results took an hour longer than usual to come back. At least now I don't get sick the day before.
Now this is of a little more consequence than past results. See, in some parts of the world three years is considered to be out of remission and cured. In Australia, they wait five before making any such declaration. Think I might move to one of those other countries for a while lest the Little Bastard get any ideas of making a comeback.
Anyway, so, good news. I must say I was a bit nervous that launching a book all about surviving might be a jinx (yes after cancer it's easy to worry about things like this) but as it turns out I am, once again, hopefully, worried about nothin'.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
More confirmed sightings
Look at that, in the staff picks and on the front counter. Go you good thing...
Got any confirmed sightings? Be a pal and email them to me, here.
Got any confirmed sightings? Be a pal and email them to me, here.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Odds 'n' Ends
A few things I have collected but hadn't had the time to put up. One a shot with Tim Webster from 2UE, the others some other blogs who wrote about the Charity Bookshop.
Book Launch: The Aftermath
Well I think I've just woken up after a week trying to catch my eyelids. All I can say is that the launch was one of the best nights I've had in a long time and I thank you all for being a part of it. From what I hear everyone had a top time too. Notable moments were my Dad requesting me write another book because he had so much fun, Sarah McCarthy going home and reading the book by midnight and the venue liking the Skinny Blonde beer so much that they asked for the details to buy it in next time. A big round of applause to Ian Olver and Paul Wilson too who I think you'll agree were funny, poignant and brief all at the same time. Exactly the three things you want out of a speech.
We went through all of Berkelouw's stock of books plus two more boxes from the boot of my car and all the beer. That's right, nine cases. And to think the Berkelouw people laughed at me when I brought in four. Ha, they didn't know what you fine thirsty folk are capable of.
Ben Ando took the prize of book number one with his rather impressive eyewatering Testicle Tale, Twister. It was a unanimous crowd vote. Onya Benny. Runners up were Ben Still for Wuxi Finger and Josh Bryer for Boardshorts.
Probably the most interesting statistic of the night (or maybe it's just me) is that we sold more books than there were people in attendance. Hey that's pretty impressive. So in the spirit of meaning everything I said on the night, I have just one word for you: Gratitude.
Now, where to next? Well this is where the real Guerilla Marketing starts. We have a few ideas for how to get this book noticed and out in the hands of the good people of the world. For what, you'll just have to stay tuned...
We went through all of Berkelouw's stock of books plus two more boxes from the boot of my car and all the beer. That's right, nine cases. And to think the Berkelouw people laughed at me when I brought in four. Ha, they didn't know what you fine thirsty folk are capable of.
Ben Ando took the prize of book number one with his rather impressive eyewatering Testicle Tale, Twister. It was a unanimous crowd vote. Onya Benny. Runners up were Ben Still for Wuxi Finger and Josh Bryer for Boardshorts.
Probably the most interesting statistic of the night (or maybe it's just me) is that we sold more books than there were people in attendance. Hey that's pretty impressive. So in the spirit of meaning everything I said on the night, I have just one word for you: Gratitude.
Now, where to next? Well this is where the real Guerilla Marketing starts. We have a few ideas for how to get this book noticed and out in the hands of the good people of the world. For what, you'll just have to stay tuned...
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Book Launch Uberthanks
Is there such a thing as an uberthanks? Is now. An uberthanks to everyone who braved a rainy chilly night to make the warmest of welcomes to my firstborn into the world at tonight's launch. It was like looking at all the jigsaw pieces of my life come together in one room and you were fantastic for being there. I had a ball (excuse the pun) and hope you did too. We went through all the beer and the auxillary stash too.
The people at Berkelouw said that's the by far most drinks they've ever done at a launch and also the most books they've sold. They said they are suspicious there might be a strong correlation too. I hope no one regrets their pickup in the morning.
As I was madly signing away some of you came up with piles of 6 clutched in your paws. That's amazing support I hope everyone you give them to enjoys them cover to cover. My Mum bought another seven. I swear she now owns a baker's dozen herself.
It's late now so I'll put the photos up tomorrow. If you have some, please send 'em over and I'll whack them up too.
Oh yeah, did I say uberthanks?
The people at Berkelouw said that's the by far most drinks they've ever done at a launch and also the most books they've sold. They said they are suspicious there might be a strong correlation too. I hope no one regrets their pickup in the morning.
As I was madly signing away some of you came up with piles of 6 clutched in your paws. That's amazing support I hope everyone you give them to enjoys them cover to cover. My Mum bought another seven. I swear she now owns a baker's dozen herself.
It's late now so I'll put the photos up tomorrow. If you have some, please send 'em over and I'll whack them up too.
Oh yeah, did I say uberthanks?
Monday, May 18, 2009
Reminder: Launch this Wed 20th
Hey ho, just thought it be worth reminder all you fine readers that the book launch is at Berkelouw this Wednesday night.
Paul Wilson, author of the best selling Little Book of Calm will be speaking as will the esteemed Professor Ian Olver, CEO of the Cancer Council.
Music is by Jimmy James Blow, frontman of NSW MTV Kickstart winners The Mischief. And then of course there's the headline event, the giveaway of Book #1 to the most eyewatering Testicle Tale, all of which can be read down below on this very blog. If you haven't sent one in, there's still time, just click right here.
6:30pm at Berkelouw Books, 70 Norton Street Leichhardt. Beer, wine and all that. See you there!
Paul Wilson, author of the best selling Little Book of Calm will be speaking as will the esteemed Professor Ian Olver, CEO of the Cancer Council.
Music is by Jimmy James Blow, frontman of NSW MTV Kickstart winners The Mischief. And then of course there's the headline event, the giveaway of Book #1 to the most eyewatering Testicle Tale, all of which can be read down below on this very blog. If you haven't sent one in, there's still time, just click right here.
6:30pm at Berkelouw Books, 70 Norton Street Leichhardt. Beer, wine and all that. See you there!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Jimmy James' Testicle Tale
In high school, my older brother and I collected basketball cards. But the story gets better.
At the time, high school kids thought they were much more valuable than they actually were, and one kid even offered to trade a high powered and illegal BB gun for my brother's New York Knicks team card. So with a BB gun in the house, but no targets, we took turns shooting each other at opposite ends of the corridor.
When I got tired of body shots, I decided it would be a good idea to shoot my brother in the crotch. Moments later, I shot my brother in the crotch. He keeled over writhing in pain. I'd never seen him cry like that before. It said it was a an accident, but it was more of a small victory for me.
Days later, everything seemed back to normal, but please imagine the precision of my aim though, considering my brother was already born without his left testicle.
At the time, high school kids thought they were much more valuable than they actually were, and one kid even offered to trade a high powered and illegal BB gun for my brother's New York Knicks team card. So with a BB gun in the house, but no targets, we took turns shooting each other at opposite ends of the corridor.
When I got tired of body shots, I decided it would be a good idea to shoot my brother in the crotch. Moments later, I shot my brother in the crotch. He keeled over writhing in pain. I'd never seen him cry like that before. It said it was a an accident, but it was more of a small victory for me.
Days later, everything seemed back to normal, but please imagine the precision of my aim though, considering my brother was already born without his left testicle.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Joke of the day from Zac
What's the difference between snowmen and snowwomen?
Snowballs.
Zac also pointed out this rather impressive testicle tale right here: http://iwanttobeapharmacist.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-i-lost-i-almost-lost-testicle.html
Snowballs.
Zac also pointed out this rather impressive testicle tale right here: http://iwanttobeapharmacist.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-i-lost-i-almost-lost-testicle.html
More Charity Bookshop photos
Big up the thanks to Mr Luc Remond who dropped in today and gave the bookshop-gallery the Hasselblad treatment again, this time by daylight. See more of the maestro's handiwork here.
I must say I feel a bit of a tool posing for photos like this but it is to get the book out there and raise money for the Cancer Council so what the heck.
I must say I feel a bit of a tool posing for photos like this but it is to get the book out there and raise money for the Cancer Council so what the heck.
Guerilla Marketing Tactic #3: Open your own bookshop
So, it's in Dymocks, Arial, Angus & Robertson, Berkelouw and you can get it online here, here and here but a few people have commented that they went to Borders in Bondi and couldn't find the book. Bummer I say, but what can I do? Tell you what: open a bookshop where we all know there are plenty of copies available.
So here it is, Ben's Charity Bookshop.
The idea is pretty simple. From now until May 20 you can drop in to 374 Crown Street, Surry Hills and check out a shop that sells nothing but my book, Lessons from my Left Testicle. That's right, all the walls are covered, it's in the windows, hanging from drip stands and scattered across the hospital bed that's sitting plum in the middle.
And, best yet, author's cut of every book sold from the shop goes to the Cancer Council. So it's for a good cause too.
Big thanks to Luc Remond for the photos.
So here it is, Ben's Charity Bookshop.
The idea is pretty simple. From now until May 20 you can drop in to 374 Crown Street, Surry Hills and check out a shop that sells nothing but my book, Lessons from my Left Testicle. That's right, all the walls are covered, it's in the windows, hanging from drip stands and scattered across the hospital bed that's sitting plum in the middle.
And, best yet, author's cut of every book sold from the shop goes to the Cancer Council. So it's for a good cause too.
Big thanks to Luc Remond for the photos.
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