Two things to say and neither are book-related, but I’m confined to the sofa and very, very bored.

Firstly, I am seriously considering learning to drive (in fact, I have got so far as getting an instructor’s details, but haven’t rang him yet). I need someone who has nerves of steel, the patience of a saint, a good sense of humour and (if possible) an hourly rate from the early nineties (when I first became a ‘Learner Driver’). I’m just telling you this because as I was idly browsing the new Yellow Pages (told you I was bored), I came across the following driving school, and it made me laugh (I promise you, this is a genuine entry in my local Yellow Pages): Startkey and Clutch. Imagine if their cars were all red Ford Torinos with white stripes… I’d be more suited to KITT from Knight Rider, where the car does all the work! Maybe that would be my only chance of passing the test.

Secondly, I was browsing the BBC Tyne website, and came across this article. This gentleman is my BDMLR Area Co-ordinator - you kept this quiet, Richard! Was I the author you mentioned? The MMM course that was due to run this weekend was postponed until next year, so any of you who are interested will still be able to train to become a Marine Mammal Medic. Like what I am.

Yay! I can’t believe it. On Saturday, 18th August 2007, I will be sitting in Borders at the Team Valley Trading Estate in Gateshead, hopefully signing copies of my book. Unlike last week when I was sitting in the coffee shop in Borders, eating a pain au chocolate and drinking Starbucks coffee… I’ll be there from 1pm and I really hope some people will come in and buy a copy of the book. This is the first sort-of high profile thing I’ve done, so I’m really nervous. I’m sure I’ll suffer many ‘what if no-one comes’ dreams beforehand but, for now, I’m just delighted! And I’ll finally get the chance to wear my book-signing-at-Borders-bargain-dress! If you’re local and at a loose end on that day, please come along and say hello. Please. Pretty please! Pretty please with sugar on top!!!

My publisher has nominated Karma for the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance. I don’t think I have a chance to win (given that Marian Keyes was the winner for 2007) but it’s nice to dream. If you get a chance, check out the link and read about Melissa Nathan. She was a truly inspirational woman.

…only famous people did interviews from their snuggly warm beds! Well, you’d be wrong: this morning, I got a very unexpected call from a journalist from…wait for it…The Evening Chronicle! At long last, my local newspaper (and former employer) has contacted me. Despite being in bed, with the beginnings of a rotten cold, I had a long chat about ME (not ME as in Holly, but M.E. as in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and the book. This article has stemmed from the phone call I mentioned weeks ago from the Chief Exec of ME North East - the journalist I’d spoken to, Liz, had passed my details on to the lady who spoke to me today.

I had a mild panic attack when I was called back a little later and was asked when the photographer could come round! I surveyed my living room (which looks like it was the scene of a police search) and wondered where on earth I would find the energy to tidy up. Fortunately, he/she isn’t coming until next Tuesday, but even so, I still have my doubts that it will be sorted out by then. And the big question is this: is there enough make-up in the world to make me look better by Tuesday? I’d like to blame my cold, but the truth is I am just not photogenic at all!

To other news: I have been reluctant to check my inbox today, in case the ‘In It To Win It’ people had contacted me, as I was dreading a message to ask me to audition. Then, stupidly, I was disappointed when I checked my mail to find they hadn’t replied! I guess if I don’t hear tomorrow, I can relax -after all, the auditions are this Monday coming. It’s always nice to dream you’ll have the chance to win some money, isn’t it?

Well, I’m off to lie on the sofa with several books MaryAnne kindly sent me, a bottle of Beechams All In One cold and flu medicine, a box of tissues, a can of lucozade, a bottle of orange juice, two dogs, and the TV/Sky remote controls. Here I will stay until bedtime - am hoping to stay awake for the new series of Everybody Hates Chris and the 10pm episode of My Name Is Earl. Oh, and before I go, I’d better mention that the Evening Chronicle article should be in the paper sometime during the next few weeks - I’ll post the link when it appears online.

Fed up as I was feeling too rough to go out tonight (had meal at The Ivy planned, though not THE Ivy, and a quiz), so decided to update my Blog.

Gallery: What a picture indeed! You may remember that I have been discussing doing a Reader event with Gateshead Libraries - I happened to mention to Claire (the lady I’ve been emailing) that I represented my library in the Gateshead Libraries Blockbusters Tournament in 1987. I managed to dig out that newspaper clipping from my ‘memory box’ (an empty biscuit tin commemorating Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s wedding - something I won in some kind of art competition when I was little. It did have biscuits in, but they got eaten…probably very quickly). It is a very bad photo, but it was an interesting memento of the only time I ever won a trophy…even if it stayed in the Trailer Library…and was just on loan. I wonder whatever happened to it. Anyway, feel free to laugh at this photo in the Gallery. Speaking of ‘The Gallery’, did anyone used to watch ‘Take Hart’? I was pondering having an online gallery for my artwork (more appropriate to hang in The Loo, rather than Le Louvre) - the only thing that would be missing would be Morph and Tony Hart (I never liked Chas…)

Facebook: is fairly addictive. My sister has started an online Karma Appreciation group on Facebook - it has about 9 members (presumably her friends…and me, of course!) Still don’t know what I’m doing, but is quite satisfying seeing your friends’ list building up. My old school even has it’s own group…

And finally, I got a very scary email today…from ‘In It To Win It’. They are auditioning in Newcastle on Monday. I had to complete an application form - part of me is hoping I’m too boring for them to consider, but another part of me is hoping to get selected (I am far thicker than I used to be, but the audition process would be great plot-fodder). Let’s see what happens, shall we?