Jennifer Anne Kogler

Well, well, well.  Lufkin Road was a well-titled school to end my spring/summer school tour on.  First of all, Lufkin Road was the most unusual-looking school I’ve visited.  It used to be an office building that has now been converted into a school.  The principal, assistant principal and media specialist Diane Ruby were all so so nice (and well-organized).  I could not have left North Carolina (or this leg of my tour) with any warmer of a feeling in the pit of my stomach.  Travis, Ricky and Jamie were great sports.  As was the entire audience for my three talks, who were sitting calmly on the cafeteria floor.  I don’t know about you, but when I’m sitting on a hard surface for more than ten minutes, one of my feet or legs usually falls asleep.  

Anyhow, so I’m done for now visiting schools (as most schools are done for the summer).  It’s been great in so many ways, it would be impossible to list them all here.  Besides, I’m not sure anyone would want to read them.  But DO look for more blogs about writing and everything else I can think of.  If you have any ideas as to what I should blog about, please let me know!  And now, for some FINAL TOTALS for my school tour:

Number of Students I Chatted With: 25,685 (wow, that’s like a small city)

Number of Appearances:  146 (I think I’m pretty sure I have most of what I say memorized now)

Number of Cities:  33 (a good odd number)

Number of States: 5 (but don’t ask me 

Hi again.  On Thursday, I was still in North Carolina, and loving every minute of it.  Chad, Alex and Mallory wanted to go to Amsterdam, The Bahamas and home respectively — all teleporting answers that I respect.  I also met a couple of wonderful librarians again — Teresa and Debbie.  And because the book was out, they had a whole display of my books set out.  Fern’s face was everywhere.  I felt fairly special.   I haven’t gotten the pictures downloaded for Salem, but when I do, I’ll post them.  And on to the next!

The lovely Kelli Jones played hostess for the day and I ate my first official southern lunch, at BearBox.  They have this brown sauce there that I could smother on just about anything and it would taste better.  I got to lunch with some of the staff there and it was really a great time.  I’m not just saying that, either.  I know you’re anxious for another picture of me standing in front of another sign, so here it is:  See what I mean about that beautiful NC foliage?  I wasn’t kidding.  It was definitely hot, but the scenery was so appealing, it didn’t seem to manner.  For our teleporters in training, we had Houston (who wanted to go to Brendan’s House in Canada), Nicole (who chose the corner of the auditorium) and Ellison (who chose Las Vegas).  

My second day in North Carolina was spent at Durant Road Middle School.  Another great place to spend a day.  Kristen Ziller was a fantastic hostess.  I spent my lunch drinking sweet tea.  They actually ran a teleporting contest and the ten best answers were picked and we all had lunch together.  There were some really great responses, I must say (and hopefully some future writer’s in the bunch).  Answers included Jamestown, the future, practice with the Green Bay Packers, and Ohio.  We also played two lies and a truth (the students were much better at the game than I was) and chatted about middle school life.  It was awesome.  I should mention the teleporters, who included Daniel, Dylan and Heather (who again picked Disneyland, a popular choice).  

I started the week in North Carolina at Heritage Middle School.  I had three FANTASTIC student introduce me who were much better than I was, to be fair.  Rollins, Lilly and Brian chose Bermuda, Hogwarts (my personal favorite choice of the day) and Newport Beach as destinations.  Media specialist Donna Burke was exactly how I would picture a Southern lady – charm and sweetness.  I also got a wonderful North Carolinian care package, including sweet potato butter, which is completely delicious.  You’re probably wondering, I know, if the signs in NC look any different than the signs any other place.  Well, check this sign out?

Actually, I think there’s a lot more open space and foliage.  This was my first time in NC, and I can say that is is a beautiful place!  More to come on its beauties soon.

Well Shirley McCauley is retiring this year, and after having spent one day with her, I can tell you that she will be sorely missed.  She is one of those irreverent laugh-a-minute people who entertains you without really even trying.  At Nobel, I had my own parking space reserved, as well as a library aide named Tyler who was behind-the-scenes helpful the entire day.

We had four wanna-be teleporters at Nobel.  The first was Chris, who wanted to go to the Celtics Practice Facility.  He was hilarious, despite the facts that he was a Celtics fan.  We then had Riley (Miami), Daniel (who wanted to go to Disneyland, and then Tayeshaun (I’m probably spelling that wrong – I’m a horrible speller), who, in logical fashion, wanted to go a Santa Barbara beach. 

Nobel made a production out of the day (complete with signs, bookmarks and food) and it was a great Friday.

And on to North Carolina!

It’s always good to come back home!  Last week on Thursday, I had my first OC Bookstore signing.  Despite the fact that I was competing with the Lakers game, I had a great turn out thanks to some old and new friends.  Special thanks to my mother’s bridge club, who showed up in force!  Also, I’d be remiss without thanking a champion organizer, community relations-extraordinaire and a downright charming woman — Linda Rowe.  She rules, among other things she does.  Here is a picture of me and her at the store.

It’s always surreal for me to be back at the B&N in Tustin Market Place because I used to write and drink a white mocha there.  If someone had told me that I would have had two book signings there by age 26, I would have accused them of lying and then recommended they seek professional help.

Anyway, thank you, a million times thank you to everyone who showed up.  Turns out, the Lakers game wasn’t really worth watching.  I don’t know if I was, but at least the company around me was exceptional.  

There’s no other way to put it . . . I had a blast at McAulliffe Middle School.  I was in and out in three assemblies and was nice introduced by Principal Mr. Sackett and Mr. Platt.  I also had some of the most interesting answers for vampires that we all know of!

Anyhow, McAulliffe students were excited (or at least were very good at faking it).  It was also about the end of the school year and they still managed to be entertained by my dog and pony show (which includes neither a dog or a pony).  And as a northern OC school (I’m pretty sure we played Los Al all the time in high school), I took a certain amount of pride.  Everyone was so incredibly nice . . . it was a great way to end my stay in Orange County.

Hello again!  

Yes, it’s me.  Well, I have finally recovered from the Lakers poor showing in the NBA Finals and am ready to be back blogging.  

Anyway, About a week and a half ago, I was at Don Juan Avila Middle School, and a good time was had by all.  Well, I can’t guarantee that a good time was had by the students, but I certainly had a good time.  Teleporters Ayrton may have come up with the most interesting place to teleport to.  If I’m remembering correctly, I think it was the Star Wars Planet Corellia Coronet City.  Actually, I have no idea if that was correct.  I think it was, but it’s been a little while and Star Wars planets tend to go in one ear and out the other for someone like me.  But I do want to wish Mrs. Burgus, media specialist extraordinaire a happy retirement!

Today, I had the pleasure of visiting Rancho San Joaquin — and I’m still full from the wonderful spread that Mrs. Mayfield provided for lunch (and nutrition).  Not only were the students so excited and asking great questions, but I got such lovely gifts as a thank you, including Weird California (to help me with settings for future novels) and a Dodgers book, complete with two of my favorite Dodgers pictured on the cover — Drysdale and Kofax.  Needless to say, I loved spending time with the charming Mrs. Mayfield and listening to her delightful southern accent.  I left with the warmest of feelings, so thanks to all parties involved.

Also, as a side note, there was an article in the OC Register about yours truly.  Keith Sharon was a fantastic interviewer.  Check it out if you’ve got some time to waste:

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/life/themorningread/article_2062287.php

I’ve now got to focus on the Lakers game, so you’ll have to excuse me.  I’m worried we may get shut out.