………..had to tell ya…………
I’ll keep it short…….slightly embarrassed but…………but had to tell ya………….
OUR LIFE OFF THE GRID just got ‘long listed’ for the Stephen Leacock award for humour. Top ten. That gets pared down to three and then to ONE. But we are against Stuart Maclean, Terry Fallis and Patrick DeWitt…………and some great writers……so I am really happy with a top ten. Seriously…..we are REALLY happy…..unh…. it is mildly embarrassing…………and I am not the humble type…….sorry…………(I promise: ravens and whales soon).
……but wanted to share……..and, if not YOU, then who?
………………kinda giddy….(might throw up)
Our Off the Grid Home 
Glad for ya! I check in now and then on your meanderings.
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Thanks, Neal. Appreciated. We’re grinning.
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I think I recall telling you this was possible, and asking you to send a copy to bookworld, for more exposure. Stuart Mclean, puleese, I think you may have a lock on it.
I had just been thinking of complimenting you on the ‘critical thinking’ aspect of your previous manipulation , half truth, et al, missive, so this be a twofer.
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Congratulations
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Well, that’s the embarrassing part…………..we just got LONGLISTED…………..didn’t win squat. But, we are so happy about just being ‘listed’ I had to write about it. So, thanks. But you may have to send consolation scotch in a couple of weeks when they pare it down to 3.
We are going to enjoy the next two weeks and that’s just fine.
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Well it is something for the vitae. Furthermore, it is not the only book prize out there.
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It’s the only one I am entering. Can’t take the pressure. We are both basket cases over this. We were fine until Saturday night but Sunday was torture. Then Monday came and was progressing along way, way too slowly and there was no announcement………….. I was beside myself.
THEN we heard, went nuts and waded into the lagoon to paint the bottom of the boat (that chore had already been planned. It is NOT related to the tension). But, here it is late Monday afternoon and both Sal and I look at each other and just shake our heads……..HOLY COW!
Man, oh man. Fame is intoxicating!
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You mean in 20 or so years my autographed “1st Edition ” will be worth double what I paid???????
I’ll be RICH!
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Wow! I knew I had good literary taste when I purchased my copy. (Now I have to find out who I lent it to. I mean, to whom I lent it.)
Wow, better than ten t’ousand cauliflower! Congratulations!!!
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Thanks, JG….. ‘to whom’?
It’s late in the day and we are still grinnning. A man and his ego, eh?
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Never end a sentence with a proposition. Or a preposition!
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I am a grinning all for you! Just caught up as well on a few weeks worth, and half reread the last stuff, good laughs and chuckles. Grinning for sure! Wish I already had a signed copy, would be feeling like a good investment.
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Thanks, GD. It’s day two and we are still enjoying it but ….all things in perspective….gotta calm down now. Get our feet back on the ground. Maybe put a hit on Stuart Maclean…..?
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Woot!
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My sentiments exactly!
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OMG I’m so happy for you two. Had breakfast with Deb and Jud yesterday at the airport on my way to Palm Springs and heard the news!! I’m poolside now and gushing about you to any Canadian I can find, fortunately that is not too hard!! On a list with Stuart M, I’m gobsmacked. Well deserved D & S!! Any book that makes me, and the many friends I’ve gifted it, laugh out loud from the first page deserves an award. Missed you guys last visit, hopefully next time. lots’o’love, Susann
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Thanks, Sue. We were (and are) pretty happy but we have to tone it down some. We were NOT short-listed, we were LONG listed. That’s great but not quite a cigar. The best part for us is that we got LISTED at all! All previous lists I have been on have not been all that great. ‘Most doofusy’. “Darwin Award survivalist’…..that kind of thing. This is the first GOOD one.
Have fun in Palm Springs. See ya when we see ya………….
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Oh don’t be so modest! Short or long, this is rock-star status in our circle. Enjoy it!! BC Ferries book stores can suck it!! Unless of course they now want to feature your book then I’d say ‘it’s about time’ and, in Helen Mirren’s words, ‘fuck you very much’ 😉
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That’s so great. Good for you! – Margy
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Thanks, Margy. We are happy and somewhat ‘chuffed’ but it was fun to get excited for a day or so. How many old geezers (68) get to feel excited anymore, Viagra notwithstanding?
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At first, MC and I thought that getting to the top ten was the achievement, you really couldn’t ask for or expect, more; but then I reviewed the nearly 70 years of Leacock Awards and spotted several books that could not possibly be called “humour”. Checking more closely it appears that some were nominated, and indeed won the award, not for the whole book but for “excerpts”. Good example is The Sisters Brothers. Enjoyed the book, but asked myself how it could be considered humorous (disclaimer–I don’t have to be rolling around, holding my sides to feel something is funny — Terry Fallis is a great satirist and, to me, funny) but there is considerable dark humour in DeWitt’s book. Thinking of this since yesterday, I said to MC this morning, “there is no reason why Dave shouldn’t get to the final 3”. And I absolutely mean it. In fact, if they are going on ‘excerpts’ you’re the winner!
We are scheduled to fly out June 8th, but if you’re in the final 3 let us know as soon as you hear, and we’ll try to change flights. Geneva Park (Orillia) is only 90 minutes away.
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Love ya, dude! What a great thing to say! I agree…..we have a few funny bits and many do not. But ours really WAS a blog compilation. That has to be a factor.
Anyway, Aaron Cully Drake is brilliant. He’ll likely win.
Just being listed is great.
That and your friendship and support.
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