Thursday, February 5, 2009

GIVEAWAY! Everybody needs a little time away...

I realize my posts have been whiny and crabby lately but in reality I'm not really that bummed about anything. Don't know what that's all about.

Today, however, work is busy and I want to get this giveaway posted. Please indulge me by first reading one of the many daydream/character sketches I've written -- this one from yesterday while in the train station in Chicago.

I'm not saying it really happened and I'm not saying it didn't.





The cab pulls up in front of Union Station on Adams Street. I pay the cabbie, take my receipt and as I push the door open, a surge of frigid air hits me and I duck my head.

They don't call it the windy city for nothin'.

As I trek to the doors of the station, I pass a musician, standing in the subzero windchills with his fingerless gloves and saxophone. The instrument is silent as he chats with a friend sitting on the wall behind him.

I hear "...jazz isn't as popular as it used to be..." before the doors close behind me and I'm on the escalator heading down.

I follow a familiar path to the Amtrak platform, passing interesting people as I go.

There's a man in a navy blue puffy down jacket with an oversized camouflage duffle bag strapped to his back. Another bag is strapped on top of that one, and another hangs to the side and I wonder where he's going will all that stuff. The fuzzy ear flaps on his hat hang down on both sides of his scruff of a beard, and he pays no attention to other patrons as he scans the boards looking for information on his train.

Beyond him there are business people - multitudes of them - carrying briefcases, checking blackberries and drinking pricey coffee. "...we'll be sure to call him Monday..." they appear say to themselves, their bluetooth headsets nearly invisible. And then I'm gone again.

I stop at a newsstand to pick up gum and a magazine. As I reach to pick up my Trident, my bag slips off my shoulder and stops with a thump when it hits the counter. I look down to rummage through my bag for my wallet, and fish out a few dollar bills. I'm aware of a few strands of hair that have escaped from my previously tidy ponytail, and shove them behind my ear only to have them fall in my face again.

Not yet looking up, I'm tucking the magazine in my bag and walking away when I nearly run into someone.

"Hey Speed Racer - slow down."

Its a familiar voice and I'm trying to place it as I jump out of the man's way, apologizing as I do.

"I saw you come in." He pauses. "You're stunning, you know?"

I'm so shocked I miss the fact that he's complimented me and give up on the gum, deciding I won't easily be able to open it with gloves on. I drop the gum in my bag and say, "And you're -"
"Yeah, right," he cuts me off. He smiles, head down and stands beside me, making it clear that he doesn't want the attention and that he's going to walk with me. Not knowing what else to do I continue on my way.

I'm not sure what to say. But taking the next escalator down, I catch him looking me up and down, taking in my long legs in their black hose and heels. "...and I'm married." Then I feel instantly stupid.

He's a bit taken aback, but then shakes his head lightly, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile. "See, we're making this romantic comedy, and..." thinking, he stops. "We could use a...a...sorta like a muse, you know?"

I have no idea where he's going with this, and find it absolutely bizarre he's approached a complete stranger.

"You're here pretty regularly. I see you writing on your laptop - typing away like the words are going to escape if you don't get them down." I turn a corner too sharply and accidentally cut him off, making him nearly walk into a garbage can. He smiles.

"Sorry," I say. "Um...anyway...?!?"

"So you're a writer, right?" To which I nod only slightly and shrug my shoulders.


"Well, this movie's about an average girl," at that he sees my face slightly drop but continues, "who's really quite beautiful - perfect, really - but she doesn't know it. She's like a Man's Lady, you know? Sort of like the opposite of a Lady's Man...everything a man wants...can get any one she wants because she's down to earth and ... NORMAL and likes guy things." Just as I'm finding it odd that this celebrity is doing all the talking - that I haven't had to worry about tripping over my own tongue in front of him - he stops.

"Right. Weird. I know." I stop walking and face him. I'm not sure what to do with my hands. "We're looking for a consultant. A writer, you know? Someone who's brain we can pick about being a regular person - about being that Man's Lady. You up for a job?"

I'm stunned, but know I should say SOMETHING. So I do. "Um...wow. Uh, sounds good," though I'm not really sure HOW to take it.

"Here's my card. Think about it and call me." And then he walks away, turning a few feet from me to wink and give a little half-wave. "Please do. Call that is."

And I'm left on the platform, in the cold, where I can see my breath, having just had an internal freak out at talking to Vince Vaughn.




OK, so like I said, I may have embellished that a bit. I mean, there weren't really multitudes of business people in Union Station. Just lots.

Today's giveaway is simple, to encourge your inner creativity.
~ My slightly used hardcover copy of Barbara Kingsolver's The Bean Trees. I loved this book and thought you might love it, too!
~ A cutesy little notebook for all of your daydreams and a great roller-ball gel pen to write with.
~ And just for kicks and giggles, a little box of Valentine chocolates.

All you need to do to enter is leave me a comment. Das it.

Contest ends tomorrow at noon central.

15 comments:

Maria Melee said...

AW, I'm so there.

Now come enter mine for a different kind of "me time". LOL.

Neil said...

I love this giveaway. Simple but meaningful. And I like that the books is used.

Anonymous said...

I love the pay it forward idea with the book! Plus how "simple" it is 2 enter! Love it! And thanks!

jillnfilm at aol dot com

maggie said...

Oh my gosh, girl, you can write. Every word was delicious. Seriously. Nicely done. It was like being there. Oh, and, Pick Me!

bonggamom said...

It can't be true because you'd totally be posting your photo with Vince Vaughn if it was! :)

Great dream, and great giveaway. Thanks!

Unknown said...

I thought of doing a giveaway with my used books, but I wasn't sure how it would go over!lol

Nicole O'Dell said...

Speaking of Chicago...after seeing the title of your post, I can't stop singing, "Hard to say I'm Sorry"

:)

Megan said...

Sounds fantastic. I have been looking for a good book to read.

Unknown said...

i love the book and i REALLY love vince vaughn!

Kate said...

Oooo...a new book to read! If I win, that is. Yummy.

Marni's Organized Mess said...

Haha! You're cute. You just are. Not trying to enter, just thinking you are cute.

'Cause I sooo don't need them chocolates. LOL!!

Kim H. said...

Oooh, Vince Vaughn....YUMMY!

I was totally thinking that when I saw he was in Chicago filming at O'Hare.

Count me in, girlfriend!

Unknown said...

Loved that!!

Oh yeah, and I'm in!

valerie2350 said...

great giveaway
i could use a little me time for daydreaming!

Suzie said...

So wait did that happen?