MotherReader

Last night’s movie screening of “Please Forward” was fantastic! The audience loved the film, laughing in all the right places and giving us a ton of applause. We were last on the schedule, which was an honor in and of itself. A lot of the cast and crew come out with their friends and family to see the movie. I was late getting there because I was ironing on the transfers for the T-shirts, but it did mean that we could all wear them when the screening finished. Bill got the most comments on the film, especially since he addressed the audience with the other directors, but everyone who was wearing the T-shirt heard something great. We ran out of time to make flyers directing people to the Chain Mail International company website, where you can see a preview of the film and read the (fake) corporate history. I guess that venture will be just for us and our online friends.

Anyway, the important news today is that now the whole movie is up at Tohubohu Productions. Both of my kids have roles, and I’m in it as an employee at the company party. And as I’ve mentioned, the script was written by our own Robin Brande. Take the eight minutes to watch it and remember that we wrote, filmed, edited, and scored it in one weekend. Booyah!

I’m so excited about our movie screening tonight for “Please Forward.” We have a lot of the cast and crew turning out to cheer and socialize. We even have T-shirts! The shirt design is the corporate logo of Chain Mail International, the business featured in the film. Bill even made the company website, where you can see a preview of the film and read the corporate history. The whole movie will go up this evening or tomorrow either there or at Tohubohu Productions. Both of my kids have roles, and I’m in it as an employee at the company party. Can you find me?

Yes, this is my week of Dropping the Ball. Here are some highlights:

Okay, I forgot to mention this important thing during my interview yesterday. As part of the Chicken Butt! Blog Tour, Erica is giving away copies of the book. To be part of the prize drawings, visit any of the blogs on the tour and then comment at Erica’s blog, Chicken Feed. (While you’re there, don’t miss the cute book trailer.) At the end of the blog tour, Erica will draw some names of lucky winners. Head over with a comment and tell her MotherReader sent you.

As Fuse#8 has been counting down the Top Picture Books, I keep thinking, “I’ve got to mention that again.” But apparently thinking it does not spontaneously generate a blog post about it. Who knew? So, Fusie is working her way through the top ten now and I’m all a-tingle. I didn’t submit my official top ten guesses, because I’ve been way off base so far, but I’m crossing my fingers that Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! is number one. Could happen.

I’ve got my announcement for the 48 Hour Book Challenge up there, and haven’t been able to thank the many folks who have been passing on the information on their blogs and on Twitter. I really do appreciate it. Now, ahem — SIGN UP, PEOPLE! Thank you.

Huge, huge ball-dropping over the film weekend for “Please Forward.” Though I thought we had cleaned up after our office building shoot, it wasn’t enough, and we received a stern wag of the finger. I do know that I tried hard to put things back in order, but I also can see mistakes I made in my assumptions of what the building cleaning crew would touch up. Since I was the producer on this film, it was ultimately my responsibility and I feel awful. Sigh.

On a positive note, I have a new post over at Booklights with my favorite funny chapter books. Take a look and comment on some of your own funny favorites. I’m wondering if putting Junie B. Jones on the list is going to spark some controversy from the Parents Against Junie B. We’ll see. Actually, even with Booklights I dropped the ball and forgot to include Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Jeff Kinney is going to kill me.

On top of this, I haven’t figured out my Book Expo America plans, my 48 HBC prizes, my daughter’s birthday party (when her birthday was three weeks ago), or the logistics of my Girl Scout camping trip next weekend. I don’t know how people manage to keep track of everything and do it well. Is there some kind of salve I can buy? You know, like HeadOn! (Apply directly to the forehead.)