11/21/10

Busy, Busy.

I spent a nice night in the hospital last week due to my heart deciding to play the drum solo to YYZ while I was driving home. So now I have to wear a monitor for a while to see if I can catch it in the act. Hospital food sucks, btw.

On the "good news" side of things -- It's a boy.



Of course, I have one more go-round of edits, but I'm hoping to make my self-imposed deadline of December 1st. I'm also trying to get a Kindle version ready to go before Christmas.

I'll be back to tell you of my adventures in the wonderland that is the New York State health care system sometime this week, if I can.

33 comments:

  1. I have followed your blog for a couple of years now. You are a wonderful writer and story teller. I bet your mother would be very proud of you!

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  2. Anonymous10:57 PM

    THE FUCK?!?! You didn't tell us you were writing a book, AWESOME!! Did you self publish or go through a publisher?

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  3. Sorry to hear about your troubles JV. Hope you're feeling better. Although I'm glad to hear of the possible Kindle version of your book, I'm torn. As much as I love my Kindle, I still have the need to hold a good book in my hands. Decisions, decisions.

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  4. Great news! I know a couple of people I'll be buying that book for (including myself!)

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  5. I've been following your blog since the spring of 2008 (I discovered it during a very miserable out-of-state internship, and it quickly became a highlight of my life, so thanks for that.) and yet it somehow escaped my notice that you were writing a book. I'm looking forward to seeing you in bookstores! Good luck!

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  6. I can't fucking wait to buy your book. Also, I was diagnosed with SVT, but not after a few trips to the ER with no insurance. (that was back in the day. I have an excellent job now with 'free' health insurance) So I know all about the heart stuff. Good luck, JV.

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  7. I'll definitly be buying your book as soon as it shows up on amazon. One editing tip though, it's The Snitch, Houdini, and I...
    Sorry just couldn't resist that. Hope you, your grandfather and your friend all overcome your medical problems.

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  8. When anybody talks about the old days remind them about how much better medical treatment is now. Hopefully everybody will fully recover.
    Also our air is cleaner, the water is less polluted, cars go faster and the TV is way better.

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  9. The universe does like to remind us on occasion that it's not all about us. Congrats on the book. And sorry about your friend. Positive waves for all.

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  10. Get well, you and those about you.
    Did you pick up that spare snow blower belt?
    Ray

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  11. I hope everything gets better for you and your loved ones. :)

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  12. Sorry to hear about the troubles, and wishing you all well. On the other hand, so excited for the book! Christmas presents all around!

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  13. Feel, better, Johnny. And I'm sending lots of good vibes to your friend and Grandpa. Congrats on the book!!

    Lisa.

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  14. kristina11:41 AM

    Take care and best wishes to you, your grandfather and your friend.

    Eagerly awaiting your book release... ;)

    @Rick Thomson: It might be "The Snitch, Houdini, and I" if you were saying, "The Snitch, Houdini, and I went camping" but it's "The Snitch, Houdini, and Me" when you are saying, "These stories are about The Snitch, Houdini, and Me". You wouldn't say, "These stories are about I", now would you?

    People used to over-use "me" when they really should have been using "I" - now the pendulum has swung the other way...

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  15. Thank you, Kristina.

    Good luck with the book, and here's some positive health vibes for your friends, your family, and you.

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  16. @ Kristina, your argument has merit.
    My head is both bloodied and bowed...

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  17. Fuck cancer. Our friend Marisa passed away. Thanks everyone for your kind words and wishes.

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  18. Anonymous6:40 PM

    Take care of that heart, man! I'm glad you caught it, and did something about it.

    The book looks awesome. Interesting title that makes me want to pick it up to see what comes next!

    I agree with Jen, I want a book to hold in my hands, and to be able to turn pages! But Kindles are cool, no doubt.

    Peace <3
    Jay

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  19. I'm sure they've done every test imaginable to your heart, but please make sure they take a really really good look at it via echocardiogram.
    My husband's congenital heart defect [something he was born with] wasn't diagnosed until he had an echo last year.
    I hope your doctors take good care of you.
    Congrats on the book :)

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  20. :( So sorry about the loss of your friend. Was going to try to come up with something witty and inappropriate to say about your heart and your book, but nah. Take care of yourself, and your friends.

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  21. Reading you forever, love you! But never delurking until now. Your heart? Mitro Valve Prolapse maybe??(I probably spelled that wrong, that's what House is for dammit) I have it, have had it all my life, but wasn't diagnosed until I was pregnant (more stress on the heart I guess) but not serious, AT ALL. Had the same monitor to put on each day for a week (put the electrodes somewhere cool and give them a thrill)

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  22. Effing awesome, dude. If you need someone for a book review, I'm your man.

    Hope you get to feeling better!

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  23. kristina11:47 AM

    JV, so sorry to hear about your friend. You take care of yourself.

    @ Rick - no need to bow or be bloodied. No sticks or stones were meant to be thrown... ;)

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  24. Anonymous11:50 AM

    I will be getting the Kindle edition for me and several copies for friends and family. Love your stories!!
    -RobinM

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  25. Fish, thanks! I don't know if "proud" is the word I'd use. "Amused by" might be better.

    Dani, I'm self-publishing because I'm lazy.

    Jen, thanks. The kindle has some issues with wrapping text around photos, so I'm still working on it. I just ordered a kindle (Should be here tomorrow) to make sure it looks right.

    Jen2, thanks!

    Stormwing, you're very welcome. I get as much as I give, so thanks for reading.

    Erica wtf is that? It sounds horrible, so now I have to go look it up. I have had random PVC's since I was 20 thanks to my father, but this is a first.

    Rick, thanks! As far as I know, the basic form for pronouns is the objective form. I thought about putting a very tiny (this book is about) in front of the title as a joke, just so the Grammar police wouldn't scream. But I think with a fragment like this title, it's impossible to know which one is "correct" since there's no verb or anything else.

    Mick, you have a good point. I probably should get a new dentist/barber because he still bleeds me.

    Chris, you got that right. Thought we'd make it out of 2010 unscathed but I guess not.

    Ray, you know it.

    Jird, queen, siiri, thanks!

    Kristina, you said it better than I could have. People can argue about I/Me all night. The King and I (had a relationship). (The chariot ran over) the King and me.

    Moogie, thanks!

    Robin, thanks so much. I hope you're not disappointed!

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  26. Carlo6:43 PM

    JV, I'm sorry about your friend. Cancer DOES suck-- I had it 7 years ago, but am one of the lucky ones (so far).
    Glad your ticker is OK, and am psyched about your book!
    Happy Turkey!

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  27. Anonymous8:09 PM

    So sorry to hear about your friend, and your health, I just found out that my Boss's wife who has been cancer free for 10 years now has it again.

    Happy to hear about the book, I have a Kindle and love it, also have an iPad, because my husband wanted me to have it too and I enjoy reading on both devices.
    The only issue I have had is with footnotes not showing up. Can't wait to read your book!

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  28. Yay...your book! Boo...your arrhythmia!

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  29. KMarie11:35 PM

    Take care of that ticker of yours!
    Closer and closer we get to the book! It'll be on top of my Christmas List this year!

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  30. Good Luck, don't take less than $1000 for the film rights...

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  31. Just wanted to give my 2 cents about the heart monitor- I work in a cardiology office and those are really effective in finding arrhythmias (as long as it happens again, anyhow) and I hope that helps you feel a little better about your care. IMO-don't worry about mitral valve prolapse or any other specific arrhythmia just yet, it could and probably is something really minor and easily correctable.
    On another note: SO STOKED ABOUT THE BOOK! WOO HOO!

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  32. Fantastic! Cannot wait to read it. Congratulations.

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  33. feel better! my dad is going through the same thing.

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