[Original post: October 25, 2005]
We're in Auckland right now (my home town) enjoying the spring weather and, of course, getting the obligatory return-to-Auckland cold.
Tonight is the launch party for Hibiscus Coast (at Starkwhite Gallery, 510 Karangahape Road, in case anyone is passing), so I'm in a state of ridiculous anxiety, mainly about the catering arrangements. The theme is apparently confused pan-Asian, so we have Indian and Japanese food, with Chinese decorations.
We heard from Paul, our landlord in New Orleans, the other day: still no electricity or gas at our place. The neighborhood is very quiet, he says, and it seems few people are trying to move back completely right now. Maple Street Books* is open for business again (TM talked to Rhoda yesterday) but customers are still scarce.
I'm sorry we didn't make it back up to Iowa City before we flew out to New Zealand: we left earlier than planned. We're coming back to the US at the end of November.
The book is doing well here so far, and I have been boring my fellow New Zealanders to death talking about myself in various media outlets. Those of you who know me well will realize what a hardship this is for all concerned.
*Maple Street Books was TM's employer at the time. He ended up going back to New Orleans in late November, a week before I returned, because he needed to start work (and start getting paid) again. Our house was uninhabitable, so he stayed at the empty home of some friends, Richelle and William.
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