Earlier in the week I popped round to the wine shop and the fellow at the desk asked about my trip to Paris: Work or pleasure?
I answered They’re one and the same!
He laughed and asked I thought you hated talking to strangers, and therefore hated your work?
I opened my eyes wide and replied Oh no – strangers scare me. But I only get recognized in the states so all is well!
He was baffled but had no follow-up. Of course, I regretted revealing even a hint of my secret life.
I am sure that it is hard for local observers to figure me out. Obviously not an academic, but employed. Rushing to and fro, throwing parties, attending others, buying lots of wine for various nefarious purposes, not to mention the astonishing amount of water I order and consume. Jetting away to glamorous destinations every few weeks. Running around with visitors ranging from circus performers to raggedy musicians to uptight scientists, from all over the world.
Disheveled, tattooed, either reticent or giggling with wild abandon, “very strange” would go the assessment. Plus, I prefer my white wine served at room temperature. What a puzzle!
Yesterday I was at the wine shop again and the other brother asked what I was up to this evening. Just watching some crap tv, eh? Or will you be working then?
I looked down and realized that I was holding a package from my publisher. Very much against every natural instinct of my upbringing, character, and habit, I opened the packet and said This is my work – my book, translated to Swedish!
Shocking! Impossible! Simply insane! I don’t do that!
He was very impressed and said it was too bad his brother was away celebrating his wedding anniversary, as he speaks the language and would be intrigued.
Turning the object over in his hands he asked tentatively What is it… about?
It is a memoir, I said. About danger!
He blinked in astonishment and we actually chatted about the whole thing for a few minutes. Then he asked if I might have an extra copy he could borrow.
Oh, you can have that one, I shrugged. I don’t know the language!
Excellent, excellent! I gave them a crap anniversary gift so this can be the real one!
The notion of my book as tribute to a marriage is quite interesting. Or alarming. Or something.
I pulled out a pen and signed Happy anniversary!