SNOOD, BE DAMNED!

(This is my new battle cry, invented by my publicist, Sarah. Do you find, as we do, that it is immensely satisfying when bellowed?)
Trying to lay low these days, not work too much, not get too crazy. I spent last week proofreading Graceling for the UK edition and doing a couple of interview things. This week I’m settling down with my Fire revisions — which, I’m pleased to say, are not nearly as terrifying as I’d feared they would be. SNOOD, BE DAMNED.

Great news: I have a Brazilian deal for Graceling and Fire. Thank you to my new publisher, Editora Rocco!

I have been listening to the album Classic Yo-Yo, which I probably don’t have to tell you is all Yo-Yo, all the time. Well, mostly Yo-Yo. He performs “Simple Gifts” with singer Alison Krauss, whose voice is impossibly sweet, delicate, and clear — three adjectives chosen haphazardly because really there are no words. Want to come up with your own adjectives? Well, luckily, this fine fellow on youtube has created a montage of photos to accompany the piece, so you can listen to it here.
Here are two facts about Yo-Yo Ma:
1. He has beautiful and photogenic hands.
2. He was my college graduation speaker and, in the rain, lugged his cello onto the stage, played Mark O’Connor’s “Appalachia Waltz” and the 1st movement of J.S. Bach’s 1st cello suite, and made me the happiest gal alive. (How many people can say they’ll never forget the speech at their college graduation?)
To round out this Post from the Department of Randutiae, here’s my favorite recently spotted bumper sticker: “Jesus would use his turn signals.”
What is your favorite bumper sticker?
What is your battle cry?
And whose voice do you love?