Revision Update

Just wanted to keep you all abreast of what's going on. I'm now more than halfway done with revisions to WHEN ONE MAN DIES. Things are going well, and assuming my instincts are right, the book is much better.

Moving On

So I'm flipping through the channels this morning instead of doing anything I should be doing and I come across a marathon of Laguna Beach re-runs. And I happen to tune in during the lead up to graduation.

I hate grauduation. I hate the end of the school year.

Well, that's not completely true. I like the idea of having a summer break, but overall, I hate the lead up to graduation.

It's the change of it all I guess. The idea that you get a few hours to celebrate a major accomplishment only to lead into months of uncertainty. I hate the nostalgia that goes along with it, because it's always sad.

I remember saying goodbye to my high school girlfriend.

I remember having a complete flashback on a Rutgers Campus bus days before graduation where I was driving with my mother to campus for the first time.

I hate that. I hate leaving. I hate change.

And now as an 8th Grade teacher, I deal with it every year. Kids come through your class only to keep moving on while you stay in the same place. They come back years later and you see they're no longer little kids, but grown ups who can look you in the eye.

Maybe I miss things too much. Maybe I get too caught up in the past, I don't know.

I just know I hate graduation episodes.

wow

I just came across some old pictures of me. I am serously shocked at the difference and just had to share.



This is Dave White New Year's Eve 2003. (Photo courtesy of Brian Witte.)



And this is Dave White just a few weeks ago at Partners and Crime. (Photo courtesy of Mary Reagan.)

No more oompa loompa Dave.

CRAZYNSKIS HOOOO

We're going GRASSROOTS!

So the other day I'm checking my mail and I get a form from BOUCHERCON 2005... It asked me to nominate my favorite books of that year for an Anthony Award... so I'm sitting there and I'm thinking... well, whoooo could I nominate?

And then the crazy fan in my mind (not the Lippmaniac, she was snoozing) but the Crazynski showed up and said ... hey What about The Wheelman?

My thoughts? BRILLIANT!

So, that's what I'm gonna do... I'm gonna go and nominate Duane's great novel THE WHEELMAN, which is seriously one of the top three books I read last year.

But, you're saying to yourself... is your nomination going to be enough? Well, that's where you... other faithful Crazynskis, come in... If you were at Bouchercon last year... STEP UP and mail in your form NOMINATING THE WHEELMAN for BEST NOVEL!!!

And while you're at it... ya know, if you feel up to it, you can also nominate this guy's "Acquainted with the Night" as well.

GOOOOO DUANE!

(and... oh, the Lippmaniac is waking up... so I'll be nominating her as well... and some others which will remain secret at this time.)

PS: If you think this post is some big joke, you're wrong... Seriously, go out and nominate Duane... Now... right now...

Amazon.com = Satan's Temptations!

Amazon.com is evil. I mean bloody, no good, violently evil.

Every time I go on there I find something I HAVE to have. And then, I find something that sounds just as good. And then of course I come in just under the "free shipping" price so I have to find something else.

And it's all books. I mean books by writers I know, books that writers I know have recommended, books, books, books and the occasional CD.

I hate you Amazon.com

But at the same time, I can't quit you..

ARRGGGHH.

I need a summer job just to pay off my habit.

Pictures of Me

From my now defunct My Space.

(They gotta go up somewhere, right?)







Last photo courtesy Mary Regan.

The Jen Jordan Collection

Jen Jordan has been characterizing me on her blog. Here are the pictures so far:

Cute Blonde Dave White

On My Honeymoon

and

My future wife

Do the Evolution

Mystery Circus has been off to a rousing new start with articles from Laura Lippman, Ray Banks, and Steve Mosby. John Rickards is bringing in the big names. But at the same time, he also asked me to be involved.

My first "In the White Room" column is up, and it's about The Evolution of the PI.

And the winner is

This years THE BEST DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD

goes to...

THE WHEELMAN.

Congrats, author of the book... who's name escapes me at the moment...

The Crazynski's Revenge

After yesterday's crushing defeat at the hands of the Lippmaniacs, the Crazynskis have their own announcement.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the nominees for the 2005 Best Duane Swierczynski Book of the Year Award:

Secret Dead Men

The Wheelman

The Great Gatsby

The DaVinci Code

and

Catcher in the Rye

Winners will be announced shortly. All rules are made by the Crazynski fan club and will be kept secret under penalty of death.

Can't Believe I Got Roped In

So, I'm flipping the channels last night between the Devils playoff game, the Nets playoff game and ABC. What's on ABC? David Blaine's attempt to break the record by holding his breath for nine minutes. Now I'm gonna admit, I got sucked in.

And quite frankly, what a disappointment.

I mean, he gets chained down. And he lasts what? 7 minutes and 3 seconds. And then some professional divers bail him out.

So let me get this straight.

He didn't break the record.

And

He didn't die.

And then I did a little research on this guy... and what makes it worse? He shares my last name. In fact, his full name is David Blaine White.

How lame.

(though the pull the teeth from the girl and then spitting them back in was really cool0.

Celebrity Spotting

So I'm about 90% sure I saw Harlan Coben at the Cheesecake Factory this weekend.

Funny thing is, that's a super coincedence because I just finished PROMISE ME.

UPDATE: Harlan's appearance has been confirmed. He was signing at the Barnes and Noble next door.

the fun of living alone

Cable and internet are out. So I went back to the folks for the evening to do laundry... so much fun.

And I'm Sold...

Here is an early trailer for Casino Royale. It looks like Bond might actually kick some ass.

It's a French trailer, so the dialogue is in... French...

If anyone can hook me up with a translation, that would be great.

UPDATE: Here it is in English!!!