Change the World Tour: Day 1

Well, I am officially on the road! For those of you who are truly hard up for entertainment, strap on your seat belts and read about my exciting day of travel from Salt Lake City to Richmond, VA.

I woke up this morning feeling pretty good. I saw Sara Zarr (2007 National Book Award Finalist) on Friday night and she gave me a good pep talk that settled my nerves a bit. By the time my kids were screaming and yelling at the crack of dawn today, I was anxious to go.

After packing and such, my whole family took me to the airport. My kids spent the entire drive making up completely stupid and unfunny jokes, at which they laughed uproariously. However, one from my three-year-old girl was quite clever I thought, and actually made me laugh out loud.

She said, "Why did the chicken hit his friend in the head?" Answer: "Cuz they weren't friends anymore."

Anyway, after a very sad goodbye to the family, and numerous hugs and kisses (some from my kids har har), I was off to the ticketing line. Today, I thought what better way to travel than to wear the official 13th Reality t-shirt. So if you saw a slightly goofy looking guy wearing this shirt today in airports, it was probably me.

From the front:

From the back:

The travel was surprisingly pleasant, despite an odd set back. The lady at the check-in desk told me very kindly when I asked for an aisle seat that I had no worries - aisle seats were booked for me on both legs of the flight. Strangely enough, I sat in the middle on both. Luckily, the people I squeezed between were very nice. Though one dude kept rubbing this smelly ointment on his face, and it kind of creeped me out.

Did you know you have to order a meal from Delta now, from a menu, and PAY for it? I guess those nasty two-inch-square sandwiches were just costing way too much. I settled for the free peanuts and a small bottle of water. Which were, ahem, "complimentary."

Anyway, not much else to say. While flying, I read 135 pages of "Next" by Michael Crichton, watched the movie "Enchanted" on the plane, and listened to quite a bit of Zeppelin on my iPod. It was the first time I'd travelled since being the last person on the planet to get an iPod, and let me tell ya, it was nice. Oh, and I ate chicken fingers and fries from Checkers in the Atlanta airport. I also used the facilities twice . . . okay, maybe I'm getting too detailed.

I landed in Richmond, VA just 10 minutes late, at 8:50 local time. After a slight panic attack when it seemed like the bags were all delivered - without mine - my flowered suitcase came rumbling past the plastic flaps and whatever dark things hide behind them. I hereby officially plead with my wife to buy me a bag that isn't covered in colorful flowers. I got some looks.

Angie Godfrey from my publisher picked me up, whisked me away to the Marriott Fairfield Inn, and told me to be ready at 7:30 in the morning. So here I am, in the hotel, getting very sleepy eyed as I type this. I hope I can fall asleep, slumber well, and wake up rarin' to go in the morning. The schedule is tight tomorrow - 4 schools and a book signing at Barnes and Noble.

If you live near Richmond, come see me! Monday night, 6:30 pm, 11640 West Broad St., Barnes and Noble at Short Pump. I have no idea what Short Pump means, but it sounds very intriguing.

Don't forget the 13th Reality Charity Drive. See details HERE. But basically, tell us you bought the book from now to March 9th, and the royalty goes to charity. I've already received quite a few comments and emails joining in.

Well, thanks for reading. Wish me luck tomorrow. As promised, I will do my best to blog at the end of each and every day of the tour. See ya tomorrow!