Travels in a Blue Chair: Alaska to Zambia, Ushuaia to Uluru

A disabled adventurer backpacks the world - alone!! This book makes a great holiday gift or corporate prize! See my TV interviews... http://www.youtube.com/user/bluechairwalt








Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Rotary Club

I have contacted Elizabeth at the Stratford Rotary Club to try and re-arrange a presentation out there in the summertime.

Sadly, this event had to be postponed due to the untimely passing away of Kevin, the key organiser of my appearance, which was scheduled for late last year.

I am hoping to make it out to meet all the great folks, who do such wonderful work for both Rotary and Polio eradication.

Elizabeth has responded and said my timing was perfect as they were booking into July/August and September!!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

At the library .. (now updated!)

I just got back from the library, which is just across the street from where I live. I wanted to ask at the desk about the reason why my books, which has been on order since April (!!), have not arrived yet?

Since it is a small suburban branch, the lady really could not answer my query, but she did show me that there is a purchase order for the books. She also printed off a list of people whom I could contact to find out more information. That was really nice of her.

I am going to ring them up and try to find out....I will keep you updated.

Monday update: I rang the lady who runs the acquisition department, and she too thought it was too long. Janet did note they had my website listed as where to order the book, however I am not a wholesaler. Additionally, Janet mentioned that sometime last year, the library had changed computer systems, so their order may have fallen through the cracks.

Janet is going to follow up at the library end of things!! Yay!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Confirmed to speak in March !! in Hamilton

I received a confirmation note today from Katherine of the Haldimand Abilities Centre to speak at their afternoon event in late March at the Haldimand Abilities Centre in Hagersville.

Also on the docket, though not yet confirmed, is Lt. Gov. David Onley, who would precede me! Wow, that is a tough act to follow!

I am really looking forward to meet all the gang in Hamilton and to letting them know about my travels, adventures and book!!

Now to prepare something for them to listen to. Starting to get nervous already!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

President Barack Obama

Well, since it is January and Michael Ignatieff already has a copy of "Travels in a Blue Chair", I have decided to find out how to get a copy of the book to him in the early days of his presidency.

Maybe that way, once they get together early in his administration, they'll have something to talk about!! The book!

I am hoping that Barack Obama will appoint a disabled American to his cabinet. He seems very minority oriented, yet I do not believe a disabled person is part of his inner circle? Why this oversight?

Let's get him motivated for the next 4 years! Barack will need something to read on those long trips aboard Air Force One!!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Where are those books anyway ??!!

I checked the website of the library again recently to see if the 5 copies on order had arrived?

No they had not! It left me wondering how long the process is? I am sure that getting a book into the library is quite a bureaucratic process, but this is ridiculous.

Anyway, I wrote a note to the company which distributes books to libraries to find out the status of the order and also, to see if they wouldn't mind recommending "Travels in a Blue Chair" to other libraries.

I haven't received a reply, but there are 4 of those books on hold by some hopeful readers. I sure hope they arrive sooner rather than later!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

In the underground parking lot..

Over the weekend, I was heading out into the sub-zero early year weather, when a fellow who lives in my building stopped to let me know how much he enjoyed the book!

Ken is a real friendly guy, who lives on one of the upper floors. In fact, he helped me move my new TV set into the apartment last autumn, and his mum lives next door to Angela, my biggest advocate in the neighbourhood, just a few blocks away.

Anyway, Ken asked me to sign 2 books for him....he has finished the first ("it ended up being a washroom book", he told me...lol, "so I couldn't give it to my mum"). Hence the second copy.

Just a little vignette, but an uplifting one for me and a great way to start the year!!

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Participaction !

One of the programs available here, which the government has just revived, is called Participaction !!

They have an ad running on TV, encouraging people to write in their stories about how being active has affected your life in a positive way. I will definitely be submitting a story to hopefully encourage others to get out and be active, and maybe see a bit of the world!?

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Meetup.com

I have been exploring the website meetup.com as this website links people with similar interests. One of the great things I have found is that there are lots of book clubs, so it is possible to make lots of contacts with book lovers!

It is also possible to contact groups of disabled and travel lovers.

Obviously, it is likely that I will primarily be making contact locally, but the potential to reach out to the world, is enormous.

Friday, January 2, 2009

2008 year in review, Regis and Kelly next ??

The first year of blogging about the adventures of publicizing the existence of the book "Travels in a Blue Chair" has come and gone!! I can't believe it, there has been so much positive energy!

Here is a brief rundown of the web based efforts;

4 TV interviews
6 Newspaper articles
1 Radio interview
3 Speaking engagements, with one being to schoolchildren, yay!
2 Book signings (one in the rain!!)
700 Profile views on YouTube
4000+ Views of my YouTube video interviews
40000+ Hits on my website http://www.bluechairbook.com
1st contribution from royalties to the Rotary Polio Eradication Fund,
and numerous magazine and online articles and interviews!

I could never have imagined all the people, from across the world as far away as New Zealand, who have contacted me to say they have enjoyed the book.

I still have work to do, especially breaking into the USA, but I am gratified with the progress we have all made together. Maybe Regis and Kelly will get interested in my book?

So hats off to 2008 and I know that the best is yet to come in whatever awaits in 2009!!