Le Journal de M.Câlin - The Hugger Busker's Journal

Il y a beaucoup d'histoires à partager avec vous chers lecteurs mais ces derniers mois m'ont gardé si occupé que je n'ai même pas eu le temps de transcrire mes notes dans mon journal. La grande nouvelle est que j'ai fini la traduction française de mon livre Hugging Life et je l'ai publier. Le livre s'intitule Embrasser la vie : un guide pratique sur l'art de câliner Dans le mois qui suit je partagerai les aventures de ces derniers mois avec vous.
visiter www.embrasserlavie.com pour découvrir le livre.

So much has happened in the past 6 months that i have not had time to transcribe my note in my journal. One major event was that I finish the French translation of my book and published it. It was launched a few weeks ago and is doing very well in terms of media attention and public responce. I have a little more time now so I will be shaaring my recent adventures with you all over the next month.

I received an email form one of the guests that was at the wedding reception yesterday. She was so moved by the content of my reading that she will send my book to the producers of Channel One, the Body, Mind and Spirit Network. She thinks that my work and writings on hugging and loving kindness would be perfect for their network. Wouldn’t that be something my own hugging show, it would be so cool. Why not, stranger things have happened.

What will come, will come and I hope to have the wisdom to receive the opportunities that are sent to me with gratitude in my heart and a clear presence of mind.

After some reflection on the reading that I did yesterday and because of the supportive response that I received, I have decided to making my future readings an interactive experience. This will prepare me for the workshops and motivational speaking engagements that I want to begin offering in the near future.

Jade and I went to Stan and Kathryn’s wedding today, where I did my first book reading. Atfer a simple and intimate ceremony and a delicious buffet the time was rip for the reading.

The atmosphere was very cozy and relaxed which was good because it eased my nerves. I had installed myself in a comfy chair near the fireplace as everyone else gathered around. After the hosts' introduction I found myself filled with a delightful sense of joy as I was sharing with the guests my journey as the Hugger Busker and how Hugging Life came about. The fact that Jade was there comforted me greatly here presence has a pleasantly calming effect on me. I then sat and read from several sections of the book. The reading went really well, I was surprised at how serene I was and how easily I expressed myself. I was speaking from the heart and that is what made it flow.

I had a little surprise in store for the love couple. As I ended the reading I invited everyone come ito pairs and I lead them through the Mindfulness Hug. I followed it with a group hug in which I had all the guests surround the married couple and extend their loving and joyful energy to them. It was a very moving and powerful experience for all. Stan who is not a hugger was misty eyed by the end of it. Everyone was very receptive and respectful through out, it was a beautiful experience for me and I think for the others as well. I am very grateful to Stan and Kathryn for allowing me to honor their love in such a creative and heartfelt way.

Many of the guests came afterwards, some shy some excited, to have their book signed by me. It was a very surreal experience as I have seen many book signings but to actually be the author doing the honors was a thrilling yet humbling experience. I am not used to this kind of attention. Yes I get a lot of attention as the Hugger Busker giving hugs but this is different. To have someone cherish my writing enough that they would want me, Martin, to write a personal word for them, on a work of my creation, touches me deeply. My dreams are slow unfolding before me and so are the moments of profound happiness.

Well according to Jade the fly of my pants was unzipped through out the reading and she did not know how to tell me so she said nothing and then promptly forgot about it.. So there I was doing my first reading, speaking of unconditional love with my fly wide open. Now that puts everything into perspective. Haaaa!

I brought a copy of my book to a psychologist friend today. He runs an integral health and wellness center called Brooklyn Heights with his partner Kathryn. Stan had read an early draft of my book and critiqued it from a psychological perspective. They loved the finished book and asked if they could make it available for their clients to purchase at the center. I was certainly delight by the offer and readily agreed.

But more than that this coming Sunday Stan and Kathryn were having a private ceremony to renew their wedding vows and they wanted to offer a copy of Hugging Life to each of the couples that would be attending their ceremony of love and bonding. I was honored that they chose to offer my book as a token of remembrance of this celebration. I offered to do a reading from the book at the reception. They gladly accepted. It will be my first reading and I am very excited and a bit nervous as well, as I want it to a memorable part of this special day of rekindled love.

Rain, Rain, Rain. It has been raining non stop for over a week now and it does not look like it will let up for at least another week. Well at least Montreal is not flooded. My heart goes out to all those in New England who have suffered because of the flooding there. I am a little disappointed that the weather is keeping me from hugging but at least it will give me time to finish my web site and prepare my book launch.

I am to set up the Lost & Found section of my book web site - www.hugginglife.com - . This section is about following the journey of five lost book just waiting to be found. I will place or “lose” five numbered copies of the book in different public places for people to find. A note in the book advises who ever finds a copy to lose it again after reading it and to come to the web site to note the when and where of their find so that the book’s travels can be tracked. It is a long term adventure.

I have been invited by Mary Stark of the Contactivity Centre and City Councillor Tom Thompson of the Healthy City Project to give hugs and do a book signing at Family Day in the Park, a yearly event in Westmount Park, hosted by the City of Westmount.

This is a wonderful event that should be a lot of fun for kids and parents alike as there will be many booths and activities organized by a broad number of community organizations.. I hope that it is a warm and sunny as I am looking forward to launching my hugging season in a festive environment where community spirit and togetherness is promoted.

Westmount Park- City of Westmount, Satruday May 27, 2006, 9:30am - 3:30pm

I received a call today from someone whom I have directed to Indigo to buy my book and when they got there they were told by the sales person that book did not exist in their system. Well it seems that when you go to Indigo Books to buy my book, Hugging Life - A Practical Guide to Artful Hugging, and you ask the store’s staff in what section it is they can’t help you because they don’t know either. Apparently the book is not in their system. Why, because it seems that local books taken on consignment are not included in Indigo’s main data base. Only the national office can include a book in their inventory and on their web site. But they usually only include books that come from established publishers or distributors.

Chain stores don’t generally dealing with self-published authors because we apparently can’t guarantee quantity and quality. It has been a problem for me because I’ve sent out hundreds of emails telling people to go to the Indigo to by the book but I never mentioned that it was in the Self Help section under N for Neufeld. So people are showing up to get a copy and none of the sales staff know where it is. It really sucks. I am hoping that the national office will love my book and agree to put my book into their system so that at least it can be made available to readers in that store if not in other locations across the country and on their web site.