Where's Myx?

Miracle Myx Catches Fire

2009-06-14T08:18:00.003-04:00

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"It's been a while," Myx said.

"Define 'a while,'" I eloquently replied.

"More than reasonable--for a reasonable person, that is."

"Which makes this...?"

"I guess perfectly reasonable--for you," Myx said.

"Good. Well, the reason for our reappearance is--"

"To let all my Myx fans know that MIRACLE MYX is finally available in the Kindle format. Only 10 bucks--a real bargain and immediatly downloadable. They could be reading today, " Myx said.

MIRACLE MYX--Kindle Edition

"Anything else you have to say, Myx?"

"Would anyone really have the time for all the wit and wisdom I have to spout, Dave?"

I don't think Myx expected an answer.

Miracle Myx Suspense

2008-12-19T09:01:00.003-05:00

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"Here we are," I said.

"Are you trying to be obvious or profound?" Myx asked, almost interested.

"Ambiguous," I answered.

"Well, Dave, you've succeeded."

"I'll explain," I said.

"HELP! Somebody get me outta here!" Myx was shouting.

"Has that ever saved you from one of my explanations, Myx?"

"Always worth a shot."

"I was going to say, here we are a year later. A year after starting this blog. And I wanted to give you the chance to say something to our readers."

"I guess I can do that. I want to wish everyone happy holidays and thanks for being interested in little ol' me, and my sidekick, Dave."

"Sidekick?" I asked.

Miracle Myx Gives Thanks

2008-11-27T08:35:00.002-05:00

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"You can hardly see me," said Myx.

"Well enough--I guess."

"This is supposed to be about me, though."

"Myx, it's Thanksgiving; don't you have something to say?" I asked.

"You mean about me thanking everyone who's read MIRACLE MYX, given us good feedback, encouraged us tirelessly, and enjoyed my little adventures here and in the book?"

"Yeah--I think that about covers it, my little friend!" I said.

"Little?" Myx returned.

Miracle Myx Leaves It

2008-10-22T06:42:00.002-04:00

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"Fall's really here," Myx said.

"In all its glory!" I thought that was called for.

"Do you know what makes leaves change their color, Dave?"

"Same reason leopards can't change their spots?"

"Now, that makes even less sense than usual," Myx said.

"I must be out of practice," I said.

"So--I take it you really don't want to know about the leaves."

"Why don't we just enjoy them and invite everyone up to Miracle, MA to see the foliage," I said.

"I'd fall for that," Myx said.

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Miracle Myx Gets Tracked

2008-10-02T05:57:00.003-04:00

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"Didn't we already do a variation of this?" asked Myx.

"You got something against repetition, Myx?"

"Not when it has a purpose, some deeper meaning, or a tenuous cosmic connection," Myx stated with an air of authority.

"That was for effect, right?"

"Yeah--just for the sound of it," Myx said.

"I thought we'd do the track thing because of the recent accident. Terrible thing that happened in California."

"Are we getting serious here? I mean, don't you want me to complain about maybe getting run over by an oncoming train?"

"That's one way to go, but, let's think today about how we shouldn't take for granted any trip we take safely. About how precious life is."

"You're thinking about Michael today, aren't you, Dave?"

"It's a year today that's he passed. I dedicated MIRACLE MYX to him because he always enjoyed the story, and was the first to read it."

"Let's just look up the tracks as far as we can for a while," Myx said.

And we did.

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Miracle Myx Goes Home

2008-09-23T06:34:00.003-04:00

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"We're gonna talk about Miracle, aren't we?

"The town or the phenomenon--all the same to me, Myx."

Of course it wasn't all the same, but sometimes you want to sound like you can roll with any option, be versatile and flexible. I was certainly none of those things. I love regimen, routine, form that fits my preconceived notions. I sure wasn't going to let those little traits paint me into any corners that my mouth could talk my way out of.

"Let's go with the town, Myx."

"MIRACLE MYX takes place in Massachusetts, in a little town named Miracle," Myx said.

"And, why is it named Miracle?"

"That's what its founder, Elbridge Sonnet, named it 250 years ago. Nobody ever knew why. Nobody until I--"

"Why don't we let people find out by reading the book, Myx?"

"Rhetorical question, right? You want me to shut up," Myx said.

"Now that's a miracle I've prayed for," I said.

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Miracle Myx Makes Cutting Remarks

2008-09-15T06:19:00.004-04:00

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"I'm sure these were once considered sharp," I said.

"The people who used them were skilled craftsmen, Dave."

"And?" Now why would I say that in that way to Myx. It was sure to open some mental floodgate that I didn't want to listen to.

"Glad you asked," Myx said.

Told you!

Myx continued without a pause or a look to see if I was listening or rolling my eyes: "A craftsman has to be sure of his tools. I'm using the masculine here because in the days these were used, it was all about the man and women had their own crafts, none of which involved what I'm sitting over here."

"You're getting to some point?--get it? point! sharp! get it??" I was pleased at my own wit. OK--so I'm easily amused.

"The men who used these honed them to a razor edge, and often. Sharper than your Ginsu."

"Quit looking at my Ginsu, Myx--you know how shy I am!" Easily amused!

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Miracle Myx Remembers

2008-09-06T07:24:00.003-04:00

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"You can hardly tell," Myx said.

"Tell?" I always try to sound smart by echoing something I don't get. Does it work? Almost never, but I never said I learn from my mistakes.

"That this withered thing is an elephant. A joyous one by the looks of it."

"Symbol of what?" I asked. My voice had a hint of joy of its own since I thought this would get us onto the subject I intended.

"The GOP? You're not gonna make this a political statement, are you, Dave?"

"If I knew enough about either party I would ... I mean ... no!"

"Then, reading your transparent motives and feeble associative powers, I'd say you want me to talk about the cliché 'memory like an elephant.'"

"I have powers?" I raised my eyebrows and smiled when I asked that!

Myx ignored me and went on to explain: "Because of my synesthesia, I have a perfect memory, everything crystal clear."

"Can you remember all my other powers?"

"The crystal has gone dark!" Myx said.
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Miracle Myx Gets Patriotic

2008-08-31T09:23:00.004-04:00

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"The father of our country," Myx said.

"George?"

"You're on a first-name basis now with someone who's been dead for two hundred years?"

"Seems like an old friend after growing up with him and his stories," I said.

Myx was sitting atop a small metal container carrying a lock of George Washington's hair. Relics of all types have deep-seeded power with us humans. Some believe in their magical abilities, of course. But, even if they just remind us of a person, the way they lived, and the ideals that inspired them--well--what more do you want?

"Stories like throwing the coin across the Potomac," Myx said.

"Or about chopping down the cherry tree," I added.

"Dave, do you have any stories about cherries?"

"The kind you eat?"

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Miracle Myx Makes A Splash

2008-08-26T08:12:00.003-04:00

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"Make sure I don't get wet," Myx said.

"You're fine."

"Easy for you to say over there all dry and away from the danger."

"Myx, are you calling a few drops of water danger?"

"Sounds like it, doesn't it?"

"Danger is like I went through during my interview," I said.

"Puuuuullllease don't even bring that up. You made me watch it last night, and I hope I never have to sit through anything like that again."

"It airs again, yanno," I said.

I was talking about the 1/2-hour interview I did for the Worcester cable access station WCCATV-13. I talked about MIRACLE MYX and writing. It airs again today, the 26th at 10:30 AM and 6 PM, and again on the 29th at 5:30 PM.

Watch WCCATV-13

"Now who's all wet," Myx said.

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Miracle Myx Bens The Truth

2008-08-22T05:50:00.005-04:00

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"You were born near here, Myx," I said.

"Born?"

"Sounded good, but no. The seminal idea for your character was caused by a book I bought near here."

"You're not going to tell the story of--"

"I was drawn to a strange title at Ephraim's bookstore here in Worcester. Ephraim's was a used bookstore with piles of books everywhere--its inventory was bought out by Ben Franklin. A thin book with the title MIND OF A MNEMONIST drew my attention back then, more than 20 years ago," I said.

"By Dr. Luria and it was about--"

"A Russian man with a perfect memory because of synesthesia."

"Just like me," Myx said.

"You're Russian?" I asked.

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Miracle Myx Meditates

2008-08-16T05:56:00.003-04:00

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"Spirituality," I said, as if that explained it all.

"Yeah, I thought you'd use that as a theme here," Myx said.

"Well, it does seem natural with you sitting atop such an iconic figure."

"Atop? Who are you trying to impress?"

"Certainly not you! Let's not argue in front of the D-E-I-T-Y," I spelled.

"Not a deity--and, do you think Gods can't spell?"

"Never know," I said. "Sometimes you want to shield your thoughts from the powers that be."

"For you, Dave, that's called prayer."

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Miracle Myx Drums Up Business

2008-08-12T05:58:00.003-04:00

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"Please tell me you're not going to beat that thing," Myx said.

"I wish I had a nickel for every time--"

"Yeah, yeah--didn't see that coming!

"An upcoming review says I have an adolescent sense of humor," I said. As you can see I'm very forthcoming.

"Maybe they overestimate you, Dave. But, I say funny is funny, no matter what the context."

"You trying to sound smart with that last statement?"

"Long way between sounding and being, is it? Luckily I can do both with ease and aplomb. Now that was for sounding smart," Myx said."

"This reminds me of my favorite turkey part," I said. I thought I'd distract Myx from one of his imminent egotistical discourses.

"The neck?" Myx said in an almost bored voice.

"No--the drumstick! Get it, the--"

"Adolescent," Myx said.

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Miracle Myx Gets Scooped

2008-08-09T05:07:00.003-04:00

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"Hold still, Myx!"

"Where would I be going?"

"I just don't want anything to ruin this great shot," I said.

"This is a great shot?" Myx asked with that tone in his voice.

"Sounded good for a moment," I said.

"Look at the rust on this thing. I wonder when it was last used?"

"Happens whenever things are abandoned, forgotten, or broken," I said.

"Dave, you used to be much wiser--and funnier!" Myx said.

"Maybe I'm just a bit rusty!"

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Miracle Myx Cycles Through

2008-08-05T06:25:00.004-04:00

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"Makes going out for a little ride around the neighborhood seem trivial, doesn't it?"

"Hmmm?" I said with my usual razor-sharp insight.

"Major Taylor--he overcame so much to become a world champion," Myx said.

"The second black champion of any sport, after the fighter, George Dixon," I said.

"Huh? you can't steal my lines, Dave!"

"I can if I'm writing them, Myx! Why should you appear to be the smart one all the time?"

"Probably because I am the smart one, the one with the perfect memory, the one with the synesthetic mind."

Myx was getting into this.

"And what about my memory, about how I remember to put a spotlight on you and let you take center stage, and allow your antics?"

"I forgot about that," Myx said.

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Miracle Myx Gives Tanks

2008-07-31T06:00:00.000-04:00

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"It's not going to roll over me, is it?"

"It isn't?" I said.

"Dave ...!"

"I mean ... it isn't," I said.

"Looks heavy," Myx said.

"I've gotten in trouble for words very like those, Myx."

"Ever heard of the word 'tact?'"

"Heard of it--yes! Using it off the cuff is another thing."

"The turret is here, but the barrel is gone, probably for safety reasons," Myx muttered--probably to himself.

"Ya think?" I said sagely.

"Makes it kind of impotent, just like a certain ..."

"Don't even think of going there, Myx!" I had always wanted to use that cliche!

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Miracle Myx Rounds Off

2008-07-28T05:51:00.004-04:00

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"Ya really think the arrow is necessary?"

"Myx, it's not only for pointing," I said.

"You're not going to attach some sort of analogous or symbolic meaning to it, are you?"

"I'm not?"

"Here we go," Myx said.

"Complementary," I enjoined. (See how I used "enjoined" here to look smart even though it's awkward!)

"Hmmm?"

"I'm complementing the pointed arrow shape of the Irish Round Tower," I said.

"The only one in Massachusetts, right?" Myx asked even though he knew.

"The only one in the USA, I believe, Myx." I know how to play along.

"If we're done, Dave, point the way out of here."

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Miracle Myx Gets Prayed

2008-07-25T05:55:00.004-04:00

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"PATER NOSTER, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum," Myx said in a booming voice.

"Let me guess: Latin?" My five years as an altar boy weren't wasted, you see; I could still recognize the language anyway.

"The Our Father, Dave."

"And are your prayers floating up to ... what do we call it in MIRACLE MYX?"

"The glow room," Myx said. "I like when you says 'we' even though you wrote it."

"I know how you want to be included in anything substantial."

"And you call this substantial?" Myx almost laughed the question out.

"Close as we get, isn't it?"

Instead of answering, Myx decided to call out one more prayer, the Hail Mary:

"AVE MARIA, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae."

"Amen," I said.

"Amens ... Myx Amens," Myx replied.

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Miracle Myx Takes Shape

2008-07-22T06:00:00.004-04:00

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"This is kinda strange," Myx said.

"Strange for everyday people, or strange for us?" I asked

"Strange for everyday people. Our readers don't know what we don't show them. That's some really weird stuff."

"It's topiary, Myx."

"Duh! From the Latin topiarius--"

"Uh-oh, here we go," I said.

Myx didn't seem to mind my interruption. He got used to them, and now even anticipated them and played off of my verbal insertions.

"--which means creator of places. Art is made from plants such as arborvitae, bay laurel, holly, yew--"

"Yew done yet? Get it, Myx--yew!"

Myx ignored my brilliant wit.

"--myrtle, and privet. Dave, I wish you had a voice like our friend here--the giraffe."

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Miracle Myx Blooms

2008-07-19T05:45:00.003-04:00

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"Summer is wonderful," Myx said.

"These flowers got you in a good mood?"

"Why not? Better than the ice and cold you put me through last winter, Dave"

"Each season has it's own beauty, Myx."

"If I recall, you had a coat on when we went out."

"Myx, we're not here on this beautiful day to argue. This is a celebration of the wonder and awe we should feel when witnessing nature," I said.

"I appreciate nature, Dave. I just wanted to point out that one fact."

"What fact?"

"That, in the cold, you had a coat on and I had nothing," Myx said.

"Not true," I countered. Let's see if Myx would bite!

"Huh?" Myx said.

Close enough.

"Myx, I had a coat, but you had a book jacket!"

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Miracle Myx Crawls Ahead

2008-07-16T06:09:00.003-04:00

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We were in Worcester--at the common. Myx was sure the fountain, which was dry, was going to erupt at amy moment and deluge him.

"Let's just hurry up," Myx said.

"Myx, there's dirt, dust, and debris there. No water for a long time--get it?"

"Getting it is just what I afraid of. Getting wet."

"I should have put you on that turtle's back, " I said. "Then there'd be no chance of a hosing."

"That reminds me: What did the snail riding on the turtle's back say?"

Every once in a while, Myx likes to tell a joke. Who am I to not play along?

"What?" I said to be the straight man--not that I'm not a straight man all the time anyway!

"Wheeeee!" Myx said.

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Miracle Myx Busts Out

2008-07-14T05:24:00.003-04:00

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"That's the father of our country, Myx!"

"George Washington--a great man," Myx agreed.

"In MIRACLE MYX, you have an encounter with another great man," I said.

"You're meaning JC?"

"Errr--if by Julius Caesar, you mean JC--then, yes!"

Myx seemed to warm to this subject and began: "He was there sitting on the desk, a bust not as big as this one, but it did have a lot of weight to it."

"And you respected it and left it right there?" Hey--so I'm leading the witness; that's what I do!

"Let's just say Julius helps me out by leading the way," Myx said. "Readers will have to find out how I follow him."

"You have some gall, Myx!" I didn't like the look Myx gave me because of my pun--I think he wanted it for himself.

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Miracle Myx Spins

2008-07-12T06:18:00.003-04:00

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"What goes up must come down spinning wheel got to go round."

"Why didn't I see this coming, Myx?"

"You got no money, and you, you got no home--Spinning wheel all alone."

"You can't just sing this whole blog. Not just because you're in front of a spinning wheel," I said.

"Would you mind a reflecting sign--Just let it shine within your mind--And show you the colors that are real."

"You don't expect me to really answer any questions or interact, do you?" Myx gets into a song and doesn't get out until he's ready.

"Someone is waiting just for you--spinning wheel is spinning true."

"True may be a bit of a strong word here, Myx. We should get going; any last words of mimicked wisdom?" I said.

"Drop all your troubles, by the river side--Ride a painted pony--Let the spinning wheel fly."

"Myx, you squeeze out of me all my blood, sweat, and tears," I said--rather proud of my cleverness!

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Miracle Myx Takes A Minute

2008-07-10T06:12:00.004-04:00

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We were at the Lexington Green, the scene of the very beginning of the Revolutionary War.

"How does it feel to be this close to a brave and famous man?" I asked.

"Please tell me you're not talking about yourself, Dave," Myx said.

"I'm talking about the famous leader behind you, Myx. I'm talking about the Captain--Captain John Parker."

"The Minuteman," Myx added.

"You're exactly right, Myx."

"Fitting we should be here in July--just after we commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence."

"It does give you a real sense of history here, Myx.

"Do you want to tell everyone why you're known as the 'Minuteman' too, Dave?"

"Errr--that would be a no!"

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Miracle Myx Seals The Deal

2008-06-30T05:57:00.002-04:00

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"Haven't we done this before, Dave?"

Myx was always ready to point out weaknesses, omissions, and redundancies. Months ago, I had taken a photo of Myx with the Massachusetts state flag. In the blog, we had explained all about the state seal. Myx was just highlighting that fact.

"Just because I pointed out the meaning of the Native American--"

"The Indian drowned me, killed me the second time," Myx stated, maybe a little too quietly.

"Yes, in MIRACLE MYX that does happen. You call Johnny Bearcloud 'the Indian' all through the book," I said.

"Maybe I've got a right to. Maybe--"

"Myx, where is this all coming from? Where's the light and breezy banter that we're famous for?

"Hmmm? You're right, Dave. What's a little drowning between friends." After a short pause, Myx added: "Famous?"

"Sounded good!" I said with my cheery voice.

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Miracle Myx Recycles

2008-06-29T06:06:00.002-04:00

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"Don't you dare put me in there, Dave."

"I would never do that, Myx."

"Never?"

"Not unless it would make for a better picture!" I admitted.

"I suppose you have something to say about recycling," Myx said.

"Only that it's a good idea and everybody needs to do what they can."

"I know you, Dave--unfortunately. You have some other use for this symbolism, don't you?"

"Well, I was just going to say that I don't particularly like mysteries that recycle old ideas, motives, plots, and characters. I would never do that!"

"Never?" Myx sang.

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Miracle Myx Is Vane

2008-06-28T06:09:00.003-04:00

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"Cocks," Myx said.

"What?" See how expressive I can be when given the right opportunity!

"Also called weather cocks when in the form of a rooster," Myx explained.

"And I suppose you'll explain how a weather vane works, too."

"Other than telling you that the front and back halves have to be of equal weight, but not equal area--NO!"

"Weight so it spins easily and--"

"Area so the vane always points into the wind--the greater area in the back rotates it that way. The directional pointers below let you name the wind."

Myx always sounds a bit smug when giving me some facts. Awww ... why not let him have his fun! But, I couldn't resist adding one fact of my own:

"Airports use weather socks to show the direction and strength of the wind. Socks and cocks, Myx!" Now I felt smug at my own rhyming.

"Sounds like a theme for you next night alone, Dave," Myx said.

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Miracle Myx Bullies

2008-06-27T05:55:00.003-04:00

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"And so, my friends, I want you to--"

"Myx, do you have to use that stentorian voice?" I asked.

"Do you even know what that means, Dave?"

"Do I ever use a big word that I haven't recently looked up--because I can't remember them for more than a few days? So, yes, I know what that means."

"Tell everyone about how you made a resolution to read the whole dictionary a couple of pages a day for a whole year until you finished a 750 page volume--and you finished it at the end of November of that year," Myx said.

"I don't think they--"

"And how all it did for you was what?"

I knew Myx only wanted to embarrass me. So, I might as well quickly admit the outcome of my well-intentioned experiment: "The end result was that I still couldn't remember what the uncommon words meant, but it would give me a little shot of joy when I recognized a word in print and say 'Hey! I read that in the dictionary!' Satisfied, Myx?"

"My friends," said Myx in that orator's voice again, "you see before you a man whose dreams exceed his--"

"That really is a bully pulpit, Myx," I said.

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Miracle Myx Takes It for Granite

2008-06-26T06:00:00.002-04:00

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"You went for the old joke," Myx said.

"Oldies but goodies!"

"And now, a cliche! How original of you, Dave."

"You talk like originality is a virtue, Myx. My granite title just gets us into this subject--the monolith you're leaning against."

"Yeah, it's pink granite like what was quarried here for many years," Myx said.

"No searching that memory of yours for some obscure facts about granite--maybe not a full blown lecture ... just enough to make me dozy?" For some reason, I was actually enjoying this battle of wits with Myx. Unfortunately, most battles ended up with an embarrassing finish for me.

"The only rocks I'll mention, then, are the ones in your head!"

"How original," I said.

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Miracle Myx Gets The Gate

2008-06-25T05:35:00.003-04:00

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"You're giving a false impression," Myx said.

"By taking this picture?"

"By the subject of today's blog. Getting the gate means something dismissive."

I thought about it for a moment, not too long because I never think too much about criticism--call that my superpower, or my fatal flaw.

"Be careful, Myx; you might give the impression that I'm striving for reality."

"Reality is never something that's very close to the surface of our little talks, Dave."

"Right! I mean ... huh?"

"Just take the photo before I fall off here."

"You're rushing me, Myx."

"Dave, I'm just giving you the gate!"

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Miracle Myx Gets Parked

2008-06-24T05:19:00.003-04:00

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"Hurry!"

"Myx, I very gently set you down there," I said.

"Hurry!"

We were in a municipal parking lot in Worcester. A beautiful day, and what I thought was a unique and interesting shot.

"This has some real art in it--yanno how you're hanging there and how time seems to hang when things are in suspension." I didn't know what I was talking about, but sometimes if I blabbered a little, it took Myx's mind off of the situation he was complaining about.

"Hurry!"

Myx's voice had that hold-your-breath hoarseness that only comes when you're in pain or afraid that pain was just one short false move away.

"We're just about there, Myx. This reminds me of the day I--"

"Hurry!"

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Miracle Myx Hits A High Note

2008-06-23T04:54:00.002-04:00

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"Time to trumpet the virtues of MIRACLE MYX!" I said.

"You have no shame, Dave."

"You know me too well, Myx."

"Most people would be at least a little bit subtle in their own praise of their own book," Myx said.

"What happens to most people?"

"They don't write a book, then go on to not have it published, then proceed not to have it read."

"What part are we at?"

"After what I just said, that question makes no sense, but I'll tell you the answer you're looking for: we're trying to get MIRACLE MYX read at this point," Myx said.

"And that's why we're trumpeting why readers will enjoy your character and the weird mystery that surrounds Miracle, Massachusetts in the book."

"Cornetting," Myx said.

"What?" I eloquently asked.

"That's a cornet, not a trumpet--so we're cornetting all my good qualities!"

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Miracle Myx Fixes It

2008-06-22T06:14:00.003-04:00

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"I'm thinking about a number of things--that weren't important yesterday ..."

Myx was singing. I recognized the tune from the 60s.

"Is that what that statue is evoking, Myx? By the way, you got the words wrong it's: 'I'm taking the time for a number of things that weren't important yesterday.'"

"And it really doesn't matter if I'm wrong--I'm right--where I belong--I'm right--where I belong."

"Your mind is wandering, Myx." Hey--I know how to play along!

"I'm fixing a hole where the rain gets in--and stops my mind from wandering--where it will go."

"Was that just a variation of 'wondering' I always wondered," I said. "Guess it just how you use words to paint your meaning." Boy was I cooperating today!

"I'm painting a room in a colorful way--and when my mind is wandering--there I will go," Myx sang ... in a low and thoughtful voice.

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Miracle Myx Rises Above It

2008-06-21T05:14:00.002-04:00

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"I take it heights don't bother you, Myx?"

This, of course, was just a question to lubricate the conversation.

"You, of all people, Dave, should know that climbing is one of my passions. You said so in MIRACLE MYX."

"Yeah--that and running. You run every day, right?"

More slipperiness!

"Just like my Papa! Thought you'd like that! Now don't take that as an opening to start giving me fatherly advice."

Myx was being kind of nice today. Maybe it was the view we were getting from the glass elevator we were taking. It looked down at the huge atrium of St. Vincent's Hospital.

"Papa don't preach," I said--rather proud of my quick wit.

"Madonna mia!" Myx exclaimed.

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Miracle Myx Finds A Friend

2008-06-20T05:54:00.003-04:00

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"Is this your favorite thing, Myx?"

"Actually being with another human being?" Myx asked.

"Another?"

"You know what I mean, Dave. Instead of just having inanimate objects all around me, it's nice to be held by someone who can read."

"Do you know that Beisong has a brilliant son who's going to college this fall?"

"Like I haven't been listening? Of course I know. I know lots of things about the people who've been reading me all across the country. Do you think I only listen to you, Dave?"

"Why don't you tell me all about some of our more interesting readers then?" I thought it only fair that Myx should share his adventures now that sales of MIRACLE MYX had brought him into homes in every state.

"Keeping stuff from you, Dave--now that's my favorite thing!" Myx said.

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Miracle Myx Is Grandfathered In

2008-06-19T05:31:00.003-04:00

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"Ready for some tick talk, Myx?"

"You stole my joke," Myx said.

"I only steal from the best," I said.

"We know that's not true. You steal from anybody you think has a good line."

"And ...?"

"I should have known. Do you know why these clocks are so accurate?" Myx asked.

"Because of the pendulum. The length of the pendulum dictates the time of the period, the full swing of back and forth. The first pendulum clock was invented by Christiaan Huygens in 1637, although he never lived to see the final product."

I did it I beat Myx to the punch this time--before he could show off with his encyclopedic knowledge. I had just read up on the subject for just this purpose. Of course I'd forget it all within a week, unlike Myx who could remember things indefinitely with his synesthetic memory.

"Now who's tick talking," Myx said.

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Miracle Myx Goes Green

2008-06-18T05:35:00.004-04:00

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"People are going to think this is about the environment, Dave," Myx said.

"Instead, it's about our Celts 'cleaning up' with another championship!"

The Boston Celtics had just won their 17th NBA championship, and I thought it appropriate to celebrate.

"Please don't tell me this is going to make you tell your Larry Bird story," Myx said.

"It was 1981, and the Celtics had just beat the Houston Rockets ..."

"Oh God--no!" Myx said.

"... and my friend Bob and I were working at the Prudential Center in Boston on the day of the big parade. We snuck out of work and walked down to where the parade was going to start--at some hotel. The streets were packed, so I said to Bob--"

"Let's go in this side door of the hotel," Myx interrupted. "How many times do I have to hear this, Dave?"

"So we go in the door," I said, "and there's the whole Celtic team waiting to go out to the duckboats parked in front for the parade. Bob and I shook all their hands and congratulated them. If you've never been around immensely tall basketball players, let me tell you, you feel like--"

"... you're 10 years old. We get it, Dave."

I wasn't going to let Myx ruin my recollections, so I continued.

"The time came for the Celtics to make their way to the vehicles, and they filed out, one-by-one, to the thunderous applause of the crowd. Larry Bird was last--followed by me! Then the NBA Championship trophy was handed person-to-person along until I handed it to Larry Bird atop the duckboat. He reached down and then stood up with it at his waist--"

"The crowd went silent," Myx said.

"The crowd went silent," I repeated, "and then Larry held the trophy over his head--and the crowd erupted in the loudest cheer I've ever heard. I suddenly realized that tears were streaming down my face from the sheer joy and awe of the moment. I looked around and saw I wasn't the only one!"

"The end," Myx said in a bored voice.

"What did you think of that, Myx?"

"Now I have tears in my eyes," Myx answered.

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Miracle Myx Signs Up

2008-06-17T05:27:00.002-04:00

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We were on a local bike path and I saw this sign. It's to keep the path safe for walkers and bikers alike. Every once in a while, there will be a motor vehicle on it--you turn at the sound and see it's a local policeman on a motorcycle patrolling the path.

"This only reminds me that it sucks not to drive," Myx said.

"You say that several times in MIRACLE MYX."

"You can see why--I need to get places in a hurry sometimes."

"You seem to do pretty well by asking for rides," I said.

"Depending on the kindness of others, as the famous playwright said."

"Myx, your getting rides usually has nothing to do with kindness--you lie, coerce, swindle, and blackmail people into doing your bidding," I said.

"You make that seem like a bad thing!"

"Yeah--silly me."

"Anyway," Myx said, "it sucks not to drive--yet!"

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Miracle Myx Is Dandy

2008-06-16T06:16:00.003-04:00

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"Aren't you ever afraid I'll get wet or dirty, Dave?"

"Do we have to discuss this, Myx?"

"Awww! You're trying to be clever: 'do we' and 'dewy' like the grass is."

"I'm the man!" I said with a lot more enthusiasm than I felt.

"You do try, Dave. Emphasis on try."

"Other than being moist and grassy--do you like the sea of dandelions that I chose for this pic?"

"Always pretty with the bright yellow. You thought I was going for the 'dandy' reference like you did in the subject line."

"I would have, Myx. You know how clever I am!"

"Instead, I'll tell you they're named after the shape of the pointed leaves: dent-de-lion means lion's tooth in old French," Myx said in that tone he uses to lecture me.

"Now who's trying to be clever?"

"Dave, there's a difference between smart and clever. How does that make you feel, Dave?"

"Dandy," I said.

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Miracle Myx Goes Large

2008-06-15T05:37:00.002-04:00

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"You're sure this is the biggest, Dave?"

"It was in the newspaper, wasn't it?"

"Oh--now that makes it true!"

We were standing in front of the world's largest rhododendron in Hopkinton, MA. It was dozens of feet long and just as deep. The blooms had seen their peak and were starting to fade; every time I passed it I had vowed to bring Myx along the next time and take a pic. I would remember my vow the very next time I passed--without Myx again. Finally, here we were!

"Do you know what rhododendron means, Dave?"

"Does it mean 'I'm a smartass who needs to let everyone think I know everything' or something along those lines, Myx?"

"Close," Myx said. "Rose tree is the real translation. I won't even tell you now whether it's evergreen or deciduous."

"Promise!" I said.

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Miracle Myx Sleeps With The Fishes

2008-06-14T06:05:00.002-04:00

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"I'm lucky there's glass here," Myx said.

"You think that thing would latch onto you, Myx?"

"Look at that sucking mouth!"

"I wish I had a nickel for--"

"You're so predictable," Myx interrupted. "Why not keep to the script?"

"We got a script?" I was buying just a little time while I angled not to get the glare of the flash--if it flashed (I had the camera set to auto).

"Just take the photo before this tank springs a leak and glues my pages together," Myx said.

"Speaking of gluing pages together, I wish I had a--"

"So predictable," Myx said.

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Miracle Myx Remembers

2008-06-13T06:03:00.003-04:00

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"I bet you can't name them all," I said.

"It's kinda cute sometimes--you know ... how you try to build some tension to make things interesting," Myx said.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Myx." I used my huffy voice.

"You challenge me to name all the stores in this outdoor mall, and yet--you're the one that describes my memory in MIRACLE MYX. You, better than anyone knows what I can do."

Years ago I had read a book by a psychologist that described how a subject of his perfected an almost-perfect memory for the tiniest details. This person used his synesthesia to weave a complex web of sensations that correlated facts until they were retrievable down to the minutia. I had wondered how a person with this ability would act in a mystery. After I wrote MIRACLE MYX, I wondered no more.

"So you're saying, Myx, that you can name the stores easily?"

"Name the store--and every item and price in any store you dragged your sorry ass into today," Myx said.

"Sorry?"

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Miracle Myx Acts Cool

2008-06-12T06:25:00.003-04:00

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"I think I fit right in here," Myx said.

"On the floor of a mall?" I asked.

"Do I sense some jealousy, Dave?"

"Of a book?" I always feel smart answering a question with another question--especially when I don't know the real answer or don't want to broach (yeah--I looked it up) the subject.

"Jealous of how cool I am, how I look and act--like my pal here behind me."

"Of a book?" It had worked the first time, so why not again?

"You're thinking that you could use that twice, aren't you?"

"Am not!" I defense well ... adequately ... OK--I'm lousy at arguing with Myx.

"Dave, you're cool in your own ways," Myx said.

"Really? How?" Maybe this was going to turn out better than I thought.

"Errr ... ya got me--I was bluffing to make you feel better," Myx said.

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Miracle Myx Goes Way Back

2008-06-11T06:01:00.003-04:00

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"Hey! This is high!" Myx said.

"It's worth it. This is a good shot," I said.

"Yeah--'cause you're not in danger of falling."

"Myx, when have I ever let you fall?"

"There was the time--"

"OK--maybe I didn't think that question all the way through before asking. But, you have to admit, this gives us a lot to say."

"Like Framingham was originally named Danforth's Farms after Thomas Danforth--the one that came from England in the early 1600s?"

"Yeah, like that," I added.

"He came from Framlingham, England," Myx said.

"He got the 'L' out of there!" As I snapped this pic, I had the satisfaction of beating Myx to the punch for once.

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Miracle Myx Doesn't Resist

2008-06-10T05:45:00.003-04:00

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"Go with the flow," Myx said.

"I take it you're talking about peaceful non-resistance?" It was a rhetorical question.

"Yeah, " Myx replied.

I guess even rhetorical questions get an answer once in a while.

"Did you learn anything from Gandhi's life, Myx?"

"All great people have two means of communicating: the obvious--what they actually say verbally or with the written word, and then like the plaque says--the way they conduct their life is also a message."

"What do you think your message is, Myx?"

This might go two ways: either something flip, or Myx could take it seriously and really reveal something meaningful.

"I think 'He discovered who he was' sounds good to me," Myx said.

I'll leave it to you to decide what he meant.

"And what do you think will be on my plaque, Myx?" OK--I knew I was setting myself up.

"Hmmm? 'He made a book talk' is what I'd like to see," Myx said.

I started to protest---and then thought: "That ain't bad."

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Miracle Myx Focuses

2008-06-09T05:38:00.003-04:00

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"I'm talking about the laser treatment, Myx," I said.

"You're anticipating again," Myx replied.

"Smart of me, don't you think?"

"Do you really think I'm so vain that even your vague title of this entry about focusing would lead me to talking about myself?"

"After an overlong sentence like that, I know you're holding back--go ahead and get it over with, Myx."

"Well--I am rather focused. I mean, my thinking is unusually clear, don't you think?"

"That's twice you've used 'don't you think' in a short space--that's bad writing," I said.

"And whose fault is that, Dave? Who puts words literally into my mouth? Hey! Literally--get it?"

Myx seemed pleased with his effort.

"This isn't the time for finger pointing. We didn't even get a chance to talk about laser removal of tattoos, and how tattoos are clues in MIRACLE MYX and what an important part of the book they are," I said.

"Focus, Dave--focus!" Myx said.

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Miracle Myx Goes Dry

2008-06-08T06:00:00.003-04:00

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"I could fall on those rocks there," Myx said.

"You could," I agreed.

"And ...?"

"And you probably won't, Myx."

"What if I get wet?"

"Do you see any water at all down there. It's perfectly dry," I said.

"You throw perfection around pretty cavalierly," Myx said.

"And you have to stop chattering away--or I just might not venture over those jagged rocks again to retrieve you. Understand?"

"Perfectly," Myx said.

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Miracle Myx Enlightens

2008-06-07T06:38:00.002-04:00

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"Now this I like," Myx said.

"Finally!" It was always a welcome occurrence--Myx liking something.

"Are we still symbolizing ethereal and esoteric topics?"

"Myx--ethereal AND esoteric?"

"Too much?" Myx asked knowing what I would say.

"Never!"

"This is a sacred flame behind me--in the stained glass," Myx said.

"And what does it illuminate, Myx?" Why not give him an easy opening.

"I suppose the original motive was to give a visual metaphor about how certain ideas, beliefs, and faith can dispel the darkness of the soul. Do you want me to mention how in MIRACLE MYX there're intertwining themes of mystical fate, miracles, and the afterlife?"

"No," I said, "that would be too heavy for this blog." That's when I snapped this photo.

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Miracle Myx Quests

2008-06-06T06:07:00.003-04:00

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With a dead-certain tone, Myx stated: "You're gonna do that Grail thing, aren't you?"

"What gave me away?"

"Errr ... you always said this reminded you of the Grail--even though it's really a chalice or ciborium. And, no--I'm not going to tell everyone what a ciborium is."

Myx had anticipated my next prompt, but I let it go.

"Yeah," I said, "I think this epitomizes the seminal idea for the Grail quest: to view the Grail uncovered."

"I bet now you're going to say the quote," Myx said.

Myx was talking about a snippet from one of Joseph Campbell's talks--one that had seized me twenty years ago, one that I had copied onto a tape and listened to hundreds of times, trying to realize its inner meanings. It had become a meditation ... a contemplation. He was describing an ancient carving of a figure.

"In his lap is a cornucopia and from it pours inexhaustibly ... the food--that's the Grail. The Grail is the vessel of inexhaustible vitality; it is that ... fountain in the center of the Universe from which the energies of Eternity pour into the world of Time. That's the Grail."

"You want me to say the last line with you?" Myx asked.

"You know me too well, Myx; let's go!"

"It's in each of our hearts--that same energy."

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Miracle Myx Has Heart

2008-06-05T06:13:00.002-04:00

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"When a man's an empty kettle he should be on his mettle, And yet I'm torn apart."

"You're doing it, Myx--singing again," I said.

"Just because I'm presumin' that I could be kind-a-human, If I only had heart."

"I suppose it's justified since we're in front of some Tin Men--well, one is copper."

"Picture me - a balcony. Above a voice sings low. Wherefore art thou, Romeo? I hear a beat....
How sweet."

"Are you finished, Myx. We really should be off--to see the Wizard! Get it? To see the Wizard ... because you're singing ...."

"Just to register emotion, jealousy - devotion, And really feel the part."

Myx paused, looked at me, and then said: "Come on, Dave--let's do the ending right!"

And so, in front of an exhibition of silent metal, Myx and I shook the walls with: "I could stay young and chipper,and I'd lock it with a zipper, If I only had a heart."

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Miracle Myx Rests

2008-06-04T06:12:00.002-04:00

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"Not on your laurels, I hope," I said.

"As in 'resting' on my laurels, I suppose?"

"Exactly, Myx. You have to zoom to even greater heights , with even more acclaim," I said.

"Sounds good to me, but let's talk about the plaque, Dave."

"What's to talk about?" Maybe I could evade the subject completely.

"About what it says."

"That MIRACLE MYX got a glowing starred review in Booklist? Completely true!" I said.

"Yeah, but--"

"That Kunati just got named Independent Publisher of the year by ForeWord magazine--completely true again, Myx!"

"But that's not what it really says on the plaque," Myx laughed.

"Details!" I countered.

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Miracle Myx Pow Wows

2008-06-03T06:17:00.004-04:00

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"Not politically incorrect?" I asked.

"You wrote about this very thing in MIRACLE MYX, Dave," Myx said.

The Indian thing. Myx Amens is actually killed by an Indian in MIRACLE MYX. You can hear an audio excerpt called "The Indian" on my Myspace page along with a new audio excerpt I just posted called "Synesthesia."

http://www.myspace.com/davediotalevi

"I say in the book that even though its more correct to say 'Native American' now, he'll always be 'The Indian' to me," Myx said.

"I guess being killed by someone gives you some sort of rights to name them." I thought that kind of logic sounded good even if it carried no real intellectual weight.

"Tell everyone what your grandfather said the name of the lake means, Dave."

"My grandfather (George) always claimed it meant 'You fish on your side of the lake, I'll fish on mine--and no one fish in the middle.'"

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Miracle Myx Fowls Up

2008-06-02T05:59:00.003-04:00

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"You're sure this is safe, Dave?"

"Define safe!"

"We don't need to meet any happy hunters," Myx said.

"Happy to see a brightly colored target?" I was rather enjoying Myx's concern for a moment.

"Those aren't backfiring cars we hear, Dave."

"When is the last time anybody heard a car backfire?"

"I thought the cliche fit perfectly and you would let it go," Myx said.

There were shots being fired, most likely hunters with shotguns trying to bag waterfowl in the early morning light. There would be several shots, and then fainter echoes.

I have just one piece of advice for you, Myx."

"Here it comes," Myx sighed.

"Duck!"

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Miracle Myx Kindles

2008-06-01T05:28:00.003-04:00

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"Because this is kindling?" Myx asked.

"Sure!" I said with more enthusiasm than it needed. What the heck--it was a nice day and I was feeling creative.

"You want to say something about the new hand held book reader?"

"Huh? I was thinking more along the lines of how the story in MIRACLE MYX kindles the imagination and spirit and--"

"So, now we even have a third element to this otherwise ordinary photo?"

"Myx, the more we can jam into a meaning, the better. I could be the James Joyce of photoblogging!" I announced with a certain flair.

"Then, 'Wake' me when you're done, Finnegan," Myx said.

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Miracle Myx Springs

2008-05-31T05:45:00.004-04:00

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"What's your favorite season, Myx?"

I think it's good to put a photo subject at ease by engaging in a little banter. It always makes for a more natural picture when trying to take a candid shot. I've gotten so good at this that no one ever notices what I'm doing.

"You're using banter to try and put me at ease while you take a candid shot, right?"

"Puh-lease! Would I be that transparent?"

"You--Mr. Window Pane? Never. But, answering your question--which, by this setting with the flowering bush behind me, I would guess you want me to say 'spring'--my answer is fall," Myx said.

"And why is that?" I might as well continue the line of conversation even though Myx is a hard one to obfuscate (yeah--I looked it up!).

"The air becomes crisp after the humid August days and nights, the leaves change colors, and--hey!"

As Myx realized what I was doing, I snapped this pic for you.

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Miracle Myx Graduates

2008-05-30T06:03:00.002-04:00

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"This is the best you could do?" Myx asked.

"Yeah ... I mean ... what do you mean?" Quick, eh?

"Just because it graduation season, you plunk me down next to a monument?"

"It's symbolic of the event, Myx." I said this with enough authority so it sounded like it made sense.

"You're thinking that sounded good, right?"

"Wrong again, Myx!" Dammit!

"Again? When was I wrong the first time? Anyway, do you think I'll ever graduate, Dave?"

"If our readers call for a sequal to MIRCLE MYX--who knows. Depends on the circumstances, Myx."

"Pomp and Circumstance, Dave."

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Miracle Myx At A Distance

2008-05-29T05:52:00.002-04:00

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"How's everything, Myx?"

"What?"

"Are you going to pretend not to hear me?" I asked.

"What?"

Sometimes Myx played this particular game. If I got too far away from him, he would point it out in some fashion.

"I like this shot, so you just sit there and look pretty," I said.

"Oh, you think I'm pretty? That says something that I don't want to think about too much," Myx said.

"SO--you can hear me!" I yelled.

"What?"

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Miracle Myx Piles On

2008-05-28T06:12:00.003-04:00

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"A pile of junk," Myx said.

"Aren't you being a little hasty?" I said. Hasty wasn't one of the things Myx was, but I thought this was the appropriate knee-jerk response at this point.

"How do you know something isn't gonna crawl outta this heap?"

"I don't ... I mean ... that's highly unlikely," I said. Good recovery, eh?

"Now why would you think this makes a good photo, Dave?"

"Picture this." Why not flow with the moment and let my imagination take off? I felt positively effusive out in the fresh air--fresh where I was, upwind of the smelly conglomeration Myx sat near. "You take all these objects out of the woods here and put them under some spotlight in a swanky New York gallery--and then what do you have?"

"An installation--a piece of art?"

Myx loved to play along when he wanted to prove how smart he was.

"Exactly--a creative masterpiece with hidden meanings!"

"But, out here ...." Myx invited.

"A pile of junk. Hold still." That's when I took this picture.

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Miracle Myx Gets Screwed

2008-05-27T05:40:00.002-04:00

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"I'm trying to take something mundane and make it interesting," I said.

"And provocative with the 'screwing' thing."

"You noticed! I crack myself up," I said.

"So you're the one that laughs at these things," Myx added.

Myx was right--partially, I guess. I always write to amuse myself and then hope others will join in to see the wisdom and hilarity ... common sense and wit? ... err ... well--join in, anyway!

"At least I'm prominently featured here, with a good view of my cover," Myx said.

"Ready for your closeup, Myx?"

"I'm constantly ready--but, an anchor for a dog lead? Dave, this is a stretch, even for you."

"I liked the curly end of it and then thought of the title," I said.

"Talk about screwy!" Myx whispered.

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Miracle Myx Acts Grave

2008-05-26T05:55:00.002-04:00

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"Memorial Day," Myx said.

"Yeah! Clever, huh?"

I didn't really expect Myx to agree, but this was a good opportunity to talk about death. Hey--what am I thinking?

"Nice of you to provide me with a headstone, Dave."

"Least I can do for my favorite book! The headstone engraver was a little surprised when I had him come back."

"Hasn't he ever had someone die twice?" Myx asked--as if that was entirely normal.

"He must lead a sheltered life, 'cause you were the first."

In MIRACLE MYX, Myx Amens has the unfortunate experince of dying--not just once--but twice. That not only doesn't stop him, but gives him a unique perspective on life and the living of it.

"Death isn't what you think," Myx said.

"It never is," I said. I thought that sounded smart without having to be so.

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Miracle Myx Locks Up

2008-05-25T05:47:00.003-04:00

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"You subject's a little bit derogatory," Myx said.

"That's where I give it a little twisteroo ... a play on words."

"When, in MIRACLE MYX, do I ever lock up?"

"I see your point," I said. "You always have the next step figured out--something that actually unlocks the situation."

"So, you're gonna change the subject to something like 'MIRACLE MYX Picks Another,'" Myx said.

"Errr ... no," I said. "Although, in the book, you do make an awful good point about how to get a lock to work, and--"

"You know what point I'd like to see in you, Dave"

"What's that?" This couldn't be good.

"Lockjaw!" Myx seemed pleased with himself.

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Miracle Myx Cyles Through

2008-05-24T05:25:00.003-04:00

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"This seat is uncomfortable," Myx said.

"As opposed to a cactus?"

"Hmmm. Maybe I can rethink this."

We were at the side of a local bike/walking path. This "art" piece had recently been installed. I, like you probably, have no idea what effect the officials in charge are going for.

"Nice color, don't you think, Myx?"

"You're baiting me, Dave."

"I didn't put one bicycle in MIRACLE MYX," I said.

"Not that I couldn't ride one if given the chance. How do I look up here?"

"Uncomfortable," I said.

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Miracle Myx And The Holy Grail

2008-05-23T05:56:00.002-04:00

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"da-da-da-da ... da-da-da!"

"Catchy tune, Myx. We're back to Indiana Jones."

"Well--you did just see the new movie--and wouldn't take me, I might add," Myx said.

"Yeah--but I missed you," I lied.

"I'll pretend I believe you so we can talk about the Grail Diary. This is the one from the last movie."

"Myx, you know you have to put this back when we're done with it," Isaid.

"He'll never know it was gone," Myx said. "There were only 12 originals that were made for the movie--for use in the scenes themselves."

"This is the page that tells us to have faith ... that it will support us when our physical senses and minds tell us there is no way," I said

"The path of the Grail, it says."

"And where does that path lead to?"

"Enlightenment," Myx said with Sean Connery's accent.

I thought that was a fine way to end this conversation, but Myx thought it necessary to add:

"You had to get into the photo, Dave."

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Miracle Myx Whips It up

2008-05-22T06:02:00.003-04:00

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"da-da-da-da ...da-da-da!"

"I get it, Myx--that's John Williams--that's the Indiana Jones theme song!

"Put a toothpick in your mouth and see if I can flick it out," Myx said.

"Yeah--that's gonna happen!"

"This is a 12-foot bullwhip here--shame to let it just sit. Our readers would love a demonstration."

Although I hadn't used the whip for several years, I took it out in the back yard and easily made it crack once more!

"Tell everybody what happened when you were learning to use this, Dave."

"Oh, I don't think they want to--"

"Dave used to hit himself accidentally as he drew the whip forward; the tongue and cracker would bite into his forearm and calf. Then he'd whimper and limp around like a spoiled princess."

"It hurt ... I mean ... I stoically pushed on until I mastered it." I think I salvaged my dignity nicely there!

"Get a toothpick," Myx said.

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Miracle Myx Circulates

2008-05-21T05:46:00.002-04:00

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"Hundreds of libraries," I said.

"Yeah, you should see some of the places I'm in, Dave."

"Already!"

"It's only been a few weeks and here I am--getting read all across the country," Myx said.

"Now we need those people that read MIRACLE MYX to go out and tell someone else about it so they can read it too!"

"It would help if they write something--a review, a blog, a note to their mothers, fathers, relatives, teachers, classmates, church members, cult members, cell mates ...." Myx finally took a breath.

"Are you done?" I asked.

"... club members, reading groups, choirs, sports teams, debating teams ..." Myx went on for a long, long time.

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Miracle Myx Pieces It Together

2008-05-20T05:58:00.003-04:00

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"You're not gonna ...?"

"Gonna what?" Myx asked.

"Give a lecture on Johnny Appleseed."

"Why did you choose this if not for that?"

"I was thinking more of the jigsaw quote there," I said.

"Because of the important role my puzzle-solving abilities serve in MIRACLE MYX?"

"Yeah. Are you only going to ask questions today?"

"Would that annoy you?"

"Myx, for someone who can sense emotions in a dozen ways, that's an inane question."

"A dozen?"

"Well--now I'm beginning to wonder," I said. Questioning Myx's abilities would get him out of that stupid interrogation mode.

"Did I plant a seed of doubt?" Myx asked.

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Miracle Myx Feels Pane

2008-05-19T06:03:00.002-04:00

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"This is one you'll have to explain--even to me, Dave"

I have to admit, I've taken a lot of pics of Myx in strange places, with unusual objects, and under challenging conditions--but, next to a pane of glass was different even for me!

"See the arrow I put in, Myx?"

"Kinda hard to see before you even take the photo, Dave."

"Would it kill you to play along? I'm gonna Photoshop in an arrow pointing to the BB hole there."

"Ohhh! Now it's interesting," Myx said.

This seemed like a good time to ignore Myx's sarcasm and go on with my explanation.

"Although I didn't make this hole, I sure shattered lotsa glass with my trusty Daisy BB gun when I was young. I just loved target practice and spent many happy hours shooting it."

"Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!"

"I kinda wish I had my gun right about now," I said.

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Miracle Myx Steps Up

2008-05-18T05:33:00.002-04:00

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"You must be enjoying the spring weather, Myx," I said.

"Lots better than the icy days--and nights-where you've taken me outside and plunked me on some arctic surface."

"Oh Myx, you exaggerate!"

"You're just seeing how that sounds, right?"

"Yeah, all for effect!" I said.

"Yanno, Dave--we're lucky."

"How's that, Myx?" I was ready for some barb or jab that Myx usually had ready for me.

"I mean ... we get to go out and look for cool scenes and invite people on the internet to join us and even read MIRACLE MYX to see what I'm really like."

So--in the center of a small town in Massachusetts, on a warm spring day, with cars passing by not even fast enough to disturb the birds--Myx and I paused at the gazebo.

"Yeah, Myx, you're right," I said, "we're real lucky."

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Miracle Myx Blooms

2008-05-17T05:35:00.003-04:00

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"I think I stand up rather well against the colors, don't you think, Dave."

"You're here on a beautiful day, surrounded by these lovely flowers, and all you can think of is how you look?--that you won't be overshadowed?"

"You say that like it's a bad thing!" Myx replied.

"I forgot who I was talking to. I suppose you'll have some obscure fact about tulips for us," I said.

"Obscure to you, maybe. I won't bore you with--"

"Thank goodness!"

"--with any of the scientific jargon." Myx didn't even react to my interruptions any more. "But--tulips are originally from the Ottoman Empire, not from Holland as we all seem to think. Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan--this is where they came from, and were bought to Holland in the 16th century. The muslim word for gauze, tulband, was turned into 'turban' and the Dutch thought tulips looked liked turbans--and there you have it!" Myx seemed happy with his dissertation.

"You're not going to tell the joke, right?"

"The joke? The one about what's better than roses on a piano?" Myx couldn't resist.

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Miracle Myx Is Treed

2008-05-16T06:19:00.003-04:00

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"You can hardly see me," Myx said.

"People know it's you after all this time."

"You mean just because it's my blog and there's always a photo of me here?"

"Our blog--and sure, out viewers can fill in the blanks if you've not quite as visible on one day. I think it makes for a more interesting shot, to tell you the truth," I said.

"Telling the truth again, are we?"

"Only when it helps," I said.

"You know what kind of tree this is, Dave?"

"That's a ruff one, Myx. I'll have to scratch my head and try and fetch and answer so you don't wag your finger--if you had a finger--at me."

"Dogwood, wiseass!"

"Do you know the myth about the dogwood, Myx?"

"About how the cross Jesus was nailed to was a dogwood and after that it never grew big enough to make another cross out of?"

Dammit! Why do I ever ask Myx any trivia?

"No," I countered, "the myth that any book that sits in its branches gets fleas."

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Miracle Myx Gets The Massage

2008-05-15T05:30:00.002-04:00

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"Do you think my subject title is cute, Myx?"

"It's so obvious: "massage" and "message."

"Obvious is bad?"

"Cuteness is based on surprise, recognition of the play on words," Myx said. "This barely cuts the cute barrier."

"I'll take your word for there being such a barrier. How do you like this setting? All comfy there. I hope you don't just drop off to sleep," I said.

We were at the sumptuous digs of Stella Dieci Mini Spa, and Myx was occupying one of the many comfortable massage tables.

"I love it here," Myx said, affecting a dozy voice. "But, as you well know, Dave--I haven't slept in over 3 years--so don't look for me to drop off soon.

"Must have it's drawbacks--not sleeping."

"It does give me time for other things," Myx said. He was leading me on, I knew.

"Like what?"

"Like coming up with a really cute subject title--if I wanted!"

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Miracle Myx Makes Tracks

2008-05-14T06:17:00.003-04:00

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"Feel that?" Myx asked.

"Not feeling anything but the cool breeze, Myx."

"The rumbling, the ground vibrating--you're telling me you don't feel that?

"Nope. Quit the jitters--it's unmanly," I said.

"What do you know about being manly, Dave"

"I've read stuff," I said.

"Get me off the tracks and I'll tell all our readers all your good qualities," Myx said.

"Myx, you know I'm much too modest for that! And--we don't have that kind of time!"

"Was that a whistle?" Myx shouted.

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Miracle Myx Shoots

2008-05-13T05:56:00.003-04:00

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"You know this won't work for long, Dave."

"You probably give me too much credit for knowing too much," I said.

"I'm balanced," Myx said.

"And me?" I thought I'd give myself some time--although, Myx was right--his position didn't guarantee much time at all.

"Too easy, Dave; you know you're unbalanced."

"Not going to give me any scholarly discourse on cannons?"

"Nor canons," Myx said.

"Homophone?" I asked.

"Am I getting predictable? Get me offa here!" Myx said.

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Miracle Myx Lasers In

2008-05-12T06:08:00.003-04:00

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"Let me get that freckle for you, Dave," Myx offered.

"I'll just be fine without any treatment, Myx."

"You know what else they use the ol' Q-Yag 5 for?"

"Do I have to know?"

"Only if you want to tie it into MIRACLE MYX in the vague and tenuous way you usually do," Myx said.

"NOW you got my interest, Myx--roll on, my friend!"

"This is a cosmetic laser, Dave. It can be used to remove skin lesions, but--more importantly to us ...?"

Myx was giving me an opening here, but nothing was coming to me, even though I knew it should be obvious.

"Errr...." was all I could come up with.

"Tattoo removal, Dave. Tattoos!"

"Tattoos are clues in MIRACLE MYX," I said. "They were removed in a whole different way in the book."

"Yeah," said Myx, "they were--"

"I wonder if that thing works on book covers," I added before Myx could give away any of the story's secrets.

"Errr...." It was Myx's turn to be speechless.

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Miracle Myx Floats Like A Butterfly

2008-05-11T05:50:00.003-04:00

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"Transform," I said.

"Is this gonna be a serious one?" Myx asked.

"With you?"

"Yeah--good point."

"Here you are, sitting above the very symbol of transformation, Myx. You want to tell our readers a little about your own transformation?"

"You know I'm too modest to go into details about what happens to me in MIRACLE MYX."

"OK, I'll give a little insight into--"

"You see, I had two life-changing events happen," Myx began.

It seemed that his false modesty had given away as soon as he saw I was going to take center stage and expound.

"The first gave me supercharged synesthesia, a mingling of my senses that lets me remember every detail I experience and replay them at will. The other left me sleepless."

"In Seattle?" I thought I'd inject a little levity (yeah--I looked it up!) into such an uncharacteristic litany by Myx.

"Seattle, Boston--and everywhere in between." Myx, of course, knew how to play along.

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Miracle Myx Steps Up

2008-05-10T05:24:00.004-04:00

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"Step right up!" Myx said.

"That was already in the subject line. Aren't you being repetitive?"

"The subject line wasn't full of my verve and enthusiasm," Myx said.

""Enthusiasm? So you don't mind being on a stepladder?"

"No wind, and I can see farther from here. So--no, this is pretty good today."

It was always nice to find one of those seldom-experienced scenes that Myx actually liked. It was a beautiful day, and Myx's attitude made it even more so.

"I know you, Myx. Something else is making you happy: what is it?"

"Well, yanno how all those libraries across the country have MIRACLE MYX in them now ...?"

"Yeah, I'm glad that--"

"I'm getting checked out on a regular basis and people are reading all about my little adventures in Miracle, Massachusetts!"

"And how about all the people buying you online and at the bookstores!" I might as well spur Myx on to even greater euphoria.

"Move me up a step, so I can see even better," Myx said. So much for euphoria.

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Miracle Myx Goes Potty

2008-05-09T05:56:00.002-04:00

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"You can't imagine the stink down here," Myx said.

"Imagine it is all I want to do," I said.

We were visiting a long line of porta-potties. I thought this angle made a good background for Myx.

"There's not a breath of wind to blow these noxious gases away, Dave. They're all just building up an ammonia sea that I can't swim out of."

"You expect me to throw you a life preserver before I take my shot--not a chance," I said. At least I was a few feet away from the offensive stench.

"If I could cough and gag, I would," Myx said.

"Myx, if you could cough and gag ... hmmm? There must be a good ending to that--but I can't think of it!" I said brightly. Maybe a little humor would take Myx's pages--I mean mind--off his present predicament (a little alliteration goes a long way!).

"Dave, please tell me you don't have to go before we go."

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Miracle Myx Hoops It Up

2008-05-08T06:01:00.004-04:00

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"Don't move," I said.

"Move--I'm not even breathing," Myx said.

"A book can breathe?"

"For being the author of both the book and the blog, Dave, you really don't have a firm grasp on what and where and how this all works."

"And ... you point is?"

"Yeah--good question. Just hurry; I'm 10 feet up here."

Myx had taken tumbles from lower heights than this, and lived to complain about it. I could only imagine if some wayward gust blew him off this perch.

"Don't worry Myx. After I take this photo, I'll sky up there and get you down--maybe dunk the rock in the process."

"Dave, when you jump, I couldn't wedge my credit card between your feet and the ground," Myx said.

"A book has a credit card?"

"We're back to that?" Myx said.

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Miracle Myx Mounts Up

2008-05-07T06:35:00.004-04:00

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"Tally-ho!" I said.

"Do you even know what that means, Dave?"

I thought that since the Kentucky Derby had just been run, this was a good chance to use an equestrian setting.

"I know part of it," I answered.

"Which part?" Myx usually asks questions only to trip me up.

"The 'ho' part! I said. "Gotcha!"

"Figures. Tally-ho was an old Norman phrase used by William the Conquerer while hunting stag. It's used now during fox hunts. Also used by pilots in situations about spotting air traffic."

Myx, as always, was a wealth of information--all of it interesting, but very little of any use in daily life unless you're going of Jeopardy.

"You're not going to post that pic of you at Churchill Downs, where the Kentucky Derby is run?" Myx asked. Myx's voice implied that this would be a shameful thing to do.

"No," I said. Myx would never know--unless YOU told him.

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Miracle Myx Falls To Pieces

2008-05-06T05:32:00.003-04:00

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"This is sadistic," Myx said.

"It didn't hurt a bit," I said.

"Didn't hurt you!"

"That's what I meant, Myx!"

"You've never been cut apart, Dave."

"I had my appendix out, and--"

"At least Kris put me back in one piece again."

"I still think she could have done it faster. Did you see the video--I gave her soooo much encouragement," I said.

"You're NOT going to take me apart again, are you?"

"That's a puzzling question, Myx!"

"Uh-oh. Just one other question--why the ears?"

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Miracle Myx SinC's In

2008-05-05T05:25:00.004-04:00

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"You kept me hidden long enough," Myx said.

"Yeah--my mistake," I said.

We were at regional meeting of Sisters In Crime--the New England chapter. We were treated to a right-brain creativity workshop led by Jamie Cat Callan.

"You should have put me out on the table as soon as you got there and held me high when you introduced yourself, and--"

"I get it, Myx: show you off. You're just miffed you were left in my valise for a while."

"It was dark in there, all zipped away. And--do you know what it smells like in there?"

"I don't wanna know." It was time to change the subject. "Myx, who's your new friend?"

"See! this is a good example of how all you have to do is get me out in the open and magic happens! This is Sibylle Barrasso and she wrote DARK WATERS. It's coming out in August. She's way into sports ... knows professional sports celebrities and stuff. Even gonna be on CNN. And, oh--her father was a professional racing driver!"

"You didn't tell her about my driving, Did you, Myx?"

"Hmmm? It might have slipped out!"

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Miracle Myx Gets Sandwiched In

2008-05-04T05:25:00.003-04:00

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"Panino," Myx said.

"If you're referring to the sandwich, I believe 'panini' is what most call it, Myx."

"That's plural. But, I hate to admit you're right because Americans use the plural as the singlular.

"Again, you've made something simple unnecessarily complicated," I said.

"It means small bread roll literally--but we use it to mean a sandwich grilled in a press."

I waved the plate a few in front of Myx, letting the aroma waft up and around.

"This is going to taste good," I said. What harm could a little teasing do? Heh! Heh! In MIRACLE MYX, Myx Amens has a constant and insatiable hunger--he eats wherever and whenever he can to fuel his sleepless hours.

"Someday a librarian enforcer for the ALA is going to give you what you deserve for teasing a book," Myx said.

"There's no such thing," I blustered before looking over my shoulder; the sandwich didn't taste quite as good after that.

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Miracle Myx Arpeggios

2008-05-03T06:16:00.004-04:00

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"You made a verb out of it," Myx said.

"The title?"

"What else would I be talking about, Dave. The floor? the piano? Yes--the word arpeggio. It's a noun."

"That's why I'm the writer, Myx. I come up with creative variations that keep readers gasping with delight!"

"You believe that?" Myx asked.

"Sounded good for a minute, didn't it?" I though my own question would fit in nicely here.

"An arpeggio is like a broken chord," Myx said. "Instead of a group of notes being played all at once, they're spread out and played one-by-one in quick succession."

"Like I spread you out away from the pianist here," I said.

"You said penis!"

"You're being juvenile," I said.

"Here you are taking a picture of a book in front of a crowd watching a guy play a piano--and you're dinging me for a pronunciation joke?"

"Good point," I said--and snapped this picture.

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Miracle Myx Rocks

2008-05-02T05:54:00.002-04:00

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"This more of your artistic pretentiousness?"

"Yes ... I mean ... this arrangement carries great meaning and inner conflict and tension of design and--"

"It's just something random that caught your eye," Myx said.

"That's one possibility," I said.

"A rock, a leaf, some glass ...."

"And thou!" I said.

"Have you ever really read Omar Khayyam?" Myx asked; and I didn't like the tone.

"Is that who wrote that?"

"Yeah--he's a poet. Hey, Dave? I got a piece of glass in my ass."

"Now, Myx, you're a poet!"

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Miracle Myx Gets Ant-sy

2008-05-01T05:54:00.003-04:00

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I knew I was asking for trouble ... trouble in the form of Myx's protests and complaints. But, maybe for once I was wrong.

"Get me outta here," Myx said.

Nope. I was right--again.

"I'll hurry, Myx."

"They know what hurry means more than you do. Already I can feel crawlies on me."

"I just put you down there. The ants aren't even aware of you," I said.

"Ohhh--they know. I can see it in their eyes."

"Did you know the Italian translation of ant is formica?" I asked.

"Check my back," Myx said. "I feel something!"

"Wow! Look at them teem. They look angry," I said. I knew Myx would find a dozen ways to get back at me later--but, that was later! Now is when I was having a little fun at his expense.

"Teem? Who taught you that one?"

Even in Myx's distress--and anxiety to escape the horde, he couldn't resist ....

"I think I've got a good angle on this, Myx."

"Check my back!"

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Miracle Myx Plays

2008-04-30T06:17:00.002-04:00

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"It's windy," Myx said.

"Refreshing, isn't it?"

"Hard to be refreshed when you're about to fall."

"Just don't think about it. Pretend to be on a nice soft couch somewhere--safe and sound." That should allay all of Myx's trepidations. (Notice how I can dazzle with words I hardly know!?)

"You should be on a couch, Dave--a therapist's couch. Here you are in a children's playground talking to a book."

"If you distract me by pointing out my psychological issues, I might not notice you're falling," I said. "Besides, when have I ever let you fall before, Myx?"

"Do the words 'ice fountain' bring any tragic scenes to mind?"

"No." I'd let Myx decide whether lying or memory loss was a greater psychological issue with me.

Ice Fountain

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Miracle Myx Makes News

2008-04-29T06:00:00.003-04:00

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"So now that you've gotten me up," Myx said, "what's the big news?"

We were just down the street, at the corner vending machine; I was shivering a little in the pre-dawn darkness.

"How do you get someone up that doesn't sleep?"

"Would it kill ya to play along?--I am by sitting here on top of this dirty thing," Myx said.

"Good point. Well--the news, my potent-paged friend, is that you've been nominated for an Alex!"

"This is where I play along and ask what that is--even though I know--so our readers can get filled in?"

"We each have our roles, Myx."

"Gee, Dave--an Alex? An Alex? Oh my God! Really?--an Alex? Can it be true that--"

"OK--enough. You always overdo it! Yes, MIRACLE MYX has been nominated for the American Library Association's Alex Award, given annually to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults.

"But--I'm REALLY an adult novel, if you know what I mean--and the nomination ...."

We looked at each other in the dark and cold for a few seconds, and then said as one:

"We'll take it!"

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Miracle Myx Gets Roped In

2008-04-28T05:51:00.004-04:00

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"I bet a woman feels knot-y when wearing this dress," Myx said.

"Don't make me upbraid you, Myx! Pretty good, right?"

"Tell me--please--you're not going to try a battle of wits with me, Dave--you're only half equipped."

"That half wit thing is old, Myx."

"Old is bad?"

"Well--we should be aiming at new, contemporary, or even cutting edge like this dress here," I said.

"The designer really had to have a cutting edge to pull this off--like a knife!.

"Is it hemp?" I asked.

"Got a match?"

"Yeah--my socks and--"

"Wow! Talk about old!"

"What kind of woman would wear this?" Maybe it was time for a serious question.

"Sugar and splice ... and everything nice!" Myx said.

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Miracle Myx Caps It Off

2008-04-27T05:30:00.003-04:00

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"Buy me a cap," Myx said.

"Yeah--that's gonna happen," I said.

"You don't feel I deserve a cap after all we've been through together?"

"Deserving and getting are two different things, Grasshopper," I said.

"You think anybody's gonna get a thirty-year-old reference to David Carradine's Kung Fu TV series?" Myx asked. He didn't sound pleased.

"Is that where that came from?" I knew it did, but felt like diverting Myx's attention away from the baseball caps.

"Anyway, the implication is that you want to sound zen-like and wise," Myx said.

"Sounding and being are two different things, Grasshopper." I think I had Myx diverted for sure.

"Buy me a cap," Myx said.

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Miracle Myx Pedals

2008-04-26T04:49:00.003-04:00

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"We're back to nighttime shots," Myx said.

"You can get some cool effects at night," I said.

"Knowing something about photography might be a prerequisite to 'cool' I think."

"What do you mean by that?" I asked the question before realizing I didn't want to know the answer, especially if told from Myx's perspective.

"Well--take this photo for example. I would guess you thought the neon would be a good subject in the background, right?"

"Myx, I took this--"

"And, you've been talking about bicycles lately--so I can see the connection there. But, come on: the flash got reflected, the fluorescent light is distracting, and there's condensation on the window," Myx instructed.

"Hey, I got you in the picture, didn't I?" I might have sounded defensive at this point.

"AND--you cut my feet off!"

"A book has feet?" Touche!

"Ever hear of footnotes?" Myx asked with that tone.

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Miracle Myx's Swan Song

2008-04-25T05:20:00.003-04:00

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"The pen is mightier than the sword!" Myx said.

"I recognize the line, but--"

"That's from the 1839 play Richelieu by Edward Bulwer-Lytton."

Myx loves to show off his photographic memory. His synesthesia allows him to effortlessly retrieve words, images, voices, and even movements that he's experienced for the briefest time. I usually find it easiest to play along.

"That may be interesting to some information-starved recluse, but not me!" I blurted. I guess I wasn't in the mood to play along today.

"You want me to tell you how I fit that info in with this setting, Dave. Admit it!"

"I'm not the slightest bit curious, Myx," I said. I thought about it for a few seconds while framing the shot--then lowered the camera and asked: "OK--what's that line got to do with a swan?" Dammit!

"A pen is a full-grown female swan," Myx said with a flourish.

"That's a female?"

"Not the first time you've asked THAT question--is it, Dave?"

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Miracle Myx Takes Off The Gloves

2008-04-24T05:09:00.002-04:00

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"These should look familiar, Myx," I said.

"Tools of the trade."

"You've got a funny trade, since you're not talking about anything medical related."

"Let's just say that in MIRACLE MYX I need gloves like these on a regular basis," Myx said.

"You tend to go places you'd rather not leave evidence."

"Isn't evidence kind of a strong word, Dave?"

"Meaning what?"

"Meaning 'evidence' implies a crime of some sort--a wrong."

"And what do you do, Myx?"

"Pay friendly visits that I don't wish my hosts to know about!"

Myx sounded positively proud of himself. In MIRACLE MYX, he has to get in and out of some places where detection would be--at the very least, embarrassing--and, at most--deadly.

"I wrote some awesome scenes with you and the gloves, didn't I, Myx?"

"Maybe 'awesome' is too strong a word!"

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Miracle Myx In Texas

2008-04-23T05:46:00.003-04:00

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"I look like a cowgirl," Myx said.

"Ever hear of the reverse cowgirl?" I thought I'd prod Myx a little.

"Hearing is all you've--"

"How do you like Texas, Myx?" Maybe prodding is a bad thing to do.

MIRACLE MYX had traveled the amazon and wound up in Texas with a new owner (who took this pic!). Readers who take a creative photo of or with Myx can email it to me (check my blogger profile for my addy). From time to time, I'll definitely post pics from Myx's fans.

"Texas is nice--and, it's good to meet new people--but this dressing up thing ..." Myx said.

"Get used to it, Annie Oakley. You remember what Bruce Willis said in Die Hard?"

"Yippee-ki-yay?"

"Yep! And you know what she's probably gonna put on you next?" I was rather enjoying this.

"Oh nooo! Not the thong ...!"

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Miracle Myx Slides

2008-04-22T06:17:00.003-04:00

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"Wheeee!" I said.

"Easy for you to say," Myx replied.

"Quiet. I quit tryin' to get you on the way down, didn't I?"

"Only because you weren't fast enough," Myx said.

I had placed Myx at the top of the slide and, as quickly as I could, gotten out in front of the sliding board--but, each time, Myx beat me to the bottom--he tumbled out the chute before I could get the pic. Flying onto the gravel didn't do anything good for his disposition.

"We'll pretend you just had a nice ride, Myx."

"You do lots of pretending, don't you, Dave?"

"Only as a substitute for reality!" I thought sounding cheerful would assuage (yeah! I looked it up!) Myx's irritation.

Just before Myx groaned, he said, "I'll have to pretend not being sore tomorrow."

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Miracle Myx Races On

2008-04-21T05:54:00.004-04:00

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"Hey--lookit me!"

Yeah, yeah ... I promised myself I wasn't going to do this ... but ...

"Make it fast, Myx. People are staring," I said.

This was the starting line for the Boston Marathon. A group kindly parted along the edge of the road when I said I wanted a photo of my book on the line. I chose a moment when there was no traffic imminent, but soon there were some courteous drivers who were stopped--giving me time to snap my picture without ruining the shot. Whoever you were--thanks!

"Bring on the Kenyans! " Myx said.

The Kenyan contingent had won the race repeatedly in recent years. Of course, it was just like Myx to only want to challenge the best.

"Meet me in Boston, Dave!"

"Sometimes, you forget you're a book," I said.

"So? ... isn't this all about fiction?--making something seem real that hasn't actually happened?"

I looked at MIRACLE MYX down there on the line, then we both said: "Bring on the Kenyans!"

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Miracle Myx Does Hopkinton

2008-04-20T05:58:00.003-04:00

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"I wanna race!"

Myx sounded determined.

"That ain't gonna happen, Myx."

I sounded determined.

"Twenty-six miles."

"And 385 yards," I added. "I'll run the 385 yards part."

"You do a couple of miles a day," Myx said.

"That means that it takes me almost two weeks to run a marathon. You can time me with a calendar, not a stopwatch."

We were in Hopkinton, the starting point for arguably the most famous race in the world, the Boston Marathon. It takes place each year on a Massachusetts holiday, Patriot's Day.

"Let's go where that crowd is, Dave."

"That's the starting line, Myx--I'm NOT going to explain why I have a book that--"

"I wanna race!"

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Miracle Myx Gets Checked Out

2008-04-19T05:15:00.004-04:00

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"SShhhh!"

"Myx, this is a photo; there's no need to be quiet," I said.

"I was doing the 'library' thing. Yanno--how librarians tell you to keep it down?"

There was a strange stereophonic quality to Myx's voice as it came from multiple directions. Copies of MIRACLE MYX had arrived, and we were visiting the Framingham Public Library. The librarians there graciously welcomed me and Myx, making me feel like a real author amidst the multitude of time-proven classics housed there.

"You get to pose with the ladies today, Myx!"

"I like Harriet," said the Myx to my far left.

"Yeah, and--"

"Well, I like Phyllis," said the Myx next to the first.

"You're not--"

"I think Carrie is nice!" chimed in Myx, the third.

"You all don't have to--"

"Deb is actually reading me!"

"She's got you open, but I think--"

"Look how Lucy is holding me--with respect, Dave--respect!" said the Myx second from the right.

"Is that what you're calling it. I would--"

"Clare knows how to treat a book, Dave--take a lesson!" said the last Myx.

Dealing with just one Myx wears me out, but six! There would have been seven, but an important phone call tore away the last of our group. Maybe a seventh voice would have driven even me past my endurance for a daily Myx fix.

Suddenly, all six asked: "Where's Kelly?"

"SShhhh!" I shhh'd, and snapped this photo.

Watch further exploits Myx has in the book trailer!

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Miracle Myx Flows

2008-04-18T05:37:00.003-04:00

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"Aayy!"

"You're trying to tell me something," I said.

"Exactamundo!" Myx said.

Myx has the ability to mimic voices. I could tell this was one of his TV impressions.

"Now you're the Fonz from Happy Days. I'm sure I'll have time to regret this later, but may I ask why?"

"Where are we?" Myx asked back.

I hate when he does this. All he wants to do is act smart--which is always at my expense--making me look less than smart.

"We're at a fountain," I said. "That's a clue?"

"What's the etymology of fountain?"

"What do bugs have to do with this, Myx?"

"That's entymology, Dave. I'm talking about the history of the word--which in this case is the Latin word fons, which means source.

"Which translates into Henry Winkler's Fonz," I said as if it made sense.

"Aayy!" Myx said. A double thumbs up would have seemed appropriate if he wasn't a book.

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Miracle Myx Gets Drilled

2008-04-17T06:25:00.003-04:00

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"Spit," I said.

"You think this is funny," Myx said.

"Funnier than me sitting there!"

We were at my dentist's office for a checkup. The good doctor was patiently standing behind me while I framed this photo. I explained what I was doing, but sometimes the whole concept of taking a picture of your book for a blog seems kind of convoluted when trying to synopsize it. Thankfully, he nodded as if it all made perfect sense.

"OK--you're turn, Dave."

"What's the rush?"

"Too many things here to harm a book: drills, x-rays--even that water over there," Myx said as if I would buy it.

"We'd need an earthqauke to get that water to spill, Myx."

"Could happen. Hey, Dave, the doc looks concerned.

Maybe me actually talking to a book had him puzzled. Maybe I should shut up and--awww--what the heck!

I smiled. "Spit!" I said loudly.

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Miracle Myx Visits Wellesley

2008-04-16T06:28:00.004-04:00

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"You take one more step backwards, and I'll need a ride home," Myx said.

"You're concerned about me, Myx? I'm touched."

"You'll be touched--by a fender if you're not careful."

Myx was right. I was concentrating on getting this photo instead of watching the traffic on Route 135 in Wellesley, MA. The sidewalk was not wide enough for me to get Myx and the store facade all in without stepping back into the street. To make it even harder, I had to shoot over a parked car--so I had the camera high over my head.

"I wonder what drivers are thinking?" Myx said above the noise of the busy street.

"Who's that incredibly handsome, innovative photographer?"

"Yeah, I'm sure that's it, Dave."

"I liked it in the bookstore," Myx said. "It was full of Wellesley College girls--all svelte and pretty and smart-looking. You know what they smell like?"

"Now, Myx, you really--"

"Class, Dave, pure class."

"What do I smell like, Myx?

"Errr ... you put me in an awkward position," Myx said.

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