Big Love?

Fletch just asked me to cancel all my plans today because the rain's starting to freeze and he doesn't want me driving on ice.

I'd say I was overwhelmed by his concern for my safety, but I suspect it has more to do with concern for his car.

(Also, comments for the book tour cities are still open in the entry below.  Who knew Columbus, OH was such a hotspot for Jenizens?) 

UPDATE:  I took out the garbage a few minutes ago and there's not a speck of ice anywhere so Senor Safety had me miss my training session and dentist appointment for nothing.  This is all the more ironic because a $100 ticket came for him in the mail today.  Fletch said he totally stopped first, but the RedLightViolations.com video footage of him blowing through at 30 MPH begs to differ. 

(If I could capture the video and post it here, I totally would.) 

(There's no audio portion, but if there were, it would sound like this: vvvVVVVVVRRRRROOOOOOMMMMmmmm.)

(Yes, I've replayed the video ten times, and yes, each time I add my own sound effects.  It has yet to not be funny.)

Comments

[Kristan]

You TOTALLY have to come to Columbus, OH. First, we love you! Second, we are a huge test market for restaurants so we ROCK! (ok, so maybe half of the population is on WW...)

[meg]

Yes! Columbus, please! And yes, the ban in Westerville has indeed been lifted.

[Noreen]

Coming to New York!!! Yeah ---My friend Amy and I will be waiting
with a Starbucks in our hands --hopefully you will land in the bookstore right by my office and in a 4 block radius of SEVEN starbucks!

[Laura]

I am so happy that Columbus, Oh is such a hotspot. I would like to be egomaniacal for a minute and say that I am partly responsible for this, as I tell anyone who will listen to read these books. I thought my Dad was the only one who listened, but apperantly my message is getting through. yay! P.S. my daddy loved the books.

[Jenni]

DC, most definitely DC!!!

[biff_wellington]

Okay, just a warning...all these commenters asking you to come to Columbus...are why I left Columbus and now live in Los Angeles. Just So you know :)

(And the person from Westerville, which is part of the Columbus "Metro" area, are your really asking here to make a separate trip? come on :)

[Amber]

I would come visit in Ft. Wayne, IN or Indianapolis and bring an entire charter bus of fans!(or whoever fits in a few SUV's :) But if you come to Indy you could visit Wild Oats (an even better Whole Foods) with yummy people-kibble!

[Wine-o-was-her-name-o]

Just thought you should know that I'm currently consuming an entire bottle of Riesling from the Fox Valley Winery in good 'ol Oswego, IL. you'd be proud

[Melissa]

Minneapolis NEEDS Jen!

[Meg]

From the Chicago burbs, a comment on the 'ice': Monday night my boyfriend told me to stay home from work on Tuesday because, and this is a quote, "I don't want you wrecking the car...(this is a really long pause coupled with a dirty look from me)...and getting hurt...sweetie." And one of my co-workers' husbands told her to stay home Tuesday, too! WTF? I can't speak for my co-worker, but I could parallel park an 18-wheeler, while flawlessly applying lipstick...and my boyfriend knows it. Yet, he still says things like this to me. Must be something on the Y-chromosome?

A note regarding the book tour: living in the Chicago burbs I'm thrilled to be able to see you here this summer!!! You'll recognize me, I'll be the one sweating Riesling. However, knowing that keeping something as wonderful as you all to ourselves is seventh-circle-worthy sin I would like to vote for Denver. I moved away from Denver two-and-a-half years ago and can say with confidence, it's a great city and they will LOVE you!!

[Jody]

With the Mall of America - how could you not come to the Minneapolis/St. Paul MN area. We want to party with you Jen Lancaster!

[Katie]

I'm voting for Columbus, OH too! (There are so many comments on the other posting, I figured I would try my luck here!) I cannot wait for the next book to come out, I loved the last two.

[Jessica]

Please come see us in Portland, OR or Seattle, WA! I can't wait to read "Such a Pretty Fat."

[Melanie]

Food Network has a show about online Christmas gifts and treats and there was a special segment on these cupcakes. I thought of you and your cupcake adventure. Here's the website for what the Deen boys say are the best red velvet cupcakes... www.backinthedaybakery.com. I have to trust them... they are super cute! Plus, there mom is Paula Deen so I'm sure they know a good cupcake when they taste one.

[Kim]

Madison is The Place to come, close to Chicago (a daytrip). I loved your "Bitter is the New Black". Truly enjoy reading the "critics" description of you! I am picking up your Bright Lights Big Ass book can't wait to read it!

[Cynthia]

Portland, Oregon. Or Seattle, WA. We'd make the trip up just for you. Jenn, we here on the Left Coast read too! And not all of us are Left -I'm Right and proud of it!!! Wanna meet you and dish more than just about anything :}

[Poppy]

Come to Chicago! We have fake ice storms here--you'd love it!

And I LOVE the new cover. LOVE. IT.

And I'm jellus of your cake.

[Amy Stumpf]

Hey Jen, My friend and I NEED you to come to NY!!! And thats it ok?? Ok, good thats great! We can't wait to meet you in person although we already know you so well because your writing is abolutley amazing! Shopahalic USED to be our favorit book but you have topped the charts!! Thank you for the laughs!!!!!!

[Dawn]

ALABAMA...ALABAMA....ALABAMA....it's very nice down here!!!!

[Michelle]

We have all of that in Cincinnati too ;o) Monograms galore, pearls, Lacoste everywhere, a Brooks Brothers right across from Tiffany's on Fountain Square. Did I mention we have lots of things that are monogrammed here?

[Jo]

Come to Charlotte, NC! You will fall in love with all the girls in pearls sporting their monogrammed Vera Bradley Bags!

[Jo]

Come to Charlotte, NC! You will fall in love with all the girls in pearls sporting their monogrammed Vera Bradley Bags!

[Cindy from Cincinnati]

Jen, I just got back from Chicago and I have to say, I was happy to get out of there yesterday morning. I was in Carol Stream on business and they way they kept telling me that the worst storm in history was coming, really got my shorts in a bunch...I was ready to hunker down for a week in my hotel. As it was, I drove for hours in the rain, around I-294 and down I-65 south...UGH!

I did manage to complete my Jen Lancaster tour, visited Michigan Avenue Sunday, complete with Voseges chocolate. Renewed my Nieman Marcus account (They said they purge non-active accounts...whatever!) Visited my Alma Mater Purdue on my way home, had lunch at Wabash Yacht Club, where they do not even know who you are...unbelieveable! They looked at me like I had 2 heads when I suggested that they erect a shrine to you as a now FAMOUS former employee.

[sarah]

if you go to columbus, you can swing by westerville. I've got in on good authority that the alcohol ban is lifted.

[DeeDee]

Come to PHOENIX!! I'm from PEKIN, IL & my Bro lives in Chicago, I keep hoping he'll bump into you at Target & call me on his cell so we can chat! LOVE the new book cover!

[Kristabella]

I am waiting for one of those red light camera tickets in the mail. Even though it caught me at 3 AM as I pulled to a stop at a red light while I was turning right on red LEGALLY. Because you know, I inched forward to make sure I didn't plow into oncoming traffic. I hope when they see my angry face in the photo they realize throwing it out will be a better option than fighting me.

[Nancy]

You H-A-V-E to come to St. Louis. It's Chicago's less-popular sister. Besides, it is such a short trip by Southwest Airlines, you won't even have time to realize your knee caps are lodged in your eye sockets. My friends and I all LOVE your books and have an all-encompassing hatred for Hillary. I have lived several of your memoirs myself. Izod, Laura Ashley, IKEA, and Target? Hello! What's not to like?

[Melanie]

You should come to Austin its a great town!

[Tracie]

Listen to them-PHOENIX. It is everything you love. Conservative, sunny, warm, liquor-filled, unbelievable spas and fantastic resort hotels, Super Targets, and shopping galore (Trader Joe's, IKEA and so much more) Don't forget great Mexican food and killer Margaritas. I promise you will decide to move here after visiting.

[Sue]

I vote for St.Croix, US Virgin Islands...you'd never have to worry about driving on ice down here! OK - maybe not realistic but on the plus side we can legally drink and drive (don't let the little umbrella poke you in the eye!). Keep it coming - I love reading your stuff while laying on the beach!

[Diana]

does it count for the people voting in THIS comment section??? lol they are cheating..we are only supossed to vote in the previous entry...if yall dont behave with the comments then she'll take them away again! lol
*wispers* Dallas, Tx

[Jenna]

Joellen is a genius. Listen to her.

[Holly]

My vote...Minneapolis/St. Paul. Even though it sucks here right now, by the time your book comes out it would be delightful here! Plus my friends and I are pretty fantastic and love your books. If Minneapolis doesn't end up as one of the destinations...I will make a trip to Chicago.

[Joellen]

Phoenix because its great in the winter you can spontaneously combust in the summer and we have lots of resorts with spas

[Lisa Ann]

Jen:
Really, you should come to Austin. This place is the baaa-ooomb. We have Republicans (Hello! Capital city of Texas), Sorority & Ex-sorority girls by the hundreds, a liquor store that is over an acre that actually carries Everclear in the giant, economy, frat-party size(Who knew?). Plus, two lakes to go boating (& drinking).
AUSTIN, AUSTIN, AUSTIN, AUSTIN, AUSTIN, AUSTIN, AUSTIN, AUSTIN, AUSTIN, AUSTIN, AUSTIN, AUSTIN, AUSTIN.......

[K8]

Have I mentioned that I vote for St. Louis? COME TO THE LOU!

[Jill]

Kansas City!

Easy trip from Chicago!

[The Modern Gal]

Aren't all boys' motivations purely selfish? I don't know that they know any other way to operate.

[Linda]

and the ice in chicago today is where?!?!?!?

[Amy]

Jen -
I love your wit and sarcasm, you MUST come to St. Louis! Only a 45-minute trip by Southwest Air from Midway to Lambert! I will forgive your devotion to the Cubs for the time being if you do. :-)

[Kelsey]

Columbus is the new black.

[Malloree]

I would like to throw in another vote for Columbus... although, I would probably travel to Alaska to see you, if need be.

[mishi]

Come to Indy. You bring the pen, I'll bring the yummy, pink vodka drinks!

[Jenna]

If you come to Phoenix in the summer for your booktour you'll get to play in warm monsoon rain (no ice!) and I'll let you drive my car since Fleth won't. On second thought, maybe I'll let you drive my husband's car. Fletch seems like a smart man....

I know. I know. Not completetly on topic but related.

[Nicole]

Us Bitter Babes in Columbus can sure rally for a good cause! Let's face it, some of us need something other to look forward to then a National Championship game! Forget The Buckeyes... GO JEN GO!

[Magen]

Tell Fletch it's only ICY in the suburbs. The actual city may be wet, but there's no ice! (Yet, anyway.) C'mon! Where is his sense of adventure?

[Sue Mills]

It's not raining here in sunny San Diego...hint. I promise not to beg and post with each one of your postings. Did I mention I'd bring Sprinkle cupcakes?

[Cathy Dee]

Still voting for Ft. Wayne, suburb of Huntington. Just raining here, no ice! You could be doing your errands if you still lived here!

[Anna]

I am posting this here because there are 500 comments in the "which city do you want me to visit" post...Providence, RI!!! I loved both books, can't wait for the next, don't complain at all when you don't post here every day, had two c-sections in 2 years, will cry if you don't, bought the bacon/chocolate bar for my husband's x-mas stocking, hate run-on sentences. Thank you.

[Kristin]

Just another reason to stay home and watch "The Hills" re-runs, IMO.