I have always loved the term ‘in the loop’, it’s so inclusive. It gives you the feeling that you have a backstage pass or that you are a fly on the wall. With that in mind, that’s what I want to call our blog: In The Loop. From this point on, consider yourself a ‘Looper’.
I’ll regularly keep you in the loop about what’s happening behind the scenes with upcoming events and what’s on the drawing board. I’ll also include guest posts from our authors. From time to time, I’ll take you on a journey that will enable you to decode your dreams. Finally, for those of you who wish to be published, I’ll offer insights to help you along that path.
Some of you may wonder how I started with Hay House—even those who have read Reid Tracy’s abridged version in his Present Moments newsletter. Maybe you’re wondering about the story behind the below photograph of Louise and me. For the fashion conscious among you, the biggest question might be: ‘Who dressed him in the blue corduroy pants?’ Read on and all will be revealed…
One day in the early 90's. I’d volunteered to take responsibility for Louise's book-signing queue in my favourite blue corduroy pants.
There I am, fast asleep on Louise’s shoulder. I’d volunteered to take responsibility for her book-signing queue. It was the early 90s and we were touring with Wayne Dyer, Stuart Wilde, Maryanne Williamson and Michael Rowland. As usual with Hay House events, we always finish up around 5pm with a book signing. The lines in front of all the speakers were long but, for Louise, they were unbelievably so. The queue went out the door and wrapped around the Convention Centre. I whispered in Louise’s ear, ‘Will I limit it to one book per person?’ She looked at me, horrified. ‘Leon, if anyone has purchased one of my books, it’s my pleasure to sign them.’ Louise was right; if anyone honours you by purchasing something you have written, and feels that an autograph would add value to their experience, then how could you refuse?
Around 6.30pm, all the other speakers had satisfied their adoring fans. They made their way back to the hotel and caught up for dinner. Louise’s queue was not even halfway complete. We moved everyone waiting indoors and zigzagged the line around the foyer. It looked like a queue for Grand Final tickets!
By 8pm, I had to sit down. My legs were wobbly, my eyelids were heavy, my back was aching and my feet were throbbing. All the chairs had been removed. Who’d done that? Couldn’t they see we were still there and we might want to sit down? Anyway, there was nowhere to sit. Louise was still signing, so I just leant against her and took a short power nap. As you can see, I really needed a shave by that time.
What stamina Louise displayed during that evening! I think we finished around 9.30pm. There were people in that queue who had purchased their books back in the early 80s. The books were held together with elastic bands, dog-eared and really well read. Others had multiple copies of the current version that they had purchased for friends. Each and every one of them left with Louise’s signature, elegantly and permanently engraved inside. I limped back to the hotel and went straight to bed. Louise joined the rest of the touring party for dinner, ready and rearing to go, as you can see from the photo.
Louise with the rest of our touring party for dinner, ready and rearing to go after a long day of book signing.
Now, about those blue corduroy pants. What can I say? It was the 90s and they were in fashion. We were dancing to R.E.M, Britney Spears and Madonna, and we were watching Pulp Fiction, Forest Gump and The Shawshank Redemption for the first time. So there is nothing wrong with my blue corduroys!
Stay tuned and happy trails!
Leon