Can someone summarize what the book “Double Take” by Kevin Connolly is about?

I have to admit that I was a little sad realizing that someone didn’t want to be bothered with reading my book. This is the first time I’ve seen disinterest or laziness in response to my work, and while it’s more than a little narcissistic to feel any sort of reaction to such a simple request, I found myself staring at the question for a good five minutes. He wanted to summarize me, basically – which felt almost like a bad version of literary speed-dating.

Right below his question was an answer that gave me heart, though:

Some guy who hated doing his homework so he paid people to do so

Now, while I wasn’t totally certain who the comment was directed at, it made me realize that this was quite likely a student having to read my book for homework. With Double Take being a common reader for incoming Freshman at Montana State University, University of Wisconsin, and Colorado Mountain College, I could see that maybe there was some student sweating bullets about an exam he or she had to take regarding Double Take. So – feeling that I was the best qualified to summarize myself, I gave it a shot. The first half of the post is reasonably accurate, but toward the end of my of summary, I began feeling a bit bored. Not just of the summary itself, but also of what I had accomplished within my own memoir! So, I decided to add a little spice.

The final third of the book takes place back in my home of Montana during a long hiking trip. During my hike, I reflect on my adventures over the past summer while keeping an eye out for hungry wildlife. The final tragic chapter takes place on Sailor Lake, where I am attacked by a mountain lion. Surviving the initial encounter, I nevertheless died a tragic death of attrition on the long hike back to my vehicle in search of medical aid. A sad way to end the book, but nevertheless, I’m currently working on a second one. Kinda tough to create a new narrative if you’ve already been killed by a mountain lion, but nevertheless, I am prepared to try!

Maybe it was my middle-of-the-night delirium that led me to rework the entire ending, but I think this makes the book feel much more epic. I also truly hope that somewhere in America, there is a student convinced or confused about my state of mortality.

Here’s the link to the Yahoo! Answers page if you have any better endings to suggest. Can Someone Summarize Double Take?

Because I’m going to be seeing all of you very soon! I’m currently in Glenwood Springs hanging out at my hotel, and getting ready for the event in Rifle tonight! Between the classroom visits; skateboard sessions around campus; and speaking engagements; it looks like it’s going to be a pretty busy week!

An article in the Glenwood Springs Post Independent has already come out, and it’s actually a pretty funny read…

If author and adventurer Kevin Michael Connolly were an ordinary 25-year-old, he would describe himself with ordinary words such as adaptable, curious and stubborn.

But Montana-born and -reared Connolly is an extra-ordinary young man, so he pauses thoughtfully, with a chuckle, to describe himself as “lowbrow, callused, hairy, manic, masochistic and relatively eloquent despite my best efforts.”

Here’s the link to the full article if you’d like to read a bit more.

Here are some extra details about my visit to Colorado Mountain College:

More information on the Colorado Mountain College Common Reader program and the author’s talks Nov. 1-5 can be found on the Web at www.coloradomtn.edu/communities_friends/common_reader.

Or call the college at 800-621-8559.

A photo and writing contest with the Double Take theme, invites entries that explore the idea of seeing the world from a different perspective. Find out more.

Kevin Michael Connolly will give author’s talks at the following locations:

Nov. 1: Colorado Mountain College in Rifle, 7 p.m.

Nov. 2: Colorado Mountain College in Aspen, 10 a.m.

Nov. 2: Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs-Spring Valley, gymnasium, 7 p.m.

Nov. 3: Colorado Mountain College in Breckenridge, 7 p.m.

Nov. 4: Bud Werner Memorial Library Hall in Steamboat Springs, 7 p.m.

Nov. 5: Vail Christian High School in Edwards, 7 p.m.

Alright – so we’re officially back in school. I’ve already been getting feedback from MSU freshman about Double Take, and it sounds like it’s creating some good discussion! So to add fuel to the fire, here is the second set of reading questions from the One Book-One Bozeman website

Hit the jump for the full list of questions, as well as comments and discussion…

8 ) How do you think “the Dirtbags” in chapter 6 helped to shape Kevin’s view of disability?

9) On pages 104-105, Serge tells Kevin a darkly humorous joke about a three breasted prostitute. Despite the vulgarity of the joke, Kevin insists that similar humor is important to shoulder aside the weight of reality. Do you think that it is right to laugh at such jokes? Perhaps relate this joke to the “black humor” that doctors engage in.

10) In chapter 17, Kevin catches himself staring at a man missing an arm and a leg – effectively doing the same thing he has caught others in the act of. What does this say about human nature and the act of staring? Is it something that should be controlled, or considered morally reprehensible? Is there a right or proper way to stare at someone?

11) Is Kevin Connolly disabled? Explain your answer.

12) On page 159, Kevin scrawls in his journal the rules for his photo project: Shoot every person that passes. Keep moving – never stop to frame your subject. Never make eye contact – give them permission to stare by looking the other way. Don’t try to attract people’s attention. Discuss what the rules allow, don’t allow, and their purpose.

13) In chapter 12, Kevin relates his experience crashing into an avalanche fence post to the feedback of his friends and family after he receives an X-games silver medal, “you go for broke?” How does Kevin interpret “going for broke” and how would you describe it? How does “going for broke” impact Kevin’s life and how does it impact your own?

14) The man on the skateboard with the Pomeranian at Venice Beach asks Kevin “what’s your gimmick” (see page 162). What do you think of his assumption that Kevin and he are colleagues and of Kevin’s reaction? What is the problem with assuming someone’s story from a single impression?

15) On the bus after he leaves Beth (see pages 209-210) Kevin experiences compassion, not pity, although he shares that the two responses look very much the same. Why in this situation do the looks make him feel linked to the people around him, whereas in other situations similar looks make him feel singled out and different? Do you think that this difference and the effect of the situation on Kevin is a result of Kevin’s perception or are compassion and pity inherently very different?

Howdy everybody – hope that the summer has been going well!

So tomorrow, June 26th, I’m going to be featured on NPR’s Weekend Edition with Scott Simon! I’m a huge NPR nerd, so the opportunity to be featured on one of my favorite programs was a real treat. I’m not certain how long the segment is going to be, exactly, but I know that I spoke with Scott for well over forty-minutes. Most of the interview surrounded my experiences working on Double Take as well as some of my more recent endeavors.

Most of local airing times are between 7AM and 9AM, but check your local listings to be sure. If you want to stream the show, or even check out some older programs, you can find it all right here.

So we’re a couple weeks out from the official release of the paperback version of Double Take, and my publishers have given me the go-ahead to throw a preview up on my blog. I received my first copy on Friday, and I gotta say – it looks pretty cool. Very, very surreal seeing myself on the cover, though. What do you think of the new design?

Hit the jump for the full spread.

You too, could look dashing in our upcoming Spring line!

Well first off, thanks to everyone for their participation. Over the past few days of trying to think of a name for these bouncy-leg things (on the issue of fairness, I’m not settling on anything yet). Not only did I get a whole host of names for the B.L.T’s, but also for my butt shoe as well. So I’m going to need some help. Below is the list and I’m going to need some votes for what name works best.

Begin!

L Springs
Comfort Cruiser
Tigger Tails
Metal Peds
Connollegs (clever!)
Bound-a-Round
Springy Flingers
The Mantis
The Centaur (this one and the “The Mantis” are totally badass. Bravo)
Mission Possible
Pro-Springs
Sprint Widgets
Connolly Bouncers
All-Terrain Tibias
Robolegs
Jumping Jacks
Terra Trotters
Rough Steppers
Rough Gliders
Kangaroo Legs
Mobility Legs
Mobility Walkers
Dummy Jumper
BodPod
Keminolly Legs
Universal Rebounders
GorillaPeds
GorillaFly
And because this is my blog and I can do whatever I want, I’m officially entering “B.L.T.” to the list. I like the officiousness of an acronym without any real substance behind it.

Generally, I think it would be best to stick with something simple. I’m thinking three syllables or less. So for those that have been helping out, now’s the time to put in a vote! The person who thought of the original moniker will get a signed copy of Double Take mailed over to them. You can leave a comment on here, or head over to my facebook page, where I’ll be a bit more involved with chatting back and forth. I’ll post the results in a week.
And as a funny addendum, here’s the list for my butt shoe.

The Keister
The Tushy
Butt Planter Tush Cushion
The Cheek  Seat
The Butt Condo
Asscap
Zapaton

I’m officially referring to my shoe now only as the “Butt Condo.” Makes me think it’s a bit more roomy in there than it is…

I'll be appearing December 23rd. Hit the jump to hear me gush...

So tomorrow morning I’m hopping on a plane for NYC for an appearance on the Today show on the morning of the 23rd. It’s going to be strange for once heading to place with MORE snow than Montana, but I’m still incredibly excited (also read: slightly nervous) for the opportunity to come out and talk about Double Take in front of millions! The segment will be five to six minutes long, and will mostly focus on my book, as well as my training for this season’s X-Games.

I know that some of you might not be the biggest of morning people, but I would really appreciate it if you passed this around to some of your friends and e-buddies.  And I promise – if I’m not at least somewhat charming, you have every right to track me down and give me a shot to the ribs for stealing some of your morning sleep-in.

See you on TV.

Proof of my abilities.

So the book’s out! After spending a week in New York, I came home to Montana and have been lying low and trying to recoup for my next bout of travel. Between my gallery shows, book events, and speaking gigs – I’ll be on the road until the last week of November. So that said, here are the national tour dates for the next month or so:

* NOTE: I’m aware that the formatting for this schedule is kind of all over the place, but considering that some of the event details are still up in the air, I can’t really dial anything down into a simple format. For a cleaner, faster, and more current look at my travel and events, head over to my public google cal: http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=ho3ap2r0mkah9bujdb9htjtrcc%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Denver

10/22-23 – University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY

Gallery Reception (The Rolling Exhibition is hanging here):

Wednesday, October 21, 4:30–6:30 p.m.; Main Lobby of University of Wyoming Centennial; Complex Gallery, 2111 Willett Drive

Public Lecture: Kevin Connolly’s Rolling Exhibition

Thursday, October 22, 3–4:30 p.m.; Classroom Building, Room 306

Montana Book Signings

10/27 – BOZEMAN – COUNTRY BOOKSHELF

Time: 7 PM
Location: Country Bookshelf
Address: 28 West Main, Bozeman, Montana 59715

10/28 – HELENA – STAGGERING OX
Event Date: 10/28/09
Time: 7 PM
Bookstore: Montana Book Co. (while they are hosting, the physical event space is still at The Staggering Ox)
EVENT LOCATION: Staggering Ox
Address: 400 Euclid Avenue

10/29 - MISSOULA – FACT & FICTION (downtown store)
Event Date: 10/29/09
Time: 7 PM
Location: Fact & Fiction, Downtown Store
Address: 220 N. Higgins, Missoula, Montana 59802

Speaking Events

11/10 – University of South Carolina; Russell House University Ballroom; show begins at 8:00 PM and runs until 9:30. I’ll be presenting a slideshow and talking about some of the themes and ideas behind both The Rolling Exhibition and Double Take.

11/11 – University of Kentucky; Worsham Theater; show begins at 8:00 PM and runs until people lose interest! Ditto.

11/17 – Bethany College; Renner Union Gallery; my itinerary doesn’t have a time posted, but my guess would be seven. Nevertheless, if you’re in the area and want to hear more about the event, head over to my contact page and shoot me a line (or comment on here). As my photos are hanging in the same gallery where I will be speaking, I imagine that this event will be based more upon the photographs than my writing. We’ll see…

11/18 – York College; York, PA; lecture starts at 7:00 PM, though I have not been given a specific building on campus yet. Let’s hope it’s not outside…

11/19 - Alvernia University; Bernadine Hall (in the Lecture Hall); no exact times on this one, but I’d imagine the evening again…

So that’s all I know for the moment. I need to start slowing down on appearances during this time as ski season begins, and I’ll have to start gearing up for the X Games. HOWEVER, there is one thing I desperately, desperately need your help with. I’m not trying sell anything here – buy my book or not, it’s entirely up to you – but what I do need from you is a small amount of your time to help lobby Colbert (of Comedy Central’s, The Colbert Report). People have begun lobbying Colbert to put me on his show under the challenge of a handstand contest (during which, I’m hoping we’ll talk about the book, of course). First one to fall has to eat a hardcover copy of Double Take.

So here’s what I need you to do:

Copy and paste the message below into the “Comment” field at Comedy Central’s site to see a Colbert’s first inverted interview! Oh, and don’t forget to select “The Colbert Report” from the drop down list. Here’s the link:  http://www.comedycentral.com/help/questionsCC.jhtml

“THE HANDSTAND CHALLENGE: COLBERT VS. CONNOLLY

THE CHALLENGE: Holding a handstand for as long as possible. First one to fall has to eat a hardcover copy of the book Double Take. Winner gets eternal glory.

THE CONTENDERS:

Kevin Michael Connolly, 24-year-old legless guy and author of the new memoir, Double Take.

Stephen Colbert, anemic political satirist and host of The Colbert Report.

THE BOOK: Double Take http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5MD7KHwLw4

Quit hiding behind that desk, Colbert!“

So that’s it! I’ll keep people posted on here as to how it goes, but thusfar I’ve already garnered quite a bit of traffic and posts to his contact page. Let’s keep it rolling!

Back soon…

And I swear it's not as creepy as my photo might indicate...

Well, that’s it. It’s finished. I just received my first box of hardcovers, and I have to say that they look pretty great. I have to send out a big thanks to everyone at Harper Studio for all of the hard work they put into making this book as beautiful as it could possibly be. More than that, they allowed me to actively participate in the design process of the book. I can honestly say that cover to cover, I got to see/approve pretty much every visual element of the book which is a rare luxury for any author – much less a greenhorn.

I’m heading off to NYC this afternoon for the book launch next week. We have some pretty cool (and funny!) stuff in the works that will be coming out in the next few days. So keep checking back! In the meantime, if you want to see anything else, head over to my book’s page on HarperStudio – http://theharperstudio.com/authorsandbooks/kevinconnolly/

Also, these photos were taken around 7:30 AM, so please excuse the fact that I look a little crazed.

A meta moment on the blog.

Howdy -

Want to let you know that over in the “Portfolio” section of my site, we’ve added some new photo galleries to the page. If you haven’t taken a peek at some of my earlier blog entries, check out “Travel and Assignments” for some cool miscellaneous photographs from this past year. Also, wander over to the “Double Take Extras” gallery to find some photos that I shot during the events (i.e. traveling, shooting Rolling Exhibition, etc) featured in Double Take. Hope you dig the photos, and remember the book’s on it’s way! It’s scheduled for release on October 13th, so keep checking back for more updates!