OK, consider me happily nervous now.

 

I took the bull by the horns.

 

I sent my bona fides to a handful of entertainment and news agencies.

 

Less than 24 hours later, I landed an upcoming TV interview on NEW DAY Northwest.

 

“Breathe, Kris, breathe. You can do this.”

 

That’s me, advising myself.

 

Every lame quotation in the world is assailing my much-needed peace of mind right now:

 

• “Be careful what you wish for.”
• “Just don’t screw it up.”
• “What’s a nice kid like you doing in a place like this?”
• “Abandon hope, all who enter here.”

 

Happily nervous. Yes, that’s it exactly.

 

I’m happily nervous. That’s what I am.

 

I have race horse nerves. Not really bad. They’re just preparing me to run.

 

In the right direction. (Not away. Not backward.) Get this straight, “Krissy Ree”! (my parents’ nickname for me when I was knee-high to a grasshopper.)

 

I WANT MY MOMMY!!!!!

 

Television. Eee-gads!

 

I can ace radio interviews.

 

I can ace Internet interviews.

 

I can ace phone interviews.

 

I can ace public appearances and presentations.

 

But … television?!

 

I haven’t been on television in 30+ years. The last two times I was, I was talking about animals, one of my favorite topics. Both interviews turned out just fine.

 

This time, I’ll be talking about another of my favorite topics: DeForest Kelley.  It, too, will turn out just fine as long as I keep my wits about me.

 

Maybe even better than all right.

 

That would be fabulous. Because De deserves to be remembered in a fabulous way.

 

Members of the studio audience–35 people–will go home with complementary copies of DeForest Kelley Up Close and Personal: A Harvest of Memories from the Fan Who Knew Him Best.  I just ordered them plus 20 more to take to Starkane in Post Falls, Idaho on September 9th.

 

The program director asked if I could arrange comp copies and I said, “Sure…” because I fully realize the potential for sales that the program is offering me……providing I don’t screw it up and send viewers and the studio audience screaming for the exits…

 

I’m counting on the fact that at least 25 TV viewers will order the book, to compensate (and then some) for the outlay in comp copies. If not, oopsie!

 

Why is the human organism programmed to assume worst case scenarios while reaching for the best possible outcomes?

 

Why is my amygdala screaming RED ALERT when I have just been offered the greatest opportunity ever to let a lot of people know about my book?

 

It’s nuts!

 

People I know…people who love me and wish me the best…will be in the studio audience.

 

The producers and interviewer will be pulling for me to hit the interview out of the ball park; they want me to succeed.

 

I’m sure De is sitting somewhere grinning like a Cheshire cat and saying, “Go get ’em, tiger!”

 

With a cheering section like this, what is there to be unhappily nervous about?

 

This is why I’m calling what I’m feeling right now happily nervous.

 

My breathing pattern just has to catch up with the happily part.

 

Pray for me. Cross your fingers for me. Hold all good thoughts for me. Whatever else you can think to do for me, that will be a good thing to do.

 

Thank you!