More About Martin

Yee HAW!! That felt awfully good. I love seeing all those new names, along with the old favorites, who came out to say they voted -- and even better -- ordered the book, which, by the way, IS available in the U.S. now. Mine is set to arrive today from Amazon.  It's also available -- I checked -- from Barnes & Noble, and therefore must be available, or will be soon, at your independent booksellers. And soon, at Carole's library, and others, as well, according to the comments. And you know, for those who had qualms about voting for a book you haven't read yet....well, as one commenter pointed out, it's not the Presidential election for one thing, and for another, the rules of the page say, and I quote, Vote for the book or author you would like to see win in each category."  We're not voting for the Pulitzer. So, like, chill out, dudes.  ;-)

I promise, this will not become Norma's Advertising Space. However, commenter Samantha said:

I voted. I did it just because you said he was a great boss. Good bosses are very few and far between and thus deserve to be rewarded.

Is she right, or WHAT? Here's a story to illustrate what kind of guy Martin is. I may have already told this story - it seems as if I have - but I'll tell it again anyway.

When I worked for the BBC, I was on a one-year contract. I possessed a skill that was rare-to-nonexistent in the then-UK workforce, and that's why I had the wonderful opportunity in the first place. The BBC was a wonderful employer, and the British vacation policy is....uh....GENEROUS. Or at least it was at the time. Although the Europeans will go, "What's the big frickin' deal," Americans, you might want to avert your eyes, because you probably won't want to read this. I had a one-year contract with seven weeks of paid vacation. Jealous? Don't hate me because I was Cinderella for a year. Really. Because although I stayed a bit longer than that because it was so hard to leave and I was truly needed, when the clock figuratively struck midnight, I had to come home. I did it (came home, that is) because I wanted to. My lovely husband and lovely daughter were waiting patiently for me back in the states.

But in the meantime, I used up all my holiday time, coming back across the pond to be with my family, or traveling in the UK. I started my year-plus in May of one year, and in April of the next year, when it was time for my daughter's April school vacation, husband and daughter were going to come spend the week with me. I planned on just doing stuff with them in London when I could, whilst still working my regular shift. So one afternoon I was in the studio practicing my steno, brushing up on the current events of the day, and preparing for the next newscast. We prepared like this before every newscast. At newstime, we went on the air to write our steno, which then produced captions (or subtitles) for the hearing-impaired community to read on the bottom of the television screen.

While I was doing my prep work, Martin walked into the studio and sat next to me, holding a clipboard. I took off my headphones.

"I'm working on the schedule for next week."

"Yes?"

"Your family is coming next week."

"Yes."

"Then why are you on the schedule?"

"Because I've used up all my holiday time."

He looked at me, incredulous. (silly American)

"I'm suuure we could come up with some compassionate leave time."

End of story. Buy his book(s). 

Comments

[erin]

geez-- just based on that I need to buy his books. What a great guy.

[Tracy]

I hereby decree that all bosses should be emailed this snippet to remind them that it costs nothing to have a heart!

[sandy]

I voted. Twice. Probably will do more. ANd nah, I haven't read the book. Yet. :) But I feel we have to support our friend's endeavors. And Martin is your friend. ANy friend of yours, is a friend of mine!
xoxo

[Wendy]

You're right -- what a great boss! I'm heading right over to amazon to buy the book.

[Kirsten]

Awww, what a guy! Is he single? Oh, wait--I'm not. Never mind.

[Rachel H]

Yep, that's a man who deserves our support. I checked the major Canadian on line bookseller yesterday and found it available, but I'm going to ask my local independant to get it in for me instead. It's the place Steph's talk was on Wednesday, and as she said, they're really lovely in there and deserve to be supported too.

I'm glad I read the online info though, because it looks like a book my Dad would love. Thanks for the tip!

[margene]

He's a fabu guy, writer and boss! (My boss is just as cool but he doesn't write books.)

[Carole]

Must move to London. Now.

[Scout]

Can we vote more than once? I have like 5 different e-mail addresses I can use..... I had better win something!!!!

[Chris]

Ok, ok - I voted for him. Now I have to read the book. How about a Read Along?

[Karlie]

OK, I voted :) When I heard what a great guy he was, I couldn't refuse. Besides, gotta help the commonwealth!

[Scout]

I just voted 6 more times. :)

[Chris]

Dang, there should definitely be more bosses like that. :)

[Lucia]

Yes, ma'am. And I really will try to get my book group to read The Conjurer's Bird.

[Jan]

I voted, Norma! I think your blog is a great way to spread the word about what must be a good read, if it's been nominated for this award. And how nice to hear that he's deserving as well!

[Ruth]

I voted multiple times, too (I'm from Chicago, I couldn't help myself), but I'm going to back to vote some more. I like it when the good guys win.

[Stalker Angie]

Golly gee, Norma, what were you thinking trying to actually work even though you had used all SEVEN weeks of your vacation already? I swear, you are so silly sometimes. Now, I worked 13 years in retail hell. Can someone explain what "compassionate leave time" is?? This phrase confuses me. Hee

[Jeni R]

Didn't have time yesterday to vote, but voted today, hope he wins! I need to go to B&N to see what the book is about, love me some good read.
How is the Ipod? Hope you are enjoying.
Jeni R

[Vicki]

Woohoo! I hope he wins -- I did my part. Looks like a really great read and I'm looking forward to it!

[heather]

can you just imagine what a different (better) place this world would be if everyone believed in the concept of 'compassionate leave time'? sigh.

[Tish]

I too have The Conjurer's Bird on hold at my library. They have 3 copies in the district at 3 different branches. Alas, 2 are checked out and one is on hold for someone else so I have a 2-6 wk wait. Sigh!

[Sandra]

Man, I work for the polar opposite of Martin. (Compassionate leave? Please. you need to be dead before it's considered a good enough reason. But I digress...) Not only did I vote yesterday, I'll vote again today, and I will buy his book. People like this deserve all the support we can muster. The only problem I can foresee is that he becomes a more successful writer, and leaves his job, thereby depriving people of the joy for working for him!

[Julia]

I do NOT remember this story! Of course I'll buy the book, what a chap he was. But how on earth were you able to leave your family for so long, holiday time aside? I'm quite impressed that your family allowed it, I know mine would not. They would starve to death and we all know it.

[--Deb]

Yep--even happier now for buying the book! What a guy.

[Imbrium]

Seven...weeks?

*goes to pack bags and buy a plane ticket*

[Norah]

wow. Amazing. I'm definitely going to buy his books now.

[Carrie]

Awww, I'll be buying his book because it sounds pretty durn good. But I'll be sending him hug-thoughts because that is an AWESOME way to be a boss. Compassionate leave time, what a guy.
And the vacation sounds great, but what made me want to move across is the story about the guy who apologized repeatedly to a current coworker of mine because they'd discontinued the afternoon beer cart that would come round to everyone's desk. He was incensed that he had to go all the way to the cafeteria to get his afternoon beer. >sigh<

[Libby]

You are one lucky woman. I was just informed that, regardless of how much vacation time I have saved up this year, there is no "room on the calendar" and I will not be allowed to take any of it until June. (I'm the only one in my position in this department. Everyone else gets to take vacation whenever they want.)

And not only that, but I was strongly encouraged to come to work when I was sick, as long as I wasn't throwing up or running a fever.

They don't like it when I'm gone, since they have to do things for themselves. It sucks being an admin sometimes....

[Kristen]

Pesky Europeans. ;)

[Cathy]

Jeez, I need to go work for the BBC. I couldn't even get bereavement leave here for my grandfather's funeral.

I've ordered a copy of Martin's book for my boyfriend - it looks really interesting, and I think it'll be right up his alley.

[Jean E.]

Voted. Bought the book from Amazon. Hope knit bloggers make him famous!!!

[Christina in Washington]

I've voted now too.

[KT]

My book just arrived and it looks beautiful. Can't wait to begin it tonight. Have a great weekend, Norma!

[Marie]

Guess what showed up on the new books shelf at my library. It's in my backpack now.

[oldcinderella]

I started reading THE BOOK before I red your post. I voted because you asked for it and because I like THE BOOK. And now I like your former boss. And I'm glad you came back to your husband and your daughter.

[aldona]

OK, I just cast my vote. The boss story did it! Can't wait to actually read the book.

[Debi]

I don't care if it's written on unscented Charmin, this guy gets my vote again...and again...and again :)

How about Boss of the Century too?

[Jeannie]

I checked at the B & N I work at
and we can do something called shortlisting on the computer. Which is just letting the manager know what is popular. I told them that we should carry the book on recommendation of a friend.

:)