Archive by Month: October 2011

The Five!

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1. Yesterday, it was in the upper 70′s here. Today we are under a freeze warning. Come on, Mother Nature, can’t you ease me into the cold stuff? This is like climate whiplash. On the plus side, we’re now having fires in the fireplace every night, which is just SO nice and cozy. And I get to wear my Uggs. But still, a little time to adjust would be nice. You know, if I could, like, have a vote or something.

2. Halloween is fast approaching, which means I have been painting a LOT of mini pumpkins and trying to keep my kid from wrecking her costume before the actual day she’s supposed to wear it. This year, she chose to be Foofa from Yo Gabba Gabba. We ordered the costume online,and it just came about a week ago. Or so she THINKS. It actually arrived awhile back, but I hid it away and lied to her. Yes, I am that mother. But do you have any idea what happens to a Halloween costume when it is worn, like constantly? If not, I can show you her giraffe one from last year. They are not meant for everyday use, people. So Foofa is hanging in my closet, at least until tomorrow, when the begging/pleading/whining will probably hit its peak and I cave. As for my costume, I don’t even have one. Yet. Although I may just rock my Bump-it from last year and go as a Housewife again. I know, I know. So lame! At least I am decorating pumpkins, right?

3. I can’t remember if I already mentioned this, but right now I am listening to the BEST memoir on my iPod. It’s called FICTION RUINED BY FAMILY by Jeanne Darst, and it is just GREAT. Her father was a writer, her mother was depressive and dramatic and somehow, she makes her difficult family life hilarious. (But really, does ANYONE have a normal family? I don’t think so. I used to, but now, I’m understanding we are all a little messed up. But I digress.) I read about this book in EW and bought it just on their recommendation, and I am SO glad I did. If you like memoirs, check it out. Other books I am reading: EVERYTHING CHANGES by Jonathan Tropper (I’m working my way through his backlist) and COMMENCEMENT by J. Courtney Sullivan. Yes, I have three books going at once: one on audio, one on the iPad, and one good old fashioned paperback. It’s the new media! Or something.

4. Today I went to get my eyes checked. It’s bad enough that now I am having trouble seeing things up close—because I am in my 40s, according to the tech who examined me—but then the doctor comes in and she’s, like, 14. Okay, 27. But still! Young and cute and I thought, when did doctors get YOUNGER than me? I made some crack about being old and she smiled at me and said, “You’re not old, you’re wise!” Man. She was also rocking the coolest boots I had seen in awhile. I left feeling defeated, like I needed to just pack it in and start wearing velcro shoes and sweatpants. This all happened before 10:30 in the morning. Sigh.

5. Finally, because it IS Halloween (almost) we are right this very second carving our pumpkin. And when I say “we” I mean my husband, as I am here typing (he’s probably about to admonish me for it, too) and my daughter long ago lost interest and wandered off to watch The Backyardigans and eat mac and cheese. This is what happens. You have this idea of family togetherness, but in reality it lasts about ten minutes. But you know what? Those ten minutes are really, really wonderful. And ten minutes is better than nothing. This is what I am learning, really. I don’t need forever perfect, or all day perfect. I just need the occasional perfect moment or fleeting second to grab and save and savor. Because they ARE out there. You just have to stop looking for longer, and take what you get.

Also: BOO!

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Texas, etc…

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So I’m back from The Texas Book Festival, which was just so freaking awesome. It was my first time, I’d heard great things, and it totally lived up to my expectations. Win!

Of course, one of the BEST things about Austin is the food. At a pub around the corner from my hotel, I had these amazing Gardenburger tacos. SO good!

Would you think to put Gardenburgers in tacos? Neither would I. But that is the thing about Texas. They don’t follow ANYONE’S rules. So there!

I headed over to the Festival early, so I could check out the booths. When I saw this guy walking around, I knew I had to get a shot, if only to torture my husband, who is a HUGE Star Wars freak:

There are a lot of awesome things about my job. But mingling with Stormtroopers? That’s a big one.

I wrote here last week about how it was basically my GOAL at this festival to meet Tom Perrotta, author of Little Children, Joe College and The Leftovers, among other amazing books. So I made my way to the author tent before his event, where I stuffed my face with cookies (which were GREAT) to work up my nerve. Then he came in, I took a breath (and another cookie) and went and introduced myself. I think I MAY have been sweating, but he was so gracious and nice and appreciative and hopefully I didn’t make too much of an ass of myself. I was a little bit excited. To say the least. I wish I’d asked for a picture but again, did not want to scare him.

My plan was to go to Tom Perrotta’s event, then scoot out early to my own. But I got the times all screwy, so I ended up not being able to hear him speak. Fail! On the upside, I got to my event with Libba Bray SUPER early and ended up making friends with Melanie and Marilyn Keating, a mom and daughter who had come out to see me. They were Austin natives, HUGE readers (had just gone to the Teen Book Festival a couple of weeks earlier) and we just chilled on this bench, gabbing away for awhile. I’ve said it before: my readers=the best. Truly.

Then it was time for my event with the FAB Libba Bray, moderated by Sarah Pitre from Forever YA. I could not have asked for better folks to talk books, writing and pop culture with:

It was only AFTER my event was over that I realized the sign in front of me on the panel table had been tampered with. Nobody told me! I cannot say for SURE who defaced it but I have a feeling it was Jon Scieszka. I can’t prove it. But that is my hunch. To everyone who saw it, please know that I really DID want to be there! I promise!

After my event, I headed BACK to my hotel, where I bumped into superfamous writer (and fellow Penguin peep!) Jay Asher:

I also got to meet Ellen Hopkins for the first time (she is as awesome as you would expect).

Later, we had this Lit Crawl event at the Texas State Cemetery. Yes: a cemetery. At night! Spooky ooky! There were a TON of YA authors there, and we all did this fun mad libs sort of storytelling thing. I am terrible writing on the fly under pressure, but luckily everyone else was really good at it. Then it was BACK to the hotel to crash, as I had to fly out super early the next day. There were so many great parties happening, but as usual, sleep trumps all. That’s just how I roll.

I have ONE more trip for this Book Tour That Never Ends, which is coming up next month. I’ll be at the Miami Book Festival and ALAN at NCTE in Chicago. Whew! Once that’s done, I intend to come home, sleep for a month or so, then put on my Uggs and get back to work on the next book. Although just thinking that makes me tired. Maybe I just need more coffee. Or a Gardenburger taco.

Have a good day, everyone!

The Five!

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1. Reminder: I’m heading to Austin this weekend for the Texas Book Festival, where I’ll be doing a program on Saturday with AWESOME Libba Bray. Details are here.. Come out if you can!

2. This is the time of year when the N.C. State Fair comes to town, not that I have actually gone in years. I have friends who take the Fair VERY seriously: it is like a holiday, and they plan their lives around it. Also their calorie intake, all the better for eating as many funnel cakes as possible. However, now that I have a kid who is really into animals, we all packed up yesterday and went to Raleigh to see some livestock exhibits. It was MADNESS. Not the animals: they were great, as were all the agriculture exhibits, including a HUGE blue-ribbon winning sweet potato and the biggest watermelon I have ever seen. But it was the midway that did me in. Total sensory overload! Lights, noise, barkers, a million smells coming at you at once. Whoa. I was there for two hours and felt like I’d been in Vegas a full weekend. I can’t possibly do it justice here, though, so I’ll just share this:

I know. There really are no words.

3. So I’m writing this from the airport, after spending the entire ride here talking to the driver of my car about….cars. He, like my husband, is OBSESSED with cars, and of course seeing my husband and his race car at the house before we left, this nice driver was all fired up. I have said it before: I am not really a car person. I mean, I grew up with nice, dependable Hondas. Dents were not noticed, as long as the engine ran. Then, in high school, I met my husband, who even then took his rides SERIOUSLY. He can notice a new fender ding from a hundred paces, and I know because I’ve tried to hide them from him before. He long ago gave up trying to make me appreciate the differences between an Acura and an Audi, and now just contents himself taking curves too fast while I grip the handle over my passenger window, trying not to shriek. But I swear, to some folks, the car thing is an addiction. Maybe like me and my Real Housewives? At least mine is less expensive.

4. Heartbreaking moment for today: when my daughter asked me why I had to leave again, I said to talk about my book, because that’s how I make money so we can buy food, have the house, etc. She thought about this for a minute. Then she said, “Mama, I’ll set up a lemonade stand and make money. Then you won’t have to go away anymore.” Cue my heart BREAKING, right there on the road to preschool. Dear God. I love my work and I love my kid. But sometimes, having both go well is just really, really hard. *Sniff*

5. Flight’s boarding soon, so this final item will have to be QUICK. Look! It’s a 19 pound sweet potato!

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Texas!

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Okay, so I MAY be only just realizing that I am going out of town, to Austin, TX, in just a couple of days. Whoops! Kind of snuck up on me. But I am super pumped to attend the Texas Book Festival for the first time. I have heard GREAT things and there are going to be so many awesome authors there! Total disclaimer: when I saw Tom Perrotta’s name, I squealed a little. I will have to work MIGHTY hard not to totally stalk him while I have the opportunity. I mean, who knows when I will get another chance?

(To clarify, by “stalk” I mean attend his event, sweat nervously, and wish I had the nerve to gush about how amazing I think he and his books are but never actually do it. Just so we are clear.)

Another great thing about going to Austin is that it’s where they filmed Friday Night Lights. Everyone here already knows I am obsessed, but I have not been to Austin since I got crazy over the show. My friend Melissa Walker already sent me directions to Panther Field: I know Susane Colasanti made a pilgrimage there when she was last in town, and posted pictures. I would just about DIE to stand anywhere that Tim Riggins and Coach Taylor breathed air, so I will have to figure out a way to get there. When I’m not, you know, totally stalking Tom Perrotta.

The official site of the festival is here. And here’s where I’ll be. I get to talk with Libba Bray!

Saturday, October 22nd, 3:30-4:30 pm
Sarah Dessen and Libba Bray in conversation
First United Methodist Church’s Family Life Center 1300 Lavaca St.
Austin, TX 78701

Signing at the Book Sales and Signing tent to follow

I’ll also be at the YA Event that evening at the Texas State Cemetery, which sounds super spooky and totally fun. It starts at 9, which is late for me as I usually go to bed around then. But how often do I get to hang in a cemetery? I’m so in!

The only downside to all of this is that I’m leaving my husband to parent alone while all our babysitters are on Fall Break. Whoops. Maybe I can bring him something super from Texas, like boots or a hat, to make up for it? I remember the cobbler in Austin being AMAZING. Wonder how I could bring some of that home….

Have a good day, everyone!

Texas Book Festival!

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This week, I’ll be heading to Austin for the Texas Book Festival. It’s my first time going but I’ve heard GREAT things so I’m totally excited. The official site of the festival is here.

Here’s where I’ll be:

Saturday, October 22nd, 3:30-4:30 pm
Sarah Dessen and Libba Bray in conversation
First United Methodist Church’s Family Life Center 1300 Lavaca St.
Austin, TX 78701

Signing at the Book Sales and Signing tent to follow

I’ll also be at the YA Event that evening at the Texas State Cemetery.

Hope to see you in Austin!

The Five!

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1. I’m writing this from the last day of my family vacation in Emerald Isle, NC. The sun is out (yay!) the family is mostly still sleeping, and I have coffee and GMA all to myself. Nice. This is my last trip to EI for the year, which means that come tomorrow when I head home, I’ll have to finally accept that yes, it IS October and fall. For now, it’s warm and sunny and I can still wear a bathing suit, so my denial is in full effect. It’s like a muscle, my denial. You go to work it out to keep it up!

2. My husband’s low-cholesterol diet has meant that there have been NO shrimpburgers consumed on this trip. Yet. I think I’ve written here before about how he’s watching his fats and carbs and everything to get his numbers down, and it’s a benefit for me as well, I know. But MAN do I miss fried foods. I keep thinking about Modern Family and Mitchell suffering as Cameron tries to diet. It’s hard on everyone! But while I can sort-of justify pizza (there’s vegetables involved!) and the occasional potato chip (low-fat variety!) there is just no way around a shrimpburger, which is basically fried shrimp, coleslaw and cocktail sauce on a hamburger bun. And you’re required by law to have onion rings with it. Look it up! Or, you know, don’t. We will see if I make it through this day without sneaking off for one. Wish me luck.

3. Today on the treadmill, I was watching the reunion show for this season of The Real Housewives of New York City and let me tell you, even for a big fan of this guiltiest of pleasure, it was hard to watch. What happened to these people? I mean, there’s always been cattiness and backbiting, but it’s just so altogether nasty, I can’t even take it. I’m beginning to understand why Bravo cleaned house and is bringing new people in. I don’t think I could TAKE another season of all that squabbling. Which is really saying something, because we all know I basically have no standards when it comes to TV.

4. This house we’re renting is gorgeous, but the thing that really blows my mind is the margarita machine. It’s in the laundry room and is EPIC. I have never seen anything like it. I mean, look:

To answer your question: no, we haven’t used it yet. I’m a little bit scared. I mean, how much do they really expect people to be able to drink? Multiple blenders-full, apparently. Yikes.

5. Another thing I’ll remember about this trip: rediscovering the joy of Kitchen Nightmares. Somehow, this show fell off my radar, even though I’ve been talking all book tour about how it helped inspire Mclean’s dad’s job in What Happened to Goodbye. Thanks to Hulu Plus, we’re catching up this week with the last season, and it is SO GOOD. Oh, Gordon Ramsay, I hate myself for loving you. But I DO love him. Especially on this show, when he’s not being nasty but actually trying to help people. (While cursing quite a bit, yes, but whatever. I didn’t say he’s Ghandi or anything.) My husband has also loved introducing my brother, who does not even have a TV—yes, you read that right, my only sibling has no television by CHOICE!—-to shows like Man Vs. Food, just to blow his mind. It’s hilarious. He’s a longtime vegetarian and super healthy eater and can’t even BEGIN to understand why someone would eat 5 lbs of ground beef. Ah, vacation. We are all learning things!

6. Okay, so there’s not really a six. Just this:

Have a good weekend, everyone!

The Five!

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1. It’s October, there’s a chill in the air, and…I’m going to the beach. Yes, I know, I’m a BIT late for bathing suits and sunscreen, but hey, it’s been a busy summer. You do what you love when you can, and regular readers know how much I love the NC Coast. If you’ve never taken a beach trip in the fall, there are actually all these amazing things about it: quiet restaurants and stores, empty bowling alley and mini-golf places, and lots of sand and surf to yourself. I am hopeful my favorite shrimpburger place (The Big Oak, in Salter Path) will still be open regular hours and that the water will be warm enough to still swim, as it was the last time I was lucky enough to go in October. After this, I will reconcile myself to jeans and Uggs and my puffy coat. But not quite yet.

2. I never feel as un-traveled as when new editions of my books arrive and…I don’t even recognize the language they have been translated into. Man. It happened again this week, when this popped up on my doorstep:

A bit of Googling (yes, I’ll admit, I needed Google) informed me that this was a Lithuanian edition. A very helpful person on Twitter, seeing this pic, told me that the title translates to “The Night Wanderers.” Also in the mail recently: Portugese and Dutch editions, all featuring bicycles and feet in the cover images. Some things, clearly, are universal.

3. Okay, I’m probably going to regret saying this, but I’m going to anyway: I’m having trouble loving Glee this season. I know! I said I didn’t want to say it. I’m not sure if it’s the show or me, but I just feel…I don’t know, not as engaged, or something. I can’t put my finger on what it is, exactly. I loved Britney’s Beyonce cover this week but otherwise it fell sort of flat for me. I can only imagine how hard it is to keep a show fresh and amazing, week after week, year after year. Believe me, I am the LAST to throw stones. Which is why I am shutting up, right now.

4. OOOOOH! In other TV news, did you hear that Connie Britton (i.e. the fabulous Tami Taylor) says that a Friday Night Lights movie is getting SUPER close to a reality? She did, I swear! You can see proof here. I love this idea, of course, although I wonder if they could really do the show more justice than the final season and show did. I felt the same way about Sex and the City when that film was announced, though: the show finale I believed, and still believe, was just about perfect. But I really liked the movie, too, so I am hopeful. (I never saw the second SATC movie: I’d just heard such bad stuff, I couldn’t bring myself to.) The thought of two hours of FNL, without commercials, WITH movie theatre popcorn….be still my heart. I cannot WAIT.

5. Lately, I have found myself obsessing about my desktop wallpaper. (What, you thought I was going to say something, you know, actually obsession-worth? Come on!) I have done the standard Mac patterns and stuff from iPhoto but just wanted more. So today, I splurged on Cuptakes, an app I already use on my iPhone which has totally girly and cute designs that make my laptop look like a pretty candy box. Hooray! I have written here before about how I might have a BIT of an app addiction. Okay, fine, it’s full fledged. I’m not sure why but I LOVE adding them and then organizing them on my screens. (Nerd alert!) Someone asked me on Twitter for my favorites, and since I am always hoping other people will share THEIRS (leave a comment if you have a great one!) here’s my top ten: (some are free, some paid)

*Wunderlist—I have gotten so many list apps, because I always think that is all I need to actually feel in control of my life. I am wrong. But Wunderlist is the best out there. My friend Christina recommended it and I am eternally grateful.

*Twitter—enough said. Talk about an addiction.

*Evernote—did I mention I love list apps? This one is great because it’s set up for longer lists and can work across lots of devices, like Wunderlist.

*Dropbox–like having all your important documents with you at all times. I love a sense of backup almost as much as I do list apps.

*mSecure–the best way to manage all your online passwords and membership numbers, much better than, you know, a pile of post-its and scrap paper (my previous method)

*Scrabble—okay, this one is pricey. But I personally have used it SO MUCH in waiting rooms, post office lines, and when my kid can’t sleep and therefore I can’t sleep. The computer beats me every time but I still come back for more.

*Yelp—this has come to my rescue SO much this past summer, when I was traveling and needed to eat and had no idea where I was, much less what was good around me. My most common search, regardless of where I am: pizza. Sad but true.

*Pandora—you can create your own music stations and listen for free. I have found SO MUCH great new music through this app. I just wish I could somehow have it in my car. Maybe someday…

*IMDB (Internet Movie Database)—You know when you’re watching a show or movie and you see an actor and can’t remember their name or what you’ve seen them in? Know how that drives you crazy until you figure it out? Okay, might just be me. But in case it isn’t, this is the app with all the answers. Great for settling arguments as well.

*WUNC Radio—All right, so maybe you wouldn’t have an interest in live streaming MY local NPR station. But when I was traveling so much this summer, up early in hotel rooms to catch flights or do events, I loved being able to listen to the weather and news from my hometown, along with the standard NPR stories. It made me feel like I wasn’t so far away, even when I really was.

Okay, so that’s my ten. I could go on and on, but…I have to pack. Wonder if there is an app for that?

Have a good weekend, everyone!