sarah · dessen

1. Congrats to the nominees and winners of the National Book Awards! Thanks to the magic that is Twitter, I was able to lay (lie? The fact that I am not sure partially explains why I was not among those there) in my bed and get the results As They Happened. Then I turned out the light and went to sleep. It was like a great night out without the ride home or having to change into pajamas. Hooray!

2. I am throwing a party for my husband's birthday this weekend, and I am a little nervous. Normally, I do a very loosey-goosey kind of party, no set plan or anything. But this is a big one---he's forty today, lordy lordy, as they say---so I've been working on making it special. I ordered in food, and bought decorations (which I have to put up when he's not here or not paying attention) and am contemplating this whole Top Chef Quickfire game, where we blindfold people and make them guess what certain foods are. I was going to do it with all junk food, like the contestants did on Season One, but I have some actual, um, gourmet types coming over and I fear they will not only not recognize a Whopper, but be alarmed by one. So I'm kind of having to rethink things. Although I did like having an actual valid reason to buy malted milk balls, so....

3. Twilight opens today, and it's already a HUGE deal. I know people who bought tickets weeks ago, and have been foaming at the mouth ever since. I have to say, I am curious as to how the book jumps from page to screen. But because I am lame---and have no free time---I will probably also wait for the DVD. I mean, I never even got to Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist! And that, my friends, is Just Plain Sad.

4. Also sad is the fact that I feel I am the ONLY one not headed off to NCTE in San Antonio this weekend. So many of my writer friends are going, and I still have the fondest memories of running around the Opryland Hotel with John Green and Sara Zarr, back in 2006. I've been off the convention track since I got pregnant, but am hoping to make up for lost time in the summer and fall of next year. In the meantime, English Teachers, I am with you in spirit! Maybe there's a Twitter option for the convention play-by-play as well?

5. You know, it's been kind of a hard week. Everyone I talk to has been cold, or has a cold. People are worried about the economy, about paying their bills, about a lot of things. I wish I had the solution to all these problems. I don't. But I can give you this: a puppy cam. Enjoy.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Okay, so it's suddenly freezing here today. Like bone-chilling, wind-blowing, teeth-a-clacking cold. Earlier, I looked out the window and it was snowing. Snowing! Just little pellet-like flurries, but still. It was, like, seventy degrees a few days ago. Al Gore must be horrified.

The cold is probably the reason that all the other moms (i.e. the smart ones) did NOT take their toddlers to the park today. Which explains why I was following Sasha around a completely empty playground until I realized that 1) it was the aforementioned bone-clacking-chilling freezing and 2) this fact was made worse because she didn't even have a hat on, as she refuses to wear one. My parenting mistakes continue to plague me. In the end, I took her to a nearby mall, where she could walk freely without risk of frostbite. The other, smarter moms knew this, as they were already there. Sigh.

In other news, I promised I would deliver news about Along For the Ride as I got it, and I try to keep my promises. So you are all (en masse) the first to know that my supercool publisher, Penguin Books For Young Readers, is going to create an entire online community based on the new book and my backlist. It's still in the VERY early planning stages, but the idea is that you could go there to find stuff about the novels, message boards, maybe even an interactive map of all the places mentioned in the Lakeview Universe. When I was in New York last month, they were even talking about a wiki-style thing built around all the places, names and people that appear. As I said, it's still in the early stages: in fact, they're still coming up with a name for it. The Sarah Dessen Sisterhood was thrown out, but I think it would just make everyone think of pants. The Sarah Dessen Sorority, another suggestion, didn't work either. I'm supposed to be brainstorming name ideas, but as I am still suffering from serious mom brain (15 months in!) it's harder than I'd like. So if any of you have any brilliant suggestions, please pass them along and I will get them to the folks in the know over at Penguin.

Okay, there was just a HUGE gust of wind from outside. I'm going to put on another pair of socks. Or two...

Have a great day, everyone!

In other news, I wrote here last week about my ongoing fascination with Gordon Ramsay, which has been heightened by listening to his memoir on my iPod. Then, this weekend, I was walking along with the stroller, listening happily, when he started talking about his kids. He has four, and he says he has NEVER CHANGED A DIAPER. Never. Do you have any idea how many diapers need changing for one child, never mind four? That means I have changed more diapers TODAY (and it's only 7:53am) than he has in his entire life. Also, he was not present for the births of any of his children. That one, to me, is a bit more forgiveable. He says his wife didn't want him there. But still, the diaper thing I am having trouble getting past. It's kind of a dealbreaker for Gordon and me. I fear I will never be able to watch him again without thinking about it.

Finally, I had another crazy Chapel Hill moment yesterday. I was at Whole Foods with Sasha, when I bumped into a girl who was in my homeroom in high school. We were chatting, then parted ways. As I left a few minutes later, I passed her in the cafe, and she nodded at this man sitting nearby, like I should know who he was. I didn't. Then he looked up at us, and she laughed. It was our FREAKING HOMEROOM TEACHER. Sitting there, reading the paper at Whole Foods. I literally felt entirely too many worlds colliding. EEEK! I am sure he had no idea who I was, as I was entirely forgettable in high school, but I still skedaddled out of there, pronto. I could almost feel myself regressing. I am an adult! I said to myself as I powered to the parking lot. I am a mom! I am a writer! But these things can be hard to remember when the past is just waiting for you at Whole Foods. Maybe it's time to move?

Have a great day, everyone!

1. This morning, when I went to Google News bright and early (actually, it was still dark, but whatever) this story immediately caught my eye: the "pregnant man" is pregnant again. I was all agog at this, but not for the reason you'd think. His baby was only born in June! And the next is due NEXT June. I mean, WOW. Forget man, woman, whatever. Babies one year apart? That's mind boggling to me. I mean, here I am, fourteen months in, and I'm only JUST barely feeling like I have my feet under me. And that's on good days.

2. Last night, I finally got to my latest EW, which has the stars of Twilight, the movie, on the cover. I have to say I was not feeling all that enthused one way or the other about the movie, but once I read the profile of Robert Pattinson, I got kind of intrigued. He just seems very interesting to me, in that he was so honest and un-spun with the interviewer. You gotta love someone who is about to bust out in a HUGE movie but is driving a beat-up BMW and eating Hot Pockets for dinner. What can I say, I'm a little charmed. I will have to add him to my British man crush list.

3. I was at the mall yesterday, doing a little pre-holiday scoping for gifts, and MAN can you tell we're in an economic downturn. First off, when I walked into the mall, I was behind two women, both laden down with bags from various stores that they were clearly returning. Then, at two stores, when I was just browsing, I had salespeople come up and tell me that it just so happened that the item I was looking at was on sale. Who knew? It wasn't announced on any signage, or even on the item itself. But that coat? 30% off. That wallet? 20% off. Plus, the mall was pretty dead and quiet. I'm a little worried about retaliers and the holiday season. Hopefully there will be an uptick, soon?

4. Last night, we were driving home from dinner at around 6:30 (yes, we are done by 6:30, what's your point?) and it was dark. Like, seriously, DARK. It kind of snuck up on me this year. Time to stoke up the fire, pull out the slippers and settle in for winter on the couch. But remember in July, when it was still light at 8:30pm? Sigh.

5. Finally, a couple of questions answered. People have been wanting to know when ALONG FOR THE RIDE will be released: that would be June, 2009. And after I posted the video that Melissa Walker did with us discussing the book, there was a bit of debate out here in the blogosphere about what, exactly, I said the narrator's name was. Autumn? Arden? Nope. It's Auden, like the poet. Continuing my tradition of girls with unique names, just like I always wished I had in high school. Not that I don't love Sarah, I do. But I always wanted to be a Halley, a Remy, a Ruby. And an Auden.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Take this morning. I'm watching something about chickens, and then all of a sudden, there's Kim Cattrall, Samantha from Sex and the City. She's here to tell us about the word FABULOUS. And so she does just that, giving examples (shoes that sing the blues, robots that dance: all FABULOUS!). But I just can't watch her, there with the Muppets, and NOT think about her on SATC, saying that same word MANY times while discussing things that are really not kid friendly. Like, at all. If it was Carrie, or Charlotte, or even Miranda, maybe it wouldn't have been so weird. But Samantha? On Sesame Street? Does not compute.

Speaking of TV, a heads-up about the premiere tonight of one of my favorite shows: Top Chef. YAY! It comes on at 10 on Bravo, and even if you're not into cooking shows---and I'm not, not really---you might REALLY enjoy this one. Personally my husband and I are so into it that I'm thinking about doing a quickfire challenge of sorts, like the junk food taste test, at his upcoming birthday party. I plan to do my BEST Padma Lakshmi imitation. Although it might be kind of hard, as I am not a former model, amazingly tall and dropdead gorgeous. Not to mention separated from Salman Rushdie. Oh, well.

Finally, also on the food tip, I've been listening to Gordon Ramsey's memoir, Humble Pie, on my IPod while I walk and drive, and I have to say it is really, really good. What's not good is that it has strengthened even more my total married girl crush on him, something I didn't even think was possible. I mean, he's so not my type. I'm much more a Tim Riggins, Dylan McKay kind of girl. And yet, I kind of sa-woon for Gordon. It's kind of like my crush on Hugh Laurie. What's up with that? It makes about as much sense as Samantha on Sesame Street.


Or maybe, it makes perfect sense. Hmmmm...

Have a great day, everyone!

1. Yesterday, I had SO much fun at the Tea with Lee event I did for the Chapel Hill Women's Center. It was great to catch up with Lee Smith---who had hung out with Dolly Parton the night before, hello!---and get to meet so many people, all of whom came out on a beautiful day for a great cause. This family I babysat for when I was in college ALL came---the girls are all grown up themselves, which makes me feel SO OLD---and one of my babysitters, who I once babysat for myself, was there as well. That is SO Chapel Hill, let me tell you. And when it was all done, I went over to the Flying Burrito and ordered two smothered flying chickens to take home for dinner. So nice.

2. One of the girls I used to babysit is now a pediatric dentist, so of course I had to ask her when I was supposed to start brushing Sasha's teeth. (She has six, last I checked.) Apparently...I should have been doing this for awhile now. Whoops! But every time I try, I swear, she resists like crazy, turning her head and batting away the toothbrush. Maybe there's a trick I'm missing out on?

3. We watched Forgetting Sarah Marshall the other night, and I really liked it. The best part was seeing Kristen Bell, although it was bittersweet at times, as it just reminded me how much I miss Veronica Mars. What a GREAT show. Seeing her playing a CSI-like actress just kind of brought it all back, and of course she's just cute and amazing, even when she's not playing the most sympathetic character. It got me wondering about everyone else from Neptune. Where's Logan Echolls these days? And Wallace? I think an IMDB search might be in order.

4. I did my longest run yet yesterday. It was about two miles, and yes, I know to some people that's not far at all, but to me, it's HUGE. Huge! Now that I'm doing it more often, I can see why so many writers are also runners. The process is kind of the same, for me. First, I dread doing it. Like I really, really don't want to. And then I force myself to start, and I whine in my head, and feel so discouraged, but then once I get going, I start to feel a little better, and better, and then....suddenly, I'm just doing it. Plus, afterwards, I feel totally virtuous and like I deserve a treat, such as, say, some chocolate. Now, I'm not saying that I will ever be able to run the way that I write, nine books worth. But still, two miles is an okay start.

5. Finally, a word about my last entry. I know some people got fired up in the comments section, and it made me realize why I don't really talk about politics, like EVER on this blog. No good ever seems to come of it and, in this case, someone felt compelled to tell me that they hate me, which was kind of startling. I think from now on I'll stick to the words of my good friend Linus, who said you should never talk about religion, politics, or the Great Pumpkin. That's only three topics. I think we'll have plenty to work with.

Have a great day, everyone!

Not only because of the outcome, but also for so many other reasons. Like the huge turnout on BOTH sides, which shows how much this country can come out when inspired to do so. And the fact that today, I woke up to NO political ads. Just Sally Field talking about Boniva, and the Empire carpet guy singing his jingle. Ah, joy.

If you're NOT happy this morning, I understand. That's how I felt the morning after the last two elections. But it is my hope, my true hope, that maybe after this long, hard campaign, we can try to put our differences aside and focus on what we have in common, as well as what we have ahead of us. We shall see.

In other news, I'm wondering if now the name Sasha will not be as unique as it was yesterday, or when I gave it to my own daughter. Before she was born, I checked and it was not even in the top, like, 500 most popular names. Which I kind of liked, because, if you read my books, you know I like a unique name now and again. Again, time will tell.

Yesterday, I ran out while my babysitter was here for a quick manicure, as I have an event on Thursday and can't look as jankey as I normally do. The woman at the manicure place asked me if I'd voted, and I said yes. "Did you?" I asked. She shook her head. "I'm not going to," she replied. I asked her why, and she said, "Oh, I don't like either of them." Now, I am not normally someone who lectures complete strangers. But before I even knew what I was doing, I was launching into my whole YOU MUST VOTE speech. I told her about how turnout was important, no matter who you voted for, and that your voice counted, especially when the elections were close, as they have been many times in recent memory. I told her if she didn't vote, she couldn't complain about ANYTHING for the next four years, because she hadn't taken the chance to make her voice heard. I told her it was quick, and easy, and how to vote a straight ticket for either party if she didn't know about any of the races but the big ones. In the end, she seemed a little bit more convinced. I am really, REALLY hoping she went and voted. Because you know what? As if this morning, the presidential race here in NC is STILL too close to call. It's down to just a few thousand votes. I wonder if hers was one of them. I really hope so.

Okay, I'm off to eat Cheerios with my daughter. Because we're old school: we had a Sasha in OUR house long before there was one in the White House!

Have a great day, everyone!

That is all.

Have a great day, everyone!

1. Today is Halloween, a holiday that I admittedly have been less enthusiastic about the last few years. I know a lot of people love it, but I just couldn't see what all the excitement was about. Until now, when I am preparing to wrangle my daughter into a flower costume, put some red devil horns on myself, and head out to do the rounds of grandparents and friends. I am not sure Sasha will be that into her costume, especially since she's been on a bit of a hat strike lately. She wants NOTHING on her head. But I am determined to get a picture of her in her petals, even if it kills me.

2. I also, now, get the whole appeal of Ebay. Before, when I was just trying to sell bike parts for my husband, I HATED it. But this week I bought a no longer available playset for my daughter AND a pair of pants, and now I am totally hooked. It is all I can do not to be trolling for stuff all day long. But I can't. I can't! I already have enough shopping issues. Still, LOTS of fun.

3. Did you see that the CW is now talking about doing a remake of Melrose Place? I just don't know how I feel about this. I mean, I liked the show and watched it, but never felt the passion that I did for 90210. What do they plan to do for buzz, bring back Kimberly? She's already over on Desperate Housewives. Still, I guess the thinking is if people loved something once, they will again. Which does not explain why there are so many episodes of the new 90210 piling up on my DVR, but whatever.

4. I'm in the midst of revisions right now, and they are tough. They always are. But even more so when you are on a TIGHT deadline and your babysitter gets sick and you find yourself with only twenty minutes to work when you usually have four hours. Sigh. It will get done, though, right? It has to. All in good time, in good time....

5. I am throwing a baby shower this weekend---revisions done or not----and I find myself in that familiar place of wondering whether or not to do shower games. This is my friend Leigh's second baby, most people there already have kids...I think we might all be past sniffing chocolate in diapers or tasting baby food. I know I am. But I still think maybe it's expected? Or are snacks and good drinks and great company enough? If not, and you can recommend any games that are not gross and/or humiliating, please share. I need all the help I can get!

Okay, back to work....
Have a great weekend, everyone!

When I first got asked to do this, I was excited. Then, terrified. I mean, I'm used to being up in front of people, but I usually am talking about my books, or my writing, or in the case of teaching, other people's writing. I'm comfortable with all those topics. But just getting up, and talking, about me and my brother? Scarier than you would think. I was nervous ALL DAY yesterday, and I didn't even go on until about 9pm. Yikes. Plus, I had to follow the fab Zach Ward, who is a comedian by trade. I mean, hello! But I did what I always try to do when I am terrified and really, really don't want to do something because of my fear: I took a deep breath, pushed myself to my feet, and walked up there anyway. On the way, I passed this woman who whispered, "Have fun!" Which was actually very helpful. Also helpful was the fact that my parents were there, so I knew that SOMEONE would think I was great even if I passed out or ran offstage. Luckily, that didn't happen. In fact, I think I did all right. But whew, am I glad that's done now.

In other news, on Monday afternoon, I did something that was not scary at all, and felt REALLY good: I voted. Early, at Town Hall in Carrboro. I took Sasha with me, and she crumpled up my voting guide and babbled, trying to grab my pen while I filled out all those little ovals. If you can early vote, I HIGHLY recommend it. Now I just wish I could stop having to hear the negative campaign ads. There should be a switch you can flip once you vote so they're just blocked out, or something, replaced on your TV by something else. Something nice and happy. Like maybe my new favorite person, from Sesame Street, Mr. Noodle:

I mean, how can you see Mr. Noodle and be worried about anything? I think after the election, I'll lobby whoever wins for an All Noodle, all the time channel. It would not just be good for me, but good for America.

Have a great day, everyone!

In other news, I spent my weekend pretty much immersed in nostalgia. First, on Friday, I did an interview with Chapel Hill Magazine with the fab Melissa Walker, author of Violet on the Runway and Violet in Private, which was just so much fun. Then came the surprise: the photo shoot for the piece was taking place at---you guessed it---Chapel Hill High School. Yikes! An hour later, there we were in the Science Wing, posing as classes let out all around us. It was chaotic and hilarious. I always freak out a bit when I go back to CHHS (old anxieties die hard, I guess) but it was fun to meet a few readers and visit with my friend Kara, the fab librarian in the media center there. It was so much fun I ALMOST wasn't totally freaked about getting my photo taken. Almost.

Then, this weekend, I was driving with Sasha when I discovered, on my 80's channel on XM radio, that they run the Weekly Top Forty, in its entirety, from the 80's every Saturday. Whoa. So there I was, listening to the Top Forty from TWENTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (!) having such major flashbacks I almost had to pull over. Some of the songs were really familiar. Others I had totally forgotten or didn't even know at all. Hello? BARRY GIBB? Whoa, indeed. The weirdest thing, though, was the complete and total lack of anything internet related. No mention of websites, or email addresses, or anything. If you had a comment, you CALLED on the PHONE. WHOA! For those of you who were not even alive in 1988, I am sure this is impossible to imagine. But once, it was true.

Finally, a question. I know I have a lot of retail experts (i.e. fellow shopping addicts) that read this page. This one's for you. So: I bought a purse last week at J. Crew in New York. It was kind of an impulse buy, and I do love it, but I've discovered it's just not practical to try and juggle with both baby and diaper bag. I need to take it back, because it wasn't cheap, but I already cut out the security tag, because I totally planned on keeping it. Otherwise, it's fine. I have the receipt, and I got it less than a week ago. The question is, will they take it? Or with the tag out is it a no-go? I so rarely return things I have no idea. But I KNOW one of you knows.

(On a related note, if any of the moms out there can tell me how to get my daughter to sleep past 5:30am, that would be great to know as well. Keeping her up later doesn't work. Neither does putting her to bed earlier. Ideas? Anyone? Help!)

Okay, enough demands on you guys. You are busy people, I know!

Have a great day everyone!

Why, yes, that IS me with Sam Champion and JuJu Chang of Good Morning America. And who's this?

Well, that's Ashley Tisdale from High School Musical. I know. I KNOW!

Okay, more tomorrow. I mean, it's just too much to cover when I'm this exhausted. Okay, maybe ONE more though..

Have a great night everyone!

Speaking of TV---and we kind of were, right?---does anyone else watch Eli Stone? I ended up watching the season premiere and liked it enough to add the first season to my Netflix list. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, since it's from the same guy who does Brothers and Sisters (which I LOVE) and Everwood (which I also like, but have only had time to watch a couple of episodes). There's just something kind of whimsical about it that I like, although with the whole lawyer thing it's a bit Ally McBeal-ish. But I will stay tuned. At least for a couple more episodes.

Friday Night Lights continues to just AMAZE me. The new season is just so, so good. If you don't have DirecTV you'll get it on NBC soon enough, and believe me, it is worth the wait. Just Tim Riggins ALONE is worth the wait. Sa-woon!

Finally, the NC State Fair is on now, and all I keep hearing about it the new fried stuff offered on the midway. The big hits this year: fried macaroni and cheese and fried pecan pie. Yikes! Isn't pie bad enough without a breaded covering? But I am a mac and cheese fan, so I guess it's good that Sasha's still a little young to hit the fair this year. Next year, though, we will be there, and probably they'll have something else crazy and fried. I wonder what? Maybe cupcakes? Oh, shut up! That would be insane, impossible.

Or would it? Hmm. Stay tuned, indeed....

Have a great day, everyone!

1. First: Project Runway. If you haven't watched the finale yet, STOP reading and skip down now. Okay? Okay. So....Leanne. I have to admit I was not as thrilled by her collection as everyone else. I actually like Korto's better, if only because there was more variety. But as my cousin Abi pointed out, Leanne's DID look really pretty going down the runway. Really, I feel like this season was a little limp across the board, maybe because it's the last one before they jump to Lifetime. Suffice to say every time they showed Christian sitting by the runway, I felt a little jump of excitement, which reminded me how rare that had been this season. Still, I love the show, will follow it wherever it goes. And next up: Top Chef. YAY!

2. Yesterday, I did a little reading for Teaching Books, which they have now posted on their website: you can check it out here. In it, I introduce Lock and Key, and read a short excerpt. I was strangely nervous about this, all day long yesterday. Maybe because it's been SO long since I've done any publicity stuff, and I always worry I'm rusty. In the end, it went fine (although I hate how my voice sounds, but I think a lot of people do. Hate how their voice sounds, not mine. Or maybe they hate mine too. Who knows?) Anyway, it's good practice, because on the 28th, I'm doing an event for The Monti in Chapel Hill where I have to get up and tell a true story without notes in front of a bunch of people. Am I crazy? Quite possibly. But there you go.

3. I know everyone is sick about hearing how I spent my week cleaning out and organizing. (Today: I recycled hangers! I know, I know, it's just TOO exciting!) But here's one last thing that I found, organizing-wise, that I am loving. It's Mint.com, and if you are one of those people, like me, who loves to balance their checkbook and geek out on their finances, this is the site for you. It gathers all your info, confidentially and securely, and gives you graphs and pie charts and budgets and....oh, my! I heard about it on GMA this week and now I check it every day. I know this isn't the best time, financially, but it gives you this weird sense of control, which is always a good thing. Or maybe that's just me.

4. The National Book Award nominees were announced on Wednesday, and I was SO excited that I know two of them, Laurie Halse Anderson and E. Lockhart. Congrats to them both, and all the finalists. So exciting!

5. Blogging may be a bit sporadic next week, as I am heading out of town for a few days for business and fun. I'll return Wednesday, and so will this page. By then I'll most likely be totally disorganized again, but no matter. This little burst of productivity can carry me all the way to the spring, if I work it right.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

There's just something about cleaning things out. I literally feel lighter, calmer. Today I filled an entire trash bag with old discs and manuals from computers I haven't had for years. Why did I hold onto this stuff? The same reason that I save the box from every single thing I buy. I worry I might need it later. Well, later is here. I don't need it. Out it goes, with the dress. The last thing I have is the hardest: my closet. I need to be tough and mean and hardcore, which is why I have saved it. Anything I have not worn in a year is gone. Okay, unless it's vintage or a jacket. Or just really cute. Or....well, you can see why I had to build up to this.

Meanwhile, speaking of clothes, the finale of Project Runway is tonight, and I am beyond excited. Although I really liked Jerrell, I'm excited that it's three women left, and really wondering who will take it. I've said here before that I didn't really bond with anyone, but if I must pull for someone---and I must---I think I'm going for Leanne. Or maybe Korto. I have all day to make up my mind, don't I?

Finally, thanks to everyone who wrote in to my offer for some free class sets. We are currently weeding through the responses, and if we pick you, we will let you know. Stay tuned for more offers like this, as well. I found a LOT of stuff in my office over the last three days. Like about a hundred How to Deal posters. Maybe I can wallpaper a room with them or something?

Have a great day, everyone!

How did I ever live without watching 80's videos while I ate breakfast? It's what I used to do when I was in middle school, before I ran out to catch the bus. Now, upteen years later, I'm doing it again, sitting there with my cereal, watching "Come on Eileen," and "Here Comes the Rain Again," although now, instead of having a crush on Sting and bangs, I have a baby and a To Do list. Still, though, there is something endlessly pleasurable about seeing all these videos again. They are so bad, they are good. Truly. My husband is in HEAVEN with the old metal ones. He got so excited about one by someone named Dio called "Rainbow in the Dark," that he called up our friend Cameron and honestly kind of scared him with his enthusiasm. Maybe this should make us feel old, but really, it's the opposite. I close my eyes, eat my Cheerios, and it's like I'm fourteen again. For a few minutes, which is exactly how long I would want to be fourteen again. No offense, if you ARE fourteen. It's just that once was enough.

The rest of the weekend was spent in a whirlwind of closet and drawer cleaning. This is one of the best therapies I know of, honestly. If you're stressed out in any way, just pull out a drawer, sort and cull its contents, and you will instantly feel better. I've been on such a tear I have probably thrown out something I wanted to keep, but no matter, I was riding the wave and that is what matters. Now I just have to get all this stuff out of here and to the thrift shop, where someone ELSE can buy it and take it home to clutter up their closet and drawers. It's like the circle of life, but with stuff. Hooray!

One BIG chore that also got completed this weekend---and kicked off the rest of the cleaning----was that Parker, my fab assistant, helped me FINALLY organize all the copies of my novels I had stored in my office. They were all in cardboard boxes, and various plastic containers, mixed and mingled and dusty. After about an hour on Friday, we had them sorted, counted and packed away neatly in Rubbermaid bins. It was better than therapy, again. Also great is that now I finally know---rather than just suspecting it---that I have several copies of my books in other languages, enough for a couple of class sets. Which brings me to you. If you are a teacher, especially a teacher of German, and would like to inquire about receiving a free class set of This Lullaby or Just Listen in German, shoot us an email at assistant.reply at gmail dot com. Also, if you are a teacher in the US who could, for some reason or another, use a set of UK editions of The Truth About Forever or Just Listen, let us know at the same address. We've also got about twenty copies of Dreamland we're looking to send to a teacher who would like to teach it in their class. US addresses only (sorry!) and we'll get back to you if it looks like it will work out.

Okay, I'm off to jump into a busy week. After maybe one video. Or two. Or...

Have a great day, everyone!