Where's My Hassenpfeffer?

Here's a little something to kick off your Tuesday with just the right amount of cute and cuddly.


Of course, you may prefer a cuddle of different variety. As for me, I'd have to try both! Would you go to one of these restaurants?

(10 points if you know what the title of this blog references.)

an overreaction of Presidential proportions

President Obama is scheduled to address the nation's schools on live television tomorrow and some school districts are refusing to air it.

And some parents are refusing to allow their kid to go to school.

Sigh.

Obama is not the first president to address the schools. Back in 1991 Bush, Sr. addressed the nation's schools and the nation thought this was a fabulous idea! Honestly, what better way to start off a lesson plan about our own national government than with a speech given by our nation's leader?

Parents are arguing that they don't want Obama using the address to "indoctrinate the children."

Can I just say, WTF?

Kids are exposed to differing political, religious, moral, educational, and social POVs every single day. They use their brain to discern what is right for THEM AS INDIVIDUALS and what isn't right and then they apply it. Sometimes kids make mistakes, they learn from those mistakes and they mature into (hopefully) wise adults.

So parents, trust that you have raised a child who has developed the ability to think for himself and decide right from wrong for himself. I can't imagine you're really raising a sheep that would be so easily 'indoctrinated' by one speech. No matter if you agree with Obama's politics or not, he's still our president and he deserves our respect. Trust me, I know...no matter how much I disagreed with Bush, Jr. (and it was often and a lot) I never once uttered the words, "He's not my president." Because guess what? he totally was.

Oh and FWIW, when Reagan addressed the schools my senior year, you know what I remember most about that speech? YAY! NO CLASSWORK! and I'm pretty sure I took a nap.

Saturday Re-Design

I'm running late and early at the same time today. Routine is something I avoided at all costs in my youth, but it's been a huge help to me in my middle years. I also think rejecting the traditional track of 9 to 5 made me a better writer and freer spirit. So it's a trade-off. These days I like having no job other than a few websites and graphics accounts and my writing. I can do a few things on the side if I want, or not. It allows me to embrace the creative spark when it hits.


Most Saturdays I've tried to post early. I know everybody in the blogosphere is DYING to get here first thing to read my ever-so-important opinions and observations.

Ok... you don't have to laugh THAT HARD.

Actually, it goes back to the routine thing. I love that my life is loose and easy to navigate most of the time simply because... it never really is. I have two little boys in my home three days a week (sometimes more). I have Max, Jeeves, the kittehs, Mo, and some guy with a funny accent. They are sort-of self-cleaning. But today Max had to get a last minute appointment at the groom. While sleeping late on Saturday would have been awesome, leaving Max to walk around with a smiley face drawn in sharpie marker on his side would not. (Did I mention the kids already?)

So my normal Saturday wasn't. Only it sort of was. I got up earlier, posted later, and dropped a grumpy pug at Doggie Stylin' down town. (I'm not making that up... that's his grooming salon's name.)

So life happens and plans change. One thing you can always count on? I'll never forget you! Bore you? Probably. Forget you? NEVER!

We didn't Beat It

Last weekend, the fabulous author Bria Quinlan and I went to Seattle. Somehow, while walking around downtown and Pike Place Market ALL DAY, we managed to miss a flash mob. How, I don't know.

But this is what we missed:



Do you have any famous "almosts"?

Take a Look, It's in a Book...

Butterfly in the sky...
I can fly twice as high...
Take a look...
It's in a book...
Reading Rainbow!

Anyone else remember that show? For over 26 years, LeVar Burton hosted PBS' children's literacy show, Reading Rainbow.

I used to watch it religiously when I was little. I credit it -- and Sesame Street, of course -- as being instrumental in my love of reading.

In fact, I loved Reading Rainbow so much that I even auditioned to be in one of the on-air book report segments at the end of the show. I still remember my mom picking me up early from school to take the bus into The City (yes, it's capitalized, because I'm referring to NYC) for the audition.

Alas, I didn't get it. :( The first of many rejections for me in the publishing world, unfortunately. But it didn't make me love the show, or books, any less.

Reading Rainbow came to the end of its 26-year run last Friday, after winning mroe than two dozen Emmys. It was the third longest running children's show in PBS history. Only Sesame Street and Mister Rogers beat it out.

In explaining why the show ended, John Grant, who is in charge of content at Reading Rainbow's home station WNED, explained that there's been a shift in educational TV programming philosophy, starting with the Department of Education under the recent Bush administration (had to put that "recent" in there, because Reading Rainbow outlived both Bush Sr. and Jr.'s administrations).

The Department of Education wanted to see a heavier emphasis on the basic tools of reading, such as phonics or spelling. PBS, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and the Department of Education put significant funding towards programming that teaches kids how to read.

Reading Rainbow, on the other hand, taught kids why to read.

So I think it's sad to see a show focused on the sheer joy of reading end. My hope is that kids today will continue to learn the joy of books, and not just read because they have to.

Where do you live?

I'd love to hear a little bit about the demographic of the Fictionista readers. Where do you live, and what are some cool features about your city/region?

I live in Cleveland--we have some great recreational activities available here. I love the Cleveland Museum of Art, not to mention Severance Hall (where the Cleveland Orchestra performs). We also have a natural history museum, a science museum, a botanical garden, and much more.

Also, our metroparks are very pretty and abundantly available. They have great walking areas, playgrounds, and nice expanses of brilliant green grass to have picnics or play frisbee.

Cleveland has a ton of great restaurants, too--which I love, because I'm a total foodie. And, of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention The Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame!!

Here are some photos I took of downtown Cleveland a few years ago--I love wandering around and taking pics:

Your turn--tell me what city/region you're in, and a few key features in your area that you enjoy! Well, hopefully you enjoy it, anyway. LOL

Model, Incorporated and Carol Alt interview!

Please help me welcome back to the blog, super model Carol Alt! Carol was with us once before when her first novel, This Year's Model, came out last year and after I read Model, Incorporated, I wanted to speak to her again. This book is really different than any others I’ve read dealing with the topic of modeling. It’s a very intimate, realistic view that shows the good and bad, not just the glamorous.

KP: How was writing this second book, Model, Incorporated different from the first one?

CA: These two writing experiences were different in many ways. With the first book, we (Lynda Curnyn and I) were trying to find the voice and the style of book. I think we really found a good balance the first time. You have to understand, it’s very difficult to narrow down years of experiences into a streamlined narrative. With that first book, I felt like I’d written a lot – fifteen pages to answer one question. It was a very interesting process.

With the second book, Lynda wasn't available, so I worked with the ghost writer from the Gossip Girls series,Rumaan Alam . He has a vast experience in fashion industry and I didn’t have to explain as much. He understood the excitement and the nerves, and knew what it was like to be on a photo shoot so it was really a matter of telling stories and having them translated.

KP: How was the story different from the last book since you're giving us more of the modeling life experience?

CA: Model Incorporated sets up the story of where Mac came from, how she became who she is. She had huge decisions to make that weighed heavily on her, a scholarship to consider, the issue of where to live, of how seriously she should pursue modeling. It’s important to know where she came from and what kept her grounded.

KP: Why not write your memoirs? This book seems like such an intimate peek into your life.

I’ve been asked that question before and I always say I’m not through living yet! The idea of writing a memoir makes me feel like it’s over and done. And although I have a lot of advice to share and experience that young models can learn from, I worried that eighteen-year-olds wouldn’t listen to a forty-eight-year-old! This was a way to put all that advice into a character that’s relatable, so girls could get the idea of what’s important in the business. I felt like girls coming in had no one to look up to, to help them out. They come from faraway places, will do anything to help them get a job – a way wrong approach. I wanted to tell them be careful! Heed what your agent says; don’t do things outside the agency. I listened to my agent and I know doing that saved my life.

KP: Will there be a third book in this series?

CA: That’s really up to the publisher and up to how the book sells. I’d love to do another one. I certainly have plenty more stories to share!

KP: What last bit of advice can you leave us with for any girls out there who might be interested in modeling?

CA: Well, for any business, it’s really very important to conduct yourself in a manner appropriate to that business. Dress appropriately, be presentable. The first impression is the lasting impression. People decide right then if they like you and want to work with you. You never know when you’re going to meet the one person who’s going to change things.

KP: Thanks for being with us today. I hope everyone gets a copy of Model, Incorporated – it was a fast, fun, interesting read that I highly recommend. The peek into the world of modeling was riveting!

Interview: Marley Gibson

Today I'm very pleased to interview friend and fabulous author Marley Gibson. The 2nd book in her Ghost Huntress series hits the shelves this week. And one lucky commenter will have a chance to win a copy of Ghost Huntress: The Guidance this week. You have until Midnight (CST) Thursday to leave a comment and qualify as a winner. The lucky recipient will be announced on Friday's blog!

Now, everyone give a warm welcome to Marley!

MF: Tell us something surprising about yourself.

MG: Surprising? Well...I've turned into quite the adventurer lately. Life begins at 42! I just got certified to SCUBA dive (recently saw about 60 dogfish shark a few feet from me), I went parasailing, and waverunning with a school of dolphins leading the way.


MF: How did you get the inspiration for your Ghost Huntress Series?

MG: I was looking for a new high concept idea to try and sell when I was at the New England Romance Writers Conference in March 2007. I sat in on the presentation of the New England Ghost Project talking about ghost hunting and using psychic abilities to connect with spirits. As I sat there in their session, the whole first GHOST HUNTRESS book came to me like a movie and I knew I had to write about teenage ghost hunters!


MF: What authors do you read?

MG: I read as much as I can get my hands on. I loved Stephenie Meyer's TWILIGHT series and I adore the Simon Pulse romantic comedies by Jenn Echols, Wendy Toliver, Niki Burnham and others. I love reading my friends books and have many of them in my to be read pile - Linda Gerber, the fabulous Melissa Francis, Tina Ferraro, Stephanie Hale, Simone Elkeles, Tera Lynn Childs, Dona Sarkar-Mishra. Really looking forward to Heather Davis' NEVER CRY WEREWOLF. As for adult books, I love anything penned by Roxanne St. Claire, Jessica Andersen, Gena Showalter, Sandra Brown, Barbara Delinsky, and I love rereading classics like GONE WITH THE WIND and BRIDGET JONES, which I can never get enough of!

MF: Who is your favorite character (of your own or another book)?

MG: I have to say that Bridget Jones is an all-time favorite characters. She's an adult, but there are so many naive, childish elements to her that make her so endearing. She's got a heart of gold, would be fun to hang out with, and she's a complete and total mess...which makes her remarkable REAL.

MF: What five things are always in your purse?

MG: 1. My BlackBerry; 2. Black eyeliner; 3. A bottle of "emergency" Zantac; 4. Rose quartz dowsing pendulum; 5. Benedryl in case of a tree nut attack!


MF: What music are you currently listening to?

MG: I love anything House/Dance/Trance -- anything with a bass line beat that gets my heart going. I love writing to Dance music and I love driving to it, as well. The louder the better. I adore Kaskade, DJ Tiesto, anything by Ultra or Ministry of Sound.


MF: Tell us about your pets.

MG: Sadly...I am pet-less at the moment. My kitty fur babies, Stanley and Natasha, stayed with my husband when we divorced. However, the shelters are full of wonderful kitties who need loving, caring homes. I've been on the road a lot lately promoting my books, but come the first of the year, I plan on adopting two fur babies and spoiling them rotten. I love animals...their hearts are pure and their love is real.

MF: One item of makeup you can't live without.

MG: Black mascara. It's my lifeline. Thanks to America's Next Top Model, I wear Lash Blast by Cover Girl and I just luuuurve it!


MF: First thing you drink in the morning.

MG: Water, usually, but I know know to take my caffeine cold in the form of Diet Coke. I just love the bubbles in the morning.


MF: Worst high school memory.

MG: I'm a cancer survivor...age 15...sophomore year in high school. It wasn't so much the cancer that was the worst memory, but the fact that I lost my waist-length hair AND I was a varsity cheerleader. However, our football team shaved their heads that year to "look tough" and everyone just thought that I had that much school spirit, as well. My hair grew back quickly -- maybe in 6 months -- and it led to a whole short-punky look for me that I kept until college.


MF: If you could go back in time and talk to the teenage you, what would you tell her?

MG: I would tell her to have more self-confidence. While I wasn't exactly shy as a teenager, I didn't have much self-confidence. I think it was because I was born in the north and grew up in the south and was always considered as "different." Today, I would tell that girl to embrace that difference and not apologize for who she is and where she came from. All teens go through self-confidence issues...as do most adults...but we all just have to find our place in the world and be happy with who we are.

MF: What are you working on next?

MG: I'm very excited that my publisher, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, wants to buy more books in the GHOST HUNTRESS series! Books 4 and 5 are in the works in my head...I'm writing out the synopsis for each so I can work on the story arcs that will continue throughout the series. I'll let the Fictionistas be the first to hear the (working) titles are GHOST HUNTRESS: THE COUNSELING and GHOST HUNTRESS: THE JOURNEY.

Thank you for joining us today, Marley! Good luck to you! Everyone don't forget to run out and buy yourself a copy of Ghost Huntress: The Guidance this week!

...And the Rains Came...

The rains came last night. Heavy, relentless, sheets of rain are falling on the South Shore and Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Most people in my neck of the sand like this weather-- at least a little. If you live directly on the water you may get nervous. But most old salt dogs are too smart to build something on stilts or on an open bluff without a seawall. The others... well, if you're going to move here you should probably ignore the snooty architect and the builders and listen to the locals. There's a reason our antique Victorians and weathered old Capes are still standing.


It's funny, though, how a nor'easter simply doesn't faze locals. I got up this morning to find weather-persons around the country wigging out a weenie bit. I went out with Max, got my two papers, a dozen donuts, and coffee. When I drove over the Green Harbor Bridge on Beach Street the tide was out. When I came back, via Ocean's Bluff, it was heading back in. There were rows of people wearing rain slickers taking photographs of the surf, which was not dangerous... but it was pretty. At Walgreen's it was pretty simple to spot the transplants... they were buying candles, matches, and milk.

You should already have the candles and matches. The milk's gonna spoil if you loose the power. We only stock up on perishables in the winter. We are more likely to loose the power then, but we just stick a cooler out on the porch and let mother nature be our frig.

Silly newbies.

Anyway, nobody around here was worried. We know when to worry. This is just a storm, not a nor'easter or a hurricane or a blizzard. This is one of those beautiful rages that follows the river to the harbor, hangs out off the coast when the tide is out, and later blows back in just to be belligerent. We like those storms. They make life interesting. I imagine people in the mid-west know when to get worried about tornado warnings. People in California know when to duct-tape the stuff down when a tremor feels a specific way. It's different when you've lived with it all your life. (I would probably wig out and run screaming like a baby if I encountered an earth quake. We live on a fault line, but it's the kind that causes mild tremors every 10 years or so, and it's not the kind that makes big holes.)

How's the weather where you are?

The One Where Gwen Invites Bria Over

We have a houseguest at Casa de Gwen this month. (The fabulous author Bria Quinlan who has also guest posted for us at Fictionistas. I guess that makes her a professional guest. Kinda like Kato Kaelin.)

Anyway.

So, when you bring someone into your home you realize things about your life that you never paid attention to before. Like, your entire household is crazy. That one of your dogs thinks he's a cat. That the cat sounds like Darth Vadar. That the puppy is actually bi-polar. That the other dog is likely pretending she's really old and tired and achy (she's only 8) to get out of dealing with the rest of us.

And I haven't even gotten to my kids yet.

Bria knows now that I have far too many jammies and that I put them on at 6:00 in the evening. She knows that it takes me about three hours to drink a glass of wine. She knows that I pretend to write more than I actually do. That I tease my kids more than a good mommy should--or at least I enjoy it more than a good mommy should. That I totally used her arrival as an excuse to buy cheesecake and hummus. That my husband's life dream is to be Red Foreman from That 70's Show, and yet he buys a watermelon because he heard her say she likes it. (also, he's making us brownies RIGHT NOW)

She also knows that my town is REALLY boring--but on the flip side, she's been able to nap and restore in the world's most comfortable chair. And I think when she hits the road again, she'll take with her that that while my life is far different from hers living in Boston, I've got it pretty good.

So, if I came visit you for a vacation, what crazy things would I learn about you?

Am I having a girl or a boy?

So...I'm five months pregnant. I have the ultrasound scheduled for Monday when you can find out the gender, but I think we're going to be surprised.

Originally, I'd always said I would find out, because I'm way too uptight for that kind of surprise. I need to know, and I need to know now.

But when I found out I was pregnant, I asked Mr. Brice what he thought...should we find out or be surprised and he said he thought it would be fun to be surprised. The more I thought about it, the more I decided I liked that idea.

I mean, there are so few surprises left in life. Why take away this one? Besides, if we don't know what it is ahead of time, we'll go neutral on the room decor and will probably end up saving a lot of money. (I just know that if I was having a girl and I knew that, I'd spend a fortune on all kinds of cute little frilly girly things EVERY SINGLE TIME I WENT TO A STORE. Trust me, I know myself.) This way, I won't be tempted to spend tons of money until I know for sure, and by then, I won't have time to waste on random splurge shopping.

Right?

Anyway, now that I've gotten myself all psyched up for the big surprise of hearing "It's a _______!" in the delivery room, and for it to actually mean something, Mr. Brice is starting to change his mind. Now he's saying he wants to know.

Grrr!!!!!!

I told him no, we're going to be surprised. So he said he's going to ask the ultrasound tech to tell him but not tell me. I think it's just because he thinks it would be funny to lord it over me for the next four months... "I know something you don't know!"

He can be a real brat.

Anyway, I've taken all the online gender predictors, and going by those and all the other old wives' tales I know, apparently I'm having a girl.

I guess that makes sense, honestly. It seems like everyone else I know has had a boy, so statistically, SOMEONE has to have a girl, right? Otherwise, there's no hope for the species if all the babies born in 2009 and 2010 are boys.

OK, OK, I know. Online gender predictors and old wives' tales aren't accurate. But neither is an ultrasound. I knew someone who was told she was having twin girls, but surprise! It turned out they were actually twin boys. And they only learned the actual gender AFTER they'd bought two of everything in pink and with frills.

So yeah, I'm going by the only fool-proof method. Waiting until the kidlet is born. But that doesn't mean I don't like to have fun speculating.

So what do you think? Girl or boy?

Texting While Driving PSA--watch this video!

Have you seen this public service announcement video about texting while driving? Take a few minutes and watch it:

I just saw it, and I'm still feeling a little shaky from it. It's WAY intense and made my gut twist. It's not "real," fortunately, but it definitely makes its point.

The state I live in, Ohio, has made texting while driving illegal (and in one city, you're not even allowed to be talking on your cell while driving).

Texting is a dangerous distraction, one that this video totally reinforced for me. I hope this video gets around and more people watch it.

So, after seeing it, how did it make you feel? Would you show this video to your kids? Do you think this should be shown in high schools, like how they do the drunk driving video presentations? I plan on showing this video to my kids, especially my 13-year-old daughter. God forbid something like this happens to her.

If today were a school day, I'd be home sick

We went to the shuttle launch last night. Official launch time, 1:36 AM. We had a special pass that got us into the turn basin, which as close as you can get without actually being part of the launch crew. It was pretty cool. Unfortunately due to weather, they scrubbed the launch at about 1:34 AM.

I didn't get to bed until about 3AM.

As a result, I am now Zombie Kristen. And yes, I am cranky enough to eat brains. At some point, I will have to nap because, you guessed it, the launch is rescheduled for 1:10 AM tonight and we're going back.

What things have you upset your normal routine for? Would you go to a night launch if presented with the opportunity?

the all important first kiss

My first kiss ever was the summer between 6th and 7th grade. I was at the lake with a friend of mine, and this boy (I can't remember if he was her cousin or family friend) had been flirting with me all day. I remember being nervous for several reasons. I looked cute, but was the only girl not in a bikini (I could've totally worn a bikini, but my mother had issues with them) I also hadn't really dealt with boys in a boy/girl way. My experience with boys was on the football field, basketball court, and baseball field. Yes, I was that girl.

Boys didn't really see me as a girl for a very long time (even though I probably had one of the best racks in high school...) It's always fun to see these guys from high school now because even though I'm not a girly-girl--there is no denying I am a woman.

Anyway, this boy and I were holding on to either side of a raft and endlessly flirting as we drifted further away from the crowd. Our legs and feet kept touching, our hands kept touching, and before I knew what as going on, our lips were touching as well. And then our tongues.

I knew about French kissing but honestly, up until that moment, I didn't get why someone would do that.

And then BAM! I totally got it.

I'm lucky my first kiss ever was so good because believe me, I've had some bad 'first kisses' since. I'm going to be blogging about the good, the bad, and the ugly kisser over at my personal blog today, I think. Pop over if you wanna continue the discussion.

So how was your first kiss ever? Do you remember the person fondly or do you still want a do over?

Interview with Beth Fantaskey

Today I am pleased to introduce author Beth Fantaskey to Fictionistas and our readers. I fell in love with Beth's novel, Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Darkside. Beth is a 43 year old married, mother of two, who lives in the small town of Lewisburg, PA. She says she "must be the longest-running Ph.D. candidate in Penn State University history." She uses her real maiden name-- Fantaskey-- to write.

This month she has featured an absolutely delightful "wedding party" on her website. Writers take note-- this may be the cutest promotional thanks to readers EVER. You can get to know Beth at her home page bethfantaskey.com, and follow her on twitter, too!



Jessica's Guide is a wonderful concept. Where did the idea come from?

Thank you!
My children are both adopted, and we often wonder what their birth parents were like. What if they were different somehow? I took that to the extreme by imagining Jess's parents not only as vampires, but vampire royalty. The rest flowed from there...

You recently included a free, fun, interactive reward for fans on your website ( http://bethfantaskey.com/wedding/invitation.html). What prompted that decision?

So many readers have asked for a sequel, but for the past year I've been absorbed in writing my second book, Jekel Loves Hyde. I've only started to seriously consider a sequel now. So in the meantime, I wanted to thank everybody who's asked to read more about Jess and Lucius by writing some original, free chapters that would help satisfy their curiosity about what happens next. (Hint: Romance!)
When I had the idea to make the event interactive, I was so excited that I could hardly wait to announce it. All summer long, I've been planning and trying to keep it a secret. And the response has been amazing!

Basically, I am a very, very grateful author. I never anticipated how many people would be nice enough to contact me with their thoughts on the book. Some of the readers have become genuine friends. It's important to me to let everybody know how much I appreciate all the support. Without readers - what's a writer, really?

What are some of your biggest influences?

Some of my major influences are right there in my own books. Jessica's Guide has a little nod to Melville and Bronte, for example, and Jekel Loves Hyde draws from the old Stevenson novel. I am also a big fan of Dickens, Austen and Dumas... all the classic writers. (Not that I think I'm anywhere in their league!! I don't mean to suggest that!)

What have you been reading recently?

This will sound strange, but I rarely read fiction. I am trying to finish my doctoral dissertation in mass communication history, so when I read, it's usually old books about female reporters. And I'm about to sit down with "The Art of Public Speaking" to prepare for a class I'm teaching this fall. Not exactly stuff most people are going to rush out and buy for fun, but I have no choice!

You say you love to travel but hate to fly. How do your reconcile your passion and fear?

I remind myself that I only get to live once, and that I'd rather die in a plane crash than miss the opportunity to see the world. Especially since my logical self knows how seldom planes really crash. Still, I'm a nightmare to fly with. I went to Italy with a friend a few years ago, and I clutched her leg so hard that she got bruises that lasted for days. Needless to say, she's never traveled with me again.

You're a mom of two and a writer, too. How do you find time to write while juggling life as a mother?

My children will both be in school this fall, so I am going to have a big window to work soon. However, in the past, it's been a juggling act. I definitely get lots of support from my husband, who is a college professor with a flexible schedule. We basically take turns working and watching the kids.

What's next for you? More vampires or something completely new?

Hmmm... that's still under wraps. Maybe a little of both!

Fictionistas have a few standard, nosy-questions we always like to ask for fun.

What five items are ALWAYS in your purse?

Wallet, make-up, inevitably-dried-up "wet wipe," crumpled tissue of mysterious origin, and this weird "aromatherapy inhaler" that emits a great smell when you open the cap. (Came in handy when one of the kids threw up in the car.)

What music have you been listening to lately?

I usually listen to our local college radio station or Pandora while I work, so I've been hearing everything from Sugarcult to Johnathan Coulton. It's always something new.

Worst High School memory?

The classic Prom Nightmare. Never go with a guy you used to date, just to go. It's a recipe for an awkward, awful time. My hand-me-down dress was ugly, too. I would have had more fun at home watching TV - or going alone... in a nicer dress!

If you could go back in time and say ANYTHING to the high-school-you, what would it be?

I would tell me, "You will be shocked by how cool all these people turn out to be. Someday, they will track you down on Facebook, and it will be like the cliques never existed, because you'll all grow up to be decent people just trying to raise your own kids to be the same."

Veggie tales

As a child, I remember watching an episode of Electric Company in which the children were singing about not liking broccoli. So I told my mother that I did not like it either. She was surprised, as I had never actually had broccoli, and suggested that I try things before deciding and maybe not be so inclined to just agree with other people.

Good advice. Turns out I do, in fact, like broccoli And there have been times in my life when I have had to break from other people's opinion and follow my own path.

My daughter does not love broccoli. But she'll eat it. She's picky about a lot of things (must be careful here, sometimes she reads the blog) but food is not usually one of them.

My son, on the other had, who is far easier to please about everything else--can not eat vegetable without gagging.

I thought it was a fluke incident when I fed him green beans as a baby and he threw up all over me. Now that he's almost fourteen and still gags at the table, I decided to finally look into it.

Yes, I'm a great mom.

According to Kidshealth.org, we have about 10,000 taste buds. Until we are older and end up with about 5000--which would explain why things taste so much stronger when we are young and less so as we age. So strong tastes--like bitter veggies, are more powerful to children.

Then there is the psychological factor, poor kid. It's difficult, I imagine, to keep on trying something when your brain remembers throwing up the last time you ate it. Case in point, none of you will ever see me drinking Tequila. Ever. Again.

So--where does that leave my son? I'm still mean enough to put those foul veggies on his plate. And I still expect him to keep trying new things. But I also feel less bad about making him only have one bite of the ones he hates the most, and will continue to allow him to substitute an apple or applesauce at the dinner table without feeling like I am a pushover.

So, what foods did you hate as a child, but enjoy now?

*source used: http://kidshealth.org/kid/talk/qa/taste_buds.html

Apparently I like vampire books...who knew?

Like everyone else on the planet, I read "Twilight."

Not because I wanted to. Mostly because I felt like I should. Stephanie Meyer had found such a cultural touchstone for teens, and since I write YA, I figured I should check it out and see what the big deal was.

Eh.

It was interesting, I guess, but it wasn't exactly my cup of tea. I found Bella to be way too whiny and annoying, and frankly, not really a good role model for girls. And I wasn't a big fan of Edward.

This was probably because I've never really liked vampire books. Sure, I watched "Interview with a Vampire" back in the mid-90s when it was all the rage, and I even read it in French for the heck of it. And it was mildly entertaining. Mildly. I never could understand the huge appeal it held for so many in my high school (much like I can't understand the huge appeal the Twilight series holds for today's teens).

I've read a few vampire romances through the years, but mostly when there wasn't anything else to read, or it was written by a friend of mine. I've just never understood the appeal.

Until now.

After having read our very own Melissa Francis's BITE ME! and mother-daughter team P.C. and Kristin Cast's MARKED within a span of a couple of weeks, I can now officially say that I really like YA vampire books.

Well, at least those. LOL.

But seriously, check out BITE ME and the House of Night series. You won't regret it.

High school activities

What kinds of activities did you participate in when you were in high school? Or, if you're still in high school, what do you currently do for extracurricular activities?

As for me, I was a huge, huge, HUGE band geek in school. I was in the marching band and pep band (I played trumpet)--I was even drum major my senior year, which was totally fun and surprisingly hard. Gee, I wonder why people my age didn't want to listen to me boss them around. haha

I was also in the French club--we didn't really do a whole lot, except make crepes. Mmmmm, crepes...

Other than that, I didn't much after-school stuff, except for participate in the school musicals/plays (either by acting, or by playing trumpet in the pit orchestra). I'm soooo not athletic, so I didn't do sports. Trust me, it was safer for everyone that way.

What about you? Did/do you participate in extracurricular activities?

How hooked up are you?

Technology today seems all about social media. Yesterday someone somewhere mentioned that the average age of those who use Twitter was around 46. I have to say that really surprised me. And got me thinking.

Am I hipper than I thought?

I used to be on Myspace and while my page is still there, I haven't logged in in ages. Myspace seems like the horror movie trailer park of social media now. It's gaudy, run down and you just never know who's parked next door.

Now I focus on Twitter and Facebook, although to be honest, I mostly use Facebook for games and sending messages to far-away friends.

What social media do you use and what's your favorite?

the thrill of Walmart

After living in Oxford, MS for 7 years and having very little choice about where to shop, I began to loathe Walmart. I didn't care if the prices were 'always the lowest', I cared that it was always busy, always on the other side of town, and always Walmart.

Then my book got published and I started getting little notes about Walmart sightings across the nation.

The first came from my friend Karla in Arizona.

Then a few came from Florida. A few from Arkansas (I still haven't seen my own book at Walmart yet, but I keep looking)

Then Gena Showalter told me she nearly broke all the glass in the building with her squeal when she saw me in Oklahoma.

And yesterday, my friend Lucy sent me a picture of my own book at a Walmart in Texas.

Yes, I think I've officially arrived...