Happy New Year!
So the holidays are officially over, I guess. In the last three hours, I’ve been contacted to do three school visits; received word that revisions for book #2 are en route tomorrow; and had some terrible oatmeal that is threatening to ruin my night of – wait for it – Social Distortion, live in concert.
Okay, so, the oatmeal thing is unrelated to the holidays, it’s just pissing me off. I hate “stomach issues.” Headache, cold, flu, stroke, coronary, a face-ectomy…fine. Just don’t let me be queasy, it’s all I ask.
In other news, giant Woo Hoo’s to A.S. King, Robin Brande, and Adam Rex for various and sundry book awards this week! Now I want one! All the cool kids got ’em… Okay, no, seriously — one thing I am always happy to tell people about my line of work is the true awesomeness that is YA authors. I’ve had a chance to meet so many this past year, and made great friends among them. I love the writing. I love the school visits. I love the booksellers and Book Babes. And I love that the other authors I get to hang out with now are just so friendly, encouraging, and funny. It was enough to get a book on the shelves; to gain new friends is something I’d never considered. Me = lucky sucka. And congratulations to everyone on the various lists! Well earned.
[Whoa – HUGE belch. That helped.]Speaking of which — authors, not belches — don’t miss the next YAllapalloza at Changing Hands on Saturday January 29! The list of cool people who will be there is too long to list here, but hit the website, see for yourself: it’s gonna rock.
If you’re in the area and looking for a fun writing class experience, I’ll be at Scottsdale’s Mustang Library January 22 at 1 pm to teach a class.
Finally, get ready for a Romeo and Juliet like you’ve never seen. People are gettin’ killed before the first line gets spoken. It’s going to be awesome. And I’m directing it! February 25 – March 12 in Scottsdale. Only $11 bucks when you pre-order online! C’mon, that’s sweet. Links, photos, and more forthcoming.
[Ahhh, Club Crackers…soothing.]Thus with a kiss, I die. From bad oatmeal.
P.S. You are awesome.
Very nice! Ususally I don’t have any trouble with oatmeal, but this one particular flavor of instant did me in. But then other times regular oats will be a little difficult. Thanks for this! 🙂
Tom, I feel your oatmeal pain. There’s a solution. All traditional people groups who lived on grains “soaked” their grains. With what, you ask? You know that water-y stuff that shows up in your yogurt after you’ve scooped some of the yogurt out? That’s called “whey”. (As in curds and. . .) Take a tablespoon of that whey and add it water to bring it to the amount of water you usually use to cook your oats. Add your oats and let this oatmeal-soup “soak” overnight. (12-24 hours.) Then cook as usual, although you might notice they cook alot faster after soaking. Serve with honey and butter for additional tummy-help.
I’m happy to go into the science behind this if you want that as well. For now, I’ll just say that I’ll bet ya’ $10 to your fave charity that this does away with ouch-y tummy from oats.
If it doesn’t do it, well, there’s always the Pepto. (“Such mortal drugs have I”: give me THAT act and scene!)