Always sunny, honey

I'm supposed to be taking a break so I can revise, sell my book and become a famous author (she dreams) but I wouldn't be me without telling you why I'll be gone longer than planned. You all know there have been some troubles in Candyland over the last year and a half. You can read about them HERE and HERE.

Today is another test of my strength.

Hope to be back very soon. Until then, enjoy.


Candylandlovesyou. OUT.

Ghostly postings part two

I'm not here. This is the ghost of CL guiding you towards brilliance. Do it or get cut.

Check Jess out. She really puts the time in to give thorough lists and advice re: writing.

Or, if you'd rather laugh your @$$ off, Glee fan or not, watch this
(warning...a bit of language....earmuffs please)..

Nuthin' But A Glee Thang with Heather Morris, Matthew Morrison & Sofia Vergara from Heather Morris

Candylandlovesyou. OUT.

Ghostly postings

I'm not here. This is the ghost of CL guiding you towards brilliance. Do it or get cut.

OMBRADY! This link needs no introduction. In fact, I have no other links for you. Spend all day reading this woman's posts. Or she will cut you.

Candylandsghost. OUT.
P.S. I see I've lost TWO followers since announcing my hiatus...*hides in corner and cries*

Break Me

It's time. I hate to do this. I loathe it. But I need to step away for a few days. Until my ballz are in working order (i.e. I need to REVISE before my agent rebukes my throne in her publishing palace) (It'd also be cool if I could bathe, brush my teeth, get a full night of sleep and talk to that guy I married...what's his name again???).

In the meantime, I'm going to randomly link different follower's, show stupid pictures, and/or re-post oldies but goodies everyday until I'm back. Sound good? I hope so because if not, you'll be happy to know I (no time to finish this sentence...)

Candylandlovesyou. OUT. 

Set yourself free

Recently, I've been a little overloaded. Yes, I talk about my ballz often but this is more than that. This is bigger than my ballz (he he). With a schedule wound so tight, someone threw a screw in it last week and life in Candyland was like a post-apocalyptic war zone. I couldn't figure out how to balance and I'm still looking for my place. Sort of lost and alone...

It reminded me of the days I used to stay with my Gram. It didn't matter how much crap I was going through, when she buried me in her arms, I forgot it all. I emailed her a few days ago and told her that even to this day, I've never felt more safe than in her arms. She was my hero for taking all the anxiety away. It was like living in a perfect bubble. I've been missing that bubble. A lot. To have someone pull you into them, wrap their arms around you and say "you're not alone," is everything sometimes.

That's all we ever want to know, really..that we're not wandering through our paths...alone. No matter how busy I get, there's a reason for this blog. Through the asinine humor and ridiculous stories, there's still me, a person (sorry to tell you, I am NOT a robot or zombie). And I've learned, I don't need Gram (as nice as it would be to have those hugs all the time), because I can set myself free.

By writing. Connecting. Being open.

So the next time you write a blog post and you wonder if anyone cares about what you're saying, pretend I'm your Gram (that sounds weird) and I'm wrapping my arms around you (in a totally non-creepy way) telling you "You're not alone." Because you're not. And you will be free...

Tell me, friends, what did you blog/write about today or recently? Did you have someone, like my Gram, who made everything alright?
Candylandcares. OUT.


P.S. Check out Karen's blog for more A to Z Challenge blogging tips:)

Did I tell you the one about...

The night after The Nightmare After Christmas show?

My tummy rumbled like a Pooh bear so the hubs pulled into a Wendy's drive through for some eats. Though, let me be clear, I had to count every WW point of that small frosty half. Anywho, as we pulled around to pay, one large cat and one very tiny kitten ran out from under a parked car and literally sat beside my door and cried.

It was night time. It was late. And they were hungry.

Anyone who knows me will tell you I'd give anyone or anything my last meal if they asked for it, including those of the furry nature. But I was REALLY hungry. I just couldn't part with my frosty half. So we pulled away.Actually, let me clarify: The HUBS pulled away as I cried, begged and pleaded for him to go back through and order a hamburger for the furry babies to eat. He acted like it was ridiculous but by now, knows I mean business.

So he did.

When we pulled around to pay, again, the cat and kitten ran out from under the parked car, again, and sat beside my door and cried. I'd seen other cars come and go behind and in front of us, but ours was the ONLY car they came out and cried to. I offered said hamburger, even though they wouldn't get too close to me, but a few MEOWs later, I felt like we had a mutual understanding:

They know a sucker when they see one.

Tell me friends, would you have driven off? 
Candyland. OUT.
P.S. Check out two of my A to Z friends, Lee, HERE and Alex and Jeff, HERE. They have some great tips for the challenge.

Feel Me Up: Challenge this

Oh, Friday, sweet Friday...I've never been so happy to see you. Today, a special Feel Up + Announcement for all you crazy kids.

Random Fact: Candyland has been asked to join the A-Z Challenge (and she said yes--even without a ring)!

Rules:
The premise of the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge is to post something on your blog every day in April except for Sundays. In doing this you will have 26 blog posts--one for each letter of the alphabet. Each day you will theme your post according to a letter of the alphabet.

You can post about whatever the eff tickles your fancy, so long as it corresponds with the letter of the alphabet of the day. Make sense? Everyone who blogs can post from A to Z.

How can this Challenge help you?
Be a cool blogger! Make new friends! Lose twelve pounds! Well, two of those is true.

Join me and these other super-rad bloggers in making April our blogging biotch.

Arlee Bird
Alex J. Cavanaugh 
Jen Daiker      

Jeffrey Beesler       

Stephen Tremp   
Karen Gowen    

Talli Roland

Sign up via the linky below and join us, won't you? If you don't, I will show up at your house while you're sleeping and hover until you're awakened by my cold, hollow, breaths...
*THE LIST IS NOW CLOSED TO NEW ENTRIES*


Have a great weekend!
Candyland. OUT.

I've got a filthy M.H.E.B. mouth

I'm late. Lame, I know. And NOT unusual in Candyland. Thank you for being so patient as I gather, nourish and spit shine all my effing ballz. It's been a strange week and I'm sure it's about to get even stranger. Anywho, NOW I present to you my-totally-belated-blogfest-that-hopefully-lives-up-to-expectations-way-after-the-fact ENTRY. Geesh.

What is your favorite word?
Published. Or BRADY. Either way...

What is your least favorite word?

Anything with an "oi" sound in the middle.

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

Music. Lyrics and rhythm drive me (you thought this was going to be another you know who ref, huh?)

Also, the thought of showing my baby how to achieve something sort of gets me going.

What turns you off?

NOISE. Distraction. Reading too many books I think are better than anything I could ever write. Using all my WW points and realizing I'm starving. Errands. Fake people. Justin Bieber. 

What is your favorite curse word?

EFF. Though, I've considered turning Brady into one just so I can say it often without it being weird. 

*Candyland stubs toe* "MATTHEW H. EFFING BRADY!<--See...

What sound or noise do you love?

My fan all times of the year. The offspring's infectious laughter. Bert screaming. The Seinfeld music. New Meds live in concert. My husband drumming his hand on his pant leg (or the steering wheel, or my back or the counter...)

What sound or noise do you hate?

Everything when I first wake up. Every PING on my phone when it's not on silent. Grasshoppers. Snoring. The Hannah Montana theme song AGAIN. Actually, pretty much everything which is why I'm a silent, writer type whp lives in a very quiet land (except for the screaming 4yo and constantly LOUD drumming drummer...)

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Easy. Publicist for rock bands. Or mini farmer.

What profession would you not like to do?

Rock band biotch. Mini-farmer pooper scooper. 

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

"You have toilet paper on your shoe."

There you have it kids. Tomorrow come back for a special Feel Up, Candyland style. Until then, tell me, who will scoop the feces on my mini farm? Anyone? Hmm..

Candyland. OUT.

If you want my ballz...

Have at 'em. Candyland needs help in a BIG way. Oh and EPIC FAIL on forgetting about Nicole's blogfest so I'll give you mine tomorrow (that sounded weird). This is what I see today:

So forgive me, my lovlies, but I've got ass to kick and names to take. In the meantime tell me, what do you do to unwind, relax, FORGET ABOUT YOUR BALLZ?
Candyland. OUT.

Don't talk about it

Sex.
Language.
Depression.
Suicide.
Drugs.
Alcohol.

Are any of these things in your novels? If you read or write YA, you know what this is about. Or, if you were ever a teenager (not that I did anything...I was a beautiful princess), you know firsthand. Personally, I love authors who aren't afraid to push the envelope. Honesty in writing takes guts, especially when it's about topics like these.

I say this because, in revising my ms, 9:59 Rewind, one of the notes in the first round of edits was whether or not the self-injury (read: cutting) my character inflicts HAS to be there. Because if it does, the book would be classified a "social issue" book. While I went through the edits, I realized YES. It HAS to be there. It's crucial in showing how my MC deals with all the crap in her life. She doesn't usually cry, she doesn't vent, she bottles it up and takes it out on herself. I knew, deep down, this is how she would handle it.

So I kept it.

And I was right to do so. The agent loved the way I expanded on the subject. It made my character more 3D, and one more thing to overcome in a pile of shizz. Now, as I'm revising, again,  I re-read the scenes where all of that was written and to this day, I'm confident in my decision to keep it. Without it, I don't think even I could fully know or understand the pain she goes through. And knowing your MC is key.

I recently finished a book that speaks of suicide, and I admire the author's tenacity to say it so bluntly. You know I'm a big advocate for TWLOHA, suicide prevention and anything that sheds light on "difficult" subjects, because even if you aren't talking about it, IT'S STILL HAPPENING.

To all you budding Ellen Hopkins, Patricia McCormicks, Laurie Halse Andersons, Jay Ashers, Julia Hobans, Charles Benoits, or even Judy Blumes (yes, you read that right), I salute you. Thank you for being brave enough to give ME a voice. Today, I'll rip the tape off my mouth and write will the whole truth, and nothing but.

Tell me friends, do you tackle any of these issues in writing or have you read anything recently that does?
Candyland. OUT.


P.S. check out my music picks over on Chris's page. And don't worry~it's not the band you think!

OMG ILY 4-EVA

Things I love about you:
-You never judge me (out loud)
-You read even when it's stupid
-You comment even when you have nothing to say
-You fantasize about what my face might look like today
-You see hearts around my blog
-You COME BACK. Everyday (almost)
-You *get* me
-You never complain about my endless you know who stories

You encourage, support and inspire me in every way possible. Thank you, friends. So, will you be my Valentine or do I have to beg? (And if you say no, I'll cut you.)
Candylandlovesyou. OUT.

Feel Me Up: Slow down Puff Puff

Dear friends,

The weekend has starteth early for Candyland. In fact, I have nothing to say. Let down? (No, I'm not talking in new Mom code here) (Yuck, did she just say that?) (OMG she totally did)...

Maybe it's the surplus of cold and flu meds, maybe it's the brain cells they've successfully killed off. Maybe it's that a-hole cat. I blame him for the hole in the ozone, and the economic crisis, too.

Anywho, let's get down to it.

Random Fact: I am a barbarian when it comes to cutting steak. I do not look pretty, or girly, or anything fantastically Candlandish. In fact, I'm embarrassed of myself. I won't take me out to dinner anymore. Not until I learn to eat like a human.

Random Fact: The offspring and I have our own language. She's all "slow down puff puff," and I'm all "you no mean me, duder," and she's all "i'm a hairy woman," and i reply with "please, boo, you're awesis." And we're in total agreement, it's time for bed.

So in conclusion, uhhh, Imma have to audition for American Idol next year so I can meet my father. How about you...(uh-oh...what's she going to ask...)
Are you graceful at cutting steak? (insert sighs of relief...I really could've gone anywhere there)
Candyland. OUT.

Part two: (i.e. EDIT THIS, MOFOS)

Right now, I'm in hell.

Okay, so that's a bit dramatic for a Thursday, but it's true. Well, I'm in EDITING hell. My story hates me. It's punishing me for things I'm probably going to do in the future (because obvs, I'm currently an angel). I went through this in October-ish. I cried, begged, pleaded with the thing but it was stubborn, and remained crap.

And then one day, I was listening to a song by The Used. It's one I've heard over and over, but for some reason, that sunny drive in the car, it hit me  like a tire iron to the jaw (DRAMATIC). I went home, threw away my previous notes and transformed my story into something less awful. It took awhile to finish those revisions, but once done, I was confident enough to send to then future agent (I just blew your mind), who thought I showed enough promise to take a chance.

But it still needs work. Yaaknow. Plot holes, character issues, blah blah.

And now, I'm back here with this story, waiting for another light bulb to go off. In the meantime, yesterday I discussed one easy outlining technique via the Three Act structure. Though, I forgot to mention, I use this AFTER I've written the first draft. I'm not awesome at pre-outlining and I saw most of you are the same. I LOVE it because it divides your story into three easy sections, focusing on where conflict, tension, etc go once you already have a foundation and crap.

But then I found this new method, and have sort of been cheating on the Three Act Method. I won't even copy and paste so GO HERE to read about it. It's sort of life-changing and all kinds of dots were connected. And while I make the offspring have mandatory quiet time so I can torture myself with anything that will make my story rock, I only hope...I don't make it worse.

Tell me friends, is anyone else sick right now (yeah, it's off topic)? Have you had any light bulb moments that transformed your story? Can I have your light bulb?
Candyland. OUT.

Whiners: Easy outlining part uno

Outlining is *not* my thing. Neither is a throat lozenge without menthol. Okay, most things aren't my thing. Maybe I don't have a  thing. If you're a writer, though, sometimes finding a way to outline is a necessary evil.

This excerpt is taken from my KSURF writing class, YA Novel Writing for Beginners. If you haven't signed up yet, check it out HERE.

The first step:

Organize your notes in a way they make sense. Whether it's via chronological order, by circumstance, character or event, do it in a way it not only makes the novel compelling, but easy to follow. Next, transfer all organized notes onto a clean Word doc or notebook page. This will make outlining a breeze. Once you've transferred the notes, clarify. The point of this step is to cut the miscellaneous notes—the bulk of what you don't need. Don't throw them away, though. Keep them in the original document in case you need them later.

If you're having a hard time with this step, try throwing similar notes together to see if there's a pattern.

Example from my own notebook:

Note number one says: “She's shot on stage.”

Note number two says: “She presses rewind.”

Note number three says: “She needs to solve the murder of her father.”

I simply lumped the three random thoughts into a pile and expanded them into something like this:

“Teenage rock star's father was murdered by the same man who's after her. After catching a bullet to the chest by the man at a show, the girl presses rewind, hoping to find a way to undo what's been done.”

Once your notes are organized and transferred into a streamlined version, you'll find more ideas weaving themselves in, and that's okay. Go with it. The notes don't have to be completely clear, but should give you a general direction to start with.

Now you're ready. But where do you start?

Breakdown the outline into sections. You should have a cleaner version of notes to work with and a basic storyline you intend to follow. Divide a blank page or Word document into three visible parts.

Label section #1 “The Set-Up.” The Set-Up is the foundation of your story. You'll want to seduce your readers into wanting (needing to) to read on. Transfer any notes that correspond with your ideal beginning. You should have a relatable, (usually a bit ) mysterious protagonist whose sole mission is to achieve a particular goal. The goal could be internal or external, but think about what might entice readers to care about the story. You may introduce an antagonist, or foreshadow the events you plan to carry out in future chapters but your main job in The Set-Up is to lay the groundwork for the rest of the book.

Label section #2 “The Conflict.” The Conflict is what sustains the reader. It's a continuation of The Set-Up, but a bulkier, deeper version. Your protagonist should reveal things about his or herself so we get to know and care about them. The best thing you can do for your protagonist at this point is create something to keep them from their goal. Surprise the reader with secrets or small reveals that will all build to the end's grand finale. In this section, it's easy to feel lost without some sort of outline. The dreaded “middle of book” is where a lot of stories fall flat. You can avoid this by keeping the reader on their toes and surprises around every corner.

Label section #3 “The Payoff.” The Payoff is what the book amounts to—the last scene the reader's been waiting for. By now, the audience should know your protagonist well, care and root for them. We should know their goal, what's keeping them from it and why. This is where you tie up loose ends and give readers what they've been waiting for. Conclude all storylines and prepare for the big reveal.

Example of Set-Up, Conflict and Payoff using If I Stay by Gayle Foreman:

Set-Up: Mia's family is killed in a car accident and she isn't sure if she should live without them or die, and possibly, be with them.

Conflict: She's an amazing cellist who's in love with a rocker. She has big things in store, should she stay. But choosing to live her dreams with her family gone isn't something she's completely ready to do.

Payoff: In the final moments, after feeling Mia's every breath and hearing her every thought while in a coma, we're right there with her as she decides her fate.

In If I Stay, Mia's antagonist isn't another person, but herself. She's her own worst enemy. We learn to care about her and root for her to choose life. By the end of the book, the reader feels satisfied all questions were answered. THAT is your goal. From start to finish.

Once you've written a rough version of your outline, read through each section one at a time and note any other ideas that come to mind. Names of characters and dates can be filled in later, unless it's important to the story. Focus on the main events that will drive your story forward.

-Ends-

Hopefully these notes will help you get started. I've learned what works (for me) and what doesn't through lots of trial and error. I've found two specific techniques that have been winners. One, is the 3 Act Method discussed here. The other, I will go over tomorrow. 

How about you? Do you have an outlining technique that's helped with your story or do you pull crap out of nowhere?

Candylandstillsick. OUT.

I'm proud of you

Has anyone told you lately? I got an email from my Mom yesterday. She said these words to me, and though she's said them before, I really *heard* them this time. She noticed I got an agent (after TWO years), lost weight (11.5 pounds), and am seeming to do it all, (I still drop my balls A LOT, though), while still reaching for the stars.

Now, I don't want to get sappy on you, friends, but really, I think you seem to do it all, too. This writing thing isn't easy. It tests you in ways you never thought possible and makes you stronger than you ever thought you were. Some days you want to quit. Some days feel like the journey is too long, you're too far away, you'll never get there. But you keep going. And going. And going.

And I just wanted to tell you, in case I haven't lately, I'M PROUD OF YOU. Keep fighting writing the good fight write. Your dreams will come true, in some form or another. Pinky promise.

*Hugs*

Candyland. OUT.

ONE

So, friends, this weekend, a few things happened which is why I'm going to make this brief (see letter d).
a) I realized I am *not* cough* 22, while going out with friends to see a band, leaving early + sober.
b) I also realized I am okay with that.
c) My a-hole cat threw up a lot.
d) I caught THE-EFFING-FLU

And most importantly...
e) Even after gaining an agent who believes in me, I actually received two random query rejections.

You would think it wouldn't sting, that I'd get over it and move on. But I'm telling you rejection will always hurt a little, at least for me. Even if you have thick skin and stuff magically rolls off, you can't tell me it won't bother you to see a big, fat NO STINKING WAY. YOU SUCK. BUT GOOD LUCK PLACING YOUR WORK ELSEWHERE.

It always hurts, because rejection is someone telling you you're not good enough, in one way or another. But you swallow that lump in your throat, brush it off, and send another query. Because that's what writers do.

Now, I want to make this point crystal clear in case you haven't been beaten over the head with it before: IT ONLY TAKES ONE.

It doesn't matter if 199 people hate what you've written. Number 200 could be your ONE.

Have you been the recipient of a recent rejection? Don't worry, you'll ALWAYS be accepted here.
Happy Monday.
Candylandsicksicksick. OUT.

Feel Me Up Friday: When a windstorm knocks the bathroom stall open...

WOW, friends. All I can say from yesterday's birthday extravaganza is THANK YOU. For the comments, the emails, the FB posts, the everything. I always wondered what it would feel like to be insanely popular for a day and now I know. From bloggers to friends, to family, to strangers to a certain band member, it was, quite possibly, one of the best birthdays I've ever had.

So, thank you.

And what did I do on said wondiferous birthday? I got a horrific license where I'm sure to be pegged the next child molestation suspect, I tried on fancy woman clothes while pretending to have matured, I bought groceries (I'm SO wild!), sipped a cafe mocha at my leisure (this NEVER HAPPENS anymore), and mostly enjoyed the quiet (offspring was at Grammie's for the day).

It was perfect.

And now, I'm SO ready for that feel up. Clean hands be damned. Come as you are.

Random Fact: Before trying on fancy woman clothes, I went to the ladies room to, yaaknow, relieve myself. I'm not sure why, but I'm a magnet for the doors that don't lock and I never notice until I'm mid-pee, stuck holding one hand on the door and the other on my pants. Well yesterday, I had no time to hold said door as it flew open mid-pee like a windstorm. Dear lady who saw my business, I hope we never see each other again.

Random Fact: If you ever see a girl in the grocery store with a full cart, wandering around, I'll bet by the end of the trip her cart is half-empty because she felt guilty buying all that crap and stuffed random items in various places of the store on her way out. I'm neither confirming or denying this was anyone I know (me).

Talk about an after-birthday treat! Thank you! And a big thanks to the hubs for writing yesterday's post so I could [sort of] be lazy for a day. The birthday shenanigan's shall ensue with friends tonight and fondue tomorrow NOMNOMNOM.

Until tomorrow friends tell me, have you ever put something from your cart in a random isle because you were too lazy to put it back? #truthtime
Candyland. OUT.

If you tell her she looks a day over 22, she'll cut you

Well kids, it's the best day of the year...thats right, Christma....wait...oh yeah...it's Candyland's mthr fckn birthday!!! Wow. That was straight up gangsta. Or really, really white. You decide kids, but I would err on the side of the white boy. Anywho, it is actually Candyland's b-day and if you care, or dare, to ask, she is *cough* 22 *cough*.

Soooo, what did everyone get her? I got her 3 mealeyon dollas. Not really. I actually got her a day full of housework, workwork, errands, bill-paying, motherhood and a massive headache. Top that blogosphere.

The hubs stepped it up and robbed some places and now Candyland can buy some sweet shiz. You are officially invited to Candyland's virtual birthday party. You must bring a gift and something tasty or alcoholic (something like Matt Brady always works) and it better not suck or you'll end up on Candyland's black list...and trust me when I say that is a dark, dark place.

Do'nt forget to sign her virtual birthday card (aka leave a comment telling her how amazing she really is...or just leave Brady and go. Kthnnxx).

Peace out bloggos,

The Hubs. OUT.

Are you in?

Sometimes the love of something, someone, is freakin' grand. It's butterflies and warm and fuzzies and all that crap. You might be head over heels for your newest WIP or a character you've spent some time creating. You might daydream about a celebrity whose movie you watch over and over and over until you say the lines along with him/her. You may even have secret thoughts about your Crackberry or Kindle that would make me blush.

My love, one of my greatest, comes in the form of four down home guys who like to play rock music. I told you yesterday about my weekend, but what I didn't tell you was how it feels to be in love with something that isn't in love with me. To drive hours, pay any amount, gush over, post about, fund raise for, give things to, think about, rock out to, admire, get inspired by...breathe freely...

Sometimes, it hurts.

It hurts because no matter how much you love that character, how many times you watch that movie, how much you cradle your Crackberry, how many times you listen to that one song, it's totally a one-sided romance. It's the down side of loving, LOVE.

This weekend, my heart broke a little watching these four amazingly talented guys do exactly what they've been working so hard to get to...exactly what I've been promoting...exactly what I've been begging you to check out. They deserve it, they're incredible. But still, a piece of me felt a little left behind. Like they'll go on to sell millions of records and that one girl named Candyland will never cross their minds again...

It's not them, it's me.

Because when I *love* something, as you all know, I invest ALL OF ME. So if I lose, I lose ALL OF ME, too. But I realized, watching them play, I'm okay with that. I'd rather be all in or all out rather than somewhere in between.

And when it comes to love, I'm definitely ALL IN.

Tell me friends, are you in or out? Do you give your all when you do something or are you in that gray area?
Candylandlovelovelove. OUT.

The best part of me, is YOU

I realize it's been awhile since we've yaknow, talked, and well, time's been short and things have been going on and and and and that's NO excuse. [1]You want to know about my newly edited profile info, yes? [2]Or how I drove 3 hours to see new Medicine ALONE only to *not* get my hugs from you know who. [3]Or how the following night I *did* get my hugs from you know who whilst in matching garbs.

But I don't want to bore you. No, no, no. So here's the Cliff's notes version of it all...

[1] You clever little things, you. I tried to sneak it in but ultimately it left me with a full inbox and baffled bloggers. Even though I've got a TON of work to do, I am now repped by Liz Jote of Objective Entertainment (think Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton). Long story (two years worth) short, even with other parties showing interest after the worst start to the year possible, I realized it was Liz who gave me wings. Now I can fly...

[2] The KY show...3 hour drive alone + no food + headache + lost + nowhere to park + waiting for the list to arrive so I can get in + rude people + NO HUGS FROM YOU KNOW WHO + mixed feelings about how AMAZING it is to see them in an arena on the huge stage with the sold out crowd while longing for the small club days + a love story that will be on hiatus (more about that tomorrow) +3 hour drive home alone + still no food + bar stop on way home to see friends and another band + YAY the night was redeemed + WHOOPSI-I got pulled over at 2am = stupid day.

[3] The OH show...Amazing seats (behind the penalty box, row c, near the stage) + OMG HE'S WEARING THE SAME SHIRT AS ME + they got a new backdrop which makes them official + kickass show + so proud to see them get *here* + HUGS FROM YOU KNOW WHO + maybe the love story doesn't have to be on hiatus (again, more on this tomorrow) = LOVELOVELOVE <3

And now here I am. My dad keeps calling but I've yet to find time to chat about Canned Heat for an hour, my 2 jobs are in full swing, I'm working through revisions, and-OH YES-my birthday is vastly approaching (Thursday) (it's author Dianne Salerni's bday too!) but all I'm thinking about is how much I miss being 22...those were the days.*sigh*

I so completely enjoyed your collaborative story, too, friends. It was magical. And kept me entertained through the stupid day.You are brilliant. Seriously. I think I have the smartest, most goodest, specialist friends EVVVAAA.

Oh yes, and pretty, pretty please, check out THIS POST by J2W founder, Kathleen Gibbs on why Matt Brady is her New Medicine (see, I'm not alone). He's such a beautiful person, inside and out. If you've learned anything from reading this blog let it be that I should never be allowed to walk down stairs alone.

No, wait...I mean I should always take my glasses off before using the bathroom. NO, THAT'S NOT IT. I mean, if you've learned anything, let it be that the measure of a person's worth is not what he/she has, but who he/she is inside.

In other words, be beautiful from the inside, out.

Until tomorrow tell me, what are you going to bring to my virtual birthday party Thursday? You're all invited because it wouldn't be a birthday worth celebrating. Without. You.

Candyland. OUT.