My Wish List

It's that time of year again. The time when families get together, eat an obscene amount of food, play a borderline violent game of Pictionary and pass out in front of football (or this year, Taylor Swift).

Oh wait. Is that just MY family?

It's also the time of year when we start to think about holiday giving. Lately all my man and I have talked about is what to get for whom, which charities will receive our donations, and how much to tip the waste-removal-technicians. (Sounds so much better than garbage men, no?) And of course it's the time of year when everyone in my family asks me . . . "Have you updated your amazon wish list?"

Yeah, creative thinkers they're not. They like to be told what I already have and what I want most of all, so that there's no confusion and no mess ups. Like that year I gave my hubby a Dire Straits CD, all proud of myself because I thought he loved them, and he looked at me like I'd just upchucked on his shoe.

Anyway, I figured I'd share the latest editions to my wish list with ya'll, and see if you wanted to share what's on YOUR holiday wish list. Here's what I clicked on recently.

1) Bobby Flay's THROWDOWN! Cookbook

Every time I watch this show I think to myself "I wonder which one was REALLY better." Now I can cook it all myself and find out. Also, I've been fantasizing about the German Chocolate Cake recipes for like a year.

2) Glee: The Complete First Season

I can't believe I don't own this yet. Glee brings the happy. Especially season one. Doesn't everyone need a DVD in the house that brings the happy?

3) The Vampire Diaries: Season One

You know that thing where you have a list of five famous people you can smooch and your boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife/partner isn't allowed to get mad? Ian Somerhalder is on mine.

4) Bryan Adams: Bare Bones

Have I mentioned my life-long devotion to Bryan Adams? Well, it's actually only been since sixth grade, but that's longer than most of you reading this have been alive, so there you go. He has a new album coming out. I'm so there.

5) Modern Family: Season One

I could watch this show all day every day. Which means if I get it, no more writing. Hmmm.... Maybe not the best idea.

6) Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn AND

Archvillain #1 by Barry Lyga

Ever since that panel reading we did back in early November, I've been thinking about the passages read from these books and chuckling. I guess that means I should read then all the way through!

That's everything, for now. Of course I'm also wishing for peace in Korea, enough food and shelter for everyone this holiday season, and an end to all the senseless bullying, but you can't put those things on an Amazon wish list.

So now, it's YOUR turn to share! What's on your wish list this year?

HUGE READING TONIGHT IN NYC!

I'm so sorry to be so late with these details, but I've been thoroughly embroiled in the crazy mind of Ariana Osgood lately, and a few other things have fallen by the wayside. Like my own sanity.

Anyway, tonight I'm participating in a MEGA reading at the Jefferson Market Branch of the New York Public Library (425 Avenue of the Americas from 6pm - 7:30pm). And when I say MEGA, I mean MEGA. Here are the unbelievable talents reading alongside me:

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (Dash and Lily's Book of Dares)

Sarah Beth Durst (Enchanted Ivy)

Lena Roy (Edges)

Scott Westerfeld (Behemoth)

Lauren Henderson (Kiss in the Dark)

Even I'm in awe of that list! So come out and see us read and answer your questions! I hope to see you there!

My Quote of the Day Calendar

Okay, as many of you who follow me here know, I have this very cool quote-of-the-day calendar called Woman's Wit. Every day there's another funny or inspirational or wise quote from a famous woman. Everyone from writers to activists to actresses to comediennes to politicians has been represented. And there have been some TRULY inspiring quotes in there (some of which I've blogged about). Plus a few that have cracked me up.

For example, here is Maya Angelou's bon mot from October 1:

Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.

Great, right? So imagine my consternation when I tore off October 29 and got this little tidbit on October 30/31:

I give a quote and then it's blogged about for the rest of my life on the internet. - Kirsten Dunst

Right, um . . . so I feel . . . badly for you? But really, Kirsten, have you ever said anything so very interesting that it'll really be blogged about for the REST of your LIFE? And also, where else, but the internet, would it be blogged about? Just curious.

Of course, I just blogged about her quote. So perhaps she has a point. Crap. I hate it when I become part of the problem.