Wow. That is the cheesiest post title I have ever written. (Although, Zeus? Hera? Where’s the God of Teeth when you need him? and Memories, Light The Corner Of My Mind are additional fine options.)
I just don’t know where to begin. I mean, do you all even KNOW ME anymore? No, no, I don’t think you do, and the only way to remedy the situation is a quick post filled with written diarrhea.
Let’s see. I just returned from a quick trip to Denver and Boulder. As you may or may not know, my husband graduated from the University of Colorado and we wanted to check out his old stomping grounds while meeting up with his brother’s family. (Which included the most delicious 6-month-old ever.) The weather was beautiful, the leaves were starting to change, the air was crisp and the food was tasty.
We poked around neighborhoods and parks and generally fell over dead when we saw the housing prices. Houses that would easily be over the 2 million dollar mark in my beach community were literally, dare I say, remotely AFFORDABLE. Frankly, it makes me wonder, is the beach that worth it? Is the year-round perfect weather that worth it? Will I live in a small bungalow FOREVER AND EVER, GOD HELP ME?
Wait! That’s not all! The women? At the beautiful Colorado parks? Were NATURALLY attractive. NOT shot up with Botox, sporting blond extensions and Juicy Couture track suits! I did not see one bright yellow Hummer or flaming red Aston Martin. The people were friendly! With not a hint of passive aggressiveness!
OH MY GOD, Orange County, you are slowly killing my will to live.
(See? This is when I think I should continue not updating my blog. Do you really want to read this drivel?)
Also, I’m not the least bit ashamed to admit that I am almost physically ill that I finished reading the Twilight series. What in the hell am I supposed to do now? Blog or something? I love Edward and Bella, and I could care less if people think it was a poorly-written series because I could NOT put it down. Being a huge Anne Rice fan, I thought I would scoff at these books, but I loved them, oh how I loved them. Is there going to be a 5th book? Please, someone MAKE THE PAIN GO AWAY. If you absolutely loved Twilight, do you have any other books that you recommend I read? I belong to Goodreads, but I get lost in all of the millions and trillions of suggestions.
(Also, does anyone else wonder if by reading and thinking about vampires, you are sending out some sort of other-worldly wavelength for the vampires to come find you? No? Just forget I mentioned it.)
Now, if you are looking for something to make you laugh your ever-loving ass off, might I recommend Cringe by the lovely Sarah Brown? It’s a compilation of grade and high school journal entries that are some of the most hilarious pages I’ve read in any book.
(But I don’t WANT funny now! I want Edward and Bella! Wah.)
Help me find some sort of substitute before I am forced to read The Witching Hour for the fifth time.
Savannah
September 24, 2008 at 1:39 pmI really liked everything written by Sophie Kinsella.
Catherine
September 24, 2008 at 4:38 pmI have to throw my opinions in now that I know I might win something! I LOVED the Twilight series and read all the books THREE times. I *might* have been a bit obsessed. My husband kissed me goodnight once and I caught myself thinking, “WHY are you so soft and warm???” That’s when I knew I needed a break. Anyway, I am also throwing a vote in for Jodi Picoult. I have all her books and have read about half of them. They are all really good and some have recurring characters. Not Edward and Bella good, but all of them will hook you and keep you reading!
Giselle
September 24, 2008 at 4:38 pmI love Twilight so much. The thought of Edward still makes my heart flutter. It’s a little sad how much I love him, but I don’t care! I’m not ashamed! :)
I’ve been trying to find the Charlaine Harris books but they have been out every time I’ve gone to the bookstore to find them. I’ll try again this weekend.
Glad you’re back!
Catherine
September 24, 2008 at 4:39 pmI forgot to say how GLAD I am you’re back! Pleasepleaseplease keep posting! I’ve missed your HILARIOUS stories!
slynnro
September 24, 2008 at 6:27 pmI hear that Dallas, Texas has reasonable housing prices as well. JUST IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING….
Jennifer
September 24, 2008 at 9:52 pmI lived in Boulder CO for 20 years (meant to just make a quick stop there for my first job after college and ended up staying a LONG TIME). It is so great for the natural stuff – incl fitness, health – of which you speak. And, really the weather is great all year. Sure there are a few bone-chilling cold days in December/January but they’re always offset by such intense sunshine and even some 60-70 degree stints in the middle of winter.
But beware, if you are used to the ocean, you will miss it. I ended up moving back to the west coast last year (was born in Seattle) and now I think I’ll never leave the water again. But you could certainly go to Colorado for a little while, maybe until the kid(s) are grown?
Shannon
September 24, 2008 at 11:25 pmI’ve heard of this post-Twilight depression. I think that’s why I’ve spent the last month slowly relishing Breaking Dawn after I read the first three books in a week! I can’t bear the thought of ending my faux relationship with Edward!!
kalle
September 25, 2008 at 12:06 pmone of the best series that i have ever read is the Outlander Series, by Diana Gabaldon (amazon has them). they are well written, and give you that same feeling of longing when the last is finished. i love the scottish accent some of the characters have, and i might have fallen a little bit in love with Jamie. i challenge you not to do the same!
Lyndsay
September 25, 2008 at 12:39 pmI felt the same way – empty – for about a week after finishing the Twilight series. Did you know (and you might since I didn’t read all the comments to see if you have been previously informed) that she was in the process of writing a book from Edward’s point of view? Some a-hole leaked it to the press, so it’s published, in it’s partially finished form, on the Twilight website. I haven’t read it yet because I don’t think I can deal with the loss of getting halfway through, loving it, and having to imagine my own ending.
I’ve seen all the kids at the mall wearing Twilight clothing at the mall. I heard a movie is on the way. There is no way it will live up to the books – no movies ever do.
p.s. LOVE the plates. LOVE!
Jenn Kane
September 26, 2008 at 10:36 amI haven’t seen her name pop up yet, so let me suggest the Kim Harrison series that stars bounty hunter Rachel Morgan. It’s kicky in the same way that Charlaine Harris’ series is, but a little edgier. And, I beg of you, please ignore the covers. They are absurdly s&m looking, and you may have to slink down in your seat on public transportation, but the books are worth it. (Also supernatural–Vampires, witches, fairies, elves, oh my!)
What else? I liked Sunshine by Robin McKinley. It didn’t change my life or anything, but it was a nice comedown when I was out of intense series books.
For the record, I second or third or fourth (whatever you are up to in the comments) the Sookie Stackhouse books. Great, amazing, excellent little novels.
For non-vamp, I like a series written by Sujata Massey that features a young female Japanese sleuth named Rei Shimura. Fascinating take on modern Japanese life, etc.
In order to stop this from being a million word comment, I’ll quit here. Enjoy! (Love your blog!)
margalit
September 26, 2008 at 11:06 pmI graduated from CU too, only a way long time before your husband was probably born. And I still have a huge amount of love for Boulder, which is the world’s best place to grow up from a teen to an adult. It’s just the best! I’m trying to convince my kids to consider going there as well, but the morons both want to stay in the Boston area. THere is always hope for a transfer!
Aimee Greeblemonkey
September 29, 2008 at 5:01 pmI’m not talking to you right now.
kara Fern
September 29, 2008 at 7:10 pmSeriously, move to Denver. Run, do not walk, to the nearest real estate office and put up your bungalow RIGHT NOW. Denver is magical; it will change your life. As soon as I finish college in New York, I’m moving back and spending the rest of my life snowboarding at Copper Mountain and eating tasty vegan pastries from City O City. I will live in Wash Park/Cherry Creek North and never make the mistake of thinking that a city needs to be coastal to be rad again. DO IT. Your kids will thank you.
L.A. expat
September 29, 2008 at 10:27 pmYup. Finally got out of L.A. last year and moved to Boulder. Fantastic place to raise kids. I grew up in L.A. and now I don’t wear makeup and I don’t have to spend 2 hours getting ready to go to the park with my kid. Met a bunch of nice moms. It’s pretty great. Do it! Move!
Michelle@Life with Three
October 6, 2008 at 11:04 amOh, I’m late commenting on this one — but I had to when you mentioned you felt physically ill after finishing the books. Me too! What in the world am I supposed to read now?!? I agree with you — the story was awesome, depsite the writing. Have you gone on the Stephenie Meyer website to read the exerpt of Midnight Sun (Twilight from Edward’s perspective)? It is even better than Twilight. It’s about 264 pages of a Word document. So, that should keep you busy for a day or so… :)