Just a quick Monday reminder...this blog is moving! Syndication makes it easier for me to update more often. However, in order to syndicate this blog to LiveJournal, I needed to create a new name. (LiveJournal won't let me syndicate my blog to this one!)

So if you'd like to continue receiving my blog via LiveJournal, go to the new profile here:

http://syndicated.livejournal.com/niki_thegoahead/profile

then add it to your Friends list. THANKS!

This blog is moving!

In the past, I've been cutting and pasting the same blog in multiple locations. Syndication's easier (post once, it appears in multiple places!) but in order to syndicate this blog to LiveJournal, I needed to create a new name.

If you'd like to continue receiving my blog via LiveJournal, go to the new profile here:

http://syndicated.livejournal.com/niki_thegoahead/profile

then add it to your Friends list. THANKS!

This will enable me to keep the blog updated more often...I can post in one place instead of having to re-post a Blogger blog to LiveJournal, etc.

Want to see some cool pics of the writing spaces of the Simon Pulse romantic comedy authors? (Yep, there's a pic of my home office, too.) Check 'em out here!

Today, the Princeton Review released its annual list of party schools. While I'll admit that it makes interesting copy on the evening news, and an of-the-moment discussion topic when you're hanging out with friends, it's not all that relevant to the individuals these lists purport to be created to help--high schoolers who are making decisions about colleges. Most colleges are so big that there are ALWAYS going to be groups of students who think it's not a complete weekend until they've thrown up in the dormitory bathroom. There will also be groups of students who go to that school specifically to learn what they need to in order to succeed in a career, and whose partying may be pretty limited.

When I was in college, my school, Colorado State, was right there on that party list (well, it was on Playboy's party school list, which is often pretty similar to the Princeton Review list.) My friends and I thought it was hysterical. We didn't think we were any different than the schools we visited on football weekends. And I truly don't think Colorado State was any different than where I went to grad school, the University of Michigan, which wasn't anywhere on the list. Again, you could find a party if you wanted to find one. Or not. You could work your tail off and get great grades and learn. Or not. You might even find a way to do both.

Bottom line? The folks at the Princeton Review say they created this list to help college-bound students make decisions about what school might best fit their needs. I think any student who either considers or dismisses a school simply because it appears on this list is doing themselves a disservice. Having an enjoyable college experience is far more dependent on what you, as a student, decide to do with your own time once you're there.

Last week I went to a (highly anticipated) game between the New England Revolution and the LA Galaxy. The crowd was the largest in Revolution history due to an anticipated appearance by David Beckham. He suited up and stood at the sidelines, despite a sore ankle. When he didn't go in to start, there was still anticipation he'd play the second half. By halftime, however, the crowd seemed to have forgotten Beckham was even in the stadium. The game itself had fans riveted; it was fast-paced, with a number of amazing plays made on both sides. The Revolution's Taylor Twellman had several shots on goal, finally connecting with one in the fifty-fifth minute.

What I loved seeing, though, were all the fans--both kids and adults--who'd clearly never been to a professional soccer game, but who were loving the experience. I heard dozens of them asking each other why they'd never attended before, especially since the tickets are so much cheaper than going to see the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins, or Celtics games. The atmosphere was family-friendly, without being at all boring for the adults in the crowd.

At the end, I didn't hear a single person say, "That sucked, no Beckham." Instead, they were talking about Twellman's shots on goal, Shalrie Joseph's great defensive plays and the incredible saves by goalkeeper Matt Reis. And about how they couldn't wait to attend again.




Soccer is an accessible game, one kids can pick up easily, and without a lot of expense. You don't even have to be a super-athlete to have fun playing. It's also an international game. Unlike with American football or even (my beloved) baseball, people around the world have an understanding and appreciation for soccer that transcends barriers of language and politics. Turn on a soccer game anywhere in the world, and you're bound to have a group of people gathered around the television set before you know it. Throw a ball into a lot and kick it around, and players will find you. It's a great way to make friends, even if you don't speak the same language.

I hope that Beckham's arrival in the US introduces more Americans to the game--whether Beckham plays or not--so we can discover what the rest of the world already knows.

I had to take the dog to the groomer's this week. Thing about owning a poodle is that they need trimming pretty regularly (I've taken to calling Tipper "fluffanutter" for the week or so before she gets clipped.) I go to a place in Natick, MA. There's not much to do in the immediate vicinity of the groomer's, so it's usually a good time to get back in the car and try to run a few other errands. This week, however, I decided to wander down the street from the groomer's to a bakery and grab a coffee to take back to the car before heading out.

If you're ever in Natick, check out Bakery on the Common. Oh, YUM.



Imagine the smell of freshly-baked Challah bread made into French toast and dusted with cinnamon. Kids munching homemade chocolate biscotti. Guys in the kitchen whipping up omelettes with smiles on their faces. The place was sooooo much more than simple coffee. Needless to say, I grabbed a table and stayed. Sitting there soaking in the atmosphere, reading a great book, and enjoying a delicious breakfast made a mundane errand into one of life's little joys.

From now on, dog-clipping day is going to be a real treat. The whole experience got me brainstorming ways to make other errands and chores more fun. Any suggestions?

Went to Fenway Park last night, which is always fun. But instead of baseball, I attended the Police concert. Wow, do these three still know how to put on a show!

I was definitely on the younger end of the crowd (scary, huh?) But it was a great time. It'd rained most of the afternoon here (we even had hail at my house), so I wasn't sure if the concert would be worthwhile. Rain continued to threaten, and our seats weren't exactly up close.

The Police came onstage right at sunset, just as the last of the rain blew through Boston, and the crowd was into it from the very first note of Message in a Bottle--me, included! Mostly because Sting, Andy, and Stewart looked like they were really having a good time playing together. Even if the music itself is phenomenal, concerts just aren't as enjoyable for me if I feel like the performers are just going through the motions to earn a buck or promote an album. These three weren't. They were grinning to themselves throughout and seemed to be enjoying each other's company immensely. And definitely no lip-synching here. Sting's mike fell out of its stand at one point, which caused both Sting and the crowd to crack up.



This is what I strive for with my writing, btw. If it ever gets to the point where I'm not enjoying myself, or where I'm going through the motions (or look like I'm going through the motions) just because, then I need to find another career. No lip synching. Just joy in the process.

And mid-July, at that.

I just realized that I haven't posted since MAY 1. Talk about being a slacker.

Have had some fun things happening. My new book, Goddess Games came out the last week of May (yep, that kept me busy!) Then I went to BookExpo America and signed a ton of books (also saw David Levithan sing a karaoke version of Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful"...and he did a great job, too!)

Another adventure: I adopted a new puppy! Her name's Tipper, and she's a bouncy, happy-go-lucky poodle. Isn't she cute? She's up to a whopping seven pounds!




Then, earlier this month, I attended the Romance Writers of America's annual conference and had a blast. Congrats to all the Golden Heart and RITA Award winners! Check out this pic...I'm on the left, in the center is Carly Phillips (who served as Master of Ceremonies for the awards) and on the right is last year's Lifetime Achievement Award winner, the fabulous Linda Howard.



Finally, I got an iPhone. It's puuur-ty. Unfortunately, my Verizon service contract doesn't end for two more weeks, so I'll be looking at that pretty little iPhone and NOT using it until I can switch my cell number over without paying an obnoxious penalty. (Really. I. Must. Resist.)

Yep, that's two and a half months in a nutshell. More soon! (It'll keep me from staring at the iPhone.)

Forbes Traveler posted a list of the fifty most-visited tourist attractions in the world. The list isn't exact. There were some places, like Tiananmen Square, where figures are only an estimate, and the magazine didn't count religious sites where a large number of pilgrims visit (like Mecca or the Vatican), though it did count sites that are religious, but mainly tourist attractions (such as the Vatican museums and Notre Dame.)

I went through the whole thing and marked the sites I've seen with a star. Of course, my mark-up isn't exact, either. I didn't count places I know I visited as a child (like Sacre Coeur or Great Smoky Mountain National Park) because I barely remember them. I also didn't count the Empire State Building. I've been inside a few times, walked by more times than I can count, but have never been to the top (I think, since the tourist attraction part of the building is getting to the top, that it shouldn't count unless I've been up there!) I also didn't count seeing an attraction/site from the outside or from the air (I've flown over the Grand Canyon a number of times...I don't think that counts!)

So where have you been? Where do you want to go? What sites have been your favorites? What sites aren't on here that you want to visit?

Me: I have a date with the Met the next time I'm in NYC. And I'm dying to see the Great Wall, the Taj Mahal, and the Sydney Opera House (I want to do the walk over the top of the bridge. Looks fun!!) And a number of the museums on this list are on my before-I-die list. And for sites not here: I love Yellowstone National Park and the Smithsonian Museums. I also hope to visit Victoria Falls someday. My fave from this list is a tough call, but it's probably Pompeii.

The list:

* 1. Times Square, New York City, NY: 35 million visitors every year

* 2. National Mall & Memorial Parks, Washington, D.C. (Washington Monument, Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, the war memorials): About 25 million

* 3. Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.: 16.6 million

* 4. Trafalgar Square, London, England: 15 million

* 5. Disneyland Park, Anaheim, Calif.: 14.7 million

* 6. Niagara Falls, Ontario and New York: 14 million

* 7. Fisherman’s Wharf/Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, Calif.: 13 million

8. Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea, Tokyo, Japan: 12.9 million

* 9. Notre Dame de Paris, Paris, France: 12 million

10. Disneyland Paris, Marne-La-Vallee, France: 10.6 million

11. The Great Wall of China, Badaling area, China: About 10 million

12. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina: 9.2 million

13. Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, Japan: 8.5 million

14. Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre, Paris, France: 8 million

* 15. Musée du Louvre, Paris, France: 7.5 million

16. Everland (amusement park), Kyonggi-Do, South Korea: 7.5 million

17. The Forbidden City/Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China: At least 7 million

* 18. Eiffel Tower, Paris, France: 6.7 million

19. Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando, Fla: 6 million

20. SeaWorld Florida, Orlando, Fla: 5,740,000

21. Pleasure Beach (amusement park), Blackpool, England: 5.7 million

22. Lotte World (amusement park), Seoul, South Korea: 5.5 million

23. Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, Japan: 5.4 million

24. Hong Kong Disneyland, China: 5.2 million

* 25. Centre Pompidou, Paris, France: 5.1 million

26. Tate Modern, London, England: 4.9 million

27. British Museum, London, England: 4.8 million

* 28. Universal Studios Los Angeles, Calif.: 4.7 million

29. National Gallery, London, England: 4.6 million

30. Metropolitan Museum, New York, NY: 4.5 million

31. Grand Canyon, Ariz.: 4.4 million

32. Tivoli Gardens (amusement park), Copenhagen, Denmark: 4.4 million

33. Ocean Park (amusement park), Hong Kong, China: 4.38 million

34. Busch Gardens (amusement park), Tampa Bay, Fla.: 4.36 million

35. SeaWorld California, San Diego, Calif.: 4.26 million

* 36. Statue of Liberty, New York, NY: 4.24 million

* 37. The Vatican and its museums, Rome, Italy: 4.2 million

38. Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia: More than 4 million

* 39. The Coliseum, Rome, Italy: 4 million

* 40. American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY: 4 million

41. Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Hollywood, Calif.: 4 million

42. Empire State Building, New York, NY: 4 million

43. Natural History Museum, London, England: 3.7 million

* 44. The London Eye, London, England: 3.5 million

* 45. Palace of Versailles, France: 3.45 million

46. Yosemite National Park, Calif.: 3.44 million

* 47. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt: 3 million

* 48. Pompeii, Italy: 2.5 million

49. Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia: 2.5 million

50. Taj Mahal, Agra, India: 2.4 million

Spent last week in London. Saw the usual sights--Westminster Abbey, Hampton Court, the Tower of London--and a few not-so-usual, via duck boat. (Duck Boat Lady will be the subject of a future blog.)

Of course, we also ate our way through town. Fantastic Indian food, and some to-die-for Middle Eastern selections...though at London prices, which aren't cheap.

While I luurv the food halls at London's Selfridges on Oxford Street, my group happened to have an ice cream craving while we were walking near Harrods one evening, so we made a beeline for the food hall, pulled up to the ice cream bar, and ordered off the kiddie menu. Four of us each had a three-flavor serving of ice cream while we marveled at the high prices of the designer handbags and jewelry we'd walked past near the front entrance.

It was a good thing we ordered from the kiddie menu. The tab for four of us? Thirty pounds. (No, not in added weight, though it felt like it as we walked around later. In British Pounds.) As in sixty U.S. dollars. For four bowls of ice cream. Had we ordered sundaes, we'd have ended up paying anywhere from 24 - 30 bucks EACH for that ice cream.

I think I've officially found the most pricey ice cream on the planet!



So I'd love to hear: When have you been shocked by a food bill? Or seen an item on a menu and thought, "What idiot would pay that price?" (In this case, it was me. My husband said that if the ice cream didn't give anyone a coronary, the bill just might.)

Still...it was fantastic ice cream.

I'm back from a FAB trip to Rome, Italy. Spent $$ buying purses (because naturally, that's why EVERYONE goes to Italy!) Ate a ton of gelato, went through the Borghese Gallery (for the second time in two years, because it ROCKS), watched the Rome Marathon from inside the Colosseum, went out along the Appian Way to check out the ancient Christian catacombs, and listened to happy Irishmen singing at a bar while watching their rugby team play Italy.

The cool thing about travel for me is that, in addition to learning about how others live, you see things you don't expect, like singing Irishmen in Rome. Or, for instance:



This is a panini (sandwich) stand located just outside the ancient walls of Rome, near the Appian Way. It had great looking sandwiches in the case, as well as freshly-cooked "humburgers", fries, and soda. What the chick on top is doing...well, I'm sure it's great for sales. As was the music blaring from two monster speakers located right over where you have to stand to place your order and pay. See what I mean, though? Unexpected.

In a few weeks, I'm heading to London, and I'll be keeping my eyes open for more of the unexpected. In the meantime--what kind of unexpected things have YOU encountered on a trip? An odd event you witnessed? A store that wasn't what you imagined, judging from the outside? A tour guide with a strange habit?

The unexpected is the stuff of good stories.

I heading to ROME tomorrow...oh, happy day! It's probably my fave city on the planet. Ancient history, gorgeous architecture, food that's to-die-for, and more gelati than even I can eat (and I'm a die-hard ice cream fan.)

Setting the TiVo to get my Y&R fix, as well as a few other can't-be-missed shows. Will be checking in again (hopefully with some pictures!) when I get home.

Ciao!

Hi. My name is Niki, and I am an Academy Awards Show Addict. I watch the whole show every year. This time, I watched the red carpet fashion show while exercising (a whopping 75 minutes on the elliptical--which normally would leave me wrecked--absolutely flew by!) Then I sprinted to the shower during a commercial break so I wouldn't miss any of the ceremony itself.

Not sure I should've worried about missing anything. It's always fun seeing who wins what, who's wearing what, and whether or not the host will pull off a miracle. But this year was...bland. There seemed to be more padding than usual—short films, skits, honors that went on much too long. And there were no huge surprises in the acting categories, other than maybe Alan Arkin winning Best Supporting Actor (though Eddie Murphy was favored, the ballots went out the same week Norbit hit the theaters, and I think that hurt his chances.) And the only big surprise in the other categories was Melissa Etheridge picking up the Best Original Song (and man, did I do a huge cheer...I really wanted her to win!)

Still...I know I'll tune in again next year for the whole shebang. The fashions alone keep me hooked. My best dressed picks this year: Penelope Cruz, Portia di Rossi, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Reese Witherspoon, and Helen Mirren. All fabulous. Ellen deGeneres went through three outfits. My far-and-away favorite was the white tux. Made her eyes pop big time and just lit up her face. Great job, Ellen!

Can't wait to see what next year brings--and if deGeneres will be back. But a tip to the Academy: tone down the padding, stick to the awards themselves, and scatter the biggies throughout the show as in years past.

Dear Shakespeare,

I just read Romeo and Juliet, and I didn't totally get the book. Are they both dead at the end? I heard that, but if so then why. I have to know bad. If you get this soon could you IM me the answer? Thanks.

Reader X

PS—Also I must know the setting of your book. And what is Juliet's motivation?

(NOTE: this e-mail has a read receipt.)

-------------

Ridiculous, right? Not in the age of the internet. I'm sure no one's ignorant enough to think they can e-mail Shakespeare (and if you are, then get off the internet right now and focus on your homework, please, for your own good. I say this with love.) But as an author, I must say it boggles my mind how often I get e-mails like the above. I know other authors who get them, too. LOTS of them.

Yes, I know you're asking me because you have to do a book report. And yes, I had to do book reports in school, too. There were even occasions when (GASP!) I didn't have time to give the entire book the attention I know the teacher expected. Hey, I had a social life. I played sports and had an after school job and all that. But I did, at the very least, make an effort to speed-read them so I could reasonably get through a book report.

So I must ask...whatever happened to asking friends? Or to making a guess based on what you did read, and then faking your way through the report, figuring you'd work harder on the next report to raise your grade?

Don't get me wrong. As an author, I LOVE hearing from readers. I make an effort to e-mail back every single person who e-mails me. And I'm thrilled every time a reader writes to me about my books. If a reader has questions, I'm more than happy to answer them. But please...don't ask me (or any other author) to write your book report for you when you stayed up late watching Paula Abdul cry on American Idol and have no intention of ever reading their book, 'kay? Authors need to spend their time writing their next book.

Comment away...I'd LOVE to hear thoughts on this!

And a PS--if you're reading this blog and thinking, "Oh my gosh! I wrote Niki and asked her a question. Is this about me?" I can guarantee it's NOT you, and that I was very happy to get your e-mail and answer your question. (Those who send e-mails like the Shakespeare e-mail would never read the author's blog. If the deadline for the book report passes, they don't even bother opening the e-mail from the author with the answers to their questions.)

So for the first time since ponying up the $$$ and getting a high def TV, I'm watching the State of the Union. While I'm sure I could blog at length about what the President's saying, at the moment I'm far more interested in what I'm SEEING.

I'm positively riveted by the details...little flecks on the mens' ties, the ribbons on military uniforms, poorly blended lipliner on some of the women, even spots on the water glasses. As a sports fan, I figured watching baseball in high def would be the highlight of owning this set. Not so. This blows it away.

And for the record: wow, does Nancy Pelosi look good in high def! Nice beading on her jacket, too.

First off--apologies for the time between blogs. I've been a slacker. Such a slacker, in fact, that I took time off and went to Disney World. At Disney, I met some Very Important People. No, not any movie execs. I mean THOSE people. The ones who think that they are more important than YOU, simply because they are...well, THEM.

They were right behind me in the line for the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. If you've ever stood in lines at Disney, you know how they work—they're usually long, and wind through various rooms so you can't see how far it is to the front. However, the lines generally move quickly, because the Disney cast members (they're not employees, they're cast members) load the rides with precision. They've got everyone for the next ride lined up before the empty one comes back so there's no downtime. The ride designers usually put amusing stuff on the walls so you have something to look at while you're waiting, and—for the rides with the longest lines—there's often a sign at the entrance to the ride letting you know how long you might expect to wait. If the line's a long enough one, you get to know the people in line with you and chat about what other rides and parks they've visited. So it's not such a bad experience to wait.

But these girls in line for Pirates? Let's say I was simply stunned by their brilliance as they waited to sit in a boat and see Johnny Depp automatons. I'll delete their names to protect their VIP identities:

Girl A, to the others: Just shove up along the side. These people are walking too slow.

Girl B, pointing with the straw to her smoothie: No, no, I'll trip on that kid up there. Go the other way.

Girl A: Huh?

Girl D: What kid? Gawd, they're everywhere!

Girl C: If people would just push the line would go faster. I swear! Look at that space up there!

Girl C then proceeds to sidestep a kid who's very patiently waiting in line next to his parents. Girls A, B, and D follow.

I step sideways to body block them. (Subtly--I'm not so intent on stopping them that I'm going to be obnoxious about it.) Also, I realize they're more important than anyone who might be standing in line in front of them and that even a small change in my position may send me to Disney Hell. However, as I move one step my right and the girls' forward progress is stopped, the parent of the little kid in front of me looks at the floor and grins.

Girl A rolls her eyes. Girls B, C, and D let out loud, exasperated sighs.

BTW, must share another great line from line-hopping VIPs this weekend: "Omigod. Did you SEE what she said?"

I swear, VIPs like this were simply put on Earth for my personal entertainment.

Have you ever had a close encounter with a VIP? What did you do? Do you find VIPs entertaining? Annoying? Or are YOU a VIP? (C'mon. 'fess up.)

Me, I'm sure I've NEVER been guilty of such behavior :)

I've been busy signing books in California, Florida, Massachusetts, Washington, and New York City. These stores should all have autographed copies of my books on the shelves. I'll add new stores soon, but in the meantime, if a store in your neighborhood isn't listed, feel free to send me a self-addressed, stamped envelope with two stamps and a list of the books you'd like autographed, and I'll mail autographed bookplates back to you!

NOTE: To send a "self-addressed, stamped envelope" you'll need to address a business-sized envelope to YOURSELF, put two stamps on it, and then put it inside ANOTHER envelope and mail that to me with a list of the books you'd like autographed at:

Niki Burnham
Bookplate Request
PO Box 229
Hopkinton, MA 01748-0229


CALIFORNIA:

Barnes & Noble Amerige Heights Town Center * Fullerton
Barnes & Noble Metro Pointe * Costa Mesa
Barnes & Noble Aliso Viejo Town Center * Aliso Viejo

FLORIDA:

Barnes & Noble Altamonte Mall, 451 Altamonte Drive * Altamonte Springs
Borders, 880 W. State Road * Altamonte Springs
Books-A-Million, 4225 14th Street West * Bradenton
Waldenbooks DeSoto Square Mall, 303 US 301 Blvd. West * Bradenton
Books-A-Million, 167 State Road 436 East * Casselberry
Barnes & Noble Clearwater, 23654 US 19 North * Clearwater
Borders Clearwater Mall, 2683 Gulf to Bay Blvd. * Clearwater
Barnes & Noble Lakeland Square, 4136 US 98 North * Lakeland
Books-A-Million, 1520 Towne Center Drive * Lakeland
Waldenbooks Lakeland Square, 3800 US 98 North * Lakeland
B. Dalton The Pointe, 9101 International Drive * Orlando
Barnes & Noble Colonial Market Center, 2418 E. Colonial Drive * Orlando
Barnes & Noble Florida Mall, 8358 S. Orange Blossom Trail * Orlando
Barnes & Noble Plaza Venezia, 7900 W. Sand Lake Road * Orlando
Books-A-Million, International and Kirkman (Hwy 435) * Orlando
Borders, 1051 W. Sand Lake Road * Orlando
Waldenbooks Orlando Fashion Square, 3201 E. Colonial Drive * Orlando
Waldenbooks Florida Mall, 8001 S. Orange Blossom Trail * Orlando
Barnes & Noble Oviedo Marketplace, 1260 Oviedo Marketplace Blvd. * Oviedo
Borders, 8285 Red Bug Lake Road * Oviedo
Books-A-Million Seminole Town Center, 200 N. Entrance Road * Sanford
Barnes & Noble St. Petersburg-Tyrone, 2501 Tyrone Blvd. * St. Petersburg
Borders 6999 Tyrone Square * St. Petersburg
Barnes & Noble Dale Mabry, 213 N. Dale Mabry * Tampa
Barnes & Noble Carrollwood, 11802 N. Dale Mabry * Tampa
Borders, 909 N. Dale Mabry * Tampa
Borders, 12500 N. Dale Mabry * Tampa


NEW YORK CITY

Barnes & Noble Rockefeller Center * 600 Fifth Avenue
Barnes & Noble Fifth Avenue * 555 Fifth Avenue
Barnes & Noble Citigroup Center * 160 E. 54th Street
Barnes & Noble Chelsea * 675 Sixth Avenue (6th and 22nd)
Barnes & Noble Union Square * 33 E. 17th Street
Barnes & Noble Astor Place * 4 Astor Place
Borders Penn Plaza * 2 Penn Plaza (at Madison Square Garden)


MASSACHUSETTS

Barnes & Noble, 270 Hartford Ave. * Bellingham, MA
Barnes & Noble Prudential Center * Boston, MA
Barnes & Noble Boston University/Kenmore Square * Boston, MA
Barnes & Noble, 170 Boylston Street * Chestnut Hill, MA
Borders Atrium Mall, 300 Boylston Street * Chestnut Hill, MA
Barnes & Noble, 1 Worcester Rd (Route 9) * Framingham, MA
Borders, 739 Donald J. Lynch Blvd. * Marlborough, MA
Waldenbooks, Solomon Pond Mall * Marlborough, MA
Borders, 476 Boston Turnpike * Shrewsbury, MA

WASHINGTON

Barnes & Noble Bellevue, 626 106th Ave NE * Bellevue
Barnes & Noble Crossroads, 15600 NE 8th Ave * Bellevue
Barnes & Noble South Center, 300 Andover Park W. * Tukwila
Borders, 17501 Southcenter Parkway, Ste 200 * Tukwila
Waldenbooks, 270 Southcenter Shopping Center * Tukwila

So how sick are you of hearing about how women love shoes? The whole, "They fit even when I'm feeling bloated, tired, (fill in the blank with as many depressing adjectives as you can.)"

This is my problem: lately, they DON'T fit. Which is why I get cranky every time I hear one of my friends rave about her newest shoe acquisition.

About a year or so ago, I discovered Zappos, a fabulous web site that sells shoes for great prices, with free shipping AND free return shipping if they don't fit. But lately, anything I buy has to go back, even in brands I've worn for years, in multiple sizes. If the shoes fit in the toe area, I step right out of the heel. I tried sticking a little heel pad in the back (thanks, Dr. Scholl), but no dice. I'm still stepping out of 'em. And a smaller size shoe just squishes my toes. Thanks, but no thanks.

For a while, I figured manufacturers were changing the way they shape women's heels. But as winter's coming on, and the sandals/open toe heels in my closet are getting pushed back in favor of more fitted pairs, I'm finding that my OLD shoes don't fit either.

What gives? Do feet shrink? (No, I haven't lost a significant amount of weight or anything like that. I wish.) Is there some magic shoe insert that fixes this problem? Is it a conspiracy meant to keep me away from Zappos (or DSW Shoe Warehouse, my other fave shoe store?)

In exchange for a few tips, I'll trade a shoe tip of my own: If you shop online, whether it's for shoes or anything else, consider registering at AAdvantage Mall and MPOnlineMall first. These are run by American Airlines and United Airlines, respectively. If you register there with your frequent flyer number, then click from their site through to the shopping site of your choice--Gap, Zappos, Nordstrom, and even Starbucks are there, along with hundreds of other online retailers--you can earn miles for every dollar you spend on those sites. Going through AAdvantage Mall to Zappos earns you 5 miles per dollar.

Try it...and may that sexy pair of knee-high boots you snap up for winter fit you perfectly!

If you like reading author interviews, there are three fabulous places you need to check out. I did interviews with all three, but there are lots of other authors to read about if you're curious! The first is Little Willow (aka slayground), who's done tons of interviews at her Bildungsroman site, second is the ultra-cool Veronika of Veronika Asks, and last up is Portrait Magazine! I even ended up on the cover of Portrait...sort of. My name is there on the cover, NOT my face (come on, would you rather have me there or Ashley Tisdale? Yeah, I thought so.) The fabulous Alyson Noel is also interviewed in Portrait. Her books rock, so don't miss her interview!

Chances are you'll learn something new about a few authors by perusing these sites.

So my husband casually informed me a couple months ago that he had to go to Spain for a business trip. My thought: HAD to go to Spain? How 'bout GET to go to Spain? And how about asking your wife if she'd like to tag along?

Needless to say, I spent last week exploring Madrid and Toledo. (No, not Toledo, Ohio. Toledo, Spain. Pronounced Toe-lay-doe.) I managed to lose a pound (whoo-hoo!) despite eating tons of freshly-made, chocolate-dipped churros, because I walked so much. As if that weren't enough to make me wax poetic about Spain, I have LiveJournal as an excuse to put thoughts about my latest European adventure in writing.

Got that drum rolling? Here, a top five list of reasons why you (yes, you!) should try—at some point in your life—to visit Spain.


1) The Joyeria.
Doesn't that just sound so happy? It should, because it's what the Spanish call a jewelry store. And there are joyerias EVERYWHERE!

2) Siesta.
How cool is it to get to stay out late every night, and to either visit with family or take a nap in the middle of every afternoon? As a night owl, I had no problems adapting to life on the Spanish schedule.

3) Museumpalooza.
In Madrid alone, you can see art by everyone from Picasso to Goya to Salvador Dali. In the Thyssen Museum, you'll see Monet, Degas, El Greco, and Pissaro, among others. Across the street, the Prado has Tintoretto, Raphael, and Titian (and that's just the ground floor.) If your feet aren't aching after those two, there are a half-dozen more museums to explore.

4) Real Madrid's extremely hot soccer players.
Current players include David Beckham, Fabio Cannavaro, and Ruud Van Nistelrooy. And yes, I got to attend a game and see them all play!

5) Museo de Jamon.
Translated, it means the Museum of Ham. You stand under a bunch of different types of ham (really...it's all hanging from the ceiling!) with a bunch of Spanish guys and point to the picture on the menu of sandwiches, chicken, or—you guessed it—ham. Even if you don't eat ham—or you hate museums—this place is something to experience.

And a bonus number six? Imagine yourself sitting at an outdoor cafe sipping a fabulous cup of coffee or eating gelati while the sun reflects off the cobblestones under your feet. People around you are speaking in languages you don't recognize, and there's laughter all around. Bueno!

Finally--a quickie reminder. If you're interested in reading the latest (entirely fictional, of course!) European adventures of Valerie Winslow, check out my newest book, Do-Over, which is now on store shelves. And enjoy!