Friendly Reminder, if you haven’t yet answered the 5 simple questions in the 32 CANDLES Marketing survey, I’d be muy grateful if you got on that now. That all solicited, let’s get into our terrific week at FaN: 1. I thought I had given up most to all of my slightly southern principles upon moving to L.A., but this week’s Dating Ell-A was like reading a straight-up horror story. I don’t need you to open doors for me or stand up when I come back from the bathroom, but what this guy did was just out of line. [Dating Ell-A: Dating While Southern (Belle)] 2. Though at least she didn’t marry him. I felt much worse for the woman who sent Dr. Miro a question about her husband who blamed his lack of get-up on her weight. Total D-bag. [Ask Dr. Miro: Don’t Call Me a Sausage!] 3. Here’s my advice for a budget-friendly Hawaii: consider doing half of your vacation in a hotel and the other half in a vacation rental (we love vrbo.com) so that you can see different parts of the island. Also, think about getting credit cards that give you rewards points. For example Betty’s IVF “paid” for my trip to Belgium because we a card that gives us frequent flyer miles for every dollar spent. And our current infertility battle will be funding our summer travel. We also put all our business-related stuff on a credit card connected to our favorite hotel. So it feels like we’re saving up for our next vacation anytime we buy something. Got any other budget friendly Hawaii tips? Let Debra Goykhman know! [NewlyNested: Budget Friendly Hawaii?] 4. Speaking of vacations, we once drove to New Mexico, with our then two-month-old to meet up with...

Oh guys, I am just exhausted. Finishing up this side project and looking forward to going into copy edits on the second novel next week. Getting closer to multiple finish lines, and it’s really beginning to feel like I’m typing this while coming up on the last leg of a marathon. But enough whining. Lets talk about our week at Fierce and Nerdy, which thanks to Jersey Joe’s super-timely LEPRECHAUN blogumn, was the largest hit week in FaN history. So whether you’re a regular, a 32Candles.com crossover reader, or just here for the Leprechaun, welcome, welcome! 1. Zack, though I was quite a drinker in my younger Japan-grad schoool-derby doll-starving artists days, for whatever reason, I have never had more than a couple of beer on St. Patrick’s Day. Go figure. Maybe next lifetime… [Tall Glass: Boys and Girls Go Wild on St. Patrick’s Day] 2. R.B. one of the things I adore about living in L.A. is that people are always surprising you. I’ve had strangers be both insanely rude and insanely kind to me here, and I seriously wouldn’t want live and work in any other American city. Though, I do have dreams of relocating to Hawaii, which is even warmer and way more generally kinder. But if you take Hawaii off the board, L.A.’s definitely where it’s at for me. [Hyperbolic Tendencies: Wherein I Learn that the Road to Heaven Is Paved with Coffee] 3. Unlike Josh Pullin, I have really fond memories of being a latchkey kid — though I myself didn’t become one until I was like 8 or 9. The freedom, the TV, the sugar! Boyo, my daughter can only dream of such a life. And, also much like Josh, it blows my mind how different her childhood...

Can I ask you this? How are we already two months into 2011? Isn’t that the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever heard? It seriously feels like I was just making my New Year’s resolutions like a week ago. But then again, I’m already regretting not putting “keep your email inbox in order” to that resolution list, b/c it is wild. I mean insane and out of control. Over the past three weeks I’ve somehow managed to accumulate 800 messages, the majority of them unanswered, b/c I’m working on a super-big project that I can’t tell you about yet. But the project will be done in about two weeks, and things will get back to normal. So if you’re looking for a return email from me, know that you’ll totally get one … two weeks from now. Meanwhile, lets talk about happier subjects — like this week at FaN. 1. Like Amy Robinson, I’ve had my share of battles with the mullygrubs. She’s right, yoga does help immensely. So does writing more. I often find that increasing my page count quiets my inner naysayer — either that, or I’ve just made myself too busy to listen to it. Either way, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a better word for this particular malaise. Seriously, Webster’s Dictionary should give Amy a call. [Tall Drink of Nerd: Quieting the Mullygrubs] 2. I’m still trying to figure out how Josh Pullin gets away with not carrying a diaper bag. I mean I read his post about it, but whenever I even start to consider doing the same, my mind completely shuts down. At the end of the day, I think Josh is just way more accepting of dealing with shit as it happens than I am — both...

Wondering how long it will take me to stop writing 2010 and then having to delete and correct with 2011. So far I’ve made this mistake four weeks and counting. Sad. How are you all doing with this? Other than that, let’s get into my notes re this week at Fierce and Nerdy. 1. Missy’s meditation on the fact that her partner, Raoul only uses cash made me realize that I couldn’t remember the last time I used physical cash other than coins to pay a meter. I hate dealing with it now. I judge (and don’t return to) retailers and restaurants that don’t accept credit cards. Same goes for the coffee shop that charges a $10 minimum to use one. I’ve seriously considered changing doctors, because she’s in one of those cash-only parking structures, and I’m tired of asking my husband for a five every time Betty or I have an appointment (but I won’t because she’s awesome and has a knack for spot-on referrals). I’m just wondering when we’re going to get technology that allows us to transfer money to our friends in an easier manner. For example, a fellow author invited me out to a movie on Wednesday, and got a bucket of popcorn to share and a soda for me. I hadn’t thought to get cash before leaving the house, so I couldn’t pay for my half of the popcorn or the drink. Surely they should come up with an app for that. [Dork Lifestyle: Raoul is so retro] 2. Hey Amy! I’m listening to ONE DAY by David Nicholl’s in the car right now, and you are correct. It rather eerily nails twenties angst and stupidity — so much so, that as a person who both wrote plays and...

Hey-ho, well I’m off for my frozen embryo transfer, for which I’m once again being put on valium. Then 48 hours of modified bed rest, during which I hope to get all my email answered, at least one whole book read, and everything cleared off my DVR — what? It could happen! Anyway, before I get too loopy to form (even less) cohesive sentences, here are my thoughts on this week at FaN. 1. Alex or Emmy (again, I’m never sure which one is writing), there’s nothing with getting back together with your boyfriend if he or you have truly changed. But in general, I think it’s always better to leave yourself open for the next great guy that will eventually come along if you’re both looking for each other. [Dating Ell-A: The Ex-Boyfriend Spark] 2. Michael, I’ve found only two activities that can truly fill the void: writing and dating. There’s a reason I couldn’t manage to finish anything over 120 pages until I settled down with my then boyfriend, now-husband. I say either find a girl or get to cracking on that first novel. Either way, you win. [Single White Nerd: Filling the Void] 3. Monique, I agree that Sarah Palin is dangerous with her words. I take solace in the fact that she is too conceited to really organize folks ala Mao or Hitler. But more than that, I worry that all these articles about Palin draw attention from the issue that we really have to do something about the mental health system in this country. Schools and governments around the nation are cutting funds for mental health resources to balance heir budgets, and I’m a lot more worried about that than Palin. I worry that our country just isn’t making...

Hello Dearest! Before we get into our fantastic week at Fierce and Nerdy, I just wanted to reminded you that I’ll be talking AND signing books TONIGHT at this Writing Pad event, along with Janelle Brown (ALL WE EVER WANTED IS EVERYTHING), Attica Locke (BLACK WATER RISING) and Ron Koertge (STONER AND SPAZ). So do come through if you want some inspiration for starting or finishing your novel this year. Okay, that’s all done, now on to the good stuff. 1. Kelli, I don’t think that the world has become more rude, just more crowded. I’m sure the folks at the first World’s Fair in St. Louis felt just as overwhelmed as you in Ikea. I would, however, argue that folks have gotten more impatient. I remember carts getting left in the middle of aisles when I was a kid. But now it drives me crazy, because I’m in a go-go-go rush. The result being that the world is no ruder than when I was younger (and as a Black American, I would have to argue that it is actually way more polite), but I am sadly more impatient with it. [Fierce in Seattle: Rude!] 2. It feels like Amy Brown reads a translated northern European murder mystery like every other day. It made me realize that I need to start reading more translated literature from other countries my own dang self. There’s so much good stuff out there! [Book Simple: In Avoidance of Classics [Last Nite a Murder Mystery Saved My Life] 3. Weirdly enough, I’m almost always in agreement with our resident contrarian. But Joe Rusin and I are very much on the opposite side of the resolution-making fence this week. While he argues that it’s self-serving and gets you the praise...

What a great first week back at FaN! On a personal note, I’ve gotten all my notes back on my second novel and am gearing up for my second big rewrite, starting Monday. Also, if you’re looking for some inspiration to start or finish your novel this year, I’m going to be on a panel with Ron Koertge (STONER AND SPAZ), Janelle Brown (ALL WE EVER WANTED WAS EVERYTHING), and my wonderful editor mate, Attica Locke (BLACK WATER RISING) at my favorite gourmet writing school, Writing Pad (Downtown LA) NEXT FRIDAY, January 14th. It’s going to be so much fun and pretty intimate, so do think about coming out for that. Get the info HERE. But enough about me, let’s talk about FaN’s first week back! 1. I’m an 80s kid, but unlike Eric Sims, I don’t root for the underdog or even the most popular kid. When it comes to sports I’m fully about repping hard for my city (or at the very least, a city I’ve lived in), and that’s about it. Either way, GO STEELERS! [California Seething] 2. I agree with Monique King-Viehland that Obama definitely seems to have regained some mojo ever since the Democratic beatdown last November. It reminds me that when it comes to playing the game, how you deal with failure, often counts more than how you win. And is it me, or does Obama just come alive every time he’s faced with failure. [Political Physics] 3. Debra, I can’t remember the last time we did a staycation. We either go on vacation or we stay home. There’s no in-between. That’s why I adore receiving visitors. It allows me to explore my own city in ways that I never would on my own. [NewlyNested] 4. I dig Alex...

So we’ve come to the time of the year, when my husband gets not one, but two whole weeks off and we spend that time doing stuff that doesn’t involve the internet. But not to worry. Last year when I went to Hawaii for two weeks as opposed to feeding the content dragon, we got a few complaints about leaving Fierce and Nerdy mostly blank. So starting the week after next, I’ll be burning off the rest of the year’s book reviews at 32candles.com. And starting next Monday on FierceandNerdy.com, we’ll have year-end round-ups every weekday with our FaN bloggers weighing in on the best and worst of 2010. I can already tell you that there’s a ton of disagreement going around with a lot of folks “Best” showing up on other folks “Worst.” So do join the conversation (or argument) depending on how the comments go, starting next Monday. Til then, let’s review what happened on our last full blogging week of 2010: 1. Gudrun Cram-Drach solved the mystery of why women of all shapes and sizes look good in their jeans in France — but not so much here in America. I promptly made a resolution to do as the French do in 2012. Yes, I’ve already started my 2012 resolution list. Hey, being a chronic goal-setter ain’t easy, ya’ll. [Secret Life of an Expat] 2. Like Kelly Lett, I, too, am struggling to find a church that I fit into. We recently gave up on our old church because it’s inconveniently located now that we’ve moved. Also, the service time conflicts with our daughter’s daily nap (which she truly needs to be a decent human being). I’ve also become tired of the constant nagging and guilt-tripping that even the more liberal...

What a heckuva week. I finally got back to writing and oh um … I cut off all my hair again. “How short?” you ask? Well, did you know me in college?  Yeah, that short. I know, I know, “Why did you cut off all your hair???” But I’m sure you already know what I’m going to say now. That’s right: full blog coming on Monday. Til then let’s check in with the rest of the FaN bloggers, none of which cut off all their hair this week … I think. 1. Zack, I have a question for you. If bears are supposed to be large gay men w/ lots of body hair, why does BearForce1 obviously invest in so much manscaping below the neck? Just wondering… Also, thanks for getting me all psyched about Christmas again. 2. I’m concerned that this week’s Dating Ell-A has destroyed our belief that you can “meet cute” in L.A. You so totally can, but yeah this particular time it didn’t turn out so hot. In fact, some might call it the worse case of giving a guy your real number ever. 3. Confession — unlike Debra Goykhman, I don’t have to worry about losing myself in holiday shopping for others … b/c well, I’ve kind of stopped giving gifts to anyone other than charity. It started with deciding to only giving gifts to a few close friends and family back in 2008. Then it was just the family that lived with me in 2009. But this year, we decided to take a family vacation as opposed to exchanging gifts. And I’m not going to lie, it’s made life a whole lot easier. 4. Um, I don’t want to spark a culture war here, but Eric, I do believe...

Whatta week! I’m jetlagged, sick (more about that next week), and waaaaay behind. Basically my beloved FaN was the only thing that went right this week. So let’s talk about that, shall we? 1.  Like, my writing exchange partner, Gudrun, I’ve been in a funk all week. Wondering if we’ve developed a weird symbiotic, trans-continental relationship. Anyway, her 10 suggestions for getting over a funk are brilliant! Now if I can only find some time to try them out… 2. Live in L.A. and looking for a dog? Kelly Lett has a beauty named Trifecta who needs a home. 3. I have no feelings whatsoever for the BCS — quite frankly, I wasn’t even aware it existed before Joe Rusin defended it. But really, when you think about it, the nomination process for just about every big competition — especially in the arts — is grossly unfair and ridiculously subjective. 4. I so far haven’t been treated badly by any of my ex-boyfriends, so I can’t really compare — but man, this chyck’s ex-BF seems exceptionally douchey. So glad Dr. Miro could help out with some advice. 5. I really think Amy should submit her mom’s house for an episode of GHOST HUNTERS. Her IRL haunted house story is just fascinating, and also, really, really...

Exciting news. I’ll be in Downtown L.A, doing a Q&A entitled “How To Crush It With Words: Finishing and Publishing Your Book, A Conversation with Ernessa T. Carter” at my beloved alma mater, Writing Pad next Friday, October 15 at 8pm. There will also be books for sale just in case you haven’t picked up your copy of 32 CANDLES. $10 gets you in the door and full of tasty snacks! So do RSVP to marilyn@writingpad.com That all plugged, let’s talk about our fantastic week at Fierce and Nerdy: 1. You know I’ve never made a pact to do anything on a specific day and time outside of getting married. Gudrun’s tale of failing to meet her friends on 10-10-10 as promised years ago both amused and saddened me. It doesn’t help that my next book tackles the changing landscape of friendship in your 30s, so this subject has been especially on my mind lately. 2. Kelly … 3. For a long time now I’ve been wanting to write something involving a black hockey player. And yes, I completely agree with Joe Rusin, that there is no good reason for the hockey season to start in the fall. 4. Every so once in a while, just to make sure we’re on the same page, I pull my feminist card and demand that my husband come see a movie with me that he would not watch if choosing the movie himself. For example, in 2006, I made him watch ME, YOU, AND EVERYONE WE KNOW, and this year, I think I’m going to drag him to EASY A, thanks to this fantastic blogumn by Amy Brown. It should also be noted that I loathe the movie’s source material, THE SCARLETT LETTER. I find the language turgid and the...

Guys, guys, guys, sorry I’ve been so out-of-pocket this week. I have not had dependable internet access on my laptop since last Wednesday. CH found me in the fetal position yesterday when he came home from work and pulled a fix out of nowhere. Thank the deity, b/c I’m still not sure how I survived even that long. But thanks to our downstairs desktop and intermittent pockets of time, in which my laptop deigned to actually work, I was able to post this week’s FaN, so at least we have that to talk about today. 1. Like Zack Bunker, I didn’t learn to cook until I moved in w/ someone. I’ve never had formal lessons, but like my mom (who was a terrible cook) once said to me. “If you can read, you can cook.” However, I didn’t really take cooking as seriously as I should have until I was single and got good and broke. Pasta is a wonderful (and cheap) thing. 2. Is it wrong that I felt the worst for the intern in Alex and Emmy’s latest horrible dating tale? 3. Thanks to Dr. Miro, I will never look at silicone the same way again. 4. I can assure you right now, that I will never, ever have what it takes to attempt a cleanse. I think I might be the only Angeleno who has never even considered one. 5. I seriously do hate TOP GEAR, but I do understand Eric Sims compulsion to watch it, even though he himself doesn’t drive. My smart, 5’3 butt watched the first five seasons of ANTM, without...

Hey, hey, hey! Back from DC, and resting up for a bit before I hit the road again, starting with Pittsburgh on Sept. 22. Oh, Pittsburgh, it’s been six years too long. Can’t wait to see you again. But that all plugged, let’s talk about the good stuff — that’s right, our week at Fierce and Nerdy. 1. I’ve been thinking about Michael Kass’s heavily-resisted spiritual moment all week. It felt like I was there in that cave with him. What an amazing travel story. 2. Like Debra Goykhman, it always seems I’m battling some low-grade addiction: to TV, to the internet, to all sorts of things. The only two things I don’t resist at all are music and books. In my opinion you can never have too much of either. 3. I loved the awkward threesome in this week’s “Ask Dr. Miro.” It felt like a great situation for a Samantha-centered version of Sex in the City. It’s also our most popular blogumn of the week. Congrats! 4.  One commenter wondered why one of our “Dating Ell-A” bloggers gave the well-off Italian a second date after he took her to get a mani/pedi on the first one. All I have to say to that: curiosity is a hell of a drug. 5. My hats off to Josh Pullin, who recently began a journey to get down from 303 lbs to a healthy weight. Best of luck, Josh. We’re all cheering for...

What a way to kick off September. Fierce and Nerdy’s now two-years-old, and I’m just loving the makeover. But enough about that. Let’s break into the good stuff: this week’s round-up! 1. I was already planning to vote for Jerry Brown, but Monique’s article about what it really takes to be in a position of political power gave words to what had before had only been a vague distaste for the current trend of business people and other random folk running for office . 2. It’s very interesting to me that everyone from Warehouse 13 to readers like Amy Brown are way more interested in Nikola Tesla than Thomas Edison. There’s just no telling who will come out on top in the future. For example, I’m reading (and loving) Jonathan Franzen’s FREEDOM right now, but I doubt it will stand the test of time, while I’m fairly sure that Harry Potter will. 3. I loved Joe Rusin’s defense of the NFL pre-season. But then again, I pretty much only watch the playoffs and the Super Bowl. 4. I’ve never had two weddings in the same month, much less the same weekend. And I’ve never worn the same dress to any two weddings, but Kelly makes me think that both situations might be some serious fun. 5. I have a terrible problem with getting non-novel and non-FierceandNerdy projects off the the ground, so I really felt Gudrun’s lament about figuring out how to apply her novel-writing discipline to her new animated short. Featured Image Credit:...

What a fantastic week. I ate well, I exercised every day, I paid my library fine, I painted my toenails orange just because Debra B. suggested I do, and I’m thisclose to booking my latest hair-changing appointment. I really could not be happier with this week. But enough about that. Here are this week’s FaN notes. 1. I never would have suspected Michael Kass of being a sweetsaholic, but I’m glad he came out here. On a personal note, I have a serious problem with gummy candy. I worship at the altar of Haribo, and seriously, don’t leave your gummy candy out round me, or else your gummy candy go’on to get ate up. 2. How much do I love that MMKV kept it real while the rest of us claimed that we, like Debra Goykhman, would give up cable if not for our cable-loving families? Okay, given all of the other comments, I hate to admit this. But I think I would die without my TV and/or cable! I cannot imagine. Perhaps it is because I was a latch key kid and I am used to doing all things with the TV blaring in the background. I do not watch very much on network channels and even basic cable would be a problem. Plus, I cannot imagine managing my two year old under tough circumstances without Nick Jr. No, the TV and cable will NEVER leave the Viehland household unless we are facing financial circumstances well beyond our control. 3. CH’s feature on this digital smoker really had me craving meat. Mmm, meat. Luckily we’re leaving for Hawaii in a couple of weeks here. 4. Our stay-at-home nerd, Josh Pullin, made me laugh so hard with this week’s blogumn. And I especially loved...

I had what I’m fairly sure is going to be my last on-the-road book event of the summer at Artworks in Trenton last night. What a fantastic night of local art, food, and books (provided by the local independent bookstore, Classics Used & Rare Books). A ton of fun was also had at the NYC party the night before, moreso, because it was just rotten with intelligent Smithies (pics soon). But enough about me. Let’s talk about our ridiculously awesome week on Fierce and Nerdy. 1. You’ve got two more days to vote whether to keep the Fierce and Nerdy tagline “Puttin’ the chic in your geek” or go with the new one “We’ve got your geek right here.” So far the old tagline is winning. So if you want a new one, you’d bet vote now. 2. I’ve been avoiding renaissance fairs like forever. But as much as I loved the movie Labyrinth, I might have to take Michael Kass’s advice and give The Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade Ball a try. 3. I’m sad, b/c I don’t have another present-receiving occasion until Christmas, and Debra Goykhman has convinced me that I really can’t live without a Nespresso machine. 4.  Friendly reminder to visit HELLHOUSE co-writer and beloved FaN contributor, Ryan Dixon, at San Diego Comic Con. He’ll be signing copies of his graphic novel, HELLHOUSE on Saturday from 12-2pm at the Viper Comic Book stand. 5. I agree with Justin Time that a sincere apology would have been better than whiny excuses about the iPhone 4’s reception issues. I’m not going to kick my iPhone 4 out of bed, but as a super-fan, I’m starting to wonder if Apple is taking us for granted if they can’t even come up with a decent apology....