Sanity

Guess where I was yesterday?

Oh, yes. The Rally to Restore Sanity. And let me tell you, it was excellent. I could hardly see any of the monitors because there were so, so many people there. Which also means a great people-watching venue. I get many ideas from people-watching.

My friends and I made a sign for the rally, and we counted ~60 people taking pictures of it on our way to and from the Mall. It said "Sanity is Sexy" on the front because, really, it is, and on the back it said "[Citation Needed]" because in addition to citations, xkcd was also needed. Fun fact: we saw at least three other signs that said [citation needed] as well.

There are two main types of brilliance that pertain to writing: brilliant ideas and brilliant wording. The thing I love about words and stories and writers is this; the best writers have both. And on top of that, the best speeches, and therefore the best speakers, have both, too. Jon Stewart's serious speech at the end of the rally gave me chills. It had both. I definitely suggest you watch it. And by suggest I mean very highly suggest.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

I.
Am.
Exhausted.

But the exhaustion is definitely worth it. Even though I have a truckload of homework to do because I couldn't fit my math textbook in my carry-on, and besides, doing math homework on a plane while trying not to have a nervous breakdown would not be fun. It would be negative fun. Not to mention the fact that my pre-calc book would probably snap that little snack tray/desk in half, I'm still calling this an awesome weekend.

Thanks a ton to Wauconda High School and Wauconda Library for being so awesome; I had a blast. And your school colors are very vibrant. And purple is just that much cooler than gray. And you asked a lot of great questions. The library talk after school was also fun, and if anyone who wanted a book wasn't able to make it, you can go to Brain Snacks (the bookstore that was selling at the library), or Amazon.

I would love to do more of this. If you want me to come to your middle/junior/high school just email me: kieryn.nicolas@gmail.com

Guess what? I only go to my school for three days this week. Then, Thursday, I'm packing up and hopping on a plane with my mom and we're flying into Illinois--Wauconda IL, to be exact.

I know I've mentioned this. But I have to mention it again, I'm so excited. I've visited libraries and schools and clubs before, but this is the first time that I'm the offcial visiting author for a school. (Yes! Friday! I'll be at Wauconda High School!) Lately I've been doing a lot of book signings, which are fun, but I so much prefer doing talks and visits where I can interact more. Meeting and talking to people--especially other teens, people who love to read (and write?) as much as I do, et cetera--is so much fun. I get to discuss my writing and share book-related stories and it's a fresh audience (I owe my friends a lot for letting me babble to them about writing all the time) and I get feedback and ideas and it rocks.

If anyone in the Wauconda area has read Rain, or wants to read Rain, or just wants to say hi, you should come to the library -- I'll be there 3:30 to 5:00 on Friday!

Also, I updated my TNT Fundrasing Page this morning, aaaand happy birthday, James!

Weekends!

And so starts the Month of Crazy Weekends.

This weekend was/is crazy with a home state high game, PSU game, homecoming dance (which wasn't as good as the last one, and they played hardly any good songs), and I still have homework to do. Also, weekend miles are getting longer. I did five miles yesterday...twas gorgeous weather.

Next weekend I have a book signing at the Altoona Barnes&Noble! It's 2-4, stop by if you're in the area! And after that I'm off to the Sweet 16 for two of my friends. Their presents will consist entirely of inside jokes. Be warned, guys.

The weekend after that will be so. Much. Fun. I'm going to be the visiting author at Wauconda Area High School on Friday the 22nd, and I'll be doing a book talk at the library after. Then I'm flying back for another Sweet 16 the next evening.

And the last weekend....Trick-or-treating (yes, I still do that!) is going to be epic. Six of my friends and I are being the Seven Deadly Sins, and our guyfriends are dressing up as Greek Gods. Best ensemble ever. And on the 30th I'm hitching a ride with a friend to DC for the Rally to Restore Sanity (!!).

Oh, and I'll probably have lots of homework. Good-bye, sleep. See you in November....but oh, it will be worth it.

Awesomeness

I love high school football games. They just make school five times more bearable because there's something to look forward to on Friday nights.

In related news, I can't feel my hand today. That's probably because I stood by the bleacher steps and high-fived almost every single member of the marching band and they were all wearing those textured white gloves and there were many, many, many of them. But as a groupie, it's part of my job description.

Also, it's totally fall outside! Lovely curled-up, crunchy leaves are everywhere. It's so much fun to jump on them when crossing the street between classes (who says highschoolers aren't as cool as five-year-olds?). Thursday we had an awesome rainstorm, and it was entirely too fun crossing the street in the downpour as well.

And, just as exciting-- I'll be in Allentown tomorrow for a book signing! If you're in the area, stop by the Whitehall Borders at 2 pm!