Sometimes I use twitter to contact people about upcoming gatherings, usually just to confirm time or location, sometimes because I know it’ll be faster than texting or calling, because certain of my friends leave their cellphones at home or forget to charge them. And I’m OK with using twitter in that capacity, because it’s rare that I’m actually inviting people en masse to events that I haven’t told them about otherwise. And typically I’m tweeting at them with an @ reply or a direct message. I wouldn’t just throw a tweet out, not directed to any specific person, saying something like “drinks tonight at such and such a place” or “hey, let’s all go see this movie at this time.” Because sometimes people don’t check twitter, and other times, people who do check twitter but aren’t really your IRL friends will get annoyed by such antics.

But more than once in the recent days, people I know have been using twitter in just that way. And it’s really bothering me. I’ve missed out on several things I would’ve liked to do lately because people haven’t actually been contacting me, they’ve been tweeting at nobody in particular about their plans. Or if they do decide to call or text me, it’s too late for me to join them in their outings because I’m already snug as a bug in my non-Manhattan-located apartment. Look, if you want me to come out with you for drinks or to watch a movie, or do whatever, that’s great, I’d love to. Just make sure I know that you want me to do these things with you, otherwise I can’t do them!

On a positive twitter-related note, Kathleen and I want to start a hashtag. #shitYAYAs say, because apparently we all say ridiculous things at all times.

Joe’s visit was a blast. Did some touristy stuff, some not-so-touristy stuff, and some stuff I don’t remember (so it could be touristy or not, I have no idea).

Went to BookExpo America, which was held in NYC this year for the first time in a few years, and will be held here for the next few. Basically it’s a professional conference for the book publishing industry, where lots of publishers hand out advanced copies of yet-to-be-pubbed books; I got at least 30 free books.

Started my internship with Caren Johnson Literary Agency. Both Elana and Caren are super nice, and are probably not that much older than I am. I’ve been reading manuscripts and advanced galleys of the books/authors that they represent, or are looking to represent. I’ve read some good, some bad, and some kinda ugly stuff.  More on this to follow, in a not-already-bloated post.

Between the internship (for which most of my reading is on the computer. How I wish I had some sort of e-book reader) and the advanced books from the book expo, I’ve read 6 books in the past two and a half weeks; i’m in the middle of three more, plus trying to read the first three chapters of about 3 more books. I’ve got 5 critiques to write by Tuesday, so I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed, but I think I’ll manage. I’ve been nothing but productive since Wednesday. It helps that I have only like 15 hours at work (wish i had at least 10 more…), and no summer courses.

Last week we had a Scholastic employee come to my Children’s Book Publishing course to talk.  Then she sent us advanced reader’s copies of a book called Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. It’s a YA novel… and the best way to describe the content is by calling it Twilight but with werewolves.  I really liked the premise—Stiefvater took the classic werewolf mythology (that the moon is what affects them) and made it about weather instead (winter being wolf season, spring/summer being human seasons)—but a few of the characters weren’t as developed as I would’ve liked, and some of the events seemed kinda abrupt.  While I generally liked the writing and the style, some parts could’ve used a bit more work.  But I finished the almost-400 pages in about two days, so clearly it’s not bad. In fact, I think if I had taken more time to read it, I would’ve enjoyed it more. I don’t think I properly absorbed it all.

The book doesn’t come out until August, and I’m sad that it won’t get completely huge marketing from Scholastic because they have the sequel to the Hunger Games coming out in September, so that’s where all the big bucks are going.  I think it’ll find an audience, though.  All those teen girls who wish there were more Twilight books, or that whats-her-head from Twilight had ended up with the werewolf instead.

One more thing to mention for now. Brittney made This video. it is hilarious and cute. watch it.

I worked in the morning (11-4) and then I came home, where I snagged a snack, changed my clothes, and then left again for Carrie’s place. Hung out there for a bit, ate Asian Mexican and then met up with some peeps on our way to a masculine gay bar in the west village. After drinking several glasses of wine and some of Krystal’s Juicy Fruit drink (which was uncanny, btw), we left that bar and walked to another one where Carrie’s friend was celebrating his birthday. Stayed there for a bit, and then took the subway back to Carrie’s where we slept. It was like 2am when we got back, and the poor girl had to work at 7am.

So, to make a long story… longer. I didn’t post at all yesterday. But I’ve made a post every other March day so far, even if it’s something incredibly lame. So how’s about we overlook yesterday? I won’t tell if you don’t.

Me getting a better grade on the midterm (but i’m sure she’ll do better than me on the other two!); a bottle of wine; twilight; amazingly good experimental chili thanks to Britt; a second bottle of wine; a quote of hers I told Carrie I was going to write down but now cannot remember… and lots of mocking Twilight.

All around a stupendous evening. Thanks for hosting me, Carrie and Britt (even if it was unwilling on Britt’s part: Good luck on that midterm!)

In between there was a 6 hour work day, a midterm, a pomegranate margarita, chicken satay, Driving Lessons, lame jokes thanks to Carrie, and lots of shouting “They’re all dead!!!”