Robin Benway

Not a whisper nor word, then all at once...

Happy New Year! New decade! And not a minute too soon, if you ask me.

This was only the third decade I've ever lived through, but it was hands-down the craziest one I ever had. I basically went through my 20s in the past ten years. If you've already survived your 20s, then you know what I'm talking about. If you're currently going through them, good luck & Godspeed. And if you haven't hit that magical 2-0 yet, well, buckle up and bring a toothbrush, because it's a pretty interesting trip.

The funny thing about the last decade is that so many things happened to me that it's hard to quantify, but I'll give it a shot anyway. Here we go.

I had an awesome job, got laid off, learned how to edit radio programs, got humiliated at a temp agency, became a PR director at Book Soup in West Hollywood, and once gave George Plimpton a ride in my 1997 Saturn after his car got towed during a book signing. (Ask me about that some time, it's a pretty great story.)

I became so anemic that my doctors wanted to give me a blood transfusion (my reaction: "You're funny."), got diagnosed with celiac disease and Type 1 diabetes, and quickly got over my fear of needles. I then got super healthy, once ran 7 miles in just over an hour, and still never mastered a headstand in yoga. (I don't like when all the blood rushes to my head.) 

I lost three grandparents and my father.

I quit a great job on a whim and wrote a book called "Audrey, Wait!", then watched as it sold in the United States and 13 other countries. I got emails from some of the funniest readers and authors I could ever hope to meet. I learned that writing a second book is way more difficult than writing a first book. (Waaaaay more difficult. Good Lord.)

I went to Italy for two weeks with my mom, became a vegetarian, went to my grandmother's 90th birthday party, and spent two days haggling at a car dealership for a new car. I got a great deal. They hated me. ("You treated us a like a bakery!" one salesman told me after I signed on the dotted line. I took it as a compliment.)

And I still never got a dog.

If there's one thing I've learned over the past ten years, it's that it's a crazy ride and it's fun and horrific and scary and wonderful. There were times that I thought I'd never feel better, and then there were times when I though I could never feel happier. I can't wait to see what happens in the next decade. I hope it's as amazing as its predecessor.

But enough about the last ten years. Let's get nitpicky and focus on 2009. It was pretty awesome.

THE 10 BEST THINGS IN MY 2009

FAVORITE YOUTUBE VIDEO

Surprised Kitty

I'll admit it, I cried when I saw this. Like, actual tears born of extreme cuteness. Its little face! Its tiny paws! I am thisclose to becoming a crazy cat lady now and I don't even own a cat.

FAVORITE IM CONVERSATION

My mom and I discussing cats and hats, which turned into a conversation about Britney and fedoras. You'll see.

Me: Cats with hats. Discuss

Mom: The eyes on that cat are so BIG.

Mom: Like, "What's happening?!"

Me: "Where are my ears?!"

Mom: I don't think that would stay on very long unless it was pinned somehow.

Me: I think you're still scared from having a daughter that never wore hats.

Mom: You still don't.

Me: That's because they make me look stupid.

Mom: You could never look stupid!

Me: I seem to be on a quest to prove you wrong on that point.

Mom: I like fedoras.

Mom: But I don't own a fedora.

Me: The day you show up in a fedora is the day I die of a heart attack.

Mom: Didn't Johanna's sister wear one one when we all went out for Mother's Day a few years ago?

Mom: AND

Mom: Doesn't Britney wear one?

Me: Yes, but Johanna's sister was 17.

Me: And Britney is...Britney.

Mom: Well, I'll just look for a fedora that looks good on a 59 1/2 year old person.

This is my genetic legacy, people.

FAVORITE WEBSITE

FreeRice.com

This is genius if you're a do-gooder/word junkie/procrastinator like me. You just play along and for every word you get right, 10 grains of rice are donated through the World Food Programme. Easy, right? Right!

FAVORITE CONCERT

Regina Spektor at the Greek Theater

Once again, it's nearly impossible to choose. I saw so many great bands this year! Neko! Phoenix! M83! They were all phenomenal, but I think Regina the winner. I first saw her in 2002, way back when she was opening for Kings of Leon & The Strokes, and it was awesome to see her seven years later. She was so brilliant and charming, it was the first fall night of the year so the air was all crisp, and I went with my friend Leslie, who warned me beforehand that she was probably going to sing along. Pretty cool.

FAVORITE SONG

"Have You Got It In You", Imogen Heap

You may have heard that I have a Song of the Day blog, where I basically post songs that I like. I've heard so many songs this year that I loved, but I'm going to change the rules a bit and pick the song that had such an influence on me while I was writing my new book, "The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, & June". I listened to it whenever I was stuck on a scene or frustrated and wanted to delete the entire manuscript. (Helpful Tip Alert: Don't delete your entire manuscript.)

FAVORITE ALBUM

Neko Case, "Middle Cyclone"

So this year, I got a little overenthusiastic and featured not one but TEN of my favorite albums on my music blog. If you saw that feature, then you'll know this album was my all-time favorite this year. I just think she can sing like a hurricane and she's awesome, that's all. No biggie.

FAVORITE BOOK

"Columbine", Dave Cullen

I didn't want to read this book at all, much less on the 10-year anniversary of the horrific Columbine massacre, but once I started, I couldn't put it down. I read the first 100 pages in one sitting, it's that good. It's about so much more than two deranged kids. It's about parenting and friendship and the state of current journalism in America. It shows all the different ways that a community can be torn apart and put back together, and it examines all the different angles of Columbine with clear eyes and the dignity they deserve. You can't ask for much more than that.

FAVORITE TV SHOW

"Glee"

Like you even had to ask.

FAVORITE MOVIE MOMENT

Jimmy Page, The Edge, & Jack White singing "The Weight" at the end of "It Might Get Loud"

I got goosebumps in the theater. Plus, watch for Jack White's hilarious one-sentence commentary on a Hollywood executive.

FAVORITE PERSON OF THE YEAR

Whoa, how'd you win two years in a row?! Well, whatever you did, it worked because you even managed to beat out Lady Gaga. Once again, if you're reading this blog or sending me wonderful emails, following me on Twitter, or even if you're too shy to say hello, thank you a million times over. The past year would have been much more difficult if it wasn't for all the amazing fans and fellow writers that I've been able to meet. I am so lucky and blessed and happy to know all of you. Let's talk soon in 2010!

You were always singing along...

OH MY GOD IT'S HERE!

I've been waiting for this for at least 3 months now and I can't even tell you how happy it makes me to share this with you. Are you ready? Okay, brace yourself, here's the big news:

I GOT NEW LAMPS!

Teehee, okay, that's not really the big news. (Although I DID just get new lamps and they are completely awesome.) 

Here's the real big news. Yesterday a package was delivered to my door and because this news is so exciting, I'm going to refrain from complaining about my UPS delivery person, who knocks on my door like there's a fire, then drops the package and runs away. (If you're reading this, UPS delivery person, STOP DOING THAT.)

But all was forgiven (at least temporarily) when I opened the package to discover galleys of "THE EXTRAORDINARY SECRETS OF APRIL, MAY & JUNE"!

To say I was excited was an understatement. I may have even sniffled a little and gotten teary-eyed. My little Word document is now a book. They grow up so fast. Here, see for yourself!

(Click on the image for hi-res)

Oh man, there are few things better than getting a copy of your new book in the mail. 

So just to refresh, "AMJ" will be out next August, which I know feels like a million years away, but we all know how fast time flies. October moved so fast that I barely had time to enjoy it! And did I mention that my friends Leslie and I got to see Regina Spektor in concert last week? If you have an opportunity to see her live, go go go! She's incredible. 

Also, don't forget that I have a daily music blog. I love having a daily musical diary and I'm trying to post all different kinds of music, so feel free to check it out and find some new song that you'll hopefully love.

Speaking of my music blog, I was discussing it with my wonderful brother the other night. If you've been a long-time reader, you know that my brother & I have different musical tastes, to put it mildly. Observe.

CHATTING ABOUT MUSIC: A CONTINUING SERIES

Me: I'm picking my song right now for tomorrow's music blog post.

Me: Any recs?

Brother: "When You Were Young" by the Killers

Me: Ooh, that IS a good song!

Brother: Really, I've never heard it. I just Googled the coolest band I could think of.

Me: You've never heard that song? Really?!

Brother: I probably have.

Brother: I don't know titles.

Me: Okay, I'm gonna send you a song right now, tell me if you like it.

Brother: Cool!

Me: Just listen real quick.

Brother: I like it!!

Me: Dude.

Me: I haven't sent it yet.

Brother: Oh.

All night long, I dream of the day

Oh joy, it's one of my favorite days.

VOTING DAY!

I just got back from waiting in line for an hour. An hour! In Santa Monica! The last time I waited in an actual line to vote was when Schwarzenegger ran for governor, which pretty much tells you everything you need to know about voting in LA County. And I love my polling place because they had doughnuts and coffee from Peet's! PEEEEEETS I love you.

I'm also glad I got voting out of the way early because I have many errands to run. Like, say, going to the Apple store to buy a new iPhone because last night, I accidentally dropped mine in the toilet at Whole Foods. Please. Just. Do. Not. Ask.

Anyhoo. Not sure where to vote today? Don't worry, Google's here to help you out. 

And after you vote, exercise your other right as an American citizen, which is basically to get as much free stuff as you can. Ben & Jerry's has free scoops from 5-8, Krispy Kreme is giving away star-shaped doughnuts (like I care about the shape of my doughnut, just give me the doughnut), and Starbucks has free tall coffees for ALL customers who request it. Didn't vote? You still get your coffee, you lucky bastard.

I'm hosting a little shindig tonight at my place to watch the polling results, which is nice because no matter how this election turns out, at least there will be champagne. And music, of course, always music.

Happy voting day!

Foo Fighters, "All My Life"

"Done, done, onto the next one!"

Let fall the flowers from your hair...

Why hello hello.

So. Event Saturday went off without a hitch! If you were there, you already knew that, but if you weren't, my friend Paula Yoo, author of the YA book "Good Enough", recapped it, complete with my sartorial decisions. Behold.

For those of you who couldn't make it, Robin wore a lovely sleeveless patterned summer dress with an embroidered hem and matching sandals and had a nice red manicure. She wore her hair down loose and she looked very pretty. She read two excerpts from her book Audrey, Wait! The first was in the middle of the book during a concert where the main character meets an interesting British guy (Robin refused to do the British accent tho, haha!). Then she read the opening chapter which is a fantastic opening that sets up the fun tone and voice of the main character's dilemma.

Then the band My Name Is Guy performed - they were a great band with male/female harmonies and bongos and they sounded like your early '90s shoegazer college alt mellow rock band. Very cool vibe. People also got to ask Robin questions about her book and about the song "Audrey Wait!". She mentioned there was a youtube songwriting contest for the book. And here's one youtube example.

How cute is that? Very neat promo! Anyway, it was very well attended and a lot of fun and Robin did a great job and her book is awesome.

Awww, she's sweet! (And while we're talking about books and clothes, I have to say that Paula ended up wearing a dress that perfectly matched the "Audrey" cover, so that was lovely.) Anyway, the event was wonderful, people were cool, and I got to eat tamales with some friends afterwards, so win-win-win.

But as fabulous as Saturday was, I've been in a blah mood ever since. I thought I had a case of the Sundays, but here's Monday morning and the blah is still around.

Blah.

The crazy thing about being in a Mood is that I can't write because either a) all my characters end up in bad moods, too, and then they start doing things they're not supposed to do, which really screws me up, or b) the Mood gives me Writer's Block, which only creates more problems.

So if I'm not writing, I need a back-up cheer-up plan, and for reasons even I don't understand, that plan is "Go to Anthropologie and Buy a Teacup". Something like this.

Again, I don't why this works, but most of the times, it does. (And if you ever come over for coffee, this will be the reason why none of my coffee cups match.)

But sometimes, I just want to wallow, and this morning, I am in Wallow Central.

And you know that Wallow Central has a soundtrack. (Don't worry, it's only the following five songs. I'm not trying to depress everyone for days.)

AA Bondy, "Black Rain, Black Rain"

"Like a ghost upon a breeze in a land of elegies..."

Coldplay, "The Scientist"

"Come up to meet you / Tell you I'm sorry / You don't know how lovely you are..."

Evan Dando, "Frying Pan" (Victoria Williams cover)

"One laugh in the middle of a struggle / Eight diamonds at the bottom of a puddle / Did you ever stare at the moon 'til you saw double?"

Ray LaMontagne, "Empty"

"And of these cut-throat busted sunsets and cold and damp white mornings, I have grown weary..."

Teddy Thompson, "Tonight Will Be Fine" (Leonard Cohen cover)

"There is only one bed and there is only one prayer..."

Whew. That was...fun? Would that be an inappropriate way to describe sad music? Hmm.

Anyway, me and the iPod are going to the beach to eat tacos and guacamole and do something about this Mood. But let's end things on a good note, okay?

Ella Fitzgerald, "Get Happy"

"The sun is shining / C'mon get happy!"

EDIT: My aunt just emailed me to give me some of her own "cheer up" tips. I heart my fam. 

Every one of us is all we need...

So my brother read yesterday's blog entry. Yes.

We then had a follow-up discussion.

Chatting About Music: A Continuing Series

Chris: I like how you made sure to say all the nice things before making fun of me.

Me: I didn't make fun! It was a word-for-word conversation we had. You did it to yourself.

Chris: I still don't like the Beatles.

Me: It's a knife through my heart every time you say that.

Chris: Here's what every Beatles song sounds like: "Blah blah blah blah blah."

Me: Dude! I can't even believe this. You're the one who made me like some of the Beatles' songs!

Chris: I did?

Me: Remember how we were driving out from Colorado together? I didn't even like "Yellow Submarine" but you made me like it!

Chris: I did? That's a terrible song.

Me: No, it's not! Remember? We were driving and we both did the whole (in a horrendous Cockney accent) "in our yellow...submarine...AHA!" part together?

Chris: (thinking)...that is fun, you're right.

Me: I need to lie down.

Chris: (evil laughter)

But then again, what do we know? He fell off a horse and I fell out of bed. We're not exactly at the top of the food chain right now.

Anyway, brother shenanigans aside, today I'm heading out to San Diego for about 18 hours, where I'm visiting a lovely friend who moved to New York and rarely comes back to California except for business trips. (It's sometimes sad when your friends are 3000 miles and a 3-hour time difference away.) The last time I was in San Diego, I had just quit my job and almost got into a nightmarish car accident because I was so upset, so I'm thinking this trip will be a much-needed improvement over last time.

See you soon, I'll send postcards!

Just for that one moment, I could be you...

Wounded. Oh so wounded.

So, you know, on Friday night I fell out of bed. As one does.

It's sort of a complicated story involving my leg, my bed, a bookshelf, and a book avalanche, but the end result is that I have a bruise the size of New Guinea on my foot and I'm very grateful that all of my paperbacks were not hardcovers. Like I needed a concussion on top of all this. 

I wish I could say that I injured myself dancing to the new Girl Talk album, "Feed the Animals", but the only thing that ever gets injured when I dance is my self-respect. Have you heard this album, by the way? You should. It's only available online, but you can pay what you want. (If you don't like dance-y mash-ups albums, you're not going to like this one. Just FYI.)

So that was my weekend. Couch-dancing and ice packs. It's a 24-hour party in my apartment, don't you think? 

It's especially ironic that I'm wounded because my brother is also injured, only his story is much better. He fell off a horse. Now that's the way to do it! None of this wimpy falling-out-of-bed nonsense. He was in town last week and we spent a bunch of time hanging out together and having interesting conversations.

I'm going to preface this by saying that I adore my brother. He's smart and hilarious and super-driven and will probably end up fabulously wealthy on a yacht in Crete (or wherever the yachting types go, I don't know). Anyway, he's just A-1 the best. Two thumbs up for him.

That being said, after the following conversation, I have serious doubts that we're related.

Chatting About Music: A Continuing Series

Chris: (driving) Put on some music.

Me: (passengering) You don't like anything I listen to. I'm not falling for that again.

Chris: I like good music.

Me: No, because every time I put on a song, you make fun of it and my iPod's feelings get hurt.

Chris: Put something ooonnnn.

Me: (hits "shuffle") Fine. Here.

(Bob Dylan's "Positively 4th Street" comes on)

Chris: I don't like Bob Dylan.

Me: Well, okay, I kind of get that. I mean, I like him, but a lot of people don't like Bob Dyl--

Chris: Or the Beatles. I don't like the Beatles, either.

Me: (has heart attack)

Chris: I just...ugh. Yeah. No Beatles.

Me: You don't like the Beatles???

Chris: Or Bob Dylan.

Two weeks later, and the only comeback I have is this. Boo-yah, brother.

Bob Dylan, "Yesterday" (Beatles cover)

You can't buy what you can't find...

Okay, so you know what I learned last weekend?

Lean in close, this is important. Are you ready?

Make sure your self-tanner doesn't contain body glitter.

It was a nightmare. I glowed like a freaking disco ball. Embrace the paleness, people. Embrace the paleness. Sheesh. And why--WHY--is there chocolate on my computer keyboard, I ask you? Can you tell the kind of week I've had? Good Lord, get me to the weekend, that's all I ask.

This week wasn't all glitter drama, though, thank goodness. I joined Facebook! So if you're not my Facebook friend, you should be. It'll be fun! We can bond over our iLike pages and compare status messages. You know you want to.

Oh! I also had an "American Idol" mini-party the other night for the big grande finale. And wouldn't you know it, this totally happened to us. I shake my fist at you, TiVo!

I'm also going through this crazy White Stripes & Raconteurs phase, which is definitely not a problem for me. Wanna share? Yay, I thought so!

The White Stripes on NPR's "Fresh Air" in 2005.

Such a good interview, especially when you're stuck in traffic on the 10.

The White Stripes, "Jolene" live at Reading 2002

Just ridiculous how good this song is. Reeeee-diculous.

The Raconteurs, "Store Bought Bones" live at Lollapalooza 2006

"You can't buy what you can't find what you can't...!"

I've been singing this everywhere for the past week. Sorry if you've had to listen to my shenanigans.

The White Stripes, "We Are Going To Be Friends" live in Manaus, Brazil 2005

A lot of people have asked me how I researched the celebrity factor in "Audrey, Wait!" Answer: watching clips like this. Awesome insanity.

I hope you're all happy and healthy and body glitter-free (unless you're into that sort of thing, in which case, go you!) and ready for whatever's coming your way this holiday weekend. Be safe! Wear sunscreen! Embrace the paleness! Haha!

And the sun gets passed from tree to tree...

It's early spring now. How lovely.

This is normally the time of year where cute little ladybugs start to flock into my apartment. It's so pretty! They float around and hang out on my windowsill and I name them all Lucy, for some reason, and then they gently fly away and I think, "Wow, nature is so beautiful."

This year, though? There's been a change.

Ladybug count so far? Zero.

Bee count so far? WAY TOO MANY OH MY GOD.

So apparently the bees ran the ladybugs out of town and now I spend most of my day listening for "bzzzzzz" sounds in my apartment. I'm living in terror, people. I read an article where it said that honeybees are disappearing at alarming rates, so if you're a beekeeper, I have your bees. Please come get them asap.

Wilco wrote a song called "Muzzle of Bees". How nice to have a soundtrack for my current events.

Wilco, "Muzzle of Bees"