Thursday, March 31, 2011
by Amanda.
I work at the relationships site YourTango a few days a week. One of my duties is to go through all the unreleased books publishers send in hopes of a review or coverage.
Free books! Before anyone else can read them! It’s one of the perks of working in media.
Today I went through publishing house catalogs to choose new titles that are coming out in the next six months. I noted which ones I want. Did you know Joan Didion has a new book coming out, and Diane Keaton just wrote a memoir? And I can’t wait to get my itchy little hands on the Tina Fey and Mindy Kaling books.
But a lot of crappy books get sent to YourTango, too. Even when we don’t want them. I read so many press releases for formulaic chick-lit today that I’m pretty sure I could write my own terrible bestseller.
Me: I think I’ve got my bestseller right here. Here’s my book blurb:
Friday, January 14, 2011
by Amanda.
I think winter has finally pinned me to the ground and stuck its cold, wet finger in my ear. I’m so tired of snow, short days, and having to wear layers.
I’ve also been hyper-sensitive all week. Don’t tell me to cry you a river. I already did.
Friday, November 19, 2010
by Amanda.
Tomorrow I’m going skydiving for the first time.
It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, so I immediately said “yes” when I got an invite a few days ago. Last night, I was talking to my as-yet-unnamed-and-unabbreviated boyfriend about it.
Him: So you’re ready to go skydiving Saturday?
Me: Oh, so we’re really doing that, huh?
Him: Yep. The class is at noon.
Me: Ah, cool. Kinda early.
Him: Yeah.
Me: So we’re doing this doing this?
Him: Yeah. Ready to jump out of a plane?
Me: You know, I hadn’t thought about that part…
I was thinking about the surviving-it-and-being-able-to-say-I’d-done-it-part. The part that’s more “Wooo!” than woozy.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
by Amanda.
Working with other people’s kids can be tricky. Some parents are really particular about every last detail. Others are laissez-faire and consequently, their kids are crazy. I lucked out with Alexa, the now six-year-old I babysit. Her parents have reasonable expectations I’d probably have for my own child. They’re flexible and easy-going. Most importantly, they have a sense of humor.
I’m sitting at the dinner table with Alexa. Her dad, Matt, has just come home. We’re talking about the most trying aspect of Alexa’s young life - the boredom of having sandwiches in her lunch box every day.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
by Amanda.
I’m playing Bananagrams with Alexa, the five-year-old I’ve started babysitting a few times a month. The five-year-old who once threw herself on the sidewalk when I wouldn’t take her to the ice cream truck.
We’re turning over tiles to make words. As I help with her pile, I ask if she’d like to see the words I’ve made. Among them, I’ve got “use” and “glum” and “id.”
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
by Amanda.
Life Coach texted me some writing advice just now:
Friday, January 22, 2010
by Amanda.
My co-worker Samson is a bit of an oddball. He was born in Nigeria, and then went to boarding school in London and college in upstate New York. Now he’s a reformed skirt chaser in NYC.
We go to lunch a few times a week and find ourselves - and sometimes eavesdroppers - cackling at the banter back and forth.
And then there are the IM conversations.
Monday, January 18, 2010
by Amanda.
It’s the start of our session. I’m eating a piece of cake Jing’s mom brought me, and Jing’s giving me a recap of the latest happenings at school.
Report cards come up. Jing mentions that she never sat out in gym all grading period, but she still got a lower grade. I ask if girls don’t swim when they have their periods. She nods.
Then she drops a bombshell.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
by Amanda.
I’ve started tutoring Jing again. After a few months with no contact, we’re back in the groove.
I can’t believe how much she’s grown. She’s started saying some of the most brilliant things, and her braces are coming off next week. Like, OMG!
And she’s still the reigning Junior Miss Non Sequitur.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
by Amanda.
My friend Nate, the recovering canned fruit addict, is one of those tall, quiet types to watch out for.
When we went to see R. Crumb awhile back, we talked about our impressions of each other. I had mine of him, some of which he shot down. But his impressions of me were dead-on.
I’ve really enjoyed getting to know Nate. Next stop: psychoanalysis.
