Thanks, Zan Marie! Its so funny, I'm the exact opposite: I find FB confusing and I feel quite at home on Twitter!

We had a downpour here. It rained harder and longer than I've seen in a long time--flooding on all the streets, stalled cars, etc. But it cleared a bit after 6 PM so Halloween was saved after all.

I'm sure it is your year, Genia! I'm rooting for you! Love the sound of those late-night write-ins but I'd probably fall asleep.

I've often wondered that myself. I'm pretty sure a man--who does not have to cook Thanksgiving diner-started it. (Just like I'm certain that every toilet was designed by a man who has never had to clean one, all those dumb curvy places on the bottom that are impossible to wash.) February would be perfect, even if it is a short month. Maybe we should have our own Nanowrimo then!

Ha! I love it! We can commiserate together and celebrate once December comes!

I just saw that about the Night Circus on Wikipedia! And I'm embarrassed to admit that I've not read it. One of these days! Yeah, I'm not much for forums, either, but I did like the emails they sent and the feeling of that collective energy. I'm cheating this year by working on a novel already started--but I'm still hoping to get those 50K words in!

Hey, who you talking about getting drunk in France? I love "The Sun Also Rises." It is one of my favorite books ever. And "A Farewell to Arms." Haven't read either for awhile, probably should go back to them....

You will never convince me of that! :-)

He was pretty awesome. So was his writing.

I love everything you listed--except for the sweet tea. But then, I'm not an iced drinker anyway! Your trip sounds wonderful, can't wait to hear about it.

Okay, so Oregon is known for salmon, blackberries and other kinds of berries, hazelnuts, and Voodoo doughnuts. Also our food carts and huge restaurant scene with lots of cool chefs. (Can you tell I'm trying to get you out here?) We really do have an amazing food scene here. I used to know Nashville restaurants like the back of my hand but I'm not going as regularly now, sadly, and things have blown up in my absence! I used to go to J.Alexander's (really close to Vanderbilt) and BrickTop's and there's a pizza place in that converted dry cleaning factory that I adore. And the BEST places are the Meat 'n Threes-Varallos's downtown, the Lovelace Cafe, Monell's, The Copper Kitchen. I'm jonesing for some good southern food now that I've written all those down!

My good friend Linda's daughter came within a couple feet, literally, of having her dorm room wiped out by that tornado. It was really something. I didn't realize you had so many connections to Alabama!

Don't say that, I'll end up on your doorstep.

Okay, well sign me up! I've actually always wanted to take a workshop there, so one of these days I may arrive on your doorstep! And for me, you're way more important than Channing. :-)

I love it, too. So enticing. And its not just the beautiful goods, but the story behind it and her commitment to her home state. I really want to try one of her patterns. What company do you work for? Sounds very cool!