Sunday, May 6, 2012

Sammy’s Birthday


Thanks to everyone who sent in answers for the Second Chance Contest. There were a lot of close-but-no-cigars.

And six right-on-the-money!

Or, you know, date.

At first I thought there would be no problem having only 2 ARCs to give away because on Wednesday there was only 1 correct entry. Silly me! There was a big flurry of correct entries the last two day so once again we had to resort to drawing names out of a hat. 

So get on with it already?

Okay, okay.

From the day that Halloween landed in Skeleton Man and the day that it landed (the following year) in Night of Skulls, it could be deduced we were not dealing with a leap year.

So the descriptions of days in Psycho Kitty Queen (between Halloweens) which gives the day of the week and the week in April of Sammy’s birthday allows you to figure out that Sammy’s birthday falls on a Monday this (her 8th grade) year and that her birthday is…

April 6th

Mark your calendar, ‘cause next year we’ll celebrate!

Of the 6 correct entries, 3 of you will receive signed ARCs (I got my hands on one extra). The extra is going to the first person to submit a correct entry, the other two were drawn from a hat. I have sent e-mails to winners, so if you haven’t already, check your box! My sincere apologies to "empty boxers"…especially since I checked and saw that all 6 correct entries were from people who'd also tried the Elvis contest.

Congratulations to winners, and thanks to everybody who tried!

See you next week. (Or, more likely, in the comments!)

176 comments:

yuseyz said...

OMG I'M FREAKING OUT RIGHT NOW CUZ IT SAYS I'M A WINNER! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I GOT NOS YESTERDAY FROM THE LIBRARY AT THE LAST MINUTE.
Gosh i'm so happy right now. Can't wait tell it comes.
I'm shaking cuz i'm so excited.
-- Yusayera

Gabrielle said...

dang it I sent two different emails and each one was right in between her birthday. Oh well. I think I can wait two more moths tho. And congratulation too the winners!!!! :)

Optimistic4ever said...

Congrats Yuseyz! I didn't win, but tell me how it is, k? :D

April 6th. Calenders marked. Party next year fosho!

Wendelin Van Draanen said...

G & O4E: You are so gracious. x0x0x

Gabrielle said...

Thanks! :) by the way wendelin, when in July does Sammy Keyes and the Power of Justice Jack come out?

Kylie said...

Congrats!

It really good!

~Kylie~

Kylie said...

Yay I now know that official date of it! Yay!

Can't wait to celebrate it next year! So excited!

~Kylie~

Shaina said...

Yay for Sammy's birthday! I wonder if she'd really like a pink flower on her cake...

Anonymous said...

Shaina, I was thinking the same thing. A Sammy birthday cake would probably be like, I dunno, an oatmeal cake or something.
That awkward moment when oatmeal cakes don't exist.
Or do they...?
ANYWAY, her birthday is whaaaat, exactly one day before my half-birthday, and baseball season opener.
BASEBALL. SAMMY. *ME.*
ITS ALL WORKING OUT. ;)
Now can you tell us CASEY's birthday? *makes ungrateful whiny voice and stamps foot* I NEED TO CELEBRATE IT. Eat mac and salsa or something.

Wendelin Van Draanen said...

Definitely not a cake Sammy would pick for herself, but her mother? Oh, yeah. The black is a nice touch, though :-)

Gabrielle said...

I've never really thought about when Casey's Birthday. I kinda wonder when it is...

Yusa said...

Thanks everyone!
Yeah i can totally see Lady Lana or Grams giving the cake to Sammy. One, cuz it's pink and two, cuz it says Samantha.
And i wonder what Casey gets Sammy on her birthday this year. Last time it was a horseshoe. :)
--Yusayera

Gabrielle said...

Yeah,I wonder what he gets her for her b-day... :)

Anonymous said...

It might not be mentioned because I think, at least, she's spending her birthday on the cruise? Unless Casey is on the cruise too which I HIGHLY doubt.
Wait, what if Billy stows away on the boat! I need to create a Facebook group or something called BILLY MOMENTS. Geniosity.

Wendelin Van Draanen said...

Before the birthday comes Valentine's Day! *sighs*

Kylie said...

*Squel! I can't wait for Valentines day with Sammy and Casey! It is bound to be adorable!

~Kylie~

Kylie said...

DO IT!

Gabrielle said...

Yeah,it will be adorable! :)

Yusa said...

Pink stuff = valentine's day = Sammy????? how?
But still can't wait. And how about billy and marissa?

bookworm said...

WOW, I totally forgot to send in my submission............ And i was going to say that her birthday way April 7th, but i was leaning towrd the 6th, too.

Oh well. :)

Congrats, everyone!

katarinandersson said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
katarinandersson said...

Congrats to the winners! :) And ooh, Valentine's Day! I'm looking forward to reading about that, because that day must make Heather reach an all-time high on the crazy scale, right? That would be hilarious! I can just picture her trying to ruin the day for Sammy and Casey, and then failing miserably. I hope she makes Tenille and Monet help her, that would be even more hilarious! Anyway, I hope you'll have a nice week!

Anonymous said...

Sometimes Wendelin Van Draanen reminds me of the tooth fairy or something because she is just full of surprises.
And yeah, where it will be Valentine's Day for Cammy, HEATHER is going to be sulk-ebrating SINGLES AWARENESS DAY.
So is TJ. Because no one likes him.

Yusa said...

Yeah. Heather's friends like Tenille said they weren't hanging out with her at the end of the last book. So she's probably going to be a loner. Wait is this the book that talks a lot about Heather? Cuz maybe it shows how lonely she is on Val. Day or something.

And yesterday when i figured out i won i was running around the house just skipping, jumping, and just freaking out for like half an hour. I really didn't believe it at first. I still kinda don't. I feel like any monute i'll get an email that says 'nevermind about that'. :)
--yusayera

Wendelin Van Draanen said...

A tooth fairy? They're predictable, aren't they? (Isn't she?) But I do wish I had some fairy dust. Not that I want Motley Crue to appear in anyone's dreams but...(commercial, never mind).

ARCs went out today so no nevermindaboutthats today!

Gabrielle said...

I never really thought of you as the tooth fairy. And what commercial had the motley crew?

Yusa said...

I'm so excited that the books are sent.
Tooth fairy? Hmmm...
Oh and who else won?

Anonymous said...

UhHH...random math/Casey/birthday thing:
If Casey was born somewhere in November/December, and when he told Sammy on Dec 31st he was 14--so Sammy turned 13 that following year. Meaning HE'D turn 15...In November/December of his frosh year, which makes sense.
But...If Casey's already 15 then Sammys still 13 and WHOA REVELATION THERE WILL BE AT LEAST 4-5 MONTHS OF THEM BEINB *TWO* YEARS APART. WHOAWHAt. MIND BLOWN.
Why do I over-analyze everything!? I feel like this is what One Direction fans do in their free time, overanalyze Harry Styles and their birthdays and cheesy boyband barf-me lyrics.
Sorry 1D fans...
but Casey Acosta's singing > Harry Style's singing. Indefinitely.

Yusa said...

Totally agree with the 1D thing. Gosh girls at my school are obsessed with them and the girl next to me keeps writing their names all over her stuff and then the 2 girls next to me ambushed me and wrote all over my notebook in pen. 'I love Harry Styles' which is not true at all.
Casey is waaaaaaay better, no competition. Sorry 1D fans but i was ambushed.

Gabrielle said...

I know! 1d isn't all that ,all boy bands seem the same.

Anonymous said...

Like The Wanted. Each member in that GROUP (I don't consider it a band if you DON'T PLAY INSTRUMENTS) look like 40 year old One Direction people. NO. Speaking as a musician, songwriter and singer: NO. I've been part of a couple local bands and we worked harder than 1D ever does. All they have to do is smile and say "girl your hair makes me go insane" (or whatever they sing) and EVERYONE FALLS FOR IT. They dont even write their own songs! NO. NO. NOT REAL MUSICIANS.
But I should be talking about Sammy's birthday, not ranting about 1D... :)

Yusa said...

Yeah i was thinking about how waaay off topic we went there.

Optimistic4ever said...

I hate how the beginning of What Makes You Beautiful by 1D sounds exactly like the beginning of Summer Nights from Grease. Or is it Summer Lovin? I can never tell. Anywho, the beginning sounds the same :P

McKensie Miller said...

hey, would anyone like to post what they might give Sammy for a b-day present? If you'd rather you could save it for next year. I might give her a pair of athletic shorts, because she always seems to be wearing jeans because she doesn't have many possessions and I think that that is kind of how she wants to keep it as long as she living in that small apartment with Grams, so I wouldn't want to give her something that would just take up space.

McKensie Miller said...

hey, would anyone like to post what they might give Sammy for a b-day present? If you'd rather you could save it for next year. I might give her a pair of athletic shorts, because she always seems to be wearing jeans because she doesn't have many possessions and I think that that is kind of how she wants to keep it as long as she living in that small apartment with Grams, so I wouldn't want to give her something that would just take up space.

Wendelin Van Draanen said...

I could really get this sidetrack going by asking...autotune?

No! You don't want to get me started!

But back to a different subject. Did any of you look at the Waiting For Rain to Fall cover someone posted a link to? Who was that? It got lost in my mental swamp. I thought it was so cool but I can't remember if I said anything or not. Which, if I didn't, was rude and I'm sorry!! I have to try to find the link...

Yusa said...

Hi-tops or a new catcher's mitt.

Yusa said...

oh yeah i remeber that. it was cool. I always thought of the cover of a girl standing against a wall in the rain with a boy about to kiss her.

Anonymous said...

The cover for Waitin for the Rain to Fall was by Julie, I recall. Julie, you are seriously talented in photo-editing, girllll go to college and get a Ph. D in photography or something if that’s even possible. :)
Wendelin Van Draanen, I actually wrote a version of Waitin for the Rain to Fall a long time ago. I used the couple of lines you mentioned in Sammy Keyes and wrote the song around it.
NOW, I wrote it when I was 15, I think. About two years ago give or take. So that’s all. And I made a real song, not just lyrics, on the piano.
HERE IS THE LINK.

http://tinyurl.com/waitingforrain

Just in case WVD wants to see…I mean it’s NOT like I’m your biggest fan or anything PSSSHHH what? Nawww.
JUST KIDDING I AM YOUR BIGGEST FAN.
Lastly, for her birthday I would invest in some good pair of jean shorts because she owns like 2 pair of jeans.
Or maybe a gift card to Victoria’s Secret or something just to see her expression. I’d probably get a nice fat punch in the face for that one. I love Sammy, but sometimes I think she would hate me if she knew me. :(

Anonymous said...

Oh, and just to add on to that, I pictured the cover of Waitin for the Rain to Fall to be a long dry dusty road? Because they’re WAITING?…for…rain…to fall…*awkward moment * sorry bye

Optimistic4ever said...

Just saw the cover again. It. is. gorgeous. Julie, if you are reading this, I loved it soooo much!

Optimistic4ever said...

Also Steph, remember Lola? As in Newgirlintown212? Who wrote Confessions of an Obsession and Don't get Lost in Heaven. I think she is a photographer. Or maybe I'm just making stuff up to figure out why she no longer posts stuff.

Anonymous said...

Haha oh yes, she lived in Chicago in Naperville ironically. I met her on Michigan Avenue in Chanel, I think she got married and moved to Malibu? That's what she said I think. It was way too long ago. And I only recognized her from her PHOTOGRAPHY.
Coolest moment of my life.

Yusa said...

ur song lyrics were really good!

Wendelin Van Draanen said...

Wait a minute. Coolest moment of your life? I'm right here! Sheez. (KIDDING)

Yusa said...

Funny.

Optimistic4ever said...

Meeting you was one of the coolest moments of my life. I still remember parts of it. I was super shy and we were talking about SK characters and I mentioned I liked Heather and Billy and then you mentioned something about Billy which I happened to already know, following your blog and all. And then you asked me who I was and I told you and you jumped up and hugged me! I was soooo happy! :D

Yusa said...

everyone is so lucky. One dya i'll get to meet you. one day....

Optimistic4ever said...

I hope you do. WVD is amazing!

Gabrielle said...

I wish I could meet you wendelin!

Anonymous said...

…Optimistic4ever, shut up, I’m so jealous, shut up shut up shut UP. :(
COME TO CHICAGO WENDELIN VAN DRAANEN. OR MY SCHOOL. DO YOU VISIT HIGH SCHOOLS? I NEED TO TRY TO HARASS MY LIBRARIANS TO DO ETRTR NEXT YEAR.
But I don't know how that works...

Optimistic4ever said...

I freaked out because I checked out Runaway from my school library back in elementary school and it had WVD's signature! But she never came to our school. And also, when we got a new librarian, the book was gone. I think it was our old school librarian's book but she was nice enough to keep it out.

HAHAHAHAHA IM EVIL! Sorry Steph :( BUT YOU MET JAY ASHER! AND SELENA GOMEZ! AND JOSHIE HUTCHERSON! AND JOHN GREEN!

I only met WVD, Suzanne Collins, Rick Riordan and Marc Brown. It's not like they are my favorite authors or anything and I was overjoyed. Psssh no, not at all.

KK SO SORRY BUT I FELT THE EVIL URGE!

Wendelin Van Draanen said...

Anderson's in Naperville is a GREAT bookstore, and I've met some wonderful (O4E!) people there! I also did an event...and I can't remember what it was for exactly, but there were important people and good food and I had to do a presentation so I couldn't really enjoy the good food BUT it was in this skyscraper in Chicago (proper) that "they" used to film one of the Batman movies and the view was breathtaking. Chicago is a beautiful city (certain times of year, of course). I don't know where you've been hiding, Steph, but I've rappelled over Chicago :)

Optimistic4ever said...

Actually, I was in Cali :D Same place you met Amy, I believe. They were playing Risky Whippet songs when we came in, I remember. Same tour though!

WVD, you should go on another tour. Naperville, Smartsville (why do you all live in ville's?). Oh and you said you love Hicklebees so come back here too!

Gabrielle said...

Wendelin I wish I could meet you soo bad! But I doubt you would come to Virginia. That's like all the way on east coast.

Kylie said...

I would love it if to Smartsville! Since the actual town has only maybe a population of 100+ and most of them are drug doing hippies I think your better bet would be Grass Valley because it has a great bookstore there and you could go there!

You must let me know when you in Northern California next! I must meet you! It would become the best day ever! (moving when I won to number 2).

And I loved how off topic we are!
My sister and many of my friends are in love with 1D and the wanted! It is so funny when I put them down! My sister and my friend Parker got into an argument about whether the wanted is a boy band or not. Him and I think so and during the argument we were putting them down and my sis was freaking out! It was Hilarious!

~Kylie~

Wendelin Van Draanen said...

Haha! Grass Valley has less druggies than Smartsville? How deceptively named! And YES same tour, but Hicklebees!! You are so lucky to have a bookstore like that in your community. Valerie and Monica are awesome. (And Amy is too!)Virginia hasn't been on my tour schedule for a long time. We really need a Sammycon. And yes, how off topic we've gone. You guys are great. :-)

Gabrielle said...

Yes,a Sammycon sounds awsome!! :)

Kylie said...

I know weird right? Well I think since the population of GV is like 13,000ish the amount of druggies isn't as much as it seems because there are so many. If that makes since?

And oh yes we need a Sammycon! It would be awesome!

~Kylie~

Anonymous said...

I just recently moved to Naperville, but I'm taking a wild guess you came to Red Balloon? Idk. AND I think they used the John Hancock building for Batman. No, I'm wrong, that was for Transformers. I thought they used the whole city? Isn't Gotham City pretty much Chicago anyway? And I actually remember nearly half the cities being blocked off for Batman (Dark Knight, actually) and Transformers 3 productions. I was an extra in T3, SO.;) JOSH DUHAMEL, SHIA LABEOUF GUYSSS OMGG. Josh is a god.
Anyway, I really need to PAY ATTENTION to the next time you visit! :0 And omg, hold Sammycon in McCormick Place = biggest convention center in the US = PERFECT FOR SSMMY KEYES FANS.
Plus it'll take me only 20 minutes to drive there, BAM. :)

Yusa said...

Wow i go to sleep and i miss the whole conversation!
I'm nearr Sacramento, Cali, but i don't think you ever visited. Though in my school library and in books people have donated there are signatures from you from June 2001. I was 3 then!
I'm hoping you'll come again. Soon. Please!

AbaGayleb said...

Aaaaggghhh. I guessed April 6th, but I guess the email didn't send! :/ that totally bums me, but yay for the winners.(:

AbaGayleb said...

Oh, and that's a gorgeous cake. I'm gonna talk my cake-baking sister who is also a huge Sammy Keyes fan bake a cake for next years birthday. She's a really good baker, so I'm sure it'll be fabulous. :D

Wendelin Van Draanen said...

Ah! Genius! My editor (Nancy!) is an amazing baker. She does cakes for birthdays that are unbelievable. I am going to have to put her on the case!

bookworm said...

Tell her to make me a cake, and then to ship it:

A) Because I am EXTREMELY hungry right now, and I would love something (anything to eat.)

[Before anyone says anything ridiculous like "Then get your lazy butt up and go GET something!", I would have done that already if this was a place to get food, which it isn't.]

B) My birthday is in September! :) :) :) So she would have plenty of time to put a bow on it and everything.

(sigh coming from me at the thought of food.)

Optimistic4ever said...

We need a Sammy Conevention. Then we can all be like, "OMG I KNOW YOU!" They have MLP conventions all the time or something. Sammy Keyes deserves one too.

I love baking! Brownies yummmm

Is it just me, or is this the most comments there's been in a long time?

YAY COMMENTS

Yusa said...

My birthday is in September to!
Oh and Sammy's birthday is my parents anniversary so i would celebrate both on the same day!
A sammy convention would be Amazing! Dress up like your favorite character which would basically mean just normal clothes.

Yeah i was thinking about how many comments we had. I have to scroll a looong way down to read the laterst ones.
Oh and AbaGayleb, yours was probably one of the right answers, but maybe it wasn't drawn as one of the two winners. Just a thought.
--Yusayera

Wendelin Van Draanen said...

I have this list I made of Sammy characters for Halloween parties schools and bookstores have done. Maybe I will post it on Sunday so you can see. There are lots of real "characters" in the books! Actually, someday I'll post the picture of Mark as El Gato. You will die laughing! I always go as the Skeleton Man because I have a great costume and can be scary and nobody can tell the author's in the house so I can eavesdrop. Of course now I've just blown my cover, so that won't work with this group!

Optimistic4ever said...

Mark as El Gato. I must see this. As well as your new haircut, which we've been waiting to see :)

Also, on my blog, I have a few Sammy Keyes characters. They're all ponified though. I hope you don't mind that I made pony versions of your characters...

Yeverybody! We need a common Sammy Keyes memes page!

Yusa said...

Yeah i just thought that they had two Halloweens in the story, the Psycho kitty people, of course heather, in art of deception renaissance fair. And wow there is a lot. I would love to see the costumes.
i would definitely be one for Halloween... if i celebrated Halloween. :)
--yusayera

Wendelin Van Draanen said...

I can't believe I never answered about the ponifying question! Sorry! It's fine with me and will be interesting to see. :-)

Yusa said...

yeah i saw it and its cool.

Kylie said...

Josh is a god!

Kylie said...

Dude were like neighbors! Okay well like 2 hours away from each other neighbors... But still!

I wish I had A signed Sammy book at my library! Y'all are so lucky!

Yusa said...

Josh?

Anonymous said...

Some days I wake up and think "I feel Sammy today" so I wear a soccer hoodie (don't own any softball ones), jeans, and my converse.
I really need to learn how to ride a skateboard. I can basic-ride but I can't do anything cool on it...and I don't own one. Instead I own a car, something much more convenient where I live.
Santa Martina seems totally awesome though. I wanna live somewhere where I can walk to the mall... I just can't imagining having only one local mall. It's nice to have over 4 different malls to choose from, especially for crazy shoppers like me. :)
We should have a Sammy day and post photos of our outfits or crazy things.
Like at a sleepover when I was totally sleepover-drunk (not really drunk, jeez) and wrote stuff about Casey all over my pants (I think photos are on my sk blog..the title is pretty provocative). Casey in my--I mean ON, my pants. You know what I mean, don't act like I mean something else because maybe I do maybe I don't NEVER MIND.

Yusa said...

Awkward..
I want converse so bad but i can never get them. I have a kind of shopping place near my house and kids go and hang out there sometimes after school, but my parents are over protective so i'm not even allowed off my street.
--Yusayera

AbaGayleb said...

Steph--I have a mall (it's like an outlet mall, but not xD) literally 2 miles up to road from my house. You just turn left, go a mile or two and BOOM. Wet Seal, American Eagle(also where my sister works, so usually she'll buy stuff for me %40 off), Aeropostale, and so much more. It's like heaven, and it's so convenient so we dont have to drive miles to a mall at night. (:

Anonymous said...

To be a perfect mall it HAS to have Forever 21, Hollister, Victoria's Secret (every mall has THAT...)/Pink, Barnes & Noble (cough, book and movie freak!?), STARBUCKS (usually in the B&N), and maybe some other places like Hot Topic (BAND t-shirts!) and Charming Charlie (color-coded jewelry store = heaven).
Yuzeyz, I'm an awkward child, sorry.
ALL THIS MALL TALK? SAMMY DOES NOT APPROVE.
I secretly want Heather and Sammy to be friends. Opppsites go well together. And Heather is evil its awesome.

Anonymous said...

Oh and AbaGayleb, we have the "Promenade" s 15-minute driving distance (my license saved my life) and 3 other malls- one which is an outlet mall that I once stood in line at a Coach sale and bought 19 different purses with my mom for a measly $300. NINETEEN. Cheapskates. But the outlet is about an hour away, thats where I had to go to meet Kim Kardashian (ew) and JOSH HUTCHERSON<<33

Wendelin Van Draanen said...

This comment section is wild!

And I have to add to it, with one simple word:

GOODWILL.

(Let's shop!)

Optimistic4ever said...

We could dress up like Billy. He always strikes me as kinda sillyly dressed.

Im a Target cheapo.

Kim Kardashian... It only took three minutes of Keeping up With the Kardashians for me to realize why some of my foreign cousins have such a low opinion of us Americans. The TV shows and all are, after all, the part of us they see the most.

And they are not impressed, let me tell you.

Though my cousins love our music :D

Anonymous said...

Statistic and probability time:
Your posts on winning Justice Jack get averaged 20 comments and more? Your posts on NONreleased SK books and the end of the series = 30+.
Your post on Sammy's birthday? With a slightly off-base birthday cake and quite short? Nearly 100 comments.
This is what I call TRUE FANS.
Project TRUE LIFE: SAMMY KEYES, ready set go. Everyday this week I will do a crazy SK thing, photo it, and put a culminating blog post at the end of the week of my escapades.
Adios.

Optimistic4ever said...

I agree. And its funny, because on other author's blogs, all the comments relate to the books themselves, which means people really only care about the books. Over here, we are conversing about everything from Sammy Keyes to shopping. You know why? Because yeah we love Sammy Keyes, but we also love WVD as a person!

Looking forward to your Sammy Project, Steph :D

Kylie said...

I love how this post started off being about the winners and and the answer to Sammy's Birthday and now we have gone through talking about what type of cake Sammy would like to Casey's Birthday to Valentine's Day with Sammy and Casey (which I can't wait for!)to Wendelin being a tooth fairy to One Direction and The Wanted to what we would give Sammy for her birthday to the cover that was made for Waiting for Rain to Fall to the song Steph wrote to meeting Wendelin (you lucky people!)to having a Sammycon (which we could so then I can meet more Sammy fans!)to Josh Duhamel (that beautifil man)to when are birthdays are to dressing up a characters (I call Justice Jack? Who wants to be my sidekick!)to ponifying Sammy characters to dressing like Sammy to where are malls are located to where we shop!

Aren't we AWESOME! I bet we will hit 100 comments by friday!

WE CAN DO IT!

~Kylie~

Kylie said...

Can't wait!

Yusa said...

We can probably do it by tomorrow without even trying.
Evil is good when it's fun, but i can't see Heather and Sammy getting along.
I'm not much of a shopper. I get hand-me-downs. And i have 2 brothers so it's from people i know. But i'm pretty happy with what i have.
I'm not much of a mall person cuz whenever my mom goes shopping she goes for one thing and comes back with a lot of stuff, which she either ends up returning or not buying anything at all.
Mom: Ok i know we've been here like 3 hours, but we are just looking for a pair of glovesat the mall.Only gloves.
Me: Fine. Last store.
*We enter store*
Mom: Oh look there are some good jackets. Your dad would like it. Maybe i should get some socks. I wonder if anyone needs a new tie. How's this color!
Me: We don't need anything!
Mom:But i have a coupon that expires today and we HAVE to use it. It'll save us money!
Me: How does it save money if we don't need it in the first place?
Mom: Just buy something!
*1 hour later*
Mom: There's nothing good here. You were right. Let's go home.
*Get in car empty handed after like 5 hours of shopping. Me lying dead in the backseat. Lesson learned: Never go shopping with my mom!*
And she ends up buying everything for my brother and so i try to even it out by not getting anything i don't need.
P.S. Steph, awkward is not a bad thing.

Gabrielle said...

My mom gets sidetracked soo easily when we go shopping,like we have a list and then she's like
Let's go in this isle real quick,oooo that's pretty that would look nice in the living room or whatever,then we end up buyings things we really didn't go there for in the first place.

Yusa said...

Exactly.
Though that is kinda an understatment for my Mom.
Oh and GOODWILL is where everything ends up. I mean some stuff i get from there and it goes back there. A circle.
I can't skateboard, but i learned how to rollerblade in my garage with my brother's giant rollerblades and then i got my own from goodwill for $10 and i still have up and they are amazing.
Way better than the ones we got later that were brand new for $20 for my brother. He swore he'd never ride them again and he didn't.
The only fall back of mine is that the front wheel falls off sometimes and we glue it back on.But ither than that it's perfect.

Kylie said...

I feel like I am like Sammy because while I have lts of shirts/jackets/pants I usually end up only wearing like 5 of my shirts because all my other ones are fou fouy and pink which I totally hate!

And my mom is the worst When shopping she like okay we are only going to be here for a hour tops and we end up spending around 5 hours at the mall! And since I hate the mall/shopping I try to convince my mom to go let me sit in Barnes and Noble and read a book because if I read it all while sitting there then we don't have to buy it! (unless I really like it!) But it never works so I am usually just hid a book under my shirt before we leave the house and hid in racks and read when she is
shopping.

And Wendeling Goodwill is the best! I am hoping to find a box with a cool key for it and fill it with pictures and letters from when I my sister and I were little and then when she goes to college I will give her the key as a necklace and sneak the box into her apartment and one day when she finds it hopefully she will figure out the connection!

~Kylie~

Kylie said...

***Whoops meant Wendelin

My iPod has a mind of it's own....

Yusa said...

That would be so sweet!
Yeah i bring a book in my purse everywhere i go but i can never find a spot to read it and i don't want to lose my her in a mall (that has happened to me).

P.s. That is why i don't have an iPod...

Optimistic4ever said...

Shopping with mom is tiring. She made me buy flats and wear them on her 6 hour shopping spree the next day. Thing is, I kinda grew out of them in a day and I had blisters all over my feet at the end.

I love going to Costco on Sundays though. Free samples of everything!

Yusa said...

OMG Costco, yes! Doesn't everyone go there for free samples? Skip lunch that day and just browse over and over through the samples.

Kylie said...

Cosco is the best place ever! When ever I am in Roseville (I think that's the city it's in?) my family and I always skip lunch and go and cruise the aisles looking for food. One time in sixth grade my friend Jena and I took are tech-decks and cruised the aisle doing tricks with the skateboards. It was so much fun. And last time I went to Cosco my sister her a boy that had a British accent and since she is in love with british accents she made me follow them around with her so she could hear him speak.

Cosco is the best! I need to go there this weekend! Must convince my mom!

And Optimistic that is why I wear converse and only converse....

Yusa said...

Hey Kylie, where do you live? I live in Gold River near Sacramento and i think that is near Roseville. I don't know, just wondering?
IO have a friend who i just know will end up with a British guy.

Gabrielle said...

Yeah,me and my family go to Costco sometimes. And my friend used to love Costco! And I do love there free samples.

Gabrielle said...

We're almost up to one-hundred posts! :)

Kylie said...

I live in the little town of Smartsville which is like 2 hours from the town of Sac.

I am sorry no offense to you but I don't see how you can live in such a big city! Where I love it is a small town and everybody knows everybody and there is at least a chicken living at almost every house.

And my sister said that if she has a boy when she has kids she is moving to london so her kid will have a British accent. I think she is crazy.

Anonymous said...

I'm going to saya very Midwestern-ish thing here, so don't judge:
There was once this gorgeous prairie...but then they built Costco over it.
One mile away from Sam's Club.
FAIL.
Mr. Logic, not your finest piece of work.
I don't really go to Costco or whatever but since we've been Sams Club people since forever, I'm gonna say Team Sams Club.
Besides...SAMS Club.
SAMMYS Club.
That was so, so lame...I apologize

Kylie said...

100! What what! So exciting! I bet will get it by the morning!

Yusa said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kylie said...

Yeah that is kind of stupid of them to do....

I have never been to Sams club, because I don't know of one near me but I want to find one. I must find one!

Yusa said...

I don't live in Sac but i live in a small town near it called Gold River. Not many people know it. I like small better to because people are closer to each other.

Anonymous said...

KYLIE: A CHICKEN? ARE YOU FOR REAL?
I need to burst out into Queen.
IS THIS FOR REAL? OR THIS JUST FANTASYYY?
Total Midwestern-outsider thing of me to ask, but since youre all from California, don't you guys all have like pools? EVERYONE? And like, adorable palm trees everywhere?

Kylie said...

Yes a chicken. It is really funny if you go to one of our neighboring towns, Yuba City (which is kind of a big city) and you look around you can see groups of chickens living in the bushes outside of the store, along the highway, in parking lots.

And where I live it is more pine, oak, cedar trees with lots of poison oak. Maybe all find some pictures of my town and post them on my blog so you can see (in my opinion) what a real California town looks like.

I find that most people see California as a rich, big city state when actually most of the country's food comes from us. We have one of the biggest meat industries in the country I believe (I am not sure on these facts, it just what my sister tells me because she is big in FFA). I think it is more southern California that has palm trees because northern California is not like that really.

And yes I do have a pool, but not everyone does. I find that more people so swimming at the lakes and rivers around here that at pools. Heck I would rather swim at the river than in my own pool. I just hate my pool because of Oscar. Oscar is the pool sweeper in my pool and he likes to go around my feet and get me all twisted up in his ropes. He is just plain evil.

Kylie said...

Oh and one more thing about the chickens. I think they come from houses that were forclosed and instead if the owners taking their chickens they just let them loose so now there are a bunch of wild chickens everywhere! But I guess it helps homeless people. I mean they can find an egg and some how cook it, they got themselves a good dinner.

Yusa said...

Yeah no one really owns a chicken here but there wandering around the houses and near the school. Cali is fun in some parts faar from where i live.

Wendelin Van Draanen said...

Chickens! Malls! Costco?

I really have to go to bed but first, some random thoughts:

I would never get a Costco cake for Sammy.

Hand-me-down is my middle name. Mom HATED shopping and my neighbor (who now lives in....Roseville!) was a year ahead of me and gave me her old clothes.

Additionally, I've done school visits in Gold River (Discovery Academy? Something like that)

But most memorable was a strange sidetrack adventure to Roseville. to get gas. I was taking an emergency taxi ride from Sacramento to Reno (911!) because my flight out of Sac got canceled and I was scheduled to give the keynote at a conference. The infamous $300 cab ride! (Random House paid, bless them) But the cabbie didn't have enough gas to make that long trip so we stopped in Roseville to fill up...but there are no gas stations to be found in Roseville (I guess they're visually displeasing?) so he drove for MILES looking for gas while the time was ticking and I was freaking out because I was taking a cab from Sac to Reno only to miss giving my keynote anyway! We did eventually find gas and I did get to Reno in the nick of time and was whisked into the banquet room and straight to the podium. (Uh, little girl's room first PLEASE?) So yeah, I remember Roseville :-)

Last Random Thought: 108 comments? Who started this craziness?

Good night!

Yusa said...

Good morning!
Yup Sammy deserves the best!
OMG my school is Gold River Discovery Center, but you never came here while i've been here and it's been 8 years.
You should really some again.
Oh and i get hand me downs from my neighbor whose a few years older than me too.
Wow talk about stressful trip.
We're on a roll for the comments!
--Yusayera

Jessica said...

Congrats to the winners! I forgot to check the blog last week, so I'm glad I won in the first round so that I didn't have to kick myself. Technically, we don't know if Sammy's birthday will fall on a Monday or a Tuesday in 8th grade, though, because there could be a February 29th in 8th grade, but we won't know until she gets past that month. We just know that there was no Leap Day in 7th grade, but it's still an open question for 8th grade (though not anymore, since Wendelin's made it official).

Kylie, that's a really sweet present idea for your sister. My sister and brother got me the most awesome high school graduation present: a new mini trash can, filled with all those school supplies you're used to having at home: stapler, staples, staple remover, hole-puncher, tape dispenser, electric pencil sharpener, tape, pushpins, highlighters, pens, pencils, paper, post-its, index cards, etc. My other brother got me $20 in quarters, but unfortunately my hallmates found out and those ran out quickly for laundry (note: if you have lots of change, keep it a secret!).

I hate shopping and love hand-me-downs. Steph, your VS present idea for Sammy was just evil, but it made me wonder who took her first-bra shopping. I really hope it wasn't Lady Lana (though picturing that scene has me giggling). Bras, underwear, and bathing suits are the only things I always buy new, because the thought of wearing used is squicky.

I just re-read Justice Jack yesterday, and I have 3 things I want to mention/ask others about, but of course I can't for 3 more months...

Oh, but one thing I've always wondered: how old is Grams? I'd think to qualify for the Senior Highrise, you'd have to be at least 65, but if I remember right, Lana was fairly young when she had Sammy (~20?). We know Grams has been living in the SHR since Sammy was 11 (at the oldest), so she had to be at least ~34 when she had Lana. That's not really that old, but it kind of is for a first child (I assume since there's been no mention of aunts/uncles that Lana is an only child) back in the day when Grams was having kids (assuming Lana was born around 1970). I don't know, Grams just seems kind of youngish and healthy to me to live in the same facility as Mrs. Graybill and the Wedge. Is it the kind of situation where if she works, she'd lose her benefits, and actually end up worse off? Because she's smart and resourceful. It was brought up in an earlier book (can't remember which one), but nothing's happened with it yet.

Anonymous said...

Ah! I was one of the other winners! I've always been too shy to comment on here though haha. Hi everyone I'm Caroline :) I'm so excited to read JJ, I'm coming home from college on Saturday and the book will be waiting for me! Perfect welcome back present.

Yusa said...

Oh hi, my book hasn't come yet.
You should post here more.
--Yusayera

Optimistic4ever said...

I go to sleep early and am now being bombarded with comments in my inbox.

First off... Steph, I was just listening to Bohemian Rhapsody for like a whole hour yesterday. In fact, I fell asleep to it. :D

Jessica: That's what I was thinking about Sammy's bday but I finally used a calender to determine that Sammy's bday would in fact fall on a Monday in almost any case.

Hey Caroline! Don't be shy :)

Oh yeah, for the birthday thing, I'd get Sammy a phone so she could text Casey herself. Or maybe I'd get her some Ez-Crete. Never know when that stuff will come in handy...

We are on a roll! Somebody needs to get a chatbox on their blog... Maybe I'll get one!

Yusa said...

Yeah a phone would be a good gift.
If only i could get one for myself first...

Kylie said...

Don't be shy! We love all! Welcome to the craziness!

~Kylie~

Kylie said...

I think I would get her a computer so that she could do her homework easier and she doesn't always have to use Hudson's

Yusa said...

Hey, what do you think Lady Lana will get her this time? Pink sandals to match the angora sweater?

Optimistic4ever said...

I don't know... in Hollywood Mummy Lady Lana said she was proud to have a daughter that didn't like pink angora sweaters. And last year it was a baseball watch. Hmmmm

Yusa said...

The softball watch probably wasn't her idea.
And he has changed a lot of times since hollywood mummy.

Anonymous said...

1. SAC? Sacramento? ROSEVILLE. Etc etc...I feel like a Greaser. Get it? From The Outsiders? The GREASERS were the OUTSIDERS. I am an outsider on all this California talk. Awkward.
2. Jessica Prince: HAHAHA. I more just pictured Sammy being horrified by all the PINK-ness of Victoria's Secret...but you have a point. And that whole first-bra-shopping thing makes me think of Lizzie McGuire, that episode? Oh god, I'm getting too old. But idk, I have NO answer for that :0
3. GOODWILL. In ceramics I passed a bag that read Goodwill, I was like, "SO IRONIC! BANG BOOM BAM THIS IS AWESOME"
But there was, like, someones facepot in the bag, not clothes
4. I think Lana would potentially tell Grams to add her name to whatever Grams gets Sammy. ;) Ah, Lana. You're weird. Go act ot faint or something.
SO. MANY. COMMENTS.
And there's a senior in my school named William BILLY Pratt. Yes maam. AND in my previous high school, a girl named Alexa ACOSTA.
She was a frosh though so I never spoke to her.
QUESTION TIME: In Spanish theres a verb, ACOSTAR (to go to bed). But thats not the point: Is Acosta supposed to be of any sort iof Spanish descent? The name, or them in general. Well, they're redheads, so what? Part Irish? Is Acosta an Irish name? Idk.
AND WHY DOES CANDI STILL GO BY ACOSTA GOD WOMAN YOU DIVORCED HIM, GET A HOBBY/LIFE/BOYFRIEND/THERAPIST OR SOMETHING

Optimistic4ever said...

It's funny because we are actually reading The Outsiders in Language Arts :)

We have a Katelyn Acosta. Or something like that.

Oh we have a Mariesa that I always see as Marissa. They are pretty alike. And Mariesa is hispanic, just like Wendelin said Marissa was.

Wendelin Van Draanen said...

Such good stuff here I must chime in AGAIN:

Acosta: not based on Spanish, based on a play of...

ACCOST: transitive verb
to approach and speak to often in a challenging or aggressive way

Caroline: Yeah, don't be shy :-)

Jessica P: Very smart. And that's all I'm saying about that!

And generally: I'm DYING to tell you things that relate to the things some of you have said but MUST ZIP LIPS. Just remember this whole flurry of comments later.

Gold River: It's been quite a while. Pre-Flipped, definitely, and the focus was on HISBAG. Check the copies (if they're still there) of How I Survived Being A Girl -- I bet my scribble's in them!

Kylie said...

I don't know of any one at my school that has a name like any Sammy character! But I do think that my little sister is a lot like Sammy, I don't know why, but I do and the guy I think she likes is a total Casey! (just doesn't have the right name!) but he is! Is acts/dress/talk juts like him, but he doesn't have an evil sister. But I still refer to my sister as Sammy sometimes even though it isn't close the her name...

And Steph I love the outsiders! It in 8th grade and loved it! It was funny all the girls were like this is so stupid why would any one want to read it, while all the boys and ibwhere like awesome fights with knives and guns!

And wendelin I really want to know that shall we call it top secret information that you can't tell us! Is it like really Top Secret?

~Kylie~

Yusa said...

Yup i saw How I survived Being a Girl. Here are some things you said in some books kids donated.
Nic - Don't judge a kid by their hightops :)

Parker - Keep the spirit!

Nic - Be good, but be curious!

Mercy Me! Hope you enjoy this Parker! Best W.

And some like How I Survived Being a Girl just have your signature and the date. I'm guessing Parker and Nic donated all these books which later my school librarian gave to me.
Well you should come here again, but to my high school because i'm not going to be in the same school next year.
Can't wait until JJ comes!
--yusayera

Yusa said...

Oh and please UNZIP THE LIPS and tell us. I'm so curious now!

Stefunny said...

Aw, I missed the second chance! Which is really lame because the song "Second Chance" by Shinedown has been stuck in my head lately.

Gabrielle said...

Wendelin your making me really curios now! I really wonder what you can't tell us yet.....

bookworm said...

I am the 129th commentor! :)

And like Wendelin said, who started this craziness of so much commenting?

Is anyone else curious like me to know what happened to the Briggs brothers after the fiasco on New Year's Eve in Moustache Mary? Or what happened to Mr. Vince after he was arrested? And whatever ended up happeneing with the Psycho Kitty Queen herself? And will Sammy ever meet up with Hally (I think that's how you spell her name) after she said "Bye!" to Sammy in Hollywood Mummy?

"Questions....... questions that need answering!"

(Quoted from The Fellowship of the Ring, from Lord of the Rings, for all of you non-Lord of the Rings fans. Gandalf said that, remember?)

:) I wonder who will be commenter #130?

bookworm said...

Never mind, I decided to be the 130 commentor because i have a burning question I forgot to ask:

If, Wendelin, you will not get a Costco cake, then where on earth did you get THAT cake? I have only seen cakes that big in Costco.

Burning question #2: Since Sammy is off battling the psychos of Santa Martina and was probably not able to stop off at the house, then what happened to that delicious looking cake?


Ok, I hope those are all of the questions I'll need to ask. :)

Yusa said...

Well maybe it was a professional, custom-made cake.
Oh and if i had the cake and Sammy didn't have time to stop by i would just do her a favor and eat the cake for her. :)

--Yusayera

Jessica said...

Bookworm, you reminded me of several questions I have, as well.

Does Sammy ever have to testify in any court cases? I could see that being a nightmare for the D.A.

What ever happened to Teppy, her sister, and her nephew (sorry, forgot their names, but the family in Snake Eyes)?

What about Cricket? She seemed like she'd fit in with the gang. It's sad to think she's gone back to being a third-wheel-scout/Sammy-admirer-from-afar.

And then there are all the back stories we may never get. My most burning one: how did Sammy meet Hudson? I could see her wiping out near his house, and him offering her a bandaid or ten... and then her curiosity just kept bringing her back.

I'm okay with not knowing about some of the characters (like Mr. Vince or the Skeleton Man), because there are people whose lives intersect with yours for but a brief moment, but others, well... I just feel like Sammy's too nosy to *not* find out what happened to them, if she grew to care about them.

Jessica said...

P.S. I loved how you weaved a follow-up on the Runaway Elf into... Night of Skulls, was it?

Kylie said...

So Wendelin is was wondering if you could tell us how many people are following this blog? Just the number would be awesome. If you did I would totally love you forever! (just not in a creepy way!)

~Kylie~

g said...

woah! 135 comments! (:

Optimistic4ever said...

Jessicsa, I'm pretty curious on how Sammy met Hudson, but I'm even more curious about his past! He's so mysterious...

Anonymous said...

Stefunny, tell my mother tell my father I've done the best I can...to maaaake them realize thats its MYYY life I hope they un-der-staaannnddd. SOMETIMES GOODBYE IS A SECOND CHANCE.
I was OBSESSED with Shinedown last summer, they were all over my room's wall.
And I really want to know why Casey suddenly changed from being Random Skater Follower Dude to Independent Actor Awesome Dude.
Not that I *mind* THAT shift...But I wanna know if his porch-step conversation with Sammy getting all "intense" had anything to do with it.
Also I love his actor-side, I hope it comes back into PLAY later!
HAHAHAHA
Okay, really lame puns. Whats up with me and puns this week!?

Yusa said...

I just got my copy in the mail and i'm so excited all over again. It had like 10 stamps on it.
Can't wait to read it!

Gabrielle said...

Yuseyz,you gotta tell me how Justice Jack is!

Yusa said...

I'm going to read it in the morning, cuz i don'y like going into the middle of the night and i don't want to stop in the middle of it.
It's just so hard to resist!
I'll tell you how it is tomorrow.

Gabrielle said...

I know, if I start a book late I have trouble stopping.

Wendelin Van Draanen said...

I thought the stamps were fun--like an old fashioned package. Glad you noticed :)

Lots of questions, and I've been making my own list of things I must address/people we must see again before The End.

But I'm sure not everything will be answered! Sorry! But...that's why we have imaginations, right?

Which brings to mind, and oh boy, we'll be up to 200 here if some of you have, but...

Has anybody read The Fault in Our Stars? The girl wanting to know how the story ended and tracking down the author reminds me of some of the comments (or the other way around). I hope to never disappoint the way the author in that book does. (No, I don't plan to become a self-absorbed pathetic washed up drunk, but still.)

And what does this have to do with Sammy's birthday? Or Reno or chickens or Costco or boy bands for that matter?

I've really got to stop commenting! I'll have nothing to say on Sunday!

Yusa said...

it wouldn't be your blog without YOU commenting. Please go one, or i'll just wait tell Sunday. I'll have to read that book though.
Oh and i loved all the stamps! :)

Anonymous said...

Is it any good? The Fault in Our Stars. I see it everywhere, and I love John Green (I met him, he's pretty hilarious) but his last book kinda killed me so I decided not to read it.
John Green...is quite a person.
Will Grayson Will Grayson is what turned me off--I mean, I totally support gay people, that wasn't my probkem, but I hated how that one chick was overly messed--up and basically an archetypal definition of Overemotional Suicidal, and her "issue" was NEVER RESOLVED. My mom ths therapist did not appreciate that.
Plus, it takes place in Naperville and Chicago, ironically, and that huge guy was so random, and Will #1 had a random plot and reading from Will #2 made me want to take a red pen and fix his grammar. Props to Will #2 for sounding like a real teenager though.
Ranting now.
Btw, if Sammy is living in 2012 right now she'd be born in 1998. Lordy...nearly 2000!

Gabrielle said...

I can't believe how many comments ther are!!!

Kylie said...

I still think that Casey is skater follower dude, but I love his independent actor awesome dude as well!

Kylie said...

If she was born in 1998 then that means that my sister and her were born 4 days apart! Maybe this will be a good reason to get my sister to read them! But she doesn't read books so I don't think this will help, but one can always try!

And Wendelin I am glad that you aren't answering all of our questions in the books because I like to ponder things.

I hope we get to 200 comments!

Kylie said...

Oh and wendelin one of the reasons why I love this blog more than some of my other favorite authors is because your comments. There is another other that does comment but all her comments say are yes or no, but your comments are long and funny and well just awesome! So don't stop commenting!

~Kylie~

Yusa said...

200 comments by tomorrow might be hard, but maybe.
I was born in 1998 but in September.
I haven't read the book yet because I have to go to the Ortho at 8:30 and then to the dentist at 10:00 and back to the orthodontist at 1:00. It sucks and it's killing me because I WANT TO READ IT NOW.
--Yusayera

Optimistic4ever said...

The Fault in Our Stars is finally waiting on the holdshelf for me, but I have to wait until Monday to get it :(

I love that you comment Wendelin. I also follow a lot of blogs, and they all have tons of comments, but none of them ever go off topic. And if they do, the author brings them back on topic. I love that we're able to talk to each other about unrelated stuff. A lot of these comments are hilarious!

Anywho, better go. Party today. Laser tag, anyone?

Yusa said...

Never done laser tag, though my brothers have. I've always wanted to cuz it seems so fun and all.

Wendelin Van Draanen said...

I really should be forming a cohesive post for tomorrow, but...

Yes, TFIOStars was good. I was expecting it to be depressing, especially since several people in my life have been battling cancer and thought it would hit a little too close to home. But it was really good and provided a new perspective.It was my first JG book so I can't comment on the others.

BTW, Sammy turned 14 last night (in Killer Cruise). She didn't even realize it because it was midnight and she was, of course, where she shouldn't have been, not watching the clock, sticking her cute little nose where it didn't belong. So, bringing this whole crazy post back around, Happy Birthday Sammy -- you finally made it to 14.

Kylie said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*<]:-) *<]:-) *<]:-) *<]:-) *<]:-) *<]:-) *<]:-) *<]:-)

(Party Hat People!)

Now I can't wait for Killer Cruise!

Kylie said...

I really want to play laser tag and have a paintball war! It sounds like it is so much fun and I really want to do it, but there isn't many places near me where I can play it. Darn...

And Yuseyz, take the book with you! Then while you are like waiting for your turn you could be reading!

Let me know when you finish! It is so good!

Gabrielle said...

Happy Birthday Sammy!!!!! :D

Anonymous said...

ALRIGHT, GUYS.
I did my Sammy Keyes-week post thingie.
I didn't do it as awesome as I would have liked to due to studying and what-not, but I have some pretty amusing Sammy-Keyes related things there.
Like the weirdest text conversation ever. People recognize me by my love for Casey.
That is really disturbing.
Anyway, here is the link yo.

http://tinyurl.com/skpost

Sorry about my blabbering about Tom, btdubbs. Just focus on the drawing and tweet and texts and stuff.
xoxo

Yusa said...

So HAppy Birthday Sammy! Can't believe she survived tell 14.
I finally finished the book and yes i did take it with me. It's amazing how much you can read while waiting.
It was AMAZING! And i was say my favorite parts, but i don't want to spoil it.
--Yusayera

Millers said...

Aw man! I missed all the fun again...

Though reading all these comments is very entertaining because a lot of questions I wanted to ask were already asked. :)

Yuseyz- 1998? Wait... I think that's when the first book was published... right?
My how time goes by...

And happy birthday Sammy!

Yusa said...

IDK when the first book was published but it was a while ago.
Oh I just came from somewhere, where across the street was a Persian restaurant and my friend wanted to go to the back door and peek in. I thought about it and my mind was like ' What would Sammy do?' so of course I went. Meanwhile i was thinking of how people hide in bushes in Sammy Keyes and how do you hide IN a bush and how are you not seen. I was talking to my friend about that and then right near the door to the restaurant, a bush rustled. We stopped and my friend changed her mind and we went back (happened to be running back).
Though we did actually look through the back door that was completely wide open and the door to the kitchen. All we saw were some tables and waiters.. and her some LOUD Persian music.

--Yusayera

Wendelin Van Draanen said...

An adventure involving spying and bushes and rustling and fear! Oh, you just made me zoom back to being "a kid" when I hid IN bushes (note, it's plural, so between shrubs counts) and spied on...whatever I could wrap my eyes around! Happy sigh. Thanks.

Kylie said...

Spying on people is the best past time ever! If only my mom would let me do it more....

Wendelin Van Draanen said...

Moms aren't supposed to let you spy! It's their job to stop you :)

Optimistic4ever said...

Haha. My friends and I sometimes go Sammy-Keyesing. We use different SK character codenames (I for example, am Cricket) and spy on the stoners in the park near our house :D

Yusa said...

Up in a tree is the best view to see what people are doing. And not many people look up.... You can see over fences.

Optimistic4ever said...

I have a strange thing for climbing. If there is something to climb, I probably will climb it :)Trees are awesome for that reason. We were at this science competition thing once and there was this huge tree. I climbed it and sat and waited and when my friend walked by I pounced on her. It was so much fun!

Yusa said...

yeah trees are the best to climb.. and everything else.
When i was little i climbed everything and got 5 scars on my face and 5 stitches on 1 scar.

Kylie said...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY WENDELIN!

And I love climbing trees, I just fear falling because well let's just say my family doesn't have the best luck with falling out of trees...

Yusa said...

Oh yeah, what did your sons do for you for Mother's day?
I want to hear more about the falling out of trees...

Anonymous said...

Ha, I have so many stories. But my favorite one is when my and my friends went to Starved Rock (its like a hiking/National Park area in central Illinois and VERY popular for the outdoorsy suburbans and city people who don't want to fly to, like Arizona, every time they wanna hike).
ANYWAY, explanations over, we were hiking in Starved Rock, and we did this thing we called "People Watching" where we pick one person and just follow them around at a safe distance, and then at the end of our stalking session we talk to them.
Usually we choose people around our age.
ANYWAY, it was fun to do it in Starved Rock because its like 10 times more dangerous and awesome than the mall, which was our usual location to People Watch.
BUT, at the mall, we have met some pretty weird people. This one guy, like a teenager, was carrying around a giant pole with a seahorse head on the end. We always come up with a nickname for the person while we People Watch (like Sammy, hahah) and so he became Seahorse Pole. And there was one this guy in all plaid who NEVER LEFT HOT TOPIC (seriously it was so hard creeping on him) but we nicknamed him Plaidface and got his number.
SCORE.
We havent done it in a LONG time, however... The last time I did it was maybe a year and a half ago.
We even had a People Watching log on Facebook where we described the person in complete detail (but we never took photos because that is just crossing the line, man).
I only take photos of strangers if I HAVE to.
Like at a White Sox game when me and my friends saw this shirtless guy who looked like a middle-aged Gibby. We named him Gibby All Grown Up, and he was looking right at us, so we got a photo.
And in Disney World last winter break, in line for Space Mountain, me and my older sister saw his GINOURMOUS African American guy wearing a man-satchel, a Heat cap, and UGG BOOTS.
FEMALE UGG BOOTS.
Yes, we got a photo.
Long comment, but when it comes to being a creeper, I think I got it down LOCK.
NEW POST TODAY. CAN'T WAIT BROSKI.
xoxo

Kylie said...

Steph I think you and I would have a blast creeping on people. One of my favorite past times!

My sister and one of my friends is obsessed with our VP and when ever we see him we send a picture to the others. At first I thought this was a little extreme, but then he found out about it because my sisters friend told him and he was like, "Dus I have a fan club? This is AWESOME!" so he actually finds this entertaining, so it's not that bad.

~Kylie~

Yusa said...

I'm more of an eavesdropper. I sit causally near people and happen to hear their conversations...
But what you do sounds like so much fun.. I'm going to try it sometime.

Optimistic4ever said...

Have you ever tried closing your eyes and just listening to the world around you? It's hilarious what people say when they think nobody can hear them :)

Yusa said...

yeah i've done that and even when it's really noisy you can focus on one conversation. it's cool.

Kylie said...

Haha! Yes!

And when I listen in on people conversation I call it pulling a jade because my little sisters friends jade when my friend met my little sisters friend, jade, at this acting thing jade was saying how it is okay of you listen in on peoples conversation as long as you are quite and don't move much then they won't notice and it is fine. So my friends and I call it pulling a jade when we listen to others conversations.

~Kylie~

Yusa said...

I just look in a different direction while focusing on the words and then i realize my friend has been trying to talk to me so i zap back up.

Jessica said...

Someone mentioned an "oatmeal cake," and it's been tickling the back of my mind for the past couple of days. I have several recipes that use oats in unusual ways (oatcakes -- which are more like crackers than cakes, bread, apple cake, even soup!)... so I finally had to search for "oatmeal cake." The results were intriguing: http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/grandma-metties-oatmeal-cake-682619/.

I really want to make one, but if I do, I'll end up eating it for breakfast for the rest of the week, and unlike Bill Cosby, I can't pretend that's healthy.

P.S. I've never read TFIOStars, but it sounds sort of like "Dear Mr. Henshaw."