sarah · dessen

I should probably be embarrassed to admit that I've been spending the last couple of nights watching The Hills. But the truth is, it's kind of fascinating. I mean, how often do you get to sort-of-vicariously relive those crazy, drama-filled days of your early twenties, all from the safety of your thirties (and your living room?). That said, I do feel OLD whenever I watch this show, but then I feel old whenever I watch MTV these days. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I'm watching from a rocking chair, with a baby in my arms? Hmmm.

The thing about The Hills, though, is that it's not actually an accurate depiction of life in your twenties, at least not for most people. I mean, when I was in my early twenties, I did not have a nice car. Or a really pretty apartment. Also, I had a job---which I needed to afford my not-so-great car and apartment----which a lot of people on this show seem to NOT have. Interestingly, most of the girls seem to work, but the boys do not. A show about real people in their twenties would feature all the things I remember, like going off to work just praying you make enough to pay the power bill, and dinners of Ramen noodles, and only entering Banana Republic to go straight to the clearance rack, where things were still too expensive most of the time. But the drama, with friends and boys and all that, THAT is universal, and I think what appeals about the show. And who really wants to watch someone make Ramen noodles for dinner? You can do that in your own house. A little escapism, with some familiarity thrown in, it's the perfect combination.

In other news, I'm heading off today to do some top-secret stuff for the Lock and Key advertising campaign, all of which is very exciting. Also, Just Listen will be out in paperback next month, so we'll have some fun things going on with that, as well. I swear, yesterday was just crazy around here: Sasha had her second round of shots and was really fussy, not wanting me to put her down, the toilet was leaking at my parents' house (while they were out of town, of course) and I just felt so crazed and overwhelmed. And then I got a call from the marketing folks at my publishing house, wanting to talk about publicity plans, and suddenly I was...calm. Focused. Businesslike. It was just what I needed, to be reminded that I do have a life outside of diapers and pacifiers and household crises. It was only a ten minute conversation, but all the escapism I needed. Then, back to the familiar. The perfect combination. Now, I just have to make some Ramen, and I'll be all set....

have a good day, everyone!