WHAT I’M READING: Easy Prey by John Sanford, Double Deuce by Robert B. Parker, Motion to Strike by Perri O’Shaughnessy, Say it With Poison by Ann Granger, Q is for Quarry by Sue Grafton and Icehouse by Minnette Walters. You may think it’s not possible that I’m actually reading all these books at once, however, I actually am currently at different points at each of them.

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: Room for Squares by John Mayer. (Listening to hottie John Mayer both on CD and…last night…LIVE, BABY! See below)

MOVIES I’VE SEEN LATELY: OK…Karin….I’m going to say it…you know what I’m going to say….here I go…FINDING NEMO!!! WooHoo!

COOL TELEVISION SHOW RECENTLY DISCOVERED: That would HAVE to be AMERICAN CHOPPER. This show is so classic! It’s a reality show, which is always a plus , and it is about a father/son team that build motorcycles. If you are thinking, “Eh…motorcycles? Not my thing, babe.” then I can completely relate! This is exactly what I thought before I started watching the thing! It is so great! The dynamic between the father and the son (Paul and Paul Jr. or Paulie) is so powerful and real. They clash almost daily, yet they really love each other, and both aspects of that relationship are explored. When it comes to the motorcycles themselves, Paul Jr. is an amazing talent, and even if you are not into motorcycles, you can’t help but be overwhelmed by the pure artistry. Also…one last plus for the show…did I mention Paul Jr. is a major hottie? Because he is. He’s a hottie. Major. Hottie. Check it out!

WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON: My number one big event is the AMAZING concert that I just attended with my cousin Karin and my friend Cathy. John Mayer (did I mention John Mayer is a hottie? LOL Because he also is. Major Hottie) and Counting Crows.

I left right after work on Friday and drove for eight and a half hours to get to Yucca Valley, where my cousin lives. The next day, she and I jumped in my car and drove for three hours to San Diego to meet Cathy and hit the concert. Concert ended at midnight, Karin and I drove back to Yucca, getting back at 4 in the morning. Then today, I made the eight and a half hour trip back home. Tomorrow morning, I return to work.

You might ask…was it worth a hundred-some-odd dollars and almost twenty hours driving crammed into a couple of days just to see John Mayer in concert with Karin and Cathy?

And the answer is a resounding……HELL YES!!!!!!!!!! Every penny and every minute.

More on this and other various and sundry subjects later, thanks to all my faithful readers.

What I’m Reading: City of Bones by Michael Connelly, The Murder Book by Jonathan Kellerman and Sudden Prey by John Sanford. I’m such a multi-tasker!

What’s Going On: Well, I have been inspired by my college roomate Evie to begin keeping an online journal. I know that, most likely, the only reason she will be reading it is to see if she is mentioned, so I’ll just start off there. Hi Evie!

I’ll start out by telling about myself…a little crash course in Melanie for the uninitiated.

I am a fourth grade teacher in Northern California. Click below to view my professional portfolio:

http://fcpages.auntiemel.com/portfolio

I have a niece Mya and a nephew Joey, thus my handle, auntiemel. That’s what my nephew calls me, and it stuck as a nickname. My niece calls me Mimi.

I went to Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. Life is rough! My favorite band is Barenaked Ladies, followed closely by Ben Folds Five (They broke up! ARRGGGHHH!). My favorite author is Caryl Rivers, followed closely by Elizabeth Berg. My favorite TV show is Trading Spaces. Largely because my favorite celebrity hottie is their carpenter, Ty Pennington. Check out my personal website, www.auntiemel.com, if you’re panting to know more.

I spent a semester studying abroad in Florence, Italy. I also visited Egypt and Greece. I really want to go back to Europe. I plan on doing so as soon as I can pay off my student debt and get a little money together…considering the massive nature of my student debt, that could be YEARS from now, but hope springs eternal.

As far as current events, I am “off track” right now, which means I’m on vacation from school. I teach at a year-round school, which means that rather than a traditional summer vacation, I get the months of November, March and July off. I do go back to work on Friday, though, so my idyllic month will be over.

I’m driving a new car…a Cranberry Saturn Coupe. I love it! I drove a used Infiniti during college that was a nice little car, but it had a LOT of miles on it. It was pretty nerve-wracking, wondering if it was going to work from day to day. I don’t have to wonder any more. Woo Hoo!

I think this is enough for my initial entry. More will be forthcoming.

Thanks for reading.