I was just thinking. (Yes, I tend to do that occasionally. But don't worry, it doesn't happen too frequently.) Have you ever read a book more than once? And not just twice, or even three times, but so many times that the binding is all cracked and the pages are in danger of falling out and you could probably recite it line for line?

I'm asking because right now I'm re-reading Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding for about the zillionth time. (I've also read Bridget Jones's Diary a zillion times as well. The first one is better, but Edge of Reason has its charm.) It's partially because I haven't had a chance to go to the book store in awhile, and partially because if I don't have something to read on the train I'll fall asleep and miss my stop and not be able to come in and blog for all of you, and I don't want all of you crying. I just can't handle that pressure! But anyway, I'm mostly re-reading it for the zillionth time because, well, I love it. I do. I know every joke, and I cry at the same parts every time. But I still love it. And I never get bored reading it.

It's a really weird phenomenon.

Seriously, right? I mean, I'm sure you all have read a book multiple times, and it didn't bring you any less pleasure. Maybe, if you were older when you read it again, you were able to appreciate it on a different level. Maybe it brings you comfort. Of maybe it's just an awesome book. But it's weird, because I don't think there's any other type of medium where this can be replicated.

Movies can be watched multiple times and still be enjoyable, but I feel like you need more time in between each viewing. If not, it gets a little tedious.

TV shows definitely can't be watched multiple times. For example, I love the show Lost (which starts again today, by the way, and I'm so excited!), and yesterday, last year's season finale was on. Now, I tried to watch it to get pumped for today. But, after just a few minutes, I had to turn it off. Not even Josh Holloway could keep my attention. I would much rather have been reading my book!

Now, if a hottie like Josh Holloway cannot keep my attention on a second viewing, well, then that gets my attention. It just goes to show you how much pleasure you can get from a favorite book.

So, what's your favorite book that you've read ten bajillion times? What do you like about it? Are you excited for Lost? We can compare our theories tomorrow.

I know you all know there is a writer's strike going on (because I mention it practically every time I blog. What can I say, I like TV!). But the Grammys are going to go on as scheduled.

Hear that sound? That noise was all of us collectively sighing in relief. Because seriously, in my book, it's not an award show without the scripted witty banter and the "hilarious" jokes from the presenters.

The writers struck up some sort of deal thing, and they're going to be allowed to write for the Grammys. They've been on strike for awhile, so they must all be desperate to do some writing already.

I'm glad that the Grammys will be on. A lot of my favorite performers were nominated this year for various categories: Foo Fighters, Amy Winehouse, Fergie, Rihanna (although I am kind of getting sick of "Umbrella." Ella, ella, eh, eh. Oh man, now it's going to be stuck in my head again for another three weeks), John Mayer, Justin Timberlake, and Paramore. I'm excited to see who will win.

Speaking of Paramore, I just so happen to have an interview with lead singer Hayley Williams. Want to see it? Sure you do. And if not, well, I'm not going to lie, I'm going to be a little hurt. But no pressure. Anyway, here it is:

WORD: How would you describe yourselves as a group and how would you describe your music to someone who's never heard it before?
Hayley Williams: I would say that the last record we did is fun and catchy, and the new one has an edge to it. Live, we're interactive, and fun. We don't take ourselves too seriously.

WORD: Is it weird being the only girl in the group?
Williams: There are times on the road where you feel lonely, but the dudes in the band are like my brothers. Outside of the band I only have one or two girl friends.

WORD: Are the guys ever over-protective of you when you're on the road?
Williams: [laughs] They can be sometimes.

WORD: What kind of school did you go to?
Williams: I went to a program similar to home school, but it had more interaction with other students. There were 90 students in the school. That's where I met Josh and Zac. [When the band formed] everything just sort of fit with us.

WORD: How long does it take to write a song?
Williams: Some songs might take a day or five minutes, but some might take a month. Sometimes it's easy and quick. I like hearing the music first, and then writing lyrics. The guys are good about letting me write what I feel. We're a great team. Without one of us, the band would be completely different. We hang out all the time. We're all very close.

WORD: Are your parents supportive of you playing in a band?
Williams: Our parents are all great. I think if our parents saw us struggling, they would worry more about us being away from home. They love coming to shows. Our parents are awesome.

WORD: When you were playing at school talent shows, did you know you were going to make it big? What was your defining moment as a band?
Williams: I remember when we were playing Cornerstone [a small concert]. A lot of smaller bands got their start there. I don't think we even dreamed about Warped Tour. We started [as a band] in talent shows at school and church, and moved up to being the local band. We just got really lucky.

WORD: I know you're all still in your teens. Do you guys still attend school?
Williams: Josh, Jeremy, and I just graduated. I've actually been out for about a year. I did some Internet courses while the band was on the road.

WORD: What was your favorite subject when you went to school?
Williams: I was better at English and reading than science and math.

WORD: Is that when you realized you liked writing and got interested in writing lyrics?
Williams: I do remember having a lot of assignments expressing ourselves, like journal writing—that's when I really started enjoying it. My mom was a teacher at my school when I was younger, so I always had encouragement. She always thought it was good that I said what was on my mind.

WORD: What would you want to be if you weren't in a band?
Williams: This band is our career—we want to keep doing it. For a time, I thought about going to cosmetology school to do something girly and creative and not as aggressive. But I just don't really see not being in a band right now. This is what we want to do. Paramore is our dream.

WORD: I read that some of your items of clothing are on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of fame in Ohio. How were you selected to donate your clothes? Have you seen the exhibit?
Williams: We got extremely lucky. People from Warped Tour suggested an exhibit where they would make a time capsule where people could be exposed to Warped Tour and see what goes on there. I guess they figured we have become a big impact on the tour. We were so grateful! It's crazy that my dress is on display in a place where items from Johnny Cash, and even newer [acts] like Madonna and *NSYNC are hanging.

WORD: What's the best part about touring?
Williams: We love our fans so much! It's crazy to think how quickly things happen. We like hanging out with our fans.

WORD: Have you ever had any crazy experiences with fans?
Williams: There are always going to be some awkward run-ins. We were walking to the mall, and some kid jumped out in moving traffic! I think he wanted to give me a hug, but realized that some big people from the tour were protecting me, so he gave Josh a hug instead. He ended up following us around the mall. [But] we enjoy it because it means people are enjoying our music.

WORD: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Williams: On the road, you're in a different city every night. We [the band] love going out to eat as a group. It's really good friend time—time to build relationships. We love Mexican food and going to TGI Fridays. At home me and the guys like going to the park. We like being kids.

WORD: It sounds like you spend a lot of your free time with the band.
Williams: We all get along really, really well. We all really love each other. We love sharing everything together. It's awesome.

WORD: Do you have any advice for teens who would like to be in a band?
Williams: Know why you're doing it. You could end up doing it for the wrong reasons and get burnt out.

***

So are you happy that the writers will be writing for the Grammys? Which artists do you think will win in the different categories? Do you love Paramore as much as I do? Will we ever be able to get "Umbrella" out of our heads?

Now, if only the writers would settle the strike and come back to writing for TV, all would be right in the world. I never thought I'd say it, but I'm getting so sick of reality TV...

-by Carrie Lissette Lara, Grade 10

I am from a refrigerator Kenmore
From arroz con verduras and horchata
I am from the clean beige carpet in my living room
and the great smell of my mom's enchiladas
I am from the red roses in my garden
The apple tree from my very own yard
Whose long gone limbs I remember
As if they were my own.

I'm from ojos cafes and daddy's little girl
From mis papis Maria and Carlos
I'm from vamos a jugar futbol and let's go to the movies
And from let's go camping.

I'm from portate bien chamaca! And fijate con quien te juntas!
And no friegues conmigo porque vas a ver nina!
I'm from partying all day long with the family.
I'm from Chicago
from tamales and pupusas
from mi bis abuelo Jose que hace y vende quesos y mi abuelita que es
costurera all their lives.
The memories that I've had with my parents
Los traigo en mi Corazon
I'm Mexican and Salvadorian for life.
Y soy la Rosa que florecio Del Bello rosal
When my parents saw me for the first time.

Editor's Apology: The above poem has some Spanish words that are missing accents. Sorry about that. I don't know how to include them using this bloggy software. :(

It's a real thing. No, seriously, the Bloggies is a real thing. Apparently this thing has been going on for eight years. Who knew?

The Bloggies is the Oscar of blogs. Well, not as prestigious as the Oscars. After all, the winner only gets a certificate, which, at least in my opinion, is not as cool as a gold statue and a basket of swag. But, at least winners don't have to worry about it being canceled on account of the on-going writer's strike, like the Golden Globes were canceled this year.

So anyway, for the Bloggies, you get to vote for your favorite blog. There are all sorts of categories to vote for too. Lots of cool ones were nominated ... however, I did notice one huge snub! That's right, WORD was not nominated! Can you believe it? I think we should all start a write-in campaign. Who's with me?

Well, despite the glaring omission of WORD (must have been an oversight by the nominating committee--don't worry, I'll write them an angry letter), I think honoring good blogs is a great idea. Blogging allows everyone to express themselves, to share opinions, to write! [Shameless plug: write for WORD! Send your entries here!] And the great thing is that anyone can blog. Do you have an interest? advice? time to kill? Write a blog about it! Anyone can do it. There's no better way to get your writing out to the masses.

Do you have a favorite blog (besides for WORD, obviously)? Who are you voting for in the Bloggies? And could you please get me some swag?