HIGH SCHOOL SPEAKING GIG

Yesterday I had the pleasure of speaking for Franklin High School's Independent Reading class. We discussed the publishing process and specificities about my story and subsequent book. The class had read excerpts from 99 Problems and watched my interviews and compiled a list of questions accordingly.  We ended up having a conversational discussion however and just went off the cuff in terms of the Q&A. That's why I got to address inquires like "Did you like Kayne's newest album, Yeezus?" It was awesome.

Another question I received was "how does it feel to be back at your former high school?" I said that it was awesome and that I loved high school and have only fond memories.  And that's true. But if i'm being totally candid, the visit did nothing to help this midlife crisis I've got going on. I turned 33 this week and basically I'm freaking the fuck out. My sister Julianna went through this when she turned 30 and seems to have come out on the other side. I'm hopeful it's a phase I'll conquer here soon. If not, you guys have a lot of long, dark, emo blog posts to look forward to. #getexcited 

Let's talk more about the students. They were so sweet and and some were already so accomplished. You don't realize, or at least I didn't until yesterday, that today's online culture  offers kids the ability to pursue a writing career and publish their work immediately. No need to wait for a diploma, bachelors degree, or more than anything permission from someone to be a writer. I don't think that was the case for say, someone who graduated Franklin High in the year 2000! #Y2KBitches 

Several of the students gave me the urls to their tumblrs, websites, and one even emailed me their work to peek it. I was impressed. I definitely wasn't that ambitious when I was in high school except when I publicly protested the administration's parking fees in a journalistic manner. #embarrassing 

This was my 2nd year speaking for this Independent Reading Class, though last year I did it via Skype. My 2015 goals, and just life ambitions in general, are simply to keep producing work that warrants this yearly gig because no speaking invitation makes me feel more honored and connected.

P.S. I'm hosting a twitter party tonight for The Potty Rockers (Think of them as the "Elf on the Shelf" for the potty training world) from 9:00pm - 9:15pm. It's gonna be short and sweet so come hashtag it up with us! Follow me on twitter (@greetingsfromtx) and The Potty Rocker and let's parrtttyyyyyy!

P.P.S. If you haven't listened to my interview on the One Part Podcast yet you can do it here. And check out Jessica's guest today, De'Mar Hamilton of The Plain White T's.

COOL PEOPLE ONLY PLEASE!     

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