I celebrated my one-year anniversary as an L.A. resident back in September and I still wake up every day in disbelief that I live where I live—or I work where I work. I’ve been busting my hump continuously for the last eight years and, besides developing some minor hemorrhoids, I’ve never stopped to take a look around and enjoy the scenery. Let me tell you, the scenery is beautiful… Minus the one time I saw a woman take a shit on my tree lawn in the middle of the afternoon. (I tried to look away, believe me. I just couldn’t.)

Fecal matter aside, it’s also been more than a year since the release of Geek Girls Unite and I’m so thankful for all the amazing opportunities that book has provided me with and all the incredible people I’ve been able to meet along the way. I haven’t written a ton of new things since, save for a couple pieces for The Frisky: one about the top 5 funny female screenwriters to watch and another about rom-com anti-heroines. I think the book really exhausted a lot of my creative juices, but I’m looking forward to refilling ‘em next year.

Speaking of creative juices, I’m in the midst of putting the finishing touches on my new vision board. My awesome pal Bonnie encouraged me to make one about five years ago and I’ve been crafting them ever since. I’m especially proud of the one for 2013. It features so many inspiring women/ideas/influences. When I’m done, I’ll be sure to post a pic of it here.

Enjoy the last moments of 2012, friends. I’ll catch you on the flipside!

Post script: I’m not sure why this entry ended up sounding more and more like a Dear John note. For better or for worse, I’m not going anywhere. Swears!

Until then, I leave you with a picture of Chynna Phillips… er, I mean, Miley Cyrus and her new haircut. Why? Why not.

To be honest, things have been pretty quiet at Casa de Simon since I returned from Boston two weeks ago. As I may’ve mentioned, one of my faithful Twitter followers (and friends) Katie, requested my literary presence at her all-girls high school and since I’ll basically attend the opening of a window, I made sure to clear my schedule and hoof it to Boston. Words cannot express how wonderful a time I had at Dana Hall, but hopefully these pictures will do the trip some justice.

I spent most of the morning in the library, preparing for my upcoming appearances in three different English classes. I was pretty terrified but all the girls made me feel so welcome. I mostly spoke about Geek Girls Unite, my background in music and publishing, my creative process and my thoughts on how to approach a career in writing. Oh, I also managed to drop in an amazing story about Pete Wentz’s 30th birthday party at Ashlee Simpson’s parents’ house.

The girls were even nice enough to let me hang with them in their ultra-VIP senior lounge. This place is harder to get into than a Lana Del Rey concert.

I was only in Boston a total of 48 hours but I managed to make my way into Cambridge before I flew out so I could catch a glimpse of Harvard. (Otherwise known as the “Stansbury of the East.” If you ever watched the “S.A.T.S.” episode of Saved By The Bell, then you totally know what I mean.)

For poops, giggles and a Harvard mug, I stopped in the Coop. (Otherwise known as “the campus bookstore.”) You can imagine my surprise when I saw the above display smack-dab in the middle of the second-floor entrance. Holy guacamole! Not only is my adorable, fun-loving lil’ book in the Haaaah-vard bookstore, but it’s next to such high-brow titles as The Math Book: From Pythagoras To The 57th Dimension, 250 Milestones In The History Of Mathematics and The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values. How on Earth—or in the 57th Dimension—does something like that happen?

Just when I couldn’t be more shocked by life, I ran into this life-sized Dunkin Donuts coffee cup in the Boston Logan Airport. Will wonders never cease!

First off, I must apologize because it feels like a million years since I’ve updated my site. Every week, I swore that I’d write a post all about my latest goings-on, but then something would inevitably get in the way—i.e. a hike, a trip to the grocery store, or a “Battle of the ADAs” marathon of Law And Order: SVU on the USA Network—and I would get distracted, leaving my laptop to remain unopened on the dining room table.

While I’ve definitely missed banging away on the keys, I’ve kinda enjoyed the break from semi-shameless self promotion. I couldn’t be more tickled by the way (almost) everyone has embraced Geek Girls Unite, but it does get a little hard to keep the publicity machine going without feeling like I just keep tooting my own horn while patting myself on the back. (It’s kinda like patting your head while rubbing your belly… but with the addition of a brass instrument.) So thanks for putting up with all the updates on book interviews and write-ups.

For example, MTV Geek has done some great things with Geek Girls Unite. Not only did I sit down for a chat with the site, but I also managed to rap for a couple minutes with Star Wars fangirl Liz Lee when she took a stroll around the floor at NY Comic Con. Check out the video here.

I’m in the midst of trying to carve out a special corner of this site for such things, so I can archive all the great press out there, and start posting more stuff outside the geek realm. That said, thanks to everyone who has supported Geek Girls Unite. You’ve helped to make this the best time of my literary life.

If not, what are you waiting for?

I’m teaming up with the fantastic folks at NerdMelt to present a fabulous Geek Girls Unite Book Release Show on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 8 PM. Come join us for a comedy show with lady writers, lady impressionists, lady dorks and more. Plus, the whole night will be followed by a signing with moi!

The evening will feature some amazing Funny Girl Geeks like Ali Wong, Megan Ganz, Jackie Kashian, Melissa Villasenor.

“But that’s not all,” she says in her best Anthony Sullivan impression. The night will be capped off by the illegally funny Maria Bamford.

Oh, and in case that wasn’t enough, you’ll also be treated to a drink demonstration from Alie & Georgia.

Tickets are $10 general admission or $20 with a copy of Geek Girls Unite, which I’ll totally sign for you! Get ‘em while they’re hot!!

PS… NerdMelt is located at 7522 Sunset Blvd. inside Meltdown Comics.

PPS… I might also be giving away fabulous Geek Girls Unite totes at the event.

PPPS… Tell all your friends already!

(Credit: Marie Claire)

Who: The Like

Type of Geek: Retro Geeks

The founding members of The Like—vocalist/guitarist Elizabeth “Z” Berg and drummer Tennessee Thomas—grew up in the ’80s as the daughters of music-biz royalty, but the girls were inspired by the style and sound of the 1960s more than anything else. They formed the band in their mid-teens, and soon found themselves playing alongside other local retro-tinged acts like Phantom Planet, Rooney and Kara’s Flowers.

The Like’s music has yet to resonate with mainstream audiences, but their mod style certainly has. The girls starred in a short film promoting Zac Posen’s line for Target, and their influence can be seen on anyone wearing mini-dresses or hot pants at their shows.

(Credit: Autumn de Wilde)

Who: Jenny Lewis

Type of Geek: The Nostalgic, California Dreamin’ Music Geek

Jenny Lewis has come a long way since singing about Wilderness Girls cookies in front of the Georgio store in Troop Beverly Hills. (In case you don’t remember, take a minute and search “Cookie Time” on YouTube. It’s totally worth it.) In fact, in the early ’90s, it looked like this raven-haired powerhouse was destined for movie stardom, what with over 20 acting credits before the age of 20. Thankfully, Jenny couldn’t silence her love of music and left the bright lights of Hollywood for the urban sprawl of Omaha, where she joined the musical family at Saddle Creek Records and recorded with her band Rilo Kiley.

Over the next 15 years, Jenny rose up the indie-rock ranks to become one of the scene’s most adored and admired frontwomen, thanks to her effortlessly cool style and relatability. Sure, she’s still close with some of the A-listers from her past life, but Jenny lives and breathes music, which you can tell by listening to any of her heartfelt and timeless recordings.