What to Wear?

There are two types of people in the world: those who dress up for Halloween and those who don't. Which group do you fall in?

I'm a dress up kind of person, but every day instead of once a year. Some days, I play up my college student look by wearing old jeans, a Paul Frank T-shirt, and raspberry-colored tennis shoes. Some days, I make myself up like the chic city girl I am deep within. And some days I dress like an author—you all know my author dress-up kit includes a tutu and boots.

But Halloween is special. Halloween deserves extra consideration.

This year, I'm still not sure what I'm going to be for Halloween. I thought of pulling out my old Carmen Miranda costume (I rock as Carmen) but Nate threw it away when we moved last year. So I've compiled a list of all the costume ideas I've ever had but never acted on, in hopes that something will strike my fancy.

In case you were wondering, I'm leaning toward being Weird Al this year. Maybe a White & Nerdy Weird Al. After all, I've already got the hair.

Coffee, Tea, Or...

I can't write at home—at all. Unless I go to a café, I don't get any new pages written.

While I'm at the café, though, I'm really good about being productive. It's only sometimes that I sit there and think about what kind of beverage I'd be.

Like today.

Other people are easy. For instance, if Nate were a drink in a café, he'd be a large cup of gourmet-blend black coffee: simple and straightforward but with undertones of complexity. My sister would be Fairy Tea, a frothy mix of rice milk, white chocolate, and cinnamon—slightly sweet with a kick. Katie would be a mocha with a dollop of whipped cream on top: dark, mysterious, and decadent. Julie is a quad-shot nonfat latte with vanilla syrup—a little complicated but rather energizing. Veronica would be a chamomile citrus tea: soothing and warm and comforting. Diego is totally a mimosa: effervescent and festive. (Yeah, the café I go to serves wine—I like it there. Grin.)

But what would I be? I'm just not sure. What kind of beverage are you? Maybe I'm a ginger chai: kind of odd but spicy.

Yeah, I can live with that. Better a ginger chai than an orange mocha frappuccino.

What You Missed

I've been a busy girl, with booksignings every Saturday for the past few weeks. In case you weren't able to make any of them, here's a recap for you. Really, I wanted to try my hand at photo journalism. Don't worry—I won't quit my day job.

Super Kate Saves the Morning

As Super Kate prowled the streets, looking for wrongs to right, she realized three things:

She huddled in her beloved's robe her cape and limped on. Someone had to be committing a felony somewhere, and she was determined to find it. She just hoped it was before the blister on her heel turned into Vesuvius.

Crime happened where people were, and in the morning everyone hung out in coffee shops. So Kate headed over to Café Reverie. If she couldn't flex her superpowers, then she could salvage the morning with one of their kick-ass carrot muffins.

Sure enough, Reverie was teeming with life—and almost at once her sixth sense alerted her to imminent danger. She casually posted herself at the bus stop out front to keep watch.

And then he rounded the corner, brown cape flapping around his boots.

Oh God no. Of all the things she expected this morning when she set out to fulfill her duty to humankind, she never expected to run into her nemesis, Lyle. What was he doing on her beat?

As soon as she asked the question, she knew. Where she strove for order, he reveled in chaos. Instinctively, she knew he was headed into Reverie to wreak havoc on those simply looking for their caffeine fix to start the day.

Super Kate couldn't let that happened.

Stiffening with resolve, she stepped out to face him. "You don't belong here."

Lyle gasped. "You."

She rolled her eyes. He may reign over chaos, but articulate he was not. "Run along, Lyle, and peddle your wares elsewhere."

"You'll pay for your insolence, girlie." The old football pads he wore as armor creaked as he waved his arms. "First I'll cause a tragic accident to ruin all the coffee beans—"

Kate pictured the mayhem it'd cause if the citizens of Cole Valley couldn't have their morning lattes. Anarchy—total anarchy.

"And then I'll send a wave of fungus to grow over all the baked goods. Including the carrot muffins."

Kate's turn to gasp. "You wouldn't!"

"Oh, I would," he said with gleeful malice. His grin chilled her bones. "Your weakness for them will be your downfall."

Before he could act, she raised her arms, palms out. Thank goodness for her superpower: to make and command bubbles to do her bidding. Concentrating her will, she formed a large, transparent orb around him.

Busy raving about rotting all the eggs so no one could have breakfast bagels, Lyle didn't notice he'd been trapped until the bubble began to rise in the air. He pounded on the sides, but they stretched and receded without popping. His lips formed a soundless No! as he floated off.

Super Kate waved her hand and directed the bubble to float off in the direction of Alaska. He'd be back—of that she was sure—but at least this morning she could enjoy her carrot muffin in peace.

Seeing is Believing

Last Friday I met my critique partner Veronica at a café in Cole Valley. We got window seats and had just started discussing the proposals I'd put together for my agent when she exclaimed, "Look at that guy!"

I looked outside. It was him—the superhero dude from the Hall of Justice. Remember? From when I had jury duty? He had on his long desert-colored cape and the body armor and strolled down the street like he was waiting to save someone.

Unfortunately, I was so stunned by seeing him again I didn't think to grab my cell phone to take his picture until he was too far away. However, I am happy I have another witness. Now that I know he patrols my neighborhood, I'm going to be more prepared. I may even interview him sometime.

Maybe I should start dressing as a superhero. My superhero costume would include a tutu and big-ass boots, of course.