PRECIOUS is receiving accolades from every corner, so I'll just add my little amen.

Yes, the story plunges you into the darkest corners of the human condition, and the previews alone may dissuade those who don't want to pay $9.50 for a seemingly "depressing" movie. But my advice? Lay that money down. Your heart will feel at times like it's being shredded into a million tiny pieces, like the Kleenex you brought into the theater "just in case." But ultimately, this is an uplifting story, in which the main character is a shining light among the shadows. If you're brave enough to follow her story, I promise you'll walk out of the theater with a renewed sense of optimism.

A handful of critics have suggested that only a small segment of the population will relate to the main character, whose life hangs by a precarious thread at the margins of society. I dispute that notion entirely. Many of us have endured--hopefully, transcended--painful situations. And though the details are unique, I think the themes are universal. We gravitate toward stories that demonstrate the resilience of the human spirit, so it isn't for naught that the movie is dedicated to "Precious girls everywhere."

I was deeply moved at many points in the movie, but I keep coming back to one scene in particular. Precious is offered a spot in the Each One Teach One program, and on the first day of class, the teacher asks everyone to state their name, favorite color, and an accomplishment they're proud of. Precious refuses to participate. But after some gentle prodding by the teacher, she states her full name, says she likes yellow, and admits that she can cook.

Her eyes fly open, as if she's surprised at the sound of her own voice. "I ain't never talked in class before," she says.

"How does it make you feel?" the teacher asks.

"Here," Precious says. "I feel here."

I hear you, Precious, I hear you.

Today I attended my first writer conference--ever. Yes, I have never attended a conference, convention or anything of the sort related to writing before. It was a blast!

It all started last night at a dessert social at an art gallery here in Salt Lake City. The nice part was that I carpooled with my wonderful writing friend Emily. I get sometimes nervous when I have to be mingle-y and small talk-y. It was nice to start off with a friend, and as I warmed up, work my way around the room. I did it. I mingled, made small talk and enjoyed myself.

It is always easier to enjoy myself when Emily, Brodi, Matt and Bree are there so I know I already have friends to talk to when I have one of those awkward moments when I don't know what to do with myself. I had less of them than I expected and I had fun. I wish I'd brought my camera. Wait, I did, but I didn't take any photos. Actually, there was one that someone took of us with it, but I looked so bad, I deleted it.

This morning, I got up early. I was excited about going to a conference and hanging out with writers all day long. I decided I was going to be French and make sure I looked well put together. I wore a comfortable, but nice outfit, make up and accessories and my favorite shoes. I packed lip gloss and powder for touch ups and I was all ready to look like a professional--a French professional.

The problem was, with all that vanity, I got distracted, and when I got to the conference and in my chair, I realized I had forgotten to bring a notebook. So yeah. The whole point of the conference. Apparently, I can't be pretty and smart at the same time.

The first speaker of the day (and I think the best) was Elizabeth Law. She was funny, smart and a really good speaker. She talked about the road to publication and it was nice to hear it from an editor's point of view. I tried to take notes on my little pad of paper I keep stashed in my purse, but that wasn't enough. Fortunately, our library has shops in it. I snuck out of her talk and ran--literally--down stairs and shelled out $12 for a $2 notebook. See what my vanity costs me?! Then I ran back up stairs and transferred my notes.

The next speaker was Kendra Marcus. She spoke about agents. It was interesting, but I already have an agent--the best agent ever (no, I'm not bragging, it is just a fact). She talked really quiet and I actually didn't hear a lot of her talk, but it seemed pretty good from what I could hear.

The next session was about illustrating so Emily, Bree, Brodi and I went to a cafe downstairs and visited. I liked that part better than the classes. I have met with all of these girls on many occasions now, but I still feel like we are just getting to know each other. It felt like today, we did some nice clicking. After that we all went back up to the conference room and had lunch together.

After that, there was a talk about writing for boys. I was quite interested in this one seeing as how my books are pretty much as girly as books can be. I thought learning how to add maybe even some hints of the masculine might give it some depth or something. Well, I don't think I'll be writing for boys anytime soon. Every time the speaker told us what we need to do, it was the exact opposite of what I do--seriously, the EXACT opposite. It turns out the guy giving the talk was a guy I talked to for a long time the night before at the social because we are both with Putnam. I didn't know he was a speaker. The kind of funny thing is, he quoted me a few times in his speech. So yeah. I better watch what I say to people or they might be telling it to all the children's book writers in Utah and southern Idaho. It got me thinking about what boys want in writing as opposed to girls. I'm still thinking about it.

The next talk was on synopsis writing. I would probably have benefited from that class because I pretty much stink at synopsis writing (except for the one I wrote for Artificial Night, but that was a fluke), but instead Emily and I played hooky and went to the cafe to visit. That was probably my favorite part of the conference. I've met a lot of kindred spirits since I've started pursuing writing as a career, but she is probably the one I have been able to relate the most to. I just love her and it was so fun to visit with her.

After that, Bree and some other ladies did a panel discussion on being newly published. I guess if they do it next year, I'll be on the panel. Cool! It was fun to hear what they all had to say. I was pretty tired by then, though. I'd lost all my French-ness and I was wilting. It was a lot for me to take in and, although I loved the social parts--didn't panic at all--I was ready to go home and introvert for a bit.

I don't know why I was worried about panicking because of all the social stuff or so much information and all that. I did fine and had a great time. Maybe I really am getting over that weird panic thing that started happening to me a year ago. Finally! Today I got to listen, talk, laugh and listen, talk and laugh some more. It was fun. I'll for sure be going next year.

I am desperate for research information and i hope someone here can pinpoint me in the right direction. I'm currently working on two research papers, one on the effectiveness of play therapy in improving the social interaction of chilren with autism, and another on group work vs individual work in an organisation, particulary in reference to formation, group norms, social facilitation and social loafing. My tutor wont allow me to use information from textbooks and i was wondering if anyone knows of any journals, articles or research papers on either of these topics. It would be a massive help. Even if you just know the researchers or study name. It would be hugely appreciated. Thanks.

I am desperate for research information and i hope someone here can pinpoint me in the right direction. I'm currently working on two research papers, one on the effectiveness of play therapy in improving the social interaction of chilren with autism, and another on group work vs individual work in an organisations, particulary in reference to formation, group norms, social facilitation and social loafing. My tutor wont allow me to use information from textbooks and i was wondering if anyone knows of any journals, articles or research papers on either of these topics. It would be a massive help. Even if you just know the researchers or study name. It would be hugely appreciated. Thanks.

...but in solidarity with the students of Danvers High school:

I sound my barbaric MEEP over the rooftops of the world.

This moment of civil disobedience was inspired by Saundra Mitchell and is brought to you by the letters W, T, and F.