Home > Author > Danielle Joseph
1 " Helen Sustained many falls throughout her life. But as you can see, she steps right up and keeps on going. Falling to her is as natural as sneezing to us "
― Danielle Joseph , Shrinking Violet
2 " I mean it. I know Stacy thinks just because you're shy, she can step all over you, but that's B.S. "
3 " Cake is for the weak,” Mom always says. Funny, I thought it was for birthdays. "
4 " If you believe in yourself that is all that matters. Set your own limitations. Don’t let others do that for you. "
― Danielle Joseph
5 " The only good thing about Mom marrying Rob Fandango, radio bigwig, is that he owns a top-40 station. But while he whisks Mom off to celebrity-wannabe parties every weekend, I’m holed up in my room, downloading all the latest tunes on my iPod and scanning the dial for the next overnight sensation. "
6 " Might as well admit it: I’m shy. Not the kind where you blush when someone compliments you, but the kind that results in feelings of nausea when meeting new people. "
7 " The Love Shack won’t be the same without you,” Rob says. “I have no clue who to replace you with.”Me! I want to shout. I can do the show blindfolded! But instead, I stand there deader than a stuffed moose. "
8 " Go change before Pamela gets here. That outfit makes you look lazy.”Oh, but a miniskirt and tube top is more appropriate. Mom has five of those sleazy shirts. She thinks the more skin you show, the better. "
9 " I slide off my favorite jeans and black Rapfest tee and peer into my closet, searching for the best Pamela Oberlong outfit. Why we have to impress the Mary Kay lady every time she comes is beyond me. "
10 " I blame the shape of my body on my dad, but since I don’t even know who he is, I can only guess. Mom doesn’t know either. She says she was young and stupid, that she went to a couple of wild parties when she was a teenager and did a few things she shouldn’t have. No shit. It doesn’t take Scooby Doo and his gang to figure that out. "
11 " I often dream about the mask I’d wear to school. It has long auburn hair, not the shoulder-length ultra-thick mop that I sport. It has bright blue eyes instead of my musty green and full red lips. If it comes with a bodysuit, I’d wear that, too, flat tummy, long legs and smaller, firmer boobs. Then the guys would notice me for sure. "
12 " I’m only trying to help you,” Mom adds some sugar to her voice.Then why does it always end up about you? "
13 " When we first moved to Miami, I tossed and turned half the night. After about the third night of me waking up bleary-eyed, Mom bought me a hot pink radio and told me to let the music help me fall asleep. After the first night, I was hooked. The radio really gave me peace and settled my worries about being in a new city, having to make new friends. "
14 " I’m glad this is my last year of high school. If I can help it, I won’t sign up for any college classes that start before noon. Luckily, I got in early decision at the University of Miami and avoided the whole college search hassle. So many people at school have been freaking out for months about whether they’ll get into any of their top choices. My top choice was to get out of the house. Come August, I’ll no longer have Mom breathing down my neck all the time. "
15 " I darken the letters. D-I-S-A-P-P-O-I-N-T-E-D. It’s a very long word, a word that does not easily fall off your tongue. "
