So… wow… I had a roller coaster of a week last week and I’m still on the ride. Maybe by the time I blog again two weeks from now, I’ll be able to talk about it.
In the meantime, I’m heading off to the RT Convention tomorrow. As seems to be the usual when flying east, my flight leaves at the butt-crack of dawn and so I really should have all my stuff together in a suitcase. To say I’m behind on that task would be a total understatement. I still haven’t taken out all the stuff from my last trip a couple weeks ago! In fact, my brain is so looped from the roller coaster that I haven’t even gotten into travel mode yet. When I think about being away from home tomorrow, it doesn’t compute.
But once I get on the plane, it’ll kick in and I’ll get excited. It’ll be good to shift my mind into a different gear. It’ll be better than good.
My very first RT Convention was in Daytona in 2006 and I haven’t missed one since. I love the opportunity to hang out at length with writer and reader friends, and to meet those I’ve chatted with online. I get excited seeing the books and series that are coming soon, catching up on industry gossip, hearing about new programs and marketing ideas, and tons more. I’m especially looking forward to having lunch with the MSW gals! It’s been a while since we were last together and we have a backlog of things to celebrate. These gals are so accomplished. I’m proud to know them.
There. I’m starting to get into it. 
I’m happily back to watching Game of Thrones and The Borgias, although I do wish their seasons were staggered. (Same with Dexter and Boardwalk Empire sharing the same season schedule–why can’t they spread out the goodness throughout the year?) Anyway, something the two series share is the power of family. Although the families are all dysfunctional in one way or another (I think the Starks are less so than the others), they all manage to pull their craziness together to achieve a common goal, whatever it may be. Are you watching either show?
Who are your favorite fictional crazy or dysfunctional families/characters? For me, I love the Addams family and their joyous embracing of the weird. Dexter and his Dark Passenger hold a special place in my heart. Nix makes me laugh.
I’ll pick three commenters to win their choice of a Nook or Kindle copy of Bared to You. Happy Monday! I hope I’ll see you in Chicago.
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I’m sorry you didn’t have a good weekend. I’m sure the RT convention will be great fun. I agree with you on the Addams Family and I’ll add the Munsters. It was always so much fun watching those shows. I truly don’t watch TV any more there’s just to much reality show crap on. It irritates me how stupid people can be.
Have fun at RT! I love the Addams Family, too.
Sylvia, I hope to see you there!!!
Dexter’s family in both the series and books (the children are different and more unusual in the books). I’ve only seen a couple of episodes of Raising Hope on Fox but that family is dysfunctional in a way that works for them.
I usually enjoy the series with family members who decide to do what they want with gusto and provide a humorous element and there are so many series which have them. Is it Peggy Webb who has the Elvis the dog mystery series with the slightly off kilter family members and friends?
Can’t wait to see you, Sylvia!
My favorite dysfunctional family is the Simpsons.
My favorite dysfunctional family is from My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I think the families (yes families) are great, you can find some aspect of them in your own family. There is nothing wrong with a dysfunctional family, its the degree of dysfunction you have to worry about.
I have very fond memories of watching “Married….With Children” when I was growing up. My brother and I loved that show! I don’t think it gets much more dysfunctional than that.
I watch all of the above no thanks to you!
I’ll see you in Chi-town tomorrow, baby!
xo
Hi Sylvia,
One of my favorite dysfunctional families is the one in HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS with Holly Hunter.
Have fun at RT!!
How sad is it that I can’t think of any dysfunctional families other than the ones mentioned. I’m obviously not watching the right TV shows.
Have a safe trip and y’all enjoy the heck out of Chi-town. Wish I was going but not in the cards this year.
I adore the quirky and often dysfunctional families in Kristan Higgins’s books. She makes them stand out and interesting.
Are we talking TV shows or books? Because if its TV – the family in Arrested Development, totally. Books – hmmm thats a tough one, probably the families/relationships in The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.
Hugs to you and Karin, have a WONDERFUL time!! xoxo
Oh i agree on the Addams family and the Munsters and I’ve watched Raising Hope. That show is hilarious too. I think if they can make it work on TV it makes all us regular people not feel so bad about our oen dysfunctional families. lol You have to able to laugh at yourself right??
Lisa B
Have fun at RT Sounds like a great time!
Sylvia,
Love your books! I think I’m going with Don Draper from Mad Men since he isn’t really Don Draper at all! He assumed that identity after the war! That’s messed up, I would say! Have fun in Chicago!
Enjoy yourself at the RT, I also like The Adams Family.
Hey Sylvia, I really enjoy HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS with Holly Hunter also. I just remembered Charlie Brown Thanksgiving has some dysfunction to it. Enjoy the convention and safe travels to and fro also.
I loved the TV show Roseanne. Wow were they dysfunctional! I actually identified more with the Conner’s than I ever did with the perfect sitcom families. LOL
Have fun at RT! I like Arrested Development.
Syl, you ALWAYS make me laff out loud. “Butt-crack of dawn” did it to me this week!
And as for dysfunctional families, I love Nancy Botwin and her brood, in WEEDS. Not for the family profession, but because of how well-written the characters are.
But hell yeah, the BORGIAS have issues!
Have fun with the rest of the gals, at RT!
xx J
As stated above, the Addams Family and the Munsters.
Have fun in Chicago!
Dexter was the first one I thought of.
Have a great time at the RT convention, I would love to be able to attend.
My favorite dysfunctional family are the valkyries from Kresley Cole’s IAD series.
Dexter and the Addams Family are great choices! I really love the family from Dark Shadows. Have you seen the trailer for the new movie starring Johnny Depp? Holy Cow, if the movie is as good as the trailer, it is going to hurt to watch it!
Hmm, I think I’ll have to go with the family of seminus demons from Larissa Ione’s Demonica series as my favorite crazy fictional family
Mad Men really caught my attention as in “every one” of them seem to be dysfunctional.
My husband keeps watching reruns of Arrested Development. I would definitely consider them dysfunctional.
I think my favorite dysfunctional family is from the TV show The Middle, the Hecks. I love how Brick talks to his shirt…too funny!
My favorite dysfunctional family would have to be the valkyries from Kresley Cole’s IAD series. Love crazy Nix!!!