Rob Thomas, just how busy has thy self been? And why didn't I know a thing about any of it? I am a loyal Entertainment Weekly subscriber. I read every issue cover to cover, even the boring stories. So how come I'm only just finding out that:

1) You were the showrunner on MISS GUIDED for, like, fifteen seconds;

2) You're the dude that the CW hired to do that new 90210 spin-off; and

3) ABC has greenlighted an updated version of what VARIETY calls your "brilliant-but-cancelled dramedy" CUPID?

In other news, FOX has already canceled THE RETURN OF JEZEBEL JAMES, that grating sitcom starring Parker Posey and Lauren Ambrose. I'm saddened because A) it was Amy Sherman-Palladino's first post-GILMORE GIRLS venture and B) Sarah, the lead protagonist, was an editor of teen fiction at Harper Collins and a lot of the show revolved around her work.

Here is yesterday's Fun Blog Find: "Fresh Hell." Now, years ago I used to read another blog titled "Fresh Hell," but I can't tell if this is the same one. I'm thinking no, because the author of the other "Fresh Hell" was a pop culture junkie and wrote recaps for Television Without Pity, but didn't actually write her own shows. Then again, how long has it been since I read the other "Fresh Hell"? I do not remember.

I've been spending a lot of time lately fantasizing about what kind of day jobs I'd love to have. Because even though I have sold eight books and paid out a few advances, the cold hard truth is that I still need outside employment to pay the mortgage and keep healthy kibble in Scout's bowl. I took this semester off from teaching because I wanted to find some steady full-time work that wouldn't crush my soul but would pad my bank account. Of course, I only seem to look for full time work when our economy is firmly in the toilet (like when I first moved back to DE in Dec. 2001). It doesn't help that I'm overqualified for entry level and underqualified for most the stuff I'd like to do, which would be move into training and development. In a different economy, when people with dual master's degrees aren't forced to take customer service jobs at Bank of America, this wouldn't be an issue: I'm bright, I'm talented, I have a solid work history, and a savvy employer would take a chance on me even if I didn't have the requisite three years experience. But that's just not the case in this job market.

So in honor of my current search, I'd like to present a list of five jobs I'd kill to have:

1. Author of "Pop Candy." I'm two degrees from Whitney Matheson (my co-features editor junior year at THE REVIEW was Leanne, who's friends with Whitney), and I remember when this was a start-up venture that USA TODAY was hoping would work out. Now it's a freaking phenomenon, and whenever I read it I think, "I could do this. I could do this well." Alas, the world only needs one Whitney Matheson, and it doesn't look like she and her Chuck Taylors are retiring any time soon.

2. Food writer. Over the past several years I've turned into a bona fide foodie, but even though I love to play Rachael Ray in my own kitchen I know I lack the patience and fortitude to be a professional chef. (And yes, I know Rachael isn't a professional chef, but you know what I mean so don't get all food snobbery on me.) Recently I started reading some awesome foodie blogs that made me think, "Huh. Food writing." In all honesty, this is probably something I could eventually do, and unlike writing for television (which you all know is a dream of mine), I wouldn't have to move to LA or NY or Toronto to do it. Food for thought (pun intended).

3. Prop Master for GOOD EATS. Every time I watch the show, I think how fun it would be to construct larger-than-life-size models of molecules, animal anatomy, and knife blades. I'm not kidding. Back in college, I took a course on prop design and set construction my senior year. If only I'd discovered how much I loved those things sooner. Alas, much like graphic design, I was thisclose to diploma in hand when I realized I'd probably majored in the wrong things. (P.S. I think it would be fun to do just about anything on GOOD EATS, including researching the science/history and writing scripts. Hey, Alton - need someone new on crew?)

4. Casting Director. Unfortunately, this is another profession that requires one to reside in a big metropolitan city. But hey, how fun would it be to read scripts and then audition actors to fill the various roles? I think it would be especially fun to do this for a TV series like LAW & ORDER.

5. Being Jennifer Laughran. As in, book buyer. As in, mastermind behind Not Your Mother's Book Club. As in, associate agent for the Andrew Brown Literary Agency. I know this woman works her buttocks off, but still - it sounds like Fun with a capital F.

And oh! I just looked at the clock and realized I'm running late for an interview. Happy Thursday!