9.29.2011
9.28.2011
another goal
I love HCLIB's Museum Adventure Pass program. I mean, what's not to love? Free admission for you and a friend, just for checking out a pass at your local library. The branch I frequent nearly always has all the passes available even the super coveted MN Zoo ones. But sadly, the program is ending in a year. So, I'm going to try and go to all the museum before Labor Day next year and take full advantage of the program. Hold me to it!
truce
So, apparently I've given in. I'm seeing E tonight. I miss her, and although she didn't know exactly what was wrong, she's intuitive enough to know what she messed up and apologized. She may get sucked into her own world, but she's been there for me. I can appreciate that. And truly, you can never have too many friends (except maybe on facebook).
I activated my Nice Ride subscription today, and I'm eager to take it for a spin. It's such a beautiful day today, I think I overdressed by wearing a sweater.
October is looming, so I brought some truffles to church on Sunday, hoping to bring in some business. I should let Beth know I came up with my list of truffles too. And maybe send a note out on FB, letting people know. I want this holiday season to go well.
I finished Eclipse today, and read Jean Chatzky's Pay It Down. I've been kinda slacking on my reading, and although that wasn't officially on my list, it should hopefully push the totals in my favor.
I need to get my financial house back in automatic-saving order. I have $2000+ in my checking account (yay!), but I think a lot of it is untransferred savings, so I'm afraid to spend much of it. Must do before end of week.
Also, looking at taking some pictures this week. There's a tree outside my window at work that keeps calling my name.
Today, I'm grateful that my opinions of people rarely stay static.
I activated my Nice Ride subscription today, and I'm eager to take it for a spin. It's such a beautiful day today, I think I overdressed by wearing a sweater.
October is looming, so I brought some truffles to church on Sunday, hoping to bring in some business. I should let Beth know I came up with my list of truffles too. And maybe send a note out on FB, letting people know. I want this holiday season to go well.
I finished Eclipse today, and read Jean Chatzky's Pay It Down. I've been kinda slacking on my reading, and although that wasn't officially on my list, it should hopefully push the totals in my favor.
I need to get my financial house back in automatic-saving order. I have $2000+ in my checking account (yay!), but I think a lot of it is untransferred savings, so I'm afraid to spend much of it. Must do before end of week.
Also, looking at taking some pictures this week. There's a tree outside my window at work that keeps calling my name.
Today, I'm grateful that my opinions of people rarely stay static.
9.24.2011
Shows I'm attempting to watch this year
Modern Family
The Office
Whitney
2 Broke Girls
The Sing-Off (at least as long as Sonos lasts)
HIMYM
This list represents approximately 600% more shows than I've followed since the end of Gilmore Girls. Crazy.
The Office
Whitney
2 Broke Girls
The Sing-Off (at least as long as Sonos lasts)
HIMYM
This list represents approximately 600% more shows than I've followed since the end of Gilmore Girls. Crazy.
I always struggle when people ask me what kind of books I like to read. Good ones? I think to myself. Are there any other kind?
So I found it interesting when I logged into goodreads today and noticed that, without any input from me, they had found actually several categories of books I like. Whodda thunk? They include: biography, chick lit, contemporary, crime and memoir. Ok so, I could have told you about memoirs and chick lit. I can't count the number of books I've read that are "a day in the life of . . ." So many infact, that I've figured I must have one I could come up with. A day in the life of a call center rep? A barista? truffle-entrepreneur? Hmm.
The one that really stuck out to me was crime. My mother has always loved mysteries. So naturally, I avoided them like the plague. I think it was because she always tried to figure it out whodunnit before it was revealed, whereas I just followed along the story. This discrepancy made me think I was somehow doing it wrong, and shunned them all, including Nancy Drew. But as it turns out, I've read a few in recent years. What with the Dragon Tattoo series, and the Spellmans, I apparently have a whole new appreciation.
So I found it interesting when I logged into goodreads today and noticed that, without any input from me, they had found actually several categories of books I like. Whodda thunk? They include: biography, chick lit, contemporary, crime and memoir. Ok so, I could have told you about memoirs and chick lit. I can't count the number of books I've read that are "a day in the life of . . ." So many infact, that I've figured I must have one I could come up with. A day in the life of a call center rep? A barista? truffle-entrepreneur? Hmm.
The one that really stuck out to me was crime. My mother has always loved mysteries. So naturally, I avoided them like the plague. I think it was because she always tried to figure it out whodunnit before it was revealed, whereas I just followed along the story. This discrepancy made me think I was somehow doing it wrong, and shunned them all, including Nancy Drew. But as it turns out, I've read a few in recent years. What with the Dragon Tattoo series, and the Spellmans, I apparently have a whole new appreciation.
9.22.2011
finished AiB. Finally!
On to The Hunger Games.
For those of you keeping track at home, I am seriously behind. And the holidays are approaching fast. I’ll have to get ahead to keep pace during that time.
9.15.2011
9.09.2011
thoughts from the day
I still love Jimmy Eat World's album Chase This Late. I don't think I've found anything of theirs I don't like, but lately I find myself just craving to hear various songs off this album. Also, it's one of the few albums I listen to completely without skipping any songs. And that my favorite song keeps changeing, because they're all so good. That, in and of itself, is a huge recommendation.
So after a month of stony silence on both sides, I finally heard from my delinquent friend. She'd gotten fired from her server gig at a corporated chicken wing chain. She had called me last night, and my bitterness prevented me from answering. Then I saw this morning on Facebook (how did we find anything out before? Were carrier pigeons involved?) what had happened. I immediately called her. We've played phone tag. I've expressed my sympathies and offered an ear. I think my obligation is done. If she wants me, or needs me, she knows where to find me.
I loved A Visit From the Goon Squad so much, I'm listening to the audio book currently. The narrator is really excellent, but I've come across a few mispronunciations that threw me off. The one that comes to mind now is 'desultory', which was pronounced like 'de-sultry.' Oh well, I knew what she meant, right? It's interesting how listening to the book has given new layers of meaning to the vignettes. Highly recommeneded. And it was Slate.com's pick recently for their audiobook club.
If something is so minor I don't even getting around to bitching about it here, it's pretty minor. Although, truthfully, I'm kind of suprised this hadn't been mentioned before: My 20-year-old cousin has had to appeal to our grandfather twice since her highschool graduation for help to buy fund her transportation. The specifics of repayment, I am not privy to. But I won't lie, it irked me. I bought both of my cars, paid for all the repairs, and the thought that I could call Bank Grandpa had never crossed my mind. But I conceeded that due to differences between my grandfather's relationship with my father and my aunt, my relationship with him was very different than my cousin's. I mentioned this to my husband and my parent's, and then let it go.
Imagine my surprise when I got a letter in the mail today from my grandpa. Enclosed was a brief note and a check for $500. He said that he had helped my cousin with her car, and her brother with his resent wedding bills. Although I hadn't asked for anything, consideration was owed and he was happy to give it to me, his eldest grandchild. Hot tears sprang down my face, surprising both myself and my husband. Gratitude, relief, joy all washed over me. I called my parents immediately; had a single breath of my frustration in the situation reached my grandpa? If so, I would have been mortified. But they didn't think so. and on further reflection, neither do I. A depression era, retired vet like my grandpa would have written a very different letter if that were the case.
Despite the relative distance of our relationship, I love my grandpa. Many things have been said about him: that he's terse, stubborn, and stingy. But no one's ever said he's unfair.
So after a month of stony silence on both sides, I finally heard from my delinquent friend. She'd gotten fired from her server gig at a corporated chicken wing chain. She had called me last night, and my bitterness prevented me from answering. Then I saw this morning on Facebook (how did we find anything out before? Were carrier pigeons involved?) what had happened. I immediately called her. We've played phone tag. I've expressed my sympathies and offered an ear. I think my obligation is done. If she wants me, or needs me, she knows where to find me.
I loved A Visit From the Goon Squad so much, I'm listening to the audio book currently. The narrator is really excellent, but I've come across a few mispronunciations that threw me off. The one that comes to mind now is 'desultory', which was pronounced like 'de-sultry.' Oh well, I knew what she meant, right? It's interesting how listening to the book has given new layers of meaning to the vignettes. Highly recommeneded. And it was Slate.com's pick recently for their audiobook club.
If something is so minor I don't even getting around to bitching about it here, it's pretty minor. Although, truthfully, I'm kind of suprised this hadn't been mentioned before: My 20-year-old cousin has had to appeal to our grandfather twice since her highschool graduation for help to buy fund her transportation. The specifics of repayment, I am not privy to. But I won't lie, it irked me. I bought both of my cars, paid for all the repairs, and the thought that I could call Bank Grandpa had never crossed my mind. But I conceeded that due to differences between my grandfather's relationship with my father and my aunt, my relationship with him was very different than my cousin's. I mentioned this to my husband and my parent's, and then let it go.
Imagine my surprise when I got a letter in the mail today from my grandpa. Enclosed was a brief note and a check for $500. He said that he had helped my cousin with her car, and her brother with his resent wedding bills. Although I hadn't asked for anything, consideration was owed and he was happy to give it to me, his eldest grandchild. Hot tears sprang down my face, surprising both myself and my husband. Gratitude, relief, joy all washed over me. I called my parents immediately; had a single breath of my frustration in the situation reached my grandpa? If so, I would have been mortified. But they didn't think so. and on further reflection, neither do I. A depression era, retired vet like my grandpa would have written a very different letter if that were the case.
Despite the relative distance of our relationship, I love my grandpa. Many things have been said about him: that he's terse, stubborn, and stingy. But no one's ever said he's unfair.
9.07.2011
things you learn in retrospect
Facebook informed me that the following was my status update a year ago today:
I just discovered that the Bermuda Triangle has moved and is now located in my car. Sunglasses, retainers and wedding rings are not safe, but unlike Amelia Earhart, may be rediscovered.
Pretty witty, eh?
I just discovered that the Bermuda Triangle has moved and is now located in my car. Sunglasses, retainers and wedding rings are not safe, but unlike Amelia Earhart, may be rediscovered.
Pretty witty, eh?
Sonosing-off
So, I don't really do the reality-contestant-talent shows. But I might have to after hearing about this. I think Sonos is great. I love how inventive their covers are. Seriously, check out "I want you back." It's truly haunting and will give you a whole new perspective on the song.
I wonder if it'll show up on my on-demand menu? Or hulu? There's very little (if anything) I actually watch the night of broadcast.
Great Excitement!
I wonder if it'll show up on my on-demand menu? Or hulu? There's very little (if anything) I actually watch the night of broadcast.
Great Excitement!
9.04.2011
from Amaryllis in Blueberry, pg 10
Just to set the record straight, envy is not green. And rage isn’t red hot, and the blues have nothing to do with blue. Envy is more dust colored, a transparent sort of gray. It quivers, like heat rising. Rage itself is not any shade of red – it’s not any color at all. It’s a smell, like fried-up fish. Melancholy? The blues? Melancholy’s more of a shimmer than any color. And it creeps: blues on the move.
This quote makes more sense when you read the book. But alone, I find it mesmerizing.
S's first official knitting project
Some women knit there men sweaters. Some knit their men scarves.
Me? I knit my man a bracelet. Yes, a bracelet.
So far, I haven't quit endeared my DH to the charms of knitting. I think he thinks it's too country or vintage for him. But I did find a loop hole. See, DH has a tattoo around his wrist, and it's against the dress code at his job. Since we were at the state fair, we looked for items that could cover his tattoo and still be practical. No dice. Sexy leather cuffs would be too hot. He didn't like the bracelets that you adjusted by pulling of the strings (which incidentally were my favorite when I was the friendship bracelet queen, but whatevs). And then it occured to me: What if I knit him a cuff?
So I did. It's not my best piece of work. I think I'm actually going to knit a few more so that he has a wardrobe of them. Goodness knows I have enough yarn. But I find it kinda cool that he's going to wear something of mine to work with him every day. Let's him know I care.
Love ya, babe x-*
Me? I knit my man a bracelet. Yes, a bracelet.
So far, I haven't quit endeared my DH to the charms of knitting. I think he thinks it's too country or vintage for him. But I did find a loop hole. See, DH has a tattoo around his wrist, and it's against the dress code at his job. Since we were at the state fair, we looked for items that could cover his tattoo and still be practical. No dice. Sexy leather cuffs would be too hot. He didn't like the bracelets that you adjusted by pulling of the strings (which incidentally were my favorite when I was the friendship bracelet queen, but whatevs). And then it occured to me: What if I knit him a cuff?
So I did. It's not my best piece of work. I think I'm actually going to knit a few more so that he has a wardrobe of them. Goodness knows I have enough yarn. But I find it kinda cool that he's going to wear something of mine to work with him every day. Let's him know I care.
Love ya, babe x-*
9.01.2011
my 2012 reading challenge
After I’ve finished the books I’ve set out to read this year, these are books left on Shmoop’s best seller’s list that I will have not yet read:
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
The Hobbi by JRR Tolkien
Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
The Lightning Theif by Rick Riordan
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
The Lovely bones by Alice Sebold
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
The Shining by Stephen King
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Wicked by Gregory Maguire
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K Le Guin
But I think most of them will have to wait for 2013.
Since I’ve proven I can be a rather prolific reader, I decided to up things a notch. I’ve picked 12 authors of classics (modern and otherwise). Each month, I will pick an author from my list, and read one of his/her works. I hope this challenge will expose me to greater literature and expand my horizons beyond best sellers, chick lit and fantasy. My 12 authors are:
Jane Austen
Charlotte Bronte
Lewis Carroll
Charles Dickens
Alexandre Dumas
William Faulkner
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Ernest Hemingway
Jack Kerouac
Jack London
Ayn Rand
Mark Twain
If this is not sufficient to keep me busy, I’ve made an addendum list to explore:
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Aldous Huxley
Joseph Steinbeck
Harper Lee
James Joyce
Beyond all the reading I have listed, I still have a significant list of books waiting to be fulfilled from my library list. This should make for an interesting 18 months of reading.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)