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half angel, half devil, all human
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| half-way caught up! |
[09 Dec 2012|11:40pm] |
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yup, i've read 134 books so far this year, so this post will put me at the half-way point for posting them:P Not at all near my goal of never-being-more-than-10-behind, but at least i'm catching up *fingers crossed* before the new year, which will be an improvement on last year at least;P
( up to #67Collapse )
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[09 Dec 2012|12:02am] |
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J and i found an apartment we like, and will be moving in soon (probably have a big moving day next weekend). We ran into a few issues that've prevented us from moving in, but the landlord is being good about taking care of them, and we are overlapping the 2 places for the month of Dec, so it could be a lot worse:P
My days do feel pretty busy though, with packing and cleaning for the move, and with all the other stuff that's going on. The major stressors that started the end of October are still here, although i'm coping better in a lot of ways:) Christmas is always a busy time with family and friends. I'm figuring it out though, and specifically planning time for myself, and pacing myself, so i should be ok;)
i'm waay behind on book posting though, so ( here we goCollapse )
thought about doing more, but i'm hungry, so 10'll do for now;)
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| more books:) |
[16 Nov 2012|03:14pm] |
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i've tried to write this about 3 times now, but everytime something interferes before i get very far (last night it was pictures of pretty horses, so it's not always bad things, but more often a time-suck thing:P). I am going with J to look at an apartment soon, but i will sneak in a few more books while i have a good chance;)
( follow meCollapse )
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| Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs |
[03 Oct 2012|03:46am] |
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31/ 1 of 40 (yes, my first one for my read-40-i-already-own challenge)
read for  books1001
This is definitely not "high literature", but it's a fun adventure, and certainly has had a large impact on (our) culture, so it's a worthwhile read. It has a LOT of problems with sexism, racism, classism, anthropomorphication, and you also need a bit of suspension of disbelief regarding how quickly Tarzan learns everything from reading to English customs, but if you can just let yourself say "ok, for the author and the sake of the story, i'll ignore [or accept] these things", you'll get a really good story:) And Burroughs does make some pointed social commentary, esp. on the roles of women and marriage, that i enjoyed:) I was amused by the humour that came out once Tarzan got with the "civilized" white people, and that part also picked up the pacing quite a bit. The love story between Tarzan and Jane is as quick and unrealistic as a modern Harlequin at first, but that changes when they meet again out of the jungle, and I prefer the way it develops then. (note, not bashing Harlequins, please don't eat me) I quite liked the ending and was pleasantly surprised by the book as a whole. I feel it's earned a place in the top 1001 books to read, if only because of cultural significance, but it's an enjoyable book too:)
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| sproing! |
[21 Mar 2012|04:11am] |
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Spring seems to have arrived here:) it's been very mild and sunny the past few days, and it's almost too warm for my winter coat (except first thing in the morning when i'm going home from work):) A lot of the snow has melted and the (wet, soggy) grass is showing, which jsut makes me impatient for the lawn to be clear and it to be warm enough to take the bunnies out;P
Seems like this part if the year is off to a good start:) I had a really good follow up appointment with the dentist; the dental assistant (? did my cleaning) said she was "really excited" by the improvement:P i may need to see an orthodontist, coz my bottom teeth are pushing against my top ones, wearing down the bottom ones and loosening my top one:S but it's not too bad yet, so i'm holding off:P
Oh, I double checked the date on my beginner's license, and it doesn't expire til *next* year!:) i didn't realize it was a 2 year thing now that it's a graduated license. So yay, i don't need to re-write and pay for it:P and now that snow's clearing up, maybe i can get out driving more:)
J had an interview this morning for a stock position, and he says it went really well:) i'm really glad! he put out a bunch of applications and resumes last week, and i'm really hoping it'll pay off!! *fingers crossed*
i've been reading a lot, as usual:P i got another shift at the library just as i was finishing the last batch of books, and my willpower's not that strong, so i came home with a little pile again:P I did make it til half-way through my shift before i got any though, and i put some back, so i'm working on it:P And i have read 1 for my books-i-already-own challenge (it's also my most recent assignment for 1001books)! i'm working on another, but it's quite big, and i'm kinda picking away at it, so it'll be a little while:P esp. with the library books, and i couldn't resist buying a couple of new books (final in a series i'm reading, and a new Charles de Lint book [which promptly insisted i ignore all others and read it first:P])
Some games i usually play while on facebook aren't working for me right now, and it's a little annoying, but then i'm also realizing how much time i waste on them! it'd be ok if i was doing something else while playing them, but i was spending probably a couple hours a day just on these little silly things! So now i think i'll just leave it be, not figure out how to make them work again, and spend that time reading, updating livejournal, cleaning, and otherwise feeling more productive;P
( on the subject of booksCollapse )
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| oopsie! |
[03 Mar 2012|03:53am] |
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So i only brought one book to work tonight, because it was a fair size, i was just starting it, and i was quite excited to read it, and thought i'd get into it well. Only, turns out Lev Grossman's The Magician King is a sequel, and i haven't read The Magicians yet. I don't know if i *have* to read The Magicians first, but i feel like it will spoil it if i don't. So, catching up on facebook and livejournal it is:P
Things have been going pretty well overall. J and I had a few great days in a row this week:) We finally made it to the pool, and he re-taught me how to float:) (it was all good until i got excited i was floating and sat up fast and went under:P But that was the only real mishap:P) We spent some good, relaxing time together, but still got things done around the house. He put in an application, and i'm bugging him to put in more:P But one's better than none! I got paid today, and we paid bills and got groceries, and joy-of-joys, this is a 3 paycheck month, so we should be ok:) Also, i'll be doing our taxes soon, and we should get a fair sized refund, which means we can pay off some of our debt:D (owing money really stresses me out)
Things are ok health-wise. I always have issues with my asthma this time of year, and we've had a lot of fluctuation in temp and humidity this winter. It's actually been relatively mild, which is harder for me:P I got a bad flu bug last week, but thankfully it only lasted a couple of days. But really, it could be a lot worse:) And i'm walking and taking the bus (which means a little walk) more, and J and i are going to be going to the pool at least once every two weeks:) (i and up to 3 family members can go free, through my work)
I've gotten to the Humane Society to volunteer a couple of times:) Looks like that's gonna be about every 2 weeks to, coz of my work schedule. I like it a lot:) I've kinda been avoiding the dog floor, since they have quite a few volunteers there, and also coz i'm afraid that i'll fall for a dog and really want it:P I can handle not taking home cats, and we have the 2 buns at home, so visiting with the small animals is fine for me, but i have a weakness for dogs:P but i'm also willing to help out where-ever they need me, so if they're short there, i'll do it:P Last time, i boxed up used toner cartridges (people donate them, the shelter sends them to get recycled/refilled, and gets money) for an hour!:P but it saves a shelter staff having to spend that hour doing it, when they need to do other stuff volunteers can't:)
I'm really excited about band:) I've actually missed quite a few practices this winter (health issues, mostly), but it's the lower level one, so i can catch back up very easily:P There are certainly some things i need to work on still, but for the most part i'm awesome!:P We tried out a new piece this week, and i was the only 1st part, and i did really good:D i like that i'm not stressing about it, and i'm quite proud of my playing, but i'm still challenged often enough:) Next fall i might move back up, but for now i'm very happy at the level i'm in:)
As for other goals, i've driven a little more, but my beginners is expired, so i'll have to rewrite that before i can do much more. I'll probably take the money for it out the tax refund, so it shouldn't be too long before i can work on it again:)
Still no travel fund, but i'm not surprised:P J needs to get a job and we need to pay off debts before we really start that. But hopefully that will also not be very long in the making:P
As for book goals, all of the 26 books i've read so far this year have come from the library:P Great for the library, and me not spending money on books, but not so good for my read-books-i-have goal:P but it seems everytime i work at the library, i pick up an armful:P However, i will exert more willpower there, and not take home any when i return these, and while i will request a few (the nexts in series i'm reading), they'll probably take a bit to come in, so i can work on some i already own:P My library pile is fairly small (only 4 left now i think), and i read a lot when i'm working nights, so it shouldn't take me long to get through those:P
if i've read 26 books, i'm obviously behind again on my posting goal:P *BUT* i'll make a book post next, and that'll help me out;P and i'm only about 14 behind, so it should be too hard to at least get within my "acceptable" range, with a little breathing room:P
so, off i go;)
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| don't faint |
[21 Feb 2012|04:30am] |
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i know! posts 2 days in a row! i don't expect this to become a trend, but i really am trying to get caught up and post more often:P
I got more sleep today:D i'm still a bit tired, and i won't get much sleep tomorrow since i'm working at the library too, but i'll take it:P
( booksCollapse )
and now, i am only 9 books behind, so within my goal range finally!:P and jsut in time to get back to work:P
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[20 Feb 2012|04:34am] |
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I'm super tired! i'm at work, on overnights, and we had 2 hockey teams in this weekend, which kept me very busy, and i haven't been sleeping well during the day:( i'm hoping i can crash most of the day when i get home, but i hoped that today too, and it didn't happen:( although i did get a bit more sleep than i had the previous couple of days, so maybe it'll happen!:P I also picked up a short shift at the library on Tuesday afternoon, so i really need to sleep Monday:P (also, i get very confused about using 'today' and 'tomorrow' when i do overnights:P)
But for right now, i need to stay awake, so ( books will help!Collapse )
Oops, out of time again! but i'm getting there!! well, kinda:P
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| the rest of the rest of 2011 books |
[13 Feb 2012|05:08pm] |
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again, i have notes on them all, but i'll only give commentary on a few unless asked:P also, again cut for length
( Read more...Collapse )
it seems i'm missing one, or miscounted, but now i'm hungry and don't feel like going back over them all:P
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| rest of 2011 books |
[13 Feb 2012|04:41pm] |
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So, here's the list of the rest of the books i read in 2011, with occasional commentary:P i do have notes i took while reading them all, so if you want to know my thoughts on any particular ones, please ask:)
( cut for lengthCollapse )
I'm splitting this into 2 posts, coz there are so many:P
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[13 Oct 2011|01:23am] |
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ok, i really need to be on here more often! especially now that i can only go back 140 posts to check what i've been missing.....
really, not much to report. Still at the hotel, still checking other options, but not much has come up. I am getting about a shift a month at the library, which is enough to keep my toe in the pool. I think about going back to school, for library or for some other program, but I'm realizing it scares me. I did pretty badly in my last couple years of school, and while some circumstances have changed, i'm still not sure i can do it...... i guess nothing needs to be decided right now, and i can just keep thinking about it and looking into things (i'm thinking quicker, less intense programs, like medical data entry or something), maybe ease my way into it to try it out.....
J and i are doing well. We just celebrated 6 years together at the end of September. The only complaint i really have is that he's not working again, and the last job didn't last very long (although it wasn't really his fault he got fired), but i'm hoping he'll get his butt in gear and pick something up for the holidays at least.
the buns are doing well. Little lovies- as i cleaned their cage today, and was crouching down in the cage with them, Holland climbed up my leg and love-nudged my ribs:) He's a little cutie:) And Princess is still a little diva, but getting better about cage-aggression, which is really her only bad issue.
I really really need to do book posts! i'm super behind in those, but ahead of my goal for reading this year:P I'll try to get at least a start made in the next couple of days, and maybe i'll build up some momentum to get caught up:)
but now, it's time for me to get a little bed snack and the go to bed:P *hugs*
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| *doin' a book dance* |
[19 Mar 2011|03:40am] |
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Life's good:) Feeling much better, and had my second day of orientation with the library (computer system and website) and got my placements; should get into an actual library soon for training:) Hotel's going along; i'm concentrating more on the good things (benefits, steady job, really actually pretty easy for most of it), which helps me deal with the not-so-good (baking, cranky boss, etc). J's still job hunting, which is frustrating, but we are getting into seasonal hiring time here, so that should come easier:) Buns are doing great:) Even when a bunch of J's friends come over for loud, long sessions of role-playing that happen in the same room the buns are in, jsut ab out every week, they're still comfortable and relaxed enough to just flop out until you come right up to their cage:) makes me a happy bunny momma to see them so well-adjusted and happy:) Princess esp. likes one of J's friends, one who's more frenetic and has a lot of hair, so i think she's found a kindred spirit:P (he's actually really sweetly calm with her, and she just lets him scoop her up:P)
i don't have a lot else going on. Pretty sleepy tonight coz i slept weird today. i covered for the other night auditor yesterday, and i don't usually work Thursday nights, so i think that's what threw it off. i'm sure i'll get back on track, and if not i'll jsut crash next thursday:P
i'm going with mom and aunt shirle to visit Rob, Jess and Willow tomorrow, so that Willow doesn't start thinking everytime she sees me or mom, Jess and/or Rob is gonna leave her:P I do love that just-turned-8-months-old girlie! and i miss my other niece:S and come to think of it, both my sisters and brother-in-laws;) I'll have to work on my travel fund again (i had to use the little i'd saved for bills):)
( reason for dancin'Collapse )
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| good stuff |
[01 Mar 2011|11:49pm] |
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So, i was going to post about how things are pretty much all around good now, and how i had my first orientation with the library and i'm totally jazzed about it, and how i'm doing a day (window) shopping trip to Moncton in a couple weekends with friends, and i have the next couple days off, so i'm spending time with J, babysitting my niece and just gonna relax and read and maybe even try out the clarinet i'm renting (coz i finally am feeling better enough to try it):)
But i'm too sleepy, so this will have to do for now;P
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| books |
[26 Feb 2011|09:06pm] |
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7 Rosemary & Rue by Seanan McGuire
This was pretty good urban fantasy. It was a bit of a let down after Soulless, but i suspect it may suffer a bit from being a first novel. I bought the next 2 anyway (giftcards! not breaking resolution;P), coz the synopsis of the 3rd one in particular really intrigued me:) I must say, though, i am not a fan of her habit of referencing past events that aren't really explained to the reader, but seem to be expected to be known.
8, 9 Promises in Death and Kindred in Death by JD Robb
I continue to really like this serie (in fact, i think some of the latest ones are the best ones):) Promises had more of a feel of Nora Roberts to me, and a lot of Freudian pop psych (or i noticed it more than in other books), i still found it exciting *and* i lol'd at parts:P I think the series is smart and funny, with just the right amount of scary and gore, and has strong women and good characterization over all:)
10, 11 Magic Burns and Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
I found Burns to be slightly above average urban fantasy. I did read it about 2 years ago, but i forgot until a couple chapters in (not a good sign:P). Based on this, i wouldn't buy any more, although i'd borrow them from the library. BUT Strikes was much better:) It was funny and fast-paced, with an interesting mix of mythologies (and explanations, but not in a lecturing, dry or condescending way)- i even teared up at points. It's still brain candy, but that's a-ok:P
[little oddity: on page 199 of the edition of Burns i read, there's a pi symbol in the middle of the word 'responsibility'.....
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| book review |
[17 Feb 2011|05:00pm] |
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This one's longer than usual, because it's for books1001. However, i'm babysitting my baby niece Willow (and their dog Max), so it won't be too in depth:P i need to return the book to the library though, and i like to write reviews when i still have the book on hand in case i want to refer to it.
6/100 The Bell, by Iris Murdoch
copyright 1973
edition i read: Vintage Classics (Random House) published 1999
# pages: 316
source: inter-library loan
( i'm not so good at longer reviews...Collapse )
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| update, mostly books:P |
[30 Jan 2011|05:14pm] |
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Well, we got through J's uncle's wake and funeral. it was really hard, but we (and his family) are doing ok. Other than that, there hasn't been much going on. Oh! J did drop off a few resumes Friday and has an interview tomorrow, which is great:D *fingers crossed*
Mom and i saw The King's Speech today (i had coupons and a gift card!:D). We both really liked it!:) I really liked Helena Bonham Carter in a more serious, nice role. She's great as a meanie or eccentric, but i like to see her versatility and just acting, no extra props. I only have 2 complaints about the movie, and they both *can* be explained although never were: 1) David seems really weak and he and Wallace are both portrayed quite unsympathetically [which can be explained by the fact that we're seeing them with Bertie & Elizabeth's bias, and also that my image of them as being romantic and such probably isn't the whole truth:P], and 2) Lionel doesn't have an Aussie accent [explanation: i may not know enough about Aussie accents in the 1920 & 30's; they may have been closer to British accents than they are now. Or, since moving to England, through great effort or not, he may have changed his accent. Or my mom pointed out he might have had very British parents, and not have as strong an Aussie accent. The remarks when he auditions, and otherwise, make me feel like he should've had an Aussie accent though]. Other than that, it was great!:D lots of quick sly humour too, which had me giggling:P
so, i managed to hold off on spending the $60 in bookstore gift cards, for 10 whole day!;P i caved and ordered 6 paperbacks, after reading Soulless and really liking it and wanting the next 2. I also ordered the next(s) in a couple of other series:) However, i want it noted that i went to the bookstore yesterday with J's mom and did not buy anything, not even a $2 book:P so, one month in and i'm still keeping my resolution (since i said gift cards could be exceptions:P);)
i'm going to try to finish off at least one more book today, but ( Read more...Collapse )
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| much better |
[04 Jan 2011|01:27am] |
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Feeling much better after that crying session, esp. after realizing that allowing myself to cry does not mean i'm depressed again. J came home and we talked a bit, and then snuggled and looked at cute things on the internet, which was fun:)
i was going to look at my reading goals for 2010 and see how i did, and make new ones for 2011, but it seems i didn't make goals for last year..... according to my first book post of last year, i did intend to read 115 books. that didn't happen; i made it to 86. however, i read most of The Sword of Truth series, which are big, slogging books, so i think that's why (in fact, i think if you look back, i was on track for 115 until i started reading those). I feel like i wanted to reread LOTR, which also didn't happen, because of Sword of Truth, which is ok:P And i know i wanted to spend less money on books, which i mostly did. i still bought some, but i used the library more, borrowed from friends and family, and better, read more books i already had:P
Goals for this year: read 100 books I only have 2 left in the Sword... series, so that shouldn't interfere again, and i feel i can make this:)
Buy fewer books i'm going to try this: read 10 books already on my shelf before buying myself another one. For the whole year. So in theory, i can only buy about 10 books (if i only read 100). This doesn't include the 4 that are at the post office (picking them up tomorrow), because they're already here, *and* coz i ordered and paid for them (with gift cards) last week, before Jan 1:P Books-as-gifts don't count in this, and i may make exceptions for gift cards received (no, i can't buy them for myself to get around this). Also, unless i know i Really Want it, i should try and find it through the library first.
I joined books1001, and i want to read as many of those as i can (as assigned). My first one is The Bell by Iris Murdoch, and i have it on order through the library:)
Read the books i've borrowed i have about 8 books i've borrowed from people (mostly family) sitting on a shelf downstairs. I must read those soon! and i may not borrow any more until those are read!
Organize my bookshelves, Unpack & Put away all my books ok, not technically a reading goal, but needs to be done!:P Also, maybe i'll finally go through my books this way, and take out the ones to sell or donate.
i may add to this, but that's all i can think of right now
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