Weekend-er

What have I been up to? Let me count the days...

First, I picked up a new foster dog from Brunswick County Sheriff's Office Animal Protective Services a couple weeks ago. Her name is Mazzy Star, because she's a rock star. Mazzy is a tiny, 38 lbs pit bull rock star. So sweet and very well behaved. Mazzy was heartworm positive so she had treatment on Oct. 21st and 22nd. Heartworms are 100% preventable. That's your PSA for the day. The Merit Pit Bull Foundation treated Mazzy and 4 other dogs recently for this disease. If you have a few extra bucks, please consider making a donation towards these pups health. You can do that HERE, and make sure and tell them that Mazzy and I sent ya. <3 As soon as Mazzy is medically cleared she has a new human waiting to adopt her. I'm so happy for this awesome girl. We're going to miss her like crazy, but it's all worth it.

What else have I been doing? More dog stuff, obviously! I spent a week dog sitting with my favorite GSD pups. Stella and Rufus are so fun to stay with. Their personalities remind me a lot of my pit bulls actually. Very loving and loyal and complete characters at times! Check out these two beauties below.

Besides dog stuff, I've been watching too much fall tv and trying to read more. I did finish Unbroken. Right now I'm reading There But For The. 

I'm working on my mixed cd for the 2nd annual mixed cd exchange. 

I rocked out the Penelope Pitstop costume for the animated characters themed Halloween party. 

That's about all. Oh, I did jump on the Facebook 30 Days of Thankfulness bandwagon. I've decided to take the opportunity to be thankful for the smaller things in life that I typically take for granted. My posts are going to be silly and funny, but full of truth. 

We're having Sunday Lazy day here. Law & Order, hot chai tea, blogging (more Alaska to come!), and pillow forts. Have a great one!

AND...

Because I haven't posted a links of the week for a while I've added some internet awesomeness here too. My blog stuff folder is getting mighty full, so I'll post later this week with everything else that's waiting. 

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"You shouldn’t have to wait until all the big things in your life are gone before you realize that the small things will save you." This article has made a big impression on me recently. 

Comic Genius: Portraits of Funny People

I already shared this on Facebook, but if you missed it, these portraits of Snow White and her prince are ADORBS!

I always wondered how they found all the cars for these time period movies and such. 

Links of the Week 10/11/13

I have so much to share today! Give yourself time and read everything. It will be worth it!

Oct. 9, 2013 was John Lennon's 73rd Birthday. Peace, John. 

31 pictures that will make you smile...and most of them did.

I don't even eat oatmeal, but this recipe for chai pumpkin oatmeal sounds delish.

Sriracha Mac & Cheese, you had me at hello...plus, here's a whole mac & cheese cookbook.

12 Little Known Laws of Karma (That Will Change Your Life)

Cool idea for that dinner club I keep saying I'm going to start...Around the World in 7 Recipes

If you're fudgelling through this work day like me, then you'll enjoy this list. 

I WANT THIS HOUSE!

You're right, Don't Date a Girl Who Reads, we ruin everything!

So easy a hamster can do it!

Food Hacks. Some of these are great ideas!

NSFW: but this Blurred Lines parody is LOL funny!

This will NEVER get old. I love Sesame Street. :)

Very interesting article on Emotional Intelligence. My parents and teachers need to read this. 

A new Fratellis album!!!! YES! Love this band. 

Happy Weekend People! 

Audio book Review: "Bossypants" by Tina Fey

Bossypants

by: Tina Fey read by: Tina Fey

From Goodreads: Before Liz Lemon, before "Weekend Update," before "Sarah Palin," Tina Fey was just a young girl with a dream: a recurring stress dream that she was being chased through a local airport by her middle-school gym teacher. She also had a dream that one day she would be a comedian on TV.

She has seen both these dreams come true.

At last, Tina Fey's story can be told. From her youthful days as a vicious nerd to her tour of duty on Saturday Night Live; from her passionately halfhearted pursuit of physical beauty to her life as a mother eating things off the floor; from her one-sided college romance to her nearly fatal honeymoon—from the beginning of this paragraph to this final sentence.

Tina Fey reveals all, and proves what we've all suspected: you're no one until someone calls you bossy.

(Includes Special, Never-Before-Solicited Opinions on Breastfeeding, Princesses, Photoshop, the Electoral Process, and Italian Rum Cake!)

My Review: Oh My God. Where do I start? This book and Tina Fey are so awesome. I can't imagine having read it any other way than hearing Tina read it herself. The under-her-breath insights and hearing the sarcasm exactly where it should be, well it was just perfect. From the very beginning telling about becoming a woman and all it's horrors to her near death experience on her honeymoon mid-book I couldn't stop laughing. I know I got some strange looks between here and Greensboro and back while I lost myself in "Bossypants." 

If you ever need advice on life ask a comedian. If you can, ask Tina Fey. She's funny, yea we all know that, but she's also one of us. She's not ashamed of telling her coming up stories either. This isn't a book about how talented and successful she is. It's about what an every day woman has to experience to appreciate opportunity when it arises. The chapter Peeing in Jars with Boys probably wasn't meant to be hysterically funny but I was in tears. She's new to SNL and trying to coach Sylvester Stallone on enunciating during his sketch. Really? Who and how would someone go about this? Being the new girl on SNL must have been one hell of an experience.

Learning about improv was fascinating. I really did learn something. Not that I'm going to run out for open mic night or anything but she's brilliant. Handling herself in a male dominated industry says it all I think. Fey isn't modest about telling you who and what tried to stand in her way. 

Oh! Don't let me forget to mention parenting memories from Tina Fey. My Oh My! You can't not read this book...er, listen to it. Seriously. Drunk midgets and dysfunctional families. That's all.

My Recommendation: I could write about everything I loved about Bossypants for hours. So as to not give it all away just go get the audio book. NOW. GO! I'm sure every public library has it. If you need $1 for a library card...well, I'm a broke bitch, but it will be worth it. I'll send you a buck. 

Read more on Goodreads

Book Review: "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card

Ender's Game

by: Orson Scott Card

From Goodreads: Government drafts genius child Andrew "Ender" Wiggin to defend against alien Buggers, but rejects sadistic brother Peter and beloved sister Valentine. In orbiting Battle School, rigorous military training, skill and natural leadership elevates boy to isolated position, respected by jealous rivals, pressured by teachers, afraid of invasion.

My Review: I'll just start by saying that this is my first science fiction novel. I've read a few dystopian short stories, but I really have nothing to compare to. I enjoyed Ender's Game. I don't think I'll change my preferred genre, but this story captured my attention for a few hundred pages. I started off slow, but I can't NOT finish a novel. My second confession is that a friend lent this book to me a couple years ago and I just now read it. Is that procrastination or what? 

I was pretty hesitant regarding the topic of manipulating children as the story does. At the same time I was completely enthralled in Ender's determination, self-awareness, and skill. He really is a prodigy, in this alternate reality. I was cheering him on against the teachers the whole time. I enjoyed the insight into Ender's theory of battle and his will to beat the game. The psychology of the game was definitely the high points for me. 

The ending...that was where it lost me. First, the shocking, or not, but for me the shocking victory and it's consequences. Then, the habitation of the new world. The story was written well enough that I finished. Did I love it? Eh, I finished it quickly, but I think I'm still confused as to my feelings. Mostly because I can't compare Ender's Game to anything and also the fact that I know nothing about how a science fiction novel should play out, I have to say "YES."

My Recommendation: I'd recommend Ender's Game to anyone that wants to dabble in science fiction for the first time. Based on critics and awards I'd say it's a sure shot for science fiction readers as well. I'm really glad I finally read it. I'm looking forward to the movie. I'm excited to see how the film will portray Ender's diligence in falling into his birthright.

Find more on Goodreads.

Book Review: "Me Before You" by Jojo Moyes

Me Before You

By: Jojo Moyes

From Goodreads: Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

My Review: I have to first give credit to my book club for contribution to these thoughts. I usually write my review before we discuss the book but since that didn't happen and we had a great discussion of Me Before You, I give them credit as well. And thanks!

I think we all agreed that the book was not what we expected. Whether it was expected or not, it was a great book. The characters heavily outweigh the rather dark subject matter. Clark, er Lou or Louise, was witty in her naive and innocent way. Her unknown independence and confidence really created the zest that made her character so likable and loved. Clark discovers so much about herself along the way and her determination to affect Will seemed a little encouraging to me. Perhaps not to everyone, but the do-gooder in me couldn't help wanting to run out and become a carer. Hopefully, not as hopeless a situation. And now that I write that I'm not even sure that I want to call Will or Clark's situation hopeless. Mainly, because this brings me to the topic of assisted suicide. I'll be the first to admit that I've never opposed the idea. As a middle schooler in the early 90's I was interested in the matter. I gave one of my first ever persuasive speeches in defense of assisted suicide actually. Clearly, at that age you can't imagine the entire context of the topic. Moyes does an excellent job of in my opinion of presenting the topics from many different perspectives. 

We were all surprised by Clark's mother's reaction to her decision to go to Will's side in the end. Most surprising because of her tolerance of Treena's weaknesses and patience of the situation. Not surprising was Clark's father's clear insight into Will's decision. As for Treena, we discussed that without her character, Clark would not have had the groundwork and the strength to manage Will or his family in the manner that she succeeded in doing. Will's father and mother had a failed relationship that was only being glued together by the injury of their son, for whom had little to no regard for either of them. The father's mistress had a compelling attitude about her. We even discussed our imagery of who Nathan would have been in life. Basically, what I'm saying here is that there wasn't a character that was unliked in this story. To add to that, no matter how big or small the characters' involvement to the main story line, they were all relevant in making such a well written story. 

Recommendation: I can't say anything negative about this book. If you may be sensitive to the subject matter perhaps I would not recommend it. Overall, however this was a book that despite the unhappiness and tragedy I completely enjoyed. I couldn't put it down and in the end I cried. That takes a lot to get me in tears over a book. 

Find more on Goodreads

top ten book turn-offs

top ten  book turn-offs you encounter while reading

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. 

Each week they post a new Top Ten List topic. If you would like to participate just add your url to their widget and make sure you link back to their blog in your post. You can participate even without a blog. Just make a comment below with your top ten! 

This week a very special friend offered to help me with my top ten. I'm pretty sure it was just a secret ploy to get me active again with my blog. Regardless, I'm very thankful for her suggestions and her friendship. I now give you our joint list of top ten for the week. 

1. Sequels that completely retell the previous novel. Why call it a series if I could read each book alone.

2. Font/line spacing. Especially, the small bold font with horrible line spacing. Would love to read A Suitable Boy someday but I'm sorry, the font is offensive.

3. Cliche character monologue with their "inner self." Yes, Anastasia, your inner goddess is cooler than you. Maybe she should just tell this story, it's not cute anymore. 

4. Insta-love. Barf. Give me something real. Thanks. 

5. Poor editing. Nothing is more irking that reading a great book with grammatical errors.

6. Book characters with similar names. Why would an author do this? Is the point to confuse the crap out of us or do you just not want your characters to be distinguishable from the beginning. 

7. Animal cruelty. Pretty self-explanatory. I just can't handle the subject matter. Even reading Water for Elephants made me want to go ninja kick some circus fools. Don't even get me started on neglect or abuse of family pets in stories. 

8. Love triangles. I just regurgitated that insta-love story I swallowed against my will. 

9. Self-deprivating characters. Bleh. Not entertaining. 

10. A pretentious narrator. It's hard to throat punch someone through the words of a book. So I'd rather deal with these people in real life only. Greater self gratification involved that way. 

Hi, my name is Angela, and i'm an addict...

...a book addict! I can't help myself. I have books everywhere. Many I haven't yet read. But I still can't keep myself from going to book sales and racking up loads of books for $2/ea. If it's a disease, then I like this kind of being ill.

Here is what I scored at the New Hanover County Public Library Friends of the Library book sale this weekend.

excerpt from the 1000 Journals Project

maybe my most prized find...$2 each!

Alaska - Take One

Well, some of you may know, others may not, that I took a trip to Alaska recently. Actually, less recent then I'd like to admit. I've been back for 4 weeks. I'm shaking my finger at myself, you don't need to do it for me. I can't explain why I've waited 4 weeks to share this awesomeness with you. I can, but I'm just not going to. How's that for honesty?  Regardless, the wait is over. I now give you: Alaska: Take One!

All Aboard

That's NOT the cruise ship I was on, so credit to google image for the shot. Take a look at the bottom map. We traveled the Inside Passage. In the top map you can see the specific places that we cruised to. We left Seattle on a Tuesday afternoon. It was a beautiful, cloudless, warm day in Seattle, WA. I think most of the locals were freaked out. This particular southern beach bum was ecstatic. It was my kind of weather. We spent all day Wednesday at sea. That day consisted of lots of walking around the ship, getting acclimated, I got to meet all the awesome Noble County friends that accompanied my family on this trip. Honestly, a lot of alcohol was consumed...that's my best memory of the day this late in the game. I did include a picture at the end of this scroll of all the wine I smuggled on the ship. Each passenger is allowed ONE bottle of wine. I'm the only wine drinker out of the entire group so I had 7 bottles brought on board. All for me! I'm pretty sure that on Wednesday night I drank almost 2 bottles. Picture evidence would conclude that I carried the bottle around the ship with me versus going back and forth to the room for a refill. I was on vacation. Come on!

Seattle from the ship as we were leaving port. Gorgeous!

Check out the clear view of Mt. Rainer behind Seattle's port from the Puget Sound

Excited about setting sail

I make art with my smuggled wine

This shot was taken in one of the ships many bars, with my bottle of wine that I carried around that evening. 

Tracy Arm Fjord

Thursday the Carnival Miracle cruised through the Tracy Arm Fjord. Tracy Arm is a fjord in Alaska near Juneau. It is named after the Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Franklin Tracy. It is located off of Holkham Bay and adjacent to Stephens Passage within the Tongass National Forest. Tracy Arm is the heart of the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, designated by the United States Congress in 1980.

Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness contains 653,179 acres and consists of two deep and narrow fjords: Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm. Both fjords are over 30 miles long and one-fifth of their area is covered in ice. During the summer, the fjords have considerable floating ice ranging from hand-sized to pieces as large as a three-story building. 

The deep passageways and thin continental shelf leads to unique connections between offshore and inshore waters. The colder water temperature, nutrient rich upwelling, and strong currents allow for many species that live in deeper water to survive in the shallower waters 

Here are some photos of the beauty of this area. It was so impressive to be on such a large ship out in this narrow passage. The water is extremely deep though and offers easy cruising for ships through the area. 

kayaking

I have one word for you: majestic. 

Stay tuned for part deux: Skagway!

Links of the Week 9/13/13 with a Friday the 13th Special

I haven't done a "Links of the Week" post in a while. Between vacation and conferences I haven't been at a computer much. I've still been reading and saving links, just haven't been able to post them for you. So, without further delay, I bequeath to you some of my favorite stuff from around the web as of late. 

Because it's football season (arrrggghhhh) and because my Pirates are #2 on the list

Pretty cool Tumblr I ran across

I think I'll make this, white pizza dip, to get fat on during football tomorrow! 

Now that I'm salivating...I'll go ahead and share this recipe for Baked Asiago Green Bean Fries I want to try

Mazzy Star is going on tour. Of course, she's coming no where close enough for me to go. Anyone able to teleport me to one of these cities for cheap?

You may have watched this by now. In honor of my #1 beer choice and the pure awesomeness of this commercial. Here it is again. Well done, Guinness!

16 Totally Normal Phobias You Didn't Know Had Names

A Decade of Weather in 3 Minutes. This is pretty amazing, especially if you look out for the major storms that we've experienced over the years. 

True Crime stories if you're a junkie like me!

This is an article for many of my friends, whom like myself have student loan balances that weigh surpass our annual salary.

Are you left or right brain predominant?

These made me laugh

The Power of Doing Something Meaningless.

I'll be using this in defense of my poor decision making in the future!

And...here's another interesting article discussing money worries and decision making. 

I already loved The Science Guy, do you? 

"Welcome to the winter of our discontent" That's probably one of my favorite lines from one of my all time favorite movies. Reality Bites may be back as a comedy series. YES!!!!!! Big Gulps for all. :)

Thanks, Upworthy, for this little bit of amusing sarcasm

Here's your Friday the 13th extra special link. I've been saving this one for weeks to share:

50 OMG stories that will make your heart stop beating.

xoxo,
Angela

"The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Diaz

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

by Junot Diaz

Synopsis: Things have never been easy for Oscar, a sweet but disastrously overweight ghetto nerd, a New Jersey romantic who dreams of becoming the Dominican J.R.R. Tolkien and, most of all, of finding love. But he may never get what he wants, thanks to the fukú — the ancient curse that has haunted the Oscar's family for generations, dooming them to prison, torture, tragic accidents, and, above all, ill-starred love. Oscar, still dreaming of his first kiss, is only its most recent victim - until the fateful summer that he decides to be its last.

With dazzling energy and insight, Junot Díaz immerses us in the uproarious lives of our hero Oscar, his runaway sister Lola, and their ferocious beauty-queen mother Belicia, and in the epic journey from Santo Domingo to Washington Heights to New Jersey's Bergenline and back again. Rendered with uncommon warmth and humor, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao presents an astonishing vision of the contemporary American experience and the endless human capacity to persevere - and to risk it all - in the name of love.

My Review: I have wanted to read this book for years. Seriously, years. It just kept getting pushed back as new book club books came around and of course life. I have to say that, finally, a Pulitzer prize winner that I devoured and loved and would read again and recommend to everyone! Such smooth writing and witty humor. Despite the obvious culture differences, there were relateable references that made me smile. I've included my favorites below. I can't say enough positive things about this book. I will say that it's not a happy go lucky story. Don't try and make this a light read. That it is not. That being said, I read it on vacation. I loved it so much I almost completed the whole book in the span of one plane ride to the west coast. 

Here are some dog-eared honorable mentions: 

What grade A story doesn't make at least one Star Wars reference? "Perhaps if like me he'd been able to hide his otakuness maybe shit would have been easier for him, but he couldn't. Dude wore his neediness like a Jedi wore his light saber or a Lensman her lens. Couldn't have passed for normal if he'd wanted to."

And, a U2 reference! "...I would become a backup singer for U2, and both Bono and the drummer would fall in love with me, and Oscar could become the Dominican James Joyce."

The use of phrases like this: "Writing checks with his mouth that his ass could never hope to cover."

The rawness of Oscar's emotions: " I can't, he whimpered. My heart is overthrown."

This reference to a beloved author: "Oscar peeped the astrology books under the bed and a collection of Paulo Coelho novels. She followed his gaze and said with a smile, Paulo Coelho saved my life."

Wit like this: "But then I'd by lying. I know I've thrown a lot of fantasy and sci-fi in the mix but this is supposed to be a true account of the Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. Can't we believe that an Ybon can exist and that a brother like Oscar might be due a little luck after twenty-three years? This is your chance. If blue pill, continue. If red pill, return to the Matrix."

Recommendation: Go to your nearest library sale or used book store. Buy a copy of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. Read it. Give it to someone else that has yet to read it. Enjoy the feeling of passing on a wonderful book. 

Find more on Goodreads.

p.s. here's a disclaimer for the future of my blog. I thought it would be super awesome to one day get paid to blog about books. I have come to the sad realization that it was only going to be a possibility if I dropped everything else in life to have the time, committed to reading a lot of books, and most importantly that I would have to read YA books and mostly romancey or futuristic stuff or omg vampires. So, from this point forward I'm not going to focus on writing professional reviews that will draw attention. I'm just going to write these for fun and so I can actually remember what I loved about a book when I read it. 

top ten books we'd love to see as a movie or tv show

top ten  books we'd love to see as a movie or tv show

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. 

Each week they post a new Top Ten List topic. If you would like to participate just add your url to their widget and make sure you link back to their blog in your post. You can participate even without a blog. Just make a comment below with your top ten! 

The Shadow of the Wind - Obvious choice because it's a fantastic novel of mystery and it's centered around a book of secrets. It would be great as a movie or a tv series. 

A Visit From the Good Squad - I'd love to see these characters brought to life on the big screen. Between the  punk rock flash backs and the level of depth that Egan gives to her characters this would make a great movie. To be honest, I'd like to see any of her novels made into a movie. Her stories are exceptional.

Where'd You Go, Bernadette - I think this would make a great comedy of sorts. The awkwardness and humor surrounding the events and characters is better than any "Housewives" show on the air. 

Let's Pretend This Never Happened - I know this is a memoir, but to see a 30 minutes sitcom each week of a story from The Bloggess would be like Betty White meets Duck Dynasty and America's Funniest Videos all in one show!

Paint it Black - White Oleander did well on the big screen and Paint it Black is an equally dark and wicked portrait of youth gone bad. I think another Fitch novel would make a great movie.

She's Come Undone OR I Know This Much Is True - Either of these Wally Lamb novels I would race to see in theaters. Lamb's stories are so psychologically intense and thought provoking. His writing mesmerizes me. I feel deeply emotional for the characters and easily get lost in the story.

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane - It's a cheesy love story that makes me think of Practical Magic, one of my favorites. There is also a great historical undertone that would make a great backdrop for said love story.

Skeletons at the Feast - This Bohjalian novel would make a great period piece. I love all his books that I've read but I think this one would be interesting to watch and see the costumes and camera technology.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - A recent interview with the author suggests there will be no movie in the future. This is another love story that houses so much historical significance that I'd be very excited to see it turned into a film.

So, agree? Disagree? Tell me what you think and don't forget to visit The Broke and the Bookish and check out some other suggestions.