My friend Dan Lang told me about Goodreads when he was over this weekend. He's created a monster. I spent the majority of yesterday adding books to my shelves, marking them as read, rating them, adding things to my "to read" pile, and marveling at the fact that every book I've ever read since I was able to read is on there. Go Dog, Go!? It's there. War and Peace? It's there. Strangely enough, I gave them both five stars.
I looked at book lists and joined some groups and found some friends. Then I took a bike ride. When I came back, I jumped right back in and added some things I'd only thought of while I was out. By the end of the night my eyes were so tired from staring at my computer screen that I could barely focus. Phew. I slept like a rock, too. Of course, it might have been the dream where I ended up owning Disneyland that kept me sleeping...
Are you on Goodreads? You should find me! I'd love to see what you've been reading, what you are reading, and what you plan to read.
Out
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, August 23, 2010
Kurt Vonnegut
One of the pleasant little consequences of my job it that I'm actually reading again. It used to take me six months to get through a book. I just never made the time to read. And now? I've got loads of time, and I'm getting paid to do it. So...why not? There's so much down time at work that we all bring books. One of the first books I brought to read was Cat's Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut.
And I loved it! More than I can say. It was just...hilarious and tragic and imaginative. It made me read like I did when I was ten, devouring the book on the edge of my seat, knowing what was going to happen (as Vonnegut writes his books with the ending first, as I've come to find out) but wondering how in the world the characters were going to get there.
I had read Slaughterhouse Five a few years ago and enjoyed it, but it didn't blow my mind or anything.
Cat's Cradle, however, made me fall in love with his writing! I devoured Galapagos, and yesterday I just finished The Sirens of Titan, which I believe was his first book. They're all so weird and wonderful. And his structure...oh man. It's like, "Here's a character. Here's what is going to happen to that character in the end, although they don't know it yet. And here's 300 pages explaining how they got there. The end."
It's divine. I'm thinking maybe my next NaNoWriMo novel should be structured similarly. I dunno...I need an idea first.
And now? I'm out of Vonnegut. I have to go buy some more soon! What books by Vonnegut have y'all read that you liked?
Out
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Twitterpated...
It is Spring, y'all! How do I know? I went out last night without a coat on. The library had their front doors standing wide open. And it's been raining for days.
All I need is for Robb to tell me he's done for the season at the ski hill, and we're set. Heck, I even rode my bike the other day! I thought I was going to die, but I rode it.
In other news, I am letting my facial hair grow out. I'm keeping it clean, but I sort of like it, and I've had two compliments on it. Robb apparently likes the scruffy look more than he thought he would. Pictures will follow, eventually.
Has anyone ever read Maxwell Strangewell? I'm LOVING it.
Out
All I need is for Robb to tell me he's done for the season at the ski hill, and we're set. Heck, I even rode my bike the other day! I thought I was going to die, but I rode it.
In other news, I am letting my facial hair grow out. I'm keeping it clean, but I sort of like it, and I've had two compliments on it. Robb apparently likes the scruffy look more than he thought he would. Pictures will follow, eventually.
Has anyone ever read Maxwell Strangewell? I'm LOVING it.
Out
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Top 5 Tuesday: Jobs Edition...
If you read my blog you know I hate my job. If you hadn't realized it yet, let me say it explicitly. I hate my job. So when lisguitarist suggested I do a Top 5 Tuesday blog about jobs, I jumped at the opportunity!
Are you making sandwiches for ungrateful jerks? Spending all day dealing with horrible customers? Answering the phone with your Lee Press-on smile? Serving food? This blog's for you! After careful consideration and much soul searching, I present to everyone my list of The Top 5 Jobs I'd Love To Try.
5) Professional Blogger
If I could make my money doing exactly what I'm doing every day around here, I'd quit my crappy job in a heartbeat! Leave banking for blogging? Sure! What's to lose? I'd have no customers, no rules, and no one to answer to except my fans (and those crazy people who seem to hate me for no reason). I can't see any downside.
4) Runway Model
The photo says it all. Who wouldn't want to be that guy? Personal trainer? Sure! Wearing ridiculous clothes? Why not! Having my photo taken and plastered all over magazines and the Internet? It's about time! I'd get paid to be pretty and walk. I mean, it's not much for personal worth aside from whatever you'd feel from being beautiful, but you get paid to walk twenty feet and turn around. I don't even have to smile! Sounds like the perfect job, honestly.
3) College Literature Professor
This one is probably the one I'm most serious about. It's been something I've wanted to do since college lit (more years ago than I care to admit). There's nothing closer to being a professional student than this. It would entail more school. Fine by me! I would have to talk in front of a group. I could get used to that, especially if it were something I was passionate about. And, to top it all off, I'd get to wear a sweet sports jacket to work every day! Getting paid to read? To teach others to love and appreciate what you love? Jackpot! I might have to look into grad schools...
2) Backup Dancer
Heck yes. Only because I'd love to bust out some moves and people point for different reasons than they normally do. Really, I just wish I could dance, and this is most definitely an extension of that desire. Bright lights and pumping music would be my new home, my blood, and my heartbeat. Yes please!
1) Editor at Hardest Level
Okay, okay. I'll admit this one is sort of a plug. But. This is something that could happen. I have a phone call today to talk with Eugenia about what an internship with Xanga's very own Hardest Level would entail. Reading and writing about video games? Count me in without one ounce of hesitation! Editing? Yes, please! And perhaps even boosting readership and building relationships with more people around the Xangaverse? That's, like, a dream come true!
So there you have it: a frightening look into what I'd love to do. Could I ever be all these things? Perhaps. Although I'd have to learn to sleepwalk like a model and blog at the same time...this could prove problematic. Not to mention the trauma from teh people that would have to see me both disrobe AND dance. Eek!
What about your top five?
Until next time, friends! Remember, submissions for Top 5 Tuesday blogs are always welcome. Who knows, you could see your own idea on this very spot next week!
Out
Are you making sandwiches for ungrateful jerks? Spending all day dealing with horrible customers? Answering the phone with your Lee Press-on smile? Serving food? This blog's for you! After careful consideration and much soul searching, I present to everyone my list of The Top 5 Jobs I'd Love To Try.
5) Professional Blogger
If I could make my money doing exactly what I'm doing every day around here, I'd quit my crappy job in a heartbeat! Leave banking for blogging? Sure! What's to lose? I'd have no customers, no rules, and no one to answer to except my fans (and those crazy people who seem to hate me for no reason). I can't see any downside.
4) Runway Model
The photo says it all. Who wouldn't want to be that guy? Personal trainer? Sure! Wearing ridiculous clothes? Why not! Having my photo taken and plastered all over magazines and the Internet? It's about time! I'd get paid to be pretty and walk. I mean, it's not much for personal worth aside from whatever you'd feel from being beautiful, but you get paid to walk twenty feet and turn around. I don't even have to smile! Sounds like the perfect job, honestly.
3) College Literature Professor
This one is probably the one I'm most serious about. It's been something I've wanted to do since college lit (more years ago than I care to admit). There's nothing closer to being a professional student than this. It would entail more school. Fine by me! I would have to talk in front of a group. I could get used to that, especially if it were something I was passionate about. And, to top it all off, I'd get to wear a sweet sports jacket to work every day! Getting paid to read? To teach others to love and appreciate what you love? Jackpot! I might have to look into grad schools...
2) Backup Dancer
Heck yes. Only because I'd love to bust out some moves and people point for different reasons than they normally do. Really, I just wish I could dance, and this is most definitely an extension of that desire. Bright lights and pumping music would be my new home, my blood, and my heartbeat. Yes please!
1) Editor at Hardest Level
Okay, okay. I'll admit this one is sort of a plug. But. This is something that could happen. I have a phone call today to talk with Eugenia about what an internship with Xanga's very own Hardest Level would entail. Reading and writing about video games? Count me in without one ounce of hesitation! Editing? Yes, please! And perhaps even boosting readership and building relationships with more people around the Xangaverse? That's, like, a dream come true!
So there you have it: a frightening look into what I'd love to do. Could I ever be all these things? Perhaps. Although I'd have to learn to sleepwalk like a model and blog at the same time...this could prove problematic. Not to mention the trauma from teh people that would have to see me both disrobe AND dance. Eek!
What about your top five?
Until next time, friends! Remember, submissions for Top 5 Tuesday blogs are always welcome. Who knows, you could see your own idea on this very spot next week!
Out
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Warm...
I am warm. Emotionally warm. I haven't been communicating on any fronts that have been rewarding in a long time. And now there are people in my life, albeit on the periphery, that make me glad to get up and go about my daily business.
They urge me to write. They help me to think. Or, more precisely, they give me something for my brain to chew.
And I'm reading. I haven't been reading as much as I'd like to in a long time. But right now, I'm flying through books. And talking about books. And realizing that people I care about hate the same books as I do for the same reasons. There's something nice about that, especially when everyone else thinks said book is amazing. And no, I'm not referring to Twilight. Anyone with an eye for good writing thinks that's garbage.
And despite an awkward, messy moment in the middle, I had a good fifteen minutes with the boy this morning.
All this leaves me sort of glowing right now. Glowing and wishing I wasn't sitting at home alone on a Saturday night.
Out
They urge me to write. They help me to think. Or, more precisely, they give me something for my brain to chew.
And I'm reading. I haven't been reading as much as I'd like to in a long time. But right now, I'm flying through books. And talking about books. And realizing that people I care about hate the same books as I do for the same reasons. There's something nice about that, especially when everyone else thinks said book is amazing. And no, I'm not referring to Twilight. Anyone with an eye for good writing thinks that's garbage.
And despite an awkward, messy moment in the middle, I had a good fifteen minutes with the boy this morning.
All this leaves me sort of glowing right now. Glowing and wishing I wasn't sitting at home alone on a Saturday night.
Out
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