What happens when one drops off the face of the earth and leaves their blog and website in hibernation? Nothing really except all the great stories, photos, and adventures are not out there. A lot has happened since I last posted and a lot more is about to come to fruition. The biggest thing since I was around last ... I started a podcast. Kind of out of the blue. And boy have I learned a lot. I'm sure I'll be sharing at some point my adventure, tips, tricks, and hopefully learning more to make it even better in the future. Alter Egos was my baby last year, a blast to be had, and it will only continue. To learn more, catch up, or just tell us how much you love us click here. I became obsessed with seeing as many concerts as possible in 2016 and my bank account is still on strike. See how many concerts I attended, and how much fun was had by watching this little compilation video. I also did some fun inner states traveling, met some amazing new friends, and now I'm planning the next chapter and I need your help! April 5th I'm launching something new and I need your input to decide what it is! What would you most like to see launched first on April 5th (because let's be real ... these are all going to happen):
BUT - before any of that even happens on April 5th, I have three special Alter Ego episodes from the archives that have never been posted. You'll want to stick around to find out more details, subscribe to the podcast in iTune, and follow up on Insta. And they are pretty epic. And I can't wait to share all these new adventures with you.
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It's one of my favorite days and now it is even more fitting because it's supposed to be a rainy day in Boise ... the perfect day to snuggle up at home and just read books all day long! A literary geek's dream come true. Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon happens twice a year and is in honor of a great host who is no longer with us. If you want to join in the fun, click here for more details. MID-EVENT SURVEY (Hour 12): 1. What are you reading right now? I'm reading The Lifeguard by Mary Morris, a series of stories that are quite intriguing and a variety perfect for a read-a-thon. I changed up my TBR pile to add some Shakespeare as well to celebrate the 400th anniversary of his death. 2. How many books have you read so far? I've finished 7 books so far. Holy cow! I've definitely chosen great books to read that are fast and make me feel accomplished. 3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? I'm looking forward to some more Shakespeare, and maybe starting a longer book from either James Patterson or Sylvia Day, or finishing up Born For This or Walt Disney. 4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? Only a couple. Had to take a break early in the morning for a church rehearsal, took a couple phone calls, and in a bit going over to my parents house for movie night. They have been warned I will be reading. 5. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? How much I've read, how awake I still feel, the page count, and in general how much fun it has been this time around. Rainy days and fireplaces make for great reading atmosphere. UPDATE TWO (end of hour 10):
UPDATE ONE:
Now onto the fun part ... a little bit about me with the opening meme. 1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? I'm in the beautiful, and wet, Boise, Idaho. 2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? I have such a variety of books lined up to read but probably One With You by Sylvia Day, the last book in the Crossfire series. It was Humans of New York but then I read it. Oops. 3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? I have some fun boom chicka pop flavors, pizza, and easy pasta dinners lined up depending on my cravings or dinner preference. 4) Tell us a little something about yourself! I've been participating in the read-a-thons since probably around 2009 with a couple missed ones here or there. I read about 100 books a year. I also love to write mystery/crime/romance fiction. I own about 600 books I've never read so I have a lot to choose from. My favorite book store is in Venice, Italy where all the books are in boats or bathtubs so the water can't get to them (I also bought a handful of Hemingway books in Italian there). 5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?
I'm looking forward to the relaxing, no pressure feeling. I'll read as much and for as long as I can. I have some things away from home that need to be done so I have an audiobook handy. I just love the excuse to sit a read all day. That's ME. Keep checking back to this post for updates. Now, without further ado ... I must go read. Ciao. One of things I fell in love with in the year of 31, was podcasts ... more specifically The Lady Gang - three girls in Hollywood who get together once a week and talk about their good weeks and bad weeks, interview their besties, and talk about everything you would normally talk about while sipping on mimosas and laughing. It inspired me. So I'm going to do it. Just a girl in Boise with her besties hanging out and talking about our real lives, what we're grateful for, and who we love. Like George Clooney. Or Ryan Gosling. In just under two weeks, I'll be sitting down with some really awesome people who have helped make this adventure possible. You can join in the fun as well. All I ask is that you click the little button below and sign up to be notified as soon as the first show is LIVE! In case I haven't told you lately ... I love you.
Thanks for being an awesome and supportive human in my life. Ciao. It's okay to laugh at this title. Sometimes I wonder myself how I can "read harder" or read more each year to exceed what I did the previous year.
I set up goals, I make lists after lists, I find new challenges each year to help broaden my genres. And I usually hit my goal, or exceed it, each year. In an effort to broaden my horizons with reading, read more books that I actually own, reduce the amount of books I buy that just sit on the shelves, and enjoy the experience, I found two great challenges that I'm going to participate in. I wouldn't be the literary geek I am without all my fun accessories. An this Christmas was no disappointment. I love seeing all the fun gifts, original ideas, and wish list items landing underneath the tree. Here is just a glimpse at great literary gift ideas for the book lover in your family: Custom Quote Frame Printed quotes or images in unique frames are a great gift, even if that person isn't a book nerd or writer. My friend Steph gifted this perfect quote and frame - and it fits me to a T. The more I write, the crazier I feel. In the most amazing way possible. I'm okay being CRAZY.
But wait ... this is just the beginning ... It's hard to believe that this year has flown by so fast, and it is now the day after Christmas. A day of giving thanks. A day of reflection. A day of playing and relaxation. Every year I am humbled by the goods I receive, the cards in the mail, and giving back to my family and friends. This year was no exception, and as I look over all my new treasures, I can't help but share some of the unique and favorite gifts I received. You too, might find something to add to your wishlist (or something to create). Here are just five categories from a sampling of gifts from 2015: Kids Kustom Kreations I have some extremely talented and generous cousins. To be honest, I feel more like their aunt. But this Christmas there was a BSU theme going on with some gifts. A hand painted BSU frame with school pictures from my Goddaughter, an artistic BSU painting printed on a hand towel, and Kyler's Kustom Konifer made out of old metal signs. The Beat Goes On After signing up for a monthly membership to Kaia Fit, it was about time I got serious about my workout gear. Santa new exactly what I needed. My favorite brand of running socks, fun new pants, and wireless PowerBeats to feed my inner #geek. Pampered Plus What girl doesn't love to try out new products, especially favorites found by their friends? This is taking my obsession with red wine (TonyMoly Red Wine Face Mask) to the next level. Dying to try the new L'Occitane Shower Oil then testing out my new Tinkle razor. Staying Hydrated Whether it's water or wine, both of these amazing gifts will keep my cup filled all year long. The wine bottle stand is Australian Aboriginal art, straight from Australia from some groovy friends. From my Kaia accountability partner, a new water bottle from Blogilates. It will scream at me every hour to drink water until I have finished top to bottom. The Simple Things in Life When it comes down to it, for all the cool new toys I received, some of my favorite gifts did not break the bank, took me back to childhood, and soothed the soul. Doodles as our family has coined them, are a simple, sweet treat made from pie dough with cinnamon and sugar. This tradition has been passed down from my Grami, to my mom, and I hope to spoil my kids with it someday.
But doodles cannot be eaten alone. My mother knows me well when she buys out the whole supply of Trader Joe's Mango Black Tea and wraps them up in a nice package. I'm set for a good three months now. Now, while eating my doodles and drinking my tea, my childhood pastime has resurfaced and it is time to .... COLOR! You thought I was going to say read (stay tuned). Adult coloring books have been all the rage, and I'm stoked to have two amazing coloring books, with pencils, to ease through my afternoon. The two I will be working my way through - The Time Garden and Lost Ocean. But wait ... there's more! Just not today. This bookaholic would be nothing without the list of great book related gifts. I'll be back with a list of the top bookish gifts that I received this year. It might be the best year yet. Until tomorrow. Ciao. It's day 7 - one week - of National Novel Writing Month. It's also #DoubleUpDay which meant I really wanted to hit a goal of at least 3,333 words and join the writing forces of the world.
The sun is shining, the fireplace is warm, and I'm ready to do this. Here is just a glimpse at my morning and the way to crossing this to-do off my list. Step One - Get out of bed with the knowledge that before 2pm today you need to get in 1,667 words, and if you want to be a rockstar, you'll shoot for 3,333. Step Two - Start procrastination.
Step Three - Start writing Three hours later I have written 3,448 words, made it to page 59, twenty one chapters, and the mission is accomplished. Happy Saturday and #DoubleUpDay. We'll repeat tomorrow. I'm kind of stoked about the 2015 NaNoWriMo (aka National Novel Writing Month). Last year I participated for the first time start to finish.
And I hit 50,000 words at about 8:30pm on November 30, 2014, and it was quite a fantastic feeling. Of course, like most, the book was not done, and I spent a less discipled couple more months bringing it to a close. And then because I wanted to go the extra mile and write it completely on a type writer, I spent the next 9 months typing it into my computer for draft #2. Moving on. We are now at November 2, 2015 and I am a little over the daily goal, and I feel like this book is even better than last year. Austen, as I like to call her, is my new pet project, and in just two days has been so much fun to work on. It requires an actual written out timeline, and maybe some time travel, and maybe some characters based of amazing people I know. I don't know where this story is going, but it would be pretty awesome if one day she ends up in your hands. Until then. Ciao. UPDATE 2 (Hours 3-7):What's new? I'm had a billion cups of tea, almost fell back asleep, spent useless time on Facebook, and I only have a couple hours before I head out for a book signing for a dear friend and little break so that I can do the second half strong.
UPDATE 1 (Hour 1 & 2):
I've been eagerly anticipating this moment for 6 months. And I'm pretty sure there are plenty of people I know who just don't understand the excitement or joy that I am getting out this moment. I read a lot of books each year. Most are in short spurts when I can grab the time, early in the morning before I have to get ready, or the casual Saturday/Sunday morning for a couple hours. But the idea that I can be selfish and just read and read and read and read and no one can tell me to stop and there is no pressing engagement is something I will cherish until I can't anymore (ie. one day I will have a husband and children who really would probably appreciate me doing something more productive). But for now ... I READ! Sometimes it's hard to put together the perfect stack of books and in all honesty, I'm not sure how this stack is going to play out, but it will be fun to try it out. Here's my little into before I start reading away:
Okay. Time to read. See you as I turn the pages. If you know me, this doesn't come as a shock. If you don't know me, Hello. Some years ago ... I think around 2009 ... I realized that my purpose in life was to be a voracious reader. My problem was finding books or authors I wanted to read. Fast forward to the Fall of 2015 and my shelves overfloweth with books I've read, and even more books I have yet to open. Don't believe me? Here's just a glimpse of what has yet to be read ... Twice a year worldwide readathon commences with an obscene number of my closest book friends. I've never met any of them. But I still love them because while I'm reading and tired and hungry ... so are they. And we banter on Twitter and take walks around the block and do silly literary challenges to keep the creative juices flowing.
Saturday, October 17th is the official Fall Readathon! This past spring I read 5 books ... I think. I wimped out pretty early. I don't think I was even able to participate in the fall event in 2014. But this is my year for redemption. I'm kind of hoping to break my own personal record. Whatever that is. I'm also looking forward to reading a very random combination of new, old, and borrowed books that have been taking up some space for awhile. There is prep work to be done. I need snacks and drinks and a cozy place to read and a kitty cat companion and if anyone out there in the Boise Land is driving by on Saturday and needs a quiet place to relax and maybe read a few pages of their own, you know where to find me. Because book reading is cool. You never know what adventure might be awaiting you at the turn of a page. |
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