New Year....New Possibilities????

Anyway, it's the New Year, and a new decade (though, it's a new decade every moment, isnt it?).

I try to advoid using the word "resolution/s" b/c it makes me feel I am obligated to do something, and if I end up either not doing it or falling short of the inteded goal, I feel like a total failure/loser....well being more of one than usual.

This is what I intend to do for the forthcoming year:

1. Drink more water. You can never drink too much of it!
2. Get off at a further Metro stop from work.
3. Get coffee at work rather than the box store (or if I have time, make it at home and bring it with me)
4. Actually apply to FT jobs that I would enjoy doing and know I'm qualified to do
5. Take dance lessons. The Venetian Waltz strikes my fancy.
6. Regularly do tarot
7. Socialize more! Maybe I can find that "someone special" - but I'm just wanting to socialize more.
8. Visit more of the free stuff DC has to offer
9. Build upper body and core strength
10. Stretch!

Tuesday Ten - Bring it!

Ok, I'm getting into the idea of doing something like a 10-list every Tuesday. Gets me on here and writing.

Speaking of which, with NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) ending not TOO long ago, I thought of listing a few novels/books I've enjoyed reading (and continue to enjoy rereading for some!):

1. The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan.

This series is a love/hate relationship. I enjoy reading it, but the copious amount of details in the series can be a little mind-numbing at times (but in the same hand, when there is a "lack" of detail....). It's a sci-fi fantasy that deals with the everlasting battle of "good" vs "evil" with some romance thrown in. Over all I like the series.

2. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

Even though this is a "kid" or young adult series, I found it to be a good read. What I thought was nifty, was the the way the series was written. Something along the lines of age appropriateness? As in, starting of "easy" and (when they were being published) aged with the audience, (more details/etc). I've always been interested in reading about wizardry, sorcery, and other similar sci-fi books.

3. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

I read this book recently and couldn't put it down! Its a historical fiction book, about Dinah (one of Joseph's children). It deals with a switch from a matriarchal to patriarchal society, and touches briefly on the role of women have changed. But beyond that deep and philosophical whatever. I really enjoyed this book.

4. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

A light romance novel. Has some fantasy thrown in as well. I would definitely recommend this one. The whole axis of the novel revolves around a family's apple tree.


5. The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede (Dealing with Dragons, Searching for Dragons, Calling on Dragons, Talking to Dragons)

Granted, this too is a young adult/kids book, but I really do like the fantasy genre and this is written well. I was surprised to find out that the supposed 4th book in the series was written first and the other 3 books were written as prequels. Who knew?


6. Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare (the No Fear Shakespeare version)

This is my FAVORITE play to watch and also, I really enjoy reading it! (no surprise there) What's nice about the No Fear Shakespeare versions of the plays and the sonnets is that you can get the "orig." text and modern English of the same text on opposing pages. Very nice!


7. Home Safe Home by Debra Lynn Dadd

Granted, with the self-help/diy books one can become too over enthused about things. But I like this book b/c it allows you to make an informed decision and have access to alternatives of daily life (from household cleaners to laundry detergent, etc). Definitely a good resource/starting point.


8. Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton

Oh another romance novel! I particularly liked this one b/c not only was it a romance novel, it involved knitting! Enough said.


9. The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan (The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, Battle of the Labyrinth)

A young adult series, who's premise revolves around the Greek gods and their demigod/mortal kids. Enjoyable if you like your Greek lore and enjoy a light adventure story.


10. Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie

What is it with the romance novels, eh? Well, they're can be addictive and highly enjoyable. A nice book about how someone later in life can find romance and have a love life.

Tuesday Ten - Only b/c They Have the Same First Letter

Ok. So, I'm going to highlight some blogs I like to read. Please note, this is a non-linear list.

1. Cake Wrecks is a blog I stumbled upon when I was VERY fascinated with Ace of Cakes on the Food Network (a show highlighting an unusual cake bakery in Baltimore, MD called Charmed City Cakes). The blog highlights, more often than not, cakes gone horribly wrong for one reason or another.
2. The Tipsy Baker is a good blog about food. I found this little gem when I was listening to NPR's Open Table. A mother who is cooking her way through a couple cook books and feeding the results to her family. On NPR, they were talking about the hens she is raising, the garden she has, etc. And how she's trying to use non-store bought items (i.e. using the eggs from her hens as apposed to the ones from the store). She even has a bee hive.
3. Tough Pigs is one of three Muppet based blogs I read. It's aimed at "Muppet Fans Who Grew Up". It has interviews with the different puppeteers, reviews of different Muppet things (like the one on the main page is of the Muppet Show comic book. Has little updates on different things (like Miss Piggy's appearance on the Wendy William's show)
4. Post Secrets. 'Nuf said. Well, a little more about it. A guy in Germantown, MD, about 5 years ago, started having people send him their secrets, sort of as a prank/joke. Now it's a web phenomenon (or so I think). Every Sunday, the blog is updated with new secrets. Also, more often than not, Frank (the guy who does the Post Secret site), posts Saturday Secrets - a couple of secrets that don't quite make the Sunday's cut, purely for space reasons (He limits it to a certain number)
5. Mother Cake is a blog of a friend of mine. I like keeping in touch with my friends and following their blogs is a good way to keep tabs on them.
6. The Muppet Mindset is another Muppet blog I follow, and it's all about Muppets!!! *Giddy Happy Dance* This one is more of a blog than the first one. This is a little excerpt from the blog about what it does: "The Muppet Mindset is dedicated to providing in-depth reviews of Muppet products, television appearances, and more. We will also feature opinion articles, interviews, and other creative outlets for Muppet fans to enjoy."
7. The Muppet Newsflash is the final Muppet blog I follow. What that site says about itself: "This blog is dedicated to informing Muppet fans and Jim Henson enthusiasts all over the world with all the news and information that they crave and desire. "
8. Upon the Purple Moor. Like I said, sometimes it's nice to know what friends are doing via their blog. She has another blog for her stage personality, Lyrical Venus, that highlights female musicians, but more about that later.
9. It's Easy Being Alone. An interesting blog from yet another friend.
10. Lyrical Venus. Here is the blog that highlights female musicians from a friend of mine. Good stuff and good musicians.