Bookishly Boisterous: lists

Showing posts with label lists. Show all posts

2016 Reading, By the Numbers

Get ready for a slew of year end posts! Tis the season, I suppose. First up are some stats on this year's reading:

2016 books read: 51

(for comparison purposes: 2015: 52, 2014: 40, 2013: 62)

Male authors: 25

Female authors: 25

Compilations: 1

Fiction: 39

Nonfiction: 12

Memoirs/autobiographies/biographies: 7

Classics: 7

Novels set primarily abroad: 13

Books taught: 7

Books for book club: 4

Graphic novels: 1

Audiobooks listened to: 11

Books Purchased: 41(ish)

Books that would earn 2 stars or less: 3

Thoughts on the Matter

I am a tiny bit disappointed that I read just one little book less than last year, but considering how busy I was at work and at home the fact that I still managed to finish an average of 4.25 books a month is probably something be a little proud of. I would like to read more books set internationally next year, as well as nonfiction texts. As a whole, though, I am pleased with the scope of my reading and the fact that out of 51 books I only was really unhappy with 3 of them.

Bullet Journaling

I really, really like lists. And notebooks. And goals. And stationary supplies. And having hobbies.

So, obviously, bullet journaling is probably for me. Well, at least... maybe? I think?

So, you ask, what is bullet journaling? Or maybe you know and I'm the last person around to figure it out. It's quite possible.

I'm not really sure, actually. But from what I can gather, it's for people that like lists, notebooks, making goals, buying stationary supplies, and subjecting themselves to new hobbies.

I also gather that is requires some creativity and possible artistic talent, which might be a problem, because I don't have a lot of that going on when it comes to visuals. I'm ignoring that project-terminating threat for now.

I first heard of bullet journaling months ago and sort of added it my list if "figure out what this is later" list, but didn't get around to it in a timely fashion. The video I watched of it on the actual website confused me and I left it at that. But, then more and more bloggers I read started singing the praises of this mysterious bullet journaling, so I did what any other thirty-something-year-old woman would do: I searched it on Pinterest.

So, from what I can gather, bullet journaling is basically the pretty way to get your shit together, whatever you consider your shit to be. Some people make it their end-all-be-all one-stop-shop organizational hub. It's every appointment, every grocery list, every fitness goal, and every last sock they plan on packing for their trip to Montreal. For some, it's more about inspiration and self-improvement.

For me, I have no plans of abandoning my physical daily planner that I live and die by, nor my personal journal that I say mean things about people in or my to-do list pads. But instead I want to stop leaving this horribly unorganized trail of iPhone notes, piles of Post-Its, and brain clutter in my wake. I want a centralized location to plan projects, better map out blog posts, work on ideas for novels I may get around to writing one day, and whatever else my little heart desires.

What I don't want this to be is something that takes up more time, frustrates me, or becomes a chore. I don't want to become a glorified doodle-pad or for the look of the bullet journal to become more important than the content, which I think some of the examples I've seen have had trouble with.

I plan to organize it by month right now, which is perfect, since October is near. So, armed with the notebook itself, some fancy pens, and washi tape, I will go forth and bullet journal. We'll see how it goes!

Things I Wish I Did Better/Skills I Wish I Had*

Because nobody's perfect.

1. Knitting

2. Hanging floating shelves

3. Making rice krispies without a recipe

4. Walking away from an argument

5. Not worrying to the point of obsession

6. Upside-down French braiding

7. Dog grooming

8. Believing that there is a God

9. Returning essays in a timely manner

10. Running faster

11. Inversions

12. Remembering more of what I read

13. Not gossiping

14. Not crying when angry

15. Commenting on blogs

16. Using my cookbooks more often

17. Not rolling my eyes as much

18. Ironing

19. Writing neatly

20. Sitting nicely through meetings

21. Laundry

22. Paper correspondance

23. Visiting my grandparents regularly

24. Eye makeup

25. Trying strange foods

26. Gardening

27. Optimism

28. Figuring out Wordpress

29. Using coupons

30. Going on little sleep

31. Prioritizing writing projects

32. Forget people's mistakes

33. Painting my nails

34. The ability to easily participate in small talk

35. Ignoring the obnoxious neighbors

* Working draft

Things I Refuse to Feel Guilty About

[Nope. Not going to either]

1. Honking at people. The asshole deserved it.

2. Occasionally shelling out $20 on Smashbox lipgloss.

3. Wanting what other people have. Land Rovers. Awesome patio furniture. Nice feet. Inner peace.

4. Deeply caring about how much I weigh. I've weighed myself almost daily since college, not that I necessarily do anything about it. I'm a stats-driven person.

5. Desperately wanting a housekeeper to come just once, to deep clean. Just once, that's all.

6. Giving my baby a few ounces of formula throughout the day. He's primarily breast milk-fed but sometimes needs a little more. I refuse to let him starve, he's on the smaller side anyway.

7. Drinking, and loving, Diet Coke.

8. Thinking that Patrick Stewart is hot.

9. Throwing clothes in the dryer with a damn towel rather that ironing. Truth be told, I suck balls at it.

10. Supporting various welfare programs but thinking drug testing should be required. I know it's very Republican of me (shudder), but I think it should happen. Those that use, especially parents, should receive assistance with rehab, though.

11. Generally not changing grades. You have to earn it. And no, crying won't help.

12. Refusing to partake in organized religion but praying when necessary. Yes, I'm one of those people. I guess I use God.

13. Not baptizing Sawyer. Speaking of religion... My mom's family is quite Catholic, so I've been asked about this a few times.

14. Liking Facebook. Educated, cultured grown-ups aren't supposed to support such a ridiculous habit, but I don't care. It helps me get in touch with people and is entertaining.

15. De-friending or blocking people on Facebook. If I wouldn't wish you happy birthday I'm cutting you out. If you're a family member that's annoying as shit but would notice if I de-friended you and would ask my mom I'm blocking you.

16. Liking Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.

17. Not being impressed with popular books. Even those that are liked by the literate crowd.

18. Not allowing things to get in the way of enjoying my time off with my baby.

19. Caring and worrying about money. And wanting more of it, please.

20. Still listening to The Backstreet Boys, Sir-Mix-a-Lot, and Britney when I exercise. And possibly when I drive too...

What about you?

Summer Goals/I'm An Old Lady

[this is basically me now]

I'm the type of person that needs goals- I need a plan, a direction, a purpose in order to feel fulfilled. This summer is different than any other with the baby and I don't want to look back on it and feel like I accomplished nothing. I know that infant-wrangling is an accomplishment in and of itself, but there's more to me than just that. Yes, I know, mother-of-the-year! So, this summer I'd like to do a few things:

1. Read ten books. This really won't be that hard if I start better utilizing the time I spend feeding Sawyer.

2. Be able to do run/walk intervals for four miles.

3. Walk (or swim) the dogs four days a week. This used to be six or seven, but I'm being realistic. I need my husband to go with us or watch the baby, which doesn't always work with what he has planned. I'm thinking I could take one dog at a time using the stroller or Ergo, so I need to start trying those options out (two thirty-minute dog walks a day would mean an extra hour of walking for me!).

4. Lose five of the ten pounds of baby weight I have left. This is purely a vanity-driven desire, but I'm being honest. I need my work clothes to fit when I return in August.

5. Get out and do something either social or different than the norm every week, whether it's meeting a friend for lunch or taking the baby to the park or beach to walk. I have to have things to look forward to.

6. Finish some sort of sewing project.

7. Put in the equivalent to thirty minutes a day on the writing project I was working on before and stopped because... life.

8. Blog an average of three times a week.

9. Work with Sawyer to get on some sort of schedule that will coincide with what the daycare provider will want him to be on.

10. Catch up on my Mixbook for this year.

Holy shit I sound so fucking old. And boring. Remember when I used to go skydiving and book readings and find new resaurants?

Three Defining Books

Lianne at over at Caffeinated Life wrote an interesting post the other day inspired by an NPR tweet that asked what three books would their followers. Like Lianne, I wasn't completely sure how to interpret this- did this mean the plot and characters? The title? The reading process? Given the fact that it was obviously open to interpretation I used a combination, after ruling a few out:

~~Me Before You~~

~~The Pregnant Widow~~

~~Everything's Perfect When You're a Liar~~

~~The Antagonist~~

~~Born to Run~~

~~The Devil in Silver~~

~~The Woman Who Walked Into Doors~~

~~Naked Lunch~~

~~More Baths Less Talking~~

The final three:

Underworld by Don Delillo (the process)

This was one I chose based on the reading process. I started reading it well over a decade ago and just couldn't get too far into it with the constraints of college and work. I picked it up one or two more times and just couldn't get myself to persevere. But eventually, two or so years ago, I decided it was time. I was going to finish the book, no more excuses. And so I did. The timing was right and I had fully committed. I think that's how I tend to live my life, most of the time. Generally, when I say I'm going to do something on the "bigger" side, I do. I ran (run?) half marathons, I climbed Half Dome (twice), I got my English and biology teaching credentials so my job would be more secure, I've gone to Italy. When something is important enough to me it gets done. And when I commit I stick with it until the end.

Spark: The Evolutionary Science of Exercise and the Brain by John Ratey (content)

I firmly believe that many of life's woes and ailments can be solved by exercise. I know this isn't completely true, but exercise, whether a half hour of walking a day or Crossfit four times a week, really can change your life. It improves your cardiovascular and respiratory systems, strengthens your mental abilities, calms your stress, balances out hormones, and makes you look better. Ratey's book focuses on the brain part, citing studies that shows how much exercise can improve your cognition now and in the future. I made exercise a part of my daily routine my freshman year in college- I was horribly homesick and was finding myself very lonely and depressed at night (I really, really don't do well with free time). I started hitting the stationary bike and eventually found out that I loved the elliptical. Within a week I was feeling much more positive. To this day I have to get in probably somewhere around 180-200 minutes of movement a week to keep my sanity. I'll never be a hardcore fitness guru, but working out will be a part of my life, to some degree, forever.

Changing My Mind by Zadie Smith (title)

I change my mind- a lot. Sometimes over small things, like where we should go to dinner. Sometimes at work, like how I want students to complete an assignment. Sometimes with big life things, like what my career plans should be or where I'd like to live. My preferences change as well, whether we're talking music, toe nail color, men, or religion. I like having options and the freedom of not signing up for something permanently. I hate change, but I also hate the idea of commitment- quite the conundrum. When I look back at what I thought I wanted when I was in college I'd be a doctor by now, living somewhere entirely different. My hair would probably be a different color. I more than likely wouldn't have this blog. The option to change is good.

What three books would define you?

Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts

Link up below! Thanks for stopping by and participating, everyone!

1. Last week while I was out at a training I gave my students a few articles on Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe after only skimming them. They've been horrible for the subs I've had lately and have proven to be currently unable to handle flexibility, so I had to leave something they needed to complete and turn in. Unfortunately, one of the articles completely spoiled the ending for the kids. Part of me was so irritated with their recent behavior that I didn't care, but after some distance I feel like shit. Sorry, guys.

2. Since I've had this week off for our February break, I've taken on a few sewing projects for the baby- 10 burp cloths and two receiving blankets. Terry cloth is a huge pain in the ass to sew, if anyone was curious.

3. I feel like it's my civic duty to push this potato soup recipe on everyone- it's delicious, easy (hash browns instead of peeling and chopping potatoes) and the leftovers are fantastic.

4. When trying to find an app for my whole "reading globally" log I came across some that let you track places on earth where you've shat or had sex. You know, in case anyone is interested. Hopefully there are very few places that overlap from those lists...

5. We saw the LEGO movie last Friday when it came out and it was super good- the adult humor was perfect in terms of politics and society. We went at 9:15, thinking that most people would be home with their kids, you know, putting them to bed at a normal kid-like hour. Nope. Luckily everyone was pretty well-behaved, minus the middle schoolers.

6. A few weeks ago my husband excitedly told me about two new Oreos flavors that were due to come out- Rice Krispy Treats and Cookie Dough (those might not be the technical names). I picked up a pack of each this week and must say those cookie dough ones are pretty damn awesome. They're limited edition, so now I feel compelled to start stocking up.

[source]

7. I've been visiting daycares this week and must say that the process is pretty nerve-wracking. It's so awkward meeting someone for the first time in their home, putting them on the spot. But then I remind myself that this is where my kid is going to be potentially spending at least eight hours a day- it's their job to sell themselves and their business to me, the person that's going to be paying them hundreds of dollars a month. I have a few more to look at and then a decision to be made- I can't wait to sign a contract and be done.

8. Amazon came out with a list of 100 books to read- it's pretty mediocre. A list that tries to tell me that to be well-read I need to read Gone Girl and The Hunger Games loses my respect. Or does "well-read" mean that you just have to read, well, everything? Not that those books are the worst books in the world, they're just nowhere near my top 100.

9. My husband is a huge movie/tv-show lover and buys a of Blu-Rays. A lot of times I could live with Netflix, but the fact that he bought the whole season of Downton Abbey that's currently being aired in the US is pretty awesome. While all you suckers are still on like episode seven or whatever, we finished the season last night. I've heard complaints, but I thought these last nine episodes were pretty good. Fine, characters weren't killed off like they were in the past and Downtown seemed relatively financially stable, but the rape? The racial issues? Edith's "situation"? I loved it.

10. I made this:

If You Haven't Seen It, It's New to You

I understand that compilation posts chalked-full of links are total cop-outs, but I was feeling a bit nostalgic and decided to do so with an upfront disclaimer and apology.

Disclaimer: This post contains absolutely no new material

Apology: I'm sorry for being a lazy shit

As NBC used to say during rerun seasons in the nineties, "If you haven't seen it, it's new to you."

Why I Don't Read YA (pretty self-explanatory)

Foster the People (forcing teenagers to read)

By the Book: The Story of the Failed Croissants (the time I use used cooking as an allegory for frustrating things in my life)

The Catcher in the Wallflower (calling out Perks for being like Catcher)

The Trifecta Achieved (my adoration for Let the Great World Spin)

Reading: Cheryl Strayed (conflicted bookish feelings)

Detour: Why Women's Races Take Feminism a Step Backward (running!)

My Weekend: Books- 0 Waterfalls- 4 (for the Yosemite pictures)

Rice Krispy Interlude (recipe) (my attempt at recipe writing- Salted Brown Butter Rice Krispy Treats with Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips)

On Boredom (being bored is important)

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter- A Realistic Recap (vacation!)

Signs You Need to Move On (quitting a book)

I Almost Forgot- I'm Pregnant (oh yeah, that's right...)

It's My Birthday and I'll Blog if I Want To: 30 (waxing and waning)

Update: Satellite/Cable Free ($100 a month richer, bitches!)

All Those Lists...

This post is also serving as The Broke and the Bookish's Top Ten Tuesday this week- books we wouldn't mind receiving for Christmas.

'Tis the season for lists! And unlike the empty calories, long checkout lines, and cheesy songs, this is something I can get behind. I love lists- the organization, the structure, the precision. Needless to say, there might be a few more to come in the next few weeks, but for today here's the books I'd like based on all the other lists that have come out recently: