Thursday, 31 December 2015
100 Things I did in 2015
1. Started this awesome list.
2. Set up a MyDogBuddy dog walking service.
3. Invented and perfected Drovers Pie.
4. Spoke at Bath Spa University.
5. Started my recipe collection
6. Started XBX chart 1 (I'll let you know how that goes...)
7. Jan- Kept my average of 3 books a month
8. Ate my first blood orange and wrote a poem about it.
9. Ran my first full mile.
10. First business trip to Denmark.
11. Consider my self a member of the Central London Jive Clique ;)
12. Tried Scallops for the first time.
13. Wrote a letter to 16 year old me.
14. Killed a chicken.
15. Visited Greenwich Park and danced in public to a busker.
16. Went to my first Advanced Ceroc night
17. March - Kept up my 3 books a month goal.
18. Ran a mile once a week for a month. (It get's easier!)
19. Made peirogi (not the best)
20. Played beetroot brownie roulette.
21. Tried razor clams
22. Turned 24
23. Visit to the V&A Wedding dress exhibit
24. Saw Miss Saigon at the prince
25. Dinner at the Colony
26. Tried my first Yoga video
27. Went to my first Southport weekender
28. Interviewed at Chambers & Partners
29. Got new dance shoes
30. Visit to The British Museum
31. CB visits London for two weeks
32. Saw Jurassic World
33. Scored a bag of catnip for my cats back home.
34. Wrote a Sonnet
35. Created a London bucket list
36. Baked Blueberry crumble squares
37. Learnt monkey swing move a bit better...
38. Paddled in V&A gardens. V&A pleasure and pain exhibition of shoes
39. Went to Hong Kong
40. Tried Quail at Naughty piglets (not that great...)
41. Camber Jamfest weekender
42. Casual wear and crazy hair party at pimlico.
43. Homemade caramel sauce for the first time.
44. Handed in my notice to Movellas.com
45. Started new Job at Chambers and Partners
46. Danced till 6am.
47. Inherited a Hula Hoop
48. Spun poi in Hyde Park
49. Did my first super girl aerial with S
50. Had sushi brunch at Roka in Canary Warf
51. Saw promenade theatre of Twelfth Night
52. Started learning Cantonese
53. Finished my first report for C&P
54. Tried beef jerky...gross
55. Got my first corporate pay slip
56. Wrote a poem about falling in love
57. Went to CLMJ Summer Party
58. Catch up with MH
60. Meet new bunny
61. Segway experience in windsor
62. Lunch at The Coach (Tom Kerridges restaurant in Marlow).
63. Ceroc Flash Mob (She said Yes!)
64. Tried Tofu
65. Saw Mission Impossible
66. Saw Inside Out
67. Dropped a cupboard door on my nose.
68. Made German potato salad.
69. Made Lemon curd crumble squares.
70. TCR freestyle.
71. Made Lemon rolls and lemon squares AND German potato salad.
72. Dinner with R at Wahaca.
73. Said goodbye to G until Hong Kong.
74. Met S, sister of S. :P
75. Went around the Cutty Sark.
76. Went to the Waffle House in St Albans.
77. Saw S's family home.
78. Met Mummy C (Would never call her that!)
79. Street food and video games with sexy couples club
80. Made carrot cake for S + planned Hong Kong fun
81. Dinner with dancing girls
82. Wild goose chase around north london with S.
83. Saw Book of Mormon.
84. Rehearsed Cogs.
85. Competed in Welsh Ceroc Championships
86. Walked 10K for Alzheimers and met baby cousins once removed.
87. First positive feedback session at work!
88. Visited Athens
89. Fungus hunting and risotto
90. Started Kayla regime.
91. Flying with S
92. Won first two medals in Pan Asian Ceroc Champs
93. Camber Sands Bliss Weekender
94. Met S's Family in Macau. (Also paid respect to Papa C in the Temple)
95. Competed in Midlands Ceroc Championships 2015
96. Performed Sterling as the Cogs replacement team in Hammersmith.
97. Became a taxi dancer at ISH
98. Went to Aunt's retirement party
99. Did Christmas Pimlico Bake Off
100!!! Saw in the New Year with S.
AND a couple extras
Made Bacon Salt
Had first Christmas with S.
Massive clear out of clothes and junk
Went to Southbank Christmas Market
Make resolution to read more
Make resolution to lose 5 kg this year
Thursday, 17 December 2015
Christmas Books
Easily my favourite books with Christmas themes that I've read. Can you think of any others that I should read? These seem to be my classics.
Little Women
The story seems to move from Christmas to Christmas, from giving away the breakfast to bringing Father home, Little Women has a vein of Christmas cheer running through it. I'm so fond of this book and it makes me all warm and fuzzy to read it near Christmas time.
A Christmas Carol
The Dickensian Christmas is something we're all going for and it starts right here with A Christmas Carol. All of our classic ideas of Christmas come in part from this story, as well as Queen Victoria and Albert having a hand in bringing in the family Christmas. Goodwill, Roast Goose, and a white Christmas are a must for Christmas time, throw in a reformed character and some ghosts and you've got a classic.
The Snowman
The ultimate Christmas story book, is The Snowman, even with out the iconic music by Howard Blake, Raymond Brigg's book, particularly the illustrations stay with you. Interestingly the original book is not a Christmas story and the scene with Father Christmas and the Snowman ball is not in it. But the exploration of the house and playing with the lights in the car is all in there. Even though it's not technically a Christmas book, I think it counts as an unforgettable book that we want to pick up at Christmas time. And then pop on the animation afterwards!
The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe
Meeting Father Christmas? Aslan? Snow? A magical world, and a fawn with his Christmas parcels? Yeah you can't beat C. S. Lewis for Christmas themes. In a place where it's always winter but never Christmas, it takes the efforts of four children from London escaping the War to bring Christmas magic back to Narnia. It's a good un.
The Tailor of Gloucester
I was lucky enough to have the box set of Beatrix Potter books when I was growing up and the one that stands out as a Christmas tale is this one. Telling the story of a Christmas miracle where an old tailor is saved by his resident mice. It's a lovely little book and is so christmassy and joyful. Definitely one to read to children at Christmas time.
Little Women
The story seems to move from Christmas to Christmas, from giving away the breakfast to bringing Father home, Little Women has a vein of Christmas cheer running through it. I'm so fond of this book and it makes me all warm and fuzzy to read it near Christmas time.
A Christmas Carol
The Dickensian Christmas is something we're all going for and it starts right here with A Christmas Carol. All of our classic ideas of Christmas come in part from this story, as well as Queen Victoria and Albert having a hand in bringing in the family Christmas. Goodwill, Roast Goose, and a white Christmas are a must for Christmas time, throw in a reformed character and some ghosts and you've got a classic.
The Snowman
The ultimate Christmas story book, is The Snowman, even with out the iconic music by Howard Blake, Raymond Brigg's book, particularly the illustrations stay with you. Interestingly the original book is not a Christmas story and the scene with Father Christmas and the Snowman ball is not in it. But the exploration of the house and playing with the lights in the car is all in there. Even though it's not technically a Christmas book, I think it counts as an unforgettable book that we want to pick up at Christmas time. And then pop on the animation afterwards!
The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe
Meeting Father Christmas? Aslan? Snow? A magical world, and a fawn with his Christmas parcels? Yeah you can't beat C. S. Lewis for Christmas themes. In a place where it's always winter but never Christmas, it takes the efforts of four children from London escaping the War to bring Christmas magic back to Narnia. It's a good un.
The Tailor of Gloucester
I was lucky enough to have the box set of Beatrix Potter books when I was growing up and the one that stands out as a Christmas tale is this one. Telling the story of a Christmas miracle where an old tailor is saved by his resident mice. It's a lovely little book and is so christmassy and joyful. Definitely one to read to children at Christmas time.
Thursday, 10 December 2015
Books About Dancing
Some of you will know that my hobby is dancing. When I was growing up I read a couple books that had dancing in them. This is a list of the best dancing books I've ever read.
Sappy note ahead. I've been extraordinarily lucky to fall in love on the dance floor. Many of the books talk about meeting partners on the dance floor and I think Dance and Love are linked in these books. Love of the dance and love of your partners.
As the Waltz was Ending Emma Butterworth
Ballet Shoes Noel Streatfeild
On Pointe Lori Ann Grover
The Gods of Tango Carolina De Robertis
I'm sure there are more out there, please let me know if something is missing from the list! I'd love to read some more. Preferably not on ballet because they all seem to be about ballet!
Sappy note ahead. I've been extraordinarily lucky to fall in love on the dance floor. Many of the books talk about meeting partners on the dance floor and I think Dance and Love are linked in these books. Love of the dance and love of your partners.
As the Waltz was Ending Emma Butterworth
Ballet Shoes Noel Streatfeild
On Pointe Lori Ann Grover
The Gods of Tango Carolina De Robertis
I'm sure there are more out there, please let me know if something is missing from the list! I'd love to read some more. Preferably not on ballet because they all seem to be about ballet!
Thursday, 3 December 2015
November Novels
Double post today! Remember to check out my Advent Calendar as well.
The Bone Clocks
David Mitchel
Sceptre 2/9/2014 paperback
4/5
Amazon
I saw so many people reading The Bone Clocks on the tube that I had to buy it for myself as a little pre-Christmas treat. This story has that strange quality where even half way through I wasn't entirely sure where the story was going. But the writing was exquisite and pulled me in through each section of the book. It's such a slow build up, but I felt that the climax was a bit rushed.
Spoilers ahead.
I always have an aversion to anyone describing force fields etc with colour. Oh the red shield pushed the blue shield which they threw out with their mind. I just find it a bit lazy because it's like describing a movie version to titillate VIEWERS. I'm a reader, let me imagine it without attributing colours.
All in all, I think anything that was happening in the real world with slightly odd happenings, like meeting strange old ladies or experiencing a spirit talking through someone was brilliant, realistic and well handled, the mad force field throwing psychic battle was pretty poor, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire did it better, unfortunately.
The story tied together very nicely and I would love to read more of Mitchel's books. But less of the mystical Illuminati story next time. I've heard good things about Cloud Atlas.
The Bone ClocksDavid Mitchel
Sceptre 2/9/2014 paperback
4/5
Amazon
I saw so many people reading The Bone Clocks on the tube that I had to buy it for myself as a little pre-Christmas treat. This story has that strange quality where even half way through I wasn't entirely sure where the story was going. But the writing was exquisite and pulled me in through each section of the book. It's such a slow build up, but I felt that the climax was a bit rushed.
Spoilers ahead.
I always have an aversion to anyone describing force fields etc with colour. Oh the red shield pushed the blue shield which they threw out with their mind. I just find it a bit lazy because it's like describing a movie version to titillate VIEWERS. I'm a reader, let me imagine it without attributing colours.
All in all, I think anything that was happening in the real world with slightly odd happenings, like meeting strange old ladies or experiencing a spirit talking through someone was brilliant, realistic and well handled, the mad force field throwing psychic battle was pretty poor, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire did it better, unfortunately.
The story tied together very nicely and I would love to read more of Mitchel's books. But less of the mystical Illuminati story next time. I've heard good things about Cloud Atlas.
Thursday, 19 November 2015
Spooky Reviews!
So sorry all, I missed last weeks blog post on Thursday, thank you to those of you who checked back. Here it is in all it's glory, the Halloween reviews!!
Orlando
Virginia Woolf
Hogarth Press 11/10/1928 Kindle
4/5
Kindle Classics
In a strange turn of events, I actually saw the film of Orlando before the book. I found the story much more dark, confusing and bizarre than the film and I really enjoyed that, it felt like I was unwrapping a secret part of the story I didn't know before. I loved the Tiresus style gender bending and the struggles of the genders between them selves. The exploration of ying and yan in a persons' personality as well as their body was interesting as well as the impact of a woman losing her fortune and rights in a world where she was once a man.
It was fantastical in all the right ways and incredibly readable. I was surprised as I've struggled with Woolf's essays before and thought the book would be another dribble of musings from the mind. I find stream of consciousness style writing quite self indulgent actually, so I was pleased to find that Orlando was very well constructed and not in the least annoying. I might even try another of Virginia's soon (first name basis, obviously).
Vathek
William Beckford
Paperback
2/4
Borrowed from sister
Vathek was written at a time when the Arab world was exciting and new. Arabian nights had just been translated into English and was inspiring writers and artists. It is a Faustian tale with the added character of a devilish mother. I did not enjoy this book. I liked the descriptions of all things luxurious and pleasurable. And even the eternal torments were well described, but without any feeling it seemed. It just seems uninspiring in its writing style. There was very little to go on in terms of character and I found it quite biblical: begot Simon, begot John, begot Adrian, begot Ahmed, begot Roger, begot Dave.
I did manage to finish the book in case something interesting happened, but I found it neither frightening nor gripping. Not a Halloween read I would recommend. There are two more books in the collection to go and I am hoping for more chilling tales. Perhaps there was something about the setting that made it difficult to feel Halloweeny. I associate fear with cold shivers and misty moors, Vathek is set some where in the desert or middle east and no one is ever cold with fright and the setting didn't suit the Gothic feel I wanted. Can anyone recommend a book that takes place in the heat and is frightening for next year?
OrlandoVirginia Woolf
Hogarth Press 11/10/1928 Kindle
4/5
Kindle Classics
In a strange turn of events, I actually saw the film of Orlando before the book. I found the story much more dark, confusing and bizarre than the film and I really enjoyed that, it felt like I was unwrapping a secret part of the story I didn't know before. I loved the Tiresus style gender bending and the struggles of the genders between them selves. The exploration of ying and yan in a persons' personality as well as their body was interesting as well as the impact of a woman losing her fortune and rights in a world where she was once a man.
It was fantastical in all the right ways and incredibly readable. I was surprised as I've struggled with Woolf's essays before and thought the book would be another dribble of musings from the mind. I find stream of consciousness style writing quite self indulgent actually, so I was pleased to find that Orlando was very well constructed and not in the least annoying. I might even try another of Virginia's soon (first name basis, obviously).
William Beckford
Paperback
2/4
Borrowed from sister
Vathek was written at a time when the Arab world was exciting and new. Arabian nights had just been translated into English and was inspiring writers and artists. It is a Faustian tale with the added character of a devilish mother. I did not enjoy this book. I liked the descriptions of all things luxurious and pleasurable. And even the eternal torments were well described, but without any feeling it seemed. It just seems uninspiring in its writing style. There was very little to go on in terms of character and I found it quite biblical: begot Simon, begot John, begot Adrian, begot Ahmed, begot Roger, begot Dave.
I did manage to finish the book in case something interesting happened, but I found it neither frightening nor gripping. Not a Halloween read I would recommend. There are two more books in the collection to go and I am hoping for more chilling tales. Perhaps there was something about the setting that made it difficult to feel Halloweeny. I associate fear with cold shivers and misty moors, Vathek is set some where in the desert or middle east and no one is ever cold with fright and the setting didn't suit the Gothic feel I wanted. Can anyone recommend a book that takes place in the heat and is frightening for next year?
Thursday, 12 November 2015
Job Jealousy
A few months ago I wrote a post about whether I had sold my soul for a pay check. Although I am happy in my job, I think that it is probably true. For the benefits of some job security in my life, I have taken on a position which is not my dream job and I remain on the stepping stones towards my future career without actually having arrived.
I know that the road ahead is long before I can say I am truly happy in my position and I don't think it will be at this company, although my current job does afford me many positive things.
It is difficult not to feel jealous of those who have worked hard and deservedly gained the positions that I have been dreaming of. Everyone's career is difficult but as more and more of my class mates eventually find a footing in the correct industry, I am reminded again and again how much I would like to have their job instead of mine.
I'm not sure what to do about this feeling. I think all I can do is be happy for those people who one day I might hope to call my colleagues. It's really hard not to fall into a pit of despair about your job. I think I have to try and appreciate what I've got while still balancing the ambition to move on.
Anyone else suffer from Job Jealousy?
I know that the road ahead is long before I can say I am truly happy in my position and I don't think it will be at this company, although my current job does afford me many positive things.
It is difficult not to feel jealous of those who have worked hard and deservedly gained the positions that I have been dreaming of. Everyone's career is difficult but as more and more of my class mates eventually find a footing in the correct industry, I am reminded again and again how much I would like to have their job instead of mine.
I'm not sure what to do about this feeling. I think all I can do is be happy for those people who one day I might hope to call my colleagues. It's really hard not to fall into a pit of despair about your job. I think I have to try and appreciate what I've got while still balancing the ambition to move on.
Anyone else suffer from Job Jealousy?
Thursday, 5 November 2015
Secret Life of a Book Blogger Tag
Remember the 5th of November. Well bonfire night does call for something a little different. I'm going to do the Secret Life of a Book Blogger tag! I'm also still recovering from my trip to Hong Kong, so thought I'd do some thing different and when I saw So Little Time For Books tag anyone who wants to do it, I thought I would.
1. How long have you been a blogger?
In this incarnation, it's been about 18 months. I started in May 2014, I had a blog before that which is defunct now that had some of my creative writing on it.
2. At what point do you think you'll stop blogging?
I'm really not sure, as I said I have a dead blog already, maybe one day this one will fizzle out as well. But actually what I hope will happen is that as I go through my life, my blog will change, because this is as much an opinion blog as it is a book blog. It covers so many aspects of my life so as that becomes more colourful and exciting, so will my writing!
3. What is the best thing about blogging?
I love when someone picks up a book on my recommendation and lets me know. Actually, since this blog is mostly for my own entertainment, it makes me happy if anyone reads it, even just friends and family. It's not about a huge audience for me, it's about cathartic writing and debriefing my reading with SOMEONE even if it's with the void.
4. What is the worst thing?
Trying to come up with ideas that are new or even vaguely new. Another thing that's tough is just sitting down and writing them. You've had the idea, and now you have to implement it?! Sharing the blog so that someone will read it. I don't think I have any followers that would check in on a Thursday to check my new post, which one day I might have...but generally no one will read it if I don't share my own work on Twitter and Facebook.
5. How long does it take you to create/find pictures to use?
Almost no time at all. I almost only use book covers which link through to Amazon or I use my own pictures.
6. Who is your book crush?
James Fraser from Outlander. Even when he's an older man in the later books, still inspiring, still amazing.
7. What author would you like to have on your blog?
I'd love to interview Diana Gabledon Or Elizabeth Gilbert. I find both of them such interesting people and I feel like the interview would descend into the most fascinating discussion. Actually, I just want to meet them...
8. What do you wear when you write your blog posts?
Recently I've had to plunge right into writing my blog as soon as I'm home from work while I cook dinner. I might have changed into my slippers, but mostly just my work clothes.
9. How long does it take you to prepare?
Anything from an hour to weeks. From the idea, building a draft, sketching out the structure and what books I'm going to feature, it could take a while. especially since some drafts would fit better around holidays, I will take my time whittling away at that one and mean while dash of a quick post for this week.
10. How do you feel about the book blogger community?
I think it's great. I don't know much about it...I knew I want to blog, but because I love what I read and didn't want to forget things. My reading record is a tiny list at the side of the page and it's favourite part of my page. Anyway, I don't know many other book bloggers, I don't visit blogs for reviews on books, I'm more interested in reader's lives, so I like tags like this etc that goes beyond the books.
11. What do you think one should do to get a successful blog?
I have no idea as I don't have one. My favourite blog isn't a book blog its about AMWF couples and culture and it is diverse every week and very well written. I check in with it all the time. So I think that's the answer, not posting a review every single week would be my advice, but that's because that's the kind of content I like. For successful blogging, check out some of the lovely writers I've tagged below.
I tag...
Books, Biscuits and Tea; Bookables; The Queen of Teen Fiction and Fangs, Claws and Wings
Thank you so So Little Time For Books for tagging EVERYONE and giving me a chance to do a blog tag!
1. How long have you been a blogger?
In this incarnation, it's been about 18 months. I started in May 2014, I had a blog before that which is defunct now that had some of my creative writing on it.
2. At what point do you think you'll stop blogging?
I'm really not sure, as I said I have a dead blog already, maybe one day this one will fizzle out as well. But actually what I hope will happen is that as I go through my life, my blog will change, because this is as much an opinion blog as it is a book blog. It covers so many aspects of my life so as that becomes more colourful and exciting, so will my writing!
3. What is the best thing about blogging?
I love when someone picks up a book on my recommendation and lets me know. Actually, since this blog is mostly for my own entertainment, it makes me happy if anyone reads it, even just friends and family. It's not about a huge audience for me, it's about cathartic writing and debriefing my reading with SOMEONE even if it's with the void.
4. What is the worst thing?
Trying to come up with ideas that are new or even vaguely new. Another thing that's tough is just sitting down and writing them. You've had the idea, and now you have to implement it?! Sharing the blog so that someone will read it. I don't think I have any followers that would check in on a Thursday to check my new post, which one day I might have...but generally no one will read it if I don't share my own work on Twitter and Facebook.
5. How long does it take you to create/find pictures to use?
Almost no time at all. I almost only use book covers which link through to Amazon or I use my own pictures.
6. Who is your book crush?
James Fraser from Outlander. Even when he's an older man in the later books, still inspiring, still amazing.
7. What author would you like to have on your blog?
I'd love to interview Diana Gabledon Or Elizabeth Gilbert. I find both of them such interesting people and I feel like the interview would descend into the most fascinating discussion. Actually, I just want to meet them...
8. What do you wear when you write your blog posts?
Recently I've had to plunge right into writing my blog as soon as I'm home from work while I cook dinner. I might have changed into my slippers, but mostly just my work clothes.
9. How long does it take you to prepare?
Anything from an hour to weeks. From the idea, building a draft, sketching out the structure and what books I'm going to feature, it could take a while. especially since some drafts would fit better around holidays, I will take my time whittling away at that one and mean while dash of a quick post for this week.
10. How do you feel about the book blogger community?
I think it's great. I don't know much about it...I knew I want to blog, but because I love what I read and didn't want to forget things. My reading record is a tiny list at the side of the page and it's favourite part of my page. Anyway, I don't know many other book bloggers, I don't visit blogs for reviews on books, I'm more interested in reader's lives, so I like tags like this etc that goes beyond the books.
11. What do you think one should do to get a successful blog?
I have no idea as I don't have one. My favourite blog isn't a book blog its about AMWF couples and culture and it is diverse every week and very well written. I check in with it all the time. So I think that's the answer, not posting a review every single week would be my advice, but that's because that's the kind of content I like. For successful blogging, check out some of the lovely writers I've tagged below.
I tag...
Books, Biscuits and Tea; Bookables; The Queen of Teen Fiction and Fangs, Claws and Wings
Thank you so So Little Time For Books for tagging EVERYONE and giving me a chance to do a blog tag!
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