Thursday, March 08, 2012

Tuning in on Thursday, The 11 Questions Meme, Around the Blogosphere, and The Science-Fiction Experience

Tuning in on Thursday

My movie watching has been rather quiet lately. It is not that we don't have a lot to watch, but the guy tends to turn the TV on and watch random things on there. I am a bit picky. I hate watching shows/movies that have all ready started. I prefer not watching shows that are in like season 5 when I haven't seen anything before. He just watches whatever. We might as well have only 2 channels because we both only really watch The History Channel and The Space Channel. For me this means watching American Pickers, Pawn Stars, Canadian Pickers, and Star Trek. For him it means half the time he has no idea what he is even watching. So, the point is it was another quiet movie watching period.

Contagion: I wanted to see this in theatres, but it never happened. We finally watched it last week and it was good. It had a huge cast of famous people. Movies like this are always a bit unnerving, but that seems to be what is popular. I am glad we watched it. Good, but no need to keep.





Midnight in Paris: This movie has been making the blogging rounds, so when Suey and I were trying to decide on our next viewing experience I suggested this one. We even managed to be on Twitter to discuss it as we watched it. I think we are going to talk about it in a bit more depth, but I enjoyed it. The guy came home after it had been on for a bit and even he ended up watching it. I was very surprised! A keeper.

Any suggestions on what we should watch next?




The 11 Questions Meme

Kat @ No Page Left Behind tagged me. Her questions:

1. Do you have other hobbies besides reading? If so, what are they?
I used to think yes, but lately I am not so sure. I was trying to branch out this year and even all those goals are reading related. I think if we move some of my old hobbies would come back. I would love to have a garden, for example. I have all these cook books that I would love to try, but my kitchen is so small it sort of zaps my creativity. And, really, there are days where I don't get a chance to read at all, so when I have a chance to do something fun picking up a book is my go-to choice.

2. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Dinner.

3. What is a trip that you are dying to go on?
Well, I would like to go to New York, New Orleans, North Carolina, Texas, Australia, Portugal, and a few other places.

4. What book do you want EVERYONE to read?
um, I think more people should read Robin Hobb's books.

5. What is (or what would be) your favorite karaoke song?
Well, considering I go to karaoke all the time, this should be an easy question. I don't actually sing, though. The guy does. I actually took videos the other night with my new phone and they turned out REALLY good! I am not so sure how posting them on here would go over, but there is one on my Facebook should you follow me there. If I actually sang I always say it would be 'You're So Vain' by Carly Simon. I have no idea why.

6. Have you ever had any nicknames? If so, what are/were they?
My grandfather was huge into nicknames. He had one for everyone. As I have two siblings he typically came up with famous groups of three. My father and his two siblings all have nicknames, though. Other than my grandfather I was never really all that big into nicknames.

7. What's your most favorite epigraph?
I have no idea.

8. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Inconsiderate people.

9. What is your favorite game (board games, cards, etc.)?
Monopoly or Clue.

10. Christmas or Halloween?
hm. I was never big on Halloween because I don't really eat candy. I like the whole dressing up thing, but I have yet to live anywhere that actually gets all that many trick-or-treaters. So, probably Christmas.

11. What does your dream home library look like?

Geeky Daddy also tagged me. His questions:

1.What is your dream vacation?
See above.

2. Are you spontaneous or do you like to plan ahead?
It really depends. We do spontaneous things all the time, but then there are also times where I like to have a plan. It very rarely happens, though.

3. Tell us one thing you want to do but don't dare do it.
Sky-dive.

4. What's your biggest phobia?
I don't like bees. I found a nest in the basement two summers ago and it was bad. There were dead bees all over the floor. Even though it was not a success for them, they tried again last year. If the guy doesn't do something to prevent it this year he is going to walk around in dirty clothes.

5. If you were stranded on a desert island-what three things would you want with you? (Not including your laptop or family)
Well, if this was things other than necessities like food, shelter, etc. I would say books, electricity, and running water.

6. Name three blessings in your life.
Family/friends, health, having the fluff ball around to keep things entertaining.

7. What was your nickname in High School?.
Didn't have one.

8. If you could meet the President of the United States, what would you say to him?
Canada has its own problems...

9. If you could be any literary character, who would you be?
Man, I don't know. I really like Mercy from Briggs' series. Let's go with that.

10. What is your favo(u)rite quote?
Not sure.

Around the Blogosphere

We Be Reading is hosting a Diana Wynne Jones Reading Month. 

If I were to join in I have the following books by Jones:
Deep Secret
Howl's Moving Castle (would be a reread)
Witch Week
Mixed Magics
The Magicians of Caprona
Castle in the Air
Charmed Life (would be a reread)
House of Many Ways (would be a reread)
The Merlin Conspiracy


Science-Fiction Experience
My List:
1. Falling Free by Lois McMaster Bujold (Completed January 6, 2012) (review)
2. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (Completed January 8, 2012)
3. Foundation by Isaac Asimov (Foundation Series, Book 1) (Completed January 12, 2012) (review - Part 1) (review - Part 2)
4. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (Completed January 21, 2012) (review)
5. Cinder (Lunar Chronicles, Book 1) by Marissa Mayer (Completed February 9, 2012)
6. Star Trek: The Next Generation - A Time to Be Born (A Time to Series, Book 1) by John Vornholt (Completed February 19, 2012)
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation - A Time to Die (A Time to... Series, Book 2) by John Vornholt (Completed February 20, 2012)
8. Star Trek: The Next Generation - A Time to Sow (A Time to... Series, Book 3) by Dayton Ward & Kevin Dilmore (Completed February 22, 2012)

Thoughts: As usual I did rather bad in the reviewing department. I am hoping to read more in the Star Trek series, so I will probably just review them all together later into the year. I forgot I hadn't reviewed Cinder. I will have to do that and think of something to say about The Time Machine, too. I actually read a decent amount of books this year. Some years I am lucky to read one!

Last night I rearranged my bookshelves to have all my fantasy in one spot in preparation for the Once Upon a Time Challenge. I always look forward to it because fantasy is my favourite.

24 comments:

  1. I love bookshelve arranging! I've never joined the Once Upon a Time Challenge--I tend to forget about these things. But I am taking part in the 2012 Fantasy Challenge at the Book Cellar, and enjoying that.

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    Replies
    1. My rearranging was basically just to put the the fantasy all in one place, but actually rearranging lead to the books laying on the shelf to finally getting their spot on it. They look a lot better now!

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  2. Annie bugged me and bugged me and bugged me to go see Contagion in the theater, but we just never got around to it. :( Guess I ought to throw it on the Netflix queue and surprise her one of these days.

    The trip you're dying to go on--I think I catch a theme there...mind if I come along? :D

    And wow! Do I ever love your dream home library!

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    Replies
    1. It was a bit of a disturbing movie. I am glad I finally watched it, but it freaked me out more than knocked my socks off.

      Of course you can come along! I was pretty sure I included you on my route, did I miss you?

      Yep. Beauty and the Beast library for the win. :)

      Delete
    2. You did. In fact, since I was your first stop, I figured it would be easy for me to just tag along for the rest of the trip! :D

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  3. Please join in! A re-read of a beloved DWJ would only take a couple of days, right? :) I'm re-reading The Magicians of Caprona right now and am really liking it. I'll have to make it sound awesome in my post when I'm done so that you pick it up!

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    Replies
    1. haha. I will do my best. I was actually thinking I would reread Howl's Moving Castle and House of Many Ways because my library didn't have Castle in the Air and I managed to get my own copy.

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  4. I was just rearranging my shelf too for OuaT!! lol It was fun seeing what I had for it.

    I was thinking of reading a Diana Wynne Jones for the challenge too, so thanks for letting me know that she has her own personal challenge. I'll have to think on it tonight, just because I'm already doing the mystery madness this month, the Ireland short story reading challenge next week, and OuaT. A girl can only fit so many challenges into one month! lol

    Fun answers to your meme(s), I enjoyed reading them! I'm glad you played!

    Contagion was good. The ending still haunts me. I haven't seen Midnight in Paris, at least I have your recommendation to go with now :-)

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    1. Yes, I always enjoy rearranging my bookshelves. :)

      haha! There is always so much going on, but I am going to try and squeeze DWJ in. I hope you will, too!

      Midnight in Paris was good. I hope you enjoy!

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  5. Anonymous1:12 AM

    Sky diving? Eeek. Just the thought makes my palms all sweaty (not a fan of heights).

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    Replies
    1. I am more freaked out about the falling than the height...

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  6. Somehow I keep missing my opportunity to watch Contagion. I think I will get it from Netflix ummm after I watch Fright Night.

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    1. It was pretty good. I hope you enjoy!

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  7. I watched Contagion when it came out in September, and i was so paranoid after. Still am. Ah man. I have a ton of hand sanitizers, I've put one in all of the kids sweaters, in their backpacks, I have a huge one in my purse. Yep, I have a problem. lol

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    1. I can see that. It does make you think, huh?

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  8. I really want to see Midnight in Paris - my friend and I are trying to find time to do a girls' movie night.

    I think a lot of people have been in the mood to rearrange bookshelves - must be because of spring. :) I made it through all the shelves in the living and dining room, but haven't started on the bedroom or basement yet. Big job!

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    1. Midnight in Paris was really good. I hope you get a chance to see it!

      Yes, spring tends to lead to lots of rearranging. My bookshelves are the fun part, though. :)

      Delete
  9. Anonymous1:24 PM

    I have similar thoughts on tv watching. and I appreciate your response to contagion, have been curious because of that massive cast!

    enjoy reading your answers to those tagging questions--great choice of a library, I still feel awe when that part of the movie unveils itself...

    looks like some good reading for the experiences/challenges. I too am looking forward to the Once Upon a Time challenge (as it is hardly a challenge at all and opportunity to geek out and find more great reads!)

    ~L (omphaloskepsis)

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    1. Yes, the cast was pretty amazing. Lots of famous people.

      I love that movie for the library and her bookish nature. :)

      Exactly! I love Once Upon a Time for the exact same reason.

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  10. My parents had been raving about MIDNIGHT IN PARIS for months and months, so I finally watched it a couple of weeks ago. I, too, loved it. I also saw HUGO this past week and fell hard for it. It's another fantastic Paris-centric film.

    Yesterday I watched TROLLHUNTER, a mocumentary from Norway. I'm somewhat iffy on mocumentaries, but this one was really good. It made me want to watch more Scandinavian cinema.

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  11. you don't want to travel huh? *chuckle*... me? I wanna go to England Scotland and Ireland. If I stay in the US I want to see the RedWood Forest and the Rockies. but we know how much of that will happen right?! lol

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  12. Love your dream library!! I think everyone should read Robin Hobb too!!

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  13. Inconsiderate people is a pet peeve for me too. I'm joining DWJ Month but haven't started reading anything just yet. I hope you're having a great weekend.

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  14. I might be able to be talked into skydiving but not bunge jumping. You have a ton of DWJ books! You should join that challenge. :)

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