8. Read 50 books (50/50) - completed
I finished "Way Off the Road: Discovering the Peculiar Charms of Small Town America," by Bill Geist, which my mom had picked up at a used book sale and I've been half-reading for about a month. Some of it was entertaining. I also finished "A Clockwork Orange," which was a little hard to get into because the narrator uses this slang that's half-Russian, half-made-up. And he uses it in every sentence. But I really, really liked the book -- a lot more than I thought I would.
And then I read "Her Fearful Symmetry" by Audrey Niffenger, who wrote The Time Traveler's Wife. I could read TTTW thirty times and love it even more each time, I think because I related so well to the story (I had a husband who time-traveled, didn't you know?) So I expected to relate equally well to this one, but as it turns out, I don't have an aunt who was my mother's twin who died and made me live in her flat in England with my twin. In any case, despite not being what I expected, I did like it.
30. Use my library card to take out 25 books (20/25) - in progress
I took out "Her Fearful Symmetry" and a book I picked up on a whim about a guy who works for a few months as a lettuce cutter on a farm with mostly migrant workers, in a poultry processing plant, and in the kitchen of an NYC restaurant.
I think that's it for the week -- didn't exercise. I did go down to the farmers market to get some peaches on Wednesday though. A few were bruised, because I tend to just let them give me whatever quart they want, but they were still delicious.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Just living my life
7. Watch all movies on AFI's top 100 (35/100) - in progress
I watched "MASH" last Monday, and once again fell asleep in the last half hour. I sure hope the last half hours don't hold the climax and resolution of the movies I've been watching, cause I'd sure be missing out... Oh wait. In any case, I wasn't impressed by the MASH. It didn't seem to have a very formal plot, and I was wanting something more at stake.
8. Read 50 books (47/50) - in progress
I read "Eat Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert in two days this week -- I got sucked into the romance of the "Leave everything behind and travel the world, easily making friends and eating fabulous food and spending time in meditation" lifestyle that I am terrified to actually live. I thought it was a pretty good book, and I think Julia Roberts would do well playing the author, so I'd like to see the movie too.
25. Learn to cook 52 new recipes and organize them in one place (31/52) - in progress
I made zucchini bread today, because my aunt visited overnight this past weekend and brought two of the most gigantic zucchinis I have ever seen in my LIFE, and I didn't know what else to do with them. Honestly, the things are like the size of wine bottles. I used half of one for three cups of grated zucchini. And while I love breads, this one doesn't have much flavor. I might try a different recipe for my next batch.
37. Own a plant for a year without killing it - accomplished
I don't know if I can technically call this accomplished, because about a ten days ago, some punk animal came into my fenced patio / courtyard area and annihilated my orchid, literally within an inch of its life. Not only dug around in the dirt, but stripped it's stems / branches and really did a number on it. I moved it inside, and I am trying to nurse it back to life (and to be honest, if it survived in my parents' basement for a year with limited light and only sporadic watering, it should survive a raccoon attack). So it's not all brown and crumbly yet, which means... I mothered a plant for a whole year! And it even bloomed in April. Bam, suckers.
40. Enter a tournament - accomplished
I also may be stretching this one, because what I technically entered was a giveaway contest that I had no control over whatsoever, BUT I TOTALLY WON, so I am counting it. It was a giveaway for a necklace on a blog I follow. And let's be totally honest, I put this on the list thinking I'd enter the beer pong tournament that my roommate's frisbee team hosted at school, so "downgrading" to a giveaway is really almost an upgrade.
56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (34/143) - in progress
I worked out twice last week, but nothing this week. It happens, I guess.
69. Shop at a farmer's market during season for fruits & vegetables I buy - in progress
I haven't been to the farmers market in a few weeks, but like I said, my aunt brought me enough produce to feed an army -- green peppers, hot peppers, zucchini, a cucumber, broccoli, peaches and plums. I don't know what it is about peaches this time of year but they are out of control delicious.
About four days behind on the prompts, but still chugging along.
-- Till next time.
I watched "MASH" last Monday, and once again fell asleep in the last half hour. I sure hope the last half hours don't hold the climax and resolution of the movies I've been watching, cause I'd sure be missing out... Oh wait. In any case, I wasn't impressed by the MASH. It didn't seem to have a very formal plot, and I was wanting something more at stake.
8. Read 50 books (47/50) - in progress
I read "Eat Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert in two days this week -- I got sucked into the romance of the "Leave everything behind and travel the world, easily making friends and eating fabulous food and spending time in meditation" lifestyle that I am terrified to actually live. I thought it was a pretty good book, and I think Julia Roberts would do well playing the author, so I'd like to see the movie too.
25. Learn to cook 52 new recipes and organize them in one place (31/52) - in progress
I made zucchini bread today, because my aunt visited overnight this past weekend and brought two of the most gigantic zucchinis I have ever seen in my LIFE, and I didn't know what else to do with them. Honestly, the things are like the size of wine bottles. I used half of one for three cups of grated zucchini. And while I love breads, this one doesn't have much flavor. I might try a different recipe for my next batch.
37. Own a plant for a year without killing it - accomplished
I don't know if I can technically call this accomplished, because about a ten days ago, some punk animal came into my fenced patio / courtyard area and annihilated my orchid, literally within an inch of its life. Not only dug around in the dirt, but stripped it's stems / branches and really did a number on it. I moved it inside, and I am trying to nurse it back to life (and to be honest, if it survived in my parents' basement for a year with limited light and only sporadic watering, it should survive a raccoon attack). So it's not all brown and crumbly yet, which means... I mothered a plant for a whole year! And it even bloomed in April. Bam, suckers.
40. Enter a tournament - accomplished
I also may be stretching this one, because what I technically entered was a giveaway contest that I had no control over whatsoever, BUT I TOTALLY WON, so I am counting it. It was a giveaway for a necklace on a blog I follow. And let's be totally honest, I put this on the list thinking I'd enter the beer pong tournament that my roommate's frisbee team hosted at school, so "downgrading" to a giveaway is really almost an upgrade.
56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (34/143) - in progress
I worked out twice last week, but nothing this week. It happens, I guess.
69. Shop at a farmer's market during season for fruits & vegetables I buy - in progress
I haven't been to the farmers market in a few weeks, but like I said, my aunt brought me enough produce to feed an army -- green peppers, hot peppers, zucchini, a cucumber, broccoli, peaches and plums. I don't know what it is about peaches this time of year but they are out of control delicious.
About four days behind on the prompts, but still chugging along.
-- Till next time.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Halfway!
So according to a calculator I found online and according to a date I wrote down a few weeks ago but am now second guessing for no reason, I hit the halfway mark on my 101 on Wednesday, July 28. So I decided it's time to take inventory of the list and what things don't make sense any more, aren't realistic or plain need to change.
The rules? I can't change anything just because I don't want to do it anymore. The challenges I change have to be because of a valid reason (finances, location etc.), and I think the replacement challenge should stay in the same vein (creative, food etc.)
15. Knit / crochet 15 projects from my 2009 calendar (0/15) will become:
15. Finish knitting the grey scarf I began in the fall of junior year of college.
Because: I don't knit anymore, and I don't really have the desire to. It's time consuming, and unless I'm doing a straight knit, I can't do anything else at the same time -- no talking, no TV -- which makes it incredibly boring. But I do need to finish that scarf, because let's be serious, it's just embarrassing that it's taken me three years to knit a 5-foot, knit/purl scarf.
19. Find and print some of my own photos for my parents' basement will become:
19. When I finish the 26 Things Challenge, make a photobook of the images.
Because: I originally put this on the challenge because my dad talked about it a lot. I think he had a grand vision of the basement without Adam's toys sprawled out everywhere. But as it turns out, an 8-year-old cares even less about keeping things neat / picked up / classy than a 4-year-old. So I don't know that it's realistic to put black and white photos on the wall and have Transformers strewn about.
28. Sit in the audience of a late-night talk show will become:
28. See a comedy or improv show.
Because: I sincerely dislike late-night talk shows other than Conan, and I don't see myself making a trip to California any time soon. But I still like to laugh, and I know there is an improv group in Harrisburg.
33. Learn to surf will become:
33. Do something (similar) outside of my comfort zone.
Because: I know that even if I get to a beach this summer or next, I will not take surfing lessons... and I am having a total brain fart as to what to do instead. But I'll replace this with something sports-related when I think of it.
54. Climb the rock wall at UREC will become:
54. Get enough upper body strength to do at least 10 real pushups.
Because: I don't know when I'll be at UREC again. But it's really equally challenging. You think real pushups aren't hard? Because they are. Because currently, I can do about two modified (read: girl) pushups, and then I cry. Which is embarassing, even when the only things that can see me are my plants.
55. Try six new classes at UREC at least two times each will become:
55. Try six different workouts at home at least two times each.
Because: I'm still trying to save money by working out at home instead of using a gym, and this will accomplish the same goal of trying new exercises and not getting bored or stuck in a rut.
85. Visit a country in Europe will become:
85. Plan a stateside European mini-vacation.
Because: In between the cost of a trip to Europe and the vacation time it would suck up, I'm replacing this with a "pretend southcentral Pennsylvania is Europe" expedition. A friend at work did this and said it was actually kind of fun. So I don't have the details planned, but it will probably involve wine, so you really can't lose.
88. Go on three interesting dates with Chris will become:
88. Make three new friends in Carlisle.
Because: Chris and I aren't dating anymore. But also because friends are a nice thing to have.
94. Buy / receive a new lens for my SLR camera will become:
94. Learn to use my SLR camera.
Because: I was understanding it OK after my photojournalism course, but since then I've slowly regressed to keeping it on automatic, which is not the point with a SLR. There are some inexpensive classes through community centers in the area, so it shouldn't be too hard to find one. And it doesn't make sense to buy ultra-expensive equipment for a camera I can't even understand.
So I changed nine things, which comes in under my maximum of 10. Success!
The rules? I can't change anything just because I don't want to do it anymore. The challenges I change have to be because of a valid reason (finances, location etc.), and I think the replacement challenge should stay in the same vein (creative, food etc.)
15. Knit / crochet 15 projects from my 2009 calendar (0/15) will become:
15. Finish knitting the grey scarf I began in the fall of junior year of college.
Because: I don't knit anymore, and I don't really have the desire to. It's time consuming, and unless I'm doing a straight knit, I can't do anything else at the same time -- no talking, no TV -- which makes it incredibly boring. But I do need to finish that scarf, because let's be serious, it's just embarrassing that it's taken me three years to knit a 5-foot, knit/purl scarf.
19. Find and print some of my own photos for my parents' basement will become:
19. When I finish the 26 Things Challenge, make a photobook of the images.
Because: I originally put this on the challenge because my dad talked about it a lot. I think he had a grand vision of the basement without Adam's toys sprawled out everywhere. But as it turns out, an 8-year-old cares even less about keeping things neat / picked up / classy than a 4-year-old. So I don't know that it's realistic to put black and white photos on the wall and have Transformers strewn about.
28. Sit in the audience of a late-night talk show will become:
28. See a comedy or improv show.
Because: I sincerely dislike late-night talk shows other than Conan, and I don't see myself making a trip to California any time soon. But I still like to laugh, and I know there is an improv group in Harrisburg.
33. Learn to surf will become:
33. Do something (similar) outside of my comfort zone.
Because: I know that even if I get to a beach this summer or next, I will not take surfing lessons... and I am having a total brain fart as to what to do instead. But I'll replace this with something sports-related when I think of it.
54. Climb the rock wall at UREC will become:
54. Get enough upper body strength to do at least 10 real pushups.
Because: I don't know when I'll be at UREC again. But it's really equally challenging. You think real pushups aren't hard? Because they are. Because currently, I can do about two modified (read: girl) pushups, and then I cry. Which is embarassing, even when the only things that can see me are my plants.
55. Try six new classes at UREC at least two times each will become:
55. Try six different workouts at home at least two times each.
Because: I'm still trying to save money by working out at home instead of using a gym, and this will accomplish the same goal of trying new exercises and not getting bored or stuck in a rut.
85. Visit a country in Europe will become:
85. Plan a stateside European mini-vacation.
Because: In between the cost of a trip to Europe and the vacation time it would suck up, I'm replacing this with a "pretend southcentral Pennsylvania is Europe" expedition. A friend at work did this and said it was actually kind of fun. So I don't have the details planned, but it will probably involve wine, so you really can't lose.
88. Go on three interesting dates with Chris will become:
88. Make three new friends in Carlisle.
Because: Chris and I aren't dating anymore. But also because friends are a nice thing to have.
94. Buy / receive a new lens for my SLR camera will become:
94. Learn to use my SLR camera.
Because: I was understanding it OK after my photojournalism course, but since then I've slowly regressed to keeping it on automatic, which is not the point with a SLR. There are some inexpensive classes through community centers in the area, so it shouldn't be too hard to find one. And it doesn't make sense to buy ultra-expensive equipment for a camera I can't even understand.
So I changed nine things, which comes in under my maximum of 10. Success!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
All I do is consume media & cook eggs.
7. Watch all movies on AFIs top 100 (34/100) - in progress
I watched "To Kill A Mockingbird" on Monday, which was somewhat interesting -- moreso when it finally reached the trial. Robert Duvall is a creepy looking man in that movie though. Face could kill millions out of fright. I also watched "Taxi Driver" yesterday, which I fell asleep in during the last half hour. It's too bad, really, because I think the last half-hour was probably one of the more entertaining and important parts. But I can't seem to stay awake recently... unless, of course, it's after midnight and I should be sleeping.
8. Read 50 books (46/50) - in progress
I finished "Fast Food Nation" this week, along with "Nickel and Dimed" by Barbara Ehrenreich. I've seen the movie based on Fast Food Nation, so some of it was repetitive, but the entire food industry is honestly a mess and I think all it's doing is adding stress to my grocery shopping and if I should ever eat meat again. Is it bad that slaughterhouses move at such a rapid pace (to increase profit) that sometimes (most of the time, according to this book) fecal matter gets into the meat that gets sold to consumers? And the USDA has no power to enforce food recalls when E. coli gets into the meat and kills children? I'd think so. But I also don't understand what I can do, other than not buy meat. It's incredibly interesting to learn all these things -- but I also feel rather helpless.
Nickel and Dimed, on the other hand, did not have that effect at all. It was written by a journalist who works three minimum-wage jobs for a month each, and tries to survive on $6 or $7 or $8 an hour. It wasn't nearly as interesting as the agriculture / food books I've been reading, except when it made me feel guilty that my mom hires a cleaning lady.
30. Use my library card to take out 25 books (18/25) - in progress
I took out a book on a woman who lived with the Amish for a bit, called "Plain and Simple." And then "A Clockwork Orange" became available through the hold I'd put on it, so I picked that up too.
69. Shop at a farmer's market during season for fruits & vegetables I buy - in progress
I went down to the farmers market again on Wednesday, and bought more peaches and some eggs. I was pumped to eat those eggs this week, so I had an adorable meal of free-range eggs sunny side up and homemade toast (and grocery store milk, but we can't all be perfect, OK). I think the egg yolks were creamier, but maybe that was just my mind playing tricks on me. When I bought the eggs though, I asked if the woman sold them by half-dozen, and she said no, but they lasted quite a long time... and then proceeded to tell me a story about how her friend went to Africa for a month and her eggs were still good when she came back. You just don't get those anecdotes in the dairy aisle of the grocery.
I'm about a thousand days behind on my journaling, an ultimate fail that I am resolved to fixing this weekend. I hope. Also, in unrelated news, I decided to do a separate page for the 6 in 60, like I am keeping for the AFI movies and the books I've read.
-- Till next time.
I watched "To Kill A Mockingbird" on Monday, which was somewhat interesting -- moreso when it finally reached the trial. Robert Duvall is a creepy looking man in that movie though. Face could kill millions out of fright. I also watched "Taxi Driver" yesterday, which I fell asleep in during the last half hour. It's too bad, really, because I think the last half-hour was probably one of the more entertaining and important parts. But I can't seem to stay awake recently... unless, of course, it's after midnight and I should be sleeping.
8. Read 50 books (46/50) - in progress
I finished "Fast Food Nation" this week, along with "Nickel and Dimed" by Barbara Ehrenreich. I've seen the movie based on Fast Food Nation, so some of it was repetitive, but the entire food industry is honestly a mess and I think all it's doing is adding stress to my grocery shopping and if I should ever eat meat again. Is it bad that slaughterhouses move at such a rapid pace (to increase profit) that sometimes (most of the time, according to this book) fecal matter gets into the meat that gets sold to consumers? And the USDA has no power to enforce food recalls when E. coli gets into the meat and kills children? I'd think so. But I also don't understand what I can do, other than not buy meat. It's incredibly interesting to learn all these things -- but I also feel rather helpless.
Nickel and Dimed, on the other hand, did not have that effect at all. It was written by a journalist who works three minimum-wage jobs for a month each, and tries to survive on $6 or $7 or $8 an hour. It wasn't nearly as interesting as the agriculture / food books I've been reading, except when it made me feel guilty that my mom hires a cleaning lady.
30. Use my library card to take out 25 books (18/25) - in progress
I took out a book on a woman who lived with the Amish for a bit, called "Plain and Simple." And then "A Clockwork Orange" became available through the hold I'd put on it, so I picked that up too.
69. Shop at a farmer's market during season for fruits & vegetables I buy - in progress
I went down to the farmers market again on Wednesday, and bought more peaches and some eggs. I was pumped to eat those eggs this week, so I had an adorable meal of free-range eggs sunny side up and homemade toast (and grocery store milk, but we can't all be perfect, OK). I think the egg yolks were creamier, but maybe that was just my mind playing tricks on me. When I bought the eggs though, I asked if the woman sold them by half-dozen, and she said no, but they lasted quite a long time... and then proceeded to tell me a story about how her friend went to Africa for a month and her eggs were still good when she came back. You just don't get those anecdotes in the dairy aisle of the grocery.
I'm about a thousand days behind on my journaling, an ultimate fail that I am resolved to fixing this weekend. I hope. Also, in unrelated news, I decided to do a separate page for the 6 in 60, like I am keeping for the AFI movies and the books I've read.
-- Till next time.
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