I'm sure I read more last month, but since I can't figure out what, life goes on. That said, I'm sure I've read Death Comes to Pemberly at some point in the last year or so, but I can't find that either. Meh. I work full time+ now, so I don't have as much time to read these days. Bit sad, but at least I still read plenty.
OCTOBER
34. Robopocalypse, by Daniel H. Wilson
33. Jericho, Season 3: Civil War (graphic novel, a continuation of the TV show)
SEPTEMBER
32. The Birth of Venus, by Sarah Dunant (for reading group)
31. The Clairvoyant Countess, by Dorothy Gilman
30. Anita and Me, by Meera Syal (for reading group. The lack of these was due to problems getting copies of anything for the group. Also, I was late finishing this one)
29. An Acceptable Time, by Madeleine L'Engle (fifth written of the Time Quintet)
AUGUST
*28. Many Waters, by Madeleine L'Engle (fourth written of the Time Quintet)
*27. A Swiftly Tilting Planet, by Madeleine L'Engle (third written of the Time Quintet)
26. Serenity: The Shepherd's Tale, by Joss Whedon, Zack Whedon, and Chris Samnee (graphic novel)
Elmer and the Hippos, by David McKee (since it's a kid's book and took 5 minutes, doesn't count)
*25. A Wind in the Door, by Madeleine L'Engle (second written of the Time Quintet)
*24. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle (first written of the Time Quintet)
JULY
23. Broken Homes, by Ben Aaronovitch (Peter Grant Series #4)
22. The Kill Order, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy prequel. Do not read this.)
21. Little Brother, by Cory Doctorow (you should read this. It's an interesting successor to its namesake, Orwell's 1984)
JUNE
20. Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas, by John Scalzi
19. The Cuckoo's Calling, by Robert Galbraith (pen name for J. K. Rowling)
18. Death Cure, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #3)
17. The Scorch Trials, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #2)
16. Tipping the Velvet, by Sarah Waters (for reading group)
MAY
15. The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James (for reading group)
APRIL
14. Island of Wings, by Karin Altenberg (for reading group)
*13. The Indian in the Cupboard, by Lynne Reid Banks
MARCH
12. Goliath, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 3 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
11. Behemoth, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 2 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
*10. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
9. Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 1 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
FEBRUARY
8. Bitter Blue, by Cath Staincliffe (Sal Kilkenny Series #6) (for reading group)
7. For My Own: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology (contains three novellas: A Christmas for Carrie by Alison Packard, Christmas Curveball by Shari Mikels, and Kissing Her Scrooge by Kinley Cade)
6. Catching Heat (Feeling the Heat), by Alison Packard
5. The Maze Runner, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #1)
4. Walking Home, Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way, by Simon Armitage (for reading group)
JANUARY
3. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente
2. Edible History: Easy Recipes for Homemade Mother of Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Wine Vinegar, by Cassandra Cookson (short, but I want to make my own apple cider vinegar. Probably won't, but want to.)
1. Zeus of Ithome, by T. E. Taylor (written by one of the guys in my writer's group. Really great guy, enjoyable book.)
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Ze House
I had to sort through about 60 photos. These aren't the best, but they give a basic idea of the house without posting too revealing of information on the web (like the address). Also, there are no pictures of the cellar, because at the point we took these--right after we took possession of the house--it looked one step away from an ax-muderer's haven (it's about 3 steps away now).
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| The pretty rosebush outside the living room window that desperately needs a pruning. Despite his claims, the previous owner did not in fact prune it this year. |
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| Living room. He left the weird rug that I do like, but wondered what was under it (nothing, thankfully). However, it's really shaggy, so who knows what's in it, since we didn't want to break the carpet cleaner we borrowed. Also, jackass never cleaned out the woodstove. |
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| The front door is right across from the stairs. There's a distinct lack of entryway in the house, but those tend to cost an extra £50k. |
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| The kitchen looks nicer than it is to work in. Trust me. Also, nothing in the photo works. Extractor hood is broken (lights work in it, at least), both ovens are broken. So I guess the range works (so did the bottle of wine). We've replaced the cooker now, but the hood is still broken. |
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| Guest bedroom. Now on the first/second floor (choose which one via your country–we've gone up the first flight of stairs). |
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| Same guest bedroom as previous photo. They were big into accent walls, which we (mostly) like. Too bad this was a kid's room and it's all damaged. We have a gallon of paint in a similar blue, which will hopefully someday make it onto the wall. Also, we were warned not to use the fireplace. Gee, ya think? It's carpeted and everything. |
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| They seemed to have a lot of red paint for accent walls. This bathroom has a distinct lack of a shower. And will continue to until Adam and I either fit a tap adaptor one for emergency use, or spend an obscene amount of money to redo the whole room (the eventual plan). |
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| This is the other "bedroom" on the first/second floor. In two photos you'll better understand why we have quotes around it. It's our office, and houses the computers, bookcases (some of them), and currently, our clothes. We are not fans of the mustard accent wall. Not even a little. |
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| I have no further comment. |
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| Stairs up to the top floor/attic/loft. Also know as our bedroom, the master bedroom. It's more than a little awesome to say that, even if there's a door three steps up. Very weird. |
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| Can you say master suite? Also, can you say ouch? Adam's whacked his head or shoulder nearly every day on the one beam, and I've done it a few times myself. However, that's not my side of the bed. |
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| That would be the chimney breast. Very picturesque, very dusty. |
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| The only picture I'm willing to share of the master bath, since someone (aka previous owner) is apparently unable to put the toilet seat down. He's a class act, that one. Also, note the lack of door between the bedroom and bathroom. Since that's my side of the bed, I get to perv on Adam as he showers (on the rare days I'm not at work when he showers). That's the shower head sticking out of the ceiling, by the way. |
Monday, October 13, 2014
About that...
First off, you know when I said hopefully it'd wouldn't be six months before I wrote again? Yeah, oops. Sorry about that. Secondly, you remember how I said that Adam and I probably wouldn't buy a house. Yeah, we did. I've been regretting that decision fairly regularly over the last couple of months we've lived here, but I do still love it. I feel almost adult-like for owning a home.
Part of why I haven't posted for so long--beyond the laziness, of course--is because we were without a regular internet connection from the day we fully moved (28th of August; we took possession August 15th) until October 1st. I'm still so unbelievably angry about the multitude of fuck-ups that caused that to happen that I don't want to write about it, but we were supposed to be connected on September 4th. The only good thing to come out of it is that we've got 5 free months from the company.
Beyond the laziness and lack of internet there's been the dealing with the house. Turns out the previous owner was a lying son of a bitch, which, while not uncommon, is frustrating and has cost us (and by us, I mean the awesome relatives who have bought us housewarming presents) nearly £1500 so far. And it's not done yet. Our solicitor (who happens to be a co-worker's mother, a mistake I will not make again), so far as I can tell, did not even do the most basic aspects of the job for which we paid her. So far as we can tell, the damp that was found by the inspector in the new house (a key reason why we wanted to move out of the Lewisham Road flat) won't be covered by the damp-proofing guarantee because that wall was not treated. Of course we chose to purchase the house knowing about this, because we were told there was a guarantee, and we asked our solicitor to send us a copy of that so that we could confirm that we could have it repaired under the guarantee (i.e. not out of our pocket). But instead of sending us the full details at that time, we just got the page of the guarantee. Not, you know, a copy of the work that was done, which we received about 3 weeks after we moved in. Awesome. Now I have to ask an ombudsman if we have some kind of case against our solicitor, and might possibly be suing our solicitor for gross incompetence. She also couldn't tell us who owns the plot of land next to us. Adam and I found that information, along with the date of sale, in the same pile of paperwork that included the specifics of the damp-proofing. Did I mention it's my co-worker's mother?
There are pictures of the house, many, MANY pictures, but I have to get them off the tablet to share them. Since we still have large quantities of boxes in the house, that's easier said than done since I can't find the SD card adaptor, but I just managed to guilt-trip myself into finding an alternate (and in fact easier) way to get them onto my computer, so I'll post those separately.
As for the regrets of buying, it's not the costs of replacing all the shit that lying Simon said worked (the dishwasher, the cooker, basically any kitchen appliance), or even the incompetence of our solicitor, but, once again, our neighbours. Always the neighbours. Woo. We live in a back-to-back end-terrace, which for my British friends, probably makes sense, but is rather incomprensible to those who live in a society where duplexes aren't that common. Row, or terraced, housing means a string of homes that are all part of one building. Generally, they go all the way through the property, so you have both front and back walls of the house, but your side walls are shared with a neighbour. Like a duplex or a triplex, but usually quite a few more than that. End-terraced homes are more expensive, because they only share one wall. But because ours is a back-to-back, we actually don't go all the way through, and we have two shared walls (it's a very bizarre row). We also have no garden/yard, which is fine, but will make it more difficult when we get a dog (for we WILL get a dog. Or two.).
The neighbour on the side seems to be a single mother with a 4-5 year old. Her preferred method of parenting is to scream at her child. Constantly. Also, she tries to reason with the child, as in she tries to use logic to win arguments. With a 4-5 year old. Because that'll work even better than screaming. The kid is probably a little shithead, but anyone would be if they're constantly screamed at by their mother. It's some of the worst parenting I can imagine short of physically harming a child.
The neighbours on the back side are big on shouting as well, but that's mostly because their music is turned up so loudly that they have to shout to be heard. This applies also when the music isn't on, since it's clearly made them deaf. Also, they listen to club music. That's it. Bad dance music, never anything else. And they watch Family Guy quite loudly in what we think is their bedroom (anyway, it's next to our bedroom, and since the homes should be roughly mirrored, it would make sense). Also, they seem to think it's ok to blast music and have stupidly loud--and just stupid--and drunk people around until well after 2am. Yes, it may be the weekend, but some of us have to be in to work by 7am some weekends. Touch wood, that seems to have lessened a bit, but we'll see.
The good news is that the neighbours on the other side of screamy mum are pretty cool. Will and Rachel (I might be making their names up a bit) are very nice, come into work all the time because they like the Bakery, and Will is a brewer (complete with awesome red beard). He actually brews for a living, when he's not setting up new breweries or organizing some of the awesome local-ish beer festivals (including the fairly major Indy Man, and he also helped start up Port Street Beer House in Manchester, which Adam and I love). He told us about one that he just set up in Leeds, and Adam and I went to it and had a blast. So Will's ok, and Rachel seems lovely (she doesn't come in as often; I think she has a real job), and their dog is quietly cute. Good people. We hope to get to know them better, and hope they like board games!
I should go shower. I am dusty from working in a bakery, and tired from making 14 cakes and a double batch of sablé dough today. As a sidenote, that's not a cake record for me. Also, that's not as much as it sounds, since I only made 5 types. I've done more and more variety, but I'm not feeling well today, so I'm rather impressed I got that many. Though if a pan hadn't gone missing, I would have made 15 cakes, 3 each of 5 varieties. As it stands, I made 3 Apple and Olive Oil, 3 Tunisian Orange and Almond, 3 Chocolate Guinness, 3 Kladdakaka (gooey Swedish chocolate torte), and 2 ginger loaves (don't know where the third pan went). Over the course of the week, at least 2 more cakes will be made (baked Polish cheesecake, which I hate making), and probably another batch of ginger cakes. Lemon cake may also be made, and I might suck it up and try to harvest a bit more rhubarb for another couple of Rhubarb Polenta cakes. In theory, all those cakes should be cut into 10, and yes, we sell all of those cakes in a week. Pretty cool, really.
Photos tomorrow, I hope. It's late.
Part of why I haven't posted for so long--beyond the laziness, of course--is because we were without a regular internet connection from the day we fully moved (28th of August; we took possession August 15th) until October 1st. I'm still so unbelievably angry about the multitude of fuck-ups that caused that to happen that I don't want to write about it, but we were supposed to be connected on September 4th. The only good thing to come out of it is that we've got 5 free months from the company.
Beyond the laziness and lack of internet there's been the dealing with the house. Turns out the previous owner was a lying son of a bitch, which, while not uncommon, is frustrating and has cost us (and by us, I mean the awesome relatives who have bought us housewarming presents) nearly £1500 so far. And it's not done yet. Our solicitor (who happens to be a co-worker's mother, a mistake I will not make again), so far as I can tell, did not even do the most basic aspects of the job for which we paid her. So far as we can tell, the damp that was found by the inspector in the new house (a key reason why we wanted to move out of the Lewisham Road flat) won't be covered by the damp-proofing guarantee because that wall was not treated. Of course we chose to purchase the house knowing about this, because we were told there was a guarantee, and we asked our solicitor to send us a copy of that so that we could confirm that we could have it repaired under the guarantee (i.e. not out of our pocket). But instead of sending us the full details at that time, we just got the page of the guarantee. Not, you know, a copy of the work that was done, which we received about 3 weeks after we moved in. Awesome. Now I have to ask an ombudsman if we have some kind of case against our solicitor, and might possibly be suing our solicitor for gross incompetence. She also couldn't tell us who owns the plot of land next to us. Adam and I found that information, along with the date of sale, in the same pile of paperwork that included the specifics of the damp-proofing. Did I mention it's my co-worker's mother?
There are pictures of the house, many, MANY pictures, but I have to get them off the tablet to share them. Since we still have large quantities of boxes in the house, that's easier said than done since I can't find the SD card adaptor, but I just managed to guilt-trip myself into finding an alternate (and in fact easier) way to get them onto my computer, so I'll post those separately.
As for the regrets of buying, it's not the costs of replacing all the shit that lying Simon said worked (the dishwasher, the cooker, basically any kitchen appliance), or even the incompetence of our solicitor, but, once again, our neighbours. Always the neighbours. Woo. We live in a back-to-back end-terrace, which for my British friends, probably makes sense, but is rather incomprensible to those who live in a society where duplexes aren't that common. Row, or terraced, housing means a string of homes that are all part of one building. Generally, they go all the way through the property, so you have both front and back walls of the house, but your side walls are shared with a neighbour. Like a duplex or a triplex, but usually quite a few more than that. End-terraced homes are more expensive, because they only share one wall. But because ours is a back-to-back, we actually don't go all the way through, and we have two shared walls (it's a very bizarre row). We also have no garden/yard, which is fine, but will make it more difficult when we get a dog (for we WILL get a dog. Or two.).
The neighbour on the side seems to be a single mother with a 4-5 year old. Her preferred method of parenting is to scream at her child. Constantly. Also, she tries to reason with the child, as in she tries to use logic to win arguments. With a 4-5 year old. Because that'll work even better than screaming. The kid is probably a little shithead, but anyone would be if they're constantly screamed at by their mother. It's some of the worst parenting I can imagine short of physically harming a child.
The neighbours on the back side are big on shouting as well, but that's mostly because their music is turned up so loudly that they have to shout to be heard. This applies also when the music isn't on, since it's clearly made them deaf. Also, they listen to club music. That's it. Bad dance music, never anything else. And they watch Family Guy quite loudly in what we think is their bedroom (anyway, it's next to our bedroom, and since the homes should be roughly mirrored, it would make sense). Also, they seem to think it's ok to blast music and have stupidly loud--and just stupid--and drunk people around until well after 2am. Yes, it may be the weekend, but some of us have to be in to work by 7am some weekends. Touch wood, that seems to have lessened a bit, but we'll see.
The good news is that the neighbours on the other side of screamy mum are pretty cool. Will and Rachel (I might be making their names up a bit) are very nice, come into work all the time because they like the Bakery, and Will is a brewer (complete with awesome red beard). He actually brews for a living, when he's not setting up new breweries or organizing some of the awesome local-ish beer festivals (including the fairly major Indy Man, and he also helped start up Port Street Beer House in Manchester, which Adam and I love). He told us about one that he just set up in Leeds, and Adam and I went to it and had a blast. So Will's ok, and Rachel seems lovely (she doesn't come in as often; I think she has a real job), and their dog is quietly cute. Good people. We hope to get to know them better, and hope they like board games!
I should go shower. I am dusty from working in a bakery, and tired from making 14 cakes and a double batch of sablé dough today. As a sidenote, that's not a cake record for me. Also, that's not as much as it sounds, since I only made 5 types. I've done more and more variety, but I'm not feeling well today, so I'm rather impressed I got that many. Though if a pan hadn't gone missing, I would have made 15 cakes, 3 each of 5 varieties. As it stands, I made 3 Apple and Olive Oil, 3 Tunisian Orange and Almond, 3 Chocolate Guinness, 3 Kladdakaka (gooey Swedish chocolate torte), and 2 ginger loaves (don't know where the third pan went). Over the course of the week, at least 2 more cakes will be made (baked Polish cheesecake, which I hate making), and probably another batch of ginger cakes. Lemon cake may also be made, and I might suck it up and try to harvest a bit more rhubarb for another couple of Rhubarb Polenta cakes. In theory, all those cakes should be cut into 10, and yes, we sell all of those cakes in a week. Pretty cool, really.
Photos tomorrow, I hope. It's late.
2014 Reading List: September
SEPTEMBER
32. The Birth of Venus, by Sarah Dunant (for reading group)
31. The Clairvoyant Countess, by Dorothy Gilman
30. Anita and Me, by Meera Syal (for reading group. The lack of these was due to problems getting copies of anything for the group. Also, I was late finishing this one.)
29. An Acceptable Time, by Madeleine L'Engle (fifth written of the Time Quintet)
AUGUST
*28. Many Waters, by Madeleine L'Engle (fourth written of the Time Quintet)
*27. A Swiftly Tilting Planet, by Madeleine L'Engle (third written of the Time Quintet)
26. Serenity: The Shepherd's Tale, by Joss Whedon, Zack Whedon, and Chris Samnee (graphic novel)
Elmer and the Hippos, by David McKee (since it's a kid's book and took 5 minutes, doesn't count)
*25. A Wind in the Door, by Madeleine L'Engle (second written of the Time Quintet)
*24. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle (first written of the Time Quintet)
JULY
23. Broken Homes, by Ben Aaronovitch (Peter Grant Series #4)
22. The Kill Order, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy prequel. Do not read this.)
21. Little Brother, by Cory Doctorow (you should read this. It's an interesting successor to its namesake, Orwell's 1984)
JUNE
20. Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas, by John Scalzi
19. The Cuckoo's Calling, by Robert Galbraith (pen name for J. K. Rowling)
18. Death Cure, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #3)
17. The Scorch Trials, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #2)
16. Tipping the Velvet, by Sarah Waters (for reading group)
MAY
15. The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James (for reading group)
APRIL
14. Island of Wings, by Karin Altenberg (for reading group)
*13. The Indian in the Cupboard, by Lynne Reid Banks
MARCH
12. Goliath, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 3 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
11. Behemoth, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 2 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
*10. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
9. Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 1 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
FEBRUARY
8. Bitter Blue, by Cath Staincliffe (Sal Kilkenny Series #6) (for reading group)
7. For My Own: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology (contains three novellas: A Christmas for Carrie by Alison Packard, Christmas Curveball by Shari Mikels, and Kissing Her Scrooge by Kinley Cade)
6. Catching Heat (Feeling the Heat), by Alison Packard
5. The Maze Runner, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #1)
4. Walking Home, Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way, by Simon Armitage (for reading group)
JANUARY
3. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente
2. Edible History: Easy Recipes for Homemade Mother of Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Wine Vinegar, by Cassandra Cookson (short, but I want to make my own apple cider vinegar. Probably won't, but want to.)
1. Zeus of Ithome, by T. E. Taylor (written by one of the guys in my writer's group. Really great guy, enjoyable book.)
32. The Birth of Venus, by Sarah Dunant (for reading group)
31. The Clairvoyant Countess, by Dorothy Gilman
30. Anita and Me, by Meera Syal (for reading group. The lack of these was due to problems getting copies of anything for the group. Also, I was late finishing this one.)
29. An Acceptable Time, by Madeleine L'Engle (fifth written of the Time Quintet)
AUGUST
*28. Many Waters, by Madeleine L'Engle (fourth written of the Time Quintet)
*27. A Swiftly Tilting Planet, by Madeleine L'Engle (third written of the Time Quintet)
26. Serenity: The Shepherd's Tale, by Joss Whedon, Zack Whedon, and Chris Samnee (graphic novel)
Elmer and the Hippos, by David McKee (since it's a kid's book and took 5 minutes, doesn't count)
*25. A Wind in the Door, by Madeleine L'Engle (second written of the Time Quintet)
*24. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle (first written of the Time Quintet)
JULY
23. Broken Homes, by Ben Aaronovitch (Peter Grant Series #4)
22. The Kill Order, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy prequel. Do not read this.)
21. Little Brother, by Cory Doctorow (you should read this. It's an interesting successor to its namesake, Orwell's 1984)
JUNE
20. Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas, by John Scalzi
19. The Cuckoo's Calling, by Robert Galbraith (pen name for J. K. Rowling)
18. Death Cure, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #3)
17. The Scorch Trials, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #2)
16. Tipping the Velvet, by Sarah Waters (for reading group)
MAY
15. The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James (for reading group)
APRIL
14. Island of Wings, by Karin Altenberg (for reading group)
*13. The Indian in the Cupboard, by Lynne Reid Banks
MARCH
12. Goliath, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 3 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
11. Behemoth, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 2 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
*10. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
9. Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 1 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
FEBRUARY
8. Bitter Blue, by Cath Staincliffe (Sal Kilkenny Series #6) (for reading group)
7. For My Own: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology (contains three novellas: A Christmas for Carrie by Alison Packard, Christmas Curveball by Shari Mikels, and Kissing Her Scrooge by Kinley Cade)
6. Catching Heat (Feeling the Heat), by Alison Packard
5. The Maze Runner, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #1)
4. Walking Home, Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way, by Simon Armitage (for reading group)
JANUARY
3. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente
2. Edible History: Easy Recipes for Homemade Mother of Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Wine Vinegar, by Cassandra Cookson (short, but I want to make my own apple cider vinegar. Probably won't, but want to.)
1. Zeus of Ithome, by T. E. Taylor (written by one of the guys in my writer's group. Really great guy, enjoyable book.)
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
2014 Reading List: August
AUGUST
*28. Many Waters, by Madeleine L'Engle (fourth written of the Time Quintet)
*27. A Swiftly Tilting Planet, by Madeleine L'Engle (third written of the Time Quintet)
26. Serenity: The Shepherd's Tale, by Joss Whedon, Zack Whedon, and Chris Samnee (graphic novel)
Elmer and the Hippos, by David McKee (since it's a kid's book and took 5 minutes, doesn't count)
*25. A Wind in the Door, by Madeleine L'Engle (second written of the Time Quintet)
*24. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle (first written of the Time Quintet)
JULY
23. Broken Homes, by Ben Aaronovitch (Peter Grant Series #4)
22. The Kill Order, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy prequel. Do not read this.)
21. Little Brother, by Cory Doctorow (you should read this. It's an interesting successor to its namesake, Orwell's 1984)
JUNE
20. Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas, by John Scalzi
19. The Cuckoo's Calling, by Robert Galbraith (pen name for J. K. Rowling)
18. Death Cure, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #3)
17. The Scorch Trials, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #2)
16. Tipping the Velvet, by Sarah Waters (for reading group)
MAY
15. The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James (for reading group)
APRIL
14. Island of Wings, by Karin Altenberg (for reading group)
*13. The Indian in the Cupboard, by Lynne Reid Banks
MARCH
12. Goliath, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 3 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
11. Behemoth, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 2 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
*10. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
9. Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 1 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
FEBRUARY
8. Bitter Blue, by Cath Staincliffe (Sal Kilkenny Series #6) (for reading group)
7. For My Own: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology (contains three novellas: A Christmas for Carrie by Alison Packard, Christmas Curveball by Shari Mikels, and Kissing Her Scrooge by Kinley Cade)
6. Catching Heat (Feeling the Heat), by Alison Packard
5. The Maze Runner, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #1)
4. Walking Home, Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way, by Simon Armitage (for reading group)
JANUARY
3. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente
2. Edible History: Easy Recipes for Homemade Mother of Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Wine Vinegar, by Cassandra Cookson (short, but I want to make my own apple cider vinegar. Probably won't, but want to.)
1. Zeus of Ithome, by T. E. Taylor (written by one of the guys in my writer's group. Really great guy, enjoyable book.)
*28. Many Waters, by Madeleine L'Engle (fourth written of the Time Quintet)
*27. A Swiftly Tilting Planet, by Madeleine L'Engle (third written of the Time Quintet)
26. Serenity: The Shepherd's Tale, by Joss Whedon, Zack Whedon, and Chris Samnee (graphic novel)
Elmer and the Hippos, by David McKee (since it's a kid's book and took 5 minutes, doesn't count)
*25. A Wind in the Door, by Madeleine L'Engle (second written of the Time Quintet)
*24. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle (first written of the Time Quintet)
JULY
23. Broken Homes, by Ben Aaronovitch (Peter Grant Series #4)
22. The Kill Order, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy prequel. Do not read this.)
21. Little Brother, by Cory Doctorow (you should read this. It's an interesting successor to its namesake, Orwell's 1984)
JUNE
20. Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas, by John Scalzi
19. The Cuckoo's Calling, by Robert Galbraith (pen name for J. K. Rowling)
18. Death Cure, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #3)
17. The Scorch Trials, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #2)
16. Tipping the Velvet, by Sarah Waters (for reading group)
MAY
15. The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James (for reading group)
APRIL
14. Island of Wings, by Karin Altenberg (for reading group)
*13. The Indian in the Cupboard, by Lynne Reid Banks
MARCH
12. Goliath, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 3 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
11. Behemoth, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 2 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
*10. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
9. Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 1 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
FEBRUARY
8. Bitter Blue, by Cath Staincliffe (Sal Kilkenny Series #6) (for reading group)
7. For My Own: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology (contains three novellas: A Christmas for Carrie by Alison Packard, Christmas Curveball by Shari Mikels, and Kissing Her Scrooge by Kinley Cade)
6. Catching Heat (Feeling the Heat), by Alison Packard
5. The Maze Runner, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #1)
4. Walking Home, Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way, by Simon Armitage (for reading group)
JANUARY
3. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente
2. Edible History: Easy Recipes for Homemade Mother of Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Wine Vinegar, by Cassandra Cookson (short, but I want to make my own apple cider vinegar. Probably won't, but want to.)
1. Zeus of Ithome, by T. E. Taylor (written by one of the guys in my writer's group. Really great guy, enjoyable book.)
Sunday, August 10, 2014
2014 Reading List: July
JULY
23. Broken Homes, by Ben Aaronovitch (Peter Grant Series #4)
22. The Kill Order, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy prequel. Do not read this.)
21. Little Brother, by Cory Doctorow (you should read this. It's an interesting successor to its namesake, Orwell's 1984)
JUNE
20. Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas, by John Scalzi
19. The Cuckoo's Calling, by Robert Galbraith (pen name for J. K. Rowling)
18. Death Cure, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #3)
17. The Scorch Trials, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #2)
16. Tipping the Velvet, by Sarah Waters (for reading group)
MAY
15. The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James (for reading group)
APRIL
14. Island of Wings, by Karin Altenberg (for reading group)
*13. The Indian in the Cupboard, by Lynne Reid Banks
MARCH
12. Goliath, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 3 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
11. Behemoth, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 2 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
*10. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
9. Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 1 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
FEBRUARY
8. Bitter Blue, by Cath Staincliffe (Sal Kilkenny Series #6) (for reading group)
7. For My Own: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology (contains three novellas: A Christmas for Carrie by Alison Packard, Christmas Curveball by Shari Mikels, and Kissing Her Scrooge by Kinley Cade)
6. Catching Heat (Feeling the Heat), by Alison Packard
5. The Maze Runner, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #1)
4. Walking Home, Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way, by Simon Armitage (for reading group)
JANUARY
3. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente
2. Edible History: Easy Recipes for Homemade Mother of Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Wine Vinegar, by Cassandra Cookson (short, but I want to make my own apple cider vinegar. Probably won't, but want to.)
1. Zeus of Ithome, by T. E. Taylor (written by one of the guys in my writer's group. Really great guy, enjoyable book.)
23. Broken Homes, by Ben Aaronovitch (Peter Grant Series #4)
22. The Kill Order, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy prequel. Do not read this.)
21. Little Brother, by Cory Doctorow (you should read this. It's an interesting successor to its namesake, Orwell's 1984)
JUNE
20. Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas, by John Scalzi
19. The Cuckoo's Calling, by Robert Galbraith (pen name for J. K. Rowling)
18. Death Cure, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #3)
17. The Scorch Trials, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #2)
16. Tipping the Velvet, by Sarah Waters (for reading group)
MAY
15. The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James (for reading group)
APRIL
14. Island of Wings, by Karin Altenberg (for reading group)
*13. The Indian in the Cupboard, by Lynne Reid Banks
MARCH
12. Goliath, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 3 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
11. Behemoth, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 2 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
*10. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
9. Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 1 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
FEBRUARY
8. Bitter Blue, by Cath Staincliffe (Sal Kilkenny Series #6) (for reading group)
7. For My Own: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology (contains three novellas: A Christmas for Carrie by Alison Packard, Christmas Curveball by Shari Mikels, and Kissing Her Scrooge by Kinley Cade)
6. Catching Heat (Feeling the Heat), by Alison Packard
5. The Maze Runner, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #1)
4. Walking Home, Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way, by Simon Armitage (for reading group)
JANUARY
3. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente
2. Edible History: Easy Recipes for Homemade Mother of Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Wine Vinegar, by Cassandra Cookson (short, but I want to make my own apple cider vinegar. Probably won't, but want to.)
1. Zeus of Ithome, by T. E. Taylor (written by one of the guys in my writer's group. Really great guy, enjoyable book.)
Sunday, July 13, 2014
2014 Reading List: June
JUNE
20. Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas, by John Scalzi
19. The Cuckoo's Calling, by Robert Galbraith (pen name for J. K. Rowling)
18. Death Cure, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #3)
17. The Scorch Trials, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #2)
16. Tipping the Velvet, by Sarah Waters (for reading group)
MAY
15. The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James (for reading group)
APRIL
14. Island of Wings, by Karin Altenberg (for reading group)
*13. The Indian in the Cupboard, by Lynne Reid Banks
MARCH
12. Goliath, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 3 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
11. Behemoth, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 2 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
*10. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
9. Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 1 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
FEBRUARY
8. Bitter Blue, by Cath Staincliffe (Sal Kilkenny Series #6) (for reading group)
7. For My Own: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology (contains three novellas: A Christmas for Carrie by Alison Packard, Christmas Curveball by Shari Mikels, and Kissing Her Scrooge by Kinley Cade)
6. Catching Heat (Feeling the Heat), by Alison Packard
5. The Maze Runner, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #1)
4. Walking Home, Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way, by Simon Armitage (for reading group)
JANUARY
3. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente
2. Edible History: Easy Recipes for Homemade Mother of Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Wine Vinegar, by Cassandra Cookson (short, but I want to make my own apple cider vinegar. Probably won't, but want to.)
1. Zeus of Ithome, by T. E. Taylor (written by one of the guys in my writer's group. Really great guy, enjoyable book.)
20. Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas, by John Scalzi
19. The Cuckoo's Calling, by Robert Galbraith (pen name for J. K. Rowling)
18. Death Cure, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #3)
17. The Scorch Trials, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #2)
16. Tipping the Velvet, by Sarah Waters (for reading group)
MAY
15. The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James (for reading group)
APRIL
14. Island of Wings, by Karin Altenberg (for reading group)
*13. The Indian in the Cupboard, by Lynne Reid Banks
MARCH
12. Goliath, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 3 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
11. Behemoth, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 2 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
*10. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
9. Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 1 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
FEBRUARY
8. Bitter Blue, by Cath Staincliffe (Sal Kilkenny Series #6) (for reading group)
7. For My Own: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology (contains three novellas: A Christmas for Carrie by Alison Packard, Christmas Curveball by Shari Mikels, and Kissing Her Scrooge by Kinley Cade)
6. Catching Heat (Feeling the Heat), by Alison Packard
5. The Maze Runner, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #1)
4. Walking Home, Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way, by Simon Armitage (for reading group)
JANUARY
3. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente
2. Edible History: Easy Recipes for Homemade Mother of Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Wine Vinegar, by Cassandra Cookson (short, but I want to make my own apple cider vinegar. Probably won't, but want to.)
1. Zeus of Ithome, by T. E. Taylor (written by one of the guys in my writer's group. Really great guy, enjoyable book.)
Monday, June 9, 2014
2014 Reading List: May
MAY
15. The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James (for reading group)
APRIL
14. Island of Wings, by Karin Altenberg (for reading group)
*13. The Indian in the Cupboard, by Lynne Reid Banks
MARCH
12. Goliath, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 3 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
11. Behemoth, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 2 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
*10. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
9. Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 1 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
FEBRUARY
8. Bitter Blue, by Cath Staincliffe (Sal Kilkenny Series #6) (for reading group)
7. For My Own: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology (contains three novellas: A Christmas for Carrie by Alison Packard, Christmas Curveball by Shari Mikels, and Kissing Her Scrooge by Kinley Cade)
6. Catching Heat (Feeling the Heat), by Alison Packard
5. The Maze Runner, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #1)
4. Walking Home, Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way, by Simon Armitage (for reading group)
JANUARY
3. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente
2. Edible History: Easy Recipes for Homemade Mother of Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Wine Vinegar, by Cassandra Cookson (short, but I want to make my own apple cider vinegar. Probably won't, but want to.)
1. Zeus of Ithome, by T. E. Taylor (written by one of the guys in my writer's group. Really great guy, enjoyable book.)
15. The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James (for reading group)
APRIL
14. Island of Wings, by Karin Altenberg (for reading group)
*13. The Indian in the Cupboard, by Lynne Reid Banks
MARCH
12. Goliath, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 3 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
11. Behemoth, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 2 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
*10. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
9. Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 1 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
FEBRUARY
8. Bitter Blue, by Cath Staincliffe (Sal Kilkenny Series #6) (for reading group)
7. For My Own: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology (contains three novellas: A Christmas for Carrie by Alison Packard, Christmas Curveball by Shari Mikels, and Kissing Her Scrooge by Kinley Cade)
6. Catching Heat (Feeling the Heat), by Alison Packard
5. The Maze Runner, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #1)
4. Walking Home, Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way, by Simon Armitage (for reading group)
JANUARY
3. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente
2. Edible History: Easy Recipes for Homemade Mother of Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Wine Vinegar, by Cassandra Cookson (short, but I want to make my own apple cider vinegar. Probably won't, but want to.)
1. Zeus of Ithome, by T. E. Taylor (written by one of the guys in my writer's group. Really great guy, enjoyable book.)
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
2014 Reading List: April
APRIL
14. Island of Wings, by Karin Altenberg (for reading group)
*13. The Indian in the Cupboard, by Lynne Reid Banks
MARCH
12. Goliath, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 3 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
11. Behemoth, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 2 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
*10. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
9. Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 1 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
FEBRUARY
8. Bitter Blue, by Cath Staincliffe (Sal Kilkenny Series #6) (for reading group)
7. For My Own: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology (contains three novellas: A Christmas for Carrie by Alison Packard, Christmas Curveball by Shari Mikels, and Kissing Her Scrooge by Kinley Cade)
6. Catching Heat (Feeling the Heat), by Alison Packard
5. The Maze Runner, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #1)
4. Walking Home, Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way, by Simon Armitage (for reading group)
JANUARY
3. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente
2. Edible History: Easy Recipes for Homemade Mother of Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Wine Vinegar, by Cassandra Cookson (short, but I want to make my own apple cider vinegar. Probably won't, but want to.)
1. Zeus of Ithome, by T. E. Taylor (written by one of the guys in my writer's group. Really great guy, enjoyable book.)
14. Island of Wings, by Karin Altenberg (for reading group)
*13. The Indian in the Cupboard, by Lynne Reid Banks
MARCH
12. Goliath, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 3 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
11. Behemoth, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 2 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
*10. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
9. Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 1 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
FEBRUARY
8. Bitter Blue, by Cath Staincliffe (Sal Kilkenny Series #6) (for reading group)
7. For My Own: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology (contains three novellas: A Christmas for Carrie by Alison Packard, Christmas Curveball by Shari Mikels, and Kissing Her Scrooge by Kinley Cade)
6. Catching Heat (Feeling the Heat), by Alison Packard
5. The Maze Runner, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #1)
4. Walking Home, Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way, by Simon Armitage (for reading group)
JANUARY
3. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente
2. Edible History: Easy Recipes for Homemade Mother of Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Wine Vinegar, by Cassandra Cookson (short, but I want to make my own apple cider vinegar. Probably won't, but want to.)
1. Zeus of Ithome, by T. E. Taylor (written by one of the guys in my writer's group. Really great guy, enjoyable book.)
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
So...
It's been a while, and I have limited excuses. There's a lot I'd like to write about, much of it I can't/won't (work), and a lot of it is simply long past. I do wish I could write about work, since that's the stuff I could make funny, but sadly, I can't. So instead, I'll just write for a while, working backwards.
First off, we have new neighbors. The previous girls moved out around Thanksgiving because they wanted to live in a bigger, less cold, and generally less shitty place. While we don't blame them, they were awesome and we miss them (Ash does casual work at the greengrocers, so I still see her fairly regularly, but they were great neighbors, and I can't stress that enough). The new neighbors moved in about a month ago, and I called the police on them Saturday/Sunday. Yup. That was good times. The clocks moved forward, and I was dead asleep (Adam wasn't–he was just nodding off) in preparation for a 9am shift on Sunday, when I was awoken by screaming. Screaming that included the phrases "Get away from me!", "Don't touch me!", and "I hate you! Get out!"
Lovely. So I called emergency services, because a) she could have been raped and b) it was fucking 3am and I was asleep. Adam and I went though similar things with the neighbors prior to the girls, but at no time did that sound like potential sexual assault/rape, just your run-of-the-mill domestic argument. He stopped me from calling then, but not this time. Again, there was the rape factor (which I was so tired I didn't pick up on, nor did I want to, but Adam did), but they're also new and I want to send a message that this is not acceptable–either the noise or the assault.
Added bonus/weirdness: I have no idea what they look like, or even how many people live there.
What else? Oh yeah, I'm working "full time" now (32 hours/week) at the bakery. One of our directors (full time) left at the end of January, and one of the probationary directors hired last summer decided to leave at Christmas, so that opened up two slots, and they offered me one of them (I did apply). So 4 days a week I work in the café, either cooking or doing barista work and serving the public. I love it, though it can be frustrating for a variety of reasons (most of which shouldn't be public). Still, I really do enjoy it, and it's particularly nice to be working basically full time for the first time since I quit Ticor to get my MA. Taking the cleaning job there did pay off, which makes me smile.
Girl Museum is also going well (www.girlmuseum.org–go check it out), and I'm still loving working with them, too. Not much to say about it, other than check it out (new site last fall!).
Christmas was good; we spent it with the in-laws, and the Bakery closes for a week so it was very relaxing for me, and Adam's work was closed for most of that time as well, so it was nice for him, too. We didn't have a party for New Year's which was extra relaxing for me (lots of people and small spaces are very emotionally stressful and anxiety inducing). Instead, we just had a nice meal, played board games, and watched the UK equivalent of the ball drop (shit blowing up over Westminster). I really am so lame that it was a really fun night and much better than a party.
I could keep going backwards, but I'm bored, so instead I'll discuss current events. Adam and I are looking at houses to buy. We probably won't, since we want to move and buying a house will essentially tie us to staying (we could sell in a couple of years, but...), but it's fun to look, especially since we can get a pretty decent mortgage now with the combined salaries (and an even better one in a few months; if/after I'm made a director my salary will go up).
We're going to a wedding in early May, so after 5 years in the country I'll finally get to see Essex. Yay? Better though, is that we'll get to see our friends Matthew and Ami, and watch Matt and Claire get married, which will be awesome (provided Matt isn't struck down by lightning in the church, since he's an athiest). It should prove to be a fun weekend, and nice to get away, even if it'll be a bit of a whirlwind.
Lastly, Saturday is both the Grand National and International TableTop Day, so be sure to put some money on the ponies and play more (board) games!
Here's hoping it won't be another 6+ months before I post again!
First off, we have new neighbors. The previous girls moved out around Thanksgiving because they wanted to live in a bigger, less cold, and generally less shitty place. While we don't blame them, they were awesome and we miss them (Ash does casual work at the greengrocers, so I still see her fairly regularly, but they were great neighbors, and I can't stress that enough). The new neighbors moved in about a month ago, and I called the police on them Saturday/Sunday. Yup. That was good times. The clocks moved forward, and I was dead asleep (Adam wasn't–he was just nodding off) in preparation for a 9am shift on Sunday, when I was awoken by screaming. Screaming that included the phrases "Get away from me!", "Don't touch me!", and "I hate you! Get out!"
Lovely. So I called emergency services, because a) she could have been raped and b) it was fucking 3am and I was asleep. Adam and I went though similar things with the neighbors prior to the girls, but at no time did that sound like potential sexual assault/rape, just your run-of-the-mill domestic argument. He stopped me from calling then, but not this time. Again, there was the rape factor (which I was so tired I didn't pick up on, nor did I want to, but Adam did), but they're also new and I want to send a message that this is not acceptable–either the noise or the assault.
Added bonus/weirdness: I have no idea what they look like, or even how many people live there.
What else? Oh yeah, I'm working "full time" now (32 hours/week) at the bakery. One of our directors (full time) left at the end of January, and one of the probationary directors hired last summer decided to leave at Christmas, so that opened up two slots, and they offered me one of them (I did apply). So 4 days a week I work in the café, either cooking or doing barista work and serving the public. I love it, though it can be frustrating for a variety of reasons (most of which shouldn't be public). Still, I really do enjoy it, and it's particularly nice to be working basically full time for the first time since I quit Ticor to get my MA. Taking the cleaning job there did pay off, which makes me smile.
Girl Museum is also going well (www.girlmuseum.org–go check it out), and I'm still loving working with them, too. Not much to say about it, other than check it out (new site last fall!).
Christmas was good; we spent it with the in-laws, and the Bakery closes for a week so it was very relaxing for me, and Adam's work was closed for most of that time as well, so it was nice for him, too. We didn't have a party for New Year's which was extra relaxing for me (lots of people and small spaces are very emotionally stressful and anxiety inducing). Instead, we just had a nice meal, played board games, and watched the UK equivalent of the ball drop (shit blowing up over Westminster). I really am so lame that it was a really fun night and much better than a party.
I could keep going backwards, but I'm bored, so instead I'll discuss current events. Adam and I are looking at houses to buy. We probably won't, since we want to move and buying a house will essentially tie us to staying (we could sell in a couple of years, but...), but it's fun to look, especially since we can get a pretty decent mortgage now with the combined salaries (and an even better one in a few months; if/after I'm made a director my salary will go up).
We're going to a wedding in early May, so after 5 years in the country I'll finally get to see Essex. Yay? Better though, is that we'll get to see our friends Matthew and Ami, and watch Matt and Claire get married, which will be awesome (provided Matt isn't struck down by lightning in the church, since he's an athiest). It should prove to be a fun weekend, and nice to get away, even if it'll be a bit of a whirlwind.
Lastly, Saturday is both the Grand National and International TableTop Day, so be sure to put some money on the ponies and play more (board) games!
Here's hoping it won't be another 6+ months before I post again!
2014 Reading List: March
MARCH
12. Goliath, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 3 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
11. Behemoth, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 2 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
*10. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
9. Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 1 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
FEBRUARY
8. Bitter Blue, by Cath Staincliffe (Sal Kilkenny Series #6) (for reading group)
7. For My Own: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology (contains three novellas: A Christmas for Carrie by Alison Packard, Christmas Curveball by Shari Mikels, and Kissing Her Scrooge by Kinley Cade)
6. Catching Heat (Feeling the Heat), by Alison Packard
5. The Maze Runner, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #1)
4. Walking Home, Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way, by Simon Armitage (for reading group)
JANUARY
3. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente
2. Edible History: Easy Recipes for Homemade Mother of Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Wine Vinegar, by Cassandra Cookson (short, but I want to make my own apple cider vinegar. Probably won't, but want to.)
1. Zeus of Ithome, by T. E. Taylor (written by one of the guys in my writer's group. Really great guy, enjoyable book.)
12. Goliath, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 3 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
11. Behemoth, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 2 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
*10. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
9. Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld (Book 1 of the Leviathan Trilogy)
FEBRUARY
8. Bitter Blue, by Cath Staincliffe (Sal Kilkenny Series #6) (for reading group)
7. For My Own: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology (contains three novellas: A Christmas for Carrie by Alison Packard, Christmas Curveball by Shari Mikels, and Kissing Her Scrooge by Kinley Cade)
6. Catching Heat (Feeling the Heat), by Alison Packard
5. The Maze Runner, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #1)
4. Walking Home, Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way, by Simon Armitage (for reading group)
JANUARY
3. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente
2. Edible History: Easy Recipes for Homemade Mother of Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Wine Vinegar, by Cassandra Cookson (short, but I want to make my own apple cider vinegar. Probably won't, but want to.)
1. Zeus of Ithome, by T. E. Taylor (written by one of the guys in my writer's group. Really great guy, enjoyable book.)
Friday, March 7, 2014
2014 Reading List: February
FEBRUARY
8. Bitter Blue, by Cath Staincliffe (Sal Kilkenny Series #6) (for reading group)
7. For My Own: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology (contains three novellas: A Christmas for Carrie by Alison Packard, Christmas Curveball by Shari Mikels, and Kissing Her Scrooge by Kinley Cade)
6. Catching Heat (Feeling the Heat), by Alison Packard
5. The Maze Runner, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #1)
4. Walking Home, Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way, by Simon Armitage (for reading group)
JANUARY
3. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente
2. Edible History: Easy Recipes for Homemade Mother of Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Wine Vinegar, by Cassandra Cookson (short, but I want to make my own apple cider vinegar. Probably won't, but want to.)
1. Zeus of Ithome, by T. E. Taylor (written by one of the guys in my writer's group. Really great guy, enjoyable book.)
8. Bitter Blue, by Cath Staincliffe (Sal Kilkenny Series #6) (for reading group)
7. For My Own: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology (contains three novellas: A Christmas for Carrie by Alison Packard, Christmas Curveball by Shari Mikels, and Kissing Her Scrooge by Kinley Cade)
6. Catching Heat (Feeling the Heat), by Alison Packard
5. The Maze Runner, by James Dashner (The Maze Runner Trilogy #1)
4. Walking Home, Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way, by Simon Armitage (for reading group)
JANUARY
3. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente
2. Edible History: Easy Recipes for Homemade Mother of Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Wine Vinegar, by Cassandra Cookson (short, but I want to make my own apple cider vinegar. Probably won't, but want to.)
1. Zeus of Ithome, by T. E. Taylor (written by one of the guys in my writer's group. Really great guy, enjoyable book.)
Friday, February 7, 2014
2014 Reading List: January
JANUARY
3. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente
2. Edible History: Easy Recipes for Homemade Mother of Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Wine Vinegar, by Cassandra Cookson (short, but I want to make my own apple cider vinegar. Probably won't, but want to.)
1. Zeus of Ithome, by T. E. Taylor (written by one of the guys in my writer's group. Really great guy, enjoyable book.)
3. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente
2. Edible History: Easy Recipes for Homemade Mother of Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Wine Vinegar, by Cassandra Cookson (short, but I want to make my own apple cider vinegar. Probably won't, but want to.)
1. Zeus of Ithome, by T. E. Taylor (written by one of the guys in my writer's group. Really great guy, enjoyable book.)
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