Update on New Years Resolutions

A while ago I posted my New Year's Resolutions (Here). It's nearly 2 1/2 months after the start of the year and most people have already stopped going to the gym or given up the diet that they so insistently vowed that they would stick to this year. Thus I figured I would revisit my list to see how I am doing.

1. Read 100 Books  - I am pretty sure I will make this one as I have read 43 books as of now.
2. Finish Writing the Book I started during Nano - still only ~1/2 way done, but I have worked a little bit more since my resolution was made. Hoping to finish, edit and self publish using PubIt
3. Get my house clean and keep it that way... this one is still eluding me, however I think that it will happen this week, well at least the cleaning part, I cannot say if it will stay that way.
4. Learn new cake decorating skills - I have to admit that I have done nothing with this right now and with no cakes scheduled until May at this point I have no reason to do anything unless I am bored. Hmm maybe later this week... after the house is cleaned of course.
5. Try something new - I still have no idea what this should or will be, unless I take #6 on the list into consideration but I think I will hold out for something more exciting.
6. Find a better balance with work - Well I guess that I am working on this one now! Earlier in the week I received a job offer and decided that it worked better for my family for me to take it. After turning in my notice on Wednesday it was decided (by my boss) that my last day would be Friday. So yesterday was my last day at my old job and I have all next week to do whatever. Monday I have my drug screening and have to fill out all the paper work and then on the 18th I will start my new position. It's nothing super cool or revolutionary but I am excited none the less... and perhaps a little scared of the "unknown"  

For the most part I think that I am moving the the right direction to fulfill most if not all of the goals I have set for myself this year, but only time will tell. 

I would love to hear from anyone out there reading this on your own resolutions and if you are following through with them or if they have fallen by the way side.  

Book Club - Link to All Titles

Here is a link to all the Books I have "reviewed." I am going to attempt to review at least one a month but no promises if I get busy.

Divergent (book 1 in Divergent Series) by Veronica Roth

Deep into the Game (episode 1 in Gameland Series) by Saul Tanpepper

Book Club! Deep into the Game - Gameland series

I love to read so I decided to include a blurb and small review of a book series I just finished called Gameland. The whole of Season 1 of Gameland was put out in 8 separate installments or episodes which are available for e-readers and in actual book format. The first episode in this series is called: Deep into the Game..

From Goodreads:
In the center of Long Island's forbidden wasteland, overseen by an omni-powerful corporation known as Arc Properties, is GAMELAND, a virtual reality arcade where the rich and privileged act out their base fantasies employing zombies as avatars. Connected to their Infected Undead Players via neural implants (government-mandated in the event of an outbreak) and using remote gaming controllers, Operators pit the Undead against one other in a high stakes game of violence, money and power. For the poor, the televised action on state-controlled Media streams is both horrifying and powerfully addictive.

Volunteering to become an Undead Player is illegal, but the lure of fame and money attracts some to The Game.


EPISODE 1: Deep Into The Game
Zpocalypto gamer Jessica Daniels and her gang of code jackers decide to break into Long Island's Gameland hoping to catch a glimpse of some of the Infected Undead, and in doing so they risk additional years being added to their Life Service Commitment (a civil or military obligation fulfilled after death). But getting past the barriers - the EM field, the wall surrounding the island, the mined waters - requires the assistance of a stranger to their fold. His inclusion raises tensions within the group, particularly between Jessie and her boyfriend. So too do the risks mount. After a terrifying "accident" during preparation nearly takes the life of one of their members, emotions run dangerously high, threatening to abort their plans.
But they press on, and what they find when they finally arrive in the abandoned wasteland is like nothing they ever expected. Their excitement, however, quickly turns to dread as the reality of their situation - and the dangers - become all too clear.


About Saul Tanpepper the author (from his website):
"after high school, studied pre-medical sciences. i was fascinated with the natural world and, in particular, the workings of the human body. my interests grew keener and keener so that i eventually went on to do my doctoral dissertation in molecular genetics. after that, i taught science. but even though i had left behind that old barren field of my childhood, it didn't mean i ever stopped thinking about
it. in 2001, i wrote and published a short story, BREACH, a tale of hauntings and murder and primal evil.

in 2008, i left my teaching job to write full-time. i still think about that old field and those old stories, but now my tales are haunted by newer things, secrets learned as a scientist. seeded with my understanding of human genetics and disease, the fallow field of my childhood is beginning to sprout, producing fruit for your consumption."



Read this if you like: the Walking Dead, Zombies of any sort and post apocalyptic scenarios such as Divergent (which I previously reviewed) or Hunger Games this might be a series that you enjoy. 

My opinion:
The story of Jess and her friends and family and their lives in a zombie made world is compelling and makes you want to read through the night to know what might happen next. The thought of reanimating recently dead people and using them as an army so fewer people are killed or as sewer cleaners in both genius yet disturbing. Its something that I had never thought of but I can see multiple sides to all arguments which is why I probably never decided how I felt about some of the roles certain characters play in this world.

There are some slow parts in the books that slow down a bit and they had me eager for the pace to pick back up but I also felt that the slow parts were necessary as they were also parts when the characters had to slow down physically and could do nothing but anxiously wait for one thing or another. Whether this was intended or just happens to be my take on the scenarios, I enjoyed the parallel.

Throughout the series I found myself attempting to guess what would happen next and unlike most books and movies I can honestly say I had no real clue. Each book leaves a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting to know what happened next and pulls you into the next book. True that not every question is answered in the series but that's how it is in our everyday lives as well so I see no real issues with it. Some of these questions are answered in the prequel, Golgotha which takes place ~18 years prior to the Gameland series.

Pro:
From what I can see on Mr Tanpepper's website it looks as though he is going to be continuing the Gameland series with a second season which will hopefully be beginning publication of the first new episode in the next few months (yippie!). My only reservation will be that I will only be able to get one episode at a time and thus not be able to read the entire season in a weeks time. Looks like I will have to hang onto the cliffs until the next episodes are published.

Con:
For me the most aggravating part was when my Nook would have complications and not want to turn pages or would simply say that it had to stop running my book. I do not know if it was because I was reading the Omnibus version which is like 3200 pages and thus it was running slow as a result or if the book program itself was faulty, in any case its the only book that I have had this issue with.

Way Behind

So I know its already nearly the middle of February and all that but since I have not posted on here since the end of November perhaps I should say, "Merrychristmashappynewyearshappyvalentines Day". Wow that was a mouthful.

Honestly I cannot say why I have have not been active. I guess in December I was busy doing what most people are doing, preparing for the holidays and perhaps working to much either because its a busy season at work or because you have to pay for all that holiday cheer you are giving everyone.

In January I was attempting to recover from the craziness of the holidays and besides working on adding a new tub in our master bathroom (which still is not finished due to financial aspect of fewer working hours), instead of putting away all my holiday decorations I can't say that I did much of anything. Work was slow and because of that I am down on my hours... now how am I suppose to pay for everything?

Now its February, hours are still slow at work so I am spending a lot of time watching TV (Walking Dead... ready for new episode starting tomorrow) and reading books on my Nook (look here next week for my review of the Nook HD).  Preparing for my sisters upcoming wedding and everything that comes with it (shower and bachelorette party which are in 3 weeks- I will be sure to post about those) as well as several friend's baby showers. The weather here is horrid, one day its 65 degrees the next 25, thus causing a round of the flu to be going around.

Maybe I just need to focus on my New Years resolutions a bit more

1. Read 100 Books  -already at 23 so I think I am good on that one
2. Finish Writing the Book I started during Nano - still only ~1/2 way done, no progress since Nov.
3. Get my house clean and keep it that way... easier said than done with a 3 year old, 2 dogs and a hubby
4. Learn new cake decorating skills - hmm need to check out some of the blogs I follow to see whats new
5. Try something new - I have no idea what this should or will be
6. Find a better balance with work - Only time will tell what this means.   

In any case 2013 is so far kinda less awesome than 2012, lets hope it gets better.

Book Club! - Divergent

I love to read so I decided to include a blurb and small review of a book I just finished.

Divergent by Veronica Roth (first in the trilogy, second is entitled Insurgent, third to be published)


From Goodreads:
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.


About the author:
Veronica Roth is the "New York Times" bestselling author of "Divergent," the first in a trilogy of dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.




My opinion:
If you liked the Hunger Games and such dystopian type stories than you should read this.

It starts a little slow to give the back story but once I got through the first section I was already hooked by the story and characters. It was a quick and east read and the cliffhanger made me yearn to read the second in the trilogy right away.

Road Trip!

Hubby, Kiddo and I are going to go on a short road trip to visit hubby's older sister and her hubby.  Since they moved to their current house we have not been to visit (~2 years). In our defense its 7-8 hours drive to get there, Kiddo is still very young (she will be 3 in November), and we did fly across the country last year (spending lots of $ to do so) for their wedding.

This will be Kiddo's first road trip that lasts longer than 3 hours (previous ones were to weddings and the airport). The longest trip we have taken her on to date was last year when we went to that wedding. I have to admit that though I was extremely worried about how she would behave during our two flights there and back I can't complain... mostly because she slept almost the whole flight, every flight. But I am sure that was a fluke and in any case I can't expect her to sleep for 8 hours straight, and not keep us up all night afterwards.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Here is my hope for how the hours in the car will be spent.

~12:30pm - Leave town (we would leave earlier but some of us have to work at least a few hours)

~1-1:30  - Stop and grab some lunch. This should keep Kiddo busy for a little while. Hopefully until ~2pm

After we finish eating I am banking on her taking her nap.

Nap ~2 hours so. Let’s say ~4-4:30pm.

By the time she is waking up we could probably stop and get gas if needed. Since she will have to use the potty anyways once she gets up. That gives us a few minutes to get out and move around some.

Back on the road shortly after. Still would have ~4 hours to entertain her. But I will be prepared!

· Movies for the DVD player - Tangled, Shaun the Sheep, Dora, Elmo, + a few others

· Snacks and Drinks - healthy and not so healthy options

· Magna doodle

· Games and Crafts

Arrive ~ 8:30pm give or take. Hopefully with sanity still intact.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Here is the more likely scenario:

~ 2pm Leave town because someone ended up working later than we hoped. Due to this we have already eaten lunch but will instead snack the whole way.

~2:15 Kiddo is bored... we haven't even gotten out of the county yet!

~2:30 After attempts at entertaining her with toys and games listed above fail, the first movie is turned on.

~3pm Finally there is silence as she falls into a slumber.

~3:30pm Hubby gets cut off and yells obscenities loudly waking Kiddo up. Grrr. Time to stop for potty break. Lots of protests to getting back in the car... mostly by me.

~4pm Forced back into the van. Attempts to entertain are futile.

~5pm Lots of tears by everyone.

~6pm Stop for gas and bathroom breaks. Decide to have dinner. Happiness is fleeting as our order is incorrect and Kiddo is unhappy with her meal.

~ 7pm Since napping was elusive bedtime comes early for Kiddo.

~8:30pm Nope I was wrong it wasn't bedtime, just a nap and now its over. Screams of "let me out" fill the van. She doesn't care where Dora is going or when Rapunzel's life will begin.

Arrive ~10pm, there are no sane thoughts in our heads. We are already dreading the drive back in a few days and thus have decided to relocate altogether to save ourselves the trouble. Drinking may ensue after Kiddo is in bed for the night.

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I will let you know how the trip goes and all the sites we see. Knowing our luck the weather will be crap and Kiddo will be a grouch the whole time.

Halloween



In her costume, hanging out in a tree



Halloween is my favorite holiday! I know you are probably thinking that I am a crazy person but hear me out.

OK... so what other holidays allow you to go around pretending to be someone or something else and get candy? NONE. Besides Halloween when is it acceptable to have spiderwebs hanging from every corner? NEVER. What other times am I allowed to, and even encouraged to, scare the neighbor kids who run around in my neighborhood like they are demon spawn? NONE.

So with these things combined with my love of fall, Halloween is just the perfect holiday. If that isn't enough of a reason, then I suppose that I should just tell you that my dad is also a huge fan of Halloween and finding odd outfits to wear to the parties that he has been invited to.



Happy Pumpkin



I have already been listening to "halloween" music for weeks. I am so excited that I have already made Kiddo's fairy costume (her outfit is always homemade), decorated the porch and carved the pumpkins (freehand). The only things I haven't done are buy the candy (It would be gone by now anyways if I had bought it) and figure out my costume for this year.

In the past I have been:

Athena ,Godess of War

Lady Justice

Jackie Kennedy and my BFF was Marilyn Monroe  circa 1960

Dorothy from Wizard of Oz

Madonna circa 1980s and my hubby (then he was just boyfriend) was Sean Penn circa 1980s



Scary Pumpkin



Here is some of Dad's list:

Britney Spears (this was during her Hit Me Baby One More Time)

Hans and Franz from SNL - Dad was one and my uncle was the other.

Dog the Bounty Hunter - Dad was Dog, my Mom was Beth and my uncle was Leland.

Geico Cavemen once agin with my uncle

And... the whole family once went as the Brady Bunch.

What are you going to be for Halloween?