Bookish (and not so bookish) Thoughts #12

Bookish and Not-so-Bookish Thoughts is hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. Here we can talk about our week or anything that pops into our minds, bookish or otherwise. Even rants are allowed (good or bad). You are welcome here. Come and share anything you want with us.

1.  I read a "Bookish and not-so-bookish" blog post recently where Lipsy was talking about bloggers that claim to read (and review) 25+ books a month.  I agree, I am not sure how you could keep the stories straight if you read almost a book a day . . . and where do you get the time to live life and also review the books.  How many books do you read in a month?  And if you do hit the 25+ mark, yay for you.  Please share your secret, how do you do it!

2.  Read THE GOOD HOUSE by Ann Leary.  Really enjoyed it and the narration was fabulous.  It is about the day-to-day life of an alcoholic that is not ready to admit it to herself.  And off course she is also a bit of a "busy body" that knows the secrets of the whole town.  I highly recommend the audio book.

3.  So many people recommended it after I finished THE HUSBAND SECRET that I got BIG LITTLE LIES by Liane Moriarty.  I listen to a few chapters every day in my car while I commute to and from work.  So far so good . . . the story takes place in Australia, so the narrator has a slight accent which I am loving.

4.  I started my new chemo treatment this past week and the side effects are a bit easier to handle than the first try.  Still nauseous but not as much.  It is just much, much more expensive.  This is what R 10,000.00 looks like . . . EX-PEN-SIVE!!!!!

Till next week

Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts #11

Bookish and Not-so-Bookish Thoughts is hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. Here we can talk about our week or anything that pops into our minds, bookish or otherwise. Even rants are allowed (good or bad). You are welcome here. Come and share anything you want with us.

1.  My next door neighbor and I talk more via Facebook that we do face-to-face.  How life can changed!  It is sad really.

2.  Don’t you just hate it when some people can get away with anything?  In my workplace there are certain procedures that have to be followed in certain scenarios.  I have pointed this out to a client but when she complained to management, all rules were lifted so that she could get her way . . . hate that!  If something is enforced for me, it should also be enforced for you . . .

3.  Angela from Angela's Anxious Life spoke about the podcast of Welcome to Nightvale.  Like her, I am not a bit fan of podcasts.  But because she loved it, I listened to the pilot episode.  Definitely crazy and weird but that is not a bad thing.  I think I will listen to a few more episodes.  Like one of the reviews said, it is like a modern twist on The Twilight Zone.  It is a fictional story about the strange happenings in Nightvale told through the local radio show broadcasts.

4.  I think I might be addicted to Ebay.  This is what I bought this time.  It is a little owl flashdrive.

5.  I received the autobiography of PJ Powers from Penguin Books South Africa today.  Yay!  PJ Powers is one of the icons of South Africa - she was the lead singer of Hotline, a South African band that did not care about the apartheid rules of the time.  I can't wait to read her story - I love biographies.  Thank you, Penguin Books South Africa!!

6.  I am currently listening to two books.  The first one is in my car - The Sixteen Lives of Harry August.

When Harry dies, he is reborn at exactly the same moment in time.  His lives loops through exactly the same events in history every time around.  I have just passed Chapter 41 and I am enjoying it all but it definitely a book with a difference.

The other book that I am listening to is Afterparty.   

This is the story about a drug that makes it users discover (experience) an ever-present God.  We meet Lyda who is a neuroscientist that was part of the group that developed a drug that sounds very similar but was abandoned because of the danger it caused. The story begins with her interview to be released from the mental hospital where she had been admitted after her multiple breakdowns.  She needs to get out to stop this nightmare from repeating itself.  

The story is somewhere in the near future and I am enjoying the little snippets of the world of tomorrow but the story is really about people and their emotions, motivations and actions.  I am more than halfway through and enjoying it.

7.  Tomorrow starts our training for a new computer program being introduced at work.  Three hours a day for the next month or so on top of the daily work that needs to be completed.  This is going to be interesting to say the least.  But I love learning new computer programs, so maybe it will also be a little fun.  We will see.

Until next time . . . 

Bookish (and not so bookish) Thoughts #10

Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts is hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. This is the place where we can talk about anything that pops into our minds, bookish or otherwise. Your rants (good or bad) are welcome here too. Come and share anything you want with us.

1.  My husband bought me a little Sansa-clip for Xmas so that I could enjoy the goodies from Audible (and I am) but I am not too fond of having to use little earphones all the time.  Then I found this cute little speaker on eBay and I am loving it!  No more having issues with losing my place in a book.  If I am alone, I can just plug out the earphones and plug in the little blob (especially when driving!).  Works great!!  I love technology!!  And yes, I got a pink one :)

(photo from eBay - works with phones too)

2.  Still reading the THE HUSBAND's SECRET and enjoying it a lot.  I have gotten to the secret part :)  I am not so sure of the actions of all the characters . . . I am hoping they will redeem themselves.  On the other hand, what would I do in such a situation . . . difficult question.  This would make a great bookclub book - the discussions that could come out of it!  *update:  just finished it now - a five star read!*

This contain spoilers - highlight below only if you do not plan to read it.

By coincidence I have also watched some Crime & Investigation TV and it also featured a case where a young girl is murdered.  In both incidents, the daughter is murdered and the mother's whole existence becomes the murdered daughter.  I cannot imagine being in such a situation but I felt so sorry for the other siblings.  The mothers just kind of forgot about the other members of the family.  So sad . . . 

3.  My husband asked me if he should start worrying about closing his eyes at night.  Apparently I like the Crime and Investigation channel too much.  LoL

 

4.  Sunday was a super moon!  Hubby took this photo - isn't it pretty!  Apparently there is another super moon next month.

5.  So sad to hear of Robin Williams' suicide this week.  It is so sad that loads of comedians suffer from depression, we hear it more and more.  They make us laugh but deep down inside, the are battling enormous illnesses.  I am so grateful that this is one illness I do not suffer from.  I can't even imagine how terrible it must be not to be able to lift yourself out of the darkness.

Until next week . . .    

Bookish (and not so bookish) Thoughts #9

Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts is hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. This is the place where we can talk about anything that pops into our minds, bookish or otherwise. Your rants (good or bad) are welcome here too. Come and share anything you want with us.

1. Been watching some CNN and I have to admit that I find it very hard to stomach.  The presenter was asking the same question over and over because he was not getting the sensation-filled answers he was looking for.  I know Ebola is a serious decease but is it really helpful to try and start a panic.  I was feeling so sorry for the CDC guy that was just sticking to his guns and trying to be civilized with a presenter that was looking for the soundbite to propel his career.  Just wondering to myself if other people don't notice this too. Do you really believe any story that comes from them if you can see them "fishing" for something to build their ratings?

2.  Sadly Sharknardo 2 did not have the amazingness that was the first one.  Maybe I was not in enough of a silly mood . . . but I am going to try to watch the first one again and compare . . . so sad.

3.  You have to try this!  It is the world's easiest soup and in my opinion one of the yummiest!  Patato and Leek soup with only three ingredients (add a forth if you want to spoil yourself even more).  Boil equal parts patato and leeks until soft.  Bring out our hand blender and mash it all until smooth (I like it a little lumpy) and add a slosh of cream.  Oh my goodness - yum!  The indulging part is crumbled fried bacon on top :)

(photo borrowed from GoodFood website)

4.  I am having a bit of a reading slump.  Every book I start, begins to bore me after just a few hours.  What is wrong with me!  I am not calling them DNF books as I am sure that it is just my mood.  I am just parking them for a bit.  Started THE HUSBAND SECRET now and hopefully this is going to keep me going.  

5.  It is hard to let things go when you know you are right.  But it is just not important enough to argue about.

November is going to be Sci-Fi month.  I love science fiction books and movies but we have a rocky relationship.  It seems to be hit of miss for me.  I am looking for books and movies, so please let me know your favourites, so that I have begin reading . . .

Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts #10

Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts is hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. This is the place where we can talk about anything that pops into our minds, bookish or otherwise. Your rants (good or bad) are welcome here too. Come and share anything you want with us.

I have been missing in action for a bit again.  This time it is for a good reason though.  I completed my ninth (and hopefully final) chemo session.  Yay!!

I don't know if it was just because I knew it was the last treatment but this time the side effects really threw me for a loop.  Luckily it is past tense now.  In a few weeks' time I will go for tests and we will take it from there.  But for now . . . yay!!!!!  Finished!!!

1.  Bookwise, I finished THE RAPTURE that I spoke of last time and the review is below this post if you want to read about my thoughts. It was one of those books that just had the perfect ending.  The author got it just right.
Next up I started Her Fearful Symmetry by the author of The Time Traveler's Wife but it just got too much about halfway through.   Some parts were fascinating - especially the scenes of one of the characters that has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.  But otherwise, I found my mind wandering - always a bad sign.  I might try again at a later stage.
Yesterday morning I started Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves.  Wow, weird does not begin to describe the craziness that is happening on the pages of this book.  I am loving it!  The story starts when the two daughters of the infamous Bonesaw Killer catches an intruder in their bedroom. It is definitely horror as the two sisters give in to their killer instincts but there are also some fantasy with the weird goings-on in town. And I love the cover - just look at it!  Not a book that I found around the blogosphere a lot but this might be a hit with me.

2.  I love quirky movies and loved the absolutely awfulness that was Sharknado.  We laughed so hard at all the cliches - it was wonderful.  This evening SHARKNADO 2 will be unleashed in my house.  Can't wait to watch it!

If you are looking for something to cheer you up, just watch this trailer :) 

I will sign off for today as I have not really been outside this past week and hopefully I have loads to chat about next time.
Have a fabulous weekend!

Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts #9

Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts is hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. This is the place where we can talk about anything that pops into our minds, bookish or otherwise. Your rants (good or bad) are welcome here too. Come and share anything you want with us today.

1.   I previously talked about getting out my beading boxes from storage and dusting them off.  Well, this past Sunday I decided to try something new while looking through my stash.
I really love how this beaded rivoli came out!  I am definitely going to be trying more this coming weekend.

Not so fond of this second one and will most probably be destroying  it soon so that I can use the beads again (wow, beads are sooooo expensive!).  Since making these two brooches, I have gone on an online shopping spree.  I am so glad that internet shopping was invented.  There is absolutely nothing like browsing shops in your favourite comfy chair and buying . . . and buying . . . . and buying . . .

2.  Due to human error *cough cough* I lost my place in my IT (by Stephen King) listening experience . . .  as soon as I get my SD card back, I will search for my place again :)  While I wait, I have started listening to THE RAPTURE, an earlier novel by Liz Jensen (of The Uninvited-fame). Goodreads link

I am really enjoying the story but I want to seriously slap some sense into the main character, Gabrielle Fox.  She is paralyzed from the waist and it feels like every few minutes we have to listen to her inner-monologue about not being a woman because she cannot use her legs.  It gets a bit tedious in the long run but I am trying to slog through as the premise of the story is fascinating.  What would you do if you believed that someone could accurately predict disasters before they happen?  What if they are predicting the end of the world . . .


3.  This song is beautiful and such a wonderful message . . .


4.  Life has been a runaway car this past week - I have hardly taken a breath . . . so I apologize for this short update this week.  I will try to get my ducks in a row . . .

Bookish (and not so bookish) Thoughts #8

Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts is hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. This is the place where we can talk about anything that pops into our minds, bookish or otherwise.  Your rants (good or bad) are welcome here too.  Come and share anything you want with us today.

1. I am not a big soccer fan. But since it is the World Cup, I have been watching the last few matches and will be watching the final as well (Go Netherlands!). *writing this post before the start of the semi final*  One thing that really works on my nerves though, is everyone falling over when someone just breathes in their direction . . . really??!! . . .   So I wanted to share this little video with you . . . sure to make you smile :)


2.   Can I also just say a very heartfelt . . . poor, poor Brazil.  I felt so bad for them loosing in such a humiliating way.



3.  I don't understand how clothing line suppliers/purchasers/shoppers think?  This morning when I went to the post office (at about 10am), it was still only 5 °C.  I had the car heater on!  We are smack in the middle of winter with two months to go before spring will even consider making an appearance and the shops are full of skimpy summer clothes.  Why????  I am looking for a thick sweater!  Oh my goodness, I am so grumpy today :)

4.  I am still working through IT by Stephen King.  Am enjoying it a lot with about 38 hours to go (I did not get much listening time while I was in bed recovering for the chemo this past weekend/week.  I just want to lie and forget everything - praying for the time to pass).   I am happy to report that Beverley discovered a little bit of her fighting spirit but I was disappointed in how little she did.  I know this book was written in the 80's and I am sure for that time, it was a big and brave stand but nowadays we are used to our women "fighting like a girl" - I wanted him to SUFFER.

LoL - look at that, grumpy and evil!  :)

5.  I reviewed the movie version of 1408 this past Sunday and wanted to find the original short story as I have never read it.  Luckily it was an easy find, so I am currently listening to it inbetween other books.  I am really enjoying the narrator.  His flat tone is perfect for this story . . . although I have a strong feeling to slap Mike upside the head!

6.  Got my laptop back and slowly but surely I am working through finding all that was lost.  Hopefully I will be back to normal by this weekend.  I am so behind with my reviews!

That is all for now - have a great weekend! 

Bookish (and not so bookish) Thoughts #7

Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts is hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. This is the place where we can talk about anything that pops into our minds, bookish or otherwise. Your rants (good or bad) are welcome here too. Come and share anything you want with us today.

1.  I  finally watched 2001:  A Space Odyssey from beginning to end.  Previously I have only seen pieces at a time.  Now I have to admit, I am totally lost as to why this movie has received so many accolades.   I found it long and drawn out . . . and worst of all, I could not find what the movie was trying to say.

I always thought the movie was actually about HAL (the onboard computer) that went crazy but this was only about 10 minutes of the entire movie (my husband disagrees with me on this and says that HAL was in fact trying to save humanity by preventing the astronauts from reaching Jupiter).   
If anyone has any insight into this movie, I would love to hear what you think.

2.  I am not good with technology but I had a Blackberry phone for a few years and when it was time to upgrade, I chose a Blackberry again.  What a mistake!  I hate my Blackberry Z10!  What were they thinking, this phone is the worse!  And I have to wait another year before it is time for a upgrade again!  Maybe I should just buy a cheap android in the meantime, it can't be worse than this phone!

3.  Unfortunately Annihilation (that I mentioned last week) was not that great - average at best although I am going to look out for the sequel.  I started reading Before I go to sleep also as I decided last week and am about halfway.  I am not sure what to think yet.  It is a strange story so far. I needed a new audiobook and decided to re-read (re-listen) IT by Stephen King.

I read it about 20 years ago and can remember only the barest outlines of the story.  But my Audio-Bookclub (on Goodreads) was discussing what a brilliant narrator Steven Weber is, so I went in search.  I found the book and immediately started listening.  I have only just started (42 hours to go!) and in one of the first few chapters we are introduced to Beverley.  She is in an abusive (physically and verbally) relationship - married to Tom.   The chapter is told from the husband's point of view and I am finding it very hard to listen to.  I have had to stop a few times - just to catch my breath.  It is difficult to listen to his thoughts about tactical moves to push his control onto her.  How he enjoys seeing the fear in her face. . . and he has just taken out a leather belt that he has made especially for "disciplining" her.   I know this is reality in many relationships but it is still difficult to read.  As Beverley is one of the main characters, I am hoping that she is able to get out of this explosive situation in their bedroom soon.

4.   My laptop is sick and I am waiting for the experts to find the problem and hopefully fix it all.  I am going to be so disappointed if it means a "formatting exercise".  I can just see myself searching for all my old programs and passwords.  It is scary how reliant I have become on my little laptop.  I miss him terribly.   

Bookish (and not so bookish) Thoughts #6

Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts is hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. This is the place where we can talk about anything that pops into our minds, bookish or otherwise.  Your rants (good or bad) are welcome here too.  Come and share anything you want with us today.

1.  I had to give up on Hard Choices by Hillary Clinton.  I so wanted to love it but unfortunately it turned out to be just a lot of politics.  No “this happened while I was in the White House”, no it was (up until I gave up) dry, play-by-play, commentary.  It was just “we moved from point A to point B and then the Democrats said this and the Republicans replied with that . . .”  OH.MY.GOODNESS . . . I wanted personal details and stories not history lessons.  I am not even interested in the politics of my own country . . .  very disappointing.  I really like and respect Hillary Clinton and think that she has had a hard public life (especially with a husband like Bill Clinton and the scandal he brought into her life).  I admire how she has come through everything as a strong independent woman.  That is what I wanted to hear about. 

2.  Since I was diagnosed in November last year, I have put most of my hobbies on hold.  It was not just that I did not have the energy, I also lost my mojo.  I did not see the point of going on doing such mundane things when there was some living to be done.  But this past weekend, I picked up my needle again (strange what a upcoming birthday present decision can make you do!).  I have only done a couple of rows of very basic stitches but how I have missed it!  I am eager to sort out our garage this coming weekend and search out the boxes with my supplies that I stored somewhere in a corner.  Here is an example of one of the peyote bracelets I made last year.  I am just making a very basic multi color bracelet as a birthday gift for my boss but it is just put me in such a good mood.

3.  I watched a documentary on Discovery this week about the Busiest Train Station in the world (Japan).  Some of the workers live inside the station in little cubicle worker quarters.  Their airbeds are automatically deflated at a certain time in the morning so that they are not late for work.  I think that is a brilliant idea!  I need it in my bedroom – I hate getting out of the warm bed when the rain is beating against the windows.  Just another 5 minute snooze . . .

4. I loved THE ROSIE PROJECT, I really loved it.  It was a five star read (listen) for me.   When I rated on Goodreads, it automatically tweeted my rating and this morning Don Tillman Phd favored the tweet.  Hie-Hie.  Don Tillman is the fictional lead character of the book.  How sweet is that – “they” (whoever they might be? Publisher?) created a twitter handle for him.  Too cute!  I had to start following . . . I loved the character, so I can imagine what might be said . . .

Hopefully my next week’s reads will be equally enjoyable.  I started Annihilation for a bit of horror and afterwards will start 
Before I go to sleep for some psychological scaryness.  The reviews seem to be glowing, so let’s hope.

                    

5.  I am so looking forward to the weekend – sometimes work can be such a shlepp . . . urgh, wish I could win the lotto!  I am definitely not a career-minded person.  I only work because I have too – I do not have a career, I have a job   Luckily the people I spend my day with are not too bad and on Friday we will be celebrating soccer fever.   Our different departments will be having a goal shooting contest. 

Bookish (and not so bookish) Thoughts #5

Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts is hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. This is the place where we can talk about anything that pops into our minds, bookish or otherwise.  Your rants (good or bad) are welcome here too.  Come and share anything you want with us today.

1.   I finished Mr Mercedes by Stephen King today.  I really enjoyed this crime story but I also miss his old terror-horrors.   I remember reading The Shining for the first time.  It was the first book that I had to put aside for a while because I was too scared (that was 20 or 25 years ago!).   I would love to find a really scary book again.  I haven’t read something truly scary in a long time.  If you have a favorite, I would love to hear from you . . .

2.  Next up I am debating if I am in the mood for something biographical – maybe Hillary Clinton’s new book – or maybe a light hearted romance – The Rosy Project . . . I will load both on my clip and see what I am in the mood for tomorrow.

                        

3.  My poor Roxy baby is still suffering . . . I spoke of her separation anxiety a while ago.  We have gotten the strongest medication that the vet could prescribe but still it is no help.  We have now tried everything.  Tried a dog behaviorist, tried “training” by keeping her away from us for short periods even when we are home.  We even tried medication . . .   I don’t know anymore.  And the looks from the neighbors are getting worse . . . I really am so despondent . . . I am unhappy and she is unhappy . . . I have heard of “doggy daycares” – wish there was one nearby . . .

4.   I just love the minions   I have a cover case for my phone and recently got a matching ringtone.  I can’t help smiling when my phone starts ringing . . . lifts my mood every time.

5.  Ever watched a movie and thought “. . . that is so much crap . . . “ but smiling broadly anyway . . .

Bookish (and not so bookish Thoughts) #4

Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts is hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. This is the place where we can talk about anything that pops into our minds, bookish or otherwise.  Your rants (good or bad) are welcome here too.  Come and share anything you want with us today.

1.  I have been reading some blog post recently with people making little emergency kits for when disaster strikes.  I don’t really need that as we do not have any tornados or earthquakes, etc but it did make me think.  We don’t have a great First Aid Kit.  I could not even tell you if we have a Band-Aid . . . I need a kit!
2.  What is it with unfriendly receptionists (or service people in general)! You are working with people in a client service environment  – get over it or get another job.  I am feeling ill, don’t give me an attitude as well!
3.  I saw this classic talking dog youtube video again this week and it made me smile even though I have seen it so many times.  Soooooo cute – deserve everyone of the 150+ million views
4.  This year there seems to be Books-to-movies everywhere.  I love making to-do lists.  I should have a list and start reading all these books.  Any ideas?
5.  Watching Anthony Bourdain in Parts Unknown, I wonder if other cities/countries feel the same way when they see his program about their own country.  Frankly I was offended when I saw his South African program last night on Netflix.  Definitely not a balanced view of the country or of the food.  I used to love his shows, now I am beginning to wonder.  Was other places also as misrepresented . . . can I really believe what I saw and heard about some of the huge cities of the world . . .

Bookish (and not so bookish) Thoughts #3

Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts is hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. This is the place where we can talk about anything that pops into our minds, bookish or otherwise.  Your rants (good or bad) are welcome here too.  Come and share anything you want with us today.

1.  Sunday was such a wonderful winter day!  Rain against the windows, me under the blankets.  I felt inspired and wrote some reviews and did some drafts.  I have been in such a review-writing-slump that I hope it is a sign of good things to come.

2.  Wow, there are lots of movies based on books released this year!  Watching some of the trailers this week – I have some books to get to reading.  This one of THE GIVER caught my eye.  I already went for some retail therapy and got the book.

3.  My mind is too small for Instagram – I have been trying to get it going on my phone this week,  but no luck.  And the “how-to’s” are not helping.  I think I might need an IT-degree for this!  I am really being left behind in all this wonderful technology.

4.  Update:  The vet gave us some “stronger” medication for Roxy.  Apparently it is “human” medication that is dog-friendly and my vet says it made her tired the whole day through when she took it for a muscle relaxer.  Roxy is only a 7 kilogram baby but she is resisting that pill with passion.

5.  I read Still Alice this week.  The story revolves around a Harvard professor that develops early stage Alzheimer's Disease (she was only 50 years old).    Scary . . . and also very sad.  It was different reading it for the patient’s point of view.  A four star read!6.  I am debating with myself what to read next.  Suggestions?   Romance, contemporary fiction or maybe horror, science fiction??  Maybe the new book by Stephen King that is/was released this month – have to go check.

Bookish (and not so bookish) Thoughts #2

Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts is hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. This is the place where we can talk about anything that pops into our minds, bookish or otherwise.  Your rants (good or bad) are welcome here too.  Come and share anything you want with us today.

1.  My Jack Russell baby girl suffers from separation anxiety.  Whenever we leave her, she starts crying.  My neighbor says she cries for 8 hours straight!  I am out of ideas, nothing seems to help.  Wish I could quite my job and stay home with her.  I hate to see her in this state!

2.  I am not enjoying Monica’s Story as much as I hoped.  I am having a harder time dealing with the affair that I thought I would.  Monica’s is not a innocent.  Before her affair with Bill Clinton, she had another affair with a married man . . . not the best idea . . . but I am going to keep on listening.  Even if she did not make the right choices, she still deserves a second chance.  And the way she was treated and manipulated so that others could get their way . . . but I believe in karma . . .

3.    What is it with Wordpress blogs . . . I can’t leave comments!  It drives me crazy!  But Google is your friend . . . googling for an answer right now!

4.  This past week I tried to get more involved with fellow bloggers, so you might see my comments popping up here and there.   I need to get into a rhythm though, it is hard keeping up.

5.  I have a hard time feeling sorry for strong, healthy people that are able to work but don’t and then expect food parcels so their children don’t starve . . . what happened to me?  I used to be such a pushover for the less fortunate.

6.  I am playing FORGE OF EMPIRES online.  It is a real-time game where you run your little city through the ages.  I have hit the Early Middle Ages and am enjoying it loads although you have to wait a lot – everything happens in real time, so sometimes building something can take 3 hours.  Lots of fun.  I am not real good at computer games but this one is right up my alley.

7.  This week, I saw reviews of THE THREE by Sarah Lotz everywhere!  It sounds amazing – I love scary books!  I am so sad that I missed it on NetGalley!  I will have to get a copy when my finances allow.

Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts #1

Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts is hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. This is the place where we can talk about anything that pops into our minds, bookish or otherwise.  Your rants (good or bad) are welcome here too.  Come and share anything you want with us today.

 

1.  Listening to Where’d you go, Bernadette at the moment and loving it.  I am not a big contemporary novel fan but this has popped up with great reviews everywhere.  So I had to give it a try.
(I had a hard time keeping a straight face today so that someone would not guess that I was listening to an audiobook.   Sometimes it is necessary to keep that secret   )

 

2.  Next up will be Monica’s Story.  I have always felt sorry for Monica and the way she was treated while Bill Clinton walked out of the “situation” without a spot.  Looking forward to see what is said especially since a recent CNN spot quoted her saying that even after all this time, she is still unable to get a job – the incident still haunts her.  “You will not be a good fit in this company . . . “  Gender equality???? 

3.  TV wise South Africa is far behind the rest of the world.  We do have public TV but really . . . let’s not even go there!  The only watchable TV we have is cable TV (called DSTV) which is  extremely expensive and totally useless.  These past few days I have been flipping through the 100+ channels and there is nothing to watch!  How can you show the same movie every day!  I mean really, you can’t miss it for 31 days in a row, can you!

4. The Oscar Pistorius trial is huge in South Africa and I follow all the discussions, analysis and debates religiously at night when I get home from work.  My personal opinion is that once again fame and money has provided a judgement that would not be given to you or me.  Life seems so unfair sometimes.

5.  I wish I loved my job . . .

6.  Drove behind a car today with those little sensors in the bumber for reversing . . . would they start beebing if I drove to close behind them? That would be awesome!  Just saying . . .

7.  Armchair BEA starts next week – are you taking part?  This is the first

time that I will be taking part and am very excited.  Will see if I can get my “introduction” done for Monday this weekend