Saturday, December 17, 2011

Finally, a Real Update

It has been a while since I've taken the time to write a decent post. With the holiday season here work has been ridiculous which doesn't leave much time for a personal life. Keeping busy has it's pros and cons; I don't get bored and my bank account thanks me, but I don't have as much time for the things I love.

So when I do have time, I take complete advantage of it and you can find me doing one of three things; reading, writing, and making headway through my Netflix queue. Although, most recently I've added podcasting to that list. My friend and I started one about a month ago and it has been a lot of fun.

As far as reading goes I was able to finish The Hunger Games series. Each book kept me wanting more but I was a bit dissatisfied with the ending. I'm not one to criticize writers on how they end their stories, in my opinion it is a world that belongs to them and their decision should be respected but this time all I felt was disappointment.

I also started reading George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones series. That one is going to take me awhile to get through but so far I like it. I expected I would since I loved the show on HBO so much.

Yesterday, I started reading The Help. Two days ago I rented the movie having never gotten around to seeing it in theater, even though I really wanted to. I can't remember the last time a movie has moved me so emotionally. Even when Dobby died in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 1 I didn't cry, I admit I got a little misty-eyed but tears did not fall. I was glad I chose to watch The Help by myself because there was no way I could have kept those tears back. To top things off, when I watched it a second time the next day, I cried again. Naturally, after that I had to run out and buy the movie and the book.

When it comes to my writing, I only write for myself. I don't ever talk about my writing with my friends or family. Part of it is because writing is the one thing I get nothing but enjoyment out of and I'm afraid sharing it will change that. The other part I have come to believe stems from a fear of failure. Cowardly, but honest. In my mind, I have failed at so much that this is the one thing I want to protect. The one thing I want to keep close and guarded because failure at this, would mean I have failed at everything I ever wanted to do with my life. And that would just suck.


Monday, December 5, 2011

In Other News...

...Coda and I put our tree up yesterday. I was quite excited about it because this is my first very own Christmas tree.

I bought a real one and got all of the lights and ornaments for decorating. I got Coda a stocking to hang and I've got some presents to wrap already.

And yes, that is a hat as my tree topper.

Christmas Playlist 2011

Every Christmas I look forward to putting together my Christmas playlist. All year long I keep my eyes and ears pealed for new songs to add to my growing collection of Christmas music (106 songs and going strong!). I have only one requirement; each Christmas song has to be original or unique in some way.

Don't get me wrong, I love the classics, but every time I step into any kind of retail location that's all I hear and it gets a little old. That is why I put these lists together, they're songs that you won't hear being played in the stores or on the radio, but they're well worth listening to and have as much to do with Christmas as the classics.

Without further ado, here for your listening pleasure, I give you my 2011 Christmas Playlist.

13. "Elf's Lament" by Barenaked Ladies featuring Michael Buble
The Barenaked Ladies never fail to make me laugh and I thought the song was adorable coming from an Elf's point of view.

12. "A Great Big Sled" by The Killers featuring Toni Halliday
The Killers always put out great music and this Holiday song is no exception.

11. "I Miss You Most on Christmas" by Bowling For Soup
 I originally bought the Bowling For Soup Christmas album because it was fun and catchy, but it was the vocals that caught my attention on this original song.

10. "Step Into Christmas" by The Puppini Sisters
One listen was all it took to make me fall in love with The Puppini Sisters. They take you to an entirely different time with their music and I loved this song for that.

9. "Christmas Island" by Kristin Chenoweth
<3. Kristen Chenoweth. Enough said.

8. "Winter White" by A Fine Frenzy
I've always had a soft spot for A Fine Frenzy, so you can imagine my excitement when I found this song. It's not traditionally Christmas-y, but that's the whole point of this list.

7. "The Christmas Waltz" by She & Him
Oh Zooey, how I love everything you do.

6. "Baby Come Find Me at Christmas" by Rachel Yamagata
Rachel Yamagata! I haven't listened to her in years but this was such a beautifully done song I couldn't resist.

5. "Always in the Season" by Pomplamoose
Not everyone can take a great song and make it better, but Pomplamoose does that on a regular basis. Their original music is no exception either.

4. "White Christmas" by Lady Gaga
I didn't think I could love Lady Gaga any more than I already do, and then she released her Holiday EP.

3. "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" by Ella Fitzgerald
No Christmas list would be complete without a little Ella and her amazing voice.

2. "In the Morning" by Jack Johnson
It's not banana pancakes, it's better.

1. "Dear Santa" by Jay Brannan
This is my favorite Christmas playlist find. I had never heard of Jay Brannan when I saw this on iTunes and two seconds after I pressed play I was pressing buy. 



It's a bit shorter list this year than it was last year but to quote one of my favorite movies "more isn't always better, sometimes it's just more." This year you might also notice I went for more of an easy listening feel to the playlist as opposed to the last couple years that have been mostly rock/alternative songs. I'm actually really pleased with the list this year and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.