Sunday, August 31, 2014

30 Days of Books - Day 0


I had fun doing my 30 Day Photo Challenge last month, so I decided to tackle another blog meme. This time, I picked a theme near and dear to My nerdy heart: Books.

Starting tomorrow, I'll be blogging 30 Days of Books. I scheduled this series of posts for September so I can take part in the Virtual Read-Out during Banned Books Week. Who knows, maybe I'll even submit a video.

You can join in the fun by calling leaving a comment on my blog. Here's the list:
  • Day 1 - The best book you’ve read in the last 12 months 
  • Day 2 - A book series you wish had gone on longer OR a book series you wish would just freaking end already (or both!) 
  • Day 3 - A book or series of books you've read more than five times 
  • Day 4 - Favorite book of your favorite series OR your favorite book of all time 
  • Day 5 - A book or series you hate 
  • Day 6 - A book that makes you happy 
  • Day 7 - A book that makes you sad 
  • Day 8 - Most underrated book 
  • Day 9 - Most overrated book 
  • Day 10 - A book you thought you wouldn't like but ended up loving 
  • Day 11 - A book that disappointed you 
  • Day 12 - Favorite classic book 
  • Day 13 - Favorite childhood book OR current favorite YA book (or both!) 
  • Day 14 - Favorite male character 
  • Day 15 - Favorite female character 
  • Day 16 - Least favorite plot device employed by way too many books you actually enjoyed otherwise 
  • Day 17 - Your favorite writer 
  • Day 18 - Favorite book turned into a movie 
  • Day 19 - A book that changed your opinion about something 
  • Day 20 - Favorite romance book 
  • Day 21 - Favorite romantic/sexual relationship (including asexual romantic relationships) 
  • Day 22 - Favorite non-sexual relationship (including asexual romantic relationships) 
  • Day 23 - Most annoying character ever 
  • Day 24 - Favorite book cover (bonus points for posting an image!) 
  • Day 25 - Any five books from your "to be read" stack 
  • Day 26 - OMG WTF? OR most irritating/awful/annoying book ending 
  • Day 27 - If a book contains ______, you will always read it (and a book or books that contain it)! 
  • Day 28 - A book everyone should read at least once 
  • Day 29 - Saddest character death OR best/most satisfying character death (or both!) 
  • Day 30 - A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven't

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Thank You Post


She lives!

Sort of. I'm still sick - stuffy nose, coughing, tire easily, etc., but I'm slowly recovering. I want to thank everyone who sent Me get-well messages and gifts. Especially, B., who bought Me a couple of books to read while I'm laying in bed. Definitely better than flowers.

Alas, my illness resulted in losing my voice. Right now, I can barely speak above a whisper and my voice is squeaky at best. My friend T. says I sound like a mouse on steroids and has decided "Mouse" will be my new nickname. S'cuse me while I go find a container for my joy.

I'm drinking lots of hot tea with honey, gargling with salt water, and using every other remedy I can think of to repair My voice faster. This sucks. Of course, more presents and tributes would help. Get clicking, piggies.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Blog Hiatus - Sick Leave


Just a quick post to let My loyal subjects know I'll be taking a break from blogging. I caught a summer cold so I'll be relaxing and pampering Myself until I feel better.

In the meantime, you should be tributing and sending Me gifts. Get clicking, minions.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

In the Mail - The Last Kiss Goodbye by Karen Robards

The Last Kiss Goodbye - Karen Robards
Yesterday, I tweeted about a package I received in the mail. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to blog about it in detail. Here's an update:

Below the postage mark on the package was a little sticker that told Me it was something from Penguin Random House. However, I don't recall ordering anything. It turned out to be a copy of The Last Kiss Goodbye by Karen Robards. This book wasn't on My Amazon wishlist, so I know it's not from one of My loyal subjects. I have a vague recollection of entering a book giveaway contest a month or two ago, so My best guess is that I won. Woo hoo!

From the blurb on the back, it looks like a paranormal romance/mystery-thriller. Could be interesting. Have you read this book? Did you like it? Have you read any of Karen Robards other novels? Comment and let Me know.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

R.I.P. - Robin Williams

Robin Williams (July 21, 1951 - August 11, 2014)

Yesterday, the world lost someone very special. Actor Robin Williams died in his home from apparent suicide. Mr. Williams was a brilliant actor and comedian who touched many lives through his movie and television appearances. I will miss him, as will countless others, and My condolences go out to his family and close friends.

In the wake of this tragedy, I'm taking the opportunity to post some phone numbers and websites I hope will be helpful to others who are, themselves, struggling. If you are one of those people, please reach out to someone and ask for help. I know it's hard. Depression isn't merely profound sadness. In the deepest reaches, it's an overwhelming numbness that saps the will to even continue breathing. Asking for help can be a daunting task, but please make the effort. You are worth it, even if you don't think so right now.

If you believe a loved one may be in crisis or are in crisis yourself, there are resources that can help. You're not alone.

In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
In other countries, visit Suicide.org to find a hotline in your area.

Sunday, August 10, 2014

I Learned A Thing - ASMR (Part 2)



A couple of days ago I blogged about how I learned that ASMR is a thing. Yesterday, while I was having My usual girls' night out with My best friend, I told her what I'd learned. As luck would have it, she has ASMR triggers too. Apparently, one of her other friends is highly susceptible to ASMR and has been trying to get her to check it out for years but she never made the connection until now.

I watched a couple of ASMR videos with her to see which ones she liked best. So far, I still haven't experienced the tingling sensation she described, but I know that I like the tapping of typing on a computer keyboard (not to be confused with the sound of a typewriter), scratching of a very sharp pencil or calligraphy pen writing or drawing on paper, and paper crinkling as long as it's done slow. Speed seems to be an issue for Me on the crinkling. If it's too fast, I find it annoying.

I may not have found any sounds that give Me ASMR, but I've definitely found "anti-ASMR" triggers. Unfortunately, one of the most popular ASMR triggers is whispering and that is My anti-trigger. Whispering or very soft-spoken ASMR videos grate on my nerves and make Me want to stab something. From my research I think the phenomenon is called misophonia although I don't think it's disruptive enough to qualify as a disorder in my case.

At any rate, I've decided I'm definitely going to start experimenting with making ASMR videos for My BFF. I'll post some of them here so you can check them out.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

I Learned a Thing - ASMR


Browsing around Tumblr yesterday, I stumbled across a song called "Weightless" by the band Marconi Union that is scientifically proven to be the most relaxing song ever. Apparently, this song is so relaxing that drivers have been warned not to listen to it while they're behind the wheel. If you enjoy ambient music, such as tracks by Brian Eno or Aphex Twin (two of My personal favorites), you might enjoy the song. I've included it at the end of this post.

One of the people who reblogged the Tumblr post mentioned using ASMR - Autonomous sensory meridian response - for relaxation. I had no idea what ASMR was, so I had to look it up. Apparently, there are several types of sounds, such as whispering or nails tapping, that trigger a tingling sensation in certain listeners.

I had no idea this was a thing.

I have to admit it's an interesting concept. I use the fan setting on a small space heater to create white noise so I can sleep. If I don't, I have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep all night. Now I'm wondering if I have ASMR triggers. So far, I haven't found any, although I do find the sound of paper crinkling pleasant. I just don't experience the tingling other ASMR fans report. Maybe I haven't found the right sound yet.

So now I've got a new thing to research and explore. I've been watching YouTube videos tagged with ASMR and I'm thinking about experimenting with making some of My own.

Have you heard of ASMR? Do you have any ASMR triggers or use other types of sound to relax? Comment and tell Me about your experiences.



"Weightless" - Marconi Union

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