Ok, if you don't know me (and seriously, if you don't, why the heck are you reading this? You can't possibly be bored enough to read these rambles.), I love to read. I mean, I read like most people breathe. I always, always have a book on the go, and most often have a book with me. So, on the assumption I'm not going to read any new books today, I present to you my book stats for 2005. I didn't count rereads of old favourites and I didn't count any of the trashy romances I read.
Grand Total: 131 (compared to the grand total in 2004 of 130 - I think that's kind of weird that it's so consistent!)
Mystery/Thriller - 65 (49.6%) (2004 - 45)
Fantasy/Scifi - 52 (39.7%) (2004 - 67)
Fiction - 5 (3.8%) (2004 - 17)
Non-Fiction - 9 (6.9%) (2004 - 1)
I rarely hand out 5 amulets/stars - this year's winners go to Jessica Snyder Sachs for her non-fiction book Corpse, Greg Iles for his WWII mystery Black Cross, Tamara Siler Jones for Ghosts in the Snow, JK Rowling for the latest Harry Potter, and George Martin for the long awaited A Feast of Crows. If you haven't read Ghosts in the Snow, it is the one I recommend the most. A murder mystery set in a medieval fantasy world.
I gave 2 amulets/stars to 5 books, all mysteries/thrillers by authors I've never heard of. My next lowest was a 2.5 to Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond, a non-fiction book. While I loved the ideas in this book and the thoughts it generated, I hate this man's writing style. I really really want to read his new one, Collapse of Societies (I think), but I just can't subject myself to his grade 9 essay format.
Most read authors included Suzanne Brockmann (4), Sara Douglass (6), Katharine Kerr (5), Jane Lindskold (4), and Tamora Pierce (4).
As for that other End of the Year Stuff - New Year's Resolutions. To my shock, I have discovered I have actually kept last year's resolutions!!! They were:
1) To Be Healthier
2) To Be More Sociable
In the To Be Healthier category, I joined a gym, worked out almost regularly :), and with the added benefit of diet, I managed to lose almost 60 pounds!
In the To Be More Sociable category, I think I did very well. I got a day job, joined the world of sunlight, and went out more. And then I did the unthinkable and tried Speed Dating. As you know, it worked out quite well for me. No more details are necessary at this time :)
2005 was a very very good year for me.
So - 2006's Resolutions:
1) Reach and maintain Target Weight.
Ok, that's the only one I'm really truly serious about, but it would also be nice to:
2) Blog weekly!
3) Become a better listener. (errr, how do I go about that?)
4) Be debt-free for at least 4 seconds.
Best wishes to you all in 2006!
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Friday, December 30, 2005
Christmas Post
I had a great time over the holidays and I hope everyone else did too.
As per usual, I went back to BC for Christmas. Another very short trip this time, only 4 days. I arrived late on the 23rd, just in time to frantically wrap presents and decorate the Christmas tree with my family.
Christmas Eve day was spent at the gym with my mom and sister, followed by the usual madhouse referred to as Christmas Eve at my grandmother's (my mom's mom). She lives in a tiny bungalow now, instead of the big house, so trying to cram all my relatives in there doesn't work all that well. Good thing that out of the 46-ish possible relatives (not including extra boy/girlfriends that the really brave and/or insane occasionally bring), only 31 showed up. Mostly the island people didn't come and they are the largest branch anyway. It was nice though, roaming around, visiting with various people.
Christmas morning was spent opening presents with my immediate family. As usual, I was greatly spoiled. My haul included new blue sheets, cooking dishes, a china serving platter (woohoo!!!), china bowls, new towels, many books and a subscription to a sewing magazine. My favourite moments that morning were when my sister and mom opened my gifts. I gave my sister a bright red and white nightgown and matching robe. My mom got pyjamas and a nightgown made out of jogging fleece (I think she's insane, but that's what she said she wanted, although she might have been joking...) and a satin robe.
After presents, my dad's mom came over for brunch and the rest of the day was spent getting ready for dinner and visiting with various relatives who dropped in. Christmas dinner was the smallest in years and it was wonderful - only 9 people! After dinner, I went to visit one of my best friends from high school and it was really great to see her.
Boxing day was sheer insanity as it was spent shopping with my sister. Great prices though and I found lots of things. Jeans, a bra, 5 blouses, 2 sweaters, a golf shirt and a skirt for about $250. All very very much needed as due to the shrinking me, I had NO clothes. Ok, some, but not much! My sister bought tons of stuff. She says she loves shopping with me as I go through all the racks and just toss things I like at her. She hates looking for clothes, doesn't mind trying them on. After shopping, my family went out for fish and chips out in Horseshoe Bay. I then met up with my high school girlfriends for drinks. I loved seeing them and catching up!
It was a good holiday as I got to see all the people that mattered to me. My friends, my relatives, and I even had time to visit with each of my grandmothers and have a cup of tea. I had to leave a few of my presents at my parents since they didn't fit in my suitcase, but they are planning to come for a visit in the spring so I'll get them then.
I have a million pictures which I haven't got around to posting yet. Eventually, I swear.
As per usual, I went back to BC for Christmas. Another very short trip this time, only 4 days. I arrived late on the 23rd, just in time to frantically wrap presents and decorate the Christmas tree with my family.
Christmas Eve day was spent at the gym with my mom and sister, followed by the usual madhouse referred to as Christmas Eve at my grandmother's (my mom's mom). She lives in a tiny bungalow now, instead of the big house, so trying to cram all my relatives in there doesn't work all that well. Good thing that out of the 46-ish possible relatives (not including extra boy/girlfriends that the really brave and/or insane occasionally bring), only 31 showed up. Mostly the island people didn't come and they are the largest branch anyway. It was nice though, roaming around, visiting with various people.
Christmas morning was spent opening presents with my immediate family. As usual, I was greatly spoiled. My haul included new blue sheets, cooking dishes, a china serving platter (woohoo!!!), china bowls, new towels, many books and a subscription to a sewing magazine. My favourite moments that morning were when my sister and mom opened my gifts. I gave my sister a bright red and white nightgown and matching robe. My mom got pyjamas and a nightgown made out of jogging fleece (I think she's insane, but that's what she said she wanted, although she might have been joking...) and a satin robe.
After presents, my dad's mom came over for brunch and the rest of the day was spent getting ready for dinner and visiting with various relatives who dropped in. Christmas dinner was the smallest in years and it was wonderful - only 9 people! After dinner, I went to visit one of my best friends from high school and it was really great to see her.
Boxing day was sheer insanity as it was spent shopping with my sister. Great prices though and I found lots of things. Jeans, a bra, 5 blouses, 2 sweaters, a golf shirt and a skirt for about $250. All very very much needed as due to the shrinking me, I had NO clothes. Ok, some, but not much! My sister bought tons of stuff. She says she loves shopping with me as I go through all the racks and just toss things I like at her. She hates looking for clothes, doesn't mind trying them on. After shopping, my family went out for fish and chips out in Horseshoe Bay. I then met up with my high school girlfriends for drinks. I loved seeing them and catching up!
It was a good holiday as I got to see all the people that mattered to me. My friends, my relatives, and I even had time to visit with each of my grandmothers and have a cup of tea. I had to leave a few of my presents at my parents since they didn't fit in my suitcase, but they are planning to come for a visit in the spring so I'll get them then.
I have a million pictures which I haven't got around to posting yet. Eventually, I swear.
Monday, December 19, 2005
December
Ok, perhaps one of my New Year's resolutions will be to update this thing more frequently - but I doubt it.
I had a great time this weekend as I threw my annual (ok, two years in a row!) tree decorating party on Saturday. 17 people again, so it was definitely a full house. I made all the food I consider part of Christmas, as it's the same type of food that was served at my grandmother's Christmas gatherings. Swedish meatballs, cabbage rolls, potatos au gratin and ham, plus the usual veggies, salad, and dinner rolls. The only real difference between my menu and what my family ate at my aunt's this year was the bread. My cousins baked all the traditional breads - hardtack, cardamon buns, cinnamon rings - that I don't know how to do. Besides, there was tons of food already! For dessert, I served various kinds of Christmas baking - marshmallow squares, peanut butter bonbons, butterscotch haystacks, date squares. By the end of the night, my tree had ornaments, the gingerbread house had been decorated, and I had We Wish You A Merry Christmas as sung by three stuffed mice trapped in my head. I had a blast.
I've also been going to the movies a lot recently. I highly recommend King Kong, although I do think the first hour could have been cut a bit more. I only give Chronicles of Narnia 3 stars out of 5 as it dragged in places and I thought the soundtrack was really pompous and distracting. Hmm, I know I've seen more. Oh, Just Friends. Very funny, particularly if you like physical comedy. I also saw Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - it is one of my favourites. I'm currently on a Christmas video kick and I've watched the Muppet Christmas Carol twice in the last week. I love that movie!
As for other activities - I've been sewing a lot. Some items are top secret until Christmas, but as Lori already opened her gift, I can tell you I made my second quilted item. It is a snowman table runner and I think it looks quite nice. With the exception of one gift left to sew, all my shopping/sewing is done and I can relax until Christmas! Hmmm, I should really go work on that last gift....
If you want to see the new pics, head to http://www.geocities.com/jette_16/pics/thumbs.html
I had a great time this weekend as I threw my annual (ok, two years in a row!) tree decorating party on Saturday. 17 people again, so it was definitely a full house. I made all the food I consider part of Christmas, as it's the same type of food that was served at my grandmother's Christmas gatherings. Swedish meatballs, cabbage rolls, potatos au gratin and ham, plus the usual veggies, salad, and dinner rolls. The only real difference between my menu and what my family ate at my aunt's this year was the bread. My cousins baked all the traditional breads - hardtack, cardamon buns, cinnamon rings - that I don't know how to do. Besides, there was tons of food already! For dessert, I served various kinds of Christmas baking - marshmallow squares, peanut butter bonbons, butterscotch haystacks, date squares. By the end of the night, my tree had ornaments, the gingerbread house had been decorated, and I had We Wish You A Merry Christmas as sung by three stuffed mice trapped in my head. I had a blast.
I've also been going to the movies a lot recently. I highly recommend King Kong, although I do think the first hour could have been cut a bit more. I only give Chronicles of Narnia 3 stars out of 5 as it dragged in places and I thought the soundtrack was really pompous and distracting. Hmm, I know I've seen more. Oh, Just Friends. Very funny, particularly if you like physical comedy. I also saw Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - it is one of my favourites. I'm currently on a Christmas video kick and I've watched the Muppet Christmas Carol twice in the last week. I love that movie!
As for other activities - I've been sewing a lot. Some items are top secret until Christmas, but as Lori already opened her gift, I can tell you I made my second quilted item. It is a snowman table runner and I think it looks quite nice. With the exception of one gift left to sew, all my shopping/sewing is done and I can relax until Christmas! Hmmm, I should really go work on that last gift....
If you want to see the new pics, head to http://www.geocities.com/jette_16/pics/thumbs.html
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