I make lists.
I read books.
I like clothes, food, music, my fur babies, travel, and loads of other stuff too.
I may write about any or all of these things.
Announcing.....that June is my birthday month, and to follow the lead of some blogger buddies (Steph & Kristen come to mind as unapologetic birthday month celebrators), I'm going to try to do little things to treat myself kindly this month.
Reading..... The Cartel by Don Winslow...uhm, yea, so, I have a confession to make: I am co-hosting a challenge this month that I'm supposed to be reading ONLY books from my home bookshelf, but I started this library book in May, and I can't quit it now. So, I'm pretty much failing at my own book challenge at the very beginning. But, I'm reading a fantastic book, so it's worth it! I'll get to my bookshelf in a day or two.
Watching...... We have this channel in Australia called the "Crime & Investigation Network", and I'm guilty of watching just about anything on this channel; but I've become hooked to a new series called "60 Days In" (it's probably already shown in America); but it's a fascinating, unprecedented look at being 'locked up'.
Listening.....right now, as I type this, Follow You Down by the Gin Blossoms, because I'm at work, I control our work playlist, and I'm having a '90s kind of day.
Juggling.....book challenges (again); but, I ain't complainin'. I like it. I'm co-hosting Read My Books that kicked off yesterday, I host Book Challenge by Erin 5.0, annnnnnd I am participating in a few others as well. Celebrating..... that a "Tex Mex" restaurant opened in Sydney; if you know me, you know one of the things that I miss the most the food. I went last night, and I pretty much want to go back and have everything on the menu. Between 3 of us, we ordered queso, guacamole, quesadillas, tacos, enchiladas, and sipped on some tequila to end the meal. I've already scheduled a girls' outing with some friends to celebrate my birthday in a couple of weeks.
Appreciating...... the cool weather has caused my feline babies to be even more snuggly and cuddly than usual.
Planning..... actually, this should say that I'm helping to plan a Sydney visit for a friend and her 11 year old son that are coming in December! I LOVE it when I get visitors!!
This week (apparently) is all about book challenges...Read My Books challenge starts today!...and here's a big announcement for Book Challenge by Erin 5.0...
I host a book challenge on facebook. If you've read this blog for any amount of time at all, you know I love books. I read. I like to talk about books. I'm a sucker for book challenges. I started my own challenge a couple of years ago hosting it through this facebook group page. My thought was this: if I host it through facebook, that's another venue to talk about books with my fellow readers. I am already in a few challenges that link back to blogs, but not facebook. I'm pretty happy and proud of the group I've got happening on facebook. It's so fun to see a collection of readers that are my high school friends, friends of friends, friends around the globe, all coming together for a mutual love of books. If you're a reader, please join us. Even just join the group to follow along with the fun. Or jump in and rock the challenge!
I attempt to be a stress-free, no-pressure kind of host. This is about loving books, supporting readers, and encouragement for all who express an interest.
·First and foremost, have fun.
Don't stress. No one is being judged, graded, or penalized. Even if you finish
only one book the entire challenge, if you enjoy it and it's an accomplishment
for you, then that's awesome.
·The challenge will run from
JULY 1, 2016 to OCTOBER 31, 2016. No books that are started before 12 a.m. on
July 1 or finished after 11:59 p.m. on October 31 will count.(We live in different time zones – follow
this according to your own time zone.)
·Each book must be at least 200
pages long. Audio books are fine too.
·A book can only be used for one
category, and each category can only be completed once. If you want to switch
the category of a book, or change the book you originally chose, no worries.
·You can read your books in any
order you choose.
·Rereads can be used only
once.If a book you love fits into a
category, go ahead and visit it again.Read it in its entirety.But,
only do this once for the challenge.
·There will be a photo album for
each category with links to books chosen.Please comment on the photo for each of your books when you finish
reading them.A comment can include a
review, a rating, a recommendation…other readers want to hear what you thought
of your choice.(if you need help with
this, let me know…or there is a file attached to our group explaining what to
do.)
·There will be 10 book
categories with a possibility of earning 200 points. That’s 10 books in four months.For some of you, this will be a BIG challenge;
for others it will be easy peasy.It’s
all for fun, remember!
·Book categories will be posted June
1st to give you time to gather books in preparation.
·After the categories are
posted, please post a preliminary list with books of your choice according to
their categories on the facebook group page by June 15th (if
possible).If you need help with a
particular category or want a book suggestion, we as a community of reading
enthusiasts can help each other.(Late
entries will still be accepted) Some bloggers don't do FB but still want to participate; if this is you, let me know, and we can work this with an alternate plan.
·The first three people who
finish the challenge will be invited to contribute a category for the next
challenge. The top winner will get a small prize from me!Plus, everyone who completes the challenge
will gets all sorts of recognition and support!
·Lastly, have fun.Don't stress. No one is being judged, graded,
or penalized. Even if you finish only one book the entire challenge, if you
enjoy it and it's an accomplishment for you, then that's awesome.Wait, I’ve read that somewhere before…Good luck!
If
you are stuck on any of these categories, ask for help or recommendations!GOOD LUCK!
Do you want to know my preliminary picks? Of course you do. Or maybe not. But, here they are anyway.
·5 points:Freebie – Read a book that is at least 200 pages. - Everything Changes by Jonathan Tropper - I'm slowly, but surely, reading all of the books by this author. I haven't read one I didn't like.
·10 points:Read a book with five words in the title. (this has been on my radar for probably 18 months; finally, I'm giving myself incentive to read it.) - I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
·25 points:Read a book set in a country you have always wanted to visit. - Cold Granite by Stuart MacBride - Our challenge has some Scottish participants (one of them recommended this series to me); I've never been to Scotland and would love to go, so this seemed like a great pick.
·35 points:Read a book originally published over 100 years ago. - The most difficult of all my selections, because I confess, I'm not a "classics" girl. So, I went with a recommendation from a friend who just finished her Master's in English Lit - The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Once again, here's some things to know to help with any confusion or questions you may have:
Challenge is June 1st, 2016 - June 30, 2016
Link-up to report how you did in the challenge is the second Thursday of July the 14th
Your link-up post can be anything related to the challenge (i.e. the books you read, why you "collect" so many books that go unread, a book that surprised you once you read it for the challenge, where you get all those books, ebooks, audio books that end up stacking up and neglected, show us pictures of your bookshelves, etc.)
The objective is to finally read some of those books that you own that have been feeling neglected
ONLY read books (audio books, ebooks included) that you currently own already (or have downloaded already; yes, NetGalley can be included)
You are not required to read ALL the books you own
I repeat (because this has been the biggest concern/confusion) that you are not required to read ALL the books you currently own
Just whatever you read in the month of June should be ones that you already have
No library books (although I love myself some library), no buying new books, no downloading or borrowing new books
Two Amazon gift cards will be given to randomly selected lucky winners
A raffle for the Amazon $ will be posted in the link-up
This isn't a competition for how many books you read; it's just encouragement to read your books; if you have ONE book on your shelf that has been begging to be read, read that book, and you are a challenge participant!
This guy. I dish up the dog food, and he starts eating. He thinks he's a dog. Or, he just does whatever he wants. Yea, I'm going with the latter.
Go to the juice bar for breakfast, tryin' to be somewhat healthy, leave with blueberry banana bread. I'm weak.
I took this picture and sent it to the husband entitled "current mood".
I've got one more library book to finish before I start tackling my own bookshelf for the Read My Books challenge that begins in a few days.
We introduced the 8 year old stepkid to Independence Day. He saw the trailer for Independence Day: Resurgence and was interested. This is one of those blockbuster movies that I'm guilty of watching over and over again. Stepkid loved it and claimed he "can't wait" for the new one.
No, I do not live in America anymore, but I will always proudly keep my American citizenship. I am appreciative of all who served and continue to do so. I am humbled by those that gave the ultimate sacrifice. Not only do I think of the service men and women we've lost, but I am grateful to their families and loved ones as well.
It's that time again, the last Thursday of the month, the time that Jana and Erin bring you a playlist that usually has a theme with a twist. With the realization that we've been losing a lot of musical icons in recent times, we were inspired to bring you this post: favorite songs by (now) dead people.
*This is a long one. We make no apologies. We culled. We swear we did.
The plane crashes: Buddy Holly (Peggy Sue) - It's been called "Rock's First Tragedy" and "The Day That Music Died" when a plane crashed in snowy Iowa February 1959. It carried Ritchie Valens, the Big Bopper, and one of Jana's faves, Buddy Holly.
Stevie Ray Vaughan (Pride & Joy) - A bronze statue overlooks Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas to honor the loss of this guitar virtuoso and Texas son, another plane crash casualty (this one happening in 1990).
Lynyrd Skynyrd (Free Bird) - In 1977, three members perished in a plane crash carrying band members of this Southern Rock band. Most everyone knows "Sweet Home Alabama" and possibly have heard someone from a crowd yell "Free Bird!"...but when I listen to the opening lyrics "If I leave here tomorrow, will you still remember me?"...well, damn, considering how the man singing those lyrics died, it gives me chills every time.
The drink:
AC/DC - original lead singer, Bon Scott (T.N.T.) - I, Erin, have a personal story. My 8 year old stepson's favorite band is AC/DC. He can identify a song when it comes on the radio within a few notes. My husband and I had our first conversation about the dangers of too much alcohol with this 8 year old kid by telling him the history and untimely death of Bon Scott. In honor of my stepkid, here's his favorite AC/DC song.
Def Leppard - original lead guitarist and songwriter, Steve Clark (Armageddon It) - You could not be our age and not have some memory associated with a Def Leppard song. They were "that" big for a time period. In 1991, the height of their fame and popularity (#1 albums, sold out stadium tours), Steve Clark died of alcohol poisoning. The last album that he played fully on was their highest selling album of all time (25 million+), and Armageddon It is Jana's favorite song. (He's the one with the most bleached-blonde hair playing guitar.)
Warrant - lead singer, songwriter, Jani Lane (I Saw Red) - From Erin: this one hurt. I loved Warrant. I saw Warrant's last performance together with Jani singing in 2008. It was a trainwreck due to Jani's addiction. Some various documentary footage of Jani makes me almost cry. He is bloated and red-faced. His depression is palpable. He died alone in a hotel room from years of alcohol abuse. This is one of the all-time best power ballads. (Jani, I promise I won't remember you just as "the Cherry Pie guy".)
The drugs, oh, the drugs:
Janis Joplin (Piece of My Heart because we think we've already used Me & My Bobby McGee on a previous post) - One of the members of the infamous "27" club, musicians that died at the young age of 27. She could sing like she had balls and party as hard as the guys, but suffered because of it. Her cause of death was listed as heroin and alcohol.
The Doors - lead singer, songwriter, wearer of leather pants like no one's business, Jim Morrison (although other members have passed too)...(Break on Through) - Another 27 club member; some aren't fans of the psychedelic rock that The Doors produced. We are. Pretty sure we'd been crazy dancing groupies at the Whisky-a-go-go if we were in our late teens/early 20s in the late '60s.
Blind Melon - lead vocals and songwriter, Shannon Hoon (No Rain) - This band didn't have much time to reach a lot of success, but if you were alive pre-1995, listened to music, and/or watched MTV...you knew this song. Hoon, like several others on this list, died on his tour bus due to a drug overdose.
Sublime - lead vocals and guitar, Bradley Nowell (Santeria) - Ska punk? From us? Sure. We have eclectic tastes. Sadly, Bradley didn't get to experience the height of his recognition (due to his heroin overdose in 1996) as most of Sublime's biggest hits came posthumously.
Drowning Pool - lead singer, Dave Williams (Bodies) - Another tour bus tragedy. Officially, cause of death is due to an "undiagnosed heart condition"; unofficially, all that cocaine didn't help that unhealthy heart keep pumping.
Alice in Chains - lead vocalist, Layne Staley and bassist, Mike Starr (Rooster) - Not one, but two deaths by drug overdose. So many songs to choose. Jana had to choose. Erin just couldn't. They are all too good. Their songs, although labeled "grunge", are timeless rock music.
Stone Temple Pilots (and Velvet Revolver) - lead vocals and songwriter, Scott Weiland (Sex Type Thing) - From Erin: Out of all the artists listed, this is the one that has taken my money again and again. I've seen him live more times that I can count with STP, VR, and solo. I own his book. His ex-wife's too. I own many albums. STP "Core" still ranks as one of my all-time favorite albums ever. Scott's addiction was often in the media and in his lyrics. It was no surprise that he was found dead on a tour bus after a recent relapse. Terribly sad, but no surprise.
Violence:
Run DMC - dj, cut creator, mixer Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell(It's Tricky) - From Erin: In the world of hip hop and untimely deaths, Biggie Smalls and Tupac are the most mentioned. Run DMC was the first rap album (cassette, although my brother did own the vinyl record) that I owned. The fact that a southern suburban white girl knew every word to many of their songs is testament to the musical influence they had. When he was murdered, I was sad. Still am.
Pantera/Damageplan - lead guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott - No song attached; we had one in last month's post, but we still thought we'd share that time that Erin visited his grave outside Dallas, Texas. Shot dead by a Pantera "fan" at a concert with his new group Damageplan while his brother watched from the drum kit.
Mental illness, drugs, and violence: INXS - lead singer and lyricist, Michael Hutchence (Never Tear Us Apart) - He was dreamy to look at and to listen to, but he was battling some heavy demons. They caught up with Michael in 1997. His death was ruled by an Australian coroner as a "suicide while depressed under the influence of drugs and alcohol". His loss is still strongly felt in Australia. INXS Greatest Hits still regularly spends time in the top 10 of Australian sales charts.
Nirvana- lead singer and songwriter, Kurt Cobain (In Bloom) - A death that will be examined until music stops playing. A sufferer from reportedly various diagnoses of mental illness (severe ADHD, depression, and bipolar disorder), Kurt Cobain self-medicated by abusing hardcore drugs. Ultimately, this combination took his life which was ruled a suicide.
Complications from AIDS:
RATT - guitarist Robbin Crosby (Round and Round) - Predictably, a hair band musician is on a list of ours. Robbin's story is just heartbreaking about the perils of living the glamourized rock 'n' roll lifestyle. He was friends with his bandmates. Friends with other band members on the scene. (Nikki Sixx has frequently talked about their friendship.) Groupies don't have a bad word to say about him. Until the drugs took over. He was a heroin addict. He had a lot of unprotected sex. He was HIV positive and ultimately died from a heroin overdose while battling pneumonia as a complication of AIDS. (He's the super big blonde guy playing guitar.)
N.W.A. and solo rapper - Eric "Eazy E" Wright (Boyz in the Hood) - We have our East Coast representation from Jam Master Jay, and now West Coast legend, Eazy E. He was diagnosed and publicly announced in 1995. One month later he died from complications of AIDS.
Of course.........
Queen - singer, songwriter, genius, Freddie Mercury (Somebody to Love) - One of the greatest vocalists to ever perform rock 'n' roll. There are not enough words to describe this guy. The music he left behind does all the talking needed.
Cancer sucks:
Beastie Boys - vocals, songwriter, keyboard, and bass, Adam "MCA" Yauch (You Gotta Fight for Your Right to Party) - After his diagnosis, he announced his cancer was "very treatable". That cancer, she's a bitch. Sadly, she's been known to take down some of the best, like this hip hop legend and humanitarian.
Cause of death unknown (so far):
Prince - musician of a thousand instruments, singer, songwriter, producer, dancer, snazzy dresser, His Purple Highness, and more - He wasn't one that supported sharing his videos on youtube, but take a look at this display of talent right here playing a purple acoustic guitar.
And the list could go on for days...so, tell us who we missed. We know we left many on the edit floor. What is your favorite song by a (now) dead person?
If you recognized George Strait as inspiration for my title of this post, well...you are even more special to me. Thank you.
Admittedly, I fall into the category of "you can take the girl outta Texas, but not Texas outta the girl". I love Texas. I love that Texas has its own cultures and identity. Recently, a customer of mine, here in Australia, was planning a road trip across the southeast of the U.S. She asked if I could give her some input about where to go and what to see in Texas. I had to share some recommendations from one of my favorite Texas cities...Fort Worth.
The metropolitan area of Dallas/Fort Worth is somewhat massive. "DFW" is the international airport that is quite efficient, clean, and easy to navigate. I fly a direct flight Sydney to Dallas almost once a year for the last 7 years. I've gotten to know this airport. Internationally, Dallas seems to be the more "well known" city, but personally, I think Fort Worth is the city with all the charm.
Fort Worth Stock Yards - You want to visit Texas, and you want to see working cowboys, well...look no further. In the heart of the city is working stock yards, a cowboy AND cowgirl museum, and every Saturday night, you can attend a rodeo. This district is full of shops, restaurants, and bars as well.
I highly recommend the Stockyard Hotel in Fort Worth. It's located in a heritage listed building, western-themed, kitsch (but not overly silly), great location, reasonable rates, and just lovely. The hotel's location is in walking distance of the Fort Worth Stockyards, plus restaurants, shopping, and more.
Speaking of shopping... If you ever thought you'd want to buy good cowboy boots, Fort Worth is your place. You can find handmade pairs in almost any leather imaginable. On one particular trip, I bought my young Aussie niece a pair. I wished I'd bought myself the same pair in adult sizes.
My personal photos
When asked what I miss most about Texas, high on that list is the food! So, let's talk food...
My #1 recommendation: The Reata. The food is amazing with an authentic Texas cuisine flair. Every time I'm visiting home, I stay with my girlfriend that lives in Fort Worth, and we always have dinner here. Indoor dining or patio dining overlooking downtown Fort Worth, both are superb experiences. I could eat here just for the jalapeño & cilantro soup plus wedge salad alone. But, who am I kidding? It's Texas. We eat big in Texas.
You also want to try tenderloin tamales to start plus Reata's chicken fried steak with black pepper gravy. Or the rib eye. Or bacon wrapped lamb. You can't go wrong with any of these sides: jalapeño and cheese grits, bacon wrapped asparagus, bourbon creamed corn, jalapeño and bacon macaroni and cheese. Oh...and save room for dessert. They have Texas specialties homemade banana pudding, Texas pecan pie, a chocolate bread pudding tamale, and dessert tacos.
Tex Mex (the best food on the planet) can not be missed. For fantastic fajitas and margaritas, visit Joe T. Garcia's, a Fort Worth institution. There isn't much choice of the menu, but you don't need it. What's there is excellent.
My personal photo
Other Tex Mex recommendations: Mi Cocina at Sundance Square - if you've never had brisket tacos, introduce yourself to them here; and Cantina Laredo which is a little clean and upmarket compared to some Tex Mex dives that I enjoy, but it's still yummy goodness.
Insider scoop: Truly unique to Texas cuisine, if chile con queso is on the menu, then I order it. The first thing that I want to do when I visit home is faceplant into a bowl of it.
Also, for another true Texas experience - Billy Bob's(the world's largest honky tonk).Superb people watching! If you like beer, try Shiner Bock or Lone Star...they are two Texas brewed beers. You'll fit right in. Billy Bob's has country dancing every night and hold special events like concerts and bull-riding.
Have a group? Then you must book a night with the Cowtown Cycle Party. A unique way to ride around Fort Worth and get a little exercise too. Oh, and you can drink.
personal photo - a birthday celebration for me!
Fort Worth also has a fantastic zoo, a beautiful performance hall, water gardens, a comedy club, Japanese botanic gardens and more. All of these listed above, I've personally visited, eaten the food, and drank the drink.
Bass Performance Hall - my personal photo
If I haven't shared enough Fort Worth ideas, take a look at the city's website. Or, you can venture over to Arlington (about a 20 minute drive) and visit Six Flags over Texas, catch a Texas Rangers baseball game at The Ballpark or a Dallas Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium...or venture a little further to Dallas for even more sites, food, and fun.
If there aren't enough recommendations here for you, Texans are typically extremely hospitable people. Most often, they will be happy to recommend (and show off) what their city and state has to offer. Do not hesitate to ask.
Have you ever visited Fort Worth? Have I piqued your interest?
Linking up with the NEW Wanderful Wednesday ladies. I'd just gotten my act together and started organizing some travel posts. If you are a regular reader, you know that my blog features a little bit of everything! The Wanderlust Wednesday group is coming to an end, so when Isabel of The Sunny Side of This announced this new link-up, I thought "perfect timing!" Plus, the hosts are ladies living all over the world. I predict some super travel sites coming at us.
This book wasn't an original pick for the challenge, but I'd seen many recommendations for it (plus the two books that follow it in the series), I decided I needed to move it up my "to read" list.
Hades by Candice Fox - Impossible for me to "rate". Sometimes, it is a 2 star, other times a 4, even 5 star. Or it could be ZERO stars for taking a well-known literary and television character and re-writing it.
Is this fan fiction?
The parallels to Dexter Morgan are painfully obvious. Child witnesses brutally violent death of parent. Subsequently, the father figure role model that steps in to raise child(ren) recognizes violent tendencies. Child (then teen) is abnormally intelligent. Father figure develops a plan and way for kid(s) to function undetected and contribute to society ultimately working in homicide police department. Brother and sister work in homicide together.
Yes, the parallels are that close, but enough things have been changed that the story is possible to enjoy, I suppose. I couldn't get past it. I couldn't stop thinking "how did this win an award for Australian debut author in crime fiction in 2014?" Shouldn't a winner of such an award be a little more creative than take the outline of the Dexter series and change it up enough for it not to be plagiarism?
I can't be the only person to notice this, am I right?? After reading the book, I scanned some goodreads reviews. Yes, others have noticed the Dexter parallels as well.
If you can get past the Dexter similarities (or you never read/watched Dexter previously), you will probably enjoy this book. If not, give it a pass.
It's the 7th year for the Aussie Author Challenge, and my 2nd year participating (click on the picture/link to take you directly to the site for more information). My working book list is as follows:
