Sunday's Seven Snapshots vol.90

Happy Sally - doesn't it look like she's smiling?

Sometimes I design jewelry that I want to keep for myself (like this black onyx and turquoise necklace). 

Signs of spring ~ numero uno ~ these yellow flowers

Signs of spring ~ numero dos ~ this camouflage butterfly

The husband sent this to me this week. He knows me well. 

Sunday vibes

Taco night is my favorite night!

Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

Stuff and Things: vol.2

Let's jump right into this thing:

• I'm still making my way through all the Show Us Your Books links.  I like to read them allllllll every month. 
• When I participate in link ups, I really try to read and comment on the hosts' posts and read as many of the links that I have time for.  Often, I read them all.  But, I've been slack the last few weeks, and I feel blogger guilt because of it.
• I posted this on twitter.  I'm sure we've all felt like this, am I right?
  
• As most of you know, the husband and I work together.  His day off is Tuesday, and I must admit I miss him on Tuesdays.  We've developed a really good rhythm and are a good team in the store.  When he's not there, it's all on me.  Sometimes I feel overwhelmed; other times I feel like I miss opportunities with customers that I know he'd captialize.
• Speaking of work and Tuesdays, a potential customer came in this week.  After looking at some things, she emailed Neil later with some ideas for a custom design.  She told him that the "Canadian lady" was helpful.  I have to laugh every time someone confuses me for a Canadian.  I'm from the furthest U.S. state away from Canada, except Hawaii and the tip of Florida.
• I was stopped by three women, at least ten, possibly twenty years older than me.  They asked about my book tattoo and told me how "lovely" and "wonderful" it is. This exchange made me happy. 
  
• I sent a care package this week.  I love sending care packages.  The world needs more care packages.
• Happy 3rd birthday to my number one cuddle buddy, my sugar booger, the cat who changed me that day at the Animal Welfare League when he crawled into my lap as an 8 week old kitten, Astro.  Not a night goes by that we don't have a five to thirty minute cuddle session when I go to bed, and my heart is fuller because of it.

Linking up with  Kristin & Joey

I show you my books, you show me yours... vol.20

Jana & Steph are bringing us book lovin' bloggers our favorite day of the month again - Show Us Your Books day!  It's the day of the month that my goodreads gets the most activity...and I do love myself some goodreads.  Be my friend (if we aren't already.)

What I've read since our last link-up:

1.  The Kept Woman by Karin Slaughter - Karin Slaughter is one of my favorite crime fiction authors, and this book is a prime example why. The story is gripping, and the characters are well-developed. Stories that are inter-connected include foster care, child abuse, personal relationships, domestic violence, parental relationships, the power of sports stars, and more. Does that seem like too much? It isn't. Slaughter works all of the stories together to make for a great read.  Don't let the fact that this is part of a series scare you off.  She gives enough information for you to read this as a stand alone thriller.  5/5

2.  Hate List by Jennifer Brown - The story of what happens to those impacted by a school shooting that left some dead, some physically injured, and many emotionally scarred. This is Valerie's story. Her boyfriend was the shooter. Some see Valerie as a perpetrator, others see her as a hero, and some don't even want to see her at all. I enjoyed taking this journey with Valerie. 4.5/5

3.  I See You by Clare Mackintosh - I was super excited when I received notification from the library that this book was in.  After all, I loved this author's debut thriller I Let You Go.  Unfortunately, it didn't live up to expectations.  It was just "okay" to me.  The concept is quite disturbing and frightening - females' exact daily routines on public transportation including physical description and a photo published (without permission) to a website. This opens up opportunities for chance encounters and dates, as well as sexual assaults and murders. Good concept, right? I just didn't feel as wrapped up in the story as I thought I should have been. I don't think I'd discourage anyone from reading this book, I'm just not highly recommending it either.  3/5

4.  One Foot in Eden by Ron Rash - After reading Cormac McCarthy, and now Ron Rash, I'm thinking that I enjoy this regional Southern Gothic genre.  This book captures the setting and culture of the Appalachia region telling a story over decades from the perspective of five different people touched by a murder.  3.75/5

 5.  The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood - I had things to say about this book, and I said them in this post.  Very different.  Thought-provoking.  4/5

6.  Missoula:  Rape and the Justice System in a College Town by Jon Krakauer - I had things to say about this book too, and you can read them in this post.  Relevant.  Infuriating and important.  4/5

7.  The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman - I'm in the minority with this one.  I wasn't a fan.  It was one particular character (an important character to the story) that ruined it for me.  If you want to know more, I have a review on goodreads WITH SPOILERS.  2/5

8.  Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover - For this book, the author teamed with a musician to create a soundtrack of sorts (which is a super cool, creative idea.)  This book isn't perfect, but I forgive its flaws because overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and there are some really wonderful moments. I'm glad I saw this at the library, recognized the cover from readers' recommendations in my book challenge, and picked it up.  4.5/5 for the enjoyment factor.

9.  Blood on Snow by Jo Nesbo - I didn't get invested enough in the characters or the story to get too excited about the book.  2/5

Will you add any of these to your "to read" list?

Sunday's Seven Snapshots vol.89

That's me surrounded by even more paperwork for immigration. 

In this week's installment that it is effing expensive to live in Sydney: bought some grapes and pre-slice pineapple, spent $14.20. 

NFL kickoff was televised in a local pub, and these two guys looked like they were skipping work to grab a beer and watch the game. (It was 10:30 Friday morning.)

My guy & I treated ourselves to Hooter's take-out. This was my order. Yes, I shared the curly fries. Reluctantly. 

Spot the kitties - after SEVENTEEN hours in bed! - I got up to this. So, picture this: my spot is Astro on one side with Ricky & Ivy on the other. The lump in the upper right corner is my guy still in bed. We were tired. It was a long week. 

Speaking of my guy, we rolled out of bed, went for a pub lunch, and went to a movie. Spontaneous Sunday date. No, I didn't even brush my hair. 

America, my heart is with you on this day (and everyday). Fifteen years. I can't believe it. This picture is from my apartment where I lived five years ago. 

Tell your loved ones that you love them today. 

Stuff & Things: The Revival vol.1

Folks.  I was so pleased to read that Kristin & Joey are bringing back the Stuff & Things link-up every Thursday.  Let me tell ya some reasons why:

• I can foresee me not being able to blog as often for a little while (which is no big deal), but I still want to stay connected, and this is a perfect way to do it.
• The few times that I participated previously, I spelled Kristin's name incorrectly.  Now, I can redeem myself. 
• I like random posts.  I like to read them, and I like to write them. Since there are NO rules to this link-up, I get to read/write about random things - woo hoo!

And, away we go with my randomness for the week.............

• Immigratin' ain't easy.  Just sayin'.  I don't want to vent and complain because it is all a part of moving to and living in another country.
• Warning: this rant may not matter to you unless you are a Bon Jovi fan.  Australia has their own version of the Today show.  This week, they interviewed Richie Sambora because his RSO project with Orianthi is coming to Australia later this month for some gigs.  The Today show decided to advertise that they had a "Bon Jovi" announcement and played "Blaze of Glory" in the background.  Uhm.  Hello.  Richie ain't in Bon Jovi anymore (not being nasty, just stating truth).  This was no Bon Jovi announcement.  It was an "RSO" announcement.  And, Blaze of Glory isn't even a "Bon Jovi" song.  It is a Jon Bon Jovi solo release.  It features Jeff Beck on guitar.  I know, I know.  I'm getting quite specific here, but can't the tv producers do a *little* more fact-checking before advertising this?  Hell, Richie may have even wanted his promo to be about his new project with his new music, and not some song that Jon wrote and recorded without him. 

• In the news of another ex-college athlete that commits rape (I originally wrote about the story January 2015), here's some proof that there are indeed judges with some sense (I missed this story during the Brock Turner furor):  Ex-Vanderbilt football player Corey Batey sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping unconscious woman with his teammates.  Fifteen years is a helluva lot more than 6 months.  A step in the right direction.  Thank you, Judge Monte Watkins.
• The Living End is a beloved Australian power pop-rock-punk band that formed in 1994.  They've got a new song that I'm sure there are some purists who may not be fans because it sounds a lot like it could come from the Goo Goo Dolls...but, I love it...maybe that's because I love the Goo Goo Dolls?

Happy Thursday everyone!

I confess that I am still pissed off

In the "I'm still pissed off that rapist Brock Turner is free" news:

I was thinking about this the other day...I used to be a caseworker at a juvenile prison.  I was thinking about the many, many teens that I had on my caseload that were locked up longer than Brock Turner and the crimes that they committed.  Oh, I definitely had some that deserved to be in jail for a long time.  Most definitely.  Some scary dudes. 

I also had a kid that stole rollerblades from his next door neighbor's garage. 

And, another who was arrested for possession of marijuana, the smallest amount possible that one can be cited for, but he was arrested for this same thing multiple times.  He smoked pot.  That seemingly was all he ever did wrong.  It's illegal to smoke pot in Texas, and yes, there should be consequences for breaking the law.  But, when I compare Brock Turner to this mary  jane enthusiast, and the fact that this 16 year old was sent to a statewide juvenile jail for 9-12 months (minimum), and Brocky boy is out in 3, it just doesn't make sense. 

Even the teens that were locked up for let's say "unlawful use of a motor vehicle" (they stole a car), again, they broke the law and should be punished.  But, the victim of a car theft will not be scarred the rest of one's life to the capacity that Brock Turner's victim will.  I know.  I've had a car stolen.  Those guys served longer sentences than Brock Turner.

In Texas (I'm speaking about Texas because that's where I was a caseworker), if a teen is tried, convicted, and sent to a juvenile justice institution, the minimum stay that he can receive is 9 months.  For a teen convicted of the same crimes that Brock Turner was convicted, he'd be given a "determinate sentence" (the minimum of this served would be one year), and he'd be required to receive sex offender counseling before release.  If he did not complete the required counseling and follow his case plan that included education and socialization skills, then he would not be allowed for parole review.  He would serve years until this required treatment plan was adequately completed as deemed by the "treatment team" consisting of his caseworker, a teacher, a supervisory staff member (guard), and a medical staff member.  He could potentially be transferred to adult prison once he turned the age of 18 or 19 (depending on the case) if he did not complete his treatment plan as required.  He could not get time docked for "good behavior". 

How can an adult, like Brock Turner, not be held as accountable as a teenager committing the same act of violence?

For a minute, when I was thinking about writing this post, I thought "hmmm aren't we tired of hearing about Brock or talking about him?"  But, I realized, that we must continue talking about it.  We mustn't let this become just another story that we accept.  We must let our voices be heard again and again that we think that it is un-fucking-acceptable that a person can sexually assault another person while they are unconscious and can give absolutely no consent.  We must let our voices be heard that when this rapist is caught in the act, stopped, arrested, charged, tried, and convicted that we do not accept his excuses and justifications.  That we do not listen to his daddy about how his son shouldn't be judged based on "20 minutes of action".  It can take less than 20 minutes to shoot and murder someone.  Should that person not be judged for that action either, Mr. Turner?  Ridiculous.

Brilliant

And, we mustn't forget the most important voice of all - the victim's.  I will continue to remind myself of her pain and read her full statement because I don't want to forget what she endured, and I don't want to forget that justice wasn't served for her.



Not your usual fun confessions post, eh?  Well, I'm still linking up with Nadine & Kathy anyway.  Happy Humpday!

Sunday's Seven Snapshots vol.88

My guy finished off these pieces to kick off our sale at the shop. 

Printer problems at work led me to a late night printing session at Office Works after work. Aren't 14+ hour workdays fun?

My mom claims the only pictures she ever sees of me anymore I have a cat butt in my face. I sent her this to show her sometimes it's not their butts in my face...

...only to send this one about 5 minutes later. 

Stepmother bragging alert: the white arrow is the school average and the black arrow is the national average for Year Three (3rd grade) National Assessment Plan standardized testing. See that black dot wayyyy at the top?  That's my stepkid's score. Hooray for reading!!!!!

I call this the Lebanese version of fajitas, and it's pretty tasty. 

Me...reading Twitter...when my Texas A&M Aggies were in overtime. They won, but I'm pretty sure that I couldn't hold my breath much longer. 

And.....it's Father's Day in Australia, and guess who forgot to take a picture of her husband and his kids at lunch?  Oops. Happy Father's Day to the father of my stepkids and my fur babies!  

And, a happy weekend to you!