#HashTag Confessions: 2nd of the 2nd month

It's the day to confess?  Well, let's start with this baby........

A couple of weeks ago, Kerri shared this post about this super cool phone cover made using her own artwork that she got from CaseApp.  Well...guess what folks...I confess: I'm that person.  That person that made a customized phone cover with pictures of her fur babies.  And paid $50 for it (even with Kerri's discount available).  #noshame #noregrets #youknowyouwantonetoo

Shall we continue confessions about being a crazy pet owner?  Okay.  Let's do it.  I sent a picture and links to my mother of some shoes (sorta a *big* hint as a "what I need for Christmas" present).  I didn't get them in my Christmas care package.  I was super mad sad.  #imspoilediwantedmyshoes

Then......

The most magnificent shoes arrived for me this week.  It is official.  I have the coolest crazy cat lady shoes to ever exist.  I confess: they may be so ugly that they are wonderful and I love them oh-so-much. 

I confess:  I didn't think Lady Gaga's National Anthem performance at the Super Bowl was "all that".  It was alright.  She started out beautifully, but the finger-pointing, runs, and theatrics got to be a bit out of control for my liking.  That may just be her putting her Gaga flair on it, but I just didn't think she was as fantastic as people were making it out to be.  But, she still sings a whole lot better than I do, so who am I to judge?  #unpopularopinion

I meant to go to a Super Bowl party in the city hosted by the Sydney Americans, but I confess:  I'm in a "I hate all the people" mood, and I didn't feel like going.  Staying at home, on my couch, with my cats was just fine by me.  #superbowlpartyforone

I confess:  I ordered a large pizza and ate it.  That was my Super Bowl contribution to gluttony.  #ishallnottellalie #itwasyummy

oldie but goodie

My assessment of the SuperBowl halftime:  Coldplay was a lame choice.  #sorrynotsorry  And, I think it's double lame to have performers that were a part of halftime just a few years ago (Bruno Mars performed in 2014; Beyoncé in 2013).  Is the world of music entertainment that shallow that there aren't enough choices to mix it up a little more than that??  #myopinion #hateitifyouwantto

 

I confess:  If you don't care about pro sports, collegiate sports, or any sports, then you aren't going to care about this:  I was happy for a Broncos win.  Peyton Manning is a stand-up guy.  I enjoy performances by dominating defenses.  And, the wining head coach and MVP are both Texas A&M University (my university) alum.

Wednesday link-ups with Laura & Lauren,  Alanna & Sarah, and  Nadine & Kathy:

I show you my books, you show me yours vol.13

Hey, Hey, Hey!  It's Show Us Your Books day!  It's also my guy's birthday! 

 

This guy:

Now, we got that outta the way.  (Don't worry, he doesn't read my blog.)  It's "Show Us Your Books" time!  (I'm pretty wordy this month........if you want to skim, just look at the ratings.)

Books I've read since last link-up:

1.  Dancing With Myself by Billy Idol - Most of you know that I'm a rock bio fanatic.  I've read quite a few.  I even have a goodreads "shelf" of them (if you're interested).  I must admit.  I had pre-conceived thoughts about Billy Idol's book.  Yes, as expected, there are stories of sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll.  What was unexpected is how insightful, articulate, and seemingly intelligent he is.  He gives credit and lists many influences, so when David Bowie died as I was reading this, all of his nods of respect to David Bowie became so poignant and meaningful.  (This is what Billy had to say about David Bowie's death) 4/5

2.  Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick -  I am on the fence with this book. Parts of this story frustrated and annoyed me, and I felt disconnected. Other parts were so sad, so real, and so heart-wrenching that I was engulfed with the story. 3/5

3.  Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington/Nugi Garimara - I talk specifically about this post in this post.  3/5

4.  The Silent Girls by Eric Rickstad - This book is a reason that I enjoy book challenges so much. I came up with this category for Book Challenge by Erin 4.0: to pick an author currently popular from Amazon's hot 100 that I'd never read before. I had never even heard of Eric Rickstad, but the book sounded like one I might like. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery, the characters, and how the storyline came together with some loose ends that left me wanting more. 4.5/5

5.  Child of God by Cormac McCarthy - My initial response when I closed this book: " I need a shower after reading this book. McCarthy paints a disturbing picture of severe depravity. This is one effed up book." Cormac McCarthy gave us Lester Ballard in 1973.  This demented soul, this backwoods murderer, this terrorizing necrophiliac, this guy is creepy beyond creepy...if this guy doesn't keep you up at night, I don't know who will.  4/5 (wasn't a perfect score, solely because the language of 1973 and the pace of 1973 took some time to get used to)

6.  Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey through His Son's Meth Addiction by David Sheff - Last month, I read Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines by Nic Sheff, and thought it was a harrowing, heartfelt book from a young drug addict.  I knew I needed to read the companion book released by his father.  So, I did.  Maybe it's because I've read Tweak, so I know how much of the story unfolds, I wasn't as enthralled with this book. Maybe it's because I am not a parent. There are many gut-punching moments that I'm sure a parent of an addict experiences.  I am a step-parent and could relate to the stepmother, but neither book is her voice. I can't put my finger on why this book didn't move me as much, but I do feel like I have an interesting insight reading both perspectives of the same occurrences. What I took from these books?  Meth is bad.  Evil.  Stay away from meth.  3.5/5

7.  Guilt by Matt Nable - Another Aussie Author Challenge book, and I discuss it here.  2/5

8.  Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall & Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent - A memoir that is impossible for me to "review".  Uplifting, heartbreaking, and thought-provoking. Culturally and socially, this book is educational. Morally, this book is inspirational. Lessons of love, faith, forgiveness, change, philanthropy, and more.   5/5

Bare with me as I share a personal story...my dad's second wife, my step-mother, passed away from brain cancer in 2003.  When her body was riddled with poisons and drugs and cancerous cells, she told us she believed in the power of prayer and became a believer that angels existed.  When I questioned, she told me that she saw them, heard them, and felt them.  There is a part of this book that made me SOB as a cancer sufferer tells her family she sees angels.  I respected the honest (sometimes brutally, painfully honest) description of the pain and suffering of a terminal illness.  It made the other parts of the story carry merit and truth...parts that a reader could assume were sensationalized or exaggerated.  For any person of faith, read this book.  For others, read this book. 

Starting Tonight:  The Pearl that Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi

On Deck:  Kill Your Friends by John Niven, This House of Grief by Helen Garner, Please Come Back from the Moon by Dean Bakopoulus



As always, thanks to Jana & Steph for hosting this fabulous community of book lovers.

Sunday's Seven Snapshots vol.59

These two just got busted ripping up a box of books they found in the garage.  The Destructive Duo strikes again....



Is this what you call a tunic?  I don't think I've ever used the word "tunic" before.  This was a Christmas gift and when I wore it to work, someone said "I like your tunic."

He's ridiculous.  He considers my reading time to be time that I'm not paying attention to him, so, you know, he'll just plop himself down on top of the book.

My guy's handiwork.  This isn't even what I'd consider "my style", but this ring he finished today at work turned out a-mayyyy-zzzzzing!

You should totally add me on snapchat so you can see pictures like this.  (username: texerin)

A long-time friend in Texas posted this on facebook.  You know, I see a lot of fundraising efforts and would donate to everything if I could...but I couldn't pass up donating for kids library books (although the donation was through paypal which is in my guy's name, so he gets the credit, I guess.)

Once upon a time...I was a member of my university's dance team.  They are having a big reunion this weekend in College Station, Texas with even some of the alumni performing with the current team.  I'm sad that I'll be missing this, so in honor of these ladies and good memories, here's a picture of the Texas Aggie Dance Team 1995.1996.  (I'm bottom row, right hand side)  Whoop!

 

Hope you're weekending is fun and you folks having brutal winter weather are staying warm!

Aussie Author Challenge: Book Two

The second book I read for he Aussie Author Challenge 2016 was Guilt by Matt Nable.   This book had a lot of potential.  I enjoyed the author's cadence and writing style somewhat.  The framework of the story interested me.  But, sadly, it didn't live up to its potential.  For a number of reasons, I was disappointed.  I hate book bashing, but to give an honest, fair review, I need to explain my disappointments.

• Too many characters and story lines. Yes, they are all connected, but it was just too much.  I needed a flow chart.
• With so many characters, some lacked the depth I think the author intended.
• The thoughts and words expressed by 17 year old girls in 1989 were unrealistic.  I know.  I was a 16 year old girl in 1989.  Unless these specific Australian girls were just wayyyyy more advanced and comfortable talking/thinking about specific sexual acts and body parts.  It's possible 17 year old girls today would talk and think this way, but not teenagers of 1989.  We were a little more closed and silent about those things.  Not that sex wasn't happening; no girl I know talked about it this way.  Other aspects of teenager life seemed very realistic, but not this.
• I kept expecting a twist (or twists) to keep the story less predictable. 
• Things that I can only assume the author thought would be a twist...well, they weren't.
• If the ending was supposed to be a little bit of a shocker, it wasn't.

I get really sad and annoyed when a book, tv show, movie, person don't live up to their potential and expectations.  So, this book saddened, annoyed, and disappointed me.  2/5

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 preliminary book list is as follows:

Female Authors:

• People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
• What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty 
• The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
• Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington (non-fiction) - COMPLETED 17 January 2016

Male Authors:

• Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
• Life or Death by Michael Robotham
• Praise by Andrew McGahan
• Guilt by Matthew Nable - COMPLETED 3 February 2016

Authors New to Me:

•  Past the Shallows by Favel Parrett
• This House of Grief by Helen Garner (non-fiction)
• Thornwood House by Anna Romer
• The Street Sweeper by Elliot Perlman

Currently.....linking up

Reading.....my favorite friend's favorite book (Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall, Denver Moore, Lynn Vincent) for Book Challenge by Erin 4.0.

Watching......In this space, I admit how "out of touch" I am when it comes to television shows these days.  The last series that I watched in its entirety was Dexter.  The last episode was September 2013; that wasn't that long ago.  The last "binge watch" was Gossip Girl.  That was 2010.  Anyway... I just can't commit to actual series these days.  So, what do I watch?  Well, I admit it.  I am watching the final season of American Idol. 

Listening......right now, as I type this, Heartache Tonight

Noticing.....there's been a lot of Eagles and Bowie played in recent weeks.  R.I.P.

Eating.....grapes

Drinking.....sparkling water

Thinking.....I'm really not as healthy as those two previous answers make me sound.

Wearing.....one of my favourite, most comfortable shirts that I got at Aggieland Outfitters in College Station, TX the last time I visited with pinstripe pants, black flats, and a silver necklace from my friend who designs her own collection and we stock it in our store.

Shouting out.....a shameless plug for our store: POLA Jewellers.  My man is the jeweller; I'm the sales & marketing extraordinaire.  I just updated our website with some of his new pieces.  As always, I'm impressed with his work.  Plus, looking at sparkly, shiny things is fun!

Waiting.....for my new snazzy prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses I ordered.  I'm old.  I need glasses to drive.  And see movies.  And read the tv guide on my big screen tv at home.  But not to read books because apparently my eyes are just all kinds of out of whack for distance, but they are still fine for up close.  And, I'm getting new ones because the old ones (pictured above) aren't strong enough anymore.

Admitting.....I know the above mentioned condition is called near-sighted (or far-sighted?)  I can never remember, so I just didn't say.

Following.....all of J.J. Watt's social media sites because this old gal is totally creepin' on her favourite football player because, you know, he's a good player and gives back to the community and seems like an all-around great guy.  It doesn't have anything to do with pictures like this:

Participating.....in this Sydney Expat Interview Series.  Take a look at what we Americans who live in Australia get asked about most often. 

Loving.....that there is yet another link-up for me to have an excuse to post instead of having to come up with my own real thoughts on my own.  Win!

Planning.....on stalking, *cough*, I mean exploring new blogs from this new link-up.

What link-up, you ask??  Well, I'm answering.....it's with Kristen and Gretchen:

 

 

Linking......with another couple of great gals....Kristen and Joey:

Confessions: the 1st of the 2nd month

I confess:  I missed last week's confessions because a nasty, ugly migraine interfered with my world.  #migrainessuckballs

I confess: I am confused if my laptop and/or iphone is set up for American English or UK English.  Sometimes, the auto-correct changes to American, sometimes to Aussie.  For example, last week, I was commenting on a blog post by Nadine.  I typed favorite (no "u"), but my laptop changed its spelling to: favourite.  I typed humor (no "u"), but my laptop left it alone.  What's up with that?  My iphone does it all the time too.  #allmixedupdontknowwhattodo

I confess:  When the laptop and/or iphone makes these changes, I'm too lazy to change them back.  So, I speak Ameristralian English.  Or Austerican English.  Is there such a thing?  What is it called?  #imtoolazytogoogle

You know those playlists that Jana and I post once a month?  Well, I confess: With last week's post, Elle King's America's Sweetheart was Jana's selection.  I wasn't won over yet.  Then, I watched this video.  Now, I love her.  #didyouknowrobschneiderisherdad

I confess:  If I was a performing musical artist, I would want to wear an outfit just like the one Elle King is wearing in that video.  #sequinsandspandexbaby

I confess:  I wore hot pink and purple sequins to prom.  Could you imagine if I was a touring musician?!?! #sequinsalldayeveryday

I confess:  I could never be a touring music artist.  I'd drink waaaayyyyy too much.  #passthetequila

How did I go from migraines to auto correct to Elle King to drinking too much?  I'm random.  That's how.  #embracetherandomness

Wednesday link-ups with Laura & Lauren,  Alanna & Sarah, and  Nadine & Kathy:

Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge 2015 Final Report

 

I've participated and finished in previous challenges hosted by Megan at Semi-Charmed Kind of Life , but I wasn't sure I was going to complete this one.  Until.  I started creatively changing books.  And, I finished on the LAST day of the challenge. 

My final list:

 

 5 points: Read a book that has between 100 and 200 pages.
Night by Elie Wiesel (115 pages) - COMPLETED November 16, 2015 5/5

10 points: Read a debut book by any author. (The book does not have to be a 2015 debut.)
Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy (336 pages) - COMPLETED November 3, 2015 4.5/5

10 points: Read a book that does not take place in your current country of residence.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (France/438 pages) - COMPLETED December 18, 2015 5/5

10 points: Read a book that someone else has already used for the challenge. — Submitted by SCSBC15 finisher Kristen @ See You in a Porridge. Hey! I know her
updated:  Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill - from Kristen's list - I had read a different book with a paranormal storyline, and I wasn't wanting to read another, so what I read was:
I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh (387 pages) from Bev's list - COMPLETED January 4, 2016 4.75/5

15 points: Read a book published under a pseudonym (e.g. Robert Galbraith, Sara Poole, J.D. Robb, Franklin W. Dixon, Mark Twain, etc.). — Submitted by SCSBC15 finisher Megan M.
The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling/455 pages) - COMPLETED November 14, 2015 1/5

15 points: Read a book with “boy,” “girl,” “man” or “woman” in the title (or the plural of these words).
The Boy Kings of Texas by Domingo Martinez (456 pages) - I read Tweak (see below/last category), and it was released with a "companion book", so I really wanted to read that instead...but I was on the waitlist at the library, then I had a few days with no reading due to migraines, so...it was close!:
Beautiful Boy by David Sheff (336 pages) COMPLETED January 31, 2015!! 3.5/5

15 points: Read a book with a one-word title (e.g. Attachments, Americanah, Uglies, Wild, etc.).
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (208 pages) COMPLETED November 28, 2015 4/5

20 points: Read a book with a person's first and last name in the title (e.g. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle).
The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth (470 pages) - Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick (288 pages) was sitting on my bookshelf at home wanting to be read - COMPLETED January 16, 2016 3/5

20 points: Read a food-themed book. — Submitted by SCSBC15 finisher Jamie @ Whatever I Think Of!
The Dinner by Herman Koch (292 pages) COMPLETED November 5, 2015 3.5/5

20 points: Read a book with a verb in the title. (For any grammar nerds out there, I mean “verb” in the most general sense, so gerunds count. For non-grammar-inclined people, just use any book that appears to have a verb in the title!)
I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (371 pages) - After waiting on the library wait list and my turn still hasn't happened, I chose:
Dancing with Myself by Billy Idol (352 pages) COMPLETED January 14, 2016 4/5

30 points: Read two books with the same title (by different authors). — Submitted by SCSBC15 finisher bevchen @ Confuzzledom.
Finders Keepers by Stephen King (448 pages) COMPLETED December 25, 2015 4/5 and Finders Keepers by Belinda Bauer (393 pages) COMPLETED December 11, 2015 4/5

30 points: Read a nonfiction book and a fiction book about the same subject (e.g. a biography and historical fiction novel about the same person; two books about a specific war or event; a nonfiction book about autism and a novel with a character who has autism, etc. The possibilities are endless!).
Crank by Ellen Hopkins (fiction/538 pages) COMPLETED December 31, 2015 4/5 and
 Tweak by Nic Sheff (non-fiction/336 pages) COMPLETED December 29, 2015 4.5/5

Yep, I completed the challenge, so my own personal streak continues.....do you participate in book challenges?  Do you finish?  Or do you use them to encourage reading participation with no pressure to finish?