As 2009 comes to a rapid close, I find myself stressed out about the lack of all I've accomplished in the past year, and the stress of trying to accomplish more in the impending year. Therefore, I think I'll have to set some goals for myself:
10. Start working on my jewelry again- I think my first project will be a Christmas gift for my mom when I get back to Montana. Shhhh, don't tell her.
9. Play the viola- I've been doing this on and off for a decade. Time to get back on?
8. Write more- Finish the screenplays I've been working on, start the ones that have been floating around in my head, and blog more, easy enough.
7. Start running- get my lazy, but wonderful ass back in shape. I used to use running as a form of therapy, somehow that got lost in the mix as I got crazier, coincidence?
6. Drink less- yeah, this may be just a joke.
5. Revel in my alone time- I already do this quite a bit, but I feel like I need to do it some more.
4. Save some money- (see drink less).
3. Maybe get a real job, or another internship, or take some classes- basically, just do something more then wait tables and bartend come the New Year.
2. Finish my grad school applications- my original goal was to have them all in by the first of the year. Yeah, procrastination got the better of me on that one.
1. Be a better friend/lover/daughter- This is always my #1 resolution. I don't think there is anything more important then being a good person to the people that matter most in your life.
So I hope you'll all join me in the New Year and see if any of these goals actually happen. Cheers and Happy Holidays!
Showing posts with label Top 10. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Top 10. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Top 10 Favorite Books of 2009
I am not the New York Times Best-Seller list. I don’t rush out to buy the newest books, and I have never read a Twilight novel in my life. But I love literature and think my opinion is valid, so here is a top ten list of the books I have read in the past year:
10. Geek Love
Catharine Dunn’s novel about a family who’s members are nearly all in a carnival sideshow strikes a chord and common theme among books I like to read…it’s bizarre. It manages to be crazy, emotional, and sad all at the same time. I recommend it for anyone looking for something a little bit different from the New York Times Best Sellers.
9. Famous for 15 Minutes
Ultra Violet was an integral part of the Andy Warhol factory scene in the 60s. This memoir, albeit not well written, is fascinating to anyone interested in Warhol, Dali, and the sex, drugs, and rock and roll scene that was the New York 60s. Now out-of-print, it is relatively easy to find a used copy online.
8. Animal Farm
2009 was my year of catching up on classics. Unfortunately, most of those classics did not make my list, but George Orwell’s metaphorical novel has affected my core. Read in the course of two hours at a local coffee shop, I found myself deeply upset, and I don’t think I ate meat for weeks.
7. Drugs are Nice: A Post-Punk Memoir
Lisa Crystal Carver’s memoir of the 1980s and 1990s underground is missing the one thing you’d think it would have: drugs, at least from her. What it does have is lots of music references, the start of ‘zine culture, alleged Nazi’s and the story of one woman’s pain and strength to get through it.
6. Into the Wild
I found my copy of Into the Wild on the street and had I not, I probably never would have read it. Part of me envy’s Chris McCandless’ adventure, and the interviews with everyone he touched during his travels is inspiring. Later made into a movie starring the amazing Emile Hirsch, this story is wonderful and heartbreaking.
5. Middlesex
Jeffrey Eugenides ode to a hermaphrodite is his first, but not only appearance on my list. Spanning from Greek grandparents, to Grosse Pointe, Michigan, this novel is truly an amazing read.
4. Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs
Chuck Klosterman’s best selling essay collection makes it pretty high on my list. It is perfect for anyone in their 20s, it deals with topics relevant to growing up in the late 80s and early 90s, and it made me want to rewatch My So-Called Life.
3. The Fountainhead
Ayn Rand’s objectivism is not a popular topic among most people, and while I wouldn’t consider myself an objectivist, I will say this. I want to be Dominique Francon. Her powerful female role is admirable and inspiring, if only one day I can be that much of a ball buster.
2. American Psycho
Bret Easton Ellis tribute to New York and all it’s Patrick Bateman’s in the late 1980s. This was the last B.E.E. book for me to read, the most difficult, and my favorite. I had to speed through this one because I began thinking like Patrick Bateman and my inner monologues kept me up at night.
1. The Virgin Suicides
Jeffrey Eugenides first novel that was later adapted into a feature film by Sophia Coppola. Not only is it my favorite read of 2009, but it’s quite possibly my favorite read ever. Written with grace and eloquence, The Virgin Suicides hits a note that anyone who has ever faced adolescence can relate to.
10. Geek Love
Catharine Dunn’s novel about a family who’s members are nearly all in a carnival sideshow strikes a chord and common theme among books I like to read…it’s bizarre. It manages to be crazy, emotional, and sad all at the same time. I recommend it for anyone looking for something a little bit different from the New York Times Best Sellers.
9. Famous for 15 Minutes
Ultra Violet was an integral part of the Andy Warhol factory scene in the 60s. This memoir, albeit not well written, is fascinating to anyone interested in Warhol, Dali, and the sex, drugs, and rock and roll scene that was the New York 60s. Now out-of-print, it is relatively easy to find a used copy online.
8. Animal Farm
2009 was my year of catching up on classics. Unfortunately, most of those classics did not make my list, but George Orwell’s metaphorical novel has affected my core. Read in the course of two hours at a local coffee shop, I found myself deeply upset, and I don’t think I ate meat for weeks.
7. Drugs are Nice: A Post-Punk Memoir
Lisa Crystal Carver’s memoir of the 1980s and 1990s underground is missing the one thing you’d think it would have: drugs, at least from her. What it does have is lots of music references, the start of ‘zine culture, alleged Nazi’s and the story of one woman’s pain and strength to get through it.
6. Into the Wild
I found my copy of Into the Wild on the street and had I not, I probably never would have read it. Part of me envy’s Chris McCandless’ adventure, and the interviews with everyone he touched during his travels is inspiring. Later made into a movie starring the amazing Emile Hirsch, this story is wonderful and heartbreaking.
5. Middlesex
Jeffrey Eugenides ode to a hermaphrodite is his first, but not only appearance on my list. Spanning from Greek grandparents, to Grosse Pointe, Michigan, this novel is truly an amazing read.
4. Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs
Chuck Klosterman’s best selling essay collection makes it pretty high on my list. It is perfect for anyone in their 20s, it deals with topics relevant to growing up in the late 80s and early 90s, and it made me want to rewatch My So-Called Life.
3. The Fountainhead
Ayn Rand’s objectivism is not a popular topic among most people, and while I wouldn’t consider myself an objectivist, I will say this. I want to be Dominique Francon. Her powerful female role is admirable and inspiring, if only one day I can be that much of a ball buster.
2. American Psycho
Bret Easton Ellis tribute to New York and all it’s Patrick Bateman’s in the late 1980s. This was the last B.E.E. book for me to read, the most difficult, and my favorite. I had to speed through this one because I began thinking like Patrick Bateman and my inner monologues kept me up at night.
1. The Virgin Suicides
Jeffrey Eugenides first novel that was later adapted into a feature film by Sophia Coppola. Not only is it my favorite read of 2009, but it’s quite possibly my favorite read ever. Written with grace and eloquence, The Virgin Suicides hits a note that anyone who has ever faced adolescence can relate to.
Top 10 Websites of 2009
As the year comes to a close, I'm going to be creating a series of Top 10 Lists, this being a blog, I felt as though this would be the most appropriate one to start with.
Whether it was sitting in front of a computer at an internship, or having downtime at home, I am on the internet a lot. Here is a quick list of my favorite and most frequently visited websites of 2009:
10. Sea of Shoes- I am a newbie to Jane Aldrige’s ode to footwear. Although I can never afford most of the pieces she covets, I love the photography, the stories, and Jane’s unique style. I can only imagine what kind of life this socialite leads!
9. A Haute Mess- Another great fashion website, run by Vancouver’s Niki Blasina. Niki’s style, DIY projects, and PR stories are great. I expect to see big things from this fashionista in 2010.
8. The Superficial- I try not to completely surround myself with celebrity culture, but this is one site I just can’t get enough of. It’s probably because it doesn’t take it self or celebrities seriously, has more fun posting naked pictures, and the writers aren’t whoring themselves out like some other celebrity gossip gurus *ahem, you know who you are.
7. Wikipedia- While not always the most reliable, Wikipedia is great for learning random information. Wikipedia is also quite possibly the best website to pull up in a bar when you are trying to prove your friends wrong on a random piece of trivia.
6. IMDB- Yes, I love the fact that you can learn who played what character or who directed a specific film via IMDB. However, due to my knowledge bank of random facts, I rarely need IMDB for that. I do however, love to use IMDB to learn where a movie was filmed, or to read the fun little trivia facts about what happened behind the scenes.
5. ESPN- I have always loved sports, my high-school cheerleading pictures will attest to that. But this year, working at a sports bar, sports began to consume my life. I use this site as an obvious way to check scores for the games I missed, and to learn about the latest pro scandal (Tiger? Ochocinco? Etc.)
4. Craigslist- This is sort ofhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif a duh. Whether or not it’s using Craigslist to find a job, new apartment, talent gig, or just perusing the “Missed Connections” section, I’ve spent more time here then anywhere else.
3. Fashionista- By far my favorite of all the fashion blogs. Not only do you get the most up-to-date fashion news, but this blog also posts information on all the best sample sales in New York, as well as any internships they get information about. (Thanks Fashionista, I have an interview on Monday!)
2. eBay- I am always on the hunt for original pieces, and the better deal I can find, the happier I am. I use this site to scour the globe for amazing dresses, vintage accessories, and unique gifts. It’s a given.
1. Twitter- Okay, I am officially Twitter obsessed. Whether it’s the ability to obnoxiously post private conversations back and forth, following celebrities, or hey, advertising my blog, this site has me hooked.
Whether it was sitting in front of a computer at an internship, or having downtime at home, I am on the internet a lot. Here is a quick list of my favorite and most frequently visited websites of 2009:
10. Sea of Shoes- I am a newbie to Jane Aldrige’s ode to footwear. Although I can never afford most of the pieces she covets, I love the photography, the stories, and Jane’s unique style. I can only imagine what kind of life this socialite leads!
9. A Haute Mess- Another great fashion website, run by Vancouver’s Niki Blasina. Niki’s style, DIY projects, and PR stories are great. I expect to see big things from this fashionista in 2010.
8. The Superficial- I try not to completely surround myself with celebrity culture, but this is one site I just can’t get enough of. It’s probably because it doesn’t take it self or celebrities seriously, has more fun posting naked pictures, and the writers aren’t whoring themselves out like some other celebrity gossip gurus *ahem, you know who you are.
7. Wikipedia- While not always the most reliable, Wikipedia is great for learning random information. Wikipedia is also quite possibly the best website to pull up in a bar when you are trying to prove your friends wrong on a random piece of trivia.
6. IMDB- Yes, I love the fact that you can learn who played what character or who directed a specific film via IMDB. However, due to my knowledge bank of random facts, I rarely need IMDB for that. I do however, love to use IMDB to learn where a movie was filmed, or to read the fun little trivia facts about what happened behind the scenes.
5. ESPN- I have always loved sports, my high-school cheerleading pictures will attest to that. But this year, working at a sports bar, sports began to consume my life. I use this site as an obvious way to check scores for the games I missed, and to learn about the latest pro scandal (Tiger? Ochocinco? Etc.)
4. Craigslist- This is sort ofhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif a duh. Whether or not it’s using Craigslist to find a job, new apartment, talent gig, or just perusing the “Missed Connections” section, I’ve spent more time here then anywhere else.
3. Fashionista- By far my favorite of all the fashion blogs. Not only do you get the most up-to-date fashion news, but this blog also posts information on all the best sample sales in New York, as well as any internships they get information about. (Thanks Fashionista, I have an interview on Monday!)
2. eBay- I am always on the hunt for original pieces, and the better deal I can find, the happier I am. I use this site to scour the globe for amazing dresses, vintage accessories, and unique gifts. It’s a given.
1. Twitter- Okay, I am officially Twitter obsessed. Whether it’s the ability to obnoxiously post private conversations back and forth, following celebrities, or hey, advertising my blog, this site has me hooked.
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