Random Thursday: I Will One Day...

 

Lin, Meg, and myself have a "dream big" topic for you guys this week. After watching a woman in her 60s complete a 177 km swim from Cuba to Florida, I guess you could say we're feeling a li'l inspired. So we want you guys to take a few minutes and think about what your big goal(s) are for your life. The sky's the limit. Now tell us:

I Will One Day....

There are so many things I want to do. But after thinking about it for awhile, here are the big ones on my list.

1. Write a Book

Preferably co-authored with Lin, cos let's face it, girl if fuckin' awesome.

2. Get in Shape

Yeah, I know it's boring, I know everyone says it. But I don't care, it's going on the list. I want to feel like myself again and feel strong. And yeah, dropping a size or two wouldn't be a bad thing. But mostly I want to feel like my body can do whatever I ask of it.

3. Have a Tidy, Pretty Home

Right now we've got a great place, but no money to decorate and furnish it. One day I want to have every room set up so it's comfortable to spend time in, has everything we need, and just feels like home. It's a work in progress.

4. Have a dog! 

I love my cats, and wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. But someday I'd like to add a puppy to the mix - I'd love to have a pet I could take out for walks and play with. I tried teaching the cats fetch, but it didn't work out very well.

There are tons of other things I plan to do - go back to school, learn to code a website, read at least a quarter of the books I buy, remember to floss every day, learn to knit a sweater, learn to cook a better variety of meals, go to Ireland.... The list is never-ending, so I'll stop there!

Join us and link up below!

Random Thursday: My Fall TV Line-Up...(+2 more)

 

So this week's RT post is a 3-in-1. Y'all might have noticed my absence (at least, I hope you did) for the past two - I fully intended to pre-write them, but didn't have time before I went on vacation! So I'm making up for it by doing them now, along with this week's topic from Lin, Meg, and myself, which is:

My Fall TV Line-Up...

And because it's fun to be an asshole sometimes, I'm putting this week's alllllll the way at the bottom so you have to read the old ones to get to it. Yep, I'm a sadist. Hopefully you're dealing with some spare time!

Probably predictably, if you know me, this would be pretty much any book store. But Pulp Fiction on Main Street is probably my favourite. It's got a great selection of books, both new and used, a section of "new arrivals" so if you're like me and go there a lot you can just hit up what you haven't seen yet, and on sunny Friday afternoons the guys working there hang around chatting and drinking beer. The only thing that would make it better would be if they offered me one.

Here's what it looks like:

 Check them out online here.

Obviously I'm dying for season 3 of Sherlock to air. But there's another show coming up that I'm nearly as excited for:

It's based on a book (which I'm now reading) by Thomas Maier and I imagine it will be sort of like the movie Kinsey with Liam Neeson and Laura Linney. Which I loved. I'm fascinated by the topic - but also by how the pioneers in the field of sexology ended up studying the topic, particularly Virginia. Set in the 1940s, this is not a topic that was as openly discussed as it is today, nor was it something a "lady" was supposed to have an interest in, let alone a public one. On top of all that, I do like Michael Sheen (when he's not a vampire), so I'm hoping the acting will be top-notch.

And finally, on to this weeks (related) topic:

My Fall TV Line-Up...

Aside from this I'm looking forward to the return of many of my faves:

Bones 

Big Bang Theory 

Castle 

Criminal Minds 

Elementary

Blue Bloods

Nashville

Sons of Anarchy

Scandal

I'll also probably catch bits here and there of Once Upon A Time, Chicago Fire, Supernatural, The Walking Dead, The Carrie Diaries, The Mentalist, New Girl, Grey's Anatomy, Hawaii Five-0, The Good Wife, Homeland, How I Met Your Mother, Nikita, Grimm, Beauty and the Beast and The Vampire Diaries. Maybe. You never know. And I'll be looking out for the return of some British faves: Luther and Misfits.

Now that I look at that list, I'm realizing that there's NO way I'll have time for all of them! So we'll see which ones actually end up grabbing (and holding) my interest. What about you guys? Got any faves? Any I'm missing that are must-watch? Do tell!

Random Thursday: I Wish They Were Never Canceled...

 

This week's topic with Lin, Meg and I is a good one, particularly now that we're (can you even believe it?) nearing the middle of August and pretty soon we'll all start eagerly anticipating Fall season premieres!

This one's easy. Get ready for a monster list!

1. Missing

I was stunned when this one was cancelled. I still am. It was so good - the suspense, the intrigue, the kick-ass characters.... not to mention the complete cliff-hanger it ended on. I mean, come ON people!


2. King

 

This was a great Canadian detective show with a don't-mess-with-me leading lady - smart as a whip and better at her job than any of the "guys." I loved every second of it and am still mourning its passing.

3. House

I spent eight years hopelessly in love/hate with House. By turns awe-inspiring and completely infuriating, his cynicism and intelligence made him one of my favourite characters of all time. I'll admit that the show ebbed and flowed and a lot of the supporting cast weren't that great. But there was enough to this show that I would have kept watching it through good and bad.

4. The Closer

I loved Brenda. And her team. I know Kyra needed to step back and deal with, you know, REAL life. And I totally get that. But I still miss her.

5. Spooks

A lot of you probably haven't heard of this show, but if you like spy drama and suspense, you should definitely check it out. It's a British show about a troupe of MI-5 officers and deals with a great variety of situations and intrigue. It's more realistic (in my limited experience) than Hollywood spy dramas - and they're definitely not shy about killing off main characters which makes it all the more suspenseful. I've watched and re-watched this numerous times and highly recommend it.

6. Switched at Birth

I know it's a bit weird including this one since it's still airing, but apparently this is the final season  and I'm bummed. I loved not only the premise and the characters, but the fact that a good proportion of the cast is deaf. I love shows that include people who are "different" by Hollywood standards and I'm betting this show inspired many watchers to learn at least a bit of sign language. Definitely gonna miss it!

7. Firefly

This is probably one of the most notorious cancelled shows of all time. The furor over the disappearance of this geek fave led to the movie finale, and while that was great I definitely would have preferred a couple more seasons.

8. Six Feet Under

I loved this show. It was a quirky concept with a quirky cast, a couple of spunky, sarcastic and just plain nuts leading ladies. I miss this show and the final couple of episodes always bring on the water works!


9. Veronica Mars

I was so annoyed when this ended abruptly before (SPOILER) Veronica and Logan managed to work out their issues and get back together. I'm so excited for the movie and hoping it'll tie up all those loose ends!


10. My So-Called Life

Honestly I'm including this more out of nostalgia than anything else. I wouldn't want to watch more of it now - it's definitely outdated and I'm too old for it. But at the time I would have loved a few more seasons. I thought it was a great show for teenagers - it had a lot of the real-life issues we were all dealing with and a cast of characters I grew very attached to.

I'm sure there are hundreds more I'm forgetting, so there may be (multiple) updates to this post, but I'm tired so I'm calling it there for now. But I want to know which shows you all mourn, so link up and share!

Random Thursday: Beat the Heat Tips...

 

This week's topic comes at a perfect time, since I'm currently sitting in my sweltering, A/C-free house trying to share a fan that's in the hallway by angling my door so when it spins my way I get a very, very brief breeze. Lin, Meg and I could really use your:

Clearly I'm not that great at this whole staying cool thing, also I'm too hot to think at the moment. All I got is:

1. Cold Beer. Lots of it.

2. Oreo Ice Cream Sandwiches. Lots of 'em.

3. Find a shady tree and a breeze, spread out a blanket, and get comfy.

4. Take a lukewarm shower and don't blowdry your hair - damp hair definitely helps stay cool!

5. If all else fails, just take a nap. Wake up when it's cooler.

I'm pretty sure there are better ways of dealing, so school me. What're you doing to avoid heat stroke?

Random Thursday: Things That Help Me Relax...

 

So here's a topic I would bet the 2 bucks in my wallet every single one of you is familiar with. Lin, Meg and I what you to tell us all about:

1. It probably goes without saying, but J. He definitely helps keep me from going full psycho when I'm stressed. Still go about half psycho, though. Hey, he's awesome, but he's not a miracle worker.

2. So do my cats. One of them purrs as soon as you pick him up, all bleary-eyed from wherever he's been napping all day... and it just melts my heart.

3. Talking to Lin. Seriously, I'd be in a bouncy room by now if it weren't for that chick.

4. Beer. I get stepped on, poked, shoved etc an average of 20 times on my way to and from work every day. In the summer, when it's hot and stuffy and I've had to wait for my bus for an extra 20 minutes because it's inexplicably late AGAIN, I'm pretty grouchy when I get home. Beer helps.

5. Reading and watching TV. I'm an introvert, and sometimes going out in the world is exhausting. Escaping into another world for awhile usually helps me feel more calm in mine.

6. Projects. Whether it's blogging, stenciling, knitting, writing... whatever creative outlet I'm into this month is another way I can escape from the world and give my mind a chance to work through things.

7. Bath time, tea, and curling up in a cosy fleece blanket. Preferably in front of a fire with my twinkle lights plugged in. This is more of a winter thing, obvs, but I am a sucker for cosy.

8. Yoga. I haven't done this in awhile, but I think I really need to get back into it. My body has gotten more and more unhealthy (and yes, overweight) since my back surgery. Exercising is depressing since I'm in such bad shape and painful because my back just won't let me do as much. But it's also important, and on my list of lifestyle changes I really need to make.

9. Having a lost day. You know, the kind of day where you actively decide you're not going to do anything productive. You're going to play around on Facebook, read your book, watch trashy TV, not put on makeup or do your hair, eat cereal for dinner - and maybe even stay in your pyjamas all day.

10. Not doing things that don't absolutely have to be done. Like not putting photos in this blog post. Because I am tired and I want to finish up and go read in bed.

And on that note, I'm out! But I am tagging all of you to tell us your stress-busting secrets!

Random Thursday: Beaches, Rustic Cabins or Cities?

 

Who's ready for some fun? I know I am. This week is killing me so far - and it's only Wednesday! At any rate, Lin, Meg and I have got a topic that ought to help you relax:

Right now I'm so exhausted that I'd take a vacation at the local bottle depot if it meant I could just chill for a day or two. But if I'm being choosy, here's my ideal vacation spots.

I can't really pick beach, cabin or city because each has their merits and all have to be considered individually. So. Here are my faves of all three.

1. Beach

In Hawai'i. Definitely. Last time I was there we went to this amazing white sand beach, soft and warm with clear turquoise water. I even swam with a turtle! Any beach that beautiful I could spend forever on.

2. Rustic

Any place that's quiet, cosy, but still comfortable is fine with me. The pic above is of the library in my favourite island bed and breakfast - my family used to stay there every summer. It's got quirky rooms, a great kitchen where you can cook your own meals if you want - but is also walking distance from a lovely restaurant. It's got a lovely porch and is about 10 minutes' walk from a private beach. Perfection.


3. City

Cities are also fun if it's one you can explore and wander around in. My favourite is, of course, London. But I'm heading to San Francisco to hang out with Lin in the summer, and I'm pretty excited to check it out!

Now it's your turn to share your favourite relaxing spots!

Random Thursday: 5 Things On My Bucket List...

 

Lin, Meg and I have an exciting topic lined up for ya this week. It's one that allows for your wildest dreams and flights of fancy:

Oh man, seriously, only FIVE? Whose bucket list is THAT short? Okay, fine, I'll try... but don't blame me if this shit gets out of hand and doubles. I have a lot of important shit to get done, mkay?

1. Read ALL THE BOOKS.

Okay, so it's not very likely, but still.... At any rate there are some books that I've always meant to read - mostly so I don't have to smile and nod blankly when they're referenced all over the damn place. But some of them scare me, so I keep putting it off. However, if I live to a ripe old age, I'd like to at least get through a few of 'em.

2. Take J. to London and Paris and Amsterdam and Berlin and Brussels and.....

I LOVE Europe. My parents are British, so I've spent a lot of time in the UK, but J. hasn't ever been. I want to share it with him, show him around - and FINALLY make it to Ireland and Scotland. I also want to go to some of my other faves as an adult so that I can appreciate them in a different light. I want to visit Shakespear & Co in Paris, go to breweries in Belgium and Holland, check out the south of France.... and I've never been to Spain and Italy and I really want to go.

3. Write a book.

Probably a short one, and probably co-authored with Lin. But still. If it has pages and a cover, it totally counts.

4. Get the hang of this "grown up" thing.

I'm terrible at it. At some point I want to get my driver's license (I sorta had one, but there's this horrid graduated licensing situation in BC that requires two road tests and I moved out and didn't have access to a car so I never passed the second one....), have a proper career, maybe have a family (though honestly that's more terrifying than being waterboarded), save money for retirement... all that shit. Yeah, I don't think it's likely either.

5. Become a ninja.

What? It could TOTALLY happen. I look great in black.

Right, I'll curtail myself there, though I have all sorts of other stuff on the list, like learning how to move things with my mind, fly one of those super-stealth military planes, roundhouse kick, make cheesecake from scratch...... it's a long list. But it's your turn. Let's hear it!