R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril VI

Yep, its that time again

I have recently been complaining about the demise of summer, about how August (and July and June) went by too fast, and how Halloween candy is out too early.  I think, however, I will stop whining now since it is time for the annual RIP challenge hosted by Carl at http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/.

In past years (I think is my 3rd?), I have gone for Peril the First, which involves reading four books in the mystery/horror/thriller category.  Since I should be busy with arranging a year long trip abroad, I'm going to play it safe and go for the Peril the Second challenge which is reading two books in any of those categories.  (All is explained much more eloquently here).

In addition, there is Peril on the Screen and since I do enjoy a few scary movie marathons I will probably also post a brief review or two here for whatever I get around to watching.  Although, honestly, I'm not up-to-date on current horror films, so if anyone has suggestions for recent movies, I'm listening. 

There is also a new category for a group read if you are into that sort of thing. I tend to be very bad at them though the books they are reading do sound interesting.

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So you might be wondering what I am going to read.  Well, since I am still slogging my way through my 2011 LT Challenge, I thought I'd just pick two books off of there that I'd planned on reading anyway.

1) Drood by Dan Simmons
2) World War Z

Those are the two that immediately jumped out at me as being good fits for this challenge, but as everyone knows who has ever read any post on this blog about reading, I am very bad at sticking to these lists I make.  Therefore, you can expect almost anything really.  I tend to get sidetracked in libraries, attracted to new shiny books, or even old worn books so long as they aren't the books that I've said I was going to be reading.

If you are even remotely interested in books, or in Halloween, or in watching movies, I definitely think you should give this challenge a try.  I've always found it to be immense fun!

The Moving Blues

Oh my god, I seriously hate moving. It might be the worst thing on earth.  Next time I swear I'm hiring someone to do this for me.  At the advice of people who know, I called a local charity to come pick up stuff, which they are nice enough to do. I did get rid of 9 boxes of books* and lots of clothes.  Unfortunately, my living room furniture was not acceptable as a donation.  Apparently it is too old.  I completely understand since it is really old (and pretty ugly, but I got it for free), but now there are new difficulties like getting it out of my apartment in a few days.  I asked around to see if anyone could help out, but so far no one has responded seriously (a friend from Canada offered, but of course she was joking). As the kids I used to work with would say "My nerves are bad." 

If I were more clever I would turn this into a blues song, but alas...  I have, however, been listening to a lot of blues music in my half-serious quest to learn to play the harmonica.  I figured I should get a feel for the sound before I started trying it myself.  Ironically, I don't really like blues that much, I just like the sound of harmonica in say "Roadhouse Blues" or "When the Levee Breaks."  Maybe if I listen to enough of it I'll find some stuff that I do enjoy. 

*This actually makes me wince every time I say it.  I'm really attached to my books, but I had way too many.  They needed to be culled, and I'm now on a book buying moratorium

Aggravating the Neighbors

I'm trying to pick up a new hobby b/c I feel like I need one.  Especially when people ask me "what do you do for fun?" and I don't have a good answer.  

I've always really liked the sound of a harmonica, and my brother happened to have two, so now I'm trying to learn to play.   I did take a year of piano and I played the clarinet in junior high - I wasn't very good at either of these things.  I'm not very musically talented, so I'll probably be really annoying to my neighbors.  

Also, since I'm soon turning 30 friends who have already passed that milestone suggested I learn something new.  So I have multiple reasons and besides it is actually pretty fun!  I do need to buy a better book though for lessons b/c the one I have is rather lame. 

Thing in the Cupboard: Bling

I'm so excited that I found this. I really thought I had accidentally gotten rid of it. In fact, I found it just in time to give it to my friend's boyfriend (against her will) so that he can wear it with his authentic Russian tracksuit (Adidas or possibly Puma I can't remember which).  

Luckily I didn't buy it.  One Christmas during a White Elephant party I acquired the necklace.  It has come in handy for various costumes (Halloween and otherwise).

Vacationing: Weddings, Babies, and Stuff

My sister got married! Her and her husband are a super adorable couple.  The wedding was perfect - it was beautiful, it was small, and it was relatively short (for the sake of my feet at least b/c I totally picked the wrong shoes to wear).  The wedding party as a whole had a great sense of humor which we all managed to reign in for the actual ceremony -- for the rehearsal not so much.  The pastor literally said "I really worry about all of you getting through this tomorrow."  She was just a bit too serious, but really nice and she did a good job.  The wedding photographer has a whole series of hilarious pictures that I can't wait to see!

Two of my oldest friends had babies over the summer so I got visit with all of them for a few days, which was really nice especially since I don't know when I'll see them again.  Both of the babies are boys and both are adorable.  N. is about 3 months old and has a precious smile.  J. is soo tiny I was afraid to hold him at first, but he makes the funniest faces - I have a feeling he is going to be a hilarious child.  

Also while at home I had my annual sno-ball.  This time it was mango w/condensed milk.  Actually its good I wasn't down there longer b/c I might have gained 10 pounds from eating those things.  I enjoyed lots of fresh vegetables as my dad decided to do a garden this year.  He used to do one every year, but hadn't been recently.  I ate probably a cucumber a day and way too much creamed corn.  

In other news, I still have to pack. I am very bad at this obviously.  Today I sorted through my books and I'm determined to get rid of half of them, but that still leaves me w/over 200!  Oh and I found out that I will be going to Ukraine in December. Hurray!! I might actually finish this graduate program.