Audiobook Challenge 2016

I am attempting this level: 

• Stenographer (can listen while multi-tasking) 10-15
• 
  

Back by popular demand, Audiobook Challenge is back for 2016! Join The Book Nympho and Hot Listens for the 4th year of great audiobooks.

Audiobooks are great for those times you want to read but can’t for some reason like driving, doing chores, working out, or if you’re one of the lucky ones like me, listen to them at work.

I know some of you are thinking, audiobooks? Pass. I thought that once too. But when you find a great narrator they can make the story even better. There are some series I will only listen even if I can get the Arc I’ll wait until the audio is available because the narrator does such a great job bring the book to life.

reading challenge details:

• Runs January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2016. You can join at any time.
• The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2016 than you did in 2015.
• Books must be in audio format (CD, MP3, etc.)
• ANY genres count.
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
• You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads, Shelfari, Booklikes, Facebook, LibraryThing, etc.
• If you’re a blogger grab the button (on the sidebar) and do a quick post about the challenge to help spread the word. If you’re not a blogger you can help by posting on Facebook or Tweeting about the challenge.

levels:

• Newbie (I’ll give it a try) 1-5
• Weekend Warrior (I’m getting the hang of this) 5-10
• Stenographer (can listen while multi-tasking) 10-15
• Socially Awkward (Don’t talk to me) 15-20
• Binge Listener (Why read when someone can do it for you) 20-30
• My Precious (I had my earbuds surgically implanted) 30-50
• Marathoner (Look Ma no hands) 50+

My Posts, My Post, Where for art thou my Posts!?

Well I guess my posts for yesterday and today are unrecoverable. Good thing they weren't long and/or important posts.  *sigh* But I did like my movie review*, but Oh well -- Maybe it will come back.

* The post is back minus the comments.  Oh well.

 I'm joining the Crochet Flower Crochet Along. This is based on a throw from Anthropologie.  I've joined this on Ravelry.com. I will simultaniously be working on my granny square afghan.


Thanks to all for your audiobook suggestions. I've decide on THE HELP. I have the hardcopy, but I hear the audiobook is fantastic, so I will be listening to 18 hours of that.

TV
American Idol:  Shock and Sadness to see James leave the show.  I was sure he'd be one of the final two.

The Voice:  I did like the blind audtions but I don't know about the battle rounds, I'm giving it more time.

The Borgias:  I had higher hopes for this show, it isn't as good The Tudors, but it isn't bad. I hope it comes back next season.

Game of Thrones:  This is the best of the new series.  I am also reading the book, so it is interesting to follow along that way.  This will be back next season. I think they will do one book a season.

Camelot:  I didn't think I was going to like this, but it is turning out to be a pretty good show.  Not much you can do with King Authur, but I like it.

Audiobook Suggestions and a Rant

I am also looking for a good fiction book in audio format. So when I am crocheting I can listen.  It has to have a good narrator and of course be good.

Books that I have or have read are:  Room, The Help and Game of Thrones, so cross those off of the list, but anything else please feel free to throw out there. I'm open to genre.

* * *

I have no problem with anyone wanting to be whatever religion they choose, I have no problems with Atheists either.  Live and let Live is my motto. I'm not going to drag you to my church, but if you ask a question about my church or religion, I will be happy to answer to the best of my knowledge.  First I had to worry about the JWs proselytizing, knocking on my door on Easter or Christmas morning, almost running me down in the street shoving their magazine in  my face.  For years and years I've had to deal with this.  I finally learned a few 'funny' things to do.

1. I cross myself and mumble 'Ave Maria, Sancta Maria'.
2. When they ask "May I interest you..."  I reply "No you may not..."
3. Start singing some obscure Catholic Hymn (preferably in Latin).

 One thing I want to do but don't have the guts is to pull out some Holy Water and scream "The power of Christ compels you!"


I like Mormons, my ex-father in law is a Mormon.  I actually went to an LDS service once. Wasn't my cup of tea, but they were always very polite.  Lately this hasn't been the case, and I think it has to do with the type of Mormon missionary.  Now, I know that sounds strange, but here is what I've noticed over the years.


The Mormons from Utah are white.  They are always polite. If you tell them that you are not interested or that you already go to XYZ church, they smile and leave you alone.


Now I've noticed (in my neck of the woods) they are no longer always white.  I've come across only 2 non-white young missionaries.  One male and one female.  The male one came to my door with a Utah Mormon.  I politely told them that I was Catholic (I also had a religious sign on my door that was in Spanish). They wanted to leave me the Book of Mormon, I told them that I already have it.  The Latino Mormon put his foot in my door so I couldn't close it.  WTF!  I looked at him like he was out of his mind.


The other day I'm walking in the street and a Latina Mormon smiled at me and asked me if she can talk to me about the church of LDS. I told her "No thanks."  I kept walking, she said "Can I give you a card with some information?"...No lady you cannot. I already said I was not interested.  But I didn't say that, I just said "I'm Catholic."  She still hesitated some like she was going to say more but didn't.


Everyone that walks the street isn't a lost soul.

I notice the only time they don't bother us (either JW or Mormons) is when my daughter is in her school uniform.  One piratically has to wear a giant crucifix around their neck in order to be left alone.

Book Reviews

Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos
240 Pages

Mikalatos writes this in first person. He takes us through his world of Imaginary Jesuses. We first meet him and his traditional imaginary Jesus, the one with blue eyes and long blonde hair, but we quickly see that our view of Jesus is not traditional through the eyes of others, but rather we imagine Jesus the way we need him to be.

Mikalatos runs into the Secret Society of Imaginary Jesuses, and is quickly overwhelmed with a bevvy of Jesuses for every occation and every individual.

This is mainly a book about searching for the true God, but it has a humorous slant. My favorite part is when Mikalatos meets the Mormons Elder Laurel and Elder Hardy (yes that's right Laurel and Hardy), and their conversations are laugh out loud funny.

Interesting enough to keep your attention but not offensive to turn a Christian off.

4 out of 5 stars

Accidental Genius by Mark Levy

Audiobook narrated by Bronson Pinchot

Unabridged 4+hours

In this book, Mark Levy talks about how free writing can help generate ideas. This is not just a guide for writers, it is a guide for anyone who needs to generate new ideas, whether it be in business or life.

Throughout the 29 chapters, Levy gives insight as to how the process works. He gives examples and prompts and shows why it works. At the end of each chapter he suggests an excersise.

Free Writing can be a useful tool, especially when we are stuck.

One prompt that stuck with me, that I've used several time now is:

The night smelled like...

This book is narrated by the smooth voice of actor Bronson Pinchot. I cannot tell you how important it is to have a good narrator for an audiobook.

The Knives Chau scarf

Some time in the upcoming months I plan to start the "Knives Chau" scarf. It is a simple enough design to copy, and I think a simple knit/purl will work. For my birthday, my friend gave me a $25 gift card to Michael's, so I can buy some black and white yarn. Not sure how many skeins I will need, I want it to be long like the picture.

I still am working on my friends baby blanket, I haven't been working on it, it is too hot and I don't have a/c so yarn work takes a back seat in the summer. But things are cooling off.

It is almost time to decorate my livingroom for autumn. Scarecrows and the like. I love this time of year.

I've also been lazy with my reading. I don't have the concetration right now. I am listening to audio books however. So I'm not completley out of the loop.

Currently listening to Dale Carnagie's "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living". Pretty dry however, not as good as "How to Win Friends and Influence People". I also started listening to "Mustane", a memoir by Dave Mustane of the Heavy Metal group Megadeth. That is definetly more interesting and entertaining.

This past Saturday, we went to Central Park. We haven't been all summer, and since my son is leaving this week, an end of the summer trip was in order. I think I will also go back in the fall to take some more pictures, but here are recent ones.

Central Park Boaters

A bit of Fall in the Summer


Lilly Pads


Reflections