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All posts for the month November, 2013

A Book List for Mila, Part 1

Published November 30, 2013 by Malia

So, I’ve been promising my friend Mila that I would compile a list of book recommendations for her.  I thought it would be fun to share the list with others as well.  By no means is this a complete list (or a long one, for that matter), but I’ve got to start somewhere.  Also, I’m not including some books that I know she has already read (like Lord of the Rings).  

–Redwall

http://www.amazon.com

Okay, stick with me, because by far this is going to be the silliest sounding book series I list.  This series follows the adventures of several different animals living in a medieval world.  The stories are brilliant and heartbreaking.

–Discworld

http://www.wikipedia.com

There are 40 books, so far, in this series.  The books cover everything from technology to insurance.  A very humorous take on serious fantasy novels.

–The Wheel of Time

http://www.wikipedia.com

There are 14 books in this series, and it’s a very long, very detailed story.  I’ll be honest, I’ve not gotten very far in this book series.  However, what I’ve read has been quite excellent, and everyone I know who has finished it has really liked it.

–A Song of Ice and Fire

http://www.wikipedia.com

This is a fantastic series, but be prepared to have your heart broken.  Don’t get attached to characters, because it’s likely they won’t survive.  A word of caution, this series doesn’t shy away from describing anything.  Definitely not child friendly.

-Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson’s Peter Pan Series

http://www.wikipedia.com

Initially, I didn’t want to read these books, because much as I love Dave Barry, I didn’t think the overall idea of an update to a classic story was a good idea.  I was wrong.  If anything, these books have made me love the original even more.

Okay, that does it for this week’s list.  I’m thinking I’ll make this a weekly thing, until I have shared all the books & series that I can come up with.

I’m Grateful and Rageful

Published November 28, 2013 by Malia

I’ll get to the rage in a moment.  First, what I’m thankful for.

1.  Family.  Good times or bad, I love that I have a close family that is very supportive of each other.

2.  My excellent friends.  I’ve been very blessed with five wonderful women that I consider to be very dear friends.  Each one knows me, faults and all, and still lets me be part of their lives.

3.  My job.  A year ago, I never would have guessed that I was just weeks away from starting a job I truly love.  A job that I gladly go to, and that I truly enjoy.  Also, I have a really fantastic supervisor, and I’d be really lost without her.

4.  My love of reading, and the easy access to an almost unlimited supply of books that there is.

5.  The roof over my head.

6.  A working vehicle.

7.  Snapple.  Silly, I know, but it’s quite yummy.

8.  Doctor Who.  I love this “kid’s” show.  It’s smart, funny, and is something I can share with my family and friends.

9.  I’m generally healthy, and have much to live for and look forward to in this life.

Okay, so, it’s not so much rage as irritation.  Tomorrow is Black Friday.  I understand the theory behind the day.  It makes sense that businesses want to try to get in the black before the year ends.  However, and yes I know I’m not the only one saying this, it has gone from out of control to complete absurdity.  It used to be just one psycho day, but now it’s almost a full week.  How is  this okay?  Plus, it seems that there’s at least one death every year in connection with Black Friday shopping.  People’s lives should be of more value.  What does that say about this culture when possessions are held in higher esteem than a human being?  Don’t misunderstand me, I’m as greedy as the next person, but even I have my limits.

So, if you’re going to take part in the madness, remember that your fellow shoppers are human beings.  Remember that the people working in the stores aren’t making very much, aren’t getting to spend time with their loved ones (and have likely missed most and/or all of Thanksgiving), and being rude to them isn’t going to make things go any better for you.

Never judge a Whovian by their shirt.

Published November 27, 2013 by Malia

Today I encountered someone I know very slightly.  I was pretty sure I had seen her at the theater last night, so I was asking her if I it had been indeed her I had seen.  She informed me that she was, and then asked me what I thought of the episode.  I told her how much I enjoyed it, and that overall the end was fantastic.  Now, I was referring to seeing the return of Four.  However, I don’t think she understood that.  She proceeded to tell me that she was an old Who fan from way back, unlike those us of us who are new.  When I tried to interject that I’m not new to Who, she blew me off, and took to talking to someone else.

Now, I know that I don’t look like a teenager anymore, but I also don’t look like I’m nearly 30.  Plus, I was wearing my adorable new Who shirt that features Ten leaning against the TARDIS which bears the words “Bad Wolf.”  These two things combined screamed “NEW TO WHO.”  So, nothing about me said that I am a long time fan, or  that I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know about Doctor Who. 

I know that there’s quite a bit of frustration among Whovians over those who star watching just because “Matt Smith is, like, so totally hot.”  However, it makes me sad that some people seem to assume this about their fellow Whovians, and they don’t take a minute to find out the truth.

Spoilers!

Published November 25, 2013 by Malia

If you’ve not seen the 50th anniversary episode of Doctor Who, slowly back away and go watch it.   Seriously, I’m not going to hold back.  I’m about to spoil it with so many spoilers.

If you’ve seen it, or if you just don’t care, keep reading.

I was one of those fortunate few that got to see the episode on a really big screen, and it was even more fantastic than I hoped it would be.  I just got home a bit ago, and the feels are still really fresh, so I’m just going to fangirl for a few minutes.

One of the most fun parts of going to see it in the theater was being surrounded by hundreds of other Whovians.  Even better?  Some of those Whovians were in costume.

Oh, and K9 was there, too!

Then, there was the episode…which was amazing!!!!!!

First, there was a “Please behave yourself in the theater” video presented by Strax and his fellow clones.  Then, to tell us it was time to put on our 3D glasses there was this whole bit with Tennant and Smith do a back and forth bit of banter.

A list of amazing things from the episode…

1.  The return of David Tennant…and his hair!

2.  The return of Rose, even if she was only a computer interface.

3.  The screwdrivers!

4.  Clara pointing out that 3 geniuses didn’t bother to check to see if the door was locked.

5.  The opening credits.

6.  Peter Capaldi’s eyes.  Seriously, the man has amazing eyes.  I’m so excited to see what he’s going to do with the role.

7.  The Daleks.

8.  The line about kissing the Bad Wolf Girl…and Bad Wolf Girl’s response.   And Ten’s reaction to the exchange.

To me, there are two things that stick out more than anything else.  First, the constant image of Rose being right next to Ten, but he was unable to see her.   Knowing their history, it was really heartbreaking, and yet so perfect.  Second, however, is what made it all worth it: The Curator.

I had really hoped that Tom Baker would be in this episode, but knowing his age, and that they can just add some make-up to make him look like he did in the 1970’s, I had my doubts he would truly be there.  When he showed up, I cried.

This episode really was the perfect gift to us fans.

It’s the big 2-9

Published November 24, 2013 by Malia

This is it.  As of 2:35 this morning, I entered my last year of my twenties.

Praise God.

Seriously.

It seems like the majority of people dread the end of their twenties.  Thirty seems to be a death sentence.  I, however, don’t see it that way.  My twenties sucked.  There were definite positive moments, and I’ve made some incredible friends; but overall the whole twenties thing was less than impressive.

So, since it is the end of a decade, it seems like I should put some actual work into becoming the woman I want to be, and not just keep thinking, “Yeah, I’ll do it later.”  Here are a few things I intend to work on this coming year:

1.  Exercise consistently.  I’m really bad at this.  I’ll do a few weeks faithfully, and then a month will go by before I exercise again.  Not a solid life plan.

2.  Eat healthier.  This one should be simpler than it is.  Mostly, I’m very rebellious, and I don’t really want to eat right, even though it’s what’s best for me.

3.  Update my blog more frequently.  I have this, I really should use it more than once every month and a half.

4.  Read more new material.  Raise your hand if you’ve read Lord of the Rings more than ten times…twenty times..thirty times…Wait, am I the only one with my hand still up?  How many times have I read it, you may ask?  Well, the truth is, I know it’s more than thirty, but I really don’t know.  I was super obsessed for many years.  I need to force myself to get some fresh material in the mix.  Suggestions welcome.

5.  At least make an attempt to show people I care about what’s going on in their life.  I really struggle to let people know I care.  My heart will be breaking on the inside, but on the outside, I’m usually a jerk.  It’s not intentional, I just have some lousy social skills.

6.  Clean my room and unpack.  This is more than a little embarrassing.  I’ve never really unpacked from moving home.  I have lots of boxes that I’ve been refusing to deal with.

7.  Work on looking more feminine.  Something else I really struggle with.  Looking attractive terrifies me.  I’m sure that seems silly, but it really does freak me out.

Overwhelmed

Published November 9, 2013 by Malia

(What follows is my own need to do some venting.  Read at your own risk.)

Lately, things have been feeling overwhelming.  I’m not really sure why, either.  I just know that in the last few months, even the small parts of life feel like they’re these giant mountains that I have no way of dealing with.  Most days, I just don’t even have the motivation or energy to care about trying to deal with them.

I’m pretty sure I’m dealing with depression.  This certainly isn’t the first time I’ve been down this road.  Depression is scary.  It’s so, overwhelmingly terrifying.  My brain is constantly yelling horrible things at me.  It’s a constant litany of all my faults, all the things I have failed at.  When I was in counseling last year, the counselor asked me to list out  things I liked about myself, and all I could come up with was that I’m not just punctual, I’m consistently early (true story, I’m a bit obsessive about being on time).  However, when she asked me to list out what I disliked about myself, it was like I developed diarrhea of the mouth.  The list was unending.  I’m hyper aware of my faults and screw-ups and complete failures.  A year later, my answers are still the same to both questions.

Some days, like today, just feel so dark.  All I want to do is curl up and be sad.

The worst part is, I have absolutely no reason to be feeling like this.  I have a good life.  I have fantastic friends, an amazing job, a loving family, a home, a roof over my head, a vehicle that works.  I’m able to pay my bills, buy my nerdy stuff, fill my Christmas child boxes.  This is just a small smattering of the good things God has blessed me with.

I haven’t experienced terrible things.  My life has been pretty good.  I have no excuse for this.  There’s no reason for it.  I don’t feel like life is pointless or that there’s no reason to go on.  I’m thankful for my life, I see there is purpose.  I just wish the sadness wasn’t so suffocating.