The Picture of Dorian Grey

So, I just discovered that my library has audio books. Not just the cd kind either. I can now download them directly to my phone. Of course, that made me remember my 2010 Book Challenge. Yes, I'm still on it. I was bad and only read one book on my list that year. Ugh. I did read, just nothing on that list.

Here goes. I decided to start with The Picture of Dorian Grey.

I've tried to read this so many times, but like Dracula I just couldn't get into it. All the descriptions and old timey language just stopped me cold. But having someone read it to me. I just have to open my ears and pay attention. Or space out on the boring parts.

I have to say that I sorta enjoyed this book. I liked it more than Dracula. Ugh. That book dragged on and on and on and on.

This one was really only a little dull during the middle. When Dorian was talking about what he did after he discovered that he wouldn't age. There was this section of all these gemstones and tapestries and clothing and such. It was his materialistic phase I guess. Just kept thinking....come on get back to the good stuff. Some dialogue even.

The whole Faustian idea of the book really made me think. What if someone could really stay young forever and their picture aged. I don't know that the soul would really get ugly from doing something horrible. How many serial killers do we see that are handsome and charming? Granted this came out long ago. I guess though that their souls are probably as hideous as Dorian's picture. It would be an interesting situation. Since no one really knows what a soul looks like.

Hmmm.....philosophical discussions may take place in my household now.

And I have to see the movie that came out a few years ago with Colin Firth as Lord Henry (I think). 

LetterMo 2013

LetterMo is once more upon us. I am, of course participating again. Who wouldn't want to get mailbox sunshine?!?!

I also adopted another soldier from Soldier's Angels. And I branched out even more with that by signing up for the Ladies of Liberty team through SA. We send extra love to all the lady soldiers out there. Birthday cards, care packages or even just a simple letter letting them know that there are people back home that care about them. And Angel Baby is getting into the swing of things and including a Valentine in each of the cards, lets or packages I mail out. We hope everyone enjoys them. 

If you would like to get a letter from me, please add your address to my postable account. No one else will see it, but me. So no worries about security.

I hope you have a safe Friday, the snow/ice is flying this morning. Luckily the Hubs and I are both off today. And we have the Niece and Nephew to watch too since their school was closed because of the weather. So stay warm and dry.  Snuggle up with a favorite book, or follow me in getting a warm drink, a pen, envelope and paper and write a note to someone you haven't talked to in a while.

Cheers!

LetterMo

I started with GUSTO. But then, halfway into the month, I haven’t received a single letter. Well, I did get an email from the soldier I adopted, (I’ll explain in another post) and it’s to be expected, hell he’s in Afghanistan, he’s got better things to do than sit down and write a letter in longhand. And though I didn't post my mail address on there, I did post asking for people to send me a note on the side. And I've gotten two or three responses from that. But it seems as though the LetterMo forum has become yet another popularity contest; a sort of free-for-all swap meet when it comes to letters. Now, I know we all have our hobbies, writing, reading, watching movies, knitting, whatever. And when we find a group of like minded people our first (and probably most natural) inclination is to jump in and try to meet as many people as possible. Again, nothing wrong with it.

It’s just not for me.

I want pen-pals so I can form a connection. A deep connection that isn’t translatable to a post card or an art piece. Granted, they are always fun to receive. But I’m not going to send them, so it’s kind of one sided for people. And I don’t want to disappoint anyone. So, I don’t respond to the massive amounts of:

“Write me!”

“I’ll send you a post card to complete your collection.”

"Navigating these boards is too boring, I just want a massive list of addresses, so I can essentially send out a form letter, just in an artsy package."

I want to find a few people that I can have an amazing correspondence with; sort of a Best-Friend-in-the-Mailbox kind of thing. Instead I’m being shunted to the side because I’m not marching along to the same cadence as everyone else.

I’m sure I’ll find someone there that is interested in the same thing; a nice, thought out letter, specific to the person and their interests, a person more interested in the substance of the letter, rather than the number of items in the mailbox.

I've found a few prospects, we'll see if things progress.

I. Am. AWESOME!!!

No, really.

I was able to overcome my fear of needles and I donated blood.


I am Wonder Woman!!!!

Woohoo!!!

I know it doesn't seem like much, but at 31 this is the first time I was willing and able to donate.

Take that puny needles. Your super powers no longer affect me. Muahhhahahahahah!!!!

Sorry, maybe I'm a still a little lightheaded. I'll go find something to munch on, just to be sure.

If at First You Don't Succeed...

Try, try again.

At giving blood. I tried to donate blood yesterday and almost passed out.

I didn't even make it to the cot, people. I was getting light headed after the little lancet prick on my fingertip to test for anemia. Granted, I've had issues with needles. I've gotten to where I can have blood drawn without an issue. But I think that's because I haven't had any experience with lancets on my fingertip.

So, I'll be trying again tomorrow.

Wish me luck!

Book Challenge 2010 - Dracula by Bram Stoker

Ok, as some of you might know, I signed up to do a Book Challenge for 2010 back in November. I finished one of the books a while ago and thought I'd review it for all of you lovelies!

I listened to Dracula by Bram Stoker. Honestly, I don't think I could have finished the novel if I had actually read it. The book's format really would have annoyed me. See, it's written as a bunch of letters, diary entries, and memos. So it's kind of a different way to read. The first part of the book is Jonathan Harker's experience in Transylvania. How he goes there. How he meets Count Dracula. And how he gets stuck there.

Then the book moves to his wife Wilhelmina (Mina) Harker's diary. And her day to day occurences at home with her friend Lucy. Who's trying to figure out who to marry. Then Lucy comes down ill. And her friend Dr. Seward (former suitor) can't figure it out so he sends for Dr. Van Helsing.

Eventually, the group figures out that Count Dracula is a vampire. That he turned Lucy into one. Jonathan was tourtured by Dracula's female entourage. And they must kill Dracula before Mina turns into a vampire herself.

Honestly, it's a good book. And quite interesting to learn about the Vampire mythology. But it's slow moving at some points (beginning specifically). So, I don't know if I'd recommend it to anyone to read. Listen to? Of course, especially around Samhain/Halloween.

Have you read/listened to it. What did you think?

Challenge: Books to Read Before I Die 2010

I've decided to join in Bibliophile's Challenge Books to Read Before I Die.

Here are the guidelines for the challenge:

1. Between now and December 31, 2009, make a list of between 10 and 20 Books to Read Before You Die.
2. The books on your list can come from your stacks or the library, and be in print or audio format.
3. Once you've created your post with tentative titles, THEN sign up using Mr. Linky, by pasting the link to your post, along with your name/blog name. This is how you will be registered. Finalize your list by 12/31/09.
4. NOTE: If you don't have a blog, you can still sign up and join in the fun.
5. All bloggers who complete the challenge will be entered in giveaway to win an Amazon Gift Card.


My current list: (May change since I already started it.)
* The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Baum
* Fahrenheit 451 - Bradbury
*A Clockwork Orange - Burgess
* 1001 Arabian Nights - Burton
* Don Quixote - Cervantes
* The Complete Sherlock Holmes - Doyle
* The Count of Monte Cristo - Dumas
* The Man in the Iron Mask - Dumas
* 100 Years of Solitude - Garcia-Marquez
* The Secret Garden - Hodgson-Burnett
* The Shining - King Currently reading.
* The Bell Jar - Plath
* Catcher in the Rye - Salinger
* Treasure Island - Stevenson
* Dracula by Bram Stoker Finished. Blog post here.
* Gulliver’s Travels - Swift
* Walden Pond - Thoreau
* The Picture of Dorian Gray - Wilde Finished. Blog post here.

Some of these I read a looooooong time ago, or never finished before. I'm setting out to complete this entire list by Dec. 31, 2010.