In my Sunday Salon post yesterday, I mentioned that I’ve had a particularly nutty couple of weeks at work and looking at the week ahead, both personally and professionally, I don’t see the workload lightening up.
Rather than beat myself up and try to write posts for this week, I decided to take a little blog posting hiatus until sometime next week. I’m hoping a week with fewer online obligations will give me some space to recharge.
But, before I do that, Lu (Regular Rumination) tagged me in one of those 11 questions memes. She asked some really good questions, so I’m going to answer them quick before I hop away from the blog this week.
1. Tell us one thing that we don’t know about you!
My first real job, when I was 16 years old, was working at Target. I worked there through high school and on breaks when I was in college. I think I finally quit for good when I was 23. That also makes Target the place I’ve worked the longest.
2. Is there one book you’re always recommending? Which book is it and why.
I recommend The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman all the time. It was one of those books that I think exemplifies what really amazing narrative nonfiction can do, and Fadiman does a remarkable job telling a tragic story without blaming any of the people in it.
3. Have you convinced anyone to read said book? Did they like it?
Yes! Jeanne (Necromancy Never Pays) read the book and liked it! I think other bloggers have too, but I can’t think of who off the top if my head.
4. What do you do besides read?
I’m working on doing a Couch to 5K program. I like to crochet. I loooove to watch really great, narrative television (the Boyfriend and I are watching The Wire right now). I’m also working on becoming a better cook.
5. Are you crafty?
A little bit. I crochet, and I’m learning to knit.
6. Who do you miss right now?
Lots of people! My sister, most of all, and my parents. Plus friends in different cities. The Boyfriend and I moved from Madison, WI in August, and I really miss the friends we made there.
7. What are you going to eat for dinner?
We already ate, nachos made with Tex-Mex crockpot chicken. It was pretty good.
8. What is the one book you’ve been dying to read but you haven’t yet?
The Lifespan of a Fact by John D’Agata and Jim Fingal. It came in the mail last week, but I have to finish up some other reading before I can dive into it. But I cannot wait!
9. I need some new music recommendations! What have you been listening to lately?
This is embarrassing… the Glee soundtracks, and music from The Sing-Off. But I’ve also really been in love with Mat Kearney, Ingram Hill, Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Barellis lately. I have pretty pedestrian taste in music.
10. If you could go back to any time in your life and live through it all again, when would you return to?
This is a tough one! I went to London for three weeks in college for a class on Shakespeare; I’d love to do that trip over again.
11. What’s one goal you have for this year?
I didn’t really set any big goals for the year. One that I haven’t started yet but that I’m excited about is to re-read all of the Harry Potter books.
And that’s that! I’m not going to tag anyone for this. Like Jill (Fizzy Thoughts), I’m a chain letter killer… but so far that hasn’t hurt me too much 🙂
Comments on this entry are closed.
I did like The Spirit Catches You and now I recommend it to people too! The circle widens.
I love that so much. That’s the one book I wish I could make everyone read, or at least try to read.
Sweet! It’s good to know who my fellow chain killers are. 😀
Have a good week off from the blog!
Yay for The Wire. I heart Jimmy McNulty. And Omar. And lots of other characters. 🙂
Enjoy your time away!
I love so much on The Wire. I love how every episode finds a way to make me change what I think of a character in some huge way.
You also convinced me to read The Spirit Catches You. I haven’t recommended it to anyone else, but I have told people the story. I still think about it quite often. I also read White Oleander based on your recommendation – another good read.
Oh that’s right, I remember now! That one is such a good story 🙂
Enjoy your blogging break!
Relax and Recharge — loved reading more about you through your questions.
I think I would like The Spirit Catches You too – maybe I’ll get to it one day. Enjoy your time away from the PC.
I hope you will give it a try. It’s a wonderful book. I feel like it deserves a reread sometime soon.
Awww sister I miss you too! Once I am jobless and homeless in May I will come live in your guest room or the creepy basement of your house!
Great answers! The crock pot chicken sounds good — starving. Good for you for Couch to 5k’ing it! I’d like to do something similar but haven’t done it yet.
It was pretty good. I left out some of the more spicy ingredients, so it might have been a little sweeter than the recipe intended.
I haven’t read that Fadiman book, but I do love her essays. There’s just something about her style!
And I’ve been thinking about re-watching the first three seasons of The Wire and then finally catching up. Lately Mr BIP and I have been hooked on The Shield, which has some deliciously complicated characterization. Series rock.
Hope you find your week/time away restorative, and that it’s filled with lots of stuff you love to do!
I haven’t read her essays, but they’re on my 2012 TBR Challenge pile. I’m very excited about them.
I’ve never watched The Shield, but now I’m curious. I keep dragging the Boyfriend into new, long series shows. I think he’s getting annoyed!
Love these – so fun. Have a great productive feel-good time away from blogging but COME BACK SOON! 🙂
No worries 🙂 I got some posts written while I was away and I’m feeling more on top of things again!
Enjoy your break! We’ll see you when you get back! 🙂
These are really good questions! I went to London in college too, so much fun! Enjoy your time away from blogging!
The three weeks I was in London were some of my favorite times from college. I really, really want to go to England again someday.
I’m sad to say I forgot that you were no longer in Madison. I have one sister who lives in a different state and it’s so hard to be away from her. Think I take it for granted that I could literally walk to my mom or sister’s house.
Re crockpot chicken chili–I made this yesterday and it was SO delicious. I did add a bit of cayenne for some kick but you might like it too (and it’s definitely enough to stick at least half in the freezer): http://www.skinnytaste.com/2008/11/crock-pot-chicken-taco-chili-4-pts.html
You’ll have to show us your crocheting sometime!
Thanks for the link to the recipe! I can’t wait to try that one.
Yay for crocheting! It’s the perfect way to relax. Hope you’re enjoying your time off — everyone needs time to recharge occasionally. Even when I tell myself not to feel guilty about not updating for a few days, I do . . . unless I mention my hiatus. So I feel you!
I always feel weird leaving the blog un-updated for more than about three of four days. It makes me feel more relaxed to say that I’m going to be away for awhile, even if it’s not very long.
Enjoy your time being unplugged and I hope you return feeling refreshed!