Around Here | It’s been a busy stretch of days! Last weekend, I went to Duluth with some friends — a fun trip that was also very full of activities. This week, I worked late one night on my day job, worked two nights on the podcast, and then went to see Hamilton here in Minneapolis! The traveling cast for the Philip Tour was amazing — the entire show was a delight from start to finish. After all of that, I decided a long weekend at home was the way to go.
Reading | August was a very slow reading month, and I haven’t read much the last few days either despite big plans to read a lot this weekend. I did start a September galley that I’m digging — The Class: A Life-Changing Teacher, His World-Changing Kids, and the Most Inventive Classroom in America by Heather Won Tesoriero, a year following a group of high school science wiz kids. I have to hurry up and finish it this weekend, since the galley expires on Tuesday!
Watching | The Great British Baking Show is on Netflix! The most recent UK season just arrived, and while I do miss the original hosts and, of course, Mary Berry, it’s still great. I’ve also watched the Netflix adaptation of All the Boys I’ve Loved Before an unhealthy number of times. It’s so charming!
Listening | All of the excitement about the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter put me in the mood to revisit the books, but I decided to do them on audio this time. Jim Dale’s narration is amazing, and it’s fun to experience stories I know so well in this new format.
Crafting | While we were at a yarn store in Duluth, I finally picked out the pattern and yarn for my first big knitting project, the Spectrum shawl by Joji Locatelli. I’ve had to start over three or four times after messing up some of the increase stitches, but it’s a good learning experience!
Building | Because we are such nerds, my sister and I have spent part of the weekend putting together LEGO’s new Hogwarts Castle set. Yes, we’re adults putting together a more than 6,000 piece LEGO set from Harry Potter, and it’s amazing. There’s a video linked in this article that will give you an idea of the scale and detail.
Anticipating | I won’t be at my office this week because I’m traveling to a marketing conference! I’ve never been to a conference of this size — apparently there are like 4,000 people! — or subject, so I know it will be a big learning experience. The conference is in Cleveland, Ohio so… not the most exotic place. But that’s fine, I’m looking forward to it anyway! But, I still have to pack and pick up some supplies at Target and all that good stuff, so I better get to work.
Happy holiday Monday, everyone! What are you reading today?
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OH MY GAWD JIM DALE. He is my favorite audio book narrator ever. Too bad he didn’t do more. I have listened to the HP audio books more times than I can count, esp thanks to his lovely, lovely voice. Yey.
Will you be doing Nonfiction November stuff over here?
He is so great! It’s just such a delight to get a new vision of the characters through his voice acting. I love it.
I think Nonfiction November will be back, but nothing official yet. Thanks for the push to start figuring out plans for it — more soon!
Huzzah!
I used to have to go to Cleveland for chess with my son and called it “the Mordor of Ohio.” One thing we discovered that we liked there is the rock and roll hall of fame. The art museum is also worth a trip.
Ha! I love that nickname. The was an event at the hall of fame, it was a neat museum.
When I reread Harry Potter a few years ago, I also listened to them on audiobook. So, so, so good. Jim Dale is a great narrator.
I was very lazy this holiday weekend, and it was lovely. I’ve been so go-go between work and personal travel that it was nice to just sit down and binge watch ‘The Staircase’.
Enjoy your conference! I second Jeanne’s recommendation of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Sometimes a weekend where you just do absolutely nothing that’s required is pretty great. I know I needed it.
I’m gearing up for the latest season of Great British–my daughter tells me that the Brits gave it a thumbs up, so I’m willing to be open-minded.
I thought it was charming. It’s very, very slightly more salty than the original, but the new hosts are funny and warm, and I liked the new judge as well.
I’ve been toying with the idea of an HP re-read, but I kind of like the idea of listening; it seems like a good story for audio.
It seems like the re-listen is going to be the ticket. I have so many books I want to read, I wasn’t sure about fitting it in… but audio is a different beast, and I feel like it’s helping me see the books in a new way too.
Awwww, I’m so glad you got to see Hamilton and glad that it was good! Who was your favorite among the cast?
Have a wonderful time at your conference! The best thing about conferences is the evenings because you can go to your lovely quiet hotel room and drink a bottle of wine in your spare hotel bed without any pants on. That is what I do. It is the best and most joyous experience in this life.
I thought the Aaron Burr for this performance was stellar. He brought this kind of smarmy sarcasm to the role that was really fun — he very much displayed this attitude of ‘can you believe this BS?’ through the performance was was just perfect. I really liked this Eliza, she was warm without being too sweet. Hamilton was great too, much more scrappy than in other performances I’ve seen.
What a cute picture! I hope you had a great time at the conference. I went to one last month for my work and it was great. It’s so nice to spend time away from the office, network and then go back with new knowledge (hopefully!). Can’t wait to see how the shawl comes out!
I had an awesome time at the conference — I came back with so many ideas that I’m excited about trying to implement and champion. It was really exciting.