Listography

I adore making lists and crossing things off of lists. Its practically a compulsion with me. So I was psyched when I found Listography.

You can see my personal collection of lists right here.

Its not the thing you fling, but the fling itself

I've been completely absolutely addicted to Northern Exposure dvds. The show was so funny and sweet and heartfelt and intelligent and interesting (I could go on and on).

Another favorite quote:

Joel: Try reality, Ed!

Ed: No, thanks.

We're up to season 3 so far.

I also recently finished a book on tape - Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer. What a creative thinker that man is! I went back and forth from all out laughing to feeling like my heart was being stepped on. Such a great story!

Anyone read the book and seen the movie? Does the movie at all live up to the wonderfullness of the book?

Happy Blue House and a Mystery Felt Project

I made this cutesy house/box in my pottery class. I'm on a pottery hiatus for a bit since autumn is typically a nutty busy season for me.

And these felt medallions are part of a project i almost have done. I should be able to post the completed picture this weekend. I have such a soft spot for working with felt.

Poppies

I adore poppies but I never ever remember to plant them on time. This clutch would be a nice way to have them year round.

Finishing school

Here's my page for keeping track of my 101 list. I wanted someplace seperate from everything to keep track of it all, but I'm sure I'll post tons about it here as well.

Claire's 101 List

Bunches and Bunches

Life has been busy between work and being a twittery social butterfly, but I have managed to pack in some movies and books as usual.

i've hooked my boy onto Northern Exposure thanks to the magic of Netflix. We're almost to the end of season 2 and he wants to watch all six seasons before I move any other tv series to the top of the queue. Luckily, I adore Northern Exposure too.

At his request, we went and saw The Simpsons Movie at the theatre. IT was funny, but it did seem strange to be watching it in a theatre with lots of other folks instead of at home on my couch.

We borrowed The Aviator from the library. It was good but looooong. Dicaprio is very good and Cate Blanchette was eerily amazing at channeling the great Katherine Hepburne.

I was all for seeing the newest Bourne movie at the theatre. So good! So very very good!
We borrowed Curse of the Golden Flower from the library cause I usually adore pretty Chinese films. Not this one. Not at all. Too much color (which is not something I ever complain about) and the story sucked. Bleh!
I listened to Empire Falls by Richard Russo on tape and I loved it. I will be reading (or listening to) more of his work. He writes so convincingly about small town life.
Princess Academy was cute and not your usual young adult fare. I liked its unpredictableness.


Awww....Little, Big! It started out with such promise. Such gorgeous phrases and amazing stories interwoven in the great big Tale! But the last half of the book fell a little flat for me.

101 Things in 1,001 Days

Inspired by Karen Beth! Now I just need to figure out how to add this to a sidebar or separate page fro tacking purposes.

101 Things in 1,001 Days

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Some common goal setting tips:
1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.

2. Stay Focused. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.

3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy

4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.

5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.

List
1. Finish this list.
2. Inspire someone else to participate in 101 Things in 1,001 Days
3. Write a new list when I’m finished with this one
Travel
4. See whales
5. Take Char to NYC
6. Go snorkeling again
7. Get my passport
8. Visit another country
9. Visit Niagara
10. Take a vacation that does not involve family
11. Visit Mexico
12. Take Char to Chicago
13. Visit (at least) 3 different wineries for wine tastings (0/3)
14. See the northern lights
15. Plan a surprise romantic weekend
Self Improvement
16. Get an expensive haircut
17. Get a new pair of glasses
18. Nose piercing? (maybe this should be decide if I really want one or
if I just like to bother my husband with the idea)
19. Contemplate big life questions
20. Get tattoo #2
21. Learn to do my hair in a few different ways
22. Learn some cool makeup techniques (why are there no classes on
being girly?)
23. Get a massage (which means getting over being squicked out by
letting a stranger do this)
24. Get my other wisdom tooth out
25. Stop saying “yeah” instead of “yes” (This is probably impossible)
26. Visit a dermatologist and get checked for skin cancer
27. Work on my posture
28. Get a hot stone massage (this sounds lovely right now)
29. Stop drinking soda altogether
30. Buy a pair of false eyelashes and try them out
31. Dye my hair something completely different from what I’ve done
before
Fitness
32. Take at least 2 dance classes (0/2)
33. Train to run a 5k
34. Go skiing
35. Learn to play tennis
36. Buff up my arms
37. Kayak in 2 new rivers (o/2)
38. Start a fitness journal (keep it for at least 3 months)
39. Join a gym with a pool and use it
Culture
40. See all of Shakespeare’s plays (as many as possible in person & the
rest on video)
41. See 2 more Broadway shows (o/2)
42. Improve upon my Spanish skills
43. Go see an opera
44. Go to the ballet
45. See ten concerts that do not include Flogging Molly (0/10)
Reading
46. Read Lord of the Rings trilogy (0/3)
47. Read all of LM Montgomery’s books
48. Read The People’s History of the United States
49. Read 1001 Nights
50. Join a book club
51. Read the rest of John Irving’s novels (even Until I Find You which
also squicked me out)
52. Read 50 nonfiction books (0/50)
53. Read all shelf-sitters and pass them along
Creativity
54. Sew a dress for myself
55. Make a hat
56. Write a short story and submit it for publication somewhere
57. Draw in my sketchbook every day for two months
58. Make secret project for 3 families
59. Do the 365 days project
60. Become proficient in Photoshop
61. Enter something fabulously strange in the fair
62. Do something creative every day for a month
63. Sew a quilt
64. Knit myself a scarf
65. Paint 50 paintings (0/50)
66. Learn calligraphy
Volunteerism
67. Volunteer for pro-choice charity
68. Volunteer for an environmental group
Cooking
69. Try 10 new ice cream recipes (0/10)
70. Make bread from scratch 5 times (0/5)
71. Try 20 new fruits & veggies (0/20)
72. Cook dinner every night for two weeks (this is gonna be so hard)
73. Make a fruit pie
Home
74. Pay off credit card debt
75. Own a home
76. Have my own garden
77. Adopt dog #2
78. Foster a dog
79. Start a compost pile
80. Purchase a new mattress
81. Get a new TV stand
Family & Friends
82. Send pointless packages to all my loved ones
83. Have a dinner party
84. Finish sister’s photo album
85. Frame & mail copies of picture to family
86. Do a better job of keeping and reconnecting with old friends
87. Have a Halloween party
88. Track all important birthdays on my calendar
89. Host a girl’s night
Randomness
90.Start an etsy shop and keep it going for at least 3 months
91. Invest in the DVDs that never fail to make me smile – Amelie, The
Office, Earl, Royal Tenebaums, Raising Arizona. (This will be harder
for me to do as I don’t believe in clutter, but clutter that makes me
smile is another thing altogether).
92. Have a respectable amount of wine in my wine rack (maybe 10
bottles)
93. Find out if I like scotch
94. Keep inbox emails at work below 150
95. Replace husband’s wedding band
96. Have a real English tea
97. Try 5 different fish dishes I’ve never had before
98. Ride on a motorcycle
99. Learn to change my car’s oil myself
100. Go sled riding
101. Get a fabulous pair of boots

My deadline is Sunday, May 16, 2010. Wish me luck!

Magicians and Tourist Shops

Time for more reviews! My recent Netflix subscribtion is catching me up on all sorts of shows I had missed.

I very recently saw The Illusionist with the very nice to look at Edward Norton. He was good. Paul Giamatti was good. Jessica Biel was Jessica Biel - boooring but pretty. It was a decent movie. Pretty-ish to look at but I found it a bit predictable.


We also watched the super frightening Jesus Camp. It made me thankful that my parents raised us to think for ourselves. Brain washing was not an option. Even if it meant yanking my first grade butt outta class for story time when it was discovered that my less-than-bright teacher was reading Bible stories in our public school. Public school!

I listened to Never Let Me Go on tape and really liked it. It had such a matter the fact tone and creepy feel. Very very good.

I also caught the first and only season of Wonderfalls. I liked the quirky idea behind it, but I can see why it didn't get renewed. I didn't really have any empathy for any of the characters. They all felt so flat. It reminded me a bit of Dead Like Me (which I love) but with characters I didn't every give a damn about.