Some random facts about me and things I noticed while watching the ACAs:
- The two country concerts I have gone to this year have been Kenny Chesney with Billy Currington and Uncle Kracker; and then Zac Brown Band. I didn't realize how popular they are, I knew they were popular just not as much, numerous nominations all night!
- I realized why male country singers are considered so sexy. A lot of them have really rich deep voices. Even if they aren't all that attractive in appearance they start talking and all the sudden they start looking better :)
*I noticed this with the first two males to talk, Trace Adkins and Josh Turner. I might have spoken too soon, after watching the show a bit more!*
Monday, December 5, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Book Clubs
I was thinking about book clubs today and the ones that I have been in. I find it interesting that I have never been in the "normal" book clubs where a group of friends, who like to read, get together and form a club.
When I was younger I was in a book club through a book store aimed towards children. Most of the other children in the club were my friends, but that is beside the point.
After college I was in a The Book Club That Doesn't Read Books. In that group we would get together about once a month for a potluck and talk about books, among other topics, however, we were never reading the same book.
Since I have moved to Seattle I am in an online book club. Again, a lot of the other people in the club I know, but we don't have monthly meetings together, although I have heard rumors that some of the members get together in Denver.
I am also in a Meet-up book club. This is probably the most like the clubs I picture when I think about a book club, but I didn't know anybody before I joined, some meetings I still don't know anyone there.
All in all I think I like these different book clubs more! They are more fun and interesting. I have met more people who love to read this way and can recommend different books to my friends and family, and they can recommend books to me!
When I was younger I was in a book club through a book store aimed towards children. Most of the other children in the club were my friends, but that is beside the point.
After college I was in a The Book Club That Doesn't Read Books. In that group we would get together about once a month for a potluck and talk about books, among other topics, however, we were never reading the same book.
Since I have moved to Seattle I am in an online book club. Again, a lot of the other people in the club I know, but we don't have monthly meetings together, although I have heard rumors that some of the members get together in Denver.
I am also in a Meet-up book club. This is probably the most like the clubs I picture when I think about a book club, but I didn't know anybody before I joined, some meetings I still don't know anyone there.
All in all I think I like these different book clubs more! They are more fun and interesting. I have met more people who love to read this way and can recommend different books to my friends and family, and they can recommend books to me!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Favorite Websites
I have discovered a lot of new, really cool websites lately. It made me think of life before computers, smart phones and internet. I can't imagine how many more random pieces of paper I would have around the house, its bad enough with our current technology!
There are always the old stand-by websites like Amazon, Facebook, Blogger, Pandora and Google. But I thought I would share some of my new favorites:
- Stumble Upon
You place your likes and dislikes into the site when you sign up and then it pulls up random web pages that fit those interests. I have found a lot of really interesting, cute, funny sites through here.
- iHeart Radio
This is a bit like Pandora, but different. Like Pandora it also has an app for smart phones. I thought I would check it out because Pandora skips songs a lot on my phone, I don't know if it is the app, or my phone, but I wanted more consistent music.
- Amazon Fresh
I LOVE, LOVE Amazon Fresh. It is a grocery store delivery website, unfortunately right now they only deliver in the Seattle area. But I love this website! It has saved me a ton of time and money since moving to West Seattle. If you are interested in checking this out and are fortunate to live in the delivery area let me know, I can share my big radish status and you won't have to pay shipping when you order $50 worth of items!
- Traffic.com
You can enter your normal commutes and it will tell you which route is faster at this time. You can also save these routes and have them send you alerts depending on the traffic level you choose. This is great if you have multiple routes you can drive on, so that you can save as much time as possible.
- Pinterest*
This is like a cork board on your computer. You can "pin" items of interest to your boards. This keeps random web information organized and easy to access. You can also add friends and view their pins to get other great ideas.
- Evernote
Similar idea to Pinterest, but it is more like a filing cabinet. I really like this website for recipes and things to do for an upcoming trip, around your town or cities you visit often.
- Wishpot*
Again to can save information from websites on here. I used it over the last year to help create a Christmas or Birthday list for myself. I like it even more for creating gift ideas.
- The Clymb
The Clymb offers member-exclusive sales on different outdoor brands. Most of the sales last about 3 days. They have had really great sales on Mountainsmith, Merrell, Timberland and so many more! Some of the sales are only 30% off, but I have seen a few as high as 85%.
- Earndit
This website links to a couple different athletic trackers and then gives you points for your activities. I link with fitbit (keep an eye out for a blog on my favorite products, this will be one of them), although I also use Nike+. You can then turn your points in for different prizes. I have used mine for entries to win free shoes and a $20 credit to Prana, but you can also trade it in for straight credit. I did this with The Clymb and got a $10 credit there. I just bought a pair of pants from Mountain Khaki, these pants were originally $73, they were marked down to $40 through the Clymb, so with my credit my pants ended up being $30!
- Daily Feats*
This is a very similar concept to Earndit. Except you keep track of all of your good feats; such as flossing your teeth, buying local or taking the stairs. With your earned points you can cash in for credit towards local activities, restaurants or even an iTunes card. Although this site has a much wider view on good feats and I love all the ideas you have to go in and enter what you have done, a downside when comparing to earndit, which tracks it for you (as long as you use your tracker).
- TripIt*
A travel website that tracks all your plans for you. You just e-mail reservation confirmations to plans@tripit.com and it places all your information in one spot. You also have the option to add events and confirmations. I really liked this site when I traveled for work, but it is convenient when traveling for fun too. Another great feature is that you can add travelers so they can access trip information also. I love that TripIt has an app, which makes it even easier to use on the road.
*If you decide to join these sites please consider looking me up to be my friend and/or teammate!
There are always the old stand-by websites like Amazon, Facebook, Blogger, Pandora and Google. But I thought I would share some of my new favorites:
- Stumble Upon
You place your likes and dislikes into the site when you sign up and then it pulls up random web pages that fit those interests. I have found a lot of really interesting, cute, funny sites through here.
- iHeart Radio
This is a bit like Pandora, but different. Like Pandora it also has an app for smart phones. I thought I would check it out because Pandora skips songs a lot on my phone, I don't know if it is the app, or my phone, but I wanted more consistent music.
- Amazon Fresh
I LOVE, LOVE Amazon Fresh. It is a grocery store delivery website, unfortunately right now they only deliver in the Seattle area. But I love this website! It has saved me a ton of time and money since moving to West Seattle. If you are interested in checking this out and are fortunate to live in the delivery area let me know, I can share my big radish status and you won't have to pay shipping when you order $50 worth of items!
- Traffic.com
You can enter your normal commutes and it will tell you which route is faster at this time. You can also save these routes and have them send you alerts depending on the traffic level you choose. This is great if you have multiple routes you can drive on, so that you can save as much time as possible.
- Pinterest*
This is like a cork board on your computer. You can "pin" items of interest to your boards. This keeps random web information organized and easy to access. You can also add friends and view their pins to get other great ideas.
- Evernote
Similar idea to Pinterest, but it is more like a filing cabinet. I really like this website for recipes and things to do for an upcoming trip, around your town or cities you visit often.
- Wishpot*
Again to can save information from websites on here. I used it over the last year to help create a Christmas or Birthday list for myself. I like it even more for creating gift ideas.
- The Clymb
The Clymb offers member-exclusive sales on different outdoor brands. Most of the sales last about 3 days. They have had really great sales on Mountainsmith, Merrell, Timberland and so many more! Some of the sales are only 30% off, but I have seen a few as high as 85%.
- Earndit
This website links to a couple different athletic trackers and then gives you points for your activities. I link with fitbit (keep an eye out for a blog on my favorite products, this will be one of them), although I also use Nike+. You can then turn your points in for different prizes. I have used mine for entries to win free shoes and a $20 credit to Prana, but you can also trade it in for straight credit. I did this with The Clymb and got a $10 credit there. I just bought a pair of pants from Mountain Khaki, these pants were originally $73, they were marked down to $40 through the Clymb, so with my credit my pants ended up being $30!
- Daily Feats*
This is a very similar concept to Earndit. Except you keep track of all of your good feats; such as flossing your teeth, buying local or taking the stairs. With your earned points you can cash in for credit towards local activities, restaurants or even an iTunes card. Although this site has a much wider view on good feats and I love all the ideas you have to go in and enter what you have done, a downside when comparing to earndit, which tracks it for you (as long as you use your tracker).
- TripIt*
A travel website that tracks all your plans for you. You just e-mail reservation confirmations to plans@tripit.com and it places all your information in one spot. You also have the option to add events and confirmations. I really liked this site when I traveled for work, but it is convenient when traveling for fun too. Another great feature is that you can add travelers so they can access trip information also. I love that TripIt has an app, which makes it even easier to use on the road.
*If you decide to join these sites please consider looking me up to be my friend and/or teammate!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Book Reviews
I moved all the book reviews to this part of my blog so it would be easier to update :) New reviews should be coming soon.
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
Still Missing is the second book I bought from Barnes and Noble. I really enjoyed reading this book, a lot! Still Missing is about a woman who is abducted and then the time she spends captive. The book is told by the main character as she meets with her psychiatrist when she returns to the "free world." I don't want to tell too much more and give the book away, but I highly recommend this one.
Light boxes by Shane Jones
I read Lighboxes for our June meetup book club. This book was challenging to read because it is all over the place. Some chapters are a word, a list, or a paragraph while others are more within the normal realms of a typical chapters. This story is also told through several people, although they are normally referenced in the third person. One person in the book club thought it was more like a poem than a book, part of this might be because Shane Jones normally writes poetry. This story is about a town who is stuck in the month of February and their attempts to break free. Again, another book that I could totally relate too. Although Seattle is not that cold this spring was very dreary and overcast most days, YUCK! Although I didn't necessarily enjoy reading this book, I did find it interesting and got through it quickly.
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
I had purchased a Groupon for Barnes and Noble. After reading numerous book sites and reviews I settle on Never Let Me Go and Still Missing, although I had to wait a bit to get Still Missing in paperback. Never Let Me Go is about a woman and she goes through her tween and up years explaining parts of her life. It is set with some futuristic aspects, but is set in the current day. You don't really know who or what the main character is until towards the end of the book. I enjoyed the book although I tend to like a bit more upbeat book, or at least one with a bit more mystery, than this one had.
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