New Year, Less Stuff

I am cleaning out my closet and my bookshelves. I want to start the New Year with less stuff.

I know a used book store in DC and it’s lovely to shop at but the one time I sold some of my books there I felt more than a little ripped off. I could donate them to the library but I’ve done that with several others and would like to at least make some profit back on them.

I have a few I think I can sell over near the college campus. One ships internationally and I’m sure they’re on someone’s curriculum somewhere. They are also willing to pay cash which is an incentive.

I found a consignment shop for women who enjoy carbs one county over but you have to pay a fee for them to even look at your stuff and if they sell anything I have to drive out there and pick up my check. At this point it’s 100% out of my way but it’s also an excuse to leave the house. There’s one in Bethesda near where I do trivia that I want to look into but I don’t know if they only do skinny bitch clothes.

Most of these places will only look at donations via appointment which makes sense but is still a pain for everyone else. They also on schedule appointments for weird hours.

Does anyone have any recommendations on used bookstores or consignment shops in DC or MD? Since The Boy is relocating to NOVA I’ll take suggestions for there as well.

Music: Blizzard by Two Steps from Hell

Case of the Mondays

The Boy is moving on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. I spent this weekend helping him pack stuff up. We finally tackled his closet today. When we first started going out we spent a very long time doing a wardrobe update that was long overdue. I think it needs to be supplemented even more because we had this conversation:

Boy: Where’s the blue polo shirt?

Me: Somewhere in the pile of folded shirts. I left you a black one or an orange one for work on Monday.

Boy: But the blue shirt is my Monday shirt.

Me: Seriously?

Boy: Yes, I wear the blue shirt on Mondays.

Me: I can’t tell if you’re serious or trying to sound like Sheldon Cooper

Boy: That is a little neurotic isn’t it?

Me: After you move we are so going shopping.

Music: Stay the Night feat. Hayley Williams by Zedd

The Year Is Almost Over. Thank Cthulhu

Everyone remembers the hoopla about December 21, 2012. At my New Year’s party I declared that since many people did not expect 2013 to happen it was obligated to be awesome. It has left something to be desired.

My social life and love life get two big thumbs up. The Boy is the longest functional relationship I’ve had. I’ve added a large number of awesome people to my group of friends. A variety of delightful and entertaining things have been done with both groups of people.

My professional life and family life get two big middle fingers and some choice words. Most of the year was spent at a job that was not rewarding professionally, personally, or financially. I had few prospects while still employed there and we parted ways right before the holidays.

While I would never go back there it’s sucky time of year to be unemployed. Everyone is on leave or offices are closed so no one can make a decision. I’m in limbo on two different positions that sound really promising because no one is around. No news isn’t bad news but it certainly doesn’t feel like good news. For them it’s just some decision to make when they get the time; for me it’s my life.

The situation with my mother has worsened. On Christmas we made vague plans to do something on Friday morning. The entire debacle previously discussed occurred after those plans were made as well as my mother blaming me for her lacking social situation. Apparently after all drama and harsh words I was supposed to honor those plans and she spent all morning waiting around for me to honor those plans. Generally if people exchange hurtful and malicious words, especially involving blame, they don’t want to spend time together.

On her way out the door she informed me that we may never be close again. I hate it when people say something to instigate conflict then walk away. It’s cowardly and passive-aggressive. Either finish what you started or don’t start it. I called her on that and deteriorated into her informing me that our current problems are 100% my fault.

I’m willing to take partial ownership in the situation. I’m not a saint and dysfunctional dynamics don’t create themselves. But most of these problems stem from my mother not saying what she wants or how she feels. She’ll drop hints or be incredibly subtle then get upset when you do the wrong thing. If she would rather lash out than deal with problems, I’m not interested in fixing anything.

What I really want to do is move out. I had a roommate in college who was emotionally unstable and it was awful. I was always on edge. The only place I felt safe or comfortable was away from my home. I looked for excuses to be anywhere else. I can’t move out until I have income and a little more money squared away but that’s a big goal for me right now. Moving out will either improve my relationship with my mother or destroy what’s left. I’m open to either at the moment.

Music: Sorry About Your Parents by Icon for Hire

Home Sweet Own Book 42

All done! I finished all 42 books with little time to spare.

One of my favorite things are anthologies where the writers are given a theme and told "Go." Much like other anthologies this was a varied collection.

It was divided up into 3 sections: One Foot Out the Door, In the Middle of the Storm, and The Aftermath. As a lit major I could see the variations in the style of poetry. I enjoyed the different voices and discovered a few poets I want to look into more.

I believe that to get the most out of poetry you have to read it in small doses and drink each poem down slowly. It took me a while to read this way but I got more out of it. It was funny to read about heartbreak while my relationship with The Boy was going well.

1) Fiction – A Once Crowded Sky by Tom King

2) Nonfiction – The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett

3) Sci-Fi – Redshirts by John Scalzi

4) Fantasy – The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde

5) Mystery – Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer

6) Horror – Call of the Jersey Devil by Aurelio Voltaire

7) Memoir/Biography – Data, A Love Story by Amy Webb

8) Chick Lit – Me and Mr. Darcy by Alexandra Potter

9) Feminist – Commencement by J. Courtney Sullivan

10) Teen – What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

11) Holiday – The Dreaded Feast edited by Michele Clarke and Taylor Plimpton

12) Essays – What Was I Thinking? ed. by Barbara Davilman & Liz Dubelman

13) Short Stories – Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman

14) Library – I Love Him to Pieces by Evonne Tsang and Janina Gorrissen

15) Animal – Puppy Kisses Are Good for the Soul by Howard Weinstein

16) Book about Books – Judging a Book By Its Lover by Lauren Leto

17) New – Pitch Perfect by Mickey Rapkin

18) Old – Dark and Stormy Knights edited by P. N. Elrod

19) Pop Science – Why Men Fake It by Abraham Morgentaler, MD

20) Near – Lust, Lies, and Love Over Lunch by Krista White

21) Far – Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi

22) Graphic Novel – Love and Capes: Do You Want to Know a Secret? by Thomas F. Zahler

23) Reread – Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

24) Wild Card – Altared edited by Colleen Curran

25) Otherworldly Creature – Those Who Fight Monsters edited by Justin Gustianis

26) Free – Point Your Face at This by Demetri Martin

27) Noteworthy – The Woman Who Died A Lot by Jasper Fforde

28) Bestseller – How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran

29) Themed Anthology – Red edited by Kris Goldsmith

30) Steampunk – The Immersion Book of Steampunk edited by Gareth Jones and Carmelo Rafala

31) Movie-Book – One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

32) Media – Doctor Who: Touched By an Angel by Jonathan Morris

33) Travel – Love with a Chance of Drowning by Torre DeRoche

34) Food – Spiced by Dalia Jurgensen

35) Classic – Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

36) Humor – Sleep Talkin’ Man by Karen Slavick-Lennar

37) Poetry – It’s Not You, It’s Me: Poetry of a Break-Up edited by Jerry Williams

38) Past – Stasiland by Anna Funde

39) Future – Go to Hell by Pab Sungenis

40) Dystopia/Post-Apocalyptic – Diverse Energies edited by Tobias Buckell & Joe Monti

41) Zombie – FUBAR, Volume 2: Empire of the Rising Dead

42) Sports – Red Rising by Ted Starkey

Music: Under by Evanescence

2014: A Baker's Dozen Challenge

I have been debating on what I wanted to do for next year’s book challenge. I decided on only doing 13 books but was debating the categories. Now, I’ve finally nailed it down.

The categories are loose enough that I can read what I want but guarantee a good variety. I should have plenty of freedom to go off challenge to read what I want. If I finish early, I can find other challenges but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. I have to get through these 13 first. I tried to get a good balance between fiction, nonfiction, and flexible options.

The categories for next year are:

1) Another World –

2) Learned Something –

3) Movie-Book –

4) Graphic Novel –

5) Dust –

6) Nonfiction –

7) Reread –

8) Shorts –

9) Fiction –

10) Shiny –

11) Retelling –

12) Wild Card –

13) The End –

I’m looking forward to this challenge. It should cause me less stress than doing 42 different books in a year and I shouldn’t have a problem finishing it.

Music: A Silent Night with You by Tori Amos

Home Sweet Own Book 41

Merry Thanksgivukkah to all and to all a good night! For Holiday I read The Dreaded Feast, an anthology in the broadest sense of the word. 

Feast had fictional stories, essays, and even one theological argument. One was an essay from the 2000s followed by a short story from the 1950s followed by the theological bit from the 1600s and let’s throw in some Bukowski and Sedaris for good measure.

It felt incredibly disjointed. More set-up or background going in would have been helpful. I had to figure out what was and wasn’t fiction and what took place when solely from reading. The first third was essays so randomly switching to fiction didn't help. When the material only has one thing holding it together the transitions are rough.

There were a few gems for me. Why I Love Christmas by John Waters, A Fruitcake Theory by Calvin Trillin, Home for the Holidays by Chris Radant, The Madonna of Turkey Season by Jay McInerny, Christmas Carol by Lewis Lapham, Christmas Shopping by Dave Barry, and Santa Responds.

1) Fiction – A Once Crowded Sky by Tom King

2) Nonfiction – The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett

3) Sci-Fi – Redshirts by John Scalzi

4) Fantasy – The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde

5) Mystery – Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer

6) Horror – Call of the Jersey Devil by Aurelio Voltaire

7) Memoir/Biography – Data, A Love Story by Amy Webb

8) Chick Lit – Me and Mr. Darcy by Alexandra Potter

9) Feminist – Commencement by J. Courtney Sullivan

10) Teen – What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

11) Holiday – The Dreaded Feast edited by Michele Clarke and Taylor Plimpton

12) Essays – What Was I Thinking? ed. by Barbara Davilman & Liz Dubelman

13) Short Stories – Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman

14) Library – I Love Him to Pieces by Evonne Tsang and Janina Gorrissen

15) Animal – Puppy Kisses Are Good for the Soul by Howard Weinstein

16) Book about Books – Judging a Book By Its Lover by Lauren Leto

17) New – Pitch Perfect by Mickey Rapkin

18) Old – Dark and Stormy Knights edited by P. N. Elrod

19) Pop Science – Why Men Fake It by Abraham Morgentaler, MD

20) Near – Lust, Lies, and Love Over Lunch by Krista White

21) Far – Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi

22) Graphic Novel – Love and Capes: Do You Want to Know a Secret? by Thomas F. Zahler

23) Reread – Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

24) Wild Card – Altared edited by Colleen Curran

25) Otherworldly Creature – Those Who Fight Monsters edited by Justin Gustianis

26) Free – Point Your Face at This by Demetri Martin

27) Noteworthy – The Woman Who Died A Lot by Jasper Fforde

28) Bestseller – How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran

29) Themed Anthology – Red edited by Kris Goldsmith

30) Steampunk – The Immersion Book of Steampunk edited by Gareth Jones and Carmelo Rafala

31) Movie-Book – One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

32) Media – Doctor Who: Touched By an Angel by Jonathan Morris

33) Travel – Love with a Chance of Drowning by Torre DeRoche

34) Food – Spiced by Dalia Jurgensen

35) Classic – Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

36) Humor – Sleep Talkin’ Man by Karen Slavick-Lennar

37) Poetry

38) Past – Stasiland by Anna Funde

39) Future – Go to Hell by Pab Sungenis

40) Dystopia/Post-Apocalyptic – Diverse Energies edited by Tobias Buckell & Joe Monti

41) Zombie – FUBAR, Volume 2: Empire of the Rising Dead

42) Sports – Red Rising by Ted Starkey

Only one more book to go! So close I can taste it.

Music: Wish List by Neon Trees

Something To Do

I donated some books to the library a few weeks ago and noticed a lot of donations just sitting there. Normally they’re sorted reasonably quickly. I went back earlier this week and found that the only thing that had changed was that the donations had grown. 

Leaving them there was really bothering me. Some of those books could be put into circulation or sold in the shop. I called and asked if they needed volunteers to help sort them. I got a very emphatic yes.

It was a relief to hear a very emphatic yes. I’m going slightly stir crazy as of late. My resume was sent on for a contract position at Prestigious Government Agency and I had a 2nd interview at Prestigious Non-Profit both last week. I called to ask about the interview but they’re trying to staff a position they need filled immediately. They’re very interested in me and I’ll know something when Staffing Agency knows something. It’s also right before Christmas so most places aren’t doing much other than winding down.

Since they’re both big names with good potential, I don’t want to commit to another job until I know those aren't an option. I thought about joining a gym near my house but it’s $100 initiation fee and $30 monthly. Since my income is rather fixed, I can’t justify that expense. Volunteering will get me out of the house and some exercise since I'll be lifting books. I'll also be doing something good, putting books to use. I hope something good comes from this.

Music: Maybe Next Year by Meiko

Two F Words: Feminism and Frustrated

I am still deeply bothered by what Kelly Clarkson said about feminism. I am so disgusted by what she said that I've lost so much respect for her. I still like her songs but I just don't want to anymore.

I think what really bothers me is that Clarkson will never know she made people feel this way and cost herself at least one fan, probably more. Even if she did find that out, she won't understand the ignorance of her statement and the place of privilege it comes from.

There was a time when a woman being a secretary was a BIG DEAL. There was a time not too long ago when a woman being a doctor, lawyer, professor, cartographer, editor, computer programmer, judge, police officer, or film/stage director was unheard of. My mom had a job where she was one of the first women to ever do it.

All of these early women were making less money than men for the exact same jobs because 'Mitch has a family to support and you should just get a nice man to take care of you so you can stop working.' In the 1960s a Pan Am stewardess would be terminated for getting married. The job also had a mandatory retirement age below 35 and weigh-ins.

Most if not all women who are reading this have jobs. Do you enjoy wearing pants to that job? Thank feminism for that. A female performer having creative control over her career? Feminism helped end the days of 'shut up and sing sweetheart.' Clarkson's refusal to lose weight or sex it up would have cost her dearly in the not-so distant past.

There's an amazing ad by Pantene that shows how professional women are seen today. Men are 'the boss' while women are just bossy. Working fathers are dedicated while working mothers are selfish. These are subconscious things that researchers noticed in a recent study.

For those who still mistakenly think feminism is done all it needs to do, do you know that a lot of standard healthcare plans don't include maternity coverage? If you have any intentions of becoming pregnant, you'll have to pay extra every month. Most won't let you add it if you're already pregnant. You'll have to pay out of pocket for all those extra medical expenses. 

Despite that, many employers exercise the right to refuse to cover birth control in their insurance plans. Several do it under the guise of 'God's will' but for some reason all of these plans cover Viagra. If God decides he doesn't need to get it up anymore, let God's will be done. If a man deserves the right to choose when he gets hard, a woman deserves the right to choose when she gets pregnant.

No matter where a woman falls on the political or religious spectrum, maternity coverage and access to birth control are important. Men can get recreational medications while women have to pay extra for fundamental care. We are not equal if having a uterus is still treated as a preexisting condition.

My mom thinks the phrase "I'm not a feminist but" is as offensive as "I'm not a racist but." I'm inclined to agree with her. The main difference is that the former is acceptable to publicly announce while the latter is PR suicide.

None of Clarkson's people care what I have to say. Clarkson is probably too wrapped up in her own life and career to care what one former fan has to say especially since it's negative (albeit deserved). She doesn't seem to care what folks are saying at Bustle, The Frisky,NY Mag's The Cut, Jezebel and PolicyMic are saying either.

I think if someone sat Clarkson down and actually told her what the term really means and what it's done for women everywhere, she might change her tune. The same goes for Taylor Swift and Katy Perry. I doubt Clarkson would make a public declaration since she wants to release a country album and no one thinks feminism is another F word like that demographic. I wish she could know how impactful her words are and how she helps perpetuate the negative stereotype in the first place.

I just wish there was a pop star out there brave enough to say "The core tenant of feminism is equality and choice. I absolutely believe in that so, yes, I am a feminist." Women deserve that much.

Home Sweet Own Book 40

I bet you thought I’d forgotten about my book challenge in all the ‘no-job-no-income’ chaos. Nope. I remembered I was down to the final 3. I’m still working on the final two. 

For Library I read the first book in the graphic novel series My Boyfriend Is a Monster. It’s I Love Him to Pieces by Evonne Tsang and Janina Gorrissen. I discovered this series when I found the Frankenstein one at Baltimore Comic Con a couple of years ago.

I enjoyed this immensely. It’s a black and white that practically fits in your back pocket and you can devour in an hour. It starts normally enough but soon degrades into a zombie apocalypse in part of Florida with two teenagers stuck in the middle of it. The plot moves quickly and the story makes sense the entire time. Certain plot points could be seen as cliche but I thought it was all in good fun, especially since they had a semi-believable reason behind the zombies. I recommend it for fans of zombies or comics.

1) Fiction – A Once Crowded Sky by Tom King

2) Nonfiction – The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett

3) Sci-Fi – Redshirts by John Scalzi

4) Fantasy – The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde

5) Mystery – Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer

6) Horror – Call of the Jersey Devil by Aurelio Voltaire

7) Memoir/Biography – Data, A Love Story by Amy Webb

8) Chick Lit – Me and Mr. Darcy by Alexandra Potter

9) Feminist – Commencement by J. Courtney Sullivan

10) Teen – What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

11) Holiday

12) Essays – What Was I Thinking? ed. by Barbara Davilman & Liz Dubelman

13) Short Stories – Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman

14) Library – I Love Him to Pieces by Evonne Tsang and Janina Gorrissen

15) Animal – Puppy Kisses Are Good for the Soul by Howard Weinstein

16) Book about Books – Judging a Book By Its Lover by Lauren Leto

17) New – Pitch Perfect by Mickey Rapkin

18) Old – Dark and Stormy Knights edited by P. N. Elrod

19) Pop Science – Why Men Fake It by Abraham Morgentaler, MD

20) Near – Lust, Lies, and Love Over Lunch by Krista White

21) Far – Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi

22) Graphic Novel – Love and Capes: Do You Want to Know a Secret? by Thomas F. Zahler

23) Reread – Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

24) Wild Card – Altared edited by Colleen Curran

25) Otherworldly Creature – Those Who Fight Monsters edited by Justin Gustianis

26) Free – Point Your Face at This by Demetri Martin

27) Noteworthy – The Woman Who Died A Lot by Jasper Fforde

28) Bestseller – How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran

29) Themed Anthology – Red edited by Kris Goldsmith

30) Steampunk – The Immersion Book of Steampunk edited by Gareth Jones and Carmelo Rafala

31) Movie-Book – One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

32) Media – Doctor Who: Touched By an Angel by Jonathan Morris

33) Travel – Love with a Chance of Drowning by Torre DeRoche

34) Food – Spiced by Dalia Jurgensen

35) Classic – Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

36) Humor – Sleep Talkin’ Man by Karen Slavick-Lennar

37) Poetry

38) Past – Stasiland by Anna Funde

39) Future – Go to Hell by Pab Sungenis

40) Dystopia/Post-Apocalyptic – Diverse Energies edited by Tobias Buckell & Joe Monti

41) Zombie – FUBAR, Volume 2: Empire of the Rising Dead

42) Sports – Red Rising by Ted Starkey

Music: I Will Never Die by Delta Rae

Premium Cable

I’ve been using my funemployment to take advantage of premium cable. So far I’ve watched

Perks of Being a Wallflower

Phrases that come to mind when I try to evaluate Perks are ‘good not great’ and ‘it was OK.’ It wasn’t bad but it just didn’t speak to me. I know so many people my age who act like teenagers that it was weird to watch teenagers be more mature and handle major dramas.

Warm Bodies

I like my love stories a bit different so throwing in some zombies worked for me. I liked it in the theater and it still holds up. It’s a good way to introduce a wimp/muggle into the zombie genre

Taken 2

Holy crap was Taken 2 unimpressive. The premise was weak and the story just wasn’t as good as the original. That will very soon be one of those movies on FX you leave on in the background just for the noise. 

Argo

I read the memoir of the Tony Mendez so it was really interesting to see it play out on the big screen. Some things were definitely dramatized but it translated reasonably well.

The Hobbit

It was like rather than love. I enjoyed the book many years ago but I’m not nuts about them stretching it into a trilogy. I know they’re throwing in a bunch of stuff from the Silmarilion and book nuts complain how they never include enough stuff from the book but this may dilute the original source material. We’ll see how it all comes together.

Hopefully I won't be funemployed much longer. I've had 4 interviews between 2 departments at the same place. Tomorrow will be mostly a snow day so I'll probably watch something else while I put up the Christmas tree.

Music: Chasing Twisters by Delta Rae