Waffle stitch crochet project

As I have been a little "under the weather" for a while now, my mother-in-law has been staying with me to help out with the ordinary day-to-day stuff that still needs to go on.  During this time she has taught me to crochet.  And I love it - it is so relaxing and you can do it from bed listening to an audiobook!  Great!!

Since then I have been searching YouTube and found some wonderful video by Bella Coco (love her channel).  One being this waffle stitch tutorial - caught my eye immediately.



Once you get the hang of it, it works pretty easily.  Here is my effort so far.  I might be "frogging" it later today as it is a bit big.  Might have over estimated when I started it a week or two ago.  I will start a new one immediately, just smaller in size.

Audiobook review: You're never weird on the Internet (almost)

Title: You're never weird on the Internet (almost)

Author: Felicia Day

Genre: Biography Memoir

Publication date: 

11 August 2015

Narrated by Felicia Day

Blurb (from Goodreads)

From online entertainment mogul, actress, and “queen of the geeks” Felicia Day, a funny, quirky, and inspiring memoir about her unusual upbringing, her rise to Internet-stardom, and embracing her individuality to find success in Hollywood.

The Internet isn’t all cat videos. There’s also Felicia Day—violinist, filmmaker, Internet entrepreneur, compulsive gamer, hoagie specialist, and former lonely homeschooled girl who overcame her isolated childhood to become the ruler of a new world…or at least semi-influential in the world of Internet Geeks and Goodreads book clubs.

After growing up in the south where she was "homeschooled for hippie reasons", Felicia moved to Hollywood to pursue her dream of becoming an actress and was immediately typecast as a crazy cat-lady secretary. But Felicia’s misadventures in Hollywood led her to produce her own web series, own her own production company, and become an Internet star.

Felicia’s short-ish life and her rags-to-riches rise to Internet fame launched her career as one of the most influential creators in new media. Now, Felicia’s strange world is filled with thoughts on creativity, video games, and a dash of mild feminist activism—just like her memoir.

Hilarious and inspirational, You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) is proof that everyone should embrace what makes them different and be brave enough to share it with the world, because anything is possible now—even for a digital misfit. 

My thoughts:

I am not very familiar with Felicia Day but I really enjoyed this audiobook.  She narrates the book herself and based on this work, I am sure she will be able to add narrator to her career choices.  She was amazing!

She has lived a very dysfunctional life starting with an anxiety disorder and panic attacks, gaming additions and eventually an emotional breakdown.  I have a lot of respect for someone this famous revealing so much of herself.  It is wonderful what one can accomplice even with such obstacles if you just put your mind to it.

The audiobook flows beautifully into each new chapter and Felicia's voice (and squeals) made it very enjoyable.  

I would recommend this one even if you are not a big fan.

Kill Me Three Times (2014) - Movie thoughts

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While on a seemingly routine job, a jaded hit man (Simon Pegg) discovers that he's not the only one with his target in the crosshairs.

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I absolutely loved this movie!  
Simon Pegg is a hit or miss actor for me.  I loved Shaun of the Dead but some of his other efforts just do not strike my funny bone.  In this one, he is the perfect creepy hitman.  It is really all just a "comedy of errors" for almost all the characters.  Murphy's Law is real!  
Just on a side note, I have to mention that it felt like the same creepy song played in the background through-out the movie.  This just elevated it a little more for me.  Thought it was a nice touch.  
Don't go into this expecting a mind blowing action movie and you will love it like I did.
Recommended! 

I will walk with you . . .

I was unable to find the original source. (originally from Facebook)

Goodreads 2015 Reading Challenge completed

I completed my goal for the Goodreads challenge (my biggest goal yet)  :)  I am so happy.  Now it is all plain sailing from here.  I love keeping lists, so the only problem was that I wanted to be free if health wise I need a little more time.  Although an audiobook is a wonderful thing at 3am!

Out of the the 50 read, 40 was audiobooks.

Unfortunately this year has only brought me six 5-star reads so far.  So sad.

  

Would love to hear any of your favourites so far this year.

San Andreas (2015) - Movie thoughts

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A seemingly ideal day turns disastrous when California's notorious San Andreas fault triggers a devastating, magnitude 9 earthquake, the largest in recorded history. As the Earth cracks open and buildings start to crumble, Ray Gaines (Dwayne Johnson), an LAFD search-and-rescue helicopter pilot, must navigate the destruction from Los Angeles to San Francisco to bring his estranged wife (Carla Gugino) and their only daughter (Alexandra Daddario) to safety.

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I am sorry but this did not impress me.  It is a really big budget movie with HUGE special effects (and kudos to those involved) but the story is just one more disaster movie.  Don't get me wrong, "end-of-the-world" movies are favourites but I felt just a bit too bored here.  I cannot believe the luck that Ray and Carla had. . . . and driving basically a rubber duck through a tsunami . . . .  yeah.
Anyway, not bad if you are just looking for some very light entertainment.  Take a look and let me know if I am too hard on them :)

Relaxation in front of the TV . . .

I did a little knitting while at school in the 1900's  :) but I am going to start it up again.  My mother-in-law and sister-in-law is going to guide me and teach me the basics again (I have heard that it is NOT like riding a bike!).  My friends are already warning me of lost stitches and wholes . . .

I am not sure that this ever become something I will actually ware . . . this is going to be all about the relaxation that I can gain from it.  I need some hobbies that will calm me.  The medicine I am taking, is making me like a "jack-in-the-box".  I can just imagine that this is what heavy drug users must feel like.  I want to talk ALL THE TIME!

What I am hoping for is that it going to allow me to have a few relaxing hours in front of the TV.  My sister-in-law assures me this is an easy pattern for a beginner and here is a picture . . .

I have chosen this purple-y colour below but I am debating if I should not return it for the blue of the photo above . . . 

I hate reality shows . . .

. . .  and Gordon Ramsay is not my favourite person.  Last night on TV we saw a episode of his "normal" cooking show - HOME COOKING.  And what a difference, he seemed like such a nice person.  Where did all that calm come from!

The episode we watched was supposed to be about "frugal cooking" but he made oxtail for heaven's sake!  Oxtail is one of the more expensive cuts of meat in South Africa (and it is not a favourite of mine).  Besides the point, I know.

He also made eggy bread (called French Toast in our home) with a stewed apple topping.  

Apple . . . once again not a favourite - you might be getting the idea that I am a fussy eater . . . don't care :)  Anyway, I have some apples in the house at the moment, so I will be trying to make the stewed apples - although I will admit making the caramel scares me.  We will see.

I found loads of the Home Cooking episodes on YouTube - go take a look at the one I mentioned below (sorry it did not allow me to add the embedded code for you - just follow the link).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ1ZivXn7LY

What does one call this stitching . . .

Confession time - I totally stole this picture from Coni at SpinsterStitcher 

Last week my radiation specialist told me YOU NEED TO GET A HOBBY.  Yeah, I know (harsh) but she meant it in the kindest possible way.  I am sure they see loads of people just melting away and it came from her concern for me to just get on with it.

I already love hobby-ish things (my husband tends to say "love too much" under his breath when the packages arrive - oh well . . . )

So far my biggest love is stitching-type hobbies - cross stitch and even beading with needle and thread (my great love peyote).  But what about something new?

So as I was telling you guys a few days ago, I have been going through my old blogs and found some web addresses I have saved over the years.  Found Coni again (just love her and her little Jack Russell - go check out her blog!) and I found these type of patterns that she loves.

So now the problem becomes that I cannot search for it . . . yeah, the mind is going.  I know the name of the piece and the designer so finding an online pattern is not my issue.  But what do I tell the girl in my local shop . . . I wanna do this and show her a picture?  LoL

Please help me - what do you call this embroidery?

I f***ed it up again . . .

Sorry guys - wrong button AGAIN!  I just tried to get it somewhat cuter and now it all messed up.

I am definately not techno inclinded.  I will try fixing tomorrow . . . bear with me till then.

And go ahead . . . laugh all you want :)

Edit:  Looking a bit better already :)

Sunshine (2007) - Movie thoughts

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SUNSHINE (2007) 

 50 years into the future, the Sun begins to die, and Earth is dying as a result. A team of astronauts are sent to revive the Sun - but the mission fails.

Seven years later, a new team is sent to finish the mission as mankind's last hope.

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I love science fiction movies especially when space ships and doomed missions are the order of the day.  And this little movie packed a lot of punch.   No all the characters were particulary likeable and although the ending did bring closure, a lot more could have been done.   The all have long lettered degrees after all, they should have had an "ahhhh- haaaa" moment :) 
 Where is John McClane when we need him!
Recommended :)

Graphic Novels are not my thing . . .

. . . but what about Manga?  I have a very slight YouTube addition and have been watching BookTube for some time.  Recently it feels like I have been seeing more and more about Japanese novels, including Manga.  So how difficult could it be to find one . . . sigh - you had to ask!

Yes, right the first time - I had a terrible time finding one (anyone) that was reasonably priced and then have it shipped all the way accross the ocean.  Today it arrived at last (just took a month this time!).

I have no idea if it is part of a good series or not (mixed reviews) but will be seeing if I like the concept.

It is called Black Butler and I am sure if could seem a little creepy if taken from a certain viewpoint.   We will see . . .

Yes, you have heard it all before . . .

I am staying . . . I am leaving . . . I am staying . . .

Sometimes life just sucks and you have to put on the "big girl panties".

Borrowed from Sue 

With insomnia raging this morning at 3am, I started reading all my old posts from my various blogs of the years (can't believe I have been blogging since 2009!).  Painting, cross-stitching, beading, books, reviews, movies, pets.  What a road it has been!

As many of you know, I am quite ill at the moment so I will be reconsilidating my interests.  One blog - everything on it.

Like I say in my little blogger + thingie in top right corner, whatever is relevant to me on a particular day, will be here.   Even if it is just a rant . . . hopefully I will be able to filter my very huge dislike of the blogger editor but we will see . . . I am hoping that social media will keep me going through this time ahead.