Normally I don't do book reviews on this blog, simply because there are enough book-reviewing sites out there. And I'm lazy. ;)

But after being nagged incessantly to finally read Breaking Dawn, the last book in the Twilight series, I felt I had to say something. Like "I want those hours I spent reading back."

Okay, it wasn't that bad. I guess, after getting to know Edward, Jacob and the extremely annoying Bella, my expectations had been raised. Perhaps a little too high.

If you haven't read this 760-page epic yet and plan to, stop reading here. If you've read it already or simply plan on waiting for the movie, keep going.

Here's my review, told from Bella's point of view.

"Oh, how I long to become a vampire, even though I really haven't planned it out. Oh Edward! Huh, I don't feel so good... Aha! Let me make a decision that puts everyone in jeopardy, Yeah, that's it. Sure, people may die, including myself, but I did that in all the other books, so why not this one?

"What? I didn't die? It all worked out? How fabulous! But wait, there's more -- all those concerns I had about my beauty, my charm, my clumsiness? Gone! Not only am I absolutely perfect, I have set new standards in adjusting to my vampirism. Le sigh. Oh, life is perfect, even with the smelly werewolves lingering around.

"Oh dear. That "everyone in danger" thing? Looks like that's still the case. But, wouldn't you know, I have an ability that will allow me to save everyone! I know, wild 'eh? Thank goodness I ignored everyone's advice and did my own thing anyway, even though it put all at risk."

The End.

Yes, I realize I'm being cranky. One day I'm sure that some readers out there will have something similar to say about any of my novels. And it may hurt a little. But I think Ms. Meyer can deal. ;)

Labels: blahs, writing

Or at least that's what I keep trying to tell myself as I weed through my closets and bookshelves. ;)

Yes, I'm still on the clutter-busting bandwagon. Even more so since I've discovered what a stress-reducing effect it has when I'm in relatively clutter-free areas of the house. Zaphod the cat, however, is on the alert, feeling that this change signifies some threat to his reign over us mere humans. He'll get over it soon enough.

But what I can't get over is some of the stuff I've held on to for longer than I care to admit. Or the reasons I gave myself for holding on to it. Sure, most women dream of dropping two dress sizes overnight, but some items, like over a dozen vases, baffled me since I'm not particularly fond of fresh-cut flowers. (I'd rather see them growing in a garden.)

I also discovered that Aden and I possess enough travel-sized toiletries to take a trip every month for approximately 17 years. And don't even go there with the dental floss -- I should take up macrame to make use of this resource. ;)

Then there are some areas of the house where clutter-busting doesn't happen. Namely my record album collection. I still cringe when I weeded through the vinyl and sold off a few I'd considered unwanted, including Kilimanjaro by The Teardrop Explodes.

Days later, I felt the loss as I couldn't get "Sleeping Gas," the album's most popular track, out of my head. How was I to know that I'd need to hear it again to banish the song from my grey cells? And how was I to know that as soon as it left my house, I'd want to have the album again.

So I won't make the same mistake twice. If there is a vinyl album in the house, it shall stay here until we trot off to the nursing home. And I'm sure they'll have turntables wherever we end up. You just can't stop the '80s.

Have a listen and see if it sticks in your head, too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fed3j2zkdgg

Labels: adventures, fun, goals

Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, and sometimes it just shakes things up.

Now I'm not talking about breaking the law -- that's totally different. And the last thing I need is someone pulling up this blog post in a courtroom and pinning the blame on me for the crime. You know what I'm saying?

But today I took a moment, while walking Zaphod around the back garden, to wrap my head around some of the rules that were holding me back. You know, those "shoulds" that keep on thundering in my head whenever I turn the music down.

If you don't hear voices in your head, you may be at the wrong blog. Thanks for stopping by anyway. ;)

The shoulds. They can strangle any motivation right out of you if you let them. Instead of going after you're dreams, you're making brownies for a little league team. Of course, if your dream is to make a whole bunch of brownies, you're in luck!

I hate to admit it, but Dr. Phil reminded me of something the other day. No, not that anyone can get on TV, but that kids (and us older people) need to learn what it feels like to accomplish something on our own. That is, to go after something and achieve it because we want to, not because someone's urging us to do it or it was someone else's dream and they've now foisted it on you.

There's nothing better than going for something and getting somewhere. Sure, you may not get to the destination you initially intended, but if you don't try you'll just end up covered in cobwebs at square one. And that's doesn't make for great dinner party conversation, unless you're sitting beside someone who doesn't want to talk about it. ;)

No, I'm still not over it. Give me another year or so.

So I guess I'm saying, "Don't let those pesky rules stop you." There's nothing quite as exhilarating as taking a risk. If it pays off, great. If it doesn't, you're no further behind than when you started -- and now you can try something else.

What's the biggest rule that gets in your way?

Labels: adventures, goals