Scheme

Mood: Vibrant

Listening to: Labels or Love by Fergie OST Sex & The City

It’s been a busy last couple of weeks.

Been going on a whirlwind tour around Queensland with me mum and dad, clocking hundreds of k’s on me car, taking shit loads of pictures and basically planning where to go next after the end of a trip.

At the end of all this, it was time to say au revoir as I finally sent my parents off last Sunday.

I never did relish saying goodbyes and farewells, but years of experience has hardened my resolve, somewhat…

*****

Now that I’m home alone again, I thought things would be back to normal.

Things like doing my own cooking, hitting the gym again after a month of home cooked delicacies, blogging…yes, blogging, how I’ve missed updating my blogs…

But instead, I find myself with several projects to follow up on, namely:

1. Backing up my data – With all the info that’s stored on my lap top with the shit loads of picture files, downloaded porn movie and music files, etc etc, I decided to back up all my info lest anything untoward was to occur ie lap top theft, crash etc.

So, I bought myself a handy and cute little Western Digital Passport external drive. Cute, innit? Took me the whole bloody evening to do this last night.

Western Digital Passport portable disk drive

2. Movie project – I’m compiling all my snapshots and making a DVD movie out of it. Initially I downloaded MS Movie Maker v2.1 to do this but the damn thing keeps hanging on me. Now I’m using both Cyberlink’s Media Magic and Picasso. This project will likely take a couple of days, if not weeks, to produce.

Media Show editing

3. Bought a new Bluetooth hands-free kit after I gave my old one to me mum. I’m so used to talking on it instead of my mobile I think I’d die without it. Yeah, hands-free, the way of the future.

Altec Lansing Explorer 220

*****

After the initial euphoria of purchasing Brisingr, the excitement has finally died down, having finished reading it last night.

I always hate this feeling of depression and gloom that sets in at the conclusion of any exciting venture. It’s like the end of a hawt and raunchy ‘sexy time’ session, and you’re all coiled up afterwards, wishing for more…

Thankfully, I’ve embarked on a new reading adventure, this time attempting to complete the whole collection of Anne McCaffrey’s Chronicles of Pern series.

Yes, I’m ashamed to admit that I have yet to read any of her books, being a fantasy fan myself. But I shall hope to remedy that situation, won’t I?

So many schemes to look forward to, these are fun times…

Bookcited

Mood: Restless

Listening to: Secret World by Enya

Bookcited

–adjective
1. stirred emotionally; agitated: A bookcited crowd awaited the arrival of the new bestseller.
2. stimulated to activity; brisk: A bookcited buying and selling of books.

[Origin: circa 2008, first penned by 3iling]

source: Random Bytes’ ad hoc online dickie

It’s been a frantic last couple of weeks for me.

I managed to finish 2 books before the arrival of my parents who currently consume most of my free time.

The former, a tale of young and restless New Yorkers in pursuit of the new status symbol – and I don’t mean Manolo Blahniks – whilst the latter, a sweeping love epic set during the tumultuous WW2 period in romantic Dutch East Indies.

Just when I thought I could fully devote my time now to being a filial son, a book that I’ve been waiting for the past 2 years has finally hit the shores of Australasia…

The third book in the Inheritance series, Brisinger has been an excruciatingly long wait for the answer to the raging question on my mind, ‘Will Eragon and Arya get together in the end?’ has finally arrived and I can’t read the book full time…

…and no, I refuse to skip to the last page; I have to savour each of the 704 pages of the book!

So many books yet so little time, this is bookcitedly infuriating.

I am so not getting enough sleep, and I fear my insomnia has worsened considerably…

Note: For full reviews of the books, head on over to Laksa Diaries.

Realisation

Mood: Reflective

Listening to: A Moment Like This by Leona Lewis (British X-Factor winning song)

2 days ago as I spent lunch break at Westfield Garden City, I did some book browsing at Borders.

Was about to head over to the coffee counter to order my usual latte at Gloria Jeans when I chanced upon this little book called Unpolished Gem.

I was both intrigued by the cover and the title of the book.

Gave it a browse and was immediately enthralled, so I decided to buy it there and then.

It’s a memoir written by Alice Pung, an Australian-Cambodian, who writes her experiences as a migrant living in Melbourne.

Although I’m still in the midst of Robert Ludlum’s Sigma Protocol, I just couldn’t keep Unpolished Gem down.

Finished reading it in a space of 2 days (or rather 2 nights) because it really is that good.

I don’t normally read non-fiction but this one is a must-read.

Full review of the book is posted at Laksa Diaries.

*****

Something happened today.

Something not particularly pleasant.

How do you feel when someone close who is privy to your innermost thoughts and insecurities betrays your trust?

It hurts. It truly does.

I used to wonder how some people go through life without the strength of conviction to uphold principles and values.

I now realise, it’s not a matter of conviction.

These people simply have no principles…

Stories

Mood: Relaxed

Listening to: California Dreaming by The Mamas and Papas

I’ve been tagged by cc.

It’s been a while since I last did a meme, so here goes…

Bed time reading

Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?

I started reading my dad’s collection of books at home when I was in elementary school.

I remember the first book I read was The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.

I’ve been hooked on books ever since.

What are some books you read as a child?

It had to be books by Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl.

I remember The Famous Five Series, The Secret Seven Series, Boy and Going Solo, just to name a few.

What is your favourite genre?

It has to be fiction.

Although I started off reading mystery and adventure, my all time favourite is fantasy. Not so much sci-fi but pure fantasy.

Do you have a favourite novel?

The Dragonlance Chronicles, comprising Dragons of Autumn Twilight, Dragons of Winter Night and Dragons of Spring Dawning.

No other novels have evoked such emotional attachment than the original Dragonlance books.

Dan Brown’s books come a close second, though.

Where do you usually read?

My bed, most of the time.

Sometimes, if the book is really good, when I’m in the washroom…

When do you usually read?

At night, right before turning in.

Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?

The most I’ve ever read were three books at a time.

But if I had a choice, I’d prefer to savour one book at a time.

Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?

Yes and no.

I read all my books usually at the same place, but perhaps in a different manner.

I tend to treat non-fiction as a sort of study material, in an objective way.

Fiction is subjective, and I read them with a more open mind.

Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?

When I was young, I borrowed all my books from the public library.

As I grew older and started earning my keep, I tend to buy all my books.

Although expensive, at least they’re tax deductible.

Do you keep most of the books you buy? If not, what do you do with them?

Yes, hopefully for as long as I live.

If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them? Were they some of the same ones you read as a child?

I don’t have children at the moment. But if I did, I’d probably share my personal library with them. I think generally I would let them read whatever they want, but not anything too extreme.

Reading is subjective. You have to let the reader discover his or her passion for reading, like what I did.

What are you reading now?

Still reading Robert Ludlum’s Sigma Protocol.

Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list?

Yes, especially when I’m reading series. I have to keep track of the continuing sequels.

What’s next?

The third book of Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Series comes out next month.

What books would you like to reread?

My favourites.

Who are your favourite authors?

Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman, Ursula Le Guin, JRR Tolkien, and Frank Herbert for the fantasy genre.

Dan Brown, Michael Chrichton and Robert Ludlum for the action/adventure thrillers.

Now, who do I tag?

I’m going to pass the baton to 3iLing, CBenc12 and STP.

Savour

Mood: Cheerful

Listening to: Endless Story by Yuna Ito

I love reading. Books are one of the main joys in my life.

Over the years, no matter where and when, I’m always in the midst of a good book.

For me, the best (and only) time to read during the week days is at night , right before turning in.

It’s a good way to pass the time when you’ve got chronic insomnia. Not so good, though when you end up lacking sleep the next day.

It’s a habit of mine to alternate between genres.

It used to be 1 book a night but when you have to juggle between work, household chores and socialising, time becomes a precious commodity. I’ve also learned to savour the essence of a book by taking my time instead of speed-reading through them.

Currently reading this…

Brilliant stuff. Love his books, especially the Jason Bourne series.

*****

One of my favourite Japanese songs, Endless Story is a beautiful piece by Yuna Ito.

Cover of the album, Heart by Yuna Ito

It was a moment of serendipity, really. I discovered this song by chance while watching Nana, which also happened by chance.

The film also provided an introduction to music composed by Mika Nakashima.

Absolutely brilliant stuff.