'Tis the first Sunday Salon of 2010! Huzzaaaah!
And I thought I'd kick this off by listing a few of my goals (or new year's resolutions) this year. :D
1) Reviewing, Reviewing, Reviewing
Those of you who follow me on Twitter (do it!) will know that my attempt at writing a book review last night was an aggressive one.
I haven't reviewed in so long that I'm out of practice and find that my writing's ... lacking something. Talent, perhaps?
I need to get back into the habit. Especially as I also volunteer to write reviews for a wonderful website called The Book Bag. (Oh ... yeah ... and that whole ambition to write reviews professionally comes into play too.)
So one of my goals is to write reviews for at least 80% of the books I read this year, and at least 50% of the films I watch.
And I need your help with it. If you see my list of 'Books read' (on the left side bar) growing but haven't seen a review since the dawn of time, poke me. Nudge me. Kick me! Make sure I'm reviewing. This blog provides perfect practice for the writing career I'd love.
2) TBR Pile
As of January 1st, 2010, there were 50 books on my TBR pile.
I managed to read 50 books in 2009 so there shouldn't be a problem.
My big reading goal this year is to see the end of my TBR pile. It needs to disappear so that I can start buying new books from my wishlist. XD
3) Weight loss
As I blogged about before, I want to lose weight.
By December, I want to have shed two stone and have toned up. This isn't so much a vanity thing as it is a personal quest to health and fitness. I eat healthily (with the exception to a lot of birthday cake and Christmas choccies); I need the fitness. It'll also give me a chance to try and make my Asthma better. :)
I've rejoined the 100 mile challenge that Trish from Trish's Reading Nook is hosting and, this time, I'm determined to do it. Treadmill starts tomorrow morning!
4) Savings Just another personal goal for me but this year I plan to open a savings account and start saving towards what I really want to do: Travel.
I've been planning these travels for the last ten years. It's about time I put my head down and really do it.
That, and I also need a new computer. I'm trading this old Dell PC in for a 'Desktop Replacement' laptop. Unfortunately I know nothing about computers ... but lucky for me, my better half is a computer nerd.
If any of you do recommend some excellent laptops (price within reason - I only make minimum wage), please leave it in the comments for me. :)
5) Guitar
I don't know how far I'm going to go with this one but I'd really like to learn how to play the guitar.
I played violin for eight years and, as a result, can read music. I'd love to be able to play guitar and there's nothing stopping me. (Other than the inevitable cost of a purdy new guitar.)
6) Smile
Smiling makes me feel good.
But I don't do enough of it. I'm also very quick to voice my (grouchy) opinions on certain matters (and people) ... and can regret it because of how I sounded and may have come across.
I want to strive to think before I speak and better myself as a person. :) <3
~*~*~
I got two more books for my birthday last week:
My friend, Philippa, got me the restored edition of Sylvia Plath's Ariel, while my brother bought me Ancient Gonzo Wisdom: Interviews with Hunter S. Thompson. I swear these are two people who know me so well. These were the perfect gifts.
I also wandered into Waterstones, found myself a little birthday treat and bought This Boy's Life by Tobias Wolff.
I've always been a fan of the film and have wanted to read this for years. Especially after having read a short story by Wolff called Bullet in the Brain whilst in uni.
~*~*~
That's about it for the first Sunday Salon. I really want to get back into my blogging, full force, so you might start to see the occasional meme pop up as I try and ingratiate myself back into the book blogging and film blogging community.
I do have a question for those of you who are still lovely enough to follow me, though. :)
Is there anything in particular you'd like to see from my blog this year? Anything I could do more of? Anything about me you'd like to know? Any features I could do?
I didn't start this blog to please people. I started it to amuse myself. But I figure if people are taking the time to read my words, I might aswell ask what they'd like to see.
Leave it in the comments. :) TTFN. xx
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10 comments:
Solid resolutions. Smiling is excellent.
What I like to see in a blog are book related thoughts. I also like to see people reciprocate and stop by my blog.
I have so many things I want to comment! So bear with me, k?
1) Melissa from Book Nut was talking about writer's block when it came to reviewing on her post today, too. That might help?
2) I don't have a clue how much a stone is, but I saw that vlog the other day and you're tiny! You shouldn't have to worry about weight loss, dear. If you want to tone up, sure, that's always good, but you don't need to lose anything, I swear!
3) When it comes to computers, if you're just looking for cheap a netbook is good. You should check what all you need, though, because some of them only let you do internet and I don't know what all you're looking to do. I paid a lot for my laptop in order to get one that'll last me for years (about $700 for a macbook).
Okay, I think that's it. :)
Hun, I wouldn't change a thing! Your personality shines through, which I absolutely love!
I would love to read more reviews from you as you are absolutely brilliant.
I came by to tell you that I have an award for you when you have a free minute.
I can't believe you need to lose 2 stone, you will disappear! You looked so tiny on the vlog, are you hiding the extra 2 stone on your ankles.
Good luck with your goals, I hope you get there.
good luck with your goals!
learning to play the guitar is a fun goal :)
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Readerbuzz - Thank you. :)
Amanda - 1) Will check it out. It seems that everyone has blogger's block lately. :P 2) Haha, 1 stone is equivalent to 14 pounds. Ideally I'd like to lose about 35 pounds by the end of the year (but that's wishful thinking). Yeah, toning up and getting fit is my priority though. :) 3) Thank you. I'm going to keep that in mind. :D
Michelle - You are too sweet. :)
Ryan - Thank you, hun. I'll work on the reviews and thank you so much for the award. xx
Vivienne - Haha. Nah, it's all around the hips, I'm afraid. I have the world's worst love handles. :P Thanks hun.
Naida - Thank you. Yeah, I can't wait. I really want to learn.
Hi, Ceri!
"My big reading goal this year is to see the end of my TBR pile."
Don't we all want this? Hehehe. And I'm with you on the weight loss thing too. I gained so much over the holidays.
I would just like to point out that I LOVE your 'love handles', and wholeheartedly agree with everyone who points out that you look gorgeous just as you are. :)
I think the trick to not have too many backlog reviews is to write them as soon as you finish reading the book. The more you wait, the more it piles up, and the more bored you get, at least that's what happens with me :)
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