Finds Vol. 2 and some randomness!

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." 
— Theodore Roosevelt

This quotation is really speaking to me today. I found it used in the teaser for a book, Daring Greatly, that looks really interesting. I certainly have a problem with failing to push myself to just go do and try, even if it means looking silly or not doing it perfectly... or even right for that matter.

With all this solo time on my hands, I've been keeping pretty quiet so I'll do another link heavy post!


1. The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman

Amazing. Book. I guess I've been in the mood for mind expanding imagery, re: Jagannath, and this book fit right in. It is also fairly short and I plowed through in over a 24 hr period. It is mystical and creepy and left me with bizarre dreams. If that doesn't earn a book 5 stars on my shelves, I don't know what does.


2. Hollywood Game Night 
This show is hilarious. Mom told me I should turn it on and boy was she right, it had me snorting and giggling and I'm kinda glad no one was around to hear the crazy way I was laughing.
Here's "How Do You Do" with some SNL Alums.




3. Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan

Even if you don't have kids, like myself obviously, this book is so funny. He includes drawings from his kids, and goofy family pictures. It doesn't glorify parenting or degrade it, it just points out the embarrassing, demoralizing ridiculousness of it all and the impossibility of not falling in love with it at the same time. I haven't belly laughed from a book so hard since I read Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson. Did I tell you guys to read that? If I didn't, let's pretend I did, because you really must.

4. Whose Line Is It Anyway?

If you can't tell, I've been seeking out laughter lately. It's really helped pass the time with Ed away. I've mentioned how huge a fan I am of this show. I saw the live show in San Francisco with Ryan, Chip (Now Charles Esten thanks to Nashville), Greg Proops and Jeff Davis (major crush on that one back in middle school). If you're not watching the new season of this show, you're seriously missing out. Here's one of my favorite clips from the old seasons:

5. Backstreet Boys - In A World Like This

You can hate all you want but I love this. Takes me back. Never got to see them in concert but I always loved them. There's a special place in my heart for Kevin. :)

And last but not least, in fact, I'm not 100% sure I haven't already recommended this but since they add new episodes regularly....

6. Conversations With My 2-Year-Old

There are about 8 episodes out now, but the first one is still a solid introduction to the series. If you haven't heard anything about it, one man reconstructs conversations with his 2 year old daughter but with a fully grown man playing the daughter.

The "Pants" episode is also pretty amazing.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dad and Debbie stopped by for a short visit earlier this week and we had a really nice time. Two long walks, Winchester house, Game of Thrones season 3, a fancy dinner and they even gifted me with a Dyson vacuum when I apparently destroyed Ed's old vacuum. I swear, I didn't do it on purpose! It really helped the second week move a little quicker.

After a lovely dinner out! One of our few group non-hike or hot tub pictures :)

Delicious Ethiopian, I love you.

Winchester House! I can't wait for Fright Night this year!

Weight loss is still holding. I've taken a break from running but I'm still walking and doing other things. Counting down the days until it's time to visit Ck. That's about all for now! Like I said it's been very quiet round here. I haven't been up to much, hence my lack of posting.  Ed comes home on Sunday and I could not be more ready. :)