sunday stealing

 

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C'mon Get Happy

Here are 10 things that make me happy:

1.  Waking up without an alarm / sleeping in / hurkle durkle

2. Fresh laundry

3. Garlic knots

4. Dunkin' iced coffee

5. When my students get a concept I'm teaching

6. Gifts for no reason

7. Buying myself flowers / receiving flowers 

8. Comfortable shoes

9.  Leisurely drives

10.  Awesome audio narrators

postsecret

 

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

finished reading

I was not prepared for this book.  It is absolutely bonkers and bananas.  I am not a gamer, so I was not familiar with some of the lingo.  This is basically a dystopian role-playing game.  I got it because I have read so much praise for the audio narration — which was well-deserved, indeed. So, Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat, Princess Donut, are forced to team up to survive a deadly intergalactic reality game show after aliens destroy Earth and turn it into a multi-level dungeon.  The book is the experience of Carl and Donut as they navigate the levels, figure out who to trust, who to get advice from, and work with other contestants.  It's brutal, violent, and very funny.  I laughed out loud several times.  I have yet to decide if I'm up for more of the series (although part of me is curious as to the fate of Carl and Donut).

From the publisher:

The apocalypse will be televised!

A man. His ex-girlfriend's cat. A sadistic game show unlike anything in the a dungeon crawl where survival depends on killing your prey in the most entertaining way possible.

In a flash, every human-erected construction on Earth - from Buckingham Palace to the tiniest of sheds - collapses in a heap, sinking into the ground. The buildings and all the people inside have all been atomized and transformed into the an 18-level labyrinth filled with traps, monsters, and loot. A dungeon so enormous, it circles the entire globe. Only a few dare venture inside. But once you're in, you can't get out. And what's worse, each level has a time limit. You have but days to find a staircase to the next level down, or it's game over.

In this game, it's not about your strength or your dexterity. It's about your followers, your views. Your clout. It's about building an audience and killing those goblins with style. You can't just survive here. You gotta survive big. You gotta fight with vigor, with excitement. You gotta make them stand up and cheer. And if you do have that "it" factor, you may just find yourself with a following. That's the only way to truly survive in this game - with the help of the loot boxes dropped upon you by the generous benefactors watching from across the galaxy. They call it Dungeon Crawler World. But for Carl, it's anything but a game.

saturday 9

Ladder To The Roof

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Many people are uncomfortable with ladders. Some feel unsteady on the steps, others have a fear of heights. Then there's the superstition that warns against walking under ladders. Are you afraid of ladders? no, I'm not afraid of ladders, nor am I superstitious

 

2) In this song, the Supremes advise us to go up the ladder to the roof to be closer to Heaven. While poetic, that's not really why most homeowners climb onto the roof. They're more likely replacing shingles or cleaning the gutters. Have you ever been on the roof of your building? no, I don't know how to get to it

 

3) The record was the Supremes first and biggest hit without Diana Ross. When Jean Terrell replaced Diana as lead singer, the two ladies appeared together at a press event to launch this new iteration of the Supremes. Have you ever met your replacement at a job, or perhaps the person you replaced? no, I have not--and I've been thinking about this quite a bit as I look to retirement.  I keep reminding myself that it is none of my business who they get to take my place.  I can't get wrapped up in who will continue the rigor of the Advanced Placement program.

 

4) Mary Wilson was a member of the group when it was formed in 1959 and stayed through 1977, when the Supremes officially disbanded. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American stays at a job 3.9 years. Looking over your job history, how long did you typically stick with an employer? I stay much longer... my retail job was almost 10 years and this current teaching job is almost 30 years

 

5) The third Supreme performing on this record was Cindy Birdsong. After the group broke up for good, Cindy finished nursing school and practiced at UCLA Medical Center. When did you last interact with a nurse or nurse practitioner?  on January 19th

6) In 1970, when this song was popular, TV shows about doctors like Marcus Welby, MD and Medical Center ranked high in the Nielsen ratings. Medical shows are still popular today, with Grey's Anatomy entering its 22nd season and The Pitt earning critical accolades. Do you have a favorite TV doctor? Doctor Doug Ross 😉

 

7) Also in 1970, when this song was popular, audiences were lining up to see the movie Love Story. Without looking it up, complete the film's most famous line:  "Love means _______________." never having to say you're sorry

 

8) Slumberchums™ were all the rage among pre-teens in 1970. These sleeping bags had attached pillow "heads" that made it look like you slipping into sleep inside a plush bear. When did you most recently sleep in a sleeping bag? oh, my gosh--it's been at least three decades

 

9) Random question: Did you take a multivitamin this morning? If yes, did you swallow it or chew it? I did not take a multivitamin

three on thursday

Thing one:  last night was my final meeting as Chair of the Library Board of Trustees.  I have termed off the Board.  I have been on the board for a very long time, and it will be weird not to have the monthly meetings and ancillary work.

Thing two:  this is midterm and finals week at school.  I'll be transitioning to four semester courses (finals) and two year-long courses (midterms).  Unfortunately, there is no transition time between the semesters, and I've been scrambling to finish the courses and get the new courses set up.

Thing three:  my car is under the weather.  The electrical system is doing something naughty.  Ultimately, that means the remote starter and other features are not working.  And this is the coldest temperature we've had in years.  I've never gone without a car starter.  I'm spoiled.  Hopefully, when I take it for servicing again on Monday, they can solve the issue.  And double hopefully, it will all be warranty work.

finished reading

I don't think I ever would have picked this up--I don't watch TV, so I didn't know who Elizabeth Vargas is, and I'm not an addict, so I didn't connect with those passages, and I'm not wealthy, so I am not able to solve my problems with as much support as Elizabeth Vargas had.  Having said all that, her personal story of sliding to rock bottom and regaining her footing in sobriety was authentic and not overly dramatic.  She accepts responsibility and explains without blaming.  I'm sure this will be an interesting book group discussion.

From the publisher:

From the moment she uttered the brave and honest words, "I am an alcoholic," to interviewer George Stephanopoulos, Elizabeth Vargas began writing her story, as her experiences were still raw. Now, in BETWEEN BREATHS, Vargas discusses her accounts of growing up with anxiety-which began suddenly at the age of six when her father served in Vietnam-and how she dealt with this anxiety as she came of age, to her eventually turning to alcohol for relief. She tells of how she found herself living in denial, about the extent of her addiction and keeping her dependency a secret for so long. She addresses her time in rehab, her first year of sobriety, and the guilt she felt as a working mother who had never found the right balance.

Honest and hopeful, BETWEEN BREATHS is an inspiring read.

wordless wednesday

 

finished reading

While this book felt a bit overlong, it was an impressive start to a new series. The novel’s greatest strength lies in its characters; even the secondary figures are so well-developed they feel like three-dimensional people. The mystery revolves around the gritty, disturbing disappearances of teenage girls across dual timelines—one in the present and another twelve years ago. I especially appreciated that it functions as both a police procedural and a deep dive into the psychology behind the crimes.

From the publisher:

Welcome to North Falls—a small town where everyone knows everyone. Or so they think.

Until the night of the fireworks. When two teenage girls vanish, and the town ignites.

For Officer Emmy Clifton, it’s personal. She turned away when her best friend's daughter needed help—and now she must bring her home.

But as Emmy combs through the puzzle the girls left behind, she realizes she never really knew them. Nobody did.

Every teenage girl has secrets. But who would kill for them? And what else is the town hiding?

currently

I am...

Reading:  I get to start a new book tomorrow and I think I'll listen to Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Listening to:  a Spotify playlist--although I am seriously considering ditching Spotify premium

Thinking:  I should go to sleep

Feeling:  like I can't sleep

Celebrating: today was an Acts of Service day for me--and I did two

Grateful for: my nurse practitioner is encouraging, delightful, and makes me laugh

Enjoying: I got a lot done this weekend--on my own pace

Weather:  18° and snowing

A quote I want to share:

 

sunday stealing

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3x5

Three things I love (Remember, these are things, not people):

1. Dunkin' iced coffee

2. teaching high school (especially when I can teach and don't have to deal with the unnecessary dramas and politics)

3. reading and knitting

Three things on my desk:

1. a calendar blotter thingy

2. my laptop

3. a water bottle

Three things I can't do:

1. change a tire or diagnose other car issues

2. brioche knitting or crochet

3. manage my finances

Three things I'm good at:

1. listening

2. lightening the mood

3.  cooking

Three things I want to accomplish:

1.  successfully finish my career in a year

2. leave a positive mark on my local library even when I'm done chairing the Board of Trustees next week

3.  keep and maintain a relatively clutter-free environment

postsecret

 

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

finished reading

I like this quirky series.  The author is a character alongside private detective Daniel Hawthorne, who is prickly and secretive.  I liked that Anthony Horowitz pokes fun at himself and is bumbling in his attempt to solve the murder before Hawthorne.  I enjoyed the first of the series--this installment is even better.  And the audio narration is great!

From the publisher:

"You shouldn’t be here. It’s too late…"

These, heard over the phone, were the last recorded words of successful celebrity-divorce lawyer. Richard Pryce, found bludgeoned to death in his bachelor pad with a bottle of wine – a 1982 Chateau Lafite worth £3,000, to be precise.

Odd, considering he didn’t drink. Why this bottle? And why those words? And why was a three-digit number painted on the wall by the killer? And, most importantly, which of the man’s many, many enemies did the deed?

Baffled, the police are forced to bring in Private Investigator Daniel Hawthorne and his sidekick, the author Anthony, who’s really getting rather good at this murder investigation business.

But as Hawthorne takes on the case with characteristic relish, it becomes clear that he, too, has secrets to hide. As our reluctant narrator becomes ever more embroiled in the case, he realises that these secrets must be exposed – even at the risk of death…

saturday 9

Man I Need

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 

1) In this song, Olivia Dean is looking for a man who wants to really communicate and doesn't make her "read between the lines." Tell us about a time when you felt you had to work hard to figure out what someone was trying to tell you. this happens all the time at school, especially with FERPA guidelines 

 

2) She's eager to meet his best friend and join their friend group. Have you made any new friends recently? not really

 

3) "Man I Need" was a hit in the fall of 2025. It was so popular that, in addition to CDs, a special vinyl release was scheduled in time for Christmas (2025) gift giving. How do you listen to music most often? Do you play CDs, download, stream, or play vinyl records? streaming in my car

 

4) Olivia Dean recalls that her first public performance was singing at a school talent show. If we had a Sat 9 talent show, what would you do to entertain us? if Country Dew would play guitar, I might be persuaded to sing

 

5) She says she loved listening to her parents' music collection. How about you? Did you and your parents share musical tastes? How about you and your kids? my dad mostly listens to choral and classical music, which I appreciate but don't necessarily reach for on a regular basis...

 

6) Olivia likes to be dressed up when she gets onstage, favoring gowns and heels. She says of her audiences, "If you guys paid good money that you worked hard for, let me give you a show." How do you feel when you're invited to an event that calls for you to dress up? Are you enthusiastic about choosing your outfit, or would you rather keep it casual? I think I prefer casual

 
7) She enjoys classic film and lists Singin' in the Rain as her favorite. What's the last movie you watched? Do you recommend it to other Sat 9ers? the last movie I watched was Love Actually because I couldn't find When Harry Met Sally for my annual New Year viewing.  I would recommend it.

 

8) In 2025, when this song was popular, the average price tag for a new vehicle was $47,690 and $25,100 for a used one. Are you planning to make a big purchase in 2026?   I made my big purchase in 2025--with my new Edge

9) Random question: Are you better with love or money? love

finished reading

This is perhaps the most atmospheric book I've ever read.  The isolation, the relentless winds, the driving rain, and the frigid sea were all characters that shaped relationships between the people and the physical world around them.  The main female character, Rowan, dramatically washes up on the remote island, unleashing secrets, suspicion, and intrigue.  There were many times I wanted to shake Rowan as she became entwined in the family's drama. The keepers of the island, the male main character Dominic Salt and his three children, have forged relationships with the animals of the island, and the youngest, Orly, is consumed by the seed vault. I loved the dynamics between the Salt children.

I'm relatively new to the Climate Fiction genre--this was a powerful study of precious resources.  The audio narration was very well done.

From the publisher:

A family on a remote island. A mysterious woman washed ashore. A rising storm on the horizon.

Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. Home to the world’s largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers, but with sea levels rising, the Salts are now its final inhabitants. Until, during the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman mysteriously washes ashore.

Isolation has taken its toll on the Salts, but as they nurse the woman, Rowan, back to strength, it begins to feel like she might just be what they need. Rowan, long accustomed to protecting herself, starts imagining a future where she could belong to someone again.

But Rowan isn’t telling the whole truth about why she set out for Shearwater. And when she discovers sabotaged radios and a freshly dug grave, she realizes Dominic is keeping his own secrets. As the storms on Shearwater gather force, they all must decide if they can trust each other enough to protect the precious seeds in their care before it’s too late―and if they can finally put the tragedies of the past behind them to create something new, together.

A novel of breathtaking twists, dizzying beauty, and ferocious love, Wild Dark Shore is about the impossible choices we make to protect the people we love, even as the world around us disappears.