Lists @ MindSay 
I love lists. I suppose that isn't too odd, but I absolutely love them. Call it a passion or an obsession, but I am totally hooked.
I will write lists, things to do, things I'd like to do, books I've read, books I'd like to read, jobs I've held, possible names for children I don't have, whatever springs to mind, I will often times just write a list for the joy of writing a list.
Hand-in-hand with this obsession comes a love of other people's lists. VH-1's greatest power ballads of the 80's, ESPN's best catches in sports history, the History Channel's Top 50 moments that shook the world, whatever it is, regardless of topic, I love 'em all.
So imagine my joy when stumbling across the website Lists of Bests, where users can post lists of things, but they also contain lists created from other sources. Oh the Joy!
Well, the site breaks it down into categories and I immediately jumped to books. Duh. I was just curious to see what kinds of fun I could find there. The first thing I read was MLA's 30 Books Every Adult Should Read Before They Die and isn't that a catchy title. I didn't even know who MLA was, but come on--don't you just have to know?
Okay, so it turns out that MLA is the Museums, Libraries, and Archives Council in the United Kingdom and they did a survey of British librarians that asked which one book should adults read before they die? The answers were then tabulated into a top 30 list. I was so excited as I scrolled down to see who the winner would be.....
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Hmm, interesting. An exceptional book, certainly one that everyone should read (and heck, see the movie too....Gregory Peck is awesome!) but I don't know if it is number one. I mean, theoretically, if you could only read one book before you die, you would start at # 1. Does Mockingbird have that kind of cachet? Maybe, I really don't know. There are definitely some others I would put up against it for a healthy debate, but not the worst top pick I have seen.
So I keep going to find that The Bible is number two. Really? I mean, really? I am Catholic, have no problem with the Bible, believe it to be a source of some really good moral information, along with some truly outdated notions, but that 's my take. And I have no burning desire to read it. I have read parts of it, sure, and have listened to much of it in church, but read it cover to cover....well, um, no. And I for sure don't think that it is a book that EVERY adult should read before they die. It just isn't for everyone. That kind of thinking is what gets us into wars and stuff, so pretty bad choice there. Shouldn't be on the list. Shouldn't be considered a book, should fall under the category of religious text or something.
Whatever. I guess to each his own and we'll just move on. Unfortunately, after the first pick, the list really kind of fizzled out. There are so many great books to choose from, that I understand this would be hard, but really. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold????
That book came out like 4 years ago. I just don't know if it can qualify as a classic yet. How could a book like that bump, say, Huckleberry Finn from a list like this. There are several other modern suggestions on the list besides that one and they just don't sit right with me. I am not saying that a book must be 100 years old or more in order to be good. The Lovely Bones is a good book. I was impressed by it. But hell, Harry Potter is a good book (pick one) and I don't really think anyone believes he should be on the list. Although, Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy (including The Golden Compass) made it at #9 so who knows?
Okay, bottom line. A list like this is nearly impossible to create, especially when allowing a group to do the choosing. But as I perused this mediocre list, I couldn't help but notice that most of the authors that made it are British. Hmmm, national pride anyone? But they did choose Harper Lee as their top pick and she's American, so obviously it wasn't intentional, but there are certainly an overwhelming number of Brits on the list. Many undeserving, in my humble opinion. I have decided to start thinking of my own list along these lines. We'll see: I'll either drive myself batty or have loads of fun and drive my readership batty.
Any thoughts?
Good news: Because I left work at 6:45 p.m., there was no traffic on 202 going home (which was nice, considering it took me 90 minutes to get TO work this morning).
Bad news: I have a strong feeling that I'm going to be putting in late-nighters at work this week and next, until my project ships.
Good news: I am taking a five-day (Saturday 8/9 through Wednesday 8/13) vacation after my project ships. I have NOTHING planned for this vacation, and I am KEEPING it that way. I may take a book and read on the beach in Ocean City, NJ for a day. I may decide to save gas/money and take the book to Marsh Creek State Park instead. I may just spend a few days in my pajamas watching movie after movie after movie. Who knows? It's all up in the air! It's ANARCHY! And it's beautiful.
In other news, I spent the weekend at my Dad's to celebrate his birthday. Dad, Diane, Geoff, Brittany, and I ate out at Houlihan's Saturday night (Dad had a free entree coupon), where I found out that I like mushrooms, but only if they're surrounded by cream cheese, breaded, and fried to a golden brown. Mmmmmm. Then Dad, Diane, and I spent the rest of the night watching Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Batman Begins.
Sunday morning the above people plus Ryan and Becky ate out at Old Country Buffet for brunch. I actually behaved myself food-wise, too. Though not because of my stellar will power; the food sucked. Afterwards the guys took Geoff's car to get gas and ice cream, while the girls went to Target and Babies 'R Us to get more stuff for Baby Aiden. Monitors and breast pumps and mattresses, oh my!
Once everyone was back home, we all changed into swim suits and hit the pool. Even Frankie suited up for some swim time (though less enthused than everyone else):
The boys put on a fashion show:
And then had raft races:
When all was said and done, we moved inside for Birthday Blueberry Pie (made from scratch by moi!):
And entertained Jelli and her camera:
And took naps.
Fun weekend! And I got all of my dirty laundry (including sheets that hadn't been washed since last winter) done!
iFeel:
dumbiTunes: "That '70s Show"
- My brother and his girlfriend are engaged! Geoff and Brittany had gone to Ocean City, MD for a mini-vacation over the weekend, and Geoff proposed Saturday night as they walked along the shore at sunset. He faked stepping on a broken shell, and as he kneeled down to "check his foot," he handed his sunglasses and an empty water bottle to Brittany. Except the water bottle wasn't empty. Cute, huh? They're going to wait until next year to have the wedding... right now they're too preoccupied with getting ready for my little nephew's arrival.
- Speaking of Aiden, I seriously can't stop buying stuff for this kid. The baby shower will be next month, and I already know what I'm going to get them, but I'm going to throw in a few extra surprises that aren't on the registry. *plots*
- Mindsay is being stupid. Lately it's taking me forever to load the site both at work and at home. What gives?
- I am loving the crap out of Outlander. Though it is a bit more... intimate... than I thought a science fiction series would be.
- I am, however, NOT loving the crap out of the state of Texas right now. And those of you who know me know that I normally heart Texas. This new proposal is going to kill my summer.
- And now, to wrap things up, new pictures of the kitties at Grammy's house (taken this past weekend):
Chloe likes going to Grammy's because then she gets to go OUTSIDE. She army crawls through the grass...
Eats the grass...
And watches bugs fly out of the grass.
Oliver, however, prefers to stay inside and attack the camera string...
Look at birds flying outside...
And take time to sniff the (fake) flowers.
iFeel:
calmiTunes: About a Boy on Style
Singing. Even those of us that can't carry a tune will open our mouths when no one is within earshot *Hopefully* and belt out our favorite song of the moment or a oldie but goodie. Some of my favorite belt out loud songs are:
Hit me with your best shot-Pat Benatar
Dancing with myself-Billy Idol
Burning Down the house-Talking Heads
Believe, gyspy's tramps and thieves, well anything Cher
On top of the World-Carpenters
That's a good start to the list. Will add as I have time. What's yours?
Dixie currently feels:
Saddened
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Today's good points:
- Adam came over for a little bit, and we listened to Maximum The Hormone for about three hours - the same song on loop, coz it's mint. :)
- Adam said my hair smelt nice - which is a very rare phrase coming from him. :)
- I got some more of my music sorted out.
- I went on a downloading fit.
- I made some stuff on Photoshop.
- I found some new things to draw.
- I ate lots of pizza.
- Adam's coming down tomorrow too.
- It's twenty-past 5, and I'm WIDE AWAKE. I'm not gonna sleep.
- I downloaded the best Maximum The Hormone song EVER... One of my favourite songs now.
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Today's bad points:
- The events with Emily today were rollercoaster.
- I had more thoughts about getting SR out again.
- I didn't do my coursework, now I'm panicking.
- I have EVEN MORE stuff to organise after my downloading fit.
- I got my period without realising, and got blood all over myself.
- I have no energy to do anything.
- I'm gasping for more Pepsi, but we don't have any left.
- I've tried to get more good points than bad, but I don't know how the day's actually gone...
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Today's picture:
I made that on Photoshop, by modifying an older picture I'd drawn before.
I think it's rather good for a five minute job. :)
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Today's lists:
Dixie's current favourite songs:
- Less Talk, More Rokk - Freezepop
- Chu Chu Lovely Muni Muni Mura Mura Purin Purin Boron Nururu Rero Rero - Maximum The Hormone
- Wait And Bleed - Slipknot
- Rosenrot - Rammstein
- Southpaw - Double You
- Absolute - Thousand Foot Krutch
- There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This - Sweet Charity
- Prayer Of The Refugee - Rise Against
- Bed Of Razors - Children Of Bodom
- Laid To Rest - Lamb Of God
Dixie's current favourite YouTube videos:
- Chu Chu Lovely Muni Muni Mura Mura Purin Purin Boron Nururu Rero Rero (Live)
- Lima's Red Shoes
- Do You Come Here Often?
- What's That String?
- Beauty Tips
- Keeping Up Appearances Outtakes
- Smackhead with her hand caught in a letterbox!
- Will You Go To Prom With Me?
- Spelling Bees Are Serious Shit!
- Is it a penis?
Dixie's current favourite flash games:
(Do a damn Google search, you had enough out of me with the YouTube links! :P)
- Aggressive Alpine Skiing
- The Impossible Quiz
- Supermarket Shag
- Monkey Dude
- 30K Starfighter
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Today's consumed edibles:
- 10" chicken & bacon stuffed crust pizza
- 2 pints of Pepsi Max, with ice
- 10 Quality Street chocolates
- 2 Chicago Town meat feast pizzas
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Today's randomness:
Remember in my last blog I took the rip out of some songs from Guitar Hero 3?
Well I'm going to do the same now, only with Freezepop songs. :)
Plastic Shit
(Plastic Stars)
Shit King
(Chess King)
Less Talk, More Shit
(Less Talk, More Rokk)
Get Ready 2 Shit
(Get Ready 2 Rokk)
Duct Tape My Shit
(Duct Tape My Heart)
Science Genius Shit
(Science Genius Girl)
Shitpower
(Brainpower)
Aww, Freezepop aren't funny...... :(
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Today's joke:
What's big and red, and sits in the corner?
- An embarrassed elephant. :)
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Today's questions:
What is your favourite ice-cream flavour?
- Vanilla, especially with chocolate or toffee sauce.
What is your favourite smell?
- Lavender! If you put lavender near me when I'm angry, I'll suddenly grow very affectionate and quiet, and want to rub my head on your neck.
What are your most hated bands/artists?
- Good Charlotte, James Blunt, Marylin Manson, Simple Plan & Rhiannon
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And finally...
Today's song lyrics:
Shadow Of The Moon - Blackmore's Night
In the shadow of the moon,
She danced in the starlight
Whispering a haunting tune
To the night...
Velvet skirts spun 'round and 'round
Fire in her stare
In the woods without a sound
No one cared...
Through the darkened fields entranced,
Music made her poor heart dance,
Thinking of a lost romance...
Long ago...
Feeling lonely, feeling sad,
She cried in the moonlight.
Driven by a world gone mad
She took flight...
"Feel no sorrow, feel no pain,
Feel no hurt, there's nothing gained...
Only love will then remain,"
She would say...
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