***The Starry-Eyed Revue***: reading

Some things that happened while I was away:

I got the most awesome The Princess Bride-themed birthday present from my older sister who just knows me so well.
I'm participating in the 3rd round of #otspsecretsister. It's my first time, but I'm really excited about my sister because I've been mildly acquainted with her almost since I started blogging, I think, but now I'll have a chance to really get to know her. =)
I taught my older sis how to use Instagram after she begged me to. And then she was like, "That's it?" :P She doesn't really get the appeal, and she asked it all I ever did was post pics of books. Ha!
I had the best dream about Celaena Sardothien as a badass superhero fighting alongside a Batman who had real bat wings and it was fucking awesome. Of course, anything that involves Celaena is fucking awesome.
ETA: OMG, I can't believe I almost forgot to mention seeing a Joseph Gordon-Levitt look-alike at the restaurant I was eating at in Austin on Saturday night. He was such an adorable suspender-wearing cutie, and I just wanted to beg him to lip-sync for me. Of course, he was there with some chick who had NO clue how lucky she was.

Anyway, I'm back from vacation and I was supposed to put up a review or something or anything today, and I wasn't feeling it last night when we got home, so I just did nothing. Okay, well, not nothing because we watched Big Hero 6 and then finished up the night with the last of the Harry Potter weekend on ABC Family. Which, by the way, we'd started before we left my sister's house earlier in the day. =D #HarryPotterForever

But I digress. I just haven't felt any kind of inspiration to blog lately, not in any kind of formal way, at least. Like, reviews schmeviews, for reals. It's sooooo much easier for me to just word vomit like this than to actually think of something intelligent and eloquent to say about a book when it feels like I'm just repeating myself in all of my reviews. The heroine was badass. The story kept me turning the pages. The supporting cast of characters was well-drawn. Blah blah blah. So, I think I'm going to go all unprofesh on you guys and just gush away from now on. It's easier, and honestly, I don't even really think people are reading reviews on blogs that much anymore. I know I'm not. When I really want to check out reviews, I look up the book on Goodreads and peruse those before deciding whether to pick up the book or not...and even then I might just be looking at star ratings and nothing else. As long as I'm promoting the books I receive for review, it doesn't matter how I review them, does it? Or when, right...'cause I'm seriously tired of pushing back books I'm really excited about because of my "TBR schedule". So, yeah, I'm seriously going to go back to being just a book lover who gushes about the books she loves. It feels right.

And in the meantime, I hope to do some real writing. I've got an itch to write all of a sudden. I used to write all the time when I was younger, but I'm such a perfectionist that I re-read all of my stories later and threw them all away. I know. Except for some stupid essays that I wrote in high school and college, I threw everything in the garbage, except for some really, really bad poetry that should have been trashed. I don't know what I was thinking. But I think part of the reason I've been feelings so down and put-out lately is because I used to get out all my feelings on paper, whether it be in a journal or short story or really crappy poem. But it helps to have that outlet...and even if nothing comes of it, it'll still be time well-spent because maybe it'll help keep me sane. Writing is just so cathartic for me…at least when the words are flowing.

I'm not happy at work, and I haven't been in awhile. It's kind of trickling down into everything else. I should actually be working instead of typing this up because I'm rather behind after being out of the office for a week, but I can't find the willpower...so here I am. The thing is, I'd love to change jobs, but I don't want to do what I'm currently doing anymore. I used to joke that I "work with numbers by day and words by night" and that it should be my superhero mantra or whatever, but the truth is, I hate numbers. I only work in accounting because it comes so naturally to me. And I really hate the direction my company is headed in. But I don't know what I'd do if not this. I'm not really qualified for anything else, though my BIL frequently tells me that the length of time I've been with my current employer would be a big sell for potential employers, regardless. It's been so long since I even had to consider all of this, though. And honestly, I just want to do something that involves writing or editing or reading or just books in general.

Reading would be ideal because I'm SO far behind on my TBR. Hah! Only in my dreams, lol. I thought I'd get a crap ton of reading done over vacation, but as it turns out, I only read one book in full. Pretty lame, right? But I did spend some quality time with Katie and I got to see my sis, whom I haven't seen since our last vacation to Universal Studios. It always comes back to Harry Potter, doesn't it? :0)

So, that's where I'm at right now. I know I had more to say, but that'll have to wait for another day. Or when I'm not getting ready to leave the office for the day. :P But I'm back, and I'll be around, lurking as usual. :D

Labels: discussion, I'm back, reading, reviewing habits, writing

I've been thinking long and hard these past few months about where I am with blogging. When I started blogging here with Jen, it was like my passion had been renewed. I was ready to throw in the towel with my own blog, so coming here was perfect timing.

Blogging here has been great. I've met so many different readers, and I've enjoyed interacting with all of you. Early on, I was able to do that more. I worked 20 some hours a week and had all the time in the world for blogging.

Then all that went to shit, and I'm kinda glad it did. I now have a great full time job and I'm able to provide so much more for my family. This year we are finally having our decks rebuilt and vinyl siding installed! We've been trying to get to that point financially for 8 years of being in this house.

The only downside to that, is I don't have as much extra time as I used to. I'm okay with that, but it leaves me tired in the evening. I've gotten to the point that I actually dread sitting down at the computer after I put Aubrey to bed, because now I have to work on a post. And it shouldn't be that way! Blogging should not feel like work, but I think when you are so busy, and feel obligated to do something, it will always feel like work.

That's not cool. I work my ass off all day long. That's enough for me. I've discussed all of this with Jen, and my gosh do I love that girl. She's been so supportive and honestly I knew she would be... We've had this relationship where we are both always honest with each other. No hard feelings ever. She's just amazing.

I'm going to take a break. I'm not quitting. I'm not sure for how long. At least the rest of June, This month is going to be crazy hectic in my personal life. When July comes I will re evaluate how I feel. It's no secret that I've been lacking in my contribution anyway. I think my reviews and every post I do reflect my disinterest, and it's not fair to Jen, the blog or any of you to put out garbage reviews. Jen will still continue posting, so I'm only speaking for myself here.

This break will allow me to spend more time with my family, and reconnect with reading, because that's what blogging is all about! It sucks putting down my kindle because I have a TTT post to work on, or a review that I can't think of anything to say in.

I will still be reading and updating my Goodreads page. I've found that while I haven't had time to visit blogs, reading reviews and keeping up with other bloggers has been easier through goodreads. Everyone is all in one spot, and I can scroll through the app on my lunch.

So this isn't really a goodbye. Maybe a see you later... I'm not sure yet. Time will tell. I want to thank you all for the love and support you've shown me since being here and I hope to be back here soon with a refreshed point of view. :o)