"Nothing is Original"

February 16 Book Read

February 16 Books

Life of Pi

The Last Apprentice Book 5

Homeless Bird

The Key to Rondo

Around the World in 80 Days

The Goose Girl

Savvy

The Red Tent

The Coral Thief

Push

Olive Kitteridge

The Lute Player

Breakfast At Tiffany's

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

The Dragon's of Babel

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

8.333 books per month = 100 books per year

Ok. Yes I did do the math. I can't help it.

8.333 books per month = 100 books in a year.

I am going at a good pace, and for the most part I am enjoying the books I read.

What I have learned so far:

Although I can read about 14 books per month I am doing it at the expense of other hobby type things. So, can I read 8 and still fit other things in...? Sewing etc.

All books should not be read. Seems like a no-brainer, but honestly, I feel like I made the decision to read it and I should read it. I will forgive myself for picking out a book I don't like and stop reading it after the first 2 chapters if, in my humble opinion, it sucks.

I also want to read non-fiction, this is harder. It takes longer. I want to remember what I read.

I can not read in bed for longer than 15 minutes without falling asleep.

I really like historical fiction. A Lot. Some of it is very very bad like (to me dear friends) a romance novel, which I do not like and therefore I will not read after the first 2 chapters.

I could read everyday (at least right now) about the birth of our nation, the colonies and the Revolutionary war.

I would like a fancy silver bookmark with my name on it.

I do not think I want a Kindle because I am a tactile person and the very thought of not smelling ink and paper gives me the shakes.

I need to go to the library and goodwill and have a set of books ready to read for the month, otherwise I do not pick up a book right away and I will suffer from BSAD (book selection anxiety disorder).

Yes. That is a picture of a book turned into a purse. I need to make time to do that.

Start in the Middle...

The biggest challenge in making something - anything - is getting started. It’s typically not that we’re lazy. Rather, it’s that the funnel is so wide open that there are too many options before us. There are too many places we could go. We’re afraid of messing up. We’re editing before we have any content.

It’s easier to sit, and think, and organize, and wait for inspiration to strike. But that’s a loser’s game. If you ask prolific creatives, they will tell you that the reason they create so many things is that they aren’t afraid to start in the middle.

Start in the middle?

Yes. It doesn’t matter if it’s the right way to start or if it feels like a fragment. Just move. Start working on any part of the project. Make it from the inside out. Get some traction. You can always re-direct as you go.

As you create, you can easily morph the parts you’ve already created and sequence and align them properly, but you can’t tweak something that doesn’t exist.

We can’t allow the fear of getting it wrong to keep us from getting it at all. The role of any creative, meaning anyone who solves problems and makes things, is to do the work. No one cares how you start the work, and very few people will care about your process as long as you deliver a good product in the end.

Get moving. Start in the middle if necessary. Do the work.

Accidental Creative

Realize

the great teachings unanimously emphasize that all the peace, wisdom, and joy in the universe are already within us; we don't have to gain, develop, or attain them.

We're like a child standing in a beautiful park with his eyes shut tight. We don't need to imagine trees, flowers, deer, birds, and sky; we merely need to open our eyes and realize what is already here, who we really are -- as soon as we quit pretending we're small or unholy.

~author unknown.

Winter Uniform

Trench and Skull by mistiekay featuring Prada shoes

I am currently in Winter Uniform status due to the cold weather and my unwillingness to leave any chance of any skin showing at any time. Brrr.

Underwear.

Tank top.

Long sleeve V-neck top. Sometimes a pattern. Mostly not.

Some type of tailored jacket.

Pants.

Knee socks.

Boots.

Scarf.

Earrings. Not to long, as they catch on scarf.

Pendant watch.

Lined London Fog Trench Coat.

Black leather gloves.

Soon I will begin to wish to wear pretty little heels...