Jana Says

#thingsicantdo

May 27, 2015 by Jana 41 Comments

I might have done a post like this before but I can’t remember so I’m doing it again and maybe one day I’ll go back through all my posts and delete duplicates because I really need to clean up this little blog space of mine.

And now, for your reading pleasure, here’s a list of things I can’t do:

Whistle. Also, the sound of whistling makes me crazy. #auralassault #itmightbejealousy

Snap my fingers. It’s even more embarrassing when I meet a child who can and shows me up. #noonelikesashowoff

Drink wine. I could at one point. Then there was an incident. It involved a Home Depot bucket, barfing on my neighbor’s lawn (sorry, Dave and Krista), and passing out in a bar’s bathroom. #didnthappeninmytwenties

Cook a pie from scratch. And I have tried. The expression “easy as pie”? All lies. #storeboughtisfinesometimes

Understand more than 6 consecutive words in any Beastie Boys song released after 1990. I usually don’t have a problem understanding song lyrics. Their songs mystify me. #butisingalonganyway

Fall asleep without reading at least 10 pages of a book. My day doesn’t feel complete unless I’ve read at least a few pages and not reading makes it even more difficult to sleep. #readingisfundamental

Go a day without quoting a movie. #itsaproblem

Do a smoky eye, curl my hair properly, or use bronzer. This is why I look pale and tragic, my hair is always a mess, and I have worn my eye shadow the same way since roughly 1992. #butthebigbangsaregone

Use modern day slang and sound acceptable when I do it. #toooldtocare

Reach things in high places. #shortpeopleproblems

Run or jump. #bigboobproblems

Not get excited about my birthday. It’s next Friday and I’m already planning all the free things I’m going to get. #freeforthewin

Now that you know some of my limitations, tell me some of yours. What can’t you do?

Linking up for #hashtaghumpday

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Interview with a bookworm: Kristen from See You in a Porridge

May 26, 2015 by Jana 19 Comments

And the series continues! Today’s interview is with Kristen from See You in a Porridge. If you want, you can read my interview with myself and with Steph from Life According to Steph when you’re done with Kristen’s. A full archive will be available shortly.

Hi Jana Says readers! I’m Kristen and I blog about expat life, cats, running, and all sorts of random stuff at See You In A Porridge. I also talk a lot about books because they are my oldest friend and one true love (ahem, sorry husband). I was so happy to participate in Jana’s series because who doesn’t love to talk about books?!

Jana: Why do you enjoy reading?

Kristen: Such a hard question! I love books, always have. I even wrote a letter to books (Jana’s note: her letter to books is amazing. Definitely take the time to read it). It’s so hard to narrow it down though – I love reading because I can escape to a different world, be a different person, experience new things. I don’t dislike my life, far from it, but I love that I can live several different lives just by reading.

Jana: How do you decide what to read?

Kristen: Now that I use goodreads regularly, I just hop on my ‘to read’ list and pick a book. Normally I have an idea of what I want to read next and it’s already waiting for me, other times I fish around until something jumps out at me. Before goodreads, I would wander the library or amazon until I found something. I rely heavily on recommendations, especially from bloggers who love reading as much as I do!

Jana: Who are some of your favorite authors and/or genres?

Kristen: I don’t really have a favourite author, I love Jane Austen but I couldn’t read her books every day for the rest of my life. I like variety. I love a little romance in whatever I’m reading, and I don’t mean the harlequin kind (though I’m not opposed to that either). I like YA, historical fiction, classics, and fantasy, to name a few. I just like a good story with a character I can relate to. I like to feel when I read. Whether I laugh, cry or get angry, I just want to feel.

Jana: What’s your favorite book or a book you always recommend?

Kristen: Pride & Prejudice is my favourite book of all time, though I wouldn’t always recommend it. I do recommend The Book Thief to anyone who will listen though.

Jana: The Book Thief is an excellent choice.

Jana: Do you watch movie adaptations of books? What do you think of them?

Kristen: Yes. Most of the time. If I enjoyed the book, I’ll watch the movie. I always try to read the book first, if I’m aware of it of course. It’s almost always better. Though, typically the movie leaves something out and I feel like I know something that the rest of the audience doesn’t know, and I don’t mind that feeling.

Jana: Ebooks, paper books, audiobooks, or a combination? Why?

Kristen: All three! I love audiobooks. I started listening to them when my work commute was 2+ hours every day. Now I listen to them when I drive or run. I love my kindle because I can hold so many books at once and it’s great for travelling and whatnot. I don’t want to fill my house with books I didn’t love, so I like that I can ‘try before I buy’ or ‘buy the book that takes up zero space before I buy the paperback and it takes up room on my bookshelf’. But nothing beats a real book, in my opinion. I’m almost always in ‘the middle’ of a real book, an ebook and an audiobook.

Jana: Do you use the library or buy books?

Kristen: I use the library mostly because I don’t want to regret buying a book. I use other sources as well, but generally I get most of my books for free or cheap (such as Netgalley or subscriptions like Kindle Unlimited or Oyster). If I love a book, I’ll buy it. If I’m 99% sure I will love a book (based on the author or other recommendations) I’ll buy it. If it’s cheap or has a pretty cover, chances are I’ll buy it.

Jana: Does it offend you when people call you a bookworm or book nerd? Why or why not?

Kristen: It used to, when I was younger. No-one else liked to read and they made fun of me. I would hide in the library at recess and lunch. But it doesn’t bother me anymore. There are plenty of things other people do that I don’t enjoy and would never do, and I don’t judge them for it. I know some people view it as a negative thing, like I’m lame for reading so much or wanting to stay in on a Friday night when they want to go out. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten better at ignoring what other people think and making myself happy. Reading makes me happy.

Jana: How do you find time to read?

Kristen: I make time. Reading is important to me; it makes me happy and keeps me sane. Just like people say you have time to exercise, you have time to read or watch TV or sew. If you want to do something, you can and will make time for it. That being said, I choose reading over other activities. I don’t really watch TV. I don’t go out; I don’t have a lot of hobbies. I don’t mind though, I do what makes me happy. I always have a book in my bag, I read at lunch and I read in the bath. If I’m sitting still and not otherwise occupied, I have a book in my hand.

Jana: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to people who say they don’t enjoy reading or don’t have time to read?

Kristen: If people don’t enjoy reading, I believe they haven’t found the right book. You don’t have to read what everyone else is reading. As for time, everyone has the time; it’s just about making the time. Everyone has 5 minutes, everyone has an activity they can swap out for reading, everyone goes to the bathroom and you can read in there. Listen to audiobooks on your drive, while you run or while you clean. Read for 5 minutes before bed. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. If you really want to read, you will find the time. If you really don’t, there is nothing wrong with that

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This week in…:Volume 18

May 22, 2015 by Jana 10 Comments

This week in reading…Finished True Story: Murder, Memoir and Mea Culpa and Saving Francesca. Working on The Storied Life of AJ Firky and What Alice Forgot. Picked up Forever, Interrupted, Wonder, Big Little Lies, and The Long Home. Full recap of everything during the next Show Us Your Books linkup on June 9.

This week in disappointment…If you follow me on Instagram, you saw that we rescued 3 baby birds living in my daughter’s bathroom vent. We tried as hard as we could but all 3 babies died. And the mother attacked my husband while he was trying to get her out of the attic. So there was that.

This week in dumbassery…I locked myself out of my own blog because I clearly can’t type in my password properly. Then I almost forgot to unlock myself before I wrote Thursday’s post and had to stop at the library because free wifi and I had books on hold anyway.

This week in being social…Despite my general malaise over everything life, I managed to out on pants and engage with people three times this week. And I had a conversation with 2 of my neighbors. Not bad for a hermit with depression.

This week in things that are delicious…My homemade brownies, thanks to this amazing recipe from Hershey’s (note: I don’t use Hershey’s products when I make them. Still full of chocolatey goodness). I do halve the recipe and forgo the walnuts. I’ve also never made the frosting because honestly, the brownies are phenomenal and addictive enough on their own.

This week in listening…I don’t know what I was listening to that made it play, but I heard this song, “You Are My Las Vegas” by Red Wanting Blue, and it’s an adorable song with an even more adorable video. Watch now.

This week in how the hell did I get so old…May 26 marks 25 years since my bat mitzvah. TWENTY FIVE FREAKING YEARS. What the hell? Perhaps I should have saved this for next week’s edition but I’m old and will probably forget so I have to say it now. While I remember. #oldpeopleproblems

This week in talking to my husband…He was pontificating about something space related because he’s reading a book written by an astronaut and I tuned him out because that shit bores me but whatever he said made this happen–

Me: You know that book is not a passport, right?

Husband: Yes it is. It’s a passport to knowledge.

This week in my cat’s body count…She’s killed at least 2 bunnies. Not sure what else. I don’t think I want to know. I don’t know how something so cute can be such a vicious murderer. I think people said the same thing about Ted Bundy.

This week in funnies…

Have a great weekend, y’all! I have yet to be determined plans and I’ll be back on either Monday or Tuesday, depending on how the weekend goes.

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#shareyourugly

May 21, 2015 by Jana 23 Comments

I hadn’t planned on writing this post today but after my conversation during a 2+ hour lunch with Steph yesterday, I decided it’s necessary. It might get convoluted and circular, and I apologize in advance for that.

I am not okay.

In fact, I am the exact opposite of okay. I’m a disaster. A mess.

I have unpaid bills. My house is decidedly less than clean. I have errands to run, emails to answer, calls to make, jobs to apply for, a gray streak in my hair I need to dye, blogs I need to catch up on, and plans that I desperately want to cancel yet I do none of it. I want to smile and mean it, laugh and feel better, and understand that it is okay to ask for help. But it takes all my strength to get out of bed and brush my teeth each morning and there’s not much left over for anything else. I sleep like shit when I actually do fall asleep. I have no motivation to do anything except sit on the couch and play endless games of Rummikub on my iPad or read books. I’m still grieving my miscarriage. I’m still unemployed. My depression is at an all time high (low?).

I feel like an epic failure.

I tell you all this not for sympathy or pity or anything other than I want to share the fact that, despite the humor you might read in a post or a cute picture you might see on Instagram, there’s more going on behind the scenes. My life is not a beautiful, staged on a white background array of sunshine and rainbows. My life, at times, is ugly and awful and not at all enviable. And I tell you that because I know that someone, somewhere, feels like she (or he) is the only one with ugliness in her life. And I want that person to know she’s not.

We all have darkness. We all have moments when everything feels like it’s falling apart and will never be put back together. We all have moments of shame and sadness and messiness and absolute wretchedness.

Bloggers don’t often do a good job of conveying that, although some are spectacular at it (think The Bloggess, Allie Brosh, and a couple of others I follow with quasi-regularity). But there’s more who hide the ugly than share. And I think that needs to stop. Bloggers have a reach that other people don’t, and you never know how your words can affect someone. Which is why, bloggers (and nonbloggers), I’m encouraging you to share your ugly. Whether it’s a picture or post or tweet or whatever, share something with your readers that isn’t shiny and perfect. I’m not talking a picture of you sweaty after a 10 mile run or epic leg day at the gym. No one looks good after that. I’m talking about showing about a failure in the kitchen. A stain on the rug that you hide with a piece of furniture. A huge zit you cover up with makeup. Something, anything that strips away, even for one small minute, any delusions of perfection your readers and followers may see.

Our words and images are powerful. We never know who we’re reaching or who’s touched or impacted by what we say. It’s a hard thing, reading blogs and only ever seeing perfection. If that’s what people are using as a basis for comparison, it’s an impossible standard to achieve and can do more harm than good.

So tell your story.

Divulge your scars.

Discuss your battles.

Show your ugly.

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Interview with a bookworm: Steph from Life According to Steph

May 19, 2015 by Jana 30 Comments

You guys liked my interview with myself so much that I turned it into a series! Up first, and it’s fitting since we co-host the Show Us Your Books linkup, is Steph from Life According to Steph.

Jana: Thanks so much for joining me. Let’s get started with a simple question. Why do you enjoy reading?

Steph: Reading allows me to go to so many places and meet so many people without ever leaving the couch.

Jana: How do you decide what to read?

Steph: In a very arbitrary fashion. If I hear of a book I think I might like, I add it to my To Read list on Goodreads. Then I request them from the library and read them as they come
in. I don’t place a lot of weight on what to read because I’m a fast reader and if I don’t like something I will put it down.

Jana: Who are some of your favorite authors and/or genres?

Steph: I feel like I used to have favorite authors and genres but I don’t anymore. When someone says favorite authors my mind reverts to 12 and shouts out Judy Blume! Christopher Pike! When I do find an author I like, I will systematically go through most of their books. I tend to read more literary fiction and mystery/suspense than anything else, I guess. I read Young Adult if it speaks to me.

Jana: What’s your favorite book or a book you always recommend?

Steph: For years I have recommended Beach Music by Pat Conroy and The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. My recent recommendations are Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler, The Martian by Andy Weir, The Piper’s Son and Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta, and You by Caroline Kepnes.

Jana: A resounding second to The Martian and You. I just started Saving Francesca this week. Yesterday, in fact.

Jana: Do you watch movie adaptations of books? What do you think of them?

Steph: Rarely. I’d rather read a book than do anything else entertainment-wise. I seem to watch less andless movies and TV as the years go by. I will say I liked the film versions of
Gone Girl and The Great Gatsby. The only movie I’ve seen that I’ve liked better than the book is Cider House Rules.

Jana: Ebooks, paper books,audiobooks, or a combination? Why?

Steph: Strictly paper books.I don’t enjoy ebooks as much and find them easier to put down and walk away from than an actual book. I haven’t listened to audio books but I don’t really
retain information well that way – my mind wanders and I end up not listening. I recently saw Toni Morrison read from her latest novel and I actually had to get the book out and follow along reading.

Jana: Do you use the library or buy books?

Steph: I use the library.

Jana: Does it offend you when people call you a bookworm or book nerd? Why or why not?

Steph: No. I don’t care what people call me period but I would consider that a compliment anyway.

Jana: How do you find time to read?

Steph: We find time for the things that are important to us. Reading is integral to my life. There is never a day when I don’t find at least 10 minutes for it.

Jana: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to people who say they don’t enjoy reading or don’t have time to read?

Steph: If you don’t enjoy reading, I’m sorry. That’s about all I can say. If you don’t have time to read,I’ll say that it’ s not that important to you and that’s okay.

Thanks again to Steph for taking the time to hang out with me today, talking about books. Here’s a little more about her if you’re not already familiar.

Life According to Steph – telling it like it is live from Philadelphia.
I blog about life in general – recipes, books, my three pugs, things that annoy
me, my card of a husband, and whatever else catches my fancy. Loves: a clean
house, cooking, vacations, lists, framily, coffee, nail polish, creative curse
words, fresh sheets, Dirty Dancing, family, reading real books over e-readers,
being beside the sea, flip flops, laughing raucously, and organizing. Dislikes:
poor grammar, whining, talking on the phone, being patronized, weak people,
heels, entitlement, and tardiness.

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#thingsicantdo

Interview with a bookworm: Kristen from See You in a Porridge

This week in…:Volume 18

#shareyourugly

Interview with a bookworm: Steph from Life According to Steph

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