Jana Says

Living life from cover to cover

  • About Me
    • Contact
  • Reading
    • Judging Covers
    • Interview with a Bookworm
  • Life Happenings
    • Playlists
    • The Aldi Experiment
  • Mental Health
  • Show Us Your Books

Weekly recap, 2018, v5

February 16, 2018 by Jana 14 Comments

About a week ago I bought a new phone. And I wrote a post on it. Then WordPress ate the post and I was sad. Also angry. But at least now I know not to write any more posts on my phone. Cool for me.

My life isn’t interesting enough to do a two week recap and if you saw my tweet about the birds in my chimney, my flooded basement, and the dogs nonstop peeing in the house, you’re basically caught up. I probably don’t even need to finish this post but I have some time to spare so why not.

Reading. Finishing up The Breakdown and heading into 13 Minutes. Got a ton of books from NetGalley including the new BA Paris and Caroline Kepnes books (her newest is not about Joe which gives me all the sads but he’s apparently reappearing next year), purchased Crimes in Southern Indiana and A Wrinkle in Time. Thanks to everyone who joined Show Us Your Books this month and remember that the next one is 3/13.

Watching. Last weekend I watched The Florida Project. I don’t really know how to accurately describe it but it was incredible. The kids in the movie, particularly the main character, have more talent than most adults. The subject and plot are unsettling (kids living in poverty in the shadow of Disney World) but it was worth every single minute.

Listening.  A lot of 90s music and movie soundtracks. It’s been nice to shake things up. Still looking for some podcasts, though.

Thinking. About the families, friends, and community of Parkland. My heart is broken, my brain is fired up and full of rage, and my soul is crushed that continued murder of children remains a polarizing and divisive issue. One school shooting is too many; where we are now is unfathomable. This is no longer a 2nd amendment issue and it’s no longer a mental health issue. It’s a moral issue and our entire government is corrupt. Filling their coffers means more than human lives, and the lives of children at that. When churches, schools, movie theaters, concerts, and really anywhere public have become dangerous, we have an epidemic. We have a societal crisis. I am sickened at the lack of action and the continued bowing to the NRA. It shows, truly, where our politicians loyalties lie. And while I want to address how commonplace school and other mass shootings have become to the point that they’re only passing headlines in the news (some don’t even register at all), I can’t help but mention that OMG can we please stop focusing on the shooters? I truly, truly don’t give a fuck about them and I don’t want to remember their names. Let’s keep the stories focused on what matters: the victims, the communities, and how we can help them heal. Let’s focus on what action we can take to remove all the assholes who refuse to value life over money. Let’s focus on making sure every child feels safe, and IS SAFE, at school.

Laughing. So, I know this is kind of old but I just found it and you can read all of the tweets here.

Hope y’all have a great weekend! We’ll be heading into Philly for a cheerleading competition  so that should be something. See you on Tuesday!

Filed Under: Life Tagged With: Entertainment, favorites, rants, weekly recap

Weekly recap, 2018, v4

February 2, 2018 by Jana 10 Comments

This weekly recap coming to you straight from fever hell. Literally. I’ve had a fever for the last 3 days and nothing renders me more incapable at life than a fever.

Reading. Finished The Dry and currently reading The Blinds. Had to table We Were Eight Years in Power because it’s simply too heavy for me right now. Picked up a book from NetGalley (I fell victim to one of their enticing emails) and put Still Me on hold at the library.  Pre-ordered a book for the child and am contemplating buying a book my library had one copy of and lost. To be fair, there was one copy in the whole state and the book’s home library lost it. Not my actual library.

Watching. What did I watch this week? I think I just caught up on the DVR’d stuff. Nothing new. But I am currently searching for a new binge-worthy show. Send me your recommendations. You all know what I like.

Not watching. The State of the Union. I couldn’t do it. He makes me sick, I can’t look at him or listen to his voice and paltry vocabulary, I hate every fucking lie word that comes out of his mouth, his continuing need to drive a wedge between everyone in this country because he thrives on fear and hatred like some sort of evil, maniacal Tinkerbell, and I refused to help contribute to his ratings (which were so low, despite what he’s trying to brainwash people into believing. He’s unbelievably petty and delusional). So I watched Drunk History instead.

Listening. Death, Sex, and Money did a series on class and wealth so you know I consumed the hell out of that.

Wondering. You might have seen this on IG but I am honestly wondering why the hell the pharmacy put my daughter’s name in quotes on her prescription label? It’s actually her name. We’re not trying to fool anyone, she’s not in witness protection, it’s not a nickname, and I legit don’t get it. I truly wish people would learn proper punctuation.

Laughing. 

So, that’s it for this week. If you need me this weekend, I’ll be recovering from the monster headache that’s been the entire month of January and not giving a shit who wins the Super Bowl.

 

Filed Under: Life Tagged With: Entertainment, favorites, weekly wrap-up

Weekly recap, 2018, v3

January 26, 2018 by Jana 12 Comments

Another week in 2018 is finished. I’m absolutely keeping track because every week we finish is a week closer to midterms. This is something I’m very much looking forward to.

In the meantime, I live my life doing these things.

Reading. Finished The Road Out of Hell and finally started We Were Eight Years in Power. I’m going to need some strong fiction when this one is done. Picked up nothing from the library, NetGalley, and I bought no books.

Watching. I haven’t really watched TV this week but I have Bellevue and the Waco miniseries with Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch but I always refer to him as Tim Riggins) as David Koresh in my DVR. Finally got around to watching Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. I have mixed feelings.

Listening. No new podcasts or music this week but I did learn that Shinedown finally finished their 6th album. And now I wait.

Shopping. For a new laptop. I don’t need anything fancy but I really, really hate mine. It still works well when it feels like it but it’s slow and craps out on me a lot. I had originally planned to buy a tablet and a keyboard but for editing, I need something a little more…traditional, I guess is the word I’m looking for. If you have any recommendations or suggestions, send them my way, please.

Planning. My sister’s bridal shower. Correction: the maid of honor is planning it and I’m just doing what she tells me. But if I’m being honest, I’m out of my depths here. There’s so much crafting and planning and hashtagging and I’m too old and uncreative for this. I maintain if I get married again, I’m eloping, I’m doing it at the beach, and there will be no hashtag.

Loving. Despite the fact that I have to deal with Eagles hype (hey, Delaware. WE ARE NOT PHILLY. STOP ACTING LIKE WE ARE), I am over the moon excited that our local humane association is running a deal on adoptable animals 7 months and older, with the dog adoption fee set at $38 and cat adoption fee set at $7 (this was the final score for the playoff game that put them in the Super Bowl. They beat Minnesota 38-7). I think this is so creative, a great way to take something positive (not for me but for many others) and make it even more positive, and encourage shelter animal adoption. I have some reservations but we’re going to focus on the good today.

That’s it for this week. I had contemplated participating in the 24in48 readathon but life got in the way so instead I’ll be getting a haircut and hanging out with my other sister (did you guys know I have 2 sisters and no brothers? And I’m the oldest!) on Saturday and reading all the words on Sunday and celebrating my dad’s birthday from afar. Hope you guys have a great weekend, too!

Filed Under: Life Tagged With: Entertainment, favorites, weekly wrap-up

Weekly recap, 2018, v2

January 19, 2018 by Jana 11 Comments

Things have been quiet around here for reasons I can’t get into without breaking down in an explosion of words but I’m hoping to regain some of my inspiration in the next few days so thanks for bearing with me.

Even though I’ve been keeping silent around blogland, I have been doing things. Here’s some:

Reading. Finished Bluebird, Bluebird and now reading Dear Martin. If you aren’t read books by women of color, please change that and these are two great ones to start with. Picked up nothing from the library or NetGalley.

Watching. The End of The F*cking World on Netflix and The Chi on Showtime. Remember my comment about books by women of color? Applies to TV, too, and OMG is The Chi incredible (it was created by Lena Waithe). It reminds me of The Wire, season 4 specifically, but also it’s own thing. Listening. Atlanta Monster. I know. True crime. Big fucking surprise. But this is done by a guy who’s name has left my brain but he’s a big deal like Sarah Koenig and his previous podcast actually solved a cold case. Payne Lindsey! That’s his name. Anyway, this is about missing kids, specifically black boys, in Atlanta in the late 70s/early 80s and it’s fascinating.Wondering. What the actual fuck is going on with this Tide pod challenge. How did this become a thing? Why did this become a thing? I know this country is taking a deep dive into the 10th circle of hell but seriously? Kids are poisoning themselves for YouTube fame?! Failing. At making cake pops. My daughter asked for some and I used to be able to do it before I became a hot mess human. They fell apart, the candy melts got clumpy, and she told me it looked like something the cat threw up. Honestly, she’s not wrong and I am not offended. Laughing. At me. I don’t know what the hell is happening but I have been unleashing all sorts of crazy on Twitter. Like this gem from last Friday night:So that’s about it over here. Hope y’all are doing well and I really promise to try and catch up next week. Have a great weekend!

Filed Under: Life Tagged With: books, Entertainment, favorites, weekly wrap-up

Weekly recap, 2018, v1

January 12, 2018 by Jana 7 Comments

Still working on a new name for this. One day I’ll get there. Just like one day I’ll be able to organize my thoughts into posts that are worth being read. And written. I hope I get there sooner than later because I really miss writing.

 

Reading. Bluebird, Bluebird and We Were Eight Years in Power. Bought The Year of Yes on a Kindle daily deal and picked up Dear Martin and The Road Out of Hell from the library. Stalking NetGalley for Julie Murphy, Caroline Kepnes, and Laura Vanderkam. Next Show Us Your Books is February 13.

Listening. Limetown. It’s like LOST meets Alice Isn’t Dead meets Serial. It’s addictive AF and it only has one season but a second one is being released this year. Yay!

Watching. Undercover High. It’s a docu-series on A&E about adults going back to high school AS STUDENTS (read: my worst fucking nightmare) and while it’s reality and I generally stay away from any form of reality TV, this one is pretty fascinating. Main takeaway so far: kids are assholes and I am terrified for when my daughter gets to high school.

Raging. Of course I am. If you’re paying attention, you have a be a little outraged. Or a lot outraged, depending on what you’ve been unfortunate enough to come across. From the asshole in the White House not knowing the words to the national anthem after he railed and raged against the taking of a knee and his rampant, ceaseless misogyny to Michelle Williams getting paid substantially less than Marky fucking Mark for reshoots on a movie to Harper’s magazine trying to doxx the woman who established the Shitty Men in Media list to offshore drilling to kids still not having health insurance to that motherfucker Joe Arpaio running for Senate, there is not at least a portion of every single day I want to scream loudly. I continue to question how this is real life because we’re literally living in a dystopian novel. Vigilance is exhausting but the only way we’re going to defeat this bullshit is to stay informed, speak up, speak out, vote, and support those who have the bandwidth to do more than we can. It takes a village and every single villager is important. All of us together, our collective disgust and outrage, have a louder voice than the #stablegenius in the White House and it will make a difference. Also, he doesn’t like dogs. What kind of psycho doesn’t like dogs?

Loving. It’s been a long time since I’ve shared a post I’ve read but this one, It’s Not Always About You, White Dudes, shared on Twitter by my friend Abby and written by Tenacious Feminist, is worth a read. Seriously. It’s awesome and eloquent and is why I sometimes don’t say all that I have to. Other people do it better.

Learning. Some new skills, like handlettering. I’m not very good at it but it’s quite relaxing and a really nice way to keep my hands busy while watching TV and gives me new IG accounts to stalk.

I’ll be in Atlantic City for a cheer competition this weekend and I’m so excited because who doesn’t love a trashy beach town in the middle of January?  Wish my sanity luck!

Filed Under: Life Tagged With: Entertainment, favorites, weekly wrap-up

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • …
  • 27
  • Next Page »
Jana

I'm Jana ...

A book reading, nail polish wearing, binge watching, music loving, dog owning, reluctant cheer mom.
Learn more ...
  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in posts
Search in pages
Filter by Categories
Activities
beginnings
bills
bloggers
Books
budget
challenges
charity
Confessions
Cooking
coupons
Crafting
entertainment
Family
Family matters
food
Gardening
Giveaways
goals
Guest posts
guests
Home Decorating
Life
mental health
Money
Money Motivation
money moves
money tips
Money Tune Tuesday
opinions
parties
Pets
Pioneer Project
products
quotes
random
Random thoughts
recipes
Recipes
Relationships
savings
school
Sewing
shopping
Sidebar Shots
Uncategorized
work
writing

Archives

Reader favorites

Sorry. No data so far.

Show Us Your Books. Join the Link-Up. Talk Books the Second Tuesday of Every Month

Connect with Me

Subscribe to Jana Says

Jana Says
© 2017 by Jana Says. All Rights Reserved.
Crafted with by sasspurrella designs.

Copyright © 2025 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in