Ah, the changing of seasons when we embrace jackets and scarves and the leaves change colour... IN AUGUST. I mean, I'm crazy for autumn, but I'd like summer to come to a solid close.
Two minor things happening this month. First: did you know you can now subscribe to the blog and get new posts in your inbox? I think? It's all a bit hazy, but I'm fairly sure it's working.
ALSO! A couple of months ago on a whim I nominated myself (for shame) for Blog Awards Ireland. I thought that was the thing you did and then judges would select you for a Long List, not knowing that just putting your blog in there guaranteed you to the Long List so people were congratulating me for (choosing myself to be on) the Long List... so that was embarrassing.
BUT! Somehow real actual judges selected this blog for the Short List of Arts & Culture blogs! I have no idea how that happened, but I can assure you I had nothing to do with it this time. Many thanks to Blog Awards Ireland. Do have a look over there and discover some new writers from my new home.
Reading...
I tried. I really did try reading Gilead, but I just didn't have it in me, which is surprising because the characters are so familiar (dying pastor from middle of nowhere, depression-era Kansas and an assortment of salt of the earth characters). But his letter to his son in the form of this novel just couldn't hold my generally low attention span during our travels to Germany. I only made it about 60 pages in. So sorry, Marilynne Robinson. I'm fully aware it's me, not you.
Currently reading Red Joan (Rooney), still on Interrupted (Hatmaker) and Bread and Wine (Niequist), and about to start The Circle (Eggers). Be my friend on Goodreads.
Watching...
Doctor Who is back! As my friend Tom would say: sound the saxophone of celebration! For other bouts of Whovian wackiness, check in with Sarah Bessey as she writes her own deeply personal and groundbreaking reflections on the new Doctor.
You may know our "date nights" usually entail a shared beer and Netflix. Lately we've gone back into the archives of The Office (US) and enjoy laughing our heads off way past our bedtime. I've also begun watching Orphan Black which is dark and weird and oddly hilarious. Family movie night this month was Captain America: Winter Soldier (I generally don't mind this particular superhero, as it provides really good teachable moments on kindness, humility and doing what's right in the face of adversity).
Listening...
I always forget one can check out music at the library and this month I came away with some good ones: Glen Hansard's Rhythm and Repose, Bell X1's Bloodless Coup and My Best Friend is You from Kate Nash.
Loving...
FIRSTDAYOFSCHOOL. ALLCAPS.
Asher in his uniform.
Impromptu dinner at McDonalds due to power outage.
The Oldest Story: Broadchurch and True Detective
Early morning coffee and croissant at the airport.
Waking up to a gorgeous mountain view in Germany.
Having a fully-stocked staff of chefs and servers feed me and my crew every day for a week.
Just really everything about Germany.
Laughing into the wee hours with friends you haven't seen in months.
Watching our children step outside their comfort zone and make new friends.
Morning walks on the outskirts of our village.
Old buildings and living near the city.
Finally replacing our old marriage bed. (our parents gave us an Ikea Fjell bed frame for my birthday)
Friends in my kitchen catching up over a cuppa.
A quiet house, a lazy afternoon, a night out (this is my today).
This tweet:
May this be a motivation to you all pic.twitter.com/wXJI0iy7TP
— Brent Buffington (@thebuffington) August 27, 2014Linking up with Leigh Kramer for What I'm Into. What were you into this month?
(affiliates included)