I Don't Think I'll Go Outside Today... A Winter Mixtape

                       

I Don't Think I'll Go Outside Today from sympathy4leahp on 8tracks Radio.

It's cold here in Ottawa. This week it reached somewhere near -40 C, and it's been up and down for a while. Besides going to class and other necessities, I've been staying inside, curled up in pyjamas and blankets.This sort of weather can't help but breed indolence - it's hard to feel creative and excited about projects when all you want to do is be a human burrito.

So, I extend my apologies for quietness on the blog. I've made this playlist of winter/cold/snow and ice themed songs to try and get inspired again. Honestly, it was enough of a mental exercise just to find a decent number of good songs with winter themes in the first place. Hey, if you have any suggestions for future wintery mixtapes, let me know.

Now I will make myself some hot chocolate and make plans for future posts, to inject some energy back in here. Exciting things will happen! Here's a picture of The Decemberists.

Books I Read in 2012

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 In 2012 I decided to make a list of every book I read for the whole year. I thought maybe it would pressure me to read more, since in the last few years my reading has gone down a lot, mostly because I’ve been busy with school. I don’t know if it did that for this year, but now I can look at the list and be sure to double it for next year!

In 2012 I read:

• 1.       American Gods – Neil Gaiman
• 2.       The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – Stieg Larsson
• 3.       Damned – Chuck Palahniuk
• 4.       The Writing Life – Annie Dillard (NF)
• 5.       On Writing – Stephen King (NF)
• 6.       You Are Not a Gadget – Jaron Lanier (NF)
• 7.       Fight Club – Chuck Palahniuk (RR)
• 8.       The Ladies of Grace Adieu – Susanna Clarke
• 9.       The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins
• 10.   The Girl Who Played with Fire – Stieg Larsson
• 11.   Catching Fire – Suzanne Collins
• 12.   Marie Antoinette: The Journey – Antonia Fraser (NF)
• 13.   Neon Angel – Cherie Currie (NF)
• 14.   The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest – Stieg Larsson
• 15.   Mockingjay – Suzanne Collins
• 16.   Journals – Kurt Cobain (NF)
• 17.   The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty – Anne Rice
• 18.   Dirty Blonde: The Diaries of Courtney Love (NF)
• 19.   Survivor – Chuck Palahniuk
• 20.   Reaper Man – Terry Pratchett (RR)
• 21.   Cold Heart Canyon – Clive Barker
• 22.   Stardust – Neil Gaiman (RR)
• 23.   Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King – William Joyce
• 24.   I Am Scrooge: A Zombie Christmas Carol – Adam Roberts (RR)

(Books marked with an RR are re-reads. Books marked with an NF are non-fiction.)

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 My Favourites:

(summaries behind link)

·         American Gods – Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman is probably my favourite author today, and this is one of his most popular books, so it’s weird I didn’t read it until just last year. I’d even read the sort of not quite sequel, Anansi Boys (and loved it). I love urban fantasy stories, where fantasy elements are blended with modern day, real world settings and characters, and this is probably the best UF book I’ve ever read. Maybe even one of the best straight up fantasy books I’ve ever read.

·         Damned – Chuck Palahniuk

This book is hilarious and tons of fun, even if its kind of a black comedy, which is usual for Palahniuk. I love a good hell/demon related story, and I’m a fan of Palahniuk, so it was great to see the two go together so well. It’s also a great story for teenagers, with some of the most well written teens I’ve read in a long time.

·        On Writing – Stephen King (non-fiction)

I read this for school, and if it counts as a text book then it’s the best text book ever. I’ve liked a few Stephen King books but I don’t consider myself a huge fan, and this book gave me a whole new respect for him. It’s a must read for any King fan and anyone who considers themselves a writer.

·        The Ladies of Grace Adieu – Susanna Clarke

This is a book of short stories that’s a sort of companion to Clarke’s first novel, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrel, (one of my favourite books ever). You don’t have to read that book to enjoy these though, the stories are set in the same world but only one of them actually follows events in that book. These stories are funny, whimsical and captivating, perfect for fantasy fans.

·        Survivor – Chuck Palahniuk

This book is completely different from Damned, but just as funny and enthralling. Well, maybe not completely different, they both involve religion, and take an interesting and insightful look at it. This book is exciting, intelligent, and as much fun as you’ll have with a religious death cult.

Not Trying to Bash Anything, But Don’t Bother:

·         You Are Not a Gadget – Jaron Lanier

·         The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty – Anne Rice

  

        Yeah, these weren't really my thing. One of them I was required to read for school, and the other was recommended to me after a discussion about whether or not "good" erotic fiction even existed. It does, but this book isn't one of them.

This year, I want to read double the books I read last year. I want to start with Tolkien’s books, since I’ve never read any of those before (I know, crazy since I consider myself a fantasy fan.) If you’ve got any recommendations, let me know!

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2012 - 2013: Making Good Art, and Making Life an Adventure

For me, 2012 was a year of keeping steady. In 2011 I started several projects, including my Professional Writing program, so 2012 was all about finishing those projects and passing my first year. I’m happy to say I’ve accomplished many of my goals, and even exceeded my own expectations. 

Looking back on it I’m more than happy with what I’ve done so far, but 2013 is going to be all about pushing it even further, and taking more risks. Last year I was so focused on just making sure I could finish things that I avoided too much excitement with my projects. This year I’m going to make more, make different things, and do things with them I’ve always been afraid to do.

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I didn’t make a list of goals or resolutions last year, but I think if I could sum up my direction last year, it would be “Make Good Art.” That’s a quote from a commencement address from one of my favourite authors and personal heroes, Neil Gaiman. You can read the whole thing here. Last year, I wanted to make as much and be as proud of it as possible, and I think I accomplished that. Ultimately, I think the best art anyone can make is something they can be proud of.

So here’s a quick recap of what I did in 2012:

• - I finished my first year of Professional Writing with straight A’s both semesters, and finished the first half of my second year. 
• - Finished my first graphic novel.
• - Finished the second draft of my novel.
• - Completed my Spineonline blog.
• - Wrote scripts for two more graphic novels.
• - Started this blog.
• - Went to some awesome parties (very important)
• - Made good stuff for my portfolio.

In 2012, I made:

• -          3 comics
• -          7 scripts
• -          8 short stories
• -          2 poems
• -          5 essays
• -          3 interviews
• -          1 letter to the editor
• -          1 (second draft) novel

This year, I’ll be finishing my second year of Professional Writing and finally graduating from college. After that comes the daunting task of getting a job and finding a new place to live. This is going to be a huge change for my life, but it’s an adventure I’m ready to go on! This year, I want everything to be an adventure. I want to do more than just make more stuff, I want to make stuff I’ve always been afraid to make, and put it out there in ways I never have before.

So to sum up my direction for this year: It’s Adventure Time.

With Leah P!

My goals for 2013:

• -          Graduate
• -          Finish the final touches on my novel
• -          Finish two more graphic novels, completing the first arc of my comic
• -          Send out at least 1 short story to a literary magazine
• -          Find a place to live outside my home town
• -          Get a job and make some money

In 2012, I want to make:

• -          10 short stories
• -          5 poems
• -          5 comics (2 graphic novels in all)
• -          1 completed novel

In addition to that, I’m going to do more interviews, essays, and make more cool posts for this blog. But every time I make something, I’m going to make sure it excites me, that I’m not just playing it safe, and that every day I’m making life a new adventure.