Thought Tuesday #27

"The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience."
Emily Dickinson (one of my favorite poets by the way)

What words or thoughts are fueling you today?

30 Day Book Challenge -- Day 27-30

While the Jets vs. Giants preseason game (J E T S JETS JETS JETS!) plays in the background I thought..well...this is a great opportunity for this blog series to come to a close. I would like to thank all of the commentators who gave me excellent book recommendations while following the prompts as well as my other bloggers who took on the challenge as well. Lets finish this!

Day 27 - if a book contains ______, you will always read it (and a book or books that contain it)!

If a book contains vampires, zombies, supervillains, superheroes, fantasy, anything paranormal, weird tales of sex, erotica, or is a memoir I will always read it. For example, I just finished Dork Whore by Iris Bahr and that had weird tales of sex in it and also just finished Hack/Slash First Cut by Tim Seeley and that had zombies and supervillains.

Day 28 - First favorite book or series obsession

My first favorite book would have to be The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. This book is the story of a wronged young sailor and follows his life as he is imprisoned due to the actions of 3 jealous men. He lives in prison for an extended period of time, meeting a man who gives him hope and a life beyond his dreams. He escapes the horrid dungeon and seeks revenge on the 3 men who took away everything he ever hoped for. This book is amazing, it will not disappoint anyone. IF you have not read it, I suggest you do.

Day 29 - Saddest character death or best/most satisfying character death (or both!)

Thats easy -- Gwen Stacy is the story arc of The Amazing Spiderman #121-122.

Day 30 - What book are you reading right now?

I am going to start reading Exes and Ohs: A Downtown Girl's Mostly Awkward Tales of Love, Lust, Revenge, and a little Facebook Stalking by Shallon Lester as soon as I finish reading Grimm Fairy Tales Volume 1, Fables: Legends in Exile and Kill Your Boyfriend (all graphic novels loaned to me by a dear friend.)

30 Day Book Challenge - Day 24-26

When I left for California, I will admit I did not pre-post this entries, thus I am way behind in this challenge. But have no fear! I always finish with what I start so here is Days 24, 25, and 26 in the 30 Day Book Challenge.

Day 24 - Best quote from a novel

Oh that is just too easy..."There is nothing like a dream to create the future" From Les Miserables by Victor Hugo.

Day 25 - Any five books from your “to be read” stack

1: With a Little Luck by Caprice Crane
2: A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
3: Badass by Shannen Doherty
4: The Number Mysteries by Marcus Du Sautoy
5: Bare - The Naked Truth About Stripping by Elizabeth Eaves

Day 26 -OMG WTF? or most irritating/awful/annoying book ending

I hated this book once I started to read it but was selected to do a review. It is called "Watch Out" by Joseph Suglia. He tried to be the next Chuck Palahniuk but alas he is not. Do not even bother. The ending made me throw the book out the window. Literally. Why this book is getting rave reviews on Amazon I have no idea. Ugh.

Where Do I Want To Go To Next -- Inspired by Charade

In the past three days I have been living on my computer -- catching up on emails, catching up on Facebook and Twitter, and now catching up on my blog readings. Seriously, I think I need to get an iPad or something for when I go away; especially for a long period of time like I did with David from August 13th to August 23rd. In any event, I saw this on Charade's Archival August and felt inspired to write a to go to list. Here is what Charade suggested:

Write a To-Go-To List. Travel isn’t on all of our agendas, but it’s pretty high on most. Why not compile a list of the next five places you would love to travel, perhaps adding how long you would like to go for, who you would like to go with, and what you’ll do there. This doesn’t have to be reserved for epic overseas adventures; weekends away or daytrips to places nearer by are perhaps even more important to list as they are the excursions we often take for granted and overlook.

I am a big list maker. I make lists for books to read (which she also suggested) to restaurants I would like to try to personal favourites of mine. So what five places would I like to go next? The first three places will be traveled with David and only for a week time span. I do not think I can last 10 days again! The final two places I think a weekend will suffice.

1: Seattle, Washington. I would like to visit this town filled with lots of coffee, great food, creativity, as well as the grave sites of Bruce and Brandon Lee. Also, I have adopted the dream that my fiance' has which is to visit every baseball field in the United States and I think it would be cool to see the Mariners play. Also, the weather is sublime even if it allegedly rains all the time.

2: San Francisco, California. Yes I know I was just in California but this town exudes the perfect scenery, the San Francisco Giants, the large Monopoly park, and of course Alcatraz and the Golden Gate bridge.

3: New Orleans, Louisiana. Now I know I am going down there in October with my mom but it is a shopping excursion as my mom knows I love things paranormal as well as a francophile. I think I need more than two days to explore this city so I would love to go there for a week of exploration.

4: Raleigh, North Carolina. It is no secret that I adore the South...well I adore Atlanta. From the southern hospitality to the food to the beautiful parks, this seems to be a great place to unwind for a weekend.

5: Mount Rushmore. Yes I know it is North Dakota where there is ABSOLUTELY nothing, but this is a national landmark and I am all for visiting national landmarks.

What places would you love to go to next? I would love to see this list of yours!

Things I Love Thursday -- California Edition!

Well here I am...back in my New York City groove. It felt awesome to be away for 10 days on the Golden Coast; like Katy Perry would say. With my Betsey Johnson leopard tote bag in tow as well as my big red suitcase, I made my way to LaGuardia airport on Friday August 12th and returned to LaGuardia on Tuesday August 23rd.

Now I know what you are thinking -- you live in New Jersey but yet choose to fly out of NYC. Yes, yes I do. Newark International has a lot of problems in terms of security procedures and just crazy stuff happening as well as at JFK. When do you really hear of LaGuardia in the news for anything?

So with all of that said, here is my California edition of Things I Love Thursday

~~Experiencing no humidity while out in California.
~~Having unique hair bows where I went.
~~Visiting Kat Von D's Wonderland Gallery and High Voltage Tattoo. The place is small compared to the television show. Unfortunately Kat was not there but I understand.
~~Realizing that I did not pack for California nights. It got chilly!
~~The awesome food. Went to Swingers Diner in Los Angeles and got a vegan Cobb salad and tortilla soup followed by a red velvet cupcake. Also went to Porto's and got the best Cubano sandwich I ever had. At the San Diego Padres game, I got a nice plate of tacos with re fried beans and rice. At the Anaheim Angels game, I had sushi! Why can't the ball parks out here have these options??? Finally, I had to break out a old tradition I had with my mom when we went to Atlantic City and that was CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN. Had a Thai Chicken Pizza and it brought me right back home...well in my mind at least. My last dinner in California was at P.F. Changs and it was the yummiest Chinese food I ever had.
~~Doing the Ghosts and Legends tour of The Queen Mary and actually get scared!
~~Realizing that I am smarter than I appear compared to people in Los Angeles. The stupid meter is off the charts. Also how can you live in LA and not know where anything is?
~~That I have manners and are polite to people when they are not to me. People in LA would walk or ride their bike completely passed you if you tried to stop them for help. It was ridiculous. Luckily we did not get totally lost and found what we needed.
~~San Diego Zoo is so much better than Bronx Zoo. 100 Acres of animals and foliage!
~~Walking the Hollywood Walk of Fame and squeeing over certain celebrities.
~~Taking 995 pictures of my trip.
~~Knotts Berry Farm! This amusement park was the first ever in United States history...way before Disneyland. Also their fried chicken restaurant...holy yum. Atlanta has a competitor...
~~Tours of Paramount Studios and Warner Brothers Studios. It was interesting to see where all of my favorite shows were taped.
~~Realizing that unless you have a car and drive, getting around California is hard with public transportation.
~~That I can walk for miles and miles.
~~Sticking my feet into the Pacific Ocean. Man it was cold!
~~Sticking my feet into the sand at La Jolla Cove.The sand was super soft unlike the beaches out here.
~~Feeding giraffes at San Diego Zoo and a lorikeet at Aquarium of the Pacific as well as petting sharks at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Can not do that out here.
~~The beautiful views of the San Diego Bay on the hornblower boat tour.
~~Actually enjoying the middle seat on a airplane.
~~Missing my family and my dogs.
~~Coming back to a newly decorated and painted room. Thanks Mom, Dad, and Nick!

If you would like to see my pictures from my vacation in California, please go here Danielle's Facebook

So what are you in love with this week?

30 Day Book Challenge - Day 21-23

These book challenge blog entries are increasingly becoming harder and harder. Either my memory of what I read is going kaput or maybe I am losing interest with this series? I always finish with what I start so with that being said...here are the prompts for Day 21, 22, and 23

Day 21 - Favorite romantic/sexual relationship (including asexual romantic relationships)

Going to have to go back to the comic books and say the romantic/sexual relationship I adored the most would be Laurie Jupiter/Silk Spectre II and Dr Manhatten followed by Nite Owl in the graphic novel Watchmen by Alan Moore. The back and forth tension and passion between those two was just magic on the page. Yes I know Laurie/Silk Spectre II is considered a slut by other readers of this book as she just jumped to Nite Owl due to her loneliness but again this relationship showed emotion. At least in my opinion anyway.

Day 22 - Favorite non-sexual relationship (including asexual romantic relationships)

Hmmm...I assume this prompt deals with two friends or parent/children relationship (unless you are using Oedipus Rex). With this, I would have to say my favorite non-sexual relationship would be Coraline and her "other mother" in Coraline by Neil Gaiman. In case you have not read the story (and now I will bap you upside the head to go to a library and get it) Coraline is the story of a girl named Coraline who lives with her work-at-home parents. The family has just moved into an apartment in an old house. During the day, when her parents are working Coraline goes exploring in the neighborhood. One rainy day she explores the apartment and finds a door which sometimes opens onto a brick wall but sometimes leads to an apartment similar to her own but more colorful. Here her "Other Mother" is an excellent cook, her clothes are more stylish and fun and everyone pronounces Coraline's unusual name correctly. Before she realizes it Coraline is trapped in the other apartment with her Other Mother and the situation is not all butterflies and rainbows as it first appeared to be. Coraline must use her ingenuity to set things right and return to her own apartment.

Day 23 - Most annoying character ever

Oh god...the most annoying character ever is Bella Swan in The Twilight Saga. She is a plain brainless moron who does not think for herself. It is all about what Edward wants. She is bland. She never truly develops as a character. She's monotone. She displays women who depend on men, and who do all the housework. She is "irrevocably" in love with someone who wants to murder her, and someone she doesn't honestly know. Throughout the series, we are told over and over that Bella is a strong girl, a heroine of sorts. But in reality she is a total pushover. She lets Edward tell her what to do, up to what car she drives, going to prom and forcing birthday gifts on her. She lets Alice plan her wedding and tell her what to wear. She is a fucking doormat. I can not stand doormats, even in my reading. I could go on and on but that is another blog for another day.

Things I Love Thursday -- August 11th Edition

As I prepare myself for my upcoming week vacation in California, which has me excited and nervous at the same time, I figured this would be the perfect time to do my weekly dose of love to calm myself down as well as make myself more excited!

Here is what I am in love with this week:

~~Leaving for California tomorrow! David and I are going to Los Angeles (August 12th-15th), San Diego (August 16th-19th) back to Los Angeles (August 19th and 20th) and then Anaheim (August 21st and 22nd). Many adventures to be had!

~~Helping out random strangers in NYC Scavenger Hunt in Union Square Park. I saw these people holding papers and I thought they were tourists. Turn out they were not. They needed a person who asked for directions to go somewhere in NYC. I "asked" to go to Bedford Avenue even though I was not going there at all! I hope that team won!

~~Noticing the change of NYC people between 25th Street and 12th Street along Broadway.

~~Having new mix cd's made for me as I travel to California. Thanks V!

~~Having a close friend trust me enough with her prized graphic novels.

~~Swimming with my mother.

~~The restaurant Buvette in the West Village of NYC

~~Jefferson Market Library. Feels like Hogwarts in there!

~~Sex and the City marathons on E! Entertainment Television and Style Network.

~~The book "Dork Whore" by Iris Bahr. Such an emotional tale.

~~Jenna Marbles on YouTube. She is amazingly funny. Why she is not on a comedy on television I have no idea.

~~This graphic speaks the TRUTH


What are you in love with this week?

(Just a programming note: There will not be a Things I Love Thursday next week as I will not be by a computer. When I come back, there will be a Things I Love Thursday -- California Edition on August 25th. Thanks -- MGMT.

Thought Tuesday #26

“So much sadness exists in the world that we are all under obligation to contribute as much joy as lies within our powers” — John Sutherland Bonnell

What words or thoughts are fueling your inspiration today?

30 Day Book Challenge -- Day 17 - 20

Bad Blogger! Bad! Yes I know I am behind. My computer is very pissed at me. I am going to California in five days and my computer is letting me know he is not happy. It would not let me import a Dani Travel to California mix that my friend made me as well as not allowing me the opportunity to write. Well after letting it rest and lots of coaxing, we are BACK. With that said, let me catch up with my blog challenge.

Day 17 - Favorite story or collection of stories (short stories, novellas, novelettes, etc.)

Hmm. For this one, I have to go back to the same author I used for favorite poem -- Neil Gaiman. He came out with a collection of short stories called Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders. This collection contains exactly the sort of stories that I would expect Neil Gaiman to write -- brilliant, original, imaginative fantasy tales that occasionally make tentative steps across the border into Horror(but never quite get there or cross over that line). There is a fantasy element in a lot of the stories but nothing epic; more of a lyrical sort and has a sense of reality -- there are no hobbits here, and almost all these tales concern fantasy styles that seem to have somehow brushed up against our reality, rather than the reverse. If you like Neil Gaiman's other works, you will enjoy this collection.

Day 18 - Favorite beginning scene in a book

Wow. My memory is sharp, but not that sharp. This is tough as I usually read the last page of a book I am interested in getting. So for this I am going with the beginning scene in Snuff by Chuck Palahniuk.

Day 19 - Favorite book cover (bonus points for posting an image!)


Day 20 - Favorite kiss

My favorite kiss comes from a scene that could and should be reproduced on film Amazing Spider-Man #143, Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson realize their love for one another as they kiss before he leaves on a plane to Europe. You can cut the love tension with a knife in this scene.

I promise...I will do Day 21 tomorrow!

30 Day Book Challenge -- Day 16

Day 16 - Favorite poem or collection of poetry

Poetry, in my humble opinion, is what is the fuel that starts a lot of emotional states. From revenge to anger to love to loss...I could go on and on. Poetry is one of my most favorite types of creative writing and will admit I have dabbled in writing some myself. But one of my favorite poems is "Instructions" by Neil Gaiman. Please read below.

Instructions by Neil Gaiman

Touch the wooden gate in the wall you never

saw before.

Say "please" before you open the latch,

go through,

walk down the path.

A red metal imp hangs from the green-painted

front door,

as a knocker,

do not touch it; it will bite your fingers.

Walk through the house. Take nothing. Eat

nothing.

However, if any creature tells you that it hungers,

feed it.

If it tells you that it is dirty,

clean it.

If it cries to you that it hurts,

if you can,

ease its pain.

From the back garden you will be able to see the

wild wood.

The deep well you walk past leads to Winter's

realm;

there is another land at the bottom of it.

If you turn around here,

you can walk back, safely;

you will lose no face. I will think no less of you.

Once through the garden you will be in the

wood.

The trees are old. Eyes peer from the under-

growth.

Beneath a twisted oak sits an old woman. She

may ask for something;

give it to her. She

will point the way to the castle.

Inside it are three princesses.

Do not trust the youngest. Walk on.

In the clearing beyond the castle the twelve

months sit about a fire,

warming their feet, exchanging tales.

They may do favors for you, if you are polite.

You may pick strawberries in December's frost.

Trust the wolves, but do not tell them where

you are going.

The river can be crossed by the ferry. The ferry-

man will take you.

(The answer to his question is this:

If he hands the oar to his passenger, he will be free to

leave the boat.

Only tell him this from a safe distance.)

If an eagle gives you a feather, keep it safe.

Remember: that giants sleep too soundly; that

witches are often betrayed by their appetites;

dragons have one soft spot, somewhere, always;

hearts can be well-hidden,

and you betray them with your tongue.

Do not be jealous of your sister.

Know that diamonds and roses

are as uncomfortable when they tumble from

one's lips as toads and frogs:

colder, too, and sharper, and they cut.

Remember your name.

Do not lose hope — what you seek will be found.

Trust ghosts. Trust those that you have helped

to help you in their turn.

Trust dreams.

Trust your heart, and trust your story.

When you come back, return the way you came.

Favors will be returned, debts will be repaid.

Do not forget your manners.

Do not look back.

Ride the wise eagle (you shall not fall).

Ride the silver fish (you will not drown).

Ride the grey wolf (hold tightly to his fur).

There is a worm at the heart of the tower; that is

why it will not stand.

When you reach the little house, the place your

journey started,

you will recognize it, although it will seem

much smaller than you remember.

Walk up the path, and through the garden gate

you never saw before but once.

And then go home. Or make a home.

And rest.

Things I Love Thursday Friday! -- August 5th Edition

Okay...I have a confession to make. I made an enlightening discovery the other day. My computer suffers from TMS -- Technology Menstrual Syndrome. You see, the other day I tried to burn some CD's for a friend of mine; my computer was not having it. I tried to post my Things I Love Thursday blog; again my computer was not having it. Yesterday my computer decided to let me burn my CD's and today decided to let me post my TiLT. Mind you it let me post my 30 Day Book Challenge blog yesterday so I have no idea. With that said, here is my weekly dose of love!

~~Getting to see my friend on Saturday who I have not seen since January!
~~My new pinstriped sneakers from The Alley Chicago. So comfortable.
~~My custom made pyramid studded Converse sneakers! Thanks Kristin!
~~Finding a book on the sidewalk while walking to The Strand in NYC. It was so random. The book is Bare: The Naked Truth about Stripping by Elizabeth Eaves.
~~One week to California!!!! Can you tell I am excited?
~~Watching Color Splash and RuPaul's Drag U with my mother.
~~Having the ability to palm strike/have the palm of my hand touch the floor during Zumba.
~~Getting great deals for Joe's Crab Shack, PF Changs, and El Torito out in California.
~~Convincing David to forgo Disneyland so we can have one more day in Los Angeles. Besides Knotts Berry Farm is more my speed.
~~Walking in the rain with David to a Mets game, only for the game to get postponed. Still fun though.
~~Finally seeing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.
~~Uploading a heck a lot of videos to my YouTube channel. Go Watch them Here!


What are you in love with this week?

30 Day Book Challenge -- Day 14 and 15

So I got kinda backlogged with this...only by two days! Today entry I will have two prompts and I PROMISE to remember to keep this up on a daily basis...well until I go to California where I will not have access to computer and I will be on vacation...

Day 14 - Favorite character in a book (of any sex or gender)

Now I could go with my favorite character in my favorite book which is Legs Sadovsky but that is just way too easy. So lets see..favorite character in a book...hmm. For myself I would have to say my favorite character in a book is Alice Cullen in The Twilight Saga. Alice is described as being petite and pixie-like at 4'10", with a graceful gait and hair that is short, spiky, and black. Her special ability is to see the future, an enhanced version of her ability to have premonitions as a human. However, her ability is limited; she is only able to see the outcome of a decision once it is made. Due to this, decisions made in the spur of the moment can not be foreseen. Alice can see futures involving humans and vampires, though is unable to see the futures of werewolves or half-breeds, such as Renesmee. Alice theorizes that she can see vampires very clearly because she is one, can see humans somewhat less clearly because she was one, and cannot see werewolves or half-breeds because she has never been one. Alice is portrayed as being bubbly and optimistic, and loves and cares for Bella like a sister. Her hobbies include shopping, make-overs, and throwing parties.

A lot of that description I would have to say is identical to my personality -- well except for the throwing parties part as well as having premonitions! Plus I am not short nor petite or have short spiky hair!

Day 15 - Your “comfort” book

My "comfort" book would have to be Peanuts Philosophers by Charles M. Schulz. The comic strip puts everything into perspective. Charlie Brown has a lot to say on loneliness, defeat, and disillusionment. Snoopy philosophizes on dancing, anxiety, and a dog’s life. Lucy discusses happiness, achievement, and little brothers. And Linus’s thoughts encompass meditation, problem solving, and even the art of prudence. There is a lot to be learned from this group of six year olds.

30 Day Book Challenge -- Day 13

Day 13 - Favorite childhood book or current favorite ya book (or both!)

During the summer when I was a child, I did not participate in any summer camps or summer school activities -- I read. Libraries had summer reading lists and if you got through their entire list you got some sort of a prize. I do not remember the prize, except for the gift of learning and reading, but there was one book I remember so vividly that it is my favorite childhood book -- Socks by Beverly Cleary.

Socks is a cat who has a great family but than his family has a baby . So its all about how the cat acts and plays with the baby.Socks gets jealous of the new baby,but at the end you see how Socks acts with the baby as they get older.I thought this was one of Beverly Clearys' best books.This book made me laugh a lot, even though I have an allergy to cats!

Current favorite Young Adult book: Don't judge but I am a fan of The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer.