Our good friend C-Squared blogged about this – and if you follow me on twitter, you’ll know I whined about it a lot – 2009 was not a good year for me. For a variety of reasons. Whatever. I haven’t/hadn’t been able to read as much. I put off books I was looking forward to, because when I started them, they simply didn’t grip me.
I only read I think a little over 100 books in 2009. Which… for me, is sad. In ’07 I read something like 350 books. (I don’t actually keep track, because… well that’s time I could spend reading!) I did do a reading challenge with a counter though, which is why I have that ball park figure. What did I do instead of read and write reviews? Let me tell you.
Instead of going back to crafts, etc, of which I did do some… or cooking and baking – which I also did … I watched tv. And played mindless computer games.
I decided that Bubble Spinner is the devil’s handmaiden. And Lucky Balls is close behind. Mind the Blox took up some time, but not nearly as much as the first two.
And then there was Rome Puzzle/Cradle of Rome. Incidentally, I’m linking because I’m a giver. 😉 Enjoy.
Of course, I also frittered time away on Twitter. Which I’m [trying] to take a hiatus from now. A number of people have gotten increased emails from me. And look! I’m blogging! But this is a topic I’ve been meaning to get to anyway.
I also spent a lot of time on Hulu. Free movies and television! Sadly, only to 
residents of the USA. I don’t know of any international sites that are similar, or I’d share them. What are some of the shows I watched? Here I’ll link to imdb for the international crowd. (And I hope you know I appreciate you all very much!) *Also, word is that Hulu will start charging for its content soon. Apparently they find the commercials insufficient. When that happens, it’s goodbye Hulu for me. Sad.
White Collar. I also tried to catch this on USA. Hello. Matthew Bomer? He is pretty. I also can’t resist catching up on episodes of Nip/Tuck when they’re posted… but that’s such a train wreck I’ll save you all from the pain.
I also got DVD’s from the library of Burn Notice, and Bones. Two fantastic shows. First of all, Jeffrey Donovan and David Boreanez – I simply have very positive associations with both of them, because of The Pretender, and Buffy. Then there’s Gabrielle Anwar – who I think is very striking – and Emily Deschanel is awesome.
And… I hate to admit it… but… I’m watching, and enjoying Cougar Town. While Courtney Cox… I don’t know how to feel about her, Christa Miller and Josh Hopkins are great. And the dialogue, script, it’s all very enjoyable. And aside from a few episodes of “cougar” ness, that’s not a big part of it. I think it was just the name to attract buzz. Or, I think and hope. Then I randomly catch episodes of Modern Family, In the Middle, and Ugly Betty… but not enough to mention.
I watched a few movies – but not fantastic ones. But one, was…
The film, is Strictly Sexual. Now hear me out. I tried telling a chat about it, but they were like “zomg Lime! You’re watching pr0n?!!??!” *facepalm* Anyway – it reminded me of a contemporary romance novel, actually. (And ok, so the premise is raunchy, but it’s only rated R. Come on now.
Rome (yum, Kevin McKidd), or Spartacus: Blood and Sand are much more scandalous. Incidentally, authors, Andy Whitfield. Please to use him as inspiration for a hero. No really.)
So, it’s about two women who are friends, and not looking for a relationship… but want a physical connection. So, they go and find two guys. Who they think are gigolos. But actually are construction workers new to the city. [The movie takes place in CA – the guys are from Queens, NY.) They decide to have a purely “benefits” er, relationship. Not even so much the friends part. Actually, one of the girls is really uptight, and she decides “keeping” the boys will help her learn about sex an improve her confidence. Come on now – there are romance novels with a lot less in terms of premise.
The point is – the movie seems shallow – but it follows the relationship between the two couples. The fact that they can’t just be hooking up without emotional ties forming, and divergent paths. There’s the two couples, then the fact that the women are friends, and the men are friends. And have been. A lot of different relationship dynamics and complexities. There’s the incredibly sweet, happy, amazing fairy tale ending… then the slightly bittersweet realistic one. Anyway, I thought it was cute. And would be something like a romance novel on the silver screen.
For one couple, it works out. Romantically. They fall in love. For another, it doesn’t. It’s incredibly real. A little coarse at times I suppose, and not as fluffy cotton candy as a romance novel. (The characters don’t go running around saying how this is the best sex they’ve ever had in their life from the get go, and nobody really waxes poetic about their feelings. Or angst.) Tough there is some of it. Anyway, it’s loosely, to my mind, a romance novel on the “big” screen.
There you have it.
Of course, I did read some fantastic books. By Lisa Kleypas. Jill Shalvis. HelenKay Dimon, Lauren Dane. And of course a number of other authors had stories I enjoyed as well. Julie Cohen, and India Grey were two of my category “discoveries.”
Nevertheless, I spent more than my time amount of time watching things, instead of reading.
Yeah, 2009 wasn’t a big reading year for me either. I spent a lot of time working and even more time…well…wasting time. TV, movies, games, web surfing…pretty much anything but read, and I certainly wasn’t reviewing. Sadly, 2010 is shaping up to be even worse on the book front. Sure, I read several books a week for work — good ones even — but most aren’t ones I’d have chosen on my own.
I used to feel guilty about the not reviewing, but then I shut down my blog. No guilt there. 😀 And I used to feel weird not finishing a book every few nights, but I had to let it go.
Bring on the games and TV shows!
Sadly, I also am watching way too much TV, playing too many Facebook games (like seriously, who am I that I have to log in every 4 hours or crops wither and animals get sick and money gets lost – ugh!!)
And Rome is awesome!!
And I will admit that there is a movie with Antonio Banderous and Angelina Jolie that is historically set and I tell you, it’s like an 80’s historical romance come to life. So now I’m interested in Strictly Sexual but then, I wouldn’t have the first clue where to find it.
And I hate Hulu for not allowing me access. I’m Canadian!! 😉
My new computer even came with a sticker that says Experience the best of the web with Netflix, Hulu, Pandora and more. pfffffft. Can’t touch ’em.
Okay, off to watch more TV and try to forget about stupid timing with online games.
CimdyS
Andy Whitfield…already done. He’s the inspiration for the hero in book #4 of my next series, LOL. A writer friend of mine and I have been watching Spartacus, and she pointed out how perfect he’d be for this guy. I completely agreed. 🙂 I’ve really been enjoying the show, though I’m sure it’s mostly for the wrong reasons.
I had a light reading year for me, too, also suffering from ennui. I finally broke out of it a while ago by reading out of genre for a while, but now I’m back. JenB, I have the same “guilt” about not finishing a book in a couple of days. I need to let it go…
Hello duckies! Much love to you for commenting 😀
JenB- Heh. You better hope Sybs doesn’t read your comment 😉 And… WATCH SPARTACUS!
.
Cindy – Oh noes! Hm, for some reason I didn’t think about Netflix and Canada. Meh – and Redbox is only for the US too. :\ Sorry I don’t know what site to suggest for you. Maybe a library? lol are you talking about Farmville? I refuse to get sucked into that 😛
And… I think the movie you’re talking about is Original Sin? Maybe? Cuz… totally awesome. Hilarious 😀 Also, I’d be so annoyed that new computer was taunting me if I were you. I wish I could figure out some way to make it so you could watch Simply Sexual.
.
Monica – Yes yes yes!!! Andy Whitfield! <3 <3 <3 I'm just… O_o about the show. And trying to figure out how Spartacus and Crixus become… well if not friends, allies of a sort. (And I think it's so cute Crixus has a crush on the slave girl – finally made me think he was almost ok.)
And I'm with you girls on the book guilt. I used to finish a book in a day, or maybe two. Three at the most. But I've been slogging through books for nearly a week. Or, worse, reading a few pages then decide I'm not interested. I, however, just like to pretend such books don't exist. Selective memory is perfect for such circumstances 😉
YES!! Original Sin – loved it!
And don’t worry, I will find a way to see Simply Sexual 😉 I always have my ways. Could be years from now but hey, I’ll find it!!
And yes to the guilt but then I have a blog but decided it’s more of a journal than anything else so next to no reviews 😉
cindyS
Oh! And have you seen Dangerous Beauty? The first 20 minutes are lame but stick with it.
And I love The Duchess this past year because it felt realistic. I love how she has all girls and smiles because the Duke wants a son.
I mentioned the TV/Movie thing I have going on, right?
CindyS
::scribbling furiously:: note to self – watch Spartacus…
Cindy – Hee hee! 1998!!! Rufus Sewell!!! I’m totally in. Once March rolls around, I’m definitely hunting that film down and watching it! (Er, and Sybs, if you’re reading… I mean after I read and write up reviews :|)
The Duchess with Keira Knightly? I liked the movie too, but oh so sad!
Gwen – dooooo eeeeettttttt 😀
I refuse to click on those game links. I still haven’t forgiven you for introducing me to that bubble game.
I’m still trying to climb out of my slump. 🙁 I hate that! SO many good books waiting for me and I can’t read them.
c2 … T_T you haven’t forgiven me?! *sniffles* lol one of the links is the bubble game. *evil grin*
Yeah – I get the slumpyness. Is sad. I think all the duckies should get a vaccination for 2010. Or 2011 O_o
But in the meantime? I think you should watch Spartacus 😉
I hate, hate, hate (that’s triple-speak for love) computer games. My drug, er, game of choice is Bookworm. (Dear goddess, give me my life back! The world doesn’t care if I hit the five million mark. Nobody cares. And my children need shoes . . . )
EC- hahaha I understand completely. My current poison is Rome Puzzle/Cradle of Rome. Shameful because it’s pretty much Big Kahuna Reef and somewhat made easier? (BKR incidentally should be a free game from amazon. You’re welcome :P)
You should definitely click bubble spinner 🙂 I want to say I passed level 20… once… And wouldn’t it be nice if we did get paid? Even say, a nickel for every level passed. (Actually I might have made enough for dinner if that was true…)
And good for you! I love Bookworm! Now I’m all paranoid because I had it on my laptop – but I’m a mac girl now, so it’s not on my new computer. And… I’m wondering if I saved it… <3 <3 <3 Bookworm Adventures. And hey – I can justify that for you. At least it's a smart game, and you're an author – you should be thinking about words, right?! 😉
Limecello, while this may be true “you’re an author – you should be thinking about words, right?!” The words I *should* be thinking about *should* form a story, a character, a semblance of a plot, rather than simply make a frickin’ worm give me a sickly gring and a bit of cyber praise. I’m sick, I tell you, SICK!! LOL
(That said, I shall now sneak off and check out Bubble Spinner.)
EC – Hmm… well if you’re going to be all responsible, that’s going to make it a lot harder for me 😛 Lol maybe you can write a book… with a quest… and jewels… O_o and… a bookworm… hahahah. Sorry. Maybe you’ll get a super word and can use that in a new book. You’re making *me* want to play Bookworm Adventures! Gah!
lol – YAY! Bubble spinner is wicked and evil. And lovely and wonderful. :X I’ve got it open in a window right now. *shhh* Am on level 8.
I am terrible at that bubble game.
Liv – omg I got to level 21 while I was listening to lectures :X It’s so addicting- once you figure out the technique/the right angles to bounce the balls off the walls etc… you need to keep going to see what level you’ll hit.
.
EC – I meant to ask you – have you tried the game? Are you hooked?
.
c2 – I think you should give it another try 😉
I am typically to running a blog and i really admire your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and preserve checking for new information.