New Years Resolutions

Normally I never do New Years Resolutions, partially cause in the past few years I have been working and going to school and my goal was to survive that without going completely insane. I did set one goal for myself and that was to keep track of how much I read, which I did using GoodReads. I found out that I read over 500 books this year and that more then half of that was graphic novels/manga and that I read barely any nonfiction. I also finally convinced myself that it is okay to stop reading a book if I wasn't enjoying it.

This year I have my degree and I saw that Bookworming in the 21st Century and GreenBeanTeenQueen posted her resolutions and I thought that might be an interesting way to keep track of my resolutions.

1. Blog Goals
a. I want to get more involved in the blogging community.
b. Decide whether to add book reviews or not.
c. Post once a week.
d. Improve my blogging skills so that my blog feels more personalized, no offense intended to blogger I just want to improve.

2. Reading goals
a. Read more nonfiction.
b. Read the stuff I own and try not to have more library books out then I can handle.

3. Life stuff
a. Keep improving my skating (and maybe lose a little weight in the process).
b. Be more assertive.
c. Move into my own place. (I hope, I hope, I hope.)

Well those are my goals for the year, I will keep my fingers crossed. Feel free to post your own in the comments and have a Happy New Year.

Alma

One of the artists from Pixar created his own five minute film entitled Alma. It is absolutely gorgeous and yet incredibly creepy. Check it out below; unless dolls kind of freak you out; in which case I recommend you skip it.

Tis the Season

For all kinds of cutesy holiday tv specials and websites.

Via The Fire Wire I found out that the website TV Tango has been kind enough to figure out when all holiday related television special will be on and what channel they will be on. They have everything you remember from when you were little (Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Eight Crazy Nights) to the esoteric (Deathklok Christmas Special, Bam Margera's Where's Santa, Powerpuff Girls Twas the Flight Before Christmas). They have also included every holiday cooking show; for help planning your fabulous holiday meals or for absorbing virtual calories.

From the Mental Floss blog, there is Santa's Blog. How cool is that. You can get Santa's thoughts on all the goings on at the North Pole. Readers can even follow Santa on Twitter, great for helping get into the holiday spirit.

Love to Laugh

The arrival of Black Friday heralds the start of the holiday season. And while the holiday season is great because it means pretty Christmas trees and menorahs, cookies and hot chocolate and a couple of days off; it can also be pretty stressful what with midterms and finals, crowded stores and trying to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.

That's why I've put together a list of books gauranteed to elicit at least a chuckle if not a full on LOL. So take a break from all the stuff you've got going up and curl up with one of these reads.

Tickle the Ivories from your Computer

Another gem from the people at VSL. Virtual Piano for Songwriters is a website that is just what it says; a virtual piano that can be played straight from your computer. The songbook that sits on the piano provides detailed instructions for using the piano. The only problem I had was figuring out how to use the arrows on the bottom. Otherwise number keys on your keyboard can be used to play chords and to play an individual key on the piano, just click with your mouse.

The creators recommend it be used for composing or beginner learning, but honestly it's just fun. So whether you have dreams of composing your own music or are just looking for a fun slightly educational way to kill time, this is something to consider.

Movies and Book Series

The Mid-Continent Public Library has some great readers advisory stuff going on. Two of my favorite features from their site are Series and Sequels and Based on a Book.

Series and Sequels allows the user to find out what's next in a YA or Children's series. Since some series never really number their books and trilogy's such as the Maximum Ride series keep getting made longer, this is a quick and easy way to find out what's next or make sure you actually own an entire series. Users can search by book title, author, series title or subject.

Based on a Book lets readers find out if the book has been made into a movie, thus allowing the neverending, always heated and amusing for spectators "is the book better then the movie" debate to continue.

Road Trip!!!

In a couple of weeks I plan on going on a road trip with my friends down to Philadelphia for Roller Derby nationals (woo hoo). One of my favorite sites to check before I go anywhere is Atlas Obscura. Atlas Obscure is a website that lists all of the weird, strange, beautiful things and places that only the locals know about.

Heading to Philadelphia like I am? Then you might want to check out the Sonorous Stones in Ringing Rocks Park. The Stones in Ringing Rocks Park create a clear bell type tone when struck with a hammer. According to the site, not all of the stones create tones that can be heard by the human ear, but they do all create a tone. To add to the aura of this incredible geological wonder, why the stones create this tone is still unknown.

The Atlas Obscura covers places in numerous countries on all seven continents. If you are in Germany you should check out the Waldspirale, an incredible apartment complex designed by Austrian artist and architect Friedenshreich Hundertwasser, full of life, literally. The apartment complex has trees and other greenery built into it.

The user can search by place or type of attraction and the site is full of interactive maps. Check it out before your next trip or just because.