In 2008, I wished to read 50 books, but by the end of December decided I priorised other things better than completing the list. Thus I got to 48 and spent days with my family, who had come from Brazil, for the festivities. In 2009, on the other hand, I did not pressure myself at all and read the books I wanted when I wanted. The final countdown made it to 29, a bit more than 2008's half. Let us see how this year unfolds. I have learned that I love having these lists written. I'm happy I started with the habit.

Books read:
(* stands for reread)
( ... )

When travelling on long flights/rides, what do you like to listen to?

I'm going on a 36-hour bus trip to Brazil so I need music. I usually like mellow and slow, the kind of music that makes you reflect on your life while staring out at the window, and I desperately need recs, unless I want to be stuck listening to the Jonas Brothers.

Life is good.

Movie & internet lovers, I'm in need of serious help.

It has been a while since I've last watched movies on the Internet. A while.

Usually I use Cuevana and Sidereel to watch the newest episodes of Glee, but that's pretty much all I watch. Neither of them are great for movies, though, so here's what I've got to ask:

Where can I find good quality movies to watch online? And not download them?

So, here's something that has been navigating across the web (lies, I just read it in galadarling.com) and I thought was interesting enough to post here. I'm sure y'all will like it.

"Recently, in a large city in Australia, a poster featuring a young, thin and tan woman appeared in the window of a gym. It said, “This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?”

A middle-aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.

To Whom It May Concern,

Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans.) They have an active sex life, get pregnant and have adorable baby whales. They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing themselves with shrimp. They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia, the Bering Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia.

Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs. They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans.

They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.

Mermaids don’t exist.

If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity crisis. Fish or human? They don’t have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them, not to mention how could they have sex? Just look at them… where is IT?

Therefore, they don’t have kids either.

Not to mention, who wants to get close to a girl who smells like a fish store?

The choice is perfectly clear to me: I want to be a whale.

P.S. We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my kids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver, and a piece of chocolate with my friends.

With time, we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So we aren’t heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy.

Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, “Good grief, look how smart I am!”"

Poll #1529761 Vacations & trips
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 13

Where do you live?

Do you usually travel during holidays?

Which specifically?

For which reasons?

Where to? (Usually.)

Who do you travel with?

By what means?

In a scale of 1 to 10, which number would you classify the importance of travelling?

Best place/more memorable place you've been to (write down the one you're thinking of RIGHT NOW! YES! THAT ONE!)

What is what you enjoy most when travelling?

Any other reason, write down here:

2009

Books read:
(* stands for reread)
( ... )

To-read-sometime-in-the-future-hopefully-2010 list:
1. Under the Covers and Between the Sheets: Facts and Trivia about the World's Greatest Books by C. Alan Joyce