Hello sweeties!
Just an update, while I am, as a matter of fact, enjoying a short silent hiatus. First off, I want to apologise for my poor attempt at allitteration in this post's title skipping my Tooting Your Trumpet meme on the first Sunday of this month. I made a point last year to showcase your posts and other sheaningans (mostly, but not only, book related), but February was an odd fish for several reasons...(list below).
- I got entangled in one of my new books (Middlegame by Seanan McGuire - 5 stars all the way for me!), plus I was buddy-reading it with my pal-in-mischief Carrie 😂, and it took us the best part of the month to finish it, since it's 500+ page long and we had LOTS of thoughts about it.
- On the other hand, I struggled with reading/messaging Carrie in time, and with all the usual blog/community-related activities (thank goodness I had scheduled ahead, so at least the posts were there), courtesy of a new medicine I was taking for my digestive problems, which did wonders for them, but made me sleepy every darned night after dinner...that is, that precious time slot when I can blog, comment, etc. (at least from Monday to Friday).
- I don't know if I can blame the pills for that, but when the time came for me to put my monthly Tooting Your Trumpet together, I realised I hadn't bookmarked any posts for it (though I had managed to comment on a number of them) 😳.
- And even if I had...on Sat. 22nd my PC failed, so while I was waiting for it to get fixed, I could only rely on a much older one, in which the newest bookmarked URL was from 2016 - not to mention its other "small" issues, like not letting me read my new NetGalley book...and sometimes not starting at all in the first place ðŸ˜. (Also, please notice the timing...my legitimate computer malfunctioned at the start of the weekend, and I had to wait till Monday to bring it over to the technician 😡). I know, I should save my stuff on a pen drive...and save I do, only not so regularly. After this latest debacle, I promised myself I'd do it each and every day, and I'm holding myself to that promise. (I also decided to break into my savings and buy a notebook ASAP, because I need a spare computer so bad. I guess each and every blogger knows the feeling...). Anyway - I can only say I'm sorry, and I'll try to do better from next month on!
While I'm writing this, I have all my March/April posts scheduled but three, and I've started another of my new books (We Speak in Storms by Natalie Lund), only to temporarily abandon it after the first 50 pages, because Joshua Winning (author of Vicious Rumer and the Sentinel trilogy), gave me access to its latest MS as a beta reader, and I take that job seriously 😉. And of course I've got a lot of catching up to do on your blogs (that is, commenting)! So, if you see a comment of mine under one of your ancient posts, it's all normal 😂. Later in the month, after I've done my beta-reading duty, I plan on alternating first reads of my recent purchases with rereads of books for which a full review is long overdue. As usual, my plate is full, but as long as I'm not snoozing over my books/PC anymore (I stopped taking those pills after a month's worth of therapy) and I have access to a functioning computer, all is well in the world 😅.
Actually, I'm giving the last touches to this post on Sun. 1st, and I had to leave my PC on for the whole weekend (my other one is still with the technician), since I've had the hardest time with convincing it to boot on Friday morning. I had written a fallback version of this post in case something new happened during the weekend (like my old computer breaking for good) and I was forced to go M.I.A. for a few days, but since it's still alive, here's what you need to know: the technician changed the motherboard on my other computer, but it can't seem to communicate with the hard disk, so he'll need a (hopefully) little more time to fix it (that is, to order a new hard disk and copy all our stuff on it). In the meantime, I should be able to be around, though at the price of never shutting off the PC I'm using.
As for my next blogging antics, I plan on reviewing the NG book I mentioned above - Life on Repeat by Amy Larson Marble - on Wed. 18th...if I manage to read it in time, that is (but I DO mean to, come hell or high water). Also, I have a round of mini-reviews scheduled for Wed. 25th (rejoyce, Karen! 😂), all Seanan-McGuire-related, and I'm taking part in Tell Me Something Tuesday on Tue. 31st, answering the question "Are You an Impulsive Book Buyer?". And I'm starting to collect your blog posts for the next Tooting Your Trumpet post, due on April 5th! I swear!
All this PC-related stuff is just the last straw. I badly need a break - blog-wise, and even more, job-wise - but now it isn't the time. I need to hang on for another few weeks. Life's being a bitch, but then again, when isn't it? I can't seem to catch a breath anymore. So, I'm planning ahead, and I hope to be able to leave my blog and job things unattended soon...andrelax concentrate on my house and life instead (as long as I'm not getting quarantined for the coronavirus anytime soon 😱). In the meantime, I'll keep in touch, my exquisite beauties 😘 (if my computer lets me. Ha!).
Actually, I'm giving the last touches to this post on Sun. 1st, and I had to leave my PC on for the whole weekend (my other one is still with the technician), since I've had the hardest time with convincing it to boot on Friday morning. I had written a fallback version of this post in case something new happened during the weekend (like my old computer breaking for good) and I was forced to go M.I.A. for a few days, but since it's still alive, here's what you need to know: the technician changed the motherboard on my other computer, but it can't seem to communicate with the hard disk, so he'll need a (hopefully) little more time to fix it (that is, to order a new hard disk and copy all our stuff on it). In the meantime, I should be able to be around, though at the price of never shutting off the PC I'm using.
As for my next blogging antics, I plan on reviewing the NG book I mentioned above - Life on Repeat by Amy Larson Marble - on Wed. 18th...if I manage to read it in time, that is (but I DO mean to, come hell or high water). Also, I have a round of mini-reviews scheduled for Wed. 25th (rejoyce, Karen! 😂), all Seanan-McGuire-related, and I'm taking part in Tell Me Something Tuesday on Tue. 31st, answering the question "Are You an Impulsive Book Buyer?". And I'm starting to collect your blog posts for the next Tooting Your Trumpet post, due on April 5th! I swear!
All this PC-related stuff is just the last straw. I badly need a break - blog-wise, and even more, job-wise - but now it isn't the time. I need to hang on for another few weeks. Life's being a bitch, but then again, when isn't it? I can't seem to catch a breath anymore. So, I'm planning ahead, and I hope to be able to leave my blog and job things unattended soon...and
No need to apologize. Glad the pills are helping you, even if you are a bit sleepy. Your comfort matters. Also, yeah for a five-star buddy read. I love seeing all those stars. I have We Speak in Storms, but every time I thought about picking it up, I was not mentally there for the weight of the book. Can't wait to hear what you think
ReplyDeleteThank you 🙂. Ah, yes, WSIS is HUGE. But the first 50 pages I read were flowing well. I was sorry to have to put it aside, but I'll go back to it at the end of the month, and I'll write a mini-review after.
DeleteI meant heavy topics, but yeah, it was long too. It's like you really understand me, that you first thought of my aversion to big books.
DeleteBut you don't shun heavy topics, though you need your HEA. You don't just read so-called "fluffy" contemporaries - A.S. King is proof of that 🙂.
DeleteI’m sorry to hear life has been so hectic for you! But I’m glad the medication is working out well :) Please take all the time you need. I feel like we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to blog when we’re really not feeling like it. A break only helps you come back stronger :)
ReplyDelete"I feel like we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to blog when we’re really not feeling like it."
DeleteBoy, do we. To be honest, I'd probably feel like it more if I didn't have to go to work, tend to the house and stuff LOL. I bet it's the same with you and school!
I had to take a break too - for all the obvious reasons lol but WE ARE STILL IN SYNC (not the band lol) Since my computer is dying too. I looked at buying a new one but I just can't afford anything right now while both pets are in medical limbo. Kevin is letting me use his old laptop since work gives him one.
ReplyDeleteIt's taken time to transfer my stuff over for the things I use most plus try to work around all the settings and things he already has loaded but I'll get there.
Let's shoot for - our lives are so wonderful and we are so productive kind of twinning shall we??? lol
Karen @ For What It's Worth
Our sync is almost creeping me out LOL. If I had pets, I'm sure they would be at the vet too!
DeleteThe technician who's fixing our PC is an old acquaintance, since he works for my radio station, so I trust him. He advised us to buy a refurbished laptop, so we can save money and still have a decent fallback computer (also, it's not like we need it for gaming or movie storage purposes). Maybe you could find something good that doesn't cost a fortune too. Of course, I realise the two Fs are eating at your savings.
LOL, yes, let's shoot for it! *high-fives*
I hope that your hiatus is refreshing! There's no need to apologize-- sometimes life interferes with blogging, and that's okay. I've been a relatively inconsistent blogger as I've gone through high school and college, but I've found that blogging has still always been there when I felt like coming back.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to your review of Life on Repeat, and good luck with your computer!
claire @ clairefy
Life CONSTANTLY interferes with blogging LOL. And I have a hard time letting go of things when I scheduled them in advance and decided I had to make time for them. I should have learned my lesson by now...
DeleteThank you! I hope college is treating you well!
Oh no- computer problems are the worst. I can relate. My PC died a few months back and I had a few weeks there where I had to make other arrangements, stuff wasn't saved in the right places, etc blah blah lol. Definitely threw me for a loop! And... sometimes a break is just what you need. So hope it goes well for you, and pooh to the coronavirus too haha!
ReplyDeleteTell 'em Spock! lol couldn't resist.
How have PC taken over? LOL. It probably wouldn't be so bad for me if I weren't blogging...
DeleteThank you - so far my area hasn't been affected, but there are limitations and precautions in place. Let's hope for the best!
UGH. Computer breaking down on top of health issues? Blogger's nightmare. Glad you're feeling a bit better though, and that you've found a backup! I hope you enjoy the much-deserved break. 💛
ReplyDeleteNot much of a break LOL - I have a review scheduled in a few days. The real break should be in a month or so, when I have the whole month covered. I know, I'm impossible 😂.
DeleteI can well understand computer problems. I had to replace my laptop because it refuses to start and it would cost more to have it fix than to buy a new one, so I got a new one.
ReplyDeleteI did tried using a pen drive which I call flash drive but the flash drive had problems. I now have 2 external hard drive for backups which I think is better.
How I wish I have some scheduled posts right now like you have. I don't know how you do it but I never had the impression you had an hiatus. And anyway, it's your blog, you can take a break, you can change/switch posts around.
Have you thought of guests posts when you take a hiatus instead of scheduling posts? I have seen some bloggers done this and it seems like a good idea.
I hope you get to have a relaxing break from blogging and from everyday life stuff.
Have a lovely day.
"How I wish I have some scheduled posts right now like you have. I don't know how you do it but I never had the impression you had an hiatus."
DeleteI have a spreadsheet for my daily tasks and one where I mark the days when I mean to post, with the related post title. To be honest, I enjoy filling up those (and sometimes shuffling their content around) more than fulfilling the tasks themselves LOL. Anyway, I schedule a few posts in a row and take a silent break while they're going live. I know, we shouldn't feel obligated to do anything on our blogs...but it's difficult not to. I've fallen into a routine of a post a week (roughly), and if I go longer without posting, I feel this itch...while I don't judge anyone who doesn't post for long periods, of course. I only judge myself...
Guest posts would be a great idea if I knew someone who isn't struggling with posting on THEIR blog in the first place LOL. But probably it's more like, I have this niche about underrated books, and it's not easy to find someone who's posting the same thing.
Thank you, and have a lovely day yourself!
It sounds like you have a lot going on, but don't feel like you have to apologise to us or that you are a bad blogger or anything. I am glad that this new medication is working for you even though it is making you sleepy. And I am sorry for the technology problems - those are always the most frustrating thing! I am just happy that you were able to love a book throughout all this - and especially that is Middlegame as I plan to read that one soon. I sincerely hope you can get a break soon as well <3
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope you'll enjoy Middlegame. It's a complex monster of a book, but it was an immersive experience for me.
DeleteI need to try something by Seanan McGuire since you love her books so damn much! I'm trying to get one of her books at the library, although they tend to be unavailable. *sigh* I'll do my best, though!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you've been having a lot of problems with your PC, I do hope it won't act up again, and that you'll be able to get a notebook. My journey to buying my new laptop - around half a year ago - was a nightmare. :| For those who are not smart with technology, the world of tech is not a nice place, haha.
Hope your March is going wonderfully! :)
Good luck with your McGuire! It looks like she's one of the few popular author I read/like...and here next to none of my friends has ever read one of her books haha. Middlegame is awesome, and I love her Ghost Roads books, but maybe the Wayward Children series is a better place to start.
DeleteA nightmare? I wish I could have lent you my hubs then! He's the expert in the house.
It sounds like you've been having a rough few weeks! I'm sorry you computer is busted -- that's the worst. I use our desktop for a lot of blogging-related stuff, since that's where most of my icons, images, and the like are located. It would be a hassle to upload everything to my laptop, but I do use it for commenting pretty often. It's more portable. :)
ReplyDeleteIf you need to take a break, take one! Request time off at work, disappear for awhile. No one is going to hold it against you. We've all done it before. <3
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬
The fact is, I put too much on my plate - as if I didn't have enough already. Things at home are complicated for a number of reasons, and that's where I really can't take a break. No matter how many days off-work and off-blogging I take, I can never truly relax. Also, blogging and reading keeps me sane, so if I let go of it for a while, I'm only left with my everyday problems. I've just scheduled my week off-work for the end of the month, and it's already full of "stuff". Then again...your comment inspired me to rebel against myself, at least when it comes to the things that I do have control over. So thank you, and I'll try to find a way around my stupid schedule LOL.
Delete