365: Debrief

I started this year with a crazy New Year's resolution: blog every day of 2011.  I started out writing lengthy, thought-out blog posts, even planned several days ahead.  But there just isn't enough stuff going on to sustain that kind of content, so things have devolved into "here's a photo."

Here's a photo.

All things considered, though, I'm putting this year's resolution in the "win" column.  Why?  Because, including today, I posted on 359 out of 365 days.  I missed less than a week in total, which is incredibly impressive for me, knowing my habit of leaving projects unfinished.

I won't try to write some deeply introspective summary of this year and what it's meant for my family and me.  I'll think about it, certainly, but -- especially after this particular year -- that's not the kind of thing I want to share with all and sundry who might stumble across this corner of internet.  Suffice to say that 2011 has been a year of experience, and may 2012 bring some brighter days for everyone.

My daily-blogging experiment is at an end, and I think I'll be emigrating from the Impermanent State, for a while, at least.  So with that, I'll end this year the way I began: with someone else's photo and a wish for a very Happy New Year.

Best wishes for 2012!

364: Millennium

Made it to a movie theater for the first time since June to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  It's a faithful adaptation of the book, and at least as good (if not a little better) than the original Swedish version with Noomi Rapace in the title role.  This English-language version actually seems to be more faithful to the original novel in some ways -- though I could be wrong, since I read the book a while ago.  I really enjoyed Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander and Daniel Craig was good (if very, very British) as Mikael Blomkvist.  I actually had trouble looking away from Mara whenever she was on the screen, which is saying something when she's acting opposite Daniel Craig.

Perhaps the best thing to come out of this adaptation, though, is the Trent Reznor-Karen O cover of "Immigrant Song" that ran over the teaser trailer and plays during the title sequence:

Speaking of the title sequence, it reminded me very strongly of the titles for Quantum of Solace, which might be why the whole movie sort of seemed like it could be an alternate-universe James Bond flick.  Also, Daniel Craig.

All told, Dragon Tattoo gets a thumbs-up from me, and I'd highly recommend it (to those old enough to see R-rated films, of course).

363: Things I missed in 2011

Pete Campbell and his bitchface

(delayed; due 2012)

The crew of the Enterprise

(endlessly delayed; due 2013)

Jack McCoy and the 27th precinct

(cancelled)

Snow.

362: Tumbling Downton

via whatisaweek-end on Tumblr

Lovely late-19th century sketch of Highclere Castle, which plays the role of Downton Abbey.

The second season starts airing on PBS's Masterpiece Classic on January 8th! Huzzah!

361: Wishlist

Vintage Whirling Eye Sterling Wide Cuff Bracelet from Mindi Lyn Jewelry

The next time I have $260 lying around, this will be the first thing I think of.

360: The city of old

Random Tumblr find of the day:

via Robot Cosmonaut on Tumblr

Minneapolis has some nice-looking office towers, but the drive through downtown would be a lot more interesting if the storefronts still looked like this.

359: Come on and let it snow

My favorite terrible Christmas song comes from the movie Love Actually, and it's the only holiday song I keep on my iPod year-round.  Enjoy the awful, really inappropriate music video for "Christmas is All Around" by Billy Mack (AKA Bill Nighy):

Merry Christmas!

358: Yule Log

I can't stream the Yule Log, but I can offer this:

2009.

 From snowless Minnesota to wherever you are, a merry Christmas Eve to you!

357: Festive

So we got an iPad for my grandpa to use as an ereader, so I obviously have to play with the camera.

2011.

'Tis the season.

355: Reading is fun-damental

(click to view full-size)

These are the books from my completed-and-then-some 2011 50 Book Challenge on Goodreads.  I actually read more than this; I left a bunch of the romance novels off because the covers were just so heinous I couldn't bear to have them in the graphic.  With ten days left in 2011, I've read eighty-four books, seventy-two of which can be seen above.  One of the benefits of working only sporadically is that you get a lot of time for leisure reading.  On the downside, you're working only sporadically.  Ah, well.  Here's to a 2012 full of books and paychecks, yes?  Yes!

354: Bling

The Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara
source

I lost at least an hour to The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor this morning, after a commenter on Tom & Lorenzo linked to it.  I'm a total magpie and fascinated by all those royals, so...it's kind of the perfect storm of casual interests.

Also, shiny.

353: Parapluie

Notre-Dame de Paris, France, 2007.

I feel a little bit like this umbrella today.  Just...blerg.
I don't remember why I decided to shoot this photo, but I do remember standing outside Notre Dame on a very sunny day in Paris and seeing it sitting in the shrubbery.
Pauvre petite parapluie.

352: Gondor needs no GPS

File this under "things that have amused me today":

1) Go to Google Maps.
2) Get walking directions from "The Shire" to Mordor"
3) Profit:

351: Macro

2010.

Super-closeup moss stitch.
(Buy these gloves here.)

350: OMG WTF GOP

Because LIGHT BULBS are the real problem facing our country today:

(I love that even the reporter starts laughing at Sen. Coburn's secret lightbulb stash.)

This is the most ridiculous thing I've seen all week.

I can't even.

349: Overhead

2008.

This photo is three years old, but the bare branches look pretty much the same.  Now all we need is some snow.

348: Crossover fun

via ~Atlantistel on deviantart

This is wonderful.

347: Tributes

If it's nerdy to be excited about nail polish based on The Hunger Games, then LET'S NERD IT UP:

Each color corresponds (or at least seems to correspond) to one of the Districts in the series.  Via The Hob, they are:

Luxe and Lush – District 1 (Luxury)
Stone Cold – District 2 (Masonry)
Riveting – District 3 (Technology)
Hook and Line – District 4 (Fishing)
Electrify – District 5 (Power)
Fast Track – District 6 (Transportation)
Mahogany Magic – District 7 (Lumber)
Dress Me Up – District 8 (Textiles)
Harvest Moon – District 9 (Grain)
Foie Gras – District 10 (Livestock)
Agro – District 11 (Agriculture)
Smoke and Ashes – District 12 (Mining)

Don't mind me over here, I'll just be saving up my pennies.

346: Happy Valentine's Day, No One

I realize we're nowhere near Valentine's Day, but I just stumbled across this old 30 Rock clip, and it's still delightful:

345: Christmas at Downton

The Downton Abbey Christmas special looks awfully exciting.  Murder trials!  Punching!  Snow!  But will it ever air in this country?