2011 Countdown {Day 5} – The Orange Handcuffs Awards 2010!

 

This is the last day on 2010 and it’s time for me to look back on this crazy year and tally up the Good, the bad and the unmentionable… I started the Orange Handcuffs Awards  back in 2007 and this is how I introduced it then:

…I need to recap a bit on 2007 in it's entirety... And for that, I come to you with the review of the 2007 season of "Welcome to larissa's life" (something I have never done before...). I have decided to come about this subject in two ways... The first will be the "Larissa's life award" or "The Orange Handcuffs" (Orange, cause I love that color and handcuffs cause it kind of represents well a bit of my personality...) to the best and worst moments of my life this year... and the second will be an "Inventory" with the total numbers of 2007...

Original Post HERE.

I didn’t do the awards for 2008 and then in 2009 my personal blog had become a book one and at the time my blog design was of the Pink category LOL, so I changed the awards to The Pink Disco Ball Awards.

I went back to my origins at the beginning of 2010 and got a very Orange design for the blog and I LOVE it! So, this year I’m bringing back the Orange Handcuffs, be warned LOL Hope you’ll all enjoy them:

- Best Song of the Year:

"Just a Dream" – Nelly

There were many songs I really enjoyed this year, but I don’t why I just love this one.

- Worst Song of the Year:

hmm Any by Ke$ha!

No comments... o_O {I might dance to her songs in a club, but I won’t chose to listen to them}

- Best on TV:

Glee, How I met you mother, The Office, The big bang theory, Conan, Mike & Molly.

I still can’t choose only one =)

- Worst on TV:

Skating with The Stars

- Best Movie:

Inception

- Worst Movie:

Resident Evil – Afterlife

- My Best Idea:

My Top 5 Sundays meme =D I love it!

- My Worst Idea:

Starting other memes that were a bust =/

- Best Meal!

Xmas Dinner made by Mom!

- Worst Meal!

Fast Food

- Best Book Read in 2010!

Alien Tango by Gini Koch

There were many books that stole my heart this year, but Alien Tango stole it and made it its own! I am IN LOVE with this series!

- Worst Book Read in 2010!

Burned by PC & Kristen Cast

My lowest rating to date =/ 1 & 1/2 Loveys…

- Best Book Cover!

- Worst Book Cover!

LOVED the book, but I do NOT like this cover =/

- Best Plane ride of 2010:

None too great this year, but the one from Rio to NY was pretty cool =) 

- Worst Plane ride of 2010:

From Rio to Lisbon – Horrible seat and a lot of pain =/ 

- Best re-union of 2010:

It is a tie between: Seeing mom in Rome after 3 years, seeing BFF #1 in Rio after the same 3 years or seeing BFF #2 after 6 years in NY!

AMAZING! 

- Worst re-union of 2010:

Runing into old acquaintaces that were never really friends… It was just weird seeing the again… 

- Best new people I met in 2010:

All the amazing Bloggers and Authors I met ONLINE or in Person at the AAD and ComicCon…

- Worst new people I met in 2010:

hmmmm no one really…

- Best moments of 2010:

So many! Seeing the Coliseum in Rome, Reunion with BFFs and family after years apart, Going to NYC, Going to the AAD and NY ComicCon…

- Worst moments of 2010:

hmmm anything that involved pain =/

 

2010 in Numb3rs!

3 Years of blogging

198 Book Read {until Dec 28th}

27 years celebrated

147 Review Posted

455 Blog Posts

1283 New Blog Followers

1851 New Twitter Followers

64 Author Interview or Guest Posts

73 Giveaways Hosted

6 Countries Visited

7 Plane Rides

1 mom visited

1 stepdad visited

1 New Laptop *Sholto

2 New Blackberrys *Martini {Lost one hehe}

4 Months of freezing cold

1 New Kindle *Zsadist

Tons of books bought

A lot of new pictures

Too many friends far away

 

 

I wish you all an AMAZING NEW YEAR!

Thanks you SO much for all the Bloggy love you have shown me in 2010, May 2011 be even sweeter!

HAPPY 2011!

 

 

Don’t Forget to Vote for Next Week’s {Jan, 2nd} Theme for

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xoxo,

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2011 Countdown {Day 4} – HAPPY 2025!

 

Just let reality be suspended for a little bit and pretend it’s December, 2024…

“Wow, I can’t believe the year is finally coming to an end! 2024 was insane and 2025 promises to be even more so. This little blog completed its 18th blogoversary and my love for reading hasn’t waned even a little bit…

I could have made it through the year without the 36th Anita Blake novel, “Screwed”, though. I mean, I remember years ago, when I said that when LKH got Anita so have sex with the SERIAL KILLER, Otto, I was done with the series. It might have taken almost 15 years, but I am DONE!

On the other hand, Charlaine Harris is still going strong with her Sookie Stackhouse series. The 25th book in the series, “Really Dead Now”, came out and was an instant success in the e-NYT Bestselling list, even though the series TV Show Spawn, True Blood, has been canceled for over 7 years. It goes to show that when a TV show tries to stray so much from its original, it can end up badly. I mean, Sookie ended up married to Bill and a Vamp? Really?

On other bookish news, I was sad to see some series coming to an end this year. Like MJD’s Betsy series, which ended with its 24th book, “Undead and Unread” and Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files ending with its 27th book, “Done”. Both series will be missed, though I do have to say MJD’s Betsy series had def run its course.

How about the TV shows this year? I still can’t make myself watch The New Buffy, The Vampire Slayer, even though it’s in its 4th season. I did give the remake of Firefly a shot, but it was just laughable. I still can’t believe that it was picked up for a 2nd season and the original only had 13 episodes… =/

Some franchises can’t seem to die… This year we had new seasons for CSI-Rio de Janeiro and LAW&ORDER-LDP {Lots of Dead People}. I wish they just gave it a rest. J.J. Abrahams’ new show’s second  season was a hit, “Mysterious Things” was number one almost every week and was picked up for a 3rd and 4th season, even though people are still trying to figure out what the show is about.

Let’s not forget the 45th edition of Dancing With The starts, where Suri Cruise was just laughable and Violet Affleck just stole the show. It was fun to see Jennifer Aniston still looking hot and giving it a shot too. Let’s just forget we ever saw George Clooney dancing, I love him, but he is getting a bit old for this…

As for the young celebrities faux pas, Shiloh took the cake with her 5th DUI in 2024 alone and the not so young anymore Miley Cyrus releasing a “come back” album called “I' still can’t be tamed” and getting arrested for possession the next day… I mean, Really?

All in all it was a nice year, here’s hoping for a Great 2025!”

hehe hope you enjoyed my little trip into the Future… let’s just hope I’m not making any real predictions here LOL

Happy 2011!

 

Stay tuned for the rest of the the 2011 Countdown Week:

Friday, December 31st

The Orange Handcuffs Awards!

 

Don’t Forget to Vote for Next Week’s {Jan, 2nd} Theme for

The TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the left sidebar!

Don’t Forget to check out My Giveaways:

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Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

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2011 Countdown {Day 3} – My 2011 Resolutions!

 

 

2011 is just around the corner and 11 being my favorite and lucky number to boot, why not go for broke and list my 11 New Year resolutions for the upcoming year:

1. I will try to be less lazy and get stuff done instead of procrastinate all the time.
2. I will try to keep up my reading ratio during the year, meaning I won’t read less than 200 books in 2011.
3. I will try to have more patience with my mom.
4. I will try to visit other friends that live far away.
5. I will try and keep up with the traveling, try and visit different places.
6. I will keep blogging daily throughout the whole year.
7. I will try and finish my college degree.
8. I will look for a job.
9. I will try and get out of the house more.
10. I will try and answer my emails faster, I promise!
11. I will keep cultivating my Bloggy and Twitter friendships!

 

What about you? I’d love to know…

What are you resolutions for 2011??

 

Stay tuned for the rest of the the 2011 Countdown Week:

Thursday, December 30th

Happy 2025!

Friday, December 31st

The Orange Handcuffs Awards!

 

Don’t Forget to Vote for Next Week’s {Jan, 2nd} Theme for

The TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the left sidebar!

Don’t Forget to check out My Giveaways:

 

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Sign Up for…

 

Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

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2011 Countdown {Day 2} - Author Interview w/ Beth Revis & ARC Giveaway!

 

Hey guys! Today I have the pleasure to welcome here at my bookish life a 2011 debut author! I was really lucky of getting a copy of her debut book, “Across The Universe” at the NY Comic Con this year and I LOVED IT! You can see how much HERE!

Beth has been awesome and agreed to answering some questions, to add to it, I will be giving my personal ARC of “Across The Universe” to a lucky winner! Giveaway deets are at the end of the post… Enjoy!

 

When did you first start writing?

I've always loved stories, but I cranked out my first novel in my sophomore year in college.

Have you always enjoyed Sci-fi?

Not really! Adult sci fi is often heavy on the sci and light on the fi. The science is described in great detail and that's great for people who like it--but I'd much rather focus on the characters and story more than the science--which is a trait of YA. YA is much more fast-paced and character-driven. Unfortunately there's not a lot of YA sci fi out there...yet!

Why writing Young Adult?

Because YA is more fun!

Were there any Books, Movies or Writers that have inspired you?

Yes, tons! The roots of this novel came from reading other books. After reading Megan Whalen Turner’s The Thief and being awed by the twisty ending, I came up with an idea for my own twisty ending. I had the roots of a plot—but then I needed a setting. I knew I wanted to trap my characters in one place, just like in Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap or Jeanne Du Prau’s The City of Ember, but I wanted something new, so I made the setting on a spaceship.

What Inspired you to write Across The Universe?

See above :)

I just love the story and the world you created, can you tell us a bit of what we can expect from the whole trilogy?

Nope, sorry! The other two books are very top secret right now--I'm not even revealing the title of the second book yet :)

Favorites:

Favorite Sci-Fi/YA Movie? SERENITY by Joss Whedon

Favorite Sci-Fi/YA TV Show? FIREFLY by Joss Whedon (I really love that whole series)

Favorite Sci-Fi/YA Book?  Probably Mary Pearson's THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX, although ENDER'S GAME is a classic.

Favorite Author? CS Lewis, although I also adore Robin McKinley, Patricia Wrede, Megan Whalen Turner....

Favorite Sci-Fi/YA Author? Orson Scott Card is just classic.

Favorite Genre that is NOT your own? YA Fantasy is my first love!

Who is your favorite of your own characters? Harley--he's the only one based on a real person, and he's just charming and fun.

Which was the hardest to write? Luthe was the hardest character to write--he's much more evil than the actual bad guy of the novel.

What would you be if not a writer? A teacher! I worked as one for six years before my publication; I love teaching and really enjoy the kids.

If you could meet any Sci-Fi/YA Character out there, Who would you like to meet? Captain Mal from FIREFLY--he's got a really cute butt! :)

Quickies:

Coffee or Tea? Coffee, especially when mixed with peppermint

Up or Down? Sideways

Virtual or Real? Real

Right or Left? Straight ahead

Day or Night? Night

Here or There? Here now, there later.

Sooner or Later? Right now.

Light or Dark? Dark

Fast or Slow? Fast

Elder or Eldest? Elder!

Reading or Writing? Writing after reading

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

First drafts--I love getting the idea on the paper

What is your least favorite part?

Revision. ICK.

The Across The Universe Trilogy  in your own words?

A murder mystery set in space! Dun-dun-dun!

What is coming up next for you?

Finishing up the rest of the trilogy!

What are you working on right now?

Just finished the second book and turned it in to my editor. Now I'm waiting for feedback and brewing ideas for Book 3.

Do you have any advice or tip to those like me that want to become a published Author someday?

Write the next book! Don't get stuck on one--give the book a chance, edit it, revise it, send it off--but if that doesn't work, write the next one.

Anything you would like to say to your fans out there?

I <3 you all! This is still so amazing and new to me!

Thank you so much for being here!

Thank YOU!

Check Out my 5 Loveys Review

of “Across The Universe” HERE!

 

Find Beth Revis Online:

Website | Twitter | Blog

Goodreads | Facebook

Buy Beth’s Book:

Amazon US | Barnes & Noble

Book Depository | Fireside Books and Gifts {Signed}

 

Win an ARC of “Across The Universe” by Beth Revis!

Disclaimer: I got this ARC copy at the NY Comic Con this year. I am giving away my personal copy, so it has been read ONCE!

To Enter:

 

Leave a comment about anything on this post.

Fill Out THIS Form!

Entries in The Comments WILL NOT COUNT!

 

Extra Entries:

+5 Google Friend Connect Follower

+5 Networked Blogs Follower

+5 Subscribe to The Blog by Email (Form near the top of the Right Sidebar)

+3 Follow me on Twitter (@larissa_sarah)

+3 Follow Beth on Twitter (@bethrevis)

+2 “Like” Larissa's Life on Facebook

+2 Be my friend on Goodreads

+1 Add all your entries! (including this one!)

International!

Ends January 3rd!

Good Luck!

 

Stay tuned for the rest of the the 2011 Countdown Week:

Wednesday, December 29th

2011 Resolutions!

Thursday, December 30th

Happy 2025!

Friday, December 31st

The Orange Handcuffs Awards!

 

Don’t Forget to Vote for Next Week’s {Jan, 2nd} Theme for

The TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the left sidebar!

Don’t Forget to check out My Giveaways:

&

Sign Up for…

 

Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

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Top 5 Reasons 2010 Rocked! X Top 5 Reasons 2010 Sucked!

 

To start off this last week of 2010, I’m going to look back at this past year and ponder on the things that made me *Squee with joy and the things that made me swear like a sailor {not that I don’t usually LOL}.

Let’s she the 5 reasons I loved 2010 and the 5 reasons I didn’t love it so much, side by side, shall we?

*in no particular order

 

AAD X Leaving Israel

X 

Getting to go to The AAD and the NY Comic Con back in September were definitely highlights for me!

I had tons of fun and am really looking forward to going again in 2011.

X

Moving back to Rio, Brazil from Tel Aviv, Israel definitely Sucked =/

I do like Rio, but I loved Tel Aviv and I never felt so much at home like I did there.

Moving back wasn’t my choice and I would have rather stayed and finished my University there.

 

Acknowledgement in “Sin Undone” X The End

X 

Being mentioned in Larissa Ione’s acknowledgement in her Sin Undone book was a freak out moment for me.

Larissa is one of my favorite authors, not to mention that she has a great name, and she remembering me that way was nothing short of amazing to me!

I’m really happy I’ll get to meet her at AAD next year!

X

This year a lot of my fave series ended and that Sucked!

The Vampire Academy series, The Hunger Games Trilogy, The Demonica series and Rachel Vincent’s Werecats series  are just a few that left me wanting more and more!

 

All The Traveling I did X All The Traveling I did

X  

Ok, so I LOVE to travel and come midnight on December 31st, I will have visited 6 countries and many more cities in 2010.

I had a BLAST and loved every minute of it…

X

But, I am tired of traveling… I want my bed, my room, my things.

Living out of your luggage can be fun but it gets annoying, not to mention how uncomfortable economic class on planes is =/

I won;t complain much though, I did have an amazing traveling year in 2010!

 

Blogging X Pain

X 

I LOVE blogging and this year was really amazing in large part because of this blog.

I’ve had a lot of fun and have been honored to meet some of my favorite authors ever, being in person or through online interviews and all because of you all!

Thank you!

X

Pain! I don;t know if any of you know, my tweeps might, I have Rheumatoid Arthritis Juvenile since I was 11 years old and I have suffered from pains in ALL my joints since then. The disease has been stationary for a long time, but I still have pain…

laying down in one position or spending hours sitting in front of my computer like I have done this year can be a killer…

So the pain has definitely Sucked!

 

Living Close to one BFF X Leaving Far from other BFFs

X 

Even though I wasn’t particularly happy with moving back to Rio, the best thing was that me and my BFF now live closer and we get to hang out almost every weekend =D

X

I have friends living in Israel, Canada, US… I miss them all! =/

 

 

Hope you enjoyed my special Top 5!

How about you? What made 2010 Suck or Rock for you??

Leave your answer in the comments, I’d love to know!

 

 

Stay tuned for the rest of the the 2011 Countdown Week:

Tuesday, December 28th

Interview w/ Beth Ravis & ARC Giveaway of “Across The Universe”!

Wednesday, December 29th

2011 Resolutions!

Thursday, December 30th

Happy 2025!

Friday, December 31st

The Orange Handcuffs Awards!

 

Don’t Forget to Vote for Next Week’s {Jan, 2nd} Theme for

The TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the left sidebar!

Don’t Forget to check out My Giveaways:

~~~~~~~~~~

&

Sign Up for…

 

Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

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