What has my attention this week?
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Book: Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev
The major con of this book can be summed up in one word: manic. The pacing and the plot feel like they’re on a Japanese bullet train. But the prose and the imagery is beyond stunning. The protag’s romantic triangle is a bit annoying and undeveloped, but I’ll be reading on to the third book in the Theatre Illuminata series just for more of the word candy. And the fairies.
Movie: The Good Dinosaur
I gotta admit: I’m a little disillusioned with Pixar these days. They haven’t made a movie I really liked since Wall-E. So in the wake of The Good Dinosaur‘s ambivalent reviews, I skipped seeing a Pixar movie in the theater for the first time ever. Instead, I got it from Netflix, and it ended up pleasantly surprising me. It’s not perfect; it’s both way too simplistic and way too complex. (And it never answers the question, “Why is this about dinosaurs?”) But I liked it better than just about any other Pixar movie I’ve seen in recent years. Great soundtrack, gorgeous visuals, and a cute (if very on-the-nose) story.
Music: Picture Perfect by Every Avenue
I like me some pop punk on a regular basis. And even though I’m totally non-nostalgic about my own high-school years, I really like high-school nostalgia in general for some reason. This solid album from Every Avenue hits all those buttons with an always energetic, sometimes bittersweet ode to growing up.
Food: Starbucks Verona Coffee
This isn’t my favorite coffee by any means. But in the wake of all this weak organic stuff I’ve been experimenting with lately, it was a downright pleasure to put something with some taste into my mouth this week. (In short, in case you were wondering, the quest to find a great organic coffee isn’t going so good so far.)
Software: Audacity Sound Editing Program
I’m knee deep in recording my soon-to-be-released online course about Crafting Awesome Character Arcs. Audacity is my go-to sound program. It’s a free download, so I’m sure it’s lacking some of the bells and whistles that serious recording artists would need. But it suits my needs fine, is easy to use, and produces nice sound.
Cute Animal I Want This Week
Picture taken by Dawilken
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First thing I noticed was… 6 things I’m reading….EATING…this week…then there’s this adorable picture of a lamb dressed up…before he becomes…dinner ???
Probably wouldn’t be too bad with a little sweet baby ray’s bbq sauce. *stomach growling*
1. Perchance- The book looks really cool and I like the cover art.
2. The Good dinosaur- I almost bought this yesterday! But resisted for reason. Who doesn’t like dinosaurs?
3. Starbucks- I feel your pain. You’ve been on a long coffee quest for a while. It’s time to c’mon home now. We’ll even forgive all the yer sins with them…imposters. Yes, it’s time. For…repentance. C’mon back Kate. Tim Hortons is the only way. You’ll experience true joy and peace that’ll warm yer soul.
4. Audacity- I’ve heard of them, they sound legit. There’s a lot of different DAW’s out there but it’s hard to beat a free download. I’ve used Samplitude by Magix music maker for years. Even made my own jams using their loops to produce mixes of my own delight! It’s a blast. Have a request? Got my own music blog to satisfy the palate.
5. Picture perfect- Never heard of this. You like pop punk? Not sure what that is, but I had this image of you with a radical hair dew, having a epic head banging session.
6. Lamb- Cute little guy is making me hungry. ???
Peace out
??
You know what? I’m going to try Hortons next. *goes to Amazon*
I agree that some of Pixar’s recent work has not been their best, but Inside Out was absolutely amazing! Did you not see it yet, or did you not like it? I haven’t seen Good Dinosaur yet, and I don’t really know when (or whether) I will, since it got such a lukewarm reception.
I did like Inside Out. It didn’t blow my mind, but I thought it was a great return to what they used to do best in their early days.
Part of the reason I liked it so much was because I made my first move ever, across the country, when I was eleven years old, so it was a very personal film for me. Everything in your head *does* go nuts when something like that happens to you as an eleven year old girl.
Puberty does that to the best of us. :p
Really like Audacity, it’s what I use to edit my podcast. I’m still figuring out the ins and outs of it, but it seems to work very well. 🙂
I’m still working on three books at once, one of which is FAREWELL, MY LOVELY by Raymond Chandler. I really like the grit of it, and the way he describes stuff is humorous and interesting.
It’s actually a very comprehensive program–far beyond my needs.
This probably won’t be a huge issue for you if you’re recording in a fairly controlled environment and keep a fairly consistent volume to your voice, but running it through a leveling program or filter might help you (and any podcasters who are reading) out. I’ve used Conversations Network’s Levelator quite a bit – http://www.conversationsnetwork.org/levelator . And recently I’ve started using the Compressor plugin (http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/compressor.html) in Audacity and combined it with an mp3 converter in a chain. I may try the Leveler plugin (http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/leveler.html) soon. It may do everything I need. Anyway, thought it may provide another tool to refine your recording.
Thanks! That’s helpful. I’ll look into those.
I’m also going to check this out. Since we do interviews on my podcast, one of us usually ends up having a quieter voice (usually me.)
I’m glad you listed Audacity. I recently did a clean install of the new Mac OS and I’m slowly going through the process of re-downloading and installing all my go-to apps (Scrivener was first, well after Dropbox and 1Password!). Totally forgot about Audacity!
I’ve heard about 1Password. It’s always sounded handy. I should look into that!
Interesting, let me know later how was your experience with Audacity, and I’ll put Perchance to Dream in my TBR list.
I’ve used Audacity for years, ever since I started my podcast. No complaints. I highly recommend it.
Man, you guys are professionals. Had no idea that many people used Audacity. Kate your podcasts always sound pretty crisp without any distortion. I’m much too timid to podcast anything.
A good mic is really the key. I use Yeti Blue.
That’s a good looking mic. Love that style too. I first thought it was a bluetooth until I checked the link. Pretty sure I’ve seen it before.
It is a good mic. Best one I’ve used.
I loved the dark, smooth flavor of Verona from the time I worked at Starbucks. It is surpassed only by their Casi Cielo blend.
I’ve never tried the Casi Cielo blend. Is that dark one?
That lamb is wearing University of Tennessee colors (orange and white)! GO VOLS!!!
He’s obviously a Tennessee lamb. 😉
I liked “The Good Dinosaur.” I saw the movie in theaters five times. Not counting “How to Train Your Dragon,” seeing a movie that many times is not something I’ve done since I worked as a projectionist at a movie theater.
The story is about an adversarial relationship that grows into a loving relationship, and ultimately a sacrifice of one’s own desires for the benefit of the one who is loved.
Relationship stories such as that dominate what I write.
Plus, Spot was sooooo cute. 😀
I’m glad Spot finally learned to walk on two legs.
My sister and brother-in-law actually roast their own coffee—using a $20 popcorn popper! It tastes awesome, and you can buy organic beans in bulk pretty cheap.
I’m too lazy for now, so I’m still sticking with Starbucks. Maybe in the future when I find all that misplaced free time.
That’s quite interesting! I wouldn’t mind starbucks if it wasn’t so bitter and the cost wasn’t so astronomical.
“Too lazy for now”–yeah, that’s me pretty much at the thought of this idea. :p I’m sure it does taste fabulous though!
Howdy!
I really like DAW’s and music production software.
I’ve been wanting to upgrade for a while now. Audacity will definitely be on my list. Probably need to get a mac first though.
Interested in a wide range of free inspirational music? Look no more. Check me out at:
https://brickheadindustries.wordpress.com/
I can make just about any genre except for country.
Adieu!
You can use Audacity on a PC for sure. I’m not sure if it’s available for Mac or not.
Thanks for the link!
No problem. Forgot to mention that I started Behold the Dawn. I’m still in the beginning where Annan meets the creepy monk dude with the hitch in his giddy-up.
Good way to describe the creepy monk dude. 😉
Reading something totally different in non-fiction: Yes, And: Lesons from the Second City by Kelly Leonard and Tom Yorton about the art of improvisation and the carryover into business and leadership. Lots of information, exercises, and fascinating insight into the workings of one of the finest comedy troupes in the world… Ethnic Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, and Bill Murray. Oh, and a healthy dose of FUN! Perfect for the theater geek in you.
That does sound fun. Love Bill Murray. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation!
I’ve yet to see Tina Fey in action, but I love Colbert and Murray. Trevor Noah is another hilarious one.
Glad to know you are a fellow punk rocker and lover of Bill Murray. 🙂
What’s not to like? 😀
Are you into movies outside the norm? I just watched IP MAN 3 with superstar Donnie Yen, and it was SWEPERB.
I laughed and cried, well, two tears. It was AWESOME! Highly recommend it and I’d give it 5 stars. It does have english subtitles though. But those have never stopped me from enjoying all three of installments. These are the best kung fu movies I’ve seen in the modern era (sorry bruce lee). There’s so much more to it than just kung fu. Some of the themes will resonate for a long time. Ah, sweet resonation. Sweet indeed.
I keep hearing about that one. Or rather, keep seeing it pop up in Netflix’s suggestions.
I have a high appreciation, me being an ex-ninja an all. Just saying, it doesn’t disappoint one bit. There’s nothing like a good ol’ karate flick to satisfy the palate. It fits the bill every time, and then some. The ending is kind of heart wrenching.
SHEEPIE!!!
Sheepie! Sheepie! Sheepie! Sheepie! Sheepie!
Oh, yeah, and nice article, and also SHEEPIEEEE!!! 😀
Re: Organic coffee: Why? o_0 Obviously it’s not going to treat you well, so you might as well go back to the good stuff. 😛
Re: Audacity: Yay, I had that program exactly long enough for my laptop to crash and die. (Because of the battery, not the program.)
But anyway, back to the important topic at hand: SHEEPIEEEEE!!! <3 <3 <3
Somebody likes sheep. 😉
Why organic coffee? I’ve heard it’s one of the most pesticided of all produce, so it’d be great to be able to avoid that if I can find a good source.