Tag Archives: Life Kicked My Ass

When So For Real Was Too Real: On Reviewing, with a Shout Out (and Apology) to Rebekah Weatherspoon et al

So Sweet by Rebekah Weatherspoon book coverI’ve been thinking about writing this post since October 2016. Rebekah Weatherspoon sent me an ARC of So For Real on October 16, 2016. I read it shortly thereafter. I’d think everyone in the US remembers we were gearing up for a major election … and … welp. So there was a lot going on, and I remember reading So For Real – I had loved So Sweet. I believe I wrote a “First Look” (a review) of that book and for So Right at Heroes & Heartbreakers. (Remember that site?) I’m even blurbed in So Right because I loved it so much! But I remember reading So For Real and – it’s definitely real. Kayla Bradbury née Davis goes through a lot. From what I recall, she’s struggling with newly married life, with friends, with her new business, with life. I meant to review it, but was putting it off because I wanted to love it more than I did … and I just so strongly associate it with the election cycle. I haven’t gone back to re-read it for that very reason. (Unfortunately low key the whole series…) I’m definitely a “mood reader,” which is also why I comfort re-read recent favorites, and sometimes avoid “old favorites” because I’m scared they won’t stand the test of time. Or my bad mood.

I have a highly developed sense of guilt. Not only do I feel bad for not reviewing So For Real (and others) since 2016 … I still feel guilty for agreeing to review a book in like 2005 or 2006 and not getting around to it. (I think I started reviewing books online in ~02-03?) There was a lot of school … and life kicking my ass. Not just the election but a massive cycle of doctors (when I talk about “surgeon #12” sometimes it’s because I literally had to consult with more than 12 orthopedic surgeons across the country. I’m up to at least 14 now…) Then there were the major surgeries… I was thinking the other day that I was pretty much drugged and out of it for a good chunk of the dumpster administration. (Silver linings?) Anesthesia brain is very real too. Unfortunately, that’s also just part of it. Let’s not get into the rest though. Continue reading

This…

Hi friends. You may have noticed (OR MAYBE NOT. WHO KNOWS.) I missed most of this week – my apologies. I wanted to title this post “I just can’t” … which ties into a lot of things. Also can’t go on hiatus now …

HOWEVER. Whatever real life, nobody cares about you!

This tweet made me laugh though – I don’t even know why exactly I find it so funny, but I do. And Iove it. Also theWolf Conservation Center is a wonderful organization, and yes I’ve been lucky enough to visit it. (Thanks Laura!)

What Had Happened Was…

If you’re around a certain type of person, you hear that a lot. It becomes something of a joke … and I mean it here. A bit tongue in cheek, but also to explain. You may (or may not have noticed) that I kinda dropped off the face of the earth when it comes to ALBTALBS and my email. I’m on Twitter and Facebook a lot less, and there was a period I was gone for over a week. (Just saying that because only one person noticed, which is fine, but my point is I’m trying to explain, so I can’t assume people know things. I get there is a lot out there, and nobody gives a shit about keeping up with me and my life. Which I 100% get and am okay with. We all have our stuff, and lives.)

So … it’s been a lot. Deaths, family tragedy, an accident, serious health issues [hello surprise internal bleeding being just one thing of many…], work stuff, bad work stuff … lots of not work related court things … and Firefox constantly buggy enough for me to consider poking my eyes out. … Basically, I’ve had a rough time of it. It actually hasn’t been as bad as last year … but honestly I’d only wish my past month+ on someone I truly hated.

I am sorry and do feel badly about dropping the ball. Believe me – I feel guilty. I still feel guilty about not reading and reviewing ARC(s) I agreed to from 2007. My plan is to fill in posts – backdate especially since I was absent for pretty much all of Smithsonian Hispanic Heritage Month …. so if anyone is willing to write posts for it still … I’d love to have you.

For better or for worse I did renew the domain for at least another year, so we’ll just trudge along, shall we? There’s still hope for me yet, right? >.> Maybe? :X