The Nerdy Nook

Alexa (Echo Dot)

Hullo, everyone!

I caved yesterday and bought a white little Echo Dot. They were on sale at Target. After some trial and error, I got the little white Dot set up. At first, it referred to me by my mom’s name, but I changed it so it would call me Meghan.

On Listening to Schumann

I discovered this German composer through A Little Life, and have recently been listening to his piano pieces.

Listening to Schumann, I recognize how freaking hard his compositions are, but also how rewarding they sound: I think if you can play a piece by Schumann, I think you can play pretty much anything.

Weekend (2011)

Russel, after hanging out with his straight mates at a drunken party, goes to a gay club, where he ends up taking a dude named Glen home. Instead of the expected one-night stand, they make a meaningful connection, one that becomes something special.

Dear Jim Cummings,

Your voice is my childhood.

Ever since I found out who voiced Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, I learned that you’ve given your voice to so many characters I recognize from my childhood.

Happy 5th Year Blogging!

Hello, everyone!

Today marks my fifth year blogging!

My very first blog, On the Prairie, was a huge undertaking. I mostly wrote about my time in college, the films I watched, the books I was reading, and other things that interested me, like my favorite bands.

This is my second official blog, and I love it so far. I struggled for several months to get back into writing, but now I’m back and writing as often as I possibly can. I love writing for my new blog, and there’s never a moment where I can’t think of stuff to talk about or write about on here.

Writing brings me joy, especially when I see that complete strangers have liked or read what I’ve posted. It really means a lot to me. So a HUGE thank you to everyone who has ever read, liked, commented, or followed Nerdshelf Life!

I love writing on this blog, and I hope everyone has enjoyed reading it. There will definitely be more posts coming in the future!

A guy throwing confetti.

Afloat

you keep me afloat
as we drift through choppy knives
of blue-green waters,
the sea-salt stinging like a ray

you hold my numb hand,
thick and calloused at the knuckle,
when our small boat
takes on icy water,
burbling up from a hole in the hull

you promise me, “it will be alright,”
through the forest’s cold night
huddled together around a hissing fire,
the wet wood’s embers bright as a snake’s eye,
our limbs shuddering

you’re a candle in the window
of my cupped hand
a bright flame burning my palm with hope

M.B.B.
6/3/19 (edited 6/10/19)

photo credit: #boatpainting by Raju Kale from Art People

Northern Lights

Raymond Strom’s debut novel takes place in a teeny tiny town called Holm, Minnesota. As desperately as I’ve tried, I cannot for the life of me find this town on a map. Even Googling the town leads me to people with the last name Holm. So maybe Holm is very, very tiny or doesn’t exist. Either way, I know a little about living in a small town, since Alexandria isn’t quite as big as the cities. But it’s still a wonderful place to live.

Dear Lin Manuel Miranda,

Thank you so much for writing about “the ten dollar founding father.” Your acclaimed Grammy, Tony award-winning, Pulitzer Prize musical Hamilton has not only educated but inspired thousands of people, including me.

Tariffs, Mexico, & Trump

If you know your history, you’ll know that the tarrifs on items from Mexico is like the taxation on tea.

Gmorning, Gnight: little pep talks for me & you

Lin Manuel Miranda is a writing genius. In Gmorning, Gnight, he’s created witty, meaningful little boosters after you’ve had your morning coffee, or your evening tea. He continually reminds his readers that they are worth something to the world, that they just need a little pep talk to help them keep going.

Badlands

Simon Kincaide, a paranormal medium and clairvoyant, knows that there’s a serial killer on the loose. He also starts to fear for his life after he’s shot at during one of his ghost tours. Vic D’Amato is a cop, and also involved with the serial killer’s motives. As he struggles to find any more leads, he ends up turning to Simon for help.

It also helps that Vic and Simon both find each other attractive.

Dear Evan Hanson: The Play

Evan Hanson feels invisible. He feels like his voice isn’t heard amid all the noises of his peers. When he goes to school, and gets his cast signed by Conner Murphy, Conner is the only guy who signs his cast. Conner also feels invisible. What little we see of Conner’s interaction with his family, he’s clearly frustrated about something.

#weekendcoffeeshare May Edition (so far)

Grab a cup of coffee, and let’s get this started! I’ve been busy reading lots of books lately, writing a sci-fi book, and got my car fixed. (Yippie!)

#gameofthrones

I heard who gets the Iron Throne and now I can’t get it out of my head. Seriously. Now I just want to read the books and forget said spoiler. Kudos to The View for telling me who wins. I won’t spoil it for anyone else.

Blue October: October 7th, 2017

I beamed in front of the poster, which had Blue October’s name on it. I was finally going to see the band I loved so much play in the flesh. Visiting with fans of Blue October only made me more excited to see them. “You’ll cry,” one girl told me. “He’s amazing,” she added, talking about the charismatic lead singer, Justin Furstenfeld.