So 2014 has powered on, oddly indifferent to my wish to turn back time.
I feel like I am starting off where I was last year, and 2013 was an anomaly, a jump in the track, one giant *bleep* to
‘Let’s start over, shall we?’
This is a year for coming to one’s senses. Starting with a resolution to combat a certain DVD addiction by reading one book for every program watched.
My inspiration for this comes from Nina Badzin, who reminded me that, once upon a fairytale ago, I used to be a member of the “Society of Late Night Readers”. I wanted in again.
But, as she so rightly pointed out, new year resolutions take more than a vague intention just to ‘read more books’.
In the spirit of ‘doing’ instead of ‘dreaming’, let me introduce you to a deliciously irreverent Australian writer.
Mr Harry Pants (or iPants as he’s known on the blog) promised me “a crazy, stupid love story”.
What I got was a swift trip through the divorce induced midlife crisis of a tragically endearing Wallace.
He’s an old dog who doesn’t really want to learn new tricks, or meet bald rats, or encounter the sharp end of his gardener’s… Well anyway.
Life has a funny way of making us do things we don’t want to do, to find out what we DO.
The story is LOL funny in an Aussie, oh-so-wrong, politically incorrect way.
But if you can (ahem) swallow all of that you will find a vulnerable, honest, touching tale of humanity in a world designed for cyborgs.
Three words.
Irreverent. Uplifting. Life-changing.
When I read Midlife, in Wallace’s words, “I had that feeling I was falling behind, too slow for my life as it unfolded before me”.
That was right before we both threw back a large shot of scotch.
And decided – time to wake up and get on with it!
There’s a video nearing completion (sing hallelujah), a blog somewhere in the imaginary phase of a major design overhaul, a toy dog size series yelping at me to be freed from digital dust mites.
You may find me a little quieter than usual while I do all that. But in the meantime, I hope you will be brave and take a little trip with Wallace.
You can find Midlife here, and word has it the price has been reduced to 99 cents just for you.
Ready. Set. Let’s Go!
What’s in store for you in 2014?
Alarna Rose Gray 
Definitely on our must read list, Alarna. Thanks for giving us a heads up. As you know, we’re all for crude humor, especially “an Aussie, oh-so-wrong, politically incorrect way”. And especially when there’s a wonderful story underlying it. We’ll be checking this one out for sure. Hope you had a great holiday and a happy new year. 🙂
If you’re in for that, then you will enjoy the humour, I am sure! Happy New Year to both of you and hope you are keeping warm in the winter freeze.
You go! I’m getting caught up on a lot of reading, too. Prior to Christmas I had about 8 books on my Kindle app that I never got to read because my kids always either had the iPad or left it with a dead battery! BUT, Santa got me my own and now I’m reading reading reading. Even one from my two favorite lovely ladies. I think you know them *points up* as I see them just above me in comments! Yes, I have to read Inion N. Mathair’s newest awesomeness!
Lovely gift from Santa! I always feels a sense of accomplishment when I download a book to my kindle… But one has to also actually READ them. That’s where a winter Christmas holiday would be especially helpful…Nothing quite like reading in bed in the cold or the rain. Yes, the lovely duo above are good friends of mine…I must add their books to my list, too!
So glad to help inspire such a worthy goal! What helps me move along on my reading is keeping track of the books on my blog. I love being able to recommend books or at least give my opinion and I can’t do that if I’m not reading anything.
Happy New Year Alarna!
Yes, and I totally admire your public commitment to these goals! I’m in two minds whether I should be that transparent and include a similar page when I do the redesign. I’ll search my soul and see what happens 😉 Happy New Year, Nina!
What happened to 2013? I too feel like I hit the reset button. I do hope that 2014 is a better year. I am in the midst of revamping my website. Thus no blogs. My theme died. That means more decisions to be made. Oh well. I hope that you have a successful year ahead Alarna and that things are going well in your neck of the woods! 🙂
Themes die!? Can they do that? How inconvenient! I honestly don’t know what happened in 2013, but I am certain 2014 will be better – for you, too, Karen! Hope you have some fun with the redesign, and the year treats you well xo
Thank you so much Alarna, for your very kind words about Midlife, and for paying close enough attention, and being a good enough reader, to find whatever is of value in it.
Ironically, that book was the result of my own little 2013 Let’s Go — Unable to cope with the death of my dad, I hadn’t written anything in months, so decided I’d write something, it didn’t matter what, every day of January. After 35 days I had a horrible first draft, but thanks to the wonderful editors at Silky Oak Press, it eventually became something I was proud to dedicate to my father.
As for your question, What’s in store for you in 2014?
I hope to finish the book I’d been working on for two years before I lost my dad and my voice. If I can do that, plus make another friend even half as kind as you, it’ll be a very good year indeed.
As readers, what we hope for when we open a book is to be transported to another place, preferably one that makes us smile and forget our own misery for a while. To be moved. And, if we’re really lucky, to be transformed in some way. Yours ticks all the boxes, Harry. Considering how it came about, I’m thrilled for you to be my first entry for 2014. What a good omen that is!
I hope you find the words you need in 2014. I can’t wait to read it when it’s done 🙂
What’s in store, Alarna, – who knows … but adventures are my permanent resolution !!!!
I’ll let you know how they all went when we get to 2015 !!!!
That’s all the resolution one should need! I will enjoy coming with you for the ride, Valerie 🙂 Happy 2014!
Midlife! That cover makes me happy every time I see it.
Love your to-do list, Alarna. It’s become the fashion to mock resolutions, but I am still drawn to the allure of the blank calendar.
Ha! Yes 🙂 I’m usually too cynical for resolutions, but this one was screaming for attention!
Adding another book to the list! Thanks for making the suggestion. 2014 and I are staring at each other, daring the other to blink first. So, we shall see… 🙂
A staring contest! I love that 🙂 Hope you win! I didn’t have a chance to stare…2014 was too busy kicking my ass!
I just read the first bit of the book on Amazon–funny!! Thanks for the rec! As for 2014, the only thing I know for sure is that I’m going to keep enjoying the good stuff. Last year was just plain strange–especially seeing my daughter move away from home. This year my son will do the same. Sigh. Lots of change. Probably why I still have yet to take the Christmas tree down in my office (lights are still on and everything). Who says I have to? Ha ha.
Big, big years and changes for you, Coleen. That kind of thing would probably propel me into something drastic. Like a renovation or round the world trip, maybe? I see no harm in trees and lights…anyway, it will be Christmas in July soon enough (do you have that in the US?) 😉 But, in all seriousness, I hope the year is in all others ways gentle to you, and that the changes open up possibilities you never imagined xo
I’m just glad 2013 is over. But I wouldn’t mind a reset button to about 10 years ago. 😉
I have about 20 books on my to read pile, and this book’s probably not my cuppa, but I adore the idea of being a member of the Society of Late Night Readers!
Oh, honestly, I would love a ten year reset button! Yes, please 🙂
The Society has a poetic ring to it, doesn’t it? By the way, I love your new gravatar. Is that your artwork?
It is. The whole thing is on my banner. 🙂 So thank you for the compliment.
Agreed, the Society sounds very poetic. Love it.
Ah, lovely! I’ll be over to check it out soon…I am overdue for a visit!
I am glad that 2013 is over!! This year is going to be a very crucial one for me, what with choosing my major, applying for various universities, giving exams… I just have my fingers crossed!
Hope you have a great 2014 and get to tick away all your goals on the check list! 🙂
Thanks, Sumithra! I’ll cross my fingers for you (knowing that you will do great, and be on the path to your dreams in no time at all!). Look forward to hearing all about it, too 🙂
Happy 2014, sweet lady
The happiest to you, dear sir 🙂
I could use a reset button too. 2013 was a muddle through everything kind of year. I’m looking forward to more reading and writing. I was touched by harryipants comment to you. He made himself write everyday and look at the results. I will have to check out his book, Midlife. A toast to 2014.
I’ve been hearing a few people say the same thing, which makes me feel infinitely better about 2013. Cheers to you, and to Midlife and to reset buttons… and indeed, 2014! xo
Sounds like you are busy busy! I’d wondered where you’d been– don’t stay toooo quiet 😉
I know, what a drag, right? What happens when you don’t do what you’re supposed to do when you’re supposed to do it! But I won’t be able to stay away too long… I miss the blogging world 🙂
More heroic lightning bolt-adorned puppy is in the works? Looking forward to more of his exploits, and of course of yours! Happy new year.
Thanks, Chris! Yes, Pepi will be up to no good, shortly 🙂 May it be a year of many slightly wicked adventures for all of us 🙂
“time to wake up and get on with it!” 😉 best advice for the year i’ve heard so far…
love the last illustration. cheers to 2014, Alarna. way to go… 😉
Short, simple, to the point 🙂 Thanks San, I’ve been thinking about you, too! Must head over for a visit. Happy 2014.
First, how did I miss this book? Have I been under a rock or something? Harry IP, hearty congratulations! I must go see it now!
Second, it sounds like you’re off to a strong start, Alarna. Go for it. Nothing like a new year to put a fire under your butt. xoox
All kinds of cool creatures live under rocks, so it’s perfectly fine place to be (I am sure Mr Pants would agree!). Fire under butt? Yep. That’s it exactly. Now I just have to keep it stoked 🙂
Midlife sounds like the perfect book to start the new year! Thank you for the recommendation. I too have a pile of unread books, but this one is going to the top of the bunch. It’s not 99 cents anymore, but still a very reasonable price on the Kindle.
Ah, yes… I should probably update that, as it was a limited time only deal. Thanks for supporting Harry Pants and happy reading!