Thursday, February 07, 2008

Booking Through Thursday: Enough About Books



Okay, even I can’t read ALL the time, so I’m guessing that you folks might voluntarily shut the covers from time to time as well… What else do you do with your leisure to pass the time? Walk the dog? Knit? Run marathons? Construct grandfather clocks? Collect eggshells?

Not too long ago one of my coworkers asked me, "Don't you do anything else in your spare time besides read?" I stared blankly at her for several seconds. There has to be more? How else would I be able to travel all over the world and beyond, go on adventures I could never imagine or ones I would never be brave enough to try on my own? Where else, than in a book, could I really get into the psyche of a character so different from me, someone I might never interact with in real life, and not only get to know them, but to walk in his or her shoes for awhile? Why, at the end of the day, reading is all that I need! Maybe. Okay, so not really true. But it could be if I wanted it to be.

Reading and books certainly do make up a good portion of my leisurely time. There is the actual reading, of course, but there are other book and reading related activities I engage in such as journaling my thoughts about what I am reading, writing reviews, discussing books online with my fellow book lovers, making wish lists of books, organizing my books and lists of books, shopping for books, and blogging about books. So, I suppose it is not so difficult to understand why someone might think all I ever do is read.

My work days are often hectic and crisis-filled. I tend to prefer my home life to be much more quiet and relaxed as a result. My favorite pastimes reflect that. I enjoy listening to music and singing, much to the chagrin of anyone around me when I decide to really belt out a tune. I just cannot help myself. Then there is writing. I love to write. Writing is like breathing for me, whether it be composing my thoughts on a book I just finished, writing a letter or perhaps a story.

My husband and I are movie buffs, taking in films at the theaters and at home. Since discovering the convenience of watching television shows on DVD, we frequently can be found cuddled on the couch taking in a show or two or three or else a movie.

Although you would think that after being on a computer at the office all day the last thing I would want to do is sit in front of one at home, the opposite, in fact, is true. Home is where I most often am able to do the fun stuff online such as surfing the web, blog hopping and visiting my online reading groups.

My favorite way to spend my leisure time regardless of what I do is doing something with my husband, whether it be going to see a baseball game, a musical or just going out to eat. My husband and I enjoy each other's company and like to do things together. Tied for that top spot is playing with my animals. They can make any bad day end on a happy note.

When all is said and done, my leisure time is my opportunity to unwind and recharge.

23 comments:

  1. It all sounds perfectly lovely - especially the way the animals can make even the worst day better.

    cjh

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  2. It's especially grand when I walk through the door feeling especially cranky, and they are both there to greet me. :-)

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  3. To MY co-workers past and present who have asked me "Don't you do anything in your spare time but read?", I have to reply that a "balanced life" is overrated!

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  4. LOL That's a great answer Bybee! I'll have to remember that for the next time I'm asked that question.

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  5. It sounds like you have wonderful hobbies. I love doing the same kinda stuff you described.

    Sounds great.

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  6. Great post. Your leisure time sounds wonderful and calm and most importantly like it's exactly what you would most choose to do!

    I have found blogging to be a great tool for sorting things in my life out and getting down to the important persuits rather than spreading yourself too thin. It's almost like online self therapy sometimes!

    Looking forward to seeing your TizMe! Ok I know they all have a default setting but it does actually give a few things away about you I think, it all adds to the mental image that you get while getting to know a blogger.

    Bye for now!

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  7. Oh goodie! I've found another person who loves the PC as much as I do. I totally can relate to you. I don't feel so crazy anymore because that's what people kept telling me. "You nuts? How can you bear facing the PC after work?" I was like, why not?...

    I did a post sometime in May 2006 on a dialogue with a small boy in our home fellowship. He's cute!

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  8. Sounds like you spend your free time well.

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  9. This week's BTT has been really fun. I enjoy reading about what everyone else does with the rest of their free time.

    I spend way too much time on the internet, though I wasn't brave enough to admit that in my post.

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  10. A lot of my hobbies are indirectly reading related too.

    I forgot to write down my pets. I love spending time with my kids and husband but there is such a pure and simple joy that comes from my crazy animals. Especially my cats. Guess that's why I have 3. :)

    Have a great weekend!

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  11. We have several of the same leisure activities in common, it appears - including enjoying time with our spouses, which is probably a good thing. :-)

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  12. I spent my free time in similar quiet activities. Happy BTT.

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  13. Nikki - They do keep me occupied. :-)

    Dancin' Fool - I'm selfish that way. Haha

    I posted my TizMe today. It was fun! I wish I had a body like that!

    Alice - My husband is the same way about the computer. I enjoyed reading about your conversation with the boy. It's very true!

    Chris - It suits me and my needs, at least. :-)

    Karen - I've been enjoying reading everyone's responses too.

    It's easy to get lost in the internet sometimes--so much to see and do. I think many of us are in the same boat.

    Amy - I've been noticing how often people come back to books when talking about their other interests. I've always liked to read, but I wasn't always so book and reading oriented in my interests. I'm really curious to see how it all evolves for me down the road.

    Animals really are special. I love my two.

    Florinda - Yes, it's definitely a good thing to enjoy spending time with the spouse, I think. Mine's my best friend and I wouldn't want it any other way.

    Pussreboots - I need the quiet after work, that's for sure. :-)

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  14. Those blank stares from non-readers are something else aren't they? Frankly, I'm surprised people don't like to read - I think they just haven't found a good book! :)
    My husband and I love going to the movies too and we watch shows only on DVD. That way we don't have to worry about commercials and if we have a bit of time we can watch maybe two shows. Only downside is that we are always behind on the latest & greatest :)

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  15. Iliana - I think you are right! They just need to find the right book and they'll be just as smitten as the rest of us. :-)

    I have gotten so used to watching shows without commercials that when I do watch live TV, I get so impatient having to sit through them. Commercials are rarely on long enough for me to read and if I get up and do something I may very well not come back.

    I know what you mean about being behind. Kookiejar is talking about this week's Lost episode already and I can't join in or even read her blog post because I haven't seen the episode yet.

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  16. I treasure every moment at home, and listening to music and watching the shows I like really helps me to relax and unwind. And I don't think I will get tired of being on a computer because office work and leisure are two different things, hehe...

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  17. Melody - It's worth treasuring, I think! Sometimes I feel like I should be more active and out there. There are some people who have such full lives I wonder if they ever sleep. But then, I do like my quiet life.

    And yes, work computer time and home computer time--very different things!

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  18. That one of reason why I prefer watching shows from DVD. Because you can pass through all the commercials. And you know...sometime watching live shows isn't bad things because when commercials come on, I can take a quick read on my books before the live show come back on at each break hehehe

    Yep me too..with the PC. My family always wonder why I spent too much times on the PC *sigh*...

    I hope you have a good weekend!

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  19. Julia - I have trouble reading through commercials. They never run long enough for me to get any decent reading in and if I do get into the book, I forget to watch the show when it does come back on. I can't win. Thank goodness for my DVR and being able to fast forward right through them.

    I hope you have a good weekend too!

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  20. I should have put spending time with my husband and cats at the top of my list. Any free time me and Alex share is spent doing something daft. We are very good at making each other laugh! Obviously I love spending time with my two cats who are like my children, but like you most of my leisure time is spent reading.

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  21. Rhinoa - It's always a good thing when you and your spouse can make each other laugh. :-) And speaking of children, I think I'd better check on the dog. I think I heard something fall over that shouldn't have.

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  22. Your other hobbies are pretty much the same as yours. Like you, I prefer my free time to be spent quietly...life is hectic enough the rest of the time!

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