Bird Food

2014 Reading List!

In books I have traveled, not only to other worlds, but into my own.

It wasn't too long ago that I had opened Evernote and made a list of thee 52 books I'd read in 2013. The year is coming to an end and it's about that time again. But before I dive into my new list of books I'd first like to reflect on the pages I've traveled during 2013.

I read some 55 books this year! That much I am happy about; however, I didn't even come close to completing the list I originally made. My original list had a lot of difficult reads.That's not really a bad thing. Still, I've learned that it is much better to alternate between easy/fun reads and the more esoteric of reads. When I wasn't incorporating the easier books into my schedule, the reading became more of a chore than a hobby.

But I digress, the following is a list of  books I've either learned something from or thoroughly enjoyed.

Best Science Fiction Books of 2013:

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

I sincerely hope you haven't gone out and spoiled a great book for yourself by seeing that god awful movie. I wasn't a big science fiction/ fantasy person prior to reading this book. I read Ender's Game as one of my first books in 2013 and that snowballed into my reading of much more Orson Scott Card as well as other science fiction books.

I quickly learned that The Ender Saga is a unique kind of read within its genre. I read through many science fiction books this year in search of something to fill the void the book created.

What's the book about? Think Artemis Fowl meets Starwars and the has a double date with Independence Day and The Truman show, then you have maybe the vaguest idea of how awesome this book is. The novel is based on an alternate future of Earth where we were attacked and nearly destroyed by an alien enemy we refer to colloquially as the buggers. By chance we were able to defeat the enemy and force them out of earth and back to their home planet. However, the years later Earth is still afraid of the return of the buggers and, as a consequence, the smartest of children are trained to become starship fighters and will lead the fight against future bugger invasions.

 Best Trilogies of 2013: 

The Pine Deep Trilogy by Jonathan Maberry

The Pine Deep Trilogy is probably one of the first horror series to give me a scare in awhile. It can be quite difficult to work up a scare from only reading a few pages in a book. Maberry, of course, has no problem  with doing this.

There's nothing entirely new or unconventional about this trilogy. It's the same old story about an old town with dark secrets which are all unveiled during the month of October and days leading up to Halloween. Nonetheless, what makes The Pine Deep trilogy interesting lies more in how the story is told rather than its content. Some of the absolute BEST villains I've read about in a long while. I loved Karl Ruger. He was the kind of bad guy you hate seeing lose even though you know he is pure evil, among other things.

I can't say a lot more about this book because that would lead to spoilers. It's definitely worth the time of anyone who enjoys horror!

My Favorite YA Novels: I do not ever want to grow out of enjoying Young Adult books. For whatever reason, the authors of young adult novels appear to be so much more imaginative than those who write for older audiences. While I do enjoy the heavier texts written for adults, I can never go too long without missing the whimsical worlds created by YA authors. Here are my favorite young adult novels that I've read in 2013: 

The Keys to the Kingdom series by Garth Nix. I binge read all seven of these books over a period of a week and a half. If you are a church goer or someone familiar with Christianity, then the title of this series may ring a bell to you. The series is loosely based off the Matthew 16:19 verse:  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Like most young adult novels, a young boy named Aurthur is entrusted with tremendous power and responsibility. He is named the heir to magical keys, one corresponding to each day of the week, and he battles within the house of the universe  to stop the universe-ending plans of the "Morrow Days".

These books are drowned in allusions to Christianity and other religious ideologies. Nonetheless, it does so in a manner which remains subtle. The religious elements actually serve more to add interest and layers.
It's far off from being Nix's best and at times the story line seems rushed. Still, the series was definitely worth the time and money invested. ♥



Books I want to Read in 2014 (in no particular order): \

I'm going to make it a goal to do a write up of each book I read this year. =) I believe in me!

1. The Hobbit
2. The Fellowship of the Ring
3. The Two Towers
4. The Return of the King 
5. The Vampire Lestat
6. Queen of the Damned
7. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking
8. The Gate Thief (Orson Scott Card)
9. Fall of Giants
10. Winter of the World
11. Dragonslippers: This is what an Abusive Relationship Looks Like 
12. The Sea of Tranquility 
13. Alice in Wonderland
14. Through the Looking Glass
15. American Gods
16. The Gate Thief (Orson Scott Card)
17. Jonathan Strange
18.  Death's Apprentice
19. Dark Places
20. Gone Girl
21. Kafka on the Shore
22. Neverwhere
23. The Future of Life
24. The Anatomist's Apprentice
25. A Brief History of Time
26. Wedding Night
27. His Majesty's Dragon
28. Gypsty Rizka
29. The City of Ember
30. The People of Sparks
31. The Prophet of Yonwood
32. The Diamond of Darkhold 
33. The Amulet of Samarkand
34. The Golem's Eye
35. Ptolemy's Gate
36. The Ring of Solomon
37. The Pillars of the Earth 
38. Cloud Atlas

War on Acne

The war on acne has been declared. The Battle Plan:
1. never skip out on Vitamin C. 2000% is for weaklings.
2. Same goes for water. Ain't no excuses.
3. Bring back the green tea movement.
4. Do not place hands anywhere near or on face, ever!
5. Eliminate sugar from diet!
6. Find a better face wash. Skin curr don't curr.
7. Always take your vitamins.

We Jammin'

Pidgins are taking a break from the #thugseries(TM) to mellow out for Tgiving break with their first hipsterlicious mutually-agreed upon playlist. Because we are diplomatically savvy, even the rejects got a mention. Use for long runs (especially those 5 minute stress fracture recovery runs), da studies, 15 minute daily allotted tidy bird time, or general relaxation - ha what am I saying, we know no such concept!

• Household Goods - Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
• Royksopp - Remind me (The good version)
• Ahn Trio - My Funny Valentine
• Gold Fish - Michael Andrews
• Needy Girl - Chromeo
• My Dear Disco - Only for your love
• Lump Sum - Bon Iver
• Maia Hirasawa - You and me and everyone we know
• Aureole - Dark Adaptation
• Origa - Inner Universe
• Antarctic Winds - Manuel Urdaneta
• Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings - Father John Misty
• Aureole - Live Again
• Breathe (Vocal Mix) - Cillo
• MINMI - Hibiscus
• Walking on a Dream - Empire of the Sun
• Nujabes - Feather
• The World Is Yours - Nas
• Goodbye War Hello Peace
• Just What I Am - Kid Cudi

Discarded Tunes (Tunes that didn’t make it)

• Susan Vega - Tom’s Diner
• MIA:(

Maybe Baby’s

• Helplessness Blues - Fleet Foxes

A Belated Bird Update

Hello Friends,

Today I went running for the first time in what seemed like an eternity. The knees felt wonderful; however, running again has made me question my relationship with  carbs.

Im an addict.

One who misses peanut butter

and jelly (extra fiber)

and and and and and and ....

THE PROATMEAL.

But no worries. Tomorrow it shall be back in full force along with the excessive fiber :).


Praise Nakamura.

Weird Snacks, an Anthology

Sinking to new lows heights, birdgenuity does not get much better than this. With the versatility of a taco, but all the comfort and familiarity of a pizza, this little monster was created on a late night study trip to the kitchen.

The concept: "I could use a little extra protein", "too bad I ran out of that dark chocolate yesterday" "I like a little crunch in my munch" "those nasty fiber wraps aren't so bad"

Putting it all together: generously spreading the peanut butter just to the outside border of the tortilla after warming it directly on the oven ring (ain't nobody got time for a microwave), lightly sprinkle with cocoa powder, and hand-toss a few crackers of Cheez-Its, to taste. Eat pizza- or taco-style, your choice.

The Japanese Pidgin Constitution

The Japanese Pidgin Constitution

Last amended 9/11/2013

1. NO MORE FAT SHAMING/BODY SHAMING/ DISRESPECT SHAMING
2. Birds must sleep 8 hours/day. Sleep by 12am
3. Birds must take at least one item or trash/recycling to the bin each time they leave the house
4. Dishes shall be cleaned upon usage, unless it contains a particularly offensive protein plaque
5. Birds shall not leave dishes around the house: they attract creepy crawlies & lurgies
6. No leaving on the AC when no birds are present in the home
7. No wasting electricity
8. No being shy birds. Get yo’ man
9. Birds shall not spend more than an hour at the gym for lifting weights
10. Birds will do homework and reading everyday. There shall be no day in which no academic work does not get done.
11. Birds shall not buy more than 2 conditioner per month :(
12. Birds shall stretch after every workout and conduct proper warmups before workouts - NO EXCEPTIONS
13. Birds shall take all allotted vitamins daily. (including whole food calcium and women’s multi)
14. No more than 1 bowl of protein pops shall be made per week
15. No money wastage!
16. No food wastage!
17. Birds shall actively pursue their officer duties - including breaking out into the locales to seek sponsorships:)
18. One challenge per day - do something that makes you feel uncomfortable!!!
19. No slanderous negativity
20. No using the computer more than 2 hrs/day unless you have homework/presidential duties that absolutely requires it.
21. No using FRC as a means to avoid academic obligations
22. No self-deprecation
23. No hating people - love thy neighbor!
24. Tidy birds - no leaving TP in the living room. Keep thy room tidy
25. Boss Bird shall take leangains very seriously. Religious BODY SCULPTER
26. Real meals with fresh ingredients shall be made for bird consumption - no ice cream Fiber one soup for dinner
27. If you say you are going to do something - DO IT. Otherwise do not utter a word.
28. Check facebook once to twice per day. NO MORE. FRC DOES NOT JUSTIFY CHECKING FB OBSESSIVELY
29. Same applies for email.
30. Expand your horizons.
31. Do not take anything for granted
32. No neglecting our blog:(
33. Always take pics!
34. Birds shall not allow pb levels to approach dangerously low
35. One slice of bread per pb and J
36. NO hating people: mother will not have it
37. No laughing at people’s race times
38. Meet a new person once every two weeks

101 Banana Chip Flavors: A Signature Bird Creation

The following is the result of our culinary creativity going wild. We had 2 bananas, that was our canvas. We had a pantry full of spices and other knick knacks, that was our paint. And what would, say, Picasso do when presented with a blank canvas and a rich palette of paints? He'd go all out! It turns out we did just that. Lessons learned during the making of our signature banana chips: 

1. Using banana flavoring on bananas is perfectly acceptable

2. The mixing of sesame seeds, ginger, and coffee is actually quite delightful 

3. The same goes for lemon juice, cinnamon, and cocoa powder; as well as cocoa powder, coffee, sesame seeds, cinnamon, and ginger.

4. GO ALL OUT

Fruit ninja slicin & dicin

Look at that thin detailing

Artistry at work

Placing the masterpiece inside the oven.

2hrs later.. ready for public consumption

Doesn't look like something you'd wanna eat.. but take our word for it!

Still Awake

It's 4 in the morning, and all through the house, not a creature is peeping... except for 2 young females with a dose of L-Carnitine pumping through their veins!! We believe we might've discovered the new all-natural hipster alternative to aderol. Now time to go run a marathon!!! Djisuxavwgidjavkshhsksdhhajsvau

A New Camera

And with all new cams...

There must be pics!

Artsy flattering photos are for normal folk. Birds go in. 

Proat-pops!

I promise, this will be the last post about protmeal... for today! You must understand, it is an essential part of the busy lives of birds, and we MUST get our protein, so it is not surprising that most of the blog seems to be dedicated to it. Anyways, if you remember that dream-like protein pudding from a few previous posts ago, this is the picture perfect result of giving it a good few hours in the freezer, stickin' a straw in it, and calling it a day. This is Proat-pops, my friend, a signature bird creation.

The consistency of fudge aka heaven in your mouth

Could also pass as pudding or brownies, can't go wrong!

This one went for a little dip in toasted oats

A true protein delicacy

Thieves

Monday morning rain ain't fallin..

Lose the covers 

Go runnin!

Monday morning we were up in true bird fashion at 7am and off to cross country practice! After practice we decided we needed bird food. 

We rolled on down to Publix and WENT IN. Our groceries included but were not limited to:


Breyers No Sugar Added Neopolitan Icecream
Fiber one (duh)
Skim Milk
BUTTER
Elbow Macaroni
Cheese please
Grape Jelly
Blueberry preserves (w/ fiber)
High Fiber Tortilla Shells
Ham
No bacon :(
Grapes
B-A-N-A-N-A-S
100 calorie sandwich thins
Disrespectful Bread
Margoram
 Grapefruit Juice

:)

Of course, we only had our bikes to carry all of this home and  our over zealous shopping trip left us with too much to carry.

Naturally, our bird ingenuity kicked in.

We triple locked our bikes to the publix bike rack and rode the shopping cart home.

Some might consider this theft. We'd prefer to think of it as borrowing without permission...and with the express intent of returning it.

Did we ride the cart down the 34th street hill? Did someone topple out of the cart into the street?
Did we drop the cart off a  4ft wall? Maybe. Maybe not. You had to be there man.