The Whatnot of TJ

Challenge Six

In your own space, make a list of things that you wish existed in fandom or elsewhere, or that you'd like someone to make for you.

Um... uh... this one always sneaks up on me and like any gift giving, once asked, I draw a blank. Let's see if I can come up with some things.

Wishlist:

♥ Icons! I had planned to beg someone to create a banner for the geeky craft exchange homemade2homemade that I run, but my co-mod redsnake05 was awesome and did it for us. ♥

BUT, I would LOVE some crafty--or geeky crafty--icons to use and offer to our participants.

♥ Podfic recs! I've been really getting into walking these days, and what helps a lot is listening to something and since I need to read more too, audio books and podfics would be ideal. So, tell me what is good. I have interests in many, many fandoms so don't worry about that when reccing. If it's not my fandom, I will still appreciate your information.

♥ Travel Advice! (Not fandom related per se, but, let's roll with it regardless). So, in a bit over a year from now, I'll be turning 50 and if the last 4 months are any indication, I will be in a much better place mentally and physically than I've been in probably my entire life. I want to celebrate. I want to travel. I'm torn between two very different, but both super enticing, choices (and probably more will present themselves).

First Option: I've always wanted to go to Italy, like ALWAYS, and I've started trying to learn the language through the Dualingo app, and I work for an Italian family. But, there are so many different options, and then I found a culinary tour and it just seems so perfect. But, then my BiL reminded me that I had agreed to take a huge family trip, a cruise around the Mediterranean and did I really want to do both. I mean, I will because like I said, many options and things to see that I'm sure I could just go again and again. But, he's also right, money and time are both tight and will remain so for a while, so maybe I don't want to restrict my travel to one part of the world until I've seen more.

Enter Second Option: Like I said, I've really gotten into taking care of myself and pushing myself, finding what "exercise" I like and what I don't. I like walking, I don't like running. I remember growing up I loved hiking--or more importantly, liked the idea of hiking. But, I lived between the Rockies and the Cascades so hiking was more mountain climbing than I could do with my body and asthma etc. So, I just sort of gave up the idea. Then I thought about the El Camino de Santiago and again, it seems perfect. I can definitely train for that--I think.

So, for my wishlist, I'd like opinions, advice, pros and cons and whatnot. Especially if you've done either of those or have trained for the El Camino.

And, I think that's about it. Thanks for reading. Now I'm out to find some wishes to fill myself. ♥ ♥

Just under the wire... so the answers will probably be brief.

From thefridayfive

1. What’s your favorite part about taking a vacation/holiday?

I might be projecting based on going on holiday in a few days, but honestly, my favorite part of most vacations is getting there. I love to drive long distances. I like to soak in the scenery, find local-flavor type restaurants, get lost and whatnot. I love driving with others, but I also really love driving long distances by myself (I take a lot of vacations by myself... they're lovely). I get a book on disc, or download a bunch of Welcome to Nightvale (the only way I can listen to Cecil's voice without falling asleep) or Cabin Pressure (Which reminds me, I need to find all the seasons of that... I only had one that I listen to WAYYYY too much already). This time, I'm bringing the last half of the second, and the third book of the Inkheart series. ♥♥ It's a great book to listen to aloud.

2. What’s your least favorite part about taking a vacation/holiday?

Packing

3. What’s the farthest you’ve traveled on a vacation/holiday?

I've driven a lot of long distances, but the farthest I've ever gone for vacation is when I took my niece to Ireland/Scotland/London for her 18th birthday. That was amazing.

4. Have you ever taken a vacation/holiday (spent time in a hotel for pleasure) in your own town/city?

Haha. Most of my 20s were spent either living with a bunch of roommates wishing I lived alone, or living alone being bored and depressed. So, to break the cycle, I decided to live with people but one weekend a month or so to just go away... down the street. I figured I could spoil myself at a nice local hotel, or I could spend the money on gas and at the time, I really loved the idea of room service. :)

5. If you could go somewhere right now, where would it be?

Again, probably projecting, but talking to my bestie on a box on my computer--the only way we've ever seen each other--and I'm definitely saying, if money and time weren't an issue, I'd absolutely be on a plane for New Zealand right now. ♥