Mailbox Monday and Bad Bloggers! Vlog Edition
Bwahahahaha, it’s my 666th post! There should be some kind of giveaway for this, huh? So I decided to be brave and do a vlog for this week’s Mailbox Monday/Bad Bloggers! post. I’m SO not comfortable with this, especially after watching it, but whatever…I’ll put myself out there :p Have you ever watched yourself on video? I hate hearing my voice (yes, that’s a trashy New Orleans accent) and I hate some of the facial expressions I make even more! Anyway, enjoy my torture:
Points from this post were awarded to:
Nymeth at Things Mean A Lot
Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings
Becky at Becky’s Book Reviews
YES. Android’s Dream! Score another one for John Scalzi infiltrating the book community.
CHRIS! Could you be any more adorable?
I think NOT! I love how relaxed you sound. I’d be a total nervous wreck if I ever did anything like that. Also, I love your accent, which is totally NOT trashy, btw 
You should have seen the size of my grin when I saw the bookmark inside Wintergirls
(And I don’t mind “Aena”, really, I don’t
But thanks for saying it “my” way anyway)
See, *I* use too many smileys.
Baby boy, baby boy… I had a bed night not sleeping well and waking up shakey and scared for whatever reasons at 4 am (beginning to think I am in some sort of shock, I seem to get no better and maybe worse)
I love your vlog! to be honest with you, and we have talked on the phone and I did mention your cute accent… the accent is only there on a few certain words! (a sometimes accent? lol)
It was really fantastic seeing and hearing you!! It makes it me feel like I really know you ! and as you know, though we feel we know each other through our blogs and such, it really isn’t the same as seeing each other and being able to touch a hand or give a hug or “really” know each other. (not that anyone “really knows” each other) I think I am using the word “really” too much here but ..oh well..
I loved the vlog,(I know I said that already) loved seeing and hearing you! It feels very personal like you are speaking just to the person watching it..
Great job baby boy!
..note to self.. do not try typing at 4:30 am….
“I had a BAD night not sleeping”.. (wish i could go back to bed but I wouldn’t sleep anyway!)
I’d like to add another vote in favour of your accent. ^-~ It’s all soft and wavey and pretty.
This is such a fun idea. Makes me wish I had books to ramble about, actually. (Uhm, and a laptop that works properly…) Of course now I have at least one more book to add to my wishlist (The Horse Boy) and perhaps more as you read/review them…
Don’t go feeling horrid over this vlog post, you hear! Everyone (Well, okay, most everyone) hates looking and listening back to themselves. It’s a very hard thing to do. Does it help if I say I think the torment is chiefly in the looking/listening back not the actual recording? My own experience is learning not to look/listen back. But of course I’m a coward, so take that with a grain of salt. ^-~
And congratulations on scaling your book buying down to 8 this week! May the budgeting trend continue!
That’s cute!
Wish I have the courage to do vlog too lol.
I LOVE IT!!! Yep, I think you should do it every week!
I totally understand hating your own voice…I literally cringe every time I hear myself on tape because I just don’t sound like “me” to me. But I’m guessing that’s how a lot of people feel. Your voice sounds great to me…I love the accent. So not “trashy”!
I’m guessing you’re going to love Galapagos! I really need to reread it myself…I’ve read most of Vonnegut’s books, but that was back in the days when you were probably just learning to read. Damn, how’d I get so old. I have both Wintergirls and Marcello on my wish list (both thanks to Miss Becky, of course).
I’m so glad you asked Nymeth how to pronounce her name! I’d been pronouncing it incorrectly for ages, never realizing I might be saying it wrong. (Sorry Ana!!!) And then just a week or so ago, Annie started pronouncing it in what turns out to be the correct way (not sure why she all of sudden changed how she was pronouncing it)…and it dawned on me that I might be saying her name wrong.
This is my running commentary during your vlog…
OMG! I love that I know what your voice sounds like now! I’m a huge fan of Southern accents (I really wish I could get away with using one all of the time), and it’s so not trashy. :p
And it’s hilarious that 8 books a week is low…that’s over 400 books a year Chris! (I’m not judging…just practicing my arithmetic, hehe)
I enjoyed The Reluctant Fundamentalist while I was reading it, although after I was done and thinking about it I thought it was just an average read. Anyway, I think it’d be a great read-a-thon choice, because it immediately sucked me in!
As far as the I Will Teach You to Be Rich book-I just happened to find that blog a couple days ago! I was looking at personal finance resources too.
I was pronouncing Nymeth’s real name correctly, but I always think of Nymeth as’NYE-meth’. Whoops!
I’m on my library’s hold list for Wintergirls: I can’t wait for it to be my turn!
I loved the vlog, and I totally want to figure out how to do it and do one for my library loot. I have a webcam, so hopefully I can manage this. Ohhh: I could do entire book reviews this way…ok, I really have to look into it now.
Oh, and you should definitely do it every week!
Debi, the linguistic in me is screaming that there is no such thing like pronouncing it “wrong”
I don’t mind at all that people from different countries pronounce it in different ways. I think it’s interesting! As for Annie, I have a feeling it might be the fact that she’s learning Spanish that is to blame. I think the Spanish pronunciation is like the Portuguese one. You should ask her…I’m curious now.
(Sorry for the hijack, Chris…I’ll go away now)
I ate the word “geek”. That should have been “the linguistics geek in me”.
And Eva, in my head I say “NYE-meth” too, but as it’s a made up nickname anyway it really doesn’t matter
I think Chris’ video was the first time I heard it being said out loud, lol
(REALLY going away now. Promise.)
Bwahahahaha, indeed! The 666th post…what a perfect place to learn that I’ve got you in my clutches! Trust my recommendations! (Insert evil, maniacal laugh here).
Kidding, of course, I’m glad to know I’m not steering you wrong. Androids Dream is a fantastic farce! Glad you picked it up.
Love the Vlog, very fun! Hope you do it again. Very cool haul of books. And that cover for Wintergirls…my, oh my, that is lovely. I liked seeing it ‘live’ as it captured the way it looked even better than the standard picture would have.
And thanks for the education! I’ve been saying ‘anna’ in my head and in conversations all this time. Makes sense looking at ‘Ana’ that is would be pronounced the way you share.
Nymeth,
“the linguistic in me is screaming that there is no such thing like pronouncing it ‘wrong’”…Really? That’s so interesting! I absolutely MUST learn more about linguistics…everything I pick up from you is so fascinating!
I just went and asked Annie why she started pronouncing your name differently than she had been. She said, “Well, that seems to be the way they’d pronounce it in Spanish, and I thought Portuguese might be similar. Plus I met a friend of Cece’s that spells her name the same way as Ana, and that’s how she pronounces her own name.” You are so very insightful, my dear!
And I’ve always pronounced Nymeth as NYE-meth, too.
Sorry for the hijack, Chris, but you started it.
Love it! They are so much fun to see the “real” person behind the written words! You are going to have so much fun doing vlogs and thanks for mentioning me as a partial inspiration. If I get me kids down for naps today I hope to do a read-a-thon vlog edition today.
Definitely keep this! I look forward to next Monday’s
And it’s really cute that you couldn’t wait to see the results of a giveaway and just went out to buy the book yourself.
totally forgot about what Lena mentioned.. I did the same thing! (like mother like son??!!) I entered countless giveaways for Drood, then went and bought it on Amazon !! …and I haven’t read it yet!!!!………..makes no sense at all!!! but you ARE my son.. and Cath in England is my Sister! sheesh hahaha
Very fun! I’m way too shy to do a vlog but I look forward to next week’s.
Renay, I love Scalzi! Even though the things he says occasionally grate on my nerves…but I think he’s a really cool guy in general and his writing couldn’t be any better!
Nymeth, LOL! Adorable is the last word I would use to describe myself, but thank you! Trust me, it took quite a few takes to look “relaxed”. I think this was either the third or fourth one that I had actually recorded :p I’m with Debi, I’m a linguistics NERD so I find it completely fascinating learning all these things from you! And I’m loving this little conversation, don’t stop commenting at all!! I love it when conversations take place in my comments
And I really feel like a jackass for saying NYM-eth all this time too, but I’m telling you now that that one is so ingrained, it probably won’t change, lol! Nye-meth…I don’t know if I could get used to that, lol!
Deslily, I’m so sorry that it was yet another bad night
That’s just horrible Pat..you need a good night’s rest. I hope that it comes soon for you. But I am glad that I could put a smile on your face with the video 
That’s the reason I did it..so people could see the person behind the blog. I loved it when Natasha did hers, so figured I’d try it out too. LOL…I’m cracking up over here about your last comment! Me and you are just WAY to similar (and impatient), huh? LOL
Shanra, Now that is the FIRST time I’ve ever heard a New Orleans accent described as soft, wavy, and pretty! I like that one, lol
I hope you do get The Horse Boy! It comes out tomorrow and it’s such an amazing book. Loved it!
Mee, If I worked up the courage, anyone can! Trust me, lol…you should totally do one!
Debi, Thank you ma’am
I’m sure that everyone hates hearing there own voices, but I really hate hearing mine :p I wish I had one of those “generic” voices, but this damn New Orleans accent is stuck in me :p I’m sure I’ll love Galapagos too! I can’t believe I’ve only read one Vonnegut book! Nuts, huh? And stop calling yourself old Debi!!!! You’re not old!! lol. Wintergirls is so good so far! And I sneaked a peek at the first few pages of Marcello, and it’s really good too 
As for Nymeth’s name, I’m glad I’m pronouncing Ana right, but now it turns out that I can’t say “Nymeth”! Good lord! What is it with me and her various names :p
Eva, I loved your running commentary
It was fun. Did you really have to remind me that it’s 400 books a year? Really? :p Kidding…sadly, I’ve done the math myself yet I still bring books into the house! Someone stop me! You know what? I’m starting to think that I was supposed to give you a point for The Reluctant Fundamentalist! Yes..I think you’re the one that originally put it on my wishlist! That’s it..point to Eva 
I’ll fix that. As for pronouncing Nymeth’s various names…I fail :p One of these days I’ll get it! And you should totally do a vlog!!!! That would be awesome! That’s one of the reasons I did a vlog…I didn’t feel like writing a long post, so I just talked about it..it’s easier :p Go do a vlog!
Carl, You’re one of a few people who I completely trust in book recommendations! You haven’t failed me yet. Really looking forward to The Androids Dream..sounds fantastic! Isn’t that Wintergirls cover fantastic? I love it! Glad I decided to buy this one if for that alone. And mispronouncing Ana’s name must be a guy thing :p
Natasha, A readathon vlog would be awesome!! I can’t wait to see what you’re reading! I’m sending your kids sleepy time vibes
You really were the inspiration in me doing a vlog. You just look like you have fun doing them…and I did too!
Lena, Will do! I’m glad people are interested, lol. I’m extremely impatient :p I couldn’t wait for Wintergirls and I was like 4th in line at my library..so I had to buy it :p
Tanabata, Trust me, I’m the king of shy! lol…If I can do it, anyone can
Hey! You did great. I love the vlog idea, the accent – everything. Good job on only bringing in 8 books – I’m trying to cut back myself, but it’s hard to resist beautiful, shiny new books.
I’m also looking forward to reading Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and Wintergirls. Can’t wait to see what you have to say about them. Here’s hoping for another vlog next week
If it’s any help, I’m more inclined to say ‘NYM-eth’ as well… To be fair, the sound of your voice does help the accent along. (I have a hard time separating accents from voices.) But it’s still very pretty, regardless of why. ^-^
haha, wow, that was really fun! You were very brave for actually going through with it! I am not actually shy, but I don’t think I could post a video of myself on the computer. I don’t have a webcam anyways… I just hate videos of myself! Very fun, though!
Anyway, so you pretty much received lots of books that I myself want. You suck. lol I really want to read Marcello but the library doesn’t have it. I can’t remember if I looked up Wintergirls or not, though.
Happy Monday!
This was fun. I’m sure I’ll be adding a few of these books to my wish list once you review them. I hope to read Scalzi at some point soon–I’ll be starting with The Old Man’s War, I think. I’ll probably add the other at some point, because, like you, I tend to trust Carl’s recommendations.
Quoting Eva:
And it’s hilarious that 8 books a week is low…that’s over 400 books a year Chris! (I’m not judging…just practicing my arithmetic, hehe)
See! See! I’m not the only one who points this out!!! (Who’s up for the Chris 2009 book intake sweepstakes!)
Great vlog Chris, you’ve got yourself some good sounding books there, I’m looking forward to getting the Scalzi at some point myself soon, so can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it!
This was GREAT! I love it when bloggers post videos like this – it makes me feel like I really KNOW them, you know? I’ve posted a few of me before but only when I was on a book-related panel at a book fest. When my new laptop comes in (next week!!!) I think I’ll learn how to use the webcam first so I can get up my own posts like this.
Looking forward to seeing and hearing what you bring home next week …
Awesome job! Great accent too. You vloggers are so brave. I don’t think I could do it.
Susan, I’m thinking I’m going to go ahead an continue the vlogging thing…it was fun
Wintergirls is really good! I can tell you that right now. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet looks good too!
Shanra, THanks again
And I’m SO glad that someone else says “NYMeth” too :p
Kailana, Oh you could so do a vlog
You should! I think everyone should, lol. If I cand do it, anyone can. If it’s any consolation, I think you suck some weeks too :p Not really though, lol. That sucks that your library doesn’t have Marcello. My library just finally got it in, but I’d rather own it. Hope you can find a copy of Wintergirls!
Becky, Old Man’s War is fantastic!! You should definitely try that one..I think you’ll like it. Mine was actually a gift from Carl which made it all the more special!
Bart, Yes you have a buddy now
I really hate hearing the numbers…that’s sad, huh? Android’s Dream looks really cool. Only thing I don’t like is that I got a tiny Mass Market Paperback copy…I like my trades better :p
Heather, I’m glad you enjoyed it! I know exactly what you mean. I love actually seeing bloggers. I didn’t know that you’ve posted any! I’m going to have to go check out your archives. And I can’t wait to see your vlogs when you get your own webcam
Other Chris, Thanks! You could so do this…if I can get over my shyness then anyone can!
Chris, love the vlog! Too cute! And like the others, I love your accent. I’m also too shy to do something like this but I love it when others do. Hope you continue to do it every Monday.
Very fun. Lots and LOTS of fun!
Chris, I think you understood this, but just to make 100% sure, I really wasn’t trying to accuse you of pronouncing “nymeth” wrong. Basically, it’s a made up word anyway, and I barely speak English, so don’t listen to me
What I meant to tell you and Debi was that I really can’t stand prescriptive linguistics (basically, telling people HOW they should speak). It’s trying to understand WHY people speak the way they do that is the fun part
just a wild guess here..
31 comments! I’m guessing the vlog was a success!
)
Hee, Hee, Hee!! I love actually hearing your voice!! Definitely do it again. But it will be a long time before I do one…I hate my recorded voice!!
Your voice is all gravelly like mine! Dude!
Chris! This was fantastic!!!!!!! I so enjoyed listening to you, watching you, and just being with you for a little while while you talked about books! You’ve got to make it a weekly feature! I’ll be waiting for next week’s edition!!
That was wonderful! I would never have the courage to do that. (Though I did sit here for a minute, ruminating on the possibility of doing a vlog with the books and just my voice, but that would probably be stupid, so, ah, moving on.) Seriously, I hope you post another one.
Claire, I’m going to keep saying it to everyone
You really should do a vlog! If I can do it, you can too 
Care, Glad you enjoyed it!
Nymeth, I know you weren’t accusing me of anything, lol. I thought it was funny. In fact, I’m the same as you…I love linguistics just in seeing how everyone says every thing differently. I’m sure there will be many more blog names pronounced differently in the future! lol. And you’re crazy saying you barely speak English! I think you speak the language better than me :p
Deslily, Yep, I think I’m going to be doing this again :p
Steph, You can’t hate your voice any more than I hate mine, trust me. You don’t know how much it took to post this! I’ve always hated my voice.
Chartroose, I’m a smoker…that’s my excuse, lol!
Robin, It’s a deal! I’ll make it a weekly feature
Glad that you enjoyed it! Next week’s is already promising to be a long post…I went to the library today…
Chelle, You should do one! Start off with your voice only and then get brave and do a video
I love this vlog post, Chris! I barely noticed your lovely accent. Now you’re going to have me putting Marcelo in the Real World on hold. I hope you do this every Monday!
Hah! That was awesome! And you’re accent isn’t trashy at all, it’s very nice. You most definitly need to do more Vlog posts
Loved the way you said Nymeth’s name, in my head it was always Nie-meth but I was too embarrassed to ask the right pronunciation 
I think everyone should start doing Vlogs’s – it’s so cool to see and hear people that you’ve been reading for so long 
Oh and only 8 books this week?? Haha you sure you’re feeling okay Chris
Vasilly, Glad you enjoyed it! Marcello looks really good, doesn’t it?
Joanne, I shall indeed do more vlogs! Everyone else says Nie-meth except for me as I’ve learned in these comments :p I’ll probably just stick to Nim-eth though since I’ve been saying that for two years now :p I think everyone should do vlogs too! They’re fun! I think I’m feeling ok :p May have a bit of a fever…and the only cure is more books! Ok..that was lame…hiding now.
I’ve made my vlog! It’ll go up tomorrow, since it’s for library loot.
Eva, yay!!!! I can’t wait to see it
And to meet you in a new way 
oh my gosh, what fun! your vlog is great
you did an awesome job and you sounded great. I know what you mean, I don’t like hearing my own voice either, I’m nasal 
I like how you mention the other bloggers names…lol.
At long last I watch….and you’re so awesome! Great vlog!!!!
Bookworm, Thanks
I had a lot of fun doing it! Doesn’t it just suck to hear your own voice? lol. I know I would screw up your name royally if I tried to say it! Isn’t it Naida? I would probably pronounce it “Nay-duh”
Amy, Thanks!! I saw your today too! Just haven’t commented yet, but I loved it!
Hey, I love it, and really you did an excellent job. Everyone is self conscious on camera and it is hard to do, still it really is fun to watch and see other bloggers. Happy read-a-thon! Why don’t you like your accent!? Just remember really everyone has an accent!
On twitter I had you confused with Darren from Bart’s books…that was why I mentioned that you threw your books. He didn’t really throw them, kinda tossed them. So, I deleted the comment so I wouldn’t have to explain and then here I am explaining. Yes, it is past my bedtime.
I loved watching your vlog, and I am definitely interested in hearing about some of those books!
I would not like to see a photo of myself, let alone a video, and that’s before we talk about listening to our own voices!
Wow I loved your vlog! So brave of you, and great for us to hear your voice. Don’t feel bad if you don’t like your recorded voice, I don’t think anybody does. It’s like an unwritten rule or something:P
I’ve always thought you’d pronounce Nymeth that way you said it. But I also thought Lyra in Northern Lights/The Gold Compass was prounced /L-ee-ra/ so
It’d be great if it’d become a weekly thing. Maybe I’ll do it one day too, if I find something really interesting to say for 5 minutes!