It’s been a long time that I have done an ‘about me’ kind of post, and this is one tag I have been meaning to do ever since I first saw it floating around BookTube, which is why it seemed like the perfect fit.
As the name suggests, it’s a list of questions that are about anything but books. And I felt like it was a fun way to get to know folks outside of their literary preferences, so here are my answers, and I hope you guys will answer some or all of the questions in the comments, or take up this tag in a post of your own, so that I can get to know you guys better too.
Name a cartoon(s) that you love.
I am definitely dating myself here, but back when I was growing up, my favorite cartoons were Tom & Jerry, Flintstones & Jetsons. Sidenote – I have come across many people who liked either Flinstones or Jetsons, because they were based on such diametrically opposite ideas (Flinstones took us back to stone-age and a simpler life, while Jetsons took us into the future, where robots were a part of our daily life & humans flew on hovers instead of driving cars) but I found both these concepts extremely and equally fascinating, and so I loved them both.
What is your favorite song right now?
This is a tough one. I don’t listen to very many songs these days, but there are a few that I have been listening to on a loop, so they can qualify as current favorites, even though the songs are not current necessarily.
Top of The World by The Carpenters; Witchcraft by Frank Sinatra; Bolna from Kapoor & Sons; Moh Moh Ke Dhage from Dum Lagake Haisha
What could you do for hours (that isn’t reading)?
Oh this is easy-peasy. Binge-watch Netflix. I’ll even tell you two of my current favorite shows –
Friday Night Lights – The TV Series. I tell you, this one super addictive! The story is centered around a high school football team, but don’t let that put you off, if you aren’t into these kind of shows, because typically that description is enough for me to stay away too. As I don’t particularly enjoy watching sports-centric movies/shows, even when it’s a game I understand, and I don’t understand American football at all.
But surprisingly, in this particular case, it did not matter. It was the people I was invested in, and yes, I eventually got hooked on to the game as well, but it was still the cast of characters that was the main draw. Especially Eric & Tammy Taylor, I adored them, they are easily among my favorite television characters of all time.
Which is why, ever since I finished the show, I have hunted the internet and longed for a sequel of some sort, but since it is extremely unlikely to happen with the same cast of characters, I am settling for binge-watching this start to finish, every few years.
Quantico – This is just all around awesomeness. The first season was an interesting combination of intriguing character study & edge-of-the-seat thriller. Which is why, I am looking forward to binge-watching season 2, which is now available on Netflix since yesterday, or the past few days, I am not sure.
What is something you love to do that your followers would be surprised by?
Surprised by? I don’t know. I have a YouTube addiction. I am subscribed to & follow about 50-60 channels across different genres (genres!! sigh, but you guys know what I mean). Does that surprise you guys?
What is your favorite unnecessarily specific thing to learn about (this can do with books, I guess)?
This is a difficult one, because I am an eternal learner. I am constantly trying to learn about something or the other, related to blogging, or otherwise. Having said that, I guess the one thing that I am focusing my energy on right now is learning food photography. More specifically, the impact & use of lighting for food photography.
What is something unusual you know how to do?
I don’t know how to answer this. I don’t feel like I know how to do anything unusual. Also, unusual depends on perspective. For instance, I know how to drive a stick shift (very poorly, but still), which is considered unusual in US, but extremely common in India.
Also, speaking of perspective, when I was not able to come up with anything unusual that I know how to do (because whatever I know how to do, I don’t find unusual) I asked my hubby, and according to him it’s unusual that I (know how to) write blog posts.
And when I said that it’s not unusual at all, he argued that it wasn’t common either, so I think it all does depend on perspective, and so I am going to go with my former pick, which is driving a stick shift car. Though if you value your life, never have me drive any car you are in. You’ve been warned!
Name something youβve made in the last year (and show us, if you can).
This is easy. I haven’t made any thing. In the past year, or the past decade even. I would like to say that the last thing/craft I made was in school, but I can’t even say that, because even back then, I had a barter arrangement worked out with a friend of mine, who did all my craft projects for me, in exchange of me writing her English essays for her.
What is your most recent personal project?
Oh several things, really, but they can all come under the broad umbrella of home decor, which is to be expected, as we recently bought and moved into our new house.
Tell us something you think about often (maybe while staring out of windows).
I am not the staring-out-of-the-window type, but I get what this means. Something that I think about often is my non-existent food blog, and the many details I need to work out, before I have it up and running. However, these days I am making a conscious effort to stop thinking and start doing.
Give us something that’s your favorite, but make it something oddly specific, not like your favorite food, but like your favorite food when youβve been studying for hours and forgot to eat. Or, you know, something like that.
Studying for hours & forgot to eat?! Okay, that’s not something that would ever happen to me. I never get busy enough to skip food. Okay maybe sometimes, when I am reading a really good book, but not while studying, studying always made me extremely hungry all the time. Anyway, I digress.
To answer the question – I love to eat Maggi/Chings Instant Noodles, whenever I am feeling low. Even better if it is paired with coffee, chips & a bottle serving of Chings schezwan chutney. It’s a great pick me up, and a very effective anti-depressant, as far as I am concerned.
That’s all from my end folks. I would love to hear from you guys. Especially your answers to some (or all) of these questions.
I also tag these folks to answer these questions on their blogs/social media (whatever is convenient) – Tulika, Sreesha, Mithila, Ashwini, Ruchi, Devika, Shalini, Sanch, Inderpreet, Shailaja, Rachna, Soumya, Mayuri, Rajlakshmi, Nabanita, Hema, Kala, Lata, Anamika, Tarang, Roshan, Aarti V Raman, Ramya Abhinand, Shilpa Halwe, Shilpa Garg and Maliny Mohan.
If I have missed tagging you, and you would like to do this tag, please consider yourself tagged, and tag me (too many tags!) when you post your answers. I would love to read them.
Shailaja Vishwanath
First of all, this was a delightful tag and how beautiful your answers were! So nice to know more about you and that’s the beauty of these. You think you know a person but you may not, really! You like YouTube videos? Ah ha! So that’s how you squander your time. You’re caught! He he he.
I love the fact that you are a learner. It’s so gratifying to know.
Thank you for the tag. I needed this to break out of my fatigue. It really helped!
Shailaja Vishwanath recently posted…All you wanted to know about me (or not)- Anything but books Tag
Shanaya Tales
I loved reading your answers, Shy. I am glad it helped you break out of a slump. π
And as far YouTube is concerned, I have to plead guilty. π Though in my defense, I never just sit and watch these videos, I always multi-task – clean, cook, fold laundry etc. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…How To Help Your Child ‘Read’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Sreesha
Thank you for the tag, Shantala! It was fun answering these π π
Sreesha recently posted…Tagged! Anything But Books
Shanaya Tales
The pleasure is all mine. Loved reading your answers, Sreesha. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…How To Help Your Child ‘Read’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Shilpa Gupte
I read this post the day you shared it, but forgot to comment on it! Silly me!
But, it was really wonderful to learn so much about you through this post, Shan, and I am glad you tagged all of us. We will know so much more about each other.
So, next time you visit India and happen to come to my place we will have coffee with chips and Ching’s schezwan chutney! π
Hugs, sweetie!
Shanaya Tales
Hahaha..no worries. It happens, I do that all the time. Loved reading your answers to this tag.
And yes, pakka, next time I come to India, we have a date involving coffee, chips and schezwan chutney. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…How To Help Your Child ‘Read’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Shilpa Garg
Interesting post and I got to know a bit more about you through this. Tom & Jerry is my absolute favourite and Food Photography is on my to-Learn list as well. I have binge-watched ‘Orange is the New Black’ and ‘Tyrant’ and that’s pretty unusual for me, for I dont have much patience for TV. Thanks for tagging, Shantala, will take this up soon!
Shilpa Garg recently posted…7 Reasons to Travel Solo
Shanaya Tales
I have heard of Orange Is The New Black, but not of Tyrant. Will look it up.
And I look forward to reading your answers. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…How To Help Your Child ‘Read’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Susan Gourley
I think you could hang out at my house with my daughter. We are a football family with my son being a high school coach and two of my other sons having played also, but I never watched that show. Until recently, my cars were always stick shift and I taught my oldest son how to drive it.
Great to learn these interesting things about you.
Susan Gourley recently posted…Hot Reads and Weather
Shanaya Tales
Hahaha yeah I guess we would get along well very then. Also, you know, in the 8 years I have been here in the US, I never came across anyone who knew how to drive a stick shift car. You are the first. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…How To Help Your Child ‘Read’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Eli
That was fun to read – got to know you even more through your answers:-) Tom&Jerry were my favourites too:-) I also think of my non-existing blogs and upcoming projects – but hey all great things starts with an idea right? Good luck on food blog and all other – and thanks for this entertaining read:-)
Eli recently posted…The absence of the bad
Shanaya Tales
Exactly. All good things start with an idea. Wishing you the best with your ideas as well. Hoping to see them come to fruition soon. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…How To Help Your Child ‘Read’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Ramya Abhinand
Ah! That was such a fantastic way to know you Shantala…A few similarities here and there and well you should read up mine soon to know the differences :P….
Shanaya Tales
Loved reading your answers, Ramya. And through your post, I discovered our common love for jigsaw puzzles as well. Thanks for taking up the tag. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…How To Help Your Child ‘Read’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Soumya
Loved reading more about you, Shantala!
Anything but books sounds hard, but I’ll be doing this on my next post. For sure π
Thanks for the tag π
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Soumya
Here’s my post:
http://www.lifeofleo.in/2017/06/the-anything-but-books-tag.html
Thanks again, for the tag.
Soumya recently posted…The ‘Anything But Books’ Tag
Shanaya Tales
Loved reading your answers, Soumya. Thanks for taking it up. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…How To Help Your Child ‘Read’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Venice
This post was a good way to get introduced to you Shanaya π My favourite cartoon was/is Captain Planet because of the environmental message it spread. Of course, Tom and Jerry is a classic laugh riot anytime π I’m in the same phase as you regarding several non-existent blogs that I want to start working on. And yes, for me, Top Ramen Noodles topped with sauteed onions and capsicum, with chilli sauce on the side is the best comfort food, after chocolate π Looking forward to reading more from you π
Shanaya Tales
Oh yes, after chocolate of-course, how did I miss that?! Thought it’s white chocolate in my case. π
And I am glad to be connected with you too. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…How To Help Your Child ‘Read’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Amrita
That’s super fun read. Loved how you described your barter system at school.What did the friend do during exams ?I am curious .Do share your food photography tips and looking forward to the food blog
Shanaya Tales
Hahaha, we managed during the exams, but it was not a pretty sight. And will definitely share photography tips (once I figure it out). Thanks for reading. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…How To Help Your Child ‘Read’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Stefinia
Nice!! … I love Tom and Jerry, Garfield, Flintstones… If I had time would binge watch stuff like … Yes Minister, Sherlock Holmes and even read books… I read news papers on my spare time and write on it, if its socially relevant in facebook community pages. I often think about my kitten Garfield and how I can make more money when doing nothing and what food to cook that’s tastier. Also think of making a list of places I should travel and stuff. I too have maggi and kurkure as a mind stimulant so I can read paper at night longer instead of sleeping.
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Shanaya Tales
Wow! You really do love to read your paper. It’s been a long while since I have read a physical paper. Even given up on online sites. These days, the news finds me on social media, and that’s about it. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…How To Help Your Child ‘Read’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Rajlakshmi
I love Quantico too, but haven’t started with the second season yet. I believe for bloggers, it’s nothing new to blog, but others do raise an eyebrow when I say I blog π so I guess it is not quite common. 50-60 channels, wow I follow a few but not that many π but I love binge watching Youtube too. This is a fun tag. Thank you π
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Shanaya Tales
I just finished binge-watching Season 2, and while it was good, I have mixed feelings about this season. I felt like they lost the plot in between, and did a good cover up eventually, but it was kinda confusing and all over the place.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…How To Help Your Child ‘Read’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Tarang Sinha
This is an interesting post! So good to know you better.
I like Moh Moh Ke Dhaage especially male version. For unusual thing, I can touch my nose with my tongue. π
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Shanaya Tales
Interesting. I had heard people could do that, but had never come across anyone who actually could do it. You have the privilege of being the first. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…How To Help Your Child ‘Read’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Lata Sunil
I loved reading this and knowing you a bit more. I would love to answer these. I also love eating Maggi And Ching’s noodles. That’s something we have in common.
Shanaya Tales
Yay for our mutual love for Maggi and Chings. π I look forward to reading your answers. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…How To Help Your Child ‘Read’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Devika
Thanks for the tag, this is interesting. π And I LOVE Tom & Jerry! π
Shanaya Tales
Loved reading your answers too, Devika. Thanks for taking it up. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…How To Help Your Child ‘Read’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Kala Ravi
That was such a fun read and so YOU, Shantala. The questions were quirky but your answers totally aced it! I saw quite a few parallels between us based on the answers, at times felt I was reading myself! And we all know what you are good at….you do undermine yourself my dear! Your wordplay, your clarity of thought and wicked sense of humor bring a lot more to your blogging than you know! Loved this post and the idea!
Shanaya Tales
You are too kind, Kala. But thank you so much. This comment has me up on Cloud 9, but I guess now that I am here, I will stay here for a bit, before I come down to reality. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…How To Help Your Child ‘Read’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Inderpreet
Such fun getting to know you better! YouTube… Hmmm and here I think videos take away reading time!
This is a delightful idea! I will do it soon. Thank you for the tag. π
Inderpreet recently posted…#AuthorAnswers Writing Is The Easy Part @SuspiAnand #HalfPantsFullPants
Shanaya Tales
They do, they do. But it’s an addiction I can’t help. Though I always multi-task while I see YouTube. Cook, fold laundry etc, so I feel less guilty that way. π
Looking forward to reading your answers. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…How To Help Your Child ‘Read’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Inderpreet
Here you go dear Shantala! I finally did it and enjoyed it!
<3 http://inderpreetuppal.com/2017/07/07/anything-books-life/
Inderpreet recently posted…Wall of Kindness #WATWB
SHALINI BAISIWALA
Wow first of all this was a damn interesting post – unusual but interesting for sure for me!
My fav cartoons were Tom n Jerry and Donald Duck!!! Jetsons is new for me! Flintstones I could never dig.
Honestly speaking YouTube channels hasnt caught on with me so far but then I am not much of a telly watcher and prefer movies anytime or Nat Geo kinda stuff!!
I wish you loads of luck with your food blog and I can you gearing up for it with food photography!! Hope you found some good tutorials for it on YT. Cheers π
SHALINI BAISIWALA recently posted…The Fault in our Stares |BarAThon|
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Shalini. And yes, I did find some good tutorials on YouTube but I am relying on books for Food Photography. YouTube is more entertainment than learning for me. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…How To Help Your Child ‘Read’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
My Era
Enjoyed reading your responses to this tag.
My comfort food when am starving is pasta or noodles, made with the veges in my fridge. I know it takes a bit longer but my love for cooking helps calm my nerves before I can eat anything when bored or very hungry.
Strangely, today I realised how I have changed from loving to gaze out of the window girl to stepping out every time I want to step out of my current frame of mind person.
As far binge watching, Koffee With Karan (older seasons) especially episodes of SRK are my most favorite. I can watch them n number of times despite knowing all that has been said by heart.
My Era recently posted…Letβs do the #BookTalk
Shanaya Tales
Oh I love the older episodes of Koffee With Karan too. And SRK is always a joy to watch, what with his quick wit and easy charm. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…How To Help Your Child ‘Read’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Jenny @ Reading the End
Friday NIght Liiiiiiights! I used to watch that show when I lived in New York, and it made me so homesick for the South I almost couldn’t take it. Have you watched/are you watching Parenthood? It’s by the same creator and shares a lot of DNA with Friday Night Lights, so it might scratch that itch slightly?
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Shanaya Tales
Oh really? Parenthood? I have heard so many good things about the show, but did not know that it had anything in common with FNL. And at this point I’ll take any kind of resemblance. Thank you so much!
Shanaya Tales recently posted…How To Help Your Child ‘Read’ 1000 Books Before Kindergarten