101 Things in 1001 Days: October 2013

Hey guys,

I'm a couple of days late with this (how can it be November already??), but I give you October's 101 in 1001 progress. 

I don't think I got through as much as I did in September, but it's progress all the same. If you want to see the full list of 101 things, you can see it here. 

41. Go for a slice of cake at Maison Blanc.

I barely left the house in October, but a couple of weeks ago my older sister and I some how ended up making a detour to Maison Blanc en route to the supermarket for groceries. I think our spontaneity was a far better alternative! I've always wanted to sit in at our local Maison Blanc, but neither of us had until this point. (Although we have had treats to go). It was lovely. The staff were friendly and efficient, and with just a couple of other diners, the atmosphere was blissfully peaceful. 

We both ordered a Concerto, which is a truly decadent, rich dark chocolate mousse with a crispy feuillantine centre. Probably the most delicious chocolate dessert I've ever tasted. We also ordered two mini macaroons- a raspberry and a salted caramel- to split because neither of us had ever tried one! Perhaps a risk at £1.60 for a macaroon not much larger than a two pound coin, but I can't deny they were both delicious. The salted caramel was the joint favourite, tasting like millionaire's shortbread.

1. Discover 50 new songs (songs on albums bought don't count): 1/50

I know they're not to everyone's tastes, but I love the new Boyzone single 'Love Will Save the Day' taken from their upcoming new album BZ20. Can you believe they've been around for 20 years this month?! I was nine years old when I first got hooked on them back in 1994! My musical tastes have changed a lot since then, but they're the one pop group I'll never grow out of or cast aside.

3. Watch every DVD I own: 19/?

In October I watched just seven more films: Never Been Kissed, War of the Worlds, Steel Magnolias, Stepmom, The Time Traveller's Wife, Hocus Pocus and Labyrinth. What a pitiful list!

4. Discover 50 great new albums: 3/50

In October, I downloaded the new Panic! at the Disco album 'Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die', and the new Arcade Fire record 'Reflektor' (only £4.99 on Amazon right now). I've only given them both a quick listen so far, but I'm looking forward to giving them both a proper listen soon. I don't know what's been up with me lately, but I've been craving silence, and haven't listened to much music or watched many films for weeks- which is unheard of with me.

5. Reread The Hunger Games Trilogy: 2.5 / 3

I've been itching to re-read The Hunger Games books ever since I first finished them over a year and a half ago, and October was the month I finally gave in to temptation. Over the last ten days or so I've devoured The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, and I'm currently 52% through Mockingjay. I've become hooked on them all over again, and don't want to come back to reality. I'm looking forward to the Catching Fire film that's out this month- I'm going regardless of the pain the trip will leave me in- and I'm glad I reread the book because I'd forgotten the storyline!

6. Read 50 books: 3/50

As I said above, this month I read The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. I'm halfway through Mockingjay, and I naughtily abandoned Doctor Sleep by Stephen King to read them- which I began and will go back to soon. (I forgot how tedious reading from a hardback book can be. I think I need to download it on my Kindle!)

7. Complete the 5000 Question Survey: 125 / 5000

Since the last post, I've published and completed 50 more answers, and I've almost completed the next 25, which I'll publish in the next few days. You can catch up with all of my 5000 Question Survey posts via this link.

12. Create a cross-stitch project.

Last month, I showed you the little bit of progress I had made on this festive cross stitch- and it wasn't a lot. I must have stitched my ass off in the last month, as this is how it looks now. I have about a quarter of the picture left to do, and I think I'll have it finished by the end of the month, ready to hang up for Christmas. I'm proud of what I've done so far, as I've never stitched anything this large before!

26. Listen to every song in my iTunes library: ? / 4305

I've listened to some more songs, but I really need to work out a better way to monitor this... or perhaps I'll just acknowledge this goal on day 1001 if every song has a play count beside it!

30. Make it to a Boyzone concert in Nov / Dec.

Tickets purchased and in hand... now we wait...

31. Attend at least 3 concerts: 0/3

I've not attended one yet, but I now have tickets to three shows, so I'm half way there. Sorta.

Progress

Goals completed this month: 1

Goals in progress this month: 10

Goals completed so far: 2

Goals in progress so far: 17

Days to go: 944

You can see the full 101 Things in 1001 Days list here.

Do you have a 101 Things in 1001 Days / Mission 101 list? I'd love to see your links if you do!