What do you say

The Pledge of Allegiance, written in 1892, is an oath or symbol of loyalty of the Americans towards their flag and country. The original Pledge of Allegiance was written by Francis Bellamy. It was first given wide publicity through the official program of the National Public Schools Celebration of Columbus Day, which was printed in The Youth's Companion of September 8, 1892, and at the same time sent out in leaflet form to schools throughout the country. Reciting the Pledge is not a compulsion but a mark of patriotism to the country. It is an action that symbolizes one's loyalty to the United States of America and the feeling that as an American one is proud to be a part of this country.

Many Americans don't say the Pledge and feel that it's unnecessary even to stand up when the national anthem is being played. They defend themselves by saying that by not reciting the Pledge, they are not being anti-patriotic. On the other hand, some people find the words 'under God' objectionable. Atheists and non-Christian Americans state that they cannot recite 'under God', because its against their beliefs. Another objection states that a democratic republic built on freedom of dissent should not require its citizens to pledge allegiance to it, and that the First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects one's right to refrain from speaking or standing (also a form of speech). Another objection lies in the fact that the people who are most likely to recite the Pledge every day, small children in schools, cannot really give their consent or even completely understand the Pledge they are taking [note: you can make that argument for any song they learn to sing, anything].

the words of the Pledge of Allegiance reads: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The meaning of this Pledge is as follows:

• I pledge allegiance - I promise to be true
• to the flag - to the symbol of our country
• of the United States of America - each state that has joined to make our country
• and to the Republic – a republic is a country where the people choose their representatives, to make laws for them, that is the government is for the people
• for which it stands – the flag, meaning the country
• one nation – a single nation
• under God – the people believe in a supreme being
• indivisible – the country cannot be split into parts
• with liberty and justice – with freedom and fairness
• for all – for each person in the country, you and me

There have been many lawsuits across the country involving the recitation and those who feel threatened by it. Should we perhaps replace it with The American's Creed?

The American's Creed

by William Tyler Page

I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.

I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.

–Written 1917, accepted by the United States House of Representatives on April 3, 1918.

In the words of William Tyler Page, "The American's Creed is a summing up, in one hundred words, of the basic principles of American political faith. It is not an expression of individual opinion upon the obligations and duties of American citizenship or with respect to its rights and privileges. It is a summary of the fundamental principles of American political faith as set forth in its greatest documents, its worthiest traditions and by its greatest leaders."

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Saturday

I'm just keeping busy today. Doing the weekend cleaning and laundry, catching up on news and emails, and about to settle down to work on the newsletter. I've taken Tug outside in the front yard a couple times this morning. He wants to walk but we just can't. The second time I went to the side yard where we still have a bunch of snow. Tug loves to fling himself onto smooth stretches of snow and roll around in it. At one point he just laid there for a few minutes. I know he would love it if we moved to Alaska ... or the North Pole. He's a winter dog.
I haven't committed to my next read yet, even whether I should read a fiction or nonfiction book.
Sorry to be short today but I've got to start being productive.


Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

TGIF

I took Tug to the vet after work to check his limping leg and also it was time for his senior check up and some shots and some more pain/swelling pills. $200 later they want him to come back Monday morning for x-rays and sedation to see if he has a torn something-or-other which will be another $350 or something. I'm now having a glass of wine.

Tonight is Say Yes to the Dress and Spartacus. Yay! This weekend I'll be putting finishing touches on the February issue, sending it out, and maybe hopefully starting the March issue. And keeping Tug quiet and not walking him which will drive him crazy I think.

I finished the Dorothy Dunnett last night. Fantastic story. I will be reading the next in series at some point soon. Next up maybe a Peter Tremayne. I'm expecting a new Susanna Gregory soon.

Sadly, I heard news today that Ariana Franklin has passed away. Her historical mystery series featuring delia (Vesuvia Adelia Rachel Ortese Aguilar of Salerno), a “doctor for the dead” working for King Henry II in 12th century England was so very good. Just wrong. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12309949

Have a good evening, folks

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Thursday

Oh yeah

Steve is sick but going to shooting to at least open the place and hope someone can take over for him. I took Tug for a walk but after do a fence race with some dogs he is now limping badly. I don't think anything is broken because he's able to walk on it, he may have sprained/strained himself. He's got arthritis in his "elbows" and this happens on occasion. I still have some pain pills for him so I gave him one and keeping him from moving around too much. My boys are not well. I still have a cough but it's not as bad as it was. I watched the State of the Union and the Response last night so I didn't really get any reading done. I hope to do some this evening. I don't believe there's anything on tv for me tonight. I had a dream right before waking up this morning that involved itty bitty kittens. Of all (cat) colors and I was cuddling with them right up against my face. No I didn't wake up with a face full of blanket, or fuzz, or without a pillow. Much love, PK the Bookeemonster

State of the Union seating chart doesn't quite work

Steve just came home feeling sicker so, again, I must make this short.


Work was work. Walked Tug -- it's pretty sloppy out there. Dinner will be quick-ish and hopefully Steve will go to bed early this time (he didn't listen to me last night). The State of the Union is tonight and I want to watch it but I may not be able to.


Reading THE GAME OF THRONES by Dorothy Dunnett. I'm 400 pages in and a favorite character just got killed off. I'm not happy.


Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Oh, the puppy eyes...

Made it through Monday... yay! Still coughing and nose blowing and was tired today but definitely not as bad as the beginning. I'm making my through THE GAME OF THRONES by Dorothy Dunnett until I figure what else I should read. I started this book last year. I put it down and pick it up again numerous times. I like it but it's dense reading and sometimes my brain just wants to take it easier than that when working 40+ per week. Steve's got the crud now and you know how boys are when they're sick. Oh boy. So I'm cutting this short and fixing grilled cheese and soup when he finally figures out what kind he wants. Oy. Much love, PK the Bookeemonster

Well, sure

Yesterday was another "lost" day. I slept a lot because apparently I needed to. Bah. Got caught up on 4MA digests and other things but didn't work on the newsletter. Must do a big push today on it. I'm running out of month!


Tonight is episode 3 of Downton Abbey on Masterpiece on PBS. Love it!


Otherwise, I'm trying to figure out what I'm in the mood for to read next. Last night I plugged away again at THE GAME OF KINGS by Dorothy Dunnett. I would have loved to meet that author. I'm well read but half the time I don't know what that woman is saying. Her intellect must have been daunting.


I think I'm in the mood for another histmyst, I just can't hone in on what period I'd like now and I have many from which to choose. Charles Finch is a contender; his series is set in 1860s London. I could get going in the Romans at long last with Steven Saylor. I still have the latest release from Maureen Ash to read; that's England in the early 1200s. And I haven't read the new Barbara Hamilton set during Revolutionary America featuring Abigail Adams.


Any way, I have to do laundry today and walk Tug. We got some snow yesterday and this morning it looks to be not as windy and the sun is out. If I were smart, though, I'd ask Steve to walk him today.


Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Is it safe to come out?

The equivalent to the Academy Awards in movies in the area of crime fiction is The Edgar Awards. The nominees for the upcoming Edgar Awards were announced a few days ago. Here's a link: http://www.theedgars.com/nominees.html

Even though I read a lot of crime fiction, I'm not familiar with all the books. In the first category, I'm familiar with all of them.


Best Novel:

• Caught by Harlan Coben
• Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin
• Faithful Place by Tana French
• The Queen of Patpong by Timothy Hallinan
• The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton
• I'd Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman

I've not read these though I'm familiar with all. I hope to heaven that Tim Hallinan wins. He just lost his publisher and is a terrific writer. The other authors in this category have already been acknowledged by awards, let's let this guy get some glory.

Best First Novel:

• Rogue Island by Bruce DeSilva
• The Poacher's Son by Paul Doiron
• The Serialist: A Novel by David Gordon
• Galveston by Nic Pizzolatto
• Snow Angels by James Thompson

I am vaguely familiar with a couple of these books from putting them in my newsletter. Read them? No.

Best Paperback Original:

• Long Time Coming by Robert Goddard
• The News Where You Are by Catherine O'Flynn
• Expiration Date by Duane Swierczynski
• Vienna Secrets by Frank Tallis
• Ten Little Herrings by L.C. Tyler

Three out of five author's names are familiar, that's it. The other categories, I don't pay too much attention to, I know I'm bad. I like learning the nominees for best crime nonfiction and biography, I just never make time to read those sub-genres. Young adult fiction, I don't read. The plays and TV don't matter to me, really, I think these awards are about reading so why have them here?

The UK awards include an award to recognize historical crime fiction which I think the US should emulate but of course it is just overlooked. Bah. Lovers of historical crime fiction are in the minority here.

It is extremely windy this morning. I really don't want to be out in it to walk Tug so I'm putting it off as long as possible. I'm feeling better this morning after getting a bunch of sleep last night. I'll be doing the usual cleaning and working on the February issue today. Steve is off doing his shooting class. I'm thinking that a nap will be good later and not talking as much as I have to at work will definitely help.

I'm enjoying THE ORCHID AFFAIR so far. I just wrote a paragraph of a little snarkiness but erased it because I do like these books even though they are fluffy and romantic and predictable-ish. I'm in the mood for that when a new book in the series comes out. :) Yes, I have a crime fiction exterior but a marshmallow interior.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

I'm surprised the beagle took that long

Tonight!!!! Spartacus: the new season! Wooooooot! Okay, so it's Spartacus but not really Spartacus because the actor playing Spartacus in the first season didn't return for the second one because of his return of cancer so he's off fighting that. BUT in the last episode of season one, true to history, everybody was pretty much killed because of the start of the rebellion that Spartacus leads. Soooooo... I'm sure they said to the cast who got whacked .... heyyyy, remember when we killed you all? Yeah, well, never mind! They're going BACK IN TIME before Spartacus came on the scene at the gladiator school and everybody who was dead isn't dead anymore but actually younger because it's the time period when Batiatus first got the school and there's a NEW half naked muscle-y guy that we're going to be cheering for. Clever, eh? Well, what else could they do -- they couldn't have another guy play Spartacus and they couldn't shut down production because it was a huge success.


Also tonight, before Spartacus, is Say Yes to the Dress. It's a GOOD night for TV!


Steve is bringing home Quiznos for dinner. Made it through a full day at work.


Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Ok,this is NOT us ... (turn up sound)

I finished THE MURDER AT THE GREEN MILL by Kerry Greenwood. It was 5th of 19 in series featuring Phryne Fisher, in 1920s Melbourne, Australia. Here is a description:

Phryne Fisher is doing one of her favorite things --dancing at the Green Mill (Melbourne's premier dance hall) to the music of Tintagel Stone's Jazzmakers, the band who taught St Vitus how to dance. Nothing can flap the unflappable Phryne--especially on a dance floor with so many delectable partners. Nothing except death, that is. The dance competition is trailing into its last hours when suddenly, in the middle of "Bye Bye Blackbird" a figure slumps to the ground. No shot was heard. Phryne investigates. This leads her into the dark smoky jazz clubs of Fitzroy, into the arms of eloquent strangers, and finally into the the sky, as she follows a complicated family tragedy of the great War and the damaged men who came back from ANZAC cove.

It was published in 1993 and has 173 pages. These are quick little adventures of a modern woman in the '20s who's just about perfect in every way. Fun. Picture Catherine Zeta Jones in Chicago.


Now I'm reading THE ORCHID AFFAIR by Lauren Willig. This is 8th of 8 in series featuring spies of the late 18th and early 19th century like the Scarlet Pimpernel, and framed by the sub-story of Eloise Kelly, a Harvard grad student writing her Ph.D. dissertation on them, the Pink Carnation spies. Here is a description:

Laura Grey, a veteran governess, joins the Selwick Spy School expecting to find elaborate disguises and thrilling exploits in service to the spy known as the Pink Carnation. She hardly expects her first assignment to be serving as governess for the children of Andre Jaouen, right-hand man to Bonaparte's minister of police. Jaouen and his arch rival, Gaston Delaroche, are investigating a suspected Royalist plot to unseat Bonaparte, and Laura's mission is to report any suspicious findings. At first the job is as lively as Latin textbooks and knitting, but Laura begins to notice strange behavior from Jaouen-secret meetings and odd comings and goings. As Laura edges herself closer to her employer, she makes a shocking discovery and is surprised to learn that she has far more in common with Jaouen than she originally thought... As their plots begin to unravel, Laura and Jaouen are forced on the run with the children, and with the help of the Pink Carnation they escape to the countryside, traveling as husband and wife. But Delaroche will stop at nothing to take down his nemesis. With his men hot on their trail, can Laura and Jaouen seal the fate of Europe before it's too late?

It was published today and I'm reading it on the Kindle, though the book has 416 pages. These are fun, almost fluffy, reads for me.


I came home from work a bit after noon today because of this bronchitis. On Thursday mornings I'm assigned to do appointment calls and perhaps all the talking I had to do did me in. I really debated because I didn't feel horrible like I had before but I ultimately decided it was better to cough up an internal organ at home. Being a temp employee, I had to start over in accumulating sick time and the good news is that it started up again this week. Just in the nick. So I walked Tug, had lunch, read a little and then zonked. I've steamed and now drinking some hot liquid. I aim to do the whole day tomorrow because I have appointment calls in the afternoon -- ya really hate to have someone else do your responsibilities, everyone is so busy, it's just not fair to hoist your stuff on anyone else. I'll make it.


So tonight, perhaps early to bed but more like the usual time. I'll read a little, see if anything interesting is on tv on A&E like 48 Hours. We'll see.


Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Wednesday

I made it the whole day through work! Coughing a bit but that's because I've talked more today than I have in the past five days combined. Tonight Erik is coming over to watch a movie so not much time to do the post. He hasn't seen Quantum of Solace and I can always watch Blond Bond any time.


Currently reading MURDER AT THE GREEN MILL by Kerry Greenwood.


Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

More like the cold is kicking my butt

I'm on antibiotics now for this damn cold. I went to the clinic today so maybe now this thing will go away. Why is it when one is sick that it seems like it will be for forever? My logical self knows in a few days I will be fine but my whiny self doesn't believe it.


Still haven't really chosen a book to read although I'm reading through Alexandria Sokoloff's wonderful book on story structure. The non-fiction aspect suits my mood of not knowing what story I want to be reading. Not knowing what to read is such a lost feeling for me. Adrift without a story to anchor me. (no, I'm not on those kinds of drugs, it's just antibiotics). So I'm just going with the flow for now.


Nothing in particular on tv for me tonight. Aiming to go to work tomorrow. Damn cold.


Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Monday

Day four of my captivity, er, my cold. I'm getting better I think, finally, just not all the way there. I'm doing a lot of steaming still. I plan to go to work tomorrow.

I haven't been looking at books to read so no choice made as of yet. Last night I watched the 2nd episode of Downton Abbey on Masterpiece. Loved it! It puts me in the mood for an "upstairs/downstairs" kind of histmyst but I don't think anything I have would fit the bill.

Have a lovely evening, all. I'm going to go look at books.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Oh yeah

Oh, this cold is kicking my butt. Still have the chest/cough situation but yesterday the sinuses joined the play. I'm throwing all kinds of things at it to get rid of it. I'm glad tomorrow is a day off because I wouldn't be going in anyway. One more day to fight it.

I finished GOODNIGHT SWEET PRINCE by David Dickinson. I liked it; I'll be adding the series to my rotation. (oh boy). Next up, I'm now sure. It may be next in series for me in Kerry Greenwood's series because I have it out from the library or it may be something entirely else.

I'm very glad the Steelers won yesterday though it means next weekend the anxiety begins again.

I'm working on my newsletter today since I have not been able to the last couple days. I've got to keep going on it no matter what -- the deadline looms. I didn't walk Tug today; I just couldn't. Steve was lovely to step up and get it done. He's also been great in bringing dinner in the past few evenings. I hope he doesn't get sick. This isn't fun at all. So just checking in. While I can, I've gotta keep going the February issue.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Oh bother

I stayed home from work today. Stupid cold. And all I've really been doing today is sleeping. In fact, nap number is coming up soon.

Tonight on tv is Say Yes to the Dress. Woot!

So I'm doing a little reading and sleeping, walked Tug, taking is easy. And I'm off Monday for federal holiday.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

So cute your brain could explode

Kiss it make it better

Oh this cold is trying to get me. I can feel things tightening up when I cough now. What a bother. I'll take a steam in the shower in a little bit and go to bed early.

Steve is off shooting. I'll keep going in reading GOODNIGHT SWEET PRINCE.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Well, at least it's not the cat and being lunch

One of my reading goals this year is to add a couple more series to the rotations. I know I know I have more than plenty already there. But I've been meaning to get to some authors that I have been neglecting for a long time, for instance, the Roman historical mysteries. In that line (though not Roman) the book I'm currently reading is GOODNIGHT SWEET PRINCE by David Dickinson. This is first of 10 in series featuring Lord Francis Powerscourt, an ex-Indian army intelligence officer and Irish peer, working as an investigator in the late Victorian period, in England. Here is a description:

It's 1892. Queen Victoria's debauched grandson is found murdered. The noble father and his stuffy retinue decide to cover up the crime while ferreting out the guilty party. While they busily disguise the killing as a natural death, they secretly commission renowned Irish detective Lord Powerscourt to probe the seedy demimonde where the late prince held his sybaritic revels.

It was published in 2001 and has 320 pages. This is a library book. I had tried this book previously and it didn't catch on with me but this may be it's time. I've gotten into it this time.

Nothing is on tv for me tonight and I've got the beginnings of a yucky cold so I'm going to read for a bit after dinner and then get as much rest as possible. I wish people who are sick would not come to work coughing up their lungs and infect the rest of us. That is exactly the reason why I'm sick now. It's all in my chest right now so I'll probably soak in the shower too. Doesn't that sound lovely?

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Monday

I'm holding auditions hopefully tonight of what to read next. I finished both THE ELIXIR OF DEATH by Bernard Knight and THE 7 by Glenn Beck and Dr. Keith Ablow. I actually stopped by the library this afternoon on break and got a couple so we'll see which way it goes.

I don't think there's anything on tv for me tonight. Last night was the first episode of Downton Abbey on PBS's Masterpiece Classics. This is a fantastic series (4 episodes I think) of an Upstairs/Downstairs sort of telling of a family in the 19-teens. It starts with the finding out of the sinking of the Titanic and the deaths of the heirs to the Downton Abbey estate. It was written by a writer who worked on Gosford Park (one of my most favorite movies).

It's freaking cold out being in the single digits and wind chill in the negative teens. Hunkering down.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

I don't have answers

There are those who are politicizing the events of yesterday in Arizona. There are those who are pointing the finger of blame to the concepts and people on the conservative side of the spectrum. They are wrong. The 22-year-old man who committed this crime was unstable and probably had rather murky motivations. And we don't know them yet.

I came across some of the vitriol yesterday from two authors with whom I'm familiar and it shocked me. And it changed my opinion of them. And that makes me sad. Consider this: suppose these authors had said that they support the ideas of the KKK, would that change your opinion of them? Yes. It would. It's the same hatred except that instead of the color of one's skin, they hate the beliefs of a particular set of the population.

There are people who live in this kind of ignorance and a refusal to look outside that. There is a willfulness to believing in the hate and untruthfulness. And there are those who are willing to feed that ugliness. And I despair at knowing how to continue to live side-by-side with it as the world I know is on fire and being willfully destroyed. In the past I've ignored it because I haven't wanted to give it any power. But is has grown.

Where do you begin? Where do you start in order to teach/show people the value of life -- as there are parts of this country where shooting someone because they cut you off while driving is NORMAL. Killing someone who said the wrong thing or invaded "your" territory is accepted. Where do you begin to show people the value of personal responsibility and the freedom to choose? The ideas that this country was based on were the first of its kind and an AMAZING feat and there are those who have worked very hard over the decades to destroy it. Why? If you don't like it then leave the country and let those of us who do want it live in it. I don't understand it. What is it in them that makes them that way? Power? Hatred? I believe an inherent, internal, true evilness is an extremely rare thing that that can't be the reason that it affects so many people so what is it?

I am at a loss. I believe it starts with one person living in integrity, one's self, and you can change the world but it doesn't seem to be working. They are winning. How do you stop it?

And the way of the world is our fault. We've let the responsibility for so much, we've let it by the wayside. We trusted that the government had the same values and was acting in integrity for the best for the country and us. They weren't. We weren't doing our job in watching and checking them. We thought the media was acting in integrity and reporting the news, the facts, to the best of their abilities. They weren't. They had an agenda for a long time and now they're not even hiding it. We thought the corporate and financial world ... well, they were just in it for the money and corrupted a sound system. Capitalism and free markets are still the best systems but they've been manipulated like all the rest. We were supposed to be educating our kids .... there is an agenda there, too, and self-serving people in power, protecting that power. Even the head of a very powerful national union (and I hate unions) came out in the open last week saying he wasn't there to negotiate wages for workers (yeah, his job), he was there to further the intentions of the progressive party in fundamentally changing the US.

I don't get it. And I'm afraid we're all waking up far too late. And I don't know what somebody like me can do to fix it. I'm one person in Montana who gets up, goes to work, living day by day in order to pay bills and maybe have a little extra to do something I like. I don't have power or the attention of anyone. I don't know what to do but it can't keep going this way.

Back to the regular schedule tomorrow.

http://legalinsurrection.blogspot.com/2011/01/two-sicknesses-on-display-in-arizona.html

Tug: Stop staring at that box and pay attention to me

I walked Tug this morning, wearing my parka, and got too warm. It's in the high 30s and has been raining off and on. I got groceries and switched to the lighter jacket. This is all deceptive. Tomorrow begins the freezing front coming in where the temps will be in the teens and lower. It's not spring by any means but I have some windows open to air out the stuffiness that's been trapped inside.

Otherwise today I'll be doing the regular cleaning and then working on the newsletter.

I'm getting close to finishing THE 7 by Beck and Ablow. Good solid words for people who may be lost in lives they're living. Beck overcame alcoholism and drug use and all the destruction associated with it to be a voice and influence in radio and tv and family man. By his own admission it wasn't easy but he tells his story and through this book Dr. Ablow gives some words of wisdom of how one may make a choice to make changes in his/her life for the better no matter their circumstance. I hope people overcome whatever politcal prejudices they may hold if they are in need of such words or know someone who does. This kind of story is about humans not political beings.

Steve is off doing his gun class. Tug is awake from one of his naps and wanting to play until he's scheduled for his next sleep period probably while I'm on the computer downstairs.

Nothing much on tv tonight so I don't know what we'll be doing. A DVD? Read?

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

bonus!

Did the week wear you down? Oh baby.

ALLLLL RIIIIIIGHHT! Say Yes to the Dress is on again tonight! New episodes! Wooot!

Got through the week. Busy busy busy ... of course. I'm glad it's Friday. I had lunch with Steve at Taco Bell which was very nice. I don't get to see him during the day because he's still in bed when I leave in the morning and he frequently has stuff going on during the weekend. And I was able to grab some packets of Verde sauce ... NUM!

Gotta be busy this weekend too: going to M&D's to type up doc and then work on the February issue of Premeditated.

Books. Oh how I wish I could talk more about books. I'm just plugging along in my reading. I'm enjoying THE 7 by Beck and Ablow. I'm halfway through the Bernard Knight. So much to read and so little time to actually do it in ... and still keep up with current events. I tell ya, we're drowing in information and leisure but can't take advantage of it sometimes.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Thursday

Oh PPPPpppbbbbbpppbb (raspberry)

I'm reading a nonfiction book alongside the histmyst I'm also reading. This is called THE 7 by Glenn Beck and Dr. Keith Ablow. Here's a description:

Glenn Beck has experienced the rollercoaster of life like few others. From the suicide of his mother when he was just thirteen, to his eventual alcoholism, depression, divorce, unemployment, and health scares—Glenn has weathered life’s darkest storms. Any one of those struggles could’ve ruined him, yet Glenn was able to keep moving forward. He saw past the darkness into the light; past his grief and addictions and into what his life could be. The process of finding happiness through personal redemption was not easy, but it left Glenn with a blueprint for how to confront future adversity. Glenn is living proof that these steps—he calls them wonders—don’t just work on paper. They helped transform his life and can they can help to transform yours as well.

It was published this week and has 304 pages.

Steve is shooting tonight. I'm making soup and will read both the books and then head for bed. The week has been busy at work and I just need down time, me-time, when I'm home and then get ready for the next day by getting enough sleep.

I'm gonna a read some news and blogs before shutting down the laptop.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Tuesday

Busy at work. Tired. Steve has a board meeting so I gotta get dinner going. Going to read before bed. That's about it.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Waddaya mean I have to go again tomorrow?!? I already worked this week!

Currently reading THE ELIXIR OF DEATH by Bernard Knight. This is 10th of 14 in series featuring Sir John de Wolfe, the crowner (coroner), in 12th century Devon, England. Here is a description:

1195. Prince John still plots to seize the throne from his brother, Richard the Lionheart—and in his wicked schemes, he is supported by Philip of France. The French king offers to help John financially by sending him a mysterious alchemist, a Mohammedan named Nizam, who claims to be able to turn base materials into gold. But the ship that was transporting Nizam and his retainers is found wrecked off the south Devon coast, its crew savagely slaughtered. Shortly afterward, a Norman knight named Peter le Calve is foully murdered, his severed head stuck on the rood screen of Exeter cathedral. It’s up to Sir John de Wolfe, the county coroner, to find a motive and connection between the killings. And just what is his unscrupulous brother-in-law, the disgraced ex-sheriff and Prince John-sympathizer, Richard de Revelle, trying to hide?

It was published in 2006 and 268 pages.

It was the first day of the new quarter and because the phones at work (unemployment insurance) were going to be busy they required all CSRs in Billings and Helena be on the phones all day. And with anywhere between 30 and 50 people answering calls it was still honking crazy busy nonstop. My brain is burned out. I took over 40 calls. My personal work flow that I'm responsible for expanded hugely and up until now I've been able to keep it at about 15 items; today it is over 65. It's going to be a long week.

So tonight I'm doing a simple supper and going to read and then sleep. Maybe soak in the shower because I can feel tension in my neck and jaw. Uff da.

Systems shutting down....

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Hey, it's only January ... I can hit the snooze button!

We went to a movie last night to which I was really looking forward. Tron: Legacy. You see, back when Tron came out in 1982, I saw it, I love it. Yes, I'm a geek. It was a cheesy movie in some ways. But it was innovative for its time. Computers weren't everyday things then. The filming was cool because the inside the computer stuff was filmed in black and white and colored with the neon lights. Light cycles weren't known then, they were invented in that movie. Everything was. And the story was about taking down a bad-guy who was the undeserved head of the company because he'd stolen from Flynn.

This "sequel" now, almost 30 years later is simply a disappointment. We've come a long way in film technology so it was visually well done. But the sad thing was that we as an audience have advanced 30 years and the world of Tron didn't. The inside the world of the computer of Tron is limited to what Flynn knew in 1989. It's a closed system and he is the creator and limited to his own knowledge of the world when he disappeared in 1989 (read 1982). Example: the first ad came out for cell phones in 1989 and they were big blocky things, ferheavenssake. But the audience of this film lives in a world of technological complexity in our everyday lives; of networks, of the Internet, of cell phones that are mini-computers themselves. The story of this movie is stuck in the 80s even when set in the present. It offered nothing new. The same things in the original Tron movie are in this movie in 2010: light cycles, the light ship, the Frisbee-like discs. Nothing new. Except that now the evil-bad-guy isn't the head of a corporation it's us and our flawed concept of trying to build perfection. That the important thing in life isn't building an empire, it's family. Really? It took (some) in Hollywood this long to figure out what we've been living all our lives?

Tron: Legacy may have found a new audience in the youngsters (and by the previews, that was definitely their intended market) but they've damned near destroyed the reputation of a cult movie favorite. The recent remake of Star Trek was clever to take a known world/story and put a twist to it that let them be free to be innovative in that world if they choose to continue to make movies in it. And believe me, with the passion of the Trekkers they took a risk but it worked. The makers of Tron ....... did not.



I'm working on the February issue today and doing laundry. I've started reading THE ELIXIR OF DEATH by Bernard Knight which I'll tell you about tomorrow.


Enjoy your Sunday....

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

It's 2011...already?!?