Friday, September 30, 2011

But you should be happy, it's Friday!


“When I was about eight, I decided that the most wonderful thing, next to a human being, was a book.” -- Margaret Walker

Steve is apparently working late. I've caught up on news, the dogs are walked and fed. I'll watch Say Yes to the Dress and then read WSJ and various other things.

Today's interesting call: I pick up the line and the woman says "So what have you found out?" No name, no hello, no nothing. All righty then.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Thursday, September 29, 2011


Here's what I don't understand about people I talk to at my job. I'm there to help with medical accounts, hospital, clinics, ER, etc. I understand that it is upsetting to have bills -- I've been there. What I don't understand is they come on the phone and just spew nastiness. And then I'm supposed to help them resolve problems. Which I do but the incentive just isn't there if they've been nasty.

So tonight, it's pretty much same old same old. Dinner, clean up, read WSJ and whatever else I can. Nothing on tv for me. I would like to tune in to GBTV but we'll see if that can happen.

Tomorrow is Friday, at last. This weekend I have a hair trim and finish the October issue.


Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Sometimes you just have to stop and watch a sunset


Yesterday was our 14th wedding anniversary. Steve sent me red roses at work. We went out to dinner. I gave him a photo of Tug -- that didn't go over so well. He got emotional and I think he's going to ignore it for a while.

Tonight, he's out at the gun range. I'm going to have chili and read the newspaper. If there's time to do anything else I'd like to watch GBTV and read.


It's gotten rather windy out and blowing dried leaves and I had to ask myself where the heck did the leaves come from all of a sudden?


Hungry, gotta go.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Monday, September 26, 2011

Monday


People apparently woke up cranky today and then decided to call in. Oh so fun.


I'm currently reading CONFIDENCE MEN: Wall Street, Washington and the Education of a President by Ron Suskind. This is nonfiction. Here is a summary:

The hidden history of Wall Street and the White House comes down to a single, powerful, quintessentially American concept: confidence. Both centers of power, tapping brazen innovations over the past three decades, learned how to manufacture it. Until August 2007, when that confidence finally began to crumble. In this gripping and brilliantly reported book, Ron Suskind tells the story of what happened next, as Wall Street struggled to save itself while a man with little experience and soaring rhetoric emerged from obscurity to usher in “a new era of responsibility.” It is a story that follows the journey of Barack Obama, who rose as the country fell, and offers the first full portrait of his tumultuous presidency. Wall Street found that straying from long-standing principles of transparency, accountability, and fair dealing opened a path to stunning profits. Obama’s determination to reverse that trend was essential to his ascendance, especially when Wall Street collapsed during the fall of an election year and the two candidates could audition for the presidency by responding to a national crisis. But as he stood on the stage in Grant Park, a shudder went through Barack Obama. He would now have to command Washington, tame New York, and rescue the economy in the first real management job of his life. The new president surrounded himself with a team of seasoned players—like Rahm Emanuel, Larry Summers, and Tim Geithner—who had served a different president in a different time. As the nation’s crises deepened, Obama’s deputies often ignored the president’s decisions—“to protect him from himself”—while they fought to seize control of a rudderless White House. Bitter disputes—between men and women, policy and politics—ruled the day. The result was an administration that found itself overtaken by events as, year to year, Obama struggled to grow into the world’s toughest job and, in desperation, take control of his own administration. Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Ron Suskind introduces readers to an ensemble cast, from the titans of high finance to a new generation of reformers, from petulant congressmen and acerbic lobbyists to a tight circle of White House advisers—and, ultimately, to the president himself, as you’ve never before seen him. Based on hundreds of interviews and filled with piercing insights and startling disclosures, Confidence Men brings into focus the collusion and conflict between the nation’s two capitals—New York and Washington, one of private gain, the other of public purpose—in defining confidence and, thereby, charting America’s future.


It is not light reading but I'm learning a lot.

Tonight the Cowboys are playing so we'll catch a bit of that. Otherwise, reading paper, reading book, and sleep.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Sunday, September 25, 2011

You have disturbed my slumber


My name is PK and my dogs are milkoholics. I had suspected so when one of them started slurping from my glass that was beside me on a table a couple months ago. And last week when I was pouring out some old, way past due milk into the sink apparently that familiar glug glug made them come in and look longing at the sink. This morning, I was measuring some milk into a cup to make pancakes and they both came running in and stared at me, looking for their next hit. It's a good thing we don't have milkmen delivery to the door anymore or they would launch some kind of stealth attack, I'm sure of it.

Last night I watched the DVD of Bridesmaids. It was rated R because of a couple adult scenes so I definitely wouldn't have kids catch this, but it was actually better than I thought. I thought it would be the equivalent of those brain-cell-killing supposed comedies that are really gross-out scenes. This was really rather touching on how the traditions of the wedding and being a bridesmaid truly suck and can almost destroy friendships. I liked it despite myself.




Tonight the Steelers play on tv so we're having pizza and taping Ice Road Truckers and Steve has asked me to tape a show after that, Bar Rescue or something like that. Tomorrow night, my Boys play but with Romo hurt, I'm anticipating the usual loss.



The dogs got me up early per usual and we were walking at 6:45. The sun was barely up and definitely hadn't broken the line of the earth. The good news is that, unlike Tug, they remember that they had a walk and if done that early they don't bug for another.




It's still freaking hot. Over 90 again. Blech. I. Want. Fall. I was promised Fall.



Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Picture a dog and that's what I get at 6:45 weekend mornings to go for a walk....


Micah did an excellent job mowing the lawn this morning. I met his dad who said that Micah is doing this because he needs a new iPod, I think, and that he loves to read and has a Nook. Oh yeah, I can get behind this kid. His dad told him money doesn't grow on trees so if he wanted something he'd have to go after it. Yay dad! We were apparently the only house to take Micah up on his offer but he did leave business cards with people. I asked him to check back next weekend with us. He's only in the 6th grade. Heck, I'd help support his entrepreneurial efforts until he graduates from high school.

Otherwise, I've been doing some cleaning chores. Steve is out at the gun range. I've been reading blogs and news and basically time killing things while not working on my newsletter. But it is time to get serious on it now.


I finished THE TWELFTH IMAM by Joel C Rosenberg. I haven't decided what to read next. I do have a short by Lauren Willig on the Kindle and I do have some nonfiction to read. And magazines. And the WSJ. And a whole lotta series reads. Rosenberg has a sequel coming out in October that I've put on hold at the library.


Oh, bad news, I just exchanged comments with Alan Gordon who says there will be no more Fools Guild books. Just sad. They are excellent historical mysteries.

All right, all right, no more lallygagging. :)


Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Friday, September 23, 2011

TGIF


I just did a complete post and then lost it. I'm too tired to do the whole thing over.
I watched the debate last night. I've decided who I'm for. Perry is done for me because of his immigration stance, Romney never had me but he lied about not taking out info about his Romneycare in the hardback to paperback. Smarmy and a liar. Done.
A kid came back last night asking if he could cut our lawn. He looked to be about junior high age. Our mower is currently in the shop and we like to encourage entrepenurial enterprises so he's going to cut our front and side lawn tomorrow morning. When asked how much he'd charge he said $5. We settled on $10 and we'll actually give him $20. Good for him!
Tonight, since it is so blinking hot, we're going to have sandwiches and chips for dinner while watching Say Yes to the Dress if it's a new episode.
Lots to do this weekend, mostly the newsletter.
Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Autumn falls


Another day another dollar. I finally found this week's copy of The Economist after three tries. I helped out a friend at work this week -- one of her sons was selling magazine subscriptions for Littel Guy Football so I splurged on a subscription but it probably won't kick in for weeks.
Tonight is another debate to watch. Thank goodness it starts at 7 instead the usual 6 so there's time to get some things done in the meantime. Steve stayed home sick; I walked the boys and have to deal with dinner here pretty quick.
I still need to read my newspaper and I haven't had a chance to crack open THE TWELFTH IMAM in a couple days. I'm thinking the debate will go until 9 so there may not be time for much.
It got to 92 degrees today, I believe. It's supposed to be fairly hot for the next few days. At least the mornings are crisp. Autumn is supposed to arrive at 3:04 a.m. tomorrow morning. I don't think I'll get up for it. :)
Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Ready


Sorry, gonna be quick again tonight; I'm feeling a little worn out and wonky like a cold or something is trying to take hold. I'm going to bed early tonight.
I had my second of two of my coupon class. I enjoyed the class very much I just need to find the time to really get going on it.
Not much is going on. Steve is out shooting. The boys had their walk and their dinner and are now going back and forth checking out the back yard, the front yard, and chewing on a rawhide bone I gave each.
I have my newspaper to read, I should watch GBTV but I just can't tonight, I should watch the DVD I picked up, The Bridesmaids, but I won't. I'll read for a bit and then hit the hay.
Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Monday, September 19, 2011

THAT'S what I should teach the boys!


Windy. Freaking, tropical storm windy. I did walk the dogs, took the boys to the field, no break from the wind out there. Uff da.
The day was busy, thank goodness, so it went fairly quickly. Tonight I'll deal with dinner and clean up then read newspaper and GBTV. Finish up with reading the Rosenberg.
The dishwasher guy says ours is part of a recall so it may not be as expensive (to us). But a part needs to be ordered so still have to do dishes by hand. Well, at least I've got experience that, eh?
Much to do, much to do.....
Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Sunday, September 18, 2011

When you're a Jet you're the top cat in town....


THE TWELFTH IMAM by Joel Rosenberg is very interesting for providing some info about the Middle East. It is being a quick-ish read and my only complaint is that for a thriller it not really getting one too involved in the storyline yet. Or maybe there is so much BEFORE that we're really not at the crux of the main story yet. The author needed to lay groundwork when really, he should have started the book at about the middle.

I really have to make a lot of progress on the newsletter today. No goofing around like yesterday. Football on tv isn't show any of our teams, so not really having to pay attention there. Steve is going shooting with a buddy this morning. Not much else going on.

The boys were bad this morning at the beginning of their walk -- they ran after a bunny right off the bat and wouldn't come back so they didn't get to have a real walk.

Ice Road Truckers is on tv tonight.



Boring boring boring, I know. :)


Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Saturday, September 17, 2011

The sun came out ... hrumph


I'm going active with my other blog, American Aglaia, again. That is the current events/politics side of my opinions. It can be found at www.americanaglaia.blogspot.com. I'm mostly posting articles and opinions of interest I find as I surf the Net.


So, I didn't get very far in starting THE TWELFTH IMAM by Joel Rosenberg last night. I conked out. And it looks like his new book coming out in October continues the character so this isn't a stand alone. Here's a summary:
As the apocalyptic leaders of Iran call for the annihilation of Israel and the U.S., CIA operative David Shirazi is sent into Tehran with one objective: use all means necessary to disrupt Iran’s nuclear weapons program—without leaving American fingerprints, and without triggering a regional war. At extreme personal risk, Shirazi undertakes his assignment. A native Farsi speaker whose family escaped from Iran in 1979, he couldn’t be better prepared for the mission. But none of his training has prepared Shirazi for what will happen next. An obscure religious cleric is suddenly hailed throughout the region as the Islamic messiah known as the Mahdi or the Twelfth Imam. News of his miracles, healings, signs, and wonders, spread like wildfire, as do rumors of a new and horrific war. With the prophecy of the Twelfth Imam seemingly fulfilled, Iran’s leaders prepare to strike Israel and bring about the End of Days. Shirazi must take action, but the clock is ticking.
It was published in 2010 and has 512 pages. This is a library book.


It started out so lovely today: darkly overcast and cool with a little rain. But then the sun came out. Bah. We're still going to have soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner.


I've been cleaning out my emails and catching up on news and working on my newsletter. I still have to do the cleaning chores. But I still have so much to do. I need to put time in on my couponing efforts, I need to watch some GBTV episodes, I need to read my WSJ from this past week, and I need to read my nonfiction, and I need to do research for my story.


I'm starting to seriously consider stopping my newsletter with the December issue. It is eating up too much time without payoff. As noted in the previous paragraph I have a lot I can be doing otherwise that may be more productive of my time. I'll make the final decision by November.


Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Friday, September 16, 2011

Especially if they're 100s. Heck, I'd take 20s.


Oy. This was the longest.day.ever. at work. Just dragged. I did set up a payment plan for a balance of 21.75. :)
I'm a couple pages away from finishing NEW YORK TO DALLAS by J D Robb. She's always good but this was really really good. The timing is also good because a book from the library shook loose today, THE TWELFTH IMAM by Joel Rosenberg. This is a stand alone novel. Hmm, the summary won't paste and I'm too tired to type it. I'll tell you about it tomorrow.
Steve is working late and may bring home dinner. And apparently the dish washer will be fixed on Monday. At last. I'm going to finish the last couple pages of the Robb book and then watch Say Yes to the Dress.
Tomorrow I'll be working on my newsletter and doing the usual cleaning. It's supposed to be rainy and is sorta getting that way now. Lovely.
See you tomorrow.
Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Can't pass up a Norwegian joke


Weird questions day on the phones. I was asked why she was given a medication while in the hospital (Sorry, that's something to ask your doctor). I was asked why "we" charged Medicare so much for a visit (we don't create the bills, we jjust collect the payments for them). I mean it was just absurd to the point that we were all in good moods for most of the morning because it was bizarro world.
Walked the boys after work. Made taco salad for dinner. Did the dishes. I'm checking my emails and doing the blog and then I think I'll read. I've got newspapers to catch up with but I may just read the Robb book.
Steve finished THE HUNGER GAMES. Good for him! Although he did keep criticizing it while he read. Example: right, as they were fighting the chick had time to pull out the arrow and throw knife that grazed the heroine before she could get another arrow off? Oy, dude, just enjoy the story and keep in mind it's a young adult novel. I gave him the second book of the trilogy so hopefully he'll continue.
A part of my brain is in St Louis where Bouchercon is going on right now. Having been there last year, I now know what I'm missing. And it would be great to hang out with the 4MA-ers again. Grrrr.
Well, I'm glad tomorrow is Friday again.
Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

I can relate


I didn't post yesterday because I had my extreme couponing class last night after work. I really enjoyed it and though I was glad it was only going to be two session in length, I wouldn't mind seeing it go three or more because there's so much info. I look forward to delving into this new world.


Today was hellacious on the phones. It was my assigned day to do the voice mails and it was constant. So I'm just spent. And then I get home and Coda has apparently ripped apart their last bed. And apparently Steve, who gets home early on Wednesdays, has punished him to the point that he was huddled in the igloo. And Steve left the mess for me to clean up. No walk for them therefore I have time to do this blog.


Oh and I have to share this. I was listening to the radio today and they had a clip from Obama out on the road and he said this: "If you love me, you'll help me pass this bill." (youtube clip) He's referring, of course, the to American Jobs Act (anti-jobs, anti-growth, taxes and more spending bill). But have you ever in your life heard a president of the United States say "If you love me...."???? My God.


So tonight, I'm not going to do anything further. I've gotten my favorite Wendy's chili for dinner. I'm going to read some websites, have some dinner, then read my newspapers (yesterday's didn't come until today) and my book. Then sleep.
The other good thing about yesterday was the new JD Robb came.

I'm currently reading NEW YORK TO DALLAS by JD Robb. This is 41st (if you count the novellas) of 41 in series featuring ve Dallas, a homicide lieutenant in futuristic New York City. Here is a summary:
An intense and terrifying new case for New York homicide cop Eve Dallas, one that will take her all the way to the city that gave her her name-and plunge her into the nightmares of her childhood. When a monster named Isaac McQueen-taken down by Eve back in her uniform days-escapes from Rikers, he has two things in mind. One is to pick up where he left off, abducting young victims and leaving them scarred in both mind and body. The other is to get revenge on the woman who stopped him all those years ago.
It has 416 pages. I absolutely adore this series.

So, have a lovely evening everyone. I'm going to go take some Tylenol and veg.


Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Monday, September 12, 2011

....and I'm spent


Oy, I just slammed my funny bone into my desk. I'm taking that as a sign to do this quickly. Even though it was a full moon today, the calls were not crazy. Irritating, yes.

Watched the latest Republican debate, this hosted by CNN and The Tea Party Express, if you can believe that combination. I didn't get to see the whole thing but I thought the opening was waaaay too much like a game show. I'm so not impressed with Romney and I'm not sure about Perry. Bachman is fading, Cain has good things to say, Paul is still a nut job, Huntsman means well but is weak, Gingrich has nothing to lose so he says it like it is but he's a Progressive, Santorum is a long shot.



I also watched the finale of HGTV's Design Star and really wanted a tie. They were both good and deserved their own shows.
Sad news today, the star of Spartacus passed away of his illness. He was only 39.


Dishwasher status: still not fixed. I may have to take matters into my own hands. I did take Moby to get lubed at lunch time. It's almost 9:00 and I'm a bit tired. Last night I was awakened at about 2 and apparently somewhere close by a skunk had tussled with something. Holy schmoley what a smell.


Still have the WSJ to read.


Good night


Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Sunday, September 11, 2011

September 11


In Friday's Wall Street Journal Opinion pages, they had asked a group of leading national security thinkers to respond to the question: Did the United States overreact to the 9/11 attacks? Here are portions of their answers:

From Paul Wolfowitz, who served as deputy US Secretary of defense from 2001-2005:
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese-Americans were put in concentration camps. That there was no comparable overreaction after 9/11, and that we have been able to preserve a free and open society, owes much to the fact that for 10 years there has been no repetition of those terrible attacks.
From Anne-Marie Slaughter, a professor of politics and international affairs at Princeton University, and served as the director of Policy Planning at the State Department from 2009-20011:
One way in which Americans have overreacted, however, is emotionally--by assuming, as we so often do, that our experience of terrorism was qualitatively different from the experience of Europeans, Indonesians, Indians, Africans and others. We have since watched and admired the courage and determination of the British after coordinated attacks on subways and buses in July 2005, and of the Indians after the 10 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks in Mumbai in November 2008.
The world likewise watched the many acts of bravery and heroism on 9/11, from firefighters and police to the group of passengers who rushed the cockpit on United Flight 93. But as a society we were unable to resume business as usual in the way that the British and Indians and many others have done. Because the sensation of vulnerability to violent attack on American soil was so new to us, we gave the terrorists the satisfaction of knowing that they had changed our lives dramatically.
The lesson here is the power of resilience over revenge. As emotionally satisfying as the killing of Osama bin Laden and the attacks on other al Qaeda leaders are, in the long run they are a less effective response to terrorism than enhancing the resilience of our infrastructure, our economy and our people. If we are prepared for an attack and can return to normal as quickly as possible, even while grieving--with our planes flying, our markets open, and our heads high--we can diminish the impact and hence the value of that attack in the first place.
In its entirety from Mark Helprin, a senior fellow at the Claremont Institute, and author:
When this war was brought to us, deliberations should have centered upon the aims and execution of our response. Instead, we debated its justice, and thus "whether or not" rather than "how best." The question here at issue echoes this, as if to inquire about the power of the shot rather than if it has hit its target. The answer is that in the absence of strategic clarity we have lurched from one extreme to another.
We underreacted in failing to declare war and put the nation on a war footing, and thus overreacted in trumpeting hollow resolution. We underreacted in attempted quickly to subdue and pacify, with fewer than 200,000 soldiers, 50 million famously recalcitrant people in notoriously difficult terrain halfway around the world. We are left with 10,000 American dead here and abroad, a bitterly divided polity, a broken alliance structure, emboldened rivals abroad, and two fractious nations hostile to American interests with little changed from what they were before.
We overreacted by attempting to revolutionize the political structure--and therefore the religious laws with which it is inextricably bound--of a billion people who exist as if in another age. The "Arab Spring" is less a confirmation of this illusion than its continuance. If you think not, just wait.
We underreacted when we allowed our military capacities other than counterinsurgency to atrophy while China strains for military parity--something that the architects of our national security a decade ago thought laughable, now deny, and soon will hopelessly admit.
Rather than embarking upon the reformation of the Arab world, we should have geared up, sacrificed for, and resolved upon war. Then struck hard and brought down the regimes sheltering our enemies, set up strongmen, charged them with extirpating terrorists, and withdrawn from their midst to hover north of Riyadh in the network of bases the Saudis have built within striking distance of Baghdad and Damascus. There we might have watched our new clients do the work that since 9/11 we have only partially accomplished, and at a cost in lives, treasure, and heartbreak far greater than necessary.
And to conclude from Leon Wieseltier, literary editor of the New Republic:
And I have one other anxiety: that we will overreact to our "overreaction." If we conclude, as we are everywhere counseled to do, that the time has come for the United States to recede from the forefront of history, we will compromise and injure ourselves, and our allies, and all freedom-seeking people around the world.
********************
"Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have." Ronald Reagan

So with this in mind.... the American flag is flying on the front of my house. I am going to work on my newsletter and watch football today. The Steelers play at 10 and my Boys play tonight. Life ever goes on, resilient.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Never forget ... and do something


After watching Say Yes to the Dress last night and doing dishes, I went back downstairs with the intent to browse through two books I picked up from the library and maybe snuggle with Steve. But Steve had left to play on the computer. This, however, left me in control of the remote. I landed on a Fox News' 9/11 doc. It was shown without commercials and was a telling of the events of that day in images and sounds and narratives from survivors, first responders and witnesses. I teared up a few times. It ended at 9. Then I channel surfed until I hit another 9/11 special on CNN called something like Voices of 9/11. I stayed there because when I landed they had the same two gentlemen from the other show, two men who had survived from the 84th floor of the first tower, and I was interested in seeing if their story stayed the same because this was obviously a more recent accounting as they had obviously aged ten years later. Their stories: in the earlier recordings of their experiences it was more emotional and with the latter it had more story-telling detail but basically the same story. Then ....

And then.


This is on CNN mind you. Cindy Sheehan was shown talking about her experiences of 9/11. And at first I didn't recognize her for who she was. I was assuming at first that she was a survivor or witness and somehow I was familiar with her that way. No. This is the ACTIVIST MOTHER Cindy Sheehan who had really NOTHING TO DO WITH 9/11. She was speaking: "I knew my son would die because of 9/11. He was on lock down at a base in Texas on that day and I couldn't get in touch with him ..." And then I realized who she was. And I got angry. What the hell did she have to say about anything about that day other than she saw it on TV like the rest of the country? What the hell ... why do I even ask why... why (main stream, liberal biased) CNN would associate her, the activist, anti-Bush, anti-Iraqi war activist who so grieved her son's death that she became an outspoken and -- sorry to say -- ultimately USED activist, why would CNN associate her with a documentary about what happened on 9/11. Of course they had an agenda. As always. But I was disgusted and angry and walked away.


How DARE anyone politicize the commemorative that way? And HOW DARE New York City's mayor NOT INVITE the cops and firefighters to their commemorative tomorrow? Because there's "not enough room" in New York. (
read about it here) And HOW DARE a college in Ohio say a scheduled vigil that had 3000 American flags commemorating the lost lives of that day would not be allowed unless it also included flags from the other countries too? As a student in the articles says, "It was an attack on AMERICANS, AMERICAN ideals, AMERICAN capitalism, defense, and freedom." (read about it here).



What has happened to our country? What has happened to our values? Why have we allowed the Progressives (and they are on both the Left and the Right) to rule our lives? Why have we allowed "social justice" and political correctness" to become more important than freedom and integrity and personal responsibility? Why have we let 535 people (and all the associated garbage of lobbyists and special interests) be in charge of what we can do and say?


With the freedoms we have in this republic comes responsibility and vigilance. And we haven't been doing that for the past few decades and look where we are now. THIS HAS GOT TO STOP. As some ego maniacal elected official once said "We are the people we have been waiting for." And this is true, though not in the way that he meant it. For the progressives, they want idiot followers who don't think for themselves and don't pay attention to what's really going on. They've been doing this for decades themselves and don't want people to wake up. But it is time to wake up and not be afraid anymore. Don't assume that somehow it will all work out and that someone else will do it. Don't delegate your responsibilities anymore to people who only care about their own interests and who lie to you day after day. Schools from K through College are teaching our kids to hate America and Capitalism and to be victims of welfare from birth to death. Our government is creating debt beyond recovery and like addicts asking for more. They pass the buck and kick the bucket of responsibility down the road. Well, it's here now.





What can we do? Stop giving them power. That starts with the mainstream media -- have you seen anything about the union rioting and doing extensive damage in Washington state this week? This was on WEDNESDAY. (read about it here). Nothing in the main stream media. Why? Because they have an agenda. PBS altered the transcript of the President's speech to cover a gaffe he made (read about it here). Why? Because they have an agenda. They've fixed it now but are deleting the comments that mention it.



There is a long-planned, organized, orchestrated effort to fundamentally change our country and they are gaining power. They are close to making it happen. So. Do your own homework. Get your news from other sources. Read. Ask questions. Insist that those who have been elected and supposedly representing us to stop spending. Remind them a lot. We have so many ways now to be heard: the internet is a place to start. Pay attention to what is really going on. Elect representatives who will get the hard work done, people who put these goals in front of being popular and electable.


And then tell others do all this. Folks, we can't go back to sleep anymore and hope it's going to be okay. It won't be okay unless we do something about it ourselves.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Where were you?


Didn't get the post done last night. I rushed home to walk the boys and then watch the debate at 6. Impressions from the debate:
  • It was the Romney/Perry show. They both got a lot of air time.
  • I still don't like Romney. But I'm afraid it is going to happen anyway.
  • Rick Santorum has great values and ideas but needs more seasoning. He should get a governorship under his belt and then run again after 8 years.
  • Michelle Bachman -- doesn't really have much to offer that the others don't. I'm thinking having executive experience really counts. She also should get a governor job first.
  • Ron Paul is still a whack job. Popular, but not someone I'd want his hands on the big wheel.
  • Newt Gingrich was cantankerous per usual but he would make do better in a cabinet position.
  • Herman Cain -- whenever he got a chance to answer something (not much) he almost always had an action solution not just rhetoric. Wish he had a chance.
  • Jon Huntsman -- did better than last debate, he had an excellent piece in the WSJ on Monday, but he still comes across as weak to me.
Eight is too many to have try to answer questions. They are left standing for long periods of time doing nothing but listen. So the Presidential slot is open. The VP slot is a given: Marco Rubio. Gotta get ready for work and slog through another day. Tonight: NFL opener vs presidential speech saying the same ol' same ol'. Much love, PK the Bookeemonster

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Er, no .... my creepy alert is ringing


I am just weary. The phones were busy, of course, after a three day weekend. By 3:00, I hit my wall of tolerance and just didn't want to play office anymore.

Took the boys for a good run after work. They were jumping in the ditch every 10 feet and I think they terrorized a duck at one point. Ryker was a good boy: at the point that he would usually take off running and not listen and not come back for five minutes -- I said Ryker Stop and he plunked right down on his butt. Woot!


Steve has a board meeting tonight. I've done the dishes (dishwasher not fixed yet) and now I'm clearing out emails. I have a Teaching Company course on game theory I'd like to start but I may just read some news then read in bed a little bit. I didn't sleep very well last; I couldn't turn my brain off until after 1 and then at 4:30 the boys went tearing outside about something. Uff da.


Currently reading THE KILLING SEASON by Priscilla Royal. This is 8th of 8 in series featuring Eleanor, Prioress of Tyndal, and Brother Thomas in 11th century East Anglia, England. Here is a summary:
Baron Herbert’s return from crusade should have been a joyous occasion. Instead, he grows increasingly morose, withdraws from his family, and refuses to share his wife’s bed. When his sons begin to die in strange accidents, some ask whether Herbert harbors a dark sin for which God has cursed him. The baron suddenly sends for Sir Hugh of Wynethorpe, begging his friend to bring spiritual and secular healers but giving little explanation for the request. Worried about Herbert’s descent into melancholy and the tragic deaths, Sir Hugh persuades his sister, Prioress Eleanor of Tyndal Priory, to accompany him as well as a respected physician, Master Gamel. Although he is pleased when the prioress brings her healer, Sister Anne, he is dismayed to find Brother Thomas included, a man he has reason to despise. Perhaps there is a malign presence at this storm-blasted castle, oddly named Doux et Dur. Tensions spark among family members and soon between those who came to help. Death’s scythe harvests more victims, and it is not long before Ecclesiastes’ grim words seem all too apt: there is a season for everything under heaven, including a time to kill. But is there also a time to heal?
It has 250 pages and will be published in October. I have this on my Kindle as an ARC through netgalley.com.

Listening to talk radio today and a listener brought up a good point about all the hateful language/rhetoric being fired at the Tea Party: there is legislation in place in school and the work place about bullying but it's okay when the liberals do it? I volunteered to help out with Rehberg's run for senate. We'll see what happens.

Please read: http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/09/the_democrats_invincible_ignorance.html


Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Monday, September 5, 2011

Tag, you're it

Funny Pictures - Whale Gifs


All right, no more dawdling. I goofed off yesterday. Well, relaxed most of the day, doing nothing in particular except hang out. I did apply for a couple jobs. I did accomplish something.

The boys got me up at 6:30 this morning so I took them for a run. It was bright enough, the sun was a pretty pink -- red sun at morning sailors take warning. And it was cold-ish. I was glad I wore a jacket.

Looks like the dishwasher needs a professional so we'll be calling a guy tomorrow. I don't have jury duty this week -- two weeks down! I still need to vacuum and finish clothes laundry today and get the October issue going.

I'm not getting much reading done, par for the course of along weekend. And I won't be getting a newspaper today because of no mail coming today. Coda has discovered the "cave" underneath the office desk. Tug used to like it there too.

So, have a lovely last day of a holiday weekend. Enjoy, relax, play....

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Sunday, September 4, 2011

All he heard: meow, meow, meow .... roar


Well, drat, I didn't mean to skip yesterday but there it is. Not much happening. I finished A TRICK OF LIGHT by Louise Penny on Friday night. I worked on my newsletter yesterday. I wasn't feeling very well so I did take a nap at one point.

Today, I will work a bit on the October issue. I do want to enjoy the weekend a bit though.

It is definitely much cooler in the mornings. I have to wear a jacket when I walk the boys. By mid day, however, it has warmed to lovely weather.
Otherwise, it is just the usual going on.

I've taken back up with the Peter Tremayne book I abandoned for THE HUNGER GAMES. I don't know if it is what I'll stick with, in the long run. I may do a bit of auditioning today of reads today as well. I'm definitely in the mood for a historical, I just don't know what it is yet. I've read a couple articles about actors in the upcoming (on the UK side) second season of Downton Abbey which I loved so it's put me in an upstairs/downstairs kind of feeling. We'll see.


I've got to catch up on some news online and some emails now.


Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Friday, September 2, 2011

Look, it's Friday of a long weekend, I'm going to relax now, you got a problem wit dat?


Sorry no blog yesterday. After work, I got home to find that Coda had destroyed, ripped to shreds, his bed so I had to clean up bed stuffing from the deck and yard. So no walk for the dogs. To show them that we weren’t going to walk, I vacuumed the stairs. Blech. I hate doing that. Then Steve got home and we took them outside the front yard for a little exercise. Then dinner. Then discovered the dishwasher wasn’t working so had to wash the dishes by hand. Then found out the laptop wasn’t working so I just gave up.

I got through the day listening to music. Specifically my Pandora channel via my cell phone. Isn’t it funny how some songs or bands can embed themselves in our psyches? I heard some music today that made me flash back: Tracy Chapman’s first album ( song: Fast Car) and U2’s Joshua Tree (song: Still Haven’t Found What I’m looking For) bring back such memories of the summer of 1988. I did summer rep at Billings Studio Theatre, stage managing three of the four shows: A My Name is Alice, Ten Little Indians, and The Odd Couple. Rich Hansen, the tech director, was playing Tracy Chapman over the theatre’s sound system and when I first heard it I didn’t realize it was a woman. And U2’s Joshua Tree was playing a lot that summer; I remember a trip in a car to a cast party somewhere hearing that and another memory while doing a parade downtown on a hot summer day, the float was for The Odd Couple and the girls had to walk and the guys were playing poker.

Listening to The Doors and The Rolling Stones reminds me of driving on the highway toward Virginia City for the two summer seasons I did there. Good traveling music. That would have been about 1989 and 1990.

The acoustic cd of Rod Stewart reminds of me working in the production office on the movie FTW that starred Mickey Rourke, filmed in Livingston. That would have been around 1992-ish.

Pink Floyd reminds me of dating Steve. And the sound track to City of Angels and Alanis Morrisette.

After work I had to get some groceries and a prescription for Steve. Steve is now walking the boys. I'll be making hamburgers for dinner and watch Say Yes to the Dress. Then maybe I'll read; I haven't been able to do much of that these past couple days. I've been reading the WSJ in the evenings.

This weekend will be busy with the newsletter, finishing the old and starting the new.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster