Couldn't resist a Princess Bride reference

Here are the books I’m looking forward to in February:

NO MARK UPON HER by Deborah Crombie (7^th) 14^th of 14 in series featuring Duncan Kincaid, a Scotland Yard superintendent, and Gemma James, a sergeant, in London.

THE BEDLAM DETECTIVE by Stephen Gallagher (7^th) Stand alone

THE GARDEN INTRIGUE by Lauren Willig (16^th) 9th of 9 in the Pink Carnation series

CELEBRITY IN DEATH by JD Robb (21st) if you count the novellas, this is 42nd of 42 in series featuring Eve Dallas, a homicide lieutenant in futuristic New York City

SACRILEGE by SJ Parris (21^st) 3rd of 3 in series featuring Giordano Bruno, a monk, philosopher, and astronomer on the run from the Roman Inquisition, serving as an agent for Queen Elizabeth I.

Well, I only read three books in January so hopefully these will get the year going a little better. I'll be using a Christmas gift card for some. Woot!

Steve is working late; I'm getting hungry for dinner but waiting for him to bring something. Otherwise, I've been hanging around the news sites and posting, per usual. I don't think there's anything on tv for me.

Have a lovely evening...

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Phew, the day is over

Tired. The servers were down at work until after 11:30; then we had 95 voice mails to return. Just ugh.

I have the WSJ to read and then whatever else.

Sorry, I'm just losing steam. Find me on Facebook, lots of good articles posted there. :)

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Sunday

I spent a lot of the day on the laptop cleaning up emails and posting to Facebook. It's been a dark windy day, perfect for napping which I think we have all done.

Tonight I have Downton Abbey to watch. And that will be the end of a weekend, much needed, and would have been nice to be a little bit longer. I am hoping this coming week will be less stressful at work.

Not much else to say. I've been trying to do some soul searching this weekend but I haven't come up with any answers.

Have a lovely evening...

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

It was just a matter of time...

Almost forgot to do this. Spent a big chunk of the day working on a state app -- those things are such a pain and time consuming. But fingers are crossed.

Otherwise, did the usual chores and then took a nap.

Spartacus last night. I am reserving judgement at this time. I remember the opening of last season and I was unimpressed and didn't like the guy Gannicus. Turns out the season was amazing story telling. So it is too early to tell.

I finished DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY by skipping some of the last part. It was ... meh. I think next up is THE CROWN by Nancy Bilyeau. This is a debut historical mystery just published. Here is a description:

An aristocratic young nun must find a legendary crown in order to save her father—and preserve the Catholic faith from Cromwell’s ruthless terror. The year is 1537. . . Joanna Stafford, a Dominican nun, learns that her favorite cousin has been condemned by Henry VIII to be burned at the stake. Defying the sacred rule of enclosure, Joanna leaves the priory to stand at her cousin’s side. Arrested for interfering with the king’s justice, Joanna, along with her father, is sent to the Tower of London.The ruthless Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, takes terrifying steps to force Joanna to agree to spy for him: to save her father’s life she must find an ancient relic—a crown so powerful, it may hold the ability to end the Reformation. Accompanied by two monks, Joanna returns home to Dartford Priory and searches in secret for this long-lost piece of history worn by the Saxon King Athelstan in 937 during the historic battle that first united Britain.But Dartford Priory has become a dangerous place, and when more than one dead body is uncovered, Joanna departs with a sensitive young monk, Brother Edmund, to search elsewhere for the legendary crown. From royal castles with tapestry-filled rooms to Stonehenge to Malmesbury Abbey, the final resting place of King Athelstan, Joanna and Brother Edmund must hurry to find the crown if they want to keep Joanna’s father alive. At Malmesbury, secrets of the crown are revealed that bring to light the fates of the Black Prince, Richard the Lionhearted, and Katherine of Aragon’s first husband, Arthur. The crown’s intensity and strength are beyond the earthly realm and it must not fall into the wrong hands.

With Cromwell’s troops threatening to shutter her priory, bright and bold Joanna must now decide who she can trust with the secret of the crown so that she may save herself, her family, and her sacred way of life. This provocative story melds heart-stopping suspense with historical detail and brings to life the poignant dramas of women and men at a fascinating and critical moment in England’s past.

It has 416 pages.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Terrible horrible no good very bad day

And that's all I'm going to say about it. After work I stopped by Albertsons to pick up some wine for myself and one piece of chocolate cake (because today is National Chocolate Cake Day -- look it up). We're having taco salad and I will watch Say Yes to the Dress (girly wedding dresses) and Spartacus (sex and violence and men without shirts).

Now I'm going to read some news and blogs and find some articles and post them to Facebook so I can piss off some Liberals.

It will be a good weekend.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Once again, that's why I have dogs, they just love you to death

No wonder I have no time to read anything. Another debate tonight. Santorum may be coming into his own -- he seemed to take a stand more. I'm hoping Romney and Gingrich take each other out.

Tomorrow is the premiere of the third season of Spartacus which will be a must see. It's also National Chocolate Cake Day.

Once again, it's getting on to 9:30 and I'm tired and I probably won't have time to read my newspaper. I hate that.

Sorry the short posts lately but you just come here for the pictures anyway. :)

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Tin Foil Hats R Us

Very quick tonight. I got caught watching tv. First was Ghost Hunters and then the pilot of a new series on Fox, TOUCH, starring Keifer Sutherland. It was AMAZING. Then Steve came home from shooting so now it's 9:30 and I haven't read my WSJ or anything.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Tuesday

Oh thank God that is over. My head was exploding over and over. Hopefully this was the last State of the Union that the big zero will ever give. It was less a "state of the union" than a snow job, campaign pitch, gloss-over, push for redistribution, and rah rah for his party. Be glad you weren't here watching it with me. It was more of discussion because I couldn't keep quiet.

So.

I have to read the paper and then I'd like to read more of the James. It is getting interesting.

Sorry, my head is still spinning.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Yeah, so there, neener neener

I've given up BELIEVING THE LIE by Elizabeth George. I picked up another hold from the library today and actually I'm liking it. DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY by PD James. This is a stand alone pastiche of Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE of all things. Here is a description:

It is 1803, six years since Elizabeth and Darcy embarked on their life together at Pemberley, Darcy’s magnificent estate. Their peaceful, orderly world seems almost unassailable. Elizabeth has found her footing as the chatelaine of the great house. They have two fine sons, Fitzwilliam and Charles. Elizabeth’s sister Jane and her husband, Bingley, live nearby; her father visits often; there is optimistic talk about the prospects of marriage for Darcy’s sister Georgiana. And preparations are under way for their much-anticipated annual autumn ball. Then, on the eve of the ball, the patrician idyll is shattered. A coach careens up the drive carrying Lydia, Elizabeth’s disgraced sister, who with her husband, the very dubious Wickham, has been banned from Pemberley. She stumbles out of the carriage, hysterical, shrieking that Wickham has been murdered. With shocking suddenness, Pemberley is plunged into a frightening mystery.

It was just published and has 304 pages. I was dubious about James doing an Austen take-off but she's capturing the language and really, I am liking it a lot.

Another debate tonight. This is number 752, isn't it? Haven't changed my opinions. I have been having an interesting conversation with my cousin Kristina on Facebook. My cousin Karen took a little swipe at me for posting the articles that I do, being that she is liberal. Kristina is supportive. I responded to Karen nicely but strongly. :) Heh heh heh, I love those things.

Okay, I gotta go read my newspaper and it is already 9:00.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

I'm sure there's a very reasonable explanation....

Well, it's been several days since I've picked up the Elizabeth George book so I suppose I should concede that I'm not reading it. I think there is probably an excellent story there but it is bogged down by all the stuff that should have been edited out. I don't have the kind of time to slog through all the extras even though I've enjoyed the characters in the past. I just don't have the patience anymore.

Plus, I may be back on a nonfiction kick. I'm currently still reading SECRET WEAPON by Kevin Freeman and have AMERITOPIA by Mark Levin on board. In February, I have some must reads in fiction coming out. In the meantime, I think I feel I need to work on my knowledge regarding current events.

Speaking of, of course the mainstream media isn't saying a word about this one: three cases of Obama's eligibility to be on the 2012 ballot will be heard on January 26th in Georgia. And the judge has rejected the administration's request to quash Obama's need to testify or produce documents. One of the issue's at point is that for that position, the candidate must be the product of natural born citizens and it is indeed fact that Obama's father was from Kenya and not a citizen of the US. It will be interesting to see how this turns out.

Football playoffs today but I don't care for any of the teams so I will probably not partake. Tonight though is Downton Abbey and Sherlock, both of which are lovely.

Steve took the boys for a quick walk today - a short one because it is really windy out. Warmer in general but windy. He is now over at an uncle's helping get their wifi network set up. I've been applying for jobs. Fingers crossed and good vibes requested.

Gotta go change some laundry loads....

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Pressure

I got dogfood at Petsmart and groceries at Walmart today. I've been doing the usual laundry and vacuuming and garbage collecting. It's already 4 o'clock and I feel like while stuff has gotten done I've not really accomplished anything. What I'd like to do is sit at my computer downstairs and plug away at job searching and some other projects. Or plunk down in a chair and just read. Maybe tomorrow, eh? Steve had to help run a gun tournament at the club this afternoon.

Tomorrow though is football and then Downton Abbey and Sherlock Holmes. I did see on PBS that there is going to be a second series of Sherlock in May. Excellent! The third series of Spartacus should start next Friday, I think.

Have a good weekend!

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Friday

Not much to report. Work was mostly cranky. Steve has coaching of women's shooting club thing tonight. My WSJ didn't show up. I'm heating up Stouffers lasagna. I will watch Say Yes to the Dress. I will read later.

TGIF

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Always works for me

Well, I'm home. We were supposed to go to an NRA sponsors' banquet but either we had the night wrong or the venue wrong. Either way, I'm glad be home. I'm tired and don't to talk to people anymore today. Co-worker was gone and the phones were steady, if not a little busy.

It's still cold but we haven't had the snow yet that we were supposed to today. As is, looks like we got about eight inches of the white stuff.

And then there were four. Perry's out -- at last. He wasn't up for the national challenge and definitely couldn't have gone up against Obama without looking foolish. There's a debate going on now, I have it playing in the background.

It's already after 7, we'll eat around 8. I need to read the paper and I hope to make more headway in the book. Uff da. Tiredness may way out.

I gotta post some articles to Facebook.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Imagine two big dogs doing that. Oy.

Cold. Freakin' cold. I don't think it cracked zero today. Weather.com says it's now negative 11 degrees out. We didn't go for the walk after work. The boys are disappointed, I can tell, but I'm not going out there again. And this snow storm isn't supposed to stop until Friday morning. Just ick.

I had a nice lunch with a friend from school who moved back here after living in Kalispell. Otherwise it was a typical day at work. Steve has shooting tonight; he left before I got here probably to start warming up the building out there. I was hoping that no one would show up and he could come home early but no such luck as of yet.

I didn't have a chance to read my book last night or today. Last night I only had time to read the WSJ. There's another book I want to read after this one: AMERITOPIA by Mark Levin. Here's a couple quotes from it:

“No society is guaranteed perpetual existence. But I have to believe that the American people are not ready for servitude, for if this is our destiny, and the destiny of our children, I cannot conceive that any people, now or in the future, will successfully resist it for long. I have to believe that this generation of Americans will not condemn future generations to centuries of misery and darkness.”

and

“The centralization and consolidation of power in a political class that insulates its agenda in entrenched experts and administrators, whose authority is also self-perpetuating is apparent all around us and growing more formidable. The issue is whether the ongoing transformation can be restrained and then reversed, or will it continue with increasing zeal, passing from soft tyranny to something more oppressive.”

Otherwise, we're just going to hunker down tonight. So, time to make some dinner and then read and cuddle with the dogs. :)

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

The way it is

I'm reading a really fascinating nonfiction book called SECRET WEAPON: How Economic Terrorism Brought Down the US Stock Market and Why it Can Happen Again by Kevin Freeman. Here is a description:

Who’s really to blame for America’s catastrophic financial meltdown and devastating national recession? Contrary to what the “Occupy Movement” might tell you, it’s not greedy Wall Street executives. No, as one of America’s top financial professionals reveals in this shocking new book, the real culprit is economic warfare, with our foreign enemies exploiting our lurking financial weaknesses. In Secret Weapon, Kevin D. Freeman unveils how all the evidence—including motive, means, and opportunity—points to America’s foreign enemies as deliberately pushing our economy over the brink. In this stunning exposé, Freeman reveals: The evidence linking Communist China and Islamic finance to economic warfare against the United States. Why initial reports linked the 2008 stock market crash to economic terrorism—and why the Obama administration continues to look the other way. How the financial attack unfolded—and how the perpetrators tried to cover their tracks. Why you should expect another financial attack even more devastating than the last one—and how you can protect yourself from it. In Secret Weapon you’ll learn what our enemies know and what the Obama administration has chosen to ignore—that our financial system is profoundly vulnerable to financial terrorism, and that we are being targeted for further and even more destructive attacks by our enemies, who want to cripple America as the world’s leading economy. If you want to protect yourself and protect our country, then you need to read Secret Weapon to understand how we have entered a new age of warfare—an age our enemies want to make the Dark Ages of the United States.

It was published in January and has 256 pages. This is on my Kindle. It is really interesting and plausible. An example of economic terrorism: Bin Laden always said part of his strategy was to destroy the American economy. Just days before 9/11, someone purchased a lot of short stock in the airline industry. That means they will make a profit if the price goes down. That someone made a lot of money because the airlines decreased by 30 to 40%. The estimated cost, aside from lives, of 9/11 is in the trillions and America still hasn't fully recovered. This book is building a case for three stages of American economic terrorism: stage 1 was 9/11, stage 2 was the fall of 2008, stage 3 is devaluing the currency, where we are at right now.

So not much happening today; work, walked the dogs, dinner. Now I'm reading some emails and have the WSJ.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Monday

How the heck did I not post a blog yesterday? I don't remember what happened. Hunh.

Tonight I'm watching the debate. I'm fairly convinced it will be Romney. Oh well. I got a little more into the Elizabeth George so maybe it's got my attention. I'll have to plug away at it steadily as it is a 14-day book from the library.

It was freakin' cold today. I don't know if it got much above 10 degrees. It was -2 according to Moby when we got done walking in the field.

Last night I watched Downton Abbey (oh just happiness) and then a repeat of PBS's version of Sherlock Holmes which is actually quite fabulous.

So, I'm thinking of taking a hot hot shower and then reading. No mail today so no WSJ or Economist. Bah.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Or vice versa

Middle of the weekend and already wishing it were more. :) Have had a very good visit with my sister and brother-in-law. Gave Mom my old Kindle. Otherwise, I'm working on getting chores done, i.e., laundry, vacuuming, etc.

I haven't been getting much reading done so far. I read the WSJ last night -- falling asleep in the middle of it because I'd taken a Benedryl. I only have 14 days with the Elizabeth George book and it's honkin' huge but I'm not feeling the inspiration with it yet.

I'm thinking I might get better sleep tomorrow morning if I set my alarm and take a shower and then lie back down. The dogs usually sleep during the week when I do that to get ready for work (minus the lying back down part). This morning it was up and down letting Ryker out from 6:30 until I finally decided it was daylight enough at 7:45.

As far as I know, I'm making nachos for dinner tonight. We'll watch Cops ... ah, crud, it looks like the Saints just lost the game in the last 10 seconds. Damn. Don't care who's involved now. Bah.

Well, have a good evening.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Happy Birthday Erik!

I picked up from the library today the newest Elizabeth George, BELIEVING THE LIE. This is 17th of 17 in series featuring Thomas Lynley, a Scotland Yard inspector and eighth Earl of Asherton, Sergeant Barbara Havers, forensic pathologist Simon Allcourt-St. James, his wife Deborah, in London. Here is a summary:

Inspector Thomas Lynley is mystified when he's sent undercover to investigate the death of Ian Cresswell at the request of the man's uncle, the wealthy and influential Bernard Fairclough. The death has been ruled an accidental drowning, and nothing on the surface indicates otherwise. But when Lynley enlists the help of his friends Simon and Deborah St. James, the trio's digging soon reveals that the Fairclough clan is awash in secrets, lies, and motives. Deborah's investigation of the prime suspect-Bernard's prodigal son Nicholas, a recovering drug addict-leads her to Nicholas's wife, a woman with whom she feels a kinship, a woman as fiercely protective as she is beautiful. Lynley and Simon delve for information from the rest of the family, including the victim's bitter ex-wife and the man he left her for, and Bernard himself. As the investigation escalates, the Fairclough family's veneer cracks, with deception and self-delusion threatening to destroy everyone from the Fairclough patriarch to Tim, the troubled son Ian left behind.

It was published on Tuesday and has 624 pages. It's a big book. I wish Ms. George would realize we only really like Havers.

I'm glad tomorrow is Friday; I'm ready for the work week to be done.

Today is my brother's birthday: HAPPY ANNUAL EVENT!

Tomorrow my sister and brother in law are visiting from Wyoming so I probably won't be doing a post. I'll rush home from work, walk the dogs, and then head over to M&D's house for dinner.

Hamburgers and fries for dinner. Then reading newspaper and so forth.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

That's why I prefer brownies -- no evidence

I got my new Kindle today. With the money Steve gave me for Christmas, I decided to upgrade. I had the Kindle version 2 for two years. Version 3 is a little smaller and thinner and the screen a little sharper and can do the library books -- version 2 couldn't do those. Version 3 is a lot cheaper now too. I decided against a Kindle Fire because it is backlit like a computer which tires out the eyes and I wouldn't really use it for the movies and tv shows and music and not as much battery power so why waste the money. I want a device to read a lot of books on and that's it.

We were down another person again today but it was rather quiet so not a huge deal.

It was very cold today compared to the previous month. The high was in the 20s. This morning it was cold enough that even Ryker went into his igloo when we put the boys out. We were so happy.

I think I'm going to soak in the shower then read the paper and play with my Kindle.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Tuesday

Yeah, so, yesterday I took 88 inbound calls and made 30 outbound returned voice mails. No wonder I was cranky. Less busy today but had a residue of the crankies hang over.

I'm currently reading a novella by Zoe Archer called CHAIN REACTION. It is second in a space opera romantic series. Here's a description:

Elite 8th Wing pilot Celene Jur was taken captive after a mysterious device temporarily disabled her ship's controls. Three solar months later, when Celene receives intel on the man who built the device, she's ready to get the bastard. Only problem is, the higher-ups think her mission partner should be Nils Calder, a tech-head who can understand the disabling device. The attraction between them is electric, but Celene needs a soldier who can watch her back as she exacts her revenge. Nils knows his department is nicknamed NerdWorks. Pilots like Celene think the closest tech geeks come to combat is all-night Nifalian chess tournaments. But behind the NerdWorks insignia on his sleeve Nils is an able fighter, ready to prove himself and gain Celene's trust. The desire between them is unexpected, but with the fate of thousands hanging in the balance, the hotshot pilot and the tech genius must succeed in their mission—no matter the cost.

It was published yesterday for the Kindle only.

The Elizabeth George was released today so I'm watching the library account. Also a new historical possibly mystery released today called THE CROWN by Nancy Bilyear. Not listed at the library yet.

Going to have dinner, read, then bed.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Just bleah

I am absolutely spent. We were short a person today and the phones were crazy off the hook nonstop. I just don't want to talk to anyone anymore tonight.


I watched the two hour Season 2 of Downtown Abbey. Very glad it's back but the editing was irritating. It seemed they wanted to tell 4 hours of story in two so it felt like we were only getting part of the scenes, like skimming a novel, and not getting the full of it. It was choppy and unfulfilling in that way. And there are a couple new characters that we don't get any depth on so you know they're probably disposable (in fact, I do know how something turns out via the UK showing). I would imagine if one hadn't seen the first season, there was much lost in their viewing.

And the Steeler's season is done. It was not a happy thing in the Madsen house.

So I'll get dinner done tonight and read a bit and then turn in. Elizabeth George new book is released tomorrow. I have a hold on it at the library so we'll see how it takes.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Tonight!!! Snoopy dance!!

Watch Downton Abbey 2: The Critics Can't Stop Talking on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

One of these things doesn't belong here, one of these things just isn't the same...

Well, I didn't get a whole lot done today but I did get the Microsoft Office installation issue resolved so that is now on my new computer for $25. Woot! Did the usual cleaning and that's about it. Posted some articles to Facebook. I tried to nap but the boys wanted in and out too much.

We'll have taco salad tonight (num! haven't since before we were sick) and Steve will watch Cops. I may watch the debate. The dynamic will be different with just six of them now and Santorum will finally get some more air time than in all the previous ones. I may say I will stay away from it because I've seen it all before but I probably won't. I'm a junkie and this is primary season for the GOP.

I still have much to read, the weekend's WSJ and this week's Economist. Next week's issue will be here Monday or Tuesday and it will start all over again. :) The news, it's always happening. And I need to watch GBTV every weekday but that's a two-hour commitment. Oy.

You know it's strange. The things I've wanted to do, journalism, write, theatre, politics .... I'm more comfortable observing rather than participating. Reading/watching all the news sources and political goings-on, reading all the different books, etc. Yes, you can get inside info being involved but you can also get too narrow of a focus and miss other things and not be able to see and know of everything. Hmm. Life is strange.

Anyway, I'll see what I can get done tomorrow. BUT.... tomorrow evening is the beginning of Season 2 of my beloved Downton Abbey. I've been waiting and waiting! I'm so excited! It already showed in the UK so I kinda know some of the things that will happen but still...!!! If you haven't watched the first season, do so. It's Upstairs Downstairs type of story in 1912 England. Fabulous production values and performances.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

And probably racism too

I don't know in particular what it was about the calls today but around late morning I got cranky and it never really went away. I would come back from break in a better frame of mind and the next call would be over the top irrational. Examples:

• As of November 1st the hospital accounts were taken away from us and centralized in the Denver call center. We don't even have the program to look at the accounts. A man just would not let it go as I was trying to tell him this and he's getting mad at me for not helping him and wanting to talk to "management". It's like going to Taco Bell and ordering a Big Mac, it just can't happen as much as you would like to give good customer service.
• I had a lady go on and on about her situation and it turns out her issue was what she felt was a coding/insurance coverage problem for her physical therapy dates of service, one which I could not help with as a collector, but was explaining to her that, so she asked then why were we calling her. I stated a call probably went out regarding a balance of $50 on an earlier date of service, but she said no she wanted to discuss the coding issue with someone, as I was explaining to her that I was going to transfer her to the department who could help her get resolution about that, she spluttered frustration and hung up on me. I was that close to getting her to an answer and she hangs up.
• And then you have the 23 year old girl who said we needed to call her mom regarding her remaining balance because she pays everything.
• Or the angry 18-year-old boy who was irritated that he had call us to give permission to speak with his mom regarding his account. I was explaining about the federal HIPAA laws and being legally an adult when he said if he wasn't such a busy student he would march into the hospital management to complain and rung off. Glad to go home at the end of the day.

So this evening I watched some Say Yes to the Dress and read some blogs. My eyes are really tired, hot and itchy so I'm going to finish up and give them a rest.

I finished DEADLY ENGAGEMENT by Lucinda Brant. I'm not sure what to read next over the weekend but probably a nonfiction book. I haven't read the paper yet tonight. Oy, my eyes.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Of course. Everyone knows this.

Eek, running out of time this evening. I've been caught up in reading blogs and news. If you're wondering what all the controversy is about regarding the appointment Obama made yesterday, I researched it, and here's what I've learned: He has the constitutional right to make recess appointments as President, yes. What is illegal about his appointment of the director to the new department is that the department was being created as an independent one apart from the Treasury Department (where it was) by a statute that dictates that the appointment of its director CANNOT be done during a recess and MUST be approved by the Senate or else it doesn't become an independent department and any regulations they create are suspect and extremely open for dispute, lawsuits. Sorry, Obama, you can't play dictator here.

So I read the WSJ last night and it took pretty much 90% of my time, with 10% for reading my histymyst book. It's already 8:30, I still have the paper to read. And I've only just started this week's Economist. I need more time. Sigh.

Glad tomorrow is Frida It was a (probably record breaking) 64 degrees here in Montana in January. Balmy, nice, but oh so strange. Now it is incredibly windy again.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Wednesday. Just Wednesday.

Not much to report today other than a realization around noon of feeling "normal" for first time since getting ill. Woot!

I won't be lingering here -- I've got WSJ and The Economist to read and then maybe some fun reading.

I've been asked by a couple people today about my thoughts on the Iowa caucus results. They know I follow this. I'm glad Santorum did well; it keeps him in the race as someone with a true conservative record and excellent on foreign policy especially the middle east. He would be a good President. Bachmann is out; I don't think she was ultimately electable -- the US won't vote for a woman for President yet, nor even VP yet. What she needs to do is move to Montana and run for governor to get some executive experience under her belt. I wish Perry would have gone out as it looked like he was going to do but he stayed because Bachmann left. He may be a good governor of Texas but he is not national level material. Romney continues to hold steady and I still hate him but he is probably inevitable. Very telling that McCain endorsed him today. Huntsman is a non-entity. Gingrich is a progressive -- he's completely out in my book. Ron Paul is still a whack job and I wish to hell someone would convince him not to run as a third party which would ensure Obama's reelection. Sigh. I would say it is down to Santorum or Romney for me but then I don't get to decide these things. So for now.... and then there were six...

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Rabbits aren't the only ones who can be disgruntled

It was busy at work. Made it all day, but got major tired in the middle but a Tylenol helped and then at lunch break I closed my eyes for a bit in my vehicle.

Steve has a board meeting tonight; I'm going to read and then hit the hay probably early-ish as nothing is on TV for me.

I'm currently reading DEADLY ENGAGEMENT by Lucinda Brant. This is 1st of 3 I think featuring Alec Halsey in Georgian England. Here is a description:

It's 1763. Career diplomat Alec Halsey returns to London and the shocking news his estranged elder brother, the Earl of Delvin, has not only killed his friend in a duel but become engaged to the woman he had hoped to marry. To learn more about the suspect duel, Alec reluctantly attends a weekend house party to celebrate his brother's engagement. House guests get more than they bargained for when a lady's maid is murdered, the bride-to-be attacked, and a guest is shot dead. Alec uncovers a connection between these sinister acts and his brother's duel. He must also confront a cruel twist of fate that explains why his brother loathes him and will go to any lengths to discredit him in Polite Society.

I have it on my kindle. It's fluffy but entertaining.

The Iowa Caucus is today; and so it begins. I'm not watching anything about it. My only hope is that Santorum does well enough (top 3) in order to survive. I wish like hell that Ron Paul would not do well but he will, the whack job.

Have a good evening!

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Mmmm, I remember food....

Watched the Rose Bowl Parade. The best float was the one with the surfing dogs. :) Otherwise, we took it easy again today. I'm still experiencing digestion issues but I'm better than I was last week. Steve hasn't thrown up today. It was rather mild today so we opened some windows to try to blow out the germs!

Back to work tomorrow. Let's see if I remember how to do it.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Hello 2012

Cross-posted with 4MA: I read 77 books in 2011. This is better than the previous year but overall down from the norm. These are the books that I marked as "A" and in the order read:

• WHERE SHADOWS DANCE by CS Harris 6th of 6 in series featuring Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, an investigator in Regency England
• BODY IN THE THAMES by Susanna Gregory 6th of 6 in series featuring Thomas Chaloner, a spy in Restoration London
• BURY YOUR DEAD by Louise Penny 6th of 6 (at the time) in series featuring Armand Gamache, Chief Inspector of the Sûreté du Québec, in the village of Three Pines, in southern Quebec
• PROPHECY by SJ Parris 2nd of 2 in series featuring Giordano Bruno, a monk, philosopher, and astronomer on the run from the Roman Inquisition, serving as an agent for Queen Elizabeth I, in late 16th century England
• A KILLING FROST by Patricia Wynn 4th of 4 in series featuring Gideon St. Mars, a viscount who becomes the highwayman Blue Satan, and his friend Mrs. Kean, in early 18th century England
• FALLEN by Karin Slaughter 4th of 4 in series featuring Will Trent, an agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, in Atlanta OR 9th of 9 in series featuring Dr. Sara Linton, a pediatrician and coroner
• PRINCE by Rory Clements 3rd of 3 in series featuring John Shakespeare, an investigator and older brother of Will, in Elizabethan England
• THE HUNGER GAMES trilogy by Suzanne Collins (non-mystery but simply blew me away, stayed with me for days, couldn't read anything else for a while because it paled in comparison)
• A TRICK OF THE LIGHT by Louise Penny 7th of 7 in series featuring Armand Gamache, Chief Inspector of the Sûreté du Québec, in the village of Three Pines, in southern Quebec
• NEW YORK TO DALLAS by JD Robb 41st of 41 (if you count novellas) in series featuring Eve Dallas, a homicide lieutenant in futuristic New York City
• A PLAY OF HERESY by Margaret Frazer 7th of 7 in series featuring Joliffe, the member of traveling players and sometimes spy/agent in 15th century England
• LORD JOHN & THE PRIVATE MATTER by Diana Gabaldon 1st of 4 in series featuring Lord John Grey, a soldier and gentleman, in mid-18th century London

Disappointments:

• BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP by SJ Watson stand alone, over-hyped, the middle went on too long
• BETRAYAL OF TRUST by Susan Hill 6th of 6 in series featuring Simon Serrailler, a police Chief Inspector in Lafferton, England.

Top nonfiction:

• THE SECRET KNOWLEDGE by David Mamet

Yesterday was a setback for both Steve and I with this stupid flu. We both took it easy, ate what we could, watched the marathon of The Walking Dead and a smattering of Dog the Bounty Hunter and The Big Bang Theory. We turned out the lights before midnight but were still awake the fireworks went on and on and the dogs were restless. Oy.

And I am just flabbergasted that there is no Rose Bowl Parade this morning. What??? I understand it's Sunday and people would like to go to church and there are NFL games but come on!! Tomorrow??? Some people have to go to work tomorrow (I'm still optional). Who planned this? It's just wrong.

Apparently, my only other function this weekend is to open and close the door to the backyard for Coda and Ryker.

I still absolutely hate my haircut and wish I had the guts to call the salon. The owner is an acquaintance/friend.

Feeling better, I hope to accomplish some things and not let the day(s) go to waste. Again.

Much love and Happy 2012,
PK the Bookeemonster