PK the Bookeemonster

Terrible horrible no good very bad day

2012-01-27T16:51:00.001-08:00

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

2012-01-26T20:18:00.001-08:00

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

2012-01-25T20:29:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-24T19:31:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-23T19:39:00.000-08:00

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....

2012-01-22T11:27:00.001-08:00

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

2012-01-21T15:07:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-20T17:33:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-19T18:06:00.000-08:00

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.

2012-01-18T17:26:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-17T19:10:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-16T19:42:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-14T17:09:00.001-08:00

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!

2012-01-12T17:28:00.001-08:00

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

2012-01-11T18:49:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-10T17:29:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-09T17:20:00.001-08:00

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!!

2012-01-08T08:52:00.000-08:00

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...

2012-01-07T16:26:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-06T19:58:00.000-08:00

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.

2012-01-05T19:25:00.001-08:00

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.

2012-01-04T18:37:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-03T18:05:00.000-08:00

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....

2012-01-02T15:26:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-01T09:35:00.000-08:00

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

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T13:55:00.000-08:00

We is sick....

2011-12-30T13:44:00.000-08:00

Update: I am still experiencing the stomach flu but on the down side of the slope. Steve is just starting it -- pretty badly -- today. With him being diabetic, I've got to keep a close eye on him. We are a plague house. Stay away.

I did go to Walmart today to get some needed food and supplies. Also stopped by Petsmart for the dogs.

I think I'll be reading KILLING LINCOLN by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard. This is nonfiction. Here is a description:

One of the most dramatic stories in American history—how one gunshot changed the country forever. In the spring of 1865, the bloody saga of America's Civil War finally comes to an end after a series of increasingly harrowing battles. President Abraham Lincoln's generous terms for Robert E. Lee's surrender are devised to fulfill Lincoln's dream of healing a divided nation, with the former Confederates allowed to reintegrate into American society. But one man and his band of murderous accomplices, perhaps reaching into the highest ranks of the U.S. government, are not appeased.In the midst of the patriotic celebrations in Washington D.C., John Wilkes Booth—charismatic ladies' man and impenitent racist—murders Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre. A furious manhunt ensues and Booth immediately becomes the country's most wanted fugitive. Lafayette C. Baker, a smart but shifty New York detective and former Union spy, unravels the string of clues leading to Booth, while federal forces track his accomplices.

It was published in September and 336 pages. I also have 11 4MA digests to read. And newspapers, and blogs, and....

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Rock on

2011-12-29T10:34:00.001-08:00

Wednesday

2011-12-28T17:33:00.000-08:00

I've been out of commission since yesterday morning. Steve's mom was ill on Christmas when we went there for dinner. Apparently, she had the flu and not food poisoning because she was Typhoid Mary. I woke up yesterday at 5 with the stomach flu and have missed two days of work. I'm better this evening. Steve said he was feeling unwell yesterday but didn't get it as badly as I did and apparently Steve's sister and her daughter were ill yesterday too. I have no words for how angry I am. Ya know what? You're sick like that -- and she looked gawd-awful -- you tell people to stay away.

I'm still a little grumbly but definitely able to have some food now for the first time. And I don't foresee missing another day of work.

I read LORD JOHN AND THE PRIVATE MATTER by Diana Gabaldon. It is 1st of 4 in series featuring Lord John Grey, a soldier and gentleman, in mid-18th century London (a spin-off series from her OUTLANDER). I enjoyed it a lot, actually. I'm just about to finish ACCEPTABLE LOSSES by Anne Perry. This is 16th of 16 series featuring William Monk, an amnesiac police inspector, later a private detective, in Victorian London.

All right, off you go.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

It's over already?

2011-12-26T19:33:00.001-08:00

Somehow this weekend went extra fast; I just don't know what happened there. We relaxed today so that helped. We had Taco Bell for dinner and have been watching a marathon of Predators -- catching men who think they're meeting a 13-year old after chatting online with "her." Instead, they're meeting the Dateline investigative reporter and then the police.

So now I'm doing a quick peek at emails and news and will head for bed to figure out what I'm reading next. Still haven't focused in on that.

Back to work.... hi ho, hi ho.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Yeah, Santa's really lovin' this...

2011-12-25T21:54:00.000-08:00

It's almost 11. We had dinner at Steve's parents' house. Steve sister, daughter, and new boyfriend were visiting. Steve's mom was very ill with flu-like symptoms.

After dinner and cleaning up, Steve and I went to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie. I absolutely adore Robert Downey Jr. He and Jude Law have such fantastic chemistry together. I liked the movie a lot.

So now we're home and I'm checking emails and grabbing a bite to eat since we ate dinner so early (before 4:30) and I didn't have any popcorn at the movie.

One more day of freedom tomorrow so I plan to relax and enjoy. And do a little more laundry. And figure out what to read next. And work on my computer.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

2011-12-24T13:44:00.000-08:00

The dogs let me sleep until 8 this morning...a Christmas miracle! It looks like Coda got zapped by the electric wire yesterday because he wouldn't even go out on the deck. Had to drag him out there. Don't know if it has passed yet. Oy.

I spent the morning doing the usual Saturday chores, laundry, vacuuming, etc. Which is good thing because Steve's cousin Brad and his wife Crystal stopped by. They are really good people, so sweet. They actually gave us Christmas presents. Amazing and thoughtful. We did the same for them. Brad is like a little brother to Steve.

Steve went out to run some errands ... Christmas shopping, of course. Doh! Steve and Brad are now downstairs admiring guns and computer games. I'm making Chex mix and tracking Santa online.

We'll head over to M&D's sometime after 5 for dinner and good company.

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

That is why I love dogs

2011-12-23T20:44:00.000-08:00

The good: Boss let us go at 3:00 today because it was pretty slow all day. Woot!

The bad: the dogs got out this morning. Luckily a neighbor girl, Avery, spotted them, told her grandma Sherry, who called Steve. Steve was able to leave work and found them up near the field next to the subdivision north of us. A perimeter walk revealed a new hole at the fence line. We've turned the electric wire back on.

The good: Three day weekend! The bad: the boys will get me up early every day, i.e. the crack of dawn, to go for a run. The good: I finished all my Christmas shopping

The bad: one item hasn't arrived yet. But it's not a deal breaker. If it doesn't get here tomorrow it will be a birthday present in May or something.

The good: work offered the Microsoft Professional Plus suite for $25 (retails for $499.99).

The bad: I didn't want to spend anymore money but I needed this really really badly for my new computer and I couldn't pass up such a great deal.

Always good: Don't forget to track Santa's progress (starts in about 2 hours!) at http://www.noradsanta.org/en/

I'm going to finish up here then go to bed to read for a little bit.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

2011-12-22T20:07:00.000-08:00

Just one more thing to come in the mail and I am done. It had better get there.

I've started a second book, THE STRANGERS ON MONTAGU STREET by Karen White. This is the 3rd in the Tradd Street series (non-mystery). Here is a description:

Psychic realtor Melanie Middleton is still restoring her Charleston house and doesn't expect to have a new houseguest, a teen girl named Nola. But the girl didn't come alone, and the spirits that accompanied Nola don't seem willing to leave...

It was just published in November and 352 pages. This is on my Kindle.

I am so ready for a three-day weekend. One more day to go. OMG.

On www.theblaze.com is a clip of a 59-year-old woman making an amazing, impossible hockey shot to win a truck. Go take a look. http://www.theblaze.com/stories/see-the-amazing-hockey-shot-that-won-a-59-year-old-woman-a-new-truck-christmas-miracle-on-ice/

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

The truth hurts...

2011-12-21T18:38:00.000-08:00

It didn't snow last night. We're getting some this evening now. Doesn't break my heart if we don't get a lot of snow this winter.

Not much to report, really. Apparently Doughhead Christmas-secret-spiller texted Steve a lot today to say he's sorry. Notice he didn't send any to me (he has my cell phone number, it was in the message). Still angry, me? Yeah. Yup. Still there.

I got my new Despair (a.k.a Non-motivational) Calendar for 2012 from ThinkGeek today. I've not gone through it yet. Makes me happy. I won't be getting any others, unlike last year when I got some book related ones. I could actually recycle those as I only have them for the pictures and not the dates and it's been 12 months since I've seen the beginning of the year ones. :)

The week is seeming long again a work and tomorrow we'll be short handed as Joel won't be in. His 4-year-old daughter's daycare is closed during this week and next - how convenient for parents, eh -- and the drop in daycare is more expensive so he's staying home tomorrow to save money in that area. I don't think he appreciated when I pointed out that's why I have dogs -- put them outside in the morning and it's good all day!

I'm feeling a bit chilly. I think I'll take a soak in the shower and then read. Maybe I could wrap a present while Steve is gone....

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Santa is vexed. Terribly vexed.

2011-12-20T19:41:00.000-08:00

Oy. Men just irritate me. I had a DVD as part of a gift for Steve -- Cowboys & Aliens -- but I let him watch it this past weekend. So I had to come up with Plan B to fill in the gap in the gift package. I scoured the PC games on Amazon and found something I think he might like and I don't think he had but I wanted to be sure. So I (stupidly in retrospect) called a gaming friend of his, Jason. Jason hosts the gaming nights that Steve sometimes participates in and is the computer guy who upgraded Steve's computer. Jason wasn't in his shop so I left a message with his employee Paul to call me on my cell phone and left the phone number and my name. I suppose you can see where this went. Jason gets the message but FREAKIN' CALLS STEVE and asks him so you're interested in Blah Blah game, eh? Steve said no. Jason said well I got a message here and to call . The light dawns for Steve and says man, you're in trouble that's my wife's phone is her name there? Just these two letters a P space K at the top of the note. Steve says I think that was a Christmas present. Jason starts to say I gotta go. By this time I've come home from walking the dogs and Steve says here you want to talk to her? I knew immediately who it was and what happened and I was so FLIPPING MAD!!!!! I have never really made a shit list before but I have one now and Jason is on it. So I cancelled the order because I had gone ahead and gotten the game anyway without hearing from Mr. Doughhead previously. So I had to come up with Plan C. I think I have finally hit upon something about five minutes ago and it is cheaper even with shipping by Friday; it won't fit nicely into one box like I had planned but it will work and he'll love it. He'd better love it. I HATE IDIOT MEN!!

At work I helped my male co-worker figure out what to get his wife for Christmas. Sounds like she's a real peach ... the guy was terrified to get something she might not like. We may have come up with some gift from Scentsy, at least a gift card at this late date.

Why are people so difficult? I'm the easiest. A gift card for books at Amazon or B&N and I'm in absolute heaven.

I wish it were Friday already. (sigh) We're supposed to get snow starting tonight, possibly six inches. Not. In. The. Mood.

Anyhoo, I'm going to finish up here and read for a little and head for bed.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

No, I think I'll just go to bed

2011-12-19T17:19:00.000-08:00

I'm currently reading RATCATCHER by James McGee. This is 1st of 5 in series featuring Bow Street Runner Matthew Hawkwood. Here is a description:

Hunting down highwaymen was not the usual preserve of a Bow Street Runner. As the most resourceful of this elite band of investigators, Matthew Hawkwood was surprised to be assigned the case - even if it did involve the murder and mutilation of a naval courier. From the squalor of St Giles Rookery, London's notorious den of theives and cutthroats, to the palatial homes of the aristocracy where knights of the realm conduct themselves in a manner unbecoming to their rank, Hawkwood relentlessly pursues his quarry. And as the case unfolds, and another body is discovered, the true agenda behind the robbery begins to emerge: the stolen naval dispatch pouch held details of a French plot that, if successful, will send the Royal Navy's entire fleet scurrying to port in terror, leaving Napoleon to rule the waves. With no way of knowing who can be trusted, Hawkwood must engage in a desperate race against time to prevent the successful execution of the Emperor's plot.

It was published in 2006 and has 416 pages. Weird day. The phone program was wonky and then down for a while on a Monday of all days. Then this afternoon I had some kind of weird allergic reaction to my left eye -- not the eyeball but like puffiness underneath. So I took a couple Benedryl and it's better but I'm tired/loopy.

I picked up Papa Murphy's calzones for dinner tonight because the Steelers are playing. I don't think I'll be awake for it all, ya think? A little headachy too but that's probably the Benedryl. I'm going to read a little news before dinner so I'm going to wrap it up now.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Pre-Monday

2011-12-18T14:45:00.000-08:00

We watched Cowboys & Aliens DVD last night. This stars Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford, set in the old West, truly, but then aliens attack. It was very well done, directed by Jon Favreau of Iron Man fame and executive produced by Steven Spielberg. I just can get my brain around the mash up of the two genres. Somebody thought of the idea and sold it to producers and everyone said "Yeah, damn fine idea!". Just .... strange concept but few flaws.

I've been mostly relaxing today, other than laundry and some vacuuming. I was going to make bread but decided today wasn't the day. You have to FEEL it in order to commit to the time and effort of it.

I finished the Grabien book last night so now I'm searching around for what to read next. Not sure yet.

It is the start of another week tomorrow. Ah well. Have a lovely evening, everyone.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Oh da boo boo...I want in on the hug too

2011-12-17T16:04:00.001-08:00

Ahhh, it is so nice to not have to be anywhere or talk to anyone if you don't want to..... Yeah, typical Saturday, took the boys for a run at 7:30. Read some news and so forth. I dropped off a thank you gift to Tom and his wife -- Tom is the man who keeps the snow off our driveway and the street. We love him, myself in particular, because otherwise I would be shoveling as Steve is apparently allergic to it. :) I had to get dog food and picked up a couple blinky things for their collars when out after dark (like our weekday walks). I got a prescription for Steve and then a couple groceries at Albertsons. It was mid-afternoon by then and I was knackered so I napped. I love naps. Did the usual Saturday laundry and vacuumed upstairs. More tomorrow.

I'm not sure what to do for dinner. Steve may be going to a game night tonight. If he goes I'll probably read or do the annual watching of Love Actually. If he stays, we'll probably veg in front of the TV.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

TGIF

2011-12-16T19:34:00.000-08:00

Yes, every one wishes for that....

2011-12-15T20:22:00.000-08:00

Coworker back so much nicer today at work. I took 71 calls yesterday. No wonder I was beat. Glad, so glad, tomorrow is Friday.

Watched the debate tonight. It was nice to have taken a break so I could appreciate it again, however, I could predict what some answers would be as they've been asked a million times before and they have a stock answer now. I'll say it again, Ron Paul is a dangerous whack job.

Okay. Gotta go, it's almost 9:30 and I want to read a few pages of my book.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

2011-12-14T17:21:00.000-08:00

Yep, coworker out sick again today. Yep, other coworker left for two hours during the day for his daughter's Christmas pageant so I was alone. Yep, ready for the week to be frickin' over. I'm just done.

Started to read the Tasha Alexander last night but tonight this will be interrupted by an inter-library loan book, LONDON CALLING by Deborah Grabien. This is 3rd of 5 in series featuring John “JP” Kincaid, a member of Blacklight, a legendary British rock group. This is mystery light, in that perhaps it is categorized as mystery but the solving of a crime is incidental. The world of the aging rocker in a rock band is the focus. But I liked the first two books. Here is a description:

Newlywed superstar guitarist JP Kinkaid and his wife, Bree, head off to London for their honeymoon. The trip should be idyllic: take care of personal business in London, record a few songs, relax. Their honeymoon gets sidetracked when legendary director Sir Cedric Parmeley enters his 25-year-old rockumentary Playing in the Dark into competition at the Cannes Film Festival, and asks Blacklight to perform a free show at Frejus, near Cannes, to support it. But the film Parmeley screens the night before the Festival opens is not the film the band approved. In that ninety minutes of footage is evidence of an old hate crime, the only kind for which there's no statute of limitations. The men who perpetrated that crime have been hiding in plain sight in beautiful Provence. Their leader is a revenant from Homicide Lieutenant Patrick Ormand's past. And Ormand will stop at nothing to take him down--even if it means putting the band in the crosshairs of a sniper's scope on the red carpet at Cannes.

It was published in 2010 and has 267 pages.

So I've been posting articles to Facebook per usual and one commenter seemed to be wanting to start an argument. I think I've shut it down (she was attacking the source of the article so I provided version another from a different source). The source isn't the issue - the situation in the article always is. I won't back down from debates on Facebook so I will go all day -- until I feel the person has gone complete pointless and stupid then you just have to walk away shaking your head.

I got caught up in watching a show on tv tonight, Brad Meltzer's Decoded. The episode was about Mount Rushmore. Did you know why those presidents were chosen? (Washington, Jefferson, T. Roosevelt, and Lincoln)? Because when the monument was being formed, the idea of American Expansionism was the big thought. So Washington of course for the first president of a new nation, Jefferson for the Louisiana Purchase (not the Declaration), Roosevelt for the Panama Canal, and Lincoln for keeping the country together. And the creator was a member of the KKK. And there is a Hall of Records behind the faces so everyone will know who created such a marvelous thing and why thousands of years from now. (the man had an ego the size of Rushmore). Before that episode was one about Fort Knox -- and that there may not be gold there anymore but the security has been beefed up since 2001 so what's there? Hmmm?

Okay. I'm hearing Steve is home from shooting so time to wrap up.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

2011-12-13T19:16:00.000-08:00

An early Christmas present today: one of my student loan payments isn't going to be done this month. Therefore I was able to get groceries today. Woot! So I went to Walmart after work .... bah! Ah well. It was very much needing to be done.

I finished the Frazer. Not sure what to read next; there is the Tasha Alexander or the MURDER YOUR DARLINGS with Dorothy Parker as sleuth. Both are library books; one is a 14-day book. Maybe I'll decide tonight after catching up on news online.

Sick coworker was at work for a little under an hour and then went home. Hope she didn't spread the germs because it sounded like a yucky flu. So of course we were major busy the rest of the day. She really did need to go home, she looked like she felt awful. We should have Lysol'd her cubicle. :)

Yeah, so, I'm tired and probably won't last long before turning out the lights. 'Tis always the way despite good intentions. Off you go...

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Monday

2011-12-12T17:26:00.001-08:00

Busy day at work. Coworker called in again and Mondays are always monstrous. Had the usual angries but also a somewhat suicidal. Oh boy. More than ready for the day to be over.

It snowed very slightly this afternoon, just a dusting out there but cold.

Tonight, we'll had dinner then I'll finish the Frazer book (always love her worlds). Probably try to take up with the Tasha Alexander again after that. Just keeping cozy until bedtime.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

No, I think they just can't get out...

2011-12-11T13:57:00.000-08:00

2011-12-10T12:44:00.001-08:00

About to start A PLAY OF HERESY by Margaret Frazer. This is 7th of 7 in series featuring Joliffe, member of a troupe of traveling players, and sometime spy in 15th century England. Here is a summary:

While performing in the theatrical and religious festival of Corpus Christi Day in Coventry, Joliffe is summoned by Bishop Beaufort to use his skills as a spy to uncover the mysteries of the town's elite. A merchant has gone missing, presumed dead-and members of Joliffe's company are implicated in the crime. To uncover the truth, Joliffe must unravel the devilish machinations of a secret sect of heretics bent on destroying the Church.

It was published this week and has 304 pages. Coffee with Tami was lovely. Afterward, we then looked around the bookstore, mostly at the puzzles and games and bargain stuff. She isn't a reader so she left before I did. I needed a deeper look at books. But I was a good girl: I only got a gift for an upcoming birthday from the bargain books. Though I have to confess, I initially wanted EVERYTHING.

After that I went to M&D's to pick up the Joliffe book and to rummage through the boxes of books I had there. I was looking for my Katherine Kurtz books but only found some, not all. Wound up taking a few boxes out of their house -- a lot of kid-hood books like the Hardy Boys, Old Mother West Wind, Anne of Green Gables, and the like. Dad is happy. I need to figure out where to put them because I don't have anymore room in bookcase nor room for more bookcases themselves.

Got home, showered again because I was all dusty from the rummaging and had some Progresso soup for lunch. I've got some laundry going but still need to vacuum. That may be next. Or a nap.

Steve is out working on a door project. I missed the full moon this morning. I was so pleased with the boys not pawing at me I didn't get up until 10 after 7 though I had been awake for maybe a half hour. :)

Tonight, Cops is on TV and then maybe we'll watch another Homeland episode or start the Justified series. Playing it by ear.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Creepy music playing doesn't help either....(I didn't see 3rd one until later)

2011-12-09T20:22:00.000-08:00

I have to remember this because I think I said it the last time I read a Susan Hill "mystery". I need to stop reading them. This one seemed almost like a mystery at times but then turned into a big disappointment. I won't elaborate. I must remember not to read the next one.

So maybe I'll wait for the Joliffe or start the new Zoe Archer or the 14-day Tasha Alexander from the library. I tried the Arsenault, IN SEARCH OF THE ROSE NOTES, also from the library and it just didn't click with me. The idea seemed good but something in the execution of it in the first few pages didn't impel me to spend any more time with it.

I'm meeting Tami tomorrow morning at B&N for coffee. That will be most excellent; it's been a month since I've seen her and that time wasn't conducive for really talking. Otherwise the weekend will be uneventful but usual. I'm glad it is the weekend at last.

Not much else to report. Work was the typical busy Friday. I took the boys for a run in the field and will have to do it again in the morning.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Not-Friday-yet-day

2011-12-08T19:35:00.001-08:00

Not a long post tonight. I've been having a battle of words on Facebook over the use of "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. There is controversy at the University of Connecticut because the Pledge is said before sports events and some .... people.... object. I had posted the article on Facebook and a couple friends have decided to debate the issue with me. While I don't mind discussions like this, I also dislike conflict to my core. I don't understand why it only takes one or two bullies who want to practice censorship on the majority ever gets power. Someone once said in a year we won't recognize our own country. I don't recognize it now. I'm afraid of what it will be next year.

And I'm sure someone will post a comment about the Muslims and how the US is against their beliefs. I vehemently disagree. It isn't Muslims -- it's extremists who use the beliefs of the Koran to justify the extermination of people who live and believe differently. I'm sure I'll have to go into that when the time comes to those who can't see beyond the sound bites fed to them by their keepers. Useful idiots, is the historical term. Look it up.

To end on a happier note, go look at this advent calendar: http://www.houseoftheorangemonkey.co.uk/advent/advent2011. Of course, each day a new block of images is revealed.

And I'm spent. I'm going to finish up here and go read in bed.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

I got nuthin', so here's a shiny happy picture....

2011-12-07T18:48:00.000-08:00

One small step for... okay, it's a big step....

2011-12-06T18:50:00.000-08:00

So when did books get so freakin’ expensive? I bought two paperback trade-sized today, and even with my 10% B&N discount, I still paid over $25. They’ve always said that publishers get a small margin on the books they sell but really? With paperback trades going for $15 a piece? And they wonder that the bookstores are going out of business and people just aren’t buying books like they used to. No wonder a lot of the book addicts I know say they don’t buy books; they go to the library or used bookstores. I am simply shocked. I had to check my receipt to see if I was being scammed. And this is just pushing people to go digital with either Kindles or Nooks or whathaveyou. And I suppose one can get cheaper there but probably not by much.

Steve has a board meeting, I am reading news and blogs and then will read the Hill book.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Monday, lovely Monday

2011-12-05T19:08:00.000-08:00

I'm about to start THE BETRAYAL OF TRUST by Susan Hill. This is 6th of 6 in series featuring Simon Serrailler, a police Chief Inspector in Lafferton, England. Here is a description:

Freak weather and flash floods have hit southern England. The small cathedral town of Lafferton is underwater, and a landslip on the moor has closed the roads. As the rain slowly drains away, a shallow grave--and a skeleton--are exposed; twenty years on, the remains of missing teenager Joanne Lowther have finally been uncovered. The case is reopened and Simon Serrailler is called in as Senior Investigating Officer. Joanne, an only child, had been on her way home from a friend's house that night. She was the daughter of a prominent local businessman, and her mother had killed herself two years after she disappeared, unable to cope.

It was published in the US in November and has 368 pages. This is a 14-day library book. I finished THE DROP by Michael Connelly yesterday. It was all right, better than some recent ones. There is one thing the author does that completely irks me: whenever anyone address Bosch, they always say his name, Harry. In real conversation I don't believe it happens as frequently. If one were to have a drinking game based on this... one would be passed out before a couple chapters were done.

I've got three 14-day books today from the library, the Hill, going to try the Tasha Alexander again, and stand alone by Emily Arsenault. So we'll see. The conflict is that there is a new Joliffe out tomorrow and I will get it at lunch.

All right, off you go.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Monty Python reference

2011-12-04T15:57:00.000-08:00

Da dum....... Da dum......

2011-12-03T11:52:00.000-08:00

Ah, the library beckoned. I'm about to start THE DROP by Michael Connelly. This is 17th of 17 in series featuring Harry Bosch, a homicide detective in Los Angeles. Here is a description:

Harry Bosch has been given three years before he must retire from the LAPD, and he wants cases more fiercely than ever. In one morning, he gets two. DNA from a 1989 rape and murder matches a 29-year-old convicted rapist. Was he an eight-year-old killer or has something gone terribly wrong in the new Regional Crime Lab? The latter possibility could compromise all of the lab’s DNA cases currently in court. Then Bosch and his partner are called to a death scene fraught with internal politics. Councilman Irvin Irving’s son jumped or was pushed from a window at the Chateau Marmont. Irving, Bosch’s longtime nemesis, has demanded that Harry handle the investigation. Relentlessly pursuing both cases, Bosch makes two chilling discoveries: a killer operating unknown in the city for as many as three decades, and a political conspiracy that goes back into the dark history of the police department.

It was published October 29th and has 400 pages.

Well, Herman Cain has dropped out of the presidential race. They got to him. I don't know if he would have made it all the way, his foreign affairs knowledge was lacking and his campaign probably not ready for the big leagues. Santorum still has the conservative chops I like but he just can't break to the top. I think it may come down to hold your nose and vote GOP again whoever it is when it comes next November. Anybody but Obama.

It's a nice Saturday. While taking the boys for a fun in a field, I saw and heard a hawk in the early morning light. Went to the library to pick up two holds. Steve is doing a little recycling. I'm getting bedding and towels done and vacuuming. We're having taco salad for dinner. There's a nap in my future. Life is good.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

2011-12-02T17:29:00.000-08:00

TGIF

Here were are in December. I'm looking forward to just two books in this month. In other releases, there are authors I read but I'm perhaps behind in the series and therefore not ready for the new books.

A PLAY OF HERESY by Margaret Frazer. This is 7th of 7 in series featuring Joliffe, a player in a group of traveling players, and sometime agent, in 15th century England.

and

THE COCOA CONSPIRACY by Andrea Penrose This is 2nd of 2 in series featuring Lady Arianna Hadley in 1813 London

They both come out this Tuesday, the 6th. I'm still waiting for a handful of books from the library: Susan Hill, Michael Connelly, etc.

Steve is off helping coach a gun class tonight, a little unexpectedly, so he brought home sandwiches from Pickle Barrel. I had planned to do taco salad but will now have that tomorrow evening.

No plans really for the weekend. The only errand I needed to do was to get dog food for the boys but I picked it up at Petsmart on the way home tonight. The store is smack dab in the middle of shopping madness so I wasn't going to go there tomorrow.

So tonight, I'm going to read some emails and news and then read. I'm so very glad it's the weekend.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Look, we have the ENTIRE FIELD to stand in ... !

2011-12-01T17:34:00.000-08:00

Getting closer to Friday.

I think any snow that might have fallen last night, blew away. Just a skiff on the ground.

I'm sorry, not much to report tonight. Dinner soon, reading commences at 8. Bed at 10. Oh boy.

I hope I can find a good picture for you so you're not wasting your time here tonight. :)

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Alternate captions:

All right, no more scary movies at bedtime.
Group photo!
The grass is safe, I promise.
Pyramid!
No, you did not call dibs....
Who can jump over five?? Oops, guess not.
Invisible telephone booth

2011-11-30T19:06:00.000-08:00

Man is it sounding nasty out there -- the wind is just howling. No snow yet but awful awful wind.

Work was work. Walked the dogs quickly, had dinner and then got caught up on a Star Trek documentary on the science channel. The angle was the son of creator Gene Roddenberry learning to appreciate what his father had done. Growing up, he did not like the show and as his dad was gone a lot making the show, Roddenberry wasn't a good father. I've always loved Star Trek, from the repeats of the original (so in love with Kirk), the tie-in novels, the Next Gen, and even the new movie. I wish I could convey how I get goosebumps when I hear the opening music.

So now it's 8:00, I've not really read the news and at this point I'd like to soak in the hot shower because the wind makes me cold and then finish my book because I'm ] [ that close to finishing it. Moby is fixed. It was something about a "grounding". I dunno.

The inside of the sliding glass door is done (other than staining) but the outside still needs framing but that is just cosmetic. Oh, I'm wrong, it is snowing out but not much accumulation. Brrr.

You know, I'm a strange person. I don't really like sweet things for breakfast other than my tea. I've had to have oatmeal for breakfast this week. Screw it. I'm making macaroni. I'm out of rice and can't get groceries until Friday so I'm having buttered macaroni.

Sounds like Steve is home from shooting. Time to wrap up.

Stay warm and cozy, everyone.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

I couldn't just leave that picture there...just look at their faces! Just try putting something else up... you can't do it, can you...

2011-11-29T17:21:00.000-08:00

Tuesday. Not Friday yet. Bah.

I got home from work, changed clothes, threw the dogs in the vehicle, it made one second of good noise and then .... dead again. Steve I think has it going now but we're having it looked at tomorrow. The dogs, however, would NOT GET OUT OF THE FRICKIN' CAR. I finally left them there. I went back several minutes later and they were still sitting in the car in the dark garage. I had to plead with them to get out with summer sausage and even then it was touch and go. Oy. Steve just took them for a walk around the block.

We're getting a new french door to the back. A construction guy owed Steve and in payment had this new french door so they're putting it in. It's not done quite yet. Needs framing and handles and so forth. It's heavier for sure but needs to be stained. It opens and closes really easy and smooth. Steve said when the door was closed during the install he couldn't hear the laborers' radio. Nice.

Don't know what to do for dinner tonight. Kinda tired of turkey. :)

Hey, Obama's job approval numbers has fallen below Carter's! Not surprising and probably not the wake up call some people need.....

I plan to read and relax tonight. I wish I had more ambition in the evenings but I'm tired, tired of people, and just need "me" time.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Oh yeah

2011-11-28T17:15:00.000-08:00

I'm currently reading THE MANOR OF DEATH by Bernard Knight. This is 12th of 14 in series featuring Sir John de Wolfe, the crowner (coroner), in 12th century Devon, England. Here is a summary:

When an unidentified body is discovered in the harbor town of Axmouth, the county coroner Sir John de Wolfe is summoned to investigate. The manner of the young man's death is a matter of some dispute, but it was clearly no accident. In the ensuing murder investigation, Sir John is frustrated by what appears to be a conspiracy of silence among the seamen and townsfolk. There are many inhabitants of Axmouth who seem willing to go to extreme lengths to ensure that the shocking truth behind the death remains hidden. Sir John will need courage, cunning, and determination if he is to solve the case and escape from the town with his life.

It was published in 2008 and has 368. Blechy Monday. Glad it's over. Much love, PK the Bookeemonster

Bring it on

2011-11-27T15:54:00.000-08:00

Easy

2011-11-26T08:05:00.001-08:00

Saturday morning. I've been up for a couple hours. Took the dogs for a run in the field, dropped off Brad's hat that fell out of his truck when he was here Thursday. Breakfast done, reading the news and blogs online. I don't really have anything planned. If it weren't the weekend after Thanksgiving and all the madness out there in retail, this would have been a great day for coffee at Barnes and Noble with my friend. But I'm not venturing down that way.

I will do bedding and towels laundry. I believe there is a nap or two in my future today. No clue what to do for dinner as we wound up having turkey last night.

I finished A BURIAL AT SEA by Charles Finch last night. Next up could be THE COMPLAINTS by Ian Rankin which is a 14-day book from the library. We'll see if it hits my mood.

The sun is shining but it looks to be still windy. I don't know what Steve will be doing today he mentioned he might go shooting with someone or go to a gun show but only if he is asked. I think he'd druther stay home today too.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Yes, the boys would love it -- no, I won't do it

2011-11-25T15:52:00.000-08:00

I worked until 3, no breaks. Phones were steady. There were only two of us in the collection dept there. Uff da.

Then I walked the dogs -- majorly windy out. The good news is we don't have to be in the Christmas parade tonight. Woot!

Thanksgiving went well. The only hiccup was a bag of potatoes -- new from Walmart and previously unopened -- that were all bad. But I called the parents and they were able to rescue me. Dinner was good, I think. Plenty of food -- in fact I forgot I was going to do green beans for those that don't like creamed corn (most normal people) and completely forgot them in the microwave. We watched football then the rest of the day (Cowboys won!). I was tired by bedtime; wasn't able to take a nap.

Tonight and the rest of the weekend, I'm totally relaxing. The house is in good shape -- excellent shape, really -- so the only chores I have to do is laundry.

We have leftovers of course to eat not only from Thanksgiving but from the sausage/potato casserole I made earlier in the week, however, after a turkey bun snack for dinner last night and a turkey sandwich for lunch I'm not in the mood for any leftovers. Steve may be bringing Taco Bell or something. :)

All right, off you go. I have much reading to do. Have a good evening!

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T09:59:00.000-08:00

Did you know that the first [Plymouth Colony Pilgrim's] Thanksgiving was a celebration of the triumph of private property and individual initiative?

William Bradford was the governor of the original Pilgrim colony, founded at Plymouth in 1621. The colony was first organized on a communal basis, as their financiers required. Land was owned in common. The Pilgrims farmed communally, too, following the "from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs" precept.

The results were disastrous. Communism didn't work any better 400 years ago than it does today. By 1623, the colony had suffered serious losses. Starvation was imminent.

Bradford realized that the communal system encouraged and rewarded waste and laziness and inefficiency, and destroyed individual initiative. Desperate, he abolished it. He distributed private plots of land among the surviving Pilgrims, encouraging them to plant early and farm as individuals, not collectively.

The results: a bountiful early harvest that saved the colonies. After the harvest, the Pilgrims celebrated with a day of Thanksgiving -- on August 9th.

Unfortunately, William Bradford's diaries -- in which he recorded the failure of the collectivist system and the triumph of private enterprise -- were lost for many years. When Thanksgiving was later made a national holiday, the present November date was chosen. And the lesson the Pilgrims so painfully learned was, alas, not made a part of the holiday.

Happily, Bradford's diaries were later rediscovered. They're available today in paperback. They tell the real story of Thanksgiving -- how private property and individual initiative saved the Pilgrims.

This Thanksgiving season, one of the many things I'm thankful for is our free market system (imperfectly realized as it is). And I'm also grateful that there are increasing numbers of Americans who are learning the importance of free markets, and who are working to replace government coercion with marketplace cooperation here in America and around the world.

Paul Schmidt

There's always room for one more

2011-11-23T18:48:00.001-08:00

And so the holiday begins. I've got homemade apple crisp going in the oven right now as an alternative to pumpkin pie for dessert tomorrow. I hate pumpkin. And I felt like making apple crisp. After that I plan to make some Chex mix though the bowl I usually put it in may be needed tomorrow in the making of the stuffing... think think think....

Work was tolerable. Actually, the calls were making me cranky but I went to my happy place -- the library -- and felt better afterward.

Tomorrow I intend dinner to be between 12 and 1. Cowboys play at 2, I think. I'll walk the dogs per usual early and then probably get the turkey and crockpot stuffing going around 8:30 or 9.

I had a textbook to return to Amazon today. I had ordered it in case I got the job that I didn't. So I arranged to return it and have UPS pick it up on our doorstep. I left it on the doorstep right before leaving for work this morning. I then get a text from Steve that an Amazon box had been left on our doorstep and he had it. Argh! After a couple texts back and forth he returned it and as far as I know it is a done deal. Steve scolded me and said there needed to be a little better communication. I DID NOT say, it was fine until you got in the middle of it. Peace in the family, my motto.

I may not get a chance to post tomorrow: Have a very happy Thanksgiving.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Yeah, not feeling the love....

2011-11-22T19:31:00.000-08:00

Another day to x off the calendar. Busy at work, coworker gone again. Got a free turkey from the hospital. Walked the dogs. Had hamburgers for dinner. Didn't watch the debate tonight. Didn't get the job for which I interviewed on my birthday. Gotta do some reading and then head for bed so we can do it all over again tomorrow.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

No, that's more like today

2011-11-21T18:30:00.000-08:00

Very tired and a slight headache. One of the collectors called in sick today so there were two of us answering the phones which is difficult on a Monday, our busiest day. Then my coworker disappeared for over an hour in the afternoon chatting with the boss so you can't say anything. Just tired.

So I walked the dogs, did dinner and just got the dishwasher going. I would like to read but frankly, I may not. Steve is across the street working on a garage door.

You know, it wasn't too long ago we were shaking our heads saying someday stores will be open on Thanksgiving. That day it today. Best Buy is open at 10pm. That's just wrong. Even worse was a story on the news this morning that some guy has been camping out "in line" at Best Buy since last Monday so he can be "first." That is someone who truly does not understand what the holidays are about. Other stores are open at midnight. Some days, I wish "civilization" would get wiped out so we start all over. I'm to the point of of saying no more presents for anyone and I don't want any for myself. Just stop and really think about it.

No news yet about the job but I was asked to do some more recordings for the phones for the clinics. I did North Shiloh last week. I guess they like my voice.

Not to end on a bah humbug note, but I'm going to clean up some emails and then relax.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Sunday

2011-11-20T12:00:00.000-08:00

The day didn't start well. I took the boys for a walk at 7, up at the field. Got back to the SUV and it was dead again, the first time since the incident on my birthday. I had to walk the boys back but I thought I'd be nice and keep them off leash while we went down the alley. Ryker ran off and wouldn't come back for a while. Grrr. Got home, got Steve up, got the car started. I took a shower, had breakfast and then took a nap because I was just tired.

Trudging along with the cleaning again today. I've got the table cleared off, the floor swept and mopped. I'm cleaning the oven -- making it hot in here -- and I've got laundry going. Next up is the bathroom.

Tonight I'm going to make sausage/hashbrown casserole. Steve likes it and he perked up at the mention of it; he's running and errand now and will pick up the frozen hashbrowns for me. He liked the KFC knockoff potato bowl I did last night so I'll add that to the rotation.

I finished BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP by SJ Watson last night. I'm left with an unsatisfied feeling. I see where people liked it because of the "twist" or whatever you want to call it. But the end just ... stops. There's resolution but there isn't.

I'm currently reading A BURIAL AT SEA by Charles Finch. This is 5th of 5 in series featuring Charles Lenox, a gentleman sleuth, in Victorian London. Here is a description:

1873 is a perilous time in the relationship between France and England. When a string of English spies is found dead on French soil, the threat of all-out war prompts government officials to ask Charles Lenox to visit the newly-dug Suez Canal on a secret mission. Once he is on board the Lucy, however, Lenox finds himself using not his new skills of diplomacy but his old ones: the ship’s second lieutenant is found dead on the voyage’s first night, his body cruelly abused. The ship’s captain begs the temporarily retired detective to join in the hunt for a criminal. Lenox finds the trail, but in the claustrophobic atmosphere on board, where nobody can come or go and everyone is a suspect, he has to race against the next crime—and also hope he won’t be the victim.

It was published this month and has 320 pages. This is a library book.

All right, lunch, and then back to it. The afternoon is fleeting...

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

I truly do this all the time. My entire life.

2011-11-19T16:53:00.000-08:00

Been busy today cleaning though I was able to get a nap in at one point. Yesterday after work I had to get groceries at Walmart and then pick up a prescription at Albertsons, pack stuff away, etc. Steve's cousin Brad came over so I made nachos for dinner. He left a little after 8 and I watched part one of the last Harry Potter movie as a reminder for part two that I picked up. No time to do a post.

I am currently reading BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP by SJ Watson. This is a stand alone novel from the library. Here is a description:

"As I sleep, my mind will erase everything I did today. I will wake up tomorrow as I did this morning. Thinking I’m still a child. Thinking I have a whole lifetime of choice ahead of me. . . " Memories define us. So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep? Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love—all forgotten overnight. And the one person you trust may be telling you only half the story.

It was published June 2011 and has 368 pages.

Next up will be THE SEA BURIAL by Charles Finch, also from the library.

I'm going to recreate the KFC potato bowl for dinner for Steve tonight. I'll have a big salad and maybe soup. It was super cold today, the high in the teens. Brrrr.

Tomorrow, more cleaning, focusing on bathrooms and kitchen floor.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Friday's coming ...wait for it....wait for it....

2011-11-17T17:30:00.000-08:00

Random Thoughts:

I may be starting BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP by SJ Watson. I’ve got it as a 14-day book from the library so that may have to jump any queue.

Four days later and NOW I have a blister on my little finger. Weird.

I have a lot of stuff to do between now and Thanksgiving. How did it get to be Thanksgiving already?

I’m starting this week to take lunch at 2pm because of coverage issues between only three of us answering phones now. It’s not bad. It makes the afternoon fly by and time to go home that much quicker.

Tonight: walk dogs, dinner, read, bed.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Or maybe hiding?

2011-11-16T18:23:00.000-08:00

I may be reading THREE DAY TOWN by Margaret Maron. This is an ARC via netgalley.com on my Kindle. I'm not sure if I'm sticking with it or not yet. I had intended to read the next Bernard Knight. Playing it by ear.

I gotta get to cleaning the house here pretty quick in prep of Thanksgiving. Nothing hugely major but I would imagine we want to eat at the table and that's covered with junk right now. My cousin Brad will be joining us and while he's California casual, I'm sure I'd feel better with cleaner bathrooms.

My hand is almost healed, just a couple spots on the fingers that sometimes gets in contact with something and lets me know it's there. It's amazing how when you're in the middle of something - a cold, a burn, whatever -- it seems like it will be for forever and will never ever end. But it is amazing how quickly the body fixes itself.

Gotta go grocery shopping on Friday. Otherwise, not much going on other than the usual stuff. Steve is shooting. The boys are chewing on bones I gave them to keep them occupied tonight.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

There's an idea to get chronic snooze-buttoner Steve up....

2011-11-15T17:23:00.000-08:00

So, I didn't post yesterday. Good reason. Sunday evening, as I multi-tasking trying to get dinner on -- it was late -- I was removing a chicken pot pie from the oven, it slid, I instinctively (and stupidly) tried to catch it. Hot pot pie guts on my right hand. So my hand was submerged in ice water for the next 24 hours or so. No blisters, no breakage, just pain. Better now. Lesson learned.

I finished both JANE AND THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT SCARGRAVE MANOR by Stephanie Barron and DEATH AND THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW by Deryn Lake over the weekend. Not sure what to read next. I'd like a couple books from the library to shake loose but it's not happening yet.

There's supposed to be a debate tonight but I may not watch it. Rather tired. I also have newspapers to read.

Have a lovely evening...

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Let's just hang out today

2011-11-13T07:26:00.001-08:00

I'm currently reading JANE AND THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT SCARGRAVE MANOR by Stephanie Barron. This is 1st of 11 in series featuring Jane Austen in Regency England. Here is a summary:

On a visit to the estate of her friend, the young and beautiful Isobel Payne, Countess of Scargrave, Jane bears witness to a tragedy. Isobel's husband—a gentleman of mature years—is felled by a mysterious and agonizing ailment. The Earl's death seems a cruel blow of fate for the newly married Isobel. Yet the bereaved widow soon finds that it's only the beginning of her misfortune...as she receives a sinister missive accusing her and the Earl's nephew of adultery—and murder. Desperately afraid that the letter will expose her to the worst sort of scandal, Isobel begs Jane for help.

It was published in 1996 and has 352 pages. I have this book and I know I must have read it years ago but I have no memory of the storyline. I'm "re-reading" it because I'd like to read others in the series.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

2011-11-12T07:43:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was my friend Melanie's last day at work there. We invited many people to celebrate across the street at Tiny's but only four of us showed. I knew I had to go. So there was no post yesterday.

We didn't actually wind up going to a movie on my birthday. We got into Moby, the car started to turn over and then died. Everything electrical, dead. Steve spent a chunk of time looking for the problem. The car started and he drove it around the block but it was iffy. So we took the truck but he had to stop by an ATM for cash, the nearest one had a "temporarily out of service" message. I had been saying we didn't need to go, my heart wasn't set on it, a night in would be fine. Steve stopped by the mall looking for another ATM, none there. So I said, let's just go home. We got Taco Bell for dinner, the boys were glad we were back. I was thinking there were too many obstacles to overcome, too many signs that this wasn't the thing to be doing. :) Besides, the showing was going to a 3D version and I hate 3D so I was ok. We'll catch in on DVD eventually. And the car was absolutely fine the next morning and has been since. Go figure.

My friend Tami and I had talked about having coffee today at Barnes and Noble but the weather is supposed to be dark and then rainy/snowy so we're thinking next weekend. I'm glad, actually. I would like to putter around the house and read and nap and hang out with the boys. I need to keep working on moving/organizing books into the new bookcase and shifting other books into the space where the old ones were.

I finished an autobiography by Gesine Bullock-Prado called MY LIFE FROM SCRATCH. She is Sandra Bullock's sister who ran the production company in Hollywood for her but then followed her dream to open her own bakery in Vermont. The humor was sharp and sarcastic, just the way I like it. It had some good recipes in there too. Her first name is pronounced Geh-see-neh.

Next up, I don't know yet. I'm waiting for a couple books from the library to shake loose but in the meantime I feel in the mood for a hist-myst but I don't know which exact one yet. I'm feeling sort of Jane Austen-ish, there is a series of mysteries featuring Jane Austen as sleuth that isn't too bad and I do have the first book which I read years ago. There's several books to the series now -- maybe I'll see if that's hitting the spot. Otherwise, I do have a library book called INDIA BLACK that I should get to. Hmmmm.

I put the boys off on their walk this morning until 7; they were bugging for at least a half hour if not more when it was still dark. It's now 9, Steve is still sleeping. I think he may be meeting up with a friend who's dog passed away this past week, spend some time with him to take his mind off it for a bit.

I'm not sure what's for dinner tonight. I had thought nachos but with the weather, it may be more of a soup and grilled cheese night.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Yah, so, another year, what of it? Gedoverit.

2011-11-10T16:37:00.000-08:00

Hey, it's Annual Event day. Steve got me flowers when I told him not to which are super gorgeous; we went to lunch at The Burger Dive (num!), I left work an hour early, and tonight we may be going to a movie, The Three Musketeers.

I'm glad tomorrow is Friday, though it is the last day my friend Melanie will be there. She makes the place tolerable. Ah well.

I watched some of the debate last night. Perry's done. He's probably a very good governor of a state but isn't the one for President. Not that I liked him anyway.

Steve just got home. Gotta go.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Monday

2011-11-07T16:58:00.001-08:00

An asteroid is going to pass by the earth tomorrow afternoon -- pass between us and the moon. That's really close. It's supposed to miss. Today was incredibly busy at work. We were down two people; one program went down in the afternoon; I took a shorter lunch to have better coverage. I'm tired of talking to people. I'm going to stare at a wall the rest of the evening.

The PBS thing last night was fairly good. I actually stayed for the full show; I usually get bored. It had excellent actors in it: Bill Nighy, Rachel Weiss, Judy Davis, Michael Gambon, Ralph Feines, etc.

Tomorrow night I may not get a chance to post. After work Steve wants us to go to a dinner/seminar thing put on by his banker about doing liens. Probably won't get home until 8-ish.

Now I'm going to fix dinner and then probably read something for a bit.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Oh the guilt pets inflict

2011-11-06T16:14:00.001-08:00

Progress! I've moved the desk/hutch in the spare bedroom to another wall to make room for the $5 bookcase that we got from the MSU sale several months ago. It has been sitting in the garage. Now! Now I'm moving books from downstairs bookcase that is overflowing. This bookcase starts with J. I love it though the bookcase does need some cleaning up. Two of the bookcases downstairs had books on top of the case and on the ledge around the room. Now I will just have books in the cases and it will look better. I'm also weeding out those that I have duplicates of or that I feel I won't read. The hutch that got moved held nonfiction books so I was able to go through, clean up, add, subtract from there as well.

I have been on paperbackswap.com to fill in some of the series that I have so I'll be getting lots of shipments in the next couple weeks. I used up a bunch of credits, I'm down to 24 I think. I'll have to get rid of some more of my books to boost that up a bit again. Either ordering or putting on the wish list I was working on authors Jecks, Bujold, Barron, Lake, Liss, Sedley, Gregory.

Tonight the Steelers are playing so we're having a pizza from Papa Murphy's. I think I'd like to check out Masterpiece Mystery tonight. The show is called Page Eight.

So here we are at the ending of Daylight Savings time. Bright again in the morning but dark so much quicker. Tomorrow after work will be dark and I'll have to wear the headlamp to walk the boys. Probably not take them to the field anymore and just keep to the streets with them on leash until the weekends.

No snow today, sunny but in the 30s. Our backyard is trashed by the boys playing and running. At first they would lick it. Coda then came up with a game of dropping his ball into the snow and then finding it and pouncing on it. Then they chased each other. Ryker likes to lay on it on the deck.

Back at it this week. Work. Blech. And busy, too. Tuesday I think Steve wants us to go to a seminar that our banker is doing (?). Wednesday is another debate. Thursday is my annual event. Friday is my buddy Melanie's last day at work so we'll stop by Tiny's for goodbye drink. I won't stay long for that one.

Have a lovely!

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Closer....

2011-11-05T14:24:00.001-07:00

We watched Grimm last night. Disappointing. I think the concept/idea is good but the execution is lame. I don't like the casting and it was just .... blah. On the other hand, Say Yes to the Dress had a great showing of a bride with cerebral palsey that was just wonderful.

It is snowing today; started about 9. I had my haircut and I'm terribly not happy. She didn't do the right cut so now I have to suffer through this for five weeks until it's long enough again to do it right. Bah.

I'm going to make SOS for Steve and I'm going to try my hand at homemade chili for me. I love Wendy's chili but I don't really want to go anywhere and I have the makings for it for I'll give it a shot. Cops is finally on again now that baseball is over so we'll watch that tonight.

I finished the Judi Dench book. I'm also a little disappointed in that. It needed more meat on the bone; it was almost a listing of which plays she did "and then I did that play with that director and costarred with so and so and that person" over and over through the decades. I'm not sure what to read next. I haven't been able to get the Kindle library books to work and I'm beginning to wonder if it's because I don't have the newer version of the device. I can download it to the Kindle but I can't get the books to open.

Stay cozy....

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Actually tomorrow is National Gaming Day at your libraries

2011-11-04T17:36:00.000-07:00

I'm currently reading AND FURTHERMORE by Judi Dench, an autobiography. Here is a description:

I can hardly believe that it is more than half a century since I first stepped on to the stage of the Old Vic Theatre and into a way of life that has brought me the most rewarding professional relationships and friendships. I cannot imagine now ever doing anything else with my life except acting…” – Judi Dench
From London’s glittering West End to Broadway’s bright lights, from her Academy Award-winning role as Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love to “M” in the James Bond films, Judi Dench has treated audiences to some of the greatest performances of our time. She made her professional acting debut in 1957 with England’s Old Vic theatre company playing Ophelia in Hamlet , Katherine in Henry V (her New York debut), and then, Juliet. In 1961, she joined the Royal Shakespeare Company playing Anya in The Cherry Orchard with John Gielgud and Peggy Ashcroft. In 1968, she went beyond the classical stage to become a sensation as Sally Bowles in Cabaret, adding musical comedy to her repertoire. Over the years, Dench has given indelible performances in the classics as well as some of the greatest plays and musicals of the twentieth century including Noël Coward’s Hay Fever, Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, Kaufman and Hart’s The Royal Family and David Hare’s Amy’s View (for which she won the Tony Award). Recently, she made a triumphant return to A Midsummer Night’s Dream as Titania, a role she first played in 1962, now played as a theatre-besotted Queen Elizabeth I. Her film career has been filled with unforgettable performances of some unforgettable women: Queen Victoria in Mrs. Brown, the terrifying schoolteacher Barbara Covett in Notes on a Scandal and the writer Iris Murdoch in Iris. And, for the BBC, Dench created another unforgettable woman when she brought her great comic timing and deeply felt emotions to the role of Jean Pargetter in the long-running BBC series As Time Goes By. And Furthermore is, however, more than the story of a great actress’s career. It is also the story of Judi Dench’s life: her early days as a child in a family that was in love with the theatre; her marriage to actor Michael Williams; the joy she takes in her daughter, the actress Finty Williams, and her grandson, Sammy.

She is one of my top three favorite actresses. This is a library book and has 288 pages.

I had a terrific time with my friends last night having drinks and nachos. Afterward I called M&D to wish them a happy 53rd anniversary, and then had a touch of dinner and came across The Princess Bride, one of my favorite comedies.

I'm glad it's Friday. Worked, paid bills, went to Walmart for groceries, now waiting for enchiladas to be done for dinner. I have a toss up at 7 tonight on TV. Say Yes to the Dress of course but I'm hearing good things about Grimm. I will tape one of them suppose. Probably Say Yes or watch the repeat at 9. Oh wait, Grimm is on at 8! Good deal!

Steve was helpful and walked the dogs yesterday evening and this one. Now he's taking a pre-dinner nap; he mentioned he had a hard day. Tomorrow I have a haircut right away in the morning and I think after that I will hunker down because it's only supposed to get in the 30s for a high temp.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

I luv my bed! Oh yes.

2011-11-02T18:18:00.000-07:00

I'm currently reading THE NEXT ALWAYS by Nora Roberts - description in previous post. I'm liking it a lot. It is somewhat opposite of the wedding quartet books because the main POV is the guy side -- three brothers.

Not much else going on. I walked the dogs after work and the wind was freakin' cold! Dang!

Tomorrow night I probably won't post. I'm meeting up with some friends after work at Jakes for drinks and appetizers. We had tried to do this a couple weeks ago but it fell apart at the last minute. So far so good for this happening tomorrow.

I am bummed because my friend at work has turned in notice. Bah. Her last day is next Friday. Basically, the girls who have been there for years are kinda panicking over some changes in the work load and are moving to other things within the whole hospital network. Panic and I think it was a nudge to move on to do something different. It will still be a sad then when Melanie is gone.

So, I'm catching up on some news and then will read before bed for a little bit.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

What the...? When did that dog move in??

2011-11-01T18:23:00.000-07:00

November already. Amazing.

Here’s a list of books that I’m interested in this month:

Ash, Maureen A DEADLY PENANCE (Nov 1^st) Templar Bascot de Marins is summoned to Lincoln Castle to learn who murdered a servant engaged in an illicit affair with a married woman. Even though the jealous husband had a motive, Bascot's investigation uncovers a more shocking revelation about the victim that would give him any number of potential enemies...

Roberts, Nora THE NEXT ALWAYS (Nov 1^st) Book One of the Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy : The historic hotel in BoonsBoro, Maryland, has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it's getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. As the architect of the family, Beckett's social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there's another project he's got his eye on: the girl he's been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen...

Finch, Charles A BURIAL AT SEA (Nov 8^th) 1873 is a perilous time in the relationship between France and England. When a string of English spies is found dead on French soil, the threat of all-out war prompts government officials to ask Charles Lenox to visit the newly-dug Suez Canal on a secret mission. Once he is on board the Lucy, however, Lenox finds himself using not his new skills of diplomacy but his old ones: the ship’s second lieutenant is found dead on the voyage’s first night, his body cruelly abused. The ship’s captain begs the temporarily retired detective to join in the hunt for a criminal. Lenox finds the trail, but in the claustrophobic atmosphere on board, where nobody can come or go and everyone is a suspect, he has to race against the next crime—and also hope he won’t be the victim.

Eco, Umberto THE PRAGUE CEMETERY (Nov 8^th) Nineteenth-century Europe--from Turin to Prague to Paris--abounds with the ghastly and the mysterious. Conspiracies rule history. Jesuits plot against Freemasons. Italian republicans strangle priests with their own intestines. French criminals plan bombings by day and celebrate Black Masses at night. Every nation has its own secret service, perpetrating forgeries, plots, and massacres. From the unification of Italy to the Paris Commune to the Dreyfus Affair to "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion," Europe is in tumult and everyone needs a scapegoat. But what if, behind all of these conspiracies both real and imagined, lay one lone man? What if that evil genius created its most infamous document?

Hill, Susan BETRAYAL OF TRUST (Nov 10^th) Freak weather and flash floods have hit southern England. The small cathedral town of Lafferton is underwater, and a landslip on the moor has closed the roads. As the rain slowly drains away, a shallow grave--and a skeleton--are exposed; twenty years on, the remains of missing teenager Joanne Lowther have finally been uncovered. The case is reopened and Simon Serrailler is called in as Senior Investigating Officer. Joanne, an only child, had been on her way home from a friend's house that night. She was the daughter of a prominent local businessman, and her mother had killed herself two years after she disappeared, unable to cope.

Connelly, Michael THE DROP (Nov 29^th) Harry Bosch has been given three years before he must retire from the LAPD, and he wants cases more fiercely than ever. In one morning, he gets two. DNA from a 1989 rape and murder matches a 29-year-old convicted rapist. Was he an eight-year-old killer or has something gone terribly wrong in the new Regional Crime Lab? The latter possibility could compromise all of the lab's DNA cases currently in court. Then Bosch and his partner are called to a death scene fraught with internal politics. Councilman Irvin Irving's son jumped or was pushed from a window at the Chateau Marmont. Irving, Bosch's longtime nemesis, has demanded that Harry handle the investigation. Relentlessly pursuing both cases, Bosch makes two chilling discoveries: a killer operating unknown in the city for as many as three decades, and a political conspiracy that goes back into the dark history of the police department.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Happy All Hallow's Eve

2011-10-31T19:01:00.000-07:00

Only 9 trick-or-treaters tonight. I think going door to door may be becoming a thing of the past like May Day.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

2011-10-30T14:51:00.001-07:00

The problem with 14-day books is that they are set free from the library on their schedule and not on yours. They are books that in some way or other you want to read but they show up not necessarily when you want to read them. I'm very much a mood reader. I want to read what I want to read when I feel like reading it, not when someone else tells me I can read it only at that time. It's like having to eat something that you normally like quite a bit like lasagna but you can only have it right now when really all you want is a bowl of soup and a grilled cheese sandwich because anything else will make you sick. Bah.

I went through a couple boxes of books in the closet downstairs and found a bunch more of the Robbs (a good news-bad news kind of thing). I don't know what happened to my Katherine Kurtz books. I may have a solution to my not enough room problem, I mean, really, I have another bookcase in the garage waiting for me but it's a matter where to put the darn thing and then getting Steve to help move it. I've asked him to mow the back yard for two months now and it hasn't happened yet.

We watched Captain America last night. The man is just pretty to look at, especially in that first shirtless scene when he's been changed from 98-pound weakling to muscleman. It is actually a good film and I look forward to The Avengers movie next summer that combines all of them, including Robert Downey Jr as Ironman.

The Cowboys play against the Eagles tonight; Steve will watch his yucky zombie show. I haven't actually done much reading this weekend. Why is that?

Tomorrow at work I'll be dressing up somewhat as a Pink Lady from the movie Grease. One of the ladies there REALLY wanted this to happen so I made it happen. Sigh. I don't know if I'll get a chance to stop by here tomorrow night with the rush to walk the dogs and get dinner done before the potential trick-or-treaters show up. It takes two people at our house: one to answer the door and one to hold the dogs. I'm a door answerer.

Happy All Hallows Eve Eve

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Spooooooky

2011-10-29T15:14:00.000-07:00

I have not really set the world on fire today in terms of accomplishing things. Time is just slipping by. The boys got me up while it was still dark at 7:15. I took them to the field but in their own ways they each were bad: Coda took off like a rocket -- I guess after a rabbit -- and wouldn't come back. Ryker set on another dog we encountered but he came to me pretty quickly. Grr.

I got notice for my first Kindle book from the library so I had to figure out how to get that onto the device. I clicked things and managed to do it but I couldn't tell you how to do it smoothly at this point. I've got it for 14 days; it's a nonfiction book you wouldn't be interested in. It's called AFTER AMERICA: Get Ready for Armageddon by Mark Steyn.

I've been doing the usual laundry and vacuuming. I took a stab at working on my bookshelves but I've gotten stuck in the Rs (working backward from Z). Too many "R" authors and I'm not making more room at this point. Right now I have to consider whether to keep the Rendells or not -- will I really read them some day? Maybe, but maybe not, I don't know. And I'm not sure where all my JD Robbs are. But I have created another raft of books to be gotten rid of in the near future.

Tonight, Cops isn't on and we've completed the Strike Back series available but we have Captain America DVD to watch. We saw it in the theatre but Steve lurved it so much we're watching it again now that it's released. I'm making nachos again for dinner since they turned out so well last weekend. This time, though, the dogs will not be partaking of any hamburger.

Say Yes to the Dress was interesting last night: a bride bought a $34k dress. Holy cow. And her mom had said she'd spend unlimited, even $100k if she had to. Whoa. Crazy. I imagine the sales people work partially on commission -- that would be a good one to go home with, eh.

It has been blasted windy today, nasty windy. Blowing the leaves off but shaking the house too. Blech. No snow though.

I got the Halloween candy out, separating them into two bowls: the not-so-liked-stuff-that-can-be-given-out-first (like Baby Ruths) and keeping the good stuff for us (Reeses, Butterfingers, etc). We just don't know what kind of night it will be. Two holidays ago we ran out of candy; last year we only about 8 kids.

All right, off you go. My dryer is done; I have to go make the bed now.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

2011-10-28T16:35:00.001-07:00

TGIF

Man, I started out cranky today and I don’t know why. I finally got out of it in the afternoon by listening to music on Pandora: The Beatles, The Who, Pink Floyd, Electric Light Orchestra, Wings, etc.

I have Say Yes to the Dress to watch tonight. I’m not sure what I’m in the mood to read; I feel a little aimless at sea in my mind though I have more than plenty from which to choose, including four from the library.

This weekend, I’m not sure; there are no set plans. I have projects I could do for sure like finishing going through the bookshelves to weed them out. I only completed A thru H last weekend.

I wrote another letter to the editor that will be in the paper sometime in the next month. Here's a preview:

Thomas Jefferson wrote: “If a monarchist be in office, anywhere, and it be known to the President, the oath he has taken to support the Constitution imperiously requires the instantaneous dismission of such officer; and I hold the President criminal if he permitted such to remain. To appoint a monarchist to conduct the affairs of a republic, is like appointing an atheist to the priesthood.”

Earlier this year, Obama indicated that he would bypass Congress when he felt it necessary in order to achieve his goals. In July, the President admitted that it is “very tempting” to do things his own way. He later made similar assertions before the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, “There are times where — until Nancy Pelosi is Speaker again — I’d like to work my way around Congress.” The New York Times reported that the Obama administration was considering the extensive use of executive orders to advance his environmental, fiscal, energy, and domestic policy agendas, even though it is not the constitutional role of the executive branch to create laws. Most recently Mr. Obama’s jobs proposal was the subject of his frustration after Senate blocked it (including some Democrats) and has made plans to circumvent those messy legalities.

The Constitution created a system of checks and balances for an express purpose: it balances the US in the center between monarchy (tyranny) and anarchy, never to go too far one way or the other. You made an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America, President Obama, you must abide by it.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Blehhh, it's not Friday yet

2011-10-27T17:27:00.000-07:00

I decided I wasn't in the mood for another terrorist book yet so I returned THE TEHRAN INITIATIVE by Joel C Rosenberg to read at another time. I just finished one and I read the first book of Rosenberg's last month. Need to get back to historical mysteries perhaps. I picked up two books from the library. I'll make a decision which is the next tonight maybe.

It is certainly getting darker earlier. It's 6:30 and practically there. The following Sunday is Daylight Savings so it will be even darker even earlier.

Nothing on TV for me tonight. I'll make taco salad for dinner and then read the newspapers.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Yeah, my dogs since they ate the hamburger on Saturday

2011-10-26T17:16:00.000-07:00

Not much going on today. Work, walked the dogs, about to have dinner and then read after that. I may head to bed early as I'm feeling a bit tired. :)

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Nor is it a dishwasher I can use

2011-10-25T17:10:00.001-07:00

A book has jumped my reading queue. I'm currently reading A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES by Deborah Harkness. Here is a description:

A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together. Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

It was published in February and has 592 pages. I don't like vampires. I didn't know there was a vampire in this -- no, I guess I didn't read the description. I read the first page and it caught me and then this damn vampire showed up. But I'm liking the book so I'm putting up with it. And I'm reading it all the time. I guess I needed a break from terrorism as I just finished A PORTRAIT OF A SPY and the then THE TEHRAN INITIATIVE shook loose.

I have a working dishwasher as of last night but it's leaking something badly into the downstairs area so I don't have a working dishwasher again until that is fixed. Grrrrrr.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Yes. Indeed.

2011-10-23T17:00:00.000-07:00

I dropped of four boxes of books to the library as a donation. Feels good to get rid of stuff. I have too many books. Yes, as an addict, I can say that. I would perhaps go into more detail and elaborate that I have too many of the wrong books and not enough of the right ones. :)

The boys were very bad last night. I had browned hamburger to make nachos when I realized I didn't have any taco seasoning. I pushed the pan to the back of the stove and covered it with tin foil. Steve was outside with the guy blowing out the sprinklers. Yes, you're right, when I got home the dogs had eaten the hamburger, all one pound of it. Bad. Very bad.

Micah came and mowed the front and side yards. The back is still a jungle. Can't get any movement there.

It was actually almost hot today but I'm seeing we have weather moving in especially on Tuesday.

Steve has his zombie show to watch tonight and I think I'll read.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Ok, that's just wrong

2011-10-22T16:40:00.001-07:00

I'm currently reading THE TEHRAN INITIATIVE by Joel C Rosenberg. This continues the story started in THE TWELFTH IMAM. Here is a summary:

The world is on the brink of disaster. Iran has just conducted its first atomic weapons test. Millions of Muslims around the world are convinced their messiah—known as the Twelfth Imam—has arrived on earth. Israeli leaders fear Tehran, under the Twelfth Imam’s spell, will soon launch a nuclear attack that could bring about a second Holocaust and the annihilation of Israel. The White House fears Jerusalem will strike first, launching a massive preemptive attack against Iran’s nuclear facilities that could cause the entire Middle East to go up in flames, oil prices to skyrocket, and the global economy to collapse. With the stakes high and few viable options left, the president of the United States orders CIA operative David Shirazi and his team to track down and sabotage Iran’s nuclear warheads before Iran or Israel can launch a devastating first strike. But will they be too late?

It was just published this week and has 480 pages. I describe this as continuing a story rather than sequel or second in series because the first book really seemed to stop and this one goes on.

Pretty productive day: I cleaned out a ton of books from my shelves (and that was only A through H of the alphabet!) and I have another 10 books to ship out this week via paperbackswap.com. Those two bookshelves now look much better now and makes me happy to look at them.

The boys got me up before dark was done (sigh). But I took them for a walk this morning and again this afternoon. Last night I got the urge to sing along with Jesus Christ Superstar and did the dishes, got the microwave cleaned, as well as the front of the fridge and the dogs' waterdish. Today I've done the usual laundry of bedding and towels, vacuumed upstairs and the stairs.

Cops isn't on tonight and Strike Back will only have one of the two episode cycle available so I'm not sure what we'll watch tonight. For dinner, I am going to try making homemade nachos like we get from CJ's.

A rather nice day, actually.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Hmmmm?

2011-10-21T17:14:00.000-07:00

I had a day today where in order to get through it, I listened to music. Which brought me to list my top 5 favorite albums:

Abbey Road – The Beatles (really all of them)
Tommy – The Who
Jesus Christ Superstar (original cast recording only)
The Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd
Who’s Next – The Who

Why? Excellent music, I love to sing along with them, and they each tell a story. These albums just make my heart happy.

So tonight, dinner, Say Yes to the Dress, reading WSJ and books. I had two more books shake loose from the library (Rozan and Rosenberg) and I have so much to read otherwise. I've got to do something about this.

No plans this weekend other than usual cleaning and projects which is probably to keep tackling the cleaning of the office.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Are we getting closer to the weekend yet?

2011-10-20T19:33:00.000-07:00

It's already after 8:30; I gotta get moving. Went to Walmart after work and didn't get done putting groceries away until 7. Dinner then dishes (yeah, the dishwasher still isn't working). Now a quick catch up on the news and then I'll read the WSJ and the Silva book. I still have way too many emails to catch up on to deal with it tonight; that will probably be something for the weekend.

Just checking in and glad tomorrow is Friday.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Some days are like that

2011-10-19T18:19:00.000-07:00

Last night was a last minute change of plans and then a rush to get stuff done. I was supposed to join some friends for dinner last night but it got cancelled at the last minute. So I had to rush home and get the dogs walked before the debate started at 6. Phew!

The debate was good; it seemed the gloves were coming off as the candidates are getting more comfortable with each other. Or more like familiarity through so many debates is allowing them to get looser with each other. I wish there was a perfect candidate. Each one has some pluses but definitely also some minuses that make me go hmmmm, wait.

The debate was 2 hours. After that, I did dishes and then read the WSJ before lights out.

I may have a working dishwasher when I get home this evening. That would be nice.

I’m still reading the Silva, maybe about half way through. Nuttin’ much else going on. Steve has shooting tonight. I’ll do the usual.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

2011-10-17T19:15:00.000-07:00

"None of this is being done in secret. It's all out in the open. We just choose to look the other way.
America has to wake up to this new reality: the Cold War battle between communism and capitalism is back, only this time it's on our front porch. It went underground in the 70s, got an education, put on a suit, bought a house and had a couple of kids. Then it used the schools to educate new foot soldiers and manipulated the pop culture to indoctrinate the next generation of fellow travelers who seek to create a new world order in the image of old world Marxism."

More nuthin'

2011-10-16T15:37:00.000-07:00

Really doing a whole lot of nothing today. Some laundry, walked the dogs, but otherwise reading emails and trying to read the newspapers.

We've been watching sports on TV throughout the day. Tonight Steve has his zombie show on AMC starting up again. I hate zombies so I won't be joining him with it.

So another week starts. Here we go.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

My game plan for the weekend

2011-10-15T16:51:00.001-07:00

I totally caved. I went to the Friends of the Library sale today. (sigh) The good news is I spent less than $40 -- in the past, I have done much more. And I didn't even look at everything. The majority of my purchases were nonfiction, actually. Lots of books on American history, current events, political theory -- some from our side and some from theirs to better understand them.

It's been a rainy off and on day. I meant to take a nap but it didn't really happen so I'm a little tired. Steve did some scrapping then got the boys new dog beds and some stuff for himself at Cabellas. He may partake in "game night" with his gamer buddies tonight which will go until 2 or 3.

I finished THE BLOOD RED INDIAN SUMMER by Handler this morning. It was a quick, not thick, with big font read and hey, the first book I completed this month and it's only the 15th. Bah, that's terrible. Next will be PORTRAIT OF A SPY by Daniel Silva. This is 11th of 11 in series featuring Gabriel Allon, an art restorer and Israeli secret agent. Here is a summary:

For Gabriel and his wife, Chiara, it was supposed to be the start of a pleasant weekend in London—a visit to a gallery in St. James’s to authenticate a newly discovered painting by Titian, followed by a quiet lunch. But a pair of deadly bombings in Paris and Copenhagen has already marred this autumn day. And while walking toward Covent Garden, Gabriel notices a man he believes is about to carry out a third attack. Before Gabriel can draw his weapon, he is knocked to the pavement and can only watch as the nightmare unfolds. Haunted by his failure to stop the massacre of innocents, Gabriel returns to his isolated cottage on the cliffs of Cornwall, until a summons brings him to Washington and he is drawn into a confrontation with the new face of global terror. At the center of the threat is an American-born cleric in Yemen to whom Allah has granted “a beautiful and seductive tongue.” A gifted deceiver, who was once a paid CIA asset, the mastermind is plotting a new wave of attacks. Gabriel and his team devise a daring plan to destroy the network of death from the inside, a gambit fraught with risk, both personal and professional. To succeed, Gabriel must reach into his violent past. A woman waits there—a reclusive heiress and art collector who can traverse the murky divide between Islam and the West. She is the daughter of an old enemy, a woman joined to Gabriel by a trail of blood. . . .

It was published in July and has 464 pages.

I don't believe there is anything on TV for me but I do have several WSJs to catch up with and of course to read the Silva.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

A good use of one's time

2011-10-14T19:22:00.000-07:00

I’m currently reading THE BLOOD RED INDIAN SUMMER by David Handler. This is 8^th of 8 in series featuring Mitch Berger, a New York film critic, and Desiree “Des” Mitry, a black police detective, in Dorset, Connecticut. Here is a summary:

Tyrone “Da Beast” Grantham, the famously volatile NFL superstar linebacker, has just been suspended for “conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the league.” When Tyrone and his entourage decide to spend his season in exile in bucolic Dorset---much to the dismay of his early-to-bed, ultra-white neighbors---Des is put on the spot. And when Tyrone’s eighteen-year-old sister-in-law, Kinitra, washes up on Mitch’s beach one morning, bloodied and barely alive, Des is on the case. Especially when it turns out that Kinitra is eight weeks pregnant. Good thing there’s nothing else serious going on in our heroes’ lives right now. Like, say, Mitch’s parents arriving from Florida at long last to meet the new woman of color in their nice Jewish boy’s life.

This was just published and has 256 pages.

I have Say Yes to the Dress to watch tonight. Otherwise, newspapers to catch up on and reading.

I was thinking about something the other day and it’s not a new thought to me but it strikes me every once in a while. While I enjoy ensemble movies such as The Big Chill and Gosford Park, I am very much a loner personality. I have friends but I don’t collect super-close friends. There are people who I’ve known for decades and I still consider to be my friends and I usually have at least one good friend at a time through work, but I enjoy being by myself; I enjoy my own company and often prefer it. I am comfortable with my own thoughts. That is often company enough for me. I think I was this way growing up, too, though I had two close friends through junior and high school. But I’m just not the personality type to be in a group of girlfriends like you see on TV or in movies. I’m just not Sex in the City or Friends or How I Met Your Mother in a group like that.

And it’s not that I prefer books to being with people. When I am around people, I’m usually rather outgoing. And I really like stories and reading but I also really like just contemplating things with myself. And I don’t feel lonely or like I’m missing anything. An astrologer friend of mine described me as “swimming in really deep, deep waters.” Maybe that best describes it. As a famous “philosopher” once said, “I yam what I yam.”

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Or maybe I'm just tired....

2011-10-13T19:01:00.000-07:00

I’ve decided to probably not go to the Friends of the Library sale this year. If I go at all, it will be on Saturday and perhaps I would limit my search to just history/current events books.

I won’t be going to the pre-sale tonight because I took Steve to the ER until 2AM last night and I am frankly so tired it hurts. Tomorrow, the sale is only open during business hours and I missed yesterday’s work and can’t take time off now. Plus, I actually have way more to read than I really have time for and shouldn’t be adding anything more. Books, at this point, should be going out of the house and not in.

Also, I picked up two 14-day books from the library today so now I have to put down the Hamilton and Suskind and read these: PORTRAIT OF A SPY by Daniel Silva and David Handler’s new one, THE BLOOD RED INDIAN SUMMER. Maybe I will just clean house and read this weekend. That would be a better use of my time.

Tonight, I have to go to Walmart after work, possibly walk the dogs, do dinner/clean up, blog and then I would really like to go to bed after maybe reading a little something. That could be a big maybe.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Feeling blah

2011-10-12T14:53:00.000-07:00

Stayed home from work today. Feeling yucky. People are going to be gone on Thursday and Friday so this was my only chance this week to try to nip it in the bud. It's the same thing that was trying to take hold last week: something in my chest and feeling dizzy and headachy. I had plans to some things today but wound up sleeping most of the day and to be honest I could sleep some more.

Steve has shooting tonight. He says he feels yucky too but can't not go. Bah. I hope to maybe do some reading, we'll see how that turns out.

That's about it.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Can't pass up a Monty Python reference

2011-10-11T19:08:00.000-07:00

A quick note tonight. I’m actually writing this from work (oh bad!). I’ve got another debate to watch at 6 tonight so it will be rushed: get home from work, walk dogs, throw dinner on some plates. J

The debate will probably take until 8 and then some commentary to view. I’ll have to do dishes and then a WSJ to read, maybe two if there is one from yesterday (no mail yesterday so no paper). I’ll probably not accomplish much else.

Busy at work, but the good news is evil person #2 has turned in notice to join evil person #1 where she went to work a month or so ago. They are best friends and will be happy to be together again. But, yay, she’ll be gone in two weeks! Evil #2 was back to being overtly snippy today now that her end is in sight. Getting better all the time, to quote the Beatles.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Post debate note: I liked this format a lot better, they were all sitting around a round table so it seemed more discussion like than speechifying from a podium. I'm afraid it's going to be Romney. I wish Santorum had some executive experience; he's got great conservative values.

See, that's why I have dogs

2011-10-10T18:56:00.000-07:00

I dropped off four boxes of books at the used book store at noon. I had planned on donating to the library but I forgot they were closed today for the holiday. I forgot there was a holiday. So, I am building up some credit there again and I told them that whatever they didn't want to keep, they could dispose of as they'd like. Of course, you can't really tell that four boxes of books came out of my office. Ugh.

Glad the day got over with at work. I got home and Ryker, who is always so glad to you see you he jumps up at you, got me with two of his claws on the side of my face/chin area. That hurt but went away eventually. Then, while walking in the field, I found one of the few patches of mud and managed to slip as I was trying to avoid it/work my out of it and totally creamed the side of my pants. Really ugh.

Dinner was okay, no mishaps, did the dishes, no catastrophes. Printed some paperbackswap.com mailing thingys after finding the driver for the printer for the computer. I'll have to mail them at lunch tomorrow.

I think I'll be going to the Friends of the Library preview night on Thursday. You just have to renew your membership for like $10, listen to a boring meeting, then you get first shot at the books for two hours. May be worth it, especially if I'm not able to get away from work on Friday morning. It's always a madhouse both the preview night and the Friday morning but also fun and hot. I never really really find what I'm looking for -- more historical mysteries for my collection -- but I manage to find some things.

It's after 8 now. With no mail today -- damn government holiday -- I don't have a WSJ to read but I do have plenty of other things. In between calls today, I made an impromptu list of just the fiction I have to read in my next in series and upcoming new releases. At the rate I'm reading (about 5 per month and probably slower now), I'm set for the rest of the year and then some without even trying and have the majority on hand already. And in nonfiction? If I say one per month, I've got a half a year or so. And that's just the immediate, closer of the Mount TBRs. I could say I really don't need any more books but then I wouldn't be a book addict, let alone a monster, now would I?

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Sunday

2011-10-09T15:25:00.001-07:00

I don't think I've accomplished very much today. I think I'll choose not to care about that very much.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster