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Chapter 12

Joey — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:25:05 +0000

May is screwing all the guys in the book by possessing Kelly. Uh huh. What is May doing, and why in the hell does she need Kelly?

"'Andie is your nanny, right!' [asked Kelly.]

"'No. Andie is my Andie. She says you're a hag from hell.'"

THIS is why I love Alice!

It's just page after page of "WHAT THE HELL IS IT?!" Bill is starting to see the ghosts. Harold is being a douche. Kelly wanted to do everyone--and almost did North! We still don't know what exactly is going on. What was that thing that I missed?!

Alright, I didn't exactly miss the mention of salvia. I didn't think it meant much when it was mentioned though. I know very well what it is. I've experienced a "trip" on it myself two or three times. The longest one being 30 minutes in which the basement music studio I was hunkered down in transformed. It became the outside of a chrome trailer, like a 1950s greasy spoon kinda deal. I will assume Crusie has not done this. The ghosts are real though--which is why my brain discounted this detail! I've never heard of "flashbacks" with salvia, and Andie totally saw May on the front lawn that night after she came back from Columbus. No salvia before that. Not to mention, this is fiction--the ghosts have to be real! The only things I will accept is that salvia makes it easier to see spirits. *sticks out tongue*

As the accoustic version of Eric Clapton's "Layla" comes on, dedicated to Andie from North, I know it's not Southie. Oh, it makes sense. The timing of events. If it WAS Southie, then it was May possessing Southie. Nope, Joey is not giving up on the ghosts--ever!

North is awesome. His instance on sex in the kitchen certainly brings a whole new dimension to the Thursday bake. I wonder who is going to be the first to walk in?

Episode 08 | Human Nature

Rhiannimated — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:45:47 +0000

I’m very confused by this dream, but because I cheated and peeked at Rose’s story, it’s gotten my hopes up, incorrectly, I assume, since Rose doesn’t come back till next season *grumble*

OH, they’re pretending? Does the Doctor have amnesia? WHAT is going on?

I like Jenny. Instead of letting her run off and break a leg, she runs off with her!

Bahaha, preppies go into the woods to get beer and get abducted, please let that be what is happening right now…

Oh, so the Doctor has become human….

ACK! The kid has the watch! That isn’t good!

Scarecrow men? Girl with a red balloon? Reeeaaaally creepy girl with a red balloon.

Now, that’s how you save a baby from a piano! LOL.

Stupid human Doctor kissing not Rose. Oh shut up Martha, you’re not even on the list!

Are these guys in the TARDIS??

FUCK, go back and talk to that kid! No, kid, go give that watch to the Doctor, NOW!

I am grumbling so hard at him dancing right now…

Noooo, they know! They’re coming! That kid needs to give the Doctor the watch NOW! ACK! SCARECROWS!

TO BE CONTINUED! Man, I don’t really want either of the chicks to die. It’s not really fair to the one he’ll be leaving, and I do feel bad for Martha since it does suck that he falls for a woman and it isn’t her, but that’s just because the real Doctor who isn’t human loves Rose and the human Doctor is programmed to like someone in the appropriate circles for the purpose of blending.

Chapter 11

Joey — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:25:05 +0000

Love the bunny North got for Alice. He's good with kids. He's good with Andie. Andie needs to chill. I'm trying to get my thoughts out quickly, because I don't really want to stop reading.

May temporarily possessed Andie, then Andie threw up on North's feet. They had a hot, clothed shower together, and when Andie went back to the nursery the fire was turned down, and the wanting woman ghostie was hovering at the end of Alice's bed.

I'm not sure it was a good idea to put the table against the door. I don't think it will do much help. If it was a person who turned down the fire, then I think it was Mrs. Crumb, but I don't think it was a person.

READ ON, MACDUFF!

I'm glad Rhiannon reminded me of Gabe from Fast Women. I hardly remember the book--not because it was bad. I love it, but I read it years ago (my first exploration into the world of Crusie). I remember thinking, "This is like Janet Evanovich--only smart!" (No offense, Janet Evanovich. I love your work too, but you two are in different classes.)

I plan to read Fast Women again ... probably when I run out of books by Crusie I HAVEN'T read. In either case, Gabe is back! He's scopin' out the place. Regretfully, Kelly O'QUEEF is still around.

You know, I really think Rhiannon loved this book for the sheer amount of cursing alone--especially now that we are getting towards the end. I know I love it.

Plant? Was this where Alice and Andie were picnicking? Is this the thing I blew by? I've got an extra watchful eye out now. What is this plant Gabe has found?

I'm starting to remember Gabe a bit more now. I giggled at the end when he just went along with the plan to steal the tapes from Kelly.

Chapter 10

Joey — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 07:25:05 +0000

Alright, my spidey senses are activating. Crusie has mentioned the "local brandy" too many time for it to be an unimportant, fun detail. There is something behind this alcoholic beverage that's going to tie things up. At least, certain things. What things though? The ghosts are real ... right? That seems well established. *strokey beard*

Flo and her tarot cards provide some interesting insight. The Emperor ghost is going to attack Andie in the near future. The dynamic between Flo and Lydia remains hysterical.

"We're NOT going to have sex!" both Andie and North proclaim ... as they prepare for it. LOVE IT!

The argument between North and Andie leading up to that kiss is flippin' amazing. I love all the back story revealed here. No wonder this place is a hot-bed of emotions. May must be eating this up. Of course that means ALL the ghosties are. EAP!

P.S. Rhiannon said I missed something. A clue for things to come. She blew right by it herself. A single word. Now that's going to drive me crazy.

A Simple Desultory Philippic/Rainy Day Women

Rhiannimated — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:37:20 +0000

This is a post about why I love this verse of the song A Simple Desultory Philippic:

I knew a man, his brain was so small,
He couldn't think of nothing at all.
He's not the same as you and me.
He doesn't dig poetry. He's so unhip that
When you say Dylan, he thinks you're talking about Dylan Thomas,
Whoever HE was.
The man ain't got no culture,
But it's alright, ma,
Everybody must get stoned!

This song is why I love the name Dylan so much. Dylan Thomas is a Welsh poet, who I never heard of until my Brit Lit class in college. I was thrilled to learn about him, but it was a survey class and I haven't had time to dig deeper into his work, but this piece really struck me in class:

The line in the Simon and Garfunkel song, "When you say Dylan, he thinks you're talking about Dylan Thomas / Whoever HE was / The man ain't got no culture," is clearly ironic, since someone who "digs" English poetry would certainly know Dylan Thomas.

When he sings, "But it's alright, ma, everybody must get stoned!" he is quoting Bob Dylan's Rainy Day Women, equating knowing this song with being cultured and digging poetry.

Chances are, the people who know Dylan Thomas would have no clue who Bob Dylan is at all, and vice versa. For instance, I'm sure if I sent this song to my very favorite professor in college, he would've scoffed at this line (but I love him anyway), and I didn't know who Dylan Thomas was until I became an English major who "digs" poetry, but I did know the Bob Dylan song.

Then, just add in the double meaning of the word stoned in both songs, and you get a plethora of nerdy English devices that make Rhiannon's ears tingle with happiness. This rainy day woman digs music and poetry!

Chapter 09

Joey — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 07:31:45 +0000

Let the mayhem begin! As predicted--and in order at that--all three sets arrive and cause their trouble. Now North needs to be a hero. Alice is screaming "bloody murder" in the library. There are ghosts lurking in the Great Hall, where Isolde is bonding with Flo and communing with Harold. Kelly's being a bitch. The professor is being an ass. Everything is exploding rather nicely.

Added this to the playlist I have going. I don't know if Crusie was thinking the Bette Midler version, but that is the one I hear. It fits the time.

I'm glad Lydia and Flo are bonding over their hatred of Kelly. It's adorable, and seals the deal in a way. North and Andie are getting back together. The family is fighting as a unit against all the intruders.

Will needs a reality check. He's trying way too hard. She's told him it's over explicitly. Yeah, it was heroic for him to show up, but when she turned him away, he should have gotten the point. There are still enough pages for something drastic to happen there. If he ruins things--even temporarily--fro Andie and North, I'm going to dive into this story an rearrange his pretty face!

Chapter 08

Joey — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 07:31:45 +0000

That phone call from Will was a promise for him to show up later. My guess would be in the middle of the séance. There's going to be such an emotional surge at the climax of this book! I can't wait.

North is on the way! *rubs hands together in anticipation* I wasn't expecting Lydia to be going too. This is going to be mighty interesting.

Isolde is flipping awesome. I love her face--I love her attitude and instinct about Kelly. I love the way she swears like a sailor. I think Flo would love a new buddy. Crusie also gets bonus points for comparing Isolde to Miss. Havisham.

Let's see, we have the magical number here. Will is on the way, North and Lydia are making the trek, and Flo must be worried about her daughter. Three is a magic number, and one of my favorite literary devices. Can anyone else feel the tension building?

Chapter 07

Joey — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:31:45 +0000

Ah HAH! Mr. Expert just said that one type of ghost is a projection of repressed desires. Two and two are coming together here. Ghost Aunt said she was Andie. So, the ghost wasn't lying when it said she was Andie. She's Andie AND the Aunt. There's a small hitch though, Andie hadn't seen a picture of Aunt May until after seeing the ghost. Perhaps Andie's night visitor is a mixture of two sorts of ghosts--the real deal ghost AND the projection. Where is Flo? She could explain this.

It's also too bad everyone got in the door. Kelly needs to go away. I think I forgot to mention the break up with Will. Not unexpected, but I'm glad it happened before the reunion sex with North, which still hasn't happened in this book.

I know this doesn't look exactly like Southie as described, but I had to see this image. I created it for your viewing pleasure:

aewr;uihofgal;ijuhdfwsg;ouiashrd[oihaqergp;[oiuaeqgr;oihertg;oihrhahaihqrihhqwiohpi *hyperventilates*

Sorry for the keyboard art, folks. I couldn't express the emotion I feel at the end of this chapter any other way. Hell, Crusie almost had ME placated as far as the whole ghost thing goes. The only thing I didn't think made perfect sense was seeing May on the lawn. That wasn't explained. Then this super evil ghost at the foot of Alice's bed. And May is back too. The ghost killed her?

jkhasd;jbna;slkdfjghb;aojsdhbf;oajbhngf[oajbshdf;ojahwsp;[fojuhgbasd;fojbhnads;dfgbjb *turns the damned page*

DAMN! I was so excited, I forgot to mention Alice! She's telepathic. This is awesome, but she's probably the energy center of this whole haunting business--which is a motherfucking thrilling twist, Crusie. Bravo. I apologize for the profanity, but it's worth it. You totally caught me off guard. You are the queen at subverting my expectations.

The Death of Erasmus Stone

RJSpindle — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:25:05 +0000

The Death of Erasmus Stone

by R. J. Spindle

A plea from thronging souls with hearts so scared,
Their salvation abreast the singing wing.
Relief ignited faces once despaired,
Engaged against the dead men poised to spring.
In ignorance of their captives’ blessing,
Darkness mistook their number for lampoon.
With ease did two join in to the fighting,
Erasmus and the dragon, Forest Moon.

Before Lord Stone, his foe was unprepared.
Without defense against attack to bring,
The enemy to man and dragon squared.
One by one they fell, sword swing by sword swing,
A path cut from their forceful reckoning.
No more would death be allowed to impugn,
This living land saved by the protecting,
Erasmus and the dragon, Forest Moon.

Against most men maligned forces impaired,
Lord Stone’s virtue protected from its sting.
Certain at last he had the host ensnared,
He focused on a central fiendish thing,
Empowered by his dragon’s whispering.
An evil core no blade of steel can hewn,
Did wait in silent knowing there was no bluffing,
Erasmus and the dragon, Forest Moon.

The Dragon Lord was stuck and soon dying,
A completion to Stone’s ill-fated boon.
This day, Fate did not favor the winning,
Erasmus and the dragon, Forest Moon.

Written for M.R. Mathias Dragon Poetry Contest 2012. The rules were simply a poem with dragons in the central theme. I realized after I finished the poem, Erasmus (the man) was more the center than Forest Moon (the dragon), but it was a very satisfying write none the less. In the traditional ballade form, with a quasi-iambic pentameter measure, I carved the images. I don't usually write narrative poetry, but this was an fun experience. Hope you enjoyed it as well!

Episode 07 | 42

Rhiannimated — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:58:42 +0000

GRRRRR Frequent Flyers grrrrr. Joey thinks my crush on Rose is adorable. I’m of the opinion I’m insane. I’ll leave it up to you guys.

42 minutes until they crash into the sun? That kinda sucks.

Episode named 42 with a guy that depressed…he’s almost WORSE than Marvin! No, that’s not possible.

One chance per door….lots of doors…

Recreational mathematics? Is that a thing? It sounds awful…

Elvis versus the Beatles. Douglas Adams loved the Beatles and Elvis definitely shows up in one of the Hitchhiker books. I think the last.

“Here comes the sun…no!” Teehee the Doctor has Beatles tourettes too!

I’ve just realized that Hotblack Desiato’s stunt ship, which is all black, was crashing into the sun. Yet another Adams reference!

Martha freaks out like I do, too, rawr.

Elvis wins! Bah, lol.

Not a good idea to say kill me now….

What did wifey do?

Stop shouting I’ll save you, and just do it!

Oh Lord, she’s going to call her mother, her mother is going to FREAK OUT, and then she’s going to be okay, lol.

I’m assuming this is Torchwood trying to get the Doctor? But WHY?? What’d he do now?

Awe, that hug was cute with Martha and the dude trapped in the escape pod with her.

Everything is down to the wire in this show…so nerve wracking!

:-( Someone save the Doctor from being roasted aliiiiive!

This music sounds similar to Pirates of the Caribbean, lol.

The Doctor’s going to burn Martha! He can’t do that.

Oh good, Martha saved the day instead of getting burned.

Yaaaay! Right in the nick of time!

This:

Frequent flyer privilege. Grrrr.

Mr. Saxon? Who is that?