crazyland

Dead Until Dark - A Book Review

2009-12-29T05:33:00.003-07:00

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was a little nervous to read this series because I had heard about the True Blood series on HBO and how "skanky" it was. Those kind of shows do not appeal to me, and so I was worried this book would follow suite.

I was very excited when the Barnes and Noble employee told me all about the book, and that HBO had taken a lot of "creative liberties" with the series. I purchased the first book and devoured it in one weekend.

Be warned there are a few sex scenes. I would give this book a solid PG-13. The HBO series portrays the books to be R-rated (with intense, graphic sex scenes) and that is where I would say they take creative liberties. They do follow the story line consistently, according to my neighbor. (I've never seen it)

Most people that know me know that I really did not like the Twilight series all that much. So it came as a huge surprise to me that I liked this book as much as I did. It's a grown up version of Twilight, and edited much better.

No. Scratch that!

It's not a grown up Twilight. Twilight was a sexless book, written for teens, where vampires were just myths. Dead Until Dark is not sexless and is a world where Vampires and humans mix-- knowingly. They have just recently "come out of the coffin" and are recognized in society as a minority race.

Really, according to the vampires, they have been a tortured race by the humans. They aren't really dead, they suffer from serious side affects from a "virus" that leaves them looking dead.

Harris has clearly given a lot of thought to the Vampire society-- right down to the high Archy that governs them. There are the Vampire Drainers-- people who capture vampires and drain their blood to sell on the black market. There are the "fang-bangers" who love to be bitten by the vampires. Then there is the synthetic blood that the vampires drink, and the fact that they now are tax paying, voting citizens of Society. World wide.

The series centers around Sookie Stackhouse, the heroine, who has a "disability"... She can read minds. While the thought of mind reading sounds completely intriguing to me, Sookie swears its debilitating. Frankly, I wouldn't mind a little clairvoyance, but Sookie wishes she could just get rid of this "disability" so she can have a normal relationship with a man. Which is where the vampire, Bill, comes onto the scene. Sookie can't read his mind, and she is completely smitten.

Bill Compton, the vampire in question, has returned to his roots. When he was living and before he died -- DURING THE CIVIL WAR -- he lived in that area of Louisiana. He had spent several years as a loner vampire and has now returned to try and be more mainstream.

How can you argue with a good mystery laced with clairvoyants, vampires and shape shifters? You can't. It's an easy, fun read that will leave you wanting more. Lucky for us there are nine of them, with book ten set to hit the scene in the spring of 2010.

Harris has a straight forward, just between you and me kind of style of writing that is fun and easy to read. One minute she's making you laugh, the next she's sending chills along your spine, and the next she's got you wondering who done it. This book will entertain and keep you guessing until the very end.

Bucket Filler

2009-12-29T05:00:00.001-07:00

Today take time out of your busy schedule to attend church services.
The reason for all this celebrating isn't Santa... It's Jesus Christ.
You can not find Him in the malls. You will find Him at church.

Catching Fire - A Book Review

2009-12-28T05:40:00.001-07:00

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I finished reading The Hunger Games, I seriously wondered how on earth Ms. Collins was ever going to maintain the intensity and thrill that The Hunger Games held. I mean,really?! How do you top children fighting children, tributes-turned-mutant-dogs and a love triangle?

Ms. Collins has hit a solid home run with Catching Fire (Hunger Games #2)! It picks up a couple of months after the games have ended. Katniss has inadvertently become the symbol of rebellion against the tyrannical government of Panem. The safety of her family, the ones she loves and even herself hinges on her ability to quell the resisters back into submission.

This book maintains the intensity and thrill that was set by the previous book. The book moves at a much faster pace than The Hunger Games because there is no need for the back story to be laid. Collins does a fantastic job of reminding the readers of important, critical events, without distracting from the moving plot.

There were definite surprises and twists that I did not see coming, which makes reading books like this one absolutely delightful!

Some of the toughest challenges yet are faced in this book: love, conscience, survival, deranged monkeys and a flock of "candy pink" birds equipped with long beaks used to skewer human necks.

The brilliance of Catching Fire is the wonderfully sick idea of the games --Children fighting Children-- being broadcast live on TV for all of Panem to watch, and force into submmission.

Collins does a fantastic job of painting the horror and then letting your imagination take over. She understands that your imagination will paint what is scary to YOU better than she ever could. She supplies just the right amount of details and lets your mind do the rest.

While it sounds "scary" or "horrifying", it is actually in fact a brilliant piece of literature. It has a little bit of everything: solid writing, a compelling storyline, action, adventure, a little romance, and multiple layers of conflict. Reluctant readers like it because it moves along quickly, and seasoned pros appreciate how thoroughly Collins creates Katniss’s world and fills in the gaps about how it got that way in the first place.

Simply put: This book is Brilliant!

Bucket Filler

2009-12-28T05:00:00.002-07:00

Today is the day that the post holiday blues usually drop in for their annual visit. The year is coming to close, and whether we realize it or not, we are balancing our own personal books. Tallying up the profits and losses. Will we be in the red or the black? It's easy to get caught up in the if only's.

Today kick those post holiday blues to the curb, and just BE.
Be grateful for what you have and who you are with.
Just BE.

My torrid affair . . . with books

2009-12-28T04:49:00.002-07:00

Over the past few months I have been vacant from blog land. I have blamed it on many things (including the blog conference that I have been planning. Are you coming?), but the truth is I was just burned out. Burned out of reading blogs, and as horrifying as it sounds from writing.

Although I did keep on writing because seriously? That book will not write itself.

Anyway, I missed reading books so I took a break from blog reading and started reading actual books again. It's been nice. I didn't realize how much I missed the paper in hand reading.

I have always been a voracious reader, even to the point of getting in huge trouble at school. I was always carrying around a book. Or two.

When I walk into a bookstore, my heart races and I get this feeling of excitement and euphoria that can only be compared to what an addict must feel. I like to wander, isle upon isle, and gaze lovingly at all the books. I pick them up, hold them, smell them and caress them. It's a strange love affair that I have, me and these books and it was so nice to rekindle that romance.

I have written up several reviews of some of the books I have read over the past couple of months for my Good Reads account. I then decided to post them here as well. I mean, why waste some of my best words yet in a place where virtually no one will read them?

What have you been reading? Care to share?

Christmas reflections

2009-12-27T19:12:00.004-07:00

Christmas has come and gone, and I do believe we have survived. It was touch and go there for a while {said sarcastically}, but we did it. We made it through another year of consumerism.

Don't get me wrong I dearly love Christmas, but every year it seems like we move further and further away from what Christmas really is and more towards what it isn't: conspicuous consumption.

I guess I'm feeling a little remorse. I didn't get into the whole Christmas game this year. I didn't decorate my house until December 21st. For some reason, I just wasn't feeling very festive.

My family has been blessed beyond belief. My husband has more work then he knows what to do with. He is crazy busy, and that is a blessing when so many people are out of work. My children and I want for nothing, and yet for some reason I just couldn't seem to channel my inner Ho Ho Man.

On one of my various shopping trips, I watched a man and woman standing in line in front of me. They were counting their pennies, literally trying to come up with enough money to buy A game. One game. Simply one.

At one point the woman started to cry, and the man loving put his arms around her and assured her it would be fine. "In a few days it will all be over, and then we can get back to normal," I heard him say.

My heart broke right there in the check out line.

I've been in that place-- the counting every last penny place-- and it totally stinks. For years that was us and then I got smart and opened up a dedicated savings account for Christmas. That was the best thing I ever did. Literally. It set us free. The date for Christmas never changes. It's always the same and when I decided to be proactive and save-- I can't even begin to tell you the peace that comes with that.

I have found myself reflecting on that couple a lot over the past couple of weeks. As I stood there, greedily purchasing more nonsense gifts, these people were scraping together their last penny for ONE gift.

This has been a hard year for so many, and I suppose that is one of the reasons for my Scrooge attitude. Christmas has moved from being less about Christ and spending time with family to more about gathering stuff. Stuff that in the eternal scheme of things just doesn't matter.

I have found myself wanting to simplify, simplify, simplify.

That is such a beautiful word, Simplify.

So, while we have had a prosperous year, and a very prosperous Christmas, I really want to simplify and get back to basics. I want to return to our roots. There is power in that; power in the family and power in being simple.

That is one of my goals for the new year... to live simply and simply live. What's yours?

Bucket Filler

2009-12-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

Are there people missing from your life?
Today, make a phone call. Or two. Reconnect.
Life is too short to not take the time to talk with the people in your life!

Bucket Filler

2009-12-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

Every year, we have a slumber party-- the whole family-- by the tree. We pop popcorn, have a fire in the fireplace, watch movies and lay around until everyone is in dreamland. (then I sneak upstairs to sleep in my bed-- all alone!) The kids love it!!

Tonight have a slumber party next to the tree!
It is a great family tradition-- even if you don't have kids!

Why Christmas Form Letters are a bad idea. VERY bad idea.

2009-12-25T16:35:00.001-07:00

Yes, you will be mocked.

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

Bucket Filler

2009-12-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

If you haven't delivered your Christmas Chocolates to those lucky people who have to work today, then make plans to do so. Then, step away from the computer. Turn it off. And go spend time with real live people.... Make a memory or two with your loved ones.

Merry Christmas! Have a happy, glorious day!

Bucket Filler

2009-12-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

Every year on Christmas Eve Day, I make these yummy treats and we take them around to our friends! I usually eat more than we take, but its always fun for the kids to have something to occupy their time.

Today deliver some treats to family or friends.

**Don't forget those chocolates we have been saving to give out as big Thank You's to the people who have to work. Remember? (police, gas station attendants, Doctors, nurses, blockbuster employees...)
Really, it will become a favorite tradition of your family. I promise! **

Bucket Filler

2009-12-23T05:00:00.001-07:00

Have you made your cookies for Santa yet? We did. Last night as a big extended family. It was grand fun!

Today, lets make some cookies for the Big Guy.
Maybe get some treats for those 8 tiny reindeer too.

My Christmas Wish

2009-12-22T05:32:00.000-07:00

I post this exact same letter every year on my blog. Someone sent it to me in an email YEARS ago, and I love it! I actually really mean it too. Especially the last line.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my four children on demand, visited their doctor's office more than my doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground and figured out how to attach nine patches onto my son's boy scout uniform with staples and a glue gun. (really. I did!)

I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.

I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month two pregnancies ago.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with three kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season.

Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely.

It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always,
Motherboard

P.S. One more thing...you can cancel ALL my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in Santa.

Bucket Filler

2009-12-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

I heard a readers theater once present The Nativity Story from the perspective of the Women in Christs life. His Mother- Mary; John the Baptists Mother; The Mother of Joseph, the Carpenter and The Mother of Mary. There was also the wife of a Shepherd and the Inn Keeper, and they talked about what it was like to see the Christ Child. Lastly, they had Mary the Mother of Christ speak, and talk about what it was like

Lastly they had Mary, the Mother of the Christ child speak and bear witness that her Son was our Savior. Her Son lived for us, and He died for us. It was so moving to hear these women, women who were a part of Christs life speak, and bear witness of HIS divine life. I had never thought of this wonderful story from this perspective.

I know that most of you save the Nativity story to be read on Christmas Eve,
but today lets read it and try to imagine how Mary felt.

Lets read it, thinking of the roles that the women in Christ's life played.

Let's read it trying to see it from the point of view of Christs Mother.
How would you feel, if this were your role to play? If this were your child?

I promise if you do this, you will never again read this story the same way.

Ghost of Christmases Past

2009-12-21T05:23:00.001-07:00

This weekend at Target I had a blast from my past. While wandering around, looking for the perfect present, I saw a toy that took me back to being twelve years old. Instantly.

I stood in front of that shelf, and stared in total and utter disbelief. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. A Monchichi. (monchichi. so soft and cuddly)

I actually felt myself getting a little verklempt. I mean, it was a Monchichi people. Do you understand the significance of that?

When I was twelve years old, the only thing that I wanted for Christmas was a Monchichi. Which in and of itself really isn't that odd, except for the fact that I hated dolls and never played with them. I was constantly taking my sisters Barbie dolls apart. I think my parents my have thought it was a phase... I was playing "copy cat" with my friends. Surely Motherboard really didn't want a Monchichi. She hates dolls.

Oh but I did.

I picked up that Monchichi, and started humming the commercial jingle. You remember the one, right? I held it, put its little thumb in its mouth and patted its head lovingly. Then I put it back on the shelf.

I did this three different times, people.

I kept putting the doll in the cart, and then out of the cart. Back and forth we went, the Monchichi and I, doing this strange dance. The twelve year old in me wanted that doll. The thirty-eight year old in me told me it was dumb to want a toy so badly.

My kids kept telling me to buy it. "Buy it, and then I can play with it," Thing 3 would say.

At one point, I actually had Thing 1 convinced that if I bought it, she should promptly take it home and wrap it up for me to then re-open on Christmas morning. Isn't that dumb? The kids thought it was AWESOME.

Awesomely weird, that is.

Ultimately, I ended up leaving that little Monchichi at Target with his three other brothers. He was rather sad to see me walk out the door without him. And, honestly? I was oddly sad to be leaving him there.

Would it be utterly strange to go and purchase that dumb Monchichi now? At thirty-eight?

I thought so.

*Did you ever have a toy you really wanted and didn't get?
Did you need therapy because of it?*

Bucket Filler

2009-12-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

Have you taken time out to sing the holiday carols yet?

NO?

Tonight we are going to sing carols with our families.

You can just sit around your living rooms and sing OR
you can bundle up and go serenade the neighbors.
Everyone loves to be sung to...
and if they don't then they are the Grinch!
And they need their heart to grow two sizes bigger-- like quick!

Bucket Filler

2009-12-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

My parents take turns spending the holidays with each of my sisters and I. I have 2 sisters that live plane rides away from us, and when my parents travel to their homes on Christmas Eve, they carry boxes of Chocolates to handout to the weary airport workers. It has become our family tradition to give these small tokens of Appreciation to those who make it possible for us to travel, or stay home.

Today, we are going to buy some more chocolates.
(It's just like what we did at Thanksgiving)
You can choose when you want to deliver them...
either on Christmas Eve or Christmas day.
Trust me. Your family will love this holiday tradition!!

Remember its way more fun to pick people you don't know who are working those days.

*Who did the Thanksgiving one? How did it go? My kids LOVED it!

Bucket Filler

2009-12-19T05:00:00.001-07:00

Today, you are going to cross off two more "musts" on our holiday lists.

Now we all have time to sip a nice cup of hot cocoa and watch the snow fall.
We have time to read a happy, holiday book or listen to a holiday concert.
Relax. Enjoy the season.

Question of the Day

2009-12-18T13:49:00.004-07:00

My friend has a roof top car storage thingermabobber where she ~~stores~~ hides all her Christmas Presents.

I have a room in my basement that has a lock (and I have the key) where I ~~store~~ hide my kids presents. (its totally UN-PICKABLE. I've tried.)

Where do you ~~store~~ hide your christmas presents?

Bucket Filler

2009-12-18T05:00:00.003-07:00

Every year in Chicago there is a mysterious person(s) that gives very valuable gold coins to the Red Kettles. This mysterious person(s) donates these valuable gold coins every single year-- all over the city. It's always fun to see the stories and watch the excitement on the faces of the bell ringers as they talk about finding the gold coins in their pots!

These bell ringers are everywhere. I know you've seen them too.
This would be a hard job, and probably a job that shows you the true character of people.

How many people just pass on by, not even making eye contact with them?
How many people ignore them, refusing to give ANYTHING?

Do you see the bell ringer?
Do you give when you see the bell ringer?

Today notice the bell ringer and give them
more than just your spare change.
It is the quickest way to a holiday pick-me-up . . . that's legal.

Silent Monks Singing (?)

2009-12-17T05:43:00.000-07:00

Bucket Filler

2009-12-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

My kids have more stuffed animals than we could ever play with in an entire lifetime! It is, for some reason, their very favorite thing to collect. Is it the same at your house?

Today we are going to gather up some of those stuffed animals,
give them baths (throw them in the washer)
and then take them to the local fire department.
They like to have them in the ambulance to give
to kids that are involved in accidents.

Police also like to carry them in their cars to give out to children.

Merry Christmas to the Mormons

2009-12-16T12:03:00.001-07:00

So. Freaking. Funny.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-12-16T05:06:00.001-07:00

Bucket Filler

2009-12-16T05:00:00.001-07:00

This time of year would be a crummy time to be in the hospital. Especially if it was your child. Unfortunately, that is the case for a lot of families.

Today we are going to contact our local childrens hospital
or our local Ronald McDonald House

to see what kinds of donations they need, or what a particular family needs.

This season is about giving to others, so lets do it!