Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill, AudioBook

The heart-shaped box contains a haunted suit. Thinking he is getting something cool from an internet auction, Judas Coyne, known as Jude, purchases a haunted suit. He has a collection of icky things, like a cookbook for cannibals, a skull that has been drilled for spirit release, etc. Thinking this is just the thing, he spends a 1000 dollars and gets more than he bargained for. The suit, is haunted all right, by someone holding a personal grudge against Jude. Judas is a hillbilly Ozzy. He writes macabre songs, and collects women by the state, calling them by Florida, or Tennessee to not be confused. The battle for survival begins, between a ghost trying to talk everyone into killing themselves or each other, to a cross country battle between Jude, and whoever the ghost decides to use this time. Great listen, awesome characterization. 10/10

Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn, AudioBook

Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn was read by Kevin Gray and Aiko Nakasone.  I truly enjoyed this version of the story.  I have read the book, but wanted to listen to the audio version.  I have a mind-numbing job.  I type for the USPS.  So finding a good audio book is the key to sanity.  Following the story of Otori Takeo, and set in an alternate feudal Japan, this story has history, intrigue, and blood.  Takeo has been raised to believe all are equal in the eyes of God, from the lowest flea to the Emperor.  Imagine his surprise when he learns that his heritage is one of not only violence, but assassination.  This is but one of the many mental and emotional trials he faces in this first part of a four part series.  Add a torrid romance with a girl deadly beautiful, and things get really interesting.  10/10

In the Garden of Iden by Kage Baker

I have tried for over a month now to read this book.  First I tried reading before bed, made me sleepy.  Then I moved it to the “library” (aka bathroom) for reading during long stays, and I ended up bringing another book.  There are just not any characters in this book that I am interested in knowing about.  Nought/10

Soundtrack for Spring Awakening

Yesterday, I was browsing the Grammy Nominations.  I downloaded the soundtrack for the Broadway musical “Spring Awakening”  This is a musical from a play written in 1891 by Frank Wedekind.  The play was banned for over a hundred years because it dealt with sexual violence, sexual urges, suicide, and the awakening of desire.  Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater have written an awesome score.  It sounds more like an Indie music CD, than what one would expect on Broadway.  I think the music is awesome, and so do the critics.  The musical has already won a Tony award, and now the score is up for a Grammy.  10/10

Letting Go

Today I have to let go.  My stepdaughter is not going to like me.  There is nothing I can do about this.  I have rules, things like smoking pot, and skipping school are against the rules.  There is always a blow-up.  I get too frustrated and angry.  Then I say and do bad things.  I cannot take this responsibility anymore.  This child most obviously does not want my help.  We just got her back from states custody less than 2 weeks ago.  Two of the reasons she was in states custody for a year are listed above.  If I keep getting this angry, I am going to lose the man I love, and not just the battle.  So I need to relax, and let her go on and destroy herself.  I feel like grieving.

What I needed Today

God, grant me the SERENITY

to accept the things I CANNOT change,

The COURAGE to change the things I can,

and the WISDOM to know the difference.

Being the Bad Guy

This is my role. In our family, I am the caretaker, facilitator, and big meanie. Tonight I went to my step-daughter Kristina’s Myspace page. To say it was entirely inappropriate for a teenage girl would be an understatement. When I visited her page a few weeks ago, it was silly and sweet. Today she asked me to go look at her new pictures. She had changed her name to ” Lil Mama Mother Fucker” and had added pot leaf and booze graphics. I admit to having a fit. I tried not to, but when I asked her why she had done this, she said “thats what I like” and then “cause they were sparkly.” Ok, I was scared. I admit it. I tried to have a rational conversation with her. She is 16, need I say more.

For Lovers, Dreamers, And Me by Alice Smith

First I have to say, Awesome Voice. Alice has a vocal range to challenge any Mariah Carey or famous opera singer. The album is a great effort. She sounds a lot like Fiona Apple in attitude, and her lyrics reflect intelligence and wit. I really liked Dream, and Woodstock, smart lyrics, nice tunage. Now for the downs, she sounds drunk. Her words are slurred on most of the songs, and although I realize that a lot of this is for effect, it sucks. I like to be able to understand the words I am listening to. Her lyrics are smart, but instead of making more of them, or expanding on a premise, she just begins to repeat, and repeat, and repeat. I listened to this CD twice today, hoping for a few earworms. Earworms are the hooks, or phrases from songs that get stuck in your head. This CD had none of those. 4/10

The Family

Well, until today, my family consisted of myself, my boyfriend, Richard, my sons, my nephew, and my boyfriends’ daughter.  This morning I decided to let my nephew go back to his mother.  First, let me say, I do not like having that kind of power, and as an added bonus, I don’t like using that kind of power.  My sister is a cocaine user, she has had run-ins with the law on numerous occasions, but so has my boyfriend, a meth addict.  It seems as if when I cleaned pot, cigarettes, and alcohol out of my life a few years ago, they decided to haunt me in other ways.  Anyway, after much thought, and after having custody of my nephew for almost two years, I accepted that I cannot change things for him.  I cannot make his mother go to treatment, or therapy.  He is thirteen, his personality is in place, has been for years.  No matter where he is at this point, his decisions are going to be the same, same friends, same paths, etc.  I love him, but I have to let him go.

TINKER by Wen Spencer

OK, I admit I was hoping for a little more meat in this book.  The premise was interesting, to be sure, a portion of Pittsburgh is in Elf land.  If you can imagine that a city can exist on two planes, and still be able to shut off all power, phones, and air traffic, then this is a great book for you.  If that concept isn’t too hard to swallow, how about turning into an Elf after having sex with one, oh and thank goodness she was a virgin, (they exist, I am sure) or the spell attached to his sperm might not have worked so well.  I liked the idea of a female character with brains, I just wish the book had a bit more substance.  5/10