Morphy Moseys through 2013 - Year 6

Morphy Wears an Easter Bonnet (Age six years)

This is my third 75 Books Challenge. I read about 250 books a year, so I'm not worried about meeting the challenge!

I mostly read fantasy, preferably urban, but also enjoy general and genre fiction, historical romance, classics, popular non-fiction, and will honestly try any genre at least once.

I prefer story over language and my favorite books are the ones I just want to hug after I'm done.

I don't so much review books as leave some sparse comments.

I have more challenges and lists than I know what to do with and am not going to list them here except as notes to the books I've completed.

Books Read in 2013: 230

My best books of 2013 are:

Written in Red by Anne Bishop
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Moloka'i by Alan Brennert

My best book of 2012 was:

The Fault in Our Stars by Green, John

My best books of 2011 were:

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by McKillip, Patricia
Bridge of Birds by Hughart, Barry
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Wells, Rebecca
Garden Spells by Allen, Sarah Addison
Soulless by Carriger, Gail
What I Eat by Menzel, Peter and D'Aluisio, Faith
Ready Player One by Cline, Ernest

My favorite books from the years before that were:

Essential Spirituality by Roger Walsh
Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
The Stand by Stephen King
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Katherine by Anya Seton
Sweet Liar by Jude Deveraux
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

Morphy Wears an Easter Bonnet (Age six years)

This is my third 75 Books Challenge. I read about 250 books a year, so I'm not worried about meeting the challenge!

I mostly read fantasy, preferably urban, but also enjoy general and genre fiction, historical romance, classics, popular non-fiction, and will honestly try any genre at least once.

I prefer story over language and my favorite books are the ones I just want to hug after I'm done.

I don't so much review books as leave some sparse comments.

I have more challenges and lists than I know what to do with and am not going to list them here except as notes to the books I've completed.

Books Read in 2013: 196

My best books of 2013 are:

Written in Red by Anne Bishop
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Moloka'i by Alan Brennert

My best book of 2012 was:

The Fault in Our Stars by Green, John

My best books of 2011 were:

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by McKillip, Patricia
Bridge of Birds by Hughart, Barry
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Wells, Rebecca
Garden Spells by Allen, Sarah Addison
Soulless by Carriger, Gail
What I Eat by Menzel, Peter and D'Aluisio, Faith
Ready Player One by Cline, Ernest

My favorite books from the years before that were:

Essential Spirituality by Roger Walsh
Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
The Stand by Stephen King
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Katherine by Anya Seton
Sweet Liar by Jude Deveraux
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

Morphy's Mighty Monthly Reads for 2013 (Green Dragon Group Reads)

January (1001 Fantasy) - The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

February (111 Science Fiction) - The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin

March (50 Mystery) - The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

April (111 Nonfiction) - The Great Influenza by John M. Barry

May (1001 Fantasy) - Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis

June (111 Science Fiction) - A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge

July (50 Mystery) - Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith

August (111 Nonfiction) - The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman

September (1001 Fantasy) - Nine Princes in Amber by Roger Zelazny

October (111 Science Fiction) - The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham

November (50 Mystery) - The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers

December (111 Nonfiction) - Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat

Group Read Links: http://www.librarything.com/topic/146136

***

The LT Green Dragon Book Club's next meeting is at the Ridgedale Barnes & Noble on Saturday, September 21st at 2pm. We are reading Wool by Hugh Howey.

13 in 13 Challenge (49/91)

1. New to Me Minnesota Author (1/1) DONE
2. Complete Lois McMaster Bujold Bibliography (1/2)
3. Graphic Novels (3/3) DONE
4. Second Book in Series (4/4) DONE
5. Book to Movie (2/5)
6. Around the World (1/6)
7. 2011 TBR Code List (4/7)
8. Cover Color (5/8)
9. LT Recommended (9/9) DONE
10. If You Like... (1/10)
11. Paranormal Creatures (9/11)
12. Green Dragon Lists (7/12)
13. LTers Choose from the Ultimate Reading List (2/13)

Thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/147584

I stole this from someone else at LT and tweaked the last few ratings. I can't give credit because I don't remember who I copied it from! Since I started using this I've noticed I've been handing out more 6's and less 7's.

My rating system:

10 stars - The book completely enthralled me. Could not put it down. Got something more out of it than just entertainment -- it enlightened or educated me in some way. Can definitely see myself reading it again. Will keep forever and never loan it out.

9 stars - Not quite perfect but almost so. I will actively push this book on my friends and family.

8 stars - A really great book in all respects with perhaps some minor flaws. Highly recommended.

7 stars - Better than average but with some flaws. Recommended.

6 stars - Average. An entertaining read but probably forgettable. Will not reread. Recommended for entertainment value to readers with similar interest.

5 stars - Slightly lower than average. Some aspects of the story, characters or writing troubled me. Probably will not recommend.

4 stars - Finished but did not like. Would not recommend.

3 stars - Had some redeeming qualities or else I couldn't have finished it. Nothing to recommend it though.

2 star - I can't believe I finished this book. What am I? A masochist?

1 star - No book ever gets this rating. If it's a 1, I can't finish it.

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Talk to Me Tuesday

Are you a crier or a curser?

I'm a weeper. I cry at the drop of a hat. I wouldn't say a day doesn't go by without me getting weepy over something but it's pretty darned close. Part of it is depression. Part of it is being what MrMorphy calls me being "tender hearted." I've been known to tear up over commercials. Don't get me wrong, I can get annoyed over things. But very little gets me out and out angry.

So what is your temperament? Do you rage against life's ups and down? Or do you carrying around boxes of Kleenex?

From Journal yesterday:

I'm still feeling depressed and tired. Nothing is of interest to me. Everything is an effort. When MrMorphy came home I just wanted to blubber all over him but who wants to come home to that? So I refrained and kept a smile on my face. Besides, half of one's mood is deciding to not give in to the depression. I can decide to not wallow in the depression. So I forced myself to get the (volunteer work) done. I sent it off to L with a request for a meeting. I've done it for 18 months with no support from (org) and I'm pretty much done. I'm ready to have things taken off my plate and this might as well be one. L doesn't return phone calls on this. Doesn't respond to emails. Doesn't respond to requests for a new list of names. I'm done. I'm willing to bet it will even take more than this email to get her to commit to a meeting. At least with (other org), I feel like I'm appreciated and that the program is valuable and valued.

I'm not looking forward to the physical therapy. In the past my experience has been that therapists have a one track mind and if you don't do things exactly their way, they don't know how to adjust. They don't know how to handle if someone can't do something or their lifestyle doesn't allow for an exercise or requirement. For instance, I doubt I'm going to be able to sleep with my arm straight because a) I sleep on that side and b) I need to be able to use both hands to adjust my CPAP and take drinks of water. We'll see how it goes.

I was worried that E and I wouldn't have enough to talk about but basically all I had to do was ask her questions and nod a lot. She talked enough for the both of us!

I saw a few people from (company) including A and Dr. J. They said they had been discussing (org). They didn't say anything about donating any money so I have the feeling they probably won't. And MrMorphy hasn't seen P in weeks. I'm not doing so hot in finding a sponsor. It's not like I can get out there and sell the program. And I'm getting frustrated with the people in this one too. Is it just me? Do I just not like people because of the depression or is it that I'm so tired all time? Could it be the medication causing this fatigue or the fat? All I know is that I have no energy for anything by the time the afternoon rolls around. Maybe I should start working on my to do list in the mornings and do my computer stuff in the afternoons? After all, most of the computer stuff is easy brain candy any way.

I hope that this low spell doesn't drag out too much longer for you, Morphy. My mother suffered from depression, and I know that it's not something you can just snap out of. At least you have an incredible amount of determination, and we're all rooting for you!

Crier or curser?: Crier. Absolutely, positively crier. If I'm sad, I cry. If I'm angry, I cry. If my feelings get hurt, I cry. When I watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, I cry. Sometimes my husband walks in and I'll be reading a book with tears running down my cheeks, and he always asks, "Why are you reading it if it upsets you that much?" To which I reply, "But it's so good!" All this makes me sound like some kind of fountain, but I'm really not that bad. I just get really frustrated when the thing that sets me off is insignificant, or it happens in public.

I am not averse to the occasional moist peeper despite being considered, for reasons I cannot fathom, to be a reasonably tough cookie. I have been known to use industrial language occasionally especially when telling an anecdote wherein its usage would be appropriate.

My father was extremely well known for his regular adoption of expletives to the extent that he was nicknamed "Fuckin' Eric" (at least I think that's why they called him that!)

I distinctly remember him going up to a guy in a bar who was overusing choice words and he interrupted him with the classic......"Will yer stop fucking swearing there are fucking ladies present you ignorant fuck".........charming indeed.

I grew up in a household where it was taboo to cry, to show any sort of emotion. And I'm an engineer. Nonetheless, I am a crier. I cried walking down the aisle at my brother's wedding - happy tears. I generally don't watch TV, but I've been known to cry at commercials. I cry during movies. I cry about my Dad's terminal cancer that insurance is paying for 5 months of palliative chemo for. I cry that I've been driven out of my house due to something I had paid a lot of money for to it to improve it. My poor Sweetie's shirt has been soaked a lot lately. Fortunately, he is not embarrassed by public crying at all. I am very, very lucky to have him in my life.

It is EXTREMELY rare for me to curse at all, but sometimes I do, almost always when I'm by myself. I've never cursed at anyone, I don't believe I've ever called anyone a name. I do, however, get a tone in my voice that is hard for me to control when I'm under stress. Apparently, folks have been lovingly overlooking this for years, but my sister-in-law can't deal with it at all, so I'm trying really hard to think before speaking. It is hard, because I am under a lot of stress right now. Hands up, if you find it easy to correct character flaws when under stress.

{{Morphy}}. Depression is a bear. Personally, I tend to try to get chores out of the way first. I've learned to treat myself first, though, if I start to procrastinate about chores. I am learning to be as gentle with myself as I am with others. I am not finding it easy, though.

Congratulations on your decision to dump the thankless volunteer job you took on.

I do find that focussing on others can be a good way out of depression - and forgetting about my own troubles.

Another new thread with 6-year-old Morphy as the topper! Love it.

I hope your D doesn't last much longer. I fight it myself and have learned that there's no key coping method. Everyone deals with it differently. :) And I'm both a crier and a curser.

Lovely new thread, Morphy!

I am both a crier and a curser. I usually start out as a curser (saying things like "Frig" and "Fudge") unless the situation has shocked me into silence. I then become a crier. I am also a huge crier when watching movies and reading books.... my other half usually has kleenex handy! ;-)

>9 SylviaC: Sylvia, I've been dealing with depression for 25-ish years. I've tried everything. Just about every anti-depressant you can imagine, therapy, etc. I have what's called treatment-resistant depression. So, I've learned to live with it just sometimes it's harder than other times. I wonder which came first the weight or the depression?

>10 PaulCranswick: Paul, your story made me laugh. Even the second time around when I came to do my replies this afternoon.

>11 MDGentleReader: MD, I think I am going to try to change my schedule a bit and work on my to do list in the mornings when I have more energy and motivation and do my computer stuff, like LT, when I'm tired. I don't mind doing it then.

>12 EBT1002: Thanks for stopping by, Ellen!

>13 Kassilem: Melis, it's a long term thing that ebbs and flows. I'm in an ebb at the moment. Thankfully as the years have gone by I've learned to deal with it and it doesn't get near as bad nor last as long when it does hit me.

>14 lkernagh: Lori, I'm with you - books, movies, commercials. They all can make me cry! But, hey, I'd rather have a good cry then be a bump on a rock!

***

Wacky Wednesday

This tickled me...

It seems to me that the medical community doesn't really have a clue about depression. They came up with some medications that help some, hypothesized why those medications work for some people and then seemed to stop looking for solutions.

All I really have for you:
{{{{Morphy}}}}

And: This too shall pass when its bad. Trouble is, it doesn't seem at all possible or likely that it will pass when one is in it.

MD, actually, experience telling me it will pass helps me get through the darkest of the depressive periods. Knowing that if I'm gentle with myself for a few days, I'll come out of the worst of it helps tremendously.

Checking in on the new thread, Morphy. Looks like you could use an extra virtual hug or two. :) So have as many as you like from me.

I'm definitely a crier. Usually, I'll try to hold it in and give a brave face until I can go hide and let it all out, but sometimes that's not possible (or healthy). Like when dogs die in books: those are definitely crying moments.

I was that kid who reached third grade before I told ever someone to so much as "shut up" (friend's shocked response: "Wow, Jennifer, did you just say shut up?!?"). Nope, I'm definitely not a curser.

As someone who's experienced depression in different forms (seasonal and situational) in my life, my thoughts are with you. I also find previous experience extremely helpful in getting through it, but at times it's a psychological wrestling match that just never seems to end.

Both a crier & a curser. Although I do try to hold back the cursing, but I slip up quite a lot.

I too, fight the weight and depression monsters. I've never heard it put quite like that Morphy... As the egg / chicken analogy; which came first indeed?

If you ever discover the answer I'd love to know.

>18 MickyFine: Micky, thank you! I love hugs...

>19 inge87: Jennifer, it is frustrating to deal with depression and it seems never ending. The medications either don't help me, cause me to gain weight or "zombifie" me. Ugh.

>20 TinaV95: Tina, it's the same thing with the anxiety. I self medicate the anxiety with food. So I gained weight and got more anxious. So ate more. It a vicious cycle.

***

Tunes Thursday

Ooga chaka! Ooga Ooga Ooga chaka! I mostly love the song for the beginning. It's so fun and singable. Brain wormy actually. Can't get it out of your head!

Hooked on a Feeling by Blue Swede



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo-qweh7nbQ

This song was also used as the "Dancing Baby" song in the Ally McBeal TV show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx88NMh-YRs

Lips are sweet as candy,
The taste stays on my mind.
Girl, you keep me thirsty
For another cup of wine!

I got it bad for you, girl,
But I don't need a cure.
I'll just stay addicted
and hope I can endure!

Go check out today's Google Doogle in honor of Claude Debussy's 151st birthday. It's lovely!

https://www.google.com

Ooga chaka! Ooga Ooga Ooga chaka!
I can't fight this tuune
deep inside my head

:-)

Totally loved the Google Doodle. One of my coworkers pointed me to it this morning. :)

Yep, that song is in my head now, too. It's replacing another one that has been there all day and this is truly a relief!!

I can't stop this feelin', deep inside of me
Girl, you just don't realize, what you do to me
When ya hold me in your arms, so tight
You let me know, everything's all right

Takes me back a year or two...... :-)

*ooga chaka*

{{{{{{Morphy}}}}}

I'm definitely a crier. Sentimental commercials, Dorothy clicking her heels to return to Kansas, obviously manipulative emotional scenes in books and movies, and especially when I am furious--it is so frustrating!

Great... Now I'll be ooga chaka'ing as I'm trying to fall asleep tonight!! ;)

Singing & smiling!

Oh, no! The dreaded "ooga chaka'! It'll be running through my mind all night, too! Haven't heard that song (or at least Blue Suede's version) in ages.

I love your Easter Bonnet photo. I have Easter Bonnet photos, too. It was an annual ritual for a while, the Easter outfit (with bonnet) and photos therein.

So sorry about your current round of depression, Morphy. I hope you're soon "hooked" on a happier feeling. As for curser or crier, I'm a bit of both. Of course, I try to keep the cursing in check (especially when my son or parishioners are around), and I think by nature I'm more of a crier. It depends on the circumstance. If something make me really angry, I'm more likely to need to watch my language. If it's just general bad stuff, tears are more natural for me.

15> Had to get to a computer where Wacky Wednesday was visible. Giggle :-)

>23 MDGentleReader: (MD) *caterwauls* I'm hooked on a feeling...

>24 MickyFine: Micky, wasn't it lovely?

>25 EBT1002: Ellen, so what did it replace?

>26 ronincats: Roni, oh, I know what you mean! There is this stupid Christmas song, the Christmas Shoes or something like that. It's so obviously manipulative and if it catches me at a wrong moment can still tear me up, dang it!

>27 TinaV95: Tina, of course, I had no ulterior motive when posting that song. Really.

>28 tymfos: Terri, one year the school had an Easter bonnet contest. I won second place with a pink hard hat my dad had painted little cartoon Easter and Spring symbols on! It was very funny.

>29 MDGentleReader: MD, it sure amused me! As soon as I saw it, I was like, "This goes on Wacky Wednesday!"

***

I realized this morning that I totally forgot to post yesterday. This was most likely because I spent Thursday night in Urgent Care and the Emergency Room with stomach pain that for the second time, they couldn't diagnose. I give up. Unless I have fever, diarrhea, vomiting or it becomes excruciating, I'll just live with it.

Boo.

{{{{Morphy}}}}

Unexplained pain is the worst. There is obviously something wrong - that is what pain is about after all. I hope that it gets better soon.

{{{{Morphy}}}}

Sorry to hear you're not feeling top-notch, Morphy. Hope the whatever it is passes quickly. :)

I'm playing catch-up on threads after having computer troubles and transferring stuff to a new computer. I guess it was time for a new laptop. The old one was almost 6 years old, I think.

Morphy, I hope you're feeling better, both physically and mentally. Pain sucks.

Dear Morphy - wishing you a better weekend than you had week. xx

>31 MDGentleReader:, 32, 34 MD, Micky, Sylvia, thanks. After talking it over with a friend, I've decided to call my regular doctor to set up an appointment. It's not right to be in pain after every meal.

>33 thornton37814: Lori, You've gotta love planned obsolesence! Glad you have your new 'puter all set up.

>35 PaulCranswick: Paul, I had a nice lunch with a friend yesterday but we are holing up today. It's going to hit near 100F!

***

Sunday Sillies

Glad you're getting it checked out, Morphy. I agree that's just not right.

Morning Morphy! What is it about being 6 yrs old and Easter outfits! Mine was a yellow coat with a yellow straw hat with ribbons dangling in back, ah memories.

Yes, good idea to check out the tummy troubles. Good luck.

223. Inferno by Dan Brown

Genre: Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #13 (dedicated to parents), Book Bingo (set in present)

Summary: Harvard professor must solve riddles surrounding Dante's Inferno to prevent a world-wide plague

Opinion: Some authors write the same book over and over and it's a comfort. J.D. Robb's In Death series comes to mind. There are certain elements you come to expect in each book but they are different enough that you can still enjoy them. This is not the case with Inferno. This is The Da Vinci Code with different names and different places. The characters, villain, dialogue, solving of puzzles and chases felt all the same. Plug and play! The first time was great. I adored The Da Vinci Code. The second time when I read Angels & Demons was okay. Now it's just bleh.

Rating: 6

224. Visions in Death by J. D. Robb

Genre: Mystery

Notes: TIOLI #15 (murder in its heart), next in series

Summary: Eve accepts help from a psychic to find a serial killer who removes the eyes from the women he murders

Opinion: Another great entry to the series.

Rating: 8

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
Mindless Eating by Brian Wansink
The Funhouse by Dean Koontz
Wool by Hugh Howey
Undead and Unsure by MaryJanice Davidson

On Deck:
Fortress of Frost and Fire by Mercedes Lackey
A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
Starting Now by Debbie Macomber

225. Undead and Unsure by MaryJanice Davidson

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #13 (dedicated to parents), next in series

Summary: Betsy's half-sister is seriously put out that she killed her mother - Satan

Opinion: Just one word - meh. Entertaining enough for a couple of hours. Not something I'd recommend unless you are a completist for the series.

Rating: 6

Liked your sunday sillies. I'm sure that will be me pretty soon once my classes start. :(

>37 streamsong: & 38 Well, streamsong & Lynda, I'm not sure what to do now. Tummy was quiet yesterday. I'll see how it goes today.

>43 Kassilem: Melis, I thought school didn't start until after Labor Day here but it seems some schools start today. Considering that we will have heat indexes in the 100s and most schools have no air conditioning, I don't envy the students or teachers!

***

Music Monday

I was introduced to this song through the show Glee and so that is the version I'm giving you!

Stereo Hearts by Gym Glass Heroes



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4NJ8ssG8vk

My heart's a stereo
It beats for you, so listen close
Hear my thoughts in every no-o-o-te
Make me your radio
Turn me up when you feel low
This melody was meant for you
Just sing along to my stereo

Hi Morphy!

I love Stereo Hearts, it's fun and has an uplifting beat. I hope you're feeling happy and healthy today. ♥

Way back to Tuesday: I'm definitely a curser. I swear way more than I should, especially when driving or telling a story about something that made me angry. But... I cry when I get really angry and feel powerless. So, I usually end up weeping instead of cursing at the person who made me angry.

You confirmed my suspicions with your reaction to Inferno, Morphy. He's got a formula that works for him and he's sticking with it. But it has gotten old for me, too. I don't know whether I'll read this one or not, but I'm sure not going to hurry to do so.

I agree, as you know, that the way she mixes it up in the in Death series keeps it fresh and interesting. I'm glad you enjoyed the latest one.

>45 UnrulySun: Kathy, yes, I am! No pain for the last two days. But, of course, my doctor still wants to see me. The ER did blood tests and my potassium is low. I have an appointment on Thursday.

>46 jnwelch: Joe, isn't it funny how some authors work to a formula and it works (Robb) and others do and it doesn't (Brown)? I don't know how they manage that.

***

Talk to Me Tuesday

Joe and I have been talking about how some authors write to a formula - you come to expect the same sort of plot, dialogue, events in each of their books. Now for some authors it works. I love the J. D. Robb in Death series, for instance. Eve is always a smart ass. Eve and Roarke have sex - twice. Eve has to confront something in her past that causes emotional growth. Eve complains about her car/her computer/machines, etc. Yet they are a delight to read.

However, I just read Inferno by Dan Brown and it felt *exactly* like The Da Vinci Code. He was also writing to a formula but perhaps it was TOO close. There was no freshness to it. You could have almost just exchanged names, places and art works and it would have been the same book.

So my question is... do you have an author that you like to read that writes to a formula? And/or have you read a author's books that are so formulaic you didn't like them at all?

>44 Morphidae:. Ouch. I don't envy them either. Here, it's still 90s outside but all the building have their air conditioners on full blast so I have to carry a jacket with me anyways.

As for your Tuesday question, I can't think off the top of my head of a author I stopped reading because their books were too formulaic for me, but the author that I still occasionally read that immediately pops up is Mercedes Lackey, at least for those books I've read of hers. The Anita Blake series was also a little formulaic for me. Actually, I stopped reading that series since I had other books on my to read list I thought I would like better. Her dialogue was too formulaic. Hmm... Those are the ones I can think of now, but I'm sure I will be thinking about it the rest of the day so maybe I'll add some more later. :)

My father was reading Inferno when I visited him last week, and he said it was way to predictable because of how formulaic Brown writes. Same as what everyone else is saying, so it looks like I will probably not be picking the book up. Oh well. On to other books!

Hope all is well/better.
Happy Reading

>48 Kassilem: Melis, yes, Lackey is formulaic but for most of her books I like it. Only with the second of the Collegium series did it start seeming stale with Mags seeming too much like a combo of other characters (Darian + Karal + Skif + Talia).

***

Wacky Wednesday

A Montana cowboy was overseeing his herd in a remote mountainous pasture when suddenly a brand-new BMW advanced out of a dust cloud towards him. The driver, a young man in a Brioni suit, Gucci shoes, Ray Ban sunglasses and YSL tie, leans out the window and asks the cowboy, "If I tell you exactly how many cows and calves you have in your herd, will you give me a calf?" The cowboy looks at the man, obviously a yuppie, then looks at his peacefully grazing herd and calmly answers, "Sure, Why not?"

The yuppie parks his car, whips out his Dell notebook computer, connects it to his Cingular RAZR V3 cell phone, and surfs to a NASA page on the Internet, where he calls up a GPS satellite navigation system to get an exact fix on his location which he then feeds to another NASA Satellite that scans the area in an ultra-high-resolution photo. The young man then opens the digital photo in Adobe Photoshop and exports it to an image processing facility in Hamburg, Germany. Within seconds, he receives an email on his Palm Pilot that the image has been processed and the data stored.

He then accesses a MS-SQL database through an ODBC connected Excel spreadsheet with email on his Blackberry and, after a few minutes, receives a response. Finally, he prints out a full-color, 150-page report on his hi-tech, miniaturized HP LaserJet printer and finally turns to the cowboy and says, "You have exactly 1,586 cows and calves."

"That's right. Well, I guess you can take one of my calves," says the cowboy. He watches the young man select one of the animals and looks on amused as the young man stuffs it into the trunk of his car.

Then the cowboy says to the young man, "Hey, if I can tell you exactly what your business is, will you give me back my calf?"

The young man thinks about it for a second and then says, "Okay, why not?"

"You're a Congressman for the U .S. Government", says the cowboy.

"Wow! That's correct," says the yuppie, "but how did you guess that?"

"No guessing required." answered the cowboy. "You showed up here even though nobody called you; you want to get paid for an answer I already knew, to a question I never asked. You tried to show me how much smarter than me you are; and you don't know a thing about cows...this is a herd of sheep.

Now give me back my dog."

Grin.

{{{{hugs}}}}

Back to your talk topic, there are several authors I read because I know exactly the pattern the novel will take. Among them are: Georgette Heyer, Meg Cabot, and Iris Johansen. I don't think formulaity has ever really turned me off. Really transparent plotting or characters who haven't figured things out at the same time as or shortly after I have will annoy me quite a bit sometimes though.

Hi Morphy, For your Tuesday Talk topic - I like authors of series books to have some formula to their series (don't suddenly go off on strange tangents on me in book 6!). For stand alone reads, I expect some variety and some surprises and while I have downgraded a rating for a book because it was similar to another book by the same author, I haven't felt compelled to abandon them or trash them for being so formulae, if that makes any sense. I hope you have a lovely week!

Hello Morphy - sorry about the Black Dog stalking you of late. With 'to do' lists, someone once told me to always put 'Make a tod do list' as the first item of your list - that way you always cross something off!

I'm a sentimental crier - books, movies, yes, even commercials. And I like a good curse - but never at someone and not real anger - real anger I save for the greater injustices (that people should live in poverty, that useless wars are fought, that we don't protect our environment and on and on).

Not a fan of formula novels, unless extremely well written. I read Da Vinci Code and am still angry at myself for making a small contribution to the man who calls himself a writer.

Love your Wacky Wednesday story! Treat yourself kindly my dear and don't feel you have to 'do' anything but 'be' the best you that you can.

Your Wacky Wednesday story was a hit in my household!

I'll second Georgette Heyer. It's actually kind of useful, because I know which of her formulas I like and which I don't. Therefore I know can safely skip all books with spunky orphans leading bachelors on cross-country chases, and go to the ones I'll actually enjoy with strong, managing women driving the men crazy.

Ah, that's the thing with Heyer--once she gets the formula established, she always throws a curve ball into the mix so that you think you know what is coming next, and it ain't necessarily so! Love that.

Very glad to hear that your pain disappeared, Morphy. May it stay that way!

>50 MDGentleReader: & 54 MD & Sylvia, glad you (and they) enjoyed it!

>51 MickyFine: Micky, I don't mind formulaic writing either but for some reason this time it really turned me off. Perhaps because it was SO obvious.

>52 lkernagh: Lori, I like certain authors because I know what to expect. It is a comfort to me to get the same type of thing.

>53 PrueGallagher: Prue, I had my therapist tell me that on the days when I feel like I can't get anything accomplished and nothing is of interest (even reading), that just not binge eating makes it a successful day.

>55 inge87: Jennifer, so which type is Frederica?

>56 ronincats: Roni, I hope so! Now I just need to meet up with the doctor today to see what the low potassium is about.

***

Tunes Thursday

This one is a favorite of my mother as well. The scenes of Tom Cruise in Risky Business in his tidy whities are classics...

Old Time Rock and Roll by Bob Seger



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsSVcRYh8dE

Still like that old time rock 'n' roll
That kind of music just soothes the soul
I reminisce about the days of old
With that old time rock 'n' roll
Won't go to hear 'em play a tango
I'd rather hear some blues or funky old soul
There's only one sure way to get me to go
Start playing old time rock 'n' roll
Call me a relic, call me what you will
Say I'm old-fashioned, say I'm over the hill
Today's music ain't got the same soul
I like that old time rock 'n' roll

I always crank the volume up when that song comes on the radio. :D

Thanks for wanting to pitch in with the Halloween reading list. Even though I saw Stephen's response first, I think you would have picked a really good set of books. I was off to Boston for meetings this week and didn't have a very good internet connection, so I've been more sparse in responding to folks than usual. But I did want to let you know how much I appreciate your willingness to jump in and the way you share humor and music and good reading through your thread. Have a good day!

57, I'd put Frederica in the managing women category. Closest in temperament with her would probably be The Grand Sophy.

Morphy - I am a few days in arrears as seems to be my want lately. Formulas seem the order of the day in series writing - works wonderfully for me with Matt Scudder, Jack Reacher and Inspector Montalbano and to a lesser extent for Gabriel Allon (only thing why the hell does he always allow himself to get captured and why do they never kill him?) - it works less well for me with Donna Leon and her Brunetti's who was originally a beacon but now is dull.

Hahaha sheep, dogs etc etc

How about:

A man is stood on a street corner with a grumpy looking dog with him. A guy comes up to him and accuses "Hey mate your dog has bitten my Mother-in-Law!"
Upset the man replies "I'm sorry do you want to kick the dog?"
"No mate" , he replied "Can I buy it off you?!"

Have a great weekend.

I'm late for the Tuesday question...is it really Friday?

So my question is... do you have an author that you like to read that writes to a formula? And/or have you read a author's books that are so formulaic you didn't like them at all?

I would argue that J.K. Rowling wrote in a formulaic fashion and I love, love, love her. Harry starts with the Dursleys, goes to school, meets the new enemy, goes on Christmas holiday, defeats the enemy and then goes home for the summer. Of course it isn't that simple, but there is something comforting to that timeline. I think that is why book 7 shook up so many people. He didn't go to Hogwarts and it sort of threw her formula out the door and made the book feel that much more dangerous.

On the other hand, I never go towards prolific authors like Danielle Steele or Lee Child because they publish so often and the story lines sound the same. I guess I could be missing out, but I never feel compelled to be proven otherwise.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

I've mostly given up on the Cat Who... series. I still keep up with Emily Brightwell's cozy Mrs. Jeffries series. I also keep up Amanda Quick's various series - not her Jayne Krentz series, though. I'm fairly new to the Chalet School series and trying to get most of them. Elizabeth Cadell and D E Stevenson are authors I count on for a certain type of read. I know there are series that I have abandoned after one book, can't think of them right now ( well, Jayne Krentz would be one).

>58 MickyFine: Micky, agreed. That opening sequence is a guaranteed turn up of the volume!

>59 drneutron: Jim, no problem! I don't know how good a job I would have done anyway as it's not my usual genre. I think Stephen will be a much better fit.

>60 inge87: Jennifer, great! I really enjoyed The Grand Sophy.

>61 PaulCranswick: Paul, ha! Good one.

>62 RosyLibrarian: Marie, some authors can definitely write to a formula and it works, others can't! I wouldn't have thought of Rowling as writing to formula, but I can see what you mean, especially as I've been listening to them on audio recently.

>63 MDGentleReader: MD, I'd like to try the Chalet books but it seems that is one set that my huge library doesn't seem to have, not even in Interlibrary loan!

***

If you don't like lots of medical and health information, skip this paragraph.

Well, after the doctor visit I'm officially on a potassium supplement for low potassium levels (3.1 - shouldn't be lower than 3.5) and we're trying me on Wellbutrin for depression. With any luck, this one won't cause weight gain. MrMorphy and also both came down with colds. MrMorphy got sent home from work, "You are contagious. You have the plague. Go home." Every time I get a cold, I get laryngitis. So I'm speechless again. The doc said the stomach pain might have been a) after effect of the antibiotic for the skin infection or b) constipation. So, I'm on a tablespoon of Metamucil a day. (Don't you love all this sharing?!?)

Today, I'm cocooning. Comfort foods. Comfort reads. Computer games. Maybe a movie. I might do the same again tomorrow. Even Monday. I'm run down and need a break.

It's a long weekend. Cocooning is good. Hope you feel better soon.

Take care of yourself Morphy. Comfort foods ok once in a while but you'll regret them in no time and the discomfort of those comfort foods takes a fair bit of shaking off. I am your junior partner in some ways and have my own struggles with weight having increased 30 kgs (66 pounds) in the years of my marriage. I know that some day I have to do something about it but I always put it off - you didn't - and I was extraordinarily proud of someone I haven't met but somehow know.

Have a relaxing weekend my dear but face the new week with the positive heart and mind your lovely self deserves. xx

SylviaC is right. Cocooning is good. Comfort foods, comfort reads, comfort viewing. (((hugs)))

Have a lovely, mellow weekend, Morphy. Hope you and MrMorphy feel better soon. :)

Just popping in to wish you and Mr Morphy and nice, pain-free, cocoonish weekend. ♥

>65 SylviaC:, 67-69 Thanks, Sylvia, Jill, Micky and Kathy!

>66 PaulCranswick: Paul, well, one of my new meds is causing a fair bit of nausea so I'm not eating all that much in the way of comfort food. But thanks for the concern! I did manage to have some macaroni and cheese for lunch though dinner was a healthy chicken and vegetable stir fry.

***

Sunday Sillies

Morning Morphy- Did I see somewhere, that you read Wool? I thought that was a fun read and I just snagged the 2nd book on audio. Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

226. Wool (Omnibus) by Hugh Howey

Genre: Science Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #15 (murder in its heart), Book Bingo (underground)

Summary: Post-apocalyptic story about the survivors who have lived in an underground silo for hundreds of years

Opinion: Solid story writing but not exceptional. The episodic nature of its original short story/novella form broke the plot and character lines up a bit too much. However, intriguing enough that I'll be reading the prequels and sequels eventually.

Rating: 7

227. The Funhouse by Dean Koontz

Genre: Horror

Notes: TIOLI #15 (murder in its heart), to complete bibliography

Summary: Story of revenge for the murder of a monstrous carnival freak baby

Opinion: Reads like a B movie. Oh, wait. It's a novelization of a B movie. And it shows. Badly. There's no heart, no characters to root for - they are basically flat. I was rolling my eyes at the villain. I wasn't scared or unnerved or creeped out. Boring.

Rating: 4

228. Fortress of Frost and Fire by Mercedes Lackey

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #5 (letter sequence - RST)

Summary: A bard and his apprentice get joined by a motley crew and go on an adventure

Opinion: Dear lord. How inane and cliché can you get? Let's just throw every fairy tale and gaming trope in the story, shall we? We've got the dragon and the firebird and the damsels in distress and the farm girls with marriage on their minds and the animals in peril that are helped by the hero and then later help the hero and the annoying priest and dwarf who can fix anything and the druid who reveres life and the perfect golden harp... blah blah blah. Everything but the kitchen sink.

Rating: 4

229. Survivor in Death by J. D. Robb

Genre: Mystery

Notes: TIOLI #15 (murder in its heart), next in series

Summary: An innocent family is killed for what seems to be no purpose. There is one survivor, a nine year old girl. Eve needs to discover who targeted the family and why while keeping the girl safe.

Opinion: Oh, this came SO close to getting 9 stars! The ending was a bit weak though. It has to be my favorite In Death so far. This story really touched my heart.

Rating: 8

Loved this:

Grace was in all her steps, heaven in her eye. In every gesture dignity and love."

Originally from Paradise Lost

Finished the Book Bingo. Thanks, Amber!

Read a book from the new book shelves at your local library. Steadfast by Mercedes Lackey
Read a book by an author with the same last initial as you. Sanctuary by Mercedes Lackey
Read a magazine cover to cover. Mental Floss
Read a memoir or biography. Kosher Chinese by Michael Levy
Read a newspaper that you don’t normally read. Mpls/St. Paul Star Tribune

Read a book set in the present. Inferno by Dan Brown
Read a graphic novel. Maus by Art Spiegelman
Read a book about how to do something. Help Thanks Wow by Anne Lamott
Read a book longer than 300 pages. Cursor's Fury by Jim Butcher
Read a book that mentions Minnesota or Vikings. Embroidered Truths by Monica Ferris

Watch a movie with the subtitles on. A Cat in Paris
Read a book with an ‘underground’ setting. Wool by Hugh Howey
Read a book and watch the movie. 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
Read a book set in the future. Battle Circle by Piers Anthony
Read a book with a farm, ranch or garden in it. The Pillars of the World by Anne Bishop

Listen to an audiobook. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling
Read a book with a plant or flower on the cover. Moloka'i by Alan Brennert
Read a book in a series. Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews
Read a book set in the past. Velvet Song by Jude Deveraux
Read a book set somewhere besides Earth. The Spell Sword by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Read a book that makes you laugh. Hunted by Kevin Hearne
Read a non-fiction book. The Great Influenza by John Barry
Read a book written before you were born. Menagerie Manor by Gerald Durrell
Read a book with a mystery. Three Bedrooms, One Corpse by Charlaine Harris
Read a book that you keep ‘meaning to get around to.' Fer-de-Lance by Rex Stout

230. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowlin

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #19 (comfort read), reread (audiobook)

Rating: 7

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
Mindless Eating by Brian Wansink

On Deck:
A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
Starting Now by Debbie Macomber
Once and Always by Judith McNaught

I think a lot of the Chalet School books are available for free via e-book, Morphy, if that's as option for you.

>71 msf59: Mark, see post #72. Hah!

>79 ronincats: Roni, yes, I have a Nook.

***

Music Monday

Ahhh, I can't decide. Both get four stars for me so we'll do a Gwen Stefani double header. Her tunes are so danceable!

Hollaback Girl



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgjkth6BRRY


I heard that you were talking shit
And you didn't think that I would hear it
People hear you talking like that, getting everybody fired up
So I'm ready to attack, gonna lead the pack
Gonna get a touchdown, gonna take you out
That's right, put your pom-poms downs, getting everybody fired up

Rich Girl



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rlNpWYQunY


If I was rich girl (na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na nah)
See, I'd have all the money in the world, if I was a wealthy girl
No man could test me, impress me, my cash flow would never ever end
Cause I'd have all the money in the world, if I was a wealthy girl

Talk to Me Tuesday

Yesterday I bought some InkJoy pens and they are SO fine. Until now I've been a Bic Velocity fanatic. I'd buy a box at a time. I think the InkJoys will be my new favorites. So many colors and you barely need to touch the page with the tip.

I also bought a new journal. I need a new journal like a need a hole in the head. But there's nothing like a fresh journal with nothing written in it. I used to buy Moleskines. Love the black leather and the smell... yum. The pages also felt so smooth. But they are expensive and I didn't like how it was difficult to write on the opposite side of the page because you couldn't really open them all the way. So now I buy spiral hardbound journals. I got an Irish themed one that is green with shamrocks and Irish quotations/blessings. The blessing on front is, "May you always walk in sunshine. May you never want for more. May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door."

For general scribbles and notes, I keep a white legal pad by the phone.

So the question of the day is, what do you like to write with and on?

Good morning, Morphy. Hope you and MrM are both feeling better this week.

I'm a stationery junkie. I have to make a special effort to avoid that section of stores--which is kind of difficult at back to school time. At trade shows I'm the one lugging around a tote bag full of free pens and notepads. So I have a wide selection of paper that I have bought, picked up free, or won ($200+ worth of Moleskine notebooks). So what do I write on? Little scraps of paper. The backs of cash register slips, old envelopes, strips of paper that the fax machine spits out, the edges of the sales flyers. The other notebooks are too nice to waste. I need to start making an effort to use my "good" paper.

Oh, I love stationery stuff, too. I like the idea of fountain pens, and I have a few, but I've never had much happiness with them. I haven't found a specific non-fountain pen that I just love, but then again I love trying new ones, so that works out fine. And I buy most of my notebooks from levenger.com, although for my translations and notes I love using composition books. And I'm with you on the spiral-bound journals, and for the same reason.

If I had unlimited money/space, I'd have one of almost everything from levenger.com. I mostly write on the backs of pages from my Live, Love, Dream daily mini calendar. Most of my notes only need to be around for anywhere from 5 minutes to as long as 2 weeks. The Circa system didn't really work for me, the notes are too expensive to use for the short term and I am much more likely to recycle a loose piece of paper than something in the Circa notebook. My current favorite pens are from a technical conference I've attended 3 years in a row, oddly enough. Nice and smooth feel on paper.

Hi, Morphy. Hope the post-holiday week is off to a good start for you. Survivor in Death was a really good one, wasn't it? I hope Nixie reappears in the series.

I'm pretty much a lame-o when it comes to what I write with and on. It's Papermate blue felt tip pens and white, lined pads of 8 1/2 x 11 paper. I've never found a pen that makes me want to pay more and buy oodles.

I love stationary items but as my handwriting is atrocious, I don't splurge on writing paper. I do splurge on fancy paper for card making and to give that little extra something to an other wise boring typed letter.

Pen of choice: Pilot G-2 05. I just love the fluidity of the gel and, dare I say, it actually makes my handwriting legible. ;-)

I had lost you, Morphy, but now I have found you again! Thank goodness for the threadbook!

First of all, I love how you use the term cocooning - totally stealing that!

To answer today's question about what I like to write with and on: I will write on almost anything, but my preferred medium is legal pads. Totally addicted to them. But I tend to constantly misplace them, so then I write on the backs of envelopes! A sad, but true, story I also love those moleskin notebooks - I was reading your description and nodding, yes, yes, yes! For writing utensil, I love those Sharpie pens - any of them. ALL of them.

^ Threadbook?

Hi Morphy!!

I thi k you know from my thread that I love notebooks and pens. My current faves are Moleskin squared notebooks and Pilot Acroball medium point ballpoint pens. Always ballpoints, never gel or roller.

Ellen - On the main page for the 75ers group, there is a link to a threadbook that Jim has created that has the links to everyone in the groups threads. If you lose someone's thread, you can go there and look it up under their username, then click on the link beside their name and presto! You have found them again. A very handy tool as I tend to accidentally ignore people when I use my iPhone or iPad.

*edited to add the link to the threadbook: 2013 Threadbook

I forgot to add: WooHoo for finishing the challenge! Not that I had any doubts that you would...

>82 SylviaC: Sylvia, $200+ worth of Moleskine notebooks? I hate you. *whines* How did you manage that?

>83 scaifea: Amber, I've tried various fountain pens and find them to be too scratchy for me. Oh, I went to levenger.com and man, talk about a website I need to NOT know about.

>84 MDGentleReader: MD, what caught my eye at Levenger was the 5 year journal. I added it to my Amazon wish list!

>85 jnwelch: Joe, I've never given mysteries a 9 but Survivor in Death and Monkeewrench came oh so close.

>86 lkernagh: Lori, my handwriting is awful, too. I got a book about improving my handwriting and started doing the exercises but problems with hand cramping/cubital tunnel made me stop while I started physical therapy. Who knows if I'll ever be able to write more than a couple minutes at a time. I may always have horrible handwriting.

>87 Crazymamie: & 90 Mamie, don't Sharpies bleed through? That would drive me crazy. I often use the Threadbook to figure out people's real names, too.

>88 EBT1002: & 89 Hey, Ellen! I don't like rollerball either. I think they are too scratchy. I haven't really tried gel pens much to have an opinion.

>91 scaifea: Amber, nah. Me not finish a challenge? Not going to happen. Ha! Just grateful there was a time limit on it else it could end up like my 8 in 2008 that I'm STILL working on. Thanks for setting it up for me. Looking forward to a new one next year!

***

Wacky Wednesday

"When you find yourself in the company of a halfling and an ill-tempered Dragon, remember, you do not have to outrun the Dragon..."



"I keep ordering from the Victoria's Secret catalog, and all they ever send me are the empties!"

***

A man walked into a bar on a slow night and sat down. After a few minutes, the bartender asked him if he wanted a drink.

He replied, "No thanks. I don't drink. I tried it once, but I didn't like it."

So the bartender said, "Well, would you like a cigarette?"

But the man said, "No thanks. I don't smoke. I tried it once, but I didn't like it."

The bartender asked him if he'd like to play a game of pool, and again the man said, "No thanks. I don't like pool. I tried it once, but I didn't like it. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't be here at all, but I'm waiting for my son."

The bartender said, "Your only son, I'm guessing."

Nope. The newer Sharpie pens are not like the markers, Morphy. They do not bleed. And they write ever so smoothly.

>92 Morphidae: I won the notebooks from Chapters/Indigo (Canada's major bookstore chain) in a Twitter contest. I don't usually win anything, anywhere, so that was my biggest prize ever.

I like all the jokes, first one best. My son will like that one, too.

Levenger: LA LA LA LA. I can't hear you!

I love fresh notebooks and pens. Gel pens are my preference these days, but I've some lovely blown glass pens that you dip into the inkwell for special occasions. I love Levengers but can't afford it! Any new paper notebook, from bound to spiral wire, as long as it is pristine, will do.

Hey Morphy! I'm glad to see you enjoyed Wool... a 7 is high praise coming from you! :)

As to your Tuesday question: I buy those notepads from the craft store and Target that are $1, and use those... when I can find them. Kidlet likes to hoard and hide them. I write with whatever I can find. Sometimes that's a nice felt-tip pen (my favorite) and sometimes it might be colored pencil or crayon or magic marker or an unrecognizable stump of whatever. Pens disappear here too.

>93 Crazymamie: Mamie, la la la, I can't hear you! La la la.

>94 SylviaC: Sylvia, I know! I spent about 90 seconds on the Levenger site then had to leave. It was FAR too tempting.

>95 ronincats: Roni, I know what you mean about the notebook needing to be pristine. Every time I get a bee in my bonnet about journaling, I need to get a new journal. It doesn't matter that I have a few dozen journals with a few pages written in them. I must have a CLEAN journal.

>96 UnrulySun: Kathy, oh, I have to have certain pens and luckily MrMorphy doesn't like them at all. He has his own favorite. He likes ultra fine black rollerballs. Yuck!

***

Tunes Thursday

Some people are probably sick of this song. From what I remember, even McFerrin won't sing it anymore. But I still love it. And the video with Robin Williams and Bill Irwin is fun, too.

Don't Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU

Ain't got no place to lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don't worry, be happy
The landlord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate
Don't worry, be happy
Don't worry, be happy

Morphy, I love the man walked into the bar joke. :-)

I still love that song, and I'm not embarrassed to admit it. Mcferrin is silly for not wanting to sing it anymore - he complains that no one ever wants to hear him sing all his other stuff. Well, too bad, buddy - you've got a song that made you, I would assume, a load of money and you're irritated that people like it? Sheesh.

Hey Morphy... Been a bit since I was here, but I had a little mini vacation so I'm trying to slowly catch up on threads.

I'm glad to see your warning on Inferno. I will steer clear! I enjoyed DVC and A&D, but The Lost Symbol felt like it was the same old plot to me...So I definitely won't try again.

I just finished Undead and Uneasy at the beach (the wedding one). I'm starting to get a little meh about the series now. Opinions? Worth continuing?

As far as writing, my current loves are the Bic Velocity, but I also have a few gel pens that I turn to on occasion. I really just love any good, smooth writing pens. You are the second person I've seen mention Inkjoy lately so I may have to give them a try on my next purchase. *I have a drawer full of various gel and ballpoint pens, but I keep buying more!

Sitting in the waiting room of radiology. Feeling a little nauseated from all the barium I drank. Have to drink more in a hour. Doctor wants me to have a CT scan since I've had two bad cases of intestinal cramping. Posting from my Nook. Such fun.

Ah, I'm sorry to hear about the bad bouts you've had. Holding thumbs that your test goes well.

Waiting rooms suck.

Waiting for test results sucks even more.

Sending lots of support your way.

I hope all goes well, Morphy, and the problem is found and easily dealt with.

Mmmm, barium milkshakes. Not. I hope the experience leads to a solution to your stomach pain.

Actually it was a fruit juice mixture. It didn't taste too awful, there was just a lot of it. Worst part was actually the narrow bed and having to hold my arms over my head. Hurt my back. But it didn't take long - maybe ten minutes. So it was bearable. Oh, and I had an IV of dye. That stuff makes you feel WEIRD. When they say you might feel like you are peeing yourself but you aren't, they weren't kidding!

So now I get to wait for the results. I don't know whether I want them to find something or not. On one hand, if they find something, they can treat it. But if they do find something, it means I have another something to deal with. On the other hand, if they don't find something, we won't know what's causing the pain. But it means it probably isn't something serious like diverticulitis. Blargh.

Hugs for you, Morphy!

So the verdict is... nothing. Can't find a thing. So I have the mysterious ailment.

Well, at least nothing really bad showed up. And you didn't have to wait weeks for the results. Too bad it doesn't actually get rid of the pain.

No diverticulitis is awesome. Otherwise, Blargh indeed.

Let's hope the barium took care of the problem? Could happen...

{{Morphy}}

Has the pain come back? Hopefully it was just something you ate.

I posted the link to the crochet scarf on my thread for you, Morphy.

Nothing results are both good & bad. Maybe you'll find out something soon.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but was it you talking about drinking Spark? Or do I have my facts mixed up?

Dear Morphy

I send gentle hugs your way.

Always better to have the checks Morphy even though the checks themselves are so unpleasant. Does the positive if slightly flummoxed result put your mind at ease or do you still feel there is something that they haven't found?
Here's hoping you soon get back to your best.

So frustrating to feel badly and not know why, even after icky tests.

Best wishes that you'll be feeling better soon, Morphy!

I hope you'll feel better soon, Morphy!

>98 EBT1002: Ellen, glad you enjoyed it!

>99 scaifea: Amber, I know! But I suppose every artist has songs they are tired of singing.

>100 TinaV95: Tina, yay! Another Velocity lover! I still use the Velocity for general writing and save the Inkjoys for my journal writing. I'm pretty meh about the Undead series now and continue on simply because I'm a completist.

>102 streamsong: The waiting room wasn't so bad, streamsong. The nurse was friendly and I grabbed some word finds they had there to keep me busy. Plus they changed the channel on the TV to my favorite morning news show. Because it was early in the morning there was hardly anyone else in the room. It was about as pleasant as it could be.

>103 SylviaC: & 108 Sylvia, no such luck! Nothing was found. One more test and if it's negative, I bet I'll get the non-diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

>106 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky!

>109 MDGentleReader: MD, yeah, I should count my blessings. Diverticulitis is bad.

>110 ronincats: Roni, I'm not in pain at the moment. But I've had two three-day bouts of intense intestinal cramping along the left side about two weeks apart. And thanks for the link. I'm definitely going to try that one out. Now I just need to dig into my yarn stash. No way that MrMorphy will let me buy new yarn for it. LOL!

>111 TinaV95: Wasn't me, Tina. Don't even know what Spark is!

>112 Whisper1: Thank you, Linda!

>113 PaulCranswick: Paul, I trust that if they say there is nothing there, there isn't. I'm part of an excellent health care system here in Minnesota. It's frustrating that they can't find anything, but I it's better than the alternative of them finding something really bad.

>114 tymfos: & 115 Terri & Diana, I'm feeling fine at the moment. Perhaps I'll luck out and won't have another bout.

111... Thanks Morphy for clearing it up. My brain is addled often these days so no telling where I saw it. ;)

Hope you're feeling better.

You've got me jonesing over new pens now though. Sheesh.... I at least need to pay bills first to see if I can swing any. :)

I think it was $4.95 for 8 Inkjoys, Tina.

If we are discussing the joys of pens and handwriting, I'm partial to Zebra's F-402 ballpoint pens. The barrels are stainless steel and there's a rubber wrap-around band where your fingers sit for purposes of comfort. Absolutely solid product and you can buy just the pen refills after the fact. (But it's true that the Inkjoys come in many pretty colors and my pen doesn't come in any color other than stainless steel...)

Not a good week, Morphy. Awe...... what with the tests and the pain you have been experiencing, I want to wish you an extra specially lovely weekend. Hang in there!

>119 jillmwo: Jill, but the Inkjoys actually have INK in different colors, not just the pen outsides!

>120 lkernagh: Lori, I'm having a good weekend but MrMorphy is having a miserable one with back pain. Poor guy.

Sunday Sillies

Morning Morphy- I hope you have the perfect R & R day planned. Enjoy!

Good Morning Morhpy

I love the Sunday funny!

I hope today is a good one for you.

Hi Morphy, sorry about your mysterious ailment. Hope it stays away. And back pain is the worst. Your husband has my sympathy as I have chronic low back pain. Walking and yoga help me a lot with it. My husband and dog make sure I get my daily walk in, but the yoga is not done as regularly.

Bobby McFerrin's song still makes me happy whenever I hear it. And it cheer me up on the occasional blue day if I hum it for awhile.

I am going to look for the InkJoy pens. My pens have a way of getting lost. My husband had my last pen engraved with the words "Donna's Pen" on it. It has a built-in LED light and a tip that doubles as a stylus for the iPhone or iPad. Very cool...and I haven't lost it yet!

>122 msf59: Mark, thank you! I had a nice day playing on the computer, reading and at dinner time we watched a funny episode of Big Bang theory (that's probably redundant - but this one was especially so.)

>123 Whisper1: Linda, it was, thank you! Hope you had a restful and refreshing Sunday as well.

>124 Donna828: Donna, at least if you lose the InkJoy pens you aren't out a lot of money! They were something like $5 for 8 of them at Target.

***

Music Monday

Fabulous dance tune.

Play by Jennifer Lopez



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFuw-YZaTNo

I don't care if everybody gone
Turn it up
'Cause it turns me on
Keep dancin' all night long
It feels so good that it can't be wrong
I get the chills up and down my spine
Whenever I hear that song of mine
When it stops better press rewind
Let me hear it
One more time

Good morning, Morphy! I hope MrM's back is feeling better, and your tummy is still okay.

>126 SylviaC: Sylvia, MrMorphy's back is better. Unfortunately, he got the "trots" from all the ibuprofen. Poor guy. He's better today though. No pain killers and fewer bathroom trips. My tummy has also been behaving itself. With any luck it will only be those two episodes.

***

Talk to Me Tuesday

Glee will be starting September 26th and I'm really looking forward to it. Cory Monteith's (Finn) death made me sad. This is unusual since celebrity deaths typically don't affect me in anyway. I don't watch any other TV except for the morning news. Okay, I have to admit to sneaking in an occasional MasterChef. I was surprised to enjoy it since until now I've hated Gordon Ramsay. I think he's a mean, rude SOB. But he's quite pleasant on this show. But really, Glee is my absolute favorite and I don't miss an episode. I love the music even when the plots are sometimes weak.

What's your favorite TV show?

I'm glad you're both feeling better.

My preference is not to have the TV on at all. When I watch shows with someone else, it is things like Pawn Stars, American (or Canadian) Pickers, House Hunters International, and lots of news. The only show that I actively try not to miss is The Rick Mercer Report, a Canadian comedy/political show. It hasn't started yet for the season, though. My husband likes the TV on all the time when he is in the house. It is not unusual for him to come in, turn the TV on, get something, and go back outside, leaving the TV on. I keep a remote handy just for turning the TV off.

HI Morphy!
Hope you are feeling better these days!

We watch quite a bit of TV here lately, but never when it's actually playing on TV since Nate is a shift worker and hardly ever home in the evening to watch shows together. We just watched the Australian version of Masterchef. It was pretty good! We are pretty excited that Sons of Anarchy starts this week!

I have a few guilty pleasures: America's Next Top Model is the one that's airing right now, but I also like Supernatural, Vampire Diaries & Game of Thrones. Oh and Naruto the anime. I never ever ever thought I would get into Naruto, especially the anime, but life surprises you sometimes :)

There's a few that I'd like to watch but would have to take the time to catch up on the seasons to do so which I definitely don't have time to do while I'm working on my degree: Dexter, Bones, The L Word just to name a few. I've never seen Glee, but I've heard a lot of people like it.

I'm a Gleek too, Morphy, although as the original crew have dispersed, my attraction has waned somewhat. I do love the music, though. I also am a fan of The Voice, which is getting ready to start up as well. Other than that, I have news and/or PBS on often while playing on the computer, some sports, and some HGTV although erratically.

HGTV is one of my favorites -- I go to sleep with the channel on every night; it's kind of like my ativan. ;)

I'm a huge Gleek, along with both you and Roni. And I too, was very saddened by Cory Monteith's death (whereas I normally don't react too strongly to celebrity passings).

I DVR a few other guilty pleasure shows (Vampire Diaries, Being Human, and can't think of the rest right now) but have to be careful because of time.

>128 SylviaC: Sylvia, other than in the morning and during dinner (DVD playing) the TV stays off in our house too. I watch Glee on my computer as it's on too late most nights. Hmm, maybe not now that Ken's schedule has changed. Oooooh.

>129 ChelleBearss: Chelle, we watched several shows on DVD. I haven't included those in TV watching since, well, it's DVDs! We switch between Stargate SG-1, Big Bang Theory, Eureka, and CSI. We are almost done with Stargate though and will be starting Star Trek. We're going to start with the Original and work our way through all the series to Enterprise.

>120 lkernagh: Melis, I watched the first disk of Game of Thrones but haven't gotten to the next. One day!

>131 ronincats: Roni, we are pretty restricted as we don't have cable any more, just an antenna. If we want to watch shows they either have to be on the ONE (!) channel we can get well, order them from Netflix or get them online.

>132 TinaV95: Tina, I almost cried about Cory. I NEVER cry about celebrity deaths. EVER. I'm such a Gleek.

***

Wacky Wednesday

This is hysterical. And perfect to cool down during this steamy September!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sUL0KCIc48&feature=related

I wrote a very long post about my love of Glee and the sadness I felt about Cory, but LT erased it, so... yes. I love Glee and I'm curious to see how it goes this season.

Anyways, my favorite TV shows are slowly going off the air and not being replaced fast enough. Friends, The Office, Scrubs, The Tudors... but I have been really into New Girl and Doctor Who. And Game of Thrones and Parks and Rec and...yeah, I guess I watch a lot of TV. :)

>134 RosyLibrarian: I felt like Cory/Finn was the heart of Glee. I'm not sure how I'm going to feel about a Glee without him.

I watch a lot of TV shows many of which alternate being my favourite. Front runners for the title include: The West Wing, Gilmore Girls, and Doctor Who.

135: I completely agree. These new kids and their love triangles are just not doing it for me, especially Ryder. He's just such a bonehead. At this point I wish they would just pan over to New York and leave it there.

I think Fox asks Gordon Ramsey to dial up the annoying, because if you watch any of his BBC shows, he's much more normal and much nicer. And the shows are much better, of course.

We haven't really watched any current tv for a couple of years now; we mostly watch either our own dvds or backlog tv shows on Netflix. Right now we're working our way through another re-watch of The West Wing and then also the new Netflix episodes of Arrested Development.

>136 MickyFine: Micky, MrMorphy is a big Dr Who fan. They are just too over the top for me.

>137 RosyLibrarian: Marie, the new ones have had so little impact I had to look up Ryder to make sure I was thinking of the right character.

>138 scaifea: Amber, yeah, they must. Because I was really surprised at how mellow Gordon was on MasterChef.

***

Film Friday

I've seen nine movies by Miyazaki and this is one of my favorites.

Princess Mononoke



Because it's distributed by Disney, it's near impossible to find a clip. So here's a trailer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkWWWKKA8jY

Lady Eboshi: What exactly are you here for?

Prince Ashitaka: To see with eyes unclouded by hate.

That's one of the Miyazaki's that I haven't yet seen; of the ones I have, Spirited Away is my favorite, and it's one of my favorite movies in general, too.

Hi, Morphy; I haven't been on LT for a while. Just checking in.

>140 scaifea: Amber, I love Spirited Away, too. I think you'd really like Princess Mononoke as well but it is NOT suitable for Charlie. Too violent.

>141 humouress: Glad to see you, humouress!

Sunday Sillies



This one made me giggle.

We don't show any Miyzaki movies to Charlie yet, since we tried Spirited Away and he was scared of some of the characters. I hope he loves them when he's older, though.

231. The Fulfillment by LaVyrle Spencer

Genre: Romance

Notes: TIOLI #1 (apple variety - the), to complete bibliography

Summary: A couple in 1800s Minnesota can't have children and the husband suggests his brother father their child

Opinion: MAJOR SPOILERS: The infidelity left a bad taste in my mouth even though the husband suggested it and his death at the end was FAR too convenient. The brother suddenly became eager to bed his brother's wife after seven years living together? The brother suddenly realized he loved his brother's wife after all that time? She became pregnant after having sex one time? I don't think so. It all strained my credulity too much.

Rating: 5

232. Once and Always by Judith McNaught

Genre: Romance

Notes: TIOLI #16 (British Commonwealth before 1950), to complete bibliography

Summary: Victoria's parents die and she and her younger sister are sent off to live with distant relatives in England. Chaos and romance ensues.

Opinion: McNaught writes the best romances even when it's a cliched plot. Victoria is manipulated into marriage with a man she doesn't love. The man doesn't want to marry her either but he just can't help himself. Misunderstandings occur. They fall in love. Blah blah blah. McNaught still manages to make it good and emotionally resonant.

Rating: 7

233. Mindless Eating by Brian Wansink

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: Recommendation from Binge Eating Group

Summary: Why We Eat More Than We Think

Opinion: Interesting book on various reasons why we eat more than we think we do based on studies, some humorous. Everything from plate sizes to how items are named on a menu, from why you eat more at healthy restaurants to what movies will make you eat faster, etc. Also, how to use the "mindless margin" to help you lose (or gain) weight. Each chapter is about a particular theme of mindless eating (i.e. how food is named), studies related to it and tips on how to deal with that theme.

Rating: 7

234. Starting Now by Debbie Macomber

Genre: Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #13 (serendipity), Early Reviewer

Summary: A woman gets fired from a highly prestigious position in a law firm and her life gets better...eventually

Opinion: Good story about friendships and how your life can change in an instant. The romance was handled with a light touch but there were a few moments that were emotional sucker punches. Perhaps they felt a little too manipulative? I loved the parts with Libby volunteering at the hospital. They were tender and sweet and allowed us to see Libby as something other than a hard professional and really opened her up. Sometimes I felt like the only character you really got to know was Libby. The secondary characters, even the male romantic lead and best friend, could have been filled out more. Still, all in all, an enjoyable read.

Rating: 7

235. Kitty in the Underworld by Carrie Vaughn

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #7 (ninth or higher in series - 12), next in series

Summary: Kitty follows the trail of an intruder and falls into a trap

Opinion: Dear gods, Kitty gets kidnapped...again. How many times is this going to happen? It's getting tedious. And reading about the time in the mine - the descriptions and Kitty's resistance - boooooring. Otherwise a decent read, I guess.

Rating: 6

236. Me: Stories of My Life by Katherine Hepburn

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: TIOLI #1 (apple variety - Beauty of Bath)

Summary: An autobiography by Katherine Hepburn

Opinion: Funny, but I liked Hepburn more before I read her autobiography. She was a selfish, self-involved person. The book was written while she was in her 80s and it shows - she rambles on and goes on segues on the most trivial and mundane topics. The best thing about the book was the numerous pictures.

Rating: 5

237. Prison of Souls by Mercedes Lackey and Mark Shepherd

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #1 (apple variety - Beauty of Bath), to complete bibliography

Summary: A dark elf bard and his apprentice are sent as diplomats to a neighboring country that regulates magic

Opinion: The writing was fine and the characters were interesting but the story was tedious and uninspiring. There was little humor and no excitement or joy. Just... blah.

Rating: 5

238. The Coroner's Lunch by Collin Cotterill

Genre: Mystery

Notes: TIOLI #1 (apple varieties - King of the Pippins)

Summary: An elderly doctor is forced to be the head coroner of Laos during the 1970s

Opinion: At first I was a little iffy on this book. I found Dr. Siri to be weak and wishy-washy. But then he did something surprising that showed he had real backbone and from then on I heartedly enjoyed the rest of the story. What kept it from being a 9 is that the paranormal elements didn't fit smoothly. They felt shoved in at times instead of an organic part of the story. Not sure how else to describe it.

Rating: 8

239. Nine Princes in Amber by Roger Zelanzy

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #18 (rarely used letter - Z), Around the World (13 in 13 - Laos)

Summary: Corwin wakes up with amnesia and slowly comes to remember he is a prince of Amber

Opinion: The story was interesting enough, I just couldn't come to like Corwin. I think he heedlessly threw thousands of lives away and you never find out why he was against Eric or why you should root for him over Eric. To me, he was fighting against the rightful king because he gave me no reason to think otherwise other than "Eric is evil." Oh yeah? Why?

Rating: 5

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
Dead Man's Deal by Jocelynn Drake

On Deck:
Ruby Slippers, Golden Tears by Ellen Datlow (ed.)
A Kiss for Midwinter by Courtney Milan
Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews

You caught my attention with Mindless Eating, Morphy. I do believe that plate/ bowl size does make a difference in the amount of food one eats. I have started eating my morning granola in a small Chinese rice bowl instead of a cereal bowl and have discovered that I don't really notice, hunger-wise, that I am eating a lot less in the morning. Very curious to learn more about the "mindless margin", as that is a new term for me.

Woo, A Brief History of Time. That's not an easy one.

Sorry you didn't like Nine Princes in Amber more. That was a fave when I was a kid. Your points are well-taken, though.

Wow. 239 books already, Morphy? You must be the fastest reader I know!

Don't you just love the In Death series? I can't wait for Thankless in Death to be released. I recently read Midnight in Death a very short interim Eve Dallas story about a serial killer she had put behind bars who has escaped and is killing off all those who he holds responsible for putting him in the cage, and torturing them ever so slowly before finally killing them. It's available on the Kindle as a standalone, but is part of the Christmas anthology in print.

Mindless Eating sounds like an interesting book. I know that dinner plates are a lot bigger today than they were in the '50s and certain restaurants infuse their food with extra sugar and salt which seems to give diners that boost to eating more than they would normally do. My vice is eating in front of the tv or when I'm reading ... I don't pay attention to how many potato chips or popcorn I'm eating until the bowl or bag is empty sometimes.

I think I'll look for Mindless Eating. As the weather cools down I find myself nibbling mindlessly more often, while spending more time sitting around. I think it would be good to become more aware of why I'm doing it.

The LaVyrle Spencer book seems rather icky. I don't think I've read anything by her, and I certainly won't be starting with that.

The Debbie Macomber sounds alright. I find that she's a "love it or hate it" author. Some of her books I get right into, and keep to re-read, and others just make me mad.

I haven't read A Brief History of Time, and don't intend to, but I would like to read Stephen Hawking's new autobiography. I read his ex-wife's autobiography, and would like to read his for balance.

Morphy, could I just borrow a few of your books and post them over on my thread? I am a bit behind and you are surely a ways ahead!! Great job. Keep it up!

>143 scaifea: Amber, I'm sure he will. Perhaps once he hits 10 or so.

>154 lkernagh: Lori, the container size has a HUGE influence on how much we eat. It's very interesting and they did several different types of studies on it. The never-ending bowl of soup was my favorite.

>155 jnwelch: Joe, no, A Brief History of Time is not easy. There are places where after I've read a paragraph three or four times and I still don't get it that I have to let go and just read on.

>156 cameling: Caroline, I adore the In Death series and make sure to spread them out so I don't go through them too fast. I don't want them to end! Mindless Eating suggests not bringing the whole bag in front of the TV for exactly that reason. You need to portion it out.

>157 SylviaC: Sylvia, I've read some lovely Spencer books. If you decide to try her, read Morning Glory or Years. I've read two Macomber now and I think they both got 7s. Not awful, not great. Just decent reads.

>158 Berly: Berly, sure. Though I'd prefer to read about what you are reading!

***

Music Monday

Fun song and video. Love the beat and the smooth voice of Timbaland.

SexyBack by Justin Timberlake



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gOHvDP_vCs

Dirty babe
You see these shackles
Baby I’m your slave
I’ll let you whip me if I misbehave
It’s just that no one makes me feel this way

Oh, I *love* that song. The whole album is good, really.

>159 Morphidae: Those Spencer books do look good. Like I need a new author...

I love Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli movies! I just saw the most recent one to be released here, Up on Poppy Hill. It's a gentle story with no fantasy elements, very nostalgic and, of course, beautiful to look at. Spirited Away and Nausicaa are probably my favourites.

149> I do feel that the title gave a clue to her self-centeredness :-). She comes through that way in her biographies, too - even when they are written by huge fans.

157> Sylvia, I am glad to hear that someone else reacts the same way to Debbie Macomber that I do. A couple I have enjoyed. Others, as you say, just made me mad.

146> Right now I am under enough stress, that I am eating what I want when I want to eat it. If anything, I am losing weight. Mindless Eating sounds like the kind of book I could use even now, to help with my eating. I know that I need to not eat while reading and I've read about the plate size. I've read about utensil size, too. Apparently using a larger fork causes you to eat less. And eating yogurt with a plastic fork makes it seem more appealing.

144> I will definitely skip that particular LaVyrle Spencer. Thanks for taking one for the team, Morphy, although I am sorry you suffered, even a little, with it. I am pretty sure that I have read at least one of her books. Long before LT, though.

159> Perhaps I'll try Morning Glory or Years. I think LaVyrle Spencer is the right kind of author for me right now.

LOVE Sexyback!! Makes me want to dance just reading the lyrics!!

>134 RosyLibrarian:, 135, 137 -- I'm with y'all on the new kids angle. I do wish they would just stay in NYC. But, how in the world are they going to go on with out Cory/Finn??? I mean whichever one of you said he was the heart of the show nailed that on the head, IMO. Wonder how they are going to even start the season. When does it begin? Has anyone heard?

Of course I know. September 26th.

I love that show--Glee. It is not going to be the same. But I will give it a try. Crosses fingers

Morphy- Just popping in. Hope you had a nice weekend and the new week is off to a good start.

>160 scaifea: Amber, I don't really listen to albums, just songs. What other songs from that album do you like?

>161 SylviaC: Sylvia, I know what you mean. I have hundreds of series I'm reading. Ugh.

>162 Sakerfalcon: Claire, Spirited Away, Nausicaa and Princess Mononoke are all up there for me, too. But there really isn't such a thing as a bad Miyazaki. Or at least I haven't seen one yet.

>163 MDGentleReader: MD, Spencer's books are gentle reads for sure. The Fulfillment was her first book. She obviously hadn't gotten into her grove yet.

>166 Berly: Berly, I am excited about the two parter Beatles tribute.

>167 msf59: Mark, thanks for stopping by, dude! It's always a pleasure.

***

Talk to Me Tuesday

I have a list (okay a database - stop laughing!) of fifty-six authors where I am reading their entire bibliography. Some of the authors are J. D. Robb, Lois McMaster Bujold, Stephen King, Anne McCaffrey, Judith McNaught, and Brandon Sanderson. They run the range from general fiction (Sarah Addison Allen) to romance (Jude Deveraux), from science fiction (Robert Heinlein) to mysteries (J. A. Jance). There's both regular (Mercedes Lackey) and contemporary (Ilona Andrews) fantasy authors as well. Even some YA (Rick Riordan).

Authors I have caught up with reading everything they have written are: Patricia Briggs, Geraldine Brooks, Gail Carriger, Kristin Cashore, Monica Furlong, C. E. Murphy, and Spider Robinson.

Only Furlong isn't writing any more (deceased).

Which authors do you read everything they have written?

I like pretty much that entire album, but Summer Love is a favorite.

Authors for whom I'm working through the entire bibliography:
-Agatha Christie
-Stephen King
-Neil Gaiman
-Stephen Fry
-Christopher Moore
-H.H. the Dalai Lama

Future full bibliographies I plan on reading:
-Bill Bryson
-Roald Dahl (I've read all of his children's books, but I'd like to read his other works, too)
-P.G. Wodehouse
-Dick Davis
-Robert Harris
And I may be adding Bernard Cornwell to this list, too...

Which authors do you read everything they have written?

Right now, as far as I know, I've pretty much caught up with

William Kent Krueger
Phillip DePoy
Julia Spencer-Fleming
Tana French

and soon to read the latest
Louise Penny

and working on the rest of the works by
Mark deCastrique
Michael Koryta

There are a few others where I'd like to read all their works, but doubt that I'll make it:
James Lee Burke
Dennis Lehane (actually, I might manage to read all his)

I haven't even thought of non-fiction authors in this regard . . .

Wow, Morphy, this gives me an idea for another list/stat post for my thread!

Hm, interesting question.

I'm all caught up on Louise Penny

I'm working my way through all of
Bill Bryson and
Diana Wynne Jones

Other than that, I don't have as many authors as I used to that I'd like to read their entire bibliography.

Edited to add - oh wait, I take that back. I'd like to read all of Mary Doria Russell's books too.

Great question! There are few authors I've read everything by, but I do think I did Jane Austen, David Sedaris, JK Rowling, Rob Sheffield (except that he just released a new one, dammit) and maybe a few more.

Working On:
PG Wodehouse
Bill Bryson
Margaret Atwood
The Brontes
Ian McEwan
John Green

...and there are so many I'm not working on but hope to start one day...like Agatha Christie.

Morphy -

Completist authors?

Wow too many of 'em since I am a completist freak, but the following are fairly up to date:

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
John Buchan
Charles Dickens
Graham Greene
Somerset Maugham
J.B. Priestley
Howard Spring
Graham Swift
Rohinton Mistry
Seamus Heaney
Lee Child
Henning Mankell
Jo Nesbo
Daniel Silva
John Sandford
Peter Robinson

Thanks again for your assistance with my computer woes if ya know what I mean. You're the best. xx

Diana Wynne Jones
Lois McMaster Bujold
Steven Brust
Andre Norton
Elizabeth Moon
Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
Georgette Heyer
P. G. Hodgell
Susan Dexter
Robin McKinley
Patricia McKillip
James H. Schmitz
Jane Austen
Margaret Ball
Emma Bull
Jasper Fforde
Elizabeth Goudge
Terry Pratchett
Nina Kiriki Hoffman
Seanan McGuire
Patricia Wrede

Now, these are the authors that I buy everything they have written to have in my own personal library. There are other authors where I have read everything they wrote, such as Heinlein and Asimov, who have not been writing for quite a while, or where I've read every thing they've written because they didn't write that many books, like Gail Carriger or Ansen Dibell.

Hi Morphy,
I'm actually pretty bad at completing authors' oeuvres. I have a HUGE list of authors whose works I would like to complete but I keep getting distracted by other wonderful writers. I used to be better at it (in my youth) but I also had a much narrower literature-scape.

Have I mentioned that I sometimes make up words?

>169 scaifea: Amber, hmm, I may add Gaiman and Bryson eventually. I've read several of their books. And I'll check out Summer Love.

>170 tymfos: Terri, whoo hoo! Everybody needs more lists! If I read and like a second Louise Penny, she might get added.

>171 bell7: Mary, I've read some of all those authors but the only one I'd consider is Bryson. Penny might be added if I like the next one I read.

>172 RosyLibrarian: Marie, JK Rowling would be on my list but there is no way I'm going to read Casual Vacancy. It's too ugly and negative.

>173 PaulCranswick: Paul, of course I recognize only about half of those on your list, about three-quarters I haven't read any by the author and most I wouldn't read the bibliography of. But we knew this, didn't we? LOL. And you are welcome, any time!

>174 ronincats: Roni, just one more book by Bujold, which I have from the library, and I'll be done with her bibliography! Any interest in some signed Brust? I'm pretty sure they are signed to me and MrMorphy but if that doesn't matter to you, I can send them. We got them as a gift for hosting him and his friends for several nights. I don't care for them (or him for that matter.) I think we have Five Hundred Years After and The Phoenix Guards in hardcover.

>175 EBT1002: Ellen, don't we all make up words? My author bibliography list is bad enough. Let's not get me started on all the series I'm working on. There are hundreds.

***

Wacky Wednesday

Gentle Thoughts for Today-

When I'm feeling down, I like to whistle. It makes the neighbor's dog run to the end of his chain and gag himself.

A penny saved is a government oversight.

The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends.

The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement .

He who hesitates is probably right.

Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are ' XL.'

If you think there is good in everybody, you haven't met everybody.

If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.

The sole purpose of a child's middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble.

There's always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt

Did you ever notice: When you put the 2 words 'The' and 'IRS' together it spells 'Theirs.'

Aging: Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.

The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.

Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know 'why ' I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.

When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra.

You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.

Birds of a feather flock together and crap on your car.

One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young.

Ah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.

First you forget names, then you forget faces. Then you forget to pull up your zipper.It's worse when you forget to pull it down.

Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today, it's called golf

Love those gentle thoughts! I think the dog referred to in the first one must me mine. Beautiful looking dog, no brain.

Which authors do you read everything they have written?

Uh, Harper Lee? Margaret Mitchell?

I have to agree with Ellen's post; there are several I want to read , but just keep getting distracted.Mary Doria Russell, Colin Cotterill, Barbara Kingsolver and Margaret Atwood would all be on my list of those I'd like to be able to say that I'm up to date.

I can't remember if it was on your suggestion or someone else's, but I'm working my way through the Star Trek DVD's. I'm about half way through season 1 TOS. Season 1 had 30 episodes - wouldn't it be great if that was still the standard length of a TV series season?

176> Thank you providing us with something to smile about again, Morphy!

I am completing my hour on LT with a message to you, Morphy! It's amazing how many threads I got to in a relatively short time.

I am so impressed with the lists by the completists in our group. I may make that a focus for next year's reading. I have several authors that I've read nearly everything they've written and could easily become one of the completists here. Off the top of my head, Jane Austen is the only author I'm certain of, although I'm sure there are others...like Harper Lee and Margaret Mitchell. Good ones, Janet!

I think I've earned bragging righs about my age. I turned 66 on my last birthday! ;-)

Hmm.. that's a toughie, Morphy. I believe I've read the entire bibliography of:

- Ray Bradbury
- Agatha Christie
- David Eddings
- Neil Gaiman
- Arthur Conan Doyle
- Isaac Asimov
- Orson Scott Card
- Jane Austen
- Louisa May Alcott
- D.H. Lawrence
- Charles Dickens
- Terry Pratchett

I'm still working through :
- P.G. Wodehouse
- Colin Cotterill
- John Burdett
- Lee Child
- Donna Leon
- Donna Andrews
- Charles Todd
- Fred Vargas
- Helene Tursten

I'm up to date with:
- Louise Penny
- J.D. Robb
- Andrea Camilleri
- Ann Cleeves
- Karin Fossum
- Arnaldur Indridason

I know there are more, but these are just off the top of my head

I used to be sort of an anti-completist. I was reluctant to finish off a favourite author's oeuvre and know that I'd have no more left to read, so I tended to save one or two. In retrospect, I wish I had just read everything when I was in that author phase.

>177 SylviaC: Sylvia, we have a stupid dog too. We call her DAAR for Dumb as a Rock.

>178 streamsong: Ha, streamsong! I should have added Harper Lee and Margaret Mitchell, too. Yep, it was me talking about Star Trek. We're going to start once we finish up with Stargate SG:1. We are halfway through the last season.

>179 MDGentleReader: MD, anytime! Or rather, any Wednesday! Ha!

>180 Donna828: Donna, you certainly do have bragging rights. You go, girl!

>181 cameling: Caroline, I would have read everything by Eddings, but his last series was absolutely awful and I couldn't get more than a couple chapters in of the first book. I don't know if I've read everything by Alcott, but I know I've read many of hers. I enjoyed the first Cotterill so much that he might get added to my list.

>182 _Zoe_: Zoe, I'm spreading J. D. Robb out. I don't want to come to the end! I'm up to 21 or something like that out of 30 something books. So I get wanting to save them.

***

Tunes Thursday

This is one of those songs that you rock in your seat and sing-a-long to. The video is a live version. Their harmony is lovely.

If You Love Me by Brownstone



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKXup6-rKII

You see now actions speak louder than words
So don't just say things that I've already heard
Don't want your body without your soul
I don't want a love who will come here and go

Hmmm... so far I'd like to read all the books by:
Jay Bell
Elizabeth Chadwick
Colin Falconer
David Levithan
Robin McKinley
Brandon Sanderson

I don't know how some of these will work out, because this list use to look different and then I found that I just couldnt read some author's books like Mercedes Lackey. I use to want to read all of her books but then I decided that I wasn't going to try and force myself to read books I can't get into when I have a whole list of other books to read that will probably be better. Lackey still has a whole lot of her older books on my to read list, but I no longer want to read everything of hers.

Hi Morphy! I trust the day is treating you well?

Back 2 Tuesdays: I don't watch Glee any more because the music went downhill and it got too soapy and lost much of the campy humor. I may give it another try with this new season. I tend to like off-beat shows, some current favorites being Grimm, Big Bang Theory, Haven, Elementary, New Girl, Modern Family... I watch way too much reality tv as background noise. I like Ramsey's hardass attitude because it's usually what I'm thinking myself. Did you know he's doing Junior Masterchef this fall? He actually works quite well with children. :)

Looking forward to trying out Agents of SHIELD this fall also. Dads was funny, if pretty un-PC, but Brooklyn 99 was just awful and I couldn't finish the pilot.

Complete bibliographies? I don't know of any I'm totally complete on (maybe Alan Bradley? but that's just 5 books so far), but I try to read everything by Terry Pratchett, Jasper Fforde, and Neil Gaiman. Still a long way to go on those, though!

Just chiming in on the conversation.

I'm not a completist, but I'll grab anything of an author's that I really like (Susan Dexter, Patricia Briggs, for example) - but if I love something, I'll try and spread it out, so it doesn't come to an end too quickly.

Mercedes Lackey does seem to be churning out quantity rather than quality these days, unfortunately. I've been following the latest Valdemar series just because it is Valdemar, but it does drag a bit in places, I find.

I used to always finish a book and read everything by an author I liked as soon as possible. Now I am much less of a completist and slightly more patient - and less obsessive. I think this post will concentrate on seires, it's rather long already.

Series that I am caught up on and will continue to follow:
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen
Aunt Dimity by Nancy Atherton, almost gave up on this one, the middle ones should be missed, they've gotten better again
Father Tim by Jan Karon
Unshelved by Bill Barnes - cartoons that take place in a library
For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston - cartoons

Series that I have read all there is to read:
Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter
My Friends by Jane Duncan
Little House, I've read all of Laura, Caroline, Charolotte and Martha and Rose
Sir Charles and Lady Kathryn Sheridan Mystery by Robin Paige
The Austins by Madeleine L'Engle
The Time Quintet by Madeleine L'Engle
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Mrs. Tim by D E Stevenson
Miss Buncle by D E Stevenson
Dering Family Trilogy by D E Stevenson

Series that I'll most likely read all of, eventually
Evan Evans by Rhys Bowen
Mrs. Jeffries by Emily Brightwell
Daisy Dalrymple by Carola Dunn
Miss Dimple by Mignon F. Ballard
Ministry is Murder by Emilie Richards (only missing the last one)
Lady Julia by Deanna Raybourn, waiting for the last one to be available at library
Meg Langslow by Donna Andrews, waiting for the last one to be available at library, although it did not get good reviews
Dido Kent by Anna Dean, will need to look at the library for the latest
Irish Country by Patrick Taylor
Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
Arcane Society by Amanda Quick
Rabbi Small by Harry Kemelman - I may have read them all, not sure
Christine Bennett Mysteries by Lee Harris
Baby Blues by Rick Kirkman - cartoons
The Chalet School by Elinor Brent-Dyer

If there is nothing else compelling and there is one around and ... I'm tired of reading food labels
The Cat Who..
Xanth by Piers Anthony
The Pennyfoot Hotel by Kate Kingsbury

Abandoned these for one reason or another:
Gaslight Mysteries by Victoria Thompson, I actually recommend these, just haven't been in the mood
Leonardo da Vinci Mystery by Diane A. S. Stuckart
Shoe series by Noel Streatfeild, I gave up on Party Shoes, am reading her other books, though
Fox Trot by Bill Amend - cartoons

My tastes changed and I gave up on:
Kinsey Millhone
Dirk Pitt
Jenny Cain by Nancy Pickard
Dortmunder by Donald E. Westlake

Looking at my author cloud, there are more I could list, but that is plenty.

I wouldn't even know where to begin with series (my LT stats say I have 321 active series...that CANNOT be right, surely), but stealing the author cloud idea from the previous post (thank you MDGentleReader) here's what LT says are my top authors:

Charlaine Harris
Patricia Briggs
JK Rowling
Janet Evanovich
Jennifer Weiner
Lillian Jackson Braun
Rita Mae Brown
Rachel Caine
Robin Cook
Patricia Cornwell
MaryJanice Davidson
Stephen King
Tim LaHaye
Christopher Moore
Nora Roberts (I was young... and used to really enjoy her romances. Don't judge too harshly)
William Shakespeare
Rick Riordan
Kim Harrison

Not sure what this mix says about me, but there you have it!

Nice topic, Morphy!

>184 Kassilem: Melis, I know what you mean about Lackey. But I'm a masochist and am 51% through her bibliography. Only 62 more books to go!

>185 UnrulySun: Kathy, yeah. I think MasterChef Junior is on Friday nights and I'm pretty tempted to watch it.

>186 humouress: I agree with you humouress. Foundation was her last really good book. And that was five years ago.

>187 MDGentleReader: MD, I couldn't even begin to start listing my series. FictFact says I'm following 259 series! The two comics I read every day are Unshelved and For Better or For Worse!

>188 TinaV95: Tina, hmm. Now I gotta look at who my top authors are!

Marion Zimmer Bradley
Lois McMaster Bujold
Jude Deveraux
David Eddings
Laurell K. Hamilton
Robert Heinlein
Stephen King
Mercedes Lackey (biggest)
Anne McCaffrey
Nora Roberts
Spider Robinson

I wish I could sort by size of name in the author cloud. There are more names but I can't tell if they are bigger or smaller

And if you are using Firefox, Ctrl+Shift+T will save you much grief. It brings back accidentally closed tabs. Like I just did. After I had almost this entire post typed up I accidentally shut it down. It came right back. Typed stuff and all!

***

Film Friday

Lovely, heartwarming movie.

Seabiscuit



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Os7yk5rXtY

Red Pollard: Morning.

Tom Smith: What's all this?

(motions towards pile of boxes Red is sitting on)

Red Pollard: It's beer! From an admiring public, pretty good too, more in there.

(indicates Seabiscuit's stall)

Tom Smith: looks in stall Where's the horse?

Red Pollard: (amused smile) Signing autographs.

Tom Smith: He's what?

(cut to Charles Howard having Seabiscuit stamping his hoof on papers for a crowd)

Quiet over here this weekend Morphy. Hope everything is well and that you're getting lots of reading done. xx

>190 PaulCranswick: Paul, I just finished reading Matilda by Dahl and then for something completely different, started reading Blood and Beauty by Sarah Dunant. Hope you are having a fabulous weekend as well!

***

Sunday Sillies

Oh, Matilda is my second favorite Dahl book, right after Danny the Champion of the World!

>192 scaifea: Amber, I've read six Dahl's and almost all of them have gotten 7 out of 10 stars. The BFG got 6 out of 10 stars. Not favorite reads, but interesting enough that as they come up on lists, I'll continue to read them.

***

Music Monday

Another one with a great beat and a fun video.

Walk Away by Kelly Clarkson



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFCuyLwhUzM

I wanna love
I want a fire
To feel the burn
My desires
I wanna man by my side
Not a boy who runs and hides
Are you gonna fight for me?
Die for me?
Live and breathe for me?
Do you care for me?
'Cause if you don't then just leave

Yeah, I wasn't as fond of BFG as other people are. I do think you'll like Danny if and when you get to it, though.

I like Kelly Clarkson quite a lot, too. Great voice.

I enjoyed your Wednesday humor, Morphy! It's nice to have a chuckle or two . . . or three . . . or more!

I don't know that one, but I do love Kelly Clarkson! "Stronger" got me through some hard times a few years back ~ it's one of those kick butt mantras I'd sing at the top of my lungs when I was really peeved after a really terribly difficult breakup.

>194 scaifea: Amber, I'm not sure if Danny is on any lists. But if I get to the point where I've read most Dahl's, I may read it just because I'm a completist.

>185 UnrulySun: Terri, thanks! Sometimes it's a giggle, sometimes a guffaw, sometimes just a grin. But always something that amuses me.

>186 humouress: Tina, I have certain songs I can't listen to anymore even if they were after-the-heartache-kick-butt songs. After awhile they just bring back the bad memories. There was one song that came out by Effervescence (sp?) and now I can't listen to any song by that band!

***

Talk to Me Tuesday

This week will be a little different. I need your help! I'm the coach for a SparkPeople Biggest Loser Team. SparkPeople is a weight loss site and I'm a member of a 300+ pound group. We have various challenges including six week long Biggest Loser challenges. This challenge I'm the team captain for the Wickedly Wretched Wraiths. I want to do a "getting to know you" mini-challenge questionnaire and will do a few typical questions - age, where do you live, family status, etc. But I want to come up with some "different" questions.

Like one I've never seen before is: What's your favorite book? That's an obvious one HERE of course. LOL.

So, help me out? Give me some ideas for some less typical questions to ask? I want to come up with ten to twelve. They should be aimed at relatively short answers, not long essay ones.

197: What hobby have you always wanted to try?

Favorite class? Any type, grade level. Contra dancing? Cultural Anthropology? Semi-conductor physics?
favorite town
place you most want to visit
place you'd like to live
your best cheerleader
favorite ancestor
movie you watch over and over
song that gets you moving
favorite song to sing when you are happy
where did you go for family vacations as a child

What makes you laugh?
What makes you cry?

good questions

I asked this question of a group this past summer and it led to some interesting insights: What's on your bucket list? I'd known some of the people at the table for 30 years and was surprised at what came out.

Nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
What calms you when you are upset?
What is your biggest pet peeve?
What can you NOT sleep without?

My first thought was the fantasy dinner party question- which 3-4 guests they'd invite/ what would they eat? (Not sure if that could be a thoughtless Q to ask to people trying to lose weight though).
Is someone asked you for a bit of random advice, what would you tell them?
If you could learn a random skill/ have a random superpower, what would it be?
Who would win in a fight between a badger and a baboon? (popbitch always ask this)

>198 RosyLibrarian: - 204 Marie, MD, Sylvia, Jill, Tina, Caroline, thanks for the great ideas! Here's what I used for my final list (and my answers!):

How old are you?
48

Where do you live?
Western suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota

What does your household consist of?
Me, my husband, and a ten pound ball of fluff named Maia (Shih-Tzu/Pomeranian)

What is your favorite book?
The Fire Rose by Mercedes Lackey

What hobby have you always wanted to try?
Drawing. And I'm taking a class starting October 31st!

What movie do you watch over and over?
Love Actually every Christmas

What is on your bucket list?
I want to do a Sprint Triathlon one day. It's a short distance triathlon for novice athletes.

What can you not sleep without?
My CPAP, a bottle of water and Vaseline for my lips

What calms you when you are upset?
Hugs from my husband, cuddles with my dog

Who is your biggest cheerleader?
My mom. Her "rah-rahs" used to drive me crazy, but now I depend on them.

***

Wacky Wednesday falls on Thursday

Going to see Mary Hayes-Grieco, author of The Kitchen Mystic, speak tonight at my church. I'm looking forward to it!

>205 Morphidae: Hehe, I love the librarian humour.

Love Actually is my favourite feel good movie as well.

Hey, Morphy, I'm back! Thanks for waiting.

Checking in. Going even slower on LT at the moment. Thanks for dropping by my place!

>207 _Zoe_: Zoe, I loved it so much, I couldn't wait until next Wednesday. Therefore, Wednesday fell on Thursday this week!

>208 SandDune: Rhian, it's just such a fun, heart-warming (sometimes wretching) movie,

>209 ronincats: Roni, yay! You're back! Whoo hoo! Let the party get started!

>210 humouress: I know what you mean, humouress. I've been playing catch up for days!

***

Went with my friend, Philip, to a Greek place for lunch today. It's the first time I've had Greek food and it was FABULOUS. We started with falafel, which while good was a little too spicy for me. Then I had cream of mushroom soup. OMG, it was SO GOOD. I've never tasted anything like it. None of this beige crap. This was dark brown and tasted like pureed mushrooms. Next I got a sampler with Spanakopita, Koupepia, and Pastitsio served with pilaf. All of which were delicious but the Pastitsio was my favorite. I tasted Philip's Mousaka and that was very good, too. Damn good considering I don't care all that much for eggplant! And for dessert, we split Baklavas. Even the pilaf and pitas were tasty. We are definitely going back again!

Falafel ~ Fried croquettes of ground, herbed garbanzos
Spanakopita ~ Spinach, feta cheese, dill and scallions baked in phyllo pastry
Koupepia ~ Grape leaves stuffed with ground beef, lamb, rice and herbs
Pastitsio ~ Ground beef layered in ziti pasta; baked under béchamel sauce
Mousaka ~ Ground beef layered in eggplant and potatoes; baked under béchamel sauce
Baklavas ~ Sweet confection of walnuts, honey and buttery phyllo pastry

Mmmmm. I love Greek food, but haven't had an opportunity to eat at a Greek restaurant in years.

So, did you watch the first episode of Glee? What did you think?

Morphy did you watch Masterchef junior last night? Those kids can cook! Their stuff looks better than the adults.

>212 SylviaC: Sylvia, this was my first time. And we loved it so much we are adding it to our "rotation." We've been going to lunch once a month for about five years. For the first couple of years, we just went to Olive Garden. Then we started getting bored and began going to a new restaurant every other month. Last year we added Pei Wei's. So we'd go to Olive Garden, Pei Wei's, then a new restaurant. In June and November, we go to Benihana's for birthdays and bring our spouses/partners. (This year it will be spouses since Philip and Ray were finally able to get married, yay!) But Christos was SO GOOD, we are going to add it. Our new rotation will be Olive Garden, Pei Wei's, Christos, new restaurant!

>213 RosyLibrarian: Marie, yes, I did and I thought they did a really good job. I loved the Blaine/Kurt and Artie/Kitty parts.

>214 UnrulySun: Kathy, no, darn it! I may get MrMorphy to find the episode online for me.

***

Sunday Sillies

Busy week. Today I have a med check with my doctor. Tomorrow I have an appointment with my therapist and the last binge eating disorder group. Wednesday is the senior center for lunch and visiting with "the ladies." Friday I'll be doing my volunteer work at the church receptionist desk in the morning. And with any luck (dependent on MrMorphy's mood and energy level as he has to push my wheelchair), we'll be going to the Minnesota Zoo!

What makes these outings more difficult is that I'm dependent on MetroMobility. They often drop me off 30 to 60 minutes before I need to be there and pick me up the same amount of time after I'm done. Add in travel time and it can add up to 2 hours to each outing. Yuck!

***

Music Monday

This is a naughty song by singer who isn't very good but I still find it amusing and enjoyable.

Tik Tok by Kesha



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP6XpLQM2Cs

Wake up in the mornin' feelin' like P- Diddy (Hey what's up girl)
Grab ma glasses I'm out the door I'm gonna hit the city (Let's go)
Before I leave brush ma teeth with a bottle of Jack
'Cuz when I leave for the night I ain't comin back

I enjoy Tik Tok but I really love this mash-up of Tik Tok with The Beatles' Come Together.

>217 MickyFine: Micky, that was fun. Thanks for sharing!

***

Talk to Me Tuesday

What music do you like to listen to? When do you listen to music?

I listen to just about anything considered popular music from the 50s to the present. I'll listen to Old Standards, Country Pop, Hip Hop, Top 40, Show Tunes, Disney, Classical, New Age, Rock, R&B, Alternative, even some older Rap. Beatles, Elvis, Beach Boys, Bach, Madonna, Bananarama, Ella Fitzgerald, Enya, Fleetwood Mac, Gerswin, George Michael, Gloria Estefan, Herman's Hermits, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga, Little Richie, Lovin' Spoonful, Beethoven, Christina Aguilera, Norah Jones, Pink, Paul Simon, Ray Charles, Sade, Shania Twain, Train. I could go on and on. My music folder has something like 3,000 songs.

I mostly listen while I'm on the computer. Sometimes I'll bring my Nano and some speakers to the senior center and play some "appropriate" music. Mostly old standards and classical. I have a "Jamming" playlist for when I'm doing my chair dancing.

What about you?

I'm eclectic like you, though my favorites tend to be in the indie realm of things. I usually throw on light classical for reading.

Morphy - I collect music as much (well almost) as I do books. Over several thousand CDs and a growing number of vinyl records I have approaching 65,000 songs/musical pieces.

As with Marie and yourself I have a wide net when it comes to music choice.
Over the last few weeks I have had themed "listens" whilst I LT and read. These have included:
Joan Armatrading, Bob Dylan, Kinks, ELO, Van Morrison, Warren Zevon, The Dubliners, Harry Chapin, Johnny Cash, Jethro Tull, Barclay James Harvest. I like most things that have a rhythmn or melody of some sort but no Techno or "heavy RnB", Gangsta rap or Thrash.

I like songs that tell stories, so I mostly listen to folk music, and a bit of country. I find myself listening to less music as I get older, because I value whatever quiet I can find.

I like most anything other than rap, mariachi, and hip hop in the US cultural range. I particularly like folk music and music from my teens (the 60's) but love the older classics in pop music (Bing Crosby, can you hear me?) and modern artists as well.

>218 Morphidae: What I listen to is a vast range of things too prodigious to list here. When I listen to stuff is easier: all day at work, occasionally on the bus, podcasts when I run (sometimes music, sometimes not), and when I'm cleaning the apartment. :)

Mostly while I'm working - Americana, roots music, acoustic instrumental, classic rock, jazz, stuff my son sends me.

Ok Morph... I just watched Glee on DVR today. What's up, you think? Are they just going to ignore Cory/Finn awhile and make us wait for how they are going to deal with that storyline?

I mostly listen to classical music, especially songs and choral works. My favourite periods are Renaissance and earlier, and early - mid C20th; favourite composers include Britten, Poulenc, Monteverdi and Sibelius. I also enjoy folk music, some jazz and alternative bands. If I had to pick a favourite album, it would be Ry Cooder's Chavez Ravine.

>219 RosyLibrarian: Marie, I can't have anything on while reading anymore. It distracts me. This from the person who used to read in bowling alleys while her boyfriend played in leagues!

>220 PaulCranswick: Paul, why am I not surprised you collect music like you do books? I have one or two techno pieces I like but, in general, I'm with you on what I don't like. As far as likes, I've at least heard of all of them except for Barclay James Harvest and like at least one or two pieces from the rest. But not Dylan. Can't stand him!

>221 SylviaC: Sylvia, what about show tunes? You sound like a show tunes person. Chicago, Phantom of the Opera, Chorus Line, etc.

>222 ronincats: Roni, so you must love Joni Mitchell, right?

>223 MickyFine: Micky, when I'm on the MetroMobility bus I've been listening to the Harry Potter books!

>224 drneutron: Jim, so basically, everything I don't listen to. LOL! Well, except for some classic rock. My mom has jazz playing constantly in her home and after a few hours of listening to it, I'm about to start pulling hair.

>225 TinaV95: Tina, nope. He dies in episode 3. I have a whole box of Kleenex ready in preparation.

>226 Sakerfalcon: Claire, I can't say I've ever heard of Ry Cooder. I don't know enough about classical to tell what period I like. But the composers I like are: Tchaikovsky (10 songs), Bach (9), Grieg (7), Beethoven (6), Mozart (5), Brahms (4), and Chopin (4). Some of my favorite pieces are Clair de Lune by Debussy, Adaigo for Strings Op 11 by Rachmaninov, and Spring - Violin Concerto in e Major by Vivaldi.

***

Wacky Wednesday

Wouldn't you know it? Yesterday I had a flat tire on B.C.'s Highway One.

I eased my car over to the shoulder of the road, carefully got out of the car and opened the trunk. I took out 2 cardboard men, unfolded them and stood them at the rear of my car facing oncoming traffic. They look so lifelike you wouldn't believe! They are in trench coats, exposing their nude bodies and private parts to the approaching drivers.

I started to change my tire, and to my surprise, cars started slowing down looking at my lifelike men. And of course, traffic started backing up. Everybody was tooting their horns and waving like crazy. It wasn't long before an RCMP highway patrolman pulled up behind me. He got out of his car and started walking towards me. I could tell he was not a happy camper!

"What's going on here?" "My car has a flat tire," I said calmly. "Well, what the hell are those obscene cardboard men doing here by the road?" I couldn't believe that he didn't know.

So I told him, "Hello-o-o-o-o-o, those are my emergency flashers!"

***

A woman goes into Cabela's to buy a rod and reel for her grandson's birthday. She doesn't know which one to get so she just grabs one and goes over to the counter.

A Cabela's associate is standing there wearing dark shades. She says, 'Excuse me, sir. Can you tell me anything about this rod and reel?'

He says, 'Ma'am, I'm completely blind; but if you'll drop it on the counter, I can tell you everything from the sound it makes.' She doesn't believe him but drops it on the counter anyway.

He says, 'That's a six-foot Shakespeare graphite rod with a Zebco 404 reel and 10-LB. Test line. It's a good all around combination; and it's on sale this week for only $20.00.'

She says, 'It's amazing that you can tell all that just by the sound of it dropping on the counter. I'll take it!' As she opens her purse, her credit card drops on the floor.

'Oh, that sounds like a Master Card,' he says.

She bends down to pick it up and accidentally farts. At first she is really embarrassed, but then realizes there is no way the blind clerk could tell it was she who tooted. Being blind, he wouldn't know that she was the only person around?

The man rings up the sale and says, 'That'll be $34.50 please.'

The woman is totally confused by this and asks, 'Didn't you tell me the rod and reel were on sale for $20.00? How did you get $34.50?'

He replies, 'Yes, Ma'am . The rod and reel is $20.00, but the Duck Call is $11.00 and the Catfish Bait is $3.50.'

I haven't thought about show tunes in years, but now that you mention it, I remember that I used to love listening to my Mum's records of South Pacific, My Fair Lady, Carousel, The Music Man, etc. I practically wore them out. And there was a time when I had most of the Grease 2 soundtrack memorised.

My mother was intensely musical, always had music playing, and loved to sing. I inherited not one little scrap of musicality from her, and my husband has none either. I can't carry a tune and have no sense of rhythm at all, and classical music actually irritates me. Fortunately, my daughter seems to have inherited at least a bit of her grandmother's ability. When I hear my daughter singing away as she plays, it makes me wish my Mum was still here to listen to her.

Like you, I now find it harder to concentrate on reading if there is anything playing in the background. I used to be able tune everything out, and read my way through parties, residence life, television shows, sirens, and any other commotions. The only reason I didn't read in bars was because the lights were too low.

Hi Morphy, popping in to catch up with you! Hope you're feeling well and happy. :)

I think you know by now that I listen to a pretty eclectic mix! The only things I really don't care for are rap, new country, jazz, and screamo.

LOL @ the catfish bait.

OK, Morph -- how do you know this about episode 3? I will now be prepared, so thanks for the warning, but how did you get the inside scoop?

>228 SylviaC: Sylvia, I love Grease 2! I still get Reproduction stuck in my head! A particularly annoying noise while reading is the clickity click of keyboard keys.

>239 Morphidae: Kathy, I don't even know what screamo is!

>240 Morphidae: Tina, I watch entertainment headlines on Google News.

***

Tunes Thursday

This is #63 in the Rolling Stones list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and for good reason. Great beat and great lyrics.

From Wikipedia:
The song was inspired by an event at the dawn of the psychedelic era in November 1966, the year during which Buffalo Springfield started playing as the house band at the Whisky a Go Go on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles.3 According to the Los Angeles Times,4 annoyed residents and business owners in the district had encouraged the passage of strict (10:00 p.m.) curfew and loitering laws to reduce the traffic congestion resulting from crowds of young club patrons. This was subsequently perceived by young, local rock and roll music fans as an infringement on their civil rights, and on Saturday, November 12, 1966, fliers were distributed along the Strip inviting people to demonstrate later that day.

Hours before the protest one of L.A's rock 'n' roll radio stations announced there would be a rally at Pandora's Box, a club at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Crescent Heights, and cautioned people to tread carefully.4 The Times reported that as many as 1,000 youthful demonstrators, including such celebrities as Jack Nicholson and Peter Fonda (who was afterward handcuffed by police), erupted in protest against the perceived repressive enforcement of these recently invoked curfew laws.

Though often mistaken for an anti-war song, it was this first of the "Sunset Strip riots" which inspired then Buffalo Springfield band member Stephen Stills to write "For What It’s Worth", recorded about three weeks after on December 5, 1966.

For What It's Worth by Buffalo Springfield



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5M_Ttstbgs

There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Young people speaking' their minds
Getting so much resistance from behind

Hi Morphy, I've only been lurking for a while but your music question enticed me in. I listen mainly to instrumental jazz and Latin guitar music and any Brazilian music I can find around the house. I'm also fond of Paraguayan arpa (harp) since going to a conference there years ago and having the privilege of listening to some fantastic performances. One of my favourite singers is Arik Einstein from Israel.

Also my son is in a rock band and they get together in our garage every Sunday, it's set for live performance recording so I get to hear some pretty good live music on a regular basis just by staying at home.

240. Dead Man's Deal by Jocelynn Drake

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy

Notes: Next in series

Summary: Renegade wizard fights for his life and his friends

Opinion: Solid world-building, love the characters. Have the same problem as with the first book. Problem after problem and trauma after trauma with no relief and little to no humor. It's almost the fantasy equivalent of a "literary novel."

Rating: 7

241. Magic Rises by Ilona Andrew

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #1 (apple varieties - Malus Indian Magic crab-apple), next in series

Summary: Kate and Curran head off to Europe to gain a powerful antidote to loupism

Opinion: This is the sixth book in the series and I've never given less than an 8 to any of the books. This is one of the best contemporary fantasy series out there. I cannot put one of these down once I pick them up. The plot is fast-paced yet has enough quiet moments that it doesn't exhaust me. The characters are warm and appealing yet not perfect. The world-building is fascinating. Yummy.

Rating: 8

242. Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #1 (apple varieties - King of the Pippins)

Summary: An ancient vampire has lost interest in life until a private investigator comes to "rescue" him not knowing he has no need of being rescued

Opinion: This is the 8th Frost book I've read and none have let me down. You get strong women, hot men, pleasing plots, and a sense of humor and hope. Not quite as good as Andrews and a bit more romancey but still fine reading.

Rating: 7

243. Matilda by Roald Dahl

Genre: Children's

Notes: TIOLI #8 (con artists), Book to Movie (13 in 13)

Summary: A genius girl with nasty parents escapes to school and a special teacher

Opinion: I liked the lyricism of the writing the most. There was a lovely rhythm to it. The story was over the top and unbelievable to the point of inanity but that's Dahl for you.

Rating: 7

244. Blood and Beauty by Sarah Dunant

Genre: Historical Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #2 (atypical historical fiction - 15th century Italy), Early Reviewers

Summary: Fictionalized account of the Borgias in 15th century Italy

Opinion: For some reason I was expecting this to be mostly about Lucrezia, but rather it focused more on her father, Rodrigo/Pope Alexander and her brother, Cesare. I thought it was going to be about relationships and instead it was all about political scheming, something I have little interest in. The characters are fleshed out but not at all that pleasant to read about. And a shifting point of view, often in the same chapter, made it confusing to read at times. All in all, I wasn't all that impressed and doubt I'll read anything else by this author.

Rating: 6

245. Frostbitten by Kelley Armstrong

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #7 (9th or higher in series - 10), Cover Color (13 in 13 - yellow)

Summary: Elena and Clay travel to Alaska to warn a young werewolf and discover a rogue pack

Opinion: This is the 10th book in the series. It's nice to see Elena and Clay work as a team. No relationship angst! (Well, not much.) Most of the angst is Elena's self-doubt when she is told she is the Alpha heir apparent. And their relationship with their kids is adorable. A fun read though dark and dirty at times.

Rating: 7

246. The Burning Point by Mary Jo Putney

Genre: Romance

Notes: Reading Romances (12 in 12)

Summary: Divorced 10 years ago, Kate and Patrick are forced together after Kate's father dies in order to inherit his wealth and company.

Opinion: The plot was draggy, Kate was indecisive and reactive until late in the book and Patrick is a "redeemed" wife beater. Meh. Liked some of the secondary characters and, in general, her characterizations were rich and interesting.

Rating: 6

247. The Lion's Lady by Julie Garwood

Genre: Romance

Notes: TIOLI #2 (LT author library - Amanda Carrell)

Summary: A woman raised by the Dakota goes to England in order to fulfill her adoptive family's promise

Opinion: Lovely and humorous romance. A little annoying when the hero got particularly Alpha but this is typical of 1980s romance. You also need to suspend your belief - I found several situations unlikely when it came to a woman raised by Native Americans placed in high society in London. But it was fun.

Rating: 7

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Currently Reading:
A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
Styxx by Sherrilyn Kenyon

On Deck:
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki
To Touch a Wild Dolphin by Rachel Smolker
He Died With His Eyes Open by Derek Raymond

I've had the Ilona Andrews series on my radar for a while and just haven't gotten to it yet. This Frost is the same author as the Halfway to the Grave author, right? I've only read the first one in that series, but remember enjoying it a lot.

237: Dang, I was hoping for more from this one. I won a copy from somewhere and have it sitting on my coffee table. It's quite a brick.

>242 TinaV95: Yes, Halfway to the Grave is the same author. I wouldn't start with Eternal Kiss of Darkness, the eighth book in the series. There is a lot of world building that goes on in other books that really is needed.

>243 RosyLibrarian: Marie, well, I wouldn't NOT recommend it. It just wasn't for me. If you like political scheming, it might be right up your alley. There's a lot of this person holding back information, and that person bribing this person, then this person blackmailing that person, and that person poisoning this person, then that person acting all nice to that one's face and meanwhile plotting to kill their father/brother/goldfish. That type of stuff doesn't hold my interest.

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Film Friday

Now that I've watched a gadzillion times, it doesn't get quite so many stars, but the first time I watched this adventure flick, I gave it five stars just for the sheer fun!

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzjEYhUtRGc

Bryce: What's that smell?

Lara Croft: Five AM

>244 Morphidae: Notable for it's pre-Bond Daniel Craig. *eyebrow waggle*

Morphy, I'm still giggling over your Librarian Humor!

Music? I listen to lots of different stuff. Pop music & Rock (especially from the 60's through 80's), Jazz, Classical, Bluegrass, and some Praise & Worship music are all things that I listen to at times. I like to listen in the car, sometimes when I'm at the computer (depending on what I'm doing and how much concentration is needed), and with headphones when I'm out for a walk or working out at the gym -- if I'm not listening to an audio book instead.

Lara Croft my word she was hot. Not in the least surprising that Anji was so adept at breaking up marriages.
Have a lovely weekend Morphy.

>245 MickyFine: Micky, like this?



>246 tymfos: Terri, I've been listening to Pandora lately. I've made about a dozen channels. Mostly based on popular music - Walking on Sunshine, Norah Jones, Katy Perry...

>247 PaulCranswick: Paul, marriages? I thought she only busted up the Aniston one. And really, let's be fair, it takes two to bust up a marriage.

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Sunday Sillies

I've always found Jolie to be fairly skeezy, and honestly I think Brad Pitt is a good match for her yuckiness. Jennifer deserves better.

Too far behind, but must delurk to say that Lara Croft is lovely.

I used to like Jolie quite a lot until she & Pitt screwed over Jennifer Aniston. That hurt my feelings for Jennifer. Like I know her or something. Anyhoo... I took it hard. Weird I know.

Well, I finally did it. After 5 months, I finally lost the 30 pounds I regained. Whoo hoo! Now onwards and downwards!

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>249 scaifea: & 251 Amber & Tina, I was going to get on my soapbox about not blaming the other woman when the MAN strays. If a man was loyal and faithful, it doesn't matter what another woman does. But both of you mention Pitt, too. It was someone else *coughpaulcough* who was blaming the other woman.

>250 EBT1002: Ellen, I have to admit I'm not much into Jolie as a person. But I do enjoy her movies.

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Music Monday

I heard this for the first time on So You Think You Can Dance? and really liked it.

Suddenly I See by KT Tunstall



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AEoUa0Hlso

Her face is a map of the world
Is a map of the world
You can see she's a beautiful girl
She's a beautiful girl
And everything around her is a silver pool of light
People who surround her feel the benefit of it
It makes you calm
She holds you captivated in her palm

252: Yay, congrats! (I'm also team Aniston.)

Way to go, Morphy! Keep it going!

That's wonderful, Morphy! Congratulations.

{{{Morphy}}}

The KT Tunstall is one of my favorites.

>253 RosyLibrarian:-255 Thanks, Marie, Sylvia & MD!

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Join me over in my new thread!

http://www.librarything.com/topic/159869