Well FIRST of all, did I ever tell you that story of how I HATE BEING TOLD NO??
Because Netgalley (may they burn in hell) DENIED ME when I requested an advance copy of Liars' Legacy, Jack & Jill #2 by Taylor Stevens - ME, can you believe it? There should be a law against that if you ask me.
Also I hate and fear rejection, so there's that.
Never let it be said that I'm a quitter though.
I DO NOT PLAY. I GOT ME AN ARC TO READ.
This *could* be read as a standalone, but if I'm being honest the action starts RIGHT FROM THE OPEN and it's complex with several players, and I feel like you would be more comfortable sliding right into the story if you read Liars' Paradox FIRST.
Otherwise the first 1/3 of the book might be a bit confusing as you try to figure out the main players, as it picks up just past where the last book finished, which I LOOOVE.
(go get Liars' Paradox on your Kindle - only $2.99 right now! I'll wait.)
The only thing I can reasonably compare this to is the fun of a John Wick assassin free-for-all, and as we all know, I have a soft spot for the assassins.
This way you'll be all caught up by the time Liars' Legacy is published on December 31st, and it'll be like binge-watching your favorite show that only has two season dropped on Hulu so far but with books.
ALSO I just want to acknowledge and thank Taylor Stevens for letting me be her secret muse, because I KNEW as soon as I read these two lines: "mostly because she wasn't the type that people wanted to have as a friend," and "analog agent working in a digital world," that CLEARLY I was the inspiration here. IT ME.
(okay so maybe I wasn't even a thought near her mind but YOU DON'T KNOW IT COULD BE ME SO SHUTTIE)
In the first book, I found the main characters more intriguing, interesting, layered, and engaging rather than actually likable, which is totally okay for me - I don't have to like you to pay attention to you. They've grown on me though, for sure, and they're even more fascinating in this new book.
They matter to me even more - I got invested in their lives.
The peeling away of layers of deception and disguise and the quick-change artistry.
The advance thinking chess-like 'game' that is their lifestyle, out of habit AND necessity.
They're pretty freaking brilliant, but with all too real weaknesses and flaws.
With a few more players added, with their own quirks and habits and weirdness and love of violence, well it just brings some more depth, some more layers, to the story.
There is so much conflict, both internal and external, that you really do want to just speed through and keep reading to get to the end as fast as possible because YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. Remember when you got that OG Super Mario World on Super Nintendo and you didn't sleep for like four days because you had to go JUST ONE MORE level, beat one more boss? Like that.
As you know, I'm not fixin' to give you any more plotline or story than that, because YOU WILL READ IT FOR YOURSELF and I would hate to accidentally spoil it for you. *evil laugh*
Save enough on the Gift Card that is sure to be in your stocking and pre-order, because the publishing date is December 31 and if you're old AF like me, you will want to spend your New Year's Eve snuggled up in a blankie with a hot toddy (or Bailey's Vanilla Cinnamon on the rocks, YUM), with a new good book and the Rockin' NY Eve countdown muted on the TeeVee, ringin' the new year in RIGHT.
Also don't forget all those people you know with birthdays in January and February - the perfect gift would be both Liars' books!
Is all I'm saying.
**disclaimery things: I used my ninja-like stealth skills to hack someone's account and read THEIR netgalley approved request of this book SO TAKE THAT NETGALLEY HA!
***Okay that is a total bold-faced lie but it sounds cool anyway. A friend did let me read an ARC from NG because I can totally be the world's biggest pest and eventually you'll do what I want just to escape the waterboard-like torture I can inflict upon a person without even breaking a sweat. It's a talent.
Showing posts with label cool stuff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cool stuff. Show all posts
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Sunday, November 17, 2019
♫ He's The Wild One, ooh yeah he's a real wild child.
I KNOW - you thought I was never going to get this review up!
I was going to be all "I savored this book like a fine wine" so I could sound fancy but seriously who am I kidding, everyone knows I like $5 screw top sweet wine.
You know I read a LO O O O OT of different series, they're my favorites. You've seen my book lists and recommendations and I haveargued belligerently had discussions with nimrods people who DO NOT RE-READ THEIR BOOKS AND HOW IS THAT EVEN ALLOWED?
Seriously, when you're in a certain mood and want to have certain feels, you reach for the comforting words of THIS author and THAT particular book in the series because it is full of what you need to cure what ails you, at least for a moment when you are lost in the story.
Okay wait, this is not at all where I was going.
Series (serieses? series'?), right.
Out of the tens of...I don't even know how many...series I've read, there are less than a handful that I've ever thought, "No, THIS is the best one!" after every. single. book.
And then came Peter Ash.
And once again, the newest book is my newest favorite of the series.
This one doesn't even have much of a buildup to the action - chapter two and BAM! it was right in my face and I was anxious and curious and wondering and worrying.
I worry about Peter, you know. I get anxious for him. I FRET over him and the things he goes through and feels and thinks.
There are hints of dark humor in fight scenes that made me laugh out loud.
One of my favorite lines in the book tickled me because of the context and also gave me a deeper appreciation for my beloved thick hardback first editions, "You can't do that with a paperback."
At one point I was racing along, caught up in the story that I knew was leading right to the climax which made me a little sad because that's nearly the end and then I looked and THERE WAS WAAAYYY TOO MUCH BOOK LEFT AND WHAT ELSE COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN HERE AND PASS ME THE ZOLOFT.
And that is how I know that the author is an excellent writer and the book is an excellent book.
Yeah, that's pretty much all the actual book information you're getting because it is so much more fun to uncover it for yourself WHILE YOU READ IT, right?
All you need to do is trust me (which you should already be doing) and start reading.
I pretty much dig these loners that aren't superheroes, they're not perfect, they're full of hard edges and rough layers and sometimes they fuck shit up either accidentally or on purpose, they can be emotionally crippled or unavailable and I am getting so turned on right now.
#PeterAsh - If lovin' is you is wrong, I DON'T WANNA BE RIGHT.
Wait. Where was I going with that? I keep getting off track.
What I meant was regardless of all that, they try to do the right thing and do it the best way they know how, and that is why I love them.
Plus I am so much of all that myself so I feel like we have a lot in common only I am not nearly as skilled in combat or self-preservation BUT I COULD BE SOME DAY so you better just watch yourself, missy.
ALSO I learn stuff from these books so technically Nick Petrie IS MAKING ME SMARTER.
These books are educational you know!
Plus it was pretty groovy that this book was featuring Iceland and last year I did a book review that referenced Iceland and some of its practices which only proves that WE ARE RIDING THE SAME WAVELENGTH BRO which makes me even cooler, so.
I'm not going to tell you to GO PREORDER THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW! because if you're a fan and you're smart then you've already done that in anticipation.
I AM going to tell you that if you haven't read this series yet, START RIGHT HERE right now.
Lookit I'm giving you plenty of advance notice so that you can start reading at the beginning and get caught up by the time this new one is on the market January 14th and you'll have those Christmas gift cards burning a hole in your pocket and now I've given you the precious gift of how to spend them and saved you all the dithering.
YOU ARE WELCOME.
Now go do what I say and don't make me come looking for you because neither of us wants that.
For different reasons. #Lazy
**secondary disclaimer: I was given a free ARC of this book because I pestered the author for several months and I am receiving no other compensation except the glory of getting to read it before most everyone else. I did possibly swear a blood oath (willingly and without being asked, in fact, there might have been some kind of protestation against it but I didn't pay any mind to that) to give an honest review for that privilege. Now I might lie to you about some things in life (well OF COURSE those pants don't make your butt look more like a whole junkYARD in the trunk)(and sure, love ya too, mmhmm whatever) but I would never ever commit the egregious sin of lying to you about a book.
I'M NOT A MONSTER YOU KNOW.
I was going to be all "I savored this book like a fine wine" so I could sound fancy but seriously who am I kidding, everyone knows I like $5 screw top sweet wine.
I could drink like a whole bottle of that right now.
OR MAYBE I ALREADY DID, YOU DON'T KNOW.
I *was* however reading with my Picky Eyes because doy, ARC, uncorrected!
Those take me a little longer because I have to force myself to slow down and not zoom through unbarriered and gobble it all up at once.
**Transparency disclaimer: I have to admit this is a leeeetle bit of a Gimme because I knew going in that I was going to looooove this as much as I do the other #PeterAsh books, unless of course somehow author NickPetrie sustained some sort of subdural hematoma or other brain injury or split personality disorder (OMG IT IS SO A THING SHUT UP YOU DO NOT KNOW BECAUSE ARE YOU A DOCTOR? NO YOU ARE NOT) and completely changed the character and his writing style. Luckily forme us fans- and Nick himself of course- that does not appear to have happened.
Those take me a little longer because I have to force myself to slow down and not zoom through unbarriered and gobble it all up at once.
**Transparency disclaimer: I have to admit this is a leeeetle bit of a Gimme because I knew going in that I was going to looooove this as much as I do the other #PeterAsh books, unless of course somehow author NickPetrie sustained some sort of subdural hematoma or other brain injury or split personality disorder (OMG IT IS SO A THING SHUT UP YOU DO NOT KNOW BECAUSE ARE YOU A DOCTOR? NO YOU ARE NOT) and completely changed the character and his writing style. Luckily for
You know I read a LO O O O OT of different series, they're my favorites. You've seen my book lists and recommendations and I have
Seriously, when you're in a certain mood and want to have certain feels, you reach for the comforting words of THIS author and THAT particular book in the series because it is full of what you need to cure what ails you, at least for a moment when you are lost in the story.
Okay wait, this is not at all where I was going.
Series (serieses? series'?), right.
Out of the tens of...I don't even know how many...series I've read, there are less than a handful that I've ever thought, "No, THIS is the best one!" after every. single. book.
And then came Peter Ash.
And once again, the newest book is my newest favorite of the series.
This one doesn't even have much of a buildup to the action - chapter two and BAM! it was right in my face and I was anxious and curious and wondering and worrying.
I worry about Peter, you know. I get anxious for him. I FRET over him and the things he goes through and feels and thinks.
There are hints of dark humor in fight scenes that made me laugh out loud.
One of my favorite lines in the book tickled me because of the context and also gave me a deeper appreciation for my beloved thick hardback first editions, "You can't do that with a paperback."
At one point I was racing along, caught up in the story that I knew was leading right to the climax which made me a little sad because that's nearly the end and then I looked and THERE WAS WAAAYYY TOO MUCH BOOK LEFT AND WHAT ELSE COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN HERE AND PASS ME THE ZOLOFT.
And that is how I know that the author is an excellent writer and the book is an excellent book.
Yeah, that's pretty much all the actual book information you're getting because it is so much more fun to uncover it for yourself WHILE YOU READ IT, right?
All you need to do is trust me (which you should already be doing) and start reading.
I pretty much dig these loners that aren't superheroes, they're not perfect, they're full of hard edges and rough layers and sometimes they fuck shit up either accidentally or on purpose, they can be emotionally crippled or unavailable and I am getting so turned on right now.
#PeterAsh - If lovin' is you is wrong, I DON'T WANNA BE RIGHT.
Wait. Where was I going with that? I keep getting off track.
What I meant was regardless of all that, they try to do the right thing and do it the best way they know how, and that is why I love them.
Plus I am so much of all that myself so I feel like we have a lot in common only I am not nearly as skilled in combat or self-preservation BUT I COULD BE SOME DAY so you better just watch yourself, missy.
ALSO I learn stuff from these books so technically Nick Petrie IS MAKING ME SMARTER.
These books are educational you know!
Plus it was pretty groovy that this book was featuring Iceland and last year I did a book review that referenced Iceland and some of its practices which only proves that WE ARE RIDING THE SAME WAVELENGTH BRO which makes me even cooler, so.
I'm not going to tell you to GO PREORDER THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW! because if you're a fan and you're smart then you've already done that in anticipation.
I AM going to tell you that if you haven't read this series yet, START RIGHT HERE right now.
Lookit I'm giving you plenty of advance notice so that you can start reading at the beginning and get caught up by the time this new one is on the market January 14th and you'll have those Christmas gift cards burning a hole in your pocket and now I've given you the precious gift of how to spend them and saved you all the dithering.
YOU ARE WELCOME.
Now go do what I say and don't make me come looking for you because neither of us wants that.
For different reasons. #Lazy
**secondary disclaimer: I was given a free ARC of this book because I pestered the author for several months and I am receiving no other compensation except the glory of getting to read it before most everyone else. I did possibly swear a blood oath (willingly and without being asked, in fact, there might have been some kind of protestation against it but I didn't pay any mind to that) to give an honest review for that privilege. Now I might lie to you about some things in life (well OF COURSE those pants don't make your butt look more like a whole junkYARD in the trunk)(and sure, love ya too, mmhmm whatever) but I would never ever commit the egregious sin of lying to you about a book.
I'M NOT A MONSTER YOU KNOW.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
A Pre-Review, if you will.
So I have some quirky habits.
Most of them you know, like how after 3 days the open package of lunchmeat gets tossed in the trash if it isn't eaten because IT HAS A SMELL I DO NOT CARE WHAT YOU SAY.
And how I feel it's unsanitary to take the batteries out of your Rabbit to use for your electric toothbrush.
Also I prefer my desktop computer with the ergonomic keyboard more than any other tech in this entire house, which is why my phone is usually wherever I'm not, and often dead.
What you may not know is that when I am super excited to read an ARC that I plan to review, I like to read it sitting at my desk so I can take Live Notes right here for the stuff I want to remember.
I used to read them in bed like I do everything else, but then I end up with every third page dog-eared and underlined and IT IS MY PRECIOUS and I do not want to harm THE SPECIAL.
Author-signed books are my favorite and also at the top of the list of Things I'll Save In A Fire.
No worries, the kids are for sure a strong number two on the list.
Well, my purse and the kids.
And pictures.
So, the kids, my purse, and photo albums, solid #2.
Okay, maybe 3. But a HARD 3. I mean really, there are two kids, one can help get the other out while I grab the car keys and vacation money jar.
I'm going to need those, right?
Kids, firm three. For reals.
Okay so I just got THIS (Hooray for me! None for you! Which is double the pleasure for me!)
in the mail the other day and while I have been ever-so-anxiously awaiting its arrival, now I'm scared to start it because I know it's going to be over WAY TOO SOON and then I have to wait a WHOLE YEAR for another one and MAN IT IS SO HARD TO BE A NUMBER ONE FAN READER!
There is a war between instant and delayed gratification happening here.
Sorry if it causes earthquakes or tsunamis and such near you - it's pretty intense.
If I get the housework ALL done and work work ALL done, this will be my reward tonight.
I will let you know how it turns out - but just get ready to add this title (and really ALL the #PeterAsh by @NickPetrie books) to your Christmas and birthday wish lists, because I can already tell it's gonna be a good one.
In the words of The Terminator, "I'll be back."
In the words of C.S. Lewis, "You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me."
#TrueStory Although I would probably substitute coffee for tea.
Also the exception is that Goldfinch book, which was about 300 pages way too long and wordy and seriously how many chapters can a person reasonably be expected to tolerate reading about getting drunk and hurling? The answer is "considerably less times than were written about in that book."
Most of them you know, like how after 3 days the open package of lunchmeat gets tossed in the trash if it isn't eaten because IT HAS A SMELL I DO NOT CARE WHAT YOU SAY.
And how I feel it's unsanitary to take the batteries out of your Rabbit to use for your electric toothbrush.
Also I prefer my desktop computer with the ergonomic keyboard more than any other tech in this entire house, which is why my phone is usually wherever I'm not, and often dead.
What you may not know is that when I am super excited to read an ARC that I plan to review, I like to read it sitting at my desk so I can take Live Notes right here for the stuff I want to remember.
I used to read them in bed like I do everything else, but then I end up with every third page dog-eared and underlined and IT IS MY PRECIOUS and I do not want to harm THE SPECIAL.
Author-signed books are my favorite and also at the top of the list of Things I'll Save In A Fire.
No worries, the kids are for sure a strong number two on the list.
Well, my purse and the kids.
And pictures.
So, the kids, my purse, and photo albums, solid #2.
Okay, maybe 3. But a HARD 3. I mean really, there are two kids, one can help get the other out while I grab the car keys and vacation money jar.
I'm going to need those, right?
Kids, firm three. For reals.
Okay so I just got THIS (Hooray for me! None for you! Which is double the pleasure for me!)
in the mail the other day and while I have been ever-so-anxiously awaiting its arrival, now I'm scared to start it because I know it's going to be over WAY TOO SOON and then I have to wait a WHOLE YEAR for another one and MAN IT IS SO HARD TO BE A NUMBER ONE FAN READER!
There is a war between instant and delayed gratification happening here.
Sorry if it causes earthquakes or tsunamis and such near you - it's pretty intense.
If I get the housework ALL done and work work ALL done, this will be my reward tonight.
I will let you know how it turns out - but just get ready to add this title (and really ALL the #PeterAsh by @NickPetrie books) to your Christmas and birthday wish lists, because I can already tell it's gonna be a good one.
In the words of The Terminator, "I'll be back."
In the words of C.S. Lewis, "You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me."
#TrueStory Although I would probably substitute coffee for tea.
Also the exception is that Goldfinch book, which was about 300 pages way too long and wordy and seriously how many chapters can a person reasonably be expected to tolerate reading about getting drunk and hurling? The answer is "considerably less times than were written about in that book."
Friday, October 18, 2019
cuttlefish and underwear.
You notice how when every single tentacle of your life is weighted down with stress (yes tentacle because CUTTLEFISH ARE AWESOME and I plan to come back as one only you will never see me because they have the best camouflage ever even better than Mystique because they can change color and texture AND HALF AT A TIME like when you order a half pepperoni half ham & pineapple pizza and Mystique could not even do that AT ALL)...
What? I forgot what I was saying.
Oh STRESS, tentacles, right.
For me, having the stress lifted off one or two of those areas completely causes a nearly tangible effect, and I can feel the weight lifting. It's like I have a full body sigh and everything relaxes, from my neck to hips to toes, my guts and lungs and brain, all at once. I can actually feel my shoulders settling down to...well, shoulder height, instead of being all crunched up under my ears when I didn't even realize they were there.
Honestly the feeling is close to euphoria. I mean I don't feel like going dancing in the rain or coming to a Halloween party at your house (NO THANK YOU SORRY AND IF I ALREADY SAID YES MY APOLOGIES BECAUSE I WILL NOT BE SHOWING UP) or anything like that, but the utter sense of relief...it's like magic.
Losing the stress also made me realize exactly how many stress triggers I have. WOW. You don't even know. I mean I'm horrible online all the time anyway and you already knew that, but I've been a pretty horrible person in real life the last couple-three years too.
I had so many triggers that I didn't even know what they all were.
SO many buttons just waiting to be pushed. Or touched. Or breathed on.
Things have been pretty dire around here the last few years.
I mean I've pretty much been poor-ish most of my life and it's nothin' but a thing...but the last 2 or three years, it's been a trial.
Seriously some weeks the budget was like ... is Joshua going to have chicken in his stew this week or will he have to go vegetarian?
eBay sales used to support us but some months we're lucky to make a hundred bucks and that's no exaggeration. Of course I'm so damn mad at them anyway, because they keep changing the formats and the layouts and the requirements to be a "Power Seller." I mean I'm a TOP SELLER but I can't get my stuff on the first pages of keyword search because I don't take all their..."advice," and if it was left in their hands I'd list everything for .99 or best offer with free shipping and free returns and list 1K items per week. THEN I'd get noticed and sell more while of course losing money on everything.
ANYWAY.
I was stressed over money every day but didn't even realize how bad it was on my body & mind.
So the thing happened and Becca got a new job, which equals happier attitude (and less GIRL IMA RIP OFF YOUR ARM AND BEAT YOU WITH IT from me) and more money and BOOM, less stress.
Then I got some side jobs I can do from home which are actually earning $ AND the biggie (and also one of the points I've been getting to here) - I FEEL PRODUCTIVE.
Then I got some side jobs I can do from home which are actually earning $ AND the biggie (and also one of the points I've been getting to here) - I FEEL PRODUCTIVE.
I am contributing more to my own household, AND taking back the majority of support of my family, which makes me feel useful and less like a loser at life and motherhood and all the things.
Being productive and busy and useful build a YUGE barrier against depression and anxiety for me.
I mean money doesn't buy happiness but I can tell you it almost brought me to tears when Becca asked if we had enough so she could get new underwear and I was able to unhesitatingly say YES! and bravely added AND GET ME SOME TOO PLEASE without even stopping to calculate.
If you've ever been actually, truly poor, you'll know just how excellent that feels.
It's like the thrill of victory.
I guess what I'm getting at here is that I slowly feel like the person I was 10 years ago is kind of waking up again. The little things that could (and have) sent me into a shrieking frenzy are not so important now.
My shoulders are where they should be (most of the time).
The stomachflutter of anxiety is nearly completely gone many days in a row
The angst is at least a foot away from me and sliding.
OH, I still have plenty of stress to go around, but at least it's more focused now, like on this boy of mine. That's never going to go away, and it's easier to carry.
Maybe Becca's not pushing my buttons so much because she's happier.
Maybe I just don't notice her doing it because I'm less stressed.
Maybe I'm finally on the downhill side and sliding to the finish line of menopause.
Maybe I'm evolving. (fingers crossed for cuttlefish evolution!)
Whatever it is, I'll take it.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Dinky Ink
I might be having a mid-life crisis but I can't afford a sports car (or any kind of new car, come to think of it) so I think I am about to get
MY FIRST TATTOO.
I've always *sort of* thought I might get one someday, but it just hasn't been important enough for me to really think about. I love looking at other people's tats ( NO REGERTS!) and I've seen some gorgeous work.
I think I'm going to start small though.
Fairly tiny.
Because really I do not like pain and also I have to be able to cover it up so that my mother doesn't see it and call me a slut like she did my sister that time my sister got her tongue pierced when she was 18.
#TrueStory.
#FamilyDysfunction
ANYWAY - I have picked out two, and this is going to be my first Tiny Tat (coin not included):
And then depending on how much I cry and/or scream and/or overdramatize the pain, maybe something similar to this in the future, only not on the shoulder (also coin not included):
That one might be too ambitious though. Maybe on my 50th birthday.
MY FIRST TATTOO.
I've always *sort of* thought I might get one someday, but it just hasn't been important enough for me to really think about. I love looking at other people's tats ( NO REGERTS!) and I've seen some gorgeous work.
I think I'm going to start small though.
Fairly tiny.
Because really I do not like pain and also I have to be able to cover it up so that my mother doesn't see it and call me a slut like she did my sister that time my sister got her tongue pierced when she was 18.
#TrueStory.
#FamilyDysfunction
ANYWAY - I have picked out two, and this is going to be my first Tiny Tat (coin not included):
And then depending on how much I cry and/or scream and/or overdramatize the pain, maybe something similar to this in the future, only not on the shoulder (also coin not included):
That one might be too ambitious though. Maybe on my 50th birthday.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
It's not paranoia if they ARE watching you. And not even through the microwave.
My work station is in the corner of what used to be called "The Dining Room" - which is funny because we usually ate in the living room - and I have this nice sunny 3-pane bay window next to me. I keep the shades up to get the natural light, and my view is basically my van, some trees, a bit of the driveway, and a corner of my mom's house next door.
Also I'm like That Old Lady Neighbor who sits by the window and peeks out through lace curtains to see what you might be doing and keep track of your comings and goings.
Not really.
Well, kind of.
Accidentally.
Because I look up every time I hear a car in the driveway past my house (it's a horseshoe drive in our little 'compound') because what if it is the UPS or FedEX man and they need a signature and I have to put pantsor a shirt on really quickly??
Also I can see part of 15th street outside and I know when the mailman comes. Since a large part of my business involves the USPS, this is important information to have.
ANYWAY.
I have mentioned before that I can tell when I've been reading too many detective/espionage books in a row because I start checking for tails every time I leave the house.
I get suspicious if I see the 'same' vehicle too many times making the same turns & lane changes that I do.
SHUT UP I KNOW.
But hey, I've been trolling the "president's" twitter feed so YOU DON'T KNOW. IT COULD HAPPEN.
Anyway ANYWAY.
So I'm sitting in my little corner nook, working away, and the back of my neck was prickling.
Usually I put this down to peri-menopausal hot flashes but my head wasn't drenched in sweat so I knew that wasn't it.
I turned my head to the right and glanced over my shoulder...
AND HE WAS STARING RIGHT AT ME.
I mean I'd seen a hawk sitting on my mom's back fence a couple of times so I guess he lives in the area - which, I might add, is ripe with big fat squirrels for the pickin', surrounded as we are by trees and trees and trees.
I slooooowly turned my chair and tried to zoom in a little...
OMG YES I KNOW MY WINDOWS & SCREENS ARE FILTHY SHUT YOUR TALK HOLE.
I thought I'd creep over to the window that has no screen and get a better shot...
Y'all this guy is YUUUGE - I must've spooked him because right after I snapped this he flew toward my backyard and I swear his wingspan is as big as mine. He landed on my patio rail so I was sneaking into my room because I'd have had a straight on clear shot out of my bedroom window but as soon as I brought the camera up he flew off again.
#PeepingTomhawk
I'm onto you now, mister.
Also I'm like That Old Lady Neighbor who sits by the window and peeks out through lace curtains to see what you might be doing and keep track of your comings and goings.
Not really.
Well, kind of.
Accidentally.
Because I look up every time I hear a car in the driveway past my house (it's a horseshoe drive in our little 'compound') because what if it is the UPS or FedEX man and they need a signature and I have to put pants
Also I can see part of 15th street outside and I know when the mailman comes. Since a large part of my business involves the USPS, this is important information to have.
ANYWAY.
I have mentioned before that I can tell when I've been reading too many detective/espionage books in a row because I start checking for tails every time I leave the house.
I get suspicious if I see the 'same' vehicle too many times making the same turns & lane changes that I do.
SHUT UP I KNOW.
But hey, I've been trolling the "president's" twitter feed so YOU DON'T KNOW. IT COULD HAPPEN.
Anyway ANYWAY.
So I'm sitting in my little corner nook, working away, and the back of my neck was prickling.
Usually I put this down to peri-menopausal hot flashes but my head wasn't drenched in sweat so I knew that wasn't it.
I turned my head to the right and glanced over my shoulder...
AND HE WAS STARING RIGHT AT ME.
I mean I'd seen a hawk sitting on my mom's back fence a couple of times so I guess he lives in the area - which, I might add, is ripe with big fat squirrels for the pickin', surrounded as we are by trees and trees and trees.
I slooooowly turned my chair and tried to zoom in a little...
OMG YES I KNOW MY WINDOWS & SCREENS ARE FILTHY SHUT YOUR TALK HOLE.
I thought I'd creep over to the window that has no screen and get a better shot...
Y'all this guy is YUUUGE - I must've spooked him because right after I snapped this he flew toward my backyard and I swear his wingspan is as big as mine. He landed on my patio rail so I was sneaking into my room because I'd have had a straight on clear shot out of my bedroom window but as soon as I brought the camera up he flew off again.
#PeepingTomhawk
I'm onto you now, mister.
Thursday, January 19, 2017
The Haunting: A Very Very Very Very Long Mostly Pictorial Account of Adventures
The good news for some of you is this: there are many pictures and few words. That way you'll be sure to understand and follow along.
Kidding!
Probably.
Whatever.
I am ashamed to say that I am JUST NOW sharing the events from October!
My partner in ComicCon crime, Nicole, and I decided since the object of our stalking affection - one Mr. Bruce Campbell - had to cancel his Tulsa ComicCon appearance this year, that we would try something new for your (and our) entertainment.
Of course MY boyfriend James Marsters is still scheduled to appear, but WTF NO VIP ACCESS?? That means no special treatment, no first in line for amake out session photo, no first access to his panel where I could sit in the front row...I would've had to push, stab, maim, kill, fight my way through the whoreds hordes of women and JUST NOT ONLY NO BUT HELL NO BECAUSE PEOPLE.
Plus we were ready to try something new, as our rare weekend away is sacred to us.
So without further fanfare or ado, I give you...
NICOLE and SHANNON'S HAUNTED ADVENTURE.
HALLOWEEN WEEKEND, 2016
Since it was Halloween weekend, and since we invariably end up in cemeteries even in the midst of conventions, we would visit 'abandoned ghost towns' and 'haunted locations' and graveyards.
As always, it's hard to tear myself away from my precious babies! Thank goodness it only happens once or twice a year.
BYE FELICIAS
It's okay my darlings, mummy will be back the day after tomorrow! Be strong, my little troopers! (Normally I would insert a picture of my leave-taking here, but I wasin such a hurry to leave so sad to leave it was just unbearable, so you'll have to make do with this)
WE SO ORGANIZED! We had an official Binder and everything:
We carefully plotted and planned our route to maximize the experience - with options to change due to time constraints (oversleeping, short fall days, etc):
(OUR ACTUAL ROUTE):
We blame Siri. He rerouted us in some big circle three times through the same three towns, none of which were the towns we were looking for.
But I'm getting ahead of myself.
First stop: The Haunted Circus Ground (Gandini's Circus) in Edmond OK. We drove up & down the same 2 miles of road about eleventy-five times before we saw the "hidden" entrance. We tried to park in an office complex a block away and sneak through the woods, but eventually were thwarted by a ravine. Luckily it only took us 3 hours or so to find our way back through the 100 feet of woods to the parking lot.
It's okay though, we found berries so we wouldn't starve:
This was probably some sort of burial mound, judging by the smell. We did not explore it thoroughly.
Safely back at the car, we decided we'd boldly pull into the driveway which would lead us to the haunted, abandoned circus ground. AND SUCCESS! Except for the No Trespassing signs everywhere and busy offices directly across the street that were prolly WATCHING OUR EVERY MOVE. Yes, I'm afraid we are cowardly ghost hunters and also somewhat paranoid. We went to see what we could see whilst keeping the car in sight, since we din't have bail money for the car if it got towed.
First the crop circle.
And then the partial corner of a Circus barn.
We also found an awesome portal in the woods:
Which was apparently some sort of wormhole because we ended up possibly in London for a minute:
**Let me just take this opportunity to say that we should've called this trip MYTHBUSTERS, because most of the "uninhabited/mostly uninhabited ghost towns" were definitely HABITED. Even the houses that looked as though they should be abandoned, weren't. So if you want to visit ghost towns and you get your info from AbandonedOklahoma...yeah, no. They are way off base.
We didn't fully explore the few truly abandoned houses we found because either the weeds were head-high and hiding padlocked fences or because there were neighbors...who all had Trump/Pence signs in their yards so we decided discretion was the better part of valor. The Dueling Banjos we heard in the background really was the deciding factor.
Like this house in Bridgeport - we stopped for photos and THEN A DOG and MEAN OLD FIST-SHAKING LADY appeared! We hauled.
Some places took at least 4 u-turns because *RIIIIIGHT* where we needed to know where to go...there was NO SIGNAL and we lost Siri in a tiny little dead spot
. And sometimes we didn't even know if we'd made it to our actual destination or just happened upon some other abandoned place with no name.
TRIVIA: Our loud car singing convinced us that we should probably each start a band when we got home, and what we saw In The Wild inspired our band names. Nicole will be in The Exploding Skunks and I will have The Suicidal Butterflies.
We did find some great graffiti here and there - I think that guy thought we were stalking him. MAYBE WE WERE.
Lots of excellent graffiti on this "haunted bridge," where supposedly a spirit roams after she jumped to her death.
1. You *could* kill yourself jumping off this bridge, but I'd bet most people who try it would just end up considerably broken but alive.
2. They definitely have strong opinions and feelings for Harambe
3. Penis
No spirit encounters, unfortunately, although I *DID* try to capture an EVP.
Did not happen. Also, it was cold and windy and 10 miles from a bathroom and I almost peed myself. #TRIVIA
Then we headed down south to the "haunted" Parallel Forest, which was pretty neat - it's a cedar forest and all the trees were originally planted exactly 6 feet apart. It's pretty still inside the forest but you can hear the wind whooshing through the tops of the trees, and they creak and groan as they sway in the wind, so I can imagine it would be pretty creepy around dusk.
There's allegedly a river flowing down in there somewhere with a flat "altar" rock where "satanic rituals have been performed, but we never saw it.
Probably because 10 minutes after we got there it was all PEOPLEY. With teenagers EW. and they were throwing rocks at trees. And by the entrance there was this whole photography setup thingy because some family was having their portraits done.
OMG. GO AWAY.
This guy was all I GROW WHERE I WANT. #MyFavorite
Also we didn't stay long because once again - you guessed it - no bathrooms for MILES.
**TRAVEL TIP: If you've had a couple-few kids and now you're getting old, wear Depends or something because you have to pee ALL THE TIME. #OldBladdersMakeExploringHard
We visited a few more little "abandoned"/not actually abandoned towns and took some quick photos, often under the suspicious gazes of neighbors.
And OF COURSE THERE WERE CEMETERIES!
They're really quite peaceful and lovely - truthfully some of the people we saw in the "ghost" towns were way more frightening than anything you could ever find in a graveyard.
My 18th birthday:
Is MARG STILL ALIVE?? Was she buried in the wrong place? WHERE IS THE FINAL DATE? WHERE IS MARGORIE?? #Mystery
From Sacred Heart Mission - in the segregated cemetery.
"Here lies an old Union Soldier." #RIP
Random abandoned place on some state highway near nowhere and somewhere else:
And they were SO SERIOUS about NO TRESPASSING! They will give you the boot, mister!
Then we went to cotton-pickin' LOVELAND, which was not at all what we thought :(
...except for the actual cotton pickin'. #BreakinTheLaw #rebels #RoadsideCottonPickin #NoBollWeevils
Okay so this right here was a town. No really. I wish I had a better picture but this was it. A big long building with like a diner/general store next to a fenced in "Weekly Auction" place. Apparently this was the place to be on a Saturday evening. It actually looks like a dead end until you notice the state highway shooting off to the side, nearly hidden until you circle the...circle.
AAAND of course some Fun With Googly Eyes at the hotel.
Jesus is watching you.
Booo! Time to head back home. I has a sad.
BUT JUST YOU WAIT UNTIL OUR SPRINGTIME ADVENTURE.
It's going to be EPIC.
Well, epic for us.
shut up.
If you're weird and want to see the rest of the (FAFILLION) photos I took on the trip, they're in a facebook album.
Kidding!
Probably.
Whatever.
I am ashamed to say that I am JUST NOW sharing the events from October!
My partner in ComicCon crime, Nicole, and I decided since the object of our
Of course MY boyfriend James Marsters is still scheduled to appear, but WTF NO VIP ACCESS?? That means no special treatment, no first in line for a
Plus we were ready to try something new, as our rare weekend away is sacred to us.
So without further fanfare or ado, I give you...
NICOLE and SHANNON'S HAUNTED ADVENTURE.
HALLOWEEN WEEKEND, 2016
Since it was Halloween weekend, and since we invariably end up in cemeteries even in the midst of conventions, we would visit 'abandoned ghost towns' and 'haunted locations' and graveyards.
As always, it's hard to tear myself away from my precious babies! Thank goodness it only happens once or twice a year.
It's okay my darlings, mummy will be back the day after tomorrow! Be strong, my little troopers! (Normally I would insert a picture of my leave-taking here, but I was
WE SO ORGANIZED! We had an official Binder and everything:
We carefully plotted and planned our route to maximize the experience - with options to change due to time constraints (oversleeping, short fall days, etc):
(OUR ACTUAL ROUTE):
We blame Siri. He rerouted us in some big circle three times through the same three towns, none of which were the towns we were looking for.
But I'm getting ahead of myself.
First stop: The Haunted Circus Ground (Gandini's Circus) in Edmond OK. We drove up & down the same 2 miles of road about eleventy-five times before we saw the "hidden" entrance. We tried to park in an office complex a block away and sneak through the woods, but eventually were thwarted by a ravine. Luckily it only took us 3 hours or so to find our way back through the 100 feet of woods to the parking lot.
It's okay though, we found berries so we wouldn't starve:
This was probably some sort of burial mound, judging by the smell. We did not explore it thoroughly.
Safely back at the car, we decided we'd boldly pull into the driveway which would lead us to the haunted, abandoned circus ground. AND SUCCESS! Except for the No Trespassing signs everywhere and busy offices directly across the street that were prolly WATCHING OUR EVERY MOVE. Yes, I'm afraid we are cowardly ghost hunters and also somewhat paranoid. We went to see what we could see whilst keeping the car in sight, since we din't have bail money for the car if it got towed.
First the crop circle.
And then the partial corner of a Circus barn.
We also found an awesome portal in the woods:
Which was apparently some sort of wormhole because we ended up possibly in London for a minute:
**Let me just take this opportunity to say that we should've called this trip MYTHBUSTERS, because most of the "uninhabited/mostly uninhabited ghost towns" were definitely HABITED. Even the houses that looked as though they should be abandoned, weren't. So if you want to visit ghost towns and you get your info from AbandonedOklahoma...yeah, no. They are way off base.
We didn't fully explore the few truly abandoned houses we found because either the weeds were head-high and hiding padlocked fences or because there were neighbors...who all had Trump/Pence signs in their yards so we decided discretion was the better part of valor. The Dueling Banjos we heard in the background really was the deciding factor.
Like this house in Bridgeport - we stopped for photos and THEN A DOG and MEAN OLD FIST-SHAKING LADY appeared! We hauled.
Some places took at least 4 u-turns because *RIIIIIGHT* where we needed to know where to go...there was NO SIGNAL and we lost Siri in a tiny little dead spot
TRIVIA: Our loud car singing convinced us that we should probably each start a band when we got home, and what we saw In The Wild inspired our band names. Nicole will be in The Exploding Skunks and I will have The Suicidal Butterflies.
We did find some great graffiti here and there - I think that guy thought we were stalking him. MAYBE WE WERE.
Lots of excellent graffiti on this "haunted bridge," where supposedly a spirit roams after she jumped to her death.
1. You *could* kill yourself jumping off this bridge, but I'd bet most people who try it would just end up considerably broken but alive.
2. They definitely have strong opinions and feelings for Harambe
3. Penis
No spirit encounters, unfortunately, although I *DID* try to capture an EVP.
Did not happen. Also, it was cold and windy and 10 miles from a bathroom and I almost peed myself. #TRIVIA
Then we headed down south to the "haunted" Parallel Forest, which was pretty neat - it's a cedar forest and all the trees were originally planted exactly 6 feet apart. It's pretty still inside the forest but you can hear the wind whooshing through the tops of the trees, and they creak and groan as they sway in the wind, so I can imagine it would be pretty creepy around dusk.
There's allegedly a river flowing down in there somewhere with a flat "altar" rock where "satanic rituals have been performed, but we never saw it.
Probably because 10 minutes after we got there it was all PEOPLEY. With teenagers EW. and they were throwing rocks at trees. And by the entrance there was this whole photography setup thingy because some family was having their portraits done.
OMG. GO AWAY.
This guy was all I GROW WHERE I WANT. #MyFavorite
Also we didn't stay long because once again - you guessed it - no bathrooms for MILES.
**TRAVEL TIP: If you've had a couple-few kids and now you're getting old, wear Depends or something because you have to pee ALL THE TIME. #OldBladdersMakeExploringHard
We visited a few more little "abandoned"/not actually abandoned towns and took some quick photos, often under the suspicious gazes of neighbors.
And OF COURSE THERE WERE CEMETERIES!
They're really quite peaceful and lovely - truthfully some of the people we saw in the "ghost" towns were way more frightening than anything you could ever find in a graveyard.
My 18th birthday:
Is MARG STILL ALIVE?? Was she buried in the wrong place? WHERE IS THE FINAL DATE? WHERE IS MARGORIE?? #Mystery
From Sacred Heart Mission - in the segregated cemetery.
"Here lies an old Union Soldier." #RIP
Random abandoned place on some state highway near nowhere and somewhere else:
And they were SO SERIOUS about NO TRESPASSING! They will give you the boot, mister!
Then we went to cotton-pickin' LOVELAND, which was not at all what we thought :(
...except for the actual cotton pickin'. #BreakinTheLaw #rebels #RoadsideCottonPickin #NoBollWeevils
Okay so this right here was a town. No really. I wish I had a better picture but this was it. A big long building with like a diner/general store next to a fenced in "Weekly Auction" place. Apparently this was the place to be on a Saturday evening. It actually looks like a dead end until you notice the state highway shooting off to the side, nearly hidden until you circle the...circle.
AAAND of course some Fun With Googly Eyes at the hotel.
Jesus is watching you.
Booo! Time to head back home. I has a sad.
BUT JUST YOU WAIT UNTIL OUR SPRINGTIME ADVENTURE.
It's going to be EPIC.
Well, epic for us.
shut up.
If you're weird and want to see the rest of the (FAFILLION) photos I took on the trip, they're in a facebook album.
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