Mausoleum Girl

2011-12-28T21:31:00.000-08:00

If you have not read this collection of short stories you should. I post this prior to having read them all. They are so good

I've been away for awhile

2011-03-02T15:47:00.000-08:00

Work has eaten the last two years of my life. But a few things have changed. I've started Kung fu classes,(sadly as 41 year old woman with a few extra pounds I look no where near as cute doing it as the above two bear cubs do).

I've been sensing an imbalance in the force lately which I am now convinced is due entirely to the lack of horror movie viewing I have endured.

There will probably be no actual reviews being posted here as there are so many people doing that with far more intellegence and wit than I can bring to the table(see my new internet crush who must think I'm stalking him as I've just read his entire blog).

This will be more like little notes passed in class about things I have seen. I will happily spend an afternoon folding laundry and watching old horror movies and gleefully let you konw about them.

Pandorum

2011-03-02T15:22:00.000-08:00

Pandorum

Creepy crew in a creepy space that have a bunch of creepy mutants trying to eat them. Nothing new here but not a bad way to spend a rainy sunday afternoon.

The Reunion.

2011-03-02T15:16:00.000-08:00

It truly was like visiting an old friend. Surprised that they still look great but a little embarassed about some of the things you had forgotten about them. De Niro you made me so worried for that egg but I also kinda wanted to be that egg.

This is not the best movie but it sure was a fun reunion.

Weekend with an old friend

2011-02-25T12:06:00.000-08:00

I will be spending the weekend with an old friend. I may be returning shortly.

The one you might have saved.

2008-05-20T11:24:00.000-07:00

Every since reading Arbogast's post on the one he wishes he could have saved I've been thinking about it a whole lot. I don't often feel the need to pluck characters from evil clutches as I'm not very fond of most people, let alone fictional ones created for the sole purpose of meeting grizzly ends. So humans aside there is one creature who has always held a place in my heart. Yes it's that giant furball with a love for the ladies.

King Kong, my gorilla romeo. I don't know why I love him so. In fact I have not seen the Peter Jackson's version because after viewing his tragic tale in both the 1933 and 1976 films I just couldn't take it anymore. I just couldn't watch my love brought down yet again. In my version Ann and Kong run away together and folic on their secluded isle away from the clutches of man.
I'm putting it all down to my thing for the strong silent type.

On a side note: I know I've been away for awhile but we were dealing with a sudden bush fire by my house. Nothing too serious but enough to upset my dog. I'm still trying to get pictures of the aftermath to post. Because fire is way scary.

Blood Suckers

2008-05-01T06:15:00.000-07:00

I know I've been silent as of late. Blame my trainer, he's mean and has me at the gym at 5:30 am. It has been rather traumatic for me as I am a bit of a night owl, who prefers her horror in the dark with a deep red glass of wine. My brain is slowly beginning to function again so here is a bit of a round up of last week. And a blood thirsty week it was.

When the dark lasts a month the last thing you need is it to be filled with savage vampires. In 30 Days of Night, thats exactly what you get. A cold Alaskan town in the dark for, yes you guessed right, 30 days. Guess what else, they are going to try and eat everyone. I liked these vamps, in their goth regalia (they had some great boots) ripping out everyone's throat like rapid dogs. Lots of blood, which looks very pretty in the snow.

13 Bullets by David Wellington gives us vampires who as they age need more and more blood and if they don't get it they start to decay at a very rapid rate. This makes them mean and very thirsty. This is an action packed ride that keeps the action going as we follow the seasoned vampire hunter and his new assistant in their plight to save our blood.
99 Coffins: A Historic Vampire Tale, by David Wellington like it's predecessor once the action gets going it doesn't let up. This time our savage vampires are a civil war mini army who have been revived by an archeology professor and they are now really ugly and really really hungry.
It up to our brave and totally freaked out vampire hunter to save the day. Couldn't put this down.

Renfield:Slave of Dracula by Barbara Hambly took awhile to get into. Styled akin Stoker's original in diary entries this is the tale of our favorite bug eating vampire slave. The downfall of this novel is that throughout all I could do was think of the original tale.

You had me at tentacles

2008-05-01T06:04:00.000-07:00

Yes, I finally got around to watching The Mist. It was pretty good. A group of people trapped in a grocery store as a mist full of monsters rolls into town. Knowing my own personal tastes when it comes to monsters, if they are bug like or tentacled then you can bet that my heart will at least partially belong to them. I found the most frightening part of this film to be how quickly the people gave themselves over to the religious fanatic, well played by Marcia Gay Harden.

Having not read the short story this was based on when the ending came after the brave escape attempt from Grocery Jesus Camp, all I could say was "that was harsh".

Martini Anyone?

2008-04-18T15:12:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't like a cocktail at the end of the work week. I would love to try a nice vodka martini made from this Scorpion Vodka from Edible. Or just served neat from the freezer with some blinis toped with smoked salmon, creme fraiche and caviar.

I think the Giant Hornet's Honey would be a great breakfast addition, perfect to drizzle over a crossiant or some blueberries. We need to keep that little old lady on Kyushu Island employed.

A Bite out of the Big Apple

2008-04-18T09:33:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has spent any time here is well aware that I really like me some vampires. Those blood sucking undead are my favorite undead. Zombies have there place but you got to admit they ain't much for conversation nor are they snappy dressers.

Lee Hunt's The Vampire of New York mixes together many of my favorite things. Moving between present day New York with it's real estate moguls and political rivalries and the New York of 1863 leading up to the Draft Riots.

Like many tales that move back and forth in time it gets a bit hard to describe and at points I really wish this had been two separate novels. The tale of Dracula come to the New World to be chased down by Echo, the daughter of Van Helsing and her cross dressing lady detective pal, and the contemporary tale of a corpse found at a construction site that leads to the battle between age old vampiric enemies.

I was intrigued by both tales and the relationship between the two story lines was clear, yet in blending the two they both seems to be less then fleshed out or shall I dare say anemic. But if you are a fan of Vamps it's worth a read.

Steampunks Rejoice!

2008-04-17T13:32:00.000-07:00

Whitechapel Gods by S.M. Peters is a book written just for you. Victorian England taken over by evil Clock Gods, steam powered machines who were once men, a ragged band of would be heros, and of course a murderous whore who really means well. All in all a rollicking adventure through some pretty powerful images. The world was fully crafted and fighting scenes rocked.

I've been busy lately but

2008-04-17T13:24:00.000-07:00

I do have to say Mr. Cronenberg, I love you. I've always loved you and apparently I always will.

Mr. Mortensen, I would like to climb you like a squirrel monkey. I know that is little consolation for being robbed of they Oscar but it's the best I can do at the moment.

I also thought the film was pretty darn good.

Would you like some blood and guts with that wine?

2008-04-01T09:37:00.000-07:00

What if the only reason the ancient Gods disappeared is because people stopped believing in them. What if some people decided that it would be a good idea to not only believe in them but bring them back to life? What if that particular God was Dionysius, the good of wine and chaos.
Well according to Bentley Little's Domion, it would lead to a whole town getting totally wasted on wine and thus would ensue much raping and pillaging and rending of flesh.

This book is a rollercoaster ride of horror and lust. If you are looking for a trully entertaining read that may make you cringe over and over then you can't do better than this Bacchanalian romp. There is a lot of graphic and violent sex in it so be forwarned if that ain't your cup of tea.

No Hope in the Country

2008-04-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

Sorry for my absence. I recently invested in a steam mop and have been mopping every hard surface in my home. It's been cutting into my viewing and reading time. But my house does look like it spent the weekend at the spa.

But I did sneak a few things in. No Coundtry for Old Men being one. I will join the fray of people who think the Coen Brothers are masters of film making. This was a wonderfully crafted film.

The most striking character of this film was the pace. The barren landscape filled with violence, the main characters almost calmly moving through this patiently awaiting next moment of blood shed. The neverending quality of time without redemption. Ah the hopelessness of it all. Well done brothers. I also must add that Josh Brolin's performance was amazing. Maybe if they had given him a different hair cut he would have won an award.

Like all Holidays, It's all about the Meat

2008-03-24T11:08:00.000-07:00

Well I didn't watch any of the movies as I was too busy eating ham. It all started on Friday when Mausoleumboy brought home a ham as they were out of corned beef (we had missed our traditional st paddy's day dinner). We proceeded to find ways to eat this for every meal until we went to vist the folks on Sunday for Easter dinner which consisted of ham. This overindulgence has distracted me from movie veiwing as I spent most of my time trying to figure out what to do will all the ham. We still have some left over incase you'd like a sandwich.

Yep, I read fast.

2008-03-24T10:57:00.001-07:00

Demon Eyes by L. H. Maynard and M. P. N. Sims

I'm sure a lot of people have always wondered what kind of shenanigans those really rich and powerful people get up to behind the closed doors of their mansions. I know I have and I've always assumed they were up to no good. In Demon Eyes, yet another quick and entertaining read from Leisure Fiction, I have been proven right. This tale will make you think twice about accepting that too good to be true promotion. It just might lead to being taken captive by another species.

I've been in the mood for fun reading as of late. Nothing too taxing and this book fit the bill. Granted, it didn't scare me but it did keep me curious.

Violence is Brutal

2008-03-21T14:24:00.001-07:00

I have quite the line of up of films this weekend: No Country for Old Men, Eastern Promises, Funny Games (the original) and The Girl Next Door.

Last night I started with The Girl Next Door. I had read quite a bit about this film based on Jack Ketchum's novel based on a true story of a young girl bruatilzed at the hands of her aunt, cousins and apparently neighbourhood children. So I had prepared myself to be horrified. Of course the whole idea of a young girl being tortured is horrific enough, I think what I found most disturbing about this film was how the cousins and neighbourhood children so willingly played along with the cruelty of the Aunt. The Aunt was obviously mentally unhinged but the children, mostly to be in their early teens and some of them girls just seemed to watch the assults with a strange calm, sipping sodas. It was also an interesting study on how easily violence can escalate.

I don't really think I would call this a horror film. It had the feel of a really graphic lifetime move but with better actors and art direction.

2008-03-19T11:56:00.000-07:00

photo by Christophe Courteau

Previously I had mentioned something was incubating. Well, there have been some scratching sounds, weird noises and then.....nothing.

I realized that this little area of the net is becoming a bit of a repository for notes on books I've read and movies I've watched. The volume is increasing somewhat at the moment as I've just heard a big contract has gone through and I'll probably be working overtime for the next 18 months. So I might just be cramming as much reading and watching in as I possible can before work, warm weather and croquette trounaments steel my time or will.

It's pretty clear by my recent posting what kind of stuff I am currently enjoying and I would love suggestions so if ya got them, send them. I only have 330 movies on in my queue and my book list is not yet unweidly.

Don't be expecting any great analysis coming from these parts. I did enough of that in college. But impressions and enjoyment level will be noted.

I'm also hoping that the contract doesn't start full bore until after script frenzy.

2008-03-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Just finished The Devil's Footprints by Amanda Stevens last night. Someone is murdering girls in a horrible way. Is it the devil? Is it the survior from a past crime? Is it her boyfriend? Is it some other guy? Are all these people just differently personalities within one person? Oh, okay now I get ya. Granted I had a second glass of wine, but it was a bit confusing near the end there for a few moments. All in all, a quick read that was fun. There was a nice casualness to the writing that made it a great way to unwind in the evening.

2008-03-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

Hey Internet, Stop Being Such Cynical Effing Douchebags Blog-a-Thon.

I love ghost stories. I love old houses. I even kinda love post mortem photography. Three things that would make me thinK that The Others was just my kinda of film. I never anticipated that this film would resonate with me to the extent that it did. I recall my first viewing was on a quiet Sunday afternoon, recovering from the night before lounging on a couch with the curtains drawn.

I just wanted to let myself fall into the story which happened easily. Everything just looked wonderful and I still want to live in that house. The acting was great, even Nicole Kidman was tolerable mostly because the character is how I think of her, cold, prim and metally crumbling while still trying to look pretty.

Fallen into the story I was just swept along to such an extent that when the "boy" pulled the curtain open I jumped. Granted I knew the main characters were all dead from the early breakfast scene on I still wanted to find out what was going to happen.

The best part of the film was how quiet it was. One reason I don't see movies in the theatre is that I find them unbearbly loud. That and the whole not being able to sit in a room an listen to strangers chew.

I didn't realize what a close friend this film would become. Struggling with a lengthy bout of insomnia this film became my sleep aid. If I couldn't settle my mind down I would put this on. The story like a well worn blanket, warm and quiet and by the time it would end I found I was able to sleep.

This experience was not one of those "That was the most awesomest thing I've ever experienced" but it certainly has been a great friendship.

Another reason I believe I loved this movie so was because it has the same feeling as the first film I watched that truly scared me.

The Changeling scared the crap out of me. I don't recall when I first saw this 1980 film. Probably not until it was available as a rental. I was probably in my mid teens when I saw it. 20 or some odd years later I still vividly recall that scene where the little red rubber ball comes bouncing down the stairs and forgetting how to breath. Once again, a big dark house, a ghost and I'm done for. I think I should try and pick up a copy and see if it still holds sway.

Now I could have written about the film that had me going "this is the greatest movie of all time" throughout the duration of watching it then I would have spent this time writting about The Shinning but I think everyone feels that way about it.

2008-03-17T16:32:00.001-07:00

I challenge you to write a 100-page script in 30 days! Join me this April for Script Frenzy

What's with all these dares people. I thought I said truth. Oh well, I suppose I could give it a shot. But we all know what happened when I tried National Novel Writing Month.

2008-03-17T16:05:00.000-07:00

Now people, don't forget tomorrow Tuesday March 18th is
"HEY, INTERNET, STOP BEING SUCH CYNICAL EFFING DOUCHEBAGS BLOG-A-THON!"

One day, and one day only: Tuesday, March 18.You: write about something in the world of film that fills you with complete and total unbridled fucking retarded JOY.

Or so Final Girl tells us.

Now I'm not much of a cynic when I write my little blurbs about horror films. As my tolerance for crap is pretty high. But I will do as I'm told and write something about the film that not only brought me retarded JOY. But became a sort of lullaby for me during a year long spat of insomnia. So check back tomorrow

2008-03-17T11:37:00.000-07:00

Now you may think with the amount of books and films I watched this weekend that I don't do anything but read and watch films. Well, it's true, fot the most part. I've been working too much lately, so all I wanted to do was relax. Although I'm now totally quilt ridden for not starting my spring cleaning but it's not spring until Thrusday so I really should cut myself some slack.

Fires Rising by Michael Liamo had two things going for it right from the start. I didn't want to think and I have a thing for grand battles between good and evil. Particularly if you throw some Catholic imagery in there. I don't know why, I just like it. I'll give Mr Liamo credit for writing a story, though not particularly new, kept my interest from the start to the end. It's a quick and fun read and sure beats mopping the kitchen floor. Thank you Mr Liamo for helping me avoid housework.

2008-03-17T11:22:00.000-07:00

Having never read anything by Richard Laymon previously I went into The Beast House without expectations. Something you should never do by the way is go into a house that is known as the Beast House without expectations. You should go in heavily armed and with back up, because there is probably going to be, well you know, a beast or two lurking about. Apparently in this house they are highly sexed beasts. I'm not sure what I found more unsettling, the monsters or a man writing about monsters raping women. Rape is never a subject I'm particularly linterested in reading about.

This book started out slowly, almost too slowly, but the end was a quite well paced and had moments where I was holding my breath. The only thing I found more frightening than the beasts was the guy in the story who told the girl he loved her only two after having met her. Now there is something just not right about that.

2008-03-17T10:59:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to have a little mini film festival this weekend I proved two things to myself. The first movied is usually the best and that I will always fall asleep during the second movie.

Friday I popped in Cube. I has seen it when it originally came out and remember being in suspense the entire time. Granted the tension had eased somewhat during this second viewing years later. But I was still a darn good movie. I so wanted them to beat the cube.

Cube 2: Hypercube did not hold up as well in the second viewing. I think the effects were too confusing. It a little hare to be afraid of theoretical math unless you really know alot about theoretical math. But I did like the ending on this one.

So after viewing Hypercube I though it best to continue the wasting of my Satruday afternoon by going back to the beginning with the third in the series the prequel Cube Zero. Now the cube isn't so slick and the first treat in store is watching someone get all their skin melted off. But that is where it ends as I've somehow programmed myself to fall asleep within 15 minutes of starting a second film. So I'll attempt to view this tonight and let you know if it was just me or the movie that went to sleep.

Updated: 03/18/08

Viewed Cube Zero last night. Although not the as good as the original installment this one was pretty good. I liked the Cube being more primitive. There were some really bad ways to die. Granted the story is still pretty vague as to what the hell is going on but apparently the government really likes to do bad things to people. Not as good as the first but definetly better than the second.

2008-03-13T14:19:00.000-07:00

I have just started delving into the Master of Horror Series from showtime. Fair Haired Child is

"Director William Malone's contribution to this Showtime horror series is the chilling tale of Tara, a young girl kidnapped and locked away in a basement with other teen outcasts. "

Now for television this was pretty darn creepy. Mostly due to that now stock jerky effect used for all things undead. No matter where it is used it just puts my nerves on edge the way so few things do. The two teenagers were the best part of this even if one of them was undead. The adults I didn't believe so much.

This is the third offering from this series that I've watched so far. The first two being Lucky Mckee's Sick Girl and being a bug girl myself I found it to be a delightful romantic comedy and

John Carpenter's Prolife which I felt pretty mixed about and may just have to watch again to come to a conclusion.

But so far, I've enjoyed the surface I've scratched with this series. Mostly because I went in with the mindset of these are made for tv movies and most things on tv suck, with the exception of a few guilty pleasures but that is a post for another day. So having them not suck was great.

2008-03-11T09:34:00.000-07:00

The men in this picture are to blame for my lack of posting. Which is more to blame, Jekyll or Mr. Sexypants? I'm not really sure. But you have a few hours to spare I would encourage you to spent them watching the six part BBC drama Jekyll. It was great!

Not very often does a new take on an old tale come along that really works. This one does. Instead of a retelling the old tale it is more of a continuation, with all the best bits: the internal struggle of the doctor with his demon (whom I'm apparently quite fond of), interesting side kicks, secret societies and a twist that actually worked.

2008-03-07T13:43:00.000-08:00

Don't worry I have not perished from ennui. Things have just slowed to a crawl as of late and I've had nothing to say. Although a few things are incubating at the moment. I'll let you know what hatches.

2008-02-18T16:21:00.000-08:00

It is almost 55 degrees at the moment in Bellingham. The sun is shining and my thoughts are turning to spring. What shall be my garden plans? I am quite taken with the blog Gothic and Victorian Gardening. Lot's of nifty ideas. I just have to remember to keep the wide expanse of grass in the back yard free for our summer Croquette games. Now don't laugh at the pretense civility. There is nothing civil about them. They are often loud affairs the are peppered with language that would make the saltiest of dogs blush. But they sure are fun.

2008-02-14T13:47:00.001-08:00

How cool is this? Although a bit late for this year.

2008-02-14T10:36:00.000-08:00

Trimmed from the March 5th, 1881 issue of HARPER'S BAZAR, a reproduction of a print by Percival DeLuce titled "Valentine's Messengers".

via papajomambo

The best part is the bbq in the upper left corner.

2008-02-13T14:46:00.000-08:00

Image: Rub' al Khali - Empty Quarter

Strangely this is what my brain feels like these days. A barren desert with a few bumps here and there. My DVD player died, apparently from exhaustion so no movie Mondays until I get a new one. I just don't seem to have anything to say. Everything just seems to have ground to a halt for the time being. This is usually a sign that something is in the back of my mind, fermenting, stewing. Hopefully it will mature soon and present itself but until then I'm just going to look for a new DVD player as there are a couple of Russian Vampire movies just sitting there waiting.

2008-02-11T12:57:00.000-08:00

Today in honor of my birthday I shall be raising a glass of St. Cosme Chateauneuf du Pappe 2004

"The 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape is a nicely structured, deep plum/garnet-colored wine with plenty of Provencal herbs, sweet black cherries, and currants, some resiny notes, and broad flavors. It is a fine 2004 to drink over the next decade."
Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
90 Points

Care to join me?

2008-01-30T11:40:00.000-08:00

I wonder if this would be an unreasonable birthday request?

image from wikimedia

2008-01-29T14:28:00.000-08:00

Help me name my Vampire, possible names so far for a sexy vampire in a story I am currently playing with are

Laurentiu
Girgore
Alexandru
Andrei
Valentin
Vasile

Help me narrow it down.

2008-01-28T16:01:00.000-08:00

Who is Your Ideal TV Boyfriend?

Created by BuddyTV

I apparently have a thing for grumpy bastards.

2008-01-28T11:10:00.000-08:00

Movie Monday

Due to entertaining a visitor for the Great White North only one movie was watched this weekend. Yes, I finally viewed the latest installment of Resident Evil

Resident Evil:Extinction

I think the best way to approach this would be through a check list

Milla Jovovich with clothes on - check
Milla Jovavich with clothes off - check
Zombies - check
Zombie dogs - check
Zombie crows - check
Evil mutating scientist - check
Conclusion left open enough for another installment - check

I can honestly say that not one thought crossed my mind while watching the 94 minutes of this movie. It was refreshing like a nap.

2008-01-28T08:52:00.000-08:00

The early morning quiet was interrupted by a loud "CRACK"

Which was the sound of my head hitting the pavement. I swear it sounded like a gun shot. After taking a few seconds to figure out what the hell had happened. I managed to get up track down the mausoleumdog, who of course just thought he would make a bid for freedom and make my way home.

Sadly you will have to wait for the Movie Monday posting until I can remember what I actually watched over the weekend. I'm sure it will all come flooding back as soon as the ringing in my ears stop. Man, my head hurts.

2008-01-25T10:35:00.000-08:00

Bring your Daughter to the Slaughter

By now it must be clear to all that I, the Mausoleumgirl has a fancy for the genre of horror. Often I lay awake after a viewing, not afraid to fall asleep and being attacked by whatever nasty living, dead or undead creature whose trail of terror I've just born witness to. No I lay awaken thinking you know what would make a great film...

So all you gals who like the your cinema dripping, devouring or demented please read Immobilizing the Horror Creator in You by Shannon Lark over at PrettyScary for a pep talk to get your blood and guts swirling.

See also
The Chainsaw Mafia
The Viscera Series

2008-01-25T09:35:00.000-08:00

I am by no means a morning person

but over the last week as the moon reached full and the ground was frozen my morning walks with mausoleumgirl's four legged friend have had a certain beauty to them. No one in the neighbourhood is awake, the stillness haunting. It is during these early walks that I get the feeling of newness and possiblity. Fleeting though this may as we return to the mausoleum with its warm coffee and rush to ready ourselves for the day. Tomorrow, I think we will take the time to walk further before the moon shrinks and maybe, just maybe the feeling with turn into an actual possiblity.

2008-01-24T16:32:00.000-08:00

In less then a month I'll be turning 39. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. There is no panic at my child bearing years are rapidly drawing to a close. I find children shrill and rather sticky and am able to easily project what little maternal impulses I have onto my dog. The glow of youth has left me but at least I've come to look more like myself with age. Yet, with the dark Pacific Northwest weather and my penchant for melancholy I thought it would be a brilliant idea to give myself 39 gifts in honor of at least making it this far. Some of them will be things others will be experiences, but most of all I've decided to make the last year of my thirties to be fun. I fitting way of saying adieu. I'm sure my forties will be a whole new ball of wax.

Gift #1, Japanese school uniform.

I have always loved school uniforms, the pleated skirts, a well pressed shirt, there just seems to be something so orderly and crisp. The one I pick is the third from the left, black w/ white piping and tie scarf. It looks so cut and who knows what kind of trouble I can get into while wearing it.

Gift #2 The House of Eliott The complete collection

12 discs of pure 1920's fashion. I remember watching this when it was originally aired on PBS and loved it. I just hope that it won't cause me to get my hair bobbed as I've been working so hard on growing it long. Oh well, worse things could happen.

2008-01-23T10:31:00.000-08:00

The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien

As I am always on the look out for books that I have never heard of but would probably find interesting I will take suggestions for anywhere, including tv shows. I will not go on about how this novel relates to the show Lost. Although I enjoy the two weekends spent whatching the first two seasons of them I am not overcome with the desire to solve the mystery of the show. I prefer to what an entire season at once and let the story itself take me along.

Surely from the way I write about the books I read it is quite obvious that I read because I like to be told stories. Mr. O'Brien told me a doozy. In fact I kept feeling dizzy when I was reading this tale of Alex in Wonderland. I am still debating with myself over what I enjoyed most, the body of this novel or the footnotes. I will definetly be picking up more of this man's work.

I will be posting my reading list again soon. I just haven't gotten around to it as I've been a bit busy reading.

2008-01-22T11:36:00.000-08:00

Light from the Heart Nebula from Astronomy Picture of the Day

Let see if I am a match for the Retropolitan...I think the not being single is totally going to work against me.

VALENTINE APPLICATION FORM #0002A from The Retropolitan presents Tales to Astonish
PLEASE FILL OUT COMPLETELY BEFORE SENDING IN
——————————————
PRELIMINARY APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
1. ARE YOU CURRENTLY SINGLE? Y/No, I'm only available in six pack
2. IS THERE A STANDING WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST? Y/No, for I am smart enough not to get caught.
2A. IF YES, IS IT FOR SOMETHING AWESOME LIKE HANG-GLIDING OFF OF THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING AND LEAVING AN UNLICENSED TRAIL OF FIRE IN THE SKY? Y/No - bragging only gets you caught

3. IS YOUR DEFINITION OF “DATE MOVIE” UNJUSTIFIABLY BROAD? Y/N
4. HAVE YOU PURCHASED MORE THAN FIVE (5) “NOVELTY GIFT ITEMS” IN THE PAST YEAR? Y/N If antique navigational devices, prosthetic limbs, exotic liqueurs, carnivorous plants and gunpowder candles are considered novel.
5. DOES YOUR NETFLIX QUEUE CONTAIN MORE THAN 300 TITLES? Y/N
6. COMPLETE THIS STATEMENT: “_____ IS BETTER THAN HALLOWEEN.”

"A zombie horde on Halloween is better than Halloween"
7. DO WE NEED NO STINKIN’ BADGES? Y/N

8. HAVE YOU EVER SUBSTITUTED DIGITS FOR LETTERS IN AN EMAIL? Y/No, for i find it rude
9. HAND-HOLDING SHOULD NOT OCCUR UNTIL WHICH DATE?

A. FIRST

B. SECOND

C. THIRD

D. FOURTH
9A. IF YOU ANSWERED WITH B, C, OR D, ARE YOU:
A. AMISH

B. MORMON

C. LIVING IN VICTORIAN ENGLAND at times. But mostly I need enough time to see if you wash your hands.

D. SISSY SPACEK’S MOM IN “CARRIE”
10. WHILE SLOW DANCING, DO YOU GENERALLY LEAVE ENOUGH ROOM BETWEEN PARTNERS FOR JESUS? Y/No, he ain't got no rythm
11. BETTER VALENTINE’S DAY DECORATION: A) SHINY RED HEARTS OR B) JACK O’ LANTERNS? B made from A
12. WHEN YOU EAT YOUR SMARTIES DO YOU EAT THE RED ONES LAST? Y/N

-and crunch them very fast
13. KOALAS ARE BEST WHEN THEY:

A) EAT LEAVES OR

B) WALK LIKE MEN

14. DO YOU REACT VIOLENTLY WHEN REFERRED TO AS “DOLLFACE”? Y/No, but I will respond by addressing you as cowboy.
15. DO YOU LIKE ME? Y/N Mabye
16. HAVE YOU EVER USED THE WORD “SUPPOSABLY” IN A SENTENCE? Y/No I prefer to use actual words.
17. WOULD YOU LISTEN TO MUSIC FROM THE 1920s AND 1930s WITH ME? Y/N

the 1929 recordings of Duke Ellington or do you prefer dance hall tunes from the Wiemar era.
18. ___ COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN? Y/No
19. OLIVES: TASTY TREATS OR THE MARBLES OF SATAN? Tasty Treats, particularly in the afternoon with some jambon and a glass of Pernod.
20. WE ARE STRANDED ON A REMOTE DESERTED ISLAND WITH LITTLE HOPE OF RESCUE. WHICH MONKEY COMEDY WERE WE THOUGHTFUL ENOUGH TO HAVE BROUGHT WITH US?

A. EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE

B. ANY WHICH WAY YOU CAN

C. GOING APE!

D. DUNSTON CHECKS IN
21. DO YOU THINK THAT JOANIE ACTUALLY LOVED CHACHI? Y/N

For I am a true believer in love in all it's many guises.
22a. WHICH ONE OF THESE THINGS HAS THE UNKNOWN STUNTMAN NEVER DONE?
A. BEEN ON FIRE WITH SALLY FIELD

B. GONE FAST WITH A GIRL NAMED BO

C. BEEN BLOWN UP FOR RAQUEL WELCH

D. BEEN HIT BY SONDRA LOCKE
22b. WHEN HE ENDS UP IN THE HAY, IT’S ONLY HAY, A-HEY HEY? T/F
23. SOMETIMES FAMILY MEMBERS PASS AWAY. SOMETIMES THEY RETURN FROM THE GRAVE AS FLESH-EATING GHOULS. DO YOU GIVE ME A CONDOLENCE CARD FOR ONE OR BOTH OCCASIONS? A condolence card for the former and congratulations on your first necromancy on the later.
24. EVERYONE KNOWS COREY HAIM AND COREY FELDMAN. CAN YOU NAME THE LESSER-KNOWN BUT EQUALLY MAGNIFICENT THIRD COREY?\

Corey Taylor - Lead vocalist of Slipknot?

25. I USE THE WORD “AWESOME” FAR TOO OFTEN. WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST AS A REPLACEMENT?"now that's on the trolley!"
26. I WANT TO SWEEP YOU OFF YOUR FEET WITH THE KIND OF GRAND GESTURES AND THRILLING ROMANCE THAT HAVE NEVER OCCURRED OUTSIDE OF THE MOST FANTASTIC STORYBOOKS. WOULD THIS BE ALL RIGHT WITH YOU? Y/N - particularly if it involved your new found necromancy to raise a zombie horde to do my bidding.
27. WHAT DO YOU THINK BRITNEY SPEARS MOST RESEMBLES AT THE MOMENT?
A. JAN-MICHAEL VINCENT’S CAREER CIRCA 1989

B. THE T-1000 AS IT SINKS INTO A VAT OF MOLTEN METAL

C. ROSS PEROT’S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN RIGHT AT THE END

D. NEW YORK CITY AS DEPICTED IN “CLOVERFIELD”
28. WHAT IS THE BEST LINE EVER SPOKEN BY A KOALA THAT WALKED LIKE A MAN?

Sorry I don't read that many comics

29. CAN YOU NAME THE BRAND OF SHOE THAT LOOKS LIKE A PUMP, BUT FEELS LIKE A SNEAKER? Easy Spirits

30. LET’S MAKE OUT. Y/N Maybe

2008-01-21T14:32:00.000-08:00

The Beatitudes: Book I by Lyn LeJeune

After a breif email exchange on myspace with Ms. LeJeune I ordered her book The Beatitudes. I am so very glad I did. It was a truly enjoyable read, the characters are filled with life, even the ones that are dead. The plot captured me and still hasn't released me. I am already impatient for the next installment of the adventure of the main characters, Scrimp and Pinch. The setting of New Orleans is as alive with sights, sounds and smells and I could almost taste the food. For anyone with a tast for ghosts, conspiracies and strong female characters, even if they themselves don't know how strong they are, this is a book for you. Also note that royalties from the sale of this book go directly to the New Orleans Public Library Foundation dedicated to rebuilding the public libraries of New Orleans.

2008-01-21T10:55:00.000-08:00

Movie Monday, in other words what I watched over the weekend.

Subject Two

This was great film. It totally managed to draw me in after the first slow moments. A decidely interesting imanging of the classic Re-animator tale. The mountain top isolation was a perfect setting and even my fellow who's favorite response to a movie involving science is "that so couldn't happen" was silent during this tale.

Return to the House on Haunted Hill

Eh...it was okay. The blood, the crazy doctor, an evil statue and that self locking house. Nothing new here but it was entertaining enough that I didn't fall asleep. Which is what usually happens when the second movie starts. But that could just be a sign that I was well rested.

2008-01-18T15:22:00.000-08:00

When I came across this image by Eugenio Recuenco I was completely and utterly transported back to one of my favorite novels, The Fencing Master by Arturo Perez-Reverte. If you are part of my family or small circle of friend you have by now been forced to read many a work by this author. Some people push drugs, others try to change your faith, I of course just pester those around me to read the books I like. Now that I have this as a soap box please you must now all read anything you can get your hands on by Mr. Perez-Reverte. I would start with The Club Dumas, for that is what started my love affair with him. But until you get his books in your hands go and view the visual story telling of Mr. Recuenco. His galleries are filled with lush images to transport you away from where ever you may be sitting.

2008-01-17T10:04:00.000-08:00

Loss; Hendrick's Valentines Day Ball, an Evening of Exquisite Misery

"This is the end of the saddest time of the year. But it’s the depths of a deep pit, not the light at the end of the tunnel"

If I were going to be in London I would be dressed in rotting lace and weeping at this event presented by the Last Tuesday Society. Image of Victor Wynd, Chancellor.

via The Affected Provincial's Almanack

2008-01-08T08:21:00.000-08:00

"I have never been fond of the countryside. It's a rather soggy place where animals scamper about, uncoocked." - Adela Bradley

Over the next couple of weeks. I am venturing to the 1920's with the delightful Mrs. Bradley Mysteries. Not particularly mysterious but the clothes and her Rolls Royce are sheer eye candy. If only I was independently wealthy and has a dress maker.

And on the bedside table is:

Bobbed hair and bathtub gin : writers running wild in the Twenties
by Marion Meade

I was almost late for work this morning as I made the mistake of cracking open the cover with my mourning coffee.

2008-01-02T16:36:00.000-08:00

It wasn't until half way through the day I realized I had dressed like a novice nun. I wonder if people will talk.

2007-12-27T11:05:00.000-08:00

A gothic little christmas was had about the mausoleum this year.

Patrick McGrath: The Grosteque

I love the way this man writes. This was short novel, claustrophobic and damp, was a delight.

MasterPiece Theatre: The Woman in White.

A nice adaptation of Wilkie Collins' novel although it did not give Count Fosco his due.

Murder Rooms: The Dark Beginning of Sherlock Holmes

Or as I like to call it.

CSI: Victorian England. True fun with the second disc awaiting me this evening.

2007-12-20T11:27:00.000-08:00

At about this time I usually start writing out my 108 things to do in 2008 List. I barely marked anything of the 107 in 2007 list so I am taking a completely different route and am giving myself 3 tasks for the upcoming year. So when ever I find myself with nothing to do, rare thought that may be with my gigantic reading piles and my love of the movie watching. But hear they are:

1. Graph out the plot of the novel I am constantly working on. I keep getting bogged down in mood and finding myself going nowhere so I have decided to take a different route. After I have done this I can go back to the writing.

2. Transform my little office into the Victorian/mad scientist Library that I have been dreaming of.

3. Win lottery so I can concentrate on items 1 and two, for apparently my tastes are expensive.

2007-12-18T13:13:00.000-08:00

Because nothing harkens the yuletide season in like the lurking shadows found in the tales of H.P. Lovecraft, I have reread the Call of Cthulu and other weird tales. I had never read the Penquin edition. Actually I haven't read these stories since highschool and I shant tell you how long ago that was as even I like to maintain an air of mystery. I had forgotten how much I truly love these tales. They have just the right amount of creeping darkness to make a rainy evening a wonderful adventure. Of course after reading this I played upon my computer for awhile and discovered this fabulous site Papers Falling from an Attic Window, here you will find lots of Lovecraft info as well as a wealth of links to esoteric documents and some pretty interesting reviews. I spent a couple of days reading the entire archives and I'm sure Mr Harms now thinks he's being salked by some crazy lady. Now I must go, as I need to finish reading the Testament of Solomon before his next post.

2007-12-14T08:36:00.001-08:00

This is what people in my line of work think is hilarious.

2007-12-10T14:03:00.000-08:00

My much needed vacation is over. There was some time spent on Orca's Island at the beautiful Rosario Resort. Watching the water, reading books, sampling scotch and getting a very good massage. I made a consious effort to rarely touch a computer. I actually spent one whole day in my pj's, viewing tv shows it would shame me to mention. Some things were done around the house and just as many were put aside for a marathon of scrabble. It was all good. I feel refreshed but still not back in the groove of things yet.

2007-11-21T15:01:00.000-08:00

I'll be cooking if your hungry. Enjoy your Thanksgiving.

2007-11-20T15:34:00.000-08:00

Surfacing from shock and now merely floating with the grief we are all feeling amongst our small group of friends. Instinctually I took to the kitchen. There have been roasts and popovers, cornish games hens stuffed with cornbread, gigerbread, spice or just plain white cakes being churned out at a frightening rate. I don't know if it is the smell, the warmth of the stove or the fact that my hands are kept busy, but it makes everything feels just a little bit better.

My vacation is coming up after Thanksgiving and I'm going to make an effort to do a bunch of things that make me feel good. I am assuming there will be a lot of sitting on my ass reading books.

2007-11-14T14:04:00.000-08:00

Reeling from the sudden passing of a friend and her 16 month old daughter. I have nothing else to say right now.

2007-11-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

L’Infante Marie-Marguerite. By Édouard Manet. X-radiography photograph via The Nonist

Ah November, the most melancholy of months. The thrills of October are now buried under damp leaves. The forced joy of December still weeks away. Now is the time to rest, turning inward, read books and make soup.

2007-10-31T22:11:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a great Halloween. Sadly in my neck of the woods there were merely drive by trick or treater's. I suppose thats what happens when a religious school opens up across the street.

I preferred the old building, an assisted care living facility. Lots of old ghosts. I just hope the kids are kind when they come out to play.

2007-10-23T15:50:00.000-07:00

When I haven't been buried under great piles of steel so to speak. I have had my nose buried in the amazing story of the Vellum. Hal Duncan's saga of the place where angels wage war and all stories are written in the "Book of All Hours". Vellum and Ink are amazing. Absolutely confusing and overwhelming, exciting and terrifying, just what I want in a story. And quite the story it is.

I'm almost finished with Ink, the second volume of the tale. Apparently I wasn't very good at sticking to my last reading list. Although I did get threw quite a few of them.

2007-10-15T15:37:00.000-07:00

Work has got me tied up for the time being.

2007-10-05T09:39:00.000-07:00

Please, Please tell me this is true!

Guillermo del Toro's Next Project is 'At the Mountains of Madness'?

via The Mystery of the Haunted Vampire

2007-09-28T10:40:00.000-07:00

Previously I had mentioned that I wished I could read and write Latin. So I have decided to take up a little cold weather hobby. Once my Sunday baking is in the oven I can spend the remainder of the day teaching myself Latin.

2007-09-28T09:51:00.000-07:00

defenestration
1620, "the action of throwing out of a window," from L. fenestra "window." A word invented for one incident: the "Defenestration of Prague," May 21, 1618, when two Catholic deputies to the Bohemian national assembly and a secretary were tossed out the window (into a moat) of the castle of Hradshin by Protestant radicals. It marked the start of the Thirty Years War. Some linguists link fenestra with Gk. verb phainein "to show;" others see in it an Etruscan borrowing, based on the suffix -(s)tra, as in L. loan-words aplustre "the carved stern of a ship with its ornaments," genista "the plant broom," lanista "trainer of gladiators."

This word just happened to invade my world yesterday. After reading "On Defenestrations and Decapitations I went about my the rest of my day, buying steel and staring at engineering drawings. As is my habit I went home, poured a glass of wine and dove back into the book I've been reading, "Hell to Pay" by Simon Green. Lo and behold he went ahead and used the word defenestration.

This word had not been in my life since I wrote a paper on the Marquis de Sade in University. Now suddenly twice in one day. Had it popped up one more time I would have moved away from the windows.

2007-09-27T14:28:00.000-07:00

LOOKING-GLASS, n. A vitreous plane upon which to display a fleeting show for man's disillusion given.The King of Manchuria had a magic looking-glass, whereon whoso looked saw, not his own image, but only that of the king. A certain courtier who had long enjoyed the king's favor and was thereby enriched beyond any other subject of the realm, said to the king: "Give me, I pray, thy wonderful mirror, so that when absent out of thine august presence I may yet do homage before thy visible shadow, prostrating myself night and morning in the glory of thy benign countenance, as which nothing has so divine splendor, O Noonday Sun of the Universe!"Please with the speech, the king commanded that the mirror be conveyed to the courtier's palace; but after, having gone thither without apprisal, he found it in an apartment where was naught but idle lumber. And the mirror was dimmed with dust and overlaced with cobwebs. This so angered him that he fisted it hard, shattering the glass, and was sorely hurt. Enraged all the more by this mischance, he commanded that the ungrateful courtier be thrown into prison, and that the glass be repaired and taken back to his own palace; and this was done. But when the king looked again on the mirror he saw not his image as before, but only the figure of a crowned ass, having a bloody bandage on one of its hinder hooves -- as the artificers and all who had looked upon it had before discerned but feared to report. Taught wisdom and charity, the king restored his courtier to liberty, had the mirror set into the back of the throne and reigned many years with justice and humility; and one day when he fell asleep in death while on the throne, the whole court saw in the mirror the luminous figure of an angel, which remains to this day.
Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's DictionaryUS author & satirist (1842 - 1914)

My house needs more mirrors. I like to hang them very high so the walls and corners can look at themselves.

2007-09-24T06:54:00.000-07:00

The best time of the year as captured by Trish Offin.

The sky is alway grey and often a bit forboding. Storms blow up on Bellingham Bay. Morning walks with the little dog are made in the dark with breath hanging in the air. And as tradition calls for, black tights are always donned after labor day.

2007-09-19T08:05:00.000-07:00

I be "Cap'n Audra Bloodgut " what shall we call ye?

Happy talk like a pirate day. Arrrr

2007-09-12T16:03:00.000-07:00

Arrrr....some female pirates here be!

Gilding the Lily has been doing a series of profiles of female pirates. I think she should add my personal favorite, James Barry. She may not have stolen ships and gold be she sure did pull off stealing the identity of a man.

"Although Barry lived his adult life as a man, his true gender is unknown. It is widely accepted that Barry was a woman who chose to live as a man so that he might be accepted as a university student and be able to pursue his chosen career as a surgeon." -wikipedia

Be sure to read on about to hear tell of fighting some duels and giving that medical Flourence Nightingale a bit of trouble.

2007-09-11T10:47:00.000-07:00

Cabaret du Néant from Wonder Shows: Performing Science, Magic, and Religion In America

In the 1890s, the Cabaret du Néant (of Tavern of the Dead) first opened its production in Paris and later in New York City. After entering the Cabaret, spectators followed a "monk" down a blackened hall to a café with candles on coffin-shaped tables where they could order refreshments from waiters in funeral garb. A lectured called their attention to paintings of figures that dissolved into paintings of skeletons. While bells tolled and a funeral march played, the monk led the audience to a second chamber; here, a volunteer was asked to step up on a stage and enter a standing casket. After the volunteer was wrapped in a white shroud the spectators gasped at an apparent "X-ray" effect--actually a simpler optical effect--as the man dissolved into a skeleton and then once again returned to plain sight as the skeleton disappeared. In the last chamber, using a similar optical effect, a live spirit appeared to walk around an audience volunteer who mounted the stage to sit at a table.

This was brought to my attention by what I do believe is my new favorite blog. Morbid Anatomy

Now if only I could find a little night spot like this I may be persuaded to leave my house on occasion. I would totally meet up for a drink with this person and we should definitely invite
this person. It would be fun.

2007-09-07T15:06:00.000-07:00

When I am a very rich woman I shall have a conservatory. Hopefully one as beautiful as The Adelaide Botaonical Gardens.

Frankly ever since Damien Hirst purchased the castle I had my eye on I've had to re-arrange my dream home dreams.

2007-09-05T22:17:00.000-07:00

We already know that I am not a book reviewer. but let me just say;

The Burning by Bentley Little

A bit scary. I did have a dream that I had a monkey as a baby and you will never guess who killed it.

Crooked Little Vein by Warren Ellis

Oh my goodness, what a great adventure but I so will not tell my mother I read this.

Lucinda Darkly by Sunny

Just a little bit dirty, I might even lend it to my mother.

2007-08-17T19:24:00.000-07:00

"I continued to question the world's limit, seeing the wretchedness of anyone who is content with it, and I couldn't bear the facility of fiction for long: I demanded its reality, I became mad."

-Oresteia, Georges Bataille.

I immediately followed last night's adventure with Georges Bataille's The Impossible. I loved this book, it flowed right over, through and around me. I'm sure some of the credit must be given to Robert Hurley who translated this edition. I had only ever read the " The Story of the Eye" previously. "The Impossible" was a far greater work. Even in the heat of an August evening I could feel the snow in 'A Story of Rats'.

The word images of Oresteia and Dianus, rang into the night air.

I must put some more if his works on my wish list to warm me this winter.

2007-08-17T19:18:00.000-07:00

Last night I read The Torture Garden by Octave Mirbeau. I don't know why I read it in one sitting. I'm not sure if I couldn't put it down because it was so compelling or if I thought....gee if I read this fast enough it will be over.

It did read like a short piece by the Marquie de Sade, with it's first portion of philosophical and political discourse and the second portion an example of said discourse played out in torture and sex.

I'm still not sure how I felt about the whole experience.

2007-08-14T21:37:00.000-07:00

Autumnal reading list

Library image

As I near the end of summer's reading I have of course already started to rake together the pages of fall.

The Scar by China Mieville

The Burning by Bentley Little

Crooked Little Vein by Warren Ellis

Lucinda Darkly by Sunny

Ink by Hal Duncan

Dreams Underfoot by Carles de Lint

History of Beauty edited by Umberto Eco

2007-08-14T16:17:00.000-07:00

MAES, Nicolaes
(b. 1634, Dordrecht, d. 1693, Amsterdam)

I believe I may have become little too acquainted with my inner little old lady

I have a tendency to dress like an Italian Widow all be it one with really great shoes.
I have a penchant for hard candies in particular the flavors of horehound and sassafras.
(there are always some in my handbag you know)
I keep a handkerchief tucked into the band of my little gold watch.

2007-08-14T15:36:00.000-07:00

Hell by Herni Barbusse

A man finds a hole in the wall of his hotel room and proceeds to watch a parade of people in love, caught in deceit, drawing their last breath, and a few rather naughty encounters. I went into this novel with no prior knowledge of the author or his works. I loved the theme of finding ones own identity through the secret knowledge of others. I understood the main character shattering upon realizing that there is nothing special about himself, he was just like everyone else. I remember how heart broken I was when I come upon that realization in my own life.

I find that this sumer has had some re-occurring themes; The nature of reality, the nature of identity, what is the relationship between creator and creation. All in all alot to ponder.

I think I will take a couple of days and partake in a guilty pleasure... a smutty vampire novel before finishing off this summer's reading list. The next list is being made and the fall's books are piling up. I'll post that soon.

2007-07-29T20:19:00.000-07:00

Finished the final Harry. It was fun.

But I do believe that I now must read everything written by Jose Donoso. 'The Obscene Bird of Night' was amazing. Vivid, lush, frightening and monsterous, I could barely put it down in order to get to my job. Which I need in order to buy more books. I was comsumed by this tale of the relationship between realities and their creators.

Summer reading list:
~~'Perdido Street Station' China Meville~~ Lush imaginary world. Story was pretty engaginging
'The Tin Princess' Phillip Pullman (been holding off on this for my Pullman fix)
~~'Drowned Night', 'The Twisted Branch', 'Dark Whispers' Chris Blaine.~~ As taxing as watching an episode of Supernatural, but sometimes you just need to not think while you read.

~~'The Damned (la-Bas)'~~ J.K. Huysman, This one confused the heck out of me. I'm sure it was because I was looking for a deeper meaning. Although it was an interesting commemt on the idea of the novel itself.
~~'The Maimed'~~ Herman Unger. Wow, this guy really and I mean really hated women.
~~'The Impossible'~~ George Bataille.
~~'The Man Who Was Thursday'~~ G.K.Chesterton. Loved this one. Although the entire time I was reading it I felt that what it needed was a guest appearance by Emma Peel. It so had the feeling of an Avengers episode.
~~'The Obscene Bird of Night'~~ Jose Donoso. My new favorite author. Everyone go and read this book.
~~'Hell'~~ Henri Barbusse
'Maldoro and the complete works' Comt De Lautreamont
~~'The Torture Garden'~~ Octave Mirbeau

2007-07-29T20:04:00.000-07:00

image

Found the best way to settle my thoughts was to just plant. Not quite as well as they did but give me time.

2007-07-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

I already miss you Ms Duncan.

Are the only words I have found thus far others are much better at it than I.

From the game world here

From other bloggers here and here

2007-07-23T15:34:00.000-07:00

Weekend Movie Viewing

The Messengers

Your usual haunted house story all about something horrible lurking in the basement, and the wall,oh and don't forget under the sheets. What I found most disturbing about the film was, not the ghosts as they looked kinda cool in the way we totally stole from Japanese film makers, but the fact that no body ever believes the Girl. It had the feel of someone messing with the kids and the parents just going straight to denial until their precious boy was in trouble then they sure caught on fast.Maybe that is why it creeped me out.

I can't go in depth into this film as I'm not sure how much there was and I fell asleep twice as it was late on a friday after a dinner party that included a fabulous meal and a charming yet inexpensive French table wine.

At some point I'll be watching the Abanndoned but not until I have finished reading you know what.

2007-07-23T15:29:00.000-07:00

Things I wish I knew

Semaphore, because you never know when I may need to assist a dirigible in landing on the roof of my house.

I would love to be able to read and write Latin. Not only would I be able to read such amazing things it would totally make me appear smart. I would so be able to impress that really hot Entomologist I have my eye on. Okay I’m not really lusting after one at the moment but it could be a possibility in the future particularly as my collection grows.

I also wish I could speak French and Italian.
The Italian would come in handy when I fulfill my dream of eating and drinking my way from the northern tip to the southern tip of Italy.
French, well be cause it’s sexy.

I suppose I could actually learn these things.

2007-07-23T08:32:00.001-07:00

Update to the reading is fundamental summer reading list here

2007-07-20T20:15:00.000-07:00

image from regenrating worms

There have been a few incarnations of my blogging. Nothing gives new hope like starting anew. Just like cutting your hair when your last relationship ends. The proverbial weeding of the garden. So wanting to change online identity is just the same. Okay I cut my hair too, but I only got bangs instead of losing the length. It's really kinda tough breaking up with yourself.

I do believe that there will be a few things I will bring with me from by previous incarnations. I will definetly be bring the crush of the week. For the weeks are many and fickle gal that I am there are many crushes to be had.

So for the first real week of MausoleumGirl our crush of the week that be
check him out.
I'm sure he won't mind. Although I'll send him a little note to check.

2007-07-20T16:45:00.000-07:00

Reading is fundatmental and a little bit scary
I will be taking a break from the reading list as I have received my copy of Harry Potter, even though it didn't pay for the garunteed shipping. Sssh....don't tell me, I want to read how it ends myself.

Summer reading list:
~~'Perdido Street Station' China Meville~~ Lush imaginary world. Story was pretty engaginging
'The Tin Princess' Phillip Pullman (been holding off on this for my Pullman fix)
~~'Drowned Night', 'The Twisted Branch', 'Dark Whispers' Chris Blaine.~~ (just so i will never want to open a B&B) As taxing as watching an episode of Supernatural, but sometimes you just need to not think while you read.

~~'The Damned (la-Bas)'~~ J.K. Huysman, This one confused the heck out of me. I'm sure it was because I was looking for a deeper meaning. Although it was an interesting commemt on the idea of the novel itself.
~~'The Maimed'~~ Herman Unger. Wow, this guy really and I mean really hated women.
'The Impossible' George Bataille.
~~'The Man Who Was Thursday'~~ G.K.Chesterton. Loved this one. Although the entire time I was reading it I felt that what it needed was a quest appearance by Emma Peel. It so had the feeling of an Avengers episode.
'The Obscene Bird of Night' Jose Donoso
'Hell' Henri Barbusse
'Maldoro and the complete works' Comt De Lautreamont
'The Torture Garden' Octave Mirbeau

Should be a light summer. I'll have to start looking the next list soon. This should keep me until August.

Please send any and all suggestions for the next reading list.

2007-07-16T11:04:00.000-07:00

I meet my first ghost the day everyone stopped dying.

At least I have my openning line. After a bout of wearing my cape of low self esteem I managed to have a little talk with myself. It is time to get off my duff and start writing. Seriously writing again. A much more appropriate use of my time instead of wishing a cute guy would kiss me and letting my job strip me of my last bit of humanity. So now life will revolve around writing, gardening and the gym lest I get to fat writing all the time. I may post stuff concerning the novel, I may not. We'll see how it goes.

2007-07-10T13:25:00.000-07:00

You Are The Moon

You represent the unconscious side of life, what happens in dreams.

You are capable of great genius - but also of great madness.

Emotions tend to be primal for you, both your fears and your fantasies.

Your intuition is always right, listening to it is the difficult part.

Your fortune:

You are about to embark on a very important journey - and a very difficult one.

Some of your deepest dreams will be realized, as well as some of your deepest nightmares.

Follow your creativity and visions; stay away from your weaknesses.

You are taking a voyage to the center of yourself, and you may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.

What Tarot Card Are You?

2007-03-29T15:08:00.000-07:00

Monk - King's Lynn Public Library, Norfolk
http://www.paranormaldatabase.com/gallery/east20.htm