Bad Monkeys

I just finished Bad Monkeys by Matt Ruff. I have to say I haven't read a book like this before.

This story is about Jane Charlotte who has had a rough life. She has been arrested for murder and is being interviewed by Dr Vale to determine if she is sane. She has told the arresting detectives that she is a part of an organization that fights evil and the division she is in is called the "Bad Monkeys". They kill evil men, "not all of them. Just the ones Cost-Benefits decides will do a lot more harm than good if they go on breathing."(pg3). She tells Dr Vale that she was recruited after the twin towers went down and she has been a part for the last eight months. The first time she crossed paths with the organization was when she was a teenager and she stumbled into a Bad Monkey op.

Dr. Vale: "So tell me about this operation you stumbled into."
Jane: "Well , it all started when I figured out that the janitor at my high school was the Angel of Death..."

From here, we follow Jane's story of how she came to be a part of the Bad Monkeys. We learn about her troubled and sordid past and what jobs she had as a killer and why the last killing wasn't a bad guy, just a jerk.

I found this book on Cromley's World and he recommended it highly. It's definitely not like anything I have ever read before. The book kept me guessing as to what type it was, not sure if Mr Ruff was making it a sci-fi or psychotic thriller. Not until the very end did it really become clear. I really did get caught up in this book and think if you are in the mood for something off the beaten path...this one is for you, full of twists and turns, black humor and sarcastic wit.

I give it a 4 out of 5.

Give away!

I hope everyone had a good Christmas. It was a rough one around here, but some great friends went out and bought a couple of things for our kids from "santa". They didn't want the kids to know they got it. So our kids had presents to open. Hopefully we will be back on track soon.

I recently reviewed "Bear Any Burden" and although I liked the many little side tracks he took in the book, as a whole I wasn't too impressed with the "spy/intrigue" part of it. I thought, why don't I have a contest and give it to someone. The only stipulation is you have to write me when you read it and let me know what you think of it.

So are there any readers interested in the book? If you would like a crack at it, leave me you name. I'll pick the name a week from Friday (the 9th) and send the book to the winner.

Just an update

Well, the Lord is faithful. I need to make this my mantra, because I tend to forget quite quickly. The other day, I got a call from a friend I worked with at the restaurant. I stopped by her work to say hi and tell her what had happened to me. Two days later she called me and said that her boss asked about me, what kind of worker I am and if I still need a job to come in. She called, and I practically ran up there! I now have a job! I don't start until Jan 7th though. Since my hubby is off for the next couple of weeks, we are starting to get way behind in bills. You know God practically dropped a job in my lap and I am now stressing about the late house payment and lot rent. Not to mention the car insurance which comes directly out of our checking account. I have 2 weeks to come up with what might as well be a million.

The thing is, God was faithful and now, soon, I will be working. I have to trust that He will provide.
I hate being out of control, and I think that is precisely what God is working on. It's a moment by moment thing...one minute I trust, the next I'm freaking out.

Thank you for all your prayers, they really do help. Just keep them coming! Please

Bear Any Burden

I just finished Bear Any Burden by Ellis M. Goodman. It took me longer than usual to read. I am, for the first time, stumped as to how to review this book.

Let me start by giving you the blurb on the back:

* Bear Any Burden by Ellis Goodman

1983: The Cold War is at its height. Sir Alex Campbell, head of an international drinks company is on a business trip to Poland, a country in the midst of political turmoil. A new "Solidarity" movement is rising on the streets, and the Communist government is cracking down mercilessly. Alex has an additional mission, a "little job" for the British Secret Intelligence Services. He will deliver an airline bag containing money and passports to a British agent who is to help the world-renowned nuclear scientist, Dr. Erik Keller, escape across the Iron Curtain to the West.

Alex meets the beautiful Anna Kaluza, the British agent, whose life like his and that of Erik Keller, had been impacted forever by her World War II experiences. He agrees to help her complete her mission.

What begins as one of many routine "little jobs" Alex has done for the SIS, quickly turns into an increasingly dangerous game of cat-and-mouse. His involvement in Dr. Keller's defection becomes a journey into his own past, as Alex has to face his family's history and, ultimately, his own self. Faced with the specter of oppression, he has to ask himself one question: What do you do? Do you turn and run? Or do you "pay any price and bear any burden" for liberty and freedom?

Bear Any Burden is a gripping page-turner, full of twists and turns and surprises as much a spy story as an epic family saga, spanning decades and continents, from 19th Century Poland all the way to the height of the Cold War. A richly complex thriller in the tradition of Graham Greene and John le Carré, posing urgent and timeless questions of family, loyalty and liberty.

As the book opens we are witness to a clandestine meeting where an envelope is passed to Keller. Just as quickly, we are then introduced to Sir Alex Campbell, the owner of a highly successful company that sells liquor. Sir Alex lives in London with his wife but has ties to Poland. His friend, Tim Bevans, the head of Britain's Secret Intelligent Service. Alex and Tim have known each other from World War II and from time to time, Alex has helped the SIS by delivering packages, tickets and other things to people in different countries as he has traveled for his business. This time the trip is to Poland and Sir Alex is asked to pass on a travel bag with a secret bottom that contains fake passports and money for Keller and his wife.

With out any pomp and circumstance or warning we are taken back in time. For the next 100 or so pages we follow along the family lines starting with Alex's great grandpa and follow along the stories of each descendant. We are then brought back to present time and for 20 pages we follow Sir Alex into Poland, as he meets with business officials and his contact, Anna Kaluza. Just as abruptly we are sent into the past as we follow along Anna's history, starting with her mother.

The last 70 pages of the book, we finally get into what the back of the book promises as an increasingly dangerous game of cat and mouse, with murder, bribery, international politics. The thing is, the history on the families was interesting. At times it was a little confusing because new people would be introduces for only a couple of sentences as if they were characters that we already knew about. Also, when he introduced us to Alex's grandpa, Jakob, the spelling of his name would change from Jakob to Jacob. At first I was confused...perhaps this was a new character, I thought. It mentions on the back of the book that "His involvement in Dr. Keller's defection becomes a journey into his own past." That is simply not true. He never journeys into his past...we are taken there with no segue...one chapter we are learning about Sir Alex's "mission" in 1983, the next chapter we are in 1888 with out any warning. Chapter 2 and I had no idea who these people were, or where he was going with this story line.

All that being said, the stories were interesting, once I understood what was going on. The book as a whole was not cohesive. There wasn't a flow to it, and when we did get to the defection part, it seemed rushed. The book ends abruptly, leaving everything unanswered. Even books that you know are going to be part of a series never end that unfinished.

I went to Barnes and Nobel and Amazon online and found that it got rave reviews. Well, B&N had 4 reviews that were 4 and 5 stars, however all 4 were anonymous. I thought that was strange...then at Amazon there were 11 reviews, again 4 and 5 stars, but this time there were names. I clicked on the names and except for 2 people, this book was the only book they review, the other 2 had reviewed one other book beside this one. I don't know, maybe I just don't know spy novels.

I have to give this one 2 out of 5.

Unusual gift idea.

While trying to make some money off my blog, I came across Snapbomb. This is a site where you can blog about different sites online. You have to qualify for the opportunity, then you write, they check and then they pay. I'm a little disappointed because I don't ever qualify for much. You can still blog on opportunities, but if you don't qualify, you don't get paid.

Anyways, I checked the other day and I didn't have any new opportunities, but one of the ones I didn't qualify for caught my eye. The caption was "Have you ever seen a plant move when you tickle it?" That sounds odd...so I went to the Tickle Me Plant web site.

This is the coolest thing I have ever seen. The plants actually move when you touch them. Go to the site, there are videos there that show you how the plant reacts. You can order a kit that has all you need to grow the plant, party favors (seeds, mini pots and seeds) or just seeds. Every order comes with experiments and educational activities. If you are a teacher or you home school this plant would be great.

Not only would this be cool for a lesson plan, or just to have at home, when you order 1% of all their profits after taxes go to the Nature Conservancy's program to save the rainforest, called Adopt an Acre. They also offer a fundraiser with 50% profits.

Even if you aren't into plants or gardening...stop by this site and watch the video...it's the coolest thing.

The Lord giveth and He taketh away

A quote from Job(1:21) aptly enough has been running through my head a lot lately. It has been a rough couple of weeks.

My job as a waitress has been steadily going down hill. Not the serving, I actually enjoy the people that come in, getting to know them and such. It was really the people that owned it, rather the daughter that served as manager to be precise. She has mad it pretty much hell for most of us and especially for me. She fired my oldest daughter, blinding-siding the both of us. Her reason was that my daughter didn't seem happy there and is was causing her to walk on pins and needles. She promptly cut my hours. Well, it is the season for spending, not to mention my hubby works in a factory that makes bumpers and windshields for the big car makers. Needless to say, his job is slow and precarious. I need the hours, and told her several times. I finally, last Tuesday, sat her down and asked...have I done something wrong? I really need the hours and am confused as to why I'm not getting them. She said since I opened up my availability that she would do what she could.

I come in Monday and my hours are worse. I stop her and ask, is that really the best she could do for me. She gives some song and dance about trying to make everyone happy. I've been there for 4 years and she is concerned about pleasing the 2 girls she just hired. The she proceeds to tell me that she had someone call and complain about how someone looked(like they just rolled out of bed) last Thursday. I just don't look happy there and its spilling out into the floor. I am one who is insecure with her looks. I may be 43, but inside I'm still the awkward 16 year old who never feels pretty. This hurt me on so many levels. I was so upset that she accused me of looking crappy, that my 4 years of making sacrifices so I could help her cover shifts, that I watched her stab so many in the back, I began to cry. I could not stop. I called my hubby, announced I was going home for good, and he told me to go home, relax, God would take care of us. Us, behind in bills, 3 kids with maybe 10 gifts for Christmas...TOTAL and house payment coming up he's concerned about me and tells me not to worry. God will take care of us.

It has been so hard. I have known I can't be there too much longer and I have been sending out resumes for weeks. Nothing... If God doesn't want me there...where's another job? I know, God is in the business of closing and opening doors, but right now I feel like there are no doors open and its an airtight room. I was in a job where the owner called people stupid and dumb-asses and my self esteem was seriously going down hill. I'm desperately trying to keep faith, but Lord...I'm not Job.

By the way, I remembered yesterday, the girl I worked with last Thursday came to work with no make-up. She's the type that wears a lot of make-up so when she has none on its like WOW, did you just get out of bed? That call wasn't for me! She assumed it was. And really, who goes out to eat then calls the restaurant to complain that their server looked bad? Is that even kosher?

Please LORD...HELP ME!!!

I Choose to Be Happy

I just finished I Choose to Be Happy by Missy Jenkins and William Croyle.

This is the story of Missy Jenkins. October 1, 1997 is the date of the first high school shooting at Pearl High, when 16 year old Luke Woodham walked in and using his hunting rifle killed 2 students and injured 7 others. Missy heard about this event that happened 400 miles away from her small town of Paducah, Kentucky and thought things like that never happen in her close knit town. After all, she was 15 and invincible, she had nothing to worry about. But just 2 short months later, to the day, 14 year Michael Carneal walked into Heath High in Paducah with a blanket full of guns and a backpack of shells and a .22 semi automatic pistol. He pulled out the pistol opened fire.

Missy Jenkins was in the lobby, in the morning prayer circle when she watched Michael, a classmate she knew, liked and even admired shot and killed 14 year old Nicole Hadley, 17 year old Jessica James , and 15 year old Kayce Steger. Five others were hit, including Missy, who just crumpled to the ground. She couldn't feel her stomach or legs, all she could do was lie there and look at the ceiling.

When Missy had gotten to school that morning, her and her twin sister, Mandy hooked up with one of their friends Kelly. Missy had a bad feeling and wanted to go to the bathroom. Kelly talked her into going to the prayer circle first...she writes:
"Its fascinating how even the smallest choices we make, such as whether or not to go to the bathroom at a certain time, can affect the direction of our entire lives. Had I gone, I probably missed the prayer circle - and Michael's rage." (pg 10)

The incredible thing about this 15 year old, however, is her faith and her attitude. She doesn't whine or wallow in the fact that her friend shot her and left her paralyzed from her chest down. She is sure that God has a plan, she forgives Michael almost immediately. She devotes a chapter to forgiveness. She says:
"We may feel like we are being weak by absolving that person of what he or she did to us, but we're not. What we're actually doing is saying, 'I'm not going to let you bring me down....'"(pg 64)

I very rarely read nonfiction, but two sentences on the back of the book caught my eye.
"But Missy never saw her disability as an end. Just hours after the tragedy, she forgave Carneal and took back her life."
I have been going through some really rough times for the last couple of months and even though my first marriage was abusive on all levels, I don't need to keep living as a victim. This child never was a victim and I have been one all my life. What is her secret, how is her faith so much stronger than mine?

This book was wonderful and I finished it in a day and a half. She takes us on a journey that I am the richer for taking. It is never overwhelming or dark, rather full of hope and at times had me laughing out loud. Missy Jenkins is an incredible woman and I long to live more like her. Having more faith that God is in control and in the small things. That there is a purpose even when I try to take over and screw it all up.

I give this book a resounding 5 out of 5

Another Trip

My kids love those fruit roll-up snacks, which remind me of when I was 11 and the shopping mall was just coming into existence. My friends and I would think we were the shizzle cause we were on our own, spending money, buying what we wanted. It was in the shopping mall that we were introduced to “the health food store”. I’m not sure of their origins, but some 32 years ago, I don’t really remember a push for healthy, organic foods. I digress…in these stores were the original fruit rolls. My friends and I would buy a supply, take them home and cut them into “chips”. Chips, you say? Yes, chips with which to play poker. We would play 5 card draw, usually deuces wild, and bet our favorite find…pieces of fruit rolls. I remember playing poker a lot with my friends that summer. Summer ended, I moved far away, started noticing boys, wearing make-up…you know the drill. I really don’t care for the tart fruit rolls anymore, but a couple of years ago, just before the craze hit, I did rediscover poker. Not 5 card draw this time but
Now poker comes in many forms. Stud, draw and community are the main categories. Texas hold-em is in the community category where you are dealt 2 cards fTexas hold-em.
ace down and 5 cards are dealt face up. I like this form the best because it takes more than just luck of the draw to win. This form of poker you need to be able to “read” the other players. There is some psychology to this, as well as statistics and guts.

One of the icons of Texas hold-em is 75 year old Doyle Brunson. He’s amazing and I watch him thinking, this guy is so mentally on top of this, and I can’t remember what I had for lunch yesterday. Another character is Phil Hellmuth, the poker brat, and aptly named. Just watch…you’ll see why.



In this video he berates the “kids” from online poker rooms. They aren’t playing right, in his eyes. He comes from a world of poker where you just did not play certain hands, or bet when certain cards are on the table. However, with the burst of popularity of texas hold-em and online gaming sites, the “rules” have had to adapt. It’s harder to figure out a person’s tells (when you can tell if they have a good/bad hand) and easier to play more aggressively, take more risks. I love to hone my skills online, but never bet money. I’m too afraid I’ll lose my shirt, course if I’m online, no one would ever see!

To watch these tournaments on tv, they are, to say the least, entertaining and suspenseful. With the influx of online players, it changes how the “originals” play. With people like
Gus Hansen and
Daniel Negreanu how can you go wrong? From fruit rolls to Daniel Negreanu, the way my mind works!? (shudder)

entrecard

I just wanted to say sorry to all on entrecard. I haven't been able to get on lately and I miss catching up on some of my favorites like New York Nitty-Gritty where I try to pick up tips on my photography, the many book sites like Puss Reboots and Thin Red Line and many others for thrifty ideas.
I suffer from migraines and have had one each day for the last 3 days.(sucks to be me) Also, at some point I have picked up something called ISpyNow that keeps popping up on my computer. From what I can tell, it allows someone else to see what sites I go to, what my passords are and any other information I may have on my computer. Needless to say, its a little unsettling and I'm trying like heck to get it off my computer.
If anyone has any info that could help, I would appreciate it. Other than that, I'm hoping to be back on my own comp soon.

13 Reasons Why

I just finished Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher.

This story follows Clay Jensen around his town as he listens to 7 cassette tapes found in an unmarked box that was left on his doorstep. The tapes were recorded by Hannah Baker, a girl he had a secret crush on, "had" because she committed suicide 2 weeks ago.

The last day Hannah was at school, Clay found a map in his locker with stars and numbers on it and at the time he had no idea what it was all about. Turns out, that map goes with the cassette tapes and walks Clay through that events that lead to Hannah's decision to end it all.

There are 13 sides to listen to, 13 events that snowballed and pushed Hannah her decision. As she talks you through the events and the people who caused them, she walks the listener through the map, taking them to the places where they happened.

I finished this book in a day. I could not put it down. It is one of the most original stories I have ever read. I know in my life I have often thought, I wonder how this person would feel if I was gone. Would they be sad, feel bad, or would they even have a clue to how deeply and wrongly they treated me. This story goes one better. Hannah makes a tape and breaks it down, then instructs each person on the list to box up the tapes and leave them on the next persons doorstep. It is a deep, thought provoking and soul searching book that I cannot recommend enough. Please read!! Let me know how you feel about it!!

5 out of 5