Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Review" The Lost Hero" by RicK Riordan
Book: The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
Release Date: October 12, 2010
Excerpt:
Jason has a problem. He doesn’t remember anything before waking up in a bus full of kids on a field trip. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Piper and a best friend named Leo. They're all students at a boarding school for “bad kids.” What did Jason do to end up here? And where is here, exactly?
Piper has a secret. Her father has been missing for three days, ever since she had that terrifying nightmare. Piper doesn’t understand her dream, or why her boyfriend suddenly doesn't recognize her. When a freak storm hits, unleashing strange creatures and whisking her, Jason, and Leo away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood, she has a feeling she’s going to find out.
Leo has a way with tools. When he sees his cabin at Camp Half-Blood, filled with power tools and machine parts, he feels right at home. But there’s weird stuff, too—like the curse everyone keeps talking about. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist that each of them—including Leo—is related to a god.
Join new and old friends from Camp Half-Blood in this thrilling first audio book in The Heroes of Olympus series.
Review:
So i finally got to read this one! I pre-ordered it, but amazon took a week to ship it. It then took a few more days to get to me. So in the end i was left staring at my sister reading her copy she bought at wallmart wondering why i didn't do the same.
The wait was well worth it. Not only was the book extraordinarily good, but i do say Riordan seems to be getting better and better each story he puts out. When i heard that Riordan was making a sequel to the Percy Jackson series i was a bit weary. I wasn't sure how well it could be pulled off or how he would do it. It was sheer genius though the way he did. I thought he was going to make the Roman Gods/goddess different entities. Instead he made them the same "being", but with multiple personalities disorders.
We pick up in the stories a few months/year ( i forget) after "The Last Olympian" takes place. Jason wakes up on a bus not knowing who he is, where he is, or who this girl and boy sitting with him are. Not long he finds himself being attacked by Venti, finding out his couch is a fawn/satyr,he can apparently fly, and he's a demi-god. Jupiter/Zeus's son in fact. Jason gets called on by Hera/Juno to come save her and along with Piper and Leo he's off for the adventure.
As I said earlier this book was amazing and that Riordan's writing keeps getting better in better. In the Percy Jackson books i couldn't stand Annabeth. Still can't. I was so extremely glad that Piper isn't like her. Piper really reminds me a lot of Sailor Venus (cookies if you know who i'm talking about) minus the occasional ditziness that Minako had. She is strong, smart, and can pull her own weight. And she does so in a way that is not obnoxious like Annabeth. She has her failings, but she pulls through. She makes you really want to root for her. The thing is that i think she is going to become a new "Helen of Troy" because Riordan seems to be hinting at it. I think she would do good with Leo though. There is some subtle hints that them getting together might lead to something bigger. Plus Jason has a possible "Reyna".
Speaking of Jason; he's no Percy. I'm quite glad for it. I find it amazing how Riordan made him distantly roman compared to Percy's distinct Greekness. I quite liked his character and might even like him more than Percy. I think the best thing about Jason is that he never gets up. He knows something bad is going to happen, but he pulls through as well. Plus i think there is more to him than meets the eye. I'm a thinking that Hera might have given him more than just her sponsorship.
Leo, now this is how you write a third wheel in to the equation. He wasn't the stupid sidekick that Grover was. He was an equal. He had his own powers, abilities, and he was actually funny. Thing with him i think his wanting his mother back might tip him over to Gae's side. He's definitely the character you pay the most attention to his actions. Mainly because he is the one that is most able to be influences. Something I think Piper is going to have a major role in keeping him on the good side.
Side note..... Thaila is back and looks to become a bigger character! No Nico though. *sad face*. Also with the ending.....WHAT KIND OF ENDING IS THAT!!! I Have to wait a whole freaking year to read what happens! DAME YOU RIC RIORDAN!!! I haven't wanted to read the next book in a series so bad since Harry Potter. *Pouts* The new Kane Chronicles book better come out in the spring....
Final Rating: 5 Bunnies plus gold glitter, band stand, and fireworks. I loved everything. ^^
Release Date: October 12, 2010
Excerpt:
Jason has a problem. He doesn’t remember anything before waking up in a bus full of kids on a field trip. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Piper and a best friend named Leo. They're all students at a boarding school for “bad kids.” What did Jason do to end up here? And where is here, exactly?
Piper has a secret. Her father has been missing for three days, ever since she had that terrifying nightmare. Piper doesn’t understand her dream, or why her boyfriend suddenly doesn't recognize her. When a freak storm hits, unleashing strange creatures and whisking her, Jason, and Leo away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood, she has a feeling she’s going to find out.
Leo has a way with tools. When he sees his cabin at Camp Half-Blood, filled with power tools and machine parts, he feels right at home. But there’s weird stuff, too—like the curse everyone keeps talking about. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist that each of them—including Leo—is related to a god.
Join new and old friends from Camp Half-Blood in this thrilling first audio book in The Heroes of Olympus series.
Review:
So i finally got to read this one! I pre-ordered it, but amazon took a week to ship it. It then took a few more days to get to me. So in the end i was left staring at my sister reading her copy she bought at wallmart wondering why i didn't do the same.
The wait was well worth it. Not only was the book extraordinarily good, but i do say Riordan seems to be getting better and better each story he puts out. When i heard that Riordan was making a sequel to the Percy Jackson series i was a bit weary. I wasn't sure how well it could be pulled off or how he would do it. It was sheer genius though the way he did. I thought he was going to make the Roman Gods/goddess different entities. Instead he made them the same "being", but with multiple personalities disorders.
We pick up in the stories a few months/year ( i forget) after "The Last Olympian" takes place. Jason wakes up on a bus not knowing who he is, where he is, or who this girl and boy sitting with him are. Not long he finds himself being attacked by Venti, finding out his couch is a fawn/satyr,he can apparently fly, and he's a demi-god. Jupiter/Zeus's son in fact. Jason gets called on by Hera/Juno to come save her and along with Piper and Leo he's off for the adventure.
As I said earlier this book was amazing and that Riordan's writing keeps getting better in better. In the Percy Jackson books i couldn't stand Annabeth. Still can't. I was so extremely glad that Piper isn't like her. Piper really reminds me a lot of Sailor Venus (cookies if you know who i'm talking about) minus the occasional ditziness that Minako had. She is strong, smart, and can pull her own weight. And she does so in a way that is not obnoxious like Annabeth. She has her failings, but she pulls through. She makes you really want to root for her. The thing is that i think she is going to become a new "Helen of Troy" because Riordan seems to be hinting at it. I think she would do good with Leo though. There is some subtle hints that them getting together might lead to something bigger. Plus Jason has a possible "Reyna".
Speaking of Jason; he's no Percy. I'm quite glad for it. I find it amazing how Riordan made him distantly roman compared to Percy's distinct Greekness. I quite liked his character and might even like him more than Percy. I think the best thing about Jason is that he never gets up. He knows something bad is going to happen, but he pulls through as well. Plus i think there is more to him than meets the eye. I'm a thinking that Hera might have given him more than just her sponsorship.
Leo, now this is how you write a third wheel in to the equation. He wasn't the stupid sidekick that Grover was. He was an equal. He had his own powers, abilities, and he was actually funny. Thing with him i think his wanting his mother back might tip him over to Gae's side. He's definitely the character you pay the most attention to his actions. Mainly because he is the one that is most able to be influences. Something I think Piper is going to have a major role in keeping him on the good side.
Side note..... Thaila is back and looks to become a bigger character! No Nico though. *sad face*. Also with the ending.....WHAT KIND OF ENDING IS THAT!!! I Have to wait a whole freaking year to read what happens! DAME YOU RIC RIORDAN!!! I haven't wanted to read the next book in a series so bad since Harry Potter. *Pouts* The new Kane Chronicles book better come out in the spring....
Final Rating: 5 Bunnies plus gold glitter, band stand, and fireworks. I loved everything. ^^
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The Intrigue at Highbury (Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mysteries #5) by Carrie Bebris
Book: The Intrigue at Highbury (Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mysteries #5) by Carrie Bebris
Release Date: Feb 27,2010
Excerpt:
Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are looking forward to a relaxing stay with dear friends when their carriage is hailed by a damsel-in-distress outside of the village of Highbury. Little do the Darcy's realize that gypsies roam these woods, or that both their possessions and the woman are about to vanish into the night.
The Darcy's seek out the parish magistrate, who is having a difficult evening of his own. Mr. Knightley and his new wife, the former Miss Emma Woodhouse (the heroine of Jane Austen's Emma are hosting a party to celebrate the marriage of their friends, Mr. Frank Churchill and Miss Jane Fairfax. During dinner, Mr. Edgar Churchill, uncle and adoptive father of the groom, falls suddenly ill and dies. The cause of death: poison.
When the Darcy's and the Knightley's join forces to investigate the crimes, they discover that the robbery and Edgar Churchill's death may be connected. Together they must work to quickly locate the source of the poison and the murderer's motive--before the killer can strike again.
Review:
This book surprised me. I was expecting this to be a good read, but i didn't expect an excellent read. The author, Carrie Berbris, explains on the cover that her premisis for the Mr & Mrs. Darcy mysteries is the "Thin Man" movies. I had to tell her, but Lizzie and Darcy are no Nick and Nora. Despite that Ms. Berbris seems to capture the Austen characters in a way i haven't read in awhile.
In this particular mystery we see Mr and Mrs. Darcy in Highbury after getting robbed on the road. There they find themselves entangled in a possible murder mystery. They of course they meet Emma and Mr. Knightly. I was quite surprised at how well the author managed to keep the "Emma" characters true to form. None of them acted out of character. Even Mr. Woodhouse, Miss. Bates, and the Eltons were in character. Something i highly applaud the author and made the story highly enjoyable.
The mystery of the story was quite well done. You knew at once "Miss. Jones" was involved in the robbing somehow, but it was quite a surprise she was involved in the murder as well. Add along some new characters and you have a really good book. I applaud the author as well for taking a side storyline that could have been soap operaish and turning it into a nice add one. I'm not going to spoil it, but it involves a "long lost family member". Whom that person is i shall leave a secret.
Final rating: 5 Bunnies. Great story, staying true to most of the original Jane Austen characters, and for adding in some truly humorous parts. A "must buy" as well.
Release Date: Feb 27,2010
Excerpt:
Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are looking forward to a relaxing stay with dear friends when their carriage is hailed by a damsel-in-distress outside of the village of Highbury. Little do the Darcy's realize that gypsies roam these woods, or that both their possessions and the woman are about to vanish into the night.
The Darcy's seek out the parish magistrate, who is having a difficult evening of his own. Mr. Knightley and his new wife, the former Miss Emma Woodhouse (the heroine of Jane Austen's Emma are hosting a party to celebrate the marriage of their friends, Mr. Frank Churchill and Miss Jane Fairfax. During dinner, Mr. Edgar Churchill, uncle and adoptive father of the groom, falls suddenly ill and dies. The cause of death: poison.
When the Darcy's and the Knightley's join forces to investigate the crimes, they discover that the robbery and Edgar Churchill's death may be connected. Together they must work to quickly locate the source of the poison and the murderer's motive--before the killer can strike again.
Review:
This book surprised me. I was expecting this to be a good read, but i didn't expect an excellent read. The author, Carrie Berbris, explains on the cover that her premisis for the Mr & Mrs. Darcy mysteries is the "Thin Man" movies. I had to tell her, but Lizzie and Darcy are no Nick and Nora. Despite that Ms. Berbris seems to capture the Austen characters in a way i haven't read in awhile.
In this particular mystery we see Mr and Mrs. Darcy in Highbury after getting robbed on the road. There they find themselves entangled in a possible murder mystery. They of course they meet Emma and Mr. Knightly. I was quite surprised at how well the author managed to keep the "Emma" characters true to form. None of them acted out of character. Even Mr. Woodhouse, Miss. Bates, and the Eltons were in character. Something i highly applaud the author and made the story highly enjoyable.
The mystery of the story was quite well done. You knew at once "Miss. Jones" was involved in the robbing somehow, but it was quite a surprise she was involved in the murder as well. Add along some new characters and you have a really good book. I applaud the author as well for taking a side storyline that could have been soap operaish and turning it into a nice add one. I'm not going to spoil it, but it involves a "long lost family member". Whom that person is i shall leave a secret.
Final rating: 5 Bunnies. Great story, staying true to most of the original Jane Austen characters, and for adding in some truly humorous parts. A "must buy" as well.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Website Spotlight: Reasoning with Vampires
WEBSITE SPOTLIGHT
"Reasoning with Vampires"
I came across this website from a post from live journal. Basically the premise of the site is to correct Stephine Meyer's work. Going through the site i was struck at how in the world did Meyer ever get published with so many grammar mistakes. What self respecting editor would let it through. The author apparently thought the same thing. In her explanation of his/her site he/she states:
Though I would not typically describe myself as a nihilist, I have given up all hope that any rule of writing has emerged unscathed from the clumsy hands of Meyer. It is unseemly how some run-on sentences are brimming with words, yet so many sentence fragments starve for a complete idea. She abuses and misuses punctuation. Simple thoughts are interrupted with peripheral observations. Meyer’s novels are engorged with maudlin adjective after maudlin adjective. Her vocabulary is both pompous and unwieldy as she has little grasp how to use words with the appropriate tone/connotation for the idea she’s thrashing on the page.
Some examples of the site owners lovely work.
"Reasoning with Vampires"
I came across this website from a post from live journal. Basically the premise of the site is to correct Stephine Meyer's work. Going through the site i was struck at how in the world did Meyer ever get published with so many grammar mistakes. What self respecting editor would let it through. The author apparently thought the same thing. In her explanation of his/her site he/she states:
Though I would not typically describe myself as a nihilist, I have given up all hope that any rule of writing has emerged unscathed from the clumsy hands of Meyer. It is unseemly how some run-on sentences are brimming with words, yet so many sentence fragments starve for a complete idea. She abuses and misuses punctuation. Simple thoughts are interrupted with peripheral observations. Meyer’s novels are engorged with maudlin adjective after maudlin adjective. Her vocabulary is both pompous and unwieldy as she has little grasp how to use words with the appropriate tone/connotation for the idea she’s thrashing on the page.
The Twilight Saga wasn’t enriched by sentences that make seventh grade English teachers cry. When Stephenie Meyer uses the wrong word, it’s not innovative like Picasso painting an eye where a mouth should be. It’s wrong. It’s a sloppy mess.
Some passages are faint embers of “I wrote it this way because that’s how I talk/or how a teenager thinks” but those burn out before I can feel any warmth towards the story. I don’t care if that’s representative of Bella’s stream of conscious or Meyer’s thought process. The written word has the advantage of thoughtful communication. We are limited by the tips of our tongues when we speak. Our minds get clouded by anger and love, too much to drink, not enough sleep, and feeling every feeling all at once.
The page is still. The page waits for you to calm down. The page holds that blurry thought while you squint at the edges, holds it until you know just how to laminate that event/emotion/entity with words and punctuation. The page can wait for hundreds of years to be read, so it’s not too much to ask that an author takes the time to write it right, instead of just right now.
The page is still. The page waits for you to calm down. The page holds that blurry thought while you squint at the edges, holds it until you know just how to laminate that event/emotion/entity with words and punctuation. The page can wait for hundreds of years to be read, so it’s not too much to ask that an author takes the time to write it right, instead of just right now.
Stephenie Meyer has written big, unintentionally-destructive, curiously-strong, retarded apes of books.
Some examples of the site owners lovely work.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Finishable and unfinishable books: A debate
Books we are unable to finish. We all have them. But what makes a book unfinished compared to the ones that are. Is it a reflection upon the author or the reader? I think it can be a bit of both.
An unfinished book to me is one that is horrible bad and boring, horrible boring in itself, or just plain bad. Most of the time a book becomes unfinished because i lost interest or because i don't like a theme an author used. After going through years of college reading books i hate i feel the right to not finish a book. Why should I be bored out of my mind to merely finish... Another thing is that i have certain taboos. I don't tolerate rape, pedophilia, incest, or relationship abusive behavior in a book. If a book contains those things then i won't read them.
Those who know me might say how did you get through the Twilight series. It's well known that i loath that series with a passion and think it's destroying the minds and values of the young. The series really contains every one of my taboos (except rape, but if you really want to go there...) and try to disguise it as "love". The thing is that though the series was so utterly horrible and poorly written i knew i needed to finish it in order to have a clear right to express my opinion. Sometimes the need to be-able to articulate and say why you didn't like something can be the push to finish a book. Plus then the crazies can't say " How can you say that? Have you never read the books?" I can now say i have and i want those hours of my life back.
Another thing that can drive a badly or horribly written book to be finished is that it's so bad you can't put it down. You just have to keep on watching the train wreak. That train wreak sometimes because so bad that it's fun to make fun of. I believe everyone has read those books where you can't help but laugh at how bad they are. I know i can name a few off the top of my head where i've crack up about them afterwards.
So what makes a book finish-able. The most common answer for me is that it keeps my interest or leaves me wanting more. There has only been a few books i can successfully say i "couldn't put it down". The Harry potter, Percy Jackson, and a few other choice books can be name off the top of my head. Funnily the first book i read round the clock wasn't a Harry Potter book. I've finished those in a day or two, but never read them over night. I wanted to read what happened next, but i also wanted to savor the books longer. No it was the first Percy Jackson book that i read from 4pm straight on to 2.20am. The series was a breath of fresh air after not having any series keep my interest after HP finish.
Yet not every book can be one of the "specials". Most are just normal books. These books usually contain a mixture of elements that make them finish-able and unfinished. I know most authors want to be one of the "Golden"; and though Stephine Meyer proved that even a brainless rock can get published, most authors create books that leave it to the reader whether to finish or not. It's up to them to create elements in a book that makes the reader want to turn the page. Some of these elements may be genre related, character driven, twist of a plot, or just an new or genius idea. Give me a tortured hero and you guarantee that i will keep reading the pages till the last. Obi-Wan Kenobi is in the book i'm there till i drop. A Bunny is main character or a new and interesting plot; are you writing a sequel? Each reader has their own "things" that makes them want to turn the pages. It's these things that can make a book finish-able or one to be quickly put down as it was put up.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Gryffindor Tie and Scarf from Tragic Mountain
I'm planning on going as a gryffindor student to the Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows part 1 and i'm in the middle of getting my outfit together.
I got a great deal from Tragic Mountain on a Gryffindor Tie and scarf combo.The two were just $27.99 together. The tie is made of silk and fits all adults. And even those of us who are vertically challenged. It was brand new and still in the original HP merchandise packaging. The scarf is wool and is about the size of a regular scarf. I've worn it around some and it's nice and warm. My only concern is that the Gryffindor patch doesn't seem to be all that secured on it.
Product Rating:
* Ignore the jacket. I've had that for awhile.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Teaser Tuesday #2
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of
Should Be Reading
. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
Grab your current read
1) Open to a random page
2)Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
3) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My current book:
Teaser:
" Who cares?" He strode quickly past her. "It probably sensed the Key" Pg 222 of " Incareron".
Should Be Reading
. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
Grab your current read
1) Open to a random page
2)Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
3) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My current book:
Teaser:
" Who cares?" He strode quickly past her. "It probably sensed the Key" Pg 222 of " Incareron".
"The Familiars Review"
Book: The Familiars (Book 1) by Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson
Release Date: Sept 7, 2010
Excerpt:
After three young wizard apprentices are kidnapped by the evil queen of a distant land, it is up to their familiars, their magical animal companions -- a street smart alley cat, a precocious blue jay, and a bumbling tree frog -- to save them.
Review:
Hmmm I hate starting reviews. I always have trouble on what to say. I will say this "HOLY FREAKING FAMILIAR BATMAT THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING!!".
I know it took me awhile to read this book, but it was not from lack of interest. It was merely because my work schedule and training kept my occupied. Seriously i cannot emphasize how good this book was.
First thing first: This book is directed towards the kid/YA crowd. The writing is simple and sometimes just silly at some points. Some adults may not like its. Seeing that i'm secretly a child inside i rather enjoyed it.Don't let that keep you from reading the book though. It does contain elements such as death and attempted murder.
The Familiars tackles themes such as believing in yourself, friendship. honesty, and hard work. Aldwyn started out as an ally cat and only got picked up as Jack's familiar by mistake. Soon after he is taken the grand Kalstaff's house three shooting stars fall indicating a new prophecy. Kalstaff like the queen believes that the stars indicated that Jack, Dalton, and Marianne are the new heroes. The difference being is that the queen comes and tries to kill the trio. She is prevented from doing so when Kalstaff uses the last of his life force to put a protective spell over the trio. It becomes up to the three familiars to save their masters.
Their adventure is filled with challenges that leads them to discovering more about their world and themselves. Aldywn even discovers that he has magical powers.
The twist for the villain is simply brilliant!! I loved it completely. I'm only going to leave a picture at the end of the post as its hint.
The Familiars is really a new Harry Potter for a new generation. That is if Harry Potter stared Crookshanks, Hedwig, and the other animals. I'm highly looking forward to the next installment. ^^
Rating: 5 Bunnies. Perfectly brilliant.
Release Date: Sept 7, 2010
After three young wizard apprentices are kidnapped by the evil queen of a distant land, it is up to their familiars, their magical animal companions -- a street smart alley cat, a precocious blue jay, and a bumbling tree frog -- to save them.
Review:
Hmmm I hate starting reviews. I always have trouble on what to say. I will say this "HOLY FREAKING FAMILIAR BATMAT THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING!!".
I know it took me awhile to read this book, but it was not from lack of interest. It was merely because my work schedule and training kept my occupied. Seriously i cannot emphasize how good this book was.
First thing first: This book is directed towards the kid/YA crowd. The writing is simple and sometimes just silly at some points. Some adults may not like its. Seeing that i'm secretly a child inside i rather enjoyed it.Don't let that keep you from reading the book though. It does contain elements such as death and attempted murder.
The Familiars tackles themes such as believing in yourself, friendship. honesty, and hard work. Aldwyn started out as an ally cat and only got picked up as Jack's familiar by mistake. Soon after he is taken the grand Kalstaff's house three shooting stars fall indicating a new prophecy. Kalstaff like the queen believes that the stars indicated that Jack, Dalton, and Marianne are the new heroes. The difference being is that the queen comes and tries to kill the trio. She is prevented from doing so when Kalstaff uses the last of his life force to put a protective spell over the trio. It becomes up to the three familiars to save their masters.
Their adventure is filled with challenges that leads them to discovering more about their world and themselves. Aldywn even discovers that he has magical powers.
The twist for the villain is simply brilliant!! I loved it completely. I'm only going to leave a picture at the end of the post as its hint.
The Familiars is really a new Harry Potter for a new generation. That is if Harry Potter stared Crookshanks, Hedwig, and the other animals. I'm highly looking forward to the next installment. ^^
Rating: 5 Bunnies. Perfectly brilliant.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Be kind to your pharmacy technicians a plea from one
Please be kind to your Pharmacy Technicians.
We have no control over the price of your prescriptions or if your insurance will cover it or not. We try our best to get everything filled as fast as we can, but delays can happen. Believe it or not we cannot snap our fingers and your prescription is done. We have to wait for the computer to bring it over to the production station, find it in the shelves, and then count every pill. Twice if it's a controlled substance. There is also the sheer volume of prescriptions we get a day. A hundred or more and that takes time. I cannot help if the computer placed your prescription at number 30. I have 29 more to fill before yours. If you want it quicker come inside to wait.
Problems do happen. We do not carry an never ending stock. Our computers do go down (like yesterday) and in the 21st century our work is connected to the PC. We can do nothing about it till tech fixes it. That means that will be overloaded with work when work comes back and you'll just have to wait a bit longer. Somethings your prescription can be misplaced in the bins. We are only human after all. Note that we also work long hours standing and only get one break. The pharmacist works from opening to closing without a break.
So please don't yell, get snappy, or be generally mean to us. We don't go looking for trouble.So remember...
Be kind to your Pharmacy Technician.
* This note is brought to you from a Pharmacy Technician and is no way associated with others. Though it probably does apply to all of us.
We have no control over the price of your prescriptions or if your insurance will cover it or not. We try our best to get everything filled as fast as we can, but delays can happen. Believe it or not we cannot snap our fingers and your prescription is done. We have to wait for the computer to bring it over to the production station, find it in the shelves, and then count every pill. Twice if it's a controlled substance. There is also the sheer volume of prescriptions we get a day. A hundred or more and that takes time. I cannot help if the computer placed your prescription at number 30. I have 29 more to fill before yours. If you want it quicker come inside to wait.
Problems do happen. We do not carry an never ending stock. Our computers do go down (like yesterday) and in the 21st century our work is connected to the PC. We can do nothing about it till tech fixes it. That means that will be overloaded with work when work comes back and you'll just have to wait a bit longer. Somethings your prescription can be misplaced in the bins. We are only human after all. Note that we also work long hours standing and only get one break. The pharmacist works from opening to closing without a break.
So please don't yell, get snappy, or be generally mean to us. We don't go looking for trouble.So remember...
Be kind to your Pharmacy Technician.
* This note is brought to you from a Pharmacy Technician and is no way associated with others. Though it probably does apply to all of us.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Teaster Tuesday (1)
I've decided to do this now for my blog... I'm expanding. ^^
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of
Should Be Reading
Teaser:
" I'm sorry, I never meant to betray you," the assassin said. "It was the voices." from "The Familiars" page 227.
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of
Should Be Reading
- . Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Teaser:
" I'm sorry, I never meant to betray you," the assassin said. "It was the voices." from "The Familiars" page 227.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Give me a Texas Ranger Anthology review
Book: Give me a Texas Ranger Anthology
Author(s): Jodi Thomas, Linda Broday, Phylliss Miranda, & DeWanna PaceRelease date: July 1, 2010
(Back Excerpt) Born to protect and serve, these rugged lawmen are the stuff of Texas Legend. New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas teams up with Linda Broday, Phylliss Miranda, and DeWanna Pace to bring you four red-blooded Rangers and the women who tamed their hearts…..
“The Ranger’s Angel” by Jodi Thomas
Outlaws, stagecoach chases, and Texas rangers, oh my! This pretty much sums up Annalane Barkley’s day. One moment she was on her way to Camp Supply to meet her brother. and the next she’s holed up inside a stag coach station with outlaws ready to pick her off if she steps outside. It doesn’t help that every man inside the station keeps giving her unnerving glances. Therefore, when Texas Ranger Wynn McCord offers her the chance to get out and away, Annalane hardly even thinks of saying no. Little does Annalane know that she may be in just as much danger with this ranger as she was with the outlaws.
Wynn McCord has a mission. He is to deliver a highly important letter to the Quaker who serves as the Indian agent in the area. This letter may stop the fighting between the Indians and the settlers, so Wynn refuses to fail. He just didn’t plan on thestage coach getting chased by outlaws or on meeting the enchanting Annalane Barkley. Quick decision-making leads Wynn to asking Annalane to escape with him and to his pleasure, she agrees. Now the two of them just have to make it to Camp Supply before the outlaws or something else catches up with them.
I’m going to state it up front I loved the heroine but disliked the hero. Wynn comes across as an ass. During a scene when Annalane is passed out and asleep Wynn decides to take certain liberties by kissing her and feeling her up. A little while later while Annalane is sleeping again he contemplates having sex with her passed out form. He later decides against it because he shouldn’t force himself sexually upon her when she is exhausted and sleeping “the first time”. Insinuating that perhaps after they’ve had sex once it would be alright to have sex with her against her wishes while she is passed out or sleeping. After reading his sentence I wanted to see him get shot by the outlaws, or possibly by Annalane herself. I loved Annalane because she knew Wynn had wronged her and was contemplating how to kill him. Her dialogue is so brilliant when she’s thinking of everything she’d like to do to him for forcing himself upon her. Needless to say, Wynn doesn’t change much in the story. I really don’t see how Annalane and Wynn got together and stayed together. It was one of those instances when I read the romance but didn’t feel it.
Final Rating: 2 bunnies
Undertaking Texas by Linda Broday
Texanna Wilder needs a hero and she doesn’t care who it is. Marcus LaRoach has been after her and her property ever since her husband, Sam, was killed. Now LaRoach has it in his head that he can just hog-tie her all the way to the church. When it appears that no one around town cares enough to save her, out steps Texas Ranger Stoney Burke.
The last thing Texas Ranger Stoney Burke expected to see when he approached the mob was a woman being dragged like an animal down the street. He certainly didn’t expect the woman to be his best friend’s widow. Texanna has always been the girl for Stoney, but he lost her when he wouldn’t leave the Texas Rangers and settle down. Now it appears that Texanna has reared herself right back into his life, and she’s taking his heart hostage yet again.
I really liked this short story. Linda Broday brings together two former flames in an event that probably did happen in the Old West. This event, of course, is someone trying to steal a widow’s livelihood. In Texanna’s case, this is a barbershop and undertaking business. Texanna, her son Josh, and Stoney were very endearing characters and for such a short story surprisingly well-rounded. I enjoyed reading Texanna’s and Stoney’s relationship and was glad things worked out well in the end for all. My only complaint was that the story was too short. I really wish Linda had made it into a full novel instead of a short story. I think then things that were rushed could have been paced out better. All in all it was rather good and one of my favorite short western romances I’ve read in awhile.
Rating: 4
One Woman, One Ranger by Phyliss Miranda
Ella Stevenson refuses to be forced into marrying someone she doesn’t want to. Therefore, as proprietress of the “Molly Lou’s,” she feels it’s her duty to protect her girls from being forced into a marriage they don’t want. And that’s a possibility, because the justice of peace has decided he’d like to earn a buck by forcing everyone in town who isn’t legally married in the state of Texas to marry. Unfortunately a spat with the local sheriff has led Ella down the very road she’s been protesting. She either marries her so-called “husband,” Ranger Hayden McGraw, or she’ll be sent to the gallows. Right now, Ella isn’t sure what would be worse.
The only thing Hayden McGraw was planning to do in Buffalo Springs, Texas was get the new “warrant to arrest” papers that were being sent to “Molly Lou’s.” He didn’t expect to get hog-tied into a spat between the sheriff and pretty Ella Stevenson. He especially didn’t plan on having to marry her to save her from the gallows. Unfortunately, that’s what he gets.
I’m afraid this story bored me. It wasn’t bad, per se, but it wasn’t good, either. The whole story just fell flat. Hayden and Ella were both cookie-cutter characters, Mary Sue and Gary Stu respectively. They said nothing and did nothing interesting. During the scene where the sheriff is trying to arrest Ellie she starts making some protests that doesn’t even make sense. She goes on saying her place isn’t tardy, that nothing illegal goes down, and that there is no reason for her to girls to be married. This left me confuses since the sheriff didn’t mention any of those things. He was arresting her for hitting him and causing a public scene. It had nothing to do with her establishment. There was also the puzzle of why the sheriff was threatening her so much. It didn’t make sense at the time. Later we find out the sheriff was only threatening to her so he could arrest her and search her premises for her barkeeper’s moonshining factory, something that was right under her nose. The fact that she didn’t see it made her seem a bit slow. I have no comment on the relationship except that it was a typical Mary Sue/Gary Stu one. The end.
Rating: 3 bunnies
The Perfect Match by DeWanna Pace.
Ding Ding Ding. The match between Laney O’Grady and Texas Ranger Thomas Longbow has begun. In her corner, Laney O’Grady is battling to earn money to adopt her stepson back from his menacing uncle. She’s also working to prove to the court that she would be a suitable parent and can provide for the boy. The possible weakness in her strategy is the particularly handsome Texas Ranger who has taken her heart.
In his corner, Thomas Longbow is attempting to stop an illegal boxing match between Irishman Pete Meher and his rival Bob Fitzsimmons. This is easier said than done since it appears that everyone, other than the politician’s who hired him, is doing everything in their power to keep this fight on; everyone including the widowed Laney O’Grady. Some type of transaction has transpired between Laney and Me, Meher, and Thomas is determined to find out what it was. That is if Laney doesn’t deliver any knockouts to his heart and soul in the process.
If “Undertaking Texas” was the best of the anthology, then this one came in second. It was also be the cutest. I found Thomas and Laney’s relationship to be charming, although we really didn’t get a lot of them to expand on something that could have been better. This is another instance where I wish the author had made the short story into a full length novel. There were so many new and interesting ideas being brought up due to the fact that the story is set four years before the turn of the century. Things such as “nickelodeons” and early cinemas and the reaction to trains making travel by horse travel becoming obsolete were just some of the developments the author brought up in the story. It made me want to read more about the reactions of those who lived at the turn of the century. That nitpick aside, Thomas and Laney’s story was an interesting one filled with some mystery and intrigue that left me quite satisfied when I finished the story.
Rating: 3 1/2 Bunnies
The Tale of Applebeck Orchard (The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter #6)
Book: The Tale of Applebeck Orchard (The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter #6)
Release Date: Sep 1st, 2009
Review:
The tiny community of Land between the Lakes is not an ordinary community. This municipality is not only the home of the ordinary shops, houses, and all of the regular buildings that make up a community. Its also the home of a very active and smart animal population. These animals are not your ordinary animals too. They have professions, friendships, and lives like humans do. If may come as no surprise that this particular village is the home of Beatrice Potter. If you're thinking that Beatrice herself made the animals this way I’d hate to say you're quite wrong. They were living happy and productive lives before Beatrice ever bought “Hill Top Farm” many years ago. The reason I mention them is because this story takes place during a conundrum for both the animals and humans of the community. You see the Applebeck footpath has been closed off. The reason for this closure being that the owner of Applebeck farm is in the belief that the ramblers are the ones that burned his haystack down and he wishes to keep them off his land. It’s up to both the animals and human community of “Land between the Lakes” to figure out just who did.
Release Date: Sep 1st, 2009
Review:
The tiny community of Land between the Lakes is not an ordinary community. This municipality is not only the home of the ordinary shops, houses, and all of the regular buildings that make up a community. Its also the home of a very active and smart animal population. These animals are not your ordinary animals too. They have professions, friendships, and lives like humans do. If may come as no surprise that this particular village is the home of Beatrice Potter. If you're thinking that Beatrice herself made the animals this way I’d hate to say you're quite wrong. They were living happy and productive lives before Beatrice ever bought “Hill Top Farm” many years ago. The reason I mention them is because this story takes place during a conundrum for both the animals and humans of the community. You see the Applebeck footpath has been closed off. The reason for this closure being that the owner of Applebeck farm is in the belief that the ramblers are the ones that burned his haystack down and he wishes to keep them off his land. It’s up to both the animals and human community of “Land between the Lakes” to figure out just who did.
This story surprised me. I was quite ready to like it since it started Beatrice Potter. I was just not quite ready to love it. You see this book had everything a lover of animals and Beatrice Potter could ever want. You have the cute and witty animals, a touch of the life of Miss. Potter, and a rather charming mystery. It also had a nice flow. The narrative of the story was like watching the old 1966 “Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree” film. You have a narrator outlining whats going on in the story and bringing you to different places in the community. You then get to read the character parts in between. It was like being a fly on the wall. Susan Wittig Albert was also quite good in explaining “the times” as you might say it. You have explanations on the courtship habits and general beliefs of the time. You also get an insight into the lives of women on the verge of suffrage. The funny thing I have to mention about that is that the animals were a bit keener of giving female animals equalization than the humans at the time. Not to say there wasn't animals who believed that a female wasn't as smart as a male. Professor Owl is an example of that. The thing that I really liked about the book thought was that besides the talking animals you could really see the book happening. Its always the sign of a good author when you can read a fiction book and see it as entirely non-fiction. This is because Susan kept in the spirit of the early twentieth century. Nothing terribly out of the ordinary happened and the people in the book had concerns that those living in 1910 would have. If it wasn't stated at the beginning of the book that the entire story is fiction you can really see Beatrice Potter, Mr. Hellis, and the rest of the community try to figure out who burned down the Applebeck farms haystack. Therefore I have to give the book the high honor of a perfect ten in rating. Anyone who loves Beatrice Potter or just a good turn of the century county mystery will love this book as well.
Rating: 5 bunnies. Absolutely perfect. ^^
Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson "review"
Book: Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson by Ian Halperin
Release date: July 14, 2009
Excerpt:
In late December 2008, Ian Halperin told the world that Michael Jackson had only six months to live. His investigations into Jackson's failing health made headlines around the globe. Six months later, the King of Pop was dead.
Review:
First things first, i wasn't planning on reading this book. In face i've never heard of it till i saw it in the "new" shelves at my library. My curiosity then took over.
I am not of the Micheal Jackson generation. I was born in 1986 and frankly only heard of him in passing. I've heard his music, but never really paid much attention to the man. It wasn't till his second child molestation trail that i became knowledgeable of his life. Unfortunately because of this i have never been able to see him as the phenomenon as the world knew him.
I was deeply interested then in reading this book. The author did a lot of research and presented Micheal in a fair light. This book really has some incredible reveling facts about the singer though.
Such as:
* Micheal Jackson was gay. He preferred teenage boys and young men. The author managed to track down numerous past lovers and a few even had private photos shown.
* John Travolta is gay. The author found this out by successfully infiltrating the Scientology religion. They highlight Travolta as proof that their cure for "homosexuality" works.
* It is more than likely the scienteology center arranged Michaels and Lisa Marie's marriage.
* Micheal contracted a lung disease called "Alpha 1" and had recently discovered he had skin cancer before he died.
* Micheal was highly depressed and told many people in his final months that he wanted to die.
* Chances are that because he was so weak and sickly he would have died sometime in the summer anyways.
* The two older kids are not biologically Micheal's.
And these are just some of the facts that Ian unraveled about his life. The book was a really good read and one that fills in some of the mystery of Micheal Jackson's life.
Rating: 4 bunnies. Interesting facts and presented an unbiased look on the performer.
Release date: July 14, 2009
Excerpt:
In late December 2008, Ian Halperin told the world that Michael Jackson had only six months to live. His investigations into Jackson's failing health made headlines around the globe. Six months later, the King of Pop was dead.
Whatever the final autopsy results reveal, it was greed that killed Michael Jackson. Friends and associates paint a tragic picture of the last years and days of his life as Jackson made desperate attempts to prepare for the planned concert series at London's 02 Arena in July 2009. These shows would have earned millions for the singer and his entourage, but he could never have completed them, not mentally, and not physically. Michael knew it and his advisors knew it. Anyone who caught even a fleeting glimpse of the frail old man hiding beneath the costumes and cosmetics would have understood that the London tour was madness. Why did it happen this way? After an intense five year investigation,New York Times bestselling author Ian Halperin uncovers the real story of Michael Jackson's final years, a suspenseful and surprising thriller.
Review:
First things first, i wasn't planning on reading this book. In face i've never heard of it till i saw it in the "new" shelves at my library. My curiosity then took over.
I am not of the Micheal Jackson generation. I was born in 1986 and frankly only heard of him in passing. I've heard his music, but never really paid much attention to the man. It wasn't till his second child molestation trail that i became knowledgeable of his life. Unfortunately because of this i have never been able to see him as the phenomenon as the world knew him.
I was deeply interested then in reading this book. The author did a lot of research and presented Micheal in a fair light. This book really has some incredible reveling facts about the singer though.
Such as:
* Micheal Jackson was gay. He preferred teenage boys and young men. The author managed to track down numerous past lovers and a few even had private photos shown.
* John Travolta is gay. The author found this out by successfully infiltrating the Scientology religion. They highlight Travolta as proof that their cure for "homosexuality" works.
* It is more than likely the scienteology center arranged Michaels and Lisa Marie's marriage.
* Micheal contracted a lung disease called "Alpha 1" and had recently discovered he had skin cancer before he died.
* Micheal was highly depressed and told many people in his final months that he wanted to die.
* Chances are that because he was so weak and sickly he would have died sometime in the summer anyways.
* The two older kids are not biologically Micheal's.
And these are just some of the facts that Ian unraveled about his life. The book was a really good read and one that fills in some of the mystery of Micheal Jackson's life.
Rating: 4 bunnies. Interesting facts and presented an unbiased look on the performer.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
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