Books and Music

I got up early with My Man...who went to work. I fed King (his dog) and Jack (my kitty...see photo), made myself an Herbalife shake (still one of the best breakfasts ever), went through my morning ritual of checking all four email addresses I have, playing my ongoing scrabble games, and then played a few rounds of internet hearts. I am so addicted to card games online. And I found a good game of poker online, too - the kind you that you play with fake money.

Last night, I watched one of the two episodes of Stephen King's Nightmares and Dreamscapes. It was the third of four sets of two one-hour shows a week. I think it's on TNT. I think he's been slipping lately. His stories are still pretty fresh, but I've been thoroughly dissapointed by his endings lately. His last book, "Cell," was great. Suspenseful, excellently fleshed out characters (as always), but it just ended. It was a cliffhanger ending and it was very frustrating. I don't have to have every book or story tied up neatly in the end for me, but I do need some sort of explanation of why everyone got zapped by their cell phones and became something else. Grrr.

I read (or I should say listened to) another book by Dean Koontz, "The Taking." Many people thought it was too heavy handed, but I enjoyed it. It was an alien invasion story, but with a twist. Maybe it had a stronger impact because I listened to it on a road trip taken at night, but I thought it was clever. I like his other books very much, although I remember not reading him for awhile because his books started seeming the same. I guess that can happen when you read the only one author for too long.

ANYWAY, here I am sitting at my computer and listening to music. I get Yahoo music, so I can listen to whatever I want on my computer. I listened to Nellie McKay, and they always suggest some similar artists, so I explored Neko Case, Ivy, and now I'm listening to St. Etienne. There was one song by each that I've heard on the radio, and was happily surprised. Before that, I listened to My Morning Jacket. They are so good...sort of early NeilYoung-ish. One song, in particular, "Golden," is so beautiful. They have a sort of nostalgic sound that brings you back (if you're old enough) to the early 70s mellow rock. Like I said, early NY.

Music has so much power to affect our thoughts, emotions, and spirit. I love so many different types, but I guess mostly what they call adult alternative. Although I like groups like Sublime and Gorillaz.

Well, I should get away from this desk for awhile and get something done. Tell me what music you're listening to. :)