What can I say but HOT!!!!!

Seriously, the dancing is kind of dorky, the vamp hunter is cute in a boy next door, soon to be balding, not yet over my acne phase kind of way, but the vamp....grrrrrrrrrowl!  He can take a bite out of me any day!   And being a nurse I couldn't help but notice the incision scar on his chest.  Open heart surgery possibly?

And the Winner is...

That's right, ECLIPSE!!!  Just got home from the midnight showing and I have to say in my opinion it is the best one yet.  Much better make up (uhm...except KS had a horrible, lifeless wig but Jasper had much better hair), better graphics, (although they could have been a bit better, still looked a bit herky jerky at times), the acting is much better from all the cast members and wooooo the storyline.  While still focusing on the triangle paid the battle it's proper due.  Oh, and the script was much better this time around, a lot of the key elements of the book were kept in there, maybe shifted around timeline wise but they still put in the necessary points.  Really, I can say that this was a great movie and not just for fanpires like myself.  Best line of the whole damn film came during the tent scene.  Bella is freezing and Jacob looks at Edward and says "Let's face it, I'm hotter than you!". Classic and in the film version oh so true!!

Woe is me...

So I've been computer-less for a few months now. My computer decided that it really liked this virus and then my wonderful husband "fixed" it by defraging and compressing and moving and basically ensuring that every single place the virus could go was thoroughly infected. In the end the only way to do anything was to completely reset my harddrive to 0 and wipe it clean. So...i was able to save some files, not all but some, I did have all but the last week of ebooks on my external harddrive and those i could redownload from the publisher so there was not a repeat of the great crash of 2008. Unfortunately all my word docs have decided that they are going to impersonate some odd format that microsoft office doesn't recognize. Not only that but i've had to reload office 4 times and it's still wonky. I'm sure a registry key is fucked up somewhere but i've yet to figure out which one. I tired using the Man's laptop but ugh i hate that thing. The kids computer has been set up to be used solely for gaming and doing anything on their is like taking a bath in a firepit. i finally gave up and just started using my iphone to surf. So, i'm behind on my reviews for FAR, behind on my updating on here, and in general behind on things for work. ICK. On the other hand the kids' computer works great on Facebook games so my farm is beautiful lol

Rumbly in my Tumbly

Can someone please explain to me how i always manage to get whatever sickness my kids bring home? I'm a fucking nurse for Pete's Sake! I'm germaphobic and yet I still get it! Not only do i get it but instead of getting the 24 hour deal they get i somehow manage to hang onto the bug for 5 days now. 5 DAYS!!! I'm so dehydrated my normal Alaskan pipeline veins are virtually invisible (although I must say I never noticed but i have rather pretty hands when the garden hose sized veins aren't evident). The only plus I can see in this is that i've lost 8 pounds. Maybe i'll be able to keep some of that off when I finally feel like eating again.

My Library

So this is what my library looked like about 8 months ago. I'll have to take some updated pictures when I finish with my current thin and update project.  Things are a bit of a mess with my husband shelving books where ever he pleases.  I can't help it if i make stacks of things!  I have to keep the review books separate until after they are read!  LOL  Not to mention the bags of books from my last buying spree that are still languishing in the closet waiting for their home on a shelf!

M/M Challenge 2010 - update

 Anesthezea from i heart paperbacks is hosting another m/m romance challenge. I participated last year, had a great time discussing things with the lovelies over at The Manhole on The Phade.  I had a pretty decent reading total for the year in 2009 and hope to at least match it this year.  It's the only way I'm ever going to get to the bottom of Mt. TBR.  (hey! shut the fuck up!  I know I will never hit the bottom as long as I buy faster than I read. Damn publishers making the blurbs sound so tasty and delicious. *grumble, grumble*) It is really going to be a struggle this year because of the work situation.  I have already fallen 10 books behind what I had read for January in 2009.  Anywho...I'm siging up and my goal is - Read 20+ M/M Romances.  I'm actually going to shoot for 100 M/M Romances.  Keeping my fingers crossed.  Here are the details of the challenge.  Head over to her blog for to join in!

Here are her guidelines for the challenge.

TIMELINE: January 1st to December 31st 2010
RULES: Read five(5) or more m/m romances in 2010

There are 5 reading levels to choose from:
- Read 5 M/M Romances
- Read 10 M/M Romances
- Read 15 M/M Romances
- Read 20 M/M Romances
- Read 20+ M/M Romances

DETAILS:

This challenge is for those who enjoy reading gay romances (also known as m/m or male/male romances) or those who are interested in starting. If you aren’t familiar with this genre, it consists of novels and stories where the main focus is the romantic relationship between the male protagonists.

• You must be 18 years old or older to join.

• You don’t have to select your books ahead of time. Even if you do, you can change your books as you go. Your books can crossover with other challenges.

• You don’t need a blog to participate. You can comment on this post if you’d like to share a book list or reading pool.

• Please create a post on your blog where you’ll be keeping track of your challenge reads and link back to this post so others can join in on the fun. If you use a “Current Challenges” page, or something similar, you can link back from that page instead of creating an individual post.

• You can use the large banner I’m using at the top of this post or you can use the smaller buttons I’ve provided below. Just copy the code provided. There’s no need to save the smaller buttons to your own server. (I have another large banner you can use here, if you’d like.)

• You can join at anytime between now and the latter part of 2010. Just give yourself enough time to read your chosen amount of books.

• Books chosen can be any length, sub-genre, or format. eBooks, paperbacks, young adult books, audio books, and re-reads are all okay.

• Once the challenge starts, I’ll create a page for everyone to post their reviews. Reviews are encouraged, but are entirely optional.

PRIZES:

Everyone who signs up for the challenge between now and January 31st will be eligible to win $15 in eBook Bucks from All Romance Ebooks!

 Heres my LIST:

1.  Amour Magique - Willa Okati
2.  Bite Me - Willa Okati
3. The Dragon’s Tongue - Willa Okati
4. Good Luck Piece - Willa Okati
5. Good Luck Piece - Willa Okati
6. Tezcatl’s Game - Willa Okati
7. Single White Fang - Willa Okati
8. Under Hill and Over Bar - Willa Okati
9. Tunnel of Love - Willa Okati
10. The Salt of the Earth - Willa Okati
11. Nothing Like Experience - Willa Okati
12. Believe it or Not - Willa Okati
13. The Incubus Call - Willa Okati
14. Once Upon a Liam - Willa Okati
15. Dar and Greg - Bobby Michaels (re-read)
16. Drew and Vince - Bobby Michaels (re-read)
17. David and Connor - Bobby Michaels
18. The Brothers Bishop - Bart Yates
19. Reining in the Past - Carol Lynne
20. Bareback - Carol Lynne
21. Through the Montana Mist - Carol Lynne
22. Hit and Run - Cassidy Ryan
23. A Case of Mistaken Virginity - Connie Bailey
24. An Improper Holiday - K.A. Mitchell
25. Sleeping With the Past - Cassidy Ryan
26. Force of Law - Jez Morrow
27. Hard for the Money - Syd McKinley, Carol Lynne, Kiernan Kelly
28. Hell Hath no Fury - Carol Lynne
29. Sculpting Clay - Linda Reilly
30. Good to Know - D.W. Marchwell
31. JackMagic - Jillian Snyder 
32. When the Bluebird Calls - Leiland Dale
33. Soothe the Burn - T.A. Chase
34. Dead Men Get No Tail - Misty Malone
35. Open Sesame - Mia Watts
36. A Wolf in Men's Clothing - Dakota Rebel
37. Rip Cord - Jeanne St. James
38. Ghost of his Past - Liam Drake
39. Gay Since Today - Kim Dare
40. Mate Hunt - Amber Kell
41. Mate Hunt - Amber Kell
42. Take it Easy - AKM Miles
43. Too Keen - AKM Miles
44. Seb's Surrender - Carol Lynne
45. Twisted Rose -Amber Kell
46. Vampire King's Husband- Amber Kell
47. Kissing Orion - Amber Kell
48. Lost and Found -Amber Kell
49. Bound and Determined - Amber Kell
50. Heart and Soul - Amber Kell
51. Picture me Perfect - Stormy Glenn
52. Dream Mate - Stormy Glenn
53. Nights in Pink Satin - Sharon Maria Bidwell
54. Blue Willows - Gregory Norris
55. Pure Folly - Madelynne Ellis
56. Stealing My Heart - Various
57. The Mark of an Alpha - Kim Dare
58. Promises - Marie Sexton
59. Rescued - Bailey Bradford
60. A Game of Chances - T.C. Blue
61. Angel Moon - Shayla Kersten
62. A Promise Given - Stormy Glenn
63. Baby it's Cold Outside - Nicole Kimberling
64. Parallel Process - Barbara Sheridan & Anne Cain
65. Precious Jade - Fyn Alexander
66. Putting Out Fires - Sienna Black
67. A Gentleman’s Bargain - Hunter Raines
68. Resolution -  Carol Lynne
69. Ice Water in Hell - Carol Lynne
70. Putting Out Fires - Sienna Black
71. Feral Heat - Jamie Hill & Jude Mason
72. Bear Combustion - Jamie Hill & Jude Mason
73. I Love Rock n Roll - Carol Lynne
74. Wild Hunt - Willa Okati
75. An Uncommon Whore - Belinda McBride
76. A Good Knight - Sharon Marie Bidwell
77. Second Chance - Selena Kitt
78. Unspoken Desires - Stormy Glenn
79. Cowboy Dreams - Stormy Glenn
80. Freaks in Love - T.A. Chase
81. Dark Side of the Veil - Stormy Glenn
82. Hot Damn!- H.C. Brown
83. Without Sin - J. Tomas
84. Embraced by the Sun - Mya
85. The Alpha's Desire - Mya
86. Thief of his Heart - Mya
87. No Souvenirs - K.A. Mitchell
88. Tatterdemalion - Anah Crow and Dianne Fox
89. Hide Out - Kate
90. The Major and the Minor - Pepper Espinoza
91. Duncan's World - T.A. Chase
92. Fighting Dragons - T.A. Chase
93. Bi Now, Gay Later - Kim Dare
94. Seeing You - Dakota Flint
95. A Prophecy of Destiny - Leiland Dale
96. Blueprint for Love - J.P. Bowie
97. Bound by Nature - Cooper Davis
98. A to Z - Marie Sexton
99. Nothing Personal - Scott & Scott
100. Wishing for a Home - T.A. Chase
101. Gaymes - Anthology
102. Circles of Life - Rayne Auster
103. Lift Me Up - Rayne Auster
104. Moonlight's Silver - Rayne Auster
105. Firehouse Heat - Carol Lynne
106. Urban Shaman - Lyn Gala
107. Unmasked - Anthology
108. Rogue Wolf - Violet Hilton
109. Sylvan - Jan Irving
110. Revenant - Connie Bailey
111. Simple Men - Eric Arvin
112. Winner Takes All - Jennifer Urban and Elizabeth Silver
113. Icing on the Cake - Shayla Kersten
114. Turned - Christina Loren
115. The Guardian - Mary Calmes 
116. Catch Me if You Can - L.B. Gregg
117. Give and Take - Anne Brooke
118. Skin Deep - S.W. Vaughn
119. Forever Bound - Chloe Stowe
120. PJ's Pool Boy - Ryan Field
121. Survival Instinct - Roxy Harte
122. Out of Balance - Stephani Hecht
123. Pool Boy Seduction - Amanda Young
124. The Manny - Sara Bell
     
125. Knight or Daye - Jude Mason
     
126. Stiff Trick - Jude Mason
127. Sins of the Father - D.W. Marchwell
128. Tuxedo Tryst - Nikki Soarde
     
129. Freaks and Saints - D.J. Manly
130. Love, Grant - AKM Miles
131. Because it's True - Willa Okati
132. The Shunned - Jay Hughes
133. Stroke of Luck - Jenna Byrnes
134. Take my Picture - Giselle Ellis

The Sony Ereader PRS- 505 vs the PRS 600

After much thought and debate I took the plunge a few months ago and bought the PRS 600 Touch Edition.  I decided to use it for a bit and then make the final decision on whether to keep it of stay with my beloved PRS 505.  I went back and forth for the first few weeks, there are features on both that I dislike and features that I like, as with anything.  Neither is perfect.  I have finally decided that I am sticking with the PRS 600.  (So that means you can definitely have my PRS 505 April lol) The things that I miss from my PRS 500 in comparison to the 600 are probably more a matter of personal taste than real problems.

THE CONS
 First off, the bookmark feature on the 600 sucks ass.  On the 500 you just clicked a button and tada! bookmark.  With the 600 you have to click the option button, select the create/edit notes button on the screen and then touch the little bookmark symbol, then exit out of that screen.  PAIN IN MY ASS!  When i'm ready to stop reading for whatever reason I want something simple. not a process that takes 45 seconds (yes I timed it) Obviously you don't have to use the bookmark feature on either reader as it automatically will open back up on that page, unless of course, you are clumsy, absent minded, or a multi tasker like myself.  I tend to switch back and forth between books.  I have books that I have for review, books for pleasure, and textbooks.  I need the damn bookmark feature. 

Secondly, I liked the old booklight cover that was available for the 595.  the light was similar to the bookwedge.  It was attached to the sturdy cover and fliped over onto the screen.  The 606 cover is just as sturdy but the light raises up and can be adjusted to shine over the screen.  Not usually a problem but therein lies the another issue with the 600.

THirdly, THE GLARE.  The screen glare is a bitch on the PRS 600.  Not unmanageable but, when used with the book light or when outside in the sun. You have to tilt it to find the right angle.  Now i'm a creature of habit and I like to read while doing...well everything.  That includes while cooking, a feat that was simple with the 505 because I could lay it on the counter and read it.  With the 600 laying flat doesn't work in my kitchen, the lights hit is just right making it impossible to read.  So I bought a cookbook holder LOL.

Forthly, and most importantly for me, is the battery life.  I read constantly.  If i'm not at work or being with my family I'm reading.  I don't like to have to charge things.  The 505 battery life lasted for days and days and days.  I took it on vacation to Florida.  Read for most of the 10 hours down, read for several hours everyday, read the trip back and still had one bar of life left.  The 600 lost all battery life on me in 3 days with heavy use like that.  (yes I could plug it in while I sleep but the majority of the time I'm reading myself to sleep and the cord gets in the way).

THE PROS
The design is much sleeker on the 600.  It has rounded corners, it has a smoother back and it is a bit thicker which improves how it feels in your hand.


I love the touch feature.  I like turning the pages with just a swipe.  I like being able to change the direction of the swipe so that it doesn't matter which hand i'm using as well.  Which is great when lying in bed so i can be comfortable on either side.


Second. The notes and highlitght feature. I can mark up the books for when I write my reviews.  For example:  I was reading one for review just this morning and it was annoying the piss out of me.  The child of the female lead changed names in 4 different spots.  Seriously, I was completely confused, I kept thinking who the hell is this person?  Where did they come from?  It normally wouldn't have taken me that long but the book is written in a disjointed manner anyway and this just added to the hot mess.  


Third. Font size.  Oh how I love this little gem.  The PRS 505 had this feature but the added advantage with the 600 is that it goes up to XXL.  A much needed size when certain publishers (ahem ... TORQUERE PRESS) have books that refuse to convert to the appropriate format.  Oh you can read them...with a magnifying glass.  They start out fine when you bump them up to your preferred size ( I like Large because i'm blind lol) but you turn the page and WHAM teeny tiny.  They now have a Sony pdf format available which seems to have fixed the problem but I have a zillion older pdf format books that are languishing in my TBR mountain.


Fourth, I love the search option.  You can type in a book you want to search or you can sort by date, author, tag etc.  You could sort like that on the 505 but i really like being able to just type the name or keyword in to get right to the book. 


So my final decison is to stick with the 600 for now.  At least until the next best thing arrives.  LOL  That iPad looks cool as fuck and after the bugs get worked out i'm going to take a closer look.  I do so love my iPhone and something I could read on that has a big screen?  AWESOME!