Horns by Joe Hill

March 9th, 2010

I've been lax in posting books read; in fact, I have a few on the table back home that I have yet to post about. I promise to catch up eventually. Until then, Horns is out of order by about 8 books.

I picked up Horns during my two days in Ames earlier this week. I knew I'd have some down time at the parents' house, and because I wanted something to do other than watch television, I picked up a few books at Border's.

Horns is Joe Hill's latest novel and at 30% off (yay!) was quite the bargain. It's also quite the good read. Joe Hill is Stephen King's younger son (Owen is the oldest). He writes like his father. He looks like his father.

If you're a King fan, you're a Hill fan. (Or you should be.)

(5/6)

Product Description:

Joe Hill has been hailed as "a major player in 21st-century fantastic fiction" (Washington Post); "a new master in the field of suspense" (James Rollins); "one of the most confident and assured new voices in horror and dark fantasy to emerge in recent years (Publishers Weekly); a writer who "builds character invitingly and plants an otherworldly surprise around every corner" (New York Times).

This gifted and brilliantly imaginative author catapulted to bestsellerdom with the chilling Heart-Shaped Box and cemented his reputation with the prizewinning volume of short fiction 20th Century Ghosts. At last, the New York Times bestselling author returns with a relentless supernatural thriller that runs like Hell on wheels. . . .

Ignatius Perrish spent the night drunk and doing terrible things. He woke up the next morning with a thunderous hangover, a raging headache . . . and a pair of horns growing from his temples.

At first Ig thought the horns were a hallucination, the product of a mind damaged by rage and grief. He had spent the last year in a lonely, private purgatory, following the death of his beloved, Merrin Williams, who was raped and murdered under inexplicable circumstances. A mental breakdown would have been the most natural thing in the world. But there was nothing natural about the horns, which were all too real.

Once the righteous Ig had enjoyed the life of the blessed: born into privilege, the second son of a renowned musician and younger brother of a rising late-night TV star, he had security, wealth, and a place in his community. Ig had it all, and more—he had Merrin and a love founded on shared daydreams, mutual daring, and unlikely midsummer magic.

But Merrin's death damned all that. The only suspect in the crime, Ig was never charged or tried. And he was never cleared. In the court of public opinion in Gideon, New Hampshire, Ig is and always will be guilty because his rich and connected parents pulled strings to make the investigation go away. Nothing Ig can do, nothing he can say, matters. Everyone, it seems, including God, has abandoned him. Everyone, that is, but the devil inside. . .

Now Ig is possessed of a terrible new power to go with his terrible new look—a macabre talent he intends to use to find the monster who killed Merrin and destroyed his life. Being good and praying for the best got him nowhere. It's time for a little revenge. . . . It's time the devil had his due. . . .

Matthew Bibliotheque, Literature , , , , , , , ,




Trente-neuf Ans

March 8th, 2010

Happy birthday to me.

Happy birthday to me.

Happy birthday to meeeeeeeeeeeee.

Happy birthday to me.


Matthew Life/Living , ,




I am a Huge Fan.

March 5th, 2010

Of BJs. Not steak.

From Urbandictionary — and many thanks to my friend Amy:

Celebrated on March 14th, Steak and Blowjob Day is a holiday for men, celebrated the month after Valentine's Day — a holiday for women.

The idea is simple: no cards, flowers, candy or other whimsical gifts. Ladies (and gay men), you simply bestow your partner with a steak and a blowjob. Not necessarily in that order.

Unfortunately I will not be in Iowa on March 14th. Damn it. I'm always up for a good blow job.

And, no, the picture is not me. Don't I wish… My body is nowhere as buff and hot, but my cock? Longer.  Now ya know.

2 people like this post.

Matthew Keen Things , , , ,




Breaking a Promise

March 3rd, 2010

Well, not a promise so much as a resolution.

Remember when I made the New Year's resolution to post at least twice each week? So far, I've yet to break that resolution. However, I am going to break it this next week. Because it's on purpose, though, I don't feel it should count against me.

I just have so much going on this next week (well this Thursday through next Thursday) that I'm not sure I will be able to find the time to post. More important things to do and very important people to see (and "do" as well… ha ha!).

Come the thirteenth of March, though (that would be a Saturday and a good day, numerically), I will begin my "twice per week" routine. I promise!

(Happy Birthday to ME in five days — the 8th of March. I don't expect gifts, but positive wishes and tidings of great joy are always welcome. I won't lie, either. I will be a rather attractive and young looking 39.)

Matthew Keen Things, Life/Living , ,




Vanilla Twilight (Owl City)

March 1st, 2010

Because of my friend Dan in Texas, I was listening to Owl City long before he became as famous or as played (radio) as he is now. And Owl City's album is one I listen to often while traveling through the mountains of Idaho and Montana.

(One can only take so much country, non-English, or Christian radio, ya know.)

The latest Owl City release is Vanilla Twilight (from the Ocean Eyes album — the third for Owl City) which, honestly, surprises me. It's probably the one ballad-type song on the album and is kind of a departure from Fireflies. Regardless, it was my favorite right after I first listened to it.

The picture is Adam Young. He is Owl City. Period. And, yes, he's rather cute. Which is beside the point.  (And just a reminder, folks… you can't download the song from my website. If you want it, pay for it like I did.)

It's just a really, really good song. That reminds me a really, really good person.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The stars lean down to kiss you
And I lie awake and miss you
Pour me a heavy dose of atmosphere

'Cause I'll doze off safe and soundly
But I'll miss your arms around me
I'd send a postcard to you, dear
'Cause I wish you were here

I'll watch the night turn light-blue
But it's not the same without you
Because it takes two to whisper quietly

The silence isn't so bad
'Til I look at my hands and feel sad
'Cause the spaces between my fingers
Are right where yours fit perfectly

I'll find repose in new ways
Though I haven't slept in two days
'Cause cold nostalgia
Chills me to the bone

But drenched in vanilla twilight
I'll sit on the front porch all night
Waist-deep in thought because
When I think of you I don't feel so alone

I don't feel so alone,
I don't feel so alone

As many times as I blink
I'll think of you tonight
I'll think of you tonight

When violet eyes get brighter
And heavy wings grow lighter
I'll taste the sky and feel alive again

And I'll forget the world that I knew
But I swear I won't forget you
Oh, if my voice could reach
Back through the past I'd whisper in your ear
Oh darling, I wish you were here

1 person likes this post.

Matthew Music, Songs , , , ,




Time is Running Out!

February 27th, 2010

I had to work this morning, as the rules just changed; I now have to work every other Saturday. True, it's a half-day shift, but it's still odd. Getting up at 7:00 AM on a Saturday, that is.

Regardless, getting up that early does have it's benefits. Not only did I do my shift at work, I also did the following today:

Got my hair cut (it's a tad different than it's been in the past)

Shopped for some groceries. Soups and microwave meals, as I have vacation soon and don't want a lot of perishable items sitting around.

Cleaned a lot. I don't want to come back after vacation to a mess. I want to come back and just relax before going back to work. I dusted, vacuumed, did dishes, did four loads of laundry, cleaned the refrigerator, deep cleaned the bathrooms (including scrubbing the tub), refilled my cleaning supplies (I make my own spray cleaners, and I was running out), taped all rugs to the floors, hung up clothes.

I even had time to watch a movie, catch up on television, and make a beer run. Doesn't get much better than that, eh?

Matthew Uncertain ,




American Idol… The Girls

February 23rd, 2010

Okay. I love Crystal Bowersox. You know… the girl with the dreadlocks. (I like her. I hate the dreadlocks).

Her voice? It gives me goosebumps.

Her guitar-playing ability (I've played guitar since I was eight, so I do watch the fingers and know what's going on)… amazing.

Her background story? Great. Her husband? A cutie.

Will she make it to the top ten? I doubt it. She's way too alternative for mass consumption (I.e, the "American public").  Regardless, I'd buy her first CD in a heartbeat. She makes me smile.


Matthew Movies & TV, Music , , ,




A Lame Post, I Know

February 20th, 2010

I was freaking out earlier, because one of my "New Year's resolutions" was to post at least twice weekly, and I had to make a post today or that resolution would be broken.

I was going to post a song, as it's been a while. But, honestly, I have no idea what song I would post.

I've been busy lately getting ready for my trip to Iowa (coming up soon!). I've been busy travelling for work (Idaho and Montana last week and for the next two). I've been busy cleaning (because I'm OCD?).

I've just been busy.

I highly doubt the resolution will last, folks. Twice a week is difficult, honestly. And it will be more difficult when I'm back in Iowa for 7 days. I'm pretty booked 24/7 for the entire week, and that makes me happy. Heh.

Anyway… I did buy some new houseplants today. Two rather tall ones (I used to have some nice big ones, but I left them in Iowa when I moved here) and an African Violet for the bathroom. Along with pots and potting soil. I will spend part of tomorrow re-potting all of them.

I think I'm a fan of Fred Meyer (I bought the pots for my plants at that store today). Think Wal-Mart, but fewer odd people. A smaller footprint. Similar prices. And even closer to my apartment. After six months in Spokane, you'd think I'd be familiar with the local/regional chains.

Matthew Life/Living , , , , ,




Bite It

February 15th, 2010

I've been reading lately.

A lot.

I own the first eight books in the Sookie Stackhouse series — the series upon which True Blood (HBO) is based — and I 've read the first four. In about a week. I'm currently on book five.

I purchased the first one. Decided the series was worth it. Purchased books two through four, only, because the Border's near me didn't have books five and six. Hit a Border's out of town for five through eight. I should be done with them by the end of the month… (I should save one for the flight home. Probably won't.)

They're easy reads, mind you, but they're also amusing as hell. And extremely hard to put down once started.

Once I'm done with all of the books written thus far (I think ten are out with the last two being hardback only, but don't quote me on that) I need to find somebody that will loan me the series on DVD. Yes, I know HBO has taken multiple liberties with the series — as HBO often does — but I still want to watch it.

Matthew Keen Things, Literature , , , , , ,




13

February 13th, 2010

Happy Matteenth (at least for those of you who know what I'm talking about).

19 days (for those of you who are counting).

That's all. I have things to do.

Matthew Non Sequiturs