Zombies in San Francisco

There's an infestation of zombies in San Francisco tonight!

After work I went over to see the zombies quarantined at Action Figure Freddy on Mission and 4th streets. The zombies were going to shuffle over to the Metreon theatre for the premiere showing of Zombieland. Maybe, not a good idea. I spotted a couple Zombie Hunters down the street with weapons hidden in shopping bags, i.e. a double-bladed axe.

Apparently this is not the first zombie mob in San Francisco. Zombie action in my fair city of San Francisco dates back to July 30, 2005. Read more about SF Zombie History here.

I couldn't stick around for long for fear of getting infected or eaten. I hope to see Zombieland later this month though.

This is Zombie Tess. She is in attack mode, but she was quite friendly.

Rot by Michele Lee

Rot
by Michele Lee

Published: 2009
Genre: Horror, Zombies
Paperback: 56 pages
Rating: 5

Inspiration: my R.I.P. challenge, Helluva Halloween challenge and Weekly Zombies (check out this week's zombie reviews and blogosphere finds) and Helluva Halloween

Description from author site:
Rot is a no-pause, desperation-filled, stand out zombie novelette. There are no Romero flesh eaters here, only anger-driven souls trapped in their bodies against their will by bereaved loved ones who can't let go.

Plus zombie herding. (Zombie milk available by special arrangement only.)
In a world where some people can will away death itself, Silver Springs Specialty Care Community caters to the undead, a safe place to lock risen loved ones away for the people who don't have the power to control dead but aren't quite ready to let go. Dean, retired from the military and looking for an easier life, runs security at the zombie herding farm, but he quickly learns that dark injustice is not unique to war.

There's a rotten core to Silver Springs. Now Dean and a quickly decaying corpse named Patrick are on the hunt for the woman they both love and lost to a lucrative business that specializes in greed, zombies and never having to say goodbye.

Zombification: process is not explained, but corpses can be raised at will

Zombie mode: low functioning and can be controlled

My thoughts:
In-a-word: lonely

A zombie book gem!

This novelette takes you from what seems like a benign nursing homes (for zombies) to the darkside of humanity. Issues of loneliness, love and loss are themes touched on.

The story reads like a detective noir with illustrations sprinkled here and there to make this book even more special. Check out the book trailer below for a smattering of what you'll get.

The question that prods you throughout the read is, if given the opportunity, would you reanimate a dead loved one and deal with the consequences?

For me, nope.

Sorry, I can't part with my copy. However, you can get Rot at Skullvines Press.

Book trailer:

Woke Up Dead

I'm also waiting for...

Woke Up Dead

Webisodes are start online: October 5, 2009

Description and webisodes from Crackle:

Drex (Jon Heder) is everyone's favorite poindexter. Then he goes and fulfills every emo goth kid’s dream by waking up in a tub full of water, without a heartbeat, and suspects he may actually be dead. It’s not easy to cope with being a nerd and a zombie.

See preview trailer and episodes here

Tokyo Zombie by Yusaku Hanakuma

Tokyo Zombie

by Yusaku Hanakuma

Published: 2008 (first Japanese series 1998)

Genre: Action, Comedy, Horror, Zombies, Grapic Novel

Paperback: 164 pages

Rating: 5

Inspiration: my challenges R.I.P., Helluva Halloween, Japanese Literature and Weekly Zombies (check out this week's zombie reviews and blogosphere finds)

Description from publisher:

A horror-comedy manga about two blue-collar factory workers and jiu-jitsu experts who deal with a zombie uprising in Tokyo. When the story begins, Fujio and Mitsuo dream of training in martial arts overseas and becoming famous. When they accidentally kill their overbearing boss, they bury him at a man-made garbage mountain known as Dark Fuji, where tons of rotting garbage have been contaminated with industrial waste which, naturally, transforms the bodies of the dead into ravenous, flesh-eating zombies.

Fuji and Mitsuo try their best to survive in this horrific new landscape, but the hapless pair become separated after an idiotic mistake involving potato chips and a stray dog. A few years later, post-apocalyptic Tokyo has become a feudalistic society, in which the rich have enslaved the lower classes, and created gladiator death matches, pitting zombies against slaves, and Fuji and Misuo meet again.

Zombification: Black Fuji mountain which is a waste dump that became toxic

Zombie mode: feral, but some were captured and controlled

My thoughts:

In-a-word(s): uber-zombie

This is the basis for the movie version so it is not too different (my review of film). Beware, there is a warning on the cover "Adults Only" for some explicit scenes. You will not see the bubble-eyed bubbly gals in this manga.

Like the movie, the emphasis between the haves and have nots in a zombie world is portrayed.

Overall, the story comes across well in manga form. But, watch the movie for embellishment.

Waiting on Wednesday - 17

I'm waiting for...

The Enemy

by Charlie Higson

Release date:  September 3, 2009

Description from amazon:

They'll chase you. They'll rip you open. They'll feed on you...When the sickness came, every parent, policeman, politician - every adult - fell ill. The lucky ones died. The others are crazed, confused and hungry. Only children under fourteen remain, and they're fighting to survive. Now there are rumours of a safe place to hide. And so a gang of children begin their quest across London, where all through the city - down alleyways, in deserted houses, underground - the grown-ups lie in wait. But can they make it there - alive?

Book Trailer:

* Waiting on Wednesday
was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine

Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week
September 26−October 3, 2009



Inspired by Misty's post on Perks of Being A Wallflower

Inspired by L.H.'s daily posts on BBW

I'm putting the zombie and vampire books aside this week to read a Challenged book in honor of Banned Books Week.

Excerpt (find out more here):

What's the difference between a challenge and a banning?

A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others. Due to the commitment of librarians, teachers, parents, students and other concerned citizens, most challenges are unsuccessful and most materials are retained in the school curriculum or library collection.

From the Books Challenged and/or Banned 2008-2009 list, I'll be reading and then giving away:

Looking for Alaska
by John Green


Challenged, but retained for the eleventh-grade Regents English classes in Depew, N.Y. (2008) despite concerns about graphic language and sexual content. The school sent parents a letter requesting permission to use the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature novel and only three students were denied permission to read the book. Source: May 2008, p. 117.

Honest Scrap award

Oh yeah!

Honest Scrap award
Thanks to Misty of the Book Rat

This is the Honest Scrap award. It is for those bloggers who write from the heart. The rules are to pass it along to seven bloggers and then list 10 honest things about myself. Here are those deserving of this honor, bloggers who write from the heart and touch me because of it:

Celia of adventures of cecelia bedelia

Colette of A Buckeye Girl Reads

Eleni of La Femme Readers

Harry of Temple of Library Reviews

Heather of Gofita's Pages

Titania86 of Fishmuffins of Doom

Zombie Girrrl of Crackin Spines and Takin Brains

My short-n-sweet honest tidbits:

1. Bookaholic - read, buy, borrow, share, giveaway

2. Love a good mochaccino

3. Love listening to live medieval music - looking forward to getting my dose at the Renaissance Festival at Casa de Fruta this coming weekend. And yes, I'll be dressed in peasant wear.

4. Need to do more Bikram Yoga and general exercise as cholesterol continues to be on the high side

5. Shy - have not mastered the art of chit-chat and can turn into a wallflower at a party

6. Must always live near a body of water - preferably an ocean

7. Must find a job that involves the promotion of books

8. Wish I could afford a stylist to pretty me up

9. Wish for my daughter to grow up healthy and independent

10. Dream of travel - England, France and Australia (to start)

*The awards list contains my usual blomies (blogger + homie) Misty included and they're getting pretty inundated with my award offerings. ;-D

*Tomorrow's award giving will be the last of the first round. A second batch will go out next month. So, loyal followers and commentors stay tuned - an award may be coming your way if you haven't gotten one (or two) already. -- Did I say tomorrow? I meant Thursday as I will have my usual infestation of zombie posts on Wednesday.

*** updated 9.30.09 ***

Vampire Haiku by Ryan Mecum

Vampire Haiku
by Ryan Mecum

Published: August 2009
Genre: Vampires
Paperback: 144 pages
Rating: 5

Inspiration: my R.I.P. challenge and Helluva Halloween challenge

Description from amazon:
You hold in your hands a recently discovered poetry journal - the poetry journal of a vampire. William Butten was en route to a new land on the Mayflower when he was turned into a vampire by a fellow passenger, a beautiful woman named Katherine. 

These pages contain his heartbreaking story - the story of a vampire who has lived through (and perhaps caused) some of America’s defining events. As he travels the country and as centuries pass, he searches for his lost love and records his adventures and misadventures using the form of poetry known as haiku. 

As Butten documents bloody wars, a certain tea party in Boston, living the high life during the Great Depression, two Woodstock festivals, the corruption of Emily Dickinson, and hanging out with Davy Crockett, he keeps to the classic 5-7-5 syllable structure of haiku. The resulting poems are hilarious, repulsive, oddly romantic, and bizarre.

Read along, and you just may find a new appreciation for - and insight into - various events in American history. And blood.

My thoughts:
In-a-word: everlasting love

I enjoyed this one as much as Zombie Haiku (my review). However, I found it to be more on a serious note with more drama and vampire romance.

It is impressive to see a bunch of haiku pulled together to create a full-length story. The American historical event tie-ins were fun - kinda Forest Gumpy.

Excerpt:

In the glassy sea,

she, I, and the moon reflect.

Hers is a bit... off.

- page 5

Humane award

Awesome!

Humane award
Thanks to Misty of Book Rat
(second one received)

The award is for:
This award is to honor certain bloggers that are kindhearted individuals. They regularly take part in my blog and always leave the sweetest comments. If it wasn't for them, my site would just be an ordinary book review blog. Their blogs are also amazing and are tastefully done on a daily basis. I thank them and look forward to our growing friendship through the blog world.

Rule:
Nominate 10 bloggers you feel deserve the Humane Award.

Colette of A Buckeye Girl Reads

Jo of Ink and Paper

J.T. of Bibliofreak

Ladybug of Escape in a Book

Meg of Yesterday's Tuna

Nina of J'adore happy endings

Polish Outlander

Rhiannon of Rhiannon Hart

Terra of Terra on the Bookshelf

Trisha of Trisha's Book Blog

In My Mailbox - 17

Inspired by a steampunk post by adventures of cecelia bedelia, I picked up some steampunk to explore. This exciting book acquisition was found at a newly discovered fantasy, sci-fi and horror bookstore, Borderlands Books.

Bought:

Steampunk

edited by Ann & Jeff Vandermeer

anthology

Steampunk is Victorian elegance and modern technology: steam-driven robots, souped-up stagecoaches, and space-faring dirigibles fueled by gaslight romance, mad scientists, and very trim waistcoats.

Black Projects, White Knights

by Kage Baker

- steampunk gentlemen

The Women of Nell Gwynne's

by Kage Baker

- steampunk ladies

The New Zed Order: Survive

by Todd Sprague

- zombies

Genesis

by Bernard Beckett - my review

- YA dystopia

Freebies:

I also managed to score a bunch of Julia London romances in a free giveaway box from Dog Eared bookstore.

*In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. A post where we share books acquired via mailbox, library, store, etc.

*source of dirigible

Winner - Vampirates

Vampirates Giveaway - Winner

thanks be to ye contestants!

me hat was found just in time as cap'n would be makin me walk de plank fer sure fer me absent-mindedness. course twas in his quarters all along. he being me sweetie. ;-D

(Please note: The winner was selected with the help of random.org. I shall be emailing the lucky winner for snail mail info. If you don't receive it, please feel free to send your info to vvb32 at yahoo.com)

and the winner is...

( drrrrrrrrrrummmmrolllllllllllllll )

Paradox

of Paradoxical

At Vintage Joy, Paradox found me hat to be #4

and she be takin a fancy to #6 and #7.

The Prize:

Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean

by Justin Somper - my review

Vampire Inspired Dress on Project Runway

While watching Project Runway's season 6 episode 6, Lights, Camera, Sew! I was treated to a vampire inspired dress. The challenge was to create a costume inspired by a movie genre.


Designer, Christopher Straub, selected genre Period piece and created a Victorian vampire wedding dress. Katie Sticksel was the model for this fabulous dress that I adored. It had the romantic and Victorian look. I think it did the job in expressing his vision. All that was needed were a flash of fangs.


*Image source from favorite Project Runway blog - Tom & Lorenzo - Fabulous & Opinionated



This dress got me thinking of the upcoming Victorian vampire novel, Soulless by Gail Carriger out on September 29, 2009.

Blurb from author site:

Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she is being rudely attacked by a vampire to whom she has not been properly introduced!

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire, and the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate. With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible.

Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

I want this book! ;-D

Got it. -my review

Mad Men s3.6

Mad Men Season 3, Episode 6 

Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency

Sunday night on AMC

Episode Synopsis from TV Guide:

A surprise visitor shows up at Sterling Cooper; Sally gets spooked by something (or someone); and Joan is the recipient of some surprising news. 

My thoughts:

-my weekly segment

-for a great recap go to What's Alan Watching?

There is so much going on in the show on so many different levels and layers and overall. I've decided that I'm going to post my brief thoughts on the women of the show. 

Joan - she was Superwoman and really showing her super powers during the lawnmower incident. She also shines at home in how she dealt with hubby and his predicament.

Betty - although she was making an effort to comfort Sally with a Barbie, she remains the ice queen to me. brrrrr.

Sally - woo-hoo! more Daddy bonding

Peggy - touching moment when she shows her appreciation of Joan, funny that she fainted during the lawnmower debacle

Quotes that got me:

Look at that, the suspense is killing him. - Roger referring to Don

This is your little brother. He's only a baby and we don't know who he is yet or who he's going to be and that's a wonderful thing. - Don speaking to Sally

Blogosphere bits:

Mad Men's Christina Hendricks (Joan)

On Cover of InStyle Weddings

article here

Excerpt:

Hendricks talks about her upcoming nuptials to actor Geoffrey Arend, including details about her dress. 

Brunette Bubble Cut Barbie by Mattel

This is the doll Sally got from Baby Gene. Come to think of it, I never owned a "true" Barbie. I remember having pseudo-barbie dolls. But not the real deal. How about you?

Bravo for Mad Men on their 2009 Emmy win in Best Series, Drama!

*source of header image 

*check out Footnotes of Madmen for tidbits of the show and time period.

Lemonade Award

Yummy!

Lemonade Award
J.T. of Bibliofreak

I was tickled by J.T.'s entry:
4. Velvet from vvb32 reads (who has been overwhelming me with zombie goodness this week–even if it’s not always the apocalypse kind, for which, I fear she will be unprepared for the zombie apocalypse.

Details:
The Lemonade Award is a feel good award that shows great attitude or gratitude.

Here are the rules for accepting this award:

- Put the Lemonade Award logo on your blog or post.
- Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude or gratitude.
- Link your nominees within your post.
- Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
- Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award.

Heather of Gofita's Pages

Kals of At Pemberley

Lexie of Poisoned Rationality

Mary of Bookfan

Meg of Yesterday's Tuna

Polish Outlander

Popin's Lair

Rebecca of Everything To Do With Books

Rhiannon of Rhiannon Hart

Trisha of Trisha's Book Blog

*note: daily posts this week of my awards received and passalongs are in honor of last week's BBAW. Cheers for all those involved with the blogger appreciation event!

Vampire Diaries s1.3

Vampire Diaries
Episode 3
Friday Night Bites
Thursday night on CW

-my weekly segment for my Vampire Diaries challenge and Helluva Halloween

Synopsis from TV Guide:
Stefan joins the football team after an impressive athletic display. Elsewhere, Elena invites Stefan and Bonnie to dinner in hopes that they will bond, but Damon disrupts the evening with an unexpected visit; an act of violence shocks the town.

My thoughts:

I'm still liking this show. It's my vampire candy for the week.

I liked the dinner scene when Stefan tells Bonnie about Salem witches being independent and head strong.

OMG! The slap scene was a show stopper.

Damon continues to be of interest. From the last scene of him and Elena, we see that he has a teeny tiny bit of humanity in him despite his evil display.

Anyone, any time, any place. - Damon

Team Stefan.

Blogosphere bit:

Ian Somerhalder interview with Eonline

Excerpts:

Damon starts out pretty darn evil—is he likely to soften, or is that something he'll stick with for a while?

He sticks with it for a little while. I think that's his thing, and he has such a good time doing it. There are moments where you may see some sort of humanity in him, and there are moments when you may see that he may not be as intense as he appears to be.

The books tell a fairly wide-ranging story. Do you see the TV series falling more on the epic, romance side of things or small-town gothic side of things?

The beautiful thing about Kevin is that he has this ability to mix together a genre, the small-town aspect of it, and take epic romantic aspects of it and then the scary aspect of it, where when you finally settle into your seat or couch a little bit, it pops up and makes you jump. To answer your question, I don't see it in any one given place. I see it as a mixture of all those elements.

Finally started reading my copy of book 1 - The Awakening.

I might be biased because I watched the show before reading the book. But, I love the TV Elena more than the book one. Maybe this will change as I continue reading.

And yes, as everyone has been saying there are differences. But ya know, I don't mind... yet.

Are you watching this show? and what did you think?

If you missed the original airing time, you can do what I did.

Watch any of the episodes online for free at Cast TV (click pic to view):

Hybrid by Angie L. Reed

Hybrid
by Angie L. Reed

Published: June 2009
Genre: Romance, Vampires
Paperback: 300 pages
Rating: 4

Inspiration: my R.I.P. challenge, Helluva Halloween challenge and Weekly Zombies (check out the latest zombie reviews and blogosphere finds)

Description from amazon.com: Just when you think you have read and seen it all, something new dawns on the horizon. Julian, Max and Emily open a new door into the unreal, a door that will mesmerize the reader with shocking unexpected twists and turns as a new generation of vampires is revealed.

My thoughts:
In-a-word(s): I am neither good, nor bad, neither angel nor devil, I am a man, I am a vampire.- Michael Romkey. I, Vampire.

Don't be fooled by the book cover. This is a YA vampire novel. Well sorta. There's a twist. It's a story of half human/ half vampire creatures.

Being a YA novel the first half of the book covers all the trials and tribulations of a teen girl fitting into a new school in a small town. Fortunately, the assimilation into the new school goes well. Friends, popularity and a boyfriend come easily for the main character, Emily.

You get brief peeks into Emily's past which provides a mystery element into the story. But for the most part, the first half of the book puts you into a false sense of security.

The second half of the book picks up with some vampir-ish action. I say "ish" because you don't get neck biting. However, you get introduced to the whole concept of a Hybrid. This part of the story is what fascinated me.

Oh yeah, there's also a love triangle. ;-D

Then, it ends with a doozy of cliffhanger. To me, the story has just begun and I look forward to what book 2 has to offer.

Loved the vampire quotes and references that prefaced each chapter. One in particular that was an interesting tidbit was a picture in the intro pages.

The Great Wall of China during the Ming Dynasty, Home of Ursulus, The Original Vampire, 1368-1644 A.D.

Series:
Hybrid
Bloodling

Interview with Angie

Excerpt:

When did you decide to start writing and why?

I decided to write Hybrid after reading Stephanie Meyer’s series Twilight. I was inspired by Renesmee who is half human and half vampire.

And, check out Angie's site to win a copy of Hybrid during her November giveaway!

Zombie sighting:
Mom thought it was a zombie flick--that is why she rented it.
page 164

*Will you be watching Vampire Diaries tonight?

Agency dress

If books were dresses...

(a weekly post where I create fashionable wear with book cover art)

The Agency
A Spy In the House
by Y.S. Lee - my review

Released date: September 2009



a mystery...

Description from amazon.com:
This is a colourful, action-packed Victorian detective novel centred around the exploits of 'agent' Mary Quinn. At a young age, Mary is rescued from the gallows by a woman masquerading as a prison warden. She is taken to Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls. The school, Mary learns, is a front for a private investigation agency and, at 17, she is taken on as an agent. In her new role she is catapulted into the family home of the Thorolds to investigate the shady business dealings of Mr Thorold.

I have this book on my bookshelf and will be reading it next week for part of my R.I.P. challenge.

*source for silhoutte

Beautiful Bingo Award

OH Boy!

BINGO Award

I'm O for outstanding!
Thanks to Kals of At Pemberley

This award was started by Bookin With BINGO and
here are the rules: This "B-I-N-G-O" BEAUTIFUL BLOG AWARD
means that this blog is...

B: Beautiful - Zombie Girrrl of Crackin Spines and Takin Brains

I: Informative - Misty of Book Rat

N: Neighborly - Eleni of La Femme Readers

G: Gorgeous - Heather of Gofita's Pages

O: Outstanding - Celia of adventures of cecelia bedelia

*note: daily posts this week of my awards received and passalongs are in honor of last week's BBAW. Cheers for all those involved with the blogger appreciation event!

Waiting on Wednesday - 16

I'm waiting for...

-another zombie book

State of Decay
by James Knapp

Release date: February 2, 2010

Description from author site:
Would you allow the military to reanimate your corpse, knowing it would commit atrocities, if it meant avoiding service in a brutal war during your lifetime?

What if your level of citizenship depended on your answer? To gain a chance at a better life, or feed your family, which would you choose then? Or would you choose neither, and accept a life of hardship and poverty?

What if you came face to face with your own death, and realized too late you had made the wrong decision?

FYI: James is looking for artists (like maybe, ahem, Zombie Girrrl ???) to make some creations for his promo site.

Oh yeah, I wanted to mention that James is the brother of Eric D. Knapp, author of Cluck (see my review).

* Waiting on Wednesday
was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine

American Zombie (2007)

American Zombie (2007)

Director: Grace Lee
Writer(s): Grace Lee
Rebecca Sonnenshine
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Zombies
Rating: 4

Inspiration: Weekly Zombies - check out September Zombies for more zombie posts and if you have a zombie post for the week please comment below with your links and Helluva Halloween

Description from imdb:
A documentary of the daily lives of a small community of the living deceased who make their home in Los Angeles.

Zombie speed: doesn't come into play

Zombification: due to a virus that is dormant until death for certain people

Zombie mode: this is the movie that introduced me to 3 types of zombies
- feral
- low-functioning
- high-functioning

My thoughts:
In-a-word(s): creepy

Zombies aka Revenants

This documentary follows the lives of 4 zombies living in L.A. The zombies living among us are presented as a small community who experience prejudices and injustices like those found in racism and classism.

For the sake of the story the filmmakers manage to get invited to an annual festival gathering called Live Dead which is slated for zombies only.

As the film progresses, the filmmakers find out more than they need to know about this sub-culture.

There's no brain feasting or rabid zombies in this flick. Or at least none that were revealed on the camera... Although it did scare me. It was Blair Witch Project kind of scary.

Ewww moment: Lisa character goes to a healer due to her maggot problem.

Cluck: Murder Most Fowl by Eric D. Knapp

Cluck: A Murder Most Fowl

by Eric D. Knapp

Published: 2007

Genre: Zombies (chickens not humans)

Paperback: 340 pages

Rating: 4

Inspiration: my R.I.P. challenge and Weekly Zombies (weekly post to share my latest zombie reviews and blogosphere finds) and Helluva Halloween

Description from the amazon:

Cluck is many things. At its heart, it is a story of the epic conflict between good and evil, guilt and innocence, man and chicken. It's about making a difference in a crazy world, and breaking free of the confines of tradition.

Cluck is a playful cross between humor and horror; a delicate balance that leaves a smile on your face and a shiver down your spine. It is an award-winning piece of literary fiction that elevates itself above the ridiculous premise upon which is was written, yet it remains fun, a free-spirited and colorful adventure.

My thoughts:

In-a-word: exorcist

Supernatural elements are at work (or play) in this story about a "special" kind of exorcism.

You'll enjoy a battle between the Exorciste de Volaille (poulty exorcist) and ghost/zombie chickens.

As you can guess, there are more LOL moments than gore. This is a fun way to learn about chicken antics - like floating tomatoes...

The difference between a zombie, a ghost, a ghoul, etc., largely depends on the amount of leftover flesh and the degree of opacity. The common denominators are "dead" and "walking the earth" and "terrifying." -page 215

Super Comments Award

Outstanding!
Super Comments Award
Thanks to Celia of adventures with cecelia bedelia
These bloggers leave awesome comments – they make you laugh, think, and offer encouragement and support. In other words, they’re freaking awesome.

Nominations:

Here are my nominees who have commented about Austen, vampires, YA books or zombies:

austenfan of Fiction Bites... Reality Does it Better!

Briana of B.A.M. Reviews

Colette of A Buckeye Girl Reads

Eleni of La Femme Readers

Elnice of Ellz Reads

Heather of Gofita's Pages

Jo of Ink and Paper

J.T. of Bibliofreak

Kals of At Pemberley

Mary of Bookfan

Meg of Yesterday's Tuna

Misty of Book Rat

Nicole of Books and Bards

Polish Outlander

Rebecca of Everything To Do With Books

Rhiannon of Rhiannon Hart

Titania86 of Fishmuffins of Doom

Trisha of Trisha's Book Blog

Zombie Girrrl of Crackin Spines and Takin Names (Brains)

*note1: I was not clear on how many nominations to select so I picked out my recent commentors who (i think) do not already have this award.

*note2: daily posts this week of my awards received and passalongs are in honor of last week's BBAW. Cheers for all those involved with the blogger appreciation event!

Helluva Halloween Challenge

~~ completed ~~

by the pricking of my thumb

something wicked this way comes

- Macbeth by Shakespeare

I'm gonna join Misty's Helluva Halloween Challenge at the Book Rat (along with my bazillion other challenges) this month which runs to the end of October. ;-D

This challenge is pretty fun one where you read or watch and post on things scary or supernatural. Check out details here.

Misty has got some interesting posts at her site:
Spotlight On: Zombies
Spotlight On: Ghosts
Spotlight On: Ghouls

Spotlight On: Witches

Spotlight On: Haunted Houses
Spotlight On: Shapeshifters

Spotlight On: Vampires

Stay tuned for my scary-like posts starting this week.

Ghosts:

Japanese Female Ghosts

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman - my review

Ring by Koji Suzuki - my review pt 1

Ring by Koji Suzuki - my review pt 2

Black Hair part of Kaidan - my movie review

Woman in the Snow part of Kaidan - my movie review

Shapeshifters:

Alien

Collie

Wak-Wak

Zombie books:

Cluck: Murder Most Fowl by Eric D. Knapp - my review

This Year's Class Picture by Dan Simmons (short story) - my review

Tokyo Zombie by Yusaku Hanakuma - my review

Rot by Michele Lee - my review

Zombie movies:

American Zombie (2007) - my review

Zombieland (2009) - my review

Zombie misc:

Equestrian Zombie

How to Become a Zombie in Six Easy Steps by Nicole Krueger

vvb's zombie haiku

Vampire books:

Vampire Haiku by Ryan Mecum - my review

Hybrid by Angie L. Reed - my review

Vampire Diaries: The Awakening by L. J. Smith - my review

Vampire movies/tv:

Vampire Diaries - various entries

Witches:

The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry - my review

Wicked: The Musical - my review

Other things Halloween-ish:

Haunted Houses - Disneyland Haunted Mansion

Call of the Cthulhu by H.P. Lovecraft - my review

In My Mailbox - 16

Bought:

Legacy

by Cayla Kluver

- fantasy

This is one that was selected by Paradox of Paradoxical for her YA pick from my Ultimate Zombie giveaway. It looked so interesting I just had to get one for myself.

Pontypool changes everything

by Tony Burgess

- zombies

I read the chilling review from Fishmuffins of Doom and was taken.

For review:

(thanks Nicole!)

Only Milo

by Barry Smith - my review

- a mystery

I'll be reviewing this one October 29 with a giveaway offer!

*In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. A post where we share books acquired via mailbox, library, store, etc.

Mad Men s3.5

Mad Men Season 3, Episode 5 

The Fog 

Sunday night on AMC

Episode Synopsis from TV Guide:

Concern over Sally's behavior causes Don and Betty to act; opportunistic Pete tries to work a new angle into his business dealings; and an odd dream has a strange effect on Betty. 

My thoughts:

-my weekly segment

-for a great recap go to What's Alan Watching?

There is so much going on in the show on so many different levels and layers and overall. I've decided that I'm going to post my brief thoughts on the women of the show. 

Betty - this episode was Betty-centric. She is so focused on her baby's arrival that she does not want to deal with daughter, Sally's problems. So it goes in all episodes.  

It was interesting to learn that in the 60s, the preparation for birthing included a shave and enema. Wonder if the demerol was standard procedure or optional like today.

Poor Betty, her situation with the new addition to her family does not bode well for a soul that wants more to life.

Sally - finally has a Daddy bonding moment with Don

Peggy - she has a great assertive nature to go right up to Don and talk about a raise. Too bad the outcome is not what she wanted. The cliffhanger now is whether or not her loyalty to Don and Sterling Cooper will keep her in place.

Joan - not seen much, but interesting to note that she was included in a board meeting

Miss Farrell - Sally's teacher is portrayed as the sad spinster teacher. The scene with her on the phone with her bra strap falling down her arm and a drink in her hand was very telling.

Quotes that got me:

The worst fear lies in anticipation. - Don

What if this is my time? - Peggy

*source of image: Don and Betty’s Paradise Lost by Bruce Handy

Winner - Mad Men and Jane Austen

Mad Men and Jane Austen - Winner

Thanks to all contestants!

Please note: The winner was selected with random.org. I shall be emailing the lucky winner for snail mail info. If you don't receive it, please feel free to send your info to vvb32 at yahoo.com

and the winner is...

( drrrrrrrrrrummmmrolllllllllllllll )

Rhiannon 

of Rhiannon Hart

Fashion is important from Bath to New York, 

but Jane just can't resist those Krispy Kremes. 

Forever on the hips is fine by her.

The prize:

Contest question:

Inspired by the Mad Men tv series and the book Jane Bites Back, I wondered what Jane Austen would look like in the 60's.

What would your Jane look like?

Here is my depiction of Jane in the 60's (minus fangs) using the Mad Men creator:

I can totally see her as part of the pool of working gals at Sterling Cooper. She'd be the mousy quiet type that smokes and drinks coffee like everyone else. The ad agency would be a perfect place for her to get juicy gossip and heavy drama for books that she ghostwrites at night and on weekends.

Check out the other contestant posts here.