The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason

"I read The Piano Teacher," I told a friend. "It was so good."
"You should read The Piano Tuner," she replied.
"No, no," I said, "I read The Piano Teacher."
"Right, but you should also try reading The Piano Tuner."
"Oh," I paused. "This is a different book?"
"That's what I've been saying," my friend said, shaking her head.

And so, from the library I rented The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason. After my friend and I figured out we were talking about two separate and completely different books, I realized we never actually discussed the books. I had Mike load it up on my iPod and began listening with open mind. Sad to say, the beginning was very, very slow. Full of information of the political state of Burma during the Sh an uprising, the book opens with a piano tuner being sent into the country of Burma to tune a piano for the surgeon major in the British army. Once past descriptions of countryside, travel, and people, the story does pick up a bit as the piano tuner, Edgar Drake, becomes more involved with the life in his little corner of Burma. The story ends well, albeit sadly, and leaves a lasting impression on its readers. I highly recommend the Author's Note at the end as it does divide the fiction in the story with the historical adventures that did actually take place; it also makes sheds a bit of a better light on the very slow start of the story.

A New Vegetable

Noel's second grade class is readingThe Enormous Turnip in school. This was how today's after school conversation went:

"Mommy, we tasted a turnip today!"

"Oh yeah, how did that go?"

"BBBLLLLLEEEEEECCCHHHH!!!"

Favorite Quote Right Now

"...every lover is in his heart a mad man and in his head a minstrel."
--Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Favorite Quote Right Now

"Sometimes, he realized, there is nothing you can do."
--Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Zhu Zhu Pets

Have you seen the commercials for these little toys yet? My kids yell for them every time they show up on the NickToons channel between episodes of Avatar, Wolverine and the X-Men, and Iron Man. What are they? Little robotic droids in hamster fur that run around in little hamster balls and have little hamster habitats. All of these things are purchased separately, of course.

I am actually not opposed to this idea. As I will not allow furry little rodents to run around wild, or caged, in my house, I'm okay with supplying my children with fake hamsters that have on/off switches that I can flip whenever a child leaves onoe of them lying around under my feet. So this morning I jumped online to try and find out more--mainly cost--about these life-like toy hamsters. I brought up Google, typed in Zhu Zhu Pets, and hit enter. My laughter did not allow me to go any further. The second search result was titled: Zhu Zhu Pets: Just Like a Hamster Without the Mess and Death.

It was an article regarding the new toy (coming out nationwide to Wal-Mart and Target in the fall,) but, wow. I don't think I ever would have expected that as a title for a children's toy! I'm still laughing!

Since You've Been Gone - Days 3 & 4

A Piece of My Heart for Sierra

I can't even begin to tell you anything that is happening here in Illinois. I am too devastated and shocked over the loss of Sierra. It is at points like this where you sit back and ask no one in particular, "Really? After everything else, I now have to deal with this?!?!"
Sierra the dog will be missed terribly by all who knew her. Her loyalty, bravery, and uncanny sense of knowing when something was wrong will be hard to find in another animal. I am glad her ashes are being sent on to California, and I am glad you were there to help the family deal with this new tragedy. They have already been through much too much. We love you and miss you and are still crying over the loss of Sierra.

Grommet, where could you be? Your family needs you.

Since You've Been Gone - Day 2

Notes from Illinois to Amarillo, TX
Okay, technically, we are into Day 3, but I was exhausted last night and couldn't keep my eyes open to do anything. Sorry! I still thought about you all day, though. Before I review yesterday, I have huge exciting news. I figured out how to end my story!! I am thrilled beyond belief. 3:21 this morning, wide awake (of course) and listening to "Stories" sung by Paul Tiernan, fittingly enough. The resolution is perfect and will work well into the plot. I am just afraid it may be too girly, but I can't see anyway around it. I still have time to twist and tweak in my head as I write up to the ending. I am so excited!! School starts soon so hopefully I will be able to get in some good solid hours of writing 5 days a week.
As for life in Day 2, it went okay. I took my pills, did my Copaxone shot, and actually ate all 3 meals. You should be very proud. It rained and poured, so Cooper was not all that much fun to deal with, and please come home soon so you can kiss the rugburn on my knee where he dragged me across the floor. Michael ordered a cheeseburger, Noel had a shrimp basket, and Caroline loved her french toast and bacon for dinner. Caroline, of course, is the only one without any leftovers. We had playmates over yesterday, so the kids' rooms are messy again, but I promise they will be clean again before you come home. As for myself, I have laundry and vaccuming to do. I've kept up on the dishes. Woohoo! My grandma has The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax to read. Your parents are going up to see your sister and family this weekend. We'll be visiting my mom laster today for her birthday.

We all love you and miss you. Kiss and hug everyone for me and drive safely through today.
P.S. Did you know the milkman shows up at 3am!?!?