The Hornes: We Read So You Don't Have To

2010-03-12T12:52:00.000-08:00

I remember worry dolls. I think my parents brought some home or else Mr. Manley gave them to me. I could use some right now.

Aaron and I have been in a world of constant change since July. We are so grateful for the opportunities we have been given but sometimes, even if you have the bike you need, you still have to learn to ride it.

So we've been looking for a house which has proven to be a little more worry prone than we imagined. I was told looking for a home was fun....its not.

Cutting by Steven Levenkron

2009-08-08T12:33:00.000-07:00

Probably the best psychological book I have ever read. The book describes the practise, reasoning and treatment of cutting. Where does self mutilation come from? Why do people do hurt themselves on purpose? What do they get out of it? The great questions answered plainly in the book through case study and hypothesis.

Think of the act of self mutilation as a painting or performance. The act is an expression, a release from all the horrors that exists within these people, 80% of which are female. The act is very symbolic and even the way it is done and how it is presented all mean something.

If there is one thing I have learned in my brief study of the psychological deviance in people is that the mind and body will always express itself, no matter what. I do not care what it is, how long ago it was or how insignificant it may be. The mind will work through the body to express how it is dealing with the world. It may come out harmlessly or very harmfully, it is all dependant on the person. There are even cases within the book where the individual would cut themselves subconsciously, waking up on the side of the road bleeding and no memory of how she got there.

In self mutilation the expression is felt in several ways, the pain and the visual representation. The burning accompanied with the blistering or bubbling skin, the cut associated with the blood dripping from the skin. All very powerful representations of the mental turmoil living withing the people. I have known some to make burn drawing in there skin or scaring in the form of a picture represented of there pain. It is amazing what the body will do to try to find peace.

Sadly the pain and scaring is more akin to addiction then actual expression. Though the client may feel better it is for a fleeting moment and provides no real release but in actuality perpetuates the inner torment as the individual realises what they have come to. It is a vicious cycle that can only be broken with years of treatment.

Again, like most books in the psychological realm you have to read through the ego of the writer letting them love themselves every few pages to get to the good stuff but it was worth it. A very good book, simply written that would allow all interested in the subject to finish with a sound understanding of the topic

In that moment (internal monolouge)

2009-08-05T13:33:00.000-07:00

Lord help me. I am not sure if that was an obscenity or an actual plea for celestial help. Help? I don't want help I want someone to do this for me. I want someone who will wrap me in a blanket of peace and comfort ,take that stage and preform brilliantly. That said person will then allow me all the credit when it is over. That is how God works, right?

That does not sound right, but I have no faith in myself to handle this. I am at one of those moments right now, that happen all too often, where the nature of my charter, the content of my heart, my abilities as a holistic individual are to be summed up and presented in a few sentences. I become either great, horrid or not good enough in moments to swiftly over generalized.

It is at these moments that we exist so close to the flames of hell and the glory of heaven that we have a hard time telling the difference. What do I say? Do I want to keep it simple allowing others to make assumptions, draw there own conclusions and in turn allow myself personal denyability. Or, do I make a strong statement allowing for no deviation reflecting assurety and courage?

I know the reaction I want. I want them to come up to me staring, blinking with astonishment, shaking my hand with vigour and a simple statement. " That was great son, thank you" That is how you know reality from the play. The face tells you all you need to know about true gratuity. I have seen it before and I want that now, but how do I get it?

The right person would know the right thing to do, or do they? Are we all actors, playing a role assuming a part that gives us what we want? Are most of our conversations telling people what they want to hear, or as close as we can do that? How good of a salesmen am I at selling myself?

Damn it! This has become too complicated. I resign myself to the natural state of my words that have more of a reflection of how I feel at the moment rather then who I am and how I really feel. If only I could get you to understand that, but that is probably not what you want to hear and will not get me any where.

The Lucifer Effect by Philip Zimbardo

2009-08-05T12:46:00.000-07:00

Who is Lucifer? Simply, Lucifer was an angel. We are told from different sources that he was one of the greatest. What it takes to be a great or greatest angel? I am not sure, but the point being he was good, possibly very good, and then went very bad.

So the question and answer the book proposes is: what makes good or ordinary people, felons, murderers, drug addicts, thieves or more generally speaking, bad?

Do not want to read the book to find the answer? Well, I can give you the abridged version. We all have the capability to assume one of the roles listed above. Don't believe you have it in you? Look into the Milgram experiment wherein we first realize that any where from 60 to 80% of the population has the mentally justifiable resources to take innocent human life. The experiment has been done umpteen times over 40 years and the out comes rests between 60 to 80%

Here is a simple list of mental or psychological resources used to allows us to be bad

1. dehumanization: The typical German population thought of the Jewish community as monsters. The U.S. government demonized the whole Asian population by making brash and over generalizations and stereotyping "Japs" as something other then men.

2. Deniablity/Rationalization/3rd party influence: " I was just following orders". "Satan made me do it". " The ends justified the means". "Every one was doing it". " I did not know any better because I was beaten as a kid".

3. Moral disengagement: In a firing squad it was typical for only one person to have a working bullet and none of them knew who had the blank and who had the real bullet. Jews themselves decided who was to go into the gas chamber that day. The guy turning the knob to turn on the gas never watched them die nor did he go in to make sure all were dead, he just turned the knob.

4. Autonomy: They do not know me and I do not know them, therefore it is easier.

That is a short list but I think you get the idea.

It was an interesting book. It requires constant thinking and the ability to read pass the ego, as is the case with most psychology books that I have read.

Some may recognize the name of the author because he was the leader in a highly publicized experiment at Stanford during the late sixties. He rehashes the whole experiment in the book, which is relevant, but it does not take log to realize where the experiment is going and does become tedious. I did not become depressed reading the book thinking that any moment I could randomly kill but realized I was human and therefore capable of making mistakes. The author does well to keep the book intellectual and does not project his psychological theories on the reader but is obviously less then pleased with the Bush administration and goes through many chapters regarding the Abu Ghraib incident.

If you are in a thinking read mood then give it a try but do not expect it to be a quick read. I would even suggest skipping the chapters that do not interest you.

2009-06-08T09:22:00.000-07:00

Yeeeeeeaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! Its finally happened, I am starting a new job at Heald college in Rancho Cordova on the 22nd!! So this means we can finally move. I will be posting pictures of our move and new place and farewell parties as we go.

2009-05-19T22:07:00.000-07:00

So today I came thisclose to be homeless. I was looking at my walls with my paintings and thinking, "I am going to have to take those down and put them where?"

I spent all day trying to work things out and at about 5:30pm they finally did. I still have a home.

I still plan to be homeless at the end of July though. I have to say as the day gets darker I am getting more and more afraid of the unknown. Stephen King has fear down so right, the scariest things are the things we do not know. How can we prepare for something we don't know? If I know for a fact that under my bed is a monster, I can make some plans to deal with that.

So tomorrow I have another interview, probably my 5th, over the phone. I want the job, I'd be so awesome at it...but I don't have high hopes. This is because I don't think anyone really wants to hire a voice. Which sucks because my in person self is so bangin'.

I hope that come July I don't have to take that huge plunge and find out first hand what is under my bed. In any case, I am bringing a sword.

2009-04-22T23:52:00.000-07:00

Cassie: So can I be real witchu?

You: Be real!

Cassie: Imma be real witchu.

Why is Life such a gamble at every turn (Life is pictured above)? Life decides what happens to me. And Life even decides that no matter what, Life is going to screw me over one way or another. Life tells me that if I want money, I can't have the future I want. So then I reason with Life and say, "I will give it all for the nookie!" And so Life laughs at me, truly entertained by my naivety, and tells me that if I give it all for the nookie I will have no money to have the future I want. So then I say "well screw you Life! SCREW you and that little horse you road in on." And then Life laughs at me because he knows someone who reads this blog is going to be offended. Well, can you blame me right now? And if you say yes please know I don't feel I owe you an apology. (But for real baby, forgive me).

Crazy

2009-04-20T23:56:00.000-07:00

Today I imagined paint spilling out of my eyes, errupting from my ears, blasting out of my nose. Work has a way of smushing me into a little box and stuffing in every last strand of hair to be sure they close the lid on me securely. I'm not fitting in this box, guys!! This job was meant for someone who didn't really want to do much but get paid. And yes, it is paying and I'm ever so thankful.

All these years and years and god awful years I've spent loathing my creative self, surpressing my inner wild, teaching myself how to be cookie cutter only to come to the realization that I need to undo it all. Whether I like it or not I am always going to be crazy, up and down, this way and that, freakish, odd, creative, wild and utterly uncontained. God it feels so GOOD to be embracing my roots.

I'm writing again, I'm painting again, I'm composing again and I'm going to wear my David Bowie shirt to work. Try to stop me.

Nephews

2009-04-19T21:18:00.000-07:00

These are some pictures of my younger nephews. Red head is David and the blonde is Doug. Thought I should post some recent pictures. David was on the brink of a melt down before Aaron hitched him on his shoulders. A whole new perspective!!

Doug I think was a little over stimulated by all the people around.

2009-04-15T22:49:00.000-07:00

So not long ago I tried to win a David Bowie shirt on ebay that looked like this. I lost in a heated battle when I wouldn't pay more than $50 for it. I was sad and I could hear David Bowie singing "Within You" whislt a single tear trailed down my cheek.

But THEN I found this wonderful artist at ETSY.com, Suzanne Sarver! Check out her stuff: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6544583

So she is making me this one of a kind shirt, custom made (below). Jealous? You should be, because it is soooooo coooooool.

2009-03-31T23:09:00.000-07:00

Aaron and I have been watching American Idol since Bo Bice days. Yes, I know the show is obnoxious. I hate Seacrest, no one can understand Paula yadda yadda.

This year we have Adam Lambert, probably the best singer, let alone contestant, I've heard in while. The range of Freddie Mercury, the soul of large black woman and the entertainment of a Vegas show. I am just waiting for when he can step away from AI and get himself a tour going. I will be in the front row to amplify the amount of crotch thrusts and costumes I get to see.

Close Encounters of the Horne Kind

2009-01-20T11:35:00.000-08:00

Despite that amazingly cheesy title, I must admit I am excited to go to sleep lately knowing that my dreams will bring me inter-galactic adventures.

It all started with slo-mo purple lightening that slowly snaked it’s way to the ground and beamed up all those in sight. Quite naturally I hid.

Next dream, I entered a part of town where bizarre social experiments were being conducted by aliens. All those who tried to leave were promptly zapped by laser beams. I dug a tunnel under the boarder and shielded myself from detection by dressing in heavy lead. Can you believe everyone thought I was out of my mind?

Last night. The world as we know it was changed when an nuclear missile was launched at Greenland and made all the earth’s water toxic. Humankind evacuated on a large spaceship (think WALL-E) for one year. When we returned, the water was indeed still poisoned and we slowly died out as a race.

I gather that this all means that I am really nervous about moving to Sacramento.

2008-11-13T21:22:00.000-08:00

The Handmaid's Tale was actually a book I had to read for class out of a list of several banned books. I am shocked that this book never found my hands before. But then again, I would probably be shocked at all the books that will never meet me but probably should.

This was written but Margaret Attwood, an author my instructor has been sure to SEVERAL times let us know is Canadian. I think this is because my instructor is Canadian and hell, she gets a kick out of being Canadianically related. Yes, I just made up that word.

The story follows a handmaid, a woman that is forced to serve under a Commander who is the man of the household. She is only to be someone that is fertile for an infertile couple. They have weekly ceremounious intercourse that involves the wife of the commander laying behing the handmaid.

This book is a sort of woman's 1984. It was banned for the sexual content but mainly for it's portrayal of the Catholic religion. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend reading this book if you are a woman. I don't think it is a "male" book. But man, all you need to do is read the first chapter and I won't even have to persuade you. IT-IS-GOLD!!!

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

2008-09-11T21:47:00.000-07:00

I frequent headaches lately inbetween my eyes. This could be the fact that my eyes have changed again and I am waiting for my new glasses. OR it could be that there are so many things in the air right now.

Because I can't really disclose what it is that will be changing (very soon) I will relate how I feel. It is as if I was standing in the dark and threw 16 knifes into the air and I was waiting to see if they all stuck to the ceiling or if one was coming back down to murder me. That is to say both Aaron and I are very stressed. Very.

Monterey

2008-08-19T01:11:00.000-07:00

Aaron and I had the opportunity to go to Monterey this summer with Courtney and Jared. Some of my favorite parts were finally getting my feet in the cold, wet sand and having the best lunch of my life at a French cottage in Carmel. We can't wait to go back!

Invisible Monsters

2008-08-19T00:43:00.000-07:00

Palahniuk made me relate to a character I would never relate to realistically in this book. And perhaps that is disturbing. He made me laugh at inappropriate things on Christmas morning and smile to see a bride's dress torched. Ah. I loved it! If it ever becomes a movie I just ask that Christopher Walken play the father.

This story follows a former fashion model after a car accident that leaves her disfigured and mute. Brandy Alexander as her guide in her new body, heaven help us. Suspense to follow, everything tying together to a brilliant end I never saw coming. Palahniuk fans, read it!

Lullaby

2008-08-19T00:09:00.000-07:00

So I love Chuck Palahniuk. I would only meet him in a very public place and at least 5 yards between us but, I love him.

Lullaby is about a man who is seeking out a culling song to be destroyed from ever being used. A culling song being something originally sung to people who were dying to ease them into their next life. This song, misused, is responsible for the death of hundreds of children as it is printed in a book found in any given library.

I read Lullaby hoping for a good fix. I have to admit, I was slightly disappointed. Maybe I wasn't that into it because I have been more in the mood for a rather *ahem* delayed Half Blood Price...but it seems there was too much repetition. It follows a definite formula and I have grown to love that his books do NOT follow a formula. I kind of felt every chapter was the same chapter. Eh.

An "OMG" Moment

2008-07-13T12:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday night I received an email that I have been waiting for since I was 13. My favorite childhood author and writing mentor, Bruce Coville, sent me an email that simply said "It's out, it's early. They are shipped and already on the shelves." Book three of the Unicorn Chronicles was about a decade in the making. It was set to be out August 1st but I received my beautiful detailed copy yesterday!

So for any fellow fans out there, happy reading. And to dear Bruce, happy writing on the 4th one!

2007-12-30T12:29:00.000-08:00

Well it was a long bumpy ride for Aaron and I this last year. We spent much of our time clipping coupons, playing softball, rushing from work to classes, sitting in dentist chairs and filling out employment applications. We are starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel.

Christmas was/has been a wonderful time. We got to spend some good time with Aaron's mother who's health has dramatically improved. Every year we get to know Kendall, her husband, better and we adore him.

We are living out in the ASU housing on Williamsfield and thoroughly enjoy our home with a great view of the mountains. You can't really beat the low rent and large houses.

Aaron will have his BA in March and will start his Masters program and will hopefully finding a job that doesn't make him insane. He has had the oppurtunitiy to play football just about every weekend, which he enjoys, but would like to get a part in a play.

I, Cassie, just returned to the known evil this is University of Phoenix. However, I've started working at the ground campus rather than online and this has already proven to be a lesser evil. I enjoy my job, the people and my manager. I am slowly but surely approaching the end of my AA. When working full time I only sign up for two night/internet classes at a time. Although I do have the option to transfer all my credits back to Eastern Arizona College after this next semster and get my AA that way.

All in all, we are doing really well. In fact,I am constantly surprised how well we are doing. Call it planning, call it luck or blessings. Whatever it is, we're happy.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

2007-12-30T11:24:00.000-08:00

My half sister-in-law, Rene, reads probably close to the amount I did when I was her age. This has lead us to buy books for each other as presents and up until Twilight Rene always hit the nail right on the head for the kind of book I would enjoy. This book can be described in three words: teen, thriller, romance. I don't like teen novels, I can hardly stand romance novels but I do have a soft spot for thrillers and vampires. So about every 3rd page I found something I enjoyed.

The premise of Twilight is Isabella, a young, rather pretty and klutzy, woman who falls for a dashing 17 year old vampire, Edward, with a blood lust for exactly Isabella's blood. Their romance is stuttered by secrets and obvious differences in diet. Although I do not like romances I will throw Meyer a bone and admit that the romance was easy to root for. I would not classify this book as a vampire book. To suggest so is to slap Anne Rice in the face.

Did this book make me want to read the sequel? No. But did I get general enjoyment out of it? Yes.

Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk

2007-11-01T23:22:00.000-07:00

Haunted is quite possibly the only book I will ever say that I both adored it but would never recommend it to another reader. This is because I cannot assume someone can tolerate the level of disgusting gore that I put up with, especially through that first stomach churning chapter. This is a story that has us stumbling and gagging until the very last page. I know this doesn't make you want to go out and read it and I urge you not to bearing me in mind.

The magic of this book is threefold. Chuck gives us a story, mangled back stories and poetry. Almost each chapter is prefaced by a poem about one of the characters who's names are as whimsical and telling as Comrade Snarky, Miss Sneezy and Saint Gut-Free. Some chapters follow the entire story while others are short stories written by one of the 17 characters. The story takes place at a writer's retreat where all these characters come together.

My favorite parts in Haunted were the short stories of the nightmare box and the bowling balls....of all things.

I will admit the story was choppy, too edgy and followed a rather weak storyline. I was okay with this because the character development and short stories were pages and pages of Turkish delight, I couldn't get enough of it. So, don't read it unless you were already planning to. Forgive the first chapter...and be warned of language...but if you can look past that, the story is amazing!

~Cassie~

The Ruins by Scott Smith

2007-11-01T23:11:00.000-07:00

Let me preface this review by noting that I am not a horror novel fan. This could have an impact on my general disliking for this book.The Ruins was a good idea that was over embellished. Good character development for the first 70 pages, though there were 5 characters that needed proper introduction. The story takes these 5 characters on a hike to find one of the character's brother. Entering into the ruins they find themselves unable to leave the site by force of the Mayan villagers nearby. Perhaps too quickly, they find that there is something rather unusual about the vegetation therein.

Like I said, the story was a good idea but as we discover who/what the adversary is, its hard not to laugh. But even suppressing the urge to laugh and giving it a shot, Smith destroys our tolerance.

The author had a few clumsy sexual parts that hardly had pertinence to character development or the story. I am one who can stand a sexual part in a book now and then, but it must build the story.

I can accept a lot of things, but this book was nothing short of a serious Little Shop of Horrors...and nobody wants to see that. I would only recommend this book to pure lovers of cheesy horror stories. To each their own.

~Cassie~

Seven Books in Two Months: 61 Pages a Day

2007-10-31T07:59:00.000-07:00

Like many before me, I've finished the Harry Potter series and have acute withdrawals. I read them all in just two months. There is something to be said for a writer who can create well over 80 characters, at least 50 of them being good round characters. Reading this series filled me with a foreboding sense of under achievement. Probably I will never write a series much less a single book that would be read by more than a handful of children who found my book by garage sale happenstance.

Anyway, love, love, loved Harry Potter! I recommend the series to any fantasy lovers. In fact, I recommend it period. My husband is a science fiction nut but he is rather enjoying the series as we speak (lucky). The books contain a lot of British *ahem* humour. I especially enjoyed Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. I only wish I would have had more restraint than to read them all in two months, I could be enjoying it now.

~Cassie~

Finances Are Adversely Related to UK Harry Potter Book Sets

2007-08-13T14:44:00.000-07:00

Like many I enjoy blogging simply because it gives me a sense of propriety.

Recently I have had a number of jobs not worth sticking around for, by this I mean two jobs. I am not a job hopper so switching jobs is something that is discontenting for me. However I do have something lined up that will not only pay the bills but will allow Aaron to quit his job to go full time for his Masters. Meanwhile I am left doing laundry, making eBay steals and running in the morning.

However, this time of year is always a little unnerving for me. August seems to be a sort of January because I live in the academic year. This is why I create playlists called Morning Tea and listen to it whilst I blog.

Aaron and I are doing really well. This doesn't mean anything big is happening, we just are the kind of people who can be happy knowing we are getting things done for the big picture, though we need reminding of this from time to time. Which is why I am ever so pleased that I've married someone quite my opposite.