Why men need us according to a female magazine

Once again, I almost threw up in my beverage when reading an amount of bullcrap. One of my facebook friends focussed my attention on this 'article', published on a Belgian website. Since it's in Dutch, I'll try to provide a translation without turning red and angry too much.

For those of you who speak Dutch, here's the link.

A little background information perhaps: the article was taken from the website flair.be. Flair is a Belgian magazine for women. It's pretty popular I guess, I bought it a couple of times some years back but it never really interested me. Hot topics this magazine covers weekly are fashion, make up advice, gossip, relationships, diets and sex. Nothing wrong with that of course, but sadly enough, this magazine never reached high levels when it comes to intelligence. Just like every womens magazine out there, the articles contain nothing more than a distorted idea of beauty and relationships. This weekly appearing piece of garbage is doing nothing more than confirming the differences between men and women. Since all womens magazines I've ever laid eyes on are doing this, I'll skip the magazine dissing and go straight to the article.

Here's my translation of this 'wisdom' provided to us by, of course, other women. Besides, putting it in the 'LOL' category on your website does not make it less serious, Flair, okay?


'Why men need us'

Evident: because they will be super happy. But that's not just it!

*Because 80% of them can't cook rice.

*If we wouldn't be there, they could not loudly laugh with their sexist jokes.

*Without us, they would only eat red meat and fries. And they would all die at age 40, after a heartattack.

*Without us, they would have no knowledge of the colours 'lightcoral' and 'royal blue'.

*Without us, they would go to work in white socks.

*Without us, they would become big, blood-thirsty beasts without hearts again.

*Without us, they would give their mother a cactus for Christmas.

*Without us, they would not know how much fun it is to play soccer with a mini-Peter in the yard.

*Without us, they would only have 3 topics of conversation: soccer, cars and the stock market. Now, at least they can also talk about the quality of cashmere, milk and essential spices and oils.

*Without us, they would have nothing to make eye at.

*Thanks to us they can show us their female side: 'Honey, can I borrow your hydrating cream for a second?'

*Who would love them? Who would tell them they are beautiful and strong?

*And most of all: they would become extinct.


Wow. It's been a while since I've seen that much amount of crap on one single webpage. This text is so pityful and so full of nonsense, I really wonder who the genius was that wrote it. I'll never know who it was, but I know one thing: it was a woman. And that makes it so much harder for me to swallow this. If a man had written this, I would've been upset, too. But coming from a woman, this tells me a lot of them out there really believe this crap. Who came up with this? Who taught it would be okay to post this? And even more important: how many women will read this and believe this to be true?

If a man makes a sexist remark and I hear it, I react. I won't start calling him names, but I will at least try to explain to him that what he says is not right. If he's too dumb to understand, which happens most of the time, I'll simply ignore him and put him on my mental blacklist. I'm really shocked that someone with the same body parts as me, the same struggles as me, is this dumb and ignorant.

It is exactly this kind of 'knowledge' that makes the differences between both sexes even wider. I don't give Jack shht about 'royal blue' or 'cashmere'. I know more about soccer than most of my guy friends combined. I don't want children. My boyfriend doesn't need to give his mother anything, he has to respect her. Men are still bloodthirsty beasts. I would slap my boyfriend in the face if he started talking about essential oils. Not because he is a man, but because I don't care about those subjects. Is that all we, women, have to contribute? Talking about shit you can buy with MONEY? Cooking rice? Laughing shyly when someone insults us?

Men and women still have a looooong road to go to get to the point where we can conversate and behave amongst each other. Sexism, just like racism, will never go away. But we could start with not writing 'articles' like this.


Sabetha
pissedofpenguin@gmail.com

Some updates on my personal life

Since I own this blog, I can write about whatever I want, including myself. I'm not that much into sharing everything that happens to me personally, but it will probably happen from time to time. Like now.

First and foremost, I'm proud to anounce I found a new studio! The contract is signed, plans are being made, overall I'm pretty happy with the place I'm gonna be living in for the next 2 years. It's smaller than my previous studio (which already is small), but much more cozy and with much more storing space. I really hope my son-of-a-bitch landlord will let me go without any real consequences. After all, I didn't do anything wrong, I just chose the wrong studio to live in.
I'm really satisfied with the choice I've made. Too bad you can't smoke in there, so I'll probably have to cut that habbit, or live with the fact I have to go outside everytime. It will probably be option 2.

Secondly, my school is starting again tomorrow. I'm starting my second year of nursing school, two more years to go and I can go back to work. I'll have classes for one week and after that, my internship will start again for 11 weeks. I really look forward to actually be in a hospital and do nursing stuff again. On the other hand, I've been sitting still and not doing anything besides read and write for about 3 months. So yeah, the first weeks will be a pain in the butt. But I'll finally have something to do again.
This means less posts. I do understand nobody really follows my blog, but you never know. I will still try to post at least twice a week.

Thirdly, I'm having a weird period in my life right now. I'm pretty sure studying nursing and moving to Antwerp were good choices I've made. Recently, I've begun to question other things I've done, now and it the past. I guess it's that moment in time when you have that little 'middle 20's' midlife-crisis and start questioning every solid ground you have in life. Or it could be me being a loony.

Anyway, a lot is going on right now, not only in my life but first and foremost, in the world we live in. We live in an interesting time. Since I've opened my eyes some months back, I've tried really hard to find a succesful way to cope with information. Starting this blog and writing some sentences really helps me a lot. I don't really care if nobody reads this. Don't get me wrong, I like it when people read my blog, and I would also like it if one of you left me a comment or sent me a quick mail. I like feedback, but at the end of the day, I write this blog for myself. Without it, I probably would have lost my mind.


Sabetha
pissedofpenguin@gmail.com

Sick teachers make children sit in detention for 8 straight hours. Learn here why! (And a personal story, too!)

I would like to start this post with telling a little story about when I was in kindergarten.
In Belgium and the Netherlands, we have a tradition called 'Sinterklaas', this old and wise man loves children, lives in Spain and brings present to all the kids who were good that year. Of course it's actually mom and dad, but over here, we all remember how it was like to wake up on the 6th of December, knowing there would be gifts and sweets downstairs, at the stoves. Sinterklaas carries his presents with him in a big bag, and it's this bag which played a crucial role in my strong and longlasting hatred for a certain kindergarten teacher.

A week before Sinterklaas would pay us all a visit, the teacher gave us a big piece of cardboard with a bag drawn on it. Our task was to collect pictures of the toys you would like to have, tear them out and glue them into the bag.
I always got 3 things: one from my parents, one from my mom's parents and one from my dad's parents. While all the other children started collecting and pasting all the stuff they wanted, it took me longer to find what I was searching for. I was really concerned about the fact I could only pick 3 things, since I knew I wouldn't get more, so I felt like it was my job to study each toy and think about it deeply.

I was 4 years old. My teacher, a heartless bitch my father once described as 'a witch who can only smile if she sees her salary', wasn't really happy with me taking my time. After an hour, my work wasn't done because I was still wondering if I wanted a Play-Doh set or Duplo blocks. Without any warning, the teacher lashed out at me, dragged me out of the classroom, and let me stand in the hallway for half an hour because I wasn't doing what I was supposed to do. When she returned, I tried to explain to her why I couldn't just choose anything, but she yelled at me again, shook me and made me look like a stupid dumb toddler in front of my classmates.

I know this isn't such a heartbreaking, cruel act like the one I'm going to tell you in a few seconds. But still, young children are vulnerable, especially when confronted with injustice and abuse of power by an adult. This wasn't the only incident with this teacher. Some months before the Sinterklaas incident, she hit one of my best friends because she accidentally peed her pants.

I remember I came home sick and crying, my little tummy was hurting and I just didn't understand why I deserved to be treated like this. Sinterklaas that year wasn't the same, the doctor kept me home for two whole weeks and my mother had a serious talk with the teacher.
I know this sounds like a rather innocent affair, and looking back at it, it wasn't that much of a big deal. At least I wasn't beaten up or abused. But still, until this day, I swear that if I ever see that woman again, I will remember her face. And I will confront her. I would love to just punch her in the face, but I don't want her to know how much it got to me as a toddler. So if our paths ever cross again, I'll go with some verbal insults. Maybe some threats. Anything that keeps her up at night.
What happened that day really got to me, and I didn't like going back to that classroom. She never lashed at me again, I really think she got the message when my mom was done with her. But still, she yelled at us every goddamn day.


Now on to this pile of horsepoo: children attending school in the UK were made to sit in detention for 8 hours straight because they weren't wearing the right pair of jeans. Check it out!
Seriously? Those poor children were made to sit in a room without even having school tasks to do or without permission to play, simply because they weren't dressed in the 'right' kind of fabric? Seriously? The 'best' part about it is how the school seems to find this form of punishment normal. Since when is it okay to torture kids at school for not being dressed in the way teachers want them to be?

Given my own little example about a teacher being a monster, I really don't want to imagine how these kids must have felt after two days of forced detention without even doing anything wrong. Something tells me tho this isn't just about stupid pants. They probably thought they were doing the children a favour by learning them to be obedient. Or they just wanted to show them who's boss, because of course, kids are such a danger for your self-esteem and nerves, someone had to teach these little brats a lession. If you can't understand that it's wrong and immoral to make children sit down for 8 hours, please, find another job.

If this would have happened to my child, I don't really know what would have happened. I'm not a violent person at all, but I can see myself breaking someone's nose over this. Without delay, my child would be sent to another school, and I would do anything to make this news hit every news station. I would make sure the names of those teachers would be known, and demonized. No mercy on this one. This could scar those 100 kids for life. Not the big, red, aching scars sexual abuse or neglection leave behind, but still, it's something they won't lightely forget. I've always suspected that the events in kindergarten and another one in my first year of elementary made me hate autority and abuse of power. Hate is not a healthy feeling, especially not for a youngster.

Not only is the level of quality on schools going downhill, teachers don't even seem to need any real brains or morals to get the job anymore. Also, school staff workers tend to behave more and more psychotic.
I really understand why a lot of people prefer homeschooling these days.


Sabetha
pissedofpenguin@gmail.com

The CDC is evil: MMR vaccine can cause autism

As you might have noticed, I'm a nurse in training, so obviously I'm interested in news about diseases and cures. Most people think the government and organisations such as the CDC try to make the world a better place, with less illnesses and more healthy people. The amount of shht that is turning up from time to time, determined that was a lie.

I still plan on doing a bigger post on vaccines, but because the vaccination scheme and practices over here are much different than in the US, it's still on hold. To give you an example: here, we only have one obligatory injection, against Polio, given to a child before the age of 2. Every other vaccination available is voluntarily. I did have 3 shots this year to help protect me against Hepatitis, because it's obligatory if you want to work in a hospital. Anyway, I'll get back to the oblivious amount of shots an American child has to recieve in another post.

For today, I really suggest you read this link. In short, it's about how the CDC covered up test results in their favour. Some years back, a study was conducted and the results weren't that positive. An MMR vaccine was found to be harmful for young children. Not just harmful, study showed that children who recieved the vaccine, had a much bigger chance of developing autism, especially in black boys. I'm not talking a 10 or even 50% higher change of autism. I'm talking 'a 340% increase in autism in African-American males who were given the MMR vaccine compared to those vaccinated later.'

Of course, the big scientists over at the CDC want to cover up this pile of dirt. They made professors and scientists lie about the discoveries, so they can keep on doing what they do. Why would they cause autism in young children? So that they can control you, of course. As stated in the article, the USA is 'the only country in the world where someone who is damaged by vaccines has no legal rights to sue the vaccine manufacturer.' Need I say more?

The ridiculous, sickening vaccination scheme which is followed in the US has no real use at all. Other developed countries don't have that much obligatory shots. The costs for the parents are probably skyrocketing, also. Parents with a clear eye and some common sense will quickly see all this shots aren't necessary for a young child at all. On top of that, parents with actual brains in their heads are demonized if they dare to speak out and refuse to get their children vaccinated.

There is not a single reason why this MMR vaccine should stil be given. It damages young children. That's not the effect a real vaccine should have. All they want is MONEY. And since you can't sue them, all the costs for bringing up a child with special needs are for the parents. This is pure and simple harm. To all parents with young children or children on the way: DO NOT HAVE YOUR CHILD VACCINATED. As I said before, there is absolutely no need to blast 10 or 15 vaccines into a child's body before the age of 2. Our immune systems simply aren't built for that. I would suggest you have the Polio shot and nothing else, but since I don't know how f*ed up those vaccines really are in the US, I would be careful.

DO NOT trust the CDC. They love to make up diseases so they can come up with a vaccine or cure, just to make you pay MONEY because hey, who doesn't want to be healthy?
Just think about the Ebola-epidemic for a second (yes, this is one of my pet pieves). Slowly and steadily, the world is starting to realize this virus spreads through the air and not solely through contact with bodily fluids. (check it out) Why would they try to cover up the fact that Ebola could be airborne or that the MMR vaccine can cause autism? Because they don't care about you. They don't. And they even care less about black people, but that sadly isn't a surprise.

A sick population is much easier to control. A sick person isn't going to protest or speak out. Children and grown ups with special needs such as autism, are much easier to control, because when it comes to legal measures, they don't have as much to say as regular people do.
It all makes so much sense when you think about it, at least if you make an effort to follow a psychopatic train of thought. Just think about it this way: a society without any diseases is not profitably for the big pharmaceutical companies. So what do they do? Make more people sick. Catch them while there young. Use the parents and make them feel guilty and dumb if they don't do what the CDC says they should do. Cover up unsatisfying test results. And keep on collecting the MONEY.

Another great link on the matter can be found here, a series of videos is included also. I suggest you take a look at the first video, it makes everything much more clear.
Since mainstream media won't bat an eye and will only try harder to make this knowledge go away again, the truth will never be easily found. Luckily, more and more people are opening their eyes and speaking out against the evils of the CDC.
Inform yourself!



Sabetha
pissedofpenguin@gmail.com

Fifty shades is fishy

I have to admit, I own all three of the 'fifty shades' books. Why? Because they were second hand, cheap, and I was curious. I bought them in English and started reading the first novel, but I quit around page 100. It was really bad, I've never been so angry with myself for buying a book. I really don't get why such a greasy novel collection makes so many women horny. I found it garbage.
Anyway, after finding this link, I'm planning on skimming through the first book again, because I really had no idea this trilogy could influence girls and women this much. The article states that, compaired to people who didn't read the book, readers have higher rates of dangerous behaviour. Included is binge drinking, having more sexual partners, and eating disorders. Also, readers are more likely to be in an abusive relationship.

I wonder if a trashy book can change it's readers so much. But given the enormous popularity of the books and the status it's been given, something could be up. I've read stuff which changed the way I see things, so why would this one be any different? Too bad we don't question what we read anymore, and I can imagine a lot of women adapting unhealthy behaviour because of mr. Grey.

A lot of girls I know who aren't regular readers, all claim to have read at least the first book in the trilogy. Given the fact they aren't used to read novels, I guess it's a bit easier to forget it's a work of fiction. Sadly enough, we can't really include a reading guide in each book. What we could do, is teaching children to question what they read and hear. Learning to read only focusses on the skill, not on what you should do with it. If you never read a book, and suddenly you manage to read a trashy sex trilogy, it will have a much bigger impact on your life. You will remember it better, because no other books interfere with it.
I'm not saying that all people who read like trains are immune to this crap, but I do think the risk for unhealthy behaviour goes down a bit. Not to forget that the 'fifty shades' idea started out on a Twilight fanfiction site. Need I say more?

I wonder how the movie adaptation is going to be received and viewed. A movie is so much more visible than a book, although the fantasy element we all experience when reading should not be downrated. This movie will also reach a public that hasn't read the books, I wonder if the movie will have the same effects. I don't really think the movie will influence people more, since you invest much more time in reading a trilogy instead of watching one. Then again, more young people and children will get affected by it, since watching a movie is much more accessible.

Of course, we can't know in which way this reaction goes. Did the books mold the behaviour, or did the behaviour make those women choose those books to read? A study should be conducted before people read the books also, to have more refined data. I do think a book has the power to change you, so I would go with option A. But, a smaller portion of readers will chose the books because of their interests and behaviour, which are the same as the main character's motives. Reading about it could reinforce those women to keep on doing it, maybe even to the point where it escalates.

I like how the professor doesn't want the books to be banned. I admit, they are crap, but I'm not a fan of banning any book at all. Again, there is nothing wrong with reading this book, as long as you are smart enough to understand the things described are not real. They are in fact a woman's sexual fantasy, and there's nothing wrong with having fantasies like that. It is, however, dangerous to read those without realizing it's just someone's fantasy, and not the key to a good relationship.
Read all you want, but don't let a book distort your idea of what love and life should be like. If you can't make the distinction between the book and the real world, don't read it at all.


Sabetha
pissedofpenguin@gmail.com

Cop vs. black guy

I'm not black. To be honest, I'm as white as a honky. To tell you even more, I know black people are equal to white people. I don't 'believe' this to be true, my ideas about the subject are much more stronger than simple belief. I haven't found one meaningful argument why white people are better. We can't even dance. (Sorry, I couldn't resist)

I've been following the events in Ferguson just like we all do I guess. I haven't written anything about it because I couldn't really do more than all the people before me did: express my utter and full disgust about what white, redneck cops can do to human beings.

I always thought race was less of an issue here in Belgium, but I'm aware now that this idea is just a wrong white-girl assumption. (To be honest, I don't even know if saying 'black people' is considered a 'good' or a 'racist' term in the US...) Since I'm white, I never get personally confronted with racist remarks against myself. So yes, I have no idea what it's like. Doesn't mean I can't show solidarity and write about it. Even more, I believe more white people should speak out against racism. I mean, we are the ones doing it.

Before I start a rant about how much I HATE cops and about how STUPID racism is, I'll just proceed to what I wanted to show you. This little video probably expresses the feelings of most African Americans these days. Check it out!

I think it's funny. On the other hand, it's only funny because it's true... I know racism won't go away, not ever. But I do believe we should all stand up against this racist pigs, shooting at unarmed men, just because they have little dicks or no self-esteem. It won't take away the racism, but by not giving these John Waynes military equipment and by not letting them get away with second or first degree murder, maybe this shht won't happen this much.

If we don't start speaking out against police violence and racism, it'll soon be too late. And with 'we', I mean 'every person on the planet capable of doing so'. I guess it will take a white victim for most non-coloured people to realize this is just the beginning. Those cops really need to CALM THE FUCK DOWN.


Sabetha
pissedofpenguin@gmail.com

MyReads: August

I just started with listing the books I read, as I promised myself I would do a long time ago. I can't garantuee I've read all these in August. Some of them might have been in July.

Anyway, here's my booklist for August, I had vacation the whole month so that means I read a lot of nice, thick books. I'll give you a little synopsis and my opinion about them.


Justin Cronin - 'The passage' (read in Dutch; title: 'De oversteek')

Funny thing is, I brought this book home with me from the library and discovered at home I already had it in English. I was lazy and went with the Dutch version.
This book is set in a post-apocalyptic setting, in which the continent of America is under attack by vampire-like creatures. The people who survived live in a self-made camp, built to protect them from the creatures. One day, they meet a girl, who has the key in her body to form new life and end the mess the world is in. As a reader, you will meet the girl before the survivors, because the book starts with a sort-of explanation how the mess started in the first place.
A pretty heavy book, almost 1000 pages, but the story was quite alright in my opinion. It didn't fulfill all my expectations, but overal it's a nice book with some good qualities. A lot of viewpoints, a big time elapse, strong characters and a lot of excitement. If you like horror-like stories set in a dystopian future, I would highly recommend it.
Also, some days back I learnt there is a second book which will follow he events after the big show-down at the end of The Passage. It's on my library pile, you guys can expect a review next month or on month later. My library pile is always huge.

My score: 8.5/10


Guillermo Del Toro & Chuck Hogan - 'The strain' (read in Dutch; title: 'De meester')

This book bored me in the beginning but after some pages I really got into it. The second book in the trilogy is on my library pile, so you can say I really became interested after some pages.
The reason it bored me in the first place might have been because I've been reading a lot of apocalyptic horror books recently, and this one is no exception.
Set in America, things get way out of hand when a Boeing 777 arrives at JFK airport. Every soul in the plain seems to be dead, and scientists have no idea what happened. The CDC decides they need a specialist to help with this mystery, and Ephraim Goodweather comes in to play. Together with a colleague and an old man, they try to stop the victims from waking up again and starting a rampant. Sadly enough, they are playing with forces much stronger than they expected.
I would rather consider this a vampire novel, since the infected people all turn out to be blooddrinking psychos. But it's a good vampire novel, and I really look forward to read the other 2 books in the series.

My score: 7/10


RJ Ellory - 'Bad signs' (read in Dutch; title: 'Bekraste zielen')

Every book he writes is better than the one before, and his first book was pretty good... This last one is without any doubt the best one I've read from the hands of Ellory.
The story follows two half-brothers in the fifthies of America. Both born for bad luck, the boys live in a correctional facility after everything went downhill when their mother was brutally murdered. Bad luck isn't done with it's cruel show, because one day the boys get kidnapped by an escaped man who was awaiting the dead penalty. The choices both the boys make will change their lives forever.
The book is beautifully written and really brings you in the atmosphere of that time. I love books that take place in 'old America'. Also, the characters aren't what you would call 'multi-dimensional', but their motives and ideas are described in a good way. Near the end of the book, it got so thrilling I was skipping paragraphes to know what would happen. On every page of the book, you feel a chill, as if something awfull is going to happen. A brilliant thriller, never boring and always exciting.

My score: 9/10


Stephen King - 'Lisey's Story' (read in Dutch; title:'Lisey's verhaal')

This is not your average Stephen King novel. The horror portrayed is much more psychological than in his other books. Also, romance has an important influence on the story.
The book follows Lisey, who used to be married to writer Scott Landon. Two years after her husband passed away, Lisey decides to clean out his writing room. The stuff she finds there forces her to remember things she pushed away a long time ago. Scott was a brilliant writer, but he had a lot of inner demons. It's those demons Lisey will need to understand her late husband.
Overall, it was a good novel with strong characters and the typical King-writing style I love. But it's not his best. I like the idea of Scotts hidden world, but overall I didn't believe this story as much as I believe his others. I still enjoyed it, because, well it's Stephen King and he never dissapoints. Some of the sentences and scenes in this book really touched me, but in the end I still felt a little hunger, like if this was all we were going to get. Not his best, but still worth your time.

My score: 6.5/10



Scott Lynch - 'Red sees under red skies' (read in Dutch; title: 'Rode zee onder een rode hemel')

The second book in 'the gentleman bastard sequence' by Scott Lynch. The books follow two masterthiefs and their adventures and misfortunes. In the first book, we follow our heroes on stealing quests in their hometown. The second book takes it to a whole new level, and our heroes become pirates.
I enjoyed the first book already, but the second one is even better. A lot of new, interesting characters come to play and the descriptions in both books are amazing. It does have a lot of fantasy elements, but it's not your average fairytale. The towns, people and habits are much more violent and weird than in most regular fantasy books. The text is never boring and before you know it, something happens and the whole scene changes. I love how the author created crazy ideas such as 'contrarequilla's' in the first book and spooky places in the second. If you're into fantasy, I really recommend this series. A third book already is published, and 5 more are on the way. I can't wait to read the third one!

My score: 9/10


Stan Nicholls - 'First blood: Legion of thunder' (read in Dutch, title: 'Keizerin van het duister')

This is the second book in the first trilogy about orcs from the British author Stan Nicholls. Set in Maras-Dantia, the 'old world', we follow the adventures of an orc fighting group. After a mission went wrong, the orcs decided to hide and run from their evil queen Jennesta. On the mission, their task was to steal some sort of star with magical powers, so Jennesta can become even more cruel. The mission goes horrible wrong and after that, the orcs consider themselves free. They get on a mission to collect the other stars, and hopefully clean Maras-Dantia from all the evil and from humans, because most humans steal away the magic and mistreat the land.
These books aren't the best book out there. I read them because they are fun, not that thick and I do like the story. A lot of fighting happens, the book is never boring. It's not high literature at all, but it's entertaining and I'm reading the third book in this trilogy right now. I'm quite curious how the novels will end, so the books aren't that bad at all.

My score: 6.5/10


Stephen King - Duma Key (read in Dutch; title: 'Duma')

A man was once hapilly married. This man got into a car accident at work, but survived. Since then, he has to live with only one arm and he has some brain damage, which makes him very agressive at times. His wife decides to leave, and he, Edgar Freemantle, decides to leave, too. He starts a new life on Duma Key, Florida. But the island holds a secret, and Edgar is the pathway through which the secrets speaks. Once settled, Edgar gives his old hobby, painting, a new chance. Soon he realises his drawings try to tell him something, and together with some other inhabitants, they try to stop the evil before it's too late.
Although the ideas in the book aren't that original, I think he really pulled it off. The story is creepy, interesting and also very funny at times. The book isn't that scary but I liked the characters a lot and the storyline is never boring. The book could have been shorter, but we all know how much King loves to describe his scenes and personages. Would I read it again? No, I probably wouldn't, but I recommend a first time for all King fans out there.

My score: 7/10


John Ajvide Lindqvist -  'Little star' (read in Dutch; title: 'Wolfskinderen')

To all of you horror/thriller-fans: check out John A. Since he's Swedish, I don't know if all his works are being translated. I did read 3 of his other novels, the first 2 being not that great, but the 3th one already  shows a lot of potential, and he definetely used that potential to write this mini-masterpiece.
An old man finds a baby in the woods and takes her home with him. He and his wife want to keep the baby, and they let her live in the basement of their home. Teres, a child who doesn't speak and acts really weird, has an amazing, pure voice. After a tragical accident which tells us that Teres is completely insane, she goes to live with her lowlife-brother. Teres meets Teresa at an online poetry forum. Teresa is overweight and depressed, and the two girls become friends after Teres sings on 'idols" in Sweden. Together with a 'pack' of other neglected teenage girls, Teres and Teresa come up with a terrifying plan that will shock the nation.
If you're into a good thriller, pick up this book. The end is rather abrupt, but this wasn't a problem for me since I like open endings. It's a shocker tho. After reading this masterpiece, I found myself thinking about it over and over again. If I had the time, I would read it again. The novel got worldwide critical acclaim, so I'm not alone on this view. I would say: see for yourself, and enjoy.

My score: 9/10


That's all for now, folks. Check back in October for my September books!


Sabetha
pissedofpenguin@gmail.com

I really hate the place I live

I don't hate my studio all the time, I just hate it at certain times. I get by pretty easily and most of the time I can joke about the crap I live in. But sometimes it just is too much. I know I must be happy I have a roof over my head, and most the time, I am. But some of the stuff happening here is just bullcrap.

I pay way too much for this shit. People above me are always noisy. The basement isn't safe since people steal bikes and gas from motorcycles all the time. Apparently, the cops came by once because people were dealing drugs in that basement. The elevator breaks down at times so people get stuck, or have to walk 6 or even 8 floors. The front door is broken again so all the scum from the streets can walk in and sleep in the hall, which they do. Blood is on the floor downstairs just a little too much for my taste. And last month, one appartment got robbed.
I could really go on for another paragraph.

But what pisses me off this time, is the fact that my water boiler jut broke down some hours ago. The ma-fucka started leaking water and the shit was overheating. The man in the appartement under me was having problems with my water leaking in his bathroom. Luckily my neighbours are decent people, and together with some others we tried fixing it. It didn't work, we actually had to call the freaking fire department to have it stop.

This building is so old and shitty, the only reason I still live here is because I am lazy. And as I said, I get by, I never was spoiled. So I'm a bit lazy when it comes to fixing things.
Anyway. I hope I don't have to pay the firemen since I don't have any money for that, but it's not gonna be my ass. Someone checked my appartement real quick and absolutely nothing here is safe. The owner of this block has no ground to stand on. A lot of tenants here are sick and tired of this horsecrap.

We were busy fixing this shit for 3 whole hours. It's almost 1:30 AM right now and I'm still not calm. I was scared, I admit it, I was scared the whole boiler would explode. Firemen said that it wasn't for sure that would have happened, but it could have been. I live on the 6th floor I mean I would be dead if that happens.
I hope they give me a new boiler and I am not paying for anything. This place is ridiculous.

So why am I still staying here? I mean the people here living, well at least some of them are normal but others are complete psychos. My neighbour was threatened with a baseball bat after she told the attacker to be quiet so she could sleep. The woman working for this block is extremely creepy, she sneaks in with you when you come home, with some lame excuse. She just wants to check out how you live, because she has nothing better to do I guess. One of the other tenants told us he saw her steal in the supermarket. Could be I don't know, wouldn't surprise me.

Okay, I'm finally starting to calm down. I'm usually pretty chill when stuff happens, but I know nothing about water boilers and pipes and electricity and all that. Besides, I really hate it when strangers come in. The people who live here and helped are cool, but 3 firemen came in and that made me feel really unease because, well, I have vacation, I chill a lot and clean less.
I know I should just get a new place, period.


Sabetha
pissedofpenguin@gmail.com