All Consuming : skatoolaki

Taphophile Book Review, from A Graver's Journal (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (skatoolaki) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:12:15 GMT

One Foot in the Grave: Secrets of a Cemetery Sexton

by Chad Daybell

I copied this from my blog, A Graver’s Journal (agraversjournal.com)

One of the first draws I had to One Foot in the Grave: Secrets of a Cemetery Sexton by Chad Daybell was a review by none other than Find A Grave founder, Jim Tipton.

Tipton writes:

"Finally, a book that glibly exposes the often funny, always poignant truth behind the life of an undertaker."

Touche. Daybell writes about his tenure as cemetery sexton for the local burial grounds of a small community in Utah nestled in the Rocky Mountains. In his five years as sexton, and preceding two years as a part time worker there, Daybell experienced a number of interesting, quirky, and usually fascinating occurrences. It’s hard to tell which stories were more strange – those involving the living or those involving the dearly departed!

You’ll find anecdotes of both in Daybell’s charming and frank expose on the life of a dedicated cemetery worker. I often found myself shaking my head in disbelief or laughing right out loud at some of the bizarre tales Daybell shared about kooky people and restless spirits. Some of his tales are touching, while others are outright scary (I’ll admit to a number of chills, and I’m fairly unshakable).

I thoroughly enjoyed this romp through a cemetery worker’s life, and the trials, tribulations, ups and downs, scares and smiles that go along with it. Daybell’s website’s blurb about the book, “This is a collection of true graveyard stories you won’t be able to put down”, is not false advertising in the least. I read it in one sitting – often pausing to re-read, aloud, some of the wilder passages to my boyfriend.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning about the goings-on of graveyards or is interested in what it’s actually like to work in a cemetery. Daybell also goes about quashing some age-old myths about burial grounds and provides a wealth of information that even I, a seasoned cemetery-lover, was unaware of. Case in point – even I was surprised to learn that rowdy teenagers nor cantankerous spirits were to blame for the repeated disappearance of grave flowers, trinkets, and statues.

Curious? That and so much more awaits you in this fun and frank work. Daybell writes in an effortless, outright, friendly manner – I often felt I was listening to an old friend regaling me with tales about his job while we shared laughs over a cup of tea. It was one of those books that you feel disappointed to finish – wishing there were still more stories and more time to spend with the author who has been entertaining you for the last few hours.

Grab your copy of One Foot in the Grave today and spend some time getting to know Chad Daybell and learn about his delightful and forever-interesting job as cemetery sexton. You’ll be glad you did.

Why I want to consume "Touched with Fire"

nobody@allconsuming.net (skatoolaki) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:08:11 GMT

Touched with Fire

by Kay Refield Jamison

This book discusses, in-depth “manic-depressive illness and the artistic temperament”. As a writer and someone who suffers from bipolar disorder, I find the subject fascinating. Jamison, a professor of psychiatry, is also plagued with manic-depressive illness and so writes from a balanced experienced and clinical viewpoint.

Consuming "Touched with Fire"

nobody@allconsuming.net (skatoolaki) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:04:33 GMT

Touched with Fire

by Kay Refield Jamison

Consumed "The Sims 2"

nobody@allconsuming.net (skatoolaki) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:02:18 GMT

The Sims 2

by Electronic Arts and Maxis

WORTH IT!

Great stuff (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (skatoolaki) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 02:43:35 GMT

Family Guy - Blue Harvest Special Edition (w/ limited-edition collectibles)

If you love Family Guy and Star Wars, you’ll love this – perfect combination.

Consuming "The Haunting of Louisiana"

nobody@allconsuming.net (skatoolaki) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 02:40:28 GMT

The Haunting of Louisiana

by Barbara Sillery

Nothing Like It (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (skatoolaki) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 02:37:23 GMT

Boiled Crawfish

Every year, I just can’t wait for crawfish season, so we can start going to all the crawfish boils family and friends throw!

Delicious! (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (skatoolaki) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 02:28:32 GMT

Kumquat

My absolute favorite fruit – period. And I love fruit, but I can eat myself sick on some kumquats.

Consuming "Dungeons & Dragons - The Complete Series"

nobody@allconsuming.net (skatoolaki) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 02:18:28 GMT

Dungeons & Dragons - The Complete Series

by Bob Richardson

Consumed "The Golden Girls - The Complete Fourth Season"

nobody@allconsuming.net (skatoolaki) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 01:10:09 GMT

The Golden Girls - The Complete Fourth Season

WORTH IT!

Consuming "The Golden Girls - The Complete Fifth Season"

nobody@allconsuming.net (skatoolaki) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 01:08:54 GMT

The Golden Girls - The Complete Fifth Season

Beautiful

nobody@allconsuming.net (skatoolaki) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 01:07:48 GMT

Tala Matrix

by Tabla Beat Science

This is one of my favorite albums of all time; I listen to it daily, without fail. It never ceases to uplift, inspire, and infuse me with beautiful energy. There aren’t enough praises I can heap upon the amazing collaboration of Bill Laswell, Zakir Hussain, Karsh Kale, Talvin Singh and all the others. A masterpiece.

Changed My Life

nobody@allconsuming.net (skatoolaki) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 00:59:56 GMT

Midival Times

by MIDIval PunditZ

The entrancing beauty, energizing beats, and uplifting melodies of Midival Punditz opened me to an entirely new world of music and genres. The fusion of ancient Indian instruments, chants, and rhythms with modern electronica, technical mixing, and contemporary beats is something that no one with an appreciation for the art of music should miss.