The Girl who loved Tom Gordon
Written by Stephen King
Originally published in 1999
Read by Anne Heche
In this shortish novel, King writes from the perspective of a very intelligent 9 year old girl. She is a resourceful child, surviving a week or more lost in the wilderness of western Maine. Again, he manages to capture the setting and perspective perfectly. There really is little horror content, beyond the girl’s food- and sleep deprived delusions of the God of the Lost.
I probably would have enjoyed it more if I were a fan of baseball, particularly the Red Sox. Still, I know sports enough to appreciate the baseball conceit.
Of unknown significance is the fact that this was King’s last completed novel before that wayward van nearly took his life.
Anne Heche does an admiral job with the reading. I was skeptical at first, but she is one of those celebrities against whom I am prejudiced based on her reputation. Actually, I know very little about her. She liberates the voice of Trisha with good timing and inflection, and mirrors the girl’s declining health in her narration. Well done.
Nitpick 1: How many 9 year old girls know that much about baseball or survival and nature skills, not to mention BOTH!
Nitpick 2: Deus Ex Machina strikes again. Although the narrative hints that the bear was already backing away, the save really comes from the random hunter who happens to crest a rise just as the girl and the bear are waltzing.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
RSWR #6
THE STAR WARS / STAR TREK CONNECTIONS
This week is truly a moment in history. No, not the US Presidential inauguration; we're talking about the collision of two major sci-fi universes. A Star Trek legend is guest-starring in this week's The Clone Wars episode, "Defenders of Peace." George Takei of Hikaru Sulu fame is voicing a Neimoidian officer, General Lok Durd. Though some fans like to imagine a competition between both venerable franchises, Star Wars and Star Trek have on occasion pulled from the same pool of acting talent. Here's a sample of cross-overs that have occurred in the past:
William Shatner: Okay, the legendary Captain Kirk has not appeared in any Star Wars materials, but he did memorably serenade George Lucas at 2005 AFI Lifetime Tribute and was carried away by dancing stormtroopers. That's gotta count for something.
Brock Peters: The actor most well known for his role in To Kill a Mocking Bird had several notable Star Trek appearances, as Admiral Cartwright in the classic Trek movies and the elder Joseph Sisko in Deep Space Nine. Star Wars fans may recognize his voice as Darth Vader in the National Public Radio dramatizations.
Malachi Throne: Another extremely distinctive voice in sci-fi, Throne played Commodore Jose Mendez in "The Menagerie" episodes of the original series, and Romulan Senator Pardek in TNG. It's his voice that narrates the very first Star Wars trailer that announces "somewhere in space... this may all happening right now."
Michael Bell: Kids who grew up in the '80s will remember Michael Bell's voice from a slew of cartoons, where he most famously played Duke in G.I.JOE. Bell was in the first TNG episode as Groppler Zorn and later played a Bajoran resistance fighter on DS9. In Star Wars, he is the voice of Commander Willard, who greets Princess Leia upon her arrival at the Yavin base.
Carel Struycken: Carel Struycken has made a career of playing outlandishly tall characters; you may remember him as Lurch in the new Addams Family movies. He played Mr. Homn, Lwaxana Troi's aide in TNG, and the evil Marauder King Terak in the second Ewoks live action TV Movie.
Fionnula Flanagan: She has played multiple roles in Trek, including Data's "mother" in TNG, a former lover of Dax's in DS9, and a Vulcan diplomat on Enterprise. In the first Ewoks TV movie, she played Catarine Towani, young Cindel's mom.
Ethan Phillips: Best known for his role as Neelix, the alien cook on Voyager, Phillips has provided voices to numerous Star Wars video games, iuncluding Force Commander, Galactic Battlegrounds and Knights of the Old Republic.
David Warner: Another unmistakable voice, Warner is best remembered as the Master Control Program in Tron. He has several major Trek roles, including Chancellor Gorkon in The Undiscovered Country and Gul adred in TNG. He supplied his voice to an Imperial general in Star Wars video game, Force Commander.
Clive Revill: Revill was the voice of the original Emperor who appeared in the theatrical version of The Empire Strikes Back. He played Sir Guy of Gisborne, enemy of Robin Hood, in the fanciful TNG episode, "Qpid."
Raphael Sbarge: He played the recurring character of former Maquis crewman Michael Jonas on Star Trek: Voyager, as well as Carth Onasi, one of the main leads in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.
Felix Silla: A little person performer with plenty of sci-fi credits (he was Twiki on Buck Rogers!), Silla was both a alosian in the very first Trek pilot, and also a stunt Ewok in Return of the Jedi.
Brian George: You may know him as Babu Bhatt on Sienfeld, this versatile character actor played Julian Bashir's father on DS9 and Anatarian ambassador O'Zaal in Voyager. In The Clone Wars, he plays the Toydarian monarch King Katuunko.
Jason Wingreen: Who would have thought Archie Bunker's bartender, Harry Snowden, would have such sci-fi cred? In addition to playing Dr. Linke in the original series episode "The Empath," he was the original voice of Boba Fett in the theatrical edition of The Empire Strikes Back.
This week is truly a moment in history. No, not the US Presidential inauguration; we're talking about the collision of two major sci-fi universes. A Star Trek legend is guest-starring in this week's The Clone Wars episode, "Defenders of Peace." George Takei of Hikaru Sulu fame is voicing a Neimoidian officer, General Lok Durd. Though some fans like to imagine a competition between both venerable franchises, Star Wars and Star Trek have on occasion pulled from the same pool of acting talent. Here's a sample of cross-overs that have occurred in the past:
William Shatner: Okay, the legendary Captain Kirk has not appeared in any Star Wars materials, but he did memorably serenade George Lucas at 2005 AFI Lifetime Tribute and was carried away by dancing stormtroopers. That's gotta count for something.
Brock Peters: The actor most well known for his role in To Kill a Mocking Bird had several notable Star Trek appearances, as Admiral Cartwright in the classic Trek movies and the elder Joseph Sisko in Deep Space Nine. Star Wars fans may recognize his voice as Darth Vader in the National Public Radio dramatizations.
Malachi Throne: Another extremely distinctive voice in sci-fi, Throne played Commodore Jose Mendez in "The Menagerie" episodes of the original series, and Romulan Senator Pardek in TNG. It's his voice that narrates the very first Star Wars trailer that announces "somewhere in space... this may all happening right now."
Michael Bell: Kids who grew up in the '80s will remember Michael Bell's voice from a slew of cartoons, where he most famously played Duke in G.I.JOE. Bell was in the first TNG episode as Groppler Zorn and later played a Bajoran resistance fighter on DS9. In Star Wars, he is the voice of Commander Willard, who greets Princess Leia upon her arrival at the Yavin base.
Carel Struycken: Carel Struycken has made a career of playing outlandishly tall characters; you may remember him as Lurch in the new Addams Family movies. He played Mr. Homn, Lwaxana Troi's aide in TNG, and the evil Marauder King Terak in the second Ewoks live action TV Movie.
Fionnula Flanagan: She has played multiple roles in Trek, including Data's "mother" in TNG, a former lover of Dax's in DS9, and a Vulcan diplomat on Enterprise. In the first Ewoks TV movie, she played Catarine Towani, young Cindel's mom.
Ethan Phillips: Best known for his role as Neelix, the alien cook on Voyager, Phillips has provided voices to numerous Star Wars video games, iuncluding Force Commander, Galactic Battlegrounds and Knights of the Old Republic.
David Warner: Another unmistakable voice, Warner is best remembered as the Master Control Program in Tron. He has several major Trek roles, including Chancellor Gorkon in The Undiscovered Country and Gul adred in TNG. He supplied his voice to an Imperial general in Star Wars video game, Force Commander.
Clive Revill: Revill was the voice of the original Emperor who appeared in the theatrical version of The Empire Strikes Back. He played Sir Guy of Gisborne, enemy of Robin Hood, in the fanciful TNG episode, "Qpid."
Raphael Sbarge: He played the recurring character of former Maquis crewman Michael Jonas on Star Trek: Voyager, as well as Carth Onasi, one of the main leads in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.
Felix Silla: A little person performer with plenty of sci-fi credits (he was Twiki on Buck Rogers!), Silla was both a alosian in the very first Trek pilot, and also a stunt Ewok in Return of the Jedi.
Brian George: You may know him as Babu Bhatt on Sienfeld, this versatile character actor played Julian Bashir's father on DS9 and Anatarian ambassador O'Zaal in Voyager. In The Clone Wars, he plays the Toydarian monarch King Katuunko.
Jason Wingreen: Who would have thought Archie Bunker's bartender, Harry Snowden, would have such sci-fi cred? In addition to playing Dr. Linke in the original series episode "The Empath," he was the original voice of Boba Fett in the theatrical edition of The Empire Strikes Back.
"Jimmy's my Jewish Friend."
Despite lingering prejudices, I’m no racist.
I realize starting a piece with this statement might predicate a falsehood or, worse, hypocrisy, but I think it’s important to differentiate the two in advance of the main thrust. Racism is the active judgment of an individual based on their skin color or ethnic background, while Prejudice, to me, is the unconscious residue of previously- or parentally held beliefs. In my mind, Racism is a conscious act while Prejudice is sub-conscious, autonomic. As with other personality traits, Prejudice can be overcome or overwritten, like a floppy disk. Racism is inexcusable, deplorable, and disdainful. Prejudice is surmountable, unlearnable. I further realize that this is not the dictionary definition of Prejudice, but rather my perception of the usage, especially in this context.
I believe Barack Obama won the election because of Racism.
I’m not politically motivated. As most of you may know, I’m not a particularly motivated person in any respect. I call myself a right-leaning fence-sitter. Over the last 2-3 years, I’ve just about fallen off that fence, though. I still cling to the pickets, seeking a rational liberal with which to have a complete discussion on the formations of their basic principles. I have yet to find that, but not, as the conservatives would have it, because there is no such thing. I think it’s because my circle of friends and my social networking skills limit my reach. I believe in smaller federal government and personal responsibility. I don’t want any more of my tax money funding the thousands of federal handouts.
I had not followed the election very closely at first. I did read Obama’s WIKI entry back in early 2008, around the time that the Democratic nomination was unofficially down to him and Hillary. I was impressed at the time with his education and public service. It was clear to me that he was not a Muslim, despite dozens of warning emails indicating his radical heritage.
Soon after he won the nomination, I heard Ice Cube on the radio. He was saying how he had never voted before, but would get out there this time for “my man.” This was the first inkling I had that something was not quite right.
So, I did a little more reading, a little more listening, and a little more wondering.
I read about his connections to William Ayers, which turned out to be slim. I looked into his connections to the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., who gushed divisive racial views on more than one occasion. I listened to the media hype about Obama’s socialistic agenda. His campaign promises grate against my belief in lesser federal involvement, but it’s really more like collectivism than socialism. That was when I realized I did not want him to be my president.
On election night, when we realized he was going to win, I had a queasy feeling. A premonition? I doubt it. Bad hoummos? Unlikely. Still, I found it disconcerting. It seemed the ultimate act of racism had been committed.
Yes, I believe that Obama won the election because of the color of his skin. People such as Ice Cube stated that they would vote for him just because he was black. Large numbers of first-time voters tilted the poles in his favor. 95% of black voters voted for Obama. 55% of white voters voted for McCain. Blacks were 13% of voters, whites were 74%. If half of black voters voted for McCain, 6.5% of the total popular vote would have made the difference a mere half-million votes! Still in Obama’s favor, but much closer!
Maybe I’m overly influenced by Glenn Beck, who I find to be hysterical (not funny-hysterical) at times and super-logical at others. I don’t watch or listen to his show, but I do subscribe to his daily newsletter, which questions every move of the MSM and liberal left with unwavering, unappealing condescension.
It certainly is not a party thing. As a right-leaning fence-sitter, I claim no party affiliation. Big Politics is anathema to Small Government, so I avoid the rails of party lines. Lesser of two evils and all that.
One factor is certainly the timing of the rise of my political awareness. The last 8 years has seen amazing technological advances as well as deplorable human regression, all of them held up to the light of the Bush administration.
I will give Obama a chance, the benefit of the doubt; the jump ball arrow points to him. I respect his position and, to a certain extent, him personally. Furthermore, I claim no measure of decisiveness or expertise on this or any other sociopolitical issue.
I am throwing it out there for discussion.
I realize starting a piece with this statement might predicate a falsehood or, worse, hypocrisy, but I think it’s important to differentiate the two in advance of the main thrust. Racism is the active judgment of an individual based on their skin color or ethnic background, while Prejudice, to me, is the unconscious residue of previously- or parentally held beliefs. In my mind, Racism is a conscious act while Prejudice is sub-conscious, autonomic. As with other personality traits, Prejudice can be overcome or overwritten, like a floppy disk. Racism is inexcusable, deplorable, and disdainful. Prejudice is surmountable, unlearnable. I further realize that this is not the dictionary definition of Prejudice, but rather my perception of the usage, especially in this context.
I believe Barack Obama won the election because of Racism.
I’m not politically motivated. As most of you may know, I’m not a particularly motivated person in any respect. I call myself a right-leaning fence-sitter. Over the last 2-3 years, I’ve just about fallen off that fence, though. I still cling to the pickets, seeking a rational liberal with which to have a complete discussion on the formations of their basic principles. I have yet to find that, but not, as the conservatives would have it, because there is no such thing. I think it’s because my circle of friends and my social networking skills limit my reach. I believe in smaller federal government and personal responsibility. I don’t want any more of my tax money funding the thousands of federal handouts.
I had not followed the election very closely at first. I did read Obama’s WIKI entry back in early 2008, around the time that the Democratic nomination was unofficially down to him and Hillary. I was impressed at the time with his education and public service. It was clear to me that he was not a Muslim, despite dozens of warning emails indicating his radical heritage.
Soon after he won the nomination, I heard Ice Cube on the radio. He was saying how he had never voted before, but would get out there this time for “my man.” This was the first inkling I had that something was not quite right.
So, I did a little more reading, a little more listening, and a little more wondering.
I read about his connections to William Ayers, which turned out to be slim. I looked into his connections to the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., who gushed divisive racial views on more than one occasion. I listened to the media hype about Obama’s socialistic agenda. His campaign promises grate against my belief in lesser federal involvement, but it’s really more like collectivism than socialism. That was when I realized I did not want him to be my president.
On election night, when we realized he was going to win, I had a queasy feeling. A premonition? I doubt it. Bad hoummos? Unlikely. Still, I found it disconcerting. It seemed the ultimate act of racism had been committed.
Yes, I believe that Obama won the election because of the color of his skin. People such as Ice Cube stated that they would vote for him just because he was black. Large numbers of first-time voters tilted the poles in his favor. 95% of black voters voted for Obama. 55% of white voters voted for McCain. Blacks were 13% of voters, whites were 74%. If half of black voters voted for McCain, 6.5% of the total popular vote would have made the difference a mere half-million votes! Still in Obama’s favor, but much closer!
Maybe I’m overly influenced by Glenn Beck, who I find to be hysterical (not funny-hysterical) at times and super-logical at others. I don’t watch or listen to his show, but I do subscribe to his daily newsletter, which questions every move of the MSM and liberal left with unwavering, unappealing condescension.
It certainly is not a party thing. As a right-leaning fence-sitter, I claim no party affiliation. Big Politics is anathema to Small Government, so I avoid the rails of party lines. Lesser of two evils and all that.
One factor is certainly the timing of the rise of my political awareness. The last 8 years has seen amazing technological advances as well as deplorable human regression, all of them held up to the light of the Bush administration.
I will give Obama a chance, the benefit of the doubt; the jump ball arrow points to him. I respect his position and, to a certain extent, him personally. Furthermore, I claim no measure of decisiveness or expertise on this or any other sociopolitical issue.
I am throwing it out there for discussion.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
RSWR #4
This is a pretty cool piece about the tactical displays in the original Star Wars.
Yes, Star Wars, not "Episode IV" or "A New Hope."
Yes, Star Wars, not "Episode IV" or "A New Hope."
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
From my heart and from my hand...
Just bits and pieces today.
The Clerks animated show (2000) is (was?) freaking side-splitting. Sadly, this show lasted only 6 episodes. We watched one this weekend that was WHACK! The title was "A Dissertation on the American Justice System by People Who Have Never Been Inside a Courtroom, Let Alone Know Anything About the Law, but Have Seen Way Too Many Legal Thrillers" The way scenes slip into each other, like Kevin Smith’s very thoughts come to life, is engaging and hilarious. It's Monty Python without the slapstick.
Read about it here. Clerks: The Animated Series
My brother has started a blog. No, my other brother Darryl. Check it out HERE. And he joined Facebook. Cool.
I played Magic on Friday for the first time in about –damn, almost a year! My uncle (you know who you are) and I played our own format, CRAP magic. It’s a French acronym. No, the words are not French – the order of the words is rearranged, like they do in French, to make the acronym a real word. It stands for Cards, Random, in A Pile. We take a bunch of cards, no lands, put them into a pile, and draw. You can put a card face-down and it acts as all basic lands. For 2 mana during your upkeep, you can put a ‘land’ back into your hand. My uncle and I had a lot of fun as we explored the new cards in the Shards of Alara set. I won the first game, then he won SIX in a row! Definitely had a blast!
A fabulous no-prize to anyone who identifies the reference that connects the title to the first line ("...bits and pieces...").
The Clerks animated show (2000) is (was?) freaking side-splitting. Sadly, this show lasted only 6 episodes. We watched one this weekend that was WHACK! The title was "A Dissertation on the American Justice System by People Who Have Never Been Inside a Courtroom, Let Alone Know Anything About the Law, but Have Seen Way Too Many Legal Thrillers" The way scenes slip into each other, like Kevin Smith’s very thoughts come to life, is engaging and hilarious. It's Monty Python without the slapstick.
Read about it here. Clerks: The Animated Series
My brother has started a blog. No, my other brother Darryl. Check it out HERE. And he joined Facebook. Cool.
I played Magic on Friday for the first time in about –damn, almost a year! My uncle (you know who you are) and I played our own format, CRAP magic. It’s a French acronym. No, the words are not French – the order of the words is rearranged, like they do in French, to make the acronym a real word. It stands for Cards, Random, in A Pile. We take a bunch of cards, no lands, put them into a pile, and draw. You can put a card face-down and it acts as all basic lands. For 2 mana during your upkeep, you can put a ‘land’ back into your hand. My uncle and I had a lot of fun as we explored the new cards in the Shards of Alara set. I won the first game, then he won SIX in a row! Definitely had a blast!
A fabulous no-prize to anyone who identifies the reference that connects the title to the first line ("...bits and pieces...").
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
RSWR #3
Here is a pretty cool HD map of the Star Wars Galaxy.
You should probably set it as your desktop background.
Now.
You should probably set it as your desktop background.
Now.
Mediumer Education
Lost in the shuffle of redesigning 2009 has been my pursuit of higher education. Classes start this week at Monroe County Community College. Network Security and Technical Writing are the two classes I’m taking this semester. This will be the first semester, of 4 so far, that I will be learning something new. Previous classes included PC operating systems, Network concepts, and Help desk concepts, most of which were modulations of what I’ve self-taught in the last 10 years. I’m looking forward to it, but with trepidation at the time I’ll have to put into it. I WILL continue the writing, though, and the priority of family remains.
Yes, it is an Associate degree. I do have a Masters in Library Science. I tend to do things in jumbled, unconventional sequence. Kids, shack up, marriage. Buy stuff, need stuff, pay for stuff. Bachelors, Masters, Associates. This degree will likely not help with the 2009 Big Goal, but it will offer another tack for future career endeavors. We do a lot with online resources that have to be shared through our internal network. If I know how the networks operate, I can make the most of our knowledge-based information resources. As with automobiles, there will always be a demand for those who can repair and maintain computers and networks.
It’s all part of the bigger goal of MAKING MORE MONEY.
So that we can get another dog.
Yes, it is an Associate degree. I do have a Masters in Library Science. I tend to do things in jumbled, unconventional sequence. Kids, shack up, marriage. Buy stuff, need stuff, pay for stuff. Bachelors, Masters, Associates. This degree will likely not help with the 2009 Big Goal, but it will offer another tack for future career endeavors. We do a lot with online resources that have to be shared through our internal network. If I know how the networks operate, I can make the most of our knowledge-based information resources. As with automobiles, there will always be a demand for those who can repair and maintain computers and networks.
It’s all part of the bigger goal of MAKING MORE MONEY.
So that we can get another dog.
Monday, January 12, 2009
"Run it through - DISCHARGE!"
Weekends are just tough to find time to write. One would think there’s all this extra time, but it gets filled up pretty quick. Dinner, movie, car repair, family gathering, horse lesson, dinch (lunch/dinner), homework, housework, DVR, reading about writing... like one’s possessions tend to fill one’s residential storage space, one’s weekend activities tend to fill the nooks and crannies of one’s allotted hours.
That’s BS. We both know it. With a little extra effort, I could find lots of time to write. In fact, I was just reading an issue of the Writer that had multiple feature articles about finding time to write, balancing family and freelancing. I was falling asleep while reading, but that’s beside the point… I’m not here to make excuses. This blog is a vehicle to get my fingers moving. To be a writer, one has to actually write. A lot. Even if I am writing about not writing, it’s SOMETHING.
2009 is indeed going to be a year of change, and it starts with the discharge of self-deception.
That’s BS. We both know it. With a little extra effort, I could find lots of time to write. In fact, I was just reading an issue of the Writer that had multiple feature articles about finding time to write, balancing family and freelancing. I was falling asleep while reading, but that’s beside the point… I’m not here to make excuses. This blog is a vehicle to get my fingers moving. To be a writer, one has to actually write. A lot. Even if I am writing about not writing, it’s SOMETHING.
2009 is indeed going to be a year of change, and it starts with the discharge of self-deception.
RSWR clarification
I’ve had this idea for a while, and just wanted to get it up here, in the least to remind ME, but I didn’t make that very clear in the post. My intention is to periodically post a RSWR whenever I come across one, the obscurest being the most desirable. I mean, everyone knows about Jennifer Aniston in the Slave Leia outfit, so I won’t even mention that. The Simpsons use them almost every week. Then there's Robot Chicken.
Oddly enough, as I wrote the original post, I could not recall the specifics of any single RSWR.
Here, then, is RSWR #1.
From 30 Rock, starring Tina Fey, featuring Peter Dinklage as little person Stuart, a serendipitous love interest to Fey’s Liz Lemon...
Stuart: "It’s my fault for wanting to hear all about your job, it’s just so much more interesting than the UN."
Liz Lemon: "Oh come on, really? You have all those different languages and the costumes and that big meeting room; it must be like working in the Galactic Senate in Star Wars."
Stuart: "They are similar. We are also very concerned about the growing influence of the Sith lords."
Terribly funny show, this is.
This episode also features stunning cleavage from guest Salma Hayak. They both can be viewed here. The episode and the cleavage, I mean.
Oddly enough, as I wrote the original post, I could not recall the specifics of any single RSWR.
Here, then, is RSWR #1.
From 30 Rock, starring Tina Fey, featuring Peter Dinklage as little person Stuart, a serendipitous love interest to Fey’s Liz Lemon...
Stuart: "It’s my fault for wanting to hear all about your job, it’s just so much more interesting than the UN."
Liz Lemon: "Oh come on, really? You have all those different languages and the costumes and that big meeting room; it must be like working in the Galactic Senate in Star Wars."
Stuart: "They are similar. We are also very concerned about the growing influence of the Sith lords."
Terribly funny show, this is.
This episode also features stunning cleavage from guest Salma Hayak. They both can be viewed here. The episode and the cleavage, I mean.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Random Star Wars References
Star Wars has long been pervasive in the popular culture. One can find references to it in many matters and manners, and rather frequently. As a long time fan, I at least smile at each and every one of them, so I thought I would take a minute and share them with you. (Grammar aficionados will note that the usage of ‘you’ here can imply singular OR plural, as is appropriate to my quantum readership.)
This will be an ongoing feature here at Mayo’s Law.
You should do the RSS thingy, so as not to miss a single RSWR!
This will be an ongoing feature here at Mayo’s Law.
You should do the RSS thingy, so as not to miss a single RSWR!
Self-fulfilling prophet
Since Psychology 101, my very first class at the U of Toledo, I have been captivated by the term ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’. Though I understand the scientific usage, it always seemed to have so much unfulfilled potential! The fantasy geek in me always wanted to use it in some cool-ass D&D adventure, while the quiescent writer in me wanted to use it in some cool-ass play on words.
Over the years, the geek has matured and the writer has stirred in his caldera domicile, with neither having taken advantage of the phrase. Recently, though, I may have transcended the simple usage of the term. I believe I have become a self-fulfilling prophet in my own right!
Three incidents support my assertion, two for which I have proof!
On Monday night, I watched the Fiesta Bowl between Ohio State and Texas. The Buckeyes had gone ahead with about 2 minutes left in the game. One announcer immediately said they scored TOO quickly. “Nonsense!” was my initial reaction, but before they even kicked it off, I KNEW Texas was going to score! They did. (Honestly, this has happened before with sporting events, particularly the 1997 NHL playoffs when the Red Wings lost the first game of the conference finals at home to the Avalanche. I KNEW they would come back and win that series, and they did.)
On Wednesday evening, we were driving to dinner in the light snow. I had said to Jennifer that I was thinking of calling our park manager to suggest they put salt down on this kind of snow, which created icy conditions when it melted and refroze, which had happened 2-3 times already this season. Someone was bound to wreck and get hurt. While driving HOME from dinner, I was going a little too fast on balding tires while turning into the park. I lost control – literally had NO control – and slid into and over the curb!
On Thursday morning, I wrote an entry that got posted that evening, regarding the winter weather. I said “The only thing absent is a massive snow storm with major accumulations.” Hours later, the 11:00 forecast indicated just that! As I post this on Friday evening, there’s already 3-5 inches on the ground.
What does this all mean? Rationally, nothing. Spiritually, it could be seen as a manifestation of my declaration of intent to be free from the machinations of a malevolent universe.
Yeah, probably nothing.
Over the years, the geek has matured and the writer has stirred in his caldera domicile, with neither having taken advantage of the phrase. Recently, though, I may have transcended the simple usage of the term. I believe I have become a self-fulfilling prophet in my own right!
Three incidents support my assertion, two for which I have proof!
On Monday night, I watched the Fiesta Bowl between Ohio State and Texas. The Buckeyes had gone ahead with about 2 minutes left in the game. One announcer immediately said they scored TOO quickly. “Nonsense!” was my initial reaction, but before they even kicked it off, I KNEW Texas was going to score! They did. (Honestly, this has happened before with sporting events, particularly the 1997 NHL playoffs when the Red Wings lost the first game of the conference finals at home to the Avalanche. I KNEW they would come back and win that series, and they did.)
On Wednesday evening, we were driving to dinner in the light snow. I had said to Jennifer that I was thinking of calling our park manager to suggest they put salt down on this kind of snow, which created icy conditions when it melted and refroze, which had happened 2-3 times already this season. Someone was bound to wreck and get hurt. While driving HOME from dinner, I was going a little too fast on balding tires while turning into the park. I lost control – literally had NO control – and slid into and over the curb!
On Thursday morning, I wrote an entry that got posted that evening, regarding the winter weather. I said “The only thing absent is a massive snow storm with major accumulations.” Hours later, the 11:00 forecast indicated just that! As I post this on Friday evening, there’s already 3-5 inches on the ground.
What does this all mean? Rationally, nothing. Spiritually, it could be seen as a manifestation of my declaration of intent to be free from the machinations of a malevolent universe.
Yeah, probably nothing.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Cold.
Each year, my tolerance for winter gets shorter. It’s nice to have snow and cold around the holidays, appropriate even. But by the end of January, I’m ready for the sun and natural warmth.
Here it is only the first week of January, and northwest Ohio has seen the gamut of winter weather already. Snow, ice, sleet, blowing snow, [Inuit word for beady snow that flies around like little styrofoam balls without the static electricity], freezing rain, rain, ground fog, freezing FOG, and on December 27, 70 degree temps! We were visiting friends in Columbus that weekend, celebrating the holidays with a very nice dinner while the windows were open and the kids played outside! The only thing absent is a massive snow storm with major accumulations.
According to certain meteorologists, the upcoming week is statistically the coldest week of the season. The forecasted lows of -2 to -7 will likely confirm that! I wonder what it’s like in Orlando about now…
Dry skin, wet floors, salt-encrusted boots, problematic automobiles...I’m done with that shite already!
Here it is only the first week of January, and northwest Ohio has seen the gamut of winter weather already. Snow, ice, sleet, blowing snow, [Inuit word for beady snow that flies around like little styrofoam balls without the static electricity], freezing rain, rain, ground fog, freezing FOG, and on December 27, 70 degree temps! We were visiting friends in Columbus that weekend, celebrating the holidays with a very nice dinner while the windows were open and the kids played outside! The only thing absent is a massive snow storm with major accumulations.
According to certain meteorologists, the upcoming week is statistically the coldest week of the season. The forecasted lows of -2 to -7 will likely confirm that! I wonder what it’s like in Orlando about now…
Dry skin, wet floors, salt-encrusted boots, problematic automobiles...I’m done with that shite already!
New year....redux
It is my stated goal to post something here everyday. That something may be earth shatteringly germane, or numbingly inane. It my rhyme and it may not.
I only wish to reward my loyal reader.
The posts, however, may seem as stale as Toledo Blade headlines. My employer has added restrictions to web access, including gambling (fantasy hockey), games (the SRD), and social networking sites (blogs, facebook). So, sometimes a new post may seem like old news, just like when the Blade prints a headline that was on the internets as much as 30 hours previously!
I will write each morning, but it may not get posted until that evening or the following morning from my home PC.
I only wish to reward my loyal reader.
The posts, however, may seem as stale as Toledo Blade headlines. My employer has added restrictions to web access, including gambling (fantasy hockey), games (the SRD), and social networking sites (blogs, facebook). So, sometimes a new post may seem like old news, just like when the Blade prints a headline that was on the internets as much as 30 hours previously!
I will write each morning, but it may not get posted until that evening or the following morning from my home PC.
The Dark Tower: The Long Road Home
The Dark Tower: The Long Road Home
Graphic Novel
Robin Furth, et al.
I had waited for about 3 months to read this, because I didn’t want to invest money and time into collecting the 5 issues when they originally came out. So, after having it on request through the library for long and long, I finally got to read it recently. I’m certainly glad I did not dump my money into it!
The art is beautiful, certainly. The colors are amazing. But in 5 issues of a comic book, at $4.00 each normally, only 2 major things happened. Sheemie got his powers from some robot (contradictory to canon) and Roland turned dark and brooding after spending time with the Crimson King in the extra dimensional grapefruit. Sure, there’s action and daring and a little characterization to Alain and Cuthbert, but since we already know they die at Jericho Hill, we know there’s no real threat. The last part of the last issue reveals more than the rest of the issues combined! The King says he’s Roland’s cousin of old, both descended from the line of Eld, and Roland hides the grapefruit from his father.
The map of End-World at the end of the volume is pretty cool. It shows the relationships of the sites in the last 3 novels – Calla Bryn Sturgis, Castle Discordia, Empathica, and the Can’ka No Ray, among others.
I was further disappointed, however, that this collection did not include the written extras from the individual issues; the historical tidbits and background pieces that added some value to the $4.00 installments.
I hope the next one is more fulfilling, d’ya ken it.
Graphic Novel
Robin Furth, et al.
I had waited for about 3 months to read this, because I didn’t want to invest money and time into collecting the 5 issues when they originally came out. So, after having it on request through the library for long and long, I finally got to read it recently. I’m certainly glad I did not dump my money into it!
The art is beautiful, certainly. The colors are amazing. But in 5 issues of a comic book, at $4.00 each normally, only 2 major things happened. Sheemie got his powers from some robot (contradictory to canon) and Roland turned dark and brooding after spending time with the Crimson King in the extra dimensional grapefruit. Sure, there’s action and daring and a little characterization to Alain and Cuthbert, but since we already know they die at Jericho Hill, we know there’s no real threat. The last part of the last issue reveals more than the rest of the issues combined! The King says he’s Roland’s cousin of old, both descended from the line of Eld, and Roland hides the grapefruit from his father.
The map of End-World at the end of the volume is pretty cool. It shows the relationships of the sites in the last 3 novels – Calla Bryn Sturgis, Castle Discordia, Empathica, and the Can’ka No Ray, among others.
I was further disappointed, however, that this collection did not include the written extras from the individual issues; the historical tidbits and background pieces that added some value to the $4.00 installments.
I hope the next one is more fulfilling, d’ya ken it.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
New year, new layout, new motivations.
Though I haven’t actually started the new year till today, January 6, I am determined to make 2009 a year of major changes.
It sometimes seems the universe moves against me. So many things seem frustratingly intent on making my life more difficult. But that is one of the things I intend to change – that attitude. Really…just because the shovel broke on the ice-encased driveway does not mean there is some cosmic force working against me. It means the shovel was old and worn and I should have used the hoe to break the ice better. Additionally, having that attitude – expressing that attitude – is setting a poor example for my children. I’ve always tried to avoid being a “do as I say not as I do” parent. Blaming the universe is just another attempt to avoid responsibility.
I want to improve my productivity at work, also. There are many projects that have gone unaccomplished; many that will apply to my desired future in the technology field.
I intend to really LEARN something this semester at school, too. It is essential to our ultimate goal (see below) that I network my networking skills into something beneficial.
The biggest goal of the year is to move out of the trailer and get a real house. I have a lot of work there, but everything we do has to be working toward that. That is one of the main reasons Jen is working at Kroger for some extra money. Paying off bills leads to that. Spending less leads to that. Organizing the house leads to that. Packing things up, weeding through books, boxing up yard sale detritus – it all leads to selling the trailer and getting into a new house.
I want to make 2009 a creative year, too. This is going to be the hardest part for which to find time. Writing, drawing, painting, crafts, etc. It is high time I do something with the skills I so enjoyed as a child and young adult.
Of course, all of this takes a back seat to my main job – dad and husband. I take great pride in these, and it certainly is my intention to improve my performance at both of them. I will do so my focusing more on the kids, and by doing what Jennifer tells me to do. That may sound pandering and narcissistic, but 95% of the time she’s right!
Everything we do this year will help us move toward the goal of getting into a new house. And there is only one reason we want to get a new house (with a yard.)
So that we can get another dog.
It sometimes seems the universe moves against me. So many things seem frustratingly intent on making my life more difficult. But that is one of the things I intend to change – that attitude. Really…just because the shovel broke on the ice-encased driveway does not mean there is some cosmic force working against me. It means the shovel was old and worn and I should have used the hoe to break the ice better. Additionally, having that attitude – expressing that attitude – is setting a poor example for my children. I’ve always tried to avoid being a “do as I say not as I do” parent. Blaming the universe is just another attempt to avoid responsibility.
I want to improve my productivity at work, also. There are many projects that have gone unaccomplished; many that will apply to my desired future in the technology field.
I intend to really LEARN something this semester at school, too. It is essential to our ultimate goal (see below) that I network my networking skills into something beneficial.
The biggest goal of the year is to move out of the trailer and get a real house. I have a lot of work there, but everything we do has to be working toward that. That is one of the main reasons Jen is working at Kroger for some extra money. Paying off bills leads to that. Spending less leads to that. Organizing the house leads to that. Packing things up, weeding through books, boxing up yard sale detritus – it all leads to selling the trailer and getting into a new house.
I want to make 2009 a creative year, too. This is going to be the hardest part for which to find time. Writing, drawing, painting, crafts, etc. It is high time I do something with the skills I so enjoyed as a child and young adult.
Of course, all of this takes a back seat to my main job – dad and husband. I take great pride in these, and it certainly is my intention to improve my performance at both of them. I will do so my focusing more on the kids, and by doing what Jennifer tells me to do. That may sound pandering and narcissistic, but 95% of the time she’s right!
Everything we do this year will help us move toward the goal of getting into a new house. And there is only one reason we want to get a new house (with a yard.)
So that we can get another dog.
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