Four Things - Day 5

So it has been awhile since I have done anything related to Four Things.  I'm not the avid blogger but I do visit a few of the more interesting ones I have found.  I just got done reading Ashley's summer reading list over at her blog "A Cup of Ash Tea"and thought it quite interesting that the next Four Things I had to do related to that subject.  I thank my wife, Robin, from "At Four O'Clock" for starting this.  Even though I don't do it by the day, I think it is an interesting experience and will stick with it to the finish.

Day 5: Four Book Recomendations

*Note: I would recommend Game of Thrones in this list as it is one of my all time favorite series, but I thought I would recommend other, not as popular books that I have read that were interesting as well.  Game of Thrones seems to be on everyone's list at the moment.

1. Hobgoblin by John Coyne - A bit of history behind this book.  When I was 14, I spent the summer with my uncle in South Carolina (I lived in Virginia at the time) and I saw this book on his shelf.  I was needing something to read and this book seemed right up my alley.  I was heavy into Dungeons and Dragons at the time and this book was about a boy that played a fantasy game much like it and was so enamored of the game that he actually began to believe it as real.  As I read it, I was drawn into it and enthralled by the story. It was nothing like what I thought it would be but it was so very good all the same.  It turns out to be more horror than fantasy and more psychological than you could imagine.  This book was, and still is, so good that even now, more than 20+ years later, I still pick it up and read it.  I have owned this book more times than I can count and I still look for it in used  bookstores when I go because it is so hard to find.  I don't want to buy it online as I like to see and feel the book in my hand. It is a rare book so if you luck upon one, grab it, read it and hold onto it.  I am a firm believer in "books are meant to be shared" but I refuse to let this one go anymore...I never seem to get it back.

(source)

2. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss - In a nutshell, a coming of age story.  This book is very intense, very wordy and very good.  VERY.  I was confused at first by what the author was doing with his story but by the fourth or fifth chapter, I grew so engrossed in the book that I began to understand better and appreciated his approach so much more.  It is one of the better books I have read this year and am currently reading part 2 of the series now.  I can't really describe this book, but needless to say, if you are looking for a book that is epic in scope and style, pick this one up.  You won't regret it.

(source)

3. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer.  Imagine being a kid, being rich, being super intelligent and believing in fairies, elves and the fae folk and finding out they exist.  Now imagine being a ruthless villain too.  Artemis Fowl is actually a series but the first book is called Artemis Fowl and it is good for an easy read when you want something fun and exciting without being wordy and overbearing.  The first book introduces you to Artemis Fowl and gives you the basic background I told you above...rich kid with a brain and evil to boot.  He invests in trying to find the fae folk and succeeds only to try and get something from them through nefarious means.  If you want a good book that won't talk down to you and make you feel like a kid while still treating you as an adult, check this out.

(source)

4. First Blood by David Morrell. Yes, we have probably all seen Rambo: First Blood and thought it was good, awesome, awful, or what ever...but did you know it was first a book?  A very good book with a much different story than the movie and a MUCH different ending.  Oh sure, the skeleton of the movie is in these pages, but Hollywood ran amok and put a totally different flesh on that skeleton for the movie. Let me put it this way...Morrell was not planning on another book for John Rambo.  I include this book for two reasons.  First and foremost, the difference from the movie makes it so much better and to me, would have made a much better movie than what Rambo ended up being.  Second, you really get a feel for the soldier (Rambo) and the hell he has been through and what his motivations are....and you get a true feel for the cop (Teasle) and how he is a good man with a load of responsibilities...not the ass displayed in the movie.  For a good, steady read, try out this book.  It isn't my favorite but it is still a good one.

(source)

I have such a hard time choosing which books to recommend to people, I just love reading so much and there are very few books I don't finish once I start.  These are just a few of the ones I would recommend.  Who knows, I may do a post one day of nothing but book titles with links for those books I would definitely recommend to you.

Four Things - Day 2

 

My wife over at atfouroclock.com started a challenge that I decided to join in on.

Day 2: Four Fictional Characters

1 - Lara Croft: Ok, so I am a geek guy and I love video games.  I really don't care for the tough as nails, all balls to the wall girl in most things, but Lara Croft is just awesome and cool.  I never could understand the sex appeal, but as a character, she turned out to be very deep and extremely well put together mentally.  Her story has been told in so many different ways and with so many different styles that it is hard to completely understand it, but overall, I found it enthralling and entertaining.  I think the whole exploration of tombs and ancient history and legends in conjunction with her history made her a much more viable and fun character. 
     What ruined her story the most was the fiasco's they called movie adaptions.  I just can't attest enough to the horrible way the studios went about putting these movies together.  From what I understand, there is another movie in the works (source) based off the latest outing of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider 2013 and I really hope they do better with it.

 (source)

2 - Chewbacca: Big. Hairy. Loyal. Strong.  What's not to love? This is the most true and trusted friend of any character I can imagine.  Think about all the crap that he goes through by Han Solo's side and all the trouble he got into because of who he knows....and he stays around.  Just, WOW! 
     My wife tells me that Chewie actually stays by Hans side because he owes Han Solo a life debt.  I was not aware of this and it makes sense.  I still prefer to think that Chewie hangs with Han because he truly, genuinely cares for the scoundrel.

 (source)

3 - Blade: I recently (within the past year) completed a series of books by T.C. Southwell called The Queen's Blade and was enthralled by the level of detail and amount of depth that went into all the characters, but particularly into Blade, (Lord Conash).  He was such a thrilling and unique character and I was so torn and upset many times reading this series by the hell this man went through.  But all he endured only made him stronger and more efficient at what he does.  His story is told in a series of 8 books (two of them prequels, **Note: Read the prequels after the original series as they give away some of the story and will not make the original series as entertaining**).  His loyalty to his views and then, later, to his friends make him so very interesting.  If you like to read and have an e-reader, I suggest going to the link above and getting the first book.  (It's free for the first book of all T.C. Southwells' series.)

(source)

4 - Caramon and Raistlin Majere: Ok, so I know that I am supposed to pick one character for each of these but, anyone who knows these characters, knows that you can't really talk about one without the other.  These were twins that were introduced to me through the Dragonlance Chronicles back in high school.   Their story was so deep and involved that they were given their own series of books called The Time of the Twins.  Both Chronicles and Time of the Twins was written by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis.

     Caramon, the big, burly, handsome one of the two, seems to be slow witted and dense but is actually quite smart and caring with a gentle side that would make most people look clumsy in comparison.  His loyalty to his brother borders on the fanatical as he felt responsible for Raistlin in every imaginable way.  Caramon even puts his own feelings for others, even in matters of the heart, to the back burner many times in support of Raistlin. As you can imagine, this leads to many problems and conflicts, manifesting both physically and mentally.  

     Raistlin is just the opposite of Caramon.  He is sickly and weak but smart as a whip and deems himself above everyone else due to this intelligence, including his brother.  However, he knows that he could never survive without his brother.  Atleast, not at first.  I can't divulge too much in this regard as it would give the story away.  Suffice it to say that eventually, Raistlin comes into his own strength, albeit of the mind. Deep down, though, Raistlin loves and cares for his brother and these feelings make him feel weak himself.

     The way these two characters compliment each other makes you think of one whole person that was actually broken into two parts and if the two were ever molded back together, that one individual would be a force to be reckoned with.

(source)

Four Things - Day 1

 

My wife over at atfouroclock.com started a challenge that I decided to join in on.

Day 1: Four likes and four dislikes

Likes

1- Reading : I like to read.  Hands down, reading to me is the single best experience to "get away from it all".  It is my Calgon, my escape from reality.  I still recall the very first book I ever read from cover to cover.  It was "Charlotte's Web".  I remember being so proud of myself at finishing it that I wanted to read more and more.  I became a reading machine.  I read books like others ate, ( and at times I even read instead of eating.) It truly became a passion that I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of.  To me, my toy store was the local bookstore growing up.  I would take paperbacks in to be traded and get new books.
Of every book I have ever read though, the one that stands out to me as my all time favorite is "Hobgoblin" by John Coyne.  It was and still is an amazing book in my opinion.  Every time I go to a used book store, I look for a copy of it as it is out of print now.  I have owned multiple copies of this book in my life but currently only have one.  For a synopsis of it, you can go here.

 

(source: here)

2- Video Games : I have always loved video games.  It is another form of escapism for me.  I remember going to see my uncle and playing Wishstone on his Amiga computer.  It was a text based game and I was enthralled by it.  I played it for hours and hours, trying to solve the puzzles.  I never finished it, much to my dismay...but I still have great memories of playing it. 

Now, I don't play much else besides World of Warcraft (WoW).  This game has had its share of flack in the 8+ years it has been out and I don't totally disagree that it can be very addicting, but it is also a very well developed and well thought out game rich in detail and story.  Some people get completely addicted to it so much so that it runs their lives in every aspect.  "Go out with friends...." Bah, why bother, all their friends are in WoW.  Not me...although I will admit that I can get sidetracked by it...I will always say and believe that my best friend is here beside me every day...my wife.  

3- Movies : Starting to see a pattern here? Ya, me too.  I guess I like a lot of various forms of entertainment. Movies tend to show me emotion rather than just read about it.  I love a well done saga like Lord of the Rings or Roots or Star Wars.  I enjoy musicals like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.  My wife introduced me to a favorite, The Phantom of the Opera with Gerard Butler.  I think that, given a choice between a good modern movie and a classic, however, I would stick with the classics.  Ten Commandments and Cleopatra were very well done sweeping epics that just enthralled me, even as a kid.

4- Coffee : Must have coffee.  I cannot function without my coffee.  I grew up getting my mother coffee everyday and when I was twelve, I was allowed a cup. I remember how bitter and awful it tasted.  I remember my mother laughing at the face I made and then she doctored it with a bit of sugar and cream.  I was in love with it since then.  My current favorite is a good cup of coffee with sweet cream that you buy at Publix grocery store.  It is not too sweet with just a hint of milk. 

Oh, and my wife makes a mean cup of joe! She is so perfect for me. 

 

(source: seen on various sites)

Dislikes

1- Know-It-Alls : If you have read the post I made "What/ Who is "Kho" and who am I?" then you know what I mean when I say this.  I cannot stand someone that knows everything about everything.  It drives me nuts.  You know the person I'm talking about...the one that has shaved faster than you because they found that secret way of doing it and refuses to tell you.  These people are "one uppers", always doing things better, faster and with more panache than you or anyone else on the planet.  

If they were so perfect at everything and know everything, then why is that person working a job making minimum wage?

Hell, if I was that damned smart and savvy then you can bet your one dollar to my millions that I would have that I would not be working so friggin hard to eat.

2- Moochers : "Hey buddy, can I borrow a dollar?" Sure, if I have it, you can borrow it.  I don't mind loaning money to someone, giving them a ride, helping with moving, etc...but when payback is due, don't leave me hanging.  If you say you will pay me back, do so. I've needed to borrow money before too and it is a humbling feeling to have to ask.  I always try to make sure I pay it back though.  

Oh, and say "Thanks" when you get the loan AND when you pay it back.  I can't stand those that mumble a quick thanks when they get the money and then act like you are ripping them apart when they hand the payment back to you.  I'm not a bank, I don't charge interest...say thanks for that at least.

3- The Twilight Series: Enough said.

4- Drugs : I guess you could call caffeine a drug, but at least it's legal.  I'm talking the illegal stuff.  I have/had friends and family that did drugs and, while I didn't like it, I let them do it.  I just don't want it around me or my family or in my home.  I have an aversion to illegal drugs...it's called "I don't want to go to jail." and also that I don't really think it is an expense or necessity for me.   If you enjoy it, so be it...just keep in mind that I don't want to be a part of it.