Author: James Hogan

To Dream

James HoganLeave a comment

Just had a beautiful hour walking down to EQ in the (now slightly too warm) afternoon sunlight and reading on the porch.  Finally finished:

13.  Lamentation by Ken Scholes.  This is a book that I discovered via an online article some time back…found the book itself in Half-Price Books not that long ago and now have completed it.  It’s…an interesting book with interesting ideas and I want to say I liked it.  The idea of it intrigued me(mix of fantasy and ancient technology and whispers of Earth) and indeed the ideas and the plot is the best thing about the book.  The writing itself is a bit rough, and as I started reading it, I was very much not impressed.  Figured I’d finish it for the sake of it but not read any more of the series.  Half-way through, I found it getting slightly better, but still doubted I’d want to read any further books.  Then somehow today, as I finished the book…realized I actually do want to read more of this series now.  Good job, Scholes – you’ve hooked me!!  Why didn’t I like it at first?  Well, I suppose I can say that I’m not a fan of the way the author handled the characters.  As some of you may know, my very favourite books feature characters so rich and deep that they seem almost real.  This book…does not have characters like that.  They all seemed a bit one-dimensional.  A few chapters in, you instantly understand who the heroes are, who the villains are…and…that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but the characters themselves just seemed flat.  No layers, no growth.  The prose was also a bit dull and predictable at times, but I suppose I can’t complain too much, as my own writing is far worse!  Nonetheless, not impressed.  But…the world itself, and the evident detail that has gone into the world-building and plotting gave the story a richness that saved it from the lacklustre characters and mediocre writing.  Very much have to give the author props for creating some seriously fascinating history and backstory!  And at the end of the day, I am curious to see where he takes the story from here and I’m hoping(as this was his debut novel) that the second book improves and grips me even further.

Now as I don’t have the aforementioned second book yet…I need to decide which book I’ll read next.  It’s going to either be a scientific work or a biography or a sci-fi novel…hmm what shall it be I wonder….??

I suppose now it’s time to shower and then get ready for dinner.  And thank God yet again for all that He has made.  Reading Exodus today and Moses’ relationship to God filled my heart with a desire to know God more.  My heart burns for this.

Peace and love.

Onwards

James HoganLeave a comment

A sleepy evening, yet again!  And so nothing momentous planned tonight.  But I am rather excited for my dinner.  Delicately spiced fish bakes in the oven, asparagus and mashed potatoes to accompany.  Perfection.  And so on this night when my heart beats fast yet soul pulses slow, I am grateful to the Lord my God for the simple pleasures in life.  Always.

Now time to turn on ’24’ and watch some Jack domination.  Oddly comforting that show.  Although maybe not so odd.  Evil and darkness sometimes posture as victors, but nay.

Light will always conquer.

Clarissa

James HoganLeave a comment

So I am really quite sleepy and I am definitely going to bed soon(well, after I write this.  Oh and after I read some of my book as well).  But thought it was proper that I write at least a few words(seriously, very few!!)  I write this as I currently sit(well, sit/lie) on my bed in my room here at home in Tampa…glorious.  This bed is super comfy, I gotta say – hence why I have no idea how long I’ll stay awake.

Today was a wonderful day here with the fam…from waking up not-as-early-as-normal and having an encouraing reading/coffee time….to chocolate chip pancake time with Dad and Laura and Caisson and Mom and talking about love and life and the blessings of the Lord…to mall adventures involving many fragrant roses on display and cheeky express shopping with expert Mom assistance and chicken meal consumption with again – Laura/Caisson/Mom – and just laughingly good times at the old classic Citrus Park…to attempted car-fixing-adventure-but-sadly-failing with Caisson…and then attempted rose-mulching-adventure-and-actually succeeding with Caisson…to getting far too many birthday half-presents from the parents and Laura and Caisson…finally dinner with the fam – mmm roast beef and buttery potatoes and tender carrots and onions – and then enjoying the perfectly delectable chocolate sheet cake while we watched the classic and inspiring and truly beautiful Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, in which Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur are simply magnificent…and finally more talking and relaxing times with Laura and Caisson while me and Laura gave each other back massages…and now it really should be bedtime because I have half-perused this current sentence/paragraph and oh dear it is a mess.

Apparently I really like ellipses and hyphens when I’m sleepy??  But hey – I shall let this stand as a memorial stone to this wonderful day that my God has granted me.  Being with my wonderful family is a gift I shall always treasure – may I never cease to thank my Lord for blessing me so.  I wish Maryanne could have been here too…but apart from her not being here, today was perfect.  Truly.

Now time to close this computer and think and meditate on how good it is to abide in Christ, for in Him is my great love.  Forever and always.  Peace and love, my friends.  Peace and love.

Of Books and Beans

James HoganLeave a comment

A rare morning post from my couch and not from work!  But this work day presses upon me and while I should get off the couch and get ready to leave soon…I desired to write a few words.  Tonight I fly back to Tampa for times with the parents and Laura and Caisson – yay!!  Hopefully (maybe) I will have time to write when I’m in Tampa, but I cannot promise any such thing.  What else have I to write?  I had a sweet time with James last night at the Rockets game – beat the Jazz and clinched the series.  On to the Western Conference Finals – Golden State awaits, surprising absolutely no one.  And so after I dropped him off at his house last night and drove the long way back here, I realized I would not get a proper amount of sleep alas.  Two cups of coffee this morning and I’m still not fully awake!  Now I really need to start packing for Tampa so…farewell, friends.  Let me briefly share the close of one of my very favourite chapters:

And there are also many other things
which Jesus did,
which if they were written in detail,
I suppose that even the world itself
would not contain the books that would be written.
-John 21:25

Oh how I long for the day that I see my Lord face to face.

Fountains Keep Nothing for Themselves

James HoganLeave a comment

Last night, even though I *should* have been going to bed and getting a good night’s sleep…I was silly and insisted on finishing my book instead:

12.  Cordelia’s Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold.  Technically I could probably count this as two books – Shards of Honor and Barrayar, but I have the omnibus edition and both individual books are rather short and I did only read it in four days so…I think I will only count it as one.  Anyways!  This book was magnificent.  I’ve always heard good things about Bujold and even tried reading one of her books back in my Aberdeen days – Cryoburn.  For some reason, I struggled with that book and didn’t really enjoy it?  I even remember being bored by it, for some reason.  Hm.  Maybe it was not the best of hers to start with.  Anyway – this book – Cordelia’s Honor – was absolutely magnificent.  I’ve read some reviews online stating that the first book(Shards of Honor) is not very well written and must be suffered through to get to the good stuff…I absolutely disagree as I simply loved all of it.  It may be that the terse and slightly clunky prose reminds me of my classic golden age sci-fi favorites, but nonetheless, so many fantastic moments throughout.  And I realize I am not explaining why I like this at all.  Well, it’s a grand sci-fi adventure with amazingly real characters in a fascinatingly drawn universe.  Cordelia is magnificent and she is my favourite and I simply need to read more about her!  And Aral Vorkosagin isn’t so bad himself, a warrior, a man of integrity and a man of deep-felt love.  And the story of them meeting each other on a random newly discovered planet amidst confusion and conflict and their growing admiration and then love for each other…wonderful.  There are some harrowing moments in this book too – it is most certainly not for the faint of heart.  But the moments of hair-raising terror were made up for by the sheer wonder of discovering a new world and new favorite characters…and the high political(and martial!) drama was beautifully portrayed.  And while some books can glorify or make war seem grand and desirable(especially pulp sci-fi!), this one most certainly does not.  The stupidity and ironic valour of war are highlighted…and individuals are prized.  Even the low and insignificant, the feeble and disabled…all are worthy of life and honor.  I was most impressed by the the themes in this book.  And once again – Cordelia is just plain awesome.  An epic moment near the end of the book left me grinning and slightly open-mouthed in awe.  I shan’t spoil it here, but let’s just say it involves Cordelia on a shopping trip to the capital…and it has a most satisfying denouement.  (this book would make a great movie by the way – why has it not been done!?!)  One more thing – often times science fiction books are all about the action and fancy new tech and exotic worlds, etc, etc and the characters are given rather short shrift.  Other books are marvelous character studies, but the book’s setting and plot is just a bit blah.  This book was a most lovely blend of my very favorite sci-fi elements with delightfully raw and relatable characters living their lives.  Well done, Bujold, well done, indeed.  Next book – omnibus Young Miles – has already been ordered.  One last thing – would I recommend this unreservedly?  Probably not, because it does have a few very scary moments that are not for the faint of heart, and while not overly graphic, is also probably not for the squeamish either.  As you can tell though…I loved it and glad I finally have discovered why Bujold is so strongly praised.  One last thing – this book did indeed have some perfectly beautiful lines in it.  While a lot of the prose is merely…serviceable, there are a couple lines that made me near weep for their beauty.  And that is not a bad thing.

That was a very long review.  Sorry?  Guess you can tell I enjoyed the book!  Now…time to sip on my coffee and begin work this day.  Peace and love.

Amaranth

James HoganLeave a comment

Did I mean to write something more creative and fun this morning?  Yes.  Did I get distracted reading about the Rockets’ win yesterday to put them up 3-1 on the Jazz and the Lightning’s series win over the Bruins?  Also yes.  Ah well – I cannot complain as I have a peppermint mocha in front of me and a three day week before me.  Want to share some of my very favourite words that I happened to read today…thus always my heart:

I cried to you; save me and I shall keep Your testimonies.
I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I wait for Your words.
My eyes anticipate the night watches,
that I may meditate on Your word.
Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;
revive me, O Lord, according to Your ordinances.

-Psalm 119:147-149

Shards of Honor

James HoganLeave a comment

Good afternoon friends!!  It is a most fine Sunday afternoon here.  And I have not long to write, as soon I will be off to Julien and Kelsey’s for a fine roast dinner.  Most looking forward to that, as delightful conversation and encouraging times await.  But for now, I can only sit and thank the Lord for the beautiful day He has granted me.  A wonderful morning at church with my dear brothers and sisters.  A relaxing few hours at home in which to eat lunch and do other various domestic chores.  And then…a lovely walk down to EQ and a few hours on the porch there, soaking up the sunlight and reading a lovely book.  Oh what a gift was granted me by my Lord, that few hours of reading in the glorious sunshine.  Few things are better than that.  But…one of those things better came soon after…as I walked home, called home and talked to mom and dad…enjoying sweet chat with them…of Lightning victorious and other sundry things.  Again.  Few things are bettter than that.

And now…I really don’t think I can say much else without resorting to poetic anthem, and I feel it is not time for that this day.  Some other day, perhaps.  For now, I will sign off and think of the gratitude and love that fills my heart this day.  I still feel the touch of the sun on my skin and the touch of that song on my soul.

Peace and love, one and all.

Wishmaster

James HoganLeave a comment

So finished another book last night.  Read:

11.  The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan.  I’m not going to overly detail my thoughts on this book, other than it’s another fantastic Wheel of Time book…full of high drama and delicious fantastical elements.  This is the book where Rand is barely ever in it, but he does show up at the end in time to defeat Ishamael and claim the Stone of Tear, prompting both Aiel and Defenders of the Stone alike to shout out in acclamation.  And this book also contains the beginnings of Mat being awesome…as well as Perrin meeting Faile.  For somer reason, the more I read these books, the more I like reading Perrin & Faile’s story…and this is where Perrin first discovers his falcon and their love story is beautiful, as messy as it later becomes!  In this book it ends with her wiping his blood off his face, the blood he shed to save her life.  Romantic to the core.  Now I apologize – for any of you who have not read this book, it sounds most confusing…and trust me, even reading it can sometimes be confusing.  But wonderful all the same.

What else shall I discuss today?  I suppose I could mention that myself and John are planning to go see newest Avengers movie – Infinity War – later tonight.  It should be epic, as it has approximately 23 superheroes in it.  And…I believe that’s not that much of an exxageration.  Excited for that!!

Also been for some reason in a Nightwish mood lately…listening to it both at work and in my drives to and from.  I forgot how much I love them and just how gorgeous their music is!!  And thankfully, I have Laura who I can call and we can go into great detail discussing our fav albums and singers (obviously Tarja is amazing….but I do like both Annette and Floor in their own way, as well!!)  Been remembering the times I saw them live(first with Jackie, second with Laura!) and it has renewed my desire to one day soon chronicle my all-time favorite concert experiences, of which surely Nightwish show will be near the top.

Now it is about time for me to take my leave, but firstly (note, I should really probably leave off that last stanza…but can’t help it – love it even though poem would probably be better ending stanza sooner…)…

The morning warm and dark breaks
like the darkened sea upon the shattered shore,
and though I think there is no beauty left to find,
and no more dawn song tripping through my mind,
I turn the key and turn my head and turn and see
her entering,
and the gate swings open, open
and the streetlamps’ light descends upon her
faintly.

Faintly yes
but enough for me
to see

Chocolate curls cascading,
Snow white dress shimmering,
Her eyes liquidly
Dark and full of magic,

and though I approach but softly
her lips quirk up in sheepish smile,
our eyes brush past each other
and touch oh so gently
and lips murmur
courteous nothings
in the wind.

And lo her eyes smile and dip and dance away
and so I bow and take my leave
and so
and so
the dawn song breaks upon my heart once more
as the foamy sea cast its waves
upon that golden shore.

Century Child

James HoganLeave a comment

…and once again we come to Monday, the pauper of days.  But as I rolled on to work this morning, it was heartening to see the brilliant full moon shine bright o’erhead, before she finally decided to veil her face.  Even then, the light broke through the clouds effortlessly, beautifully.  And so my week begins, with a note of wonder, song of grace.

And briefly…much enjoyed my reading this morning.  I would like to share a few of my favourite verses – firstly from Exodus:

Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died.
And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out;
and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God.
So God heard their groaning;
and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
God saw the sons of Israel,
and God took notice of them.
-Exodus 2:23-25

Is that not beautiful?  I cannot quite state that anything I’m going through is anywhere near the level of bondage that the children of Israel were in.  But it is oh so encouraging to my heart to see how God responds to the sighs and cries of His people.  God hears, God remembers, God sees, God takes notice.  We may think that God is ignoring us, not promptly answering our pleas and our cries.  I mean – seriously, the children of Israel are in bondage for near on four hundred years!!  That is not an insignificant length of time – why does God not act sooner?  I know not.  And sometimes whatever we are suffering through will seem like it is never ending…yet…we need not let our hearts be troubled.  Because God does remember His promises to us and He surely does see our plight and hear our cries.  And God will surely take notice and stretch out His mighty hand on our behalf.  Not in our time, perhaps.  But God’s time is sweeter still.  Let us remember that and let our hearts’ cries never cease to be raised to the God who hears.

And secondly from the magnificent book of John…

Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world,
He loved them to the end.
-John 13:1

…and is that not truly beautiful as well?  Jesus knew His time was short.  He knew His time was at hand.  And He whose love is incomprehensible did truly love His disciples deeply.  And did His love for them wane as His hour of trial approached?  Oh most certainly not – Jesus loved His disciples to the end.  He loved them infinitely.  He loved them completely and perfectly, as only the Son of God can.  And to manifest His love to them…he got up from the dinner table and washed His followers’ dirty feet.  A shocking display of love, acting not as their Teacher and Lord(which He was!), but as their Servant.  And so this Servant who was about to suffer greatly did kneel before His disciples and love them greatly.  I can imagine them being so shocked that silence fell around the table.  I don’t know that for certain, but I imagine it to be so.  And then when He comes to Peter…Peter responds as only Peter can – “Never shall You wash my feet!”  But when Jesus responds that Peter shall have no part of Him if He is not washed by Christ…then Peter again responds as only Peter can – “…then wash me completely, feet, head, hands all!”  Jesus gently reminds Him that he who has bathed need only wash his feet and truly, “…you are clean.”  What a joy to hear that from Jesus.  You are clean!  Oh joyous thought – we that are redeemed by the blood of Christ are truly clean.  Forever.  And we can read about this moment where Jesus acted so sacrificially for His followers…so also ought we to lay aside our pride and love one another.  If Jesus could serve His disciples in such a way…how could we not long to serve each our brothers and sisters daily, always.  What joy would fill our hearts to act as our Saviour??  What joy does fill our hearts to know our Lord!!

And one last verse to close…truly lovely words:

“In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me;
and he who loves Me
will be loved by My Father,
and I will love Him
and will disclose Myself to him.”
-Jesus Christ, John 14:20-21

We of whose those words are true…Jesus reveals Himself to us in pure love.  What awe and wonder!  We are loved by God the Father.  We are loved by God the Son.  We abide in Christ and Christ abides in us.  The Holy Spirit of God dwells in us.  We are loved by God.  We truly know God as He reveals Himself to us.  We are truly known by God.  We are loved.  This, my friends, is why we can be full of grace and full of peace.  Forever and always.

Hard Love

James HoganLeave a comment

Good morning, friends!! And…happy Friday!!! For indeed, it is finally Friday here, and although I am quite tired(it’s been a long week!), I’m psyched for a glorious day ahead. Sipping on my (still slightly warm) peppermint mocha now and enjoying that – was fun seeing and chatting briefly with Tony & Chi at Starbucks today! I still miss Katie, but I suppose I may(at some point possibly?) see her again – she is now finishing up her first semester of nursing school yay! Anyways – enough Starbucks people updates! Today shall be a good day, that I declare. I’ve been thinking lately about how easily I get distracted and fret over either things I don’t control or things that don’t really matter. And really how…at the end of the day, I need to rest in the sovereignty and love of Christ Jesus my Lord and rejoice and enjoy the beauty all around me, courtesy of my God. True? May I remember that much more than I usually do. Peace, my friends. Peace and love.