Tag: books

Tears Upon the Angel’s Face

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Book review post! (Surprise!)

68. Art and Fear by David Bayles & Ted Orland. A book about making art and all the perils that come with. Was a bit disappointed by it as I think maybe I expected something a bit more profound? Yes, the authors weren’t trying to write a treatise on the meaning of Art or about what comprises art (Everything? Nothing?) and they also weren’t necessarily trying to classify who belongs in the Artist category. Yet still? This book felt both a bit perfunctory and a bit unfocused. Definitely a few good takeaways here and there (especially the idea that the very creation of a particular piece of art is something done only once, as the artist is given of himself at a particular moment in time and the process of creating necessarily changes both the artist and the world in that moment) yet perhaps this is a book that should be read all at once. I may have done it a disservice by reading it disjointedly over the span of two weeks. I did enjoy mulling over the idea that the only work worth doing is that which is focused on something the artist cares about. Only that is “true art”, perhaps? Maybe I was not the right audience for this work. Very much felt like the authors were writing to “professional” artists, those who make their living from their art (or at least want to). Is it possible to be an artist who creates art yet not be an Artist? Maybe? The authors didn’t really engage with this. Also was uncertain of a few statements made that we can only really make art that dialogues with the ethos in which we live – obviously making religious art in these post-modern days doesn’t really work, according to the author. Of course that’s me stretching the point perhaps farther than the author meant to imply, yet I was amused at the idea that all of us today are so monolithic in thought that certain old ideas are no longer feasible as artistic subjects. I would beg to differ, as I would postulate (from at least my own experience) that religious truths are even now a very present concern and impetus for the creation of true Art. To sum up? Not a bad book by any means. But it feels a bit dated (even though it was written a bare 30 years ago!) and I don’t think adds much to the general conversation. If you are an aspiring professional artist? This would probably be at least mildly worthwhile.

Warm Rain and Fever Dreams

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A few short book ramblings this Saturday evening…

65. Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson. Book 3 of the Stormlight Archive, this is a fine Sanderson novel even if I do feel it is a step down from the first two books in the series. Yes, the focus on Dalinar is fantastic and long awaited and his flashbacks are positively riveting. And some of the moments in this book stand as some of the best in the series. We get Dalinar Kholin standing strong against Odium. We get prolonged moments in Shadesmar for the first time. We get to see Shallan really come into her own (or is it Veil? Or is it Radiant?). But some weaknesses creep into this book that seem to only propagate further the deeper we get into this series. Although at first Urithiru was profoundly fascinating and other (and there’s some great moments early on, especially with Shallan’s confrontation with one of the Unmade), this book spends so much time there that I honestly get a bit bored with Urithiru near the halfway point and find myself groaning whenever we return there. Thankfully Sanderson perhaps realises this and moves the action away from there in the latter parts of this book. Also some of Sanderson’s stylistic tics start bothering me a bit more here. So much telling instead of showing. So much hand-holding of the reader. I feel a bit condescended to at times. And the italics. Oh make the italics go away. Please? Ah well, I am being overly harsh. Sanderson’s plotting is still superb and I continue to read this series just to find out where the story is going. On to book 4.

66. Dawnshard by Brandon Sanderson. A nice little novella sandwiched between Oathbringer and Rhythm of War, this book reveals some important plot points as well as further deepens the understandings of some of the characters we know and love (the Lopen!!). I enjoyed this book but was a bit puzzled over the fact that my enjoyment of it was very dependent on which character we were following. I loved the Lopen POVs. Lopen is ridiculous yes, but Sanderson is so self-aware of this fact and so much leaning into it that I can’t but laugh and go along for the ride. And Lopen actually gets a major moment of self-reflection that although maybe a bit too on the nose, still most welcome. Rysn though. I have always loved Rysn POVs before (her interludes were always some of my favourite), but her moments in this book felt a bit stodgy and overly introspective and honestly didn’t really feel like Rysn. Not sure if it was because of Sanderson’s special care to make sure he accurate portrays her disability and subsequent way of thinking, but something just felt a bit off with how he wrote her. Still though, this was a fun book and a good palate cleanser prior to the plunge into Rhythm of War!

67. The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka. A profound book. I will warn readers that if you have not heard of this book yet, I would almost urge to not read the back of the book or a plot summary. After reading, I looked at the description on the back of the book and it made the book sound so trite and I fear would have ruined the reading experience. Instead…if you wish to read a book that is real and deep and dives into the depths of a person and their whole story and being, even as cracks propagate through their very sense of self…please just pick it up and start at page 1, wading into a work that will be well worth your time. I didn’t know what this book would be about (except well, a pool and swimmers, assumedly – as per the title of the book and front cover image) and I’m glad I didn’t. As I read the first third or so of this book, parts of it irked me a bit and felt a tad ridiculous and I wasn’t sure what I was even reading. But once the perspective shifts and you start following one person’s story, you sigh and put your hand over your mouth and yes, you understand. Or you think you understand. Then you keep reading and keep taking in gulps of breath to avoid the claustrophobic feeling that comes with feeling you are in unknown waters and hemmed in on every side by the walls that are closing in more quickly than you would dare imagine. You may think you know what this book will be about if you read a summary or thoughts by strangers online, but you will not truly understand until you feel the weight of this book on your lap and trace your fingers across the words on page and let them soak into your brain which even now sparks and hums in ways that are far more miraculous than you can imagine and which you take for granted as it works so wonderfully (until it doesn’t). This book will hit you hard because though it is a work about a particular person and particular relationship and particular family, it is also universal in scope as you also have a family and you also know what it is to live and be frustrated and to love and to cry. This book is deeply textured and there is so much hyper-specific detail that you can’t help but feel it is a true story. And of course, it is a true story. You know this in your core. And though you may be annoyed at times (as I was) at the 2nd-person POV, it is delicately handled and puts you in this story with such solidity that eventually you come to accept it and feel that this story could not be written any other way. There is a moment near the end that you may cry as I did. Perhaps you have not yet experienced some of the realities that exist so unashamedly naked in this book, yet you can imagine perhaps you will someday? And yes, that terrifies you and makes you almost weep as you imagine someone you love experiencing such loss and pain. This is a sad book. But it is a book that chronicles the true pain and suffering so many people in this world experience. Maybe one day you will experience it. It is a book about universal things, but at the end of this book, you realize also that this is a book that dives into the intimacy of a human soul crying forth to be known and loved and not forgotten or abandoned. To be forgotten is one of the deepest horrors you can imagine. To forget that you are forgotten, perhaps worse still. Life is a breath, smoke in the wind. This book reminds you of that. And refreshingly, it reminds you of hope that beckons.

Warmth of Heaven

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A few book reviews this evening!

62. Edgedancer by Brandon Sanderson. A fun little novella that is only right and proper to read when you’re doing a Stormlight Archive re-read! I’ve read this once before and while I enjoyed it again this go-around, I must confess it was a little odd to read it and realizing the first good chunk was lifted (oh dear) straight out of one of the interludes from Words of Radiance. Still, despite that repetition, still enjoyed this. Lift’s a bit ridiculous at times but yes she is also rather awesome. And the ending was unexpected but rather heart-warming. Also for such a little novella, so much world-building! Appreciated the look into the western lands of Roshar. I can’t say I read this book often, but I will continue to re-read every time I’m doing my SA re-read! A lot of charm for such a little book.

63. Psalms of Praise – A Movement Primer by Danielle Hitchen & art by Jessica Blanchard. A lovely little encouraging book full of good verses and gorgeous art! This book is probably best for small toddlers (ages 1-2 or so?) but even I much enjoyed the (quick!) read of this book. Verses that point to God and talk about different postures/movements that one ought exhibit before the Lord! Simple, but what is better than reading the Word to our small children? And I mentioned this briefly already, but the art is simply beautiful. Quality children’s book all around. It is never too early to start reading verses out of Scripture to our small ones.

New Autumn

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The last thing she wanted to do was flip that switch.

The warning siren warbled at an even higher intensity and the cockpit lights dimmed ominously.

Jasmine raked her hands through her hair and glared daggers at the navigation panel and refused to believe it would all end like this. No more time for hesitation though. She reached over to the awkwardly positioned and boldly lettered ejection lever and caressed it for a brief second before giving it a firm flick. The restraining belts snapped into place as her head was slammed backwards. There was a song of screeching metal and gasping wind and flashes of lights across the sky in purest symphony of calamitous fate. And then her eyes rolled back in her head and she only had the time for briefest thought. Home sweet home. Blackness.

******

Why was it so light outside? Had she missed her alarm? And why was there a giant tree root jabbing her insistently? Wait, tree roots were in her bed?

Hazy waking up thoughts fled as Jasmine bolted upright. Coughing violently, she looked around wildly. Grass stains on her jumpsuit and the taste of blood in her mouth. Yet, it was beautiful. The sun – the sun! – shone down on her like a mother’s smile. The trees swayed magnanimously around the meadow she had apparently ended up in. Leaves of red and orange and yellow fluttered down as the wind sighed around her. Jasmine supposed she could have landed somewhere worse. And it appeared all her limbs were functional. Mostly. She pushed up against the soft grass and lurched to her feet. Wavering, she looked up. Blue sky. Never, never had sky looked so beautiful. She took a few steps across the meadow, limping as she went. Everything hurt. She didn’t even want to see the bruises she’d ended up with. But she was alive. Alive.

Her ejection pod was still slightly smoking a few meters away. It had done its job and delivered her safely down. She should probably retrieve her survival gear and weapons, but for now…

Jasmine wobbled around the grass like a toddler learning to walk and marveled in the feel of the sun upon her skin. It was so warm. So real. Her pale skin soaked in the heat and Jasmine sighed in joy. What a wonderful planet. What a wonderful world. She should probably scout out the area and set up camp, but…

A piercing cry echoed across the sky. Jasmine’s head jerked up. They were here. No more time to rest. She walked towards the pod, determination in her limp. There was work to do. Her destiny was at hand. There were enemies to slay.

Beans

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I keep meaning to write a proper entry here. One in which I go through my life as of late, what I’m thinking – what I’m learning. But I keep failing miserably at that, partly because I never manage to turn on my computer when I have enough time to actually sit down and write! Well, someday. I’m actually sitting in Beans Cafe just now, but it’s almost 11:30 and I think it’s time I move on! I came here a few hours ago and had a nice omelette to go with my iced coffee(yes, when walking from my apartment to here, I decided there was absolutely no way I was going to get a hot drink. Not going to happen). I should have a little time this afternoon to run errands and clean my place a bit, but tonight – wedding time! (Don’t worry, not mine). Bethany is getting married tonight, what!!! I’m so fortunate that I’m actually back in Houston for it! So me and Megan are going to drive over there at 4:30, and a night of joy and love and awesomeness will be had. So let it be written. So let it be done.

And why have I not had more quiet times to write lately? Well, I’m still trying to settle in here. Still trying to find a “permanent” apartment. Still trying to meet people(went to my first “community group” this past Tuesday night! One linked with Bethel Church). And last night, went to my first-ever book signing!! Got to meet Brandon Sanderson, whoa! He’s the author of some of my favorite books. Besides finishing the Wheel of Time series, he’s also written heaps of other books, including one of my all-time favorites – Mistborn. Anyways, it was weird being there where I realised how much more everyone there knew about his books than I did. I’m used to being pretty knowledgeable about books…yeah, I was outclassed there. Still, great fun meeting him(despite me feeling oddly nervous!!) – I even confessed to being a failure as a writer, since I agonise too much over my writing and don’t just sit down and *write*. He was very chatty and when I went back later in the night to get a few more books signed, he remembered my name! Very cool guy.

Now, I think I’m going to close my computer, get a cup of Earl Grey, and enjoy some quiet reading time. I love you all, my friends.

Houses of Healing

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Quickly this Monday evening shall I write. As the strong evening sunlight pours through my bedroom window, I feel compelled to write a few words, though what they be I know not yet. I think I simply want to praise the Lord my God for all He has blessed me with – my heart is too full and to speak many words would dull the glory of the hour. Yet, let me put to page at least a few thoughts, dear readers.

This past weekend has been a riot of love and sun and glories bright – I think the Florida in my blood still burns strong, as I’ve simply been unable to resist soaking in every last droplet of sun this beautiful Aberdeen summer has to offer!

Saturday I spent a few hours downtown…but upon coming home, immediately me and John made camp outside to take advantage of the absolutely gorgeous afternoon that was afforded us. Laura from downstairs was out in the garden too, with her sister – so we spent the hours talking and enjoying the warmth and heat of the sun. Eventually, Laura decided fajitas was a good dinner plan, so I helped her cook and then we(of course!) ate out in the still e’er so delightful summer evening. Eventually me and John went back upstairs and decided to watch The Amazing Spiderman(his birthday gift to me!). We went to bed a bit late…but that was no matter.

Sunday – well, I’m already writing too many words here, but simply – breakfast with Graham and Joel and Ben at Graham and Tineke’s – not going to describe the beauty of the morning, but suffice it to say that it was. And worship with the people of God in church. As always glorious. And when me and John came home, I decided once again – time must be spent in the garden! So while John cooked inside(keeping an eye on Andy Murray’s Wimbledon quest!), I read outside for a few hours. Lord of the Rings, of course. Eventually I went back in to watch the fulfillment of Andy’s quest(British champion of Wimbledon, huzzah!!) and then evening service at church! More worship. More awesomeness.

And today, I was working, as is good. Upon coming home, I couldn’t resist the lure of the sun and the call of the road beneath my feet. A quick run later, home again…and out again to the garden to read and enjoy the goodness of the Lord. The sun is beautiful and the heat of the Scottish summer on my skin is glorious and I praise the One who made it all. Reading a few chapters of LotR was simply lovely. I have to say, I think my taste in reading may be changing over the years. A few years ago I would have said the chapter “The Battle of the Pelennor” would have been my favorite. Fierce deeds of valor and epic victory over evil and hope triumphant. And while I still loved reading that chapter yesterday, today, reading “The Houses of Healing”, I think a new favorite chapter has arisen. The dazing aftermath of battle. The sorrow of the sick and wounded. The slow renewal of hope. The return of the king into his city. And the hands that had just dealt destruction to the enemy and sent terror into the heart of darkness healed the broken and brought peace to the sick in heart. The hands of a king are the hands of a healer, indeed. Yes, a good chapter.

And of course, Aragorn and Gandalf both got to be extremely snippy with long-winded Gondorians! I just may have laughed out loud in the garden as I read.

And seriously – this is enough of me writing! I’m going to finish preparing my dinner(chicken and baked potatoes!!) and enjoy this evening the Lord has made. And as I think further upon my time here in Scotland dwindling, I cannot be thankful enough for what the Lord hath wrought here. In my life and in for His glory. Always. Peace, yo.

Evensong

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This evening I sip on my coffee and read from my book, Spiritual Depression, by M. Lloyd Jones. I have to say, I really think it should have a different title, as the current one was initially a bit off-putting to me. I feared that the book would end up being depressing in and of itself! But happily my fears were for naught, as it’s been delightfully encouraging and wonderful to read. So instead of writing a lot of my own words tonight, just thought I’d leave you with a brief quote from it, at the end of the chapter titled ‘Weary in Well Doing’.

“Well, remind yourself of your blessed Master and look to Him and ask Him to forgive you for ever having allowed yourself to be weary. Look at your life again in this way, and as certainly as you do so, you will find that you are filled with a new hope, a new strength, a new power. You will not not need your artificial stimulants or anything else, for you will find that you are again thrilled with the privilege and joy of it all, and you will hate yourself for having grumbled and complained, and you will go forward still more gloriously, until eventually you will hear Him saying: ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord’, ‘Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'” – M.Lloyd Jones

Truly, this is only a small sample of the awesomeness of this book. If you need a new book to read, I heartily recommend this one!

Now, I think I shall read a bit more before John turns on the TV. It is Suits night, after all!

To Dream of Light

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And yes, I’m in my customary corner of Books and Beans…about to get a sandwich but first thought I’d post a few words! Had a pretty good week, albeit feeling a bit battered at work. Anyways, saw Les Mis last night with Tineke and Rosemary and one of Tineke’s friends…a very emotionally powerful movie – I am not usually one for musicals, but this was…hard-hitting and gripping and tragic and beautiful. Not sure if I can see it anytime again soon but…well done, indeed.

Today I will probably go back home and try to clean a bit, maybe make some spaghetti/salad for dinner and have a relaxing Saturday evening. It will be lovely, methinks!

And now – I posted this brief review on another site, but thought I’d put it here as well…most of you won’t have read this, but these are my thoughts on the ultimate book of A Wheel of Time. If you’ve not read this yet plan on it(Particularly looking at you, Laura!!), do not read the below!!


So.

It is done.

I took quite a bit longer to read than I normally do(helped by the fact that I had numerous things going on almost every night for the past two weeks!)…but I finished this past Thursday night, January 17th. When I had about twenty pages left, I got up to make another cup of tea…just because I wanted to delay the end that little bit longer. And oh, it was worth it. My feeling at the end, while one of sadness for “an ending”…was primarily one of…satisfaction.

I feel that any summarization of my thoughts or review of the book as a whole would be a meager reflection of my true thoughts and feelings while reading the book, but I will say that for the week and a half I spent reading, my thoughts have been whirling and my mind has been spinning and I will say the words that most accurately reflected the state of my musings after reading would be “dazed”…”battered”….”emotionally raw”…”euphoric”…”hollow”… indeed, I often felt I’d slipped partway into the emotional mindset of one of the soldiers on the front lines at Merrilor…under the relentless onslaught of the stench of death and the hot blood of thousands upon thousands…constantly wondering when the next betrayal would come or how salvation could possibly be wrought?

So really, I make this less a review of the great tome that is “A Memory of Light” and more of a melody of praises for the work that is “The Wheel of Time”. One of the finest fantasy series I have ever had the privilege of reading, and if not all things were perfect in the execution of this landmark of literature, maybe that accurately reflects the tale that was told – all stories change in the telling and the threads of truth interwoven throughout are beautiful.

I could talk about the forces of evil and the powers of darkness that descended upon the earth – Demandred and his armies(I can even now hear him shouting “Lews Therin! Face me and fight!” as he strides through the battlefield)…Taim and his dreadlords(what a fitting end did he have – destroyed by the Amyrlin – Egwene, that paragon of Light!)…Padan Fain and his fitting end as the worm he was…Graendal and Moghedien and their fate to survive in the world that is re-shaped without their influence…Lanfear and her ignominious death to Perrin – that gentle blacksmith who finally learned to do what must be done. I could discuss the failures of the powers of darkness and their weaknesses and flaws…their utter pride and slavery to the Dark…but this was not their story.

I could discuss the battle between Rand and the Dark One…their philosophical debate to span the ages…their weave and counter-weaves of worlds shaped to serve their own desires…but as some have mentioned, I feel this resolution of Rand letting the Dark One – that worthless mite, yea that evil void, the darkness unseen – go on existing was not as could have been. Indeed, as has been postulated above, choice – to live one’s own life as one will – does not depend on the existence of a Dark One, especially not one that was proven as insignificant and tragically pitiful as the Dark One was shown to be when Rand dragged It out squirming into the Pattern. I feel – although I could tell from the framing of Rand’s declaration to kill the Dark One that it was not to be – that the story would have been better served if Rand had truly killed the Dark One and crushed his head underneath his heel, as is ever fitting for evil. In the end though, I must again remember, this is a great work of literature in a fantastical world and cannot expect it to reflect perfectly these lives of ours in this universe of ours.

But no, what I instead choose to think on is the choices of the men and women in this world – those who fought and died for the forces of the Light, those who bled and suffered in the Last Battle because it was what had to be done. The villagers of the Two Rivers and the shining forces of the Tairens and Ghealdanians and the valiant soliders fighting under the banner of Andor – those men and women of the Borderlands who gave their last gasping breath to hold the Shadow at bay – those brave men like Hurin who had no great strength or mighty magic, but did what they knew to be right. Olver, crying in the shadows and being clawed at by the hands of evil and feeling abandonded by all…calling forth the forces of the Horn of Valere and realizing that he had not been abandonded. Someone came back for him and rescued him from the heart of darkness…oh Light be praised! And yes, there were many mighty heroes performing great deads on the battlefield – oh to see Lan Mandragoran riding on his mighty steed through the Trolloc hordes to reach the champion of evil – Demandred himself – and then sheathe the sword in order to crush the life from the mighty general of the Dark. I loved reading the exploits of these great heroes…Mat, Egwene, Elayne, Galad, Tam al’Thor, Perrin, Aviendha, Thom Merrillin…but in the end, the most thrilling and heart-swelling moments for me were reading of the ordinary men and women who were not valiant warriors or great heroes or wielders of great Power…those who fought and died for the Light. Androl, weakest of the weak – and yea, he fought. Talmanes, dying from the poison of a Thakan’dar wrought blade – and yea, he fought. Aviendha, crippled and dying and moments from death – and yea, she fought. The men of the Two Rivers, without arrows and with little hope of survival – charged the enemy just to salvage what hope there was left. The Dragonsworn who stood before Darkhounds at the very Pit of Doom in order to protect the last hope of the Light…

I feel I’ve already gone on to long, but reading of the great struggle of the Light versus the Dark and seeing the fight of the ordinary men and women in the Last Battle struck me powerfully and I wanted to share that with y’all. I’m looking forward to reading these again someday, but now, I will take a little more time simply to reflect and enjoy the memories this series has left me with. Light, but it’s been a good run, my friends!!

And a few more words…it is good indeed to read fun books like the Wheel of Time – truly, some of my favorite books I’ve ever read, and I can forsee they’re ones I will read often over again these next few years – and it is good to see the hope and the light that is in these works – pale reflections of the true Light of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, but light nonetheless! Just remember that we serve a real God, one who is mighty and sovereign and the true Creator…and One who loves us. Peace, my friends.

Light and peace and that
gorgeous brilliant
gleam of hope,
Kiss your brothers
and your mother
and your father
as we go dancing onward to that
final home.

Rest in peace and
live in light and
look to the hopeful
stars above
and be e’er embraced
by Jesus
our Lord
our Love.

To dream and hope and love…

James HoganLeave a comment

Because mere wonder cannot suffice for love…

Can you guess where I’m posting from? Yeah, Starbucks. And why, you may ask, am I posting on the middle of a Monday? Well, it happens to be a bank holiday here, so no work for me! It’s quite unfortunate though, because I was originally going to use today to explore around Aberdeen, maybe go visit a castle or something of the sort. Sadly beginning yesterday, I seem to becoming sick. Most annoying. Apart from having a stuffed nose, inflamed throat, sleep-inducing weariness, and a slight tint of dizziness, I’m quite fine. I swear! I actually probably shouldn’t have walked here to Starbucks at all, but I couldn’t stand the thought of being by myself in my flat all day long! Had to get out, so I made the trek here(I really should measure the distance, but it can’t be longer than a couple miles) and now after a few hours spent replying to emails, sipping on my peppermint mocha and reading the delightfulness that is the Word, I decided I may as well see if my writing muse had fled along with all my strength and vigor. Apparently not, hurrah! But I must warn you, I’m feeling slightly hazy, as if I’m dreaming yet awake. So we’ll see if my writings can actually make sense!

So yesterday(apart from the gradually feeling sicker part) was quite awesome! I love Sundays. I was originally going to go to a new church(Gilcomston South, a Church of Scotland) yesterday morning, but me and Mark(friend from work) had planned on going to the football game. Thankfull, Gilcomston has an evening service too! But first, me and Mark hit up the football game – Aberdeen versus the Rangers(of Glasgow). Apparently it’s one of the biggest games of the year, and the Rangers have been perfect thus far, winning all their games. I could believe it – quite an awesome atmosphere!! Right to our left we had a huge section of Aberdeen supporters singing and chanting most of the game and there was a large Rangers contingent at the game as well. It definitely wasn’t a boring game either – we went up 2-0 and it looked like the makings of a huge upset! Sadly it was not to be, as the Rangers came storming back the 2nd half. A couple brilliant goals and a penalty to win 3-2. Alas. Still, it was an awesome game!

Afterwards, came back to my flat and then got ready for church – it’s only a few miles away, right on Union Street, so I was able to walk. It was a lovely service, although by this time I was feeling quite under the weather and most un-energetic. Still, met a few friendly people and look forward to meeting more later this week!

And Saturday was a fun day of exploring and buying far too much stuff. After I spent the morning reading and relaxing at Starbucks(if you’re somehow desirous of reading more words by me, I wrote up a post on Adam’s blog here. Warning: content is sort of unedited…but joy inducing all the same, to me at least. I cannot ever forget or deny the majesty of the LORD, all glory to the Father!), I walked downtown and found a scarf and gloves(which people told me I’d eventually need) and then around lunchtime, found a statue of William Wallace and ate lunch there. After that, I quite by accident discovered an awesome 2nd-hand book shop! They had an Asimov book I’ve been wanting for a while(Prelude to Foundation – the first one of his I ever read, way back in 9th grade!) and I got a biography of William Wallace. My bedtime reading for the next week. It’s so cool to be reading it and finding mentions of Aberdeen and thinking, “Oh yeah, where I am right now!” I love finding random awesome book shops. And they mentioned that there was an even better one near the university. I’ll have to discover that one another weekend…oh and I also bought a Rhapsody of Fire album. I really shouldn’t have, since it was sort of expensive, but I really wanted to hear its epic-ness. I’ll just consider it my early half-birthday present to myself. Have I mentioned Rhapsody of Fire here before? They’re an Italian symphonic power metal band that primarily writes fantasy-based songs. Gorgeous songs that probably most of you won’t enjoy. But I do, so there. My favorite driving music ever, pretty much. And on the subject of music, I need to do another album rank-up post sometime soon…but this post is already starting to go too long, so we shall save that for another day!

And yay, apparently being sick hasn’t taken all of my writing powers(or my tendency to be long-winded…but shh)!

Alright, I’ve decided it’s time to leave Starbucks(I’ve probably already been here 3 hours…and I’m getting sore sitting in one place for so long…and my peppermint mocha is almost gone…) and go down to the store for some soup and Nyquil(or whatever passes for Nyquil in these lands). Hopefully my body can heal up enough that I can go to work tomorrow. We shall see. Now, off to walk on the ancient paving stones, dream of a time when there will be no sickness, dance in the beauty of the day…and rejoice in the goodness of our Lord!

Rock on, y’all.

James HoganLeave a comment

Yo, just thought I’d write a random entry…because I so feel like it. I’m at the Circa lab right now, relaxing until my energy management class in a few minutes. I should probably walk over there now, but I’m not exactly looking forward to the two hours I’ll be spending there. Ehh. On the other hand, I AM looking forward to lunch with Deanna and the voluntary bloodletting that will take place later this afternoon!

We had a sweeet lit class today where we got to talk about fantasy, yayyy! We’ve been reading this book Wizard of Earthsea. Not bad, but quite dark and thematic…it has a solitary hero who goes around by himself. And personally, my favorite books are the character-driven books that have very realistic and fun interpersonal interactions(Lord of the Rings, yes. Wheel of Time, YES). Hence, I did not enjoy the book much. But the discussion, on the other hand, was as awesome as always! And yes, I did finish my lit homework finally yesterday. I made a cool little “comic-strip” detailing the beginning of a grand fantasy adventure titled…wait for it…”Shadow of the Stars”. I think that’s pretty epic-sounding, neh?

Alright, I should maybe go to class so I won’t be late. Even though I still don’t want to. I’m actually sorta hungry too…even though I did have nice crunchy bacon for breakfast today! And my coffee was rather delicious too. Sadly I will have to wait a few more hours for lunch. Wow, this is really bad that I’m trying to think of more to say so I don’t go to class. Kids, don’t do what I do and go to class. It’s good for your health. Ok, enough coffee-induced randomness. Time to take flight and manage some energy! Peace.