Going on an Adventure

On Thursday morning my family and I shall leave on an adventure, two hours north of where I sit currently to one of the most commercialized areas in Wisconsin. Yes, I speak of the Wisconsin Dells where the waterparks are everywhere and traffic comes to a standstill on the interstate due to so many people heading to or from, in the summer.

But it's winter, Roger.

Indeed it is. We are going to be just south of there at Cascade Mountain, now being one that grew up in Colorado the use of the word mountain here does not mean what I think the word mountain means, I lived in a higher elevation that this massive peak of 1,270 feet. We are going on a skiing adventure. Why adventure you ask? Well, for me, it will be the first time I have been skiing in roughly 20 years and at least 50 pounds so it may be an adventure that leads to another one in the ER.

They have hospitals in Wisconsin, right?

That's the Way it Goes

So today was the first day without the new boss, who lasted almost six months. Someone decided that he was more qualified than me, for various reasons. Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed but life goes on so I resolved to do my best to support the new guy.

Then he quit.

Now what?

Back to the same old same old once again, I guess.

Not that he did that much, in fact, one of the guys he insisted on hiring just put in his two weeks last week.

Now what?

I guess that's the way the cookie crumbles.

The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson

As many of you know there is a television show called Longmire on the air, at least it's on Netflix, and I am not sure whether they are still making new shows or not, anyway, this show is based on a series of books by Craig Johnson about a Wyoming Sheriff named, you guessed it, Longmire, well, his full name is Walt Longmire, who is a Vietnam vet that comes home and becomes the Sheriff of Absaroka County in Wyoming. Absaroka County in a mostly quite county where the Sheriff doesn't really have a lot of intense cases, shall we say. The story opens with Walt still recovering/mourning the death of his wife and just kind of making his way through life - imagine losing the person closest to you after several decades, you would probably be a bit numb for a while as well. Walt gets a call from a couple of characters in the county stating that they found a body, now Walt seeing that it is close to the end of the day and wanting to head home to his half-finished cabin (he and his wife were building it together) and some beer decides to hand the "case" off to his deputy figuring it to be all about a dead cow or something.

In the meantime, Mr. Johnson starts to weave in various members of the community that will help to give you a feel of the county and the Sheriff's standing in the place. The pace is a nice steady one that leads to a crescendo later in the book where the body turns out to be one of a young man who got a light sentence for the raping of a Native American, that body turns into two soon enough and now Longmire has two jobs on his hands, solve the murders - both done by similar methods, so the suspicion is there is one killer - and save the remaining young men that appear to be being hunted by the killer. Throughout the story, Mr. Johnson brings Walt Longmire back into the living and shows that he is indeed a well-trained and excellent police officer that does what he can to solve the crimes.

There are a few twists and turns throughout where Longmire slowly but steadily adds to and eliminates from his suspect list, which includes his best friend. Eventually, the culprit is caught and the crime solved which ends up leaving Longmire in a new funk and his friends once again resuscitating him back to life.

I give the book a solid four stars and do recommend reading it. Be forewarned that the television version does take certain liberties with the story, so it is a little different than the book. Contrary to what the producers in Hollywood think though, the book is better by far.

Why?

Because.

No really, the answer is because.

Sometimes that is all that the question deserves when it gets an answer.

Because.

Book Reviews?

I mean that is something that has never been done before, right? At least not the way I would do them, I am sure...

Hmmm.

I do read a lot.

Would I have to go back to the beginning of the year and review from then? Will anyone care? Will I even recall what I read. Words for thought.

These are definite words for thought.

I Need an Idea

I need an idea for what to write about. I know this sounds funny, especially since I fancy myself a writer but my brain is mush currently and I have exactly zero ideas about what to write about. I could just ramble on and on about various different things - I mean it's worked in the past and eventually I get somewhere. So...

Nothing.

Nada.

Boogers.

Patient Zero (Joe Ledger #1) by Jonathan Maberry (a review)

This was an entertaining read which kind of surprised me only because it has people that aren't quite full of life in it. I can see me reading more books in this series because I believe the characters have been built up enough in my mind that I wouldn't mind learning more about them as they move forward through life. There were a few odd holes in the story that I was curious about, mainly how the main protagonist evolves(?) from this really awesome bad guy, into one that lets his emotions (of all things) get the better of him. Oh well. I was entertained which is all I was really looking for anyway. 3 of 5 stars (I liked it)

It's Not Always Shiny

I recently found out that a family member of mine had passed. This was sort of a shock since he was still relatively young. He did have some health issues but seemed to have gotten over the hump and surely did not appear to be near death. The key here is, appears because it's sounding like he may have been suffering from depression that was not diagnosed perhaps and not treated properly. Alas, I did not know him well and every time I would meet up with him he did not appear to be suffering at all. Then again it's not like you can physically see depression, I should know as I too suffer from this mental ailment and fight a battle with it on a daily basis. Which is why it is so hard to write about and discuss. Let's just say that life isn't always shiny, especially for those living under the blanket of depression.

*Disclaimer, I am not saying that he committed suicide, just that we should be on the lookout for signs that might lead to that. If you know anyone that could use help, have them call.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Call 1-800-273-8255

This Time I Mean It, I Think

I wrote this on New Year's Day, fully intending on writing daily then. On a different blog, which to be quite honest I don't know why I started it. So, I will post all that I wrote on that blog and leave them here... I think there is one more, maybe two. Yeah, my big writing daily turned into a whole three days. Let's see if this will go better, maybe starting on the first of the month/week/year/century/whatever is not the way to go. Let's hit it starting on February 5!! The cry that will be heard throughout the lands. I actually just snorted after writing that. Apparently, my nostrils don't even have faith in me.

Onward, I say!! Onward!!


So, I am back to this writing daily thing, well that is the intention at least. I mean why not? I enjoy writing, I still have the ability to write and string together words into sentences that make relative sense, etcetera.

Why? Why not I say. I need something to fill that time where no one is paying attention to me which makes me sad. Not really, but it seemed like a good thing to get everyone to jump on this pity party or something. Really though, there is no pity party going on in my head, or life, for that matter.

"To life, to life, l'chaim"

Will you have anything important to share with the masses? Any insight on how the United States can pull itself out of its funk of annoyance? Is that really a thing? I mean I know that half of you hate Trump while the other half seem to love him. Personally, I could give two piles of feces about any politician and I am not afraid to tell any of them that to their face. I might even refrain from the clean version and use that big 'S' word.

Where was I?

Oh yeah, will I have anything important to say? I seriously doubt that anyone will take me seriously, I mean some of you might initially but once you get to know me, watch out! I am mainly planning on using this as an outlet for my creativity and for story writing. I figure I should get going on that so when I am finally discouraged with working for 'the man' and want to still be able to eat, I figure I could write and maybe even make a few bucks in the process. As of now, I will keep my day job.

My stories will range from very short flash type stories to long-form novels (really!) At least that is the plan. I am sure there will be some personal stuff in here, I may change the names to protect the innocent, or guilty for that matter. One thing for sure though, I will not be delving into politics as I find them to be a waste of time but I may write about the effects of said politics, which is not the same, I think.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy what I bring to you and please feel free to drop me a line.

Have a Happy and joyous New Year, let us party like it's 2019 baby!

Review: Smoke and Mirrors

Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to the master, Neil Gaiman, read his short stories and they were wonderful, disturbing, exciting, well-written (of course). My favorite story would probably be Goldfish which shows interesting sides of Hollywood, both human and I'll say inhuman but it's just business, I guess. My least favorites were probably stories that seemed to end abruptly which probably says more about me than the writer, to be honest. The collection goes into the mind and makes you think on several occasions and the final story, which I am ashamed to admit I forgot the title for, tells the tale of Snow White from a different point of view and makes you think of Snow in a completely different light, to say the least. I recommend this story for everyone to read, except maybe those under the age of 16 as there is some adult content in several stories - he won an award for an erotic story for example. If you want a real treat though, get the audiobook.

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Review: The Jefferson Bible: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth

The Jefferson Bible: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth by Thomas Jefferson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Five stars because, well it's the Bible and I don't want to piss off the Man Upstairs. That being said, it really isn't the Bible because it doesn't have anything from the Old Testament and only has certain excerpts from the Gospels. Five stars also because, well it's Thomas Jefferson and I just love the guy, faults and all. Let's face it the dude was a genius and knew it too. So that's two votes for five stars and as you have already noticed I did give it an overall rating of the same five stars. That being said, if you want to learn and read about the moral teachings of Jesus and only that, well this is the perfect book for you. However, if you want to know the whole story, you will be disappointed. Take that for what it's worth though and if you don't like my five-star rating, well I'm really sure what I would do or even say to you other than, "have a nice day" and carry on.

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Review: Brain Droppings

Brain Droppings by George Carlin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First off, if you don't like George Carlin, you won't like this book. However, since I do like George Carlin, I really enjoyed it. Especially since it was the audio version read by him. It made my delayed and extra long flight go by with nary a complaint - by myself or my bladder.

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Review: We Were Liars

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

So this is a book that you either love or hate apparently if you read previous reviews there appears to be very little middle room. Myself, I'm on the "not liking it so much" side of the aisle. I guess listening to an angst-ridden teenager isn't my cup of tea, of course, most angst-ridden teens I have dealt with in my life also aren't as shallow or pathetic as young Cadence is. By that I mean they (the angst-ridden teens) seem to have multiple facets to their lives other than poor Cadence. Granted, she should be feeling this way, for reasons you'll have to read to find out more about. I shall not indulge you with that information here.

That being said, there is something to be said of coming of age novels written by people that have already been there and done that... I don't like them. There I said it. I have suffered through this kind of narcissistic nonsense before, thank you very much, Holden!

So let me give you what I did like about the novel - I like Ariadne Meyers performance on the unabridged audiobook I listen to, she did a great job reading, enunciating and performing the various aspects of the characters. I applaud her for that.

I also will applaud the writing skill of E. Lockhart, she knows her craft well, although I think if I had to actually read the words, I probably would have quit by the quarter mark. The book is boring to be quite honest, yes there is a twist, or two, or seven (whatever) but it really was a long hard road to get there. I mean when the best part of the story are the little parables about a king and his three daughters...

I will also state here for you the audience reading this (who's narcissistic now?) that I was going to give this bad boy only one star right up until the final few chapters, that bumped it up a star for me. No, it wasn't any twist that did it (by the way, is it a twist if you figure out what is going to happen before the twist gets there?) but the words that Cadence uttered once she realized the truth. That was what saved this from one-star infamy.

To me anyway.

Do I recommend you read it? Yes, I think you should read anything and everything and you will probably feel completely different about it that I do. That being said, I wouldn't rush out to the store to get it, pick it up at your library and save some money.

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Review: Devil's Gate

Devil's Gate by Clive Cussler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Kurt Austin to the rescue!
Another adventure starring Kurt, Joe Zavala and Paul and Gamay Trout where they fight the evil ne'er-do-well's and save the day! Or do they? Hmm, you'll have to read it until the very end to find out. That being said I did find some things odd with the timing throughout the novel but I know that we need to move the story along despite the inconsistencies of travel times and the like, which is why if I ever write that novel of mine, I won't have dates and times included because people like me will find problems with them. Like most, if not all of Mr. Cussler's work this is a fast-paced book that occasionally lets you breathe before being thrust into another scene of life threatening and harrowing action. A decent yarn and heaven forbid such a weapon described in the novel ever comes into being.

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Review: Piranha

Piranha by Clive Cussler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I like Clive Cussler books and I will not lie...
1) They're fun fantastical reads
2) They're quick too
3) He still comes up with interesting villians
4) Maybe I should read more of his Fargo and that other series of his I don't read too much of. (Obviously)
5) Did I mention that they are quick?
6) Oh yeah I did, up there at #2
7) I love The Oregon and would love, love, LOVE to have a ship like her. Sah-weet!
8) The ending gave me an idea, well I've had that idea, but if I combine parts of this novel with my idea it will be a super duper idea and I will sell millions of copies...
9) Nope, not gonna share, but consider it under copyright as of this posting. :)
10) Yeah i think I can do that.
11) The Sentinel is a bad device, yet cool at the same time. Just don't tell the NSA.
12) I should do reviews like this more ofter, not necessarily informative, but fun!
13) If you have read a Dirk Pitt, Kurt Austin, or Oregon Files novel before, you know how it's going to end. If you haven't? Well why are you reading this review?
14) Also, if you haven't, I highly recommend trying them out, they are as I said way up there, fun to read novels that are quick and mostly painless, and you get a sense of fantasy with them. Not fantasy with unicorns and witches and glittery vampires, but fantasy just the same.
15) On to the next one. Peace out Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and those of you that don't want to be associated with scouting, oh and you American Heritage Girls! You'll love them too. Strong female characters, especially in the Oregon Files series.
16) Now go out and enjoy your day/evening/whatever!

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Review: Travel Writing

Travel Writing by Peter Ferry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It's a book inside of a book starring the author as a writer/teacher and a murder mystery. Maybe. The book has some mystery, some humor, and even some educational qualities about it, I mean our protagonist is a teacher after all. We follow Peter as he tries to figure out why Lisa was killed in a car crash, initially it starts with him wondering what he could have done to stop the accident, to eventually realizing that she may have been murdered. In the meant, he is telling this story to his students - who get some interaction with the author, who shares the name with the character, etc. Yes, it can get confusing if you aren't paying attention, so make sure you do that if you read this. How's that for a non-spoiler filled review? Yeah, well I can't tell too much more otherwise you'll hate me for sharing too much, which I may have done already.


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Review: The Hero of Ages

The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The final book of the first trilogy or the trilogy of trilogies.... Wow that was a lot to take in there, sorry. Anyway, Mr. Sanderson once again gives the readers an experience that is thoroughly enjoyable in a hard to put down novel that picks up immediately after the end of the previous book, Well of Ascenscion and takes off running. That being said, you don't need to have read the previous two novels in the trilogy, but it wouldn't hurt to do so either. We follow our heroes as they are scattered crossed the empire searching for the clues to help save the world - no pressure. Vin is our reluctant hero of ages, or is she? Maybe it's Spook, the lovable tin eye that feels a special calling to help out the citizenry of another city. or any of the countless heroes from the final empire. What I think I'm trying to say is this, if you like an epic fantasy that has lots of fun and action, this is a book you should read. If you don't like that stuff, you should still read it so that maybe you will. Then you'll be hooked into the Cosmere like the rest of us. Happy reading!

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Time...

to go home.

to enjoy life.

to fly like an eagle

to spend time with your children.

to jump for joy.

to spend some money.

to save some money.

to take a nap.

for jellybeans.

for eggs.

for driving on the left side of the road.

for spending time with the spouse.

to end this soon.

to ask questions

for Burger King to end those stupid Croissantwiche commercials

for packing up and leaving.

for another nap.

for another subject.

Disney Photo Thursday

Because I can:

New Life

Okay not a real new life, I mean I am very happy with my personal life, it's the whole working thing that I'm getting tired of. Anyone else?