about Books

First, I have to comment on one more Movie before we move on to the next subject... 'Star Trek' I was a bit skeptical when I first heard about it, a few months ago. But after seeing a couple previews and finding out more about who was in the cast and all that, I went with more anticipation than reservation... I'm glad to say I wasn't disappointed. I have seen a fair amount of the original show 'Star Trek', and watched 'The Next Generation' quite regularly, so I would classify myself as a fan, but not a "Trekkie". I really don't have much criticism of it, except I suppose with the character of "Spock" I think that it did take away a bit from the stoic, logicality and, obviously, played up his ability for emotion. But seeing as he is half human, and that being part of the reason he went to 'Star Fleet' I guess it makes sense. (Yikes, I might be sounding to trekish)

Time to move on. :)

Books: I've been reading quite a lot, up until about a month ago, when I seem to have gotten really busy... During that time (starting mid August I suppose) I read all seven installments of 'Harry Potter' for the first time... They are captivating books, very well written and very well thought out... I like how the author (J. K. Rowling) tied everything in, and created such a fantastical world, right under our very noses... I know there's some controversy as to wether they are sutible for children, and yes, there is quite a bit of magic... but I think that if kids (or adults for that matter) are able to read Tolkien's 'Hobbit' and 'Rings', and Lewis' 'Narnia' and hopefully are able to distinguish between reality and fantasy, then there are many good things that can be taken from these books. My Opinion.

Following that I read 'The Dragon King Trilogy' by Stephen Lawhead, being such a fan of everything else he's written, I had to read this series. It's pretty good. Not as good as most of his other stuff, but even if this is his worst (and worst is such a bad sounding word) it's still very good. It's just that once you've read 'The Song of Albion Trilogy' and his 'Pendragon Cycle' it's hard to top those.

Oh! Did I mention that I finished reading 'The Once and Future King'? What an amazing book, I can't remember when I read and finished it... but it did take me quite a few months... partly because of the amount of time I devoted to reading, and partly because of the book (I did find it a bit hard to get through certain parts) but it was well worth the effort. Absolutely loved it!
Thanks go to Katie Woo, I believe, for recommending. Thanks!

Let's see... what else?

Ah Yes! 'The Count Of Monte Cristo' is my most recent book read, and another awesome book as well. Already a big fan of Dumas with 'The Three Musketeers' I've wanted to read it for quite awhile, and am so happy that I finally did. I think the thanks for recommendation goes to my sister Mary for this one. I remember she read it years ago and told me how good it was. Thanks!

But alas, all good things must come to an end (so they say) and as this bit of my blog must, so too does my extra reading time...

I'm now back to my regular pace and am currently reading 'The Princess Bride' which, one chapter in, is already a favorite. I've seen the Movie many times, and we have all heard it quoted time and again, so it's nice to read it and see what all the fuss is about :) We'll see. I'll let you all know what I think when I'm finished.

Other Books I'm in the process of reading:

'A Tale of Two Cities' I've been working on this for a few months, and have actually tried at a couple different times over the last few years... but other "funner" reads seem to keep popping up. I will finish it.

'Atlas Shrugged' just barely started this, it's a giant read, and will take me quite awhile I'm sure. But it does seem very interesting.


If you have any recommendations, feel free. I love good books.

Thanks for reading. Keep reading, this (if you like) and other great works.

Education isn't something that can be given to anyone, it's only something that can be given to oneself. - 'I just made it up... But it is true, no?

Peace.

- Matti

Etc.

I can't believe how the time flies by... so long since my last post, and I think back on all that's kept me busy and find that it's quite the average list... Not something that most of you would find interesting. So I thought I'd just post a couple of my opinions on movies I've seen and books I've read in the last few months... and new music that I've found cool.

Music first, since it's on the brain at the moment...

Dan Wilson, the Lead singer for Semisonic released a few solo songs after the band broke up. I found that out a few days ago, and he's got a couple cool songs I found. I've always liked Semisonic a lot and felt that they never got their due. 'Breathless' is one of the tracks.

Ever heard of 'The Features' ? another very cool band, found out about them a couple months ago. A couple favorite tracks are: 'The Idea of Growing Old', 'Lions' and 'Me and the Skirts'
I really like everything I've heard of theirs so far.

If you, like me, are not a very big fan of the hip-hop genre, I think you may be pleasantly surprised by 'Hilltop Hoods' an Aussie group. I was.
'The Nosebleed Section' and 'Dumb Enough?' are two fine examples.

And to wrap up, the new album by 'Green Day', '21st Century Breakdown' is quite good. I've already listened to it several times, it's the type that grows on you over time, I think, though I liked it pretty well the first time. Also, 'Ben Harper' has a new album too, with 'The Relentless 7' I've only heard a couple tracks, but what I have heard is some really good 'Ben'

On to Movies: (How'm I doin so far?)

Just watched 'Slumdog Millionaire' on Wednesday night for the first time... I have to say, it deserved all the praise it got and then some... I can't believe the main actor didn't get nominated. I like things like that, with destiny and stuff.
"d. It was written"

Last night I watched 'Joe vs. The Volcano', which I found out, I'd seen half of before... It's a later '80's flick with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, pretty good I must say.
Makes me want to live in awe of life and everything around me, not be one of the so many who are asleep their whole life.

Also warched 'Hot Fuzz', for the third or fourth time, a week or so ago. I love, love , love it.
A bit of British comedy mixed into a who-dun-it. I highly recommend. Though do be careful, there is a fair bit of grisly-ness when the crimes happen.

A couple Movies I'm looking forward to:

'Year One' (Jack Black and Michael Cera)
'Public Enemies' (Christian Bale and Johnny Depp)
'Moon' (Sam Rockwell)

And I've run out of time... next time I'll talk Books. I've done a fair bit of reading since last we talked... mostly good stuff.

Until next time. Appreciate each moment, Life is awesome... even when it's hard.

Peace,

Matti

P.S. keep an eye out for more frequent posts here... I'll make an effort to be more consistent, and as always, I appreciate any kind of feedback :)

A quote, from "Benjamin Button"

Sometimes we're on a collision course, and we just don't know it. Whether it's by accident or by design, there's not a thing we can do about it. A woman in Paris was on her way to go shopping, but she had forgotten her coat - went back to get it. When she had gotten her coat, the phone had rung, so she'd stopped to answer it; talked for a couple of minutes. While the woman was on the phone, Daisy was rehearsing for a performance at the Paris Opera House. And while she was rehearsing, the woman, off the phone now, had gone outside to get a taxi. Now a taxi driver had dropped off a fare earlier and had stopped to get a cup of coffee. And all the while, Daisy was rehearsing. And this cab driver, who dropped off the earlier fare; who'd stopped to get the cup of coffee, had picked up the lady who was going shopping, and had missed getting an earlier cab. The taxi had to stop for a man crossing the street, who had left for work five minutes later than he normally did, because he forgot to set off his alarm. While that man, late for work, was crossing the street, Daisy had finished rehearsing, and was taking a shower. And while Daisy was showering, the taxi was waiting outside a boutique for the woman to pick up a package, which hadn't been wrapped yet, because the girl who was supposed to wrap it had broken up with her boyfriend the night before, and forgot. When the package was wrapped, the woman, who was back in the cab, was blocked by a delivery truck, all the while Daisy was getting dressed. The delivery truck pulled away and the taxi was able to move, while Daisy, the last to be dressed, waited for one of her friends, who had broken a shoelace. While the taxi was stopped, waiting for a traffic light, Daisy and her friend came out the back of the theater...

And if only one thing had happened differently: if that shoelace hadn't broken; or that delivery truck had moved moments earlier; or that package had been wrapped and ready, because the girl hadn't broken up with her boyfriend; or that man had set his alarm and got up five minutes earlier; or that taxi driver hadn't stopped for a cup of coffee; or that woman had remembered her coat, and got into an earlier cab, Daisy and her friend would've crossed the street, and the taxi would've driven by.
But life being what it is - a series of intersecting lives and incidents, out of anyone's control - that taxi did not go by, and that driver was momentarily distracted, and that taxi hit Daisy, and her leg was crushed.