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An Unexpected Pleasure

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“The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

A little over a month ago I was privileged to be able to share with you an interview with artist Lisa Snellings. The last comment (currently) in that post was from someone named ‘Coraline’ that read, “Hi there! I’ve got a question for you – can you please email me at [email address removed]”. The link to Coraline’s name took me to a website featuring information on the forthcoming film of the same name based on the beloved contemporary children’s classic by author Neil Gaiman.

With great anticipation I sent off an email and quickly received a response from one of the members of the Coraline Team, the group of animators who worked with director Henry Selick to bring Neil Gaiman’s book to life.

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Book Reviews, Comics

Watchmen ~Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons

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Watchmen ~Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons

–published 1995
–416 pages, DC Comics
–1988 Hugo Award
–4.5/5 stars

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes, “Who watches the watchmen?”

There are seminal works in the comic book medium, some that I have read and others that I have not. One of those that had been on my radar for years was the award-winning, critically acclaimed series Watchmen, written by Alan Moore. I am familiar with other works of Moore that I have really enjoyed (League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Promethea) but had yet to read what is arguably his magnum opus. With the imminent release of the theatrical version of Moore’s creation, I had been debating whether or not to read this prior to seeing the film when it arrived as a birthday gift from my friend Scott. Knowing how glorious the League graphic novel was and how abhorrent the film turned out to be, I decided that it might be best to read this now in case the film turns out to be one of those that would scare me away from ever wanting to pick up the book.

Reading this story almost entirely over the bulk of the last two Sundays, with football playing quietly in the background, has turned out to be a very rewarding experience.

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May Your Days Be Merry…

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The combination of early decorating, surrounding myself with the melodious voice of Mr. Christmas himself, Bing Crosby, and intermittent chilly weather put me in the Christmas spirit fairly early this year. And then it was stolen from me. Stolen by an extremely frustrating state audit that took back a great deal of money from my agency. It is week’s like that, and the weeks leading up to it, that rob me of rest, sanity, and my normal routine. Hence the ghost town this blog (and my presence online) has become over the last few weeks. I don’t say this for an ‘oh woe is me’ reaction because the reality is that this very difficult period has pointed out things at work that do need to change and probably always have. It has also generated a spirit of cooperation amongst the leadership of the agency that encourages me and gives me hope that the present pain will lead to great things.

Over the weekend I was lamenting the fact that December seemed to be rushing by and my Christmas spirit had went into hiding. I determined then and there that I was not going to sit idly by but was going to make sure I enjoyed this time of year, and then it happened…the one gift that always manages to put me in the right frame of mind: snow during a work day. Yes folks, the snow fell yesterday, traffic was a nightmare, and I was in heaven! There is something about snow during the work week that puts things out of their normal order. A hush descends over everything and it just feels magical. Add in a bit of lunch hour shopping and Christmas music on the radio and all is right with the world. My Christmas spirit has returned, and I am embracing it!

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Book Reviews, Fantasy

Stonefather ~Orson Scott Card

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Stonefather ~Orson Scott Card

–published in this version 2008
–112 pages, Subterranean Press
–4/5 stars

A light snow was falling, a long four-day weekend was coming to a close, the seasonal sounds of televised football were buzzing in the background and I felt the need to pull something off the shelf that I could complete in one sitting–something that would mimic the warm glow I was already feeling after a very restful holiday. Stonefather, one of my latest acquisitions from that smoldering temptress Subterranean Press, looked like it would fit my requirements nicely. A few hours later, in the waning light of day, I closed this novella with a contented sigh and the remembrance of just why I enjoy the way that Orson Scott Card tells a story.

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Eclectic Musings of a Renaissance Geek