So a real quick book review.
47th Samurai (http://www.amazon.com/47th-Samurai-Bob-Swagger-Novel/dp/0743238095)
Overall impressions:
This is a good, "sit on an airplane and read" book. I read it all in less than 24 hours due to a confluence of events.
1) I was on an airplane for about 8 hours all told.
2) My daughter is wonderful and whiled away the hours by coloring, watching her DVD player and taking a very long nap
3) Hunter writes in a great style and it is easy reading.
If you read the reviews on Amazon, you will find that a good many people were not thrilled by this one. I found it to be an entertaining read, if you didn't think about it too hard. It's a movie that I'd only go and see once. It was entertaining, but at times blatantly unbelievable.
So if you're a fan of Hunter, and his Swagger Chronicles (which I am), then by all means give it a read. It's a page turner, if you turn the analytical part of your brain off. Also, Bob the Nailer doesn't even pick up a gun, any gun, throughout the work.
Upon reflection, I probably should have saved my dough and got this one at the library, but since I own every other fiction work the man has done, I have to keep the collection complete.
I'd give it a 5 of 10 with Point of Impact being a 10.
Not Hunter's best work, but it tides me over until Night of Thunder which comes out in September. I have a feeling there might not be any Katanas in that one...
Crazed American, out.
24 July 2008
22 July 2008
Quick Political Rant
OK.
State for the fact I don't like either of the Candidates.
But I find this just a tad priceless...
I do a typical quick scan f the major news outlets (BBC, CNN, Fox, Drudge, Ace...)
I see this: http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1816620,00.html
Edwards on Obama's veep list?
Bad news Senator. Edwards is a hypocritical, pandering idiot. Democrat friend of mine described him as that not, but a few days ago. But apparently my Democrat Friend was slightly off base when he described him as "hypocritical, pandering". Apparently he should have used "hypocritical, pandering, and philandering".
For evidence I must point you to this: http://www.nationalenquirer.com/sen_john_edwards_caught_with_mistress_and_love_child_in_la_hotel/celebrity/65193
But it's the National Enquirer, you say.
Exactly, they know they'll get slammed with a few hefty libel suits, so I'm sure they wouldn't come out with this (again) unless they've got some evidence.
He of course denies it. All the National Enquirer boys and girls have to do is show Mr. Edwards was in the lobby of the hotel when they say he was in the hotel. I betcha somebody has a copy of the hotels CCTV DVD's right now...
Nice try Johnny boy. Booty calls ('round 3am) at LA hotels with campaign staffer baby-sitting the love child - next door, whilst cancer-stricken wife is sick and two young children are at home in NC? Classy.
Further "Crazed American" advice to the Obama campaign: Cross the Former Senator John Edwards off of the list. He can campaign for you (if you want him to), but no more talk of him being in the administration in any capacity. Spare me Mr. Edwards tearful confession to his "possibly dying wife" that he's sought solace in the arms of another woman - a confession that I'm sure Team Edwards will get Oprah to host.
What's the deal with this loser? He was a lackluster senator (Didn't even serve a full term), crappy running mate the first go 'round - so just why is he on the supposed "short list"?!?
Politicians being unfaithful to their spouses is one thing, but when small children are involved, just makes the Papa Bear int he Crazed American more than a little irritated.
Pick Edwards, you get a (proven LOSER) wealthy/ champion of the poor and downtrodden philanderer in the administration. Hell, no one's got much ammunition to say that Hillary! ever cheated on Bill (I'm not to the point where I'm buying the out-there lesbian rumors, either).
Now would be a good time for Hillary! to announce that she's divorcing Bill. That might show me that Hillary! has a little bit of self respect, and self confidence. That'd be the only way I'd possibly vote for an Obama / Clinton Ticket.
John McCain is old. He's a little bit scary and does not really inspire me.
As I've said before, Obama picks General / Secretary Colin Powell as a running mate, I might just have to believe in Hope and Change...
Come on, surely there are some people out there who might step forward and lead this great nation?
State for the fact I don't like either of the Candidates.
But I find this just a tad priceless...
I do a typical quick scan f the major news outlets (BBC, CNN, Fox, Drudge, Ace...)
I see this: http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1816620,00.html
Edwards on Obama's veep list?
Bad news Senator. Edwards is a hypocritical, pandering idiot. Democrat friend of mine described him as that not, but a few days ago. But apparently my Democrat Friend was slightly off base when he described him as "hypocritical, pandering". Apparently he should have used "hypocritical, pandering, and philandering".
For evidence I must point you to this: http://www.nationalenquirer.com/sen_john_edwards_caught_with_mistress_and_love_child_in_la_hotel/celebrity/65193
But it's the National Enquirer, you say.
Exactly, they know they'll get slammed with a few hefty libel suits, so I'm sure they wouldn't come out with this (again) unless they've got some evidence.
He of course denies it. All the National Enquirer boys and girls have to do is show Mr. Edwards was in the lobby of the hotel when they say he was in the hotel. I betcha somebody has a copy of the hotels CCTV DVD's right now...
Nice try Johnny boy. Booty calls ('round 3am) at LA hotels with campaign staffer baby-sitting the love child - next door, whilst cancer-stricken wife is sick and two young children are at home in NC? Classy.
Further "Crazed American" advice to the Obama campaign: Cross the Former Senator John Edwards off of the list. He can campaign for you (if you want him to), but no more talk of him being in the administration in any capacity. Spare me Mr. Edwards tearful confession to his "possibly dying wife" that he's sought solace in the arms of another woman - a confession that I'm sure Team Edwards will get Oprah to host.
What's the deal with this loser? He was a lackluster senator (Didn't even serve a full term), crappy running mate the first go 'round - so just why is he on the supposed "short list"?!?
Politicians being unfaithful to their spouses is one thing, but when small children are involved, just makes the Papa Bear int he Crazed American more than a little irritated.
Pick Edwards, you get a (proven LOSER) wealthy/ champion of the poor and downtrodden philanderer in the administration. Hell, no one's got much ammunition to say that Hillary! ever cheated on Bill (I'm not to the point where I'm buying the out-there lesbian rumors, either).
Now would be a good time for Hillary! to announce that she's divorcing Bill. That might show me that Hillary! has a little bit of self respect, and self confidence. That'd be the only way I'd possibly vote for an Obama / Clinton Ticket.
John McCain is old. He's a little bit scary and does not really inspire me.
As I've said before, Obama picks General / Secretary Colin Powell as a running mate, I might just have to believe in Hope and Change...
Come on, surely there are some people out there who might step forward and lead this great nation?
08 July 2008
Quick political rant
OK, dear reader(s) -- -
Looks like (at this moment in time, and that can change, 'cause all parties involved are incredibly dumb at times), We soon will have a President Barack Hussein Obama (will Chief Justice Roberts be allowed to say his middle name when he's administering the oath of office?!?).
I am no thrilled by this prospect. I am ever so slightly more enthusiastic about John "Mr. Global Warming Cap and Trade wealth redistribution" McCain.
At this point I have to vote for McCain. There is one scenario that might see me vote the other way, though...
In a nightmare scenario - McCain goes for some segment of the electorate and picks the religious bigot Mike Huckabee as his VP. To further that nightmare, Obama picks someone out of right field, to some unexpected, to some expected: Former Secretary of State, General Colin Powell, USA (Ret.).
If that confluence of events transpires, I vote for the "skinny kid with the big ears and the funny name".
We'll see...
Either way, I am not thrilled at the prospects. Although either of them is better than Hillary!, so I guess I'm lucky in that regard...
Looks like (at this moment in time, and that can change, 'cause all parties involved are incredibly dumb at times), We soon will have a President Barack Hussein Obama (will Chief Justice Roberts be allowed to say his middle name when he's administering the oath of office?!?).
I am no thrilled by this prospect. I am ever so slightly more enthusiastic about John "Mr. Global Warming Cap and Trade wealth redistribution" McCain.
At this point I have to vote for McCain. There is one scenario that might see me vote the other way, though...
In a nightmare scenario - McCain goes for some segment of the electorate and picks the religious bigot Mike Huckabee as his VP. To further that nightmare, Obama picks someone out of right field, to some unexpected, to some expected: Former Secretary of State, General Colin Powell, USA (Ret.).
If that confluence of events transpires, I vote for the "skinny kid with the big ears and the funny name".
We'll see...
Either way, I am not thrilled at the prospects. Although either of them is better than Hillary!, so I guess I'm lucky in that regard...
13 June 2008
Anthropogenic Global Warming - been a while...
So I thought I'd put a link out there to my new Hero -
Dr. John Coleman - a man who know a few things about meteorology, climatology and a few other -ologies, I'm sure:
http://www.kusi.com/weather/colemanscorner/19842304.html
Read it!
Especially read it if you need to fill up your car any time soon...
- when you do say a Amen! to Democrats and ineffective Republicans in Congress and Al "Inverter of the Interwebs and Destroyer of the American Economy and Way of Life" Gore.
America must drill. Now. Continental Shelf and ANWAR and, hell my backyard, if there's any oil there. Do it responsibly and for profit. As much profit as you can make for your stockholders and employees.
The Crazed American is sick and f---ing tired of the march to Socialism our government (both parties) is taking.
I will not stand for it.
Well, this weekend, I'll stand for it. I'm going camping.
Do I need to pay a carbon tax on the campfire I'm going to have?
Crazed American, setting a course for the high Uintas.
If you're lucky, I may post some pictures.
Crazed American, out.
Dr. John Coleman - a man who know a few things about meteorology, climatology and a few other -ologies, I'm sure:
http://www.kusi.com/weather/colemanscorner/19842304.html
Read it!
Especially read it if you need to fill up your car any time soon...
- when you do say a Amen! to Democrats and ineffective Republicans in Congress and Al "Inverter of the Interwebs and Destroyer of the American Economy and Way of Life" Gore.
America must drill. Now. Continental Shelf and ANWAR and, hell my backyard, if there's any oil there. Do it responsibly and for profit. As much profit as you can make for your stockholders and employees.
The Crazed American is sick and f---ing tired of the march to Socialism our government (both parties) is taking.
I will not stand for it.
Well, this weekend, I'll stand for it. I'm going camping.
Do I need to pay a carbon tax on the campfire I'm going to have?
Crazed American, setting a course for the high Uintas.
If you're lucky, I may post some pictures.
Crazed American, out.
11 June 2008
What does it take?
I realize that i have to do a better job of posting... To all of my wonderful reader(s), I heartily apologize.
To sum up my life up until now:
I am not real pleased about either choice for president. Also, not exactly sure how Bob "Mr. War on Drugs and I Don't Like Gay People" Barr is a Libertarian...
Both candidates are pledging to remove "obscene profits" from all corporations. Marxism. Bolshevism. Communism. National Socialism.
American is best when it's people are free to succeed or fail.
The Crazed American is not real thrilled about the prospects for the fall. I may still vote for Fred Thompson. Or my Dad. I really don't see myself voting for John McCain. Definitely not Barry O.
Also, Barry O should release his birth certificate. I mean, what , is he worried about identity theft? John McCain had to release his when they had the whole Canal Zone Birth issue.
What a bunch of morons.
***
Read an excellent work - read the whole thing in 2 days. Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air - dang! Made me want to climb Medium and small sized mountains. You can go ahead and keep the real tall ones.
Reading another interesting book: WARDAY by Whitley Streiber and Jim Kunetka. Great book - written in 1984 about the aftermath of a "limited" nuclear war in 1988. Exhaustively researched, and a real good yarn. Written in kind of a method that might have been looked at by Max Brooks before he wrote World War Z
Other than that - it snowed this morning. Of course, I do live at 7000 feet ASL.
To sum up my life up until now:
I am not real pleased about either choice for president. Also, not exactly sure how Bob "Mr. War on Drugs and I Don't Like Gay People" Barr is a Libertarian...
Both candidates are pledging to remove "obscene profits" from all corporations. Marxism. Bolshevism. Communism. National Socialism.
American is best when it's people are free to succeed or fail.
The Crazed American is not real thrilled about the prospects for the fall. I may still vote for Fred Thompson. Or my Dad. I really don't see myself voting for John McCain. Definitely not Barry O.
Also, Barry O should release his birth certificate. I mean, what , is he worried about identity theft? John McCain had to release his when they had the whole Canal Zone Birth issue.
What a bunch of morons.
***
Read an excellent work - read the whole thing in 2 days. Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air - dang! Made me want to climb Medium and small sized mountains. You can go ahead and keep the real tall ones.
Reading another interesting book: WARDAY by Whitley Streiber and Jim Kunetka. Great book - written in 1984 about the aftermath of a "limited" nuclear war in 1988. Exhaustively researched, and a real good yarn. Written in kind of a method that might have been looked at by Max Brooks before he wrote World War Z
Other than that - it snowed this morning. Of course, I do live at 7000 feet ASL.
22 May 2008
It did not suck.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Started GREAT. First 60 minutes were fabulous.
Next 30 minutes were good.
'bout the time we got to the last waterfall I found myself muttering "come on".
Moose remarked that we probably witnessed the greatest feat of Russian engineering, and amphibious vehicle that didn't rust to a stop at the first contact with water.
The ending was a tad, well, shall I just say that it could have been better.
Brought the Young Indiana Jones Adventures in to the official lore - nice.
Overall, initial reaction is that I would rank it just behind Temple of Doom. But not by much.
Highest complement I can pay a film (and I have seen a lot) - "I got my money's worth"
Acting was great - Harrison Ford's older than my Dad. Impressive that he did the majority of his own stunts. Kudos.
John Hurt was great - would have liked to know that character a bit better.
Dr. Jones, I got my money's worth.
Wish Sean Connery had been in it.
Also, note to film directors. This movie is entered as Exhibit #23516625442 that just because you CAN do super fantastic special effects, doesn't necessarily mean you have to. Sometimes less is more...
I have ideas as to where the Indiana Jones films should go from here. That's for a later post.
Started GREAT. First 60 minutes were fabulous.
Next 30 minutes were good.
'bout the time we got to the last waterfall I found myself muttering "come on".
Moose remarked that we probably witnessed the greatest feat of Russian engineering, and amphibious vehicle that didn't rust to a stop at the first contact with water.
The ending was a tad, well, shall I just say that it could have been better.
Brought the Young Indiana Jones Adventures in to the official lore - nice.
Overall, initial reaction is that I would rank it just behind Temple of Doom. But not by much.
Highest complement I can pay a film (and I have seen a lot) - "I got my money's worth"
Acting was great - Harrison Ford's older than my Dad. Impressive that he did the majority of his own stunts. Kudos.
John Hurt was great - would have liked to know that character a bit better.
Dr. Jones, I got my money's worth.
Wish Sean Connery had been in it.
Also, note to film directors. This movie is entered as Exhibit #23516625442 that just because you CAN do super fantastic special effects, doesn't necessarily mean you have to. Sometimes less is more...
I have ideas as to where the Indiana Jones films should go from here. That's for a later post.
21 May 2008
For the Record: I love Indiana Jones Movies
I have seen all of them to be able to quote from them at length.
A while back I read a summary of the proposed Indiana Jones and the Saucer Men from Mars. I thought - cheesy: nuclear explosions, alien relics and space ships.
ummm....
From CNN.com:http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/05/21/bts.indiana.jones/index.html
Early reviews of the latest Indiana installment have been mixed, but the Harlem audience was firmly in Indiana's corner. "It gets 10 stars," said one audience member, Robert Egbert. "The sound effects were crazy and the action was off the hook. I loved the space ship!"
I may have to hate George Lucas. Can Congress do something useful? Call it the Han Solo Shoots First Act, it would be to restore Han Solo killing Greedo in Star Wars IV, and then forbidding George Lucas from being allowed to make (or change) any more movies.
I mean really. Don't get me wrong, I am going to see the new Indy Flick tomorrow, (and rewatch Temple of Doom and Last Crusade tonight), but I swear, on the Precious Felt of the Hallowed Fedora (Peace Be Upon It), this movie had better not suck. I am not expecting Schindler's List, or Lawrence of Arabia, but I had better be entertained and not have my (admittedly limited) intelligence mocked. I don't have the highest expectations, but I expect a good, escapist romp, by the Powers of the Almighty Bullwhip (PBUI).
I'll let you know.
A while back I read a summary of the proposed Indiana Jones and the Saucer Men from Mars. I thought - cheesy: nuclear explosions, alien relics and space ships.
ummm....
From CNN.com:http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/05/21/bts.indiana.jones/index.html
Early reviews of the latest Indiana installment have been mixed, but the Harlem audience was firmly in Indiana's corner. "It gets 10 stars," said one audience member, Robert Egbert. "The sound effects were crazy and the action was off the hook. I loved the space ship!"
I may have to hate George Lucas. Can Congress do something useful? Call it the Han Solo Shoots First Act, it would be to restore Han Solo killing Greedo in Star Wars IV, and then forbidding George Lucas from being allowed to make (or change) any more movies.
I mean really. Don't get me wrong, I am going to see the new Indy Flick tomorrow, (and rewatch Temple of Doom and Last Crusade tonight), but I swear, on the Precious Felt of the Hallowed Fedora (Peace Be Upon It), this movie had better not suck. I am not expecting Schindler's List, or Lawrence of Arabia, but I had better be entertained and not have my (admittedly limited) intelligence mocked. I don't have the highest expectations, but I expect a good, escapist romp, by the Powers of the Almighty Bullwhip (PBUI).
I'll let you know.
09 May 2008
Knaves abound...
IN what could be the funniest thing I have read in quite a while, i have stumbled across this
Pulp Fiction (A Slurry Tale) as written by William Shakespeare. http://pulpbard.wikispaces.com/
Highly recommended to all fans of the work of Quentin Tarantino and the OG hisself, William "BillyMack" Shakespeare.
Hurt myself laughing so hard...
(Further proof that there is no amount of time that the intertubes can not lay waste to...)
Pulp Fiction (A Slurry Tale) as written by William Shakespeare. http://pulpbard.wikispaces.com/
Highly recommended to all fans of the work of Quentin Tarantino and the OG hisself, William "BillyMack" Shakespeare.
Hurt myself laughing so hard...
(Further proof that there is no amount of time that the intertubes can not lay waste to...)
02 May 2008
Battlestar Galactica
I have to admit the fascination with that show has waned a bit for me. Don't get me wrong, it's still the best Sci-Fi show on television (that I watch - I've still never seen Lost - No time), it just got a little "Soap-Opera'y" for my tastes after the exodus from New Caprica.
That being said, I may not see every episode when they come on Sci-Fi (although I do have Sci-FI HD now, so I may need to remedy that situation), but I do try to catch up with the episodes online.
That all being said I have 3 hypothesis as who might be the final Cylon.
1) Lt. Felix Gaeta
Evidence - he wrote it better than me: http://www.haibane.info/2008/05/02/cylon-speculation/
To add to that - he was "able to beat the Cylons at computer programming"
Makes good sense.
2) Everyone
Evidence: "It's all happened before, it will all happen again."
3) An unnamed unseen Cylon - on Earth - the Holy Grail in the Photo.
(Dirk Benedict - the Original Starbuck)
I am personally not all that sad that the series is coming to an end. It' provided me with quite a few hours of thought provoking enjoyment, I dig the acting, writing and special effects. They just lost me a bit when they started getting away from the chase, entered the "soap-opera zone", got all metaphysical, started humanizing the Cylons, and lost most of the over-riding "military-vibe" that they nailed the first 2 seasons.
Just my 2 cents.
That being said, I may not see every episode when they come on Sci-Fi (although I do have Sci-FI HD now, so I may need to remedy that situation), but I do try to catch up with the episodes online.
That all being said I have 3 hypothesis as who might be the final Cylon.
1) Lt. Felix Gaeta
Evidence - he wrote it better than me: http://www.haibane.info/2008/05/02/cylon-speculation/
To add to that - he was "able to beat the Cylons at computer programming"
Makes good sense.
2) Everyone
Evidence: "It's all happened before, it will all happen again."
3) An unnamed unseen Cylon - on Earth - the Holy Grail in the Photo.
(Dirk Benedict - the Original Starbuck)
I am personally not all that sad that the series is coming to an end. It' provided me with quite a few hours of thought provoking enjoyment, I dig the acting, writing and special effects. They just lost me a bit when they started getting away from the chase, entered the "soap-opera zone", got all metaphysical, started humanizing the Cylons, and lost most of the over-riding "military-vibe" that they nailed the first 2 seasons.
Just my 2 cents.
01 May 2008
Something to ponder
Being a resident of a certain western state that is, quite frankly, viewed as being weird byt he rest of our country, I just stumbled upon something interesting.
Seems the local religious majority believes in laying in food. Storage to some, stockpiling to others. I am quite sure it's not a recent trend, but as a minority, I have to say it's kind of disconcerting.
Example: the Food storage calculator
http://lds.about.com/library/bl/faq/blcalculator.htm
I ran it for my family - these are some serious numbers.
Probably has to do with something about the "local religious majority" being persecuted for all of these years. BUt this is a LOT of food were talking about here.
My reaction can only be likened to being on a cruise ship, then finding out all of the rest of the passengers have put on life vests and nobody told you.
I am now going to research this a bit more...
Seems the local religious majority believes in laying in food. Storage to some, stockpiling to others. I am quite sure it's not a recent trend, but as a minority, I have to say it's kind of disconcerting.
Example: the Food storage calculator
http://lds.about.com/library/bl/faq/blcalculator.htm
I ran it for my family - these are some serious numbers.
Probably has to do with something about the "local religious majority" being persecuted for all of these years. BUt this is a LOT of food were talking about here.
My reaction can only be likened to being on a cruise ship, then finding out all of the rest of the passengers have put on life vests and nobody told you.
I am now going to research this a bit more...
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