Book seven in the James Bond series.  Unlike the previous books, this is a collection of short stories that Ian Fleming wrote.  Three of the bond movies are titled after the stories in the books.  A View to a Kill, For Your Eyes Only, and Quantum of Solace.  For Your Eyes Only and Risico have characters and a few plot elements for the movie For Your Eye’s Only.  The other two stories only contribute the titles and none of the story elements.  The interesting story to read was Quantum of Solace which was written in a different perspective for a Bond story.

Overall, this book was an easy read and enjoyable collection of stories.

Goldfinger by Ian Fleming (1959)

The seventh book in the James Bond series, Goldfinger is a wonderful story that sends James through a series of events that led him to Auric Goldfinger.

The book, naturally, is a wonderful story that was brought to the screen as the third 007 movie in 1964.  The movie keeps many of the story similar to the book.  The plot is very similar, although, how many meet their fate is different from either medium.  While reading, I was wondering, is Pussy Galore really in the book.

Yes, she is in the book.  Although, in a different role then that in the movie.

The book is a great read.  Although, it can be read as a stand alone book.  It would be wise to start the series from Casino Royal, as many of the characters that are in the movies, like Felix, are very different in the two mediums.

Life is a gift.  Please live it.  You only get it once.  Enjoy it for all it’s worth.

These are lines that many of us forget.  We get into the running game and forget to “smell the roses”.  We sacrifice so much in life with our families and friends that we forget to fill our selves full of happiness.

What is it you’ve always wanted to accomplish in life?  Why are you not working towards that accomplishment.  Even if you never get there, it’s the journey that is half the fun.  The experiences is the gift that you get.

Don’t worry about what others think or say.

You only live once….enjoy it!

Lopaka

1.  Moonraker by Ian Fleming
2. PT 109: John F Kennedy in World War Two: Robert J. Donovan

Wow, I just realized that it’s almost been a year since I last posted.  I really don’t have much to say I guess.

Today, reading.  I just finished a book called “Old School is Good School”.  It’s written by a Air Force Chief Master Sergeant about going back to basics in leadership.  Although, it’s filled with Air Force terms (that are footed and explained), it’s still a good read for those that want to improve on their leadership skills.  It’s very short, only 140 pages and is a fast read.

Speaking of reading, I love the quote from Mark Twain…

“The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.”

That sums it up best.

Lopaka

A while ago, I wrote an blog called National Healing, and sadly, as I see it, we still haven’t started down the path of healing. Every time I turn on the news, I see something about racial issues. Whether it’s someone take offense to what an individual says or someone else makes disparaging remarks and no one says anything, the double standard within the United States and through out the world is very discouraging.

It’s sad when people have to use racial epitaphs in their speech. Why? What is significant can about using a disparaging if not racial condescending word to describe someones race. I don’t quite understand, to me it means that people do not understand how to use proper language or don’t have respect for another individual. To keep this short, always remember the golden rule.

Lopaka

Happy birthday America!

Today I tried watching the big Lebowski and I just couldn’t get through to the end of the movie. I have found myself not really enjoying the Coen brother movies, I’m sure they’re good just not my cup of tea.  I’ve tried watching several other movies and still have not been able to finish one yet.  I’m not saying they’re bad movies, I just don’t enjoy them too much.

However the good news is as of yesterday we know when the family is coming home, near the end of August.  So that means I get to play bachelor for at least the next seven weeks, I hate being a bachelor.  I know many guys that would enjoy time away from the wife and kids; however, I actually enjoyed being with my family.   Now, I’m just going to sit back relax and count down the days until they finally get home. Until then you get to suffer through these blogs.

Lopaka

And yet again its 2 o’clock in the morning and I’m wide awake. I’m still not sure what is causing this, however, this isn’t fun. 

Lopaka

It’s 3 AM and I’m awake.  As i sit here looking at my computer screen trying to figure out what I’m gonna blog about nothing really comes to mind.  I could start ranting/raving about the fact that DOMA was over turned and proposition eight is finally been repealed; however, I figured that with the many political posts all over the Internet, everybody else has that topic pretty much covered.

Let’s not get started about Paula Deen and how she’s being vilified by the press and also her ex sponsors.

The interesting thing is the fact that the only reason I know about all these events as I was in the states for about one week. I got to enjoy United States television news once again and realized why I love living in Europe so much.  I can avoid being invaded by the garbage that is being output by our national new services.

I can just sit here and enjoy reading the news on my computer and ignore the stupid stories of some people feel must be reported. It’s a wonderful feeling like a warm security blanket.  This week I set a challenge for myself to not log on Facebook for the rest of the week. On my phone I will be using Facebook messenger just to keep in touch with the wife and kids since they are on vacation in the states.  The reason for this is I find myself logging on and staying on Facebook and reading other peoples post and not putting anything online.  I figured that if I have nothing really important to post on Facebook, why log into it.   We’ll see how this challenge works.

Lopaka