A few more Bond Books…

19 Sunday Mar 2017

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Thunderball and the Spy Who Loved Me,

I was sitting in Greece and reading Thunderball, I just had issues with trying to finish the book.  It is not horribly written, it was just hard for me to finish it.  I’m not sure why.  I would put the book down for a few days and try again to read it.  While I was trying to finish it, it would put me to sleep.  Finally, I got to a point into the story that it got exciting in the story and finally finished it.  This one is not a good as the previous novels.  Although, you do get to know a little more about Ernst Stavro Blofeld than the movies ever let you know.  Also, this is one of the SPECTRE novels.  Something interesting is SPECTRE actually means  SPecial Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion.  There are many parts of the book that are in the movie which makes reading it even more enjoyable.

The Spy Who Loved Me, on the other hand, was a delicious read.  I was skeptical at first because I knew the story was from the view of a woman and not Bonds.  However, I was very surprised on how fast the story picked up and then I was just wondering when Bond was going to get into the story.  When he is finally introduced, it was like reading the style of Casino Royal again, Bond has to react to what is happening around him.  It was wonderful to read and I finished it in a day.  The other interesting part about this book is the movie has no basis from the book.  Not even the female characters name is the same.

Now, on to Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

For Your Eye’s Only

28 Wednesday Dec 2016

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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

18 Friday Nov 2016

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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.

 

It’s 1 a.m….

25 Sunday Sep 2016

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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

Dream Theater’s “The Astonishing”

24 Wednesday Feb 2016

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I’ve been listening to this album for over 3 weeks now, off and on, just taking in all the words, cords, and notes that create this great project.  Just like Nightwish’s “Imaginaerum“, I was fervently waiting for this to be released.  Wondering what magic was going to be weaved into the music of Dream Theater…

For “The Astonishing”, it is a 130-minute epic.   Would I rate it as high as 1992’s “Images and Words” or 1999’s “Metropolis pt 2: Scenes from a Memory“?  Not really.  Would I put in the top 5, possibly.

One can’t just list off one song to listen too like “Pull Me Under” or “Repentance”, although “A New Beginning” and “Gift of Music” are close.  This album has to be heard all the way through.  One has to allow the music to take them in enjoy the ride.  There are many great parts in the album.  For example, when the instrumental section of “A New Beginning“, in the middle of the song, takes off…what a ride!

I, like many fans, when I first started to listen to the album, started to think, what is this junk?  This isn’t Dream Theater.  Then, I remembered that this is a concept album, a “Rock Opera”, (Think Jesus Christ Superstar or even Phantom of the Opera).  A story similar to Rush’s 2112, the hero has music and the antagonist don’t like it.  Someone dies.  A little of Star Wars, the Empire is the bad guys and the Rebel’s are the good guys.  So, you have to listen to it like you are watching an Opera, you have to take the whole thing in.  Once you start to hear the piece for what it is…then the album starts to make sense and you truly start to enjoy what the band has weaved.

Although it is a great album to listen to and enjoy, it still has its disappointments.  The story is not too original as Operation Mindcrime or 2112, as mentioned earlier.  The plot is similar to many stories.  Also, it seems like Dream Theater will not take the next step to be the greatest Prog Rock band on the planet.  They stick with what is comfortable.  They have been doing this since “Octavarium“.  Same sound and even playing same parts from different songs on their previous albums.  For example, you can hear “Scenes from a Memory” in “Losing Fayth”.    This has been happening for many of their albums.  This, I believe is a large complaint with DT fans.  We love the music, just give us something that we haven’t heard yet!

Overall, I would give this four stars.  I’m still listening to it and enjoying it more and more.

Lopaka

Reading Challenge

24 Sunday Jan 2016

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I remember reading online, after I completed my degree, that most individuals stop reading after they finish college.  Promising myself that I will not fall down this trap…this is 2016’s list of books that I have completed.

Jan-

  1.  Mission Beyond Darkness, 1945, Lt. Com. Joseph Bryan III, USNR and Philip Reed. This novel is the historical recount of the The Battle of the Philippine Sea, later known as the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot from the recount of the pilots of the Air Group 16 from the U.S.S. Lexington and their challenges of landing aircraft in the dark with little or no fuel left.

And so it begins….

19 Monday Oct 2015

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Today I took a step towards a better life.  I started a new diet that is supposed to help me lose weight without any working out.  This isn’t a paleo diet or body 4 life.

A couple of months ago, while I was working on getting ready for my USAF Fitness Test, a friend sat me down and said that he wanted to give me a book to read and take to heart.  He has been fighting his weight for a while and finally found a program that worked after one of his friends lost a lot of weight.  I read the book and decided to wait until after the move to start.

Today is that day.   So what is this plan?  It’s from a book called 4 Hour Body by Timothy Ferriss.

Simple rules to follow:

Rule #1: Avoid “white” carbohydrates (or anything that can be white).
Rule #2: Eat the same few meals over and over again.
Rule #3: Don’t drink calories.
Rule #4: Don’t eat fruit.
Rule #5: Take one day off per week and go nuts.

You eat beans, lots and lots of beans and enjoy lots of water.  All the vegetables you can enjoy also.  No calorie counting.  (Bonus)  Beef and Chicken are also enjoyed.  (Fish is also in the list, however, I don’t eat fish)

Now, this you eat for 6 days.  On the cheat day (SATURDAY!!!) you can eat anything you want and as much as you want.  Pizza…go for it….ice cream, oh yeah!  You have to take the cheat day.  You can’t skip it.  I’ll let you all know how it goes.

So today it begins…

Lopaka

It has been a while…

24 Friday Apr 2015

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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

ING Half Marathon

01 Sunday Jun 2014

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I did it!  I finally ran my first Half Marathon.  My goal was simple, finish on time (so it counts) and not die in the process!  I didn’t want to set any record.  I just wanted to enjoy my first Half Marathon.

The Luxembourg ING Night Marathon is a wonderful run.  Although, I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone that has never run a Half or Full Marathon.  It is all hills.  I know I wasn’t the only one walking on a few of the uphills.  It’s a beautiful race.  Just rough if you are not use to hills.  I did a lot a hills training before the race and it wasn’t enough.

Also, I did run this entire race in my kilt.  I have a Sport Kilt in the Air Force Tarten and I was the only one in a kilt.  I had many fans on the route.  Many screaming my name or go Scotland (I’m American, but hey I have Scottish roots) and many photo’s taken as I ran by.

I think, like many, at 12 miles I thought why did I volunteer myself do to this and was just saying keep going keep going…

Crossing the finish line I felt like a giant!  Almost cried when they put that medal around my neck.  What a great feeling it was.  Now, looking for my next half and to prepare better for the race.

Lopaka