Han

...Shot first

Filler!? In Books!?

A conversation I had with a friend recently got me to thinking, are books guilty of filler? Anyone who has watched any anime, notably Naruto and Bleach, know what I mean when I say filler. However, I will explain it for the uninitiated. Filler is a term used to describe episodes of a series that do nothing but take up space. They do nothing to further the plot, have no real character development, and no real lasting impact. I am in the process of reading through Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. And while I am only on book seven, A Crown of Swords, I already feel that there is too much filler. That is to say that there seem to be segments in each book that do little to nothing to further the plot, have no real character development, and no real lasting impact. While I enjoy the series, so far at least, there are times where everything becomes tedious and I have to take small breaks. Gotrek and Felix stories really help for said small breaks. To be fair I have been warned that some of the later books in the Wheel of Time series almost completely fit the definition of filler.

So, what do you have to say regarding filler in books?

Also there are not too many days left in the contest to choose my new tagline. Any suggestions are welcome (keep 'em clean). The winning entry, chosen by me, will be used to replace "Living vicariously through others since 1980". Enter now!

Book time!

So I finally finished reading the book Star Wars: Choices of One. After several false starts, I decided to make myself read it. As a general rule I love anything written by Timothy Zahn, but this one was really slow to start. Once things start building up and the events get rolling the book really starts to shine. I highly recommend it to any and all Star Wars fan.

One of the reasons I really like Zahn's writing is that his work feels more like Star Wars than most other authors. I really like Mike Stackpole and Aaron Allston, but Zahn really seems to have captured the Star Wars from our (my) youth.

Dinner time!

I was once asked if I could have any five people, living or dead, over for dinner who would they be. My list has been ever changing over time, but I believe I have narrowed it down some.
1.) George Strait - He has always been my favourite singer, and I could not pass up inviting him.
2.) John Wayne - The Duke. Need I say more?
3.) Marcus Luttrell - Read the book Lone Survivor and you will understand why.
4.) Musashi Miyamoto - The Japanese sword saint. If I could have him as a sword instructor for a day...
5.) Yoshiyuki Tomino - He created Gundam that is enough for me.

As I have said, this list tends to change at intervals. Honourable mentions go to Brandon Sanderson, Jeanne D'Arc, Senior Airman Brian Kolfage, Gabby Franco, and the list goes on and on.

Please feel free to share you ideas. Also I am beginning to think that people really like my current tagline, as I haven't gotten many suggestions for a new one.

Thanks and buh-bye,

Weapon of choice.

It would seem that I know my ancient weapons pretty well.

I scored 90%, with 9 of 10 correct on The Escapist's Name That Ancient Weapon.
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Two posts, one day (Epic Hole)

This just needed to be shared. I have nothing else to say.

The Escapist : Jimquisition : Epic Hole (B Mine Cliffy)

Oh, yeah... send me suggestions for a new tagline.

New Year, New You

Greetings from the year 2013! And so another year has gone, never to pass again.

Confession time: I don't get all the new year hype. Never have. Most probably never will. It just seems to me that it is simply another day. Sure the year has changed, but I don't see how that is much different from any other change on the calendar.

And now I have a little contest for any and all my readers. At the top of my page is the tagline "Living vicariously through others since 1980". I am giving you the opportunity to change it. Starting today and running through the end of the month I will be accepting submissions for a new tagline. I have nothing to offer to you in return... except credit for the new tag, of course. Just leave a comment on any post going forward from today or comment on my Google+ page. The winner will be selected on 31 Jan. 13 and placed on the page on 01 Feb. 13. Please keep it clean and have fun. May the best tagline win!