Architecture in Dubai, #1

 

Amazing building. I would just love to be in this building for a day or two.

On the list of things to do when I hit the lottery!

CHINA - Shanghai - The End of the World on Pearl tower

CHINA - Shanghai - The End of the World on Pearl tower, originally uploaded by Franck - フランク - 法兰克.

Sweet. I really like the way the sky seems to broil.

Latest Stuff 9/4/8

1. It has been awhile, sorry. Just busy doing other things.

2. Just finished Killswitch by Joel Shepherd. This was a good read. This is the third book in the Cassandra Kresnov science fiction series (here is my opinion of the previous two), this installment continues to explore her development as sentient being, she’s a super uber synthetic combat android, and her physical exploits as said android. This book has the combat scenes, philosophical discussions on the meaning of life, earth vs. colony politics, development economics, and interesting well developed characters that were strong-points in the previous novels. So what can I add this time around well, I point out the fact that the series is a combination of  space opera, hard science fiction, and military science fiction. It doesn’t fit exactly the stereotypes of each genre though. It is dramatic and a page turner, but it is not melodramatic. The technology outside of the android technology is a logical progression of our current technology and is quite believable. It just doesn’t overwhelm all other aspects of the the story. The fact I wouldn’t mind having high speed network access in my brain rather just on portable devices is not important in my praising of the series. All the main characters are military or intelligence agency workers but the discussions of tactics and strategies being employed are kept to minimum. So it combines various genres and could easily be called anyone of the three. However I like to call the series well written, thought provoking at times and well just plain ol’ good. Recommended.

3. Ran across Michael Morcock’s “Starship Stormtroopers“. So why do I share this anarchist’s evisceration of sf/fantasy demi-gods such as Tolkien, Heilein and others? Well I’ve read alot of these authors and enjoyed them without really thinking about what sort of world they represented, politically that is to say. Give it read let me know what you think.

Books 8/15

Well I’ve finally got some time to catch you up on the latest reading:

The Bad: Sandworms of Dune. Just dreadful. Undeveloped characters, unbelievable plot and far too miraculous of an ending. Don’t bother, really only useful as a sleeping aid on airplanes. Very good at that, put me straight out.

The Good: Old Man’s War by Joh Scalzi. Good stuff, very good stuff indeed. Military sf set in the way future. More than just military sf really, it has characters that are real and believable, a plot line that moves quickly and resolves itself without any Dues Ex Machina trickery, actions scenes that grab and hold, physics that I don’t have the math for (read the book) and a few socio-economic musings on how earth and its colonies might interact. Oh and did I say that Scalzi can be quite funny as well. So yeah Starship Troopers jumps into your mind right? Well it should but this one takes that story and twists. Twists it away from some of the politics of Robert Heinlein which though still interesting and much discussed, have gotten a bit stale for this reader. In place of the politics of Earth and enfranchisement is a discussion of alien species and military policy. I don’t want to give anything way so I’ll end with an encouraging word. If you have any interest in military sf, space opera, or liked Troopers and are interested in another angle about some similar topics - READ THIS BOOK.

More Good: Mainspring by Jay Lake. Just starting this and I’m about 90 pages in after about 90 minutes of reading. Steampunk set in a rather different New England, read the book, and featuring the God as Watchmaker as a central part of the story. My only complaint so far was that the hero got helped a little too easily by strangers who seem a little too eager to help, but maybe this gets explained later? Anyway I can already recommend this book to folks who like quick moving stories set in interesting worlds not completely our own but still familiar.

Anais the Cat

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Anais the Cat, originally uploaded by tanekaberi.

The cat is back!!! Comin’ at ya.

The SE Drum

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The SE Drum, originally uploaded by sarahandsean.info.

Sweet!

Serious Info-Geek attack : Moleskine City Guide DC

Well there it is. My new Moleskine City Guide for Washington DC. This allows me to basically create my own guide. It has maps, conversion charts, blank pages and so on. I just fill it with the things that interest me or places or whatever I want. Pure info-geek heaven. Cheers.

A Small Death in Lisbon - Robert Wilson

A Small Death in Lisbon by Robert Wilson  is one the finest thriller/mystery/historical fictions I’ve read in quite some time. We’ve got sex, drugs, rock’n'roll, Portugal past and present, Fascists, crusading journalists and all in one well written book. The characters are well described and their motivations if not always clear initially, are believable. I really enjoy Inspector José “Zé” Coelho, his daughter, and his partner. They all go through mill in this one and what a strange, terrifying mill it is. Nazis and their post WWII descendants, international smuggling and present day debasement, oh did I mention the two stories twined double helix style into one horrifying climax. I didn’t did I and you’ll get no more hints from me. Enjoy.

Anyone read his other books? He has a series in Africa and one in Spain. I was going to go with the one in Spain next as it was described as somewhat similar to “Lisbon”. Any opinions?

Benny Olson - Heart of a Lion

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Benny Olson - Heart of a Lion, originally uploaded by sarahandsean.info.

Isn’t this lovely.

I’m checking out until after the 4th Cheers!

Be back soon.