Notes and Thoughts in a Virtual World

Weekend Music: Saturday

2008-08-29T14:11:00.002-04:00

3:00AM

JAGGPRO MCCANN LIVE at the Music Hall of Fame

"Come on over to the Music Hall of Fame for a Special 2 hour Party with Jaggpro McCann.Jaggpro is an Australian Professional Singer / Guitarist / Songwriter who Loves to Party and get the Audience Rockin' with his Acoustic Rock Folk and Blues! He performs many popular tunes from the 70' onwards and has a fine selection of his own Originals.

Jaggpro performs totally LIVE with all the vibes and energy of a Real Life Concert.
He will donating all the proceeds to the upkeep of the Music Hall of Fame in Bringiton's Absence." Music Hall of Fame

Never heard in SL, sounds interesting.

7:00AM

Mimi Carpenter 7AM on Nitida Ridge

"Mimi Carpenter is a dynamic young French singer who is passionate about music. She sings in both English and in French and is currently living in Germany.

Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of musical styles, Mimi is pretty eclectic and her repertoire includes covers with strong rock, indie and pop influences, accompanied by acoustic guitar.

She was mostly brought up on country, Anglo-Saxon and world music, which her parents enjoyed listening to.
" I wish to transmit what I feel through my music... It is for me a way to express myself as I am not so good in handling words, when I have to speak about myself and about what I feel..."

Web page: www.myspace.com/Mimi_Carpenter"

Heard, great singer. Hope to catch in world.

11:00AM

Kitzie Lane live at the Apfelland Airport

"Kitzie Lane plays acoustic guitar and sing mostly standard folk songs. She sings some Dylan, Donovan, Peter, Paul and Mary, Joni Mitchell, Simon and Garfunkle, John Denver and others. Kitzie constantly add new songs to the mix."

12:00PM

KelvinBlue Oh live blues at SugarBeach

12:00PM

Beauregard Freenote live at the Apfelland Airport

"Guitar Singer Song Writer... Performing In RL for Over 25 Years. Musical influences were Elvis, Woody Guthrie, Ramblin Jack Elliott, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band."

12:00PM

LIVE! Tone Uriza @ Rhapsody in Blue!

12:00PM

Sojurn Rossini live @ Cuddlers Cove

12:00PM

HARMONIA LIVE AT THE COVE!!

12:00PM

EddieGuitar Dagger in Whil'aK MuSic Live

12:00PM

ARTEL BRANDO @ THE POND

"ARTEL BRANDO, guitar player, singer and songwriter. Artel is from Chicago, he enjoys writing RockGrungeMetal songs about virtual reality romance and also does covers songs ie. Judas Priest, Led Zepplin, Bush, Papa Roach, Naztareth, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Rolling Stones, Beatles, David Bowie, Oasis, Green Day and Elvis. But what really stands out about this musician are his Lite Metal originals."

1:00PM

CYLINDRIAN RUTABAGA at the Opera House Zurich City

1:00PM

Allister Westland live in BoSamba !!

1:00PM

Krisalide Jazz Trio at the Bleu Katt

"Krisalide Jazz Trio is a new hot group, formed by pianist Adelchi Rossini, drummer and saxophonist Kristine Lowey and bassist Alduccio Barbosa. They play a mix of jazz and blues standards, bossa and samba with a spice of modern songs revisited in jazz. They have already performed in all the biggest venues in SL, always with a huge success. Check them out at http://www.myspace.com/krisalidejazztrio.

Come down to the Bleu Katt and see them. We are a Blues/Jazz club and we support live music in SL. So come and help keep music live and pay us a visit. Event will be preceeded by DJ Expi..so come early and have a dance before the event."

1:00PM

PAKITO CRIMSON @ THE PALACE !

"Pakito Crimson is a guitarist and singer from Barcelona, Spain.
He has been playing with bands for years as bass player.
His shows have Bruce Springsteen, Red House Painters, Dogs d'Amour, Smiths songs... the kind of music he likes."
Oh, heard him. heh, needed event information to realize that.

2:00PM

Bosco Constantine **LIVE** to Legenda Antica

"Bosco Constantine (Born as John Bosco), a SecondLife Live Artist, has over 12 years of touring exprience. He plays from his professional in-home studio utilizing multiple guitars, and drum sets. He plays a variety of songs, including some of his originals based on his SecondLife experience."

2:00PM

Damian Carbenell Nantucket Theater

"Keyboardist/guitarist/vocalist Damian Carbenell picked up the guitar at age ten and added the keyboards soon after. He began to write his own music at age 15 and now has an extensive collection of originals and cover songs under his belt. A typical Damian performance might include the Eagles, Green Day, Jack Johnson , Bon Jovi, John Mayer, Rob Thomas, or even Garth Brooks and Toby Keith. His wide variety in music style is sure to please everyone."

2:00PM

Bara Johnson Live @ McPol Kamachi exhibition, Da Vinci Isle

"Bara Johnson will perform a wonderful live concert at the McPol Kamachi exhibition, Hall 1, Da Vinci Isle. Come over and enjoy some wonderful paintings by this Brazilian Artist, and dance to Bara's wonderful tunes."

3:00PM

ICHIE KAMACHI LIVE AT LIVIN THE DREAM!!

3:00PM

Freestar Tammas live at SugarDolls Beach Club

4:00PM

Raspbury Rearwin @ Port St. James

"Raspbury Rearwin - Making another rare appearance in SL, Raspbury will serenade you with some sweetly seductive and surreptitiously snarky tunes. Gripping originals and eclectic covers, you've never had aural pleasure quite like this before."

5:00PM

LIVE MUSIC - Angee Seetan in The Garden

5:00PM

LIVE MUSIC**STELLA SILVANSKY!, SATURDAY @ 5 PM SLT

"Stella Silvansky streams her sultry voice live from Western Maine to her adoring fans in SL. Singing everything from Jewel to Norah Jones, Stella thrives off making a true connection both to her songs and to her audience. "

5:00PM	ROCKIN RENO SEGALL@ PRIM GODDESS GARDENS	Twilight Darwin
5:00PM	Charles Coleman LIVE at Triumph Cove!	Ursula Cinquetti
5:00PM	Reno Segall @ Prim Goddess In the Gardens	Twilight Darwin
5:00PM	SATIN AND ERIN68 PERFORMING LIVE AT MIDNIGHT ROMANCE	TxUptownGirl Beaumont
6:00PM	DAMIAN CARBENELL PERFORMING LIVE AT MIDNIGHT ROMANCE

6:00PM	Reno Segall @ Cocoa Beach Music	DawnRyder Wycliffe
6:00PM	Noma Falta LIVE at Mama's -- when ya got the blues

6:00PM	JEAN MUNRO @ FIRE N ICE GARDENS!	Summer Serra
6:00PM	Grace McDunnough on Heron Island	Carter Liveoak
6:00PM	HARMONIA LIVE AT CARVER'S COVE!!	Ashland Carver
6:00PM	Eyewall Paine LIVE at Triumph Cove!	Ursula Cinquetti
6:00PM	Vladamir Lamont LIVE @ The Lily Pad

7:00PM	Stella Silvansky live at Urbanity	IshtarAngel Micheline
7:00PM	ANGEE SEETAN LIVE

7:00PM

Dominick Manatiso @ Cocoa Beach Music

7:00PM

HEATH ELVEHJEM @ FIRE N ICE GARDENS!

7:00PM	~@~LIVE OnlyHalfCrazy Gumbo 7pm Jades Jazz~@~	Kinky Vavoom
7:00PM	Frogg Marlowe & Jaycatt Nico on Heron Island	Carter Liveoak
8 PM	BLAIR BONDE @BELLA VIDA 8PM SLT

8:00PM	Angelndskyz Galicia Live @ The Dive Inn @ 8:00pm SLT	Ledonna Leckrone
8:00PM	Dougie and Angelndskyz Live @ The Dive Inn starting @ 8:0...	Ledonna Leckrone
8:00PM	Cypress Rosewood and ChangHigh Trinity Sisters	Seychelle Bingyi
8:00PM	Niles Compton @ Cocoa Beach Music

8:00PM

Joaquin Gustav Live Music

9:00PM

Dougie Moonites Live @ The Dive Inn @ 9:00pm slt

Like to see some of these, though might end up seeing marathon of movies at movie theater.

Notes to remind myself: Tonight: Music

2008-08-29T13:35:00.008-04:00

I will probably get back home in time for SL starting at roughly 8:30 SLT.

So, shows already in progress when I am able to log in (maybe):
Starting at 8pm SLT:
PhoebeAnn Theas at Blue Fusion. Haven't seen this performer before. Been to Blue Fusion.
Ack, the website I use to get an idea of the music acts appears to be dead. Not sure what she is like. Well, I could actually click on the link and see what's there. heh.
From the event ad: "Hailing from the greater Seattle area, PhoebeAnn grew up immersed in the world of jazz standards and old time tunes. She's carried over those early influences of Nat "King" Cole, Doris Day, and Julie London in her current performances in SecondLife. While she is relatively new to streaming audio, she is no stranger to music, as she has been singing in choirs, small groups, and as a solo artist for most of her life. Music Style (self-described): Jazz Standards and torch songs, with a few modern tunes thrown in. Come join us, your Blue Angels, as we dance the nite away."
Blue Fusion SLurl

Also at 8:

kelvinblue Oh LIVE at Mama's -- when ya got the blues

"In RL, Kevin Allen Navy (Composer, Guitarist and Lead Vocalist) is the founder of Knavy and the Blues On The Run Band. From this first RL band to his incarnation in the virtual world of Second Life as solo bluesman Kelvinblue Oh, Kevin has been faithful to his music, earning him the admiring monicker of "The Real Deal" from a loyal and still growing army of fans."

Heard him before. I tend to try new acts, and since I'm coming in half-way through, probably try others at 8.
Mama's

8:00PM

MIKELC CRISS AT BAY VISTA MUSIC SCENE

"MIKELEC PLAYS HIS OWN ORIGINALS AS WELL AS THE BEST IN CURRENT AND CLASSIC ROCK MUSIC. ELECTRIC AND ACOUSTIC GUITARS ~ SIMPLY FANTASTIC!!"

been a while since I heard him.
Bay Vista

8:00PM

LIVE MUSIC - EDHAUSEN MORPORK LIVE AT BILLY BOB'S

"Paradise 4 Music Lovers Presents Live Vocalist EdHausen Morpork 8-9:00 PM at Billy Bob's Texas Longhorn in the Beautiful Jazzers Paradise sim

Please join us tonight (8/29/08) as we welcome LIVE Country Music Vocalist, EdHausen Morpork from 8-9 PM SLT at Billy Bob's Texas Longhorn. He is a singer, songwriter direct from Texas, so you know he fits here just fine! So, put on your stetson, your boots and join us to hear the very best in Live Country Music!

Hosted by: Lance Jansen"

Another one I haven't heard before.
Billy Bob's

8:00PM

Ictus Belford live @ Cuddlers Cove

8:00PM	VINCENT MERRICKS at SUNSET JAZZ CLUB
8:00PM	Von Johin Concert/Real Guitar Giveaway!

9:00PM	ROCKPIANOMAN PIENAAR @BELLA VIDA 9PM SLT
9:00PM	HARMONIA TREFOIL PERFORMING LIVE AT MIDNIGHT ROMANCE

"The beautiful and very talented Harmonia Trefoil will be performing live at Midnight Romance at 9 p.m. She is a seasoned performer on SL with many successful shows, and her style of music is a blend of country, standards, pop and oldies.

In RL, she has enjoyed success at open mic performances and is currently working with her guitar/piano accompianist on doing feature performances.

This is one show you do not want to miss. So Grab your dance partner, that special someone, or come alone to enjoy the wonderful music."

Midnight Romance

9:00PM

KAKLICK MARTIN at SUNSET JAZZ CLUB

"Kaklick is going to kick off the weekend up in the Sunset Jazz Club, a change after years down at Luxor Stage.. We wanted to see what fun he could cause up here :) Join us in this fabulous club, hear Klick's originals, including his crazy SL songs!"
Sunset Jazz Club

Tipperary by Frank Delaney

2007-08-13T13:16:00.000-04:00

Setting: Ireland, 1860-present

Mini-Review:
The book is now complete, and now a mini-review before the main review. The book is about a man named Charlie O’Brien, at the advanced age of 40, meets and falls in love with a woman named April Burke (who is around 19-23, probably closer to 23). The woman fears the man and finds him disturbing. The man is not put off and continues to seek her. Many years pass. Eventually the woman allows the man to help her in several important tasks. All told against the backdrop of the Irish War of Independence. Now the review that I wrote before the book was finished. The review that I was going to update as I went along, which I did for the most part up to chapter 4, but which I cannot now completely rewrite as I know too much now.

Main Review:
I begin this review with a warning: this review is based on what is called an ARE (or ARC), which is an Advanced Reader Edition (or Advanced Reader Copy), and my review might be out-of-date by the time the book is actually released in November 2007 (this review is written in mid-August 2007).

The beginning is very interesting and I was annoyed when I had to stop when I arrived at my metro station. Both because I didn’t want to stop, and because the natural break point (or a natural break point) had not yet been reached - the end of the first chapter (page 98).

The book bounces between two primary narrators. The first narrator is a Charles O’Brien whose life during the late 1800s and early 19000s is told in his own words through a manuscript found in a trunk in the 1990s. The manuscript tells O’Brien’s life story against the backdrop of the history of Ireland of the period. The second primary narrator is a man who remains unnamed until the fourth chapter. He describes the finding of the manuscript and offers historical data on some of O’Brien’s comments. Secondary narrators tell their story through journals and letters ((1) April Burke, (2) Mrs. O’Brien (Charles mother), and (3) Joseph Harney (oral history project, transcribed).

I have read many of these “manuscripts inside of manuscripts”works, but every prior work I had read had most of the action occurring in the “present.” This is the first time I’ve read this type of work where most of the action occurs in the past (injecting here from the wisdom of having read the whole book now to note that this is mostly true until the four chapter). For the first twenty pages, this mixture of “O’Brien’s life” and “unnamed narrator narrating”was quite interesting, but eventually I just wanted the narrator to stop interrupting the story (true until the four chapter - do not be discouraged - continue reading!). At times this mixture of manuscripts seems to be unneeded and to draw the reader out of the story, but there is an important element here. An important reason for the mix of past and future that will not be seen until much later.

Epilogue:
Would I recommend this book to others? For most of the book, I was very leery of coming to this question. Now that I’ve read the book, I do in fact recommend the book. As long as a reader likes history, and family.

Off Armageddon Reef: Final Entry: 60 Minutes Later

2007-03-02T13:21:00.000-05:00

Off Armageddon Reef: Second Entry: 330 Minutes Later

2007-03-02T11:48:00.000-05:00

Title: Off Armageddon Reef
Author: David Weber
Date: 2007
ISBN: 9780765315007
Genre: Science Fiction, Military Fiction, Human vs. Alien war, Post Apocalyptic
Series: ?
Publisher: Tor
Pages: 592
Pages: On: 543
Chapters: Many parts and I-II’s etc.
Chapter On:
Time spent: 370 minutes
Rating: ?
Recommend?: ?

Book continued (added reading hours - normally only spend about 2 hours or so a day reading, if that, but added an additional 2 hours a night to “hurriedly” get through the library book - it is now 1 day overdue).

Book started as described before. 890 years later the personal cyborb/android/robot (or whatever it is) of one of the Lt. Commanders of the Operation Ark fleet is awakened. “She” has the personality, memories, and maybe even the soul (unlikely) of the Lt Commander. The robot is informed of what had occurred (original plan called for planting the colony, and eventually the colony would get to the point when it had a high enough tech basis to resume the fight against the Ghaba (the Ghaba are never going to give up killing all civilizations they find, and, at the same time, the Human and Ghaba tech basis were almost equal when the “final fight” occurred (Ghaba’s are presumed to have won because they have a much larger civilization). Ships were to have been left in the solar system powered down and among asteroids. Ghaba would not have been able to detect them. Operation Ark colonists, when they had the right technology, would fly out and get the ships. That had been Mission Controls plan, but the people they put in charge altered the plan. The mission director and staff (not all) altered the minds of the colonists, and set up a religion which forbade technological advance (their idea was that the Ghaba would not be able to find the colony if no high-tech signals were detected). Then they set themselves up as Archangels. The staff had some prolong life drugs that would have kept them alive for hundreds of years. The first settlers also had some prolong drugs in their system which would cause the “Adams” and “Eves” to live about a 120 years healthy lives (the nanobots in their system would kill any “invaders” in their bodies), while the children of the first settlers would not have those prolong drugs, and would expire in “normal” adult life-span.

As mentioned, 890 years later, the Robot, that later started calling itself Merlin, was awakened. Merlin had some high tech stuff lying around for him (the original personality was female, and is still female, but body was altered so that “he” or “she” would be able to function in a male dominated society). Merlin uses his high tech toys to learn the language and watch the world. After months of watching, Merlin heads toward the nation (kingdom) to which he expects would make the best nation to build up to get the colonists to the point where they could be told of the lies and get them situated to fight the Ghaba. Most of the book covers 890-892 and involves the tensions of the world - secular (nearby enemies try to undermine Chabis (sp?)), and religious (World Church - concerned with distance to Chabis and how rich and innovative that kingdom is becoming). Fight breaks out lead by Church to destroy Chabis (Church leaders in role as Secular leaders of the Temple Lands, not in their Religious Role, though that is a smoke screen).

Merlin helps advance the technological base of Chabis.

Beginning of book: wide spread human race with many space colonies with a tech base higher than 22nd century humans.
Rest of book (so far): 1 world (all other worlds are known to have been destroyed by the Ghaba, except for Earth, which is assumed to have been destroyed) that is at about 15th-18th/19th century tech level depending on the technology in question.

Off Armageddon Reef: First Entry: First 40 Minutes

2007-02-28T13:56:00.000-05:00

Title: Off Armageddon Reef
Author: David Weber
Date: 2007
ISBN: 9780765315007
Genre: Science Fiction, Military Fiction, Human vs. Alien war, Post-Apploc
Series: ?
Publisher: Tor
Pages: 592
Pages: On: 48
Chapters: Many parts and I-II’s etc.
Chapter On: ? Part 2?
Time spent: 40 minutes
Rating: ?
Recommend?: ?

Mankind spread to the stars. A ship intercepts an alien world with evidence of advanced life. Life has been destroyed. Most believe the advanced intelligent life was destroyed by another intelligent race (Ghabba, or something like that, randomly chosen name).

Ghabba enter one of Mans far-flung colonies. Ghabba destroy colony. War erupts. Man about even technology wise (Ghabba have been around for 1000s, if not millions of years, but not flexibable, not innovative (at least anymore), stagnent culture), but Ghabba civilization is much larger Man (humankind).

Seeing the end of Man, “Mission Control” sends a colony fleet away from Earth using sneaky techniques to get away from observation (all other colony fleets tracked and destroyed - one got away, but scout ships eventually found that colony and destroyed it - believed technology signals emitting from colony lured the Ghabba to the colony).

Operation Ark sent out - 47 ships visible, 47 ships hidden from view. 47 ships then break away. Establish colony. Belief that technology will lead Ghabba to colony, a system is set up to deny use of and advancement of technology.

Adult colonists have minds altered with implanted false memories - believe they “awoke” fully formed as adults on the planet. “God” and his “angels” (the crew of the ships that deposited the colonists on the colony) “created” the adults, placed them on the planet, and the humans (“Adam”’s and “Eve”’s) told to reproduce like rabbits (not those exact words). Complicated . . . . more stuff but brain froze.

Note: I raced through the “last” book in the Axis of Time series so that I could start Off Armageddon Reef. Learned yesterday that I was going to need to return Off Armageddon Reef in two days (now 1 day), so I need to hurriedly read it.

Final Impact: Fourth Entry: Final 153 Minutes

2007-02-28T13:55:00.000-05:00

Title: Final Impact
Author: John Birmingham
Date: 2007
ISBN: 9780345457165
Genre: Science Fiction, Military Fiction, Alternate History
Series: Axis of Time
Publisher: Del Rey
Pages: 343
Pages: On: 343
Chapters: 35 (also a Prologue and epilogue)
Chapter On: 35
Time spent: 263 minutes
Rating: 4.35
Recommend?: If read first two books in the series.

Rushed through this book to get to next, as I had learned that I was going to need to return it to the library. I would normally have had about 6 more weeks, but the book had holds.

Final Impact: Third Entry: Next 75 Minutes

2007-02-27T09:32:00.000-05:00

Final Impact: Second Entry: Next 20 Minutes

2007-02-26T12:51:00.000-05:00

Final Impact: First Entry: First 15 Minutes

2007-02-26T11:50:00.000-05:00

Title: Final Impact
Author: John Birmingham
Date: 2007
ISBN: 9780345457165
Genre: Science Fiction, Military Fiction, Alternate History
Series: Axis of Time
Publisher: Del Rey
Pages: 343
Pages: On: 11
Chapters: 35 (also a Prologue and epilogue)
Chapter On: 2
Time spent: 15 minutes
Rating: ?
Recommend?: ?

Prologue - “Future sub” takes out “future destroyer” in 1942. Chapter 1 - Helicopters, jets, landing craft head for France (I believe towards Calais (Sp?) Instead of Normandy).

Been too long since I read books 1 and 2. Not sure I’ll like this book.

Phobos: Final Entry

2007-02-26T11:05:00.000-05:00

Title: Phobos
Author: Ty Drago
Date: 2003
ISBN: 0765305445
Genre: Science Fiction, Military Fiction
Series: ?
Publisher: TOR
Pages: 431
Pages: On: 431
Chapters: 49 (also a Prologue and Epilogue)
Chapter On: 49
Time spent: 247 minutes
Rating: 4.95
Recommend?: Yes

Phobos - completed, rated 5 stars. Great book. Too bad it appears that he wrote at most 1 more book, and neither were apparently well-received (at least in terms of buyers). Very well written.

1.7 pages per minute.

Not detailed concluding post as finished 2/24/07 in one lump and didn't have access to Internet.

Phobos, Fourth Entry: 36 minutes later

2007-02-24T09:33:00.000-05:00

Title: Phobos
Author: Ty Drago
Date: 2003
ISBN: 0765305445
Genre: Science Fiction, Military Fiction
Series: ?
Publisher: TOR
Pages: 431
Pages: On: 137
Chapters: 49 (also a Prologue and Epilogue)
Chapter On: 14
Time spent: 137 minutes
Rating: ?
Recommend?:

Troopers kidnap Brogue and toss him into the trash room and tell him to leave Phobos. Brogue escapes from the restraints and blindfold and returns to the barracks area. He notes that he will not leave.

Phobos, Third Entry: Third 15 minutes

2007-02-23T18:07:00.000-05:00

Title: Phobos
Author: Ty Drago
Date: 2003
ISBN: 0765305445
Genre: Science Fiction, Military Fiction
Series: ?
Publisher: TOR
Pages: 431
Pages: On: 95
Chapters: 49 (also a Prologue and Epilogue)
Chapter On: 7
Time spent: 101 minutes
Rating: ?
Recommend?:

Lt. Mike Brogue arrives on Phobos. Trooper in airlock - wants to go after the “Beast.” Brogue can’t talk him back inside, so he goes outside. Goes with the trooper to the Dust area. Trooper fires into the dust. Beast rushes forward and spears the Trooper. Brogue shots it, vaporizing some of it. As the “talon” retreats into the dust, Brogue watches as the talon repairs itself. Brogue then drags Trooper back to the station. On way, Trooper dies.

Phobos, Second Entry: Second 56 minutes

2007-02-23T13:20:00.000-05:00

Title: Phobos
Author: Ty Drago
Date: 2003
ISBN: 0765305445
Genre: Science Fiction, Military Fiction
Series: ?
Publisher: TOR
Pages: 431
Pages: On: 69
Chapters: 49 (also a Prologue and Epilogue)
Chapter On: 4
Time spent: 71 minutes
Rating: ?
Recommend?:

Lt. Mike Brogue. Lead character. Martian native from a defunct colony. First Martian to be an officer in the Peacecorps (military), father was first Sergeant. Story (after the prologue) starts with Brogue defusing a dangerous hostage situation. Makes him a hero, and Mayor wants to use him to help defuse tensions (native Martians want their freedom from the corporation that runs Mars - only reason Mars colonies continue is the barsooium(sp?) that is stronger than any earth metal and either twice the radioactive deflector than lead, or almost the same as lead (don’t recall now). Brogue is a hothead.

Purists (some long word that boils down to purists): want to wipe out all Martians.
Fredomists: Want Mars to be free.

Alien Life: Apparently, like Total Recall, finding alien life (or artifacts as in Total Recall) will get Mars its freedom from the corporation (EED?) that runs Mars.

Does seem to be something of a continuation of Total Recall, even if only vaguely (and with limited memory of both the original Philip K. Dick short story, and film (film is different, but with similarities, than short story).

Phobos, First Entry: First 15 minutes

2007-02-23T11:42:00.000-05:00

Title: Phobos
Author: Ty Drago
Date: 2003
ISBN: 0765305445
Genre: Science Fiction, Military Fiction
Series: ?
Publisher: TOR
Pages: 431
Pages: On: 27
Chapters: 49 (also a Prologue and Epilogue)
Chapter On: 1
Time spent: 15 minutes
Rating: ?
Recommend?:

Facing a choice between two books, a Sports Fiction book by an author I’ve read before, but didn’t particularly like (I’ve seen good reviews for the option book and thought I’d give the author another chance, only read 1 by him so far), and a Science Fiction, Military Fiction book by an author that I’ve never read before and have the impression that he hasn’t written any more books, I decided to catch up on my magazine reading. Then, today, I finally got around to reading another book. Picked the sports book up first, glanced at the first two lines, didn’t like the way they went and started the Science Fiction book. I’ve only read the prologue, so I do not know anything about the book (other than the book’s description, something about a Martian officer in the Earth space service facing some discrimination, and placed in a position near/on Mars when it revolts, or something like that), or if I will like it.

This is Drago’s First Novel. Never heard of the author, and never seen the book anywhere except at my library.

So Far: Prologue involved military unit on Phobos (near Mars) tracking some kind of killer “thing.” Private Manning killed. Then Lead Character Lt. Joseph Halavero killed by some snake thing that has the ability to change the shape of itself. Halavero’s last thought is that he is glad that his female sergeant finally called him by his first name (they were lovers when she was a private, and he was in officer candidate school). Ok, main lead character dead on a moon off Mars. Died in Moon Dust by Very Fast Giant Snake Thing (read something recently about how moon dust was speculated on by famous science fiction writer, but theory disproved).

Books Read, Goals, etc.

2007-02-23T09:48:00.000-05:00

Read one more than last year (92 vs. 91):

Read most ever (136 vs. 135):

Note, I finished the Wager book, but I wasn't able to keep track of the times/pages read.

High Profile: Third and Final Entry: Next 47 minutes

2007-02-16T13:08:00.000-05:00

Title: High Profile
Author: Robert B. Parker
ISBN: 9780399154041
Genre: Murder Mystery, Legal Police
Series: Jesse Stone
Publisher: GP Putnam’s Sons
Pages: 290
Pages: On: 290
Chapters: 63
Chapter On: 63
Time spent: 138 minutes
Rating: 4.55
Recommend?: Yes (but only after the five Sunny Randall books have been read, and the five previous Jesse Stone books have been read; no need to have read any of the Spenser books, though there are sometimes common villains/friends/lovers that turn up from the Spenser books)

Case solved. Parker has lead me to the conclusion that it is much better to have never loved (the deep “true” love) than to have loved and lost. All his main characters, Spenser (and Susan), Jesse Stone (and Jenn), Sunny Randall (and Richie) are mixed up in relationships that involve deep love, but also an inability to stay together or to sever the connection. Why not separate? Because they love too deeply. Why are they apart? I haven’t a bloody clue.

High Profile: Second Entry: Next 15 minutes

2007-02-16T11:49:00.000-05:00

Title: High Profile
Author: Robert B. Parker
ISBN: 9780399154041
Genre: Murder Mystery, Legal Police
Series: Jesse Stone
Publisher: GP Putnam’s Sons
Pages: 290
Pages: On: 217
Chapters: 63
Chapter On: 49
Time spent: 91 minutes

Some motives found. “Stalker” found. Both stalker and Jenn deny connection, despite photographic evidence to the contrary. Many of the people that are suspects in the Weeks murder case are found to have either lied or withheld evidence. As mentioned several motives found: 1) Weeks was going to divorce current Mrs. Weeks. Current Mrs. Weeks, Lorrie, “dating” the man who will replace Weeks on Weeks Enterprises (Alan Hendricks). Lorrie set to inherit Weeks Enterprises and 30 million. Hendricks a small amount of money. All the rest of the ex-wives are set to inherit $11,000. If the divorce went through, Lorrie would likely fall back to just inheriting $11,000 (plus whatever she got in the divorce).

High Profile: First Entry: First 76 minutes

2007-02-16T09:16:00.000-05:00

Title: High Profile
Author: Robert B. Parker
ISBN: 9780399154041
Genre: Murder Mystery, Legal Police
Series: Jesse Stone
Publisher: GP Putnam’s Sons
Pages: 290
Pages: On: 185
Chapters: 63
Chapter On: 41
Time spent: 76 minutes

I’m still reading the Wager book, but I gained access to this Parker book, and I wanted to read it immediately.

Walton Weeks & female friend (Carla(y?)? Lombardi? (Only part of her name I’m sure about is that her last name, at birth, was Young - the L last name is her married (and then divorced) name) are found murdered in Paradise Mass. Chief of Police Jesse Stone is on the case. Weeks found hanging from a tree, but quick check reveals that he didn’t die by that method (shot three times, any of the three shots would have killed him - loss of blood). Weeks female friend, personal assistant and current lover, is found later in a dumpster beyond Daisy Dykes (she is proud of her name) restaurant. She is also found to have been shot three times, by the same gun that shot Weeks, and also that she was 10 weeks pregnant with Weeks child. Later find out they bought a house together in Paradise. Walton Weeks is a Nationally known TV personalty, newspaper columnist and radio personalty. Note: Weeks, 50ish, has wanted a kid for a long time, but has never been able to get one, before he impregnated Ms. Young. Also: Weeks noted to his doctor that he really loves Ms. Young, never loved any of the other women (Weeks has had many wives and causal affairs).

Jesse Stone & Jenn Stone: were married, Jenn tried to “sleep her way” into an actress career (didn’t work), and Jesse found out. He had already had a drinking problem, but it got worse. He noted that he could forgive her once. She didn’t stop. He divorced her. Drinking problem deepened. Kicked off of the LA (LA?) Police force, had been a homicide detective at some point. Acquired a job as Police Chief in Paradise Mass. Trying to get drinking problem under control. Jenn, eventually, followed him out to Boston, Mass. (Paradise is a suburb, or at least close enough to be considered a suburb of Boston). Jenn got a job as a weather girl. Just recently (this book) moved over to “serious” reporter status. This book is the sixth book in the Jesse Stone series. He has also appeared in the Sunny Randall series. Despite their problems, Jesse and Jenn really love each other and can’t completely break away from each other.

Sunny Randall & Richie: were married, Sunny was a little leery of Richie’s mob connections (family in the mob, Richie would help his family, but is not directly connected to the mob), and “pressure” of Richie’s strong solid personality. They divorced. Similar situation with Jesse & Jenn, though Richie has remarried. Sunny Randall is a private investigator in Boston. Has her own series of books (5 so far; Susan, from the Spenser series, has appeared in Sunny Randall’s book series).

Sunny Randall & Jesse Stone: Meet, fell in love in Sunny Randall’s most recent book (Blue Screen). Both are tied to other people, and both know this fact.

Jenn Stone & Sunny Randall: Beginning of the book, Jenn calls Jesse and tells him to come immediately. He races over. She tells him she had been raped and wants Jesse’s help. Jesse can’t be bodyguard, hunter (of rapist), and police chief. Gets Sunny (who had come up recently to visit Jesse), to protect Jenn and hunt the rapist. Sunny gets Spike to also help.

Spike: Giant, aggressive, macho gay friend of Sunny’s.

Rosie: Richie and Sunny’s dog.

Suitcase Simpson: Police officer in Paradise.

Molly Crane: Police officer in Paradise.

Daisy Dyke: Restaurant owner in Paradise.

Lorrie Weeks, Stephanie Weeks: Lorrie is current wife, Stephanie ex-wife of Walton. There is a third one, the first ex-Mrs. Weeks, but I’ve forgotten her name. She has remarried and has been in Italy for the last 5 years.

Note: Book jacket says something about the “tender age” of the dead woman. The woman was 30.

Sledgehammer: First Entry: First 15 minutes

2007-02-15T17:24:00.000-05:00

Title: Sledgehammer
Author: Walter Wager
ISBN: 0812510380
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Forge
Pages: 278
Pages: On: 12
Chapters: 27
Chapter On: 4
Time spent: 15 minutes

Old military group reunites after one member is killed in an explosion.

Kiss Her Goodbye: Sixth Entry: 20 minutes later

2007-02-15T12:32:00.000-05:00

Title: Kiss Her Goodbye
Author: Allan Guthrie
ISBN: 0843953551
Genre: Scottish Crime Thriller
Publisher: Hard Case Crime
Pages: 223
Pages: On: 223
Chapters: 42
Chapter On: 42
Time spent: 182 minutes

Interesting book. One plot twist I didn’t expect, and many plot twists that I saw a mile away.

1.2 pages per minute. 182 minutes. 223 pages.
Recommend?: Maybe
Rating: 4.22

Cover/title: Mixture of the title and cover gives a very wrong impression. Mixture of a small segment written on the back and cover gave impression lead character was the woman on the cover. It was flat wrong.

Kiss Her Goodbye: Fifth Entry: 16 minutes later

2007-02-15T11:38:00.000-05:00

Title: Kiss Her Goodbye
Author: Allan Guthrie
ISBN: 0843953551
Genre: Scottish Crime Thriller
Publisher: Hard Case Crime
Pages: 223
Pages: On: 209
Chapters: 42
Chapter On: 41
Time spent: 162 minutes

Joe, Adam, and Tina capture Cooper.

Kiss Her Goodbye: Fourth Entry: 80 minutes later

2007-02-15T09:24:00.000-05:00

Title: Kiss Her Goodbye
Author: Allan Guthrie
ISBN: 0843953551
Genre: Scottish Crime Thriller
Publisher: Hard Case Crime
Pages: 223
Pages: On: 193
Chapters: 42
Chapter On: 27
Time spent: 146 minutes

Joe released after Tina gives him an alibi for the night Ruth died (Tina’s real name is Ruth, oddly enough - Tina promised 10,000 by Cooper). Then witnesses come forward noting they saw Joe outside when he was supposed to be with Tina. Joe’s lawyer advises Joe to run. Lawyer hides Joe. Apparently the last place anyone would look for Joe is in the lawyer’s office. Adam gives Joe Gem’s diary, and Joe learns why Gem had been depressed, and why she had to get away. Cooper breaks Tina’s nose and informs her that he won’t pay her. Etc.

Note: I’m intentionally trying to include less information than I did with Lasko Tangent, to keep from giving too much away. Not that I appear to be succeeding as well as I should.

Kiss Her Goodbye: Third Entry: 13 minutes later

2007-02-14T17:24:00.000-05:00

Title: Kiss Her Goodbye
Author: Allan Guthrie
ISBN: 0843953551
Genre: Scottish Crime Thriller
Publisher: Hard Case Crime
Pages: 223
Pages: On: 66
Chapters: 42
Chapter On: 12
Time spent: 66 minutes

Ruth Hope (nee Simpson).

Joe beaten by the cops when he arrives and is arrested in the island retreat of Adam Wright (who, oddly enough, is Ruth’s cousin, maybe they were not boyfriend/girlfriend).

While lying on a cot in the police station, before questioning, Joe imagines himself killing Ruth why she takes a bath. Did he kill her in that drunk, sleep deprived time last night?

Joe is questioned by Constable McGiven and Monkman. They ask why he killed Ruth. He replies because Ruth didn’t iron his shirts. Then ask if he killed Ruth. He says he didn’t. Makes his one call, calls Cooper. Cooper immediately asks Joe why he did it. For some reason, Wright, Cooper, and the police believe Joe killed Ruth.

Kiss Her Goodbye: Second Entry: 38 minutes later

2007-02-14T13:02:00.000-05:00

Title: Kiss Her Goodbye
Author: Allan Guthrie
ISBN: 0843953551
Genre: Scottish Crime Thriller
Publisher: Hard Case Crime
Pages: 223
Pages: On: 51
Chapters: 42
Chapter On: 9
Time spent: 53 minutes

Joe Hope, after visiting a hooker and his boss’s place, heads to the island where Gem (his daughter “killed herself”). Taken into custody when he arrives at Adam Wright’s place (Gem’s boyfriend) for the murder of Gem and Ruth (Joe’s wife). Joe is naturally confused.

Language (profanity): Lot’s of cursing.
Language (Scottish slang, etc.): I have not yet read anything that I do not understand, except for what the Taxi-driver said on the island.
Violence: Joe beats up Billy, runs over pedestrian, though seems to have some desire to control his violent tenancies. Cooper seems to like to use his baseball bat also. Tina beats a pedistrian with Joe’s baseball bat.
Causal Sex: “Off screen”(mentioned, but not graphically described).

Characters:
Joe Hope: Loan Shark enforcer
Cooper: Loan Shark - friend of Joe’s and Joe’s boss
Park: Killer for Cooper

Ruth Hope: Joe’s wife, now seemingly dead
Gemma Hope: Joe’s daughter, dead

Sally: Cooper’s girlfriend and mother of Cooper’s child

Adam Wright: Gem’s boyfriend and a writer with a “Writer’s Retreat” in the islands off coast of Scotland

DC Monkman: cop arrests Joe

Billy Stratham: Loanee late on his payments - Joe and Cooper visited Billy at the beginning of the book.

Tina: Joe’s hooker/streetwalker (as opposed to Anglina, I think that’s her name, brothel worker)