Update 6 – 4 – 11

Well, life has dictated for a bit that I have not had a chance to post a new update for quite sometime in a matter of speaking. Gotten a few post up for sure, just not had time to post about whats been going on… but first, project and blog updates.

 

As I had posted before, the Force Pike Project is currently in the shopping stage. I have found links for all the pieces I need and am planning on ordering them here momentarily. Shipping is a bit high on a few pieces, so going to do a quick search to see if I can find as many as possibly through the same site so I can save on shipping cost. Granted it would be cheaper to just go to the stores to find these things, which I still might do, it would also require me to find more time to do this in. Right now I have just been putting this project together in the middle of the night when I am unable to sleep and have nothing better to do, usually around 3 to 4 in the morning to be more precise. Either way, once I get some more parts ordered, I shall be updating here with the project step by step as I go through this.

Click here for the most current update on the project and all the links for the shopping list as well.
https://tsukisramblings.wordpress.com/2011/05/28/personal-project-update-and-shopping-list/

 

 

The reviews I have gotten up since my last update.

Star Wars: Jedi Search by Kevin J. Anderson

Star Wars: Allegiance by Timothy Zahn

 

Reviews up and coming.

I am currently reading the Paths to Darkness books out of the forgotten realms by R.A. Salvatore. In addition I have mostly gotten the second book in the Champions of the force trilogy by Kevin J. Anderson nearly done, just really have to post it up and call it a day. So its as follows:

Star Wars: Dark Apprentice by Kevin J Anderson

Silent Blade by R. A. Salvatore

 

I am also greatly looking forward to the release of several more books in series that I have grown quite fond of. The first one I have made no denial of my interest in rereading. The book that has gotten this dork of a person hooked on reading Star Wars books for probably close to around 15 years now, Heir to the Empire’s 20th anniversary written by the ever so talented Timothy Zahn. This book releases on September 6th 2011… as long as it does not change this time at least.

In addition the last book in the Strain Trilogy, The Night Eternal, releases this October 25 2011. This is a joint effort between Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan. For all of those who are into Twilight, this one is not for you. The vampires don’t sparkle, they are not the type of person you take back to mom and dad for dinner. In fact, you wouldn’t get a chance to take them for dinner before you would be consumed yourself by the much more animalistic version of a vampire to date. I got interested in this series and bought it on a whim just because I am a fan of Del Toro’s work in directing movies. (Pans Labyrinth, Hellboy, The Orphanage among others). Check out the first book if you are into a good horror in a modern day setting. The Strain Book 1

 

Now on to further buisness. Just got back from vacation with my wife and have taken many pictures in addition to this. So I shall be posting a few of the favorites up just for my own benefit, but I had many pictures that had red eye as well. So after a bit of web searching and playing around in photoshop, I have worked up a way that will nicely remove red eye for anything outside of a complete eye close up. (the effect fails up close, but most pictures dont focus on the eye directly like that). I should be posting all of this up over the coming couple of days. So stay Tuned 🙂

Otherwise though, just had to many things going on that needed to be attended to in order for me to completely focus on keep this up to date. Now with those things taken care of, should be able to more readily keep this up to date with new content and many other things. So stay tuned 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Project: Force Pike – Update and Shopping List

*1. Pool Cue at least 48″ in length – I actually found this at Dunham Sports here near me. You can check the website, but the actual stores have random sizes of pool sticks that I believe have been used before, or are just a cheaper brand. Either way, I got it for about 11 dollars instead of paying 25 plus on it. Yay for me!

*2. Backflow Prevention Valve – Only recently found a new source for this one, which is one of the things holding this project up. Anyway, I managed to get a few dollars shaved off the price here, so thinking I shall go with the new updated link here.

*3. Brass Craft Lavatory Handles

4. Multiflex Riser 1/2 x 4 inch – Finally found this bastard! Not sure why it took so long, just did a quick google search tonight and found one in 2 minutes. I guess perhaps I was spelling it wrong, but either way, I found one now! ***EDIT*** I have found a much cheaper option for this piece which I have now changed the link above to be the new one. Plus if I ever needed this site lets you order in bulk as well 😀

*5. 1″ x 3/4″ Copper Reducer

*6. Deleted for redundency

*7. 3/8″ wooden Dowel

*8. 7/8″ Black Plastic Endcap
Ordered for Free through Alliance Plastics.

*9. Black O-Ring Approx. 3/4″ (These can be found at home depot for dirt cheap it appears. Bought by the bag of 10 looking like for around a few dollars)

10. Seal off Adaptor  – Going to give this one a shot, I am not 100% sure its the right size, but the shape is right. If its the wrong size I shall post here.

*11. Bolts, Washers (these are easy to find at any home supply store, just need to figure out the sizes and buy them.)

*12. Black Corrugated Tubing

With all the pieces found now, I just got to order them! That will take me a bit, as there are a couple of different places I need to order from. I could probably save a little bit if I went to the stores to find all the pieces, but I really have little interest in doing that currently, just dont have the time to be honest.

With the pool stick, I need to start sanding it down to get rid of the color and finish, as well as any indentions as well. Then I will need to cut it down to the correct height also, that is the part that most worries me, as if I cut it wrong, I may have to buy a new pool stick, which would not be cool.

Also, picked up a few things to use as, err, reference? Or it could possibly be because I am just that big of a dork and just had to have it, I will let you decide.

Otherwise though, here is what the two pieces I currently have in my possession look like. Its a start towards completion 🙂

The blue cap on the top is the piece I got for free, worked out nicely as I didnt expect it to be soo tiny! Anyway, this will be the last update for a bit, going on vacation for a week, then once I come back hopefully have all sorts of pictures to post as well as getting time to finally get down and dirty towards this project.

See ya soon 🙂

Review: Star Wars – Jedi Search by Kevin J. Anderson

It was a bit different for me to go back and to read this trilogy when I did. I am normally a stickler for reading things in order and for the most part I have stuck to this philosophy even when reading. Sadly though when I first started reading the Star Wars novels about 15 years ago now, I did not have this rule. So everything pre-Vector Prime, has sort of been read in a haphazard way. (I was around 15 when I started reading, give a kid a break.)

Anyway, because of this, reading this book was a bit odd, as having read everything since Vector Prime in order, having also read “I, Jedi” by Michael Stackpole, which takes place during the events of these books. It left me constantly wondering if I had read these before. I almost gave up several times because everything seemed so similar that I thought I had to have read this before! The problem arose that a lot of the books I had bought prior to a few years ago are all in storage, so I do not have access to them. Anyway though, glad I stuck it out, as I know I have not read them, would have missed out on a good read had I quit.

The premise for Jedi Search has the republic trying to build itself up still from the foundations that were put in place once the New Republic was founded. Having to rely on the diplomats to try to bring disputes under control, without the need for military intervention, brings us to Han and Chewbacca going back to their old haunts on Kessel. Where Hand and Chewbacca are supposed to meet with the current administrator of the facility to try to bring them into the New Republic arms, as the planet is the only place to get pure glitterstim, a valuable commodity used for its telepathic abilities, among other things. (Those of you who watched Episode 2: Attack of the Clones, may remember that it’s also a drug, a psychedelic. Naturally.)

In the process of trying to get to talks with the planet of Kessel, the Falcon is shot down and Han and Chewbacca survive only to find that the planet is under the control of Moruth Doole, who was the unfortunate seller of the spice that Han and Chewy dropped all those years ago which resulted in the price being put on his head by Jabba the Hutt. (Finally figuring out what was the cause of the price on Hans head)

In addition, Luke Skywalker is trying to bargain for a chance to reinstitute a new Jedi Academy as well. In addition to finding out where it will be housed, he needs to find new students as well. Finding a person by the name of Gantoris on the doomed planet Eol Sha. Though it seems leading to their meeting, Gantoris has been plagued by dreams of a Dark man. Thinking that this person is Luke, he puts Luke through a set of trials which could lead to Luke’s death if he fails any of them.

I enjoyed this book thoroughly to be honest, knowing it is a part of a 3 part series, it left many more questions than it answered. But we are introduced to many mainstay characters of the Star Wars universe, including Kyp Durron, who plays a larger part in the subsequent books. It begins building to a tense conclusion of which leads to many events to take place in the next book. The thing I think I did not like about this, was the fact, that had I read this book as it first released, I would have probably enjoyed it more not knowing really what’s going to happen. Having read the new books as far as I have though, which takes events some 30 years into the future, I already knew who was going to live, die, and how everything was going to play out. I just got all of the little details built in now.

Otherwise though, this was a great read which I am still glad to have read, just wish I would have read it about 10 years ago.

Rating: 9/10

Review: Star Wars – Allegiance by Timothy Zahn

Timothy Zahn has been one of the better and most consistant authors to have graced that Star Wars universe, in my opinion at least. He has created many of my personal favorite characters from inside the expanded universe, including but not limited to, Mara Jade (both hero and villian) and Grand Admiral Thrawn ( one of the best villians ever in a book). Though over the course of the books he has written, it always appears that the books are part of a larger story arc that has not yet come to fruition. I always keep expecting Thrawn to rise from the ashes to make a glorious come back in the name of the empire. Sadly, that has not happened yet, but I am very glad that Zahn and those who sign the writers, have not left these characters whose still got so much backstory to delve into, to rot and leave in obscurity.

In Allegiance, Timothy Zahn goes back to prior to even the Empire Strikes Back movie, to delve into the past of the character Mara Jade, who is by far, my favorite female character from not just the expanded universe, but in general out of the entire Star Wars realm of history. No other character has both that strength and fragility about them but yet is still managed to be believable. This time though, we get a taste of what it was like for her to work for the man, The Emperor himself, as the Emperors Hand. Through out the other books, we have gotten tid bits of what it was like for her, to kill without thought, just because it was her mission, but never before have we gotten a chance to read it first hand.

The story starts you out with the first of three sets of sub-stories going on here. In one corner you got Mara Jade who starts off going after a Governor of a star system thought to be committing treason against the empire. Searching through his merchandise she finds the information needed to accuse him of his excess, which could only be on account of him embezzeling, but she discovers some paintings as well, which leads her to the bigger story at large her. In the next corner, we got the five imperial stormtroopers, who, after refusing to follow orders to shoot all citizens in a supposed rebel village (most at least didn’t follow the order), they are accused of possible treason by an elite officer from the ISB. (Think of it as being the nazi SS, or the futuristic equivelent). After a minor scuffle, they are forced to run or else be brought on trial for the murder of the ISB officer.Then in the last corner, we have our ever so lovely rebels. We got the still farmboyish Luke Skywalker, the scruffy looking Han Solo, Chewbacca, the droids as well as her royal highness Leia. Now I must say, while they seem to play one of the three major parts of the book, they are sort of in here I think to just get the story rolling, as they really play a overall minor roll. The main focus of the story here is Mara and the stormtrooper squad.

The stories of all three of these come together when a pirate group has been consolidating power in the Shelsha sector of the outer rim. Through a group of events which nearly has all three of them cascading into each other at almost any point of the story, for the most part, none of them ever meet up more so till the end of the story. I was worried about this myself, as I know Mara was not supposed to meet skywalker till she played her part as Arica on Jabba’s palace in Return of the Jedi, but the inter weaving stories was handled expertly by Zahn and at no point did the stories converge exactly.

The one thing I really loved about this story was the going back to learn more about the Emperors Hand. As always in other books, Mara has always described herself as a merciless killer. Which, coming from someone who was personally trained by the Emperor himself (I mean look at Vader, who was also Trained mostly by the Emperor, perhaps not so much trained but for sure twisted). In this book Mara is around the age of 18 or so, still a child in all respects, but she relates to the Emperor as a “wise and good man”, as one would probably see their own father. You figure though, she has probably been trained for years before this, as such, he has been with her most of her life, as such, she would see the “good” in him. In this story, she don’t come across as a ruthless cold blooded killer, she is ruthless in her persuit, but she seems to not kill without reason. A soldier in that respect. I see someone that believes they are doing the right thing, someone that anyone could place themselves if the circumstances put you in her shoes. Which is why I love Zahns characters, they are down to earth and fallible. They are and could be anyone of us.

The only problem I had with the story, is it took a few chapters to really get going. A minor problem to begin with and one that’s really not worth the words here. All around this is a great read in every aspect. If you have read some of Zahns other works in the Star Wars fiction you will love this. If you have not read them, please, leave me your address so I might come to your house and beat you over the head with a stick, as these books are not to be missed by anyone!

Rating: 10/10

Also, to those who are interested, it appears that there is another book coming out portraying the events of Mara Jade as the Emperors Hand, as well as the Stormtrooper unit calling themselves the Hand of Judgement. The book releases July 12th, you can preorder it here through amazon.

Star Wars: Choices of One

Review: Star Wars The Force Unleashed by Sean Williams

  The Force Unleashed was first released as a game for several gaming consoles back in April of 2008. The premise of the story is that you are playing as Darth Vader’s secret apprentice who has been trained for what appears to be close 16+ years. This would have put the beginning of the training back during the purge, which is the events that happened after the Revenge of the Sith movie, in which Anakin Skywalker claims the title of Darth Vader and begins a genocide of any force users in the galaxy.

Anyway, the story here is that of the Apprentice who goes by the call sign Starkiller. Coincidentally, or not, Starkiller, is also part of the original title of the first Star Wars movie from back when it was still being written in the 70’s. Now it seems that while the primary reason that Vader has trained the Apprentice was to fight Jedi, but you found out fairly early, that that reason is a smoke screen for their true goal, which is to unseat the Emperor from power and to take it for themselves, Darth Vader becoming the Emperor and the Apprentice becoming a true apprentice and not just a secret ally. In order to help with the training, as there is only so many Jedi in the galaxy now days, Vader had the droid Proxy created in order to asset in Starkillers’s advancement. Proxy’s primary programming is to try over and over again to kill the apprentice, as such; he has been programmed in the art and style of a variety of forms of lightsaber combat. Along with Proxy, Vader has assigned the elite Tie Fighter pilot, Juno Eclipse, to be the Apprentices pilot chauffer him across the galaxy on his murderous and one tract quest to exterminate the remnants of the Jedi.

Now as per the rule of the Sith, deception is a key with the story arc, seems at every turn Sean Williams adds in some sort of plot twist to the story which always keeps things interesting and keeps the reader guessing. Right from the outset, a set of events is set in motion that gets Starkiller thinking about his place in the galaxy and what it means to be sith. There is a large web of sub stories being told here are that are told over the course of the entire book, and it’s not till the end, that you are able to put them all together. Even so though, there are a few things that are hinted at, but, not ever truly said to be known as true, guess I will have to read the second book in order to find out the answers to these questions.

The depth of the characters in this book is by far its best attribute. Sean Williams adds a lot of inner monologue with the characters Starkiller and Juno. Its during these instances when a lot of the subtleties of the story is brought to the fore. He brings to life the insecurities of both characters so well that by the end you truly do care for the characters, they seem to become real people that we are reading about. Not some fictional story about a place that never existed in the real world. Although, the relationship that seems to start developing seems a bit odd to me, as there almost does not seem to be any merit for it, a minor complaint though against otherwise phenomenally fleshed out character development.

On the downside though, while Starkiller and Juno are equally well done characters, most of the other characters in the book seem only to be there to progress the storyline, they don’t really add to much. Even the main Jedi that is around through the majority of the book Rahm Kota, seems to be a flat character overall. This character especially had the chance to be something great to add to the storyline, but I just never really cared about him like you do the others. While he does serve the purpose of why he is there, I just wish he could have had a bit more depth added to him. Instead, he just comes off as a whiner for the majority of things, which made him more annoying in the long run than anything else.

All things considered though, I found this to be a great addition to the timeline that which is Star Wars. The story here fills in a gap of previously unknown area of the events leading to the rebellions rising between the events of Revenge of the sith and A New Hope. If you are a fan of the game and want to get a bit more depth into the psyche of the characters you grew to enjoy playing as, this book is for you. Otherwise if you are a Star Wars fan, I find this one to be a must read, if for no other reason than to fill in the gaps as previously mentioned.

Rating: 9/10

Review: Star Wars – Red Harvest by Joe Schreiber

Before the rule of two came into play for the sith, there used to be thousands of sith warriors in the galaxy. In fact, they were an empire of the day, back 3500 years before the rise of Emperor Palapatine and Darth Vader were even whispers of being the consummate evil in the galaxy. The Sith and the Old Republic fought a war for control of the galaxy, the classic battle of good vs. evil.

In Red Harvest, the partial prequel to Death Trooper that came out on October 13, 2009,  Joe Schreiber takes us back to this time to the sith training world of Odacer – Faustin, a world not to dissimilar to the planet of Hoth, consisting of mostly just snow ice and deathly cold. Here, the ruling Darth Scabrous has an interest in completing an ancient sith ritual of immortality. Of which, in order to complete the ritual, he would need the petals of the Murakami Orchid; a flower that has the ability to speak to force sensitive’s via a force link between it and its caretaker. In this case, Hestizo Trace, a Jedi (dropout?) who has an innate ability to communicate with plant life, more specifically the murakami orchid.

After having seized both Hestizo and the orchid, Darth Scabrous is able to put his plan into motion. This is where Joe Schreiber’s writing style shines. His descriptions of the havoc the zombie(ish) creatures that are unleashed due to the orchids unique abilities, are truly grotesque. I say zombie(ish) as while the creatures in the book has similarities to the conventional zombie, i.e. eating flesh of the living, infecting those who are bitten with the contagion and such, they differ in the sense that these creatures abilities far exceed those of your typical zombie. Either way though, you are treated to plenty of people being ripped apart and disemboweled in a very graphic fashion.

While through the story, you are always sure who shall survive till the end, everyone else is fair game. Of which seems every few pages another gets picked off in a ever greater. The story keeps a really fast pace from the onset, which truly allows the atmosphere to hold on to your attention which I truly loved, although, this is truly a double edged sword. While I loved the quick pace for the horror elements, the side effect is that none of the characters are really fleshed out. At the end of the day, you really don’t have any knowledge of who the characters are, where they came from, or really anything about them outside of their names. It seems as well that, the few characters that start to get fleshed out tend to get ripped apart in the book around the same time you start to have any feel for who they were.

While the ending was sort of anti-climatic, as well as a bit easy to see coming, it was what I expected from a horror genre book. For those who are looking for a straight Star Wars novel, this one may disappoint. For those though who love the Star Wars series and are ok with a side story that really has no effect, characters or otherwise, on the rest of the timeline, or those who in general just love a good horror book, this one comes highly recommended.

8/10

I have found a new home?

So this is actually not my first blog. I have another one and actually came across this site while trying to find better alternatives after I had some issues setting up the blog with more then one picture in it. As of right now, I am unsure which way I am going to go. I originally started this one in the pretense of wanting to use it for just a book review type setup, which I still intend to do. Although, the more I use it the more I am starting to really like it.

Either way though, right now the main idea of this blog is to use it for reviews which I fully intend to do here soon. Here are the first few that I plan to add here.

• Star Wars: Red Harvest – by Joe Schreiber —- Review up
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed – by Sean Williams
• The New Dead – by assembled authors —- Review up
• Chasing the Dead – by Joe Schreiber

There are many more I intend on doing, but this is just the beginning list. I might change the order, as I do intend to re-read the books that I have not read in sometime as to refresh my memory on it. I do plan on rating them as well. I will be using the common 10 point system, 1 being bad, 10 being great.

The genre’s I will be hitting are going to mostly be science fiction and fantasy, but I shall also but horror and pretty much anything else that I find an interest in as well.

Now, as I mentioned before, in addition to these, I am thinking about also making this my main blog as well and killing the other one. If I do this, then the variety of the posting shall be wide and varied. Photography, 3d modeling, random rambling, out right non sense, could be anything. All in good fun though, trust me on this. 🙂