Last Week Of The Year

The last week of this year and it has been another year to remember. This week I would say started rough and ended amazing. I would say it was a replica in short of the past year.

Day after Christmas was one I would like to forget. Without going in any details in one area, the other part was the freezing temperatures and power outage. Hours with no power and house getting colder by the minute I headed down early to help someone and drop off Natalia and had to buy a generator. Money stashed away and really couldn't afford it but my parents and me freezing was not an option. In the end the power was eventually restored much later and my house reaching 47 degrees.

My week quickly turned around as during the rest of the week I was invited to spend a great day in Palm Springs eating good food, having a nice time and got to go back inside a rock climbing gym, A day later a very nice dinner with a great person and hours later we were all off to Universal Studios. A little disappointed, as I found out the A-Team show was no longer part of the attraction and KITT could be nowhere to be found. I did get to see Shaggy and Scooby Doo as well as the courthouse in Hill Valley where Doc Brown and Marty McFly made the power to get back to the future. I even got a nice surprise to see Thomas Magnum's car.

Again I managed to accomplish my "new years resolution" of reading 30 books right at the end of the year. I again set that as a goal for next year among other things. Managed to finished reading 31 books with the last one being Coming Home by Jack McDevitt. Not one of my favorites as I was hoping the story ended different, but I am a sucker for any of his books. I will continue to make reading books a goal as well as reading classic comic books and playing good games.

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something. 

So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it. Make your mistakes, next year and forever."

- Neil Gaiman

Now I look forward to spending some days with Natalia celebrating her 6th birthday and waiting for the 3 Wise Men (Los Reyes Magos). Now I have to find a box and some grass for the camels. I will say I look forward to 2016 as it may end up being a year that changes my life in a good way.

It's Christmas

Christmas is here and my first Christmas Eve and day with Natalia. It was a great day and Natalia woke to many presents in addition to her earlier ones last night from her grandparents and me. Christmas Eve spent with people I love and care and ended with a big smoked turkey and some unique gravy my dad prepared.

"Christmas doesn't come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more..."

-Theodore Geisel

No snow or any weather during the week as we were expecting some light flurries. However we woke Christmas day to a very light dusting of snow for that white Christmas. A day spent by the fire building Legos, racing cars and learning new games to play later. Even Yuli received a new toy from Santa. To our surprise Santa seems to have left his bag (or at least one of them) full of toys for Natalia. More Legos, magicians cape and a bingo game among other things. Only Takenoko hit the table and didn't get the love I was hoping for from my mom. However, the bingo game and big turning wheel was a hit and somehow Natalia managed to win the most games.

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time"

- Laura Ingalls Wilder

This Christmas season my goal was to put myself in that spirit and regain the energies, feelings and thoughts from times past to maintain through out the coming year to share and instill inside the souls of those I care, love and share life with.

 

Christmas Week

Christmas week is here and I am looking forward to Christmas Eve. Lots of ice and getting ready as we may get some light snow a few days during this coming week and during Christmas day. One never knows up here what we will get.

Sunday Natalia sang as part of the Christmas program and said the  opening prayer at primary. It was a very nice time. During the week I had the pleasure of spending a few days with company relaxing by the fire, watching fun movies and playing games.

"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances"

- Martha Washington

I decided to stop reading the current superhero comics as it has been a waste of my money. So many lame stories out there to make money. I started to read the more "independent" titles and so far out of my four reads, all have been good and I will follow them. Marvel's latest reboot of the universe and remake with Secret Wars have not caught my interest and from what I read thus far, it is just lame.

This week I started to read another McDevitt book as I find him to be one of my favorite authors. Hope to have this finished by years end. This weeks classic comic book was Fantastic Four #5, where Doctor Doom made its first appearance.

Check out this great documentary about the Galactic Civil War.

Santa, Han Solo & Washington! What A Week!

Warm temperatures during last week and by the end of last week it all turned around. No real amounts of snow but the roads were very slippery. It was very dangerous in the mountain Friday and I found myself crawling at points to not slide.

Natalia had her church Nativity show and the Christmas dinner and after delaying it due to the few caught in accidents and traffic it went very well. As always a small great group of people and children that Natalia knows well. Santa made another surprise visit this year which it is always great.

The following day, Sunday Natalia and I made the wet cold drive to recreate the first continental congress with the Mountain Fife & Drums. That was a great evening with great music and short history lesson. Even got to see General Washington in his pony named Macaroni.

"Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble"

- George Washington

This week I received a great surprise y being taken to see Star Wars Episode VII with some great fans. I was not disappointed at the movie but shocked to see the theater was more than half empty. In all it ended up being some great days accompanied by great people. I even go to sit in Deadpool Santa's lap for my Christmas list. I look forward to this week as it will be my first Christmas day with Natalia as due to schedule and my deployment I was unable to spend such a magical day with her.

This weeks classic comic book was Fantastic Four #13. This comic introduced us to the Watchers and this is a race I hoped made more appearances and is used today in current story lines. Hoping to see the Watchers make a obscure appearance in the movies. Also read this week Batman Hush again and find this to be a good story with many characters that I believe would make a good movie. Finished reading Valley Forge and found it to be a very good book. This last book completes my usual new years resolution of reading 30 book by years end. Now I am back with one of my favorite authors in Jack McDevitt and his newest novel, Coming Home.

Check out the Dice Tower gameplay of the new Warhammer Age of Sigmar game between Rob Oren and Sam Healy .

'Tis Beginning To Look Like Christmas

After two weeks not seeing Natalia, I was very happy to pick her up on Friday and be with her. A little late for my usual decorating and house transformation and may not get everything out this year. Slowly getting in the Christmas spirit this year. Natalia was able to see Santa twice this weekend and her joy and spirit cannot be described. Times like this I feel very lucky and happy.

Drill weekend and no drama this weekend but amazed to be asked to help. Nope, I am just sitting here doing "me". Also this week I was not able to go on a ride but did manage to make it to a game night with just 2 others but always fun. Played Sushi Go and the basic Carcassonne game along with Ticket to Ride. Again two new games I would play again.

"Friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation"

- George Washington

Saturday at March ARB while helping a few guys with some issues I had a great surprise to see 2 soldiers I served with and sent many a days with in my deployment. I was very happy to see them and talk a little. But as usual in the military life we quickly depart and move on and hopes to come across each other again.

This week comic book read was Captain America #1. Another of those "holy grail" comics and found it very good and long. A few stories of Captain America during this historic time. Also read a few other comics this week and still interested in the new Howard the Duck series and the new Captain America series. Still reading Valley Forge and thus far one of my favorites in the series as it shows the struggle of this new nation and the struggles with its brand new government not really wanting to help. I can already see why our government is the way it is now as it was like this from inception.

Day Of Thanks

This Thanksgiving I was not able to spend with Natalia or see her this week and knew it was going to be a bit hard for me still. However I had some great company come up and spend a few days. Snow was expected earlier part of the week and we were blessed with some snow Wednesday night into Thanksgiving. I could not have asked for more this week. Fireplace on for days, sledding and some shoveling!

"Remember, Skynet is Genisys"

- Kyle Reese

Still slowly reading Valley Forge and for my comic book pick of this week, I went with Spider-Man #129. I am not a Spider-Man fan at all but this one marked the first appearance of The Punisher. I was very disappointed to read such a lame story to his creation.

Finally watched Terminator Genisys and I really liked this movie. A great ride and a great tie in to the other movies and the universe. Watched Blade Runner again this week and was shown an alternate ending I had no idea existed (see below). Also a few games hit the table this week and I think Dixit was a winner. I also played solo Legendary Encounters Aliens through all its movies and found it an entertaining game but with its limitations. Sunday my day didn't go as planned but in the end I learned to play 1775 and played like a little kid the Revolutionary War.

Thanksgiving Holiday? Please read the real reason for this holiday as it never was meant to represent the "Pilgrims" arrival to this land or all its commercialized and misinformation told. Please read John C. Dvorak's real reason for the "holiday" and the Proclamation of Thanksgiving by Abraham Lincoln.

Dinosaurs, Mummies and Bears?! Oh My!

This weekend was lucky to be able to see the Natural History Museum and I will say, that I really liked it. Natalia had a great time seeing the dinosaurs and the show. My favorite has to be the North American halls as I found the displays and backgrounds amazing and would send hours staring at them. Also, a mummy exhibit was being presented and I will say being inside those rooms is a humbling experience to see and feel the area.

This week started my VA claim with first appointments to doctors. I will see thus far it has been rather fast and accommodating but I am sure some of my later concerns will be hard to document and get seen for.

"A man who is master of himself can end a sorrow as easily as he can invent a pleasure."

- Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

Warmer temperatures this whole week and most of the last snowfall has melted off. Expecting rain or snow flurries later this week but I don't really believe weather forecasters. We will see what we get if anything.

This week I hope to learn one or two games well and watch Terminator Genysis along with cleaning up the house, getting my outside organized and ready for winter. Time to bring up the snow blower and shovels.

Read Orphans in the Sky by Robert A. Heinlein and found the book rather good and would recommend it. Started to read Valley Forge but unsure if I will jump to another book and save this one for later. Also I have been reading The Picture of Dorian Gray on and off again as I find the book entertaining and full of great quotes.  On my current attempt to read many classic comic books, this week I read Action Comics #1 which would be the "holy grail" of comics. This week I also made it to a game meetup with some fun people and played Small World, Coup and Bang the Dice Game. All games I would play again as I found them fun.

Don't forget to download the latest No Agenda Show to filter through all the lies and misinformation the mainstream media pumps out there. I can guarantee you will be a much informed, entertained and a happier person for knowing the truth from the Guardians of Reality (John & Adam). 

The Snow Has Arrived

The game Outfoxed! arrived this week and we cracked it open and got a few games in at home and took it to the grandparents house where we played a few more games as well. Thus far a hit with both of us but I see it getting repetitive soon. Trying to be serious for the picture but Natalia couldn't be serious for long.

Drill weekend done and as usual another waste of my time. However always great to see my unit and hear all the stories. Hoping to put in paperwork to not have to show. Being there I am useless and something I do not like is doing nothing all day. I have to learn real hard to simply do nothing.

"This is Ripley. Last survivor of the Nostromo. Signing off."

- CWO Ripley, USCSS Nostromo

Got some snow on Sunday and it was more like hail piling up. I would say this to be the first snow storm of the season. A dusting but it will stick around for a few days. As usual a few warmer days during the rest of the week and now await what may be coming next week.

Finished reading Childhood's End and found it a very good book with a great story and ending. I am trying to read one classic comic book a week, like an origins story or first appearances of famous characters. I can do this due to them being digital comic at a price one can afford. This week I read Fantastic Four #12 where the Hulk met the Fantastic Four. I was hoping for more.

Watching Terminator Salvation this week in anticipation of Terminator Genysis that  hope to watch soon.

The Mountain Fife & Drums are doing their Christmas concert December 13 and I already got my tickets. I hope to be there with Natalia and others. I saw this band a few years back in the Lake Arrowhead Christmas parade and they were spectacular. I am excited to hope to hear them again.

Don't forget to download the latest No Agenda Show to filter through all the lies and misinformation the mainstream media pumps out there. I can guarantee you will be a much informed, entertained and a happier person for knowing the truth from the Guardians of Reality (John & Adam). 

Apple Harvest 2015

A very nice weekend as we finally picked up our apple harvest of this year and got a bunch of apples for cooking and a bunch of smaller tasty granny smith apples. A couple of bumps in our heads as apples fell down, but a great time as usual. Now to divide them as we give away most of them.

Saturday my Natalia and my mom played a few games and we had a great time. My mom learned and liked Ticket To Ride where she beat me 140-90. Also played an older thrift store find Game of the States where Natalia beat me. However I finally got my revenge in Blokus where Natalia and her Grandma decided to mess with each other while I went for the win! No pictures of that glorious event. Sunday the revenge Blokus match where I also took the win. Sunday I made it to a game meetup and played one game of Specter Ops and this is a game I would play again. No mountain bike ride as all the AARPers where out doing individual activities.

Started to read Arthur C. Clarke's Childhood's End as it has been reviewed as one of his bests works. Excited to read it and have high hopes for this novel. Also read a few comics this week in the digital format as it is possible with the earlier comics. Finally read Daredevil #1 and started to read the current Secret Wars. I must say I am very lost in Secret Wars.

Veterans day was very nice as I spent the day at home with guests and played some games and watched Alien and Aliens movies. Slowly re watching the Terminator movies in preparation of Genysis.

Overall a quiet few days in the house by the fireplace having fun. Waiting to possibly see Santa Claus for the first time this year next weekend if possible as I have drill this weekend.

Check out the Dice Tower 2015 Christmas Shopping Guide

Green Light On The Hill

Cold temperatures and expected a few inches of snow from the "experts" and as usual it felt short. It is cold up here but didn't' get any snow other than a very light dusting. Never believe the forecasters as more often than not they are wrong.

Natalia with me for a few days and back to our normal routines. Relaxing up here with her and having fun. A bit cold outside but always things to do.

This week I found out about the Greenlight A Vet "movement" and put up my light 24/7. I laugh at the few "dumb asses" out there complaining about the price, and the stores putting up displays in promotion. Even a few saying it is bad to show support as it shows the "bad" people where we live. What?! Now my light is one 24/7 and not ashamed or scared. Following this event, this week we saw the return of LtCdr Armstrong back from yet another deployment. Hoorah Sir!

I found myself in a comic book store this week to check out the new comics and story lines. I found this to be a mistake. Much like a kid in a candy or toy store. I picked up a few of the #1 releases and most of the main Secret Wars story. To my surprise I liked the new Howard the Duck story and may continue to see how it ties in as he holds one of the Infinity Gems. I will say I am not amazed of the so many story arcs created. Just have to stick to a few and follow them. Impossible to follow all. Clearly Marvel is trying to push the Inhumans to us all with its new movie coming out in the future.

"If you loose your purpose ... it is like you're broken."

- Brian Selznick, Hugo Cabret

Finished reading The Other Log of Phileas Fogg and was hoping for a more action packed book with more characters, but in the end I didn't like the book. Still deciding what to read next. U.S. History, sci-fi, or fantasy? The choices!

Check out the No Agenda Player. A web based audio player to listen to the Best Podcast in the Universe. Easy access to the many topics and links. 

Check out the Star Wars Imperial Assault game for the Jack Vassel Memorial Fund.