The Duff has closed another chapter in his life this week.
He is leaving some of his nerdiness behind, to be left forgotten in his youth. For this week, 2 events had come to pass. Firstly was the last episode of Star Trek: Enterprise. He watched it, the final. The finale. Its all over. No more Star Trek in the forseeable future. While some may find this franchise utterly boring, The Duff secretly yearns for such a future to be made possible, simply because the simple worries of humanity are but a thing of the past in the stories. Humanity has moved on to much better things. Exploration, and knowing that there is a great unknown attracted The Duff immensely. He had found our current situation boring instead. The entire globe has been mapped to death, and governments stumble into space at a snail's pace.
The other event was Episode III of the Star Wars franchise. The story is complete. Anakin falls, to be redeemed by his son years later. The circle started 28 years ago is final done. This simple story, adapted from many sources into a space opera, has withstood the test of time, and patience of many, to present a story not fully fresh, but in a well presented package. The expert marketing done by Lucasfilms are second to none. The Duff applauds their efforts, and thanks them for such an overwhelming experience dragged over 2 plus decades. The Duff wonders what the nerds will do now.
And thus, The Duff ends his sci-fi nerddom. The genre is dead.
A long weekend is almost over. Mostly preoccupied by The Duff's parents. Which means a lot of eating, and The Duff will be putting on some extra pounds as usual. Sit-ups to ensue asap.
The Duff's favourite comic book author, Warren Ellis, has released a new series. Titled Desolation Jones, its about an ex-spy, who had an issue with alcohol, was thrown out of his agency, but enrolled into an experiment that made his impervious to pain, sleep and many other talents yet to be revealed. The setting is in Los Angeles, where all ex-spy personnel in the world retire in. Cool.
Many good comics coming over the next few months. Guess The Duff will never outgrow his comic nerddom.
That's the truth. What are your truths?
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Chapter 3
She tiptoed along the ledge, cautious not to slip and plunge to a watery grave. The castle was well situated, atop a knoll that was surrounded by the seas during high tides. It wasn't easy getting to where she was. The lions and guards were simple enough to evade, but the crocodiles and eagles were something else. She knew the lord of the castle had a way with animals, but nothing prepared her for the menagerie that she had encountered, and dealt with swiftly, silently.
At last, she found the room she had been looking for. The highest point of the castle, overlooking all around the land. You could see your enemies approaching from half a day's march away. Ample time to prepare. If you knew what your enemy looked like.
The Artifact was nestled where the Old Man said it would be. It almost seemed all too easy. She thanked the gods for watching over her on this simple yet dangerous quest. She was the only one qualified enough to take up this venture. The Order knew this painfully, as others sent before her had not returned.
She knew the import of this quest, and to not take it lightly. It could well tip the balance of the war to their side. The glory will be overwhelming. She might be promoted, to stand along with the Gifted One. Ah, the Gifted One. How she had missed him. How she longed for his gaze to set upon her once more. She knew as she set off on this quest that so too was the Old Man, in search of the Gifted One. When he returns, if he returns, and with this Artifact in his hands, the war would be as good as over. Finally, after the decades of strife, peace could once more grace the kingdom.
She heard the shard slicing through the air. "Too late," she thought to herself. She had let her wishful thinking delude her of her situation. She was in the direst peril. After all, she was in the enemy's lair.
She felt her skin tear, and fibres in her shoulder splitting as the shard made its way through her conditioned body. The pain shot to her spine like lightning. She stifled the scream that almost escaped from her lips. She spun and tumbled to the wooden floor. Blood erupted in front of her as the shard peeked its head back out into the air. The thick crimson liquid dripping from its tip. She heard the laughter and the rejoicing approach with an orange flame as the door swung open. Another character appeared from the corner, hidden the anubian shadows.
"They sent a wretch! The guile of those fools. To think that a mere bitch could steal the prize from us. I will enjoy making you suffer the err of your Order's foolishness."
She tried to appear strong, but the fear overtook her once she saw their scaly bodies bathed in the orange glow. Their once human eyes sparkled as the flame danced in its position. And slowly, the flame made everything blur into oblivion as she passed out.
At last, she found the room she had been looking for. The highest point of the castle, overlooking all around the land. You could see your enemies approaching from half a day's march away. Ample time to prepare. If you knew what your enemy looked like.
The Artifact was nestled where the Old Man said it would be. It almost seemed all too easy. She thanked the gods for watching over her on this simple yet dangerous quest. She was the only one qualified enough to take up this venture. The Order knew this painfully, as others sent before her had not returned.
She knew the import of this quest, and to not take it lightly. It could well tip the balance of the war to their side. The glory will be overwhelming. She might be promoted, to stand along with the Gifted One. Ah, the Gifted One. How she had missed him. How she longed for his gaze to set upon her once more. She knew as she set off on this quest that so too was the Old Man, in search of the Gifted One. When he returns, if he returns, and with this Artifact in his hands, the war would be as good as over. Finally, after the decades of strife, peace could once more grace the kingdom.
She heard the shard slicing through the air. "Too late," she thought to herself. She had let her wishful thinking delude her of her situation. She was in the direst peril. After all, she was in the enemy's lair.
She felt her skin tear, and fibres in her shoulder splitting as the shard made its way through her conditioned body. The pain shot to her spine like lightning. She stifled the scream that almost escaped from her lips. She spun and tumbled to the wooden floor. Blood erupted in front of her as the shard peeked its head back out into the air. The thick crimson liquid dripping from its tip. She heard the laughter and the rejoicing approach with an orange flame as the door swung open. Another character appeared from the corner, hidden the anubian shadows.
"They sent a wretch! The guile of those fools. To think that a mere bitch could steal the prize from us. I will enjoy making you suffer the err of your Order's foolishness."
She tried to appear strong, but the fear overtook her once she saw their scaly bodies bathed in the orange glow. Their once human eyes sparkled as the flame danced in its position. And slowly, the flame made everything blur into oblivion as she passed out.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
humidity sucks
So The Duff had his futsal tournament today. Went through to the quarter finals. Improvement from last year. Still, The Duff wasn't all too happy. Guess losing sucks, no matter what. A small consolation was taken when eventually the teams that The Duff lost to were the top 2 teams of the tourney. They were class acts, and a cut above the rest.
The Duff's younger brother is having his exams this week. The lazy bugger thinks he's so good at his various subjects. The Duff can't wait to get his results, and hopefully need not kick the little tyke's ass.
Mother's Day. Or is it Mothers' Day? Anyway, once again, it is sad that western civilization requires a specific Sunday to show extra appreciation to their mothers. Mothers should be cherished all year round, and loved in a sense like no other.
Are sons closer to mothers than daughters? Are daughters closer to fathers than sons? The Duff knows it is subjective, but he would like to know the statistics. He believes there has to be a trend to it. Human relationships are predictable after all. For example, a man and a woman out by themselves in a platonic relationship, for a whole afternoon by the beach? Hard to believe, and some just delude themselves into thinking so. Given different circumstances, these two would definitely get together. Dumbasses.
The Duff has been getting some low-level hands on training with regards to his slave labour. Note that low-level does not equate to easy. Each job has its own difficulties and challenges. Context and subjectivity blah blah blah......
An Ex-President passed away this week. The Duff was saddened, for eventhough in his youth he had made fun of this president's name (along with a brand of sauce), he always felt that this man was a classy guy. He had an air of nobility, and with such caring, soulful eyes and features. His passing even made a senior political pillar, who is commonly known for his stoic presence, break down.
Such are the truths of the world. We are human after all, each and every one of us.
The Duff has spoken. Now its your turn.
The Duff's younger brother is having his exams this week. The lazy bugger thinks he's so good at his various subjects. The Duff can't wait to get his results, and hopefully need not kick the little tyke's ass.
Mother's Day. Or is it Mothers' Day? Anyway, once again, it is sad that western civilization requires a specific Sunday to show extra appreciation to their mothers. Mothers should be cherished all year round, and loved in a sense like no other.
Are sons closer to mothers than daughters? Are daughters closer to fathers than sons? The Duff knows it is subjective, but he would like to know the statistics. He believes there has to be a trend to it. Human relationships are predictable after all. For example, a man and a woman out by themselves in a platonic relationship, for a whole afternoon by the beach? Hard to believe, and some just delude themselves into thinking so. Given different circumstances, these two would definitely get together. Dumbasses.
The Duff has been getting some low-level hands on training with regards to his slave labour. Note that low-level does not equate to easy. Each job has its own difficulties and challenges. Context and subjectivity blah blah blah......
An Ex-President passed away this week. The Duff was saddened, for eventhough in his youth he had made fun of this president's name (along with a brand of sauce), he always felt that this man was a classy guy. He had an air of nobility, and with such caring, soulful eyes and features. His passing even made a senior political pillar, who is commonly known for his stoic presence, break down.
Such are the truths of the world. We are human after all, each and every one of us.
The Duff has spoken. Now its your turn.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)