One thing I’ve come to learn is that there are some things you don’t go into casually. For example, I’m discovering thatSplinter is an anomaly, because stand-alone novels in science fiction are rare. It usually takes a trilogy to tell an entire scifi tale, because they tend to grow into massive tales that can’t be told in a single novel. I see that with The Earthside Trilogy now, and if it seems my “indie summer reading initiative” is going slow, it’s because I’m reading trilogies. I’ve only posted a couple of reviews, but the fact is that I’ve actually read five indie books this summer and am in progress on the sixth. It’s just that they’re science fiction trilogies, so the progress seems slower. Fantasy is the same way – in fact, it may take an entire series to tell those tales, as in A Song of Ice and Fire (which Game of Thrones is based on). That series currently stands at five novels, with a sixth in the world and plans to eventually extend to seven books. And that, folks, is why I rarely read fantasy, and am not likely to take up writing it myself.
There are other things I’ve learned you don’t take up casually. Another example: firearms. Rick and I went to the range when we got his father’s guns to learn how to properly handle and store them, and now we both have a concealed weapons permit. People that work at firing ranges or on CWP classes usually have absolutely no sense of humor or patience because safety is their number one priority, and firearms are absolutely not to be taken lightly. That’s why I’m surprised that there’s so much hulabaloo over gun rights. Firearms mean serious, alert, focused, and sober. Period.
Diet and exercise are other things you don’t take lightly. I put these together because they usually go hand in hand for the same reason: one size doesn’t fit all. What works depends on so many variables in physiology. One example: low carb diets don’t work on me. I crash out on them, and do much better on a high protein diet. Rick, however, has a lot of success going low carb. The weight (and cholesterol) drops right off, and he doesn’t seem to suffer any loss of energy for it. Exercise is the same way. I’ve found that the higher impact T25 workouts that vary focus each day are most effective with me and Rick, but I know several people that can’t do this workout because of back problems. Everybody is different, which means that what works can very greatly from one person to the next. That's why it’s important to consult with your doctor before starting a diet and/or exercise program.
Last on my list is TV shows. I remember the backlash against Star Trek: Deep Space Nine when they decided to run a continuous story arc on The Dominion War to reward their faithful viewers, and many viewers complained that it wasn’t fair because “you have to keep watching it to keep up.” Fast forward a decade, and continuous story arcs are the law of TV Land now. I think the rise of “fandoms” have led to this phenomenon, as I’ve seen with Supernatural (which started with stand alone stories, and evolved into the continuous story arc in Season 2). Increased competition for prime time slots have led networks to conclude that the best way to keep viewers is to hook them with a strong story from the start, and keep leading them through it. The story arc strategy has even moved into movies, as you see with Marvel movies tying all of their superheroes together through The Avengers, and then keeping the thread going through Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. They keep you glued not only to the television, but the theater as well. Very clever!
I’m sure there are many other things that aren’t to be taken too seriously, but one person can only deal with so many absolutes that take you over. So, what’s you list?
That’s all today. Take care, and have a great rest of the week.
Bye!
There are other things I’ve learned you don’t take up casually. Another example: firearms. Rick and I went to the range when we got his father’s guns to learn how to properly handle and store them, and now we both have a concealed weapons permit. People that work at firing ranges or on CWP classes usually have absolutely no sense of humor or patience because safety is their number one priority, and firearms are absolutely not to be taken lightly. That’s why I’m surprised that there’s so much hulabaloo over gun rights. Firearms mean serious, alert, focused, and sober. Period.
Diet and exercise are other things you don’t take lightly. I put these together because they usually go hand in hand for the same reason: one size doesn’t fit all. What works depends on so many variables in physiology. One example: low carb diets don’t work on me. I crash out on them, and do much better on a high protein diet. Rick, however, has a lot of success going low carb. The weight (and cholesterol) drops right off, and he doesn’t seem to suffer any loss of energy for it. Exercise is the same way. I’ve found that the higher impact T25 workouts that vary focus each day are most effective with me and Rick, but I know several people that can’t do this workout because of back problems. Everybody is different, which means that what works can very greatly from one person to the next. That's why it’s important to consult with your doctor before starting a diet and/or exercise program.
Last on my list is TV shows. I remember the backlash against Star Trek: Deep Space Nine when they decided to run a continuous story arc on The Dominion War to reward their faithful viewers, and many viewers complained that it wasn’t fair because “you have to keep watching it to keep up.” Fast forward a decade, and continuous story arcs are the law of TV Land now. I think the rise of “fandoms” have led to this phenomenon, as I’ve seen with Supernatural (which started with stand alone stories, and evolved into the continuous story arc in Season 2). Increased competition for prime time slots have led networks to conclude that the best way to keep viewers is to hook them with a strong story from the start, and keep leading them through it. The story arc strategy has even moved into movies, as you see with Marvel movies tying all of their superheroes together through The Avengers, and then keeping the thread going through Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. They keep you glued not only to the television, but the theater as well. Very clever!
I’m sure there are many other things that aren’t to be taken too seriously, but one person can only deal with so many absolutes that take you over. So, what’s you list?
That’s all today. Take care, and have a great rest of the week.
Bye!
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