Wednesday Whimsy

By: Caelrona

Heya fellow geeks! It is Wednesday again, which means I’m back with another geeky blog for ya’ll. Nothing exciting has been going on this past week; well nothing exciting that I haven’t already covered like a hundred different times. New Walking Dead, new Vikings; but I’ve talked about those things already. So anyway, I thought that this week I would talk about something new. I went over my old posts and I noticed that I’ve seemed to totally skip over something I love to do; read. I mean, I’ve posted about manga, but that’s about it. So this week I thought I’d bring you some great and geeky books. Some of these I’ve loved for a long time, and others are recent reads that really caught my attention.

The Harper Hall Trilogy

The Harper Hall Trilogy was written by the amazingly talented Anne McCaffrey. It takes place in the world of Pern, and ties in with her Dragon Riders of Pern series of books. However, this trilogy breaks away from the Dragon Riders a bit, instead giving us a perspective of Pern from someone who is not a Rider, but more or less a normal person. The entire trilogy is brilliant, but then I am a huge fan of Anne McCaffrey. I literally learned to read with her books, and I truly believe that they played an integral part in my love of literature as I grew up. Her world is so beautiful and vivid, her characters so real and the stories so full of emotion and life that I will finish a book feeling like I’ve truly lived another life. It isn’t just the Dragon Riders series that I love; Anne McCaffrey was truly a talented woman and her other works (such as The Ship Who Sang, or The Rowan,) and those of her son Todd McCaffrey are excellent as well. If you’re into fantasy or science fiction then you should check her work out. I can guarantee that they will not disappoint!

Rot and Ruin

Rot and Ruin is the first in a series of four books by Jonathan Mayberry. They take place in a world 14 years after a zombie apocalypse ravaged the planet. People have banded together, cobbled together small towns and learned to live with the undead. So far three of the four books in the series have been released, though I have only read the first one, Rot and Ruin. It is a really excellent book if you are in to zombies, which I totally am. The world Mayberry creates of a post-zombie-apocalypse is really close to how I would picture it actually being. The different people, the towns and outposts, the paranoia and cult-like belief following that sort of disaster are really believable. I am really looking forward to reading the rest of this series, and if you are a zombie lover like me then I highly recommend this series.

Harry Potter

Harry Potter was written by the brilliant J.K. Rowling, but most people already know that. This 7-book series became so amazingly popular that it spawned 8 movies, countless video games and even a theme park! While I’m not particularly impressed with the movies (blegh, the second one was so bad I couldn’t bring myself to watch anymore) the books are incredible. There is a reason that these books have developed a cult-like following, and if you’ve not read them then I highly suggest you give them a chance. I re-read these books at least once a year, usually in a 2-day marathon that leaves me exhausted, but it is totally worth it.

Reading is something that I am really passionate about. I really enjoy reading because reading is not only a great way to learn and grow as an individual, but it can take you to so many places and be anything you want to be. It is a really fantastic way to expand your mind, and to escape reality and do things you may never get the chance to in real life. I read a lot of different things, even though I pretty much focused on Fantasy-fiction and Science-fiction works with this blog. In particular, I also read a lot of romance, but I figured that wasn’t quite geeky enough for a blog (although for those geeks who do like romance, try Gena Showalter, Christine Feehan and Jayne Castle. Their paranormal romance books are awesome!) Anyway, I’ll see you next week!

Until next time,

Caelrona – signing off! ❤

My Days Off : Reading

By Geeky Gem

There is nothing I enjoy more than curling up on the sofa with a warm drink and good book. I like dong this even more on my days off, I read a lot of books not as many as I would like but I always have at least one book on the go at any one time.

At the moment I am reading two book nd one graphic novel, i find that delving into a book brings me joy as I set off on an adventure in a new world. That world can be anything from Middle Earth to Hogwarts and back to Narnia. One of my current reads will be no surprise to some people but it is Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Now many of you might know I am re-reading this book for only the second time. I have to say I am enjoying it just as much now as I did the first time. Its amazing just ho a book can grip you all over again and have you there for hours. There is just somethign about these books that keep me wanting to find out more about life at Hogwarts and having just come back from the Studio Tour it makes it all that richer. But I might tel you about that next week, if you good. The other book i am reading takes me to Middle Earth.

Now this one is little stranger, I was reading this book many years ago however I misplaced my copy of the book. At that point I had read up to the chapter entitled Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire. So when I got my new copy the first few chapters were a re-read the rest now is pure enjoyment. I can’t wait for the other movies and to reading The Lord of the Rings. The other thing I mentioned I like reading is graphic novels. the series I am most involved with at the moment is The Walking Dead.

This is the current volume I am reading, The Walking Dead my not be set in a fantasy world but it is set in a world that can get into. If I watch the tv show I love it, if I read the comic I love. Basically I love the walking dead. The art in this graphic novel just brings the writing to life and I cant get enough. It really is worth a read if you’ve never read it. Well untill next time happy reading.

My Days Off: Gaming

By Geeky Gem

On the days when I not working I love to kick back and either read a good book or comic. When I am not doing that I am gaming and yes Kirkiechick is not the only gaming girl here at All Geek to Me. I like nothing more to sit down and lose hours in a good game. Some of favourite games are the Lego ones.

At the moment I am playing two different ones, Harry Potter year 5-7 and Pirates of the Caribbean. However today I am going to talk to you about just Harry Potter. If any of you know me you will know I love Harry Potter and I have just finished reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. So when I got my X Box one of the games I got was Harry Potter years 5-7. I love these games, they can really have you addicted.

In years 1 – 4 you play through the first four Harry Potter movies and each of the key parts within the movies and books, you even get to play Qudditch during the first ear at Hogwarts. You get to brew potions and take on enemies from with in the movies. Watching the key story parts played out in Lego is not only really funny but really good as well, these games are planned out with fun in mind.

The first 4 years are all leading you to something big that comes up in next art of the story but if you have seen the movies or read the books you know what Harry must face.

Then you move on to the following year 5-7 with even more fun to be had as you race to save Hogwarts from Lord Voldemort, and did I mention there is a dragon. A Lego Dragon folks.

This one is harder but still as much fn as the other one. The thing I love about these games is that you have so much to do and so many things to collect that you get to play them over and oer again if you want to get all the extra things with in the game. If you have never played them but like the movies and te books then give them a go they really are fun.

My Reads This Year 2012

By Geeky Gem

As many of you know I like to read and I don’t mind what I read so long as I have at least one book on the go at any one time. Last year I read 53 books, how I hear you ask? well I didn’t have a job so had very little else to do, this year so far I have only read 38 a big drop and this is more than likely down to the fact I have a job now and beside’s doing my job and writing for you lovely people I have little time to do much else. However I catch the bus a lot so I have time to read on my journey’s which is nice as I can usually get a big chunk of a chapter on my way to work. I thought I would let you in on some the books I have read this year, and some I cant wait to read that are waiting for me to open.

Dead Until Dark

Now I did star reading this book just before True Blood started on FX but at the time I just couldn’t get into it. That being said at the start of the year my cousin said I should try again so I did and I read the whole thing in a week, I havent moved onto the other book in the series yet but I have now doubt that I will. This was really good and different from the show but I did like it. If you like the show and havent read the book why not give it go.

Percy Jackson

With this one I had seen the movie some time ago and meant to read the books but never did, however this year I suddenly remembered them and thought go on then lets give them a go. I like any thing to do with Geek Myths so these books appealed to me. I picked up Lighting Thief and was done within in a couple of days,  wont lie to you I read all 5 books inside of a month. I just couldn’t put them down, they are really good and well worth your time.

Superman/Batman

Comics count ok, besides I read a few comics this year. This one was by far one of my favourite in this series Batman and Superman team up to fix things that are going on. In this one I have pictured it to help Super Girl come to terms with landing on Earth and how she can live her life amount humans. It’s a really good series of comics, if you Superman and Batman, your you just like on you have to give this cross over a go.

Kick-Ass 2

I loved the first Kick-Ass and I have been wanting to read this part for a while so last week, I picked it up and read it in oe go. It takes pace just after the events of Kick-Ass, however Hit Girl is no longer allowed to speak to Kick-Ass she has to be a good girl Kick-Ass however has joined a league of Superheroes and is running around town fighting crime with his new friends. That is untill Red Mist shows up and starts making trouble. If you havent read these and like comic then give them a go they are really good.

These are just some of the book si have read this year, I am also still reading a few. I am currently still reading City of Bones and I am re-reading the Harry Potter series. Both of which I am enjoying very much but it’s finding the time to sit down and give them a good few hours attention. I also have a copy of J.K Rowlings first book for adult’s called The Casual Vacancy which I am also looking forward to starting.

Well untill next time happy reading.

Grimm

By Geeky Gem

I watch a lot of television and soe of the sows I watch are recommended to me by friends, this is one of those shows. My friend Shaz told me I would like this show and she wasnt wrong.

Grimm tells the story of a Police Officer call Nick Burkhardt who discovers he is a descendent from a long line of guardians that are also know known as Grimm’s, this means he has to try to keep the balance between humanity and the mythological creatures, which are called Wesen, pronounced as vessin of the world. Now he must protect his victims each week as he tries to find out what is going on. Nick wouldn’t be able to do this with a few friends now would he, this is where he meets Monroe who just so happens to be a Wider Blutbad a Wolf to me and you.

Each episode has a Grimm fairy tale in it in some way and Nick with Help from Monroe and his police partner Hank Griffin they must figure out what us happen and stop as well as the series arch that ran over season one. I have only seen season one and season two has begun and I will get round to watching that as well. I loved Season two each episode is really good and you get to see lots of different Wesen, which Nick can only see if they let their guard down, the rest of the time they look human.

It’s a really good show, I am enjoying it. I cant wait to sit down and watch season two but at the moment its trying to find time to watch anything. Its fast paced and each week s something new, some bits are really funny as well.

As season one goes on Nick tries to find out what happened to his Parents, who were killed when he was child and this brings his girlfriend Juliette in to it a bit more as she doesn’t know Nick is Grimm and has a secret caravan full of Grimm weapons and books. This Nick into a battle with himself over whether or not to tell her the truth as he is putting her in danger.

If you havent seen it yet but are worried it might be a bit like Once Upon a Time, then fear not it is nothing like Once Upon a Time. I will however be covering that show at some point in the near future. If you like Grimm fairy tales and want to see a different twist on it then this is the show for you.

Enjoy.

Autumn of Terror: Scary Reads

By Geeky Gem

As Autumn of Terror nears its end, I have decided to look at some books that I have read that are classed as horror books. The ones on this list are just a few of the ones I have read and I have read loads of books not just horror but a whole heap more.

The Shining by Stephen King

This was one of the first King books I ever read and I loved it. My mum got it for me one Christmas and the thought of a family moving to hotel for work seemed a bit a dull. However my mum said it was a good book and so I cracked open the cover and boy she was not wrong. It’s a fantastic book and has lots of different twist’s in it I couldn’t put it down and have passed it on for other to enjoy.

I am Legend  by Richard Matheson

As with many books I read, I some times only get to them as Hollywood announce a big screen adaptation. I do however always tend to finish the book before I see the movie. So I only got to this as the version starring Will Smith went into production. I enjoyed the book a lot more than the movie. These vampires are nasty, and they do every thing they can to make life harder (as being the last man alive wasnt had enough) for Robert Neville.

Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist

Now this book has been made into two very different movies and both movies are good but if you enjoy reading then you have to give this one a go. It’s really good and what seems like a simple story is actually very dark. At the heart of the story it’s about a boy meeting a girl and wanting to spend all his time with her but it’s so much darker than that as the girl will do anything to keep him safe, but what is she?

The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

I only read this book earlier in the year and I loved it. It’s brillaintly gothic and fantastic in every way, I couldn’t put it down and have since passed it on to some one else to read. There was just something about it that wouldn’t let me put it down, the movie adaptation is also very good. The other thing I liked about this book is it’s a small book which made reading it very quick . The setting is prefect and the story is fantastic.

Anno Dracula by Kim Newman

If you have ever read Empire magazine then you know who Kim Newman is, if you know this you are cool. If you don’t that ok, Kim Newman is a movie citric that has a thing for horror, so he thought he would write a book and what a book it was. If you like Kim Newman then you have to read this and you have to follow him on twitter as he is really funny. I don’t want to mention too much as you really have to read.

Well there we have it a short trip thought some fantastic horror books that I have read and enjoyed very much. Happy reading.

All Geek To Me’s Geek Olympics: Final Round

By @hmsbeefnuts

Hello Geek Sport’s fans, and welcome to another, slightly delayed, post covering the greatest Geek Character’s competing in a series of events, loosely based on Olympic sports. You can read the first article here, and the second here. So without further a do, here we go…

HAMMER THROW

Thor, The Hammer Bros. Timmy Mallet, Greg ‘The Hammer’ Valentine, M.C. Hammer.

Now this event has been seriously mis-booked by the Geek Olympics’ organisers, oh, that would be me, never mind then, on with the fun. The Hammer Throw is a simple enough event, pick up the hammer, and throw it as far as you can. Beloved 80’s TV Children’s entertainer Timmy Mallet steps up to the plate, struggles to pick up the hammer, twists around, and flings it wildly, behind him. He scores a mighty throw of -2m. Oh dear. Next up The Hammer Bros from Super Mario Bros step to the plate, pick up the hammer and proceed to throw it in a high arc, straight up, and straight down, but being turtle things, perhaps they don’t fully understand the rules. They score 4m, an improvement, but not much of one.

Next up, Greg ‘The Hammer’ Valentine, who despite his name, has never actually thrown a Hammer. He has put people in figure four leg locks though, and he proceeds to drag M.C. Hammer, proving that you can indeed ‘touch this’, in the middle of the stadium and tries to apply the submission move. Unfortunately for ‘The Hammer’, M.C. Hammer is too legit. Too legit to quit, and as he is wearing frankly ridiculous parachute pants, the figure four is ineffective, M.C. Hammer breaks free and runs off. Greg is shamed and arrested by Green Lantern Security. That leaves Thor. He has brought his own Hammer, which he throws, and it keep going and going and going. Unfortunately, it comes back to his hand. Thor scores 0m. Gold Medal goes to The Hammer Bros. with a mighty 4m.

RUNNING

Flash, Quicksilver, Sonic, Superman.

Everyone seems to love the 100m and stuff like that. Personally I can’t see it. 9.65 secs and it’s all over. So this race will be from the starting point in our Geek Olympic Stadium here in Cardiff, all the way around the world, and back to the stadium. The contestants line up, eagerly awaiting the starter pistol. BOOM! The shot is fired and everyone is off. 9.65 secs later Flash crosses the finish line. Oh. Gold Medal Flash.

ARCHERY

Katniss Everdean, Merida, Robin Hood, The Green Arrow, Hawkeye.

You all know the classic way archery contests are held, same deal here, everyone lines up, and its the person who hits the bullseye most wins. Simple really. Hawkeye goes first, he lines up an arrow, steadies himself and fires. The arrow hits the target, and explodes, destroying the next persons target too. The Green Arrow is pissed. He takes out his arrow, lines up and fires one straight at Hawkeye. Luckily its a boxing glove arrow, it knocks Hawkeye out cold, but with no target to hit, Arrow is shit out of luck.

Robin Hood is fully in flirting mode with both Katniss and Merida, which is frankly, well, a bit dodgy, are they even of age yet? Anyway, so entranced is he with both maidens, he fires wild and misses his target. The fact that he is a cartoon fox didn’t really help matters to be honest either. But there we are. It seems Gold is going to the fairer sex today. Katniss and Merida take turns in firing arrows, both hitting bullseye after bullseye. The deadlock is broken however, when Merida suggest they try to see who is the best an horse archery. She is. And she wins. Katniss is forced to go home empty handed, home to her weird Lady Gaga inspired Capitol City. Gold goes to Merida.

WRESTLING/BOXING/MMA/JUDO/KARATE BASICALLY FUCKING SOMEONE UP

Hulk, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Thing, Jason Statham, Bruce Lee, Rocky, Mr. T, Rowdy Roddy Pipper, Hulk Hogan, The Ultimate Warrior, Andre The Giant, The Rock, Wolverine, Deadpool, Chewbacca, Hagrid, Legolas, Batman, Jon Matrix, Ivan Drago, Indiana Jones, Frankenstein’s Monster, The Wolfman, Bigfoot, Conan, Khal Drogo, A Predator, An Alien and Stone Cold Steve Austin.

This event is basically just a Royal Rumble Event to see who is the hardest Mofo in the universe. I’m not even going to attempt to try an describe the chaos that went down in this event. All super powers, all weapons are allowed, no rules apart from, when you get thrown over the ropes, your out, or if you die in the ring, your out. Simple right. All participants start in the, frankly, massive ring. This goes on for hours, and what initially seemed like a brilliant idea, has become a nightmare. Hours pass, and finally two contestants are left, Jason Statham and Batman. Clearly the two hardest people in the known universe, and the best two at beating the shit out of people.

There can only be one winner though. Both have never been beaten, but Batman is just slightly better, sorry Jason. Batman smashes his opponents face through the mat, and throws him over the ropes, simple, but effective. Gold Medal, and award for best person at fighting ever, Batman. Was there ever any doubt?

With that, our All Geek To Me’s Geek Olympics comes to an end. Thanks for reading. Catch you soon.

Wednesday Whimsy

By @hmsbeefnuts

Hello, and welcome to another Wednesday Whimsy. As I type this, it is currently Tuesday 19^th of June, at 12:02pm. In other words, I have left this blog post very very late in the day to start. Why am I telling you this? Well, hopefully it will reduce expectations and hopefully, after finishing reading, what will clearly be a half arsed at best blog, you will not blame me overly much. I have been busy, with real life work things, some big changes coming up in my personal life, a change of job most prominent, and I have not had a lie in for a month, so I’m pretty tired. Anyway, enough of my grumbling, I thought today, I would just let you know what I have been doing entertainment wise this last few weeks, and maybe recommend some books or something, you know, nothing too taxing.

 

OK, so I have been trying to read A Song of Ice and Fire, and I’m up to Book 3, A Storm of Swords, but I have been on this book now for well over a month. Am I not enjoying it? No, I love it whenever I read a few paragraphs, but the problem is, there is so much more to read, it kind of feels daunting, and it’s stopping me from reading more. I have managed to start 2 more books, The Monster Hunters Survival Guide, a comic booky look into the life of a Monster Hunter, and along similar if more realistic lines, Memoires of a Monster Hunter, by Nick Redfern, a glimpse into the life of a real life monster hunter. I’m enjoying both, but finding it hard to commit much time to reading, what with work, writing, a social life, of sorts, and all the rest. Life is tough when you have to fit in everything you want to do #firstworldproblem right?

 

Gaming has also taken a back seat, and it must have been a good month since I played a game, I haven’t even downloaded the new Skyrim patch, must try harder. I’m not really in a gaming mood at the moment, it feels too much like hard work when I’m trying to relax. I’ll get my gaming mojo back soon, probably over the period of the hottest weather in July or August.

 

Film wise, I saw Prometheus twice, and loved both showings. I don’t understand the people who didn’t get the film. The fact it leaves us with questions is one of the strongest parts of the film, which will hopefully get a sequel or two. I also finally got to see JAWS in a cinema, and it was spectacular, so much so, I considering going back to see it again if I have time. I was a beautiful thing, to see one of my two favourite films on the big screen, the other being Raiders of the Lost Ark, which I’m sure I will get to see theatrically one day. I’m a fan of these special re-releases, more please Hollywood.

 

Being busy is also to blame for my build up of podcasts. Podcasts are my new favourite thing, I listen to quite a few. I will take this opportunity to recommend some that are my favourite. For comic book fans, I would like to recommend Cape Crisis, from the guys who brought you Talkradar and Laser Time, always fun and interesting. Also in comic books, The Comic Conspiracy, which is a great weekly round up of news and comic events from a very knowledgeable team, a great listen.

 

For video game fans I would like to recommend Games Radar UK podcast, once every two weeks, the guys lay down some awesome talk and make me laugh constantly. In other video games podcasts, and perhaps my favourite podcast ever, is Destructoid’s podcast, Podtoid. Led by Jim Sterling and Jonathon Holmes, a perfect pairing, they hardly ever talk about games, and it couldn’t be better. I love Podtoid, although be aware, you are best served downloading starting around Podtoid 170, and easing yourself in, you will appreciate it.

 

Fans of pop culture and quizzes etc. would do well to listen to Laser Time, which every week covers a different subject each week, is always hilarious, and always worth listening to. Good Job Brain, is a quiz based podcast that it very QI in form, again always interesting. The Geek Box is a weekly round up of the biggest geeky news stories and goings on, discussed by a range of cool people. Mysterious Universe is a good source of news for the more Fortean minded, including Ghosts, Bigfoot and UFOs, always good to hear.

 

Finally, if you like comedy, my favourite podcasts are, The Comedy Button, and Richard Herring’s Podcast in which he interviews a guest each week, with hilarious results. I’ll leave links to all of them below. That’s it for this weeks rushed Wednesday Whimsy, I’ll catch you for more next week. Hmsbeefnuts out.

For Laser Time/Cape Crisis http://www.lasertimepodcast.com/

For Comic Conspiracy/The Geek Box/The Comedy Button/Good Job Brain http://www.geekbox.net/archives/category/podcasts/

For Podtoid http://www.destructoid.com/?t=podtoid

For Richard Herring http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/

For Mysterious Universe http://mysteriousuniverse.org/

For Gamesradar UK Podcast http://www.gamesradar.com/uk/