The Fireside

Hey all! So I've finally got a chance to do a big update. So much has happened over the past bit, I'll do my best to recall events. First of all, everytime I wanted to do an update post, it seems I've had news of some kind to report on, usually Tolkien related. I'll go back to April, and remember various things I wanted to address. In April, I got my Fellowship of the Ring  vinyl set. Also, as recently reported, I've also pre-ordered The Two Towers  as soon as I saw it was up. I did that post within hours of my pre-order. I'm going to wait until I have all three before I open them and listen to them. From the unboxing videos I've seen on YouTube, as well as actually having the vinyl, It's quite awesome that the design aesthetic of the CD version was replicated. This also looks to be the case for The Two Towers , and most likely for The Return of the King  as well (which will most likely be green.). One of my posts today (after this one) will be about me ...

Wow. This is it.  Today, I've turned 30 years old. I don't feel any older, but I remember when my Dad turned 30, and when you remember yours parents the same age as you, THEN it makes you feel a bit older.  So tonight I'm gathering my closest and bestest and heading out for drinks and supper at a pub. We're going to celebrate the occasion, but nothing too fancy or eventful. Perhaps my 40th will have a bit 'more' to it. Then again, in a few months I am going to the UK. My sister is also getting married, so there's causes for celebration throughout the year.  When I was younger I was hoping to have more accomplished by this milestone. This is by no means a bad thing. This was before I even started college, and before the recession etc. Also, before I decided to write.  I am thankful for being to make it to this milestone. I have been in one or two car accidents (not of my causing, nor was I driving, one was a really close call), and then there...

Thursday (Thorsday, for all ye vikings out there) the rib fest began, and will end on Sunday - tomorrow! So get out there and have some meat! Pretty much the entire Sparks Street is dedicated to the festival. And, as one of the platters is aptly, named it's a vegetarian's nightmare. Ribs. Chicken. Brisket. Pulled pork. I was looking for Boss Hogs, who are said to be the best at the fest. However, I must have came in at the wrong side. Unable to find them, I went with a half rack from Sticky Fingers, and a pulled pork sandwich from Crabby's. That definitely did it for me. I had a Propeller beer when I got in to wash it all down with. I would like to return but am unsure if I can make it out. Maybe this time some ribs and chicken... While waiting to meet up with people, I went to Chapters which was a mistake...because I found another author / series of interest to me. Joe Abercrombie. He begins with The Blade Itself ...

Wow, what a weekend it's been! Friday night, my girlfriend got to meet my parents. My poor sweetie was nervous the whole week about meeting them. Fear of awkwardness, fear of someone not liking else etc...but it turned out great! Everybody likes everyone. It means a lot to me that it turned out well.  We had appetizers at downtown, and survived leaving, as it was freezing raining. By that time of the night, the rainfall from the day had froze, and the water on top made walking slippery and treacherous. After we parted ways for the night, my girlfriend and I went back to her place where her sister and cousin got some of their friends together and we played a card game (I forget the name) and drank. Following that was bed time. In the morning, she had to work so it was up 'early'. I passed some time out on my own for a bit - grabbed a coffee and treat at Starbucks, book-browsed (and read a few bits and pieces of one or two) at Chapters. I was there for a litt...