While I’m on a Star Wars kick I have to share something with you. There is a desert stormtrooper out there by the name of TD-0013 who is bring to light the battle between the Empire and the Rebellion from the point of view of the Empire.

He has provided a unique look at the Star Wars universe in this fashion and done so in podcast format so all can share. As the Jedi in the films and novels often preach, a certain point of view, can make all the difference in the world.

I encourage you, especially if you’re fans of Star Wars, to visit TD-0013 and hear what he has to say about the situation. An additional bonus is his blog itself and the tracking he does of how things become more and more like that which we’ve seen on the screen.

Share the love and give TD-0013 a listen. It may even change your point of view, and if not, it’s a great way to waste some time.

I mentioned a few weeks ago something about midi-chlorians and my absolute abhorrence of them. I was going to wait until March to go on my happy rant about the whole change in the Force system that Lucas introduced us to in Star Wars, but having just finished reading Michael Stackpole’s I, Jedi it started nagging me again.

What I want to know is how Lucas went from the description Yoda gives, about the Force being nature itself, to that crap about it being a parasitic lifeform.

We went from this, which made the Force a beautiful, if awesome, thing to behold:

“The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.” (Star Wars: Obi-wan)

“For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes. Even between the land and the ship.” (The Empire Strikes Back: Yoda)

To this, from The Phantom Menace, which made it nothing more than a bug inside the body:

QUI-GON : Midi-chlorians are a microcopic lifeform that reside within allliving cells and communicates with the Force.
ANAKIN : They live inside of me?
QUI-GON : In your cells. We are symbionts with the midi-chlorians.
ANAKIN : Symbionts?
QUI-GON : Life forms living together for mutual advantage. Without the midi-chlorians, life could not exist, and we would have no knowledge of the Force. They continually speak to you, telling you the will of the Force.

Now if you can’t have the Force, let alone life, without midi-chlorians, why were they never brought up 30 years ago when Star Wars was first introduced to millions? Despite, and likely because of, all the controversy concerning the addition of midi-chlorians Lucas has been quoted as to say they were always an intention for the series.

Okay then, George, great, so how about you introduce them to being with instead of pissing off your fans decades later? Personally I’m much happier with the idea of some all mystical power surrounding and surviving through life instead of a bug.

The again, being a Stargate fan as well, I’m not real big on the idea of symbiotic lifeforms. I’m also one of those fans that would have rather seen Lucas adapt the Heir to the Empire trilogy by Timothy Zhan into films instead of the story behind Vader.

As a fan of Star Wars I think Vader’s history was better left in the legends told in the original Star Wars, instead of filmed and obliterating so much of the mythology that was originally created.

This is just my opinion. What’s yours?

I think I’m going to spend the day in the kitchen.  I’m in a cooking mood and to me there’s no better way to waste time.  Enjoy the recipe, it will be in the cookbook I’m working on.

Potato Soup

Set pot over medium high heat and add olive oil, meat and onions
When onions are tender add in potatoes and cover with water until 1 inch above the potatoes
Boil until potatoes are tender and break when stabbed by a fork
Drain approximately 2 cups of water out of the pot
Reduce heat to low and stir in whipping cream
Mix together cornstarch and ice water until smooth
Stirring occasionally bring soup to a slow bubble
Slowly add cornstarch blend, stirring constantly
Return to slow boil as soup thickens and add salt, pepper and dill weed
Remove from heat and allow to rest for approximately 5 minutes before serving 

As I sit here wondering what to write for today I come to the realization that Time Well Wasted is now one year old.

It wasn’t the best year, and it pretty much looked like I’d thrown in the towel and blogfaded, yet, here I am. Off to a better start this year too I think.

True, my focus this year has been books and podcasts, but I will be working on expanding my topics. I’m even looking at getting five posts up a week instead of lazing back on four.

With that said, I’m going to share with you three things I’ve learned from three of my favorite movies.

Braveheart:
“Well that is something we shall have to remedy, then, isn’t it?”
The lesson behind this line is that everything in this world can be remedied if the person has the inclination and perseverance to take the chances and learn the things they need and want to learn.

The Shawshank Redemption
“How often do you really look at a mans shoes?”
There’s a lot that can be taken from this question. How much time to you spend looking up, or from side to side? Do you miss the things that are right under your nose? Look around more, enjoy the grass under your feet and the trees in the sky, your friend beside you. Hellfire, look down and compliment your friend’s shoes (unless of course they really are hideous, but at least you looked).

Anna and the King
“It is always surprising how small a part of life is taken up by meaningful moments.”
Make every moment meaningful. Even sorrow has its place in life, and not every joyous moment is truly meaningful. Life is too short to spend it dwelling on things that are not meaningful when you can spending it creating those moments that are.

I’m sure in the future you’ll see some more posts like this. Lines from movies, books, comics, they just strike at me sometimes. Learn what you can, look around you, and live life to the fullest.

And if you’re going to waste time, do it with something good.

I have, as you can tell from a chunk of the posts I’ve written this month, a thing for Nora Robert’s bodice rippers. She writes fascinating novels, whether full 400 to 500 pages or short little 250 page novellas. So fascinating in fact that over the past 12 hours I’ve consumed two books of a trilogy thinking the third one was sitting pretty on my to be read shelf.

In fact it’s even the conclusion of a trilogy sitting there; it’s just not the conclusion of the one I was reading. So I’m left hanging as to the conclusion of the Three Sisters trilogy without a dime in sight to even check for the third one at a Half Price Books. Is it any wonder I don’t usually touch a series of books until I’ve got all three in my greedy little hands.

Sure, Morevi was a lone exception anymore, and Tee has promised more and knows I’m very eager for the next installment. He was even kind enough to tell me after I reviewed the two available Morevi novels.

I was blessed though, in the fact that I had all three books Anne Bishop’s Dark Jewels Trilogy close when I read those. Gods know if I hadn’t the first one probably would have flown and I try so desperately not to toss books. I can honestly recall only two occasions when I have.

There are very few authors I’ll dive into and wait for books from. I’ve already mentioned three in this post, and if you don’t know who Tee is by first name only you haven’t looked at my archives. Another is Jacqueline Carey with her oh so fascinating Kushiel novels. I used to sit on pins and needles for Mercedes Lackey, but a disaster that I lost all my novels from cured me of that, though I still check on certain books of hers to ensure I have them. I highly recommend The Fire Rose, great introduction to her Elemental Mages series that also works as a wonderful stand alone.

Diana Gabaldon springs to mind as a novelist I’ll sit in wait for, as does Mur Lafferty.

Ok, so maybe Morevi isn’t the lone exception to the rule of reading trilogies or sets as they come out. What can I say, I’m a total book junkie and as one I can honestly say you can’t go wrong with any of the authors on this list.

Happy reading. Just don’t ruin the joy by thinking you have the completely series and find out last minute you don’t.

There really is no other word to describe that which is the update to Knight Rider.

Though, admittedly, the word I had for it before it began was iffy. All we saw was KITT, and while I love Mustangs, I admit I longed for the Trans Am. And the ooey gooey voice of William Daniels.

Still, Will Arnett grew on me in the commercials. The black Shelby Mustang did too, especially in the longer ads where they’re going through the specs on KITT. The whole “Driver Optional” line tickled me pink.

Then they replaced Arnett with Val Kilmer and I shamelessly jumped on the bandwagon. He has the same ooey gooey voice Daniels did without the crisp British accent. All this over a car… then again I’ve had a crush on KITT since I was four… looks like it hasn’t gone away.

Personally they did a wonderful job on the update, from the sleek Shelby to the theme song. A good solid plot backed with the cameos from Bruce Davidson and The Hoff gave it the air of the passing of the torch. Looks like we’ll see more of Davidson then we do of Hoff though, and as much as I did like Michael Knight, the less I see of him the more I think I’ll enjoy the show.

Casting seems to have been from lesser known names, at least I didn’t recognize them but that’s actually becoming more common place. Particularly with the number of new shows we get a season and the cost cutting casting of unknowns. An unknown, to me, that I was particularly happy to see was that of Sydney Tamiia Poitier and she looks like she’ll be as fine an actress as her father Sidney has been.

While I can say, honestly, that the story was good enough to be catchy and remembered, I was in it for the car. They’ve upgraded KITT beautifully and I think I’d kill for a car with nanotechnology like KITT has now. Seeing him change color and heal from bullets was just jaw dropping and even I had to appreciate the need for a spoiler on his trunk and I hate those things.

Overall it’s fun and I’m hoping it gets picked up. The ads Ford ran during the two hour slot were fun, more so considering it really was a two hour Ford Mustang ad.

I tried, desperately, not to purr every time they showed KITT and every time he spoke, but considering I spent the car chases wincing and squirming I think I failed.

The story was good, the casting was great but I’m guilty of being in it for the car and that sweet sexy voice.

God willing we’ll see more. Much more.

Today is Playing for Keeps day.

Oh Mighty Mur has finished her podcast novel playing for keeps and I must say that it was truly excellent and begs for a sequel.

My intentions are to spend today listening to the story from start to finish so I can write a comprehensive review. This may take a day or two as I may dive head first into the pdf as well, just to make sure I have everything straight.

At least until I can afford the book to hand to Mur if I get to see her at DragonCon this year and ask her to sign it.

Congrats again Mur on finishing the podcast, I look forward to your next engrossing tale.

Until then, I’m headed to Keepsie’s.

Despite the message on the cat, it’s not an answer to anyone, he was just too cute to resist. I’m happily attached thank you. Still trying to think of the new turn in my life as marriage though, that’s just simply mind boggling, enjoyable, just mind boggling.

While I’m not a big fan of the day, I don’t have a lot of faith in people who spend all their romance and gallantry on someone for one day and then neglect the romance, seduction and adoration for the other three hundred and sixty whatever.

Not the point of this post, point is, why are you sitting here reading this when you could be doing something for someone you love - friend, family, husband, wife, lover, girlfriend, boyfriend or even just yourself. Share the love, share the life and make someone smile. Don’t hesitate to tell someone you love them, no matter who they are, as long as the emotion behind the words is real it will make their eyes sparkle and yours too.

Happy Valentines Day and blessed be.

Nora Roberts is an addictive author, and I’ve just wasted, very well mind you, most of the day finishing not one, but two of her books. Not being the average bodice ripper romance writer I find myself absolutely fascinated with her stories. Especially because she’s very well researched and doesn’t hesitate to spice her novels up with mystery and magic. Eventually I’ll get my hands on some of the JD Robb novels and be happy as a pig in mud.

Praise of Nora’s skills aside, lets move on to today’s review. This morning we’re looking at Nightshade, the third of the Night Tales saga and here’s a peek at the back cover:

They sure were making cops in interesting packages these days. Colt Nightshade couldn’t believe his luck partnering on a case with Lieutenant Althea Grayson. But the breathtaking detective was strictly by-the-book and had no use for Colt’s easygoing renegade style. Thawing the heart of this enticing ice goddess just might be the toughest challenge Colt had ever faced.

Diving back into the Denver nightlife and right back into the life of Althea Grayson, Boyd Fletcher’s old partner from Night Shift, we find her caught up in the search of a runaway kid that Private Investigator Colt Nightshade was asked to find. Having had a small peek at Althea in the first novella of the series, it’s a pleasure to find a place inside her head and seeing what her life is like.

Roberts has spanned the delicate balance of the multiple view point story so perfectly that the transition from Althea to Colt to the criminals is as smooth as a conversation between friends. Her skill with research displays itself within the tangled web of gung-ho and by-the-book police work as well as within the ring of snuff films that the story revolves around. It’s absolutely fascinating; more so because along with the story you get the entanglement and interweaving of past characters from the other novellas shifting in and out as well.

Enough of my rambling, go read the book. At just shy of 250 pages it’s a quick read for a rainy day.

And I promise, as soon as the month is over we’ll get into something grittier, like Scott Sigler’s The Rookie or my disgust of medichlorians.

Rating: