Write Tight (William Brohaugh)

Writers often are too wordy. Write Tight shows how and what to do about it. The goal is quality- "Tightening should reduce fat, not cut muscle."

This is a good book.

Rating: A

Making The Hobbit

I've spent many nights recently watching specials on the making of The Hobbit trilogy.  Having enjoyed the extended editions of the films after Christmas, I couldn't help but notice the six (!) discs of special features in the box set.  And for once, I checked them out.

It is breathtaking what goes into making films.  Unbelievable.  The sets.  The weapons and costumes.  The challenges and techniques used to overcome them.  It was all quite impressive, and presented well in the behind-the-scenes footage.

What impressed me most about these specific films?  Hmmm . . .
- Peter Jackson's acknowledgment that he was basically winging it at times on set (having lacked the prep time he enjoyed when doing Lord of the Rings)
- The amount of physical training everyone (especially the dwarves) went through to prepare for their roles
- The talent and speed at which the art department worked (both artists like John Howe/Alan Lee and those responsible for physically assembling sets, costumes, and weapons)
- The input actors/actresses have into their characters and lines
- The techniques used to adjust heights of characters
- The effort that goes into even 'little' scenes
- The linguistic work done for fictional tongues

Bonus features are included for a reason. Check them out!
  

Sonnenberg

I love castles.  Our previous stints in Europe solidified my delight in these fortifications of old.  Now that we're back, I want to see as many as possible.  Today's post is about a small one in our vicinity- Sonnenberg Castle.

It's easy to focus on the popular castles, but I'm finding increasing delight in the 'little,' off-the-beaten path offerings.  Sonnenberg is certainly such; little remains outside a tower and portions of walls and gates.  And yet, this ruin has quite the history.  Wikipedia gives more detail; the gist:
- It was originally built ~1201-3 as a result of a border dispute; it was one of nine castles ruled by the House of Nassau
- It was the seat of Adolf of Nassau when he was crowned 'king of the Romans' [a claim to be Holy Roman Emperor] in 1292; he would never be crowned by the Pope to become Emperor, and died six years later
- It was visited by Emperor Ludwig in 1338, Holy Roman Emperor, suggesting its grandeur or prominence (at least in the local area)
- In 1351, it was granted the right to be its own jurisdiction; at that time, the walls were expanded to encompass surrounding homes
- It went through various periods of decay or renewal until being abandoned in the sixteenth century; it would shortly thereafter be used (like many other such structures) as a quarry for the local builders (here, to repair local damage due to the Thirty Years' War)

Ruins of Sonnenberg, steel engraving from "Views of the Rhine" by William Tombleson (c. 1840); taken from wikipedia

Not bad.  Below are pictures taken on my phone during walks or runs in the area.  It doesn't take long to tour, but as you stroll the ruins, think on what was.  And marvel in the fact that homes, to this day, are built into the surrounding walls.  I'd love to live nestled up against a castle.  Wouldn't you?

One Thousand and Counting

image from here

This is it!  Blog post number 1000.  When I started (almost exactly seven years ago, on 27 Feb 2012), I had no idea I'd still be at it now, despite low readership, poor reviews, and questionable substance.  But here are some reflections back on how it all began, and the changes it's seen.

It started with books.  I wanted a way to remember the books I was reading as part of my British Reading List experience.  We had moved to England the summer before, and the weather plus family situation led to lots of time indoors.  Knowing this, I decided to read voraciously (50-80 books/year), and created a list to focus on titles relevant to life in England.  I read history, literature, and immersed myself in King Arthur and Robin Hood lore.  It was a wonderful experience; see here for the 40 books (out of 129) that I recommend from that endeavor.  After that experience, I continued reading at a good clip, capturing my annual 'best of' in addition to individual reviews.

The blog soon expanded to travel recaps.  Initial mentions (only 9 posts in 2012-13) soon expanded as I realized the value in documenting such memories.  Our later British trips were captured soon after their conclusion (from 2014-on), and other trips (from our Germany time) were recapped at a country level in 2014-15.  Looking back and trying to recall trips of 3-7 years prior was harder than expected- we forgot so much, and in some cases, I didn't even recall what country we were in when a given photo was taken (such is life in the small countries between France and Germany).  So I now try to document things shortly after they occur; the memories are so precious, and blogging is a convenient mechanism.

Movies are amazing, and shortly after our return to America in 2014, I started reviewing them as well, with a focus on superheroes and epics like Lord of the Rings and Star Wars.  Again, the intent was to remember.

Board games came next.  I've enjoyed collectible games for decades, and mentioned them occasionally here; in 2016, I started more consistently playing (and formally analyzing) tabletop games of all kinds.  I've now reviewed over 100 games across 'standard,' collectible, and children's offerings.  Physical games like this are an excellent hobby for many reasons; check them out with your loved ones.  I hope to design a game someday, and started to that effect last year.  Though that's on the back burner, it's still on the mind.

Interspersed throughout the years, you'll see reflections posts as I deal with anything on my mind, from favorite sports teams (Eagles!!) to personal struggles like materialism.  Blogging helps me remember where I've been, who I am, and where I'm going.  I hope it helps you, too.

Over time, the blog has changed in appearance and presentation, too.  I discovered the concept of pages vs. posts, using the former to better organize and consolidate information.  And the tags have changed as well . . . at great pains to do so.  I even changed URLs, moving from "overlordmusings" to "notesfromthefallen," a title I felt better reflected the intent.

Most posts are done quickly, but there are a few that take considerable time and energy; some of these I truly value, and include:
- Humor posts.  Is it wrong to be amused by your own writing?  I don't do these often, in part because of the time required.  Being heavily influenced by Dave Barry in my youth, I can't help but dabble in this area.  Favorites include A History of Britain, Daddy-Daughter Dance, A Purchasing Guide for New Parents, and Whisk(e)y Tasting.
- Poetry.  Yes, poetry.  It's rare, but I do it.  I'm most proud of My Take on the Raven, though A Thought for the Troubled and For Moms Everywhere may hold value for some.
- Overview pages.  My main games page gets constant updates and is one of the few that's required me to edit HTML code directly.  The other pages- accessible from the top of the blog- provide myriad links to related posts.
- Select topical treatments.  Though a shorter post, I discuss and reflect upon my favorite British attraction- ruined abbeys.  Others, like posts on the Canon of Scripture or the Reformation, involved quite a bit of work.

Seven years in, here's how the posts break down by focus:
Books (52%)
Movies (15%)
Games (15%)
Reflections (11%)
Travels (5%)

Ultimately, here is why I write.  It's certainly not for readership (51,000 views in 7 years is laughable in the Internet age).  A lot has changed in seven years . . . what will the future hold?

Christmas Markets

I'm behind in travel posting, but with computer and Internet access finally back, I hope to make up for that in the coming days.

We arrived in Germany just in time for Christmas markets- that marvelous concept of myriad stalls set up in a town's central area, where vendors from all over Europe come and hawk their baubles.  The best part is the atmosphere- I seldom buy anything [non-edible], but it's delightful to peruse the assorted miscellany while munching on the season's finest fare.  It's a treat for the eyes- an explosion of color and beauty.  I'm transported back in time- both to my childhood and my impression of the 'days of yore'- as I gaze upon the wares.  With all the technology and 'modernity' of society, Christmas markets seem a throwback to a simpler time, where one could peruse finely-crafted items without being bombarded by technology and screens.  The below pictures, taken at the Wiesbaden market in December 2018, don't do it justice . . . but some do make me salivate.

If you're able to experience one of these, here are some tips:
- brace for crowds, especially on weekend evenings.  Get there early if you'd rather avoid them.
- each market has its own unique attributes- check out several if you can.
- markets are open from late November through a day or two before Christmas- each one has mildly different 'run times,' so check the schedule ahead of time.
- many markets have their own special mug.  When you buy a hot drink (hot chocolate . . .mmmm), you'll get one- you can keep it or return it for the pfand (deposit).

For food,
- get a crepe, with nutella [naturally] or cinnamon and sugar.
- the marshmallows covered in chocolate (many flavors available) are okay but not as good as they look.
- gluhwein (a hot, mulled wine) tastes like cough syrup . . . don't say I didn't warn you.
- savory options abound, to include various wursts and pommes (french fries). 

I'll edit this post as time allows and memory spurs items I missed above. But these markets are a delightful way to await the celebration of Christmas.

The Hangman's Daughter (Oliver Pötzsch)

Set in Germany a decade after the Thirty Years' War, The Hangman's Daughter is a historical fiction mystery/thriller.  A child has been murdered, with a mysterious symbol found on his shoulder.  More murders follow, coupled with arson.  Is a witch on the loose . . . or is it the devil himself, rumored to be prowling about the small Bavarian town of Schongau?   Jakob Kuisl, the village hangman, is in a race against time to find out the truth, before another witch trial (which devastated the town 50 years prior) is unleashed.

This was a decent read.  Some of the writing seemed poor [I read a translation; the original is in German], but the characters were good, and the suspense was maintained- I didn't want to put it down.  The author comes from the Kuisl family, "one of Bavaria's leading dynasties of executioners."  His interest in genealogy led him to write the book, and he tries to keep it accurate (save where thriller best practices mandated modification).  So it's both entertaining and gives a glimpse into the life of a hangman, and on a broader scale, "seventeenth-century customers and life- including love, murder, superstitions, witchery, and political intrigue- in a small Bavarian city."

Rating: A-

The Next Chapter

Tomorrow's the day. After 72 days in a hotel, we're moving into a home. And I'm hit, unexpectedly, with sadness.

Our new home is great, so it's not apprehension on that front. I think it's more about familiarity and memory.

We all tend to dislike, fear, and avoid change, even when it's to our benefit. I don't overly enjoy hotel life (though having housekeeping is lovely), but it's familiar- all we've known for 20% of a year!

The other element is memory. In 72 days, we've
-said farewell to loved ones,
-celebrated Christmas and New Year's,
-celebrated my daughter's birthday,
-witnessed my son's first (and second, and third) lost tooth,
-toured three castles and seen dozens more from afar,
-driven the Rhein river,
-been reunited with old friends,
-played in our first Magic: the Gathering draft,
-introduced our kids the joys of life in Europe,
And so much more. A lot has happened in our first two months, and those memories are anchored to the only home we've known here- the hotel.

The next chapter awaits, and I pray that it is good. I trust it will be- not what we expect, perhaps, but the Lord knows what He is doing, and we can rest in His goodness. In a hotel, home, or anywhere the journey takes us.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

This weekend, my kids borrowed Willy Wonka from the local library.  This classic musical, based on the Roald Dahl book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, follows young Charlie Bucket and four other kids as they receive the chance of a lifetime: a tour of Willy Wonka's amazing factory.  But all is not as it seems, and more than one surprise is in store.  In the end, they'll all learn a thing or two about things that matter far more than candy.

Most films, for me, don't age well, but this 1971 flick was better than I remembered.  The humor was great (and darker in spots than I recall); I loved Gene Wilder's performance as Wonka.  But more importantly, the messages were excellent, teaching children (and adults) about the dangers of greed, selfishness, and improper conduct.  It's a bit over-the-top in places, but still worth your while.  The 'recent' Tim Burton remake (starring Johnny Depp) doesn't measure up to the original.

Rating: A-

Sleeping Queens

Today's review is of the 2005 release, Sleeping Queens.  For 2-5 players, it takes 20 minutes.

Overview
Twelve queens lie in peaceful slumber [queen cards are face-down on the table].  Your job is to wake them, earning enough points [each queen is worth a different amount] to win.  Each player is dealt 5 cards.  On your turn, you either
- discard one number card (or more, if you have some special combinations) to draw back up to 5, or
- play a special card. These include kings (to choose a sleeping queen), knights (to steal other player's queens), dragons, jesters, wizards, and more.  Once played, you draw back up to 5.

game setup- image from here

Turns continue; the first person to 50 points (or less, depending on the number of players) wins.

Review
This simple game is surprisingly fun.  The art and theme is light and silly (they have a pancake queen, dog queen, etc.); the game play is simple but entertaining.  This is another winner from Gamewright; check it out.

Rating: A

Wonder

Young Auggie Pullman is about to go to public school for the first time as a middle schooler.  Born with a rare genetic deformity, his face is severely deformed, leaving him (understandably) reluctant to venture away from his home-schooled past.  But the time is right.  Predictably, things don't go well.  Auggie feels alone . . . but he's not the only one.

A 2017 movie based on a book of the same name, Wonder is an amazing film.  The delivery- from multiple perspectives as the film progresses- was excellent.  Auggie's sister, for example, is forever in the shadows as the focus in the home is always on Auggie, and the movie explores her own pain- not so very different from her brother's.  The dad (Owen Wilson) delivers the quote of the film as he says goodbye to Auggie on his first day:

You're going to feel like you're all alone, but you're not.

His point- and something the film does a great job conveying- is that we're all, in different ways, alone.  We all experience pain, hurtful interactions, and rejection.  We all have times where we feel like we're on the outside looking in, and everyone else is in.  And the right response is not to make everything about us, or turn inward and reject others, but to choose kindness and relationship, knowing that we're all, ultimately, in the same boat.  Highly recommend this one.

Rating: A+