A lot has happened this quarter. Locally, the effects of the pandemic have lessened and folks have begun slowly returning to a more normal lifestyle. Globally, some parts of the world have been plunged into dark times leaving people struggling just to survive. It’s difficult to understand all this, to reconcile it with our own lifestyle, to find some semblance of balance in our own lives. And yet that’s exactly what we must do. Hopefully we all can find that balance while remaining open-minded and hopeful, able to accept others differences and still communicate and receive ideas and opinions, to look towards, and each in our own way work towards, a better future while making our way through the present.

Well, that’s enough heavy thought for now. Let’s move on to looking back at the quarter, trying to find things we can smile about, laugh at, remember fondly, and hopefully give us a bit of hope and inspiration for that future we talked about above.

Photography

Last quarter I mentioned how there was virtually no sky in any of the photos I featured. Looking through the photos below I realize that’s not the case this quarter, and not because I consciously made any effort, it just happened to work out that way. Funny the things we sometimes notice after the fact. Is there an actual connection? Or is it all just happenstance? Perhaps a bit of both but so subtle we can’t tell how much of either? Regardless, it is what it is and I’m ok with it.

I feel reasonably good about the quarter from a photographic perspective. I didn’t get out with the camera every week, but did still manage to get out many times and created what I hope are some pleasing images during those times. Most of my outings this time around were with my father and we always have a good time.

Enough talk, on to the look back of this past quarter’s posts. Please check them out.

Before & After: Foggy Morning on Casco Bay

Reading

This was another great reading quarter. I only had a single really stand out book, The Wall, but I thoroughly enjoyed almost all of what I read. I didn’t hate anything, and was only disappointed with The Reluctant Queen, Riceyman Steps and parts of Name of the Devil. I’m hoping I can find more stand out books, but as long as I enjoy the majority of what I read I’m happy.

The books I consumed this quarter (paper, ebook, and audio).

The full list of books: Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke, The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur by Alka Joshi, The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu, Riceyman Steps by Arnold Bennett, Bone White by Ronald Malfi, Casino Royale by Ian Fleming, Sisters of the Forsaken Stars by Lina Rather, Something New by P.G. Wodehouse, Name of the Devil by Andrew Mayne, You Sexy Thing by Cat Rambo, His Last Bow by Arthur Conan Doyle, The Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle, The Reluctant Queen by Sarah Beth Durst, Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney, Cry Wolf by Hans Rosenfeldt, The Wall by Marlen Haushofer, The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, The Starless Crown by James Rollins, Zer0es by Chuck Wendig, The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle, and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

Of these my favorites were:

The Wall by Marlen Haushofer

Austrian author Marlen Haushofer wrote The Wall in German around 1963. It was later translated into English and eventually turned into a fantastic audiobook. It’s a simple enough story. A lone woman finds herself isolated in the mountains, separated from the rest of the world by an invisible barrier (the only speculative element), with nothing living visible on the other side. From here the story is then about what she does, how she lives, what she thinks and feels. It’s such a powerful story and so well told. I just loved this one.

Cry Wolf by Hans Rosenfeldt

This was an interesting Swedish mystery/thriller set on the border between Sweden and Finland dealing with the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong. The drugs and the cash all disappear, leaving the dealers seeking them out. Later the police get involved, though they initially have no idea what they’re dealing with, as it all begins as an investigation into why a dead wolf was found with human remains in its stomach. I really enjoyed this book, and was fortunate to win a copy through a goodreads giveaway.

You Sexy Thing by Cat Rambo

I love found family stories, and when they’re set in space it’s all the better, bringing back memories of the shows Firefly and Farscape. In this case, though, it also involves a group of retired military folks who now run a restaurant and are trying to get more recognition by giving a well known food critic a great experience. But things don’t quite go to plan and all kinds of craziness hits the fan, leaving them all on the run in an expensive sentient starship. Lots of fun. I won my copy through a giveaway at Books, Bones & Buffy.

Sisters of the Forsaken Stars by Lina Rather

This novella is a direct continuation of the story told in Sisters of the Vast Black, which I absolutely loved. This one wasn’t quite up to that level, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. We have a small group of nuns on a living spaceship trying to do some good but also on the run from events of the previous novella. A great read.

The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu

Epic in scope, this book tells the story of dynasties as they rise and fall across a small group of lands. Akin to some military sci-fi, this is a military fantasy drawing on ancient Chinese history for inspiration. Very different from typical western fantasies, and I enjoyed those differences.

Movies & Anime

I did very little movie watching this quarter, but the movie I did watch was fantastic. Dune is a much loved book and has been previously made into a movie and various series. The book, itself, is but the first of a series, though I’ve only read the first book. This time around they decided to turn the book into two movies, the first of which was released in 2021, and I thought it was so well done. It really fit the book. Sure there were differences, but it felt right. And it provided a great setup for the second half of the story. I’m very hopeful the next movie will be just as good as this one.

I also watched the anime series, Fena: Pirate Princess, though I’m not entirely sure where the pirate princess part of it comes from. Fena is a young woman with a mysterious past and multiple groups after her. She ends up sailing with a group of young samurai trying to find answers and simply enjoying the time she spends with these new friends. It has a bit of action, some mystery, references to history though in fantastical ways, and a reasonably subtle romantic element that stayed on the cute side of things. The climax was a bit off to me, it felt like they were trying for something overly grand that just didn’t fit the rest of the series. A simple story, good soundtrack, and some nice animation made for a pleasant break from things more serious.

Music

This has been another great quarter for listening to music. I have stumbled across some new musicians (new to me), and also discovered new songs by old favorites. Because of this I had a difficult time limiting the number of videos I share with you, so I apologize for that. And I realized after putting these all together that my tastes were all over the world this quarter. 😀

Mexico: Rodrigo y Gabriela

Rodrigo y Gabriela are an acoustic guitar duo from Mexico who create some incredible music. A special thank you to Joseph Smith, who introduced me to these two. I quickly purchased one of their albums on bandcamp, and likely won’t stop at just the one. Here is a live version of them performing their song, 11:11.

Croatia: 2CELLOS

I was very pleased to find 2CELLOS releasing new music, in this case the song Castle on the Hill. I’ve followed them for at least a few years now and never tire of their musical interpretations. And it’s a pretty cool video, too.

Japan: SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]:mizuki

I stumbled across the compositions and piano work of Sawano Hiroyuki this quarter and immediately began listening to everything I could find by him. He often teams with different singers, in this case mizuki. Many of his songs have been used in Japanese TV shows, anime and movies.

Germany: Feuerschwanz

I continue exploring the work of the German medieval folk rock/metal band, Feuerschwanz. Their recently released song, Skaldenmet, refers to a symbol of Odin from Norse mythology and is related to the consumption of mead.

Brazil: Piano Rock

I enjoy many of the musicians who put up videos of themselves performing in public locations, in particular those who play on public pianos. In this video, pianist Glaucio Cristelo from Brazil brings a little extra gear and plays the song Wake Me Up by Avicii for folks at a shopping mall in Rio de Janeiro.

Life

No major changes in my life this past quarter, just more of the typical slow shifting of life. As mentioned in the intro, the effects of the pandemic have lessened locally. I’m perhaps not quite as excited as some as I was one of the unusual folks who didn’t find the restrictions all that difficult. Being an introvert with a fairly quiet social life they might have actually made me feel more comfortable. But I’m certainly happy to see things get better for others. Granted, world events have shown things aren’t getting better for some parts of the world, but I’m sure you’re already familiar with that and don’t need me reminding you.

Work at the 9 to 5 began picking up this quarter and I’ve not been happy about that. I mostly don’t mind working, but I hate work that leaves me mentally exhausted and frustrated such that when I get home I just want to sit down and veg out. During these times I struggle to do anything creative with photography or writing, and sometimes I can’t even concentrate to read, leaving me tuning into YouTube, watching music videos, folks reacting to music videos, or sometimes seeking out humorous videos, perhaps of a person dressing as a samurai in Japan and pretending to be a statue so he can surprise folks by moving suddenly. Simple things. I’m sure I’m not the only one who goes through these times.

Beyond all that, though, not much has changed. I might long for the day I no longer need a 9 to 5, but I’m still able to get out at least once in a while and create some photographs to share with you, to write these words that I hope are usually positive and uplifting (though perhaps less so this time around), and to exchange thoughts and ideas with you in the comments. I want to thank you for reading and for showing an interest in what I do or think. I appreciate it. And I always look forward to reading your own thoughts and interacting with you. So please feel free to leave a comment below.

That’s all for the first quarter of 2022. Let’s hope for better in the second quarter. Try to stay positive. Look for inspiration. And as always, stay safe and stay well!

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