Friday, February 24, 2023

COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS

Pursuit of Collectibles
By Alex Ness
February 26, 2023

To Read, Listen, Play or Collect?

I was asked what I think of comic book releases with multiple covers. Since I buy it to read it, I might like all the covers offered, but I buy one. I am not a collector in the sense of buying to add to my museum of perfect grade complete set of bagged boarded and graded comics. I do collect things I like, such as books, but even there, it is to have and read what I have, not to complete a collection.  For those wondering, Robert E. Howard books, which I mostly have, Lord Dunsany books, which I have most that have come out since the 1950s (that is, editions released after that, not new works that a dead guy couldn't have written)... H.P. Lovecraft, Brian Lumley, Anne Rice, Alan Dean Foster and tons more... But I've read each edition I've bought.

If it wasn't evident prior to this edition, I do not write for the collector. I read, play or listen to whatever I buy. My point here is to offer great stuff (in my opinion), and suggest whether an item for discussion is worth the money. If you pursue collecting, rather than use of such an item, you won't find my words of value, if you were ever to do so. I opened toys, I read the books, I read the comics, and listen to the music, so if you were to find me selling an item that was sealed, I either was given it as a gift, or sent more than one and reviewed the opened one.

I'd suggest having things and liking them can be and likely is different than collecting things. I would be an idiot to buy a book by an author I hate to simply have the book for the purposes of having it. Or a CD or record album. Or comic book. Or movie. But, I understand these people exist, and if they like doing that, then they should keep doing it, enjoying it, and raise their young to do the same. I think people should follow their own path, and enjoy what they enjoy. I've always considered reviewing works to be less reviewing and more of presenting it for others to see for themselves if they wish to also read or "collect" such a thing.

RECENT EVENTS

I now have a newish computer, so I plan to download all my blog poetry and will use it to release an enormous book of thousands of poems. No one will read it or buy it, but in 50 years people will say, Holy Shit that guy was mentally disturbed. Perhaps they'd be correct. 

Q&A

COMICS

Q1)
Who are your favorite unknown comic book artists, or comic artists who aren't yet famous, not even in the world of comics, or differently aimed, what comic artist do you like a lot that some find less enjoyable?

A -1) 

I think artist Jason Copland is highly underrated. I think that Alex Sheikman is brilliant but his work is rare since he has a far better paying day job, so his work comes out slowly if at all. Josh Howard has a devoted fan base, but I think if more people read his work they'd understand how well constructed it is, fun to read, and consistent from issue to issue. For the life of me, I can't understand why publishers and other artists aren't begging Barbara Schulz to be their inking for every freaking project there is. Her inks are pure beauty and are perfection by definition.

Regarding art that I like but others not, I don't think I can answer this question well because if the artist has work on the shelves it means someone liked them enough to pay him or her to do their art.  I am not in any way saying everyone published is GREAT, but the term, good enough to get into print would be fair.  I had aspirations to write and draw my own comic. I could do watercolors rather well, and pen and ink them, but that would never work on comics, and while I did have some art courses where work of mine was displayed, that was a long time ago and arthritis has made me crippled regarding my hand coordination. So I tend to respect anyone who got published, and more than once.

I'd say Keith Giffin often adapted styles, went hog wild with it, and then moved on. I liked most all of that but was told by dozens of people, they hated that time of Giffen's art career. Other people seemed to dislike Ted McKeever's work for similar reasons, that, it was not photo/real in outlook, so it was more symbolic and less perfect in form. But McKeever is near perfect for me when he writes and illustrates.

I think there are tons of really great artists who haven't the following that lesser artists end up with. Whether they are better on social media, in person, or just draw people in by their personality, or genre worked in, some artists are just more socially able. An example of this might be John Byrne, who, while he still has a following for his work, has lost clout and popularity due to his big mouth.  I think he is still talented, but at its worst point, it seemed he was trying to shake the tree and see if any loose nuts or branches my fall.  Those who have remained loyal have obviously no interest in his opinions on certain things, and like his work, as he has not lost much over time in his abilities.

Q2) Not recently but a couple years back I really thought someone in an interview you performed gave a bullshit even malicious answer to a question you asked. You did well adjusting, but why would someone want an interview and then give assholish responses to your questions?

A-2) I have a few answers for this one.

A.) Often I was the person who asked the creative person for the interview, and they might be annoyed at answering a question that they'd rather not. Also, in that, since I utilize emails for the exchange, they might think, how long is this going to take answering that typing it on a computer?

B.) I might have asked a question that would be considered unfair or something that they have answered 890 million times already.

C.) I don't think this is usually the case, but some people are very sensitive about a variety of subjects.  One time a interview subject threatened me with bodily harm for a question that I'd read a possible answer to, and he wanted people to never ask.  He was assuming I'd not done my research and didn't realize someone didn't think he was answering the original question honestly.

So it could well have been all my fault, and I think it usually is. But there was a case where someone's pr person begged me to interview the creative talent. I adored that talent's work, but, I wrote up 30 questions because they asked me to cover the talent's entire career. My text of questions had about 700 or more words to it.  The answers returned were a total of 50 words at most, and included 3 times of the talent saying, oh go fuck yourself. The pr person wrote and said, well, ______ doesn't like emails or written questions, so he had a hard time.  That response was a load of weapon grade dog crap.

Q3) Why, do you think, message boards have mostly died? Were you a frequent poster on any, and which sites, if you don't mind sharing? 

A-3)
The very easy answer is that social media devoured them. The lack of social graces, the ability to attack others, vulgar shock posts, all meant message boards required a lot of watchers and sentries to prevent outbreaks of assholism.  I am a bit embarrassed to say one message board, Comicon.com was likened to a pit of vipers by more than a couple comic professionals I know.  But one very great board was that of Tony Isabella. He assigned people to keep everyone in line as far as politeness, posts that violated the age groups possibly reading and participating, and to prevent misinformation.  It was a bit to the left of center, but that isn't all on the guy with the board (Tony) who, for my money, is a class act.  But that is fine too.  The Steve Niles message board was fun, but there were a lot of dark unhappy people there, so quite easy to offend, piss off, be misinterpreted and more. Still, I met some awesome people there. Joe Hilliard, Nichole Porter and Michael May come to mind. 

Q4) I like the works of a certain creative person, and you seem to agree and you seem to also like them as well. But I have absolutely heard rumors that they go to comic book shows to pick up really young chicks and to do things with them that are at least speaking in re: statutes, would be illegal. If you are an interviewer wouldn't that be a good question to ask?

A-4)
I think that asking such a question is better left to the police if it is an illegal activity. And if it is one of those, they couldn't answer honestly without violating their 5th amendment right to not self incriminate one's self. I've written about the person you are talking about, and I guaranfrickingtee you that they never did such a thing. I realize it is juicy gossip and rumors are always fun to make the world muddy and ugly, but false accusations are hard to recover from, and I know of one fellow who was known to have been falsely accused, but then was accused again, and the authorities looked at his previous accusation as smoke if not fire, and who would be accused twice of the same thing, if it wasn't true? You might think I am defending the person, I am not. I am saying without going through the authorities and being proven, it is just gossip, and whoever it is aimed at, it is unfair.

Q5) What five comics oriented talents (or fantasy artists or writers) treated you the best? Who were the biggest assholes?  

A-5) The list of the best is relatively easy. Mike Grell hands down the very best of the best.  Mike Baron is/was generous with his time and efforts to teach me the magic of writing comics. Timothy Truman has a heart of gold and I love him, his work is amazing, writing and art alike. Jamie Delano was a mentor, a thinker, and person who could be described as miles wide and miles deep, he has a vast imagination, great talent, and deep down in, he is a kind soul. David Hine was someone who more than once renewed my belief in myself by answering questions and discussing matters without talking down to me and engaging my thoughts with more of his own.  He has a hungry mind, curious and wants to explore the rest of the world outside of himself. I like Erik Larsen a great deal, and there are many others I also like very much. I'd say, I like far more than even mildly dislike.

From the post When Kickstarters kicked my ass, in 2019

These are the professionals in comics who helped me with interviews, reviews, were kind, mentored me, or were just friends. These are not in any kind of order outside of Grell as numero uno.

Top row:

Mike Grell, Timothy Truman, Jamie Delano, Chuck Dixon, Josh Howard, David Hine, Norm Breyfogle


Bottom row:

Ashley Wood, Tim Bradstreet, Mike Baron, Grant Morrison, Moebius, Mike Carey, Erik Larsen

But regarding the naughty list... well if you've been reading my articles for any amount of time even if someone treats me poorly, I tend to avoid saying anything regarding it. I will say, my worst experiences were with creators who thought they were deserving of far more fame and success than they were getting.

One creative person, in the span of 10 minutes, went from telling me I probably whack off to half naked girls on comic pages of Archie or Betty and Veronica, to then asking me, wait you do interviews?  Have you seen my work? I am local I could answer whatever you need. I politely said, I'll let you know when I have a schedule opening.

Another creative talent noticed me at his convention table, said, if you aren't going to buy anything go away.  Then he noticed I had a press badge (SDCC 2003) and he said, oh I am sorry, I find lookers and people lingering around my table to be annoying. I smirked and left. He started to follow but realized, I'd seen him in action.

One interview subject disliked a question, and threatened to have his many family or fans do something painful to me. I suspect I could beat the living shit out of him, even with my cancer and broken bones. He was a tiny big mouthed asshole.  No, again, sorry, no names.

GAMES

Q6) Why do you never review video games, or so rarely do so?

A-6) I don't like to lie to my readers, so, if I talk about video games, it will be because I played a game and have something to say. If I started to pod race again, I'd never be seen again in these pages.  I love that game a ton and would likely play it until my eyeballs rolled out of my head and I lost consciousness permanently. 

STUFF WITHOUT LABELS

Q7) You have four college degrees, taught in college, and seem to have interests in every kind of subject. How the hell aren't you teaching, and why do you write poetry and not prose novels and text books?  Also, just to boost your ego, since I think you need some of that, you are f@#king smart, why do you denigrate yourself all the time?

A-7) I confess, I thought about not including this question. The cynical readers will think I'm giving myself a big blow job by answering it. The people who already dislike me, or think that I am mentally deficient will think the one asking is mentally troubled. And those people who know me will realize, either I don't have an issue with the question but about how others with perceive it, will send me advice how I SHOULD have answered, or that it isn't necessary to answer since we all come upon our path in a fashion perhaps appropriate for our quest.

To answer your question then... I did indeed try teaching, and I began doing so as a Teaching Assistant Grad, I taught classes on my own and under a great professor who maybe wasn't an easy grader, but he taught extraordinarily well. But, that was a different beast than on my own, and as an independent teacher teaching my own classes.  I spread my wings as a TA at NDSU, and part of that came from an understanding of the course and of the curriculum. But it came mostly from wanting my students to also fly high, and to for the first time in my life, I would become worth the years of effort, the money in money education, and to be viewed as someone able to help and guide others.

When I taught outside of university, I taught high school students and middle school students in home school or mentoring courses. In all cases, these kids were bright. But not in each case, were they motivated or cared about the subject matter.  I tried a hell of a lot harder in this situation and for far less financial reward, it was rather difficult. I still enjoyed it, but, it wasn't easy.

My last run at teaching was in a community college, where I was expected to replace for a semester a teacher, and was told to use his texts so the students taking each portion of the course wouldn't have to change over texts. I was also told, it might be a good thought to try to touch on the main points the sabbatical taking teacher would have used. Well 1, the old professor came in and "accidentally" took the course books, so for 4 weeks I was trying to teach from his syllabus without the books to use.  I did get them, but having just had my son December 31 and the course began January 5, not having a text was bound to handicap me. Also, 2,  there was a great deal of apathy in this school compared to the one I thrived at (NDSU). It wasn't the fault of the school, but of my perceptions going from a four year 100 year plus old university of quality, to a two year school that was building and growing, and with far fewer years of development. 

Number 3, I also was asked to teach something, again from the other texts, from a course I wasn't well educated myself so that I might teach. So for 3 weeks in that, I tap danced by teaching it as an intro, and gave short lectures aimed to break down the academia aspect of the course, and use basic constructs and ideas to inform the students. It was rather brutal, and defeating. But at the end of each course I had more than one student say my methods led them to learn in ways they'd never done before about subjects they used to hate and now, were going to major in. So, whatever the result for me, some of it worked. And for once my family said, see, we knew he could succeed, probably while crossing their fingers.

Since that time, I'd found that the older I became and more able to focus and self study, the smarter I became. I do think some of my difficulties in school came from perfectionist parents teaching me that I'd fail whatever I tried to do. I love them, but it is a very hard set of mental paradigms to have to overcome. Being on my own, reading hundreds of books a year, and having the internet, changed my life. I could teach now, I think rather well. I don't have failure and fears of failure hanging over my shoulder.

I write poetry however, because it and my fiction allow me to teach. What? You see, I began to realize that some people teach by logical processes of explanation. Some people learn by being lectured or  having information or an idea explained to them directly. But I teach by showing what happened, not by judging who or what happened, or by judging the event as being evil or good. I teach by giving examples of an event, and showing the consequences of such. Letting people see what happened, and forming their own opinions. Also, I think I am a creative, and not a logical, my mind considers many possibilities instead of trying to use logic to determine what happens or happened, and why.

I self denigrate because humor is disarming. Also, it is true many times, if I don't know the answer, I find it self defeating to act as though I do. Sometimes being honest seems like self denigrating, but we live in a society where saying I don't know, or that's too technical for me, sounds like you are saying you are stupid, when all you are saying is, that question or circumstance falls outside of the training or knowledge I've compiled or experienced.  But I will say this, if I am amazed in life that people think I am smart, or have a higher than normal IQ, I've met and spoken to two very very smart Nobel prize winner smart people.  I don't kid myself about what is smart.  Those people, are smart.

BOOKS 

Q8)
Could we please see more coverage of science fiction within all the subjects you talk about, like games or books or comics?

A-8) If I get to read for pleasure I read weird fiction (often a combination of horror and space fantasy), fantasy, horror and history books. I also read science fiction but I'd argue I read them more for the concept than the finished product, except for Alan Dean Foster. I find his work to be just the right amount of science fact and questions, great dialogue, and always a great reason to be written. He writes for audiences who don't need the exact formula for the planet killer virus about to destroy earth.  He just needs to make it sound real.

Now you are saying, that bastich didn't answer the question. I don't read, play or watch enough of science fiction to commit to a regular feature about said genre. I wish I had more time to read, and more to write.

Q9) I noticed you have a lot of science fantasy on your favorite movie list. Have you considered writing a script for such a movie, or making the whole work yourself? I'd sure pay to see it.

A-9) Thank you but no. I love many such movies, as you point out.  But I have a dislike for writing sequential prose, like movies or comics.

Q10) Will you ever do an alternative history book, and if so, would you open it up to others, or would you tackle it all on your own? Might you please give us another potential future changing time edit that would have huge butterfly effect result?

A-10) I am definitely going to either begin a Alternative history blog project, or a book. And depending on the subject it could go either way.  I am not a great historian in the realm of politicians and their choices.  But military history, if not for a non elite audience, I think I could give 20-30 examples of decidedly import near misses, lost chances.  I'll give two, one long form, the other, very short.  Both are important.

One event that could have changed our present, was the near death of Alexander the Great in the first battle of the Persian campaign, at Granicus river. In the midst of combat Alexander, as typical of his nature, rode to far ahead than his bodyguards (called The Companion cavalry) and others in his army.  He was surrounded, along with two Persian horsemen who were in a position to kill Alexander. He took one blow to his helmet, as the Persian horseman drew close to finish him, rose his arm to strike, and Cleitus the Black chopped off the arm of the swordsman. There are arguments that the Alexandrian Empire was not truly as important as some historians of the past have said. But the if the second swordsman had struck, we would know in the present. Why?

The Persians were more conservative than the Greeks and Macedonians. If they'd have survived far longer, their citizenry would have begun to establish an identity of what being Persian would mean.  Rather than a collection of conquered people, they'd aspire to a new version of themselves, being Persian would mean that they were part of a powerful empire with a vast mosaic of races, ethnic groups, and miles and miles of territory. Religiously, while the Persians were generally tolerant of other faiths, as the native religion/pantheon of good gods and evil gods, the greatest of which was Ahura Mazdā and his prophet was Zoroaster.  If the empire had stayed alive, the official religion would also offer a means to assimilate the different peoples of the empire.

Therefore, when the newly energized and religiously motivated Islamic Arabs of the Arabian desert wanted to share the religion of Islam as developed by the Prophet Muhammad, they'd encountered a powerful foe in the first great battle near Ctesiphon. In the actual battle the Persians lost but it was a close call. Only arrival of veterans who'd fought elephants before, had information to turn the tide. But if the Persian army members had fought because they loved the empire that they served, perhaps having the advantage of elephants, chariots and heavily armored cavalry they might instead have overrun the less powerful and less numerous Arab armies before the reinforcements arrived.
Source for the battle of Al-Qadisiyyah


The event happened upon a site of a river near the border two nations at war. Not Manchuria, that the Japanese occupied and refered to as Manchukuo. Nor Mongolia, controlled by the Soviet Union. The Nomonhan Incident or
The battle of Khalkhin Gol was a battle in an undeclared war, between the Japanese and the Soviet Union. While they had fewer numbers, the Japanese saw themselves as militarily superior and believed the Soviets would crumble. Due to the Red Army officer purges and their attention consumed by Nazi Germany and The Winter War with Finland, the Soviets were distracted and likely to be poorly led. But the Soviets were led by future hero of the Soviet Union General Georgy Zhukov, he was one who avoided the officer purges, and with superior strategy he won the battle. The reason why this was pivotal was it changed the future plans of Japan. Had the Soviets lost, the Japanese would have aimed their war aims towards the USSR and remained aimed at mainland China, but since the Soviets won, the Japanese chose to attack the other powers of the Pacific, the US, Australia, and the colonial Empire of the United Kingdom.

REVIEWS:
I can be found on Facebook, Twitter or through email Alexanderness63@gmail.com. I accept hard copies, so when you inquire at any of these places, I'll follow through by telling you my street address.If you send hard copies for review I will always review them, but if you prefer to send pdf or ebooks to my email, I will review these at my discretion. I don't share my pdf/ebooks, so you can avoid worry that I'd dispense them for free to others.


My 5000 poem Blog AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com
 
Cthulhu Alien Horrors CthulhuDarkness.Blogspot.Com

Atlantis & Lost Worlds AlexNessLostWorlds.Blogspot.Com

My Published Work  AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com/2007/01/My-Work.html

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Saturday, February 18, 2023

thoughts, opinions, things I think about culture

THE CULTURAL QUESTIONS
By Alex Ness
February 19, 2023

THE LIFE WE LIVE


I apologize for those who come here for ideas and reviews, interviews and commentary about pop culture. This is going to be about our modern culture, but less the products of it. There are plenty of great things out there to enjoy. In 2023 a secret project will birth, it is something wonderful that fulfilled my greatest desires. However, I can't share it yet.

A REVIEW:  ULTRAMAN NETFLIX SEASON 2

The first season was twice as long as season two, but it was reintroducing and modernizing the entire plot of the original series.  And, they did so with great quality, told a wonderful story, and the new Ultraman was among my all time favorite tv shows. When I was alone, dealing with back spasms and couldn't sleep, I checked netflix, and saw that season 2 was out and complete. I binged it, and by the end, I thought, 2 seasons in a row of perfection.

Season one was connecting to the past, while introducing new threats to the world. But season two introduced a violent new threat that has the ability to crush any of the many Ultramen. Season two was not an equal to the first season, but that isn't because it was less good, or that it was less intense, less violent, less meaningful.  The first season was meant to create a world that linked to the original series, while season two was a work that said, now that we are here, this is a  new mystery and event that must be addressed.

The voice work was damn good, the animation was perfect, and there was nothing about the show that I thought was anything but amazing.  I cannot wait for season 3.


WAR & PEACE

Someone I care for deeply is of the opinion that Russia should be bombed with Nuclear weapons for their invasion of Ukraine. Other people I know seem to think Ukraine started the war. Which boggles my mind. In my work I often write about wars and who fight them. I don't have a hatred of war in the sense of all war is wrong, whether courageous people die, or innocents die, war does mean people dying, and often, tragically. Disputes lead to violence, doing nothing would allow the aggressor to take and hold you land, property and people. In addition, doing nothing might be Gandhi or Christlike, but it endangers the side practicing non violence. I'm not arguing people should be quick to resort to war, or self defense, but I guarantee that those who practice violence are very pleased to use war as a means of resolution of problems.

Is Russia evil and Ukraine innocent and good? I think Americans helped cause the war, by enabling the coup in 2014 in Ukraine. American foreign policy was aggressively anti Russia. It is a rarely mentioned fact, that when Russia broke up the Warsaw pact, Nato essentially gave its word to not expand into former Warsaw pact member nations. As a Political Scientist/Historian my view's a helluvalot more nuanced than saying Russia Evil, Ukraine Good.

CAPITALISM?

I just had a discussion with a person who said it was unimportant who you vote for, the true winner in the US political system is Capitalism. Because more taxes or less taxes, pay for services or government pays for the services, the winner are those who profit from the system, so America is the winner. Please forgive me, but, capitalism might be better than some systems but the system mostly enhances the wealth of the rich, allows enough earnings for the middle to survive, and utilizes the poor and poorly educated to serve in that system as laborers. To me that is a system with no winners only exploiters. I don't actually have a better solution. But this idea (told to me by a wealthy person who votes Democrat) that capitalism is fair and makes everyone better is just crap that people say so that their exploitation of others seems justified.

Now, you will see this and think, that bastard Ness is a commie. Well no, I am not. I just don't think we have a system that allows freedom and creates equality, allows financial prosperity without despoiling the earth, or creates social systems where some form of favoritism and inequality grow, subtly or in full view, but is seen as part of reason for the society functioning. And no, I am not suggesting something is wrong and I know best. I don't have an answer for the question at hand.

THE WORLD WE LIVE IN

I was asked to work on an academic paper a relatively short while ago due to having participated on two published papers with a very bright fellow who might be close to passing away due to advanced age. I've been out of academia for so long, I just don't fit into the form. I went through a couple days of research to decide, and worried that not only was I lost, and not well informed any longer. The original papers were truly good, and I was proud of them. This world has greatly changed since I participated 30 years ago.

Over on Twitter I was asked, in an insulting tone, if I was still a skeptic regarding climate change. I never was, I did question a variety of aspects related, but to argue now, all I'd say is that I believe there are many aspects of climate that no one knows enough about it to debate. Climate changes. The cause is debated (some believe solar cycles are responsible, some argue human CO2 creation alters climate, but that isn't the point, if you ask me.) Hyperbole made some moderates turn against the Academics, and tried to make into enemies those who earn their living via industries that use the products of their mining, gathering, burning, I don't know enough to say anything informed. My answer of I don't know, however made those asking the questions even more angry and even more cynical.

CHOICE, ABORTION

As a Christian and as a person who was created as a result of rape, you might not wonder if I oppose abortion. I believe in consistent life theory in my ethical and moral beliefs. I believe the government already has the "right" to allow killing. We send men and women to war, ostensibly they will or might kill. We give the police the right to kill, under certain conditions, and with penalties for violating those conditions. We have capital punishment in certain states. We also allow the government to make choices, perhaps in a difficult fashion to give aid to various people and not to others. Flint, Michigan had dangerous drinking water, and for years nothing was done. Various neighborhoods suffer blight and crime, to the disinterest of many. But we respond to disasters, to save lives. So, ultimately I accept that abortion is legal, if not necessarily moral in my eyes, and think choice in that matter is a legal right.

The idea of choice is rather flawed in some cases. As I was twice vaxxed for Covid, there are many who refused to do so. They ended up being punished for not wanting to allow something to go into their body against their wishes. You can and likely will argue all you like, I'm not debating, I'm saying, they were not given the choice that women regarding abortion rights are allowed. My body my choice is not an equal or universal thesis that we practice. Rightly or wrongly? I'm not saying that. I was vaxxed, I understand all the arguments, I just think humans often pick and choose what they wish their morality becomes, and that that isn't always fair or universal in application. I lost numerous friends to Covid, I am not one who is anti-vaccination. There are areas in our existence that seem to me to be flawed in application and interpretation.

GENDER, ORIENTATION,  PRONOUNS

This is not meant as an attack upon any people, persons, places, ideas or anything meaningful. I recently argued with someone who I've known for 20 years. They asked me if they should have a different law for members of ethnically/racially minority groups regarding renting apartments versus members of the LBGTI community, since, they said, people's ethnicity or race is something you are born with, but LBGTI folks choose their orientation, gender or anything related. I said, those are not traits you choose. They said then why do lesbians have children, as they can turn it off and on. I said, if all of our traits are chosen, why did you choose to be stupid as your choice? I never had to make a choice, I was 7 years old, I saw the inside of an issue of Playboy, thought, that's why they don't allow women to go shirtless like ALL of the men working on their lawn in summer.  I never had a choice to make, I always knew.

I don't declare my pronouns. But if forced to do so, I choose poet, or Writer of poetry. I really don't identify anything, but if you were worried, I'm an old male, I'm kind of fat, I've a small goatee and soul patch, colored white and black. I like women and never had a doubt there. Although, when I was deadly lonely, suicidal even a bit, from lacking human touch and appreciation from the opposite sex, I did wonder if I was perceiving my experience differently than it appeared to woman I'd hope to date and have a relationship with. But then, genius that I am, I remembered that to be gay would mean I wanted to be with a man and not a woman. And THAT I know from heart, women are beautiful, to me the most handsome man is not sexy, he is a smelly dude, that looks nothing like a woman.

I like men plenty, in non-romantic ways. And regarding men transitioning to women, I'm on your side if you are doing this. I know the brain of one with gender dysphoria is different than someone without it. I believe people are LGBTI from birth, but only the trans community is proven to have such identifiable causes of their experience.

ODDITIES

There are numerous scientific or historical oddities in the world that do not prove say, a young earth, aliens, or advanced science in the past. But, science and history are based upon a number of things that are given power, rather than being evidence. If there was a 100,000 year lost age of steel, where humans gained knowledge, had technology we couldn't imagine primitives having, there could easily be a catastrophic global disaster, that wipes nearly clean all evidence of such. In science we give weight to evidence and scientific proof via theory and experimental demonstration. I've been asked many times if my one of my fictional blogs is based upon personal beliefs. I do not believe that alien races regularly visit earth. I don't believe, necessarily that ancient humanity had advanced technology. I do believe the past is far greater than we know. History can only record and collect what is known. Science can only find what exists. In time we might well learn that the past was far more advanced than we know now. Really, I don't believe we are visited by aliens, or at least, certainly not as often as some make it seem.

TRUTH

Popularity doesn't mean quality, it means what they like is what they like. Sometimes they like quality works. Sometimes they like crap. When comic book writer Alan Moore was asked upon the subject of quality versus popularity. He said something like 10 million flies like shit, that doesn't make shit good. I'm not suggesting anything here, except to say, enjoy what you like, think whatever you do about the quality of what you like, but when debating others, never mistake one for the other.

REVIEW POLICY

I can be found on Facebook, Twitter or through email Alexanderness63@gmail.com. I do accept hard copies, so when you contact me/inquire at any of these places, I'll follow through by telling you my street address. If you send hard copies for review I will always review them, but if you prefer to send pdf or ebooks to my email, I will review these at my discretion. I don't share my pdf/ebooks, so you can avoid worry that I'd dispense them for free to others.



My Creative Blogs:

My 5000 poem Blog AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com

Cthulhu Alien Horrors CthulhuDarkness.Blogspot.Com

Atlantis & Lost Worlds AlexNessLostWorlds.Blogspot.Com

My Published Work  AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com/2007/01/My-Work.html

My Amazon Author Page Amazon.com/author/AlexNess

Support: Poplitiko.Blogspot.Com/2022/06/for-sale.html 

Images and quotes are owned by their respective copyright or trademarked owners, no assertion but fair use is asserted by me.

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

MY Viking DNA

Viking DNA
By Alex Ness
February 15, 2023


I've mentioned that over the course of my life I was less motivated by my past to know my family facts, as I was to know the world via History/Political Science, Art and Poetry. My DNA is a juxtaposition from that set of circumstances. As I was searched for by my DNA family when I was 54 years old, all of the supposed likely ages I'd be searched for and found, Age 18, 21 or 30, passed by and I was certain I'd be never contacted or find out my pass.

But I did receive some information from birth records. They suggested that my origins were that I was from one side Austrian, the other side part Swedish, with a smattering, up to a 1/4 total of Jewish. Why? Timing, as the focal point pair moved from Austria to Sweden, and from their to America. So what? According to the records, some time around an event known as the Anschluß Österreichs the focal DNA couple fled. At that time Vienna Austria, where the DNA couple happened, the population was 1/3 to 1/4 Jewish. Again, the point? A Swede could marry a Jew and leave Austria, to Sweden, and escape the laws regarding Jewish citizens in Germany and now in Austria. The point being, there'd be a reason for the two to marry, and it wasn't necessarily love.

And then, I did meet my DNA family, at age 54. My wonderful wife is fascinated by science and DNA especially. While there might be a reason to assume I was Austrian and Swedish, it all didn't make enough sense based on what I learned from my DNA family. My wife paid for a DNA kit, we did the test, and 6 weeks later I found out I was 42% Norwegian, 50% Swedish, 4% Novgorod Russian, and 4% Irish.  I was a Viking and I always have been, almost purely so.


I have always been moved by the Viking world so, finding out I was such, was exciting.  I write poetry, and wrote two books about the Vikings before I knew. I was initially going to write this article about the Vikings, the books, movies and media.

But when my brother died in December 2022, it moved me to write the following poem.  I will meet him again, in Valhalla.  I will also meet my sister, former member of Military Intelligence, heart of gold, mind that was clever, and a soul I was meant to know.  She died in January of 2022, and I will meet her in Valhalla as well.


Click to enlarge.

When the Vikings took their ships inland, they laid siege to Paris, and laid roots in France, Normandy, and elsewhere.  It isn't my doing.  But it lays in my DNA, reminding me, we are a people who discovered new lands, who traveled the known world, and defeated most armies and navies arrayed against them.  It is a proud heritage, and I have family who share that blood.
  

I have learned that I have cancer, perhaps two kinds, and said to be advanced. I might not live long. But I can promise you, I have somewhere to go, people to meet again, and worlds to discover.

And soon, perhaps this will be my fight. But I am content, I've lived knowing great people. I loved deeply, I cared for many. I lived by honor.  If I am to die, farewell, may you live well.

“There's always a better choice than cowardice, if you have business to take care of.
One day long ago my life was already shaped, and my fate was fixed.”

The Poetic Edda: Stories of the Norse Gods and Heroes


Saturday, February 11, 2023

My Life, My Comics & Great Fantasy Artists

My Life, My Comics and Art
By Alex Ness
February 12, 2023

NEWS

There comes in every life, sorrow, pain, and fear. But if we endeavor, rigorously fight for what is righteous, and we might hope to find victory. I have been diagnosed with cancer, in my lymph nodes and kidneys. I will fight it with my family's help, with the support of my friends but I don't have false hopes. I do not have the same chance to fight and win that I did in 2013 when I had lymphoma.  But I don't worry, I am grateful actually. After a long extended period, I knew what I was dealing with was worse than broken bones or arthritis. Life is good, I'm awash in love, happiness, and having had 20 years of interviewing, reviewing, I've had the best life anyone as assbackwards as my life has gone has experienced.    

MY CHILDHOOD

I grew up liking comics, monster movies (King Kong, Godzilla and Ultraman especially), reading and writing poetry like Beowulf, King Arthur and stories of knights, and a toys like Major Matt Mason, Lego, and1/72 scale Airfix plastic soldiers.  I had a model train that I rarely used, but it made for a wonderful battle field with all my stuff.  I'd build towers and there'd be hostages held by terrorists, and my Airfix British Commandos would land on the roof by Lego helicopters and kill the bad guys and save the good guys.

I lived in a fantasy world of sorts, because while school was fine, that is where the bullies were. And I got beaten up quite often. My father was a bully when young, so he didn't have much sympathy, and my mother, who I loved quite deeply, had to tell herself it wasn't that bad, or didn't happen, or she'd get worried and have to deal with it. My now passed away brother did help me when he could, and Bob Greene who has also passed from here, was a bully to some, but called me his friend, and liked me, so more than once he saw what was happening and the bullies dispersed, well, all but the one he'd catch and punch until the other bully cried and would never hurt me again.

I mention all this because my childhood wasn't idyllic or easy. To call me or my brother spoiled would ignore the perfectionist and demanding parents we'd had, who were as strict as they were perfectionist in view. I loved my parents, but my father saw me as gay for not being into fishing or hunting, or other manly pursuits and while my teachers seemed very interested in my early drawing and poetry writing, he took that as another clue that I wasn't normal. The only place we met on that scale was watching football, but even then, he was a MN Vikings fan, and from 1968 I liked the Jets and Packers. I began to switch when the Vikings picked up Chuck Foreman, and being from Minnesota and living in Wisconsin at the time, invited people to be assholes and assume I loved the Vikings, when actually I didn't until much later.

But as life goes, and I am only human, and I had to find a place to escape. That place was bookshelf, my aforementioned Lego and plastic soldiers, and writing and drawing. The first comic I loved was Turok Son of Stone.  But the Legion of Superheroes was totally awesome, especially with artists Dave Cockrum and Mike Grell. (Grell was from Wisconsin).

Here are the six comic book series that I loved the most growing up, presented in no order of preference, and just an image representing the various series involved.

Kamandi, DC Comics
By Jack Kirby and Mike Royer

Superboy and The Legion of Superheroes, DC Comics
By Cary Bates, Paul Levitz, Mike Grell and Dave Cockrum

Turok Son of Stone by Gold Key
By Paul S. Newman, Angelo Todaro

The X-Men
By Roy Thomas, Ross Andru

The New X-Men
By Chris Claremont, Dave Cockrum

The Defenders
David Anthony Kraft, Keith Giffen

GREAT FANTASY ARTISTS

Art has made my life better, in many respects. Here is a list of great people who have a presence on the net, or others do so.  All are copyright © the artist or their estate, and images here are not used for my profit but as fair use to share with others so that you might find the interest to pursue more knowledge and appreciation of them. Every image used is copyright © the artist or respective owner, and is not used in any other fashion than fair use and for news purposes. Copyright is reserved for the creative talents or owners of such image.

I will be asked, inevitably if I know any of them, and I did know and considered Jeffrey Catherine Jones a friend, and someone I loved the soul and talents of.  She was quite amazing.


PETER ANDREW JONES
MICHAEL WHELAN
GERALD BROM


JEFFREY CATHERINE JONES
CHRIS ACHILLEOS
KEN KELLY

RODNEY MATTHEWS
TIM WHITE
KEITH PARKINSON

RAFAEL KAYANAN
JANET AULISIO

YOSHITAKA AMANO


JOHN JUDE PALENCAR
IAN MILLER
ALAN LEE

ROBERT GOULD
CLYDE CALDWELL
LARRY ELMORE

About Getting Reviews from Me

I can be found on Facebook, Twitter or through email Alexanderness63@gmail.com. I accept hard copies, so when you inquire at any of these places, I'll follow through by telling you my street address.If you send hard copies for review I will always review them, but if you prefer to send pdf or ebooks to my email, I will review these at my discretion. I don't share my pdf/ebooks, so you can avoid worry that I'd dispense them for free to others.

My Creative Blogs:

My 5000 poem Blog AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com
 
Cthulhu Alien Horrors CthulhuDarkness.Blogspot.Com

Atlantis & Lost Worlds AlexNessLostWorlds.Blogspot.Com

My Published Work  AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com/2007/01/My-Work.html

My Amazon Author Page Amazon.com/author/AlexNess

Support: Poplitiko.Blogspot.Com/2022/06/for-sale.html 

All images are copyright © their respective owners, use is simply as fair use and no ownership rights asserted.

Saturday, February 4, 2023

An Assortment of Comics to Consider

COMICS YOU SHOULD SEEK OUT
By Alex Ness
February 5, 2023


I am well aware that not every has the same taste. And, I am also aware that comic fans don't all write about their holy grail of collecting or favorite series that they are passionate about and share opinions regarding.

I might offer, in the near future, a collection of recommendations from intelligent long time comic book readers to give the readers here a taste of different minds, and the comics I might never have recommended.  Depending upon their schedules, of course.

MY CHOICES for this edition:


THE MARQUIS
By Guy Davis

The art by Guy Davis was originally the draw for me, to anything he did. It is effective, deceptively intricate, and yet, from the outside, simple appearing. It stuns upon further and further inspection.  The Marquis was a vigilante during the 1700s of a Roman Catholic nation similar to France, or even a bit Italy.  The work seeks to right political and religious wrongs, at the same time the main character struggles with his own beliefs, and his own righteousness. I can't think of a better book for deep thinkers of a religious sort.

THE YURKOVERSE
By David Yurkovich

Rather than describe each work of David Yurkovich's productivity, I'll describe the themes and what makes him worth pursuing and reading. First off, David's sense of humor is incredibly dry, dark, and subtle. If you read his works with a serious mind, they do work that way, but if you take your time, you discover layers and layers of meaning, that are often hilarious and powerful, due to the softness in which they are spoken.  His writing is well beyond the normal writer of comics. He has skills in dialogue that moves each story forward, rather than informing the reader that this is what you need to know.  His skill in art is less developed as writing and in developing concepts, however, the creations of Yurkovich actually flourish under his simpler and idiosyncratic art, since it removes a layer of reader disbelief.  It announces itself as being a comic, but then the writing expresses far more. I regret that David and I lost contact, but I've always been impressed by his work, and know it is far better than ardent critics of comic in general or fans of whatever is popular in the day might imagine.

SAVAGE DRAGON MEET UPS
By Erik Larsen and many more

 I don't think most people in comics get how well Savage Dragon the main comic, not those mentioned soon here, is written, and while Larsen's art isn't always appreciated, it tells a story in the fashion of Jack Kirby, which is, fast moving, action oriented, and performed so that the reader gets a charge, a feeling of completion when finished, and looking forward to more.  So, when Savage Dragon is teamed up, with Hellboy, Spawn, Marshal Law or anyone else, it is usually WAY better than the 1970s and 1980s team up stories, since the concept for it is so solid and recognized, you'd have an easier time doing it well than screwing it up.  Larsen is generous as a creative talent, and intelligent, so whether he did the writing, art or concept, or just approved of it, these meet ups are all beyond fun, they are worth your money and time to read.

MICRONAUTS: BARON KARZA
By Jim Krueger, Steve Kurth and Barbara Schulz

I considered DDP's Micronaut run to be flawed, but fun. It changed talents too often to gain momentum, and sometimes that could be felt in the story runs. But I promise, when Steve Kurth did the pencil art and Barbara Schulz did the inks, it was not only a fun comic, but really really lovely to look at. The comic mentioned here was a tangent from the Micronauts run, based on villain Baron Karza. I deeply enjoy Jim Krueger's writing, it has a depth of concept, intelligent dialogue, and creates a work with the artists that goes well above the standard acceptable work, into something that enhanced the entire run of the Micronauts that followed. It had the motives and reasons for the actions of a deeply mysterious villain, and gave reasons, for some, to actually like the character.  More than a Darth Vader or Doctor Doom, he was less evil as had great aspirations to greatness or power, and often was without morals to achieve it.

 ASSORTED

By Bernie Wrightson, Joe Monks, Jamie Delano, Tom Mandrake, Grant Morrison, Paul Grist, Mike Fking Grell, and Josh Howard... 

I recommend each of these books, for their stories and art. I think the world needs more stories that aren't exactly happy, aren't exactly easy to predict, and are beautiful in ways, that can't be described, only experienced.  The five comics shown are each works that I picked up despite not having tons of money, and they opened the doorway to new ideas and great works.

REVIEW POLICY:

I can be found on Facebook, Twitter or through email Alexanderness63@gmail.com. I do accept hard copies, so when you contact me/inquire at any of these places, I'll follow through by telling you my street address. If you send hard copies for review I will always review them, but if you prefer to send pdf or ebooks to my email, I will review these at my discretion. I don't share my pdf/ebooks, so you can avoid worry that I'd dispense them for free to others.



My Creative Blogs:

My Poetry Blog                AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com

Cthulhu/Horrors             CthulhuDarkness.Blogspot.Com

Atlantis/Lost Worlds      AlexNessLostWorlds.Blogspot.Com

Published Works            AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com/2007/01/My-Work.html

My Amazon Page           Amazon.com/author/AlexNess

Support for my works:  Poplitiko.Blogspot.Com/2022/06/for-sale.html 

Images and quotes are owned by their respective copyright or trademarked owners, no assertion but fair use is asserted by me.



Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Reviews by me, Late or otherwise

REVIEWS
By Alex Ness
AlexanderNess63@Gmail.Com
February 2, 2023

I was having a bit of confusion writing this, for numerous reasons. I had more health issues that don't need for me to go further into, but each health issue came with new meds, each med had interaction features with others. I had a broken rib and felt like another happened, but it was something inside me that wasn't a bone that was causing a problem. At the moment I can't discuss what it was, not only because I don't know, but because speculation is often a lot darker than the real thing. I had more than known health issues. I was dealing with issues related to mourning my sister who passed in January 2022 after a rapid decline following a cancer diagnosis, and my mom, who passed away in 2012. It'd become such an obstacle to writing, I just couldn't focus. I muddled through, but it was never easy. Combined with this came something new. I'd to drive my son to a business oriented event in Ohio and on the first night arriving we got notified that my brother, 2 years older than me, had passed away. We finished the event and came home but I was a mess. Everything I read, listened to, and watched just made the sorrow inside me worse.

Not many people realize, even those who have experienced grave loss far worse than my own, that grieving and loss act as PTSD, causing inability to focus, inability to perceive, and more.  My health issues made my grieving worse, and for the first time in a 20 year period of writing, writing a lot every single day, and writing with purpose, I felt blocked, unable to write. And to be honest, I had a neck that was broken (without having the spinal cord torn, broken or cut) and in June of 2022 I had a series of events where my muscles and bones caused me to be unable to move my neck and the pain was such it was completely debilitating. This happened once again during December, and a number of times in January, and each time required some rather powerful meds to relieve and restore function. My doctor was responsible for me making it through this, with proper meds, due care, and advice. She even went out of her way to find some info for a friend of mine who needed some references. I am grateful to her.

This isn't all about me being depressed, and being in pain. It was that I could barely write due to my mental anguish, my body responded with extreme pain and lack of use of parts of my body, and while I had written far into the future, I found prose writing to be almost impossible during the mourning period.  So, I am here, and I am going to present some fun items, but some of the reviews are late, and my ability to fully respond to them might be limited. But I thank Lys Fulda for sending me items for review, and to Mike Baron who sent a comic for consideration.

MONSTER HUNT: LET's GET KRAKEN
Mike Baron & Matthew Weldon
And assistance from Doug TenNapel

Color, 48 pages

Published by Mike Baron
Available from MBaron for 25 postage paid

Find Mike on Twitter & on Facebook

A team up made up of independently owned characters, in a deluxe paper special.  This work is first off entertaining, and it combines some masterful writing and illustrating.  For me what worked best is how very reminiscent it is to the Badger and Nexus meet ups or team ups from Baron's golden era of work.  His ability to write different characters than his own, perfect depictions of his own, and humor, action and fun make this work one that goes way beyond a normal or monthly issue of any comic book.   The art manages to capture the occasional zaniness of Baron stories, but it also tells a story with rather convincing expertise. What is that story it tells? Well Lonestar and his Unknown Soldiers, Bigfoot Bill and Nexus are on the trail of a universe threat by the name of Gourmando. With that mixed group of heroes, loners, and the powerful righteous assassin Nexus, have to destroy, stop or at least cause Gourmando to go far away from their own galaxy... if they do, and/or how they do so, makes for an entertaining ride.

OFFWORLDER
FANATIC COMICS Book 1
Mike Baron, Ben Henderson, Jordi Armengol

Quite a different book than Monster Hunt, Offworlder features a Highland style clan involved in a galaxy spanning tale. As Vikings and Highlanders fight in ancient Scotland, the end approaches, as do strangers, from strange lands, who take the Highlanders off the field, to safety, but for what purpose.  This work involves aliens, gods, alien gods, Earth gods, historical Earth cultures, and a lot of action, with bloodshed and violence in abundance. The art is well done, I definitely liked it, it was on occasion rather stiff or looked posed rather than in depicting images of live action, however, that is a not a flaw. In fantasy art I've noticed it more than elsewhere, so, it doesn't seem out of place, I am just mentioning because I noticed it. I believe that there are many more chapters, so if book two completes the saga or not, I am uncertain. But the story from the mind of Ben Henderson brought to life by the writing of Baron is certainly entertaining enough to keep reading.

---

I was sent this PR 4 months ago, during a deeply problematic health event. And a month later one of the products arrived for review. I was in a very bad place, couldn't write much as mentioned above, and had just been told I had reasons for major surgery, but the surgeon wasn't interested in going forward. It took until January to be able to write a review of it, but first, here is the PR piece regarding it... 

Nordo Room Service And A Different Kind Of Trick Or Treat

(September 6, 2022 ) In 2020 Cafe Nordo the Seattle immersive theater experts created three different interactive at home box experiences that reflect their signature blend of mystery, intrigue and dessert! Their initial goal was for customers to be able to enjoy entertainment at home as the world struggled with covid. Their innovation has now yielded a new type of Halloween tradition!  Fans everywhere are picking one of their themed interactive experiences to enjoy a little spooky fun that only Nordo Room Service can provide.

Ordering is easy at  https://www.cafenordo.com/room-service  choices include:

The Witching Hour casts you as a new initiate to the Society of Nocturnal Mysteries. You begin by lighting a candle and choosing a powerful crystal from an embossed velvet bag, (all included in your box.) You toggle from object d’art, to interactive website with short films, to artisanal cocktails, and whoopsie-daisy! Your docent accidentally rips the Fabric of Darkness. It’s up to you to decide whether to put the Army of Fears you have unleashed back in the bottle or recruit them to be your allies in this astral plane. Like the pages of any good ancient grimoire, the spells are rich in riddles, secret codes, and ciphers to be solved. Check the calendar for a Waxing Gibbous Moon and salt your doorways, The Witching Hour is coming for your next night in!

Curiouser and Curiouser: The Interrogation of Alice Some may call it a prequel but that’s only if your mind works forwards. In Wonderland, the memory works both ways and in this deliverable Room Service Experience you are asked to solve the future crimes of Alice, with Mad Hatter’s Tea and Eat Me’s, of course. Inspired by the puzzles and riddles of Lewis Carrol and British procedural crime dramas, The Interrogation of Alice is a mash-up of mystery and nonsense told through crime scene photos, portmanteaus, and pugilistic Tweedles.

Take the riddles of the Mad Hatter one step further with our Room Service Experience box. You’ll be delivered the private case file of Alice’s interrogation by the Red Queen. The usual suspects will come to vivid life in filmed segments inspired by British procedural crime dramas. You won’t think of the Tweedles, the White Rabbit, or Alice in the same way again.

Do Not Disturb: "Unlock The Spectral Curse of Cafe Nordo"  A box arrives. It is addressed to you but the hand is unfamiliar. On the outside a key. This key opens the door from this dimension to the next, where the spirits have brushed the shoulders of Hotel Nordo guests since 1927. Peer through a digital portal where ghosts battle monsters of their own regret, guiding you through the gifts, letters, and news clippings inside your box. You’ll need a cocktail to get through this, and luckily the box provides all you need to shake up the classic Aviation! Clues and puzzles help unravel the long-hidden truth behind the original tragedy that began with a wedding... and ended with a murder. And what goes best with both? Cake, of course.

What others are saying about Nordo’s Room Service:

"Cafe Nordo’s Room Service team has built out a charming mythology across the puzzles, handouts, and videos that make up the narrative of The Witching Hour. A fun world of fairies and fears which is anchored well but the quality of the graphic design and other elements inside the box. While the tone is delightfully comic, the commitment to the bit is absolute." noproscenium.com/

"The Interrogation of Alice" by Café Nordo is a fabulous and wonderful adventure that took the story of Alice in Wonderland and infused it with detective mystery and puzzles we can sink into."  -EscapeTheRoomers.com

"You will solve mysteries, perform “rituals,” and decipher clues along the way. Nothing too difficult, but lots of fun. You can even get the final answer wrong though, so pay attention!"
-Nerd News Social

Check out everything Cafe Nordo has to offer at www.cafenordo.com

So What did I get and Did I like it?

For a point of reference, I know there are a number of different cities with similar events, and there are other boxed games such as Hunter Killer and a few others. An outlayer but similar in ways, would be Tony and Tina's Wedding is similar, where the audience experiences a planned but often spontaneous and ad-libbed version of visiting a wedding with humorous results.

So, similar to Hunter Killer, this is a boxed game, meant to evoke an experience found at the Cafe Nordo, in real life. Live theatre mysteries or events, and as such I'd suggest that anyone enjoying that sort of mystery or live action immersive theatre, would very much enjoy this. Here you are given objects, papers, artifacts and clues to solve, using found texts, known facts, solving unknown facts, that help the individual or team experience dark crimes, sinister occult cults causing problems, and more.

The quality of product of what I was sent was great.  I'd suggest anyone who loves a mystery or mysterious things, would enjoy it. Some for the story, others for the special desserts and special drinks offered, ala room service at a prime hotel.

I received the Room Service Experience box,  My box included vintage era physical props, items served in that era, clues to a "real" murder prior to your visit, and tons of clues to confuse or enhance your knowledge, depending upon how you play your game. More than one person could play this, in fact I think more should play, but I'd say it would be at least an hour of your time, and worth that time.

GETTING REVIEWS?

I can be found on Facebook, Twitter or through email Alexanderness63@gmail.com. I accept hard copies, so when you inquire at any of these places, I'll follow through by telling you my street address.If you send hard copies for review I will try to always review them, but if you prefer to send pdf or ebooks to my email, I will review these at my discretion. I don't share my pdf/ebooks, so you can avoid worry that I'd dispense them for free to others.


My Creative Blogs:

My 5000 poem Blog AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com
 
Cthulhu Alien Horrors CthulhuDarkness.Blogspot.Com

Atlantis & Lost Worlds AlexNessLostWorlds.Blogspot.Com

My Published Work  AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com/2007/01/My-Work.html

My Amazon Author Page Amazon.com/author/AlexNess

Support: Poplitiko.Blogspot.Com/2022/06/for-sale.html 

All images are copyright © their respective owners, use is simply as fair use and no ownership rights asserted.