I didn’t post a blog last week for several reasons, which I won’t bother getting into. Suffice to say I’m back this week, since it’s the last blog of 2014.

For the first time in about 40 years I came down with something rather nasty at this time of the year.  Most years I have felt fine and was eager for the long weekend to begin (the weekend that coincides with Christmas, of course!)

Instead on Tuesday I felt like death warmed over. I actually left work early, something I haven’t done due to health issues in nearly 20 years. And I didn’t feel any better the next few days. Spent pretty much all of Christmas Eve, Christmas and Boxing Day laying down and trying to recover.

For the most part, I succeeded. Although Boxing Day night was unpleasant, as was the following night.

Why am I telling you this? Simple – it’s the main reason that I haven’t done any work on anything the past week, with one exception…

I started to write the first of two stories that are to be gifts for a pair of Twins, whom I am an honorary uncle. I started writing the young girl’s story, set in Kos. Once it’s done then I’ll get to work on the story for the boy, which will take place in the Mass Effect universe.

If you think that I’m going to be a little late getting both stories to the kids, yes and no. It was a last minute decision on my part, and the family is currently in Vegas until after the New Year. So I have plenty of time to work on the stories for the kids.

Only wish that I had been feeling better. Christmas would have been a lot more pleasant for everyone.

Anyhow, I do have quite a lot of other things on my mind.

First, let’s talk about the last episode of ‘Avatar: The Legend of Korra’. First, I have NOT seen it yet, although I do know how it ends, thanks to Facebook! From season three onward it was strongly hinted that Korra and Asami were more than just friends. As the last episode of the series ended, the producers left it up to the imagination of the viewers what really was happening.

Here is my view on it. If Korra and Asami hooked up, AND if they were real people, the only thing that I would be disappointed about is that unless they used someone like, oh, I don’t know, MAKO, they could not have kids.

I know, that’s the only thing that really bugs me! I’m in my mid 40’s and my son is all grown up, an adult of 20. Maybe it’s because I’m at that age now that I am looking forward to grandkid(s) that makes me feel this way.

No matter what, if it turns out that they do hook up in spin offs or comics, then so be it. That will be yet another first for the series creators, who have broken a lot of ground over the years people have been fans of the two series.

I personally would only want to see her have kids of her own. I know, silly, but that’s my view on it.

My wife and I also finished watching ‘Big Bang Theory season 7’. For the first time since we have started to watch the series, I was disappointed. There were very few laugh out loud moments for me watching it this year and more than a few times I found it cringe worthy.

I just don’t like the way some of the characters are treated and some of the situations that occurred in this fictional universe were really terrible.

Still, I will pick up season 8 when it comes out next year and hopefully it’ll make up for this season.

Having spent most of the week on my back sleeping or reading comics, I did have a chance to finish off a few series that I had been waiting to read. I read comics when a mini (maxi) series or a story arch is finished, so sometimes once I buy a comic I end up waiting upwards of six months or longer to read it.

One I read was called ‘Extinction Parade: War’ by Max Brooks (yes, THAT Max Brooks). Essentially it’s Vampires versus Zombies, as they need to kill the zombies in order to prevent humanity from dying off.

This story arch deals with a couple of the vampires coming out at night and attacking the literal river of undead as they travel a single road, killing as many as they can using their hands. The arch follows as they meet up with another vampire, who shows them how to kill using their feet. Then another joins, and teaches them the use of blades, then guns etc.

Honestly I found that particular series to be a waste of my money and time. Sorry Max, you wrote an amazing novel with World War Z, but your comics leave much to be desired. Still I will pick up the next series once it starts and hopefully it’ll be better.

Now Jonathan Maberry’s V-Wars is the opposite end of the spectrum. When I first listened to the novel, I was not all that impressed. Only a handful of the stories contributed to the anthology were really good or stood out for me. The rest were merely okay.

This comic deals with the Professor Luther Swann as he has to go on the hunt with a squad of battle-hardened soldiers dealing with Vampire hotspots. As I have come to expect from his work, there are layers to the story and the action is top notch.

It is an on-going series, so I will be waiting about another six months or so to read the second story arch, this one dealing with my literary hero Joe Ledger.

Joe shows up pretty much in all his work! He’s even in the Rot and Ruin series! 

As for V-wars, the second anthology is available and if I remember correctly, the third has been announced as well.

Last weekend my wife and I did go and see ‘The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies’. Watching it was bitter-sweet (and not just because of the deaths), but because the series has come to an end. It was something I had to look forward to every December, seeing the latest Middle Earth offering.

Even though some of my friends watched it and found it to be merely meh, to downright terrible, my wife and I enjoyed it. Hell one of my friends even went as far as saying it was like watching a D&D session and half expected to see the theater handing out d10’s. Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion and sadly this particular friend of mine – we rarely see eye to eye when it comes to movies and TV.

And you should have said D20, would have made more sense. =)

Speaking of, over the past two weeks Skirmisher has published two new products. Wisdom from the Wastelands issue 48: Superscience Artifacts IV, and La Baionnette No. 34: Le Système D (The Bayonet No. 34: System D).

Nope, Issue 48 is not mine. It’s one of Derek’s but it’s still really cool and worth reading. And the other publication is really neat too! I love how Skirmisher is taking the old books and breathing new life into them in this manner.

Finally if you’re up to something a little different, I might suggest that you watch the movie ‘Snowpiercer’. It’s a strange post-apocalyptic tale set upon a supertrain that is keeping the last of humanity alive in the snow-covered world.

More than a little weird in places, and it’s not for everyone, but still it’s not a waste of your time to watch.

The image I’m using is once again from Alfonso Maesa. This depicts Jaeger’s mother. She is handing the baby over in order to prevent his eventual death or worse.

So I hope that Christmas was not too hectic for you and that you had a great time with your friends, family and those you love.

See you in 2015!

Peace!