Blurb: 911 was an event burned into the retina of the world's mind's eye. In this painstakingly-well researched novel; truth is mixed with hunches, hunches are mixed with theory lastly cloak and dagger is mixed with smoke and mirrors so the truth becomes less about what you can see and more about what you cannot see... and why... This novel, 1012, presents truths that hitherto have only been whispered in shadows by shadowy people...
When 911 happened, like most of the western world, it really brought home the true feelings of the Muslim world towards the West. More and more I fealt myself asking for specifics, questions I couldn't answer, but questions that needed to be answered. I set about looking for the answers to those questions. Many was the time that I didn't like what I found. Was it the mechinations of a monolithically crippled Government or was it what it appeared to be?
Price: $1.99
Blurb: "Based on a true story; the past meets the future. A young Maori boy saves the dignity of his tribe and in the process learns about this place in life. Fooled by the tyranny of history he is confronted with the invaluable mass of the truth. In coming to grips with his past he solidifies his steps into the future..."
In researching my daugther's Tuhoe whakapapa, I read the events surround the arrest of Rua Kenana, said to be the last Maori Prophet and his Pa, Maungapohatu in the Uruwera ranges. Maungapohatu was said to be advanced for the day with modern buildings, plumbing and sewerage. A thorn in the side of the British crown that deemed all Maori as savages. It helped even less when Kenana sided with Kaiser Wilhem in WW1 (for which the Kaiser gifted Kenana a silver-plated Luger).
Price: $0.99
As you may or may not know, one of my several hats is that of a writer, a couple of examples of my published works are on the ebook site "Smashwords". There you can download, for free, half of each novel to read at your own pace, at your own place. Can't get much fairer than that! .
There are so many advantages to ebooks; Not paying printing costs, not paying for expensive retailers, not paying for freight around the country or world, not carting around heavy tomes, the ability to easily change formats, to name just a few bonuses. I believe that over the next few years (with the proliferation of devices like the ipad and the kindle) we are going to see an explosion in the popularity of the ebook. In saying that I must add that I don't believe the written word will ever go out of popularity, but the benefits of the ebook holds advantages that have never traditionally been there. consider, for example, that not only is the ebook far more environmentally sustainable than cutting down tree after tree, it also doesn't use freight companies that spew exhaust fumes into the air.
Always found reading at length off the screen a little too daunting? Well here's an idea which is highly under publicised: With a free text-to-speech reader such as Natural reader 9.2, you can easily have an ebook read to you from your MP3 player! Now that is the ultimate, having the book read to you while you are relaxing in your lazy-boy chair or on your bed!
I wrote my initial novel, 1012, in 2004 and did a great deal of research into getting it published. I contacted hundreds of literary agents and even got a few bites, but the book market is so flooded with writers, agents can pick and choose who they want to represent. That makes for a far from ideal environment for the first-time author. Their books needs proof reading, graphic design & marketing, a time consuming, costly and potentially risky process. So to reduce the risks (or more accurately; costs) the publisher "cherry picks" those books that are already polished or authors that have a proven marketability.
I considered releasing my novel as an ebook, but like most first-time authors I was way too precious about my first ever book. I had grandiose dreams and unrealistic expectations that painted me into a corner. So I basically "shelved" my book until now.
When you consider that going to a bookstore & buying a book will probably set you back about $50, paying $2-3 for an ebook (and there are many for less than $1 too) is value that's hard to ignore! Give an ebook a read, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by what you get!
My brother, Wayne Watson (better known as Oswald Bastable) Showed the usefulness of this website (Smashwords) With his ebook, "Meddlers in time"
Blurb:
You can’t change history, can you? No- but you can make a new reality, when you alter events. ‘Meddlers in Time’ explores the shaping of a parallel earth, by altering events in 9th century England. Some were lured by money, other by the adventure- a few just wanted a new chance at life. One thing remains constant- time travel changes all who follow that path…
As you may or may not know, one of my several hats is that of a writer, a couple of examples of my published works are on the ebook site "Smashwords". There you can download, for free, half of each work.
There are so many advantages to ebooks; Not paying printing costs, not paying for expensive retailers, not paying for freight around the country or world, not carting around heavy tomes, the ability to easily change formats, to name just a few bonuses. I believe that over the next few years (with the proliferation of devices like the ipad and the kindle) we are going to see an explosion in the popularity of the ebook. In saying that I must add that I don't believe the written word will ever go out of popularity, but the benefits of the ebook holds advantages that have never traditionally been there. consider, for example, that not only is the ebook far more environmentally sustainable than cutting down tree after tree, it also doesn't use freight companies that spew exhaust fumes into the air.
Always found reading at length off the screen a little too daunting? Well here's an idea which is highly under publicised: With a free text-to-speech reader such as Natural reader 9.2, you can easily have an ebook read to you from your MP3 player! Now that is the ultimate, having the book read to you while you are relaxing in your lazy-boy chair or on your bed!
I wrote my initial novel, 1012, in 2004 and did a great deal of research into getting it published. I contacted hundreds of literary agents and even got a few bites, but the book market is so flooded with writers, agents can pick and choose who they want to represent. That makes for a far from ideal environment for the first-time author. Their books needs proof reading, graphic design & marketing, a time consuming, costly and potentially risky process. So to reduce the risks (or more accurately; costs) the publisher "cherry picks" those books that are already polished or authors that have a proven marketability.
I considered releasing my novel as an ebook, but like most first-time authors I was way too precious about my first ever book. I had grandiose dreams and unrealistic expectations that painted me into a corner. So I basically "shelved" my book until now.
Blurb: 911 was an event burned into the retina of the world's mind's eye. In a painstakingly researched novel; truth is mixed with hunches, hunches are mixed with theory then finally cloak and dagger goes hand in hand with smoke and mirrors. When the truth is too awful to see, let alone admit, an horrifically beautiful dream cushions us... This novel, 1012, finishes an open-ended saga.
Blurb: "Based on a true story; the past meets the future. A young Maori boy saves the dignity of his tribe and in the process learns about this place in life. Fooled by the tyranny of history he is confronted with the invaluable mass of the truth. In coming to grips with his past he solidifies his steps into the future..."
*****************
My brother, Wayne Watson (better known as Oswald Bastable) Showed the usefulness of this website (Smashwords) With his ebook, "Meddlers in time"
Blurb:
You can’t change history, can you? No- but you can make a new reality, when you alter events. ‘Meddlers in Time’ explores the shaping of a parallel earth, by altering events in 9th century England. Some were lured by money, other by the adventure- a few just wanted a new chance at life. One thing remains constant- time travel changes all who follow that path…
When you consider that going to a bookstore & buying a book will probably set you back about $50, paying $2-3 for an ebook (and there are many for less than $1 too) is value that's hard to ignore! Give an ebook a read, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by what you get!
James Cameron, writer/director
Sam Worthington
Zoe Saldana
Sigourney Weaver
Stephen Lang
Michelle Rodriguez
Giovanni Ribisi
Joel Moore
CCH Pounder
Wes Studi
Laz Alonso
Dileep Rao
Matt Gerald
Sean Anthony Moran
Jason Whyte
Scott Lawrence
Without wanting to give too much of the plot away, the movie is set on the far-away planet of Pandora which has large deposits of a very rare and valuable mineral.
Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) is a US marine that has become disabled, yet is uniquely suited to "stepping" into the role left by his recently killed brother.
Made possible by a kind of virtual reality, Jake inhabits the consciousness of a 20 foot blue alien.
The plot has a lot of typical elements, yet the surreal graphics take suspension of belief to a new level and what was once stayed and cliché becomes once more enchanting and endearing - BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH BETTER DOWNTOWN CINEMA!
The major disappointment of the movie was not the movie itself, but the cheap-ass Palmerston North Downtown cinema that only had a 2D camera, so couldn't play it in the glorious 3D - which was one of the main attractions of the movie. Despite, just a hour before on the evening news, we were shown Avatar watchers in HOKATIKA that saw the movie in the full 3D it was intended to be shown in.
In my view this took AVATAR out of the realm of "Ground-breaking technological spectacular" and made it just another fascinating sci-fi epic. If I were Peter Jackson I'd be seriously pissed at Palmerston North's Downton Cinema.
Population of Hokatika (2009): 4500
Population of Palmerston North (2009): 79300
So, despite charging $14.00 for a ticket, to a sold-out screening (obviously only one of many that day) they "couldn't afford the upgrade", yet Hokatika could. It's handy to know Downtowns true motivation: definately not the enjoyment of their patrons, but getting as much as they can for each ticket. It would be a little better, I guess, if we didn't have to sit amongst popcorn & wrapper strewn seats.
Next time there is a premier in Palmerston North's Downtown Cinema 8, I reccomend you shell out the extra few bucks and time and go to a center like Wellington (or Hokatika!) and get a proper screening, not just a profit-making con.
It's the kind of practice you expect from a dodgey Chinese trader on Trademe, not a New Zealand business forgoodness sake!
God I hope someone from Downtown reads this!
Ok, disappointmentS aside, onto the movie rating:
Now on to my soon to be patented “Sore-bum” rating system: The better a movie is the longer it takes me to realise that my bum is getting sore, on my scale, 1 bum is pathetic, 10 bums are excellent. Avatar scores 9!
For those of you living under a rugby ball shaped rock, I'll give you the good oil...
The All whites were playing Bahrain. At stake was no less than a place in the FIFA World cup to be held in South Africa. The All whites have failed to qualify for the world cup for over 20 years.
From a corner, Fallon (son of Kevin Fallon) headed in a goal, scoring the only goal of the match, the All whites winning 1-0 and going through to the World Cup
The crowd were on their feet so much that I missed out on photographing the winning goal and feet were being stamped, drinks drunk and animated conversations made prolonged attempts to focus rather difficult, so you'll have to settle for the kick that started it.
A sight to behold as thousands of wobbling bellies exposed themselves to the wintery harshness of the caketin. In a coordinated act, white tops were shed to acknowledge the last 10 minutes of the match.
In the hard light of day and temperature of their bodies no longer being regulated by alcohol, I bet there are a few sick people today!
There were several hand-made signs around the stadium, but this (from the opposite side of the stadium) tickled my funny bone.
One of the many little sideshows that were going on is when a Bahrain player pulled a "hollywood" and threw himself to the groung writhing in pain. The All white supports would chant,"She was pushed, she was pushed..."
Actually that reminds me of another point. The player in this photo was taken off the field on a stretcher, his team received a free kick for the "foul". Bahrain made a burst towards the Kiwi goal line. Seeing this the formerly "dying" stretcher-bound player sprang to his feet and raced down field to help out his team.
Even though I was getting the occasional nose bleed from sitting up so high (all Ginger Diamond's fault of course), it did allow for some pretty spectacular sights... case in point.
I hadn't been to the Caketin (Wespac Trust stadium) before, so this was an excellent oppotrtunity. Television replays the game but it can't begin shown the atmosphere in the stadium.
For example, there were Mexican waves and a giant NZ flag sent overhead, by hand to hand around the stadium. But probably most impressive was the sheer weight of support for the All whites. Before the match the Bahrain supporters were fairly loud and I thought, "Uh oh, I think we might just get shown up". But I needn't have worried. I was a little disappointed that the All white supporters "Boo-ed" the Bahrain team without cause, but that seems to be the nature of sport at the moment.
My brother, Wayne Watson (better known as Oswald Bastable) Showed the usefulness of this website (Smashwords) With his ebook, "Meddlers in time"
What a game, what an atmosphere... Fantastic!
From a corner, Fallon (son of Kevin Fallon) headed in a goal, scoring the only goal of the match, the All whites winning 1-0 and going through to the World Cup
A sight to behold as thousands of wobbling bellies exposed themselves to the wintery harshness of the caketin. In a coordinated act, white tops were shed to acknowledge the last 10 minutes of the match.
There were several hand-made signs around the stadium, but this (from the opposite side of the stadium) tickled my funny bone.
