Fictional Characters

People who know me know that, although I admire very much certain persons, like Tolkien or King Leonidas, I also admire very much many imaginary characters, and I set some of them as example.
Some may think that this is wrong, because those characters are considered "fake", but this is how I see it. It's all real. Think about it. Haven't Luke Skywalker and Santa Claus affected your lives more than most real people in the world? I mean, whether Jesus is real or not, he's had a bigger impact on the world than any of us have. And the same can be said for Bugs Bunny and Batman and Optimus Prime. They've changed my life, changed the way I act on the Earth. Doesn't that make them kind of real? They might be imaginary but, but they're more important than most of us. And they're all gonna be around here long after we're dead. So, in a way, those things are more realer than any of us.

Symbols

Ye know, alongside my other T-shirts I got 2 very special ones. One with the Autobots' emblem and one with the Caped Crusader's symbol. I used to wear either of them almost every day.
Now I realize that... I'm not worthy. Because, in my humble opinion, being a fan is not enough to make you worthy of wearing those symbols. I must embrace the Autobot ideal to wear the Autobot-shirt, and I must be more... (how shall we say?) selfless to wear the Bat-shirt.
Therefore I hereby declare that I will not wear those 2 T-shirts again, until I've proven my quality.
They are too important to be misused.

No Coin? Oh well... so be it!

Today I decided to search for a replica of Harvey "Twoface" Dent's coin, but since I couldn't find it anywhere I gave up searching and bought me a figure of Twoface himself, for 10 bucks.
Twoface was ranked #12 in IGN's list of the Top 100 Comic Book Villains Of All Time.
Twoface has recently become my favorite of Batman's enemies, taking Joker's place, who has always been my favorite villain.
I just find some true in what Harvey believes. I find some wisdom and some "normality" in his quotes. Sometimes I feel like him, like my good side fights against my evil one. Unable to decide unless I flip a coin, lol.
Of course I don't want to get his coin to make decisions, I just think it would be a nice addition to my collection.

The figure resembles the character as seen on "The Dark Knight" film, played by Aaron Eckhart

 
 

Power Rings - Green

Last, but not least, my very favorite of the Lantern spectrum. I give you the...

GREEN LANTERN CORPS (WILLPOWER)

In brightest day, in blackest night,

No evil shall escape my sight.

Let those who worship evil's might,

Beware my power...

Green Lantern's Light!

The power ring's most distinctive effect is the generation of green, solid-light constructs, the precise physical nature of which has never been specified. The size, complexity, and strength of these constructs is limited only by the ring-bearer's willpower; whatever the wearer imagines, the ring will create. No hard upper limit to the power ring's capabilities has yet been demonstrated and it is often referred to as "the most powerful weapon in the universe."

In the concluding issue of the Green Lantern: Rebirth mini-series, attention is paid to how the style of constructs varies with the character and mindset of the person creating them. Hal Jordan tends to create solid, workman-like constructs. John Stewart, an architect by trade, creates constructs with carefully-designed internal workings, almost like three-dimensional blueprints. Kyle Rayner, an artist, envisions highly detailed or wire frame constructs. Guy Gardner's ring is constantly sparking, even at rest, and his creations are simple, and often blurred by the excess energy his willpower causes. The alien Kilowog's ring, for reasons yet unrevealed is (according to Hal) "the only one that makes a sound," producing a loud sonic boom upon activation.
When active, a power ring will encase its user in a protective, life-supporting force field. This force field allows the user to fly, travel through inhospitable environments (outer space, underwater, etc.), and enter hyperspace in order to move vast distances quickly. The ring also generates its wearer's Green Lantern uniform: the uniform appears over their normal attire and vanishes at the user's will. The uniform varies from Lantern to Lantern, based on anatomy, personal preference, and the social norms of their race. The only rule in this regard seems to be that the uniform must openly display the symbol of the corps, though even this has been modified based on preference (a vampire-hunting Lantern adapts the symbol into a cross, and a blind Lantern with no concept of light or color uses the image of a bell).
Power rings also appear to be highly advanced computers; they are able to talk to and advise the wearer as to various courses of action, as well as act as a universal translator. Power rings are capable of generating electromagnetic radiation at various frequencies. This radiation can be focused by the wearer into a beam, similar in appearance and effect to a powerful laser. The ring can also scan for energy signatures or particular objects. Less frequently used capabilities include splitting atomic nuclei and manipulating subatomic particles (thereby transmuting chemical elements). A power ring is also capable of creating fully-functional duplicates of itself. While power rings have to be worn to be effective, at several points Green Lanterns have shown the ability to summon the ring to them from a distance (even if someone else is wearing it) or order it to carry out commands automatically after being removed. Some power rings have been shown to be genetically keyed to the wearer, like Kyle Rayner's, though villains have circumvented this this through various means. For instance, Manhunters use tissue samples to make Kyle's ring think it is still on his hand. When a Green Lantern is slain, their ring will automatically seek out a suitable replacement

Power Rings - Black

Ah, yes. It's the "lovers' day". The most appropriate time to write about the Black Lantern Corps.
Indeed.

BLACK LANTERN CORPS (DEATH)

The Blackest Night falls from the skies,

The darkness grows as all light dies,

We crave your hearts and your demise,

By my black hand--The dead shall rise!  

In the concluding issues of the Sinestro Corps War story-arc, Superboy-Prime hurls the Anti-Monitor into space. He crashes onto the dead planet of Ryut and is encased within a Black Power Battery of unknown origin. The symbol on black power rings (a triangle pointing downwards, with five lines radiating upward from the base) is the same symbol used by Green Lantern super-villain Black Hand. It is also the symbol of the Hand family's mortuary. Black Hand becomes the first Black Lantern after killing his family and committing suicide. Scar comes to him and regurgitates the first black power ring. It places itself on his finger and bids him to rise. Scar then explains that Black Hand is the living embodiment of the Black Lantern Corps as Ion, Parallax, and the Predator are to the green, yellow and violet lights of the emotional spectrum respectively. Black power rings are wielded by the deceased. In addition to the abilities granted to them by the rings, Black Lanterns retain any superpowers they may have had in life.If the ring bearer's body is severely damaged or destroyed, the black ring will partially reconstruct the body, restoring it to a working state. During the creation of Blackest Night, Johns wanted to resurrect the Black Lanterns in a way that seemed horrifying and emotionally disturbing to the living characters they encountered. To accomplish that effect, the Black Lanterns have personalities and actively seek out those who will be affected by their appearance. Well known DC characters resurrected as Black Lanterns include: Earth-Two Superman, the Martian Manhunter, and the original Aquaman and Firestorm. The first black power rings possess no charge, but each time a Black Lantern kills someone and removes their heart, .01 percent power is restored to every ring in the Corps. The exact limitations of black power rings have not yet been fully explored; however, even at low power levels, black rings enable their user to fly and create black energy constructs. They are also immune to magic. Black power rings are capable of regenerating typically fatal injuries inflicted upon their users (including decapitation). Black Lanterns are also able to read the emotions of the living as a colored aura that correlates to the emotional spectrum (red for rage, violet for love, etc). The black rings produce a tar-like substance that "roots" them into the host body, making it nearly impossible for them to be removed through physical force. In Blackest Night #2, Ray Palmer shrinks himself to a size where he is able to observe that black power rings are composed of a similar material to dark matter. During the Blackest Night event, heroes theorize that the members of the Black Lantern Corps aren't the dead revived, but rather their black power rings are using their forms to attack. This is confirmed in Doom Patrol #4, when the ring resurrecting Celsius intones "memory download complete" upon her conversion to the Corps. This is repeated when black power rings state the same while converting Ted Kord and Terra in Booster Gold #26 and Outsiders #24 respectively. Black Lantern rings appear to be vulnerable to assorted methods. The most effective means is that of an intense white light, called "white light of creation" by the Guardians. This can be created not only by assorted light-based heroes (such as Doctor Light, but also when the green, yellow, violet, blue, orange, red and indigo lights are combined. Dove also seems to naturually give off this light since the death of Hawk. The Black Lanterns are also weak against powerful light emotional manipulations like Psycho Pirate's mask., and the intense power of love strengthened by the Greek Goddess Aphrodite. The Indigo Corp's power also seems to cause the Black Lanterns pain. Also, if a creature is frozen, the Black Lanterns are incapable of sensing their emotions, leaving them essentially 'blind'

   

Power Rings - Violet

I was saving it for Valentine's day but... slag it! I don't believe in it! There is no special day for "love". If you love it's for all 365 days of the year. If you don't... better. :P

STAR SAPPHIRE CORPS (VIOLET)

For hearts long lost and full of fright,

For those alone in blackest night,

Accept our ring and join our fight,

Love conquers all-- With violet light!

At the conclusion of the Mystery of the Star Sapphire story-arc, the Zamarons realize that the power of the Star Sapphire is too great for them to control and forge a violet power battery and power ring out of the Star Sapphire gem, using the bodies that originally sparked the star sapphire as a mediator. It is later revealed that the sapphire's power originally came from the love of Khufu and Chay-Ara. This allows them to distribute its powers throughout an entire Corps of Star Sapphires. The first new recruit to the Star Sapphires was Miri Riam of the planet Lartnec, who had just lost her husband to an attack by Mongul. Established Green Lantern characters have also been inducted into the new Corps, including Fatality and Carol Ferris.
Violet power rings are fueled by the emotion of love, one of the two emotions (the other being rage) that most influence their user. At present, members of the Star Sapphires have only been depicted as being female; however, during the Blackest Night panel at Comic Con International 2009, Geoff Johns explained that "anyone can join, but most men are not worthy." A unique ability of violet power rings is the power to encase their targets in violet crystal. While trapped within these rehabilitation crystals, members of other corps have been shown to be slowly converted into Star Sapphires. During the process their rings are drained of their original abilities and replaced by the violet light. Violet rings are able to detect when true love is being threatened, can create a connection to an embattled heart and use it as a tether, and are also shown as being able to show others their greatest love. The aura of the violet ring is asymmetric and ornate, reminiscent of vines and feathers. The Star Sapphires are shown as being connected to an entity called "the Predator", which exists as the physical embodiment of love.

 

God save the books

This day was very tiresome, but not without some fun. I slept at 930 and at approximately 1130 my bell rang. It was a colleague of mine, she came for a book I promised her. After that, and since I was already awake, we went down-town with some coffee (I had chocolate) with some other pals. The only boy in there was I, so I got really very bored. They were talking for girls' stuff only.
Later, after kindly taking my leave, I went to a bookstore. Got many amazing mangas, comics and loads of good books.
I bought me an anniversary Asterix comic issue and two fantasy novels.
at checkout the salesman put the stuff into a plastic red bag, with the words "GOD SAVE THE BOOKS" written on.
Well then I begun having thoughts about the greatness of books, and the way a book can affect mankind and history itself. Books mostly have a good influence, and make us better people. Reading a book not only gives you knowledge and information, but it can also entertain you, or give you stuff and ideas to think about. Books are also legacy, passing through generations. And of course a well written book is always a good subject to discuss about. I could imagine a world without TV (I barely watch, anyway) but never a world without books. Or comics, or manga, or... whatever.

Power Rings - Indigo

Normally I'd write about Violet and Love, but I'd rather save it for a more... appropriate day.

INDIGO TRIBE (COMPASSION)

Tor lorek san, bor nakka mur,

Natromo faan tornek wot ur,

Ter lantern ker lo Abin Sur,

Taan lek lek nok -- Formorrow Sur!

(Translation not available)

The Indigo Tribe, wielders of the indigo light of compassion, make their first extended appearance in Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #1 (July 2009). Very little is known about them and they are considered to be unknown within the DC Universe at large. Indigo and her tribe are first shown speaking a language that is unable to be translated by a green power ring (which has a full catalog of all known languages). Ethan Van Sciver, who created the initial design for the Indigo Tribe, explains that members of the group abandon everything and devote themselves to compassion. As such, their uniforms have a basic, hand-made appearance, their bodies are adorned with the Indigo Lantern symbol in body paint, and they carry carved, lantern-like staffs with them. This corps exists to spread goodwill throughout the universe. The Indigo Tribe is led by a pale female alien named Indigo-1, and Ganthet and Sayd have said that the Blue Lanterns must seek out and form an alliance with the Indigo Tribe.
The Indigo Tribe has the unique ability to absorb the energies of other rings through their staffs. The energy is then channeled into their ring and (depending on the motivation behind the energy) turned against its source. When Indigo-1 encounters a mortally wounded Green Lantern who attempts to keep her from getting involved in his battle with a Sinestro Corps member, she uses his power to provide him with a mercy killing. When the Sinestro Corps member subsequently attacks her, spouting banter meant to intimidate her, Indigo-1 uses his power to create an enormous, monstrous, yellow light construct that scares her attacker away. The exact function of indigo power staffs and their relationship to power rings of all colors is still unknown. During the Blackest Night, the Indigo Tribe use their staffs to combine Hal Jordan's green light with theirs, which has the effect of separating Black Lantern rings from their bearers.

BAFTA Game Award 2009 - Vote your favorite

For the second year running, GAME have joined forces with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts to honour the greatest achievements in gaming over the last twelve months! The GAME British Academy Video Games Awards will be taking place at the London Hilton on Park Lane on 19 March 2010 - and once again you'll get to vote for the title you think deserves the coveted GAME Award.

So, click on the link and vote! Personally I voted for "Batman: Arkham Asylum", though it was a tough choice, since I'd also like to vote for "Spirit Tracks": The newest ZELDA GAME!
http://www.baftagameaward.com/awards/index.html

Power Rings - Blue

First of all I'd like to thank my friends and family for the wishes they gave me. I really appreciate what's given to me, even if most of the time I don't want the others to know it. And now, let us proceed to the main post.
Normally I'd write about Indigo and Compassion, but I think that right now the blue light of Hope kinda seems more... useful. So, here we go.

BLUE LANTERN CORPS (HOPE)

In fearful day, in raging night,
With strong hearts full, our souls ignite,
When all seems lost in the War of Light,
Look to the stars-- For hope burns bright!

As the Sinestro Corps War comes to a close, in Green Lantern (vol. 4) #25, former Guardians of the Universe Ganthet and Sayd are shown using the emotion hope to create the first blue power ring. In their discussion, they mention the formation of their Blue Lantern Corps. The first Blue Lantern introduced is Saint Walker, who comes to the aid of the Green Lanterns after they were ambushed by Atrocitus and his Red Lantern Corps. It's learned that Saint Walker is from Sector 1, and he locates their second recruit (Brother Warth) in Sector 2. In this way, Warth recruits a new Blue Lantern from Sector 3, and so on.
Though Saint Walker describes the blue light as being the most powerful, Atrocitus reveals that without an active Green Lantern in their proximity they are only capable of the default flight and protective aura abilities. While inside of the proximity of a Green Lantern's influence, a blue power ring has the ability to heal wounds, neutralize the corrupting effects of a red power ring, recharge a green power ring to twice its maximum power level, and can drain the power from yellow power rings. If the Blue Lantern wishes it, it can also dampen the hunger caused by the orange light. A noteworthy ability of blue rings is the power to scan a target's psyche and create illusions based on their hopes. A blue power ring is capable of feeding off the hope of other beings, eschewing constant recharging while still performing impressive feats, including reversing a dying sun's age by 8.6 billion years. The home planet of the Blue Lanterns and the Blue Power Battery is the planet Odym, an idyllic planet orbiting the star Polaris.

Power Rings - Yellow

I wasn't planning to mention "yellow" next, but since it's my name-day I'll post about this, 'cos it's one of my favorites.
 SINESTRO CORPS (FEAR)

In blackest day, in brightest night,

Beware your fears made into light

Let those who try to stop what's right,

Burn like my power*... Sinestro's might!

The first yellow ring was acquired by Sinestro following his banishment to the anti-matter universe of Qward, and could only be recharged by fighting a Green Lantern. Years later, after losing the ring to Guy Gardner and reacquiring it, Sinestro created the Sinestro Corps. The yellow rings used by the Sinestro Corps are fueled by fear, and Lyssa Drak explains that members of the Sinestro Corps are chosen for their ability to create great fear in others. Through a string of Green Lantern stories titled Tales of the Sinestro Corps, she describes the numerous ways in which Sinestro Corps members spread fear through the universe. At the conclusion of these tales, she explains to Amon Sur that in order to become a member of the Corps one must free themselves from a small prison. With their yellow power ring completely drained of its energy, they must provide it with the spark it needs to accomplish this feat by facing their own greatest fear. According to Ethan Van Sciver, the ring's symbol is based on ancient carvings made by beings who had looked into the gullet of Parallax and survived. It has the same basic capabilities as a Green Lantern power ring (i.e. solid light constructs, flight, force-fields e.t.c.), but is drained of energy in the presence of a Blue Lantern ring.
Yellow rings select individuals who "have the ability to instill great fear". 

Exams and Mental illness

Today, while I've been waiting outside the classroom for the students of a lower semester to finish writing (so that my colleagues and I could enter for our exam) I heard a strange voice, across the corridor. It was a man, about 30 years old, mentally ill. He was trying to sell some pictures of saints. He was knocking on office doors, trying to convince other students and teachers... Nothing. Then he entered the classroom and started moaning and talking. Pretty loud. Students where complaining but the teachers did nothing to deal with it. Then I decided to do the job myself. I entered the classroom, told him to follow me. He asked me only if I support a certain football team. I answered yes (I lied, but some times people deserve more than the truth...) then and only then he decided to follow me, and I closed the door behind us. I know it's nothing special, I didn't do anything brave or something to be proud of, but I did what I felt was right, to give the students time and let them focus on their exam. Normally the teachers should do that but... whatever.

Power Rings - Orange

LARFLEEZE (AVARICE)

The oath required to recharge Larfleeze's ring has not been heard despite rumors of it being the word "mine" (a demand regularly made by both Agent Orange and his Orange Lanterns).


An orange ring is powered by avarice. According to Ganthet, "the orange light of avarice will be discovered and manipulated by a being whose greed knows no bounds." Unlike the other Corps, Larfleeze (primarily known as "Agent Orange") is the only individual to wield the power of the orange light. The story of how he came to be the sole owner of the orange power battery is detailed in the Agent Orange story-arc running from Green Lantern (vol. 4) #39-42 (April-July 2009). The Guardians of the Universe are described as making an agreement with Larfleeze long ago in return for a box containing the fear entity: Parallax. The agreement allows him exclusive control of the orange light with the condition that he remain in the Vega system. During the Agent Orange arc, Larfleeze attracts the attention of the Guardians again through an act of terrorism prompted by an intrusion from the Controllers on his home planet, Okaara. A Green Lantern force confronts him, and (after being unable to decide between releasing him and destroying him) create another deal with him at the expense of the Blue Lanterns.
Even alone, Larfleeze is a formidable opponent for the Green Lantern Corps. The power of the orange light allows Larfleeze to steal the identities of those he kills, transforming them into an Orange Lantern construct. By being in constant contact with his main power battery, Larfleeze has become one with his power source. This allows him to maintain a power level high enough to support an entire Corps of orange light constructs even when separated from it. The orange light does have a severe drawback: whoever wields it is in a constant state of hunger, unable to be satiated or to rest. Larfleeze and his constructs are shown to be resistant to magic and the abilities of green power rings, but do not retain the same protection against blue or violet rings.

Power Rings - Red

After the tribute I've made about bat species and the soundtrack of "Batman Begins", I didn't know what tribute to start next. Well, the main themes of LOTR is a good idea, but I think that I should first make something more comics-related. So I decided to write about the various Lantern Corps of the DC comics universe.
RED LANTERN CORPS (RAGE)

With blood and rage of crimson red,

Ripped from a corpse so freshly dead,

Together with our hellish hate,

We'll burn you all--That is your fate!

A red ring feeds on the rage of its user and anyone nearby, and is charged by the blood of those the user kills.Contrary to Green Lantern rings, which provide helpful commentary, red rings are depicted as constantly emitting violent commands ("Kill," "Rage," "Pain," "Hatred," etc.), driving their wearers insane with rage and reducing them to little more than snarling beasts. However, Saint Walker states that the rings are deliberately set to select beings with uncontrollable rage. The energy of red rings replaces the user's blood, which can then be regurgitated through the bearer's mouth in a highly corrosive form. The red ring's energy is also capable of corrupting the energies of other power rings, preventing them from functioning properly. The aura of a red ring is savage and rough in comparison to a green ring, but can be used similarly with sufficient focus, as Hal Jordan demonstrates by creating green lantern-like constructs when temporarily possessed by a red ring. The Blue Lanterns' energy is the only known power source capable of neutralizing the Red Lanterns' influences, and in combination with the Green Lanterns' energy can destroy the red ring. Removing a red ring without a blue ring present to heal the bearer results in death due to blood loss.

At dawn look to the East

I was not used in drinking coffee, kinda gives me stomachache. But there are times when exceptions must be made.
Well here's the story, it's been A LOT of time since I last saw the sun rising so (after A LOT of coffee) I stayed up all night just to have a look at it.
Well, it was pretty cloudy, but I did manage to see the sun rising and take a picture of it. Some of you may want to know why I did this... Well it's just... you know, we complain about things we don't have, instead of enjoying our lives. Even the simplest and natural thing, like sunrise or sunset (Personally I choose sunrise, because "falling" is not my thing) is worth a minute of our life to enjoy it.
Coffee gave my nasty stomachache, but I don't care. Some sacrifices are worth making, especially when the prize is what you expect, or even more.
Therefore I'll end this post with one of my favorite quotes of LOTR (the book)
"Good Morning!" said Bilbo, and he meant it. The sun was shining, and the grass was very green.
Now that I see the picture, sun's barely visible but... whatever, it's there. :P

 

Batman and Anime

Once I used to believe that Batman could never fit in the Japanese art and point of view. I believed that an anime about Batman would be horrible. I was wrong. Because I hadn't watched "Batman: Gotham Knight".
Batman: Gotham Knight is a 2008 animated direct-to-DVD anthology film of six animated short films set in-between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. It depicts Batman battling against the mob of Gotham City, as well as other villains. Although the producers have acknowledged that it is not necessarily meant to be canon to the "Nolanverse" and indeed any of the six segments could easily fall into almost any Batman continuity. Although all based on Japanese Anime art style, each segment has its own writing and artistic style, just as the works from the DC Universe, and with the same style of The Animatrix although some segments are connected.All six films of the feature star Kevin Conroy, reprising his voice role as Batman from the DC Animated Universe.

Carnival

Today some pals and I celebrated carnival alongside thousands of people on the great Aristotle's square of Thessaloniki. I got dressed as a mix of Batman-Samurai-Drakula-whatever-thing. I don't have a picture to show, but try to imagine: Black clothes, Batman symbol on my chest, a black Drakula cape on my back and a utility belt with foam-spray bottles and a Katana.
My cape was the best defence I had against enemy sprays, but eventually a kid (dressed as Superman) pulled it away because he couldn't get a clear shot at me with his spray. After that I spent most of my time indoors, on a nearby cinema, with a VERY beautiful girl (a colleague of mine). I can't reveal her name but she comes from Poland and she was dressed as an Indian goddess. Very beautiful girl. I got some pictures of her, but I didn't ask her if she'd like me to post them here. Well she asked me to post them on facebook, but blogging is a different story, so I won't take that risk.
We spoke about old love stories. And we are both singles now, you know but... I just don't feel like flirting. At all. I'm a lone-ranger, ye know...

Whatever, it was a funny day, filled with foam and music and laughter, and that's what matters.

J. R. R. Tolkien

Today I feel like making a tribute to Tolkien. The man who created Middle-Earth and the founder of modern Medieval Fantasy. Info copied from wikipedia and personal comments follow.

Born	John Ronald Reuel Tolkien 3 January 1892 (1892-01-03) Bloemfontein, Orange Free State
Died	2 September 1973 (1973-09-03) (aged 81) Bournemouth, England
Occupation	Author, Academic, Philologist, Poet
Nationality	English
Genres	Fantasy, High fantasy, Translation, Criticism
Notable work(s)	The Hobbit The Lord of the Rings The Silmarillion The Children of Húrin
Spouse(s)	Edith Bratt (1916–1971)

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE (3 January 1892 – 2 September 1973), was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the classic high fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.
Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University from 1925 to 1945 and Merton Professor of English Language and Literature there from 1945 to 1959. He was a close friend of C. S. Lewis—they were both members of the informal literary discussion group known as the Inklings. Tolkien was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II on 28 March 1972.
After his death, Tolkien's son, Christopher, published a series of works based on his father's extensive notes and unpublished manuscripts, including The Silmarillion. These, together with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, form a connected body of tales, poems, fictional histories, invented languages, and literary essays about an imagined world called Arda, and Middle-earth within it. Between 1951 and 1955 Tolkien applied the word legendarium to the larger part of these writings.
While many other authors had published works of fantasy before Tolkien, the great success of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings when they were published in paperback in the United States led directly to a popular resurgence of the genre. This has caused Tolkien to be popularly identified as the "father" of modern fantasy literature—or, more precisely, of high fantasy. Tolkien's writings have inspired many other works of fantasy and have had a lasting effect on the entire field. In 2008, The Times ranked him sixth on a list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945".

In my humble opinion Tolkien is one of the greatest authors ever lived. Medieval Fantasy has always been one of my favorite themes in cinema, TV, games and books. Every human being who likes Medieval Fantasy owes Tolkien A LOT, because every single story is inspired by Tolkien's books. There are so many RPGs and films and books nowadays that deal about Orcs and Elves and Dragons and similar stuff. There are many fantasy worlds, like the Forgotten Realms, that are inspired by Tolkien's Middle-Earth. Even Star Wars was inspired by Tolkien's books.
But it's not just only about "Medieval Fantasy", there are other, deeper themes into Tolkien's books. Themes like friendship and loyalty, despair, selflessness and sacrifice. Themes like war, like industrial age and how it affects nature. Themes like love and treason as well.
Tolkien is probably my favorite author.

"The Lord of the Rings" and Despair

One of the many themes we spot on LOTR is "despair".
Basically, "despair" means hopelessness, loss of hope. People who are desperate believe that there's is no reason to live for, that they've lost everything in this world and so they hate their lives. They maybe even hate themselves.
On LOTR despair is clearly reflected on two characters: King Theoden of Rohan and Denethor, the Steward of Gondor. They are both old-aged rulers and they both lost their first-born sons, therefore they believe that their line has ended and there will be nobody to carry on their legacy. Also, they both have other people to take their place (Theoden has a nephew and Denethor a second son) but they don't value them. And, in addition to that, there's a great war they must face, against a strong enemy.
Those men are overrun by despair, both of them. But there is a difference, you know: Denethor is driven mad by despair and commits suicide (sets himself on fire), while Theoden leads his army one last time against a superior force and manages to save the great stronghold and buy enough time on the battlefield until help arrives. Eventually he is killed by a stronger foe, but not before he has performed his bravest and greatest act.
Despair can lead someone to either commit suicide, or perform the greatest and highest deed of his life. One final act of bravery, valor and selflessness. One final atonement...

 

 

Charlie

Last Weekend was pretty good. One of the things worth-mentioning is that HUGE full-moon we had last night. I mean really huge! I don't remember having seen it like that before... Unfortunately I didn't took any good pictures, my phone's camera's good... but not that good.
Another remarkable thing was playing LAN "Medal of Honor" with my pals. Vaggos, Mime, Pike, Mits, Tasos and Mois. I swear, it was the funniest hour of the whole weekend! We did SO much crazy stuff, that we couldn't stop laughing. Seriously!  Saturday was kinda weird, but in the end I went for beer and darts with Gkavos, Vaggos Lakis and Tasos, and later we had a "Mythology" match with Mits. I didn't see Pike Mois and Mime, they were on a "secret" mission. ;)
I also saw Mime's new puppy! What a lovely dog! Really adorable.
And last, but not least, I saw an old friend of ours! Paralis (or Charlie). I met that guy about 5 years ago, at third grade of High School. He is the best artist I ever met, and now he's gone even better! We haven't seen him for years, but now I got his number. You know, I really appreciate those young people who come here from other countries (Charlie came from Germany) and they go to Greek school, fighting harder than anyone else to learn the language, and then they try to do something good, to succeed here. Charlie tried 2-3 times to join a School of Arts, but he wasn't accepted. He even applied to Marvel and DC, but they told him he should learn better English (they did like his art, though). I'm glad to know he is ok and he is trying for a better life. He lost his friends on the goat-village where he lives because they told him to stop studying and drawing and work with the goats. I tell you what, that boy didn't come here from Germany to become a goat-boy! You know... I somehow like people from other countries/cities more than the villagers I grew up with. Most of my friends come from a different country, or another town (Pike and Mois are obvious exceptions). Mime, Asami, Charlie, Steel, Vaggos... they come from another place, and they rock!

Oh, that Exodia was drawn by Charlie within 10-15 seconds, I still got it, after 5 years. Means a lot to me. It's the only thing I have to remember him, but now I got his number too. We are not gonna "lose" him again.
Oh, and by the way, after coming to Greece he got the same name I have! :)