Xerox † R.I.P.

My good and special friend Delany lost her second pet rat... It must be extremely painful to lose two friends, in such a small time period. Many people don't consider pets as friends, and most of them don't consider rats as pets.
I tell you what, animals are our friends, no matter the species and the appearance. After all, I've been always been dreaming to have a naked-mole-rat as a pet.
Well, Xerox... I never met you, but I know you had a great owner, who loved you very much. You will be missed and never be forgotten, I know that because I know your owner.
Gerich hîdh nen gurth.

Blood

Today was my first time at hospital for 2010. I had forgotten how tough it is to wake up so early. But, as I say, a man gotta do... what a man gotta do. This day was kinda special, because after months and months of studying, it was the very first time I was asked to draw blood in real-life, from a person and not a training dummy. And I did pretty well, though I was kinda trembling and threw down the cotton bowl. xD
But first, I offered my own blood to a girl that needed practice more than me, and to be honest, she did a damn good job. Overall it was a tiresome and boring day, but life's not only joy and games and comics and anime and- oh, you get the idea. :P
On this photo you can see the vial with my own blood in it. Good stuff, AB+ (Or is it A+? Can't remember...)

Shame on the fakes!

Today, at approximately 800 o'clock a girl called me, a colleague of mine. When I saw her number, I felt strange, 'cos the last time she called was months ago! I picked up the phone, only to find out she wanted me to go check the exams' program for her. I might add she did it with such sweet tone... too sweet to be true. Now I realize that her last call, (the one she did months ago) was again for the same reason! Later on, up until this very moment, more "old pals" have been calling me for the exact same reason. You know, staying so close to the college has certain privileges but... I don't see it this way. Where were all these "friends" when I had need of them? Most of them didn't even reply to my wishes for a happy new year. Pathetic scavengers! And of course I didn't go to tell them about the program, and neither do I intend to do so. Happy new Fear to them!

Marlene was not a Nazi!

Today some colleagues visited me, 'cos they finished class, and obviously were too bored to just go home. Mine is just outside our college, so they came here. I was already awake and listening to various songs and music. Batman's old theme (God it touches me SO deep...), the Imperial March, Star Wars main theme, Fear of the Dark, Bring me to life, The Unforgiven... anyway, there was also "Lili Marlene" on the play-list. When the smart-asses heard that, they called me Nazi. Some did it for fun, but some of them meant it, and so they left. You can guess that the ones who stayed are those who I consider as friends. Anyway, this post is not to write about friendship, but stupidity and ignorance. Because first of all I'm not a real Nazi, and it's only a fun-thing among me and certain friends (like Lakis, our "Fuhrer" :P ). But this song it's not even about Nazism... AT ALL! This a really beautiful song, sung by a really lovely voice. Marlene was not supporting Hitler, she was actually hunted by him and the Nazis. OK, the soldiers used to sing it a lot, but the soldiers DIDN'T support Hitler! Only a 7% of them actually liked him.
Anyway, I don't want to make this a political matter, just read the lyrics' translation and see for yourselves how "bad" and "evil" this song is.
Lili Marlene
In front of the barracks,
In front of the main gate,
Stood a lamppost,
And if it still is standing out front,
Then we’ll see each other there again,
If we stand by the lamppost,
As before, Lili Marlene,
As before, Lili Marlene.
Our two shadows
Looked like one,
That we held each other so fondly
Someone would think we were one.
And everybody will see it
If we stand by the lamppost,
As before, Lili Marlene,
As before, Lili Marlene.
Already the guard was crying,
“They’re blowing taps.
That could cost you three days.”
“Comrade, I’m coming right away.”
There we said farewell,
But I would rather have gone with you,
With you, Lili Marlene,
With you, Lili Marlene.
She knows your pace,
Your special stride.
Every evening she is burning,
Though she forgot me long ago.
And if a mishap should befall me,
Who would stand by the lamppost,
With you, Lili Marlene,
With you, Lili Marlene?
From out of silent space,
From out the lands of Earth,
Your beloved lips uplift me
As if in a dream.
When the nocturnal mists swirl,
I will be standing by the lamppost,
As before, Lili Marlene,
As before, Lili Marlene.

Isn't it beautiful?

Bat species - Nycteris

It has been a long time since my last post about bats. Many things happened since then, and I was posting about many things. But anyway, despite the various issues, one has gotta finish what he started, so let's carry on.
Our next bat species, tributed on the "Batman Begins" soundtrack, is that of Nyctaeridae.
Nycteridae is the family of slit-faced or hollow-faced bats. They are grouped in a single genus, Nycteris. The bats are found in East Malaysia, Indonesia and many parts of Africa.
They are small bats, from 4 to 8 cm in body length, and with grey, brown, or reddish fur. A long slit runs down the centre of their faces from between the eyes to the nostrils, and probably assists in echolocation. They have large ears, and a complex nose-leaf. Their tail ends in a T-shape, formed from cartilage, a feature that is unique among mammals
Slit-faced bats roost in caves, trees, and buildings, typically in fairly small colonies. Some even roost in animal burrows, such as those of hedgehogs or porcupines. They eat insects, and some terrestrial invertebrates, such as spiders and small scorpions. At least one species, the Large Slit-Faced Bat, even catches vertebrate prey, such as frogs and small birds^.
The echolocation calls of slit-faced bats are relatively quiet and short in duration, and they seem to target their prey by hearing the sounds it produces, rather than by sonar. They give birth once or twice each year.

Then what?

Today our teachers didn't come, so we had all the day free. I was about to head home, when some of my colleagues decided that it's a nice day and we should go have some coffee, or whatever. They asked me to join them, and so I did. Unfortunately the place we went to didn't serve my regular "strawberry sundae", (Ha! Pathetic!) so I just had some coffee (which I really regret, 'cos it gave me a nasty stomach-ache). Well, one moment a girl said: "What is it going to happen after we finish? We are gonna lose each-other... I'll miss you all.". Basically I wouldn't care much. I was laying on my chair, without any thoughts and concerns. But there are certain people, among this bunch of barbies and trends, that I actually like, that are not like the others. Then I realize... that I've made friends here. Friends who will miss me, and I them. I think... That I've been in the darkness too long, I realize that I was too... (how shall we say?) introvert.  I was never interested in making new friends. Ι cared about my studies and having fun alone, indoors. Now I actually feel I've missed so much... I was barely going for coffee with them, I always had an excuse to stay indoors. That's probably wrong. Perhaps I should trust people a bit more. Because no matter how many idiots are there, there are also people worth being friends. And now... I really wonder... In a year we'll probably finish our school, then what? I will miss them, and they will miss me. I have been too selfish, too arrogant. I feel ashamed, because they were so kind, nothing like the rest of the bunch. It's true, so far from home, and yet I do have friends here as well. And as Drizzt Do'Urden once said: This is my legacy; by the grace of the gods, I am not alone.

Making of "The Lord of the Rings"

Tolkien, the author of LOTR had said that it is impossible for someone to make a film out of his creation. Not that he hated films, but there are so many details, and so many messages on those books, which literally make it impossible for someone to film all of it. Fortunately, Peter Jackson is great fan of Tolkien, and in fact almost every member of the crew is great fan, and so they gave their best to make those films for us to watch. Of course some changes happened, and some things had to stay off-screen, but the films manage to give us the main Tolkien theme, the main idea, with brilliant success.
There are many interesting themes on the trilogy, like strong friendship, despair (which leads in either suicide or a great action), love between a mortal Man and an immortal Elf, who gave away her immortality to be with the one she loves. And of course the movie is about the struggle between good and evil. There are great lines to be heard, lines that sometimes manage to give you courage, patience, strength. Lines that can even make you shed a tear or two...
I have kept in mind some interesting stuff about the making of the films, and I'd like to share it with y'all.
The first thing that comes in mind, is a scene where we see Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn) kick a helmet and scream of both anger and sadness, because he thought he lost 2 of his friends. Viggo made that scene five times, and on the fifth he actually broke 2 toes! But instead of yelling "CUT! I'm hit!", he turned that pain into acting, and that's the scene we actually see in the movie, the moment when he breaks his toes!
Another fact is that he was very bound to his sword. (Here I'll have to say that there where different types of swords in the movie, real ones and plastic as well, for the intense fighting scenes) Viggo made all of his scenes with the real sword, the sharp one! He was even carrying it with him the whole time, no matter where he was. One day he was eating in a restaurant, and when he left, dressed half-Aragorn and half his casual clothes, he was swinging it down the street and the police stopped him to ask questions! He even broke a tooth during a fight scene! Viggo was also very bound to the horse he was riding as Aragorn in the films. Rumor has it that he was even sleeping with that horse!
Orlando Bloom (Legolas) fell once from his horse and broke a rib, and that was in fact the same day when Viggo had broken his toes. But there was a running scene that had to be made that day, so he and Viggo had to run long distances, with all that pain and a helicopter filming them from above. At least some of that footage is seen on the film.
Bernard Hill (King Theoden) got a nasty cut on the ear, during a fight scene, and they had to give him 3 stitches! But the accidents don't stop here: Sean Astin (Sam Gamgee) stepped on a nasty piece of glass, and they had to call for a helicopter to take him to the nearest hospital.
In other news, Peter Jackson, the director, made a short appearance (cameo) in all of the three movies. And Howard Shore, the composer, also has his own cameo.
Last, but not least I want to mention that Orlando's bow broke on the very last day of filming!
Well, that's all I can recall now. The films are great, and give a different note to my life. No other film has ever made me feel so many different kinds of emotions, strong or lesser! And watching the love of the people who made it, the determination they had to succeed... I don't think that there will ever be a film I will love more than "The Lord of the Rings". That trilogy means so much to me...
I want to thank everyone who worked so hard to give those films to the public.
Le hannon o gûr nîn! Navaer.

LOTR and Cancer

While I was watching the making of and other interesting stuff on the bonus discs of "The Lord of the Rings", I was kinda keeping notes of many interesting and funny stuff, to write about when I was done watching the whole thing. But in the end, what left me the greatest impression is the story of a 17yr old boy, who died of osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. Duncan completed many home videos but only two short fimls, DFK6498 and Strike Zone, a movie involving his love for Softball, as well as a few commercials and brief clips. His films was about cancer, the imprisonment it makes you feel, and also the will to achieve something good before leaving this world. As for his relationship with LOTR,
near the end of his life he befriended Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, inspiring the latter to write the Oscar-winning song, "Into the West" for the film The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. After his death, his work as well as an explanatory documentary was put onto the Extended Edition DVD set for The Return of the King.
On the set of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, he received blessings from Viggo Mortensen and Sir Ian McKellen as well as a signed photo from John Rhys-Davies. He was going to make a cameo in the film, but as his health deteriorated, it became impossible for him to do so.
That's all I will say now about the stuff I found on the bonus discs. No funny stuff, just a tribute to that boy, who will not be forgotten. R.I.P. boy. You remind us all that we should love every single moment of our lives.

Broken Relic

Last night I had a nice dream, can't say any details. But in the end it ended really bad and nasty: My favorite pen broke! I felt like... Aragorn while he was standing in front of the broken sword of his ancestors. That pen has good memories within it, I wouldn't like to see it on a stand like it's another relic, I love writing with it. It's the only KP pen I got, and more important: A gift!

In other news, I know have always been complaining that new figures and other stuff usually arrive to Greek stores later than in the rest of the world. But there is also a good side of it: Things might arrive late, but they barely leave the store, so you are able to dig out cool older stuff. This particular Batman figure I bought yesterday, is 6-7 years old, for example. And it was only 5 bucks.

I'd also like to show you how my new Transformers fit to my newest collection of G1 characters, feast your eyes, my friends!

I remember mentioning it those figures are part of the 25th anniversary, so here's a detail of their boxes. Pretty neat, in my opinion.

Holidays

First of all I want to wish you all Happy new Year! I hope you had wonderful vacations and now be better prepared for the difficulties of life. :)
There were some really interesting things happened during the past three weeks. First of all, I changed my hairstyle. It was actually Mois's idea to straighten them, an evening when we were sitting at my house (looking after my brother) and we felt extremely bored. Well, here's what Mois managed to do. Pretty nice job, to be honest.

I also had a chance to visit my old school, during nighttime. No, I'm no burglar, Mother had the keys and asked for my help on preparing an X-Mas feast. ;)

So I kinda grabbed the chance to stroll around the dark corridors and classrooms. Muahahaha

 

Another really interesting and touching thing is when I was kinda lucky and managed to visit the old house of my oldest friend ever... We had so much fun there. I kinda spent my whole childhood there. so many memories...

On that wall we used to hang targets to hit with our air-soft-guns, and I also remember there was a hose on that valve, which his Grandfather was using to water the garden. (And we were using to water each other :D)

 

This is the main gate, which normally was never locked. On the other side there was plenty of "wilderness" where we used to catch grasshoppers and Mantis, we used to play Dinosaur Hunters and other war games with our plastic guns.

Here's the main yard. Right where the grassy land is, his Grandfather used to plant vegetables, I remember.

The opening on the very left of the photo is a doorway that leads to my own old yard and house. There was also a really enormous fig tree growing, kinda where the stone pile is on the left.

Ah, and here we have the main house. Of course it looked way better back then. On the ground level we used to play with our Transformers, and on the upper level we were listening to music. The very first Metal song I heard in my life was up there, Fear of the Dark - Iron Maiden.

On the ground level there is also a well, which used to provided crystal-clear water.

Oh, I remember this corner. We are now inside the cellar, and this is the place where we were hiding the bag with our toys and guns. : )

In other news, weather was pretty bad all those days, but one of the things I kinda like was that fog! Oh yes, pretty nasty and mysterious thing, huh?

Of course there were also a couple of nice, warm and sunny days. so I grabbed the chance to go for a long walk, and I managed to capture that magnificent picture, with the mountaintops actually forming a sleeping man! Alexander the Great, they call him.

Well, the last thing I did on my very last day of vacation, was to buy me some really great Transformers figures for my collection. G1 characters, since 2009 was the 25th anniversary of the very first, G1, Transformers series. I'm proud to have those characters added to my collection.

 

Well, this is it pretty much. What else to say... Oh, yes. Each and every single night I was with the other guyz, playing 'till late. I loved it! I also managed to get closer to a girl I really admire, though there are miles over miles between us. Doesn't matter anyway. :)

Well, there are also some bad things that happened, concerning the relationships with a certain friend of mine, but in the end you come to realize that things are not always in your hand to control, therefore you must know when to stop and let time heal the damage.

And I'm pretty optimist. I have to give credits for this to Peter Jackson and the rest of the great team, who worked SO hard to make the LOTR movies. Watching how the movies were made, and listening to the crew itself... well kinda made me more optimist.

This is it, for now. I'll soon be posting bat-stuff again, and of course write about how 2010 is proceeding.

Have fun, my friends! :)