Minecraft.

As far as days go, this one was uneventful.  I woke.  I worked.  I ate.  Then, at precisely 7:30 p.m. I turned on my Xbox and everything changed.  For those that do not know, the starting screen of an Xbox that has Xbox Live enabled is a veritable flood of advertisements.  Most, but not all, are entirely related to Microsoft and its affiliates.  Today, however, the dominating image was a reminder that a live-stream of the newest Minecraft documentary.  I was dubious, as most documentaries make me feel as if I am back in desk on the verge of a panic attack.  At the prodding of my friend, I reluctantly began to watch.

I'm unsure just how much you will know about Minecraft at this point, but it is essentially an 8-bit sandbox style game with endless possibilities for building, crafting, and fighting monsters.  The player can break apart blocks, and use them to build quite literally anything he or she can imagine, while at the same time dealing with the zombies, endermen, and creepers who appear each night.

The only reason I mention this documentary, when I am certain there are few who might stumble across this blog and actually know what I am talking about, is because the movie was stunning.  It chronicles the journey of the Lead Developer and Creator of Minecraft, Notch.  While this story would be interesting on its own, the filmmakers chose to focus more on how this simple game has revolutionized the way games are built and played.

With the small team of people who compose Mojang, the company founded with Minecraft, Notch has created a world in which children and adults are equals.  Each person begins with exactly the same tools, and the only limits are to what he or she is able to think up and build.

I, like many others, viewed the game as strictly nerd territory.  I could not believe that a game with such rudimentary graphics could ever keep me entertained.  It wasn't until I was begged, cajoled, and finally threatened into playing it, that I realized what a revolutionary game it was. Still I don't understand it entirely, and have to resort to asking my friends or looking up videos on YouTube, but even with my basic skills the game is challenging.  I have yet to formally beat it, even with roughly one hundred hours of game play logged.

My only hope is that the game continues to flourish and change, creating even more tools to play with and avenues to explore.  Surely in ten or even fifteen years time, children and adults alike will still be building and creating within the magical world of Minecraft, and I can hardly wait for the nostalgia to set in.

Ode to Maria V. Snyder.

I just finished reading Maria V. Snyder's Study series for what has to be the tenth time, and I just needed to say that it is probably my favorite fantasy series.  For those that haven't read it, I shall give a short--hopefully--summary of the trilogy.

The story centers around a young woman named Yelena, who grew up an orphan in the home of one of the eight generals who maintain areas of the country of Ixia for their leader, The Commander.  Yes, he is generally referred to as such, but his name is really Ambrose.  At the age of maturity, she begins to be tested by General Brazell, his son Reyad, and an adviser named Mokgan.  These trials are in effect, torturous exercises designed to break her spirit.  When, after a blatant display of disobedience, Brazell decides she will not break, she is surrendered into the sadistic care of his son, Reyad.  Reyad consequently tortures and rapes Yelena.  After a casual remark about the experiments continuing with one of the other children in Brazell's care, Yelena slits Reyad's throat, and is sent to the Commander's dungeons to await execution.

This is where her story truly begins.  The region is divided into two nations, Ixia and Sitia.  When the Commander took over Ixia, he decreed that all persons with magic would be sentenced to death, so Ixia is primarily non-magical, while Sitia is ruled by a council and a handful of Master Magicians.  Yelena, who has spent nearly a year in the dungeons, is taken into the castle to meet with Valek, the Commander's head of security and the most feared assassin in both territories, and is offered a choice:  be hanged, or agree to be the Commander's Food Taster.  Essentially, she would exist to make sure none of the Commander's meals were poisoned.

She chooses to live as a Food Taster.

The first book revolves around the plot surrounding Brazell's torture of her, Yelena's relationships within the castle, and her discovery of her own magical talents.  Perhaps my favorite aspect of this book is her relationship with Valek, who falls in love with her.

In the second, she escapes after saving the Commander's life, and journeys to Sitia to develop her magic. Once there, she is reunited with her family--including a brother who hates her--and discovers a rogue magician who is torturing and killing girls to harvest their souls. Along the way she learns that she is the first Soulfinder in nearly two thousand years, a type of magician who can interact directly with a person's soul, rather than their mind.  Yelena is feared and hated for this ability, because the last Soulfinder was capable of raising an army of the dead.

Finally, the last book follows Yelena's struggles with being a Soulfinder, the story of the boy-king Cahil, and a Fire Warper of incredible power, who is intent on leaving the plane on which he is trapped.  Yelena, because of her abilities as a Soulfinder, is the only one capable of journeying onto that plane and keeping the Fire Warper imprisoned.


Of course, a lot of other things occur, and to be honest I could probably rhapsodize about this series endlessly, but I'll leave you with a few reasons why I enjoy Snyder's work so much:

1. World Building.
     Without a doubt, this woman has created some truly spectacular worlds.  The countries differ not only in governing styles, but in their very culture.  MVS's strength lies in making the reader believe that her world exists absolutely, we have only to find it.

2. Characters.
     This may be extremely girlish, but I loved the romantic side of her books.  Particularly the fact that while the romance was present, it was not the main focus.  Shifts in characters were so subtle, you hardly noticed it.  Really though, her characters are well thought out, and clearly defined.  Each piece of dialogue was styled precisely for the character who was speaking, giving them a true voice.  Ari and Janco were masterfully portrayed; I could not stop laughing.

3. Politics.
     I have always been a fan of politics.  West Wing, a show that centers around the White House of a Democratic President, has always been one of my absolute favorites.  MVS did an absolutely brilliant job of crafting both internal, and foreign policy for her nations, and I thoroughly enjoyed each interaction.

I apologize for the spoilers, though I hope they intrigue you enough that you might pick up the series and read it for yourself.  If you like fantasy even the least bit, you will adore these books.



Lisa

Let's Begin.

In this inaugural post, I suppose I must introduce myself.  

Lisa.

I cannot say that every character by this name fits a stereotype, but I assure you, the majority do.  More often than not, Lisa is the extremely pretty and just intelligent enough to be truly cruel villain of most girl-centered movies.  Of course, I refer primarily to dramas and romantic comedies.  

While I don't possess the first trait, I will lay claim to the second.  I'm not brilliant, despite many adolescent years spent trying to be.  My wit works either in writing--it's always easier to be witty when one has the luxury of time--or if my internal filter short circuits.  I try to stay away from anyone I would like to remain friends with when this happens, as I tend to become flippant, arrogant, and spiteful. 

Despite these fits of malevolence, I am not a bad person.  At least, no one has told me so if I am.  

One thing I need to take the time to make abundantly clear is that I am a geek.  It's best you know this up front, so when the odd Battlestar Galactica reference appears, you will not fall out of your chair in shock.  As much as I’d like to list every movie, television show, and video game I will reference, you would literally weep with boredom.  Just know that you have been warned.

I’m positive there is other essential information I should impart, but I’m at a loss.  It’s like when someone asks you to tell them about yourself.  Your mind immediately blanks, leaving only the contents of a snapshot biography that would fail even Wikipedia’s less than stringent submission policies.  I suppose all I can hope is that eventually, I remember.

I bid you welcome with a shrug and depreciative grin, and hope you enjoy my random rambles.

Lisa