My ongoing review, reading of SJM's epic HoFaS
31/July/2026 After several months of procrastination, SJM prompted me to start reading House of Flame and Shadow which I bought on 30% discount. Is it a great book or a poorly-written one? Seems critics can't agree. I might be the most persnickety reader who also writes reviews. And I think, with SJM, it's all smoke and mirrors. You will read and believe even tho you disagree thus far.
But for myself, I quite like her style. I don't feel overloaded with the world and character building. Maybe it was the innoculation given by the prologue where it is downright confusing, and the suspense of chapter 1's interrogation scenes. I am now reading chapter 3 and have no regrets.
SJM wrote 'f*ck' 3 times on one page. I fully expect 'nipple' 2 times on a later page. At least 'navel'. Literature has progressed from the formal 60s and 70s, and the compliant 80s. By contrast, I wrote 'fukk' 6 times in 200 pages in my own novel, SuperdereK UnderpantS. I had never read a book so unbridled as HoFaS. So this is what kids are consuming these days!
Seems this weekend's KoangDeLambe might be on health issues and their spiritual causes. Unfortunately, I forgot some of the information while relating it. Hope it comes back on Sunday.
I am wearing the Tissot Mom bought me circa 2020, on a modified Zulu band in matching darks and reds. Past 2am and I just took my meds an hour ago, worked out and brushed. Planning to head over to Amcorp tomorrow on a long walk. Get some sun. True enough it is 8c in the ABY, 'The window shopper's dream come true'.
There was a big church argument, and the Liew witches capitalized on those deceived to strike at our flesh and destroy the salvation of young ones. Previously, they staked out lost lambs, tried and all but succeeded in trapping God and Jesus with their own words and took over running His prophecy. This apparent coup (the rebellion) was so popular and so shrouded in righteousness (actually pompous self-righteousness), that nobody saw the mark of 666 coming underhandedly. I don't mean to be a naysayer but the time of troubles is picking up steam. I doubt I can return to my church now.
I am preparing a story for submission tonight. I need to go over it many times as it might be my last sub towards an award, and I want it to go far. Earlier I drew Sunday's KoangDeLambe.com comic strip. Next one will be on Wednesday. Yesterday, I was out to get my niece a birthday present. Walk did me good. Am planning on walking tomorrow as well. Maybe somewhere further away. They got me takout Japanese pizza which was good.
I have been asked to give a sermon to the church as a whole -yes, Christians everywhere. The first of 3 things, is to enjoy your lives. I will elaborate later. Secondly, love your neighbor as yourself, and finally, do not be afraid, yes -even to be afraid of pleasure, or your income, needless to say troubles of health and relationships. Do not be afraid. When you enjoy anything lawful (moral or not immoral), you do not beat yourself over it, but give thanks and enjoy it otherwise Christians would devastate the economy, otherwise dwindle into falseness -think about it. If you do not spread the sunshine, Christians will not trust or prosper. Again, the economy suffers -when those supposed to do, do not. Fear is the ultimate test of God. You who are in Christ have nothing to fear, not even torture or death. Jesus made it easy and by fear mongering, the church brings into our midst torture and death. I guess that's all for now.
Managed to get cleaned well this afternoon so am heading out to Kuala Lumpur circa 3pm. I had previously stocked up my rail card with 50RM so am able to travel a bit. While out, I hope to buy something cute for Mom, who is a little depressed. I am almost out of spare cash which should be replenished in 3 weeks ($100). My wallet and debit card are stocked and I have 1kRM in savings. 500RM in pure gold in case of emergencies.
I didn't go very far this afternoon, just to the printing and photocopy shop were I got Superderek UnderpantS printed out. Had been wanting a hard copy for some time. Now am taking Mom out for a Matcha just nearby. The whole cost of A5 printing and binding was 20RM. Reasonable. Feels good to hold it in my hands and flip thru it.
I submitted my story to the indie publisher. I hope I get a nomination as it would be a nice retirement present from my short career as an author, now winding down. I would also like to do one (last one) for FFM. Maybe the warp drive theory story. Would they like that? After this, 'sau tong' -as they say in Cantonese. Mom is making steamed charchoy cheeyukk -my favorite. I will be doing the cauliflower. All in all a good / hopeful day.
It's raining, leading up to midnight. Took my meds, showered, and brushed. Workout at 12am. Feels good to have so many projects going at once. I was asked about the 'city on the 7 hills' and my response is that there will probably be an earthquake -that is how it might be destroyed. Recent one in Egypt. Last one in Japan. Seems every week there's 1 or 2. I think I need to start a new post soon.
Main Blog Page