Danes and Saints

Last week I had the priveledge of attending Bruel & Kjaer University in Copenhagen, Denmark. It's really just a sort of training class for new employees of the company. The classes covered a broad range of topics, from technical explanations of how accelermeters work to company marketing strategies. We also got to tour some sweet areas of HQ like the clean room where the condenser mics are made. Although I already knew a lot about the technical presentations, I learned a bit about company business and more importantly, I became (even more) pumped up to be working for B&K.

The best part about Denmark is the people! It seems like everyone I met there is good looking, friendly, smart, and funny. And guys, if your preference is blondes, Denmark is your jackpot. Seriously though, I enjoyed time spent with the people there way more than the time I spent sightseeing.

Here is an album of some pictures I took in Copenhagen. You gotta be a facebooker to see em though.

The 10 hour plane ride to and fro provided me with ample opportunity to finish reading a book I have been enjoying immensely as of late. The book is Godric, by Frederick Buechner. I hesitate to tell that the story revolves around a 12th century saint because such a premise sounds dry and dull. Godric is no such book. Although it is based on this historical character, Buechner brings the story to life by filling in the gaps that history leaves out. And really my primary enjoyment with the book came from Buechner's writing style, not the plot (although the story is great too). He is just as much a poet as an author. This book is already in my top 5. Here is a good review of the book. Go buy it!

Garfield, Faulkner, Baseball

I just wanted to make everyone aware of Garfield Minus Garfield.

From the website: "Who would have guessed that when you remove Garfield from the Garfield comic strips, the result is an even better comic about schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and the empty desperation of modern life? Friends, meet Jon Arbuckle. Let’s laugh and learn with him on a journey deep into the tortured mind of an isolated young everyman as he fights a losing battle against loneliness in a quiet American suburb."

Check it out here.

In other news, I'm starting to get some writing done on my thesis. The plan is to have a rough draft by the end of April. I've also been reading The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner. The Dark Sea of Darkness inspired me to be more of a reader. I'll post a short review of the book when I'm done with it.

Also, MLB 2008 is officially underway! This also means that Fantasy Baseball 2008 is underway. My draft was this past Saturday. Here is my team:

C- Joe Mauer
1B- Carlos Pena
2B- Howie Kendrick
3B- Ryan Braun
SS- Michael Young
OF- Nick Markakis
OF- Alex Rios
OF- Matt Kemp
Bench- Jeremy Hermida, Orlando Cabrera, Edwin Encarnacion, Josh Hamilton

SP- Johan Santana
SP- Erik Bedard
SP- Felix Hernandez
SP- Jered Weaver
RP- Matt Capps
RP- Jokim Soria
RP- Brian Wilson

A special thanks to Allyson and Amy for being my draft helpers.

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

"Adventure. Peril. Lost Jewels. And the Fearsome Toothy Cows of Skree."

This book is every bit as stereotypical as it sounds. And I loved every page.

Andrew has completely embraced the typical fantasy/adventure story. There's nothing new or original about the plot here. Bad guys, good guys, adventure, adversity. But if it ain't broke, why fix it?

Here's a quick synopsis of the book:
"Once, in a cottage above the cliffs on the Dark Sea of Darkness, there lived three children and their trusty dog Nugget. Janner Igiby, his brother Tink, their crippled sister Leeli are gifted children as all children are, loved well by a noble mother and ex-pirate grandfather. But they will need all their gifts and all that love to survive the evil pursuit of the venomous Fangs of Dang who have crossed the dark sea to rule the land with malice and pursue the Igibys who hold the secret to the lost legend and jewels of good King Wingfeather of the Shining Isle of Anniera.

Andrew Peterson spins a quirky and riveting tale of the Igibys’ extraordinary journey from Glipwood’s Dragon Day Festival and a secret hidden in the Books and Crannies Bookstore, past the terrifying Black Carriage, clutches of the horned hounds and loathsome toothy cows surrounding AnkleJelly Manor, through the Glipwood Forest and mysterious treehouse of Peet the Sock Man (known for a little softshoe and wearing tattered socks on his hands and arms), to the very edge of the Ice Prairies.

Full of characters rich in heart, smarts, and courage, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness presents a world of wonder and a tale children of all ages will cherish, families can read aloud, and readers’ groups are sure to discuss for its layers of meaning about life’s true treasure and tangle of the beautiful and horrible, temporal and eternal, and good and bad."

This book is two parts Tolkien and one part Douglas Adams. There is definitely a unique world that Andrew has created. But don't take this book near as seriously as you would Lord of the Rings. Not that Andrew leaves that option open to you. After all, the world of Aerwiar (where they live) was named such because the first inhabitant woke up the first morning there and said "Well, here we are!". (here we are --> "Aerwiar")

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is filled with fun little trinkets through out the book. They mostly come in hilarious footnotes, but there are also a few poems within the book. One such poem is written on the treasure map:

"Be you friend or be you foe
Beware to all who follow
For in the catacombs below
Is hidden in the hollow
A way that leads to pain and woe
Sadness, grief, and sorrow
The hungry ghost of Brimney Stupe
Awaits your bones to swallow
So think you long before you go
Exploring here tomorrow."

Although there are a thousand predictable scenarios throughout the book, there was one thing in the last few pages which I have never seen before, except in the bible. Obviously I won't say what it was, but it moved me in a deep, deep way once I realized the analogy.

Overall, this book is just plain fun. Completely entertaining and tough to put down. I recommend it to kids of all ages, especially grown up ones.

Click here to buy your own copy of the book:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400073847

Ok, ok, now I know what everyone is waiting for: trivia questions to win a free copy of the book! Well here they are. The first person to post a comment with the correct answer to one of the questions gets a FREE copy. NOTE: There are 3 questions but only 2 books to give away.

Question 1:
In the Andrew Peterson song "The Silence of God", Andrew refers to "A statue of Jesus on a monastery knoll/ In the hills of Kentucky, all quiet and cold"

What is the name of this monastery?

Question 2:
What was the name of the Driver's Ed. instructor on Saved By The Bell?

Question 3:
Who did I take to homecoming my Junior year of high school? (Hint: she was the homecoming princess)

To see the rest of the lyrics of "The Silence of God", click here. GREAT SONG.

PS- If you live in State College, I'll be more than happy to lend you my copy of the book.

Book Review

As many of you know, I am a huge fan of Andrew Peterson's music. More specifically, I am a huge fan of his song writing. I have known for while that Andrew has been writing a fantasy book. Well, it's finally done! The book releases next Tuesday (March 18).

So why the early notice? Well, it just so happens that I signed up to be part of a Blog Tour. Basically, a bunch of people get an early copy of the book in order to read it and write a review of the book on their blog! Said review will be posted early to middle of next week (probably on Wednesday).

And now for the coolest part: I get to give two free copies of the book away! That's right, two lucky blog readers will get a free copy of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson! So how can you win this book? Well, I'm not sure yet, but it will probably be a trivia challenge of sorts. Check back later for details.

Anyway, I just wanted to give everyone the heads up on this opportunity.

Thanks for reading,

Paul