Hiker at Whistler

An unnaturally pointy rock reigns over the falling forests below. That peak is too many miles away, yet it mocks me for not being there. This view I'd say is satisfying, but for now I can't fully say. My parched throat, burning legs and freezer-burnt skin distracts me from such luxuries as satisfaction. Satisfaction is not a word that I utter lightly, so don't get me wrong when I say that. Really, I have never felt more whole and at peace than at his very moment. The wind has ceased for me for this instant, so that I might enjoy this peaceful moment to the fullest extent. There is no sound for me up here, except that which my own body makes. When true silence is attained, one must not let their mind wander to the constant ringing that occurs within all ears. It can be deafening to the point of causing a person to yelp in the hopes of relieving themselves of the deafening sound of silence.
The sweat on my face which moments ago was flowing incessantly, now slows as it freezes against my skin. When I open my lips to breathe, the homeostasis of my mouth is interrupted by the arctic air that surrounds me unobtrusively, and the unique taste of frozen air can be felt. I dare not sniff to take in the smells, for the fear of sharp frozen nostril pain, but if I breathe gently through my nose, a hint of ozone can be noted. In mere moments, my metabolic rate will slow and the cold will remind me that I do not belong here. I could sit here for hours but the ensuing violent shivering would more than motivate me to leave. So I will take a photograph and continue moving from this place. Perhaps I will find more and better viewpoints than this, and take pictures of them as well. When night falls, I will have planned to have returned to my car, and begin the winding drive back down to home. I will look over the pictures I took of that place and wish I was back there and enjoying it better, because in all its glorious beauty, it didn't quite satisfy. That is why I will go again tomorrow.

Two Fears Collide: Black Widow vs. Brown Recluse

In a tiny brown shed in the corner of a graveyard, a Black Widow had weaved her home. A dank and musty refuge from the blazing, blinding sun, this place is the battleground for the creatures of the dark. Today, a Brown Recluse crept in from the heat, and knew at once that this wooden cove was a dangerous oasis. A bland wasp nest lay dormant, nestled high against the ceiling, an artifact of last week's war which shook this very shed. The odours of their carcasses still emanated about, the corpses lay sporadically upon the workbench and floor. It was then that the Recluse caught the scent, the Queen of the Darkest Corner reigned from her tangled, sticky palace above. He knew she sensed him too, and that it was now or never to claim the throne of this coveted shadow kingdom. She was a stone in her web, scarcely moving but to breathe. The Recluse knew his presence was felt, but he crept up behind her anyway. He forced back his urge to gag at the stench of the urine-soaked threads upon which the fat Widow was perched. As he closed in on the last few millimetres, the Widow made her move. She turned with terrifying speed and confidence, but the recluse was ready as well. She planted her deadly kiss just above his right fang, and he planted his on her left. They tasted the bitter gall of foreign venoms and held still that way for time unending. The menacing hiss of deadly toxins being pumped from flesh to flesh rang deep into their souls. The stunned Recluse would succumb first to the venom and tumble six feet to cold stone floor below. He knew his time for death was soon, and that his short future would be defined by his pain. Despite this, he smiled, because even though he'd soon die, she was already dead, and wouldn't know it 'till tomorrow.

An Informational Blog on Fighter Jets

Fighter jets emerged in the late and post WWII era as a faster way to get from A to B, destroy C and get back to A alive. During that war, however, a rare fighter jet and a common propeller fighter would be incompatible for combat do to the speed difference. Primitive bombing aiming systems made it nearly impossible for jet fighters' use as bombers at that time as well.

During the Cold War, fighters would come to shine as yet another power joust between the USA and USSR. Every new US fighter would be matched (or attempted to be matched) by the USSR and vice versa. Bigger faster jets were being invented and produced one after another, with little thought to practicality. For instance, a new American fighter jet such as the F-15 Eagle would be hurried to be matched by the USSR's MiG-31 Foxhound, but the Foxhound would be all speed and no maneuverability, with a fuel tank drainable after a very short time. During the Vietnam War and similar conflicts during the Cold War, new MiGs would fall into the hands of the North Vietnamese Air Force and see combat with American planes, but under another flag. The Americans would add some F-4 Phantoms to their F-5 Tigers in order to compete with the Soviet MiG-17 Fresco and MiG-21 Fishbed.

In the seventies and eighties, the fighter scene was all about reconnaissance and interception. How quickly can we go in and take pictures and leave without being seen? And the countering motive: How can we intercept these spy planes and arrest the pilot for questioning?

Some planes for this era include the now-retired carrier based F-14 Tomcat and its still-used, versatile cousin the F-18 Hornet (Canada uses only these). For the USSR, the MiG-29 Fulcrum would hope to compete with both of these planes as well as the F-15 series. Representing this era is the American F-16 Fighting Falcon, which is very suited to escorting and dogfighting if necessary. These planes would live to be the stars of the Gulf War, leaving little work for the ground forces to complain about. (All the collateral damage is already done, boys).

When the fun and games of aerial espionage and counter-aerial espionage are over for the day, however, the darker question still remains: How can we stop the nuclear missiles before they get to our cities?

In response to this, such planes as the F-15 Eagle and MiG-31 Foxhound were produced, as well as numerous Russian designs that hardly came to fruition before the USSR collapse: the SU-27 Flanker, SU-33 Flanker-D, SU-37 Super Flanker, and the pivotal forward-swept winged SU-47 Berkut. These planes were designed in the hopes of catching up to a missile and shooting it down before it reaches the target or leaves the atmosphere. Unfortunately, all advancements would come just short of this capability, making such a feat of aviation a near-impossibility.

Presently, the USSR has generally withdrawn from the fighter universe, and European countries have filled the gap (i.e. The Eurofighter Typhoon). Overall, however, the USA commands the skies with their old F-15, F-16, F-18, as well as the coveted F-117 Stealth Fighter and the shiny computerized F-22 Raptor. The world awaits the F-22's little brother, the F-35 Lightning, but despite these advances of the single-man fighter jet, the military aviation world eagerly awaits advances in unmanned drone technology.

The twentieth century was the era of men fighting in the sky. This new century will see flying, fighting robots and (has already seen) alternate methods of warfare, in which the enemy is too poor to afford a fighter jet and feels perfectly content and capable to get their way from their mountain cave with a warm, environmentally-friendly AK-47 under their arm and the promise of divine reward.

The Top 3 Unsung Fictional Heroes

The fictional world is full of heroes that go through many hardships and overcome great odds in order to save the world, galaxy or universe. Many of these heroes, like Superman, Spiderman, and Luke Skywalker get all credit due to them for their tremendous feats and deeds. Acknowledging this, there are many heroes who serve their nation, planet or galaxy as galantly as the rest of them, but for a variety of reasons do not receive the necessary amount of gratitude for this. These reasons could include the author's failure to capitalize on their appreciation or simply the author wanted it to be a part of the character's story. The following is my top three list of these unfortunate heroes who are forced to walk with their heads hung low around those that they fought so hard to protect.

Number Three: Dr. Gregory House of House M.D.

Doctor Gregory House's exceptional career is defined by the tremendous risks he takes and seemingly baseless hunches that he clings to, in order to save the lives of numerous patients that other doctors don't know how to help. His risk-taking, arrogance and general cruelty to everyone he interacts with make it impossible for anyone to give him outright praise for his successes, although the gratitude is usually implied. Throughout his career he fights drug addiction, inquiring detectives and personal conflicts with his own staff and still manages to save the next patient entrusted to his care. His nature is developed constantly with each episode and with each medical case, the viewer sees the relationships between House and those he interacts with twist, tighten and occasionally snap throughout the series. His situation is not so dire as some unsung heroes, because he is the architect of his own problems.

Number Two: Obi-Wan Kenobi of Star Wars

Some might say that Obi-Wan received all the glory he was due during his actions in the Clone Wars as a general, and this may be true. Kenobi was acknowledged by his subordinate clone officers and fellow Jedi as an indispensable component in the war along with his equally performing apprentice, Anakin. Anakin's successes reflected upon Obi-Wan (being Anakin's teacher) giving him even more glory in the form of credit for each of Anakin's deeds. Obi-Wan trained him after all. His lack of recognition comes from outside the Clone Wars, namely surrounding his Sith-killing career. Obi-Wan's success in defeating Darth Maul on Naboo was not returned with praise, as it was implied that Kenobi allowed his anger over his master's death to influence his fighting. This suggests embracing dark side tactics to complete a Jedi agenda which was frowned upon by the Jedi order. His later confrontations with Dooku ended up with Obi-Wan losing each battle, due to his refusal to use the dark side to fight any more. His apprentice did use the dark side however, and in the end it is Obi-Wan who must swallow his own sadness and fight his own friend. Obi-Wan is able to defeat the most powerful Jedi/Sith in the entire hexology without the dark side, suggesting that he himself would be the most powerful. This possibility was at the back of everyone's mind by this time, however, as the Jedi order was in ruins at Anakin's hand. Some might have also blamed Kenobi for this tragedy indirectly, as it was Obi-Wan's own pride that led to his failure to train his apprentice, bringing about the downfall of the galaxy. It is this misdeed that Obi-Wan would live to redeem with Anakin's son, twenty years later.
For a YouTube video to help express this, visit
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jkRsa53CT5M&feature=related

Number One: Samuel Leo Fisher of Splinter Cell (not including the novel series)

A hardened soul with a dark sense of humour, Sam Fisher is a soldier to the core. He does not include the truth that he is in his fifties as a factor in his advanced espionage/superspy career. His wife, Regan Burns, died of ovarian cancer after their divorce, leaving their daughter, Sarah to Sam's care. During his career as a Navy SEAL, Fisher participated in multiple pivotal missions while being well above the recommended age for the work. He saved the life of his commanding officer, Douglas Shetland at this time. In his late forties, he signed up for a job as a Splinter Cell, using stealth and signal intelligence to deal with threats to American national security for the NSA's top secret Third Echelon under Colonel Irving Lambert. During this time he saved the nation of Azerbaijan and effectively the Western world from systematic murder under electronic disguise by President Nikoladze of the nation of Georgia (2004). In 2007, he saved the USA from control of an Indonesian guerrilla group under threat of smallpox virus release. In 2008, he saved the USA and Japan from destruction by a rogue Japanese general. During this investigation, Fisher was forced to take the life of his friend and former commander, Douglas Shetland, whose life he once saved in their Navy SEAL days. As he does not officially exist, no public recognition was given to him. The only praise he received was from Third Echelon, who neglects to encourage him too much in fear of making him arrogant. Shortly after this, his daughter Sarah Fisher was killed by a drunk driver. This effectively destroyed Fisher who now, having nothing to live for, signed up for a dangerous double agent operation in which he helped a criminal escape from prison, infiltrated the ranks of the terrorist organization, John Brown's Army, fell in love with a member of the organization named Enrica Villablanca, saved a cruise ship with 2000 people on board from destruction, was forced to kill his own friend, mentor and boss, Irving Lambert (who tried to infiltrate himself and failed), personally kill every member of the JBA under orders of Third Echelon's new director, and save the cities of Los Angeles, Mexico City and New York City from nuclear destruction. His refusal to kill Enrica, the last remaining member was responded with her assassination by another Splinter Cell, whom Fisher killed in anger. Currently, he is a fugitive living as a homeless person, trying to clear his name so that he might be able to hold his head high in the nation he constantly saves.
For insight into Sam Fisher's life see http://youtube.com/watch?v=ll-gc12ePeE&feature=related
For a game trailer that gives a window into Fisher's beliefs, visit
http://youtube.com/watch?v=357dpYgUPG8

Poetry --> Music and Beyond

For a generation starving for stimulation, the poetry of times past tends to fall short of the entry point for modern pop culture. Music and film have dominated the end the 20th century and into the new millenium.
A song that really catches the grudged nature of war and the way it strangles the common man is "Fortunate Son" by Creedance Clearwater Revival. Being released during the times to which it applied by a group of young men liable for drafting into the Vietnam War, the song already has the credentials to be believable. It contrasts different examples of classes ("senator's/millionaire's/military son") in American society whose sons would be able to escape the draft and thus be able to escape the war. After each example, the lead singer realtes back and states how "it ain't me", making him another forsaken eligible draft canditate.

Another song that speaks from the Cold War through to present day is "Redemption Song", by Bob Marley. Beginning with abstract description of his own life, he moves on to the chorus, which contains concise insightful views on world issues. "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds."
He makes a clear point on the concept of nuclear war, stating that we should "have no fear for atomic energy, 'cause none of them can stop the time." If it happens, it happens. If not life, then time will go on.
Although the song my contain concepts specific to the Rasta movement for which he is considered the prophet, these same concepts can be applied to numerous faiths, including ones not necessarily religious.

The Kite Runner - Shahnameh

In the novel, The Kite Runner, references are made to the Persian epic, the Shahnameh, which Amir would read to Hassan. Hassan's favourite story from the Shahnameh was the tale of the archenemies Rostam and Sohrab. It would be Hassan's influence in naming his son Sohrab. In Farsi, it was an epic (the Epic of Kings), but translated into English, it loses its poetic flow, but still maintains the story.
"Give ear unto the combat of Sohrab against Rostam, though it be a tale replete with tears."
There are several connections to this tale throughout the course of the novel, both subtle and directly suggested. Hassan and Sohrab's birth being defined by their smiles is one such example. "...A babe whose mouth was filled with smiles, wherefore men called him Sohrab."
Additionally, in the novel there is secrecy and uncertainty regarding who has a blood connection to whom. The moment in which Amir realizes that Hassan is his brother (making Sohrab Amir's nephew), relates to the tale, when Rostam realizes Sohrab is his son after dealing him his death blow. Also tied to this part of the tale is the moment in which Amir accidentally causes Sohrab to try to kill himself.
"If thou art indeed my father, then hast thou stained thy sword in the life-blood of thy son."
Although the story ended with the main character, Rostam in grief ("My heart is sick unto death." ), Khaled Hosseini chose to make his parallel tale more optimistic. Because Amir learned of his connection to Sohrab in time, he was able to save his life in the end, and end it all on a lighter note for the modern reader.
"Then Rostam promised to do the desires of Sohrab," as in a quest of redemption like that which Amir had taken in the novel. Assuming that Hosseini wanted Amir's character to reflect Rostam, the courageous warrior, then it would be more fitting given the meaning of the name Rostam, "I am delivered of my pains."
http://www.iranchamber.com/literature/shahnameh/08rostam_sohrab.php

The Kite Runner Journal- Literary Luminary

pg.2 "For you, a thousand times over." -Hassan
At this point in the novel, this line is stated only as a memory in Amir's mind. The precise context from which this quote is taken is not yet revealed, but knowing that Hassan and Amir are good friends, this quote gives a window into the depth and significance of their friendship. The amount of devotion implied by the thought of doing something a thousand times for one person could only be present in a deep and true friendship of a unique and unparalleled quality.

pg. 39 "They were foreign sounds to us then. The generation of Afghan children whose ears would know nothing but the sounds of bombs and gunfire was not yet born." -Amir (narrator)
This quote is stated by Amir as the narrator, in retrospect, referring to the environment of Afghanistan in the early 1980's, into which children were born and raised in a war-torn environment and hard-wired for simple survival. This concept has a modern application, in that there will be another generation of such children, as a result of US military action against the Taliban in post-9/11 Afghanistan, twenty years later. That first generation's children, who would spend their lives rebuilding a broken nation would, themselves, give birth to a generation that would be cursed to face the very same nightmare as their grandparents.

p. 45 "He'd [Hassan] referred to Assef as "Agha" [a term of reverence/respect], and I wondered briefly what it must be like to live with such an ingrained sense of place in one's hierarchy." -Amir(narrator).
This quote captures the essence of Hassan's nature as known to Amir. Hassan would even address his enemy with honour and respect as society demanded. The quote represents the reoccurring concept/fact that inevitably separates the two friends: they are of different classes. Because of this, society expects different interests and loyalties from each, and therefore, expects that they would not be friends. Other than Assef's direct opposition to their friendship, this truth remains as the only other major obstacle throughout the course of their friendship.