Senin, 24 Desember 2012

Geeks of Greek




I’ve just finished read The Demigods Diaries. It’s been such awhile since I’ve post kind of Demigods things in this blog. Yeah, I mentioned many times I am a BIG fan of these Greek mythology. Actually it’s not just Greek mythology but also Rome. You know I’m talking about Percy’s world. Yeah, weeks ago I just finished read The Mark of Athena too. It’s the third books of The Last Olympians series. Well, before finished it, I first thought it was the last books of its series but I got it wrong. I also surprised when I came to the end and found out there will be more. It titled The House of Hades. Well, in some reasons I started feeling relief there DEFINITELY will be a new book. I honestly don’t want it to be end. I will feel bad as I read the last book of Harry Potter series or Twilight Saga. It’s like, you know, feel of send away your best stuff ever. So when I knew that the book wasn’t the end, somehow I let a relief breath. But actually I didn’t expect it. It’s said the fourth book will be released in spring October 2013. Seems like a long wait but will be worth it. Good works took a long time to do. I wish Rick Riordan, the author, would make it again!

Well, I don’t know will it be the last or there will still be more. I expect the second choice because I always curious about this story of Gods ancient mythology. You know, it’s funny to be excited to just a fairytale-like. Maybe some people still believe on it but in logical way it wouldn’t be exist even in the ancient times. Well, if I wrote this in the books, I would get scolded by demigods Lol. What I meant is, if these gods even exist, we will not have a peace time. When you read Percy Jackson a lot you will know that these gods even had sins. They are not like the God we always believe in real life. Everyone wants to believe that ‘the real’ God is the one who always has helping hands. Not some kind of gods which egoist, selfish, and arrogant. They also do what they want to do and order as it for they only needed. What kind of ‘gods’ they are? Hera, the god of family even threw away her own son, Hephaestus just because he is… Um, should I call a god ugly? Well, kind of not-so-nice-looking. Even the greatest and the strongest one did make mistake. Not just a mistake but mistakes with so much ‘s’ on it. They are not that great. They are not that wise. How can some egoistic creatures control the world? What mortals like us would be if they did exist. Anyway, if you read the books you know the truly heroes that DO care about the world are demigods. I mean demigods who choose the right path. Some of demigods are not nice too. When we were child we often hear the story about a demigod named Hercules. FYI, Hercules is Roman form which was born named Hearcles in his Greek form. We all know he was a great hero. A half-blood child of the god of sky Zeus, he had powerful skill to kill monsters and become a hero. In demigods’ present life in the books, the seventh demigods had ever met him once. More FYI, when Hercules died by his own wife, the gods made him an immortal which he became a minor god. It told he became a gate keeper of the ancient land. Well, I don’t remember the particular name of the place but it said if the guys want to pass the Mediterranean they need his permission. The story told us that Hercules was not that good. He fought his friend once because of a woman that later became his wife. He took off its horn, well, I didn’t get what creature it was but it has horns. Out of it he had many other sins. If search on Wikipedia it will tell the similar or even same story. I’m more sure that mortals are unperfect creatures. Back to the talks about gods and the Greek/Rome ancient mythology, I read the books in a entertain way. I like them in a same way either. Sometimes I read articles on Wikipedia or others site that told about this. I read and learn it carefully because I have interested on it. Once I attracted on something I become a geek on it. Like this myth, you know, what kind of adults who still believe this illogical old story. But I still have curiosity on it. How can Rick Riordan write kind of this old story to be extremely exciting books? What is the original story? Why the ‘saint’ gods could become so mean and flaws?

Somehow for us who believe in real God will also believe about the place that belong to Him. About hell and heaven which are exist, the seventh layers of sky, or even about the difference between our (human) time and His time. Somehow it’s typical of fairytale-like facts and fictional story but we do believe it. In that case, seems like people who believed this ancient myth would have the same argument. But I become anxious who is believes in such sinners like these gods. In Percy’s books there are times when we normally pro with them because demigods got their quests from them. We follow to believe that gods are probably right. But as the facts blew up, you’ll be mad at them. If I had to choose between gods and their enemy, I’m not sure what choice I should stand for. I prefer on demigods’ side. Well, I mean Percy and his friends. But if I could complain I don’t understand why these smart demigods let them fooled and used by gods over the time. It’s such a normal question where demigods also hate gods. They hate their own parents for not taking care of them. For left them behind since they born. For ruin their lives by completely ignore them when they know exactly their sons and daughters are about to die by monster attacked all the time. But demigods still took the quest which deal with their lives. Gods always use their strong reason about ‘if you don’t do this or that the world would be destroyed’. And the demigods end up doing it. After they took the quest there will be only two options. The world would be destroyed or THEY would be destroyed. If I was a demigod I would choose the third options; let’s be destroyed together and everything would be okay. That’s why I wasn’t a hero lol. Maybe it is weakness of the good demigods. They are too nice and loyal to care about the world. They also can’t deny the authority of their almighty parents. They know their destiny wouldn’t be nice any further. They always sacrifice themselves though. Even they are destiny to live not longer than twenties. Once again if I was them I would think about it again; Do I have to care so much about the world which I wouldn’t live long in it? At last I will spend much time in underworld. Waiting for the world indeed falls. Just thought about it makes me bored.

Well, if I could complain one more thing that I don’t understand. If gods are REAL immortal, why don’t they fix their own problem instead of using demigods. There are many explanations but they just can’t satisfy me. I think it just excuse from the gods. Yes, the gods most good at, excusing. Now I’m sounded mad, right. Well, to be honest, yes. Gods always use the weak to keep them safety. Even if it will dangerous their own kids’ lives. What kind of parents they are?! No wonder many demigods go against their parents. Ehm, well… I think I took it’s too much seriously. After all that long talks I want to tell about The Demigods Diaries.


Sorry for took so long to tell the main topic. Yup, The Demigods Diaries is an extra book from the all demigods series by Rick Riordan. It contains four stories from different demigods. There is the diary of Luke when he journey with Thalia until they found Annabeth. In the story, Luke also got told from a demigod who can foresee that there’s sacrifice and betrayal in his future. In the end we know what kind of betrayal and sacrifice it was. The second is Percy and Annabeth urgent quest from Hermes when they are celebrating their one month anniversary. Hermes asked them to bring back his valuable stuff which was stolen by a giant. His caduceus with two important snakes, George and Martha, on it. For the reward they trade favor. If He and Annabeth success on bringing back his stuff then he had to prepare a romantic dinner for both of them. In the end their one month anniversary event’ succeed too. Thanks Hermes. The third story is about Leo and his walking table, Buford. Sounds silly. His walking table run away because last time he polished it with Windex. Buford somehow had connection with the thing that could blow up the Bunker 9 with ka-boom. With a help from his friends Jason and Piper they search for it around the woods. Unluckily their search becomes a battle fight with crazy-wild-girls Maenads who unkilled. At last they success found Buford and trap the Maenads at the same time. And the last story is a special one. It’s not like the others because it written by Rick’s son, Haley. It’s a debut story from Haley.

Anyway, before I described the story there’s a little important note from Rick Riordan about his son. A touching written I think. Here it goes.

PERCY JACKSON began as a bedtime story for my son Haley. In the spring of 2002, when Haley was in first grade, he began having trouble at school. We soon found out he had ADHD and dyslexia. This made reading difficult for him, but he did enjoy Greek mythology, which I had taught in middle school for many years. To keep him interested in reading, I began telling Haley myths at home. When I ran out, he asked me to make up a new one. The result was Percy Jackson, the modern ADHD/dyslexic demigod, inspired by my son’s own struggle.
Over the years, Haley and Percy have grown up together. Percy became a hero. Haley did some pretty heroic things too. He learned to overcome his learning disabilities, excelled in school, became a voracious reader, and—much to my astonishment—decided he wanted to write books of his own. He recently completed his first manuscript for a novel, which is longer than anything I’ve ever written! I also have to admit his writing skills are light-years beyond where mine were at age sixteen.
At the time of this writing, Haley and Percy are the same age—sixteen. It’s amazing to me how far both of them have come. When I was planning this book of stories, it occurred to me that Haley might have something to say about Percy’s world. After all, he inspired it. If not for his encouragement, I never would’ve written down The Lightning Thief. I asked Haley if he’d like to contribute a story for Demigod Diaries. He immediately took up the challenge. The result is “Son of Magic,” in which Haley carves out new territory in Percy’s world. His story hinges on an intriguing question: After The Last Olympian, what happened to the demigods who fought in Kronos’s army? You’re about to meet one of those demigods. You’re also going to get some answers about how the Mist works, and why monsters can “smell” heroes. I wish I’d come up with these ideas!
It seems only fitting that Haley and I have come full circle. The boy who inspired me to create Percy Jackson is now writing about Percy’s world himself. It’s my pleasure to introduce “Son of Magic,” the debut story from Haley Riordan.


After reading the story I could say he is as amazing as his father. As the inspiration of Percy Jackson’ books he did a great job making this story. It is about what had happened between The Last Olympians and The Lost Hero. It’s none about Percy. Well, the Son of Magic was a demigod born by minor goddess Hecate. He was once one of Kronos’s army in the last battle. Surprisingly he survived when the others had to die.  But he exiled by the gods because his rebellious.

I don’t tell the whole story. What happen about this demigod. But in this story we could understand the story by mortal’s point of view. There’s a Doctor who has a role on the line. He becomes an important player. As we read the story from his point of view it was hard to believe about the gods’ existence. But as he is forced to believe and understand, either us. I don’t know will this story written by Haley would take important part for the next book. I’m still guessing. Anyway, this demigod is against Percy since he was defeated by Percy. So, if he would take a part in the next book I’m curious what kind of role he will play. But the story taught us lessons to think fair. Everybody got reasons why they do such things. We might believe gods are the truth but after knew the explanation of this demigod, he also had reasonable things. Why does he against gods and keeps on against them. Well, actually Percy Jackson world taught us that life is not about which right and wrong. It’s all about our wise to see the condition in which point of view. Nobody’s perfect. Just try to be unperfectly perfect better. Thanks for reading. God bless us <3 p="p">


All the images credits by Google Image



Jumat, 21 Desember 2012

I Really Am


After months for being hiatus I decided to make a post again in the end of the year. December again. Though I don’t get exactly hyped about December but there’s still my special birthday on it. To be honest if someone asked what month I love the most I would very proud to say December. Because December is the holiday time. Everybody loves holiday either me. Though I don’t really like getting old in my birthday but still December is good. But since I became a college student and our holiday is not in December I started losing reason why do I have to love this month. By the way still I want to say happy late birthday to me. I wish I can be a better or even the best person of me.

Anyway, I have wanted to post for a long time ago. Especially when it was closer to my birthday. I usually post something to reveal my feelings. But that was different. I got a logic reason to not post about birthday. It is because I don’t want anyone remember about it. You know, there’s a tradition when you are on your birthday your friends will slap you on the face. And the worst is they will ‘ceplok’ you. Things about throw eggs, flour, and etc on you. Even worse they add some gross things such mud, dirty water and the others eewww things. I seriously avoid this thing even though I always get excited when it comes to my friends. I’m the one who make a scheme. Muahahaaha.

But since that day was my birthday I started treat em better. Buy foods for them when they asked me to. It doesn’t matter how nice you are they wouldn’t let you go free. I didn’t even realize they were luring me to the trap. Then someone smashed an egg on my head. It was hurt like crazy. I really wanted to curse them but that moment was confusing even for me. I just couldn’t do anything but made a weird smile. The lessons is don’t ever trust your friends for not pranks you on your birthday. Even they promise not to because you have treated them, I’m telling you it’s not a guarantee. You’ll see soon they will still trap you. That’s why I’m no longer get along with birthday.

Well, soon enough we’ll move to another new year. Who’s getting excited? I always get excited because new year means new wishes. Though sometimes our new year’s wishes are not always happen but still we do wishing. I always want to have a better life. Doesn’t mean I don’t like my life now but everyone wants to be better. I wish next year I could reach what I really wanted. And also I could be what I wanna be. Anyway, I’m working my new draft now. Actually it’s been awhile but I still can’t finish it. You know when you write something you need good and right times to do it. I often get distracted by other activity. So, I become lazy to receive the inspiration. Besides, I rarely read novel these days. It made me run out the words to type. I usually getting distract by the words I want to type. I often doubt is it the right sentence or not. Like that made me successfully give up and doing others stuff than determine to finish it.   
        
Months ago I send my draft to enter a competition. I got in the best 20. When I first knowing the announcement I was hyped. I even bow and pray right away. But perhaps God knows a better plan for me. I didn’t get through the finale. I didn’t exactly regret it. I’m still thankful it can encourage me more to making a good story. At least they appreciate what I did. They sent a piagam and two novels to reward me. From that time I know what I’m doing is right so I will continue with that. To tell the truth I really want to live my dreams just like the others did. Maybe I could be a novelist. Or something good that I and family could proud of. But the important for me is to travel around the world. It’s like obsession for me. Grow more under my skin that I can’t send it away. But somehow I know that I could do that.

Last night I saw Agnes Monica concert on TV. Somehow I envy her for many things. For singing very well. For energy that she has. For dancing great. And the most envious thing is she can live what I dream. She travel many country that I effin want to go. But I understand she become a great person because her works hard. Everyone can success if they try and works hard. I know I’m not hard enough to get what I wanted. And I wish I could start over new next year.

Another dream that hasn’t come true is taking official course of Korean language. I know I should learn it on my own for beginning. But I’m the type that has to be pushed to do something. Even to do something I like. Example when my lecturer gave me an assignment to repair my bad mark. He didn’t mention the limit time to do it. The result is I don’t even do a single page. That’s why I’m the type to push about anything. So back to the topic, if I’m taking a course it could push me to learn more. You know, like you are schedule to go to school everyday. You always end up doing it even you don’t want to. Discussing this with myself, I think I should targeting when will I finish my draft. And when I will send it to the publisher.

Before I’m getting confused about what I write I should get over this. I wish I could keep update this blog next year. Many wishes, eh? I know you are too. Have a bless end year :) 




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