A few things of note:

-This week, Brandon Sanderson's "The Hero of Ages" hits bookstands. This is the third and last book in the "Mistborn" series (the first was "Mistborn: The Final Empire", and the second book was "The Well of Ascension"). Also, I just finished his phenomenal debut book, "Elantris", in a day! A definite must-read for fantasy fans!

-Which brings me to this nugget. On Oct. 21st at the Barnes & Noble on Charleston and Ft. Apache (right across from Boca Park), Brandon Sanderson, along with fellow scribe David Farland (of the "Runelords" series), will be on-hand for book signings. If you're a fan of the "Mistborn" trilogy, "Elantris" or if you're eagerly awaiting the final book in the "Wheel of Time" series, you should definitely show up!

Why the "Wheel of Time" series? Because Sanderson was hand-picked by Robert Jordan's wife and son as the author worthy of finishing "A Memory of Light", the twelfth and final installment in the series that was left unfinished because of Jordan's passing in 2007. You may currently see his progress on the book, as well as many other resources for his other works, at brandonsanderson.com.

-Another author in Vegas: Those who are fans of Neil Gaiman or Chuck Klosterman will be able to catch both of them at the Vegas Valley Book Festival from Nov. 6th-8th. More details available online. Klosterman, along with several other writers, will be around to answer questions. Gaiman himself will give the opening keynote speech at the Clark County Library off Flamingo Rd. Seating for the keynote speech starts at 6pm, with the speech commencing at 7pm. Seating will be limited.

Right...so, for those who know, I was given the axe on Monday. Supposedly, since then, two more people have been "voted off the island", as it were.

So, I'm in the market again. A free agent. Well, a free agent with a killer interview on Tuesday. So I'm making sure that my portfolio looks spiffy. I've never been known to fail or blow an interview yet and, this time, I have two letters of recommendation from two different bosses to back me.

More on that as it develops, of course. Wish me luck, anyhow. :)

Anyhow, I've found myself with more time than I know what to do with. All of you who know me are familiar with my workaholic tendencies, so free time is normally a luxury for me. Having tons of time and nothing to do with it, however, feels a bit odd.

What's a guy to do?

How about pick up his bass again?

Yep, you heard right. Sam picked up his bass and started practicing again. Between chapters of "Elantris" and getting this portfolio together, of course.

So, yeah, drop me a line. Say hi. Tell me to break a leg. Something. *Shrug*

About a week ago, I posted a blog about the games I was keeping an eye on. "Heavy Rain" has been one I've been particularly interested in, seeing as I've seen the demo footage almost two years ago. That, and it's being done by David Cage, the man behind "Indigo Prophecy".

Two days ago, Cage himself showed gameplay footage of "Heavy Rain" for the first time. THIS is the game that I always hoped I would see on the PS3: One that uses the power of the system to its full capacity. Now, more than ever, this game is truly my only reason to own a PS3 (aside from Metal Gear: Solid 4).

Mind you, this was taken through a camera lens, so what you see on the video will be a little grainy. But I think you'll get the point of the ability that Quantic Dream brings to their games. "Indigo Prophecy" started it, and this one continues their dedication to quality gaming.

All of the following footage is 100% gameplay footage.

OK, so there's this contest that Brandon Sanderson's holding on his website. Those who enter can get a free Mistborn (really nice) poster, either signed or unsigned.

Here's the contest details.

Now, granted, I could just cheat and tell Mr. Sanderson that I've gotten someone to read, but let's face it:

1. I wouldn't be a very good bookseller if I just up and lied about it, and
2. I'm so fanatic about the book series that I actually DO want people to read it.

That said, I have an e-book version of the first book (distributed freely by Tor Books for a limited time), and I'll give it to anyone who contacts me. You may either do so here on MySpace or via rahvinn@gmail.com. There are also two copies of the first book floating around out there (one signed and personalized by Brandon himself, who I had the pleasure of meeting on one of his routine stops to my B&N, and the other a bought-and-paid unsigned copy). I'll pass these to anyone who asks provided I actually get either one back.

Anyhow, help me out here. I'm a huge fan of the book, and I would REALLY like one of these posters, as well as someone to share my love for this fantastic series! XD

I'll have this up on other blogs as well. You can read this also on my MySpace blog, myspace.com/handofarcana, as well as on my DA account, rahvinn.deviantart.com, k?

^i^ B

P.S.--For those wondering why "The Wheel of Time" and Robert Jordan are being used as tags, it's because Sanderson's the one finishing the last "Wheel" book in light of Jordan's passing back in October. :)

This is basically my "virtual wishlist" of upcoming games. First, the games I'm psyched-up for:

Mirror's Edge (360, PS3, PC)


(First-person action-adventure. I like the idea. A return-to-for for EA, perhaps?)

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (DS)


(It's Castlevania. 'nuff said.)

Chrono Trigger (DS)


(Notes of interest: This release of the game marks its return to a Nintendo console for the first time in 13 years. Its only other re-release was in 2001, packaged with Final Fantasy IV as "Final Fantasy Chronicles" for the PS1. And yes, the cutscenes that they added to the PS1 version will be included in the DS version.)

Infinite Undiscovery (360)


(...did he say "Innuendo Dive"? Ah, screw it. It's a game by tri-ACE, the guys behind the Star Ocean series. I'll allow it!)

Tales of Vesperia (360)


(A Tales game? And with animation done by Production I.G, of Ghost in the Shell and Fire Emblem fame? Sign me up!)

The as-yet-unnamed sequel to Beyond Good & Evil (360, PS3, PC)


(For those who know, there isn't anything that needs to be said about this video. For those who don't, your gaming experience is incomplete. The original was the greatest game never played.)

Second, games I'm keeping an eye on for now:

The Conduit (Wii)


(This is a Wii game?!? It has potential. I'll keep my eye on it.)

Heavy Rain (PS3)


(This was just a tech demo from E3 2006 that was done by Quantic Dream, the guys behind Indigo Prophecy. This wasn't originally intended to be a game but, after much pressure from gamers, the press, etc. Quantic decided to build a game around it. Currently, my only reason to own a PS3.)

Prototype (360, PS3, PC)


(GTA + Venom + Agent Smith + Parkour-style movement = holy shit!)

That's all for now. If I forgot something, let me know. :)

^i^ B.

...I think I physically exhausted myself into being sick.

I feel like I'm going to puke. And today, I just couldn't look at the screen for very long without feeling off-kilter a bit.

I did crash at Katie's the night before. Her son was coming down with a cold, and she was complaining about feeling disoriented herself. I hope I didn't catch something from either of them.

Meh...if I did, it would probably be from the little one. I was nibbling on his cheeks (OMG hiz cheekz r teh chubbeez), so that would probably be the source if I'm sick.

In other news...Sam has been called for the dreaded JURY DUTY!!! Oh noes...

More on that later. For now...I'm going to chill.

...so, I don't exactly know what happened.

My sis' video was supposed to air last night on "America's Got Talent". At least, that's what she was saying.

But...nothing.

I'm kinda bummed. It would've been great exposure for her if the video had aired.

I hope everything's OK...I really hope they didn't screw her out of anything.

^i^ B

...I'm starting to put up emotional and mental walls, and I know it.

Something must be up.

^i^ B

A sus ojos,
¿Qué soy?

Usted ve el terror.
Usted ve el miedo.
Usted ve cortadores y Yihad.

Usted no ve los fuegos de Agni.
Usted no ve los truenos de Indra.
Usted no ve el arte, ni palabras.

Lo que soy a usted es la cólera y el Alá,
No ve tranquilidad y Brahma
Detrás de piel marrón de corteza
Y ojos de cúrcuma.

Yo,
Enigma inimitable
Que usted deje de descifrar.

***

Thank goodness for translation programs online, because my Spanish was rusty on certain words. XD