The Weather

Another one is mother nature. When she wants us gone there isn't a whole lot we can do about it. Plus if we keep it up with killing things like the bees, we only hasten her wrath upon us.

It could be anything from volcanoes to earthquakes to tidal waves. No matter where you are in the world there is a way for mother nature to get you. Do you think there will ever come a time mother nature strikes back in force?

Nuked

And of course there is one of the worst ways to go, nukes. It is a toss up between this and a plague which would be the worst way to go. I suppose at least a plague you could hide from, a nuke, not so much.

With tensions high most of the time around the world all it takes is one slip up and the rest of the planet pays the price. Humans are great at building things that destroy everything it seems. Do you have any fears over a nuclear war?

Terminated

People like their technology, so many tend to ignore the notion that the machines could take over. Yet I bet it is in the back of everyone's mind. The smarter the machine the more likely it is to become aware in some form and decide humans are flawed.

It doesn't have to be a Terminator or Sentinel type deal. All it would take is a machine that turned off all the lights, water, etc. and much of the world would be thrown into turmoil. Do you fear the machines? 

The Green Guys

I suppose they can be grey as well. But here is a big one that goes way back to ancient times too. One can see through hieroglyphs that alien like creatures were thought about even way back then. It is the bases of many science fiction works.

But in almost every case they come here to destroy. What other purpose would they really come for though? We can't make peace with ourselves. So I doubt they would bother otherwise. Do you think other life exists and do you think they will or have been here before?

The Plague

This week I thought it would be fun to look at the fears of the end humans have, as through my novels I have to guess what the future could hold. Fear of the end has been around since the dawn of time and will be around forever, until when/if we actually go.

But one that is predictable and very real is a plague. It has been used in many a media, from video games to movies. Zombies are big now, a plague that is entirely possible, but not probable. More than likely it will be something along the lines of the black plague or some strain of ebola. Nothing like the over hyped swine flu, if it comes it will be something that puts the death rate through the roof. Do you think we will ever live through such an ordeal?

Kamerlengo Castle

 

Kamerlengo Castle was built in the mid 15th century and  was a hopping spot for many years. It was the location of many performances during the summer months. It was first nothing but a tower and then it was expanded into a castle. Kind of looks like nothing more than a big jail.

Riegersburg Castle

 

Riegersburg Castle is another medieval castle, except this one was built on a dormant volcano. The peak is 482 meters above sea level. The basalt of the hill it sits on was used to built it as well. It was finished sometime in the mid 16th century and has 2 miles of walls, 5 gates and 108 rooms. A town by itself.

Golling Castle

 

Golling Castle has been around since the bronze age. It was use to defend against heavy fighting some 200 years or so ago and the town it sits in is known for its copper mines. Joseph Mohr, who wrote the words to Silent Night lived nearby. Looks more like a huge house to me.

Hochosterwitz

 

Hochosterwitz castle is considered to be one of the most impressive medieval castles left standing. It is located in Austria and mentioned as far back as 860. No major changes have been made to it since the 16th century. Some parts are open to tourists from Easter to the end of October every year. Be quite the trip! 

Another Batch

Another batch of great quotes from Alexandre Dumas's works and some from himself.

"It's necessary to have wished for death in order to know how good it is to live."

"How did I escape? With difficulty. How did I plan this moment? With pleasure."

"For all evils there are two remedies - time and silence."

"I have always had more dread of a pen, a bottle of ink, and a sheet of paper than of a sword or pistol."

"One's work may be finished someday, but one's education never/"

"Happiness is like those palaces in fairy tales whose gates are guarded by dragons: We must fight in order to conquer it."

"Sometimes one has suffered enough to have the right to never say: I am too happy."

Holograms

Holograms are obviously something that will come to light in the near future. Like the DVD was to VHS, holograms will be to 3D, basically blowing it away.

But they won't just be used for entertainment purposes. They would be a great teaching tool. All a student would have to do is open a book and out would pop a hologram explaining everything. They could be great for long distance communication as well.

Force Fields

Force fields are also quickly becoming a reality. Right now they are being created to protect astronauts from radiation and the other harmful effects of space.

But once mastered they could be used for all sorts of things and really be a benefit. From stopping tornadoes to containing wild fires to even stopping a bullet. 

3D Printing

3D Printing could allow for many wondrous things. Right now it costs a lot to even buy the printer. But the more advanced it gets, and the cheaper it is to make lie everything eventually comes to, it could truly revolutionize many things.

Right now it can print up everything from ceramics to chocolates. But it could one day even print things lie food items and organs. I am not sure how safe that would be, yet the possibilities are endless.

Invisibility

It's been used in science fiction sense the beginning of science fiction. The holy grail of sorts in science fiction of what many would like to see, or rather not see, come about.

And it is becoming that much more closer to actual science and not fiction. The military and such want it for obvious reasons, not sure on the public use, as military or public it would obviously be abused.

Asteriod Mining

When researching future possible advancements for my novel, which can be seen above or on amazon with over 300 reviews to them all, I found lots of interesting developments that could come to light.

Asteroid mining is one, as the human race depletes all resources we will one day have to look elsewhere, that is where asteroid mining could come in. We could gather such things iron, nickel or even titanium for construction.

Also asteroids could become a stopping point on long space journeys, allowing the crew to stop and replenish supplies.

Free Through Sunday!

My book The Sultan of Monte Cristo is free this weekend, it has 100 five star reviews. Enjoy!

AMAZON

Genre: Action and Adventure Description:

"For so many years, passionate fans of The Count of Monte Cristo have suffered a loss upon finishing Alexandre Dumas' last words. It is a grieving of sorts that has long been unmitigable... until now. The mysterious Holy Ghost Writer has penned "The Sultan of Monte Cristo" as a direct continuance of the story readers have long struggled against leaving behind. The adventure-laden journeys of Edmond Dantes continues in his newly-honed role as investigative reporter who publishes his book as part of the story. New life is breathed into those characters we all knew and loved (or loved to hate) in the original Count of Monte Cristo tale (what can now, finally, be referred to as Book 1). Haydee, the infamous Villeforts, and even Countess G are lifted from the stalemate of our beloved story and given new life, and readers will also be introduced to a host of colorful new characters (like the memorable Raymee) whose lives, loves, and circumstance flow comprehensively and effortlessly through the entire narrative.

Dumas on TV

There have been many, not known, TV programs of Alexandre Dumas's work as well. With the recent news that a new Three Musketeers show is in the works, I thought I'd look back on some.

The Man in The Iron Mask had a short lived run in 1968, with a total of 9 episodes. All of which are believed to be lost.

The Three Musketeers ran from 1966-1967 for a total of 26 episodes. It's last 16 were retitled The Further Adventures of The Three Musketeers.

Mr. Magoo even took a trip to The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers.

The Count of Monte Cristo ran for 39 episodes in 1956.

And there have even been a few animated forms of The Three Musketeers.

Even Wishbone did a take on the Count of Monte Cristo, proving the reach of the novel that much more.

The Three Musketeers

Another of Alexandre Dumas's works, The Three Musketeers, has been many incarnations in Hollywood, proving the remake was here long before stuff like Total Recall, which would be nice not to recall.

Chateau de Monte Cristo

Alexandre Dumas dreamed of of his own castle and when told it would cost several hundred thousand francs to create, he is supposed to have said, "I certainly hope so."

And so he got his own castle and name it after his most, arguably, famous book. He considered it his paradise on Earth.

It can even be toured today outside Paris, as it has been restored and kept in wonderful shape.

Another case of art coming to life or at least affording one the ability to make it so.

Some Great Quotes

Obviously I enjoy Alexandre Dumas's work, here are just some of the quotes that stick out from his works.

"Never fear quarrels, but seek hazardous adventures."

"Woman is sacred; the woman one loves is holy."

"I am not proud, but I am happy; and happiness blinds, I think, more than pride."

"All human wisdom is contained in these two words--"Wait and Hope.”"

"The difference between treason and patriotism is only a matter of dates."

Somoskő Castle

This one sure looks like it hasn't aged well, might leak.

Somoskő Castle

Actually it is send to be the better preserved of two castles in the region. I'd hate to see the second one. It was created in the 19th century and looks worse than ones created in the 13th century. But a siege did desert the nearby town for 10 years. So the janitors even had to run away.

Chateau de Vincennes

This one sure towers above many.

Chateau de Vincennes

Its origins came from a hunting lodge and it was made around 1150. In the 13th century it turned into something more substantial. Then it was enlarged again in the late 14th century. The precursor to Hollywood?

Now it is the main base of the France's Defence Historical Service.

St. Nicholas Fortress

This one is very unique. Although you might be kind of stuck there.

St. Nicholas Fortress

Šibenik has four fortesses, but this one is the only one on the water. It got its name from the Monastery of Saint Nicolas, which due to its construction had to be torn down. No wonder Santa moved to the North Pole. It was armed with 32 cannons, but its appearance was usually enough to scare enemies away.