Greetings from Hoboken

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Combaticus

Member
Jul 17, 2018
11
50
Hey there.

I'm not sure what to put in my introductory post, exactly; but we're all readers here (duh), so I'll just mention some of my favorite books, in no particular order. The list should give you some idea of my literary tastes.
  • McCarthy's Blood Meridian & Border Trilogy
  • The Stand
  • The Shining
  • A Canticle for Leibowitz
  • Dune
  • Just about all of Robert E. Howard's work
  • A Song of Ice and Fire
  • 2001: A Space Odyssey
  • Man in the High Castle and A Scanner Darkly in particular, although I can dance to pretty much anything by PKD

Would You Like To Know More? _

Well, all right. At 48 summers, I'm probably one of older people here. I remember life before the Internet; and believe it or not, it wasn't as dull as you might think. Yes, you had to look up information in actual encyclopedias and card catalogs, for example. But consider: Back then Dungeons & Dragons, video games, Star Wars, and Stephen King novels were still new. And I still marvel at some of the things us kids did for fun, like swimming in quarries and playing in the woods. Also, nudie magazines were still a thing, and finding someone's stash was an experience that I suspect cannot be replicated nowadays. (You can keep your PornHub.) If you'll pardon the cliche (a phrase which is itself a cliche): It was a more innocent time. I remember most of it even now, and it colors my perception of things, for good or ill. It's part of who I am.

Would You Like To Know More? _

Okay, then... I work in IT. I do not discuss politics or religion with anyone, especially not with friends or family. I love reading books, but I do not read newspapers or watch the news except on special occasions, which is rare. It's all useless information, sensationalized nonsense, and tragedy. None of it helps me or makes me a happier person.

I am not on social media. Was on Facebook briefly, years ago. And that was it.

Anyway, that should do it for now. Thanks for the welcome! :^)
 

Combaticus

Member
Jul 17, 2018
11
50
Welcome, Combaticus. I think the '80s were a great time, too. I'm enjoying the nostalgic surge in movies and in music, aren't you? Surely you have seen Stranger Things on Netflix.
Thanks, Doc! And yes, I sure am onboard with the 80's nostalgia. Let's enjoy it while it lasts.

I work with a kid in his 20's who's never watched Tron and who barely knows what the movie is about. That sort of cultural ignorance is inexcusable. So often these days (and the days are getting worse), I repair to my wood-paneled comfort zone without apology and flip the bird at what passes for popular culture now. Then I'll watch Tron or Bachelor Party or Blade Runner again, or 'Card Sharks' on WeTV, and remember the Good Old Days the way I prefer to remember them.

I've heard good things about Canticle. One day I'll buy a copy.
Canticle is a wonderful read. You'll enjoy it, I promise.
 

Combaticus

Member
Jul 17, 2018
11
50

Combaticus

Member
Jul 17, 2018
11
50
Like Spidey, I'm a tad bit older too, I enjoyed the Robert Howard Conan stories when I was a kid, zipped through about a dozen of them at the library in about a week or so back then..
One of the great things about Howard's stories -- whether his tales of Conan, Kull, Solomon Kane, or his horror stories -- is that they're quick reads and so much fun. Almost a guilty pleasure.

enjoy the board!
Thank you! I'm happy to be here.