Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Retro A to Z Challenge: N – Nightwish 2011 (and Ninja Secrets...)

Nightwish – Imaginarium – 2011

This is a symphonic metal band turned prog rock. A cool concept album, it tells a very strange tale and even has an accompanying film. Standout tracks are Storytime and I Want My Tears Back. Nightwish is huge in Europe and their videos are some of the most watched on YouTube.

2011 fun facts –
*The Discovery docked with the International Space Station for the last time on February 26 before retiring
*The first synthetic organ transplant was performed
*The Dallas Mavericks won their first NBA Championship Title
*The Insecure Writer’s Support Group had its first group posting in September

Movies released –
X-Men First Class
Super 8
Thor
Captain America
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows II
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Music released –
Dream Theater – A Dramatic Turn of Events
Stream of Passion – Darker Days
Serenity – Death and Legacy

Games released –
Skyrim
Batman: Arkham City

And why is 2011 special?
It’s the year Samantha May was the lead in the school musical, graduated from high school, started her blog, went to college, and turned eighteen!

Samantha is a beautiful young lady currently living in Tennessee. She’s a psychology major who loves to write, and her blog chronicles her journey through college. Samantha is a breath of fresh air and her smile comes through in every comment. Samantha blogs at Writing Through College.


Ninja Secrets and Surprises

Since I often here there’s not much about ME on this blog, I thought I’d give you some interesting tidbits to chew on. Some just might surprise you…

I resisted a cell phone for years. I finally own an iPhone now. (I still will never text though.)

This might be shocking since I am a science fiction writer, but I don’t enjoy reading Isaac Asimov. I find him very dry and boring.

Another surprise – although I write about space, I have no desire to go there. (I saw Gravity – air is very important to me.)

New followers will be surprised to know I never wanted to be an author and wasn’t even online when I signed the deal for my first book.

However, the rock star dream is still a go! So the fact I play guitar in a Christian band is just awesome.

Yes, I am a born-again Christian. I don’t follow a religion or a church, I follow the Word of God, the Bible. My relationship with my Lord and Savior is my peace.

10:00 is my bedtime. Yeah, sucks to get old…

I’ve lived in or visited almost a dozen foreign countries. (Rhonda, stop laughing – I know that doesn’t impress you!)

People seemed surprised when I posted about reality show Face Off yesterday. Yes, I do watch some! I’ll post about another one tomorrow…

Finally, I’m still humbled and thankful for those who’ve read my books, especially those of you who have no interest in science fiction. So a special thanks to Fundy Blue who posted the most wonderful review of CassaStar yesterday, saying how much she enjoyed the character-driven story. Which is good, because that’s all I know how to write!

Any other questions? There won’t be a test, will there?

Fan of Nightwish? Following Samantha? Did I surprise you with any of that? And what do you remember best about 2011…?

I’m also at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group website today!

140 comments:

Leslie S. Rose said...

What a treat to get to know you better. I'm a recent iPhone convert too. I tried to learn the guitar - my stubby fingers didn't exactly tickle the strings. Rock on. 2011 -definitely a fab year for movies.

ilima said...

So many great movies that year. I LOVE Super 8.

Haha. I WANT to go to space...I think that would be the coolest thing in the world. And Gravity-the-movie actually made me more excited to go. :)

Samantha May said...

-Alex you're the best! Thanks for the shout out!

-How in the world does one own an iPhone and not text?

-Gravity stressed me out. Pretty sure I was hyperventilating along with Sandra.

-What's a bedtime?

-Face Off is a cool show! No shame there!

Elephant's Child said...

The Insecure Writer's Support Group has been running that long? I have no doubt at all that many writers feel more secure because of it - and you.

Anonymous said...

I used to read Asimov in junior high. Think I had to pick from a reading list and most of the others were Jane Austen or Mark Twain or whatever. 2011 was quite a year for blockbusters, wasn't it? X-Men First Class was my introduction to Jennifer Lawrence. She looked so young back then!

I stopped by Samantha's blog and I hope to again once she's back to posting. College sure eats up a lot of "free" time.

Michael Di Gesu said...

HI, Alex,

Getting to you early tonight... lol. Just about to drop off and saw you had posted.

SAMMY is a SWEETHEART. Such a lovely you woman. If I was blessed to have a daughter, I would want a girl just like Sammy!

YAY... I was ONE of the first to sign up for the IWSG and am thrilled to still be a part of it!

NO, you didn't surprise me at all.... I figured. LOL.

Pat Tillett said...

I am very surprised that you go to bed by 10 every night. Based on all the things you do and have going on, I figured you didn't ever sleep...

Anonymous said...

I love my iPhone. I go to bed early as well.

Yes, I follow Samantha. I love her blog presence.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex - interesting mix of trying new things, but resisting some of the new! I've gathered you've lived a few places .. but ten's quite a few - it opens one's eyes to the world in general and I think we all should live in another country.

As to txting .. I do little - but do to my surprise use it occasionally - but then my phone is still practically brand new after 5 years .. so hardly touched.

I'd rather stay here on earth too - and I think I aim for 10.00 - but it's the hour you rise and shine at this typing thing we worry about!

Still and great job with the IWSG and all you and the co-hosts do with this Challenge .. cheers Hilary

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Don't transgress to texting, Alex. It's a lowly world. I hate it. I do it a lot for work, though.

I love supporting young writers, so I'm going to meet Samantha. Thank you.

Cheers,
xoRobyn

Suzanne Furness said...

You have time to sleep? I don't have a iphone, all that technology at my fingertips would probably be wasted on me! I go for something a bit simpler but I do text.

Great little tidbits today.

Empty Nest Insider said...

It's interesting how you've lived in so many places! I know that you are up at the crack of dawn, but I would've never guessed that you went to bed at such a reasonable hour. It must be true when they say, "Early to bed, early to rise..." Samantha sounds like a breath of fresh air. I'll head over there soon.

Julie

Kyra Lennon said...

Hey, there's nothing wrong with early nights! I take them whenever I can! :D

Unknown said...

It's nice to learn a few more interesting fact about you, Alex.

CA Heaven said...

I saw Nightwish live in 2012. It's still a good band, but not what it was with Tarja Turunen's fantastic voice

Cold As Heaven

Unknown said...

I love learning little tidbits about my online buds. :) Makes me feel like I know you for real. hehe

2011 we moved into out house under construction. Best thing we ever did!

Thor ... mmmmmmm.

Off to IWSG to check out your post!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Loved learning more about you. I wouldn't have guessed about the cell phone or texting.

Liza said...

I knew the part about you not wanting to go to space. The cell phone surprised me though.

Frankie Miller said...

I enjoyed reading those facts about you, Alex.
A Christian band is awesome. Have you ever heard of 'The Long Black Train'? I found it on the internet - great! There must be many more out there to find.
Do you record anything? I'm ashamed to say I've not bought any music for some years.
Great blog as usual.

Cathrina Constantine said...

Like you said "It sucks to get old," and 2011 slipped by pretty quick. I don't know how my generation survived without cell phones, now I see young children walking around with them.

Huntress said...

My take of post N:
2011 was epic!!!!
Lovelovelove reading your ninja secrets/surprises. Especially enjoyed seeing your Christian coolness.

My spell check changed "ninja" to "monk". I caught just in time.LOL

mooderino said...

Asimov can be very dry and waffly but he did have some pretty amazing ideas. Nobody's perfect, I guess.

mood
Moody Writing

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Samantha, you are welcome!

Elephant, thanks.

Michael, you were one of the first!

Pat, I like my sleep.

Hilary, living abroad really expands one's horizons. And yes, I do rise early.

Robyn, I shall resist to the end.

Cold, that's cool.

Fanny, I'll check it out, and so far we only do covers, so no recording.

Huntress, thanks, and that's funny.

Christine Rains said...

Thanks for sharing this little tidbits about you. I still don't own a cell phone, and I try my best to be in bed by 10:00 too. 2011 is the year my little guy turned one. Lots of big firsts that year.

Jemi Fraser said...

I enjoyed a few of Asimov's books when I was younger, but haven't read him in years. No desire to reread.

2nd time I've talked about Thor this morning - haven't seen any of the Marvel movies and I was told to start with Thor :)

Kirsten said...

It's fun to learn a few things about you! I'm not a cell phone fan either. I have one, but it's basic--no texting. With my wordy tendencies I think my thumbs would wear out from all that typing! I need a keyboard to write. :)
I'm enjoying your daily posts a lot. They're so filled with interesting info.

Brian Miller said...

i still will never text...famous last words...ha....i have a phone but i have never left the basic phone...and at times wish i did not even have one...another good year for movies....

Bish Denham said...

I had to go listen to Nightwish and was quite blown away. That some good stuff.

I have read quite of bit of Asimov, but I find him kind of dry too, so you're not alone. Of the old guard my favorite is Clifford Simak.

10 is my bedtime too.

Dean K Miller said...

Sometimes life finds us and if we are awake, we find life. Yours is certainly an interesting tale. And the symphonic rock band...we might just have a musical connection after all.

Jo said...

Now that does surprise me, Isaac Asimov is one of my favourite authors. Maybe his stories are dated these days, I haven't read them for a while.

Only movie I saw was Harry Potter.

I would still like to see a photo of you Alex. Why do you hide?

Mason Canyon said...

I'm always surprised by the fun facts you share about each year. As for the 10 p.m. bedtime, I thought that was mandatory for everyone. :)

Al Diaz said...

I dont text either. It is frustating with those tiny keys and my dragon fingers. Must look who is Asimóv. Shame on me. Funny, I have a phone but almost never use it and I often forget it. No wish to go to outer space either. Plenty to see here, why waste time out there? I do envy you. I've never left homeland.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I don't text either. I have enough trouble doing email on my phone. :)

Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
Minion, Capt. Alex's Ninja Minion Army
The 2014 Blogging from A-Z Challenge

Anonymous said...

I've never heard of Nightwish but I wonder if I need to check them out. You and I seem to share the same musical tastes.

I love the little tid bits you did. I'm surprised you don't text. I was a bit late to the smart phone game. I refused to have a phone with internet for the longest time but eventually, I caved. I'm still on an iPhone 4 - yeah, I know. I plan on upgrading this summer when the bigger ones are out. I will say, with texting, I don't use abbreviations. I write everything out. So do my kids. I can't stand that shortened text. It reminds me of the book 1984 haha

Elsie
AJ's wHooligan in the A-Z Challenge

Robyn said...

Man... in 2011 I was knee deep in Nursing school struggling for breath in my own way! (No space for me...terrified of heights and those helmets would make me become very claustrophobic I think!) Thor and Captain America were released then?? I honestly saw them both for the first time only this year after my hubby and son forcing me to watch The Avengers...and now I am a Marvel freak! I too go to bed early: and then get up early! Good to get to know you Alex!
~Robyn - www.HappilySometimesAfter.com

Liz Blocker said...

You know, I find Asimov dry, too! I always thought I had to love his stuff, and felt badly that I didn't. Now I know I'm not the only one!

kjmckendry said...

I never thought I would need an iPhone. I wanted a cell phone to call people, not email and text. But my kids got me hooked on txting and everything else and I love it!

I think Jessica has played some Nightwish for me, they're good.

I love hearing more about you. When do we get to hear you play?

I'd love to go to space, but I'm claustrophobic so not sure I could survive the trip there in a cramped shuttle, unless they could knock me out.

Bob/Sally said...

I was a big fan of Nightwish's early stuff, but I don't feel like they've ever rebounded from the departure of Tarja Turunen. She had such an amazing voice. I would love to see them take a chance on somebody like Sarah Jezebel Deva as the new lead singer.

Jo said...

Forgot to say, I would love to go into space.

Rusty Carl said...

Thanks for the insight into you! 2011 was a pretty good year, I think.

PK HREZO said...

Awesome to learn more about you Alex! 10pm? Ha! I'm asleep by 9. lol
But I get up at 5.
I think a lot of peeps lost the interest to go into space after seeing Gravity.
I do not know Samantha so I'm headed over to meet her right now. Love that she's blogging thru college!
And love that you're faith is so strong. It truly does make life more bearable.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Christine, good for you!

Jemi, start with Thor or Ironman.

Kirsten, I'm trying to keep them interesting.

Bish, they are really talented and not that heavy.

Dean, at last!

Jo, you'll just have to deal with my silhouette.

Elsie, text-speak drives me crazy.

Robyn, welcome to the Marvel universe!

Liz, you're not alone!

Kathy, might record something for you guys soon.

Bob, she was the better singer.

Pk, thank you. And I'm up around five as well.

jaybird said...

YAY X-Men first class. And I had thought we successfully had organ transplants before then, it's amazing how we just take the news and go on, like it isn't a miracle that doctors can actually perform such procedures!

I, for one, love the personal info on the Ninja Captain. The little bits you throw out here and there are very interesting!! Good to get to know you better Alex.

Cherie Reich said...

Samantha is awesome!

And I loved learning a bit more about you, Alex. :)

Robbie Walters said...

Nightwish made my list today of music I love, hate, and love to hate (or hate to love).

Chatter from the Mongoose Den

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Wasn't that amazing when the Discovery docked with the International Space Station? I haven't seen Gravity but am assuming it will freak me out.

I'm sure that Rocking (music not the chair) is still your favorite over writing. You are a rocker star (again not chair).

TBM said...

I lived without a cell phone for a couple of years after I moved to London. It wasn't that hard, except the night I went to the wrong pub to meet my partner who freaked out until I was found reading a book in the pub down the street. Soon after that, I received a cell phone. I never talk on the thing and rarely text. It's more for emergencies.

I moved to London in 2011. It was an exiting year.

Loving seeing the A-Z posts all over the blogosphere.

Shell Flower said...

I can totally relate to the cell phone thing. I still don't own one, never have, but my new job requires me to be on-call a couple weekends a month and take the i-phone home. They've been teaching me how to text. LOL. I still don't want one of my own. My car broke down the other day and I just walked home--luckily it was only 3 miles.

Li said...

Hmmm...maybe if the writing bug remains, your next book should feature a behind-the-scenes story of a Christian rock band.

Crystal Collier said...

Love the facts, Alex. =)

My hubby introduced me to Nightwish a couple years back, and I like them. Great soundtrack music when you're working for a certain mood.

True Heroes from A to Z

farawayeyes said...

I admit to being surprised about the cell phone. For some reason I always thought of you as a gadget freak, kinda guy. I hate my cell phone and everything that goes along with it, but I fon't want to give it up. Come to think of it, that's what I hate the most about it. The dependence.

Nicki Elson said...

I'm totally surprised about the phone and texting!

Samantha is such a cutie, and what a great idea to blog her college experiences...though I think its a good thing the internet was still mythical when I was in that stage of life. The good Lord only knows what kind of posts $3 all-you-can-drink nights would've inspired.

Jennifer Hawes said...

Following Samantha:) I remember what those crazy end of semester college days were like. I am also a born again Christian--a Christ follower! I do own an iPhone (my teen sons made me get one) but I would rather text than call someone. Boys don't like long phone conversations, so I have to text them short, simple sentences;-D I loved the movie Super 8 (minus all the cursing:).

Sherry Ellis said...

Nice to read a little about you! I wish I could have a 10:00 bedtime. I'm usually helping my daughter with homework at that time!

Sarah Foster said...

I always swore I would never get a smartphone but now I can't imagine not having one! I like texting since I hate talking to people on the phone.

I guess the bests parts of 2011 were that I graduated college and started my book. Still working on that one...

Fashion Lover said...

Interesting post!! I didn't know this band.

XOXO!!

Robin said...

I love having a cell phone, but I am resistant changing to a Smartphone or an IPhone. I refused even the texting option on my phone for the LONGEST time. Now I text a LITTLE BIT, but not often. So, yeah, I understand your desire not to have a cell phone. Though... once you made the leap you went for it Big-Time!!!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Jaybird, I'll do it more often.

Robbie, awesome!

Teresa, music will always come first.

TBM, might be a good idea to have one there.

Shell, and hopefully not raining.

Lisa, that I could do!

Faraway, and twenty years ago, next to no one had a phone.

Nicki - humorous ones!

Jennifer, good for you!

River Fairchild said...

Anybody who knows you, Alex, knows you rock! :)
I hear ya on the phone thing. I own one but never bother to turn it on. :/

Charles Gramlich said...

I'm a big fan of some of the earlier nightwish stuff. Haven't listend to their most recent stuff,

Sarah Ahiers said...

I also resisted a cell phone for a long time. But after working in a call center, i now much prefer texting.

And yay Face Off! Are you watching Jim Henson't Creature Workshop?

And i head to bed at 9:30 on work nights, 10ish when i don't have to get up early. I'm a morning person, which means early nights

Maurice Mitchell said...

Samantha sounds cool and I'm not interested in space either. The world is too beautiful not to explore it.

cleemckenzie said...

As I read these blasts from past, I realize the speed everything is going. Such a short time from first flight to docking with a space station. Such a short time from primitive surgery to organ transplant.

Hi to Samantha. She's been busy at school since I first met her.

Mark Means said...

I always will think of Nightwish as "The Band I'm Still Surprised I Like". I never thought it was 'my kind of music'...until I listened to a few of their songs and found out just how much I enjoyed their music.

I feel the exact same way about Asimov!

Nice to find out more about you...keep those little tidbits coming.

Lisa said...

I admire Asimov, but like you, find him too dry to enjoy. I can't believe you put Super 8 on the list, because I saw that film, yes I did see most of the others, but that one was so understated that I didn't even know if it until it popped up on Netflix. I REALLY enjoyed reading about YOU this time! Thanks for indulging us, your fans, and now I'm going to have to, first admit I haven't read your first novel, and second, hop on board and read it. I've got a reading list a mile long, like most of us, but I love character driven novels and you've got me curious.

Julie Flanders said...

Sam is one of my favorite bloggers. She's such a sweetheart.

I hope the rock star dream comes true! :)

Suze said...

I go to sleep at ten, too. Did you know the hours of sleep you get before midnight are crucial to health? So well done, Cap'n. :)

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I wasn't surprised with the tidbits section (I knew most of it already). I'd also never heard of Nightwish, but I love the cover art of their album.

Rachna Chhabria said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rachna Chhabria said...

It was great to get to know you better (I feel I already know you well). You sleep quite early( that's good, I am trying to sleep early). You stayed away from cell phones for ages (I envy you, I am addicted to my cell). I knew that you never planned on being a writer. Now if only we had a clear photograph of our Ninja Captain. I am sure we all would be swooning and sighing with admiration and delight ;) and a few hearts would break.

Rachna Chhabria said...

I hope our Ninja Captain is not blushing at my comment?

Arlee Bird said...

Never heard of Nightwish--haven't been keeping up with music like I used to.

Never have done any texting and don't plan to and I still have an old flip phone.

Best things about 2011 were my roadtrips--done a lot more traveling since my job ended in 2009--and that was the first year A to Z got really big.

Lee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog

Sandy said...

I've had a cell phone for awhile, but just got my first smart phone about 8 months ago. Sadly, the sales people talked me into a windows phone which I regret getting. My husbands Droid seems far superior.
Traveling Suitcase A-Z

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I simply love Samantha! She's the kind of girl I hope my boys find :)

I always say I am a horrible Methodist (that's the religious box I check ;) but I like to think I am a decent Christian. I'll save the "good" label for the saints. I'm a broken human who relies on Christ to help me jump the velvet ropes and get me into the Pearly Gates. You know what they say, it's not what you know, it's who you know ;)

David P. King said...

I know I'm younger than you, and 9:00 is my lights out. It's tough being a recovering insomniac.

2011 was a pretty cool year for movies. :)

The Happy Whisk said...

Well, I think you and I have talked about this before and if so, then you know that I enjoy reading about bloggers and their personal lives. So for me, I loved this post.

Keep it up, Buttercup. It's good stuff.

PS: Super cool about the band.

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

2011 was also special as the year the St. Louis Cardinals has magic comebacks and won the World Series!

Although I know nothing about the music, I like the cover.

Mary Montague Sikes

Brandon Ax said...

2011 my last HP movie, sad day. lol Yes I know I am a nerd.

It was cool to get to learn more about you and thanks for the introduction to a new band for me.

Brandon Ax: Writer's Storm

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Robin, must have my Apple gadgets. They all sync up!

Thanks, River!

Sarah, good for you! And Creature Workshop will be featured tomorrow.

Mark, glad to know we are on the same page with Asimov! And there is a whole world of prog rock bands out there you would enjoy.

Lisa, thank you! I hope you enjoy it.

Michael, they have a new singer, so seek older albums first.

Rachna, I'd probably just disappoint everyone... And not blushing. Much.

Lee, resist the text.

Amen, Elizabeth. And maybe you need to introduce your boys to Samantha?



Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

You surprised me with the cell phone. I agree about Asimov. I've only made it through one of his books. Didn't know you have lived abroad so much. Keep the rock star dream alive.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Thanks for showing us a bit more of You this post. I have a primitive cell phone, and I never text.

When off duty, I never carry a cell phone -- untethered I call it. :-)

I, too, find Issac Asimov too dry, his characters too lifeless.

The Father is my center as well, though like you I have no church but the world around me.

Yea! Nightwish!! I liked the group better when Tarja was the lead vocalist -- I even have Tarja performing I WALK ALONE at the end of CREOLE KNIGHTS that chimes in with DayStar's final revenge on Samuel McCord.

Wow, I wrote a book here -- sorry.

Unknown said...

I'm with you on the texting.
When I was in college I ran sound for a Christian band "Mustard Seed". Jesse Garcia went on to play in "Building 429".

Anonymous said...

2011 was the year hubby and I got married! This month, April 1st to be exact. It was also my first year doing the challenge. =)

~Patricia Lynne~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, YA Author

S.A. Larsenッ said...

I'll have to check out Nightwish. They sound awesome. Plus, their cover is sweet. And yay for Samantha! Big year.

Ooh, and Face-Off is cool. Older bedtime ... not so cool.

Carrie-Anne said...

Asimov is the writer through whom I was introduced to sci-fi in 5th grade. When my 7th grade English teacher said that he stood next to everything he'd ever written, it was taller than he was, that became my goal too. Though I've loved most of what I've read of his books and stories, I couldn't finish the first Foundation book (the original first book, not the later prequel). It was just a bunch of talking heads discussing politics, only one recurring character, and only one section where anything exciting actually happened.

Morgan said...

You do realize that facts about the elusive Alex J. Cavanaugh are like gold, right? I often wonder if that's even your real name. I doubt it! LOL. It's probably Jimmy or Joseph ;-)

And no texting??? I actually think that's cool. Texting causes a lot of communication problems.

Michelle Wallace said...

Well, let's see, 2011 was the year I REALLY started writing seriously, and also the year of my first A to Z challenge.
...you have no desire to go to space? Amazing...
And Samantha is a sweetie-pie!

Laura Clipson said...

I've never really listened to Nightwish, although I've been told I'd like their music.
I don't usually read science fiction, but I loved CassaStar and CassaFire. Still need to read CassaStorm :)

Andrew Leon said...

I still don't own a cell phone.

Susan Kane said...

Super 8! We loved that movie. It reminded us of Goonies + Explorers. Fun movie to watch.

2011--a busy year.

10:00 is on the late side for me.

We've traveled a bit ourselves. Living in Ireland gave us cheap flights.

Chrys Fey said...

Nightwish is awesome. But my all-time favorite band in the genre is Within Temptation! :D

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

David, that made me chuckle.

Ivy, I'll try to do more of them.

Brandon, hope you enjoy them.

Roland, all of that is why you are uber cool. Knew you'd enjoy Ninghtwish today.

David, that's really awesome.

Patricia, happy anniversary.

Morgan, Joseph is my middle name.

Laura, and I appreciate that.

Andrew, good on you for resisting.

Chrys, now they rock!

Pat Hatt said...

So i won't be able to stay up until 1 in the morning forever? Damn! Knew most of it from you, from this that and the other zoo. Some great movies too, but to reality tv, still boo! lol

D.G. Hudson said...

I'm not that shocked that you don't like Asimov, it's a different style of writing. He was less on the action side, more on the psychology of humans.

The ability to make music is a gift. Lucky you to have that skill.

Unknown said...

I'm with you 100% with the "no space travel" motto--It should be a requirement to make new space program recruits watch "Gravity". Ya got me with the love of music, too:)

WriterlySam
Echoes of Olympus
A to Z #TeamDamyanti

randi lee said...

That's such a nice thing to say about Samantha, Alex! She really is quite a gem. And, yep--true story about the helper monkey. After the "incident" I was the official cool kid in class!

SpacerGuy said...

Sherlock Holmes A Game of Shadows is just as fun as the first. Its gas the way Robert Downey, Sherlock thinks through everything, hes so laid back. Great movie!

Bob Sanchez said...

Cap'n Alex, I'm not up on sci-fi and such, living in a cocoon as I do. But man, you have quite a blog.

Fundy Blue said...

Wow, Alex! Now you surprised me with your mention of my review! Thank you! I enjoyed reading about you. I knew you were the Ninja wanta be Pat writes about. I still don't have a cell phone and don't know how to text ~ but an iPhone is in my future. I'd go to space in a heartbeat! And I wish I could stick to a regular bedtime! Have a great day!

Loni Townsend said...

"10:00 is my bedtime. Yeah, sucks to get old…" Ha! I'm lucky if I make it to 9:15. :)

Those are wonderful facts. It was nice to learn more about you.

Tina said...

Aww...thanks for the Ninja secrets! You know, texting is a really, really great invention ;-) Glad you chose the iPhone. I've had one since the very first one came out. (It was a gift...generous brother)

Wow, Harry Potter finished THREE years ago??? Unbelievable how time flies.

Yeah, not seeing Gravity. Breathing is too much of an issue for me...sigh.

Tina @ Life is Good
A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

OMG, I have slippers older than Samantha. I love that name!

J.L. Campbell said...

Somehow, it doesn't surprize me that you resisted getting a cell phone for years. :) Nice to know more about you.

Tyrean Martinson said...

The part about your cell-phone surprised me . . . but then, my hubs, a techie kind of guy, didn't get an e-mail account until after I did. Of course, that was back in the day when the screen was black and simple coding was involved. I'm a dinosaur. :)
And I must get to visiting Samantha- it's been too long.

Birgit said...

My ex also found Isaac Asimov boring so am not surprized to hear that. I hope you do make it big with your rock group one day and also your writing. I have a cell phone-$10 pay as you go-lol 2011 is the year my mom was placed in long term care so not a good year

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

I never heard of Nightwish. Elvis is more my generation. It's wonderful you play guitar in a Christian band. God bless you.
Enjoyed learning more about your life.

S. L. Hennessy said...

Congrats on the iPhone. I love mine. And I love your books so even if it wasn't your original idea to become an author, I'm sure glad you published your series.

Truedessa said...

Alex,

It was nice to get a view of you
from behind the curtain..Interesting
tidbits..well keep that rock dream
alive one never knows what the future
may have in store for you...

M Pax said...

Nightwish is new to me. I like the titles of their songs a lot.

I watch Face Off sometimes. It's cool to see what they come up with.

Unknown said...

Nice to get to know you a little better. :)

Unknown said...

Nice to get to know you a little better. :)

Stephen Tremp said...

Those were all solid movies. And synthetic organ transplants hold so much promise. Hopefully there will be many more breakthroughs soon. We'll all be cyborgs living to be 200 years old soon with half flesh and half artificial parts.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

DG, that skill is a blessing.

Spacer Guy, yes it is.

Thanks, Bob!

Fundy, thank YOU for such an awesome review.

Tina, had to stay with Apple and all my apps.

Joylene, that made me chuckle.

Tyrean, I remember that...

Thanks, Beverly.

SL, thank you!

Mary, what they create is amazing.

Stephen, that's a scary thought...

Jean Katherine Baldridge said...

must check out Nightwish!

Stay who you are and leave the driving to Sandra Bullock!!! :)
jean

Unknown said...

I love the album cover for Nightwish - that would make an awesome book cover! There were a bunch of good movies released that year, huh? You go to bed at 10 and still manage to comment on 100 blogs a day? You're amazing!

J E Oneil said...

2011, the year of the IWSG :). A lot of good movies and games, too. Sounds like a good year, to me.

Rhonda Albom said...

LOL - Alex, I wasn't laughing until I saw my name, then I giggled (thanks). We have another thing in common - resisting mobile phones and then getting an iPhone. (I am often an all or nothing kinda gal). I wasn't going to get a phone until little Sarah (at age 6) broke her leg on the slopes. She was with hubby and wanted me. He had to leave her with ski patrol to find me. We got phones after that for all four of us.

Mary Aalgaard said...

Texting is not for everyone! Thanks for the tidbits. You are the best networker. I'm also a fan of oxygen, and staying grounded.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Jean, I will!

Lexa, I get up really early...

Rhonda, glad I could give you a laugh. And why get a cell phone if not the best?

Thanks, Mary.

Jay Noel said...

Samantha May!!! Wish I was that smart when I was her age.

I find Asminov boring too. I really did try to read his stuff. Just couldn't do it.

Leovi said...

I love Nightwish!

Jocelyn Rish said...

I feel completely old and uncool, but I must admit I had to google both symphonic metal and prog rock. Always love to learn new things during A to Z. And I love Face Off - I'm always blown away by what the artists create in such a short time.

Hope you’re having fun with the A to Z challenge,
Jocelyn

Helena said...

Alex, you're a fellow cell phone phone resister! For years I've gotten along just fine without one, then at Christmas my brother got me a basic, emergency-type cell, which I'm glad to have. But it's seriously basic, which means no internet, no photos, and happily no texting. Resist texting forever, Alex!

Robyn Campbell said...

Sorry I haven't gotten by. I'm a sucky blogging bud these days. Samantha sounds like a breath of fresh air. Lovely to meet you, Samantha.

Wow, I didn't know that about the first synthetic organ transplant, Alex. Gosh, this world has a lot of knowledge in it, doesn't it?

I mean just think of it. Kinda scary. They were talking on the news that there is someone somewhere who could sit at his computer and take an airplane off it's course and crash it. That's way too much knowledge.

I'm with you, Alex. I'm a Jesus follower. Not a religion or church follower. We're starting a cowboy church here on our farm. His Grace Cowboy Church. :-)

mshatch said...

I'm with you on the space thing; I like air, too! Gravity was a great movie :)

Trisha said...

I'm reading CassaStar right now and very much enjoying it. I love a character-driven story as well (both reading them and writing them).

I'm not hugely familiar with Nightwish's music but do know a bit of it. I am however a massive Lacuna Coil fan, and while they're not symphonic metal, their early stuff is more gothic metal and I just love that stuff.

Mason T. Matchak said...

Ah, yes, 2011... not a bad year. "Thor" was the first midnight movie showing I'd been to since "The Two Towers". Totally worth staying up that late. ^_^

Kristin Smith said...

I didn't realize 2011 was such a great year for movies!

My fifth and last son was born in 2011, probably the highlight of the year for me.

It was great to get to know you better! So cool that you play the guitar in a Christian band!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Jay, good to know it wasn't me.

Jocelyn, you learned something.

Helena, I will!

Robyn, Amen!!

Trisha, thank you! And if you like Lcauna Coil, you'll like Nightwish.

Kristin, I do!

Mina Burrows said...

I've watched super 8 like a bazillion times with my kids. Love it.

Gossip_Grl said...

I have enjoyed reading your retro postings this month. I laughed reading the tid bits of this post. I swore I would never own a smart phone. Who needs those apps? This year I got one when my plan came up for renewal. I have always said I would never trade a book for an e-reader. The phone came with Amazon Kindle. :/

Heather M. Gardner said...

Nice to hear new things about you, sir. I don't know why you think those things would surprise us, people don't fit into tiny boxes, you know!

I still want to be a rock star, too!

Heather

Unknown said...

we have the first two in common, Alex :-)

Ella said...

YOU rock! I own that same Bible~
Nice to learn more about you, man of mystery~

I wanna hear a tune-C'mon some day surprise us with your favorite song!

Unknown said...

Loved learning more about you and I will definitely have to check out Nightwish.

I'm a night owl even though I am old. I only go to bed at 10 when I am sick. :)

Kat Sheridan said...

Nice to discover commonalities. I resisted cell phones as well and won't give up my flip phone (and also won't text). I never wanted to be an author either. I did it on a dare.

Patricia Stoltey said...

It took me a long time to get around to texting, but my kids pushed me into it. It does come in handy from time to time, and it does eat up fewer minutes on my cell phone (which I hardly ever use for real calls).

Fe said...

Like you, Alex, I don't have a religion, I have a relationship and loving Jesus is the most important aspect of my entire life. I'm so privileged to know you a little. Thank you.

Claire Gillian said...

I have a Nightwish song I downloaded and often listen too (and sing with) in my car. My passengers never fail to give me funny looks though when I play it (and don't sing along). It's from when Tarja Tarunan still sang with them, Sleeping Sun. Love her voice and the video.

Deniz Bevan said...

Funny, I'd rather text than be on the phone any day :-) But my texts are nice and old fashioned - I spell everything properly :-)