X (The Roman Numeral)

X
By Alex Ness
March 3, 2024

Hi, I am still here.  I have a good attitude, and want to share my ideas about books and comics, so that will be a focus here.

1

FOUR BOOKS that should be MOVIES

MIDWORLD by Alan Dean Foster

In the span of time since the book came out, AI/CGI and more have been developed. This is a book that is about a living world and its inhabitants. In movie form, if all aspects of it were controlled by the author and funded, well, that would be a dream.

SEVERED by John Gilmore

John Gilmore lived among the famous, James Dean, Brigitte Bardot and more. But he also used his access to people and power, to follow a variety of theories and leads, and might have solved the murder of the Black Dahlia. In film, if true to the book, it could be a grotesque masterpiece or a piece of film showing the insights of a single seeker, finding a never solved answer.

THE LAST MAN by Mary Shelley

Hey, does anyone here remember Covid 19? Mary Shelley, in the language and concepts of her day, considered a world where the plague killed so many, the main protagonist thought himself alone. Have you ever been so tired and/or over stimulated that you wanted to be on earth alone forever? This work isn't "scientific" but it does consider concepts that were absolutely original for the day.

INVASION by Kenneth Macksey

Many books feature the alternative versions of major historical events. Invasion is written by a master of military ideas, the true numbers and flow of momentum of the wars or battles, and asked what if the Germans didn't wait for their air force to clear the skies so transports could land troops in southern England. Paratroopers paralyze the early British ground troops, long enough to land tanks... and the war takes a dreadful turn. It caused literal fear in me, because he knew how the event would have played out, had it been attempted.

LIFE'S PAIN

As a result of having an untreated broken neck from February 2, 2019 to November 19, 2020, my shoulders both ended up frozen, and I spent 5 years in mindless pain. Before the accident that led to those issues, I had degenerative disc disease. I have been using stretching and simple Yoga to alleviate the symptoms, and attempt to strengthen my core muscles. The point is to make the spine more stable by stronger center frame muscles. Well, my left shoulder made a loud popping sound, and is now close to useless. I am guessing something happened that isn't good. More news as it happens.

WHY THE ROMAN NUMERAL?

I am very moved and excited by Roman History. Not just for the military prowess of the empire. Not just for the importance of Rome's influence upon architecture, finance, law and how wars are fought. And especially not for Gladiatorial combat. It is the fact that Rome had no racism, yet used slavery as a major part of their economy. They had the greatest influence upon the future world. But they are an enigma to me. How could such an advanced, thoughtful, talented, and powerful people turn to such vile entertainment. How could a people who never used racism or even showed any evidence of it, persecute Christians and others and punish the Jews in Jerusalem, for religious reasons? The Romans were all about power, and paying homage to it. Neither Jews nor Christians were willing to sacrifice to false gods, even to save their lives.

QUOTE TO REMEMBER:
“You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table & listen. Do not even listen, simply wait, be quiet, still & solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked, it has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.” Franz Kafka