CE Wills

    Hey. everyone. I just finished watching episode 2 (current season) of Game of Thrones. I wanted to share a few thoughts about that long lost age of Westeros. You know, those ancients that Tyrion likes to talk about; the ones with the great technology which can't be duplicated anymore. Their cities lie in ruins and the denizens have a creeping crud known as Greyscale. Jorah Moremont has a case of it.      I believe that we will learn that this ancient world was really our world. Earth, modern day. An Earth whose nations took things to the nuclear brink and beyond. Once annihilated, life started over with rudimentary tribes, then Kings and Queens and creeping things. Dragons, created in the last days by Gene Manipulation labs in China, survived for a while, because they really didn't mind the fire or radiation that much.       Just a few swords were still around, valued much for their resilience, beauty and quality. They were probably made in Japan by a process now lost

    Hey, everyone. It is 09:30 on a lovely morning at the green retreat. I hope that you and your folks are well and happy. Well, I ventured forth into the haunts of men yesterday.      I met a Sony Rep, a very pleasant lady who took the time to chat about games and gaming. We liked a lot of the same games. I mentioned the new/ pending / fictitious? Playstation 4.5. She reminded me that the above-mentioned device was merely a rumor at this time. She also said that if the 4.5 exists, that it will not hinder people like me, it would merely allow 4K definition in the ultra-modern gamers' lives. Those like myself can continue with their current system, games etc. So, I went on my way rejoicing.      By the way, I finished The Order: 1886. I enjoyed it. I began to play Uncharted . I have the box set, you know, remastered and all. I loved it the first time around and decided to play it again while I am awaiting Nate's return in Uncharted 4: A Thief's End . I did begin with U

     Hey, everyone. A week or so ago, I bought the movie called The Revenant with Leo DiCaprio starring as Hugh Glass. Hugh is a scout, back in the days when the western United States was still inhabited by trappers, the Indians who hated them and a few settlers. We're talking about the days when rifles were single shot affairs and powder and ball were the technology of the wilderness.        Hugh was a 'squaw man'. He was a white man who had lived with the Indians, taken an Indian wife and had a son who was half Indian. Since my grandmother was a full-blooded Cherokee, I find this movie particularly capable of stirring me up.      I didn't go to see this movie at the theater. I had the feeling that it was long and boring, thanks to the reviews. I was pleasantly surprised when it was an excellent show. I love wilderness shows. I love survival shows. I love tales from the old west. (Have written several) I love revenge stories also. This movie had all the above,

     Hey, everyone. My two favorite games that I have ever played(for any system) are Far Cry 4 and the Last of Us . I read just a day ago that they had been planning to make a movie about Joel and Ellie from the Last of Us . Unfortunately, those plans have failed utterly, as I understand it. The girl from Game of Thrones (Arya) had been approached about playing Ellie in the movie. I think she would have been a terrific choice for the role. You know who I would love to play the role of Joel? Wolverine from the X-Men. Alas, it is not to be.     I did hear that there is to be a sequel to the game, however. I certainly would love to see that.      This game came free with my PS4 and what a great choice for the package. It is the epitome of the 'story driven' game. The two lead characters draw you into their lives in such a compelling manner!       Joel is a middle-aged guy with a 12 year old daughter. When a zombie epidemic hits the States the daughter is killed by a trigge

Hey, everyone. I had a lazy day today. One which will surely bore you but I'll take that chance and tell you about it. Let me start by telling you about the supper I fixed for my wife and I. We used some potatoes O'Brien, fried in a skillet. You know, with peppers and onions? I cooked them brown, then added a bunch of scrambled eggs, cheese and crumbled up pieces of bacon. Then I cooked it till they were all mushy. Served with toast, covered with apricot preserves and butter. We had some pineapple and grapes on the side. A  big glass of milk to wash it down. Not too shabby. I finished my game. ( Far Cry Primal.) Then we started a new/old game by the name of The Order, 1886. It seems that this game gives us a bit of revisionist history. I have only played Chapter 1, but I'll give some initial impressions. It seems we are in London and a member of a group of men and women who aspire, no, they are, Knights of the Round Table. We play as Galahad, a lion of the aforem

     Hey, everyone. It is a pretty day here at the green retreat. I went for a walk today and there was an outhouse at the park where I was at. I believe that the British folks used to call this a privy. It is an outdoor restroom without water piped to it. There is no sink.      In fact, this one is fancy in that there is a male and a female. It is also painted. When I was a child, this one might have been thought elegant. Ha, ha. I know a lady who went to school and bragged that they had built a new privy at her house. I know of another person that was ecstatic that they had an outhouse built for kids so that they would not fall in. Small seat and all.      The way you make one of these is simple. One digs a hole in the ground, as deep as one likes, I guess. Then you build a small platform over it to prevent falling in. There should be a floor and of course walls for privacy. This particular one has a hole in the door as you can see. One sticks their finger in the hole and lifts a

   Hey, everyone. I feel good today. It is a breezy, sunny day at the green retreat. I have some Japanese Cherry trees in bloom. I also have some Dogwoods in bloom. The dogwoods are a white variety only. I wish I had planted some pink ones, back in the day.      I was at Lowe's the other day and found several things remarkable. In the center isle as I walked in I saw skids of insect spray and weed-killer. One was $21 a bottle and the other was $31 a bottle. I just cruised on past both of them. What was the old saying? Charge what the traffic will bear. They keep going up on things and making things thinner, cheaper, lower quality.      Everyone here in America wants their lawn to look like Augusta National. When I was young, things like grass seed was sold in huge paper bags for a dollar or so. Now they want to sell it for $20 or more for a one pound bag. How about Scott's fertilizer? It is so high, I'm amazed. The other day I got a thing in the mail from Scott'

    Hey, everyone. As you doubtless recall, I have been on a trek through Oros in the PS4 game of Far Cry Primal . One of its fiercer inhabitants is Batari, a sun worshiper with a penchant for blue skin, knifes and fire.     Part of my unofficial job here in prehysteria (that's a joke) is to do all manner of deeds for those folks who inhabit my village. This task has proven to be one which I have failed at many times. I was sent to destroy Batari and the temple where she practices human sacrifice. As you can see from the pics, it is a bit of a stretch to call it a temple. There is not even a ceiling. For the pyros among you, there is a really neat fire, though.    I had to search for the place, to begin with. I was told to follow holes drilled in pillars of stone. I found some, sure 'nuff (southern colloquialism.), as shown. Then I happened across a dude who gave me the desired info. He wore a wild necklace but seemed a decent chap with an affectation for mov

        Hey, everyone, across the known world. I ventured forth into the haunts of men today. I had to pick up a new pair of spectacles (not shown). I also picked up some new contact lenses. It was a relief to get that chore over with. But the day was not without its pleasures.      I bought the DVD of the latest Star Wars flick. Carley and I had watched it at the theater around the holidays but I'll probably talk about it when I watch it again. When I got home it was blustery and cool but I grilled some steaks. Carley fixed baked taters (southern for potatoes), rolls and salads. She put stuff on the salads until they were a meal. Sure, lettuce, tomato, cheese, grape, pineapple, onion, boiled eggs, strawberry and dressing.     On the steaks I put Cajun, not an actual person but the spice, Greek and Montreal steak spice. The meal was good and I washed had almond-pistachio ice cream for dessert. Then I kicked back in my recliner and went to sleep. Thus refreshed, I was

   Hey, everyone. I watched several hours of the play from Augusta National today. Always a pleasure to see the Masters. It sort of makes me melancholy, to see the place. I worked in Augusta for several years. I enjoyed it and made a lot of money, a rare combination. I feel like I made a mistake when I left, but that's one of many in my life.     When I arrived in Augusta I knew nothing about golf and cared little for the sport. I remember arriving in town late one evening. I went to a steakhouse and saw  paintings of Bobby Jones and Augusta National. I remember remarking to the waitress that it seemed a golf-centered town. She was polite enough to smile and agree. I said that I had noticed that I had came into town on Bobby Jones Expressway and she talked about Mr. Jones a little.     Later, I worked with John Daly's dad for a while.  A friend of mine said,"Jim's got a boy that is a scratch golfer." I didn't know what that was but I assumed it was a good

       Hey, everyone. I am still having major fun here in Far Cry Primal. I find the inhabitants fascinating for several reasons. They are never boring, certainly.     For instance, the first human I associated with is a lady named Sandy, Sandar or something. She is pretty and fit. She has a big round spot on the front of her head that is not bald or shaved but appears like the hair has been ripped out. Other than that she is hot. She has a sweet smile but her eyes give the impression that all her ducks are not aligned. I built her a hut and she became the first resident of my village. Cool.    Later, she offered to let me move in with her. However, the way she talked, the offer was contingent on me killing a bad man called Ul. She wants the dude's ear for a necklace. I give a hoot about her kinky jewelry but Ul is huge and bad to the bone. I gather that you can't beat him until the end of the game. So I sought other battles and found a-plenty. I figure that the girl'

     Hey, everyone. I had a nice day today. I stayed home all day. I played some songs on the keyboard. Though I had the blues, early in the day, as so often happens, they disappeared as I sang a few songs. Just like Neil Diamond promised. Ha, ha.      After that I played a massive amount of Far Cry Primal. I played for hours, opening up a new territory, just like Lewis and Clark. We played through a quest called something like The Bloodfang Cave. It was good for a Sunday afternoon adventure with minimal risk.       As the evening ripened, we watched a good movie that I had never heard of. It was called The Drop . It starred Tom Hardy as Bob, a bartender in New York. The bar where he works is mob owned and the place is a drop for sports bets, a book as it used to be called. Well, his cousin Marv works there and is needing money. He arranges for some guys to rob the joint and give him (Marv) part of the money.      Marv (James Gandolfini) sort of gets away with it that time. But h

    Hey, y'all. (Thought I'd inject a little Southern flavor.) It is a cool day, here at the green retreat. We arose early and went to a local hamlet for breakfast. As I drove home, I thought about the book business. As most of you know, I have a number of ebooks for sale. I haven't counted them recently, but I think there are around 9 novels, 1 novelette and 20 or more short stories. Toss in about 865 blog posts published and another 115 that I have lounging around unpublished, and you have a load of work. I have been knee-deep in the ebook thing from its inception. It has been interesting, to say the least.        Filled with promise in it's beginnings, slowed by opposition and mistakes, the ebook express train has slowed somewhat. Why? Well, I can give an opinion, I suppose. 1) I think people read less. Especially men. Gaming is more exciting and takes less involvement than reading. It can also be interactive to a degree that reading cannot. Men prefer to watc

    Hey, everyone, across the globe. Since I have taken a year off from blogging, I felt that I should tell you about my past year in gaming. As you older hands know, I played everything from pong to Intellivision, back in the day. But I became fiercely involved in raising children, building a career and the like. I missed the whole X-Box generation. Once the initial I-Pad came out, I became a gamer again.     When the in-app purchase plague began to raise sores on the buttocks of I-Pad owners, I sought a better experience. I decided that Steam gaming on PC might give me better gaming at a reasonable price by buying at the sales. And so it did for awhile.     What a thrill it was for me to play Tomb Raider, Mordor and Serious Sam! But then I was to learn that many desirable games would not play on my PC. I had a real desire to play Far Cry 4 after playing Far Cry 3 . Alas, it would not play on my machine. I even bought the Game Guide and read it, without playing the game. At len

Hey, everyone. Back with you at the Author's Green Retreat. Carley and I have been playing Far Cry Primal on the PS4. We are really enjoying it. Currently we are playing a quest entitled Urki's New Stink . Urki is a stone age inventor. He wanted to fly and landed with a resounding thump after attaching a few feathers to his arms and jumping off a cliff.      But today, he sought our help again. He had invented a concoction to anoint his body with. In theory, it was supposed to repel bears. Alas, it did not work, so he sent me in search of things to mix a new stink elixir. Here's where he and I disagreed. He wanted 5 piles of rhino dung. Yes, you heard right. I have a picture here somewhere...      The second ingredient is 3 honey combs or bee hives. I find the thought of mixing honey with rhino dung nauseating. By the way, the pics show these materials as being red and steamy. I certainly am aware that dung, at an early age, can steam. In this case, however, I am using m