Raeden Zen's Blog, page 533
July 6, 2012
climateadaptation:
This is a boat lift.
The Falkirk...
This is a boat lift.
Designed by Scottish architecture firm, RMJM, the Falkirk Wheel is boat lift in central Scotland that connects two canals. Previously 11 locks were required to connect the canals which differ in height by 24 meters. The inner rings rotate at the same speed as the larger axis in order to keep the boat and water from tipping over. The Wheel can make a full rotation in eight minutes.
July 5, 2012
July 4, 2012
Dumbest Headline Award
Um, so do the folks at the GE subsidiary even try anymore?
Who gives a fuck if someone made a good call in June? How on Earth does that mean, “His future calls will be spot on!” Who are the jabronis out there who listen to this garbage?
Furthermore, please reference John Paulson, the guy who went head first into such beauties as HP and Sino Tree for a good reason why even a good near term record doesn’t mean shit.
My First 5-Star Review
Look folks, I’m not going to crush you with reviews. Day in and day out. But, if you follow me, you know that Flexon Vale is my debut satire. You have hopped on my train, whether you realize it or not. So, along with the entertainment, you are going to get the serious. And, while I’m very early in this process, I imagine this will be one of the most elegantly written reviews I will EVER receive. (And to be sure, my second satire is in the works, and I think it will out do the original in just about every way. Stay tuned.)
AN EXCEPTIONALLY WRITTEN SATIRE BY A DEBUT WRITER DESTINED TO BECOME A CLASSIC July 4, 2012
By Richard S. Friedman
Format:Paperback
SUPERB SATIRE!!! REVIEW TO FOLLOW!!
“Set in the year 2030, in Raeden Zen’s breathtaking satirical debut the reader will be whisked from the early 2020s to the late 1990s. Runaway inflation, cars driven by computers, super-advanced water filtration systems, and a spy system that makes the NSA look like child’s play are among the features of America circa 2024. Chase Vale and Felicia Sandorf are power brokers who seek, more power, while a scandal at Zeno State sends one of America’s greatest universities into a downward spiral. As Vale’s life crashes around him we’re given a glimpse of the past through the eyes of young Julian Flexon, which is the only way to fully understand the events that follow.”
When on his deathbed, the actor Edmund Gwenn (Kris Kringle from Miracle on 34th St)(quote has also been associated with many others- I choose Gwenn because he is a favorite actor!) was asked if dying was hard, his response, “Dying is easy…comedy is hard”
The same can be said of satire. One must combine both humor and reality to achieve a satirical success. Raeden Zen, in his wonderful debut novel, FLEXON VALE, succeeds on every level! This is a truly unique book, and one that will have the reader both entranced and absorbed!
The writing is so very smooth and has a terrific flow, as we are treated to the reflections of Julian Flexon, a character so finely drawn that the reader cannot help but feel a true connection. Another superb aspect of FLEXON VALE is that it reads as a veritable time machine, the jacket discription “the reader will be whisked from the early 2020s to the late 1990s” is very well borne out- and what a terrific journey we embark on! Chock full of hilarious vignettes and characters, Mr. Zen has shown that he is a supremely talented writer!
The array of characters, locations and situations are never overwhelming, a potential danger with satire, rather Chase Vale and Felicia Sandorf serve as highly effective characters for the reader to follow on a what will be one of the most unique and worthwhile literary journeys any reader is fortunate to take!
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
