I finished reading through the NJO series again, and it allowed me to see some of the flaws that time had wiped from my memory and left only the highlights. As you would imagine from a series with a lot of different writers the characters can have different personalities depending on who is writing them. Jaina Solo is the character who suffers from this the most in the books, although its more of her fluctuating back and forth as if the writers didn't really let each other know how they were developing her. She goes from being certain she's going to die and accepting of that fact, to wanting a future, and back to wanting to die again. It's annoying as a reader for a character to lose the development that she has made.
My biggest complaint is going to come with the Force Heretic trilogy which isn't poorly written, but doesn't much deal with the main crux of the story of the Yuuzhan Vong invading the galaxy. The major characters are split up. Han, Leia, Jaina, Tahiri, and Jagged Fel go to repair communication outposts and relive some older Star Wars books when they return to the planets near the Yvetha crisis and then to Bakura to fight the Ssi-Ruuk. Nominally the Vong are riling up old factional conflicts, but it really just seems like a chance to take a trip down memory lane for no real reason. The third book gives them a new story where they save a communication base while teaming up with some Imperials led by Grand Admiral Palleon, a character who changes a lot depending on the author. The other half of these books are made up by the team of Luke, Mara, Jacen, Danni, and Saba looking for Zonoma Sekot. In the first two books they go to Imperial space and Chiss space and have misunderstandings before redeeming themselves with victories. The third book has them finding Sekot which then becomes much like Rogue Planet in a way that is not particularly endearing.
The two defining problems of the series in my mind are the failure to make the new, non-movie characters matter, and the abrupt ending.
Establishing the new characters was the point of the series and there are books that focus on the new characters and try to establish them, but they are quickly cut off by the returns of Luke, Leia, and Han. Star By Stary is one of the books that works well with this theme and seemed to be the point where Luke said the new Jedi had to solve problems so a team of them go off to Myrkr to kill the Voxyn and we are essentially given a squadron worth of characters to care about, the number of people that worked for the X-Wing novels that didn't worry about the big names. This book is also where they establish the idea that anybody could die when they kill Anakin Skywalker who has been set up as the hero of the series. After this Jaina and Jacen each get their own books which both have issues. Jaina's book Dark Journey has her touch the dark side too quickly, and glazes over that aspect too easily. T'he way she treats Jag and Kyp is a little weird to me as well, but it's a strong showing for the series. Jacen's book Traitor starts too slowly and is a little too philosophical in the soft way that Star Wars books like to delve into philosophy, but the end of this book is phenomenal with the sacrifice that Ganner Rhysode makes, and really vindicates the character who was shallow throughout the series. The problem with these new characters is that these books Jacen and Jaina can't escape the shadows of Luke, Han, and Leia. Jaina is particularly boxed into that as they continually relate her relationship with Jag to that of Han and Leia for some reason that doesn't make any sense to me at all.
Star by Star doesn't just focus on the mission of the New Jedi Order though, it deals with the Vong attack on Coruscant and some stuff with Han and Leia as well which I think could have been cut and helped the book, but the idea is that at the end Coruscant is lost and the New Republic is on the retreat and that's the halfway point of the series. The ending that shows up in the series comes out of nowhere and they ignore a lot of what the New Republic does to weaken the Vong leading up to the last books so they can focus on outlying missions which I think was a poor choice. This series would have been an excellent place to write a new X-Wing series with the new Rogue Squadron led by Gavin Darklighter. However the books don't want to deal with the common soldiers, except in the case of Aaron Allston's books which deal with the defense of one planet and a real military conflict and not the magic missions that the Jedi go on to cause massive damage with small numbers. This is a glaring issue with later books and Jaina's Twin Sun Squadron where lots of the pilots are killed, but never the Jedi who have names, and the dead pilots are only referred to by numbers and their losses mean nothing to the reader.
The series has a lot of highlights to it, but as a whole it's not a shining example of what the Star Wars Expanded Universe can be. For that I'd stick to the Allston X-Wing series books, as well as Shatterpoint. The idea was a good one, but the execution wasn't there.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
Building Lego Sets
I was negligent in putting up quick reviews on the NJO books, but I was burning through the series really quickly so soon I'll just do a quick review of the series as a whole.
But to continue my trend of being super nerdy I bought a couple of Lego sets recently and I like having the models to display, but I'd forgotten just how much fun it is to build a set and see the way the pieces go together to create the finished product. I've stuck with smaller sets for most of my Lego building days starting as a kid, and the biggest set I ever got was the original Star Wars X-Wing. They have a newer set which is a little bigger with more pieces. A lot of the bigger sets seem to rely more on custom pieces, which take away from the building in my eyes. While I will always want the Star Wars sets because I love Star Wars, my favorite sets to build are the vehicles.
Lego sets with vehicles have always been my favorite sets so I picked this set up http://city.lego.com/en-US/Products/Default.aspx#4433 to build because of how awesome the truck looked, and I was not disappointed. It does have a few fancy pieces, with the mudguards, but the cars have always had those, so I don't consider them too much of a cheat. I hate the stickers, but that's just because I'm awful at putting them on. Putting this set together was a lot of fun and the truck moves well after being build. The trailer is very solidly built, I've had quite a few trailers that are very fragile, but this one holds up well, and looks cool as well with the flaps and the tool box. The motorcycles are simple, but look cool, and the helmets have cool goggle-like visors that I love.
Buying the new sets was kind of a curse because I remimded me of just how much fun Legos are and are going to make me want to buy more of them.
But to continue my trend of being super nerdy I bought a couple of Lego sets recently and I like having the models to display, but I'd forgotten just how much fun it is to build a set and see the way the pieces go together to create the finished product. I've stuck with smaller sets for most of my Lego building days starting as a kid, and the biggest set I ever got was the original Star Wars X-Wing. They have a newer set which is a little bigger with more pieces. A lot of the bigger sets seem to rely more on custom pieces, which take away from the building in my eyes. While I will always want the Star Wars sets because I love Star Wars, my favorite sets to build are the vehicles.
Lego sets with vehicles have always been my favorite sets so I picked this set up http://city.lego.com/en-US/Products/Default.aspx#4433 to build because of how awesome the truck looked, and I was not disappointed. It does have a few fancy pieces, with the mudguards, but the cars have always had those, so I don't consider them too much of a cheat. I hate the stickers, but that's just because I'm awful at putting them on. Putting this set together was a lot of fun and the truck moves well after being build. The trailer is very solidly built, I've had quite a few trailers that are very fragile, but this one holds up well, and looks cool as well with the flaps and the tool box. The motorcycles are simple, but look cool, and the helmets have cool goggle-like visors that I love.
Buying the new sets was kind of a curse because I remimded me of just how much fun Legos are and are going to make me want to buy more of them.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Reading the New Jedi Order (Part 1)
Star Wars is the first movie I remember seeing and I've been a huge fan of it ever since as are many other people. As someone who's loved to read for most of my life as well it's not surprising that I found the Star Wars expanded universe (EU) stuff and read a lot of it throughout my high school years and continuing into college. The last series I followed was the New Jedi Order, which was meant to change the face of the EU and did in many ways. About a week or two ago I decided to start reading through the series again and give my thoughts on the books as I read them. I'm going to be doing this in larger chunks of reviews as I don't want to throw out small blurbs for each individual book. So without further ado here are my thoughts on the first four books of the series.
Vector Prime by RA Salvatore
The first book in the series and the Star Wars book that got the most press with the act of dropping a moon on Chewbacca. This book starts the series on the path of handing over the reigns of defending the New Republic to the new breed of Jedi represented by Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin Solo. The book features a big family dynamic with all of the Solos together with Mara Jade and Luke, the droids, and Lando showing up and the plot works well with giving the new characters stuff to do. Jacen and Jaina get that treatment the best when they actually take the place of Mara and Luke to recon the Vong base. Anakin gets good stuff to work with as well with Han blaming him for Chewie's death. Some complaints I have about this book are the dialogue is a little too clunky to explain how people are feeling at times, and the Senators come off as too villainous to me. My biggest gripe is the fact that Chewie's death is used to prove that they could kill any of the characters, which is fine, but then there is dialogue between Han and Leia that says exactly that. You don't need to prove that you could kill anybody and then repeat it to make sure people get the idea. A lot of the Star Wars books including this one in the series do a lot of hand holding for the reader. My biggest complaint on that point is Chewbacca is exactly the character you would kill to prove that point without really meaning anything. The loyal protector/partner is written into stories to be the character that dies to prove anything could happen. I like the way the death is handled, but it doesn't make me believe they'll kill anybody in the series.
Onslaught by Michael A Stackpole
I used to love Stackpole's books, but they don't hold up well on rereading. At least not his Star Wars stuff. The dialogue is rough throughout his two books in the series and he just throws his EU characters in and has them take over. Corran Horn, who I still like as a character, comes into play which makes sense as he's a Jedi and as an EU character despite his age important to the story. A beginning trend in the series is throwing in tons of viewpoint characters which I think hurts the individual books. Starting here the authors will throw the character into the viewpoint of a random soldier to view battles that none of the main characters are at. Along with Corran Stackpole brings in his creations of Elegos A'Kla and Gavin Darklighter as Jaina Solo joins Rogue Squadron. I think Jaina joining Rogue Squadron was a poor choice, but that's just my view, and Rogue Squadron doesn't add much to the stories as Stackpole goes on to develop nobody but Jaina or Gavin and kill squad members off throughout the two books. This is supposed to be the fucking elite fighter squadron not a bunch of cannon fodder. Anyway this book is much more of a setup for the next in the series. All of the new Jedi are paired with their mentors who take them on dangerous missions, and don't do much teaching just directing. Except Mara who has some good scenes with Anakin teaching him to not use the force.
Ruin by Michael A Stackpole
The second installment from Stackpole and a stronger showing as it has more from the military of the New Republic than just the Jedi and features Jacen a little more prominently, although you can tell Corran is still the focus of his plot and story. One thing that bothers me about Corran in this book is how much he acts like a Jedi Master. Yes he is older than the other Jedi, but he hasn't used the force anymore than the others. He is treated as almost equal to Luke and that fucking blows my mind. Sure he can provide good advice, but in the force he is no more trained than others, and weaker than many. We get some thoughts from the Vong Shedao Shai in this book as well which I think was a poor decision. He sends Elegos to be with the Vong and learn about them and Shai trains Elegos in the Vong way, and these scenes should definitely have been from the view of Elegos. Anyway this book works better than Onslaught with a little more focus ending on Ithor in a better way than the previous did on Dantooine. My biggest problem comes with the end and how he writes off Corran as a character. The explanation is there, but doesn't make much sense, and almost reads like I made my EU character a big deal in this war and now I'm taking him away so nobody else can use him.
Hero's Trial by James Luceno
This is the best written book of the first couple. The problem, in my eyes, is that all it deals with is Han Solo and getting over Chewbacca's death. That is a story that needed to be addressed, but not as its own novel and really needs to include the new people because this book doesn't do a good job of establishing the new Jedi characters at all. It also gives us too many scenes from the perspective of the Vong. I think it takes away too much of the mystery of the species which the reader should learn more along the lines of the New Republic characters we are following. It also deals with characters who are too far on the sidelines of the main story which would be fine for its own series, but not in this world they are trying to create with the series. It does have a lot of callbacks to the Han Solo trilogy by AC Crispin which I enjoyed, but tonally I think this one strays to far from the idea of the NJO and harkens back to the normal EU which is the adventures of Han, Luke, and Leia. There are also scenes from the viewpoint of C-3P0 conveying his fear of death since the Vong kill machines that I didn't find engaging either.
I know the series gets better, but at this point in time if it wasn't for my love of Star Wars I probably wouldn't continue reading the series. They do a good job of making Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin the focus at the beginning and then don't move forward with it in the two Stackpole novels and then completely forget about it in Luceno's first novel. Hopefully I don't get quite as ranty with the next ones of these I put up.
Vector Prime by RA Salvatore
The first book in the series and the Star Wars book that got the most press with the act of dropping a moon on Chewbacca. This book starts the series on the path of handing over the reigns of defending the New Republic to the new breed of Jedi represented by Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin Solo. The book features a big family dynamic with all of the Solos together with Mara Jade and Luke, the droids, and Lando showing up and the plot works well with giving the new characters stuff to do. Jacen and Jaina get that treatment the best when they actually take the place of Mara and Luke to recon the Vong base. Anakin gets good stuff to work with as well with Han blaming him for Chewie's death. Some complaints I have about this book are the dialogue is a little too clunky to explain how people are feeling at times, and the Senators come off as too villainous to me. My biggest gripe is the fact that Chewie's death is used to prove that they could kill any of the characters, which is fine, but then there is dialogue between Han and Leia that says exactly that. You don't need to prove that you could kill anybody and then repeat it to make sure people get the idea. A lot of the Star Wars books including this one in the series do a lot of hand holding for the reader. My biggest complaint on that point is Chewbacca is exactly the character you would kill to prove that point without really meaning anything. The loyal protector/partner is written into stories to be the character that dies to prove anything could happen. I like the way the death is handled, but it doesn't make me believe they'll kill anybody in the series.
Onslaught by Michael A Stackpole
I used to love Stackpole's books, but they don't hold up well on rereading. At least not his Star Wars stuff. The dialogue is rough throughout his two books in the series and he just throws his EU characters in and has them take over. Corran Horn, who I still like as a character, comes into play which makes sense as he's a Jedi and as an EU character despite his age important to the story. A beginning trend in the series is throwing in tons of viewpoint characters which I think hurts the individual books. Starting here the authors will throw the character into the viewpoint of a random soldier to view battles that none of the main characters are at. Along with Corran Stackpole brings in his creations of Elegos A'Kla and Gavin Darklighter as Jaina Solo joins Rogue Squadron. I think Jaina joining Rogue Squadron was a poor choice, but that's just my view, and Rogue Squadron doesn't add much to the stories as Stackpole goes on to develop nobody but Jaina or Gavin and kill squad members off throughout the two books. This is supposed to be the fucking elite fighter squadron not a bunch of cannon fodder. Anyway this book is much more of a setup for the next in the series. All of the new Jedi are paired with their mentors who take them on dangerous missions, and don't do much teaching just directing. Except Mara who has some good scenes with Anakin teaching him to not use the force.
Ruin by Michael A Stackpole
The second installment from Stackpole and a stronger showing as it has more from the military of the New Republic than just the Jedi and features Jacen a little more prominently, although you can tell Corran is still the focus of his plot and story. One thing that bothers me about Corran in this book is how much he acts like a Jedi Master. Yes he is older than the other Jedi, but he hasn't used the force anymore than the others. He is treated as almost equal to Luke and that fucking blows my mind. Sure he can provide good advice, but in the force he is no more trained than others, and weaker than many. We get some thoughts from the Vong Shedao Shai in this book as well which I think was a poor decision. He sends Elegos to be with the Vong and learn about them and Shai trains Elegos in the Vong way, and these scenes should definitely have been from the view of Elegos. Anyway this book works better than Onslaught with a little more focus ending on Ithor in a better way than the previous did on Dantooine. My biggest problem comes with the end and how he writes off Corran as a character. The explanation is there, but doesn't make much sense, and almost reads like I made my EU character a big deal in this war and now I'm taking him away so nobody else can use him.
Hero's Trial by James Luceno
This is the best written book of the first couple. The problem, in my eyes, is that all it deals with is Han Solo and getting over Chewbacca's death. That is a story that needed to be addressed, but not as its own novel and really needs to include the new people because this book doesn't do a good job of establishing the new Jedi characters at all. It also gives us too many scenes from the perspective of the Vong. I think it takes away too much of the mystery of the species which the reader should learn more along the lines of the New Republic characters we are following. It also deals with characters who are too far on the sidelines of the main story which would be fine for its own series, but not in this world they are trying to create with the series. It does have a lot of callbacks to the Han Solo trilogy by AC Crispin which I enjoyed, but tonally I think this one strays to far from the idea of the NJO and harkens back to the normal EU which is the adventures of Han, Luke, and Leia. There are also scenes from the viewpoint of C-3P0 conveying his fear of death since the Vong kill machines that I didn't find engaging either.
I know the series gets better, but at this point in time if it wasn't for my love of Star Wars I probably wouldn't continue reading the series. They do a good job of making Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin the focus at the beginning and then don't move forward with it in the two Stackpole novels and then completely forget about it in Luceno's first novel. Hopefully I don't get quite as ranty with the next ones of these I put up.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Separating Inspiration and Story
This blog post is going to be a little more focused on writing and comes from a story I recently received some critiques on and I can see a problem is that I was so wrapped up in the inspiration from where the story came from that I couldn't see that the story would do better without the beginning that inspired it and focusing on what came from that story.
This is something I can see in my other writing as well. Largely this comes from the fact that I do my writing as a discovery writer so I only have a vague idea of what I want to write and let things flow from there. A lot of my stories just start from one idea and can move in ways that move quite far from there and result in what I started writing being irrelevant to what develops.
The problem comes from my inability to realize that the inspiration may not be as important to the story as what I've created from that idea. I wrote a dystopic story which stemmed from some commentator on ESPN calling MMA modern day gladiator fights. Which I disagree with, but I took the idea of a society that brings back gladiator battles and used that to create a story. In the end the gladiator fights don't really matter, but they are in the story. Thanks to the feedback on my more recent story it's shed light on the fact that I could lose the gladiator fights, even though I use it as a set piece.
It becomes a case of killing your darlings and in a less obvious way to me. Something about losing the inspiration for a story seems more painful and less obvious than conversations that are amusing, but don't move the story anywhere, which are much more obvious story killers for me to notice than anything else. So hopefully I'll be able to keep this in mind in the future and if you're reading this you'll pay attention to that idea as well.
This is something I can see in my other writing as well. Largely this comes from the fact that I do my writing as a discovery writer so I only have a vague idea of what I want to write and let things flow from there. A lot of my stories just start from one idea and can move in ways that move quite far from there and result in what I started writing being irrelevant to what develops.
The problem comes from my inability to realize that the inspiration may not be as important to the story as what I've created from that idea. I wrote a dystopic story which stemmed from some commentator on ESPN calling MMA modern day gladiator fights. Which I disagree with, but I took the idea of a society that brings back gladiator battles and used that to create a story. In the end the gladiator fights don't really matter, but they are in the story. Thanks to the feedback on my more recent story it's shed light on the fact that I could lose the gladiator fights, even though I use it as a set piece.
It becomes a case of killing your darlings and in a less obvious way to me. Something about losing the inspiration for a story seems more painful and less obvious than conversations that are amusing, but don't move the story anywhere, which are much more obvious story killers for me to notice than anything else. So hopefully I'll be able to keep this in mind in the future and if you're reading this you'll pay attention to that idea as well.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Goals
For the majority of my life I've never understood the need people always place on setting goals and accomplishing them, but really that's because school set my goals for me. Since I've graduated college I don't have do well in class and graduate as goals and actually need to set something concrete to accomplish or I'm content to play video games and keep the job I don't like. So this year I'm going to get shit done and set goals to accomplish so I actually do them.
1. Write a short story a month.
I'm not talking really short stories, but something in the area of 20k words or so. That will become tougher as I start revising stories while writing new ones, but as I get into the habit of writing it should be easier for me to sit down and write and pump out words.
2. Start self-publishing on Amazon.
Along with getting into the habit of pumping out short stories I want to publish those with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) although I'm actually just guessing what those letters stand for, but short stories of the longer length I want to write don't have a real target way to get published so this seems like a good way to sell them at least to me. Plus it will force me to revise things I write instead of just writing them and leaving them sitting around.
3. Get published.
I will write short stories that can qualify for publication and I want to work on that and actually get something published. Plus once I get published as an author I can start calling myself a professional writer which would be cool.
4. Complete NaNoWriMo.
I've tried it the past two years and failed. Partially because of poor planning, and partially because the new Call of Duty game always comes out that month. This year I want to have a plan and build the world I'm going to write in before I get into it and have a plan and execute it.
All my goals are writing related and while I would prefer a new job than the one I have currently and to improve other things. Concentrating on my writing is something I really feel the need to do and give writing a chance to be my profession and the way I make money for a living. Thankfully the job I have right now is one where it's easy to leave work at work and do some writing when I'm off. And I have enough free time to play video games, watch tv/movies, and still get writing in every day. So this is the year I become a writer and see where it can take me.
1. Write a short story a month.
I'm not talking really short stories, but something in the area of 20k words or so. That will become tougher as I start revising stories while writing new ones, but as I get into the habit of writing it should be easier for me to sit down and write and pump out words.
2. Start self-publishing on Amazon.
Along with getting into the habit of pumping out short stories I want to publish those with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) although I'm actually just guessing what those letters stand for, but short stories of the longer length I want to write don't have a real target way to get published so this seems like a good way to sell them at least to me. Plus it will force me to revise things I write instead of just writing them and leaving them sitting around.
3. Get published.
I will write short stories that can qualify for publication and I want to work on that and actually get something published. Plus once I get published as an author I can start calling myself a professional writer which would be cool.
4. Complete NaNoWriMo.
I've tried it the past two years and failed. Partially because of poor planning, and partially because the new Call of Duty game always comes out that month. This year I want to have a plan and build the world I'm going to write in before I get into it and have a plan and execute it.
All my goals are writing related and while I would prefer a new job than the one I have currently and to improve other things. Concentrating on my writing is something I really feel the need to do and give writing a chance to be my profession and the way I make money for a living. Thankfully the job I have right now is one where it's easy to leave work at work and do some writing when I'm off. And I have enough free time to play video games, watch tv/movies, and still get writing in every day. So this is the year I become a writer and see where it can take me.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
My Hometown
As an aspiring writer I often find myself wishing I lived in a big city where stuff happened and there were a lot of different kind of people around and experiences to be had. But when I really think about the town I live in I realize that's largely a case of the grass is always greener on the other side and I don't realize what's in the town I've lived in for most of my life.
I live in Petoskey in Northern Michigan which doesn't have much in the way of population or entertainment options if you're not a skier or golfer. But I then remember that this is the same place Ernest Hemingway's family owned a summer house. In fact that house was on Walloon Lake which is the same place I grew up as a kid. I've been to bars that boast of him having been there and book stores have sections dedicated to his books, and books about him. His daughter had a house on the same road I lived on and was a member at the golf course down the road from my house. Hemingway has had many experiences that I haven't, but it's cool to think that there are similar ones between us. My Father spent time with me in the woods, and taught me to hunt as well, although I don't do it that often, and presumably that would be in the same woods that Hemingway learned as well, although it is much changed from then.
Not every town is going to be connected to a famous author, but they all have their stories and the past of families are interesting as well. It's important to remember that any place can seem boring if you overlook parts of it, and see a different place as exciting. Remember that there are people living in those places who think their town is boring and want to go somewhere as well.
I'm not quite sure what the point of this is beyond remembering that every place has its own quirks and to enjoy those and remember that there is always something interesting to be found. I think about this occasionally and walking around downtown they have plaques up that talk about the past of the city and I always stop and read them. I find that history interesting and every place should be remembered for its history and what it does that no other place offers.
I live in Petoskey in Northern Michigan which doesn't have much in the way of population or entertainment options if you're not a skier or golfer. But I then remember that this is the same place Ernest Hemingway's family owned a summer house. In fact that house was on Walloon Lake which is the same place I grew up as a kid. I've been to bars that boast of him having been there and book stores have sections dedicated to his books, and books about him. His daughter had a house on the same road I lived on and was a member at the golf course down the road from my house. Hemingway has had many experiences that I haven't, but it's cool to think that there are similar ones between us. My Father spent time with me in the woods, and taught me to hunt as well, although I don't do it that often, and presumably that would be in the same woods that Hemingway learned as well, although it is much changed from then.
Not every town is going to be connected to a famous author, but they all have their stories and the past of families are interesting as well. It's important to remember that any place can seem boring if you overlook parts of it, and see a different place as exciting. Remember that there are people living in those places who think their town is boring and want to go somewhere as well.
I'm not quite sure what the point of this is beyond remembering that every place has its own quirks and to enjoy those and remember that there is always something interesting to be found. I think about this occasionally and walking around downtown they have plaques up that talk about the past of the city and I always stop and read them. I find that history interesting and every place should be remembered for its history and what it does that no other place offers.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Mixed Martial Arts
Saturday I went to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch UFC 140 and I've finally recovered enough to type about it. Okay, Sunday was the only day I was completely out of it, but Monday had a lot of napping after work to help compensate for a rough day of drinking as well. I also worked ten hours on Sunday and that doesn't facilitate a hangover recovery, but back to the point of watching UFC 140.
It was awesome. I don't think I'd agree if I just bought the PPV and watched it at home, but going to a bar and watching it with wings, beer, and other people helped a lot. I don't want to diminish the fights, but the show is only two hours, because of quick fights which were good, but short. As a fan of professional wrestling for most of my life I expect PPVs to give me more for my money, while I know that UFC isn't preplanned and anything can happen the shows bear a similar price and structure so it draws that comparison. However the show had a lot of awesome stuff happening.
I'll start with the first fight of the night which was over in seven seconds. Chang Sung Jung avoided a haymaker from Mark Hominich then rocked him with a punch and followed up as he fell for a decisive win, and while some people get down on these quick fights I think they are awesome occasionally. This is one thing that MMA has the advantage over wrestling in that a match can be this short and still be good because Jung looks like a beast and it's impressive that someone can legitimately KO somebody this quickly in a match.
The next match went to a decision and was boring to me so I don't want to talk about it. My disinterest was enabled by the fact that I didn't have a great angle to the tv and haven't been following UFC closely enough to know the fighters.
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Tito Ortiz was next and all is well with the world because Nog won as I do know that I find Tito to be annoying and the best part was the fight being finished by TKO with body shots. I like that Ortiz got beaten while he's laying on the ground covering his head letting Nog punch and elbow the fuck out of his ribs. It was brutal and satisfying.
Next up was Frank Mir beating Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by breaking his fucking arm with a Kimura. Antonio was controlling this match early with his strikes and nearly KOd Mir, but instead of continuing to punch he went in for a submission and Mir put him into a Kimura they did some rolls that looked awesome, then Antonio refused to tap out and his arm snapped. I didn't realize it at first, but the replays made it obvious and the people at the bar reacted so well to the moment, as did I. The fight was all action and the ending was brutal, but exciting.
The main event was Lyoto Machida vs. Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and this was a good fight that went a distance into the second round before Jones busted Machida open with an elbow and then choked him out with a great guillotine. At first it looked like they were just in a clinch to me. The ref tapped Jones to release and Machida dropped to the mat like a rock, it was an impressive win for Jones, and kind of disappointing to me because I like Machida, but I am always happy to watch a good fight.
They were mostly good fights and exciting to watch, but I'm even more excited for UFC 141 on December 30 that pits Allistar Overeem against Brock Lesnar, because watching those two behemoths fight each other is going to be awesome.
It was awesome. I don't think I'd agree if I just bought the PPV and watched it at home, but going to a bar and watching it with wings, beer, and other people helped a lot. I don't want to diminish the fights, but the show is only two hours, because of quick fights which were good, but short. As a fan of professional wrestling for most of my life I expect PPVs to give me more for my money, while I know that UFC isn't preplanned and anything can happen the shows bear a similar price and structure so it draws that comparison. However the show had a lot of awesome stuff happening.
I'll start with the first fight of the night which was over in seven seconds. Chang Sung Jung avoided a haymaker from Mark Hominich then rocked him with a punch and followed up as he fell for a decisive win, and while some people get down on these quick fights I think they are awesome occasionally. This is one thing that MMA has the advantage over wrestling in that a match can be this short and still be good because Jung looks like a beast and it's impressive that someone can legitimately KO somebody this quickly in a match.
The next match went to a decision and was boring to me so I don't want to talk about it. My disinterest was enabled by the fact that I didn't have a great angle to the tv and haven't been following UFC closely enough to know the fighters.
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Tito Ortiz was next and all is well with the world because Nog won as I do know that I find Tito to be annoying and the best part was the fight being finished by TKO with body shots. I like that Ortiz got beaten while he's laying on the ground covering his head letting Nog punch and elbow the fuck out of his ribs. It was brutal and satisfying.
Next up was Frank Mir beating Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by breaking his fucking arm with a Kimura. Antonio was controlling this match early with his strikes and nearly KOd Mir, but instead of continuing to punch he went in for a submission and Mir put him into a Kimura they did some rolls that looked awesome, then Antonio refused to tap out and his arm snapped. I didn't realize it at first, but the replays made it obvious and the people at the bar reacted so well to the moment, as did I. The fight was all action and the ending was brutal, but exciting.
The main event was Lyoto Machida vs. Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and this was a good fight that went a distance into the second round before Jones busted Machida open with an elbow and then choked him out with a great guillotine. At first it looked like they were just in a clinch to me. The ref tapped Jones to release and Machida dropped to the mat like a rock, it was an impressive win for Jones, and kind of disappointing to me because I like Machida, but I am always happy to watch a good fight.
They were mostly good fights and exciting to watch, but I'm even more excited for UFC 141 on December 30 that pits Allistar Overeem against Brock Lesnar, because watching those two behemoths fight each other is going to be awesome.
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