Around the World: Reliance Building

My short trip to Chicago, only one day, is probably one I remember with more pleasure than other. I really like architecture, and the architecture of this city is wonderful, even if you have to find the details: take in all the context, probably Chicago is not the most beautiful USA city, but if you focus building on building, you will find little treasures.


by Elisa, Chicago, 2000:
http://www.elisarolle.com/travel/2000Chicago.htm

When I went there it was Christmas time, and I like the little decorations that add something more on the pics.

( Reliance Building )

Around the World: Reliance Building

My short trip to Chicago, only one day, is probably one I remember with more pleasure than other. I really like architecture, and the architecture of this city is wonderful, even if you have to find the details: take in all the context, probably Chicago is not the most beautiful USA city, but if you focus building on building, you will find little treasures.


by Elisa, Chicago, 2000:
http://www.elisarolle.com/travel/2000Chicago.htm

When I went there it was Christmas time, and I like the little decorations that add something more on the pics.

( Reliance Building )

The Slayer's Apprentice by Zathyn Priest

This is the second book I read by Zathyn Priest and while I found some common elements, this one is not at all light and somewhat funny like the previous one. The common elements are: in both there is a very young character who was abused during his childhood; the relationship is between a very young man, barely eighteen, who still hasn't reached a steady adult behavior, and a older men, nearly thirty, with a good job and a reassuring and comforting attitude. There is obviously the push for the older man to take care and protect the younger man, even if all the evidences are against their relationship.

Phoenix is an eighteen years old boy with an abusive past. Since the first page the reader knows that Phoenix's real name is Dylan, and he is a boy kidnapped when he was 13 years old, and probably abused and taken in captivity from a serial killer, The Crucifix Slayer. The Police Department is somewhat guilty to not give so much importance to Dylan's case since he was a kid with attitude problems, and when he disappeared, they though he was a runaway kid. Now that he reappears, they don't know how to treat him: Phoenix is for sure a problematic man, he is a liar and a manipulative, but part of them want to justify his behavior due to all he passed through.

Phoenix is also taking care of Echo, another child the serial killer kidnapped when he was only one years old: when Phoenix manages to escape from his captivity, he took with him the little child, that now is a five years old who clearly is crazy for who he thinks is his older brother. While Phoenix is sharp and unpleasant with whom wants to approach him, he seems to be a perfect parent for the little kid.

Daniel is a cop who Phoenix meets when trying to pickpocket him. The man doesn't file a complaint against Phoenix, and instead begins to take care of him even before knowing that Phoenix is probably the only link they have to trace back a serial killer. Daniel arrives also to go against the book to allow Phoenix to do as he pleases, and more the book goes on more the reader realizes that Daniel is almost a puppet in the hands of Phoenix. Phoenix is not at all a positive character, he is for real a liar and he has not problem in using other people to do what he wants, even when he is using his "brother"... if he is doing so to survive or since he is real guilty as the serial killer, and not another victim... well you have to read the book to know.

The relationship between Daniel and Phoenix is not simply love; I'm not sure that there is love from any side of it: Daniel is clearly smitten from Phoenix, he is obsessed, but he is also a very good man, and so his obsession turns in deeply involvement and in a need to be of help; Phoenix has serious psychological problems and I don't believe that in his mental state he can really love someone. Phoenix needs to feel sure, to have someone around that protect him from the outside world, and Daniel is perfect in this role.

I have no problem to admit that I shed my share of tears reading the book, not a fountain, but in two or three moments it took me so much that I can't help it; it's not an easy read, Phoenix's psychological description is really good and it makes him a character that comes out in full dimension from the book; he is clearly the main and only protagonist of the book, all the other are only supporting him to shine.

http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=237&products_id=1763

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle

Only Words by Acer Adamson

There is a background in this short story that we didn't read, but then it's only 26 pages long, it's almost impossible to have all. Max is an average cop: not an hero, not a perfect cop, he has his nice and dislike in the police department. Plus he wake up from the wrong side of the bed, and nothing in the day made it better. So when his lover comes to the precinct to visit, and a colleague says a not so nice thing about him, Max reacts in an even worst way; 2 weeks forced leave and another fight in a pub later, Max arrives to his lover's doorstep.

Noticed that I said lover and not boyfriend? this derives from the background that we didn't read. Skyler, Max's lover, is a little pretty thing, a tailor who likes to dress in drag. In an homophobic habit, it's for sure the first person to be targeted. So Skyler is not so sad about the treatment he received, he is more worried about Max's reaction. It's months that they are lovers, but still Max hasn't opened completely with Skyler, he still treats Skyler more as a lover than a partner. They met only at Skyler's home, Skyler doesn't know how to reach Max if not going where he works, when they makes love Skyler has still the impression that Max is considering Skyler more as a woman with a dick, than as a man.

So probably Skyler is wondering if Max's behavior is really due to his intention to protect him, as a knight in shining armor, or since he is ashamed of who Skyler is. Max's colleague was speaking Max's mind, and so he hit a bit to near home? Max and Skyler have to have a serious conversation, ones that could change their relationship forever or end it.

For a 26 pages long story, this one has the merit to arise a bit of questions and to present two main characters that, even if in a short time, make the reader wonders about them: as always, in a short story, I consider this a sign that it reaches its purpose.

http://excessica.com/index.php/books/only-words-by-acer-adamson/

Buy at 1 Romance Ebooks

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle

Only Words by Acer Adamson

There is a background in this short story that we didn't read, but then it's only 26 pages long, it's almost impossible to have all. Max is an average cop: not an hero, not a perfect cop, he has his nice and dislike in the police department. Plus he wake up from the wrong side of the bed, and nothing in the day made it better. So when his lover comes to the precinct to visit, and a colleague says a not so nice thing about him, Max reacts in an even worst way; 2 weeks forced leave and another fight in a pub later, Max arrives to his lover's doorstep.

Noticed that I said lover and not boyfriend? this derives from the background that we didn't read. Skyler, Max's lover, is a little pretty thing, a tailor who likes to dress in drag. In an homophobic habit, it's for sure the first person to be targeted. So Skyler is not so sad about the treatment he received, he is more worried about Max's reaction. It's months that they are lovers, but still Max hasn't opened completely with Skyler, he still treats Skyler more as a lover than a partner. They met only at Skyler's home, Skyler doesn't know how to reach Max if not going where he works, when they makes love Skyler has still the impression that Max is considering Skyler more as a woman with a dick, than as a man.

So probably Skyler is wondering if Max's behavior is really due to his intention to protect him, as a knight in shining armor, or since he is ashamed of who Skyler is. Max's colleague was speaking Max's mind, and so he hit a bit to near home? Max and Skyler have to have a serious conversation, ones that could change their relationship forever or end it.

For a 26 pages long story, this one has the merit to arise a bit of questions and to present two main characters that, even if in a short time, make the reader wonders about them: as always, in a short story, I consider this a sign that it reaches its purpose.

http://excessica.com/index.php/books/only-words-by-acer-adamson/

Buy at 1 Romance Ebooks

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle