Review: The Last of Us (season 1)

I recently saw that my local library had The Last of Us, season one, on DVD. I hadn't played the games. I had no idea what the story was about, other than it was some kind of post-apocalyptic tale. And to be honest, a story set in a bleak future of a world gone wrong is enough reason for me to take a look. But I'd also heard that the show was good, so I borrowed it without hesitation and I'm glad that I did.

For those that don't know, the show follows the characters of Joel (played by Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey). Pre-apocalypse, Joel is a construction contractor and father, going through each day like any other until the world starts going to heck in a handbasket. Years later, Joel meets Ellie and their circumstances turn them into travelling companions in this strange and desperate new world. At first they're at odds with each other, but as they brave some staggering challenges together the two of them grow to care about each other. In a troubled world with troubled people, the trust they build with each other proves valuable beyond measure.

This show got a lot of things right in the initial exposition. I was hooked within the first 15 minutes or so of the first episode. I'm probably not giving too much away to say that the storyline's apocalypse is of the zombie variety. But the zombies here are given a fresh take; their origin and how they infect others is not your typical fare. And this allows for the onset of doomsday to be gradual and almost organic. The crashed cars, riots, and eventual military involvement creeps up on the population somewhat. I really liked this approach to building the apocalypse. 

By the end of the season I realised that there wasn't a single dull episode; each one was a treasure in itself. I can't give this season a perfect score, because I feel that the ending was a little off. But overall I would definitely recommend watching this show. 

Final score: 4 / 5

The meaning of Boxing Day ...in Australia

December 26th. Boxing Day. I woke up this morning wondering, like I had every other year, what Boxing Day was all about. Before I reached out to professor Google for some answers I decided to think about it for a moment. I thought about what Boxing Day means for the typical middle-aged Aussie bloke. 

It's all about escaping from the late December heat by hiding in air conditioning while watching test match cricket on the television. When the brief commercial breaks are broadcast at either the end of an over or the fall of a wicket, then it's time to change the channel for a few seconds to watch some yachts sailing out of Sydney Harbour. Then it's back to the cricket. 

It's a day of feeling disgusted at ourselves for the excessive amounts of food eaten the day before, while trying not to think about the homeless and the poor folks who missed out. Then when those gluttonous memories have sufficiently subsided, we either get stuck into some leftovers or fire up the barbeque to cook even more food. 

Those who like to drink eventually start up on the booze again, with each dead marine being chucked into the recycling wheelie bin with a shameful clatter. I can imagine the sound of the bin being dragged out to the kerb on collection day. 

If friends or family had dropped by for a visit then they eventually hit the road. Those left behind note the palpable feeling of an empty house. Getting behind the wheel is often an early start for those who are continuing their journey, wanting to beat the traffic and get to their next destination for check-in. Those who are heading back home might depart after a bit more food and a few bevvies; watch out for the boys in blue with roadside random breath tests. 

Perhaps the most notable experience of Boxing Day in Australia is the melancholy. The fading of the holiday joy which we had been anticipating for weeks, transforming into a feeling of apprehension about the year ahead. More work, more bills, and another year crossed off the calendars of our lives. 

Boxing Day. It can be a real mixed bag of emotions. But it's remains one of the great days of the year, unless you're already back to work. In that case, thank you for your service. 

The books of 2023

 Here's a list of the books which I remember reading in 2023. I didn't keep a list of them so I might have forgotten a few. 

King James Bible (AKJV) 

I started reading this at the beginning of January and finished it up at the end of November. Last year I read the NKJV, but this year I wanted to read its predecessor. I was a little surprised that I finished reading this translation ahead of schedule, given its use of an older form of the English language. 

An Immigrant's Love Letter to the West (by Konstantin Kisin)

The author grew up in Russia and has first-hand experience of what life is really like under a socialist system of governance. He moved the United Kingdom during childhood and has since seen what life is like in Western society. In this book he smashes to smithereens the naive opinions of modern progressive types who think that socialism would solve the world's troubles. He delivers this reality check with a generous dose of humour along the way. 

The Case Against the Sexual Revolution (by Louise Perry) 

Louise, who also happens to be a feminist, clearly lays out the failed hopes of the sexual revolution and the dark places it has taken modern society. This book highlights the flaws within many of the arguments from today's feminists. By the end of the book she makes a case for the place of traditional marriage, asserting that while it may not be perfect, it's the best tried and tested system so far for cultivating beneficial relationships and raising children. If you find this book interesting then I suggest also taking a look at A Billion Wicked Thoughts (by Ogas and Gaddam).

Stealing From God (by Frank Turek) 

Turek has become a staple of Christian apologetics over the years, and this book pairs well with another publication of his I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist. In this book he picks apart many of the arguments from the New Atheist era, some of which remain today, and shows that many of those views rely upon the existence of God. 

The Book of the Bivvy (by Ronald Turnbull)

Despite my love of the outdoors I have very little interest in camping or hiking. Yet, I found the tales of camping adventures using a bivvy bag to be charming and soothing to my soul. 

Heat 2 (by Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner)

The original film Heat remains one of my favourites. I've lost count of the number of times I've watched it. While I enjoyed reading this sequel I doubt that it would work well as a movie. There are a few slow moments in this book, but there's also plenty of gripping moments. Definitely recommended for fans of the film. 

Tactics (by Gregory Koukl)

This book is a great companion alongside I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist (by Frank Turek). Tactics presents some important lessons in debating many of the topics within the field of apologetics. There's even some good advice on how to handle tricky debates that apply to almost any topic. 

The Screwtape Letters (by C.S. Lewis) 

This has been hailed as great book from Lewis on his theistic views. But I honestly didn't find this book very engaging, and I struggled to finish it. There were a few "ah ha" moments, but not many. Mere Christianity (also by Lewis) was a better book on the topic.

Think Like a Mountain (by Aldo Leopold) 

I picked up this book after reading The Way Home (by Mark Boyle). The way in which Leopold viewed the natural world, and its subsequent invasion by mankind's progress, is somewhat artful. Books like this are valuable because they remind us that humanity has a tendency to mess up the natural world. While reading this book I was longing with nostalgia for the locations he explored, even though I had never seen them for myself. 

The Way Home (by Mark Boyle) 

Boyle came to fame as the Moneyless Man (another of his books). However, in this book he writes about the first year he spent living a simplistic life which lacked much modern technology. Depending on how hooked you are on our modern ways of life, you might find the premise of this book to be a little too radical; or you might find it inspires some hope. I'm glad that there are still people in the world who choose to live life in such ways, even though they don't have to. It shows that the online world is still optional. 

I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist (by Frank Turek) 

Some people hold that Mere Christianity (by C.S. Lewis) is the equivalent of Christian apologetics 101. But I found this to be a better foundational read. I'd start with this before moving on to Lewis. In this book Turek lays out a multi-faceted case for Christianity to be true. I would recommend this book to all Christians, and also to any non-believers who are on an open-minded quest for the truth. Even if you don't agree with Turek by the end of the book, you'll at least walk away better informed about the basis of reasoned Christianity. 

Cobalt Blue (by Matthew Reilly) 

Just don't. I got sucked in by the cover and the blurb. This is novella is a B-grade screenplay at best. Life is short and there are better novels to read than this.