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Intrinsic Encounters
MY DESIRE TO BECOME A GENIUS started when I realized my parents love electronic gadgets above all else in this known universe. The two are highly passionate physicists, madly in love with all things science and magical. Ever since I can remember, it’s all they’ve lived and breathed for, and many a time during limited edition issues at the mall, very nearly died for. This I couldn’t understand. I, of course, was left to my own means. It was driving me crazy.
This insufferable situation lasted until the eve of my adolescent years, when, suddenly emboldened by the wild prospect of approaching teenagerhood, I decided, that’s it! Enough is enough! I’m irrevocably taking back control of my life! I’m going to be the center-stage of their closely knitted universe, win back their attention, come rain or sunshine, or whatever else in between, I recall thinking fervently to myself, having figured it all out to the letter, and missing nothing more than a solid plan of how I was going to accomplish this astronomical miracle.
It was then I felt this brilliant idea suddenly taking root in my mind. I stood stock still twiddling my chin while staring at the clouds above. “Fantastic,” I suddenly exploded, eyes glowing as I breathed heavily. “That’s it!” I danced, as the rest of the plan fell into place. “I’ll emulate them, that way, we’d have something in common, spend time together, be a real family, adventure, fun, tralala, isn’t that great?”
I was excited. Finally, a strategy. My future was no longer unknown. I was going to be an electronics genius. What’s more? My parents and I were going to be a team. Isn’t that amazing? All for one and one for all. We were destined to be the three Musketeers of all things electronic. Damned, this is going to be awesome!
Needless to say, I was on a roll. It wasn’t long before I started taking devices apart.
At first, I tinkered away at little things—discarded watches and toys, nothing anybody would miss. This didn’t bring me immediate attention though, but by then, I was having so much fun at it, that I lost sight of my original goal to snare my parents. Surprisingly, I quickly acquired a taste for reverse engineering. The talent to go with the same, however, was another matter altogether.
As I got bolder and took to probing and jabbing away at larger gadgets and more-complex machines I had absolutely no business at all looking into, weird things started to happen. A particularly bizarre incident involves my parent’s favorite radio. On splitting this up and then creatively putting it back together again, I decided on a whim of inspiration to try and sell it on eBay. And wonder of all wonders, it sold! But when the paying customer got back to me and told me my unique creation actually doubled as a lovely designer toaster, I was shocked and zapped to the very core of my being. This new functionality had never been my intention at all. Create a designer toaster? Never in a million years! I just wanted to spice up ‘my’ radio, that’s all, I swear.
So of course, for hours on end after that, I battled with feelings of self-doubt, suffered panic attacks, spent days trying to breathe new life into my battered ego, and even imagined my tinker days to be over for good.
Meanwhile, the radio was gone. The good old days of music ricocheting off the four walls of the living room, was a thing of the past. Upon noticing how suddenly quiet it was within their home, Mom and Dad went in search of their missing radio. I slithered away and went underground for a week.
They searched high and low for their prized possession. I believe by then it was industriously toasting bread for its new owner across town. Lucky bugger! As for me, my nightmares came in the form of toasters. I lost all interest in bread. My legacy was in tartars.
When Mom and Dad eventually caught up with me, they put me through a series of such intense interrogations, that when I finally cracked and told them marmalade would never be of any use to me ever again, they were seriously puzzled, and discussed my mental health for days.
Eventually, though, lack of music got to them. And so, they were back at it. Night after night, they would come home from work and grill me about the whereabouts of their missing broadcast receiver. For just as long, I mumbled unintelligible words about eBay and big dreams.
They lacked evidence. But were rich in suspicion. And copiously grumbled on and off for a while.
Days went by before things got back to normal.
Old habits die hard. When I noticed they no longer missed their missing radio, I rejoined the land of the living, and, of course, took up tinkering again. This time around, I was messing about with Mom’s brand-new blow-dryer when—I swear this happened—instead of spewing forth the old familiar heat we are all so accustomed to, it suddenly shot out long jagged bolts of brilliant-orange lightning. To say that I was stupefied would be a complete understatement. For two straight da...
This insufferable situation lasted until the eve of my adolescent years, when, suddenly emboldened by the wild prospect of approaching teenagerhood, I decided, that’s it! Enough is enough! I’m irrevocably taking back control of my life! I’m going to be the center-stage of their closely knitted universe, win back their attention, come rain or sunshine, or whatever else in between, I recall thinking fervently to myself, having figured it all out to the letter, and missing nothing more than a solid plan of how I was going to accomplish this astronomical miracle.
It was then I felt this brilliant idea suddenly taking root in my mind. I stood stock still twiddling my chin while staring at the clouds above. “Fantastic,” I suddenly exploded, eyes glowing as I breathed heavily. “That’s it!” I danced, as the rest of the plan fell into place. “I’ll emulate them, that way, we’d have something in common, spend time together, be a real family, adventure, fun, tralala, isn’t that great?”
I was excited. Finally, a strategy. My future was no longer unknown. I was going to be an electronics genius. What’s more? My parents and I were going to be a team. Isn’t that amazing? All for one and one for all. We were destined to be the three Musketeers of all things electronic. Damned, this is going to be awesome!
Needless to say, I was on a roll. It wasn’t long before I started taking devices apart.
At first, I tinkered away at little things—discarded watches and toys, nothing anybody would miss. This didn’t bring me immediate attention though, but by then, I was having so much fun at it, that I lost sight of my original goal to snare my parents. Surprisingly, I quickly acquired a taste for reverse engineering. The talent to go with the same, however, was another matter altogether.
As I got bolder and took to probing and jabbing away at larger gadgets and more-complex machines I had absolutely no business at all looking into, weird things started to happen. A particularly bizarre incident involves my parent’s favorite radio. On splitting this up and then creatively putting it back together again, I decided on a whim of inspiration to try and sell it on eBay. And wonder of all wonders, it sold! But when the paying customer got back to me and told me my unique creation actually doubled as a lovely designer toaster, I was shocked and zapped to the very core of my being. This new functionality had never been my intention at all. Create a designer toaster? Never in a million years! I just wanted to spice up ‘my’ radio, that’s all, I swear.
So of course, for hours on end after that, I battled with feelings of self-doubt, suffered panic attacks, spent days trying to breathe new life into my battered ego, and even imagined my tinker days to be over for good.
Meanwhile, the radio was gone. The good old days of music ricocheting off the four walls of the living room, was a thing of the past. Upon noticing how suddenly quiet it was within their home, Mom and Dad went in search of their missing radio. I slithered away and went underground for a week.
They searched high and low for their prized possession. I believe by then it was industriously toasting bread for its new owner across town. Lucky bugger! As for me, my nightmares came in the form of toasters. I lost all interest in bread. My legacy was in tartars.
When Mom and Dad eventually caught up with me, they put me through a series of such intense interrogations, that when I finally cracked and told them marmalade would never be of any use to me ever again, they were seriously puzzled, and discussed my mental health for days.
Eventually, though, lack of music got to them. And so, they were back at it. Night after night, they would come home from work and grill me about the whereabouts of their missing broadcast receiver. For just as long, I mumbled unintelligible words about eBay and big dreams.
They lacked evidence. But were rich in suspicion. And copiously grumbled on and off for a while.
Days went by before things got back to normal.
Old habits die hard. When I noticed they no longer missed their missing radio, I rejoined the land of the living, and, of course, took up tinkering again. This time around, I was messing about with Mom’s brand-new blow-dryer when—I swear this happened—instead of spewing forth the old familiar heat we are all so accustomed to, it suddenly shot out long jagged bolts of brilliant-orange lightning. To say that I was stupefied would be a complete understatement. For two straight da...
400 pages, ebook
Published June 30, 2016
2 people want to read
About the author
K.M. Oddeck
1 book1 followerThus far, Kenn Oddeck has written two books: a tale of laughs going by the title "The Maverick Agenda", which I might add, is a fabulous novel that all prospective university students and students alike simply have to read. If you're embarking on a career too, you might want to check this out. His second book meant for children and teens is titled "Teen Almanac," and is the perfect companion to every young auspicious person across the globe.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 18, 2016
The author via Booktasters provided a copy of the PDF in exchange for an honest review.
K. M. Oddeck takes the reader on David Elbert’s journey—a journey filled with action, growing pains, and humour. Intrinsic Encounters is a truly original novel. Oddeck explores the life experiences that shape and drives David on this fast paced read. The impact of his parent’s parenting or lack thereof add an interesting dimension to the story. His college life, work experiences, and relationships add many layers to the novel. David’s actions and the consequences make this a page-turner. The author’s attention to detail is flawless. The reader will continually wonder what will happen next. Intrinsic Encounters is a revealing title. Oddeck has written a most entertaining novel.
K. M. Oddeck takes the reader on David Elbert’s journey—a journey filled with action, growing pains, and humour. Intrinsic Encounters is a truly original novel. Oddeck explores the life experiences that shape and drives David on this fast paced read. The impact of his parent’s parenting or lack thereof add an interesting dimension to the story. His college life, work experiences, and relationships add many layers to the novel. David’s actions and the consequences make this a page-turner. The author’s attention to detail is flawless. The reader will continually wonder what will happen next. Intrinsic Encounters is a revealing title. Oddeck has written a most entertaining novel.
November 23, 2016
A thrilling entertainer.
Author Kenneth Oddeck demonstrates a deep knowledge of young adults thought processes through a cleaver combination of absurd situations intertwined intricately with the life of the lead character David Elbert. ‘Intrinsic Encounters’ is an enjoyable, humorous romp that relays a clear picture of parental ignorance and its impact on a child’s life.
Hungry for parents attention, David Elbert unknowingly highlights an unknown, undiscovered quality that shapes up his character challenging ‘self identity clashes’ expected from him by his parents.
Featuring a plot with snappy yet charming narrative, this novel unfolds itself into a thrilling entertainer. While many things are not as they seem, author Kenneth Oddeck masterfully manages to connect this multilayered modern day parable into a surprising finale.
‘Intrinsic Encounters’ is a profound exploration of love, adventure and realities of life which is sure to appeal teens and young adults and evoke giggles for those with a heart for humor. Less action oriented and ambiguous, this well written book is definitely worth a try. Highly recommended.
Author Kenneth Oddeck demonstrates a deep knowledge of young adults thought processes through a cleaver combination of absurd situations intertwined intricately with the life of the lead character David Elbert. ‘Intrinsic Encounters’ is an enjoyable, humorous romp that relays a clear picture of parental ignorance and its impact on a child’s life.
Hungry for parents attention, David Elbert unknowingly highlights an unknown, undiscovered quality that shapes up his character challenging ‘self identity clashes’ expected from him by his parents.
Featuring a plot with snappy yet charming narrative, this novel unfolds itself into a thrilling entertainer. While many things are not as they seem, author Kenneth Oddeck masterfully manages to connect this multilayered modern day parable into a surprising finale.
‘Intrinsic Encounters’ is a profound exploration of love, adventure and realities of life which is sure to appeal teens and young adults and evoke giggles for those with a heart for humor. Less action oriented and ambiguous, this well written book is definitely worth a try. Highly recommended.
October 14, 2016
The author provided me with a free copy of this book for an honest review via BookTasters.
A fast paced story of David Elbert's life through College, his internship and first job as an engineer. From the first page to the last, you'll find yourself cheering for the protagonist. It gets very technical on engineering processes but this doesn't dampen the fun and thrill that is this story.
A fast paced story of David Elbert's life through College, his internship and first job as an engineer. From the first page to the last, you'll find yourself cheering for the protagonist. It gets very technical on engineering processes but this doesn't dampen the fun and thrill that is this story.
March 23, 2017
When I started reading Intrinsic Encounters I expected mystery, intrigue, espionage, and a spy thriller. Why? I’m not sure, that’s just what the cover spoke to me. Instead, I got the longest most hilarious first chapter I’ve ever read. It gave you all of David’s backstory. And the things he did as a kid. Hm, hm, hm. His parents way of resolving the problem–priceless. I’m still laughing.
Getting over my initial shock that this was not a mystery was replaced by some well written humor. This hype was immediately replaced as we returned to the present and David presented a more somber mood.
Then Elise came into the picture, David’s girl friend. No, not girlfriend, his friend that is a girl. That is until David realizes his like for her has moved into love. Aaaah, a budding romance. This is a romance novel. Of course not! Let me be clear that relationship does develop throughout the novel, but—there was that thing you know, that thing that centered around Displaytek (the place where David did his internship). That engineering thing that got him there in the first place and was the primary story of the book. Right, Let me explain it more clearly, It was that thing that some of us would label as technology. While others would call it geeky and nerdy. Oh! Or science fiction as those of us who must categorize books into genres would call it.
No mystery! I should have really been let down. But, I like humor. I like romance. Wait, I even like science fiction. Besides, there was a little bit of mystery with that drug thing. Yet, you already know about that.
The UNIQUE thing about Intrinsic Encounters is the suspense. Yes, you heard me, it is a suspense thriller, (my mystery) with lots of action and adventure. When David walks into Displaytek on the first day, and talks to Anje Tille of Human Resources, he asks her what is expected of him as an intern. Her answer is what kept me turning the pages of this book. With characters like Henrik Wang and John Nwosu, Intrinsic Encounters is also an ETHNIC read.
Getting over my initial shock that this was not a mystery was replaced by some well written humor. This hype was immediately replaced as we returned to the present and David presented a more somber mood.
Then Elise came into the picture, David’s girl friend. No, not girlfriend, his friend that is a girl. That is until David realizes his like for her has moved into love. Aaaah, a budding romance. This is a romance novel. Of course not! Let me be clear that relationship does develop throughout the novel, but—there was that thing you know, that thing that centered around Displaytek (the place where David did his internship). That engineering thing that got him there in the first place and was the primary story of the book. Right, Let me explain it more clearly, It was that thing that some of us would label as technology. While others would call it geeky and nerdy. Oh! Or science fiction as those of us who must categorize books into genres would call it.
No mystery! I should have really been let down. But, I like humor. I like romance. Wait, I even like science fiction. Besides, there was a little bit of mystery with that drug thing. Yet, you already know about that.
The UNIQUE thing about Intrinsic Encounters is the suspense. Yes, you heard me, it is a suspense thriller, (my mystery) with lots of action and adventure. When David walks into Displaytek on the first day, and talks to Anje Tille of Human Resources, he asks her what is expected of him as an intern. Her answer is what kept me turning the pages of this book. With characters like Henrik Wang and John Nwosu, Intrinsic Encounters is also an ETHNIC read.
July 19, 2016
K.M. Oddeck sets his delightful funny action thriller, Intrinsic Encounters in Germany, where his principal character, David Elbert is in his final semester in Business Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences in Jena. To complete his studies, he must participate in a thesis-internship. Consequently, he decides to fulfill this requirement by working at a company rumored to be a rising star in the electronics world, Displaytek Systems Ltd, located in Apolda, Germany not too far from his university.
Before we learn about David's internship at Displaytek, Oddeck fills us in as to what kind of a youngster he had been and more particularly, to the horror of his parents, one who was always involved in some kind of reverse engineering. He loved dismantling all kinds of electrical gadgets found in the family household which probably served him well in future years at university and in his thesis-internship.
At Displaytek, David's principal task is to improve the company's production and he realizes that the road ahead will be bumpy and treacherous as the company's goal is to improve it by four hundred percent. The difficult part would be the researching the thesis and then tailoring it to fit the company’s needs. However, in the back of David's mind is a fear that the company could fold before he has a chance to complete his thesis. This could delay his graduation, which depends on a successful thesis study and it would be a disaster if he had to start a new thesis-internship.
While all this is transpiring, Oddeck brings into the story a second plot concerning David and a college friend Elise who enter into a relationship. The couple decide to purchase a home and they contact a real estate agent, Handal Hoams. Little do they know that the agent is the extremely slippery drug lord of the infamous Cynus crime syndicate who has his hands in many pots including drugs and weapons. He convinces them to purchase a derelict building overgrown with weeds and swamped in trash. All seems to be hunky-dory until the couple discover during their renovations that hidden beneath a floor board are bags of illicit drugs and bundles of one hundred-dollar bills. Apparently, the real estate agent had used his business as a front for drug trafficking where he would find an empty home, bury his loot, and come back when the heat is off. Unfortunately, for the agent, the drug-enforcement agency were onto his shenanigans and were following his every movement.
David succeeds with his thesis and obtains his bachelor's degree. Moreover, Displaytek is very impressed with his internship work and the company offers him a full time position with an attractive salary, which he can't refuse. Immediately he is eager to show that he is a “whiz kid” and will succeed in solving company's production problems with his gift of creative strategies. As a result, he does come up with all kinds of suggestions that will win the company the one thing that truly matters, the creation of value.
Intrinsic Encounters is a highly ambitious work that is a wickedly amusing mischievous farce peopled with a zany cast of characters, full of hilarious takes on college life, exams, internships, phony real-estate agents, and nutty doings, particularly in the workplace. There is, however, sometimes an overabundance of detail particularly the lengthy meticulous technical explanations of David's analysis of his company's production procedures and problems. This slows down the momentum of the novel and did cause my interest to wane. It would have been far more interesting and captivating to concentrate and develop the second plot which was easier to follow and understand. Nonetheless, I have to admire Oddeck's painstakingly crafted language, rich, always alive, that in the end makes the novel a delight to read.
FOLLOW http://goo.gl/6B2yj3 TO READ NORM'S INTERVIEW WITH K.M.ODDECK
Before we learn about David's internship at Displaytek, Oddeck fills us in as to what kind of a youngster he had been and more particularly, to the horror of his parents, one who was always involved in some kind of reverse engineering. He loved dismantling all kinds of electrical gadgets found in the family household which probably served him well in future years at university and in his thesis-internship.
At Displaytek, David's principal task is to improve the company's production and he realizes that the road ahead will be bumpy and treacherous as the company's goal is to improve it by four hundred percent. The difficult part would be the researching the thesis and then tailoring it to fit the company’s needs. However, in the back of David's mind is a fear that the company could fold before he has a chance to complete his thesis. This could delay his graduation, which depends on a successful thesis study and it would be a disaster if he had to start a new thesis-internship.
While all this is transpiring, Oddeck brings into the story a second plot concerning David and a college friend Elise who enter into a relationship. The couple decide to purchase a home and they contact a real estate agent, Handal Hoams. Little do they know that the agent is the extremely slippery drug lord of the infamous Cynus crime syndicate who has his hands in many pots including drugs and weapons. He convinces them to purchase a derelict building overgrown with weeds and swamped in trash. All seems to be hunky-dory until the couple discover during their renovations that hidden beneath a floor board are bags of illicit drugs and bundles of one hundred-dollar bills. Apparently, the real estate agent had used his business as a front for drug trafficking where he would find an empty home, bury his loot, and come back when the heat is off. Unfortunately, for the agent, the drug-enforcement agency were onto his shenanigans and were following his every movement.
David succeeds with his thesis and obtains his bachelor's degree. Moreover, Displaytek is very impressed with his internship work and the company offers him a full time position with an attractive salary, which he can't refuse. Immediately he is eager to show that he is a “whiz kid” and will succeed in solving company's production problems with his gift of creative strategies. As a result, he does come up with all kinds of suggestions that will win the company the one thing that truly matters, the creation of value.
Intrinsic Encounters is a highly ambitious work that is a wickedly amusing mischievous farce peopled with a zany cast of characters, full of hilarious takes on college life, exams, internships, phony real-estate agents, and nutty doings, particularly in the workplace. There is, however, sometimes an overabundance of detail particularly the lengthy meticulous technical explanations of David's analysis of his company's production procedures and problems. This slows down the momentum of the novel and did cause my interest to wane. It would have been far more interesting and captivating to concentrate and develop the second plot which was easier to follow and understand. Nonetheless, I have to admire Oddeck's painstakingly crafted language, rich, always alive, that in the end makes the novel a delight to read.
FOLLOW http://goo.gl/6B2yj3 TO READ NORM'S INTERVIEW WITH K.M.ODDECK
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews