Everything

On reality (or confusion of)

General Geekiness

In a strange case of life blatantly copying art, a soldier dressed as (and wearing the make up of) The Joker was shot and killed by police after he pointed a loaded shot gun at them.

This makes me wonder, do people know the line between reality and fiction? Or did the soldier want to go out of this life dressed as a creepy comic book villain? It’s a strange look into what people do.

Here’s an interesting little thing to do. Write about a character who delves into his own world so deeply, he’s uncertain of what exists and what doesn’t.

What’s On the Turntable? Vol. I

What's On the Turntable?

So, what have I been listening to as of late?

This time, it’s Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) by The Kinks. It’s a concept album, following up their brilliant The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society.

This album is one that evokes an emotional response from me. The first time I heard it, I felt really angry and uncomfortable. I don’t know why. For a few months, I only listened to it that one time. Now I’ve given it a second listen, and can say that I really enjoy it. It takes a powerful piece of work to inspire emotion from me. This being ticked off is of a different sort than say, being force fed tripe Top 40 (I’m looking at you, Taylor Swift).

“Some Mother’s Son” may be my favorite track on the album. There’s something quite mournful about it, given the topic of soldiers dying to protect their homeland. The juxtaposition of soldiers fighting and children at play is a powerful, haunting one. It really makes you think.

Ray Davies’ writing is something special. While other rock bands of the era were focusing on strange moves from rock (“Revolution 9” by The Beatles), or elevating rock to a more artistic level (Tommy by The Who), Davies stays focused on what he knows: life in England. Though not joyfully nostalgic like Village Green Preservation Society, Arthur takes a good look on opportunity poor English life post-World War II.

First time Kinks concept album listeners should start with Village Green Preservation Society. It’s easier to get into.

What’s in a Name?

The Twirl and Swirl of Letters

Good morning campers!

I’ve decided to start posting writing prompts to help get our creative juices flowing. Even though I write a lot (every day), I sometimes find myself falling back to the same old same old.

Today’s prompt is a simple one.

Here’s a list of locations and things. Your job? Name them. Mine are in italics.

A greasy spoon type diner: Stick to Yer Ribs

A race horse: Tommy Can You Here Me

A rock band: Tears of Ophelia

A summer cottage: Sand Between Toes

A castle: Castello della Torre

Triplets: Madison, Pierce, Grant

A new religion: Followers of Manfred

An avant garde restaurant: Sushi On the Rocks

A soda: Mango Fizzle

Have fun and come up with more of your own. Feel free to post here.

This is adapted from What If? by Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter

You mean unicorns don’t exist?

General Geekiness

As of late, I’ve really been enjoying this TV show called Supernatural. It’s on the CW, but I’m not watching the current season.

A bunch of friends and I are slowly making our way through the show’s second season on DVD. I have to say, I really prefer watching shows on DVD to television. You don’t have to worry about commercials or when it starts. And, the best part is if you want to watch another episode, you can. Case in point, I got through 24‘s season four in under a week (and I got my homework done).

Back to Supernatural. Last night I watched the episode “Houses of the Holy” (yes, like the Led Zeppelin song and album). It involves these layabouts being visited by what they perceive to be an angel and go around killing people who commit horrible crimes–murder, child abuse and so forth–because the angel told them to.

The episode is really interesting because it delves into the main characters’ belief systems. Sam desperately wants to believe in a higher power in order to make sense of his life as a Hunter of supernatural beings. His brother Dean says he can’t believe in something that he hasn’t seen, despite having seen things that most people would never dream of.

I enjoy the inner turmoil that these characters face. It makes for good television.