reverie

"Blue sky all around me" -someone from long ago that wrote this tune/lyric/fragment or what have. Blue like the sky over the wide open oceanic sea. Although, I've never been far out to sea. Land is good. It's safe, and doesn't make you sick as often. "Baby blue's" a good song too. Think Dylan wrote it, not sure. I know Aimee Mann did a cover of it way back when. Oh wait that's a another song of hers too "Way back When." Hmms: "I remember you from way back when- Good evening ladies, gentleman." Fun, fun. But back to the big wide open happy rectangle we call Blue. Ya know I once heard that blue tends to be the favorite colors of most men. Not always, but often enough that women will purposely wear blue just to attract men. It this true? I don't know, sounds fun though, since I happen to love blue, I prefer viewing the pen and blue, and I was even a blue mage way back when. *starts humming again* But greens has it's strong points too. I openly resist my attachment to green though, as it has too many military connotations to it. But, I still like it. Browns neat too. Viva Earth Tones!!!

T.V. Evil? Possibly. As a long time cough potato, I'm happy to report that I have finally given it up (again). I'm three month T.V. free. "You tube", Google Video, and misc sketch comedy websites are loads more fun. Other than that, if I need highly manufactured entertainment, then I'll go watch a movie or rent a series. I don't even use TV for News anymore. Radio/Streaming Net Radio (NPR/BBC typically) Google News, and good old fashioned Newsprint replaced that one for me. And since the Daily Show streams it's sketches on the web too, I can get my faux news T.V. free as well. As an added bonus, I've noticed my dreams have become more intense. Also, to paraphrase Joan Rivers: The quickest way to lose 10 lbs is to throw your T.V. out the window.

I'm in between exams at the moment, so a friend recommended this website to me as a much-needed study-break. Very creative deadpan humor, it shows what you can do to create additional actors/charactors in short films with a little role-reversal, paper cut outs, and lots and lots of editing when on a budget. Warning: A fair amount of gender-bending and slightly mature topics/situations intermixed with satire to boot. http://www.prettythingsss.com/ rev...

I'd hope it could surpass Babylon 5 (very interesting and exciting show too, but honestly I never was a fan). But that's just the Joss Whedon fan in me talking. Buffy's comedic timing will live on! It's like Far scape meets Buffy meets Western. I don't know, the civil war thing. It's like there's no question of the culture of subjugation of another people that weighs in heavily in Firefly, like it did in the Civil War. That's a driving force and source of resentment that's hard to discount especially if said people are placed in power. Then a few full blown insurrections ensue to take the power back, which happened on more than one occasion during and after American Reconstruction. However, I do see a parallel or two now that I think about it some more. First thing that comes to mind: Jesse James for one. His gang for former Confederates turned Robbin Hood doesn't exactly fit Mal and his crew, however it not too far off either. The James Gang was rebelling against the tyranny of the Rail Road Barons (in the Mid West or North West?) and Mal against an imperialist government with utopia dreams. Populism too. If you think about the Mudders Episode where Jane becomes a local Hero. The mudders are not too unlike Share-cropper farmers. If they were to unite politically and not just over a living-legend, then you have the roots for a movement that could mirror the farmers populist movement that started back during the late 1800. Intriguing. I should do some more research on this. Faulkner would probably be a good place to start if it wasn't so dang depressing. Maybe Twain has some stuff. Anyone know if Twain wrote that much about the Post civil-war era? I know he did lots for the Anti-Bellum South, but I'm not too clear on his other stuff. Anybody got any other recommendations for gaging the climate of the Post Civil War America other than Wikipedia.

The American Civil War? I think it's more complex than that. The 'verse in which the Firefly series take place is the direct result of China and American Influences. The premise is that the two greatest powers on earth at the time of it's abandonment blended in order to survive in space. That's why all the written language you see is both in English and mandarin. As a bonus all the curse words are in Mandarin as well. They are even up-to-date. The DVD bonus material states that the Translators called back to friends in Shanghai constantly in order to get the most current Swear words possible. Hmm, but I guess it could work if your talking about Americans West Ward Expansion Post Civil War. The Americans would be the Alliance forces trying to use the land "better" and the Native-Americans would be the Independents, saying "no". But after the last battles were fought the Natives ultimately were forced to assimilate. Not sure if the Aftermath did much for it though. I think the Native Americans fate would have been largely the same even if the War between the States had never occured.

A Scanner Darkly Strange movie. By the same guy who wrote Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep a.k.a Blade Runner. I liked it though. It helps if you have some appreciation for drug culture. If not you might want to pass on this one. Keanu Reeves was cast in the perfect role for his range: A somber-burned-out-under-cover-cop-turned-drug-addict that losing his hold on reality. Woody Harrison and Robert Downy Jr. were equally well cast as paranoid drug addicts. Man, Robert Downy Jr, should get an Oscar for his role. He really nailed it. It's uncanny, it's like he really was a paranoid drug addict. Oh wait a minute, he was/is. Winona Ryder was just well Wianno, and thus being Wianno can only be lovely in that heart-warming jaded sort of way that she does so well. Anyway, one of these days I think I should pick up a Philip K. Dick sci-fi novel to see what all the fuss is about.

Patrick, re-watch the opening dream/rescue/holograph sequence. The last part of the sequence, an exchange between the Alliance Agent/Assassin and the Scientist explains why/how River Tam gained her knowledge (though they are not aware as to what specifics knowledge she might have gained). The middle part of the sequence (the holograph) between Simon Tam and the Scientist explains why Rivers is psychotic. If that's not enough, then watch the Firefly Series on which the movie is based. I had only watched one episode before the watching the movie, so I had similar questions. The series doesn't clarify everything (for it's barely one season long), but it will fill you in on every-one's background.

Clerks 2 Watch it only if your a fan of the Kevin Smith Films. Pretty much the film is weak. Very weak, but it has it's moments. I don't think I've out grown Kevin Smith. I still like his other films, but I think maybe Kevin Smith has out grown his own films. I think he should say the heck with his fan-base and make more mature movies like Jersey Girl. That one seemed to work better for him. However, if he's going to keep making movies in the Clerk saga, then he should make them as surreal as possible. I think that's why Dogma and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back worked, they were so 'out there' that you could suspend belief. But there is nothing wrong with working in reality even if you stretch it like in the orginal Clerks and Chasing Amy . And even Mall Rats hit a nice balance between the real and surreal. I think the earlier more grounded films worked because they were both irrelevant and relevant at the same time. They were like urban myths come to life. Clerks 2 has plenty of irrelevant humor (if you like that sort of thing) but the relevant side misses hard. You could believe in most of the story of the original Clerks (though far fetched) could happen. However, Clerks 2 is a complete farce.

Oh don't get me wrong, I still eat meat. Just not as much as I used too. If I could break my fast-food habit, I'd be off red-meat entirely. Cholesterol issues. So until I lose about 30 pounds, I'll have to keeping dealing with this. Hmm, that UPS (warehouse) job I start next week should take care of that though. rev...

Okay, let's clean it up a bit. No time to talk to you, So write me a letter. ////Write me a letter//// Father, I can't speak to you on the phone, When all you do is drone on and on. Ten minute voice mails won't break through, When it's only you that your talking too So write me a letter. ////Write me a letter//// 'Cause emails something to new for you So write me letter. ////Write me a letter//// Or maybe a tape recorder would do, You could tell all you stories, that I already knew, But if you fill in the gaps to your past, Maybe you'd earn my forgiveness at last. So write me letter. ////Write me a letter//// 'Cause, you don't know Who you're talking too.

*Aimee Mann counting off a tune. No time to talk to you, So write me a letter ////Write me a letter////(backup-second voice) 'Cause emails something to new for you So write me letter. ////Write me a letter////(backup-second voice) Father, I can't speak on the phone, While all do is drone and drone. (Or on and on) Are just talking to yourself? So write me letter, ////Write me a letter////(backup-second voice) Or maybe a tape recorder would do. You could tell all you stories, that I already know The fill in the gaps, so I'd know your past. And maybe you earned my forgiveness at last... TIME!!!

Cool. I had similar moment when I discovered that the veggie patties which I purchased at Costco the other day were edible as well as affordable. This is good because it means I can now buy veggie burgers without worrying about the added cost, and the rather large tub of faux-meat nestled in my freezer won't go to waste. This is all tentative of course, but if things don't work out, I can always give them to my vegan house-mate. She'll eat anything that didn't once have a pulse of some sort. Yea, rev...

Well, this Sunday, I'm recovering from my first week of Capoeira combined on top of my on-going ball-room dancing/biking excursions. Pretty much, I've haven't been this sore since Basic Training, and actually the only thing I can think to top it would be that first Marathon I ran or that dang Relay-for-life when I blew out my right knee. Those took weeks to recover from, this will only take days (I hope). Anyhow, I'm resting up doing some moderate studying and movie watching. Pirates of the Caribbean Not bad. If you are a die-hard Johnny Depp fan like I am, go see it. If not, I'd wait for video. The ending was particularly annoying. With the exception of Captain Jack the theme that emerged at the end was one of "weakness." I'm not talking about the actor's performance, but the how the parts were written (or maybe I mean the plot? I don't know). And the "who's with me/all for one" closer seemed particularly lame. Orlando bloom's character was strong thorough out the majority of the film, but at the end it seems like the writers/director decided to castrate his part. Dave Chappelle's Block Party Awesome! Simply Awesome. Well provided you can appreciate that the film is mostly a chronicle of an eclectic musical event. If you looking for straight comedy, go rent the the first season of Chappelle's Show or Half-Baked otherwise you'll might be disappointed. It's still a very funny film though, but it's much more than that. Uplifting and Inspiring flick. I highly recommend it, but be warned there is a fair amount of profanity, but it's not too over the top. Corpse Bride Fun film. Tim Burton at his best. Kudos to all the Stop-Motion-Animation people that worked on the film. It's a dying art and if nothing else you should see the film just to appreciate this ever-vanishing form of expression. The only thing I didn't like about it was the Bone-jangles jazz song about the history of the Corpse Bride. It seemed well, out of place and fake, and by fake I mean non-organic. And if jazz is anything it's organic. This seemed a poor imitation. Otherwise the music was wonderful. Great piano and orchestra arrangements. Good action. Johnny Deep was great. I found myself getting nostalgic for his earlier works and Beetlejuice of all things. Sigh, hmm, I guess what I really miss is the innocently jaded Winona Ryder or maybe even Benny and Joon They were such a cute couple (both the real and the fake one). Anyway, great film, good acting, decent music, superb animation. I just wish it was a bit longer.

sun-glasses

welcome back. you've been missed, rev...

welcome back JW. It's been to long. I'm a little physically/mentally drained at the moment, so I haven't the strenght to give you a proper feedback post. But, I'll see what I do in a day or so. Given a curserory glance it does look good though. Love the Queen's orginal spelling of 'color' too. rev...

Hello fellow penites, As I continue my quest for self-actualization, I decided it was high time I get body back in shape. For those that don't know I used to be a pretty fanatic runner, so much so that I probably did more harm than good. Worse yet, towards the end of my salad days, it wasn't even fun anymore. I could run 10 miles at the drop of a dime. Seven-teen with the right motivation, and even more with a week or two of training, but somewhere in the mix, I forgot how to enjoy it, and it became a chore. So, on my way out of the Army, I said the heck with it and for the last year and half I've been pretty much convalescing from all that physical damage while working on other issues. Anyway, since the mind and body are connected, I figured well what's the good in focusing on the mental aspects if you're just going to let your body go to pot. In my experience, I find life is more stressful and less fun when you're out of shape. So, I've managed to come up with a 3 prong plan to replace my former running regime (and abusive military training too). Prong 1: Bicycle. Yes, the skill that sages have told us that once you learn you never forget. I try to incorporate riding a bike in my weekly schedule as much as possible and or convenient (due to time constraints, some times you need get to multiple places one right after the another quick, and a bike just won't cut it when you're on a deadline.) Prong 2: Ball Room Dancing. Swing, Rumba, Salsa, and some waltz. Two months ago I finally swallowed my pride and started taking dance lessons. I plan on continuing the lessons through the summer to establish a foundation, then when University starts back up I can join one of their clubs for free. My body seems to like Swing and the Waltz the most. Salsa is just plain hard (fast too), and the my natural body rhythm has trouble syncing with the Rumba. I went to a 'mixer' swing dance last night, and kicked up my heels (poorly) for about 2 hours and danced with close to 20 different people. I was very proud myself. In the past I was usually the shy wall-flower type, that stayed as far from the the dance floor as possible. But no more! Prong 3: CAPOEIRA!!! Yes, the Brazilian dancing martial art, itself. On a flunk, I manage to find a school for it that is only 1 mile away from my house, and the tuition is almost sinfully inexpensive. It's hard to beat $4.50 a class. As an added bonus the class make up seems to be 90% women that could also double for gymnast/dancers. I had my reservations at first, as coordination has never been my strong suit. And it's hard to do a cartwheel when you're 50 pounds over-weight. But dang it, towards the end of class I was doing them (more like mis-shapened 'round-offs', but close enough) However to my surprise, I seem to have some natural talent for this art or at least the instructor seemed to think so. Sub-prong: moderate maintenance jogging and stretching through out the week. So, if you have the means, time, and or opportunity, I highly recommend that you try one or all of these movement empowerment activities. I doubt, I'll be able to attend to all three of them once the Fall comes, but for now, it seems I'm lost in another summer's reverie: The Summer of Movement. cheers.

This may be premature, but I've noticed that my free-verse poetry has improved since I started to learn traditional poetic form. I'd say my poetic form has improved as well, but since I never really wrote in form before last year, save an occasional haiku or two, there is nothing to compare them too. Some of my attempts at form have been decent others were not so much. But I think I understand why my free-verse has been improving See if you think of it in musical terms it make sense, well to me at least. Most musicians I know (guitar players and brass and wind instruments specifically) practice a fair amount of scales and or chord/arpeggio/ fingering exercises. Some only do so in the beginner phase, but generally it's recommended that you never stop practicing scales etc. While the metaphor is not exactly right for a full-blown classical form in music is far from just a mere scale exercise, I think in poetry the effect of practicing various forms is the same as practicing scales and other rudimentary exercises in music. (I.E it can only help you.) In free-verse, you are not following any set form. Typically, you are really just making up your own form whether consciously or unconsciously, i.e. you're making up your own rules as you go along, improvising off whatever base of skills and experiences/impressions you had acquired up to that point. So, I think if you learn something about traditional forms, you have a larger tool box to pull from. Like, as if you writing your own book, the forms could be like an additional layer of research or reference. If that makes any sense. list of works

eh, less is more...

Kung Fu Hussle If I learned anything from Crotching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Amelie it's watch it with the subtitles on. You can't beat the emotion of the orginal language. I found the movie amusing and surreal. It's just fun. If you like silly, but intense fighting movies that is. The hero's change from zero to um...hero, seemed a little too sudden though. Other than that I thought I was a great ride for a martial arts movie. Domino "Based on a True Story...Sort of." The opening credits proudly proclaim. Hmm, what made this movie was the editing and good timing. The story itself is complicated and well, insane. But a good director can save anything. Plus seeing some of the former cast of the popular '90 sitcom: 90210 get their noses broken is more than worth the rental price. The acting was fairly good too, and Domino was jewel to look at. Overall an intense action movie where the girl takes the lead. Not bad, I'd recommend it. Oh but it's a little gory in places for those with weak stomachs.

Dear America, Happy Birthday! Wow 230 years, way to go! I swear you don't look a day over 150. Ah, such fond memories the birth of Modern Democracy, Civil Rights, Women's Lib, voter empowerment. Just don't let it all go to your head. You'll come a long way from that spry and impetuous young dreamer that used to jump up and down at our feet for our attention. Lack of yest got you down? Don't worry too much about it, it happens to the best of us. Welcome to middle age. Now don't go doing anything rash like hooking up with another young nation or two. You've much too old for that. Think of your children. How are they going to look up to you if you keep getting into bed with all those young floozies. Boys must play they say, but you're not a boy anymore. Which reminds me since we're on the subject, don't you think you're old enough now to start cleaning up your yard. I swear you'd think I was running a boarding house for rutting pigs the way you carry own sometimes. And for Pete's sake, take your Christmas lights down. It's is the fourth of July, ya know. Ah, but I've hurt your feelings. I know, I know, you've been busy, what with trying to fix the world and all, but would it hurt to take a moment and put away some of your toys. They're strew out all over the lawn going this way and that, someone could trip over them, and some of the neigbors have started to complain. Hmm, but that's okay. Maybe you could get someone to help out with all that tinkering you like to do. Well now this is getting long, and a little on the heavy side, what it being your day and all. Why don't you take it easy American, take the day off. Hey that's something, why don't you let your cousin Australia drive for a while. Oh come on, he cleaned up years ago, he can do it. Just give him a chance. Or why not Canada. She'd do a good job. People just love to make her smile. So take the day off, put your feet up, eat ya a polish dog, and have a tall glass of lemonade. You're earned it. Happy Birthday, Gaea

Rattle Poetry Prize Link Transcribed from the Rattle.com: RATTLE POETRY PRIZE 1st prize: $5,000 plus TEN $100 Honorable Mentions Guidelines: 1) Entry fee of $16.00 includes a one year subscription to RATTLE. 2) Open to writers, worldwide*; poems must be written in English (no translations). 3) Submissions will be judged in a blind review by the editors of RATTLE: Send no more than five poems per entry; print name, address, phone number, and the titles of the poems onto a coversheet. No contact information should appear on the poems. Include a check or money order for $16.00, payable to RATTLE. 4) No previously published works, or works accepted for publication elsewhere. No simultaneous submissions. 5) Manuscripts will not be returned; include a SASE to be notified of the results. 6) Winners will be announced no later than September 15th, 2006, and those poems will be published in the Winter 2006 issue of RATTLE. Additional entries may also be offered publication. 7) For an idea of our editorial tastes, back issues can be purchased at www.rattle.com POSTMARK DEADLINE: August 1st, 2006 Send entries to: RATTLE 12411 Ventura Blvd Studio City, CA 91604 *Special Guidelines for International Entries: Because it is difficult to deal with exchange rates, we ask that all international writers pay the entry fee in US Dollars via postal money order, or online using our secure vendor and a credit card. Paying online is easy, just click on the link below, and when you mail us your submission, note that you already paid online. Rather than use SASE and international reply coupons, we encourage you to let us notify you of the results by email. Be sure to include your email address on the coversheet. Finally, because international mail can be slow we might not be able to adhere to the postmark deadline. If we receive your submission after August 10th, we will have to consider it for the 2007 prize instead.

Okay for the sake of less clutter, I'll comment further on his suggestions in this post. Title: Good point, whether or not it's a metaphor or name is unclear. I considered adding in an additional reference to Thailand in the title which would make this a non-issue, but I'm going to need to think about it more. Incidentally "Jewel' happens to be the English translation of the person I wrote the poem for. I like the title and probably will keep the word "Jewel" in it; I just have to consider how I'm going to work in the Thailand reference, or if I'm going to do that at all. 1st stanza: *Comma in first line, I guess by now I should caught that one myself. *3rd line: Hmm another vote against 'xenophobic'. Okay, Prof McFee, I know, I know: "Show, don't tell". But, ya know if I could come up with a line of dialogue that express this, then I could deal with dropping 'xenophobic,' but for the moment I can't, so it stays. Hmm, actually, he's got me thinking, I can probably express it as an act just as well as dialogue, and if I cut the phrase just right I may be able work in a Thailand reference, which would free me from doing it in the title or later. That's an awful lot of weight for one phrase to convey in such a small space. It'd be great if I could pull it off though. 2nd Stanza: *1st line: Three cheers for for 'Halfings!' *2nd-4th line: Apparently my Prof does not know that Thailand literal means "Free Land." Or maybe, he just has no idea that I'm talking about Thailand as well as America. At any rate, I can partially address this issue in the title or in the 1st stanza. If I am able to clarify it in either of those places then I will not touch this stanza. 3rd Stanza: Alright, I manage to slip a stanza through unscathed. Go rev go. 4th Stanza: *1st line: I'm actually surprised he didn't try to change my wording here. I guess you right Cyril. It does work. As far as adding a clause of clarification, I'm don't have too much of an objection to this. Hmm, I'll just have to rethink my relationship to the person that this poem was addressed. That could take while. *2nd/3rd line: Dropping 'what' a line does kind of make since, it was already set apart from the rest of the 2nd line with a comma. Good call Prof. *** I'll have to give these suggestion more thought before I act on them though. Maybe wait a good healthy day or two. thanks for all your comments ppl, rev...

My Poetry Professor from last Semester just happen to be on campus, so I thought I run my poem by him and see what he thought. Wonder of all wonders, he actually wants me to 'add' lines instead of 'cutting' them from the poem. I'll post his suggestions in Green and and his comments in purple. My comments are in red *winks at Evangeline Just grow it up a bit & you're there. Jewel Name? or metaphore? When I look at you, I smile, For your presence proves My xenophobic father wrong, who said / [ a like quoting line, showing his xenophopia?] When you say we are ‘Halflings’ I know that I should Stand as firmly as you In both lands of the free. Italized and especially underlined text unclear Yet, I am much older than you, And my family did not understand That cultures could blend in such Exquisite shades of bronze and amber. And so now I can only thank you, / dear adopted brother. / or same reveiling clarification - it's not quite clear enough yet, from title... (some word that begins with an "e" and may have a "z" in it and ends with a "rally" or "vally" / I can't quite make out his handwriting) For showing me, what What I might have become.

Superman Returns Good movie, especially so if you were a fan of the 1980's series. This film picks up 5 years or so after the last film and keeps the spirit of the series alive. Christopher Reeve would be proud. I think I should warn you it has a very heavy sober tone though. This is far from an irreverent film, so I'm not sure how well it will do at the box office. Katy Bales does a decent Lois Lane, but she can't quite capture the no nonsense the edge that Margot Kidder gave the role, but then again that might be a reflection of Lois Lane now being a mother and all but married to someone. Still I think she gave a great performance. Kevin Spacey did a good job as Luther too. rev...