Hey all,
Caught the Golden Compass this past Friday. This is the movie I was most looking forward to this Christmas season amid all the holiday releases. Based on a great trilogy of books by Phillip Pullman, The Golden Compass had what I thought to be the best chance at creating another series like Harry Potter. There are similarities but I thought that the books did a good job of separating themselves and creating a new experience in a fantasy based world that wouldn't be the same as the Potterverse.
My feelings towards the movie tend to run to indifferent. It wasn't bad per say, but I don't feel like the really captured the feeling of the novel. I should probably mention that they totally cut out the anti-religion angle the books run, creating a sort of faceless evil organization as the bad guys. The movie moves at such a breakneck pace they don't slow down enough to get into a lot of character development. Which I think is important when your protagonist is a girl who constantly lies about things who discovers the ability in herself to unlock answers of truth. Her metamorphosis is kind of squashed in this film as they are trying to get so many other elements of the story in.
They do get the main gist of the book adapted to the screen, all the major plot points which I approved of. I wish it would have been a little longer to help flesh out the characters a bit more. The film clocks in at under 2 hours, and I think with a 2 hour 20 min running time it would have done a lot more for my tastes.
That being said the casting is superb. Nicole Kidman is perfect as the the head of the evil organization, cold and ruthless with just the right amount of feeling for the heroine, Lyra. Daniel Craig as Lyra's guardian uncle, plays the rough and independent free thinker. These two roles I though were done great, as in the book you get little information on Craig's character, and Kidman nailed her role perfectly. Dakota Blue Richards, a newcomer, plays the heroine and hers is the one they needed to slow down on. She moves so quickly from one plot point to the next, you don't get to know her. The supporting cast is pretty solid, Sam Elliot as the American airship cowboy, Ian McKellen voicing the guardian ice bear, with additional voicing by Ian McShane and work by the great Christopher Lee. Eva Green plays a witch in the film that helps Lyra, and fleshing her role and the role of the witch's in general was another area I though they cut into to much.
The basic outline of the film is that Lyra, a young girl, attends classes at a college. After helping to foil an assassination attempt on her uncle, she learns of his quest to break the barrier between this world and other parallel worlds. Her uncle bids her to stay behind where she is apprenticed (more or less) to Nicole Kidman's character. After their relationship goes sour she discovers who has been kidnapping local children and vows to save her friend, journeying to the frozen north to confront the organization. One of the cooler ideas in the film is that each person has a daemon familiar, and animal companion that is the embodiment of your soul and conscious. As you grow older your daemon stops changing animal forms chooses one form to stay in.
All in all the Golden Compass is a movie. It's not great but not terrible. I do hope it does well enough to get the sequel going. My recommendation is to wait for DVD. Maybe I am being to hard on the film, but I just wanted it to be better.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Flash Fiction
Hey all,
The following is my first attempt at writing flash fiction, a short ..short story that's wrapped up in a few paragraphs, I will post more on my thoughts for this process in my next post, but my intention with these stories is to get straight to the point.
I stood staring out the doorway, something I seemed to do a lot lately. It hadn't been that long since she left, but I could still remember the last thing I said to her. The night had turned cool but I still hung in the doorway. The breeze picking along the overgrown lawn, sending a cool chill up my arms. My hand held her faded old sweater and I lifted it towards my face.
Her scent was already fading from my mind as I inhaled the fabric. Soon I would lose even that. I peered over my shoulder at the darkened living room, picking out all the little things that she had taken, and desolate the fact that all the furniture was still there, the room felt so empty. When she left she took all the things that mattered, all the things that brought this house to life. Now it was just an empty shell, like me.
I tried to summon up those feelings again, even anger or sorrow, but all my tears ran out when she did. Instead I turned back to the inky blackness outside and stared ahead. I'd lost her love,her scent, and myself. All that was left was the waiting.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
The following is my first attempt at writing flash fiction, a short ..short story that's wrapped up in a few paragraphs, I will post more on my thoughts for this process in my next post, but my intention with these stories is to get straight to the point.
I stood staring out the doorway, something I seemed to do a lot lately. It hadn't been that long since she left, but I could still remember the last thing I said to her. The night had turned cool but I still hung in the doorway. The breeze picking along the overgrown lawn, sending a cool chill up my arms. My hand held her faded old sweater and I lifted it towards my face.
Her scent was already fading from my mind as I inhaled the fabric. Soon I would lose even that. I peered over my shoulder at the darkened living room, picking out all the little things that she had taken, and desolate the fact that all the furniture was still there, the room felt so empty. When she left she took all the things that mattered, all the things that brought this house to life. Now it was just an empty shell, like me.
I tried to summon up those feelings again, even anger or sorrow, but all my tears ran out when she did. Instead I turned back to the inky blackness outside and stared ahead. I'd lost her love,her scent, and myself. All that was left was the waiting.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Are You Ready For Some Football?
Hey all,
Today I got to attend my first pro football gamein about 20 years, the Arizona Cardinals vs the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland is the team from my youth, as I was born about an hour outside of Cleveland and still have a lot of family there. CLeveland is my team. Now I also root for the Cardinals because they represent my home, where I live and you HAVE to root for the home team.
I went with my friend Stef, who is rooting for the Cards. Now I feel that since Cleveland is my team, I have to root against the home team and cheer my Browns, who are having their first winning season since there re-inception 8 or 9 years ago. The game was excellent to attend, despite the Browns loss. The Browns really beat themselves, turnovers and penalties were costly, and some questionable calling by the officials all led to their defeat, 27 to 21. Not to say that the Cards didn't play great because they did. Cleveland had a last second shot to win the game with a touchdown pass, and as the clock expired, the reciever caught the pass, but was pushed out of bounds. They ruled after a legnthy review that it wasn't a force out and the Cards got the win.
It was exciting all the way through, surrounded by Cardinal fans and talking smack to each other. I was a little surprised by the number of Browns fans out in the stadium. I guess Phoenix is sort of a melting pot of people from all over, part of how we get the rep for not caring about our own teams. I'll definately be a bit horse tomorrow.
I also got my first real look at the new Cardinals staium and it is great. We had great seats on the upper deck along the vistors side right on the 50 yard line. A great view of the field and everything in the stadium is open and clean. Plenty of over priced concession stands (where we both consumed about a foot and a half long chili cheese hot dog). I had a great time and definaley want to go again.
Here's hoping the Browns can pull a win next week.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Today I got to attend my first pro football gamein about 20 years, the Arizona Cardinals vs the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland is the team from my youth, as I was born about an hour outside of Cleveland and still have a lot of family there. CLeveland is my team. Now I also root for the Cardinals because they represent my home, where I live and you HAVE to root for the home team.
I went with my friend Stef, who is rooting for the Cards. Now I feel that since Cleveland is my team, I have to root against the home team and cheer my Browns, who are having their first winning season since there re-inception 8 or 9 years ago. The game was excellent to attend, despite the Browns loss. The Browns really beat themselves, turnovers and penalties were costly, and some questionable calling by the officials all led to their defeat, 27 to 21. Not to say that the Cards didn't play great because they did. Cleveland had a last second shot to win the game with a touchdown pass, and as the clock expired, the reciever caught the pass, but was pushed out of bounds. They ruled after a legnthy review that it wasn't a force out and the Cards got the win.
It was exciting all the way through, surrounded by Cardinal fans and talking smack to each other. I was a little surprised by the number of Browns fans out in the stadium. I guess Phoenix is sort of a melting pot of people from all over, part of how we get the rep for not caring about our own teams. I'll definately be a bit horse tomorrow.
I also got my first real look at the new Cardinals staium and it is great. We had great seats on the upper deck along the vistors side right on the 50 yard line. A great view of the field and everything in the stadium is open and clean. Plenty of over priced concession stands (where we both consumed about a foot and a half long chili cheese hot dog). I had a great time and definaley want to go again.
Here's hoping the Browns can pull a win next week.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Assorted Nuts
Happy December!
I find it really weird that the more regular hours I work, like open to 1 or 9 to 5, which result in me getting home earlier, ultimately end up with me posting less. I seem to thrive on the later shifts, posting in the early hours of the morning. I also went off caffeinated sodas last week and its been a struggle. I felt like I had been drinking far to much soda, especially late and I am making an effort to curtail that consumption. I also cut out eating bad at work, sticking with grilled chicken or fruits. That's not to say that I am dieting particularly, just trying to monitor and regulate what I am consuming.
One thing I have noticed is that since I went off caffeine I get tired a lot earlier. I just can't keep up the energy levels that I use to have. Also, my pee is crystal clear, it was kind of surprising not to have that familiar amber hue. Mostly I guess my system is in a detox mode, which is good right? I just wish it wasn't so hard to get off this stuff. It's been two weeks and I already see myself get tired, and angry sometimes. The more I write about it the scarier these things should sound to me. I still want a cola though.
I am targeting my first attempt at some flash fiction this month, as well as an attempt at some holiday poetry. Also perhaps that often promised site overhaul, which should pop up the energy on this. Tomorrow I will post on my visit to the new Cardinals stadium, as this will be my first pro game in almost 20 years. Damn... that makes me old.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
I find it really weird that the more regular hours I work, like open to 1 or 9 to 5, which result in me getting home earlier, ultimately end up with me posting less. I seem to thrive on the later shifts, posting in the early hours of the morning. I also went off caffeinated sodas last week and its been a struggle. I felt like I had been drinking far to much soda, especially late and I am making an effort to curtail that consumption. I also cut out eating bad at work, sticking with grilled chicken or fruits. That's not to say that I am dieting particularly, just trying to monitor and regulate what I am consuming.
One thing I have noticed is that since I went off caffeine I get tired a lot earlier. I just can't keep up the energy levels that I use to have. Also, my pee is crystal clear, it was kind of surprising not to have that familiar amber hue. Mostly I guess my system is in a detox mode, which is good right? I just wish it wasn't so hard to get off this stuff. It's been two weeks and I already see myself get tired, and angry sometimes. The more I write about it the scarier these things should sound to me. I still want a cola though.
I am targeting my first attempt at some flash fiction this month, as well as an attempt at some holiday poetry. Also perhaps that often promised site overhaul, which should pop up the energy on this. Tomorrow I will post on my visit to the new Cardinals stadium, as this will be my first pro game in almost 20 years. Damn... that makes me old.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Back To Me
Hey all,
Here is a quick poem I wrote today. I wrote it in about 5 minutes just doodling at work. I don't think it is my greatest work, but I like the easy flow of the rhymes and the very simplistic nature it represented. Not really breaking any new ground but this is what I would consider easy listening poetry. Sometimes that tells just as important a story as a complex one. Enjoy.
Back to Me
The time we spend away,
Grows longer by the day,
And I need you to come back to me.
The days just gather on,
Still not where you belong,
And your loveliness hurts to not see.
My heart seems to wear more thin,
Wondering where you have been,
And here I am listening for your decree.
Never seems more alone,
Trapped here on my own,
Our separation held by a degree,
If only I could see your face,
Then I'd remember my place,
And you'll have no need to flee.
So when you could find,
The means to remind,
Of my final yet furtive plea.
You would forget the regret,
So the pain may abet,
And things could return to what they use to be.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Here is a quick poem I wrote today. I wrote it in about 5 minutes just doodling at work. I don't think it is my greatest work, but I like the easy flow of the rhymes and the very simplistic nature it represented. Not really breaking any new ground but this is what I would consider easy listening poetry. Sometimes that tells just as important a story as a complex one. Enjoy.
Back to Me
The time we spend away,
Grows longer by the day,
And I need you to come back to me.
The days just gather on,
Still not where you belong,
And your loveliness hurts to not see.
My heart seems to wear more thin,
Wondering where you have been,
And here I am listening for your decree.
Never seems more alone,
Trapped here on my own,
Our separation held by a degree,
If only I could see your face,
Then I'd remember my place,
And you'll have no need to flee.
So when you could find,
The means to remind,
Of my final yet furtive plea.
You would forget the regret,
So the pain may abet,
And things could return to what they use to be.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Movie Review: Hitman
Hey all,
Caught the movie Hitman on Sunday. I realize that I am turning into a grouch because I seem to hate so many movies lately. I shouldn't say that I hated Hitman, I understood going into it that it was a plot-less actioner that wasn't going to be driven by great acting or a complex plot. I just wanted a fun shoot'em up and I felt let down. There wasn't any great action sequences that were fun or over the top, such as in films like The Transporter or Crank, where the energy or fun of the film is what drives it.
Hitman felt lethargic and uninspired. I read one movie critic compare it to a direct to cable quality feature and I have to agree. Spending the money of effects and whatnot actually was a detriment to me, the less the budget the less I tend to expect. I wanted to be entertained and I do like Timothy Olyphant, his roles in Deadwood and Live Free or Die Hard where great. I just wanted a bit more bang for my buck. Either go super realistic, like the Bourne movies, or fun and over the top like Crank. Few movies can really straddle that line like the Die Hards or Lethal Weapons.
A basic summery of the film find Olyphant's Hitman character raised from birth to be a nameless assassin who is set up by his own organization to take the fall for the assassination of a Russian Presidential candidate. Olyphant's character, Agent 47, kills the target, but finds out later that the target he saw killed was still alive. Discovering that the target has a double, he rescues the targets love slave girlfriend and tries to figure out why he is being set up. The movie throws the standard sex scene and regular trappings that you want from an action movie, but it doesn't have a lot of fun with it. My recommendation is to wait for cable.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Caught the movie Hitman on Sunday. I realize that I am turning into a grouch because I seem to hate so many movies lately. I shouldn't say that I hated Hitman, I understood going into it that it was a plot-less actioner that wasn't going to be driven by great acting or a complex plot. I just wanted a fun shoot'em up and I felt let down. There wasn't any great action sequences that were fun or over the top, such as in films like The Transporter or Crank, where the energy or fun of the film is what drives it.
Hitman felt lethargic and uninspired. I read one movie critic compare it to a direct to cable quality feature and I have to agree. Spending the money of effects and whatnot actually was a detriment to me, the less the budget the less I tend to expect. I wanted to be entertained and I do like Timothy Olyphant, his roles in Deadwood and Live Free or Die Hard where great. I just wanted a bit more bang for my buck. Either go super realistic, like the Bourne movies, or fun and over the top like Crank. Few movies can really straddle that line like the Die Hards or Lethal Weapons.
A basic summery of the film find Olyphant's Hitman character raised from birth to be a nameless assassin who is set up by his own organization to take the fall for the assassination of a Russian Presidential candidate. Olyphant's character, Agent 47, kills the target, but finds out later that the target he saw killed was still alive. Discovering that the target has a double, he rescues the targets love slave girlfriend and tries to figure out why he is being set up. The movie throws the standard sex scene and regular trappings that you want from an action movie, but it doesn't have a lot of fun with it. My recommendation is to wait for cable.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Thought Balloon
Hey All,
Tonight over dinner I had a very interesting talk about relationships. What people look for in them and why people do the things they do. As a man who has never been in much of a relationship I find it odd that many of my theories seemed to reverberate so succinctly.
The topic of men paying for stuff all the time came up and as to why men seem to have to do that. Most guys think of this as a way to be a provider, and to show affection through those means. This came around to the subject of why men are often paying for stuff still from previous relationships, which lead to a discussion to one of what I feel is one of my more sound theories. The concept of "A dick in a glass."
Dick in a glass is applied to females, vajayjay in a glass for men. Most women in my experience have what I refer to as a dick in a glass, a guy they are friends with and may flirt with, but never take it to that relationship level. After a period of time many women come to realize that they are not having successful relationships with the other sex. Many times prioritizing things that seem important in the beginning of a relationship over things that matter in a relationship later. That is when they have to decide if it;s finally time to break the glass in case of an emergency and go to the backup.
Dick in a glass is usually a low maintenance thing, though you do need to check for freshness every so often, Phone calls or surprise visits from the girl to keep you fresh in your mind are best. Never let the other plan things unless that suits your freshness needs. You simply can't go 8 months to a year and not call, that is to long and the "dick" will spoil from lack of attention.
The same can be said of vajayjay in a glass. That is often the underlying current when a man is still paying for stuff for his ex. Keeping a tab on the girl by paying for stuff gives you a reason to call, and keeps you in her mind as you go into a relationship. That way if it doesn't work out or you don't find something else, you can return to what you had before.
Anyway, the conversation was very interesting for me, as this is a topic I have little first person knowledge of, but a lot of third person insight. Maybe being out of the loop for so long will give me an advantage as I move forward in in my own life. Food for thought at least.
Thanks for reading.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Tonight over dinner I had a very interesting talk about relationships. What people look for in them and why people do the things they do. As a man who has never been in much of a relationship I find it odd that many of my theories seemed to reverberate so succinctly.
The topic of men paying for stuff all the time came up and as to why men seem to have to do that. Most guys think of this as a way to be a provider, and to show affection through those means. This came around to the subject of why men are often paying for stuff still from previous relationships, which lead to a discussion to one of what I feel is one of my more sound theories. The concept of "A dick in a glass."
Dick in a glass is applied to females, vajayjay in a glass for men. Most women in my experience have what I refer to as a dick in a glass, a guy they are friends with and may flirt with, but never take it to that relationship level. After a period of time many women come to realize that they are not having successful relationships with the other sex. Many times prioritizing things that seem important in the beginning of a relationship over things that matter in a relationship later. That is when they have to decide if it;s finally time to break the glass in case of an emergency and go to the backup.
Dick in a glass is usually a low maintenance thing, though you do need to check for freshness every so often, Phone calls or surprise visits from the girl to keep you fresh in your mind are best. Never let the other plan things unless that suits your freshness needs. You simply can't go 8 months to a year and not call, that is to long and the "dick" will spoil from lack of attention.
The same can be said of vajayjay in a glass. That is often the underlying current when a man is still paying for stuff for his ex. Keeping a tab on the girl by paying for stuff gives you a reason to call, and keeps you in her mind as you go into a relationship. That way if it doesn't work out or you don't find something else, you can return to what you had before.
Anyway, the conversation was very interesting for me, as this is a topic I have little first person knowledge of, but a lot of third person insight. Maybe being out of the loop for so long will give me an advantage as I move forward in in my own life. Food for thought at least.
Thanks for reading.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Water's Fall
Hey all,
I may post about Black Friday tomorrow, but frankly I am worn a bit to thin to dwell upon that some more. I did want to write another poem though. A bit more of a nature theme with some of the old concepts that tend to run into my poetry. Thanks for reading.
Water's Fall
Sound of rain against the glass,
Falling drops from cloud has pass.
Rivulets of water run the pane,
Spiraling down towards ledge drain.
Wash away the dust and grime,
The thunder rings it's echo's chime.
Wind does toss the drops about,
As lightning flashes brilliant, stout.
Umbrella's dot the streets below,
While people clutch coats to wind's blow.
The pelting drops a soothing noise,
A remembrance of all enjoys.
Out the door to see darkened clouds,
To gather under as the rain shrouds.
The cold wisp of chill about the air,
And the rain cascades upon my care.
Standing 'neath the water's fall,
Realizing that I feel so small.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
I may post about Black Friday tomorrow, but frankly I am worn a bit to thin to dwell upon that some more. I did want to write another poem though. A bit more of a nature theme with some of the old concepts that tend to run into my poetry. Thanks for reading.
Water's Fall
Sound of rain against the glass,
Falling drops from cloud has pass.
Rivulets of water run the pane,
Spiraling down towards ledge drain.
Wash away the dust and grime,
The thunder rings it's echo's chime.
Wind does toss the drops about,
As lightning flashes brilliant, stout.
Umbrella's dot the streets below,
While people clutch coats to wind's blow.
The pelting drops a soothing noise,
A remembrance of all enjoys.
Out the door to see darkened clouds,
To gather under as the rain shrouds.
The cold wisp of chill about the air,
And the rain cascades upon my care.
Standing 'neath the water's fall,
Realizing that I feel so small.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
True Story Time: Thanksgiving Edition
Hey all,
As today is Thanksgiving I thought I would relate one of my families great holiday traditions to you. As many holidays involve gift giving, like Santa at Christmas and the Easter Bunny on ..well Easter, my family gave gifts on Thanksgiving.
On Thanksgiving Eve, our house would be visited by the Turkey Gobbler. A giant turkey who would come into your house at night and leave you a hidden present somewhere for you to find. I find it no more ridculous than the concept of the Easter Bunny, a rabbit that hides eggs and candy. At least we got a present out of it. The Turkey Gobbler, Yeah you read that right.
Growing up I didn't realize that the Turkey Gobbler was not a part of other familes Thanksgiving Day Traditions. It was always a part of our childhood and something that is indigenous to my father's side of the family. It is a tradition that I know my brother and I would definately continue should the oppertunity present itself for us in the future. I like that we have a tradition unique to or family, even if it sounds strange to others.
Maybe next Thanksgiving, you should be a good boy or girl and see if you get a visit from the Turkey Gobbler.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
As today is Thanksgiving I thought I would relate one of my families great holiday traditions to you. As many holidays involve gift giving, like Santa at Christmas and the Easter Bunny on ..well Easter, my family gave gifts on Thanksgiving.
On Thanksgiving Eve, our house would be visited by the Turkey Gobbler. A giant turkey who would come into your house at night and leave you a hidden present somewhere for you to find. I find it no more ridculous than the concept of the Easter Bunny, a rabbit that hides eggs and candy. At least we got a present out of it. The Turkey Gobbler, Yeah you read that right.
Growing up I didn't realize that the Turkey Gobbler was not a part of other familes Thanksgiving Day Traditions. It was always a part of our childhood and something that is indigenous to my father's side of the family. It is a tradition that I know my brother and I would definately continue should the oppertunity present itself for us in the future. I like that we have a tradition unique to or family, even if it sounds strange to others.
Maybe next Thanksgiving, you should be a good boy or girl and see if you get a visit from the Turkey Gobbler.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
If I
Hey all,
I am not really sure about this poem, just sort of plopped out while I was staring at the blank screen. I don't know if I like it or not really. The last few poems that I have written have been what I felt were decent entries, though 1 or 2 didn't make the posting cut. I really hate writing stuff that I don't post, I want to give you a full range of possible readings, and what I don't like someone else may. They also may agree with me that its terrible. Rest assured that the two poems I didn't post were really below my standards. This may be on the border.. I dunno. If it is bad, well there will be better ones in the future. If it's good, then I am being to hard on myself.
Enjoy.
If I
If I died a little more,
Than maybe you'd be here.
If I died a little less,
You'd leave me to this fear.
If I worked a little harder,
Then you'd find less fault.
If I worked a little less,
There would be nothing left to exalt.
If I loved a little better,
You'd have returned in kind.
If I loved a little worse,
I'd have sped up the imminent decline.
If I'd spent a little more,
And proved myself with worth.
If I'd spent a little less,
Then your happiness would be dearth.
If I died a little more,
The end would be well served,
If I died a little less,
I still get what I deserved.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
I am not really sure about this poem, just sort of plopped out while I was staring at the blank screen. I don't know if I like it or not really. The last few poems that I have written have been what I felt were decent entries, though 1 or 2 didn't make the posting cut. I really hate writing stuff that I don't post, I want to give you a full range of possible readings, and what I don't like someone else may. They also may agree with me that its terrible. Rest assured that the two poems I didn't post were really below my standards. This may be on the border.. I dunno. If it is bad, well there will be better ones in the future. If it's good, then I am being to hard on myself.
Enjoy.
If I
If I died a little more,
Than maybe you'd be here.
If I died a little less,
You'd leave me to this fear.
If I worked a little harder,
Then you'd find less fault.
If I worked a little less,
There would be nothing left to exalt.
If I loved a little better,
You'd have returned in kind.
If I loved a little worse,
I'd have sped up the imminent decline.
If I'd spent a little more,
And proved myself with worth.
If I'd spent a little less,
Then your happiness would be dearth.
If I died a little more,
The end would be well served,
If I died a little less,
I still get what I deserved.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Sesame Street Censored
Hey all,
I just read this on IMDB.com.
Copied from IMDB.com
"DVDs of early seasons of Sesame Street bear a warning to parents that they may not be appropriate for small children, the New York Times observed today (Monday). Carol-Lynn Parente, executive producer of Sesame Street noted that in the early days of the show, a regular feature was a parody of Masterpiece Theater, featuring Alistair Cookie, played by Cookie Monster, who appeared with a pipe. "That modeled the wrong behavior," Parente observed. Oscar the Grouch appeared too grouchy. "We might not be able to create a character like Oscar now," she said. The Times also noted that in the DVDs (Volumes 1 and 2) Cookie Monster can be seen "in his former inglorious incarnation: a blue, googly-eyed cookievore with a signature gobble ('om nom nom nom')."
I swear this PC bullshit is out of control. You know, I watched Sesame Street growing up and I don't smoke, nor has Oscar the Grouch seem to "grouchy" to me. It's his frickin' NAME for God sake. The fact that the Cookie Monster now has cookies as a sometimes snack just further heralds the imminate fall of creative freedom on televison and the further advancement of poor programming for young people. We will have sterile shows that do not allow for different views.
To be fair, I am OKAY with putting a warning on the pipe smoking thing, but censoring and calling Sesame Street innaprpriate is riduclous. It's not as if children are watching material that promotes stereotypes, obviously films like Fall of a Nation and The Jazz Singer, while appropriate at the time they were made, send clear cut messahes of racism and intolerance now. Oscar the Grouch simply reiterates what happens when you act like an ass. It's also not like smoking is illegal, many kids have parents that smoke. Smoking is something a parent needs to have an active role in teaching children. Both of my parents and grandparents smoke, along with my brother and a good friend, yet I don't. I don't think you have to say a program that educated so many children is no longer apprpriate because a puppet smokes a pipe and eats cookies.Do that when you catch a kid watching Caligula or any movie with Rob Scheider, then you have a problem.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
I just read this on IMDB.com.
Copied from IMDB.com
"DVDs of early seasons of Sesame Street bear a warning to parents that they may not be appropriate for small children, the New York Times observed today (Monday). Carol-Lynn Parente, executive producer of Sesame Street noted that in the early days of the show, a regular feature was a parody of Masterpiece Theater, featuring Alistair Cookie, played by Cookie Monster, who appeared with a pipe. "That modeled the wrong behavior," Parente observed. Oscar the Grouch appeared too grouchy. "We might not be able to create a character like Oscar now," she said. The Times also noted that in the DVDs (Volumes 1 and 2) Cookie Monster can be seen "in his former inglorious incarnation: a blue, googly-eyed cookievore with a signature gobble ('om nom nom nom')."
I swear this PC bullshit is out of control. You know, I watched Sesame Street growing up and I don't smoke, nor has Oscar the Grouch seem to "grouchy" to me. It's his frickin' NAME for God sake. The fact that the Cookie Monster now has cookies as a sometimes snack just further heralds the imminate fall of creative freedom on televison and the further advancement of poor programming for young people. We will have sterile shows that do not allow for different views.
To be fair, I am OKAY with putting a warning on the pipe smoking thing, but censoring and calling Sesame Street innaprpriate is riduclous. It's not as if children are watching material that promotes stereotypes, obviously films like Fall of a Nation and The Jazz Singer, while appropriate at the time they were made, send clear cut messahes of racism and intolerance now. Oscar the Grouch simply reiterates what happens when you act like an ass. It's also not like smoking is illegal, many kids have parents that smoke. Smoking is something a parent needs to have an active role in teaching children. Both of my parents and grandparents smoke, along with my brother and a good friend, yet I don't. I don't think you have to say a program that educated so many children is no longer apprpriate because a puppet smokes a pipe and eats cookies.Do that when you catch a kid watching Caligula or any movie with Rob Scheider, then you have a problem.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
It's All Relative
Hey all,
I talked to my Dad over the weekend who related this FANTASTIC story to me about my Grandfather. I think you all have been reading this blog long enough to get my dark sense of humor. The kind of things I often find funny isn't what the norm is for most people. This is totally a trait in the family. My brother has the same sense of humor, though to be honest I think I would push a joke farther. We both get this trait from our Dad, who gets it from his. Our Dad always showed how he cared about us through jokes and laughter, and that a lot of times is how I relate how I care about people. If I don't joke or tease a bit, then I am probably not comfortable with you.
Anyway onto the story. My Dad and step-mom Sherry were talking to my grandparents over the weekend. They moved back to Ohio about a year and a half ago to help take care of things with my grandparents. My grandma was really sick and grandpa had really aggressive cancer and the prognosis was grim. (Both have made very strong recoveries and are doing much better, Grandpa is still working 8 to 9 hour days at 80plus years old.) Grandpa made sure to have all his affairs in order so no one else would have to worry about it.
Sherry and my grandma were joking around when my Grandpa asked Sherry if she wanted to see the picture that he was going to put on his tombstone. Sherry said okay and Grandpa got the picture. He made sure to have the tombstone done in advance as part of his preparation, the only thing left to do is put on the final date, but the names and birthdays and messages are engraved already for both grandparents. So he grabs the picture and it's him, standing beside his own tombstone with a big cheesy grin, waving at you! I started rolling laughing when I heard this, Sherry is pretty mortified I imagine, as she doesn't tend to find the darker humor funny like the male side of the family. So Dad and Grandpa are laughing as Grandpa is talking about the plot he bought, under a tree right by the road, so that no one actually has to get out of the car to pay respects, they can just flower the grave like a paperboy. My Dad says that of course they will get out of the car, they already scheduled the picnic there after his death.
My grandpa laughed, and I thought that his ability to laugh in the face of something that most people don't even want to acknowledge is just part of the reason he is such a great person. Now some of you may not have found that funny, just on the sick side. Hey, what do you want me to say? Your reading the blog of a man who wants a cake that says "In your face Christ" when I turn 34. I'll have outlived Jesus by then!!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
I talked to my Dad over the weekend who related this FANTASTIC story to me about my Grandfather. I think you all have been reading this blog long enough to get my dark sense of humor. The kind of things I often find funny isn't what the norm is for most people. This is totally a trait in the family. My brother has the same sense of humor, though to be honest I think I would push a joke farther. We both get this trait from our Dad, who gets it from his. Our Dad always showed how he cared about us through jokes and laughter, and that a lot of times is how I relate how I care about people. If I don't joke or tease a bit, then I am probably not comfortable with you.
Anyway onto the story. My Dad and step-mom Sherry were talking to my grandparents over the weekend. They moved back to Ohio about a year and a half ago to help take care of things with my grandparents. My grandma was really sick and grandpa had really aggressive cancer and the prognosis was grim. (Both have made very strong recoveries and are doing much better, Grandpa is still working 8 to 9 hour days at 80plus years old.) Grandpa made sure to have all his affairs in order so no one else would have to worry about it.
Sherry and my grandma were joking around when my Grandpa asked Sherry if she wanted to see the picture that he was going to put on his tombstone. Sherry said okay and Grandpa got the picture. He made sure to have the tombstone done in advance as part of his preparation, the only thing left to do is put on the final date, but the names and birthdays and messages are engraved already for both grandparents. So he grabs the picture and it's him, standing beside his own tombstone with a big cheesy grin, waving at you! I started rolling laughing when I heard this, Sherry is pretty mortified I imagine, as she doesn't tend to find the darker humor funny like the male side of the family. So Dad and Grandpa are laughing as Grandpa is talking about the plot he bought, under a tree right by the road, so that no one actually has to get out of the car to pay respects, they can just flower the grave like a paperboy. My Dad says that of course they will get out of the car, they already scheduled the picnic there after his death.
My grandpa laughed, and I thought that his ability to laugh in the face of something that most people don't even want to acknowledge is just part of the reason he is such a great person. Now some of you may not have found that funny, just on the sick side. Hey, what do you want me to say? Your reading the blog of a man who wants a cake that says "In your face Christ" when I turn 34. I'll have outlived Jesus by then!!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Computer (not so) Blue
Hey all,
Big week this week. FIrst off I am finally posting from my own PC. Got a pretty good deal on a Toshiba laptop, 120 gig hard drive with CD/DVD rewritable drive, built in web cam and wi-fi capable. I am pretty happy with it. The keyboard feels very natural and the screen size is great, not to big for travel, but just right to work on. Obviously there is a little bit of work to do on it to get it up to what I need, like getting MS Office to help with my writing. I am also going to try to budget for a little more RAM and an external hard drive to keep my music and writing on. There are also the small necessities like a good bag and better portable mouse system than I currently have, but I am fully functional. The best part about it is that the spell check on this computer works so while blogging I can easliy fix any errors. That being said there are a few features I don't like, such as missing the numeric pad on the keyboard, I never realized how much I use it until I lost it. I am also not 100% on Windows Vista yet, but give me time and some more familarity with it and I am sure it will work great. If not that;s what a warrenty and anti-viral software is for right?
In other blog news Jason is doing a kick ass banner for the blog and it's near completion. Hopefuly by week's end I can give the site a bit of an overhall and pop it up some. I think the banner looks amazing, but I would expect no less from Jason, everything he does is top notch.
The blog this week should feature a new Thanksgiving edition of True Story Time as well as another poem more than likely. Also probaly some words on the current sports season. As always thanks for reading!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Big week this week. FIrst off I am finally posting from my own PC. Got a pretty good deal on a Toshiba laptop, 120 gig hard drive with CD/DVD rewritable drive, built in web cam and wi-fi capable. I am pretty happy with it. The keyboard feels very natural and the screen size is great, not to big for travel, but just right to work on. Obviously there is a little bit of work to do on it to get it up to what I need, like getting MS Office to help with my writing. I am also going to try to budget for a little more RAM and an external hard drive to keep my music and writing on. There are also the small necessities like a good bag and better portable mouse system than I currently have, but I am fully functional. The best part about it is that the spell check on this computer works so while blogging I can easliy fix any errors. That being said there are a few features I don't like, such as missing the numeric pad on the keyboard, I never realized how much I use it until I lost it. I am also not 100% on Windows Vista yet, but give me time and some more familarity with it and I am sure it will work great. If not that;s what a warrenty and anti-viral software is for right?
In other blog news Jason is doing a kick ass banner for the blog and it's near completion. Hopefuly by week's end I can give the site a bit of an overhall and pop it up some. I think the banner looks amazing, but I would expect no less from Jason, everything he does is top notch.
The blog this week should feature a new Thanksgiving edition of True Story Time as well as another poem more than likely. Also probaly some words on the current sports season. As always thanks for reading!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Writer's Strike
Hey all,
Thought I would add my two cents about the current Writer's Guild strike. The longer this goes on, I think the worse the effects will be down the road. Currently the writer's are striking for better revenue sharing on Internet downloads and DVD sales. There are many other aspects they are asking for too, like credits on movie posters and such, but those are the big ones. Currently the writer is making only a few cents off of DVD and Internet sales, and they seek more. Entirely within their rights I believe. What I don't believe is that anyone is making a lot of money off of Internet downloading, of movies at least. I don't think you can argue that that ITunes is making some money, but really who buys movies online as a viable medium right now. I understand that the belief is that the future will herald more profit from downloads, but I really doubt it.
Of course online sales will be there for the use, but with the influx of High Def and the widespread dominance of DVD the medium is going to have a slow rise if any. Now I have read previously that the release of the fourth Die Hard this week will include a digital download. (Now I can't seem to corroborate that fact online anymore so maybe that's not true now) Personally I think that is the way to go. I know its frustrating owning a DVD and being forced to buy additional software to hack a DVD you own to your own iPod. Getting both formats makes sense. I should be able to plug in and transfer what I want without all this other hassle.
Digital downloads currently are not something to cause such a fuss over. I understand the belief though that the writers think they will get screwed like they did with VHS and DVD residuals. I am all for them getting their fair share. But ultimately everyone is going to suffer from the strike.
Many shows are down to the last few episodes they have in the can, no more will be filmed as they don't have scripts. Shows like Journeyman and Heroes will end at the mid-season arc, while shows like The Office are already shutting down as so much is improvised on the set and many cast members are also members of the WGA. This will particularly hurt freshmen series like Bionic Woman and Pushing Daises. Bionic is struggling in ratings and may not recover once the hiatus ends. Daises is such a different concept the growing status of the show may not recover from a long absence as well. This will also affect many mid-season shows, like Lost and Battlestar Galactica by limiting the number of finished programs they will have ready, causing more of the episodic delays that plagued both shows last season. Will fans still be interested in a long wait again on both series? Programmers will be banking heavily on the mid season replacements to keep revenues up. The big ones being returning programs like Jericho and Fox's Terminator series The Sarah Conner Chronicles.
Movies will be fine through 2008, but come 2009 there will be limited fair to be had at the multiplex. Stockpiling scripts before the strike will only help so much as many of the tent pole big budget movies see script revisions all the way up and into production. Spider-man 4, Harry Potter 7, Transformers 2, and projects like The Hobbit may not take place for even longer periods. That is particularly bad for the Hobbit, as New Line's rights to produce the pic ends in 2009 I believe, production would have to start prior, which gives a limited window the longer this strike goes.
In the end the only thing we have to look forward to will be more reality television. Juggernauts like American Idol and Dancing With the Stars can continue, but some of the future projects like My Dad is Better Than Yours make me shudder. We all know were I will be during this time, turning back to finding more great classic movies on TCM and hoping that NBC carries over the BBC version of The Office into prime time. Hoping for a quick resolve. Thanks for reading the rant.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Thought I would add my two cents about the current Writer's Guild strike. The longer this goes on, I think the worse the effects will be down the road. Currently the writer's are striking for better revenue sharing on Internet downloads and DVD sales. There are many other aspects they are asking for too, like credits on movie posters and such, but those are the big ones. Currently the writer is making only a few cents off of DVD and Internet sales, and they seek more. Entirely within their rights I believe. What I don't believe is that anyone is making a lot of money off of Internet downloading, of movies at least. I don't think you can argue that that ITunes is making some money, but really who buys movies online as a viable medium right now. I understand that the belief is that the future will herald more profit from downloads, but I really doubt it.
Of course online sales will be there for the use, but with the influx of High Def and the widespread dominance of DVD the medium is going to have a slow rise if any. Now I have read previously that the release of the fourth Die Hard this week will include a digital download. (Now I can't seem to corroborate that fact online anymore so maybe that's not true now) Personally I think that is the way to go. I know its frustrating owning a DVD and being forced to buy additional software to hack a DVD you own to your own iPod. Getting both formats makes sense. I should be able to plug in and transfer what I want without all this other hassle.
Digital downloads currently are not something to cause such a fuss over. I understand the belief though that the writers think they will get screwed like they did with VHS and DVD residuals. I am all for them getting their fair share. But ultimately everyone is going to suffer from the strike.
Many shows are down to the last few episodes they have in the can, no more will be filmed as they don't have scripts. Shows like Journeyman and Heroes will end at the mid-season arc, while shows like The Office are already shutting down as so much is improvised on the set and many cast members are also members of the WGA. This will particularly hurt freshmen series like Bionic Woman and Pushing Daises. Bionic is struggling in ratings and may not recover once the hiatus ends. Daises is such a different concept the growing status of the show may not recover from a long absence as well. This will also affect many mid-season shows, like Lost and Battlestar Galactica by limiting the number of finished programs they will have ready, causing more of the episodic delays that plagued both shows last season. Will fans still be interested in a long wait again on both series? Programmers will be banking heavily on the mid season replacements to keep revenues up. The big ones being returning programs like Jericho and Fox's Terminator series The Sarah Conner Chronicles.
Movies will be fine through 2008, but come 2009 there will be limited fair to be had at the multiplex. Stockpiling scripts before the strike will only help so much as many of the tent pole big budget movies see script revisions all the way up and into production. Spider-man 4, Harry Potter 7, Transformers 2, and projects like The Hobbit may not take place for even longer periods. That is particularly bad for the Hobbit, as New Line's rights to produce the pic ends in 2009 I believe, production would have to start prior, which gives a limited window the longer this strike goes.
In the end the only thing we have to look forward to will be more reality television. Juggernauts like American Idol and Dancing With the Stars can continue, but some of the future projects like My Dad is Better Than Yours make me shudder. We all know were I will be during this time, turning back to finding more great classic movies on TCM and hoping that NBC carries over the BBC version of The Office into prime time. Hoping for a quick resolve. Thanks for reading the rant.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Friday, November 16, 2007
The Kiss
Hey all,
Felt like I needed to post a poem to offset that last story. Wanted to get back to doing a love poem again, trying to capture just a moment in time. It's certainly a continuation from my previous poem The Match. Hope you enjoy.
The Kiss
In awkward seconds before our first,
My heart feels like it soon must burst.
A time of which we'll surely reminsce,
Marking the moment of the kiss.
Closing in to taste your lips,
The precipice to cause such slips.
Gladly now to tumble down,
And lay your feet thy Queenly crown.
Reign upon my feeling's deep.
Your sovereignty over me to keep.
Closer now to touch your hand,
Breath to breath so close we stand.
Sweep away stray strand of hair,
Beauty held without compare,
Soft skin held in supple cheek,
The missing part my soul did seek.
Caught within your eyes,
A glimpse of Heaven therein lies.
You've stripped me to the core,
And all I want is more,
Brushing soft, a slow begin,
Warmth bubbling deep within.
Lips pressing harder now,
A promise of more, unsaid vow.
Urgent flush of passion's throws,
Layed me bare to all expose.
Holding tight in this embrace.
A moment of time held in place.
Discovering in each a taste,
From what once seemed so chaste.
And though my eyes be tightly shut,
Your image in mind is clearly cut.
That urgency that once was strong,
Cannot last for everlong.
Once hard kiss grows more light.
Yet still everything feels so right.
Slowly now we pull away,
From this kiss that filled my day.
Now that our lips have part,
All I want to do is return to the start.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Felt like I needed to post a poem to offset that last story. Wanted to get back to doing a love poem again, trying to capture just a moment in time. It's certainly a continuation from my previous poem The Match. Hope you enjoy.
The Kiss
In awkward seconds before our first,
My heart feels like it soon must burst.
A time of which we'll surely reminsce,
Marking the moment of the kiss.
Closing in to taste your lips,
The precipice to cause such slips.
Gladly now to tumble down,
And lay your feet thy Queenly crown.
Reign upon my feeling's deep.
Your sovereignty over me to keep.
Closer now to touch your hand,
Breath to breath so close we stand.
Sweep away stray strand of hair,
Beauty held without compare,
Soft skin held in supple cheek,
The missing part my soul did seek.
Caught within your eyes,
A glimpse of Heaven therein lies.
You've stripped me to the core,
And all I want is more,
Brushing soft, a slow begin,
Warmth bubbling deep within.
Lips pressing harder now,
A promise of more, unsaid vow.
Urgent flush of passion's throws,
Layed me bare to all expose.
Holding tight in this embrace.
A moment of time held in place.
Discovering in each a taste,
From what once seemed so chaste.
And though my eyes be tightly shut,
Your image in mind is clearly cut.
That urgency that once was strong,
Cannot last for everlong.
Once hard kiss grows more light.
Yet still everything feels so right.
Slowly now we pull away,
From this kiss that filled my day.
Now that our lips have part,
All I want to do is return to the start.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Small Wonder
Hey all,
I found this on YouTube to go with that earlier post. A small glimpse in the fracture that I call a mind.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
(Kinda) True Story Time!
Hey all,
I have been prompted to post this story after relating it to my good friend Jason, who laughed very much and said that it HAD to be posted.. for posterity of course.
This is about a dream I had two nights ago. I should point out that I am a very deep sleeper and very rarely remember any dreams I have had. I just don't remember or have them with any regularity, so anything I do remember is unusual.
I dreamed that I was at an awards show, sort of like a less casual Oscars, sitting next to Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart. Harrison Ford is talking to me about a movie we made 15 years ago where I played his son and that after seeing my most recent movie he totally needed to work with me again. At this point whoever was hosting the awards show announces that appearing in each row of the ceremony would be old actors and actresses who were no longer famous. Mostly child stars. In my row I get the actress who played the robot Vicky on the old Fox sitcom Small Wonder.
*Side note- Small Wonder, for those of you out of the know was a sitcom where a regular family man created an android daughter who spoke in a weird robot voice and wore the same red dress and white apron for every episode. It was basically a robotic rip off of the show Alf. Lord.. I hope I don't have to explain that show to explain my explanation. This sitcom was on for 4 YEARS. That's milking a premise eh?
Okay, but the kicker is that Vicky is all grown up now, and really slutty. The only part I remember is she was wearing a tiny shirt with the words Small Wonder over each of her breasts. I remember her winking at me and giving me the key to her hotel room. At this point Harrison Ford says to me , " She wants you man."
So I dream jump to a scene where me and Harrison Ford are trying to catch the elevator door before it closes with the grown up girl from Small Wonder inside. We are to slow and have to get another elevator. But as much as I ride the elevator I can't get to the right floor. With Harrison Ford the whole time egging me on to get to her room. This is the point where I wake up.
Now this dream is fucking crazy on so many levels I don't now where to begin. First off, who has a fantasy about the chick from Small Wonder? I guess I SHOULD take solace in the fact that she was at least grown up. That's all kinds of twisted otherwise. That show has been off the air for close to 20 years! Also, at what point did Han Fucking Solo turn into a horn dog? Let's not even fathom about what riding in an elevator with Harrison Ford means. And how come I can't even seal the deal in my sub-conscience? When Lord is it my turn? I swear to you right now that if I have a dream where I have to chase down the Manimal before moving in with My Two Dads I'll just kill myself. It's better for everyone at that point.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
I have been prompted to post this story after relating it to my good friend Jason, who laughed very much and said that it HAD to be posted.. for posterity of course.
This is about a dream I had two nights ago. I should point out that I am a very deep sleeper and very rarely remember any dreams I have had. I just don't remember or have them with any regularity, so anything I do remember is unusual.
I dreamed that I was at an awards show, sort of like a less casual Oscars, sitting next to Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart. Harrison Ford is talking to me about a movie we made 15 years ago where I played his son and that after seeing my most recent movie he totally needed to work with me again. At this point whoever was hosting the awards show announces that appearing in each row of the ceremony would be old actors and actresses who were no longer famous. Mostly child stars. In my row I get the actress who played the robot Vicky on the old Fox sitcom Small Wonder.
*Side note- Small Wonder, for those of you out of the know was a sitcom where a regular family man created an android daughter who spoke in a weird robot voice and wore the same red dress and white apron for every episode. It was basically a robotic rip off of the show Alf. Lord.. I hope I don't have to explain that show to explain my explanation. This sitcom was on for 4 YEARS. That's milking a premise eh?
Okay, but the kicker is that Vicky is all grown up now, and really slutty. The only part I remember is she was wearing a tiny shirt with the words Small Wonder over each of her breasts. I remember her winking at me and giving me the key to her hotel room. At this point Harrison Ford says to me , " She wants you man."
So I dream jump to a scene where me and Harrison Ford are trying to catch the elevator door before it closes with the grown up girl from Small Wonder inside. We are to slow and have to get another elevator. But as much as I ride the elevator I can't get to the right floor. With Harrison Ford the whole time egging me on to get to her room. This is the point where I wake up.
Now this dream is fucking crazy on so many levels I don't now where to begin. First off, who has a fantasy about the chick from Small Wonder? I guess I SHOULD take solace in the fact that she was at least grown up. That's all kinds of twisted otherwise. That show has been off the air for close to 20 years! Also, at what point did Han Fucking Solo turn into a horn dog? Let's not even fathom about what riding in an elevator with Harrison Ford means. And how come I can't even seal the deal in my sub-conscience? When Lord is it my turn? I swear to you right now that if I have a dream where I have to chase down the Manimal before moving in with My Two Dads I'll just kill myself. It's better for everyone at that point.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Monday, November 12, 2007
The Match
Hey all,
Here is a new poem. I really tried to write a poem where what you read about isn't necessarily what the poem is about. For me, this poem is about the moments in your life where everything is great and you feel great, and how those moments seem so long and end so abruptly. I tried to write small 3 word lines to build the sense of urgency in the poem to highlight the emotions in it. Maybe you will read it and think it's just a poem about a match, but I found a deeper meaning. I have always believed that there are only so many perfect moments in your life, and you have to seize them when they come. There are also times when your overwhelmed, burning the candles at both ends, and sometimes you also have to light the middle of the candle to survive. It's like they say, sometimes its better to burn out than fade away. That's a moment you have to grab ahold of.
The Match
Draw the match.
Strike box's scratch,
Pierce the dark,
Flashing brilliant spark.
Orange and red,
Burn at head.
With wooden shaft,
In finger's graft.
Slowly now burning,
Needing and yearning.
Consuming its all,
Trapped in thrall.
That hottest flare,
Burns without compare.
Finding no deterrance,
This momentous occurance.
Fire grows height,
Fierce and bright,
At flame's peak,
Nothing seems weak.
Yet blazing burn,
Begins down turn.
Something so strong,
Cannot stay long.
The flickers dance,
Dim flame's romance.
Heat once bold,
Now turns cold.
Soft breath blow,
Lessens match's glow.
As smoldering fire,
Begins to expire.
Orange changes blue,
Before times through,
Lasting sulfer scent,
The fire spent.
Spiral smoke left,
The moments theft.
Once so devout,
Now just burnt-out.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Here is a new poem. I really tried to write a poem where what you read about isn't necessarily what the poem is about. For me, this poem is about the moments in your life where everything is great and you feel great, and how those moments seem so long and end so abruptly. I tried to write small 3 word lines to build the sense of urgency in the poem to highlight the emotions in it. Maybe you will read it and think it's just a poem about a match, but I found a deeper meaning. I have always believed that there are only so many perfect moments in your life, and you have to seize them when they come. There are also times when your overwhelmed, burning the candles at both ends, and sometimes you also have to light the middle of the candle to survive. It's like they say, sometimes its better to burn out than fade away. That's a moment you have to grab ahold of.
The Match
Draw the match.
Strike box's scratch,
Pierce the dark,
Flashing brilliant spark.
Orange and red,
Burn at head.
With wooden shaft,
In finger's graft.
Slowly now burning,
Needing and yearning.
Consuming its all,
Trapped in thrall.
That hottest flare,
Burns without compare.
Finding no deterrance,
This momentous occurance.
Fire grows height,
Fierce and bright,
At flame's peak,
Nothing seems weak.
Yet blazing burn,
Begins down turn.
Something so strong,
Cannot stay long.
The flickers dance,
Dim flame's romance.
Heat once bold,
Now turns cold.
Soft breath blow,
Lessens match's glow.
As smoldering fire,
Begins to expire.
Orange changes blue,
Before times through,
Lasting sulfer scent,
The fire spent.
Spiral smoke left,
The moments theft.
Once so devout,
Now just burnt-out.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Friday, November 09, 2007
Postage Past Due
Hey all,
Sorry for the lack of new material so far this month, I am trying to get stuff ready at work to take another week of vacation before the holiday rush and there is a lot to do to get that ready. I also have been working towards getting 3 more managers in the store by the end of the month, which will help immensaly in my work load in the coming year.
There is a ton of stuff I want to update on this week, including another true story, in addition to the great one I have scheduled for Thanksgiving. I also want to try out posting some flash fiction, something I read about from Warren Ellis. Quick 3 to 5 paragraph stories told in a flash I think that will be fun.
Hopefully within the next two weeks I will be on my new PC. I am due a bonus check that is running slow and hopefully I got that cleared up. I'd like to be able to write in word and cut and paste suff in, as well as copy all of my poetry back to a harddrive. Currently I only have the archive online.
I have been working a more normal work scgedule this week, more 9 to 5's and I find that it is not as inducive to writeing as I would have hoped. I really enjoy these late night, early morning time slots to be alone with my thoughts and post. Be on the lookout, there is more to come!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Sorry for the lack of new material so far this month, I am trying to get stuff ready at work to take another week of vacation before the holiday rush and there is a lot to do to get that ready. I also have been working towards getting 3 more managers in the store by the end of the month, which will help immensaly in my work load in the coming year.
There is a ton of stuff I want to update on this week, including another true story, in addition to the great one I have scheduled for Thanksgiving. I also want to try out posting some flash fiction, something I read about from Warren Ellis. Quick 3 to 5 paragraph stories told in a flash I think that will be fun.
Hopefully within the next two weeks I will be on my new PC. I am due a bonus check that is running slow and hopefully I got that cleared up. I'd like to be able to write in word and cut and paste suff in, as well as copy all of my poetry back to a harddrive. Currently I only have the archive online.
I have been working a more normal work scgedule this week, more 9 to 5's and I find that it is not as inducive to writeing as I would have hoped. I really enjoy these late night, early morning time slots to be alone with my thoughts and post. Be on the lookout, there is more to come!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
The Price of Freedom
Hey all,
I took another stab at writing a poem outside of my normal comfort zone. I have been gestating on this one a few days and I am not sure how I feel about it. I started sounding the poem out while leafing through the paper working the graveyard shift early in the morning. It was boring and I had little to do by about 4 am. Anyway, I wanted to touch on the nature of war and people's reaction to it. It's a very polarizing topic and I wanted to touch on both sides of it, without favoring one over the other so the reader can decide how they feel about it. The poem is not meant to express any particular war or fight, hopefully you, the reader, can make your own interpretations. I'd be interested to hear what you all thought. Is it too heavy handed or obvious? Did I walk that line of pro or con? Like I said, I don't know if I did. Anyway here you go.
The Price of Freedom
Troubled times now lie ahead.
Thousands of soldiers lay in bed.
Promises made of help to come.
The remainder left, now cold and numb.
That vow once made for troops to send,
Broken again without chance remend.
Some will come home in black bag or wheeled chair.
Some will have injuries that medicine can't care.
Their wounds run deep, yet hard to find.
Existing so in heart, soul, and mind.
Sacrifices offered both big and small,
The belief that they suffered for the benefit of all.
Pray to loved ones that they left behind.
These same families offer returns in kind.
But not all feel in this way,
A country of change cannot all stay.
So when they comes home, it's like they've not left.
The disenfranchised and angry, a nation split in cleft.
So many men have been here before.
Still may more will marshall to the roar of war.
Some soldiers are born, and some are made.
The price of freedom though, is a cost that must be paid.
And even those against the fight,
Should champion those who fought for that right.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
I took another stab at writing a poem outside of my normal comfort zone. I have been gestating on this one a few days and I am not sure how I feel about it. I started sounding the poem out while leafing through the paper working the graveyard shift early in the morning. It was boring and I had little to do by about 4 am. Anyway, I wanted to touch on the nature of war and people's reaction to it. It's a very polarizing topic and I wanted to touch on both sides of it, without favoring one over the other so the reader can decide how they feel about it. The poem is not meant to express any particular war or fight, hopefully you, the reader, can make your own interpretations. I'd be interested to hear what you all thought. Is it too heavy handed or obvious? Did I walk that line of pro or con? Like I said, I don't know if I did. Anyway here you go.
The Price of Freedom
Troubled times now lie ahead.
Thousands of soldiers lay in bed.
Promises made of help to come.
The remainder left, now cold and numb.
That vow once made for troops to send,
Broken again without chance remend.
Some will come home in black bag or wheeled chair.
Some will have injuries that medicine can't care.
Their wounds run deep, yet hard to find.
Existing so in heart, soul, and mind.
Sacrifices offered both big and small,
The belief that they suffered for the benefit of all.
Pray to loved ones that they left behind.
These same families offer returns in kind.
But not all feel in this way,
A country of change cannot all stay.
So when they comes home, it's like they've not left.
The disenfranchised and angry, a nation split in cleft.
So many men have been here before.
Still may more will marshall to the roar of war.
Some soldiers are born, and some are made.
The price of freedom though, is a cost that must be paid.
And even those against the fight,
Should champion those who fought for that right.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)