The Pensive Exposition

Basil Copper - The Great White Space

I had fun reading Basil Copper's "The Great White Space" and I bet Basil had fun writing it.

This 192 page work blends the adventurousness of a Jules Verne novel swirled with the characters, creatures, and horrors of an H.P. Lovecraft tale. The first 70 pages deal with the introduction, preparation, and journey to the bowels of the earth - and what lies beyond. The remainder or the tale is the soujourn therin; where the creep factor really kicks into overdrive. The final pages are a bit abrupt; chaotic, and 'run-and-gun' for my taste; but the overall creepy atmosphere is 5 out of 5 stars.

Definitely - this book could have used more editing - had some poorly placed metaphors (that enhanced the tone but not the prose) - and was peppered with choppy prose. However, this is one of Basil's earlier published works and was published in the 1970s - when paperback issues did not always have 5 star content (editing, binding, cover art, etc.). I look forward to reading Basil's other works of mystery, macabre, and horror to see if some of these issues get cleared up later in his writing.

Though the mood is doom - this book is free of curse words and slasher obscenities; examples of the Lovecraftian description I felt worth noting are: Shimmering putresence; insectivorious; phosphorescent source; husk of a former self; encompassing doom; the dwarf [dead man attacked by an unkwown something] was like a husk from which all the essence had been drained; obscene and depraved; amber-tinted dusk; ancient city of Croth; Ethics of Ygor; sudden stammer from a machine gun; some faint shadowy thing which appeared to flit between the far building at the end of the plaza; the Trone Tables; huddled form on the tunnel floor...recumbent man lay at a grotesque angle; the thing made a squelching, slopping noise; our companion was ingested into the monadelphous shape of the viscous being which held him fast...

Basil does a good job of cranking up the paranoia by giving less details; where other modern writers give too much grisly denotation.

Again I say this book could use some more work to make it from a 4 out of 5 star novel - to a 5 star novel; and would make a great anime film/series in the right hands. A lof of plot pieces were left unexplained and the puzzle picture was incomplete. Yet, the imaginitive writing certainly makes up for the smaller errors.

Side note, after seeing the previews of the new film "Prometheus" - I predict numerous similarities to this old book. I hope the film is worthwhile (for the genre)

"We don't know what we may meet in these tunnels. One notes; one consolidates; and on then reconnoitres in strength - suitably armed...""bristling with weapons."

Things are looking up…

“Bitter was my cup
But no more will I be the mourner
For I've certainly turned the corner
Oh things are looking up
Since love looked up at me

See the sunbeams
Every one beams
Just because of you
Love's in session
And my depression
Is unmistakably through”

George and Ira Gershwin – included in the film (A Damsel In Distress (1937)

Hermann Hesse wrote something once about (literary) reviews… something akin to 'critics are like someone fumbling with the keys to a door that is already open/unlocked.'  That’s what I’ve seen regarding some negative comments on Whit Stillman’s new movie, “Damsels in Distress.” 

I just got home from watching this wonderful film; it was so worth the long wait to see another Stillman work of art.

The experience reminds us about the whimsy of love, nostalgia for good conversation, sublime soap, the power of a leap (or in this case a dance) of faith – and so much more. 

I have not so thoroughly laughed and smiled – been entertained by a modern film in theaters – in quite a while. 

Simple, charming, pensive, incandescent, and exceptionally witty – I loved it.

You saw the same attempt in “Sullivan’s Travels” and later in other films up to “Be Kind Rewind:” the power of entertainment doing what it does best – and you can still see it!

Now playing on a few remaining screens in the Dallas area.

Damsels in Distress (2011)  Written/Directed by Whit Stillman

The Men Who Stare at Goats - aka - The Journey to the East - aka - The Novices of Sais

On a very quick note...  Consciously, or subconsciously... these three works all have something in common (in a glassbeadgame-sort-of-sense) - and 'The Men Who Stare at Goats' was a delight for S. and I to see the other night.  I was glad to see yet another work added to the League library - Bravo Clooney and Heslov. 

1) Protagonist/member who was once - part of the league, then has gone on alone

2) Sometimes doubting if the league/teacher ever did exist; doubting the truth and purpose of the league

3) Finding redemption - rediscovering the league and hearing "the symphony of the universe" (Novices of Sais) in a new chord

4) Finding one's true role in life, and always on the neverending road to Socratic/Romantic higher. understanding

5) A journey of the mind - as well as of place

- Will leave the rest for others to post...

Long live the League!

Asobi Seksu - i.e. Playful ?

There is a movie on limited release -- that ought to be at the Angelika Theater here in Dallas - sometime soon... In fact, they play the trailer for this movie with practically every film shown at the Angelika... I should know because I've been there a lot in the past month. 

But anyway, the tune that plays during the trailer is rather sublime.  I had to do some research on the band, who goes by 'Asobi Seksu' (which means 'playful sex' in Japanese). 

All things in their time... the movie may flop... because apparently the preview pretty much sums up the movie; after interpreting some reviews I've read. 

Still, the trailer is above par - and like the full feature's intention - it gives you an in depth glimpse of the intimate instances in a relationship that may or may not last; while certainly striking your attention with a neo-realistic montage of powerful  (warning: somewhat provocative as this is a 'red band' trailer) life moments... with a dash of the 'French New Wave' style of film to boot.

So here's a toast to the cinema release of 'Flannel Pajamas' (may the movie make a profit!) -- AND the kick-ass song 'Thursday' that goes along with the trailer: something that strikes a chord of the ethereal from a New Order classic, the sirensong voice of Bjork's younger years during the Sugar Cubes phenomenon, and a stellar rhythm akin to something from the fabulous heyday of The Smiths.

A short review of the film - ought to be posted in the comments section at some point (once I've seen it). 

For those interested, Asobi Seksu has two albums out ('Citrus' seems to be their latest and greatest), and will be playing in Dallas at 'The Cavern' this March.  I think I'll attend - as I haven't actually been to a real concert in a while (and I like quite a few of Asobi Seksu's songs - even though I've only heard them - for only the past 24 hours).

Hear the song and see the trailer on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWJF5IUa3k0 and http://www.flannelpajamas.net

The One Moment / Not the Only One: The music of Michael Nyman in 'Gattaca'

Have you ever reached out for something that was so tangible as to be almost in your grasp... that you realized you had to let go of what you were holding on to - to be able to reach even further out towards the object of your interest?  The letting go is reminiscent of limbo, weightlessness, and uncertainty; that 'far away, so close' feeling.

Download the_one_moment.mp3

My last semester of college was like that... I was so ready to move on, to reach out into the tangibility of open possiblities.  I remember listening to the Gattaca soundtrack very often the whole year of '98 - and dreaming of the other side of college, but being uncertain of just what lay ahead.  When college was finally over, I remember walking out of my last class (actually it was just stopping by a professor's office to turn in my final paper in creative writing) - and it was distinctively, but lightly snowing.  And that's rare in TX.  It was a good omen for my following wind-down in Idaho; where I stayed until the 'snow' dissipated - oh what a sense of accomplishment it is and was to look back on those completed years.

Download not_the_only_one.mp3

Well, the new year is almost here - I can almost feel it in my grasp - and I think its going to be a great one!  I have quite a fondness for some of Michael Nyman's romanticized music (see also 'The Piano' soundtrack) - I think it's quality speaks for itself - and I hope you too will enjoy these two final tunes for 2006.

Travelogue: Minnesota Nice

In the early summer I spent a week in the suburbs of Minneapolis/St Paul, Minnesota.  Checking out one my employer's wireless customers operations; we climbed up water towers, replaced wireless nodes, spliced fiber lines into wireless backhauls, visited customers with problems, and worked on policies and relations.  Nothing spectacular here in the pictures (but all the people I met and worked with were great, and treated me like a worthy guest - truly Minnesota Nice!), save the heights I had to climb, the lush greenery, not to mention lots and lots of trees.  Some of you have asked what the place looked like, so here goes...  

So Futuristic... (Figurine)

Download 11_so_futuristic.mp3

(Right Click - and choose 'save target as' if doesn't play)

In electronica, there aren't many duets.  I urge all of you to check out this simple, humorous and starry-eyed piece by the band 'Figurine' - from the album 'The Heartfelt (Monika).' 

The song takes the word 'futuristic' and transmogrifies it into something rather romantic... and you'll never think of the word in the same manner.  The different perspectives of the duo's lyrics are especially fun, because you can see the couple looks at their relationship in very different ways.  In an unusual case, I'm including the lyrics. 

Yes, it sounds like fake English (UK) accents, but it doesn't really matter once you've heard it.

(His Lyrics)

it wasn't your perfume
no i don't think i sensed it
it wasn't your wristwatch
and its oversized digits
it wasn't your handbag
though i don't think you hid it
titanium lipstick
maybe that did it
cause all i remember
you seemed futuristic
that's all i remember
so futuristic
so futuristic

(Her Lyrics)

it wasn't your posture
i think you seemed timid
it wasn't your sneakers
they never quite fitted
it wasn't your car
or the speed that you drive it
it wasn't your haircut
or they way that you styled it
still all i remember
you seemed futuristic
you'd stolen my heart
so futuristic
and now we're together
just how i wished it
together forever
so futuristic
so futuristic

Travelogue: Back to the Pacific Northwest

Well, folks - I've played the part of lazy dude lately - as far as my Blog and other creative writing pursuits are concerned.  But after my rejuvenating trip to the Northwest (August 1st through 9th) I think I'm ready to share a little snippet of the finer things. 

Trips are great for me, because I'm reminded of all my dreams and goals in life, and that I've got to work hard to get more of these types of trips accomplished in the future (i.e. making and saving cash, finding time off, and reading about new destinations, etc.).  When I get back from a trip I try to hit the ground running, as far as study for furthering my career goes: work hard and play (travel) now and later, that's my motto as of late.

Oh, and by the way, there should be a little bit of 'Three Discouses on Imagined Occasions" to be wrapped up here in the next few weeks.  It seems that since I lost the book, I also lost my fuel for writing anything... so I guess its nice to have my magic Dumbo feather back - of sorts.  Treading through some late summer cleaning, I found the worthy publication hiding behind several bits of outdoor gear on a shelf (used for temporary storage) from my Teton trip on February.

Its time to put on my typing boots and pack away the camping gear....

Tuesday, I landed in Spokane, WA late in the morning... and enjoyed the winding drive down to Moscow, ID - a delightful little College town nestled amidst rolling farm hills and bulbous, picturesqe lower mountains.  There my friends Sean and Jess (with son Peter) and I made preliminary Trip plans throughout the rest of the day... discussing proposals over a scrumptious late Lunch at Swillys in Pullman, WA; followed by grabbing some gourmet cheese and sweet stuffs (idea food) at a local cheese and ice cream factory.  That evening we booked campsites and hotel rooms on plush couches in the cigar room a family owned coffee shop, followed by a clever supplies run to the local CO-OP (micro-Whole Foods store)... ending the evening with personal pizzas roasted over Sean's back porch grill.  Who can beat that type of trip planning???

Early Wednesday morning we catapulted ourselves over the Bitteroot Mountains into Montana, and worked our way through two-lane roads (with several construction stops) all the way up to Kalispell... a nice area of a western Montana valley, full of lakes, golf courses, tourist traps, and great vistas (we had lunch at 'Norm's News' - an old style Soda Fountain spot with lots of bulk candy bins for the kid at heart [recommended by of Veronica K.]).  By mid-afternoon we'd made it to Glacier National Park - where we found several patches of scenic beauty (after making our way up and over 'the road to the sun') that one might call Paradise.  The temperature up in the those mountains was at least in the upper 50s that August afternoon, which made the whole venture utterly worthwhile, even though there were some fires in the North-Eastern portion of the park which had to cut our planned circumnaviagation of the park short.  As the sun passed on to the distant Pacific coast, we made our way down to Missoula to visit Jess's sister and her husband: Kim and Dave.

Thursday we wound our way back through the lower Bitteroot Mountains back into Idaho via the Lost River (Mountain) Range... crossing over to the Sawtooth Mountains.  Missoula, MT was a nice budding town that had a fresh, intelligent feel.  We lunched at a small bistro in lovely Sun Valley (Bruce Willis territory), and jetted down to Boise via a large grassland fire...   We dumped our goods at the local Holiday Inn and walked around town through the Basque District, and other night spots; ending with varied Salmon dishes and local beer brews.  Boise is bustling, clean, attractive town with lots of places to find jobs - and lots of things to do (especially outdoors); its on my list of places to move. 

Friday afternoon we bounded towards the curvacious upper Columbia River areas of Central Washington... winding down with an outdoor dinner at 'the Depot' (a restored train depot building - now a night spot) in Yakima, WA... followed by a final leg of road to our camp destination in Ellensburg, WA. 

Seattle was in view at around 9am on Saturday; where we drove to the heart of the downtown/wharf district and hopped the Bainbridge Island/Olympic Penninsula ferry for destinations superb.  We made our way to Port Angeles around noon, where we also hopped the Coho Ferry to Victoria, BC - Canada - staying at the Royal Scott Hotel (I think I spelled that right) - which was a great spot: both by its instant walk to the harbor, and by its comfort and ease.  We toured the downtain area, had High Tea at the Empress Hotel, and later grabbed a Taxi to Oak Bay area to eat at the wonderful dinner bistro - 'Paprika.' 

We decided to stay an extra day in Victoria, which turned out to be 'BC Day' (British Columbia) - which was kind of like a 4th of July celebration witnessed in the states.  After another tour of the city, and an afternoon local brew, we finished the evening with fireworks and an outdoor concert in Victoria Harbor (1812 Overture). 

Monday we grabbed a tasty breakfast at the Swans Hotel restauraunt, and then took the ferry back over to Port Angeles: the gateway to Olympic National Park.  By early mid-afternoon we were on 'Third Beach' within the park boundary... spending a few hours climbing on rock crags, playing in the surf, or just chillin.  By late afternoon we were touring the Hoh Rain Forest - Hall of Mosses - a pleasant place to wind down into an evening.

Tuesday we were back in Seattle (via the Bainbridge Island ferry again - how we do love to ride the ferrys), and had a seafood lunch at Ivars (on the Wharf)... followed by a quick T-shirt trip to the Patagonia store, and a short stop at the R.E.I. Seattle Flagship store.  By 3:30 PM we were on our way out of town to pass through the Cascade Mountain range, followed by a short 'looking over' of the German-esque town of Leavenworth, WA... meandering our way to an overnight stay in Wenatchee, WA.  There we had found the fabulous 'Cloud 9' Ice Cream Parlour... where your dessert starts in liquid form, and is frozen by liqued nitrogen/gas techniques in just a few seconds; any flavor you want: fresh and sumptuous.

Wednesday we crossed the Columbia River again, past orchards of many flavors, into the wheat fields of the western Spokane region... We toured the Spokane heart to see the falls, the outdoor parks-and-integrated-shopping-mall-area while munching on yet another Whole Foods type picnic lunch ('Rocket' something or other market, a small old time gas station turned CO-OP/Whole Foods style grocery).  There we said our goodbyes, and I was off to the Salt Lake and eventual Dallas/Fort Worth airports... and the trip had come to an end... or did it?  - Because I was quite lazy (other than working the very next several days) at home, and did indulge in a few more good meals here in TX - because I was too un-inspired to cook anything after being on the road again for so long. 

The Edge of Civilization? (The Decline of the Studious Cool Cats?)

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,196211,00.html

Well, this article says less and less people are (projected) reading books - in the near future... based upon the amount of media sales per year... which sounds kind of skewed. 

Lots of people buy used books, which can't be tracked, etc... or get free ones via multiple sources.  Even though I disagree with how the article comes to its conclusion... I believe the article's conclusions are very true - that people are reading less and less -- of the good stuff.  It seems like magazines, blogs, and American Idol have taken over.  I'm almost ashamed of my blog when I think about how more and more people have their nose in the internet, instead of in good books...

Things as they are, why pay 20 bucks for a new book when you might be able to get it at no cost whatsover... Still, we don't want the publishers to go completely out of business - so the next time you're in Barnes and Noble, head over to the Philosophy or Literature section and buy a great classic (i.e. The Complete Works of Plato)!  Shows those publishers you don't want cheap modern tripe!  (Personally, its become a good habit not to read much published after the 1950s).

And, if you're a cool cat looking for free literature, check out http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/... Find most of the classics online - at no charge - any day of the week.

Where can I get one of these patches?

Being of the zodiac sign 'Cancer' - I wish they'd make one of these same museums in Seattle!  I just couldn't justify going to NYC just for this museum alone, though it sounds intriguing.

http://nymw.org/