Lazy days and art parades

I'm posting this for your benefit, Kongregate readers, because hopefully you'll get more enjoyment out if my sharing than I would get from hiding it away. I drew a picture of a vampire. It's not quite done yet, mostly because my scanner is broken and I'm too lazy to fix that. But maybe some of the myrm peeps will get a kick out of it. Personally, I think he's cute enough to purr.

Peter Frampton and Yes

I took my dad to go see the two iconic figures of the early 70's for his combined Father's day and Birthday present. Best choice I ever could have made. I think I won daughter of the year for this little stunt.

Peter Frampton's set lasted an hour and a half, during which I enjoyed the music but couldn't shake the feeling I was in a particularly jazzy elevator. The guy knows how to play, that's for sure, but it was more about promoting his newest album and his efforts in the gulf than enjoying the experience. Musicians. *shakes head* Can't win them all. On the plus side, his new album is coming out on vinyl!

When Yes came on, the show really began. The light show, the musicians themselves, the crowd, it was a whole 'nother experience.

Steve Howe, an amazing guitarist, had the chance to perform solos from his new album, which I highly recommend. Trippy, intricate, and deliciously dulcet. Information regarding his work can be found here.

Sadly, Jon Anderson wasn't performing this round. The 40th Anniversary tour had been canceled when Jon got sick, and word on the street is that he won't be performing for much longer. When a man of Jon's talent, with 42 years of tours under his belt, decides to take a rest, it's a much deserved retirement. We'll miss him, but Benoit David is not a bad replacement.

The band played classics from 1972, newer songs, crowd favorites, the obligatory "Owner of a Lonely Heart" featured on the game Singstar, and my ultimate favorite came as an encore: Starship Trooper.

Yes- And You and I can be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fi-sUOM8io&feature=related

What It Is

It was never my intention
To write this down but here we are.
And I would smile whenever your name was mentioned.
We'll look back on our lives in a while.
I'm not the kind of girl who likes to write love songs in disguise,
but here we are. Here we are.

It was never my intention
To keep you mine and mine alone.
You could fly off in any given direction
Wherever you go I’ll call home.
Tuck me away in a corner somewhere and I’ll be content
because there you are, there you are.
There you are, there you are.

And if you say you’re leaving, I don’t wanna know
The only thing I want is to follow where you go
I never could imagine living my life alone
Wherever you may wander, that’s where I may roam

But I was never one to mention how I would fall if you should go
And I would give to you all my love and affection
I would say this now but you already know
And I love how you always recognize my love songs in disguise
So here we are, here we are
Here we are, here we are.

What it is,
This thing called happiness
You and I will find ourselves
What it is,
It doesn’t matter much now anyway
Everyone is dead or sleeping
Except you and I alone.

Uncle Skip

The Jazzberries

Half Past Midnight

No longer relevant

The Messenger's Tale

Alice was a lady uncommonly fair,
blood-red ribbons weaved through light hair.
Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes,
her eyes clear as light, her lips as a rose.

This maiden's parents had died years before,
Their merchant ship crashed upon the shore.
Alice's uncle saw to her upbringing,
He taught her Latin, writing, and singing.

Alice grew and blossomed in her uncle's love
And was showered with gifts and praise from above
With heaven and hell she was never at odds
For the maiden was pleasing to all of the gods.

One day a knight passing through town
Caught sight of the gem of England's crown
Cupid’s well-aimed arrow pierced their souls.
“Fair maid, marry me, for my heart is yours.”

'Twas not Alice’s beauty alone that struck him
But too, the truth in her eyes, and her grin,
A smile that hinted at mischief and humor
That incited the humble Knight to love her.

Alice, struck by his fair visage and speech
Accepted his proposal as he swept her off her feet.
To her uncle’s house they retired to petition,
For Alice felt they needed his permission.

Now, Alice’s uncle was a fair sort of fellow,
Never cheated at cards, never fought or bellowed.
When he saw the joy in Alice’s eyes,
He wished them happy, prosperous lives.

The Knight’s father also approved the match
but his step-mother's love was harder to catch
a witch of the woods, the queen of hearts,
would not hesitate to rip Alice apart.

The wicked queen magick'd Alice away
Locked in a tower, she slept night and day.
The knight thought to quest for her trembling hand,
He’d cross the unknown to bring her back again.

So bereft with grief, the gods took pity
and sent Alice a dream to keep her company.
A rabbit so white, so brave, pure, and true
who promised “I will bring your love to you.”

And so the rabbit appeared before the Knight
Who found talking animals a bit of a fright.
“Follow me knight, no time will we waste,
To reach your lady we must make haste.

Please hurry, or we’ll be late, milord,
The dark tower is far, in a land unexplored.”
Through forest and mountain, river and lake,
They ran till at last they saw the rusted gate.

‘Lo, a ferocious lion guarded the door,
A man-killing beast, docile nevermore.
He feeds on fear, he feeds on pain,
But Alice’s Knight is strong and brave.

The battle took place round the edge of the tower
While Fairest Alice slept in her bower.
Man and beast, preparing to duel
‘Till the other’s life force congeals in a pool.

They orbit one another, feinting and faking
Looking for weaknesses, intimidating,
Forcing each other into missing a step,
In dizzying circles and maneuvers they crept.

Every muscle was tight on the beast’s shaggy back
The Knight was poised, ready for the attack.
The great cat lunged, the sword was flashing,
Claws sharp as blades, weapons were lashing.

The Knight plunged his blade into the lion’s side
Up to the hilt, the entire sword hides.
In the aftermath, neither foe made a sound.
Two sets of blood now stained the ground.

At last, the wind rustled the lion’s mane
Yet the life had left, the great beast tamed.
The Knight, not far from death, groaned
“Dearest Alice… our reunion must be postponed…”

With Alice struggling alone, would he survive?
To leave her: that sacrifice was much too high.
“By the gods, I am not ready to join the deceased”
And with that oath, his prayers were released.

At this, the white rabbit once more returned
The gods had seen the battle and became concerned
They gave him the power to heal the Knight.
Blessed by the gods, for life and love will he fight.

The Knight rose painlessly, and glanced aside
To see the rabbit sitting contentedly by.
He knew at once something was missing,
‘Twas Alice his lips should be kissing.

After thanking the gods for all they had done,
Our poor lovesick knight took off at a run
He wrestled open the door, dashed up the stairs,
Halted before Alice, head hung in despair.

For Alice was yet slumbering on the wide bed,
“Pale as death” he thought in his head.
Her brow furrowed for a brief heartbeat
As though someone had disturbed her deepest sleep.

The knight regarded his lady fair
And smoothed from her cheek a lock of hair
“Alice, queen of wit and of youth,
My love, awake and see the truth.”

With those words, his head slowly dipped
And pressed a soft kiss ‘pon his lady’s lips.
Her eyelids flickered, her breath inhaled,
And a rose blush graced cheeks so pale.

And when her eyes opened she beheld
The most handsome man her heart ever held.
She kissed him right back, one, two, three,
And what happened next, only gods may see.



-By Sam. Fall 2008. Rediscovered 2010.
The assignment was to write our own entry in the manner of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. This tale was told 3rd, by a messenger on his way to collect a reward for capturing a highwayman. 99%.

Transformers 3: Tread Cautiously

Michael Bay has done it again. Introducing yet another installment to the live action Transformers industry is risky business. Some naysayers compare the series to Star Wars, while I prefer not to tarnish the pinnacle of geekdom with giant robots.

Potential problems:
The writers, Roberto Orici and Alex Kurtzman, will not be returning for the third script, leaving it instead to their lesser known co-writer from Revenge of the Fallen. Ehren Kruger is taking up the role, a writer who worked on films such as The Ring, The Brothers Grimm, and Blood and Chocolate. Personally, and based on the latter two of those three movies, I trust Ehren to balance action with explanation so that we don't have another version of The Fifth Element on our hands.

Another potential problem arises in the time crunch placed upon both Michael Bay and the writers. Paramount announced July 1, 2011 to be the release date, shocking Bay who intended to take a year-long hiatus from robots until 2012. However, since the script was finished March 19, 2010 and filming began the following April and May, we can assume that any lag in script content will be filled with either sexual tension or shiny cars. Now therein lies the real secret to Hollywood success.

And then we come to the problem of Mikaela. Megan Fox and Michael Bay have been embroiled in a controversial swirl of events that border on the ridiculous and are better left undisclosed. As such, the character Mikaela, a fanboy's wet dream since she fixed Sam's car in the first movie, has been replaced. Audiences might prefer the new love interest: British Victoria's Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. It is unclear as to whether Rosie will play Mikaela (fairly likely) or a completely new character altogether. Personally, I am a fan of keeping Mikaela around. With Patrick Dempsey cast as her boss, there would be a plot twist in order to give him enough screen time to be worth the role. Plus, having a lasting relationship between Sam and Mikaela is an essential theme of these movies. For heaven's sake, they only JUST got around to the "L" word 80% of the way through the last movie. It would be a pity to trash that romantic build up now.

Since this third movie is predicted to be even bloodier and more violent than the last, I wouldn't be surprised if they killed Mikaela off within the first 2 minutes. But that would be cheap, and I'm sure Michael Bay is above such a low blow.

Personal Quirks
I love the twins. Skids and Mudflap were wonderful comedic relief and they were not predicted to appear in this third movie as more than a cameo by two Chevrolets. However, these Black Chevrolet Sparks, very expensive and very zippy autobots, would not be worth the budget for two side characters. Also personally exciting: Josh Duhamel is reprising his role as Captain Lennox, another character fans latch onto from the first and second.

Conclusions:
I have high hopes for this movie. Can't go wrong with giant robots, fast cars, and the Transformers brand. I don't intend to dress in refrigerator boxes and costumes for this one (Too embarassing at the first premere) but I have a bid in for a midnight ticket already. However, I'm bracing myself for the backlash from fans and critics alike. I'd advise you to do the same.



*For the record, I love The Fifth Element. However, every time I see it I get more confused.

Sneak a Peak and the Soundtrack of my Life

Recently, I was reading one of the "soundtrack" questionnaires a friend of mine filled out on myspace. Gasp, the horror! Being forced to hit shuffle and trust to fate that your funeral dirge will be properly fitting and that no one will headbang to your wedding entrance. Anyway, I decided to go through my mp3's, CD's, tapes, and vinyls and choose the most meaningful songs.

These are, in essence, the truth about my youth. They have been projected through a less grumpy portal. Yes, I was a grumpy child. I still am, when I haven't had anything to eat all day, but that is a different story altogether.


Songs of Choice to Sing as a Small Child:
"Yesterday" by Paul McCartney/the Beatles
"Itsy Bitsy Spider" by Little Richard (Yes, it really exists!)
"Baby Beluga" by Raffi

Song that Defined My Elementary School Friendships:
"Wannabe" by the Spice Girls

Song that Forever Gave Me Unrealistic Expectations in Men:
"Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton

Song my Friends and I Tried Out With at the Talent Show:
"Tearing up my Heart" by N*Sync (NO SHAME)

First Slow Dance:
"What Hurts the Most" by Rascal Flatts
Yes, it took me until High School to pluck up the courage to even talk to a boy let alone dance with him. I'm still that scared, awkward teenager around the opposite sex.

Slow Dance that Caused Me to Listen to this Song on Repeat For a Week:
"Come Away with Me" by Norah Jones

First Kiss:
"Through the Fire and the Flames" by Dragonforce. A big "uh-oh."

First Kiss That I Wish Was My First Kiss:
"Hooked on a Feeling" by Blue Swede. Interrupting my concentration in the middle of Reservoir Dogs pissed me off, but a good background choice nonetheless.

Future First Kiss:
"You Belong With Me" by Taylor Swift. If you can stand that song, chances are I can stand you.

First Song I Used to Dream about Slow Dancing to:
"Here's to the Night" by Eve 6
"Swing Life Away" by Rise Against

First Song That Made Me Bawl Like a Baby:
"Your Guardian Angel" by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

First Song that a Guy Truly Ruined:
"One Day" by Genesis.

Recent Song That Reminds Me of Better Days:
"Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts" by The Gaslight Anthem

Song that I would sing Karaoke to:
"American Pie" by Don McLean. But I would sing the Star Wars version.

Song that I Share with my Best Friends:
"Don't Stop (Believin')" by Journey

Mieux vaut se consacrer aux autres qu'à un nain de jardin!

Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain. If you haven't seen this film, rent it immediately. Only then may you reread this post. (Additional: The Big Bang Theory may have tainted the results.)

Layers of dust on a bookshelf surrounding a particular novel like Custer's last stand. Only a matter of time.
Toothpaste stains in the bottom of the sink.
The little frilly edges of paper, torn out of a notebook, sticking to absolutely everything.
Mascara stains on towels and pillow cases.
The burning smell when melting sugar on crème brûlée.
Steam rising from the toaster ovens.
Ghosts of tape on the walls of an empty room.
The crick in your back after sitting for too long.
The rings around your ankle from the elastic in your socks.
Watching theoretical physicists sit on my chair on the TV.
Cheering when awkward geeks succeed at social interactions.

I like to look for the things that others pretend to ignore. Forgive me if I stare. They remind me that we are, indeed, human. I have flaws, I acknowledge this inevitability. Flaws are what separate the men from the gods.

Heaven knows only too well, we are but mere mortals.

I would rather take care of others than look after a garden gnome.