what is it with arbitrary dates?
Posted by enchiridion at 04:02 PM in Non sequitur | your take on it?
Entries for June, 2006
June 6th, 2006
June 9th, 2006
and yesterday was payday, so that also made a difference.
Oh, I still go out. And I'm still enjoying the wretchedness of it, the dive bar experience, the smoke and beer and BAC calculations on bar napkins to figure out when I can drive home.
But as a regular reader might have noticed, I haven't really been posting the field reports in anywhere near the frequency of, say, 2004's output. Well, I just don't go out as much. (oh I'm still drinking-- I just do a lot more of it at home.) When I do go out, it tends to be fairly boring... Wings and 'fake' trivia down at the local sports bar, decompressing with a pint or six after work at McTighes, a nice dinner at Ted's (popular place, typically full of families and crap, but there's always a seat open at the bar). When I get really adventurous you might find me taking in some music at Darwin's or Smith's.
Apparently none of that has proven blog worthy. [shrug]
I'm always going out, maybe down to just once a week or so now, but still. maybe it all seems so... routine-- I don't blog about going to work each morning, either. Unless something pisses me off, I'm typically not taking the time to write about it. And that might be saying something about the overall level of service that I tend to get: nothing about going to a bar is really going to piss me off. Except being broke, perhaps, and not being able to go out as much as I used to, or as much as I'd like.
Funny thing is, I complain about being broke, but 2004 was like, 2 promotions and a few pay raises back. I should have more money now. hm. need to look into that.
So anyway:
Last night it was about a half past 11 when we closed down the store, and not having anything to do the next morning (this morning; still got up at 6:45 though. damn circadian rhythms) I moved my vehicle the .05mi around the corner and went into McTighes for a drink and a slice of pizza. Let me just say, I love the fact that they keep the kitchen open late. And that they sell pizza by the slice.
Our staffer tonight was the dare-I-say-legendary Fess, who had my first pint started before I could even sit down. I wasn't expecting to see Fess on a Thursday, so after a quick greeting I went back to my car to get the liner notes for the CDs I had lent him last week (Afroskull and Youngblood).
I spent $5 in the jukebox, just because I usually do. (must educate the heathen masses as to what good music sounds like). I spent $20 or so on the damn lotto-- actually, I spent more than that, but I won some back. I scribbled a bit in my moleskine. And I was back home, fuller beer-wise but lighter cash-wise, by 1:30am.
[cut. paste. could've been any weeknight]
Posted by enchiridion at 07:15 AM in Field Reports | your take on it?
June 10th, 2006
and of course, the wookie just *has* to be the drummer.
Because it's perfect. It's just flat out perfect."
I found it on needcoffee.com. in fact, I stole his commentary and quoted it above.
They found it on the AV club
Some kind soul posted it on youtube
In the future no one will have to suffer through the MTV music awards, because all the good shit will be on the internets... wait! the future is now!
Posted by enchiridion at 08:35 AM in Web Trawls | your take on it?
June 11th, 2006
working title
Of course, I didn't come up with most of this crap until I had been in college for seven years and out of it for another three, but I guess that's why there is a desperate need for this kind of thing. The subtitle is trageted specifically at mom, dad, grandma, or someone else looking for a humorous/practical graduation gift.
Not that it's really that kind of book. Or at least, not the book Mom might think it is... In the preface I'll pro'ly say something like, "this isn't the advice you'd get from mom & dad. Maybe your cool uncle, but not the 'rents."
On some level, this book is already written. I'll have to take an afternoon to outline it, but from that point on it's just typing practice. Me talking to myself.
But I need to set this project aside for a couple months, actually. There's this other project (might have heard me mention it once or twice) and a self imposed semi-deadline so I need to work on that instead. And true to my word, I'll post the drafts here on the blog. The thought occurred to me last night between beer n and n+1 that there isn't a good reason why I've delayed progress on that front, just an odd reluctance on my part to actually do anything. I need to adjust my schedule-- work in descrete blocks of time where I write, not necessarily every day (and not at 3am, I'm telling you that for a fact) but prehaps linked to things I have to do anyway (work, going out to the bar) so that no matter what the weekly schedule looks like, there is time built in to get the Damn Novel written. and then the next one. and the next.
"quit yakking about it and just do it, ya dope"
shut up, you.
"i'm just saying, you've got at least twice as many excuses posted, as you do anything that looks even remotely like fiction"
and who invited you to comment anyway?
"the voice of self doubt is always gonna be with you, numbnuts"
maybe you could do something more useful... like contribute to the novel?
"you're talking to yourself, you do know that? and you're making my points for me"
hmm. touche.
Posted by enchiridion at 09:40 AM in Writing Process, Non-fiction Project | your take on it?
June 17th, 2006
Odette's Stair
Amphital: a fantasy novel project
-- previous -- one start (2nd attempt) -- the other beginning
(I'll tie those two plot lines up, soon enough)
The main Guard House stood just off of what was still called the Hanging Square. A gallows hadn't cast a shodow across this small plaza for centuries, but any attempt to rename it always failed. Officially it was now called Chancellor's Park, but few citizens would recognise it by that name.
Dawn was just under the horizon, out to sea in the east, though the low clouds were already rosy in anticipation. The city of Tifalis was set in a bowl, cut into a series of low hills, with tiers rising above the harbor as if to catch the morning sun, in this predawn night still clung to every wall and building. Trey looked out over the Hanging Square and felt the chill and damp of last night still coming off of the stones, up through his boots and drifting into his clothes. He shivered.
Behind him, Bearn emerged from the Guard House, after giving a few terse orders to the men on duty at the entrance. He tossed his cloak back over one shoulder, to reveal both the guard's crest on his tunic, and the knotted cord of rank at his shoulder. He put a reassuring hand on Trey's shoulder, just briefly, and then turned to stalk off in the direction of the Bell's Stream District.
Hanging Square stood just south of the Duke's Residence, within sight of both the Palace, where the council met, and the Blackhalls, where the Duke and Ministers of Justice would sit in court, when occasion merited. Most cases were handled simply, by the guard, but any man held for more than three days, or under threat of death had the ancient right of applying directly to the Duke for judgment.
This put them on one of the upper tiers of the city, just above the terrace with mansions of the rich and notable, and well above the shops and homes of Trey's neighborhood.
It'll be a long walk, but at least it's downhill, Trey thought. Trey shrugged to settle his cloak around his shoulders, and followed Bearn down the Artery, the main road that lead from the Old Quay all the way up the Palace.
The Artery ran in a series of broad switchbacks, and wasn't the fastest way down to the harbor, but being a broad paved road, it was usually the easiest way to travel from one district to another in Tifalis. There were many hidden alleys and stairways that cut from tier to tier, but these direct routes were narrow, out of sight, and dangerous to attempt except during the daylight hours.
Bearn did lead Trey down one stairway, a shortcut past the mansions and private parks, to the tier underneath, the main Temple District. From the almost hidden stairway, Trey and Bearn followed the Path of Old Gods, with its many ruined and neglected temples, to Holy Street and Heaven's Plaza, where they were able to pick up the Artery again and continue down to the city proper.
The top three terraces of Tifalis were well defined, the gates and stairs piercing the yellow-gold sandstone walls at set intervals, the streets and avenues running in ordered arcs and rays that echoed the curve of the hills. Here were the noble and notable, those who did not need or thought themselves above the commerce and bustle of the city below them.
Past the temple district, there was no order, past the mainline of the Artery as it worked it way down to the sea. In the tangle of streets and alleys, the business and life of city took place. Trey's neighborhood, the Bell's Stream district, followed the rough path of an old stream down a couple of tiers before giving way to the warehouses next to the Harbor district.
Bell's Stream was covered over in parts, existed as exposed waterfalls in a few plazas, and fed numerous fountains along it's course. In turn it was fed by Duke Weran's Aqueduct, and had long ago been paved along its bed, so unlike so many other ancient streams, the water still ran clean and clear. Many families have lived in the district past living memory, and quite a few are proud to have been born "within the sound of the Bell"
Dawn was coming in over the waves now, streaming past the ships at anchor and almost up to the Palace. Trey shed his cloak, carrying it tuck under his arm, though Bearn seemed as unaffected by the warmth of morning sun as much as he had been from the pre-dawn chill. The first vendors were already out with their carts, either finding their accustomed stations or preparing for their long circuit plying their wares along the streets and plazas of town. No one was calling yet, with only the other cartmen and women to sell to, but soon the cries would rise up, hawking fish and oysters, pots and pottery, cloth and ribbon, and a dozen types of meat pies. Even in this first light of day, coin was changing hand, though between other sellers, with a nod and a wink and a "friendly discount".
As they turned the seventh switchback from the top, Bearn turned to Teay and asked, "So where is your family's shop? Is it near the top of Bell's Stream or should we follow the Artery down one more turn?"
"We can take Odette's Stair, here past the King's Ransom," Trey answered. "Our weavers and shop are close to it's base."
"Well then, almost home." Bearn gave Trey a measuring stare. "Did you sleep at all, lad? Today will not be easy, no doubt, even with me here to help explain. I hope you're rested."
"Enough, I guess," Trey said. In truth, Trey felt tired to the bone, but he found the will to move, particularly now so close to home. I'd hate to climb these steps, though, with how I feel. I just want to lay down and sleep for a week, Trey thought.
Shouts called down to Trey and Bearn from the top of the stair. There was obviously some struggle, though in the early morning light all they could see were profiles and a crowd, at least until a cart tettered at the top step.
Odette's Stair was wide enough for four men, even four men of Bearn's size, but it cut down through city walls, and the sandstone stood tall on either side. Any vendors cart would likely fill the whole of the passage, and as near as Trey could tell, the one currently threatening him was loaded down with clay pots. He knew he should move, but he stared in horror instead.
Bearn shocked him into action. "Move, lad! Now!" Bearn slapped him on the shoulder, but didn't wait. The sergeant was already taking the stairs four at a time, and moving at a speed belied by his large frame. Trey scrambled to keep up, almost tripping over his own feet, not daring to look back as he heard the vendor's cart tumbling on the stair behind him.
With twenty feet still to go, Trey lost his footing, and fell headfirst down the steps.
He felt a strong hand grab him by the collar, and pull him to one side. The cart collided with a smash into the statue that marked the base of the stair.
Trey woke a few moments later, with Bearn snapping fingers in front of his face. "Guard up, Lad. No telling what's next," Bearn said. Trey rose shakily to his feet, and drew his knife.
The two stood back to back for a long minute, but nothing else seemed to be coming.
Trey had just caught his breath again. Bearn sheathed his sword reluctantly. "So almost home, right, lad?" Bearn said.
Trey began laughing nervously. Bearn chucked him on the shoulder, an offhand guesture that seemed to reassure and calm Trey, and soon the two were facing each other with broad grins. Trey reached out to grasp Bearn's hand.
"Thank you, sergeant. I don't think I would've made it this morning without you."
"Nonsense, lad. And I think it's more important now that ever, that we meet again this evening at the Three Sheets. You're in need of more than just a knife, that's perfectly clear."
[to be continued]
-- previous -- one start (2nd attempt) -- the other beginning
(I'll tie those two plot lines up, soon enough)
The main Guard House stood just off of what was still called the Hanging Square. A gallows hadn't cast a shodow across this small plaza for centuries, but any attempt to rename it always failed. Officially it was now called Chancellor's Park, but few citizens would recognise it by that name.
Dawn was just under the horizon, out to sea in the east, though the low clouds were already rosy in anticipation. The city of Tifalis was set in a bowl, cut into a series of low hills, with tiers rising above the harbor as if to catch the morning sun, in this predawn night still clung to every wall and building. Trey looked out over the Hanging Square and felt the chill and damp of last night still coming off of the stones, up through his boots and drifting into his clothes. He shivered.
Behind him, Bearn emerged from the Guard House, after giving a few terse orders to the men on duty at the entrance. He tossed his cloak back over one shoulder, to reveal both the guard's crest on his tunic, and the knotted cord of rank at his shoulder. He put a reassuring hand on Trey's shoulder, just briefly, and then turned to stalk off in the direction of the Bell's Stream District.
Hanging Square stood just south of the Duke's Residence, within sight of both the Palace, where the council met, and the Blackhalls, where the Duke and Ministers of Justice would sit in court, when occasion merited. Most cases were handled simply, by the guard, but any man held for more than three days, or under threat of death had the ancient right of applying directly to the Duke for judgment.
This put them on one of the upper tiers of the city, just above the terrace with mansions of the rich and notable, and well above the shops and homes of Trey's neighborhood.
It'll be a long walk, but at least it's downhill, Trey thought. Trey shrugged to settle his cloak around his shoulders, and followed Bearn down the Artery, the main road that lead from the Old Quay all the way up the Palace.
The Artery ran in a series of broad switchbacks, and wasn't the fastest way down to the harbor, but being a broad paved road, it was usually the easiest way to travel from one district to another in Tifalis. There were many hidden alleys and stairways that cut from tier to tier, but these direct routes were narrow, out of sight, and dangerous to attempt except during the daylight hours.
Bearn did lead Trey down one stairway, a shortcut past the mansions and private parks, to the tier underneath, the main Temple District. From the almost hidden stairway, Trey and Bearn followed the Path of Old Gods, with its many ruined and neglected temples, to Holy Street and Heaven's Plaza, where they were able to pick up the Artery again and continue down to the city proper.
The top three terraces of Tifalis were well defined, the gates and stairs piercing the yellow-gold sandstone walls at set intervals, the streets and avenues running in ordered arcs and rays that echoed the curve of the hills. Here were the noble and notable, those who did not need or thought themselves above the commerce and bustle of the city below them.
Past the temple district, there was no order, past the mainline of the Artery as it worked it way down to the sea. In the tangle of streets and alleys, the business and life of city took place. Trey's neighborhood, the Bell's Stream district, followed the rough path of an old stream down a couple of tiers before giving way to the warehouses next to the Harbor district.
Bell's Stream was covered over in parts, existed as exposed waterfalls in a few plazas, and fed numerous fountains along it's course. In turn it was fed by Duke Weran's Aqueduct, and had long ago been paved along its bed, so unlike so many other ancient streams, the water still ran clean and clear. Many families have lived in the district past living memory, and quite a few are proud to have been born "within the sound of the Bell"
Dawn was coming in over the waves now, streaming past the ships at anchor and almost up to the Palace. Trey shed his cloak, carrying it tuck under his arm, though Bearn seemed as unaffected by the warmth of morning sun as much as he had been from the pre-dawn chill. The first vendors were already out with their carts, either finding their accustomed stations or preparing for their long circuit plying their wares along the streets and plazas of town. No one was calling yet, with only the other cartmen and women to sell to, but soon the cries would rise up, hawking fish and oysters, pots and pottery, cloth and ribbon, and a dozen types of meat pies. Even in this first light of day, coin was changing hand, though between other sellers, with a nod and a wink and a "friendly discount".
As they turned the seventh switchback from the top, Bearn turned to Teay and asked, "So where is your family's shop? Is it near the top of Bell's Stream or should we follow the Artery down one more turn?"
"We can take Odette's Stair, here past the King's Ransom," Trey answered. "Our weavers and shop are close to it's base."
"Well then, almost home." Bearn gave Trey a measuring stare. "Did you sleep at all, lad? Today will not be easy, no doubt, even with me here to help explain. I hope you're rested."
"Enough, I guess," Trey said. In truth, Trey felt tired to the bone, but he found the will to move, particularly now so close to home. I'd hate to climb these steps, though, with how I feel. I just want to lay down and sleep for a week, Trey thought.
Shouts called down to Trey and Bearn from the top of the stair. There was obviously some struggle, though in the early morning light all they could see were profiles and a crowd, at least until a cart tettered at the top step.
Odette's Stair was wide enough for four men, even four men of Bearn's size, but it cut down through city walls, and the sandstone stood tall on either side. Any vendors cart would likely fill the whole of the passage, and as near as Trey could tell, the one currently threatening him was loaded down with clay pots. He knew he should move, but he stared in horror instead.
Bearn shocked him into action. "Move, lad! Now!" Bearn slapped him on the shoulder, but didn't wait. The sergeant was already taking the stairs four at a time, and moving at a speed belied by his large frame. Trey scrambled to keep up, almost tripping over his own feet, not daring to look back as he heard the vendor's cart tumbling on the stair behind him.
With twenty feet still to go, Trey lost his footing, and fell headfirst down the steps.
He felt a strong hand grab him by the collar, and pull him to one side. The cart collided with a smash into the statue that marked the base of the stair.
Trey woke a few moments later, with Bearn snapping fingers in front of his face. "Guard up, Lad. No telling what's next," Bearn said. Trey rose shakily to his feet, and drew his knife.
The two stood back to back for a long minute, but nothing else seemed to be coming.
Trey had just caught his breath again. Bearn sheathed his sword reluctantly. "So almost home, right, lad?" Bearn said.
Trey began laughing nervously. Bearn chucked him on the shoulder, an offhand guesture that seemed to reassure and calm Trey, and soon the two were facing each other with broad grins. Trey reached out to grasp Bearn's hand.
"Thank you, sergeant. I don't think I would've made it this morning without you."
"Nonsense, lad. And I think it's more important now that ever, that we meet again this evening at the Three Sheets. You're in need of more than just a knife, that's perfectly clear."
[to be continued]
Posted by enchiridion at 09:11 AM in Fiction | 2 opinions
June 22nd, 2006
On sports and politics
maybe it's because kids in other countries have to walk to the pitch, and don't just get ferried there by a soccer mom in an SUV. something to think about...
##
something else to think about:
Sometimes, late at night in moments of weakness, I dream of a world where George W. Bush was named baseball commissioner back in 1992. I've read that's the job he really wanted, and only decided to run for governor of Texas after he was passed over.
Posted by enchiridion at 03:41 PM in Non sequitur | 1 opinions
June 24th, 2006
Good News, Everyone!
I still have to wait 2 years (and more, for the eventual DVD releases) but they're finally getting around to making more Futurama. (You might have guessed, I'm a big fan. Bender is my personal life coach)
first seen on the Boing
articles:
NY Post
Billy West Forums
Animation Magazine
the Sun (UK)
Posted by enchiridion at 09:14 AM in Web Trawls | your take on it?
June 26th, 2006
anime weekend (I'm not going to define otaku for you, go google it or something)
I did apply for a job as a reviewer/columnist ("job" in the loosest sense, considering it is essentially just freelance work for a web-only publication) but since there are likely 5000 other fanboys who applied for the same thing, the odds of me becoming a DVD reviewer are a bit slim.
(this will be one of those long, rambling slice-of-life posts that I indulge in after not posting for a week-- so if that's not your bag you might want to just skip to the futurama news in the post below this one.)
I burned a couple of vacation days, and took a long weekend (I can't seem to manage a real vacation... maybe one of these years...) so I've been knocking around the house for the past five days. It's back to work tomorrow, 7am, but between now and then I think I can manage to enjoy myself.
When I first scheduled this break, I thought I might drive down to the coast, see if the Atlantic still looked the way I remembered it should. Well, I didn't make it.
Where I went instead: Well, today I think I'll go to London, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. Thursday and Friday I went to the Moon, Mars, and the satellites of Jupiter.
...Yes, I stayed in and watched DVDs all weekend. So that was a joke. a weak one.
and we're walking...
You see, there was this DVD sale at the bookstore (same one as last year, buy 2 get the 3rd free) so I ended up blowing a hell of a lot of money on anime over the past couple of weeks. A lot of money, even by the odd standards that I've been using lately-- someone not into anime would likely call it an obscene amount.
So let's get into it.
(a note on my listings below: AoD is the website Anime on DVD. ANN is the Anime News Network. Between these two sites I get most of the info I need on anime. Well, that and TRSI. And RA... and sometime even Netflix... but really, it's not like I'm obsessively researching new titles to watch or anything)
##
Thursday I watched all 26 episodes of Planetes. [review on AoD. summary on ANN. US DVD release by Bandai Entertainment]
Planetes is set in the near future, when we have cities on the moon, outposts on Mars, and near-earth space travel is common. Our 'heroes', such as they are, are a group tasked with cleaning up old satellites and other debris to keep the space lanes clear for travel. No aliens, no ray guns, the ships look like stuff Lockheed might be building right now. I like this one a lot; I was buying the manga as they came out. Something about the art sytle and even just the name of it appealed to me when I first saw it at the bookstore.
Friday was Cowboy Bebop. A similar marathon of 26 episodes. [I'm almost certain you've all heard of this one: as seen on Adult Swim. review on AoD. summary on ANN. USA DVD release from Bandai Entertainment]
Now, for some people, the "gateway drug" to the wide world of anime was perhaps Astro Boy in the 60s, or Speed Racer in the 70s. For most of us it was Robotech in the 80s. For the latest generation it has been Cartoon Network, perhaps with Naruto or DBZ-- or with this hallowed title, Cowboy Bebop, the one that kept us up late every Friday and Saturday night, the title that launched Adult Swim. Bebop wasn't my first exposure but was instead a reminder of what I loved most about the cartoons of my youth (I
OK, for those of you who aren't familiar with it: The Bebop is a rundown ship plying the space lanes between the inhabited planets and satellites of our solar system, manned by a small crew of 'cowboys' (as bounty hunters are called-- and hence the title of the anime) who are living hand-to-mouth, pursuing the dregs of society and running from their respective pasts. But that is perhaps too simple of a description. Why do folks drool over this one so much? Well, the animation is done with style, the stories are complex, the Scifi is cut with enough reality to make it believable, the English dub is so good sometimes you'd never know that it was originally written and performed in Japanese, and the music ROCKS. The title song, Tank!, is the leadoff track on my radio blog.
Next up: Dead Like Me. Which is on cable (Showtime) and isn't an anime. But a friend of mine had rented it, so this is what we sat down to watch Saturday night-- the first 4 episodes of Season 2. I'd never seen it before, but I managed to pick up the premise quickly enough and rather enjoyed the show. This one may be worth a rental at some point, so I can see it from the beginning. (Saturday during the day I did other crap. As much as I love anime, particularly on DVD, particularly when I can sit down and watch a whole series in one sitting, I did manage to pull myself away long enough to like, socialize and stuff)
Sunday I decided that I should get around to some of my Netflix rentals, so I can turn those around and get new ones in. So I watched volumes 3, 4, and 5 of Excel Saga [review on AoD. summary on ANN. USA DVD release from ADV Films.]
Excel is a parody and satire of other anime shows. Not any one show in particular, rather, an attack on the industry as a whole. Every cliche and convention is fodder for their warped writers to mold into new humorous plots that are both a send up and curiously faithful homage to the source material. Half the fun is trying to figure out what they're poking fun at this week, and catching all the references. Of course, most episodes are still funny even if you haven't seen any other anime, but the inside jokes are definitely a big part of this one.
I also watched a documentary on Sunday night, a project which started out as a student film: Otaku Unite from Eric Bessler. This one might best be described as a "nerd nature video", capturing the anime fanboys (and fan girls) in their native environment-- or at least the public side of it, the anime conventions that take place in a couple dozen cities across the US each year. After watching this one, I went back to a related title (though this one is a fictionalized gloss instead of documentary), Otaku no Video from Gainax. The two made an interesting coda to a whole weekend of watching anime-- and made me realize yet again that no matter how Americans are using the term otaku, it has some connotations in Japanese that are definitely not complimentary, and likely isn't a good way to describe yourself. ("You keep using that word. I don't think it means what you think it means")
Of course I embrace it, the good with the bad. I am an anime fanboy. I'm broke, have few friends, spend all day inside watching and/or obsessing about cartoons and comics that were originally written in a language I don't even know. I can proudly declare, "I Am Otaku". You've been warned.
##
and while the weekend is over, I still have a little more vacation to eke out. So today, I'm going to marathon all the episodes of Read or Die, the three from the direct-to-video release followed by the 26 episodes of the TV show.
The 'movie': review on AoD. summary on ANN. US DVD release from Manga Video, which has an annoying flash site so I can't link direct, like I might for this same title at, say, the Right Stuf or even as a rental.
The TV: review on AoD. summary on ANN. US DVD release from Geneon.
Yeah, my afternoon is going to be a little full. This is another one I've seen before, but thanks to the DVD sale at work, well, now I own it. I love Read or Die. The premise is great: Around the world, there are a handful of people, those who insanely love books, who have the superpower of being able to manipulate paper into tools, shields, & weapons. (there may be a touch of geek-revenge behind this premise.) Most paper masters work for one secret organization or another, and the series follows the exploits of Agent Yomiko, based out of London, & also the Paper Sisters, who work in Hong Kong. And ROD also has a really kicking soundtrack.
It's lots of fun. and actually, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll log off now and get started.
Posted by enchiridion at 12:14 PM in Reviews, Field Reports | your take on it?