Just in case anyone was wondering, I am still alive. New years day, I looked at my computer and a sick feeling overcame me. I had been writing eight hours per day and warping my brain with plot ideas–I turned my computer off–I just couldn’t bear it another second . . . I needed a break. I’ve been using mind map programs to flesh out plot summaries; between that and just pure writing, I think my brain caught on fire and it took several days to put it out. I may write an upcoming post on how I use mind maps to develop stories and which ones I like best.
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Posts Tagged entertainment
I’m Still Alive
Jan 9
It’s been quite a while since I’ve completed a tag and I know I am so far behind, I’ll never catch up! Hey, it’s better late than never. My friend Todd from Success With Todd tagged me with a really cool one entitled My Entertainment Week. Just write a little under the three topics: Books, TV and Music.
Books: I love to read even more than I love to write! I actually read an E-book today that was very inspiring. It’s an old classic, The Art of Writing by Robert Louis Stevenson (click the link and get it free). This is a study of style, form, rhythm and the artistic qualities of being an author. A great read for anyone looking to spark their writing imagination.
As far as fiction goes, I am a huge H.P. Lovecraft fan. I love his book, “At The Mountains of Madness“. Another favorite from him is “The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath“. Lovecraft is my literary idol and I reread many of his works over and over. Click the links and read them for yourself.
I also love Clive Barker. His novel, “The Damnation Game”, is fantastic. I also liked his brilliant masterpiece, “Weaveworld“, which is more fantasy than horror. I wish he would turn it into a movie…that would be incredible. If you want to sink your teeth into a true masterpiece of fantasy, this book will not disappoint. You can download free PDF versions of Lovecraft and tons of other classics from Manybooks.net (one of my all time favorite sites). To read an entire novel from the web does take some getting used to. I prefer to read a normal book, where I can lie on the couch and relax with a blanket and pillow. Reading for three straight hours from a PC gives me a headache sometimes. It can also lessen the entire experience.
TV: Besides watching every news channel, I am addicted to the show Law and Order. I watch tons of old reruns and prefer it to CSI. It’s one of the best written TV programs ever and I think I’ve seen every episode. I particularly like the Law and Order: SVU variation. My favorite channels are The History Channel, A&E and Discovery. Overall, I really spend very little time watching TV. I spend the majority of my free time writing.
Music: I really love mega-dramatic horror movie soundtracks cranked up to ear splitting decibel levels – in front of my wide open living room window – dressed like Beethoven…waving a symphony conductor’s baton in passionate and furious frenzy. My neighbors love me! Tonight, I’ll play my favorite, “The Exorcist” soundtrack – that should frighten the old lady next door…haha! The picture to the left (from Classical.net) is exactly how I look when conducting – I take it very seriously and so do my neighbors. If “air-conducting” ever catches on, I’ll be internationally known as the best. I’ll be Revellian: The Wicked Evil Maestro. Stand in fear as I mesmerize and take names! Hey, I already know I’m a strange cookie.
Well, maybe I stretched the truth a little in the previous paragraph. I do prefer instrumental music to music with vocals. I like instrumental progressive-metal, Jazz, classical and Indian music very much.
I look forward to reading about some of your favorite little things in life; feel free to change up if you don’t watch TV and like video games or movies more etc. I tag the following people – some of these people tagged me on meme’s I’ve yet to do, I will try to do one per week to catch up:
Mitch, Speedy, Andy, Nick, Zubli, Mike, Menopauseprincess, Paula, Christy, Square1, Anastasia, Karen, Bobo, Jamy, Trinity, Emila, Marzie, Janice, Teeni, Madhur, LFXT, DCR and Debbie Dolphin
I have a meme complex after blogging for a year. Actually, it happened around 6 months ago. I was so inundated with tags and awards that I got all stressed out and just stopped doing them. I’m finally over feeling guilty about it. I just don’t do very many of them. One blogger (DCR) pointed out that some meme’s and link chains are fun and more interesting than others. I felt that this one was interesting as it is a cool way to get to know people better. If you feel uncomfortable tagging people…don’t!
I normally don’t write posts about movies but I watched a movie that was the most intense realistic thriller I’ve seen in years. The movie was Harsh Times starring Christian Bale and Freddy Rodriguez. This was an unbelievably intense portrait of a man who loses his grip and control on life. My blog, which is about artistic expression and philosophies won’t have many movie reviews but the brilliant skill of Christian Bale puts him in a special class of actors, truly an artist and one of the best I have ever seen.
This is one of Christian Bales most riveting performance to date. I’m one of his biggest fans but I never thought he could come close to American Psycho, but he has. This was a Totally realistic drama and I’ve known guys like his character Jim Davis who because of the military became something like this monster portrayed by Bale.
This movie is better than Training Day and a must see for fans of realistic action thrillers with substance. There are so many bad movies without depth or good acting and this is a shining example of great film making with real substance and life lessons. David Ayer (writer/director) also directed Training Day and this is his his second film. So far his only two films are two of the best crime drama/action-thriller movies I have ever seen.
At times during the film Bales intense swings from laughing to explosive rage had me pinned to my seat. His South-Central Los Angeles accent was great as he is one of the best at altering his speech (especially considering he is from Wales and has a British accent). Co star Freddy Rodriguez had an incredible performance as Bales best friend and last hope to get help.
The whole story shows life in a heavily Latin influenced South Central Los Angeles and Rodriguez is a great Latino actor with a bright future. Harsh Times is not a movie for the squeamish and not because of anything but intensity. All said this is one of my my favorite movies this year.
