Retrospect One

I published a rough and messy draft of my reading the novel Dark Days, by Derek Landy. Funny thing this - time travel seems possible and cheating, but is only in cyberspace. I am a bit pressed right now - tired and happy, though hopefully not snappy and abrasive.

Good Omens concerning Branches and Limbs

I recently picked up Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett's Good Omens. It was written in the year that I was born. I admit that I am not a Pratchett fan, and I have heard that his other books are notoriously irreverent. The interesting aspect of the book is that Gaiman's bizarre storytelling and Pratchett's sense of un-sacred humor make for a book that feels almost like Douglas Adams. Mr. Adams work was wry, clever, witty, absurd, and had many aside jokes contained in asterisks.

If Douglas Adams had written about the Apocalpyse, it would have rang pretty close to Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch.

The tale concerns the birth of the Antichrist and his destiny to end the world as we know it. Crowley, a vaguely unethical demon, is in charge of transporting the child to his adoptive parents - ambassadors from an American embassy. Only, things don't go according to plan - the satanist nuns of the chattering order of Saint Beryl, who are responsible for the switch, end up botching it all up horribly, giving the Antichrist to a benign English family who lives in the Country.

The baby given to the American Ambassador is watched carefully by both Crowley and his heavenly "opponent" Aziraphale. These two have taken residence on earth and are reluctant to see the world end if at all possible. Crowley loves his Bentley (but every cassette tape left in the car for more than two weeks morphs into a copy of 'the best of Queen'), and Aziraphale loves books (he owns a bookshop to store his collection, and refuses to allow any 'customers' to take from his shelves any of his prizes through a strategy of musty odor and calculated rudeness.). Unfortunately, the child, who was named Warlock and received contradicting educations of good and evil. He reaches the age of his destiny, and as Crowley and Aziraphale watch... nothing happens!

It is a scramble to find what happened to the Antichrist child. It turns out that he is unconsciously affecting the his hometown with ideal weather and diverts change from happening. His name is Adam, and he is one of 'Them," the local gang of four kids. Pepper, who is the lone female of the group is raised by her feminist mom to stick up for herself. Brian, the "pigpen" of the group, eternally exploring and getting mucky. Last of all is Wensleydale, the studious young nerd of the group, whose chief interests are science and logic. Adam's gang of Them have a rival gang called Greasy Johnson and the Johnsonites. They are name-callers and a vaguely blunt thing in the side of Them. The Johnsonites are never quite effective enough to be a real thorn. Adam receives a hellhound for his infernal destiny, which he expects to be a yapper, and thus the hellhound takes on that shape. The hellhound is named 'Dog' by Adam, 'since that will keep things simpler.' As Adam realizes his destiny, the world around him nears its end.

Meanwhile, a descendent of Agnes Nutter arrives in Adam's hometown of Lower Tadfield, and finds that the arcane landlines are shifting as a natural guard surrounding Tadfield. Anathema Device owns the prophesies of Agnes Nutter, who is the only modern oracle who was correct in her predictions. Frustratingly, though Agnes has accurate predictions, they are worded in Olde English from scenes she 'remembers' from a past position into the future of her family tree. Her predictions are so hard to comprehend, that most of the time, people of the Nutter descent tend to realize them fulfilled only after the fact. Anathema is the best witch that has come in the Nutter clan, and her scrutiny lays out that the end is coming. But what no one expects is that the sweet natured Adam will the the means to that end...

What I liked best about the book is the passage concerning the four OTHER horsemen of the Apocalypse - they are a band of four dim-witted bikers who follow in the cycle trail of War, Pollution, Famine, and Death. Their realization of what an honor it is to be riding in the wake of the original 'Hell's Angels' causes them to pick out their own names. They end up with Grievous Bodily Harm, Cruelty to Animals, Really Cool People, and Things Not Working Properly Even After You Give Them A Good Thumping. (The stories behind the names had me smiling for minutes afterward.).

Limbs and Branches, by Jon Foreman

He is the lead singer of the band Switchfoot, and this is the second of his two solo projects. His voice shines as it accompanies rough acoustic and percussion, heavy use of tambourines and classical (slightly out of tune) guitars. Foreman is distinguishable for the way his pitch wavers just above a spoken whine, it is the distinct sense of slight discord that has made for Switchfoot's fame and success. This stripped down effort is a laid back and thoughtful in its scope and simplicity. I have really been enjoying listening to this raw side of Foreman's talents. It is understated and well spoken. My favorite track is the fourth, "Resurrect Me," and next is the facetious eighth song which is a tongue and cheek self criticism for being a shallow music act.

Midterms are fading

My pulse calms in the new peace

I will enjoy rest...

Trinity

Appaloosa (2008)

This was a movie whose trailer I spotted on Yahoo! Movies a while back. "Hmm..." I thought. "A western starring Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris. I would like to see it when it is available at the dollar theatre." That was all my thought for it at the time, just another movie in a culture where we are entertained almost every second.

Then I saw it at my local library on display, and I recalled my former resolution to watch it. I sat down with my older sister and the remains of a tub of strawberry ice cream, and took it in. I was pleasantly surprised that it was just as good as the trailer had originally promised.

Viggo plays his role as he does in near every movie - a soft spoken loner who is devoutly loyal to few friends, has simple pleasures, and is never to be underestimated as weak. Viggo's character, Everett Hitch, always carries a 12-gauge shotgun, backing Ed Harris' Virgil Cole.

The plot is simple, the town of Appaloosa is overrun by Randall Bragg and his ranchhands. Bragg is a well spoken rancher, respectful, but firm. He takes Appaloosa for granted, they will take whatever his men do. His men are merely rude and unlawful, they don't terrorize the townspeople as much as ignore their pleas to be civil.

Appaloosa calls in Virgil Cole, a blue eyed marshall who cleans up towns on one condition - nobody questions his methods. Appaloosa will be Cole's town until the people learn to behave like civilized folk. Hitch backs his outspoken and straight talking partner with his quiet support and diplomacy.

Hitch considers his words carefully, while Virgil says what is on his mind and observes the consequences. The arrival of Ms. French, a piano player, stirs things up plot-wise.

Cole is attracted to the lovely lady, and Hitch watches as Cole grows attached to the idea of settling down in Appaloosa. Most of the movie's charm and humor is derived from the spoken interaction between Cole and Hitch. Often, Cole will stop midsentence, asking Cole what word he is searching for to describe his meaning.

The pacing of the movie suits its genre - it ambles on, its final destination in mind, but the knowledge of a sunset happening at the end is a mighty fine reason to enjoy the day as it passes.

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs (2010)

One of my friends was into the indie rock movement for a while and wanted me to check out some of this band's music. Their first two albums were entitled Neon Bible and Funeral.

What sets Arcade Fire apart from my previous experiences is the unwillingness that the band has for revealing their lyrics. Each album is a concept, the tracks merely parts to a whole idea. So, even when you learn the titles, they are curious for the reason of describing the overall track rather than one part.

They are a band concentrated on wholeness rather than individuality. This third effort is more relatable for me to enjoy. I think that this is their best album that they have released so far. The songs don't have the jarring, creepy feel that they held in Neon Bible, or the dreamy, vague feeling of Funeral. These are songs about life, fitting in, being comfortable, yet longing for more than safe. They alternatively praise their circumstances with a sense of accomplishment, and despair at becoming someone just like everyone expects.

"No man is an island, though some are peninsulas." - ______

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, by Seth Grahame-Smith (2010)

I admit that I felt compelled to read this book at some point in my life, and sooner came rather than later. This is a work of compelling fiction, historical inaccuracy, and ultimately thought provoking. I know that you think that I am stretching the issue a bit with the last description, but it is a book dealing with eternity vs. mortality.

Vampires live voraciously their first century, then read the classics and explore the world during their second. By their third, they have reached the height of life's potential and are desperate for an end. Most don't last beyond their third, preferring suicide to sustained torment of nothingness. When Abraham asks a vampire why such an end, the vampire replies, "Without death, life is meaningless. It is a song that can never be told. A song that can never be sung. For how would one finish it?" (page 77).

I highly recommend this book, as Grahame-Smith does a lovely job of spinning a tale out of an already well known story. He is a master restoryteller, it is not surprising that he should be accredited for starting this recent wave...

Midterms arising

I feel unprepared and weak

Press on! Seven days.