Lair of the Phoenix

I stumbled across a totally awesome short story earlier today.

Sette Piani, by Dino Buzzati

Also known as Seven Floors, with a translation by Joan Taber.

I really like this story. I did not find it 'scary' per se, but definitely full of delicious creepy. It's very cloying fear. Nicely ambiguous too. 

The Hobbit is on for a hopeful 2010 release!

I am happy it's being made, but I'm not sold until I hear who's directing. The article clearly states Jackson as producer and doesn't mention a thing about directing. Uh oh Spaghetti-O's! Perhaps if he winds up not directing, the chosen director will let him direct by proxy. I think that other directors could do good jobs, but Jackson's feel for the films is just so distinctive. However, if anyone directs that's not Jackson, I want it to be Del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth). Those trolls will be terrifying!

And this second film--I can't see The Hobbit needing more than one book. A bridging film, perhaps? Tolkein fans, what is needed to bridge The Hobbit and LOTR? I assumed nothing much happened between the two.

Also, it's oh so strange this putting aside of differences came along right after Golden Compass flopped (its worldwide earnings are at $92,599,607--for a movie that cost $180,000,000, that is bad) and Bob Shaye's job was put on the line.

A Christmas Story finally has a rival for most endearing Christmas movie in Phoenix's Vault of Antiquities. Only instead of BB guns there are hobos and Yakuza.

Inspired by the western 3 Godfathers, Tokyo Godfathers never puts itself into one set pattern, or even genre. In its 92 minute running time, the animated film jives and dashes through drama, comedy, and even bicycle-laden action. The quasi-holiday tale begins when three cranky homeless people find an abandoned baby in the trashcan and decide to find its parents, setting our heroes on their noble quest.

 

 

 

Spring Break 2007 – Colleges, Deserts, and Tinsel

 

 

Day 1 -

The plane takes off way too early. I am only half packed. To make up for not attending the rodeo this year, I reenact the calf scramble to get ready. I really need new clothes. Father has promised to buy me some in Santa Fe. I am concerned about room in my suitcase. Suitcase is also worrying because it is heavy and wheel-less. Because my father would have an aneurism if we did not arrive at the airport two hours early, Mimi is über-tired and cranky just in time for some dumbass sunlight to try to blind her. Mimi is so tired she recounts in third person.

 

On the ride over:

M: “So, why is your ladylove [note: the retarded fiancée] not driving us to the airport like a good little fiancée?” 

F: “She’s busy with that tax junk.”

M: “The bill for parking will be painful. A good woman would drop us off.”

F: “She’s busy!”

M: [mutter] “Five-letter woman engaged to a four-letter man...”

 

 

Thoughts on Ideas

 - Sundry Sweetness-

 

I have come to the conclusion that ideas are like candy. The type of idea depends on the type of candy. Let me explain…

 

The idea to get started on homework? Licorice—the black kind. It doesn’t taste good unless you have odd tastes but there is an odd satisfaction in eating it. You’re doing something productive; you’re doing homework. You’re eating licorice…while doing homework or something else productive, like writing or killing orcs (you can hold the licorice in your mouth) or just doing your civic duty by ridding the jar of the licorice-flavored jellybeans.

 

 

An Accident

A/N: This one-shot was actually written for a Morbidity Contest a long time ago. I appreciate feedback of all kinds.
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Christine layed contentedly on the four-poster bed. Her russet hair fell in tousled curls to her waist, while her eyes showed the first signs of sleepiness. Her eyes were also the only thing on her lovely body that appeared to show any sign of aging. They remained blue and winsome, but the faint lines surrounding them could look melancholy, as well as the sometimes-haunted glaze that would fill her irises if she forgot to try to hide it.

The Midnight Run

Fandom: Phantom of the Opera

Summary: On her wedding day, Christine and Raoul ride by carriage to their honeymoon. But upon the road, dark figures lurk in the shadows. Also an entry in the PFN Morbidity Contest.

Author's Note: As always, I thrive off criticism and feedback.


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As the blushing bride, Christine was happy. Raoul’s lips over hers and the priest’s commanding words were all the reassurance she needed to know that she was now a wife, the wife of the man she loved. Raoul de Chagny. Truly, she had never been so happy! Today she was the blushing bride; a day should never exist that she would feel more happiness, except perhaps the birth of her first child, when the hours of pain would become the sweetness of bringing new life.

Koszcey -- A Dark Night in Nijni-Novgorod

Fandom: Phantom of the Opera (Susan Kay based)

Summary: Before journeying to Russia, Nadir shares a meal with Erik. Of course, dinner is not peaceful.

Author's Note: I am in the process of copying my fanfiction to my Live Journal account. This one-shot was done for one of Phantom Fans.net's Morbidity Contests. It came in 3rd. Enjoy; I thrive off criticism and feedback.


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It would be their last night in Nijni-Novgorod. Tomorrow they would leave for Persia, his homeland, along with the man known as Erik. Nadir Kahn was walking quickly, almost at a run to keep up with the masked figure, who slinked noiselessly under the setting sun. He had bade his servant Darius to take the night off, which to the interminable retainer seemed to translate into getting things ready for tomorrow’s journey home.

Yup, true story.

The Adventure of the Great Big Four-Wheeler!!!

Gather around pirates and scallywags (guess which movie has been on my mind). Gather around for a tale of adventure and insight, or at least a few damn laughs.

I have returned from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, the state that’s only civilization is the Hershey Chocolate Factory. I, however, was in the decidedly uncivilized part of it—Punxsutawney, where groundhogs are worshipped as part of some cult. I can say one thing for this primeval place…FOUR-WHEELERS!!! But onto that in a second.