I once read an anecdote about Robert E. Howard. The person writing the tale stated that he heard Mr. Howard talk about the times that he was writing the story of his most famous character, Conan. According to the tale, Mr. Howard felt the presence of Conan as he wrote, defending him from the evils around him and at the same time FORCING him to commit Conan's story to paper.
It was an interesting bit of trivia that has always stuck in my head. Due to the fact that it reveals more about Robert E. Howard's mental state during his writing of Conan that the author would have liked. Today, I have discovered another character in Howard's gallery of rogues: Solomon Kane.
In the next couple of months, the US will be treated to a major film release telling an original story based on Robert E. Howard's work. I've seen the trailer, and it looks AWESOME!! Like Van Helsing meets Pan's Labyrinth with a touch of Lord Of The Rings. Check it out!!
Solomon Kane is played by James Purefoy (Rome, A Knight's Tale, Resident Evil). And if there's anyone who can play a 17th century Puritan badass, it's James Purefoy. The film was supposed to be released last November in the US, but the release was delayed. It should be out sometime in March or April. I, for one, can't wait to see it!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Little known, but GREATLY appreciated
You know what the best thing about my friends? They INSPIRE me to greatness. One of my best friends, David, wrote a post on the cartoons that had a major formative influence on him. His post (to read it,click here) listed some great cartoons. So, now you're wondering what I was inspired to do by this posting?
I was looking at the intros he posted and a thought occurred to me. Everyone talks about the best cartoons of the 70s, 80s, 90s, whatever, right? Because David was talking about those shows that were important to him, I thought about a segment of shows that doesn't really get talked about: the shows that you watched that no one talks about. The cartoons that you watched that no else seems to have seen. For me, there's several.
I hate to admit this, but this was my first introduction to the Native American mindset. I was a kid, okay? But the show was cool in my book. It was sci-fi with a western twist and an element of magic. It appealed to me greatly, but very few people know about this show. For years, I thought I had made it up.
I've always liked police officers. Anyone that accepts lousy pay to protect me from crap gets my respect. For me this was, is, and always shall be the ONLY cops show I will EVER watch.
I.... have no excuse for this. There's no merit to this show, except the memory of me running around my room as a kid striking various "Power Poses" and yelling "CENTURIONS... POWER EXTREME!"
I read the comics, and I liked the idea of a team of anti-heroes kicking butt and loving it. They did it because they were getting paid. And they didn't like each other either. This was more than X-Men infighting, and the theme of a non-cohesive unit is so good, the comics industry is STILL using it (look up Thunderbolts). The cartoon didn't capture as much of that flavor, but it was more than was readily available to me at the time I watched it.
I have had many conversations with people listing their favorite cartoons and this one never comes to mind. Then I mention that I'm a big fan and I get "Oh my god, YEAH!! I loved that cartoon!!" Again, we have the blend of sci-fi & magic (a big thing for me, it just makes stories SO much more interesting) but there's something about a character's search for family that just speaks to me. Normally, it would be the wizard who I would like the best, but in this case I watched the show for Jayce, hoping every episode that he would find his father.
This is the greatest cartoon I EVER watched. The story is engrossing, the characters were amazing and surprisingly nuanced. And if I remember it right, it's also the only cartoon of its time to be historically accurate. And that INCLUDES it's portrayal of the Spanish conquistadors and their actions in the "New World". I love it so much, that it's the only intro I'll embed in this posting.
I was looking at the intros he posted and a thought occurred to me. Everyone talks about the best cartoons of the 70s, 80s, 90s, whatever, right? Because David was talking about those shows that were important to him, I thought about a segment of shows that doesn't really get talked about: the shows that you watched that no one talks about. The cartoons that you watched that no else seems to have seen. For me, there's several.
BraveStarr
I hate to admit this, but this was my first introduction to the Native American mindset. I was a kid, okay? But the show was cool in my book. It was sci-fi with a western twist and an element of magic. It appealed to me greatly, but very few people know about this show. For years, I thought I had made it up.
COPS: Central Organization of Police Specialists
I've always liked police officers. Anyone that accepts lousy pay to protect me from crap gets my respect. For me this was, is, and always shall be the ONLY cops show I will EVER watch.
Centurions: Power Extreme
I.... have no excuse for this. There's no merit to this show, except the memory of me running around my room as a kid striking various "Power Poses" and yelling "CENTURIONS... POWER EXTREME!"
WildC.A.T.S.
I read the comics, and I liked the idea of a team of anti-heroes kicking butt and loving it. They did it because they were getting paid. And they didn't like each other either. This was more than X-Men infighting, and the theme of a non-cohesive unit is so good, the comics industry is STILL using it (look up Thunderbolts). The cartoon didn't capture as much of that flavor, but it was more than was readily available to me at the time I watched it.
Jayce & The Wheeled Warriors
I have had many conversations with people listing their favorite cartoons and this one never comes to mind. Then I mention that I'm a big fan and I get "Oh my god, YEAH!! I loved that cartoon!!" Again, we have the blend of sci-fi & magic (a big thing for me, it just makes stories SO much more interesting) but there's something about a character's search for family that just speaks to me. Normally, it would be the wizard who I would like the best, but in this case I watched the show for Jayce, hoping every episode that he would find his father.
The Mysterious Cities of Gold
This is the greatest cartoon I EVER watched. The story is engrossing, the characters were amazing and surprisingly nuanced. And if I remember it right, it's also the only cartoon of its time to be historically accurate. And that INCLUDES it's portrayal of the Spanish conquistadors and their actions in the "New World". I love it so much, that it's the only intro I'll embed in this posting.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Creepy, and Kind of Sad
My sister just showed me a very creepy little animated short. It's by first time director Rodrigo Blaas, and it's called Alma. Check it out:
Wasn't that creepy? And also sad? The cool thing about this is that the short rivals the best of what Pixar has brought to the big screen. I would recommend that you watch it again. You'll pick up on things you missed the first time. And it gets just a little bit creepier. Oh, and one other bit of info:
Alma means "soul" in spanish. Take a guess where the short was made?
Wasn't that creepy? And also sad? The cool thing about this is that the short rivals the best of what Pixar has brought to the big screen. I would recommend that you watch it again. You'll pick up on things you missed the first time. And it gets just a little bit creepier. Oh, and one other bit of info:
Alma means "soul" in spanish. Take a guess where the short was made?
Search...
Currently, I'm searching for three things.
Yes, I have a job right now. It's a good job. But, I already know it's not for me. I want to be in a job where I have the opportunity to be creative. I want to be writing software. Taking random bits & pieces of logic and stringing them together to create.... something. Anything. So, my job search goes on. I send out resumes. And I improve myself, learning new technologies, trying to keep up with the ever changing industry I chose for my life's work.
One of the things that I know is I can't support living where I am on the current job I have. I need help paying rent & utilities. More help that my current roommate can provide. Since I now have an empty room, I'm looking for another roommate. It's an interesting thing to think about. I'm looking for a person to bring into my home. I'm actually looking for some stranger to let into my own personal Imaginarium. I even have an ad up on CraigsList. The weirdest thing... there are people actually RESPONDING TO IT!!
Speaking about CraigsList, I'm also cruising through CL looking for a cheap mode of transportation. I'm low on funds, and even lower on my credit rating. Hopefully, with the addition of a rent-paying roommate, some of the financial pressures will be lifted & I'll be able to afford a slightly better car, but in the meantime, I need a cheap, car. In the parlance of my sister, I need a "beater".
A Better Job
Yes, I have a job right now. It's a good job. But, I already know it's not for me. I want to be in a job where I have the opportunity to be creative. I want to be writing software. Taking random bits & pieces of logic and stringing them together to create.... something. Anything. So, my job search goes on. I send out resumes. And I improve myself, learning new technologies, trying to keep up with the ever changing industry I chose for my life's work.
A Roommate
One of the things that I know is I can't support living where I am on the current job I have. I need help paying rent & utilities. More help that my current roommate can provide. Since I now have an empty room, I'm looking for another roommate. It's an interesting thing to think about. I'm looking for a person to bring into my home. I'm actually looking for some stranger to let into my own personal Imaginarium. I even have an ad up on CraigsList. The weirdest thing... there are people actually RESPONDING TO IT!!
A Car
Speaking about CraigsList, I'm also cruising through CL looking for a cheap mode of transportation. I'm low on funds, and even lower on my credit rating. Hopefully, with the addition of a rent-paying roommate, some of the financial pressures will be lifted & I'll be able to afford a slightly better car, but in the meantime, I need a cheap, car. In the parlance of my sister, I need a "beater".
Headspace...
I mentioned in my last entry that I haven't been in a good headspace lately. And it's true. The Year Of The Geek hasn't been good to me so far. First, it was my unemployment and all the worries that it brings. Then losing my car.
Now, I am employed. When I first got the phone call that told me I had a job, I was ELATED. I was no longer a failure. I was no longer doomed to live on the streets with nothing to show for my efforts in life. Then, my mind worked through the elation and started looking at the reality of what I was getting into. My new job gave me the same amount of money as my unemployment check. It wasn't the deliverance or salvation I wanted. And, it added problems I didn't have while unemployed. How do I get to work? How do I get home?
Then the pressures of life that had given me a wide berth returned twice as strong. Can I survive on the pay? Can I cover my responsibilities? This job pays just a sliver above my unemployment, will I lose my apartment? If I can't make rent on time, I'll lose my home. With nowhere to live, and no way to get to work, I'll lose the job.
Should I stay? There are people depending on me. Will I serve them better by moving back to MA and looking there for work?? Leaving here would mean walking away from this job. Where would I live if I go back to MA? How would I get an apartment with no job? This job is the only thing holding me here in Manchester. I have NO SUPPORT here whatsoever. Are my chances truly better in MA as opposed to here? How would I get a job with no car?
Then there's the pressures of the new job. Nervousness swells into fear. Fear that I'll be homeless, that I'll compromise myself and lose the job. Fear that those who depend on me will falter and their lives will break because my support isn't there. The fear keeps me awake, diminishing my performance at work bringing my fears closer to reality.
Then there's the fear of the future. Is this job going to be what I do? Sitting in a cubicle answering phones, repeating the same words with slight variations over & over into the ears of a plethora of strangers with no hope of creativity? Have I reached the potential of my life? Is this all I can accomplish?
And time passes. The first two weeks of my employment are nothing but a blur of fear, despair, anxiety, and depression. Valentine's day, normally a yearly bane to my existence, barely registered on me this year. I stopped talking to friends, and couldn't bring myself to take part in my favorite activities. And THAT'S where my head has been in recent times. Thankfully, the chaotic conflagration of emotions that has battered against my sanity has ebbed. If it hadn't, I wouldn't have been able to write this post. Ironically, the real world that threatened my sanity, comes to my rescue.
In debating my issues, and chewing over my problems, it occurs to me that even in the midst of my personal turmoil, I still managed to make it to work on time for the past 2 weeks. Somehow the grip fear had on me snapped, and I was able to sleep. I discharged the duties of my position and helped people get online to accomplish whatever they needed to get done.
My problems were still there. The doubts hadn't lessened, and yet I was still able to get shit done. My situation hasn't changed, yet I don't feel so daunted any more. Not only will I endure this, but I know I am CAPABLE of enduring my situation. And I also know that when my chance comes, I'll be ready.
Now, I am employed. When I first got the phone call that told me I had a job, I was ELATED. I was no longer a failure. I was no longer doomed to live on the streets with nothing to show for my efforts in life. Then, my mind worked through the elation and started looking at the reality of what I was getting into. My new job gave me the same amount of money as my unemployment check. It wasn't the deliverance or salvation I wanted. And, it added problems I didn't have while unemployed. How do I get to work? How do I get home?
Then the pressures of life that had given me a wide berth returned twice as strong. Can I survive on the pay? Can I cover my responsibilities? This job pays just a sliver above my unemployment, will I lose my apartment? If I can't make rent on time, I'll lose my home. With nowhere to live, and no way to get to work, I'll lose the job.
Should I stay? There are people depending on me. Will I serve them better by moving back to MA and looking there for work?? Leaving here would mean walking away from this job. Where would I live if I go back to MA? How would I get an apartment with no job? This job is the only thing holding me here in Manchester. I have NO SUPPORT here whatsoever. Are my chances truly better in MA as opposed to here? How would I get a job with no car?
Then there's the pressures of the new job. Nervousness swells into fear. Fear that I'll be homeless, that I'll compromise myself and lose the job. Fear that those who depend on me will falter and their lives will break because my support isn't there. The fear keeps me awake, diminishing my performance at work bringing my fears closer to reality.
Then there's the fear of the future. Is this job going to be what I do? Sitting in a cubicle answering phones, repeating the same words with slight variations over & over into the ears of a plethora of strangers with no hope of creativity? Have I reached the potential of my life? Is this all I can accomplish?
And time passes. The first two weeks of my employment are nothing but a blur of fear, despair, anxiety, and depression. Valentine's day, normally a yearly bane to my existence, barely registered on me this year. I stopped talking to friends, and couldn't bring myself to take part in my favorite activities. And THAT'S where my head has been in recent times. Thankfully, the chaotic conflagration of emotions that has battered against my sanity has ebbed. If it hadn't, I wouldn't have been able to write this post. Ironically, the real world that threatened my sanity, comes to my rescue.
In debating my issues, and chewing over my problems, it occurs to me that even in the midst of my personal turmoil, I still managed to make it to work on time for the past 2 weeks. Somehow the grip fear had on me snapped, and I was able to sleep. I discharged the duties of my position and helped people get online to accomplish whatever they needed to get done.
My problems were still there. The doubts hadn't lessened, and yet I was still able to get shit done. My situation hasn't changed, yet I don't feel so daunted any more. Not only will I endure this, but I know I am CAPABLE of enduring my situation. And I also know that when my chance comes, I'll be ready.
Thoughts On.... Unemployment
I started this year unemployed and depressed. The thing about unemployment that no one mentions is that after a little while, you get USED to being unemployed. And that's when the rot starts setting in.
Becoming unemployed is always unpleasant. Unless you're leaving work cause you won the lottery (which is a bonehead move anyway), you're gonna feel depressed, rejected, and despairing about your future. How will you survive? What will you do? This fuels a desperate, frantic job search. You email resumes everywhere, you become a master at writing in-depth cover letters in a blink of an eye, but your efforts are for naught. The vast machine of employment in the country responds to your actions with a deafening silence.
A little while after being laid off/fired (or quitting, if that's what you did), life starts to feel like a vacation. You get to sleep in. The pressure of overbearing bosses is gone. The stress of meeting deadlines evaporates. It feels so good you can almost convince yourself that you pulled the wool over everyone's eyes and have actually IMPROVED your life. As time passes, and your unemployment continues, that illusion fades.
Your friends have no time for you. They still have to get to work in the morning. Your severance pay is exhausted with the bills that you still have to pay. Unemployment insurance barely allows you to live. You spend the bulk of your days looking at job postings you don't have a prayer of qualifying for, but you apply anyway. Pandora's cruelest gift, Hope, driving you forward. You hope for a miracle. You hope that someone, somewhere wants to talk to you. You hope that you'll get a call, or get an appointment for an interview. And until then..
you wait.
Becoming unemployed is always unpleasant. Unless you're leaving work cause you won the lottery (which is a bonehead move anyway), you're gonna feel depressed, rejected, and despairing about your future. How will you survive? What will you do? This fuels a desperate, frantic job search. You email resumes everywhere, you become a master at writing in-depth cover letters in a blink of an eye, but your efforts are for naught. The vast machine of employment in the country responds to your actions with a deafening silence.
A little while after being laid off/fired (or quitting, if that's what you did), life starts to feel like a vacation. You get to sleep in. The pressure of overbearing bosses is gone. The stress of meeting deadlines evaporates. It feels so good you can almost convince yourself that you pulled the wool over everyone's eyes and have actually IMPROVED your life. As time passes, and your unemployment continues, that illusion fades.
Your friends have no time for you. They still have to get to work in the morning. Your severance pay is exhausted with the bills that you still have to pay. Unemployment insurance barely allows you to live. You spend the bulk of your days looking at job postings you don't have a prayer of qualifying for, but you apply anyway. Pandora's cruelest gift, Hope, driving you forward. You hope for a miracle. You hope that someone, somewhere wants to talk to you. You hope that you'll get a call, or get an appointment for an interview. And until then..
you wait.
Life Update
It's been a little while since I've blogged. I do apologize, but I haven't been in the right headspace to blog. Now, I have to catch you up on the current events.
First off, check out my description over there on the right. Did you notice anything different?? Look again... Still no? I updated my little descriptor blurb regarding my new status. I am once again an upstanding and productive member of society! Yes, that's right folks, I found a job. Doing what?
I'm now one of the newest Level 1 Tech Support specialists for Single Digits, Inc. Sounds really important, doesn't it? Basically, I answer phones and help people connect to the internet from their hotels. Granted, it's not my IDEAL position. (that would be writing software) but it's paying the bills (barely) and learning some more detailed networking & troubleshooting can't exactly hurt.
I'm also working on learning VB.NET, which is the latest version of Visual Basic. It seems that my knowledge of VB6 isn't enough to get me a job, so I have to get "back to school", so to speak. Visual Basic 2008 (VB.NET with a friendlier title) is extremely interesting and I have some projects in mind to help me get into it. I love learning so this will be fun.
Last bit of news: one of my roommates has gone off to the Old World to explore and enjoy life. While I'm happy that she's on a new life adventure, I'm sad to see her go.
First off, check out my description over there on the right. Did you notice anything different?? Look again... Still no? I updated my little descriptor blurb regarding my new status. I am once again an upstanding and productive member of society! Yes, that's right folks, I found a job. Doing what?
I'm now one of the newest Level 1 Tech Support specialists for Single Digits, Inc. Sounds really important, doesn't it? Basically, I answer phones and help people connect to the internet from their hotels. Granted, it's not my IDEAL position. (that would be writing software) but it's paying the bills (barely) and learning some more detailed networking & troubleshooting can't exactly hurt.
I'm also working on learning VB.NET, which is the latest version of Visual Basic. It seems that my knowledge of VB6 isn't enough to get me a job, so I have to get "back to school", so to speak. Visual Basic 2008 (VB.NET with a friendlier title) is extremely interesting and I have some projects in mind to help me get into it. I love learning so this will be fun.
Last bit of news: one of my roommates has gone off to the Old World to explore and enjoy life. While I'm happy that she's on a new life adventure, I'm sad to see her go.
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