October 14, 2002 - A

"Dreamy"

Dreamlike . . .

Dreamlike, that's how Julia described the Anne Rice vampire books. Actually, the movie Queen Of The Damned retains some of that dreamlike, sensual quality. ''Shamelessly self-indulgent'', one critic called it. But I like the 'shamelessly self-indulgent'. It's fun. Lestat is a gorgeous bad boy, as Anne Rice describes him in an interview: ''He's a tragic hero...he hasn't conquered his instincts, and half the time he acts very impulsively and very spontaneously.''

Well, he got taken in this time by the EEE-E -VIL Queen. Aaliyah, who tragically died in a plane crash shortly after this film was finished, makes an interesting green eyed Egyptian. Too bad this is her last film, but she's immortalized in youth, a celluloid vampire at least.

There's one thing to be said about going into a movie with such low expectations as the reviewers have set for us. I was very pleasantly surprised. I expected true garbage such as Dracula 2000. The only thing right about THAT film was Gerald Butler's penetrating eyes. It wasn't his fault, he had an abysmally crappy script.

The vamps in QOTD are gorgeous. There's lovely eye-candy through out, and that alone is worth the look-see. I, do, however, want to read Rice's books. Cry To Heaven, about castratos, was so lovely, sensuous, dreamlike, and yet capturing the pathos of life, that I'm sure the rest of her books will be a rich treat.

QOTD tried to capture the pathos of the lonely, bored vampire. I think their pathos would be much deeper than simple boredom. The pain would be much deeper, the hunger, much more intense. Yet, there would be the richness of watching the span of time evolve. Their mental lives would be extremely complex, which this movie fails to capture. But, as I've said, its eye candy is sufficient.

(Later note of December 25, 2002: Having read Anne Rice's tightly contructed novel, Queen Of The Damned, I have a different perspective on this movie. It bears not much relation to that wonderful novel. Those who have read the book first will be sadly disappointed to learn there are no RED HAIRED TWINS, who are so crucial to the book's plot. Also they will be dismayed as to the alteration of many smaller details, such as the making of Jesse. Her 'aunt' Maharet isn't the maker in the movie. Obviously, one can't expect a short movie to encompass the breath of the book.

Still, a more skilled screenwriter might have done better. As I am now reading the book Interview With A Vampire, I am impressed with how well its movie version captured the essence. But of course, for that movie, Anne Rice herself wrote the screenplay.)

 

October 14, 2002 - B

"While You Can"

While You Can Have you any idea just how it starts? Flash of light, lightening quick, stirring flesh? Thrill quickening limb, pacing heart, pacing breath, breathless revelation, like a shock, panting revelation. Close not the tomb upon me! Not while I still see. Close not the tomb upon me! Say to those who wish to annihilate the flesh, Forever damned is your world, You are dead already, skeletons of life. No! I want to feel all I can feel, I want to drink all I can drink of this cup. Tell me not of your self-sacrifice. What will it do you, to have forsaken that which is the best of you? Lay claim to that love, wear it proudly. You are not dead, do not try to be. If the bones and ashes could speak, they'd say: Love while you can, Lust while you can, Know every passion while you can. Death will come soon enough, with its dark nevermores. Think, what bright lightening crack illuminations can still remain! JAL, 10 - 14 - 02

 

October 18, 2002

"Happy Birthday, Julia!"

 

October 19, 2002

"Sweetest"

Happy 'Sweetest Day'! I wouldn't know about these odd holidays, except that I visited the Hallmark web site to send Julia a couple of e-cards. That's partially what influenced me in the making of Julia's card above, ''to my sweetest Julia''. The other part is, of course, because she is very sweet.

I shall soon count out the at least FIFTY WAYS, as I'd done for Laura one year. We did, however, commemorate the day with a new PICTURE of Julia. It came out rather nice. Julia does seem imbued with the mysterious spirit of the ancients in that shot.

But we did not do much celebrating other than that. It was terrible. At first I was seized with uncontrollable coughing, then Julia, all through the night. It has been over ten days that I've been battling this bug.

I go to work and it is the same thing. The co-worker that gave us the bug no longer works with us, but her spirit lives on. At least her bugs do. Soon, all of Yuma may be infected.

But we carry on, we do. I've been adding lots of pictures to the galleries. Those busy hands of mine are frozen in time. I also found another old picture of Laura and Julia when we were at the arboretum one chilly day. They both bear the sweetest expressions on their faces. And another old glossy of Julia captures something of her gentle, mysterious spirit. Soon, I shall wax more poetic concerning her nature.

 

October 20, 2002 - A

"Shadows"

When I took pen to paper, I certainly expected something cheerier than this:

Shadows A worry down dark corridors, what is lurking behind? Shadow - past, passing shadow, what makes you shudder so? Vision of the future? Shadows haunt you and there is no naming them. Or is there the naming and that's what haunts you so? I cannot chase them with you. I watch them pass over, though, reach out to stroke your hair, hold you, while I wonder about what lurks nearby. Meanwhile, a pill purvevor sells pills to keep us awake PROmoting VIGIL - against dreams, wherein these shadows may be more distinct, or for a vigil, while the watcher watches unblinking, hoping to catch one. JAL, 10 - 20 - 02

 

October 20, 2002 - B

"Shadows Forgotten"

The early morning shadows forgotten, today has been a day for art. We've been cooped up so long, we were determined to get out for a bit. The ART TRAIN has come to Yuma, and we were determined not to miss it. We even managed not to cough and sneeze all over the art. Though each piece was covered with a clear protective shield.

The ART TRAIN has been bringing art to the hinterlands via the railroads since 1971. It's a cool concept. Hopefully Yuma will be a stop on their next tour in 2004 - 2006 of Native American art.

This time, they featured ARTISTRY IN SPACE, which covered various aspects of America's space exploration. It's a lovely collection of wide ranging pieces.

The railroad track on which the exhibit was parked, by the New Yuma Wetlands Park, is quite near OLD TOWN. A shop that sells tea is there. We were out of Irish breakfast tea, and needed to re-stock, this time with a pound of the fragrant blend.

As I make these notes, while Sanomy power levels Vivantbona in Everquest, we are listening to Renaissance Music from Transylvania, such as the 'dear' old Count might have listened to. It's passable music, but by now, he'd be more than ready for some rock and roll to liven things up. A cute Lestat could entertain him nicely.

But what a pity, for the count could not enjoy the tasty garlic-rich pizza we had earlier at Monarch's Rest. Aye, and they only feature ale, no fresh and warm drafts of the red stuff!

Walking on route to the restaurant, after the tea purchase, I observed the wooden walls hiding areas of construction. They'd been painted by young artists, which beautified them. I caught a crop of of of the colorful displays, which especially appeals to me and have placed it in the photo gallery.

We are getting better, slowly, and shadows do retreat to their hiding places on occasion.

 

October 21, 2002

"Quiet And Restful"

If only the power waited, but it doesn't. You must claim it while you can. Stop that vision? Lose that vision. Stop everything else, it can resume. Vision won't. Start now to claim each moment. JAL, 10 - 20 - 02

The above poem written last night MAY have been influenced by Phoebe in Charmed. In that nights episode, she was concerning because she was no longer having the prophetic visions that are part of her charmed powers.

With that in mind, I wish to make a clear channel for any 'visions' I might have. Hard bound to create something, anything, I force open the yellow notebook and start this narrow black rod of a pen moving. ''Where it stops, nobody knows . . .'' What was that from? Some children's show with a spinning dial, which aired in black and white comes to mind. ''Round and round it goes, where it stops, nobody knows . . .''  ROMPER ROOM???

Well, this is the 'romper room' of my mind, and so I shall 'romp'. I've had lovely web explorations tonight. One features TS success stories. Many photos of beautiful, successful transsexual women all in one place, quite inspiring and very useful to the young, nervous transitioner, plagued with doubts.

Why is it nearly everyone's youth is 'plagued with doubts'? Is there any youth, who 'damn the torpedos, full speed ahead' goes on through their life, deftly defying any challengers? There's a precious few I'm sure. Still, for the rest of us slow learners, inspiration is always useful.

And the other website was by an author who's written a series of Vampire books, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. I really seem to have a taste for this sort of thing lately. My logical mind tells me it is because of Laura's recent death, that the concept of a lover that won't up and die on you has such appeal.

Besides, there are so many lovely ways to imagine them. Nevermind the nasty, ruthless, smelly ones. But DO mind the sexy, tender ones who know how to be good lovers. Sigh! Ah, the stuff of an interesting mental life . . .

One of those 'come hither' types . . .

. . . thus it is a quiet, restful evening is spent. Restful is good, for the labors of the day have been hard.