dead like me
Posted on: July 26, 2004… which is, of course, probably going to be my OotM (Obsession of the Month) in August, along with Death itself (in many senses of the word).?I recently watched the first episode. I must say, I am wowed by Ellen Muth's performance. Her eyebrows are very unique and beautiful, and she looks like one of my friend's little sisters, kinda, but with a very different voice and disposition. This, of course, plays tricks on my associative mind which strives to find the connections in all things, no matter how seemingly unrelated. I'm late to this show and just started picking up with Season 2's Premiere… not sure if I'm going to watch all the way yet, but it looks promising. The ramping (sped-up) camera and the photographic style is a real thrill too in the parts that they do use it.
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Both Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis had episodes involving shadowy darkness blobby things. How's that for parallels in a Desperation/Regulators sort of way? And speaking of King, Stephen once more, I wonder if North Central Positronics really IS a reference to Isaac Asimov. I've submitted the Q to the official website and graciously await a response in a week or so. Haven't actually read the end of the Waste Lands but Blaine the Mono seems like a really cool, psychoriddling train. Connecting Ellen Muth to Stephen King is easy: she starred in the movie version of Dolores Claiborne. Which had death in it.
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Tying this into techno music, I think there needs to be more trance anthems that?aren't necessarily about the party life but?deeply explore death?and related, similarly grim issues. Could be the party death.?Maybe something that folds trance back on some of its industrial roots, as the imagery of the latter is very rich in that kind of decay. I know there have been great singles like Kai Tracid's "Too Many Times" with its haunting video of a clubette timbering 'cuz of a drug overdose, and who can forget Rob Dougan's "Clubbed To Death?" Or Brainbug's "Nightmare"? But I'm thinking of?something even more sinister like a sort of Phantasm (remember that movie? I love it) soundtrack gone dancefloor, with the creeping ambience but yet the pounding supersaw and 2-4 claps/snares so common…?and only halfway there, like a soul about to go but trying to stray from the light strobe light… and the dancers aren't really there to zestfully booty-grind. Rather, it's more of a intensely contemplative thing, like: "Half an hour ago, you took a bad pill. Your parallel self in an alt-reality, however, did NOT." And as the night goes on, you sort of do that split screen thing in your mind's eye?to see, hear, experience?possible outcomes. Too depressing? Yes, but there is a place for expression like that and?it can be uplifting at the end and reflect that each of us needs to grieve for?loved ones in our own way,?who'ever they be'eth and how'ever we shall proceed. *pushes button*?Raver music might be the last thing you expect to hear at a funeral, but that's life… death? That being said, hey, do they make headstones in the shape of decks and a mixer (mebbe with effects unit too)? Haven't seen one yet. Drop me if a line if you have, thankyou.
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As there is a Roland of the Dark Tower and a Roland the music instrument manufacturer, the latter should release a TR-1010. I'm imagining something here called a "vorpal interface", related to the?D-Beam tech. but more ghostly, and which would aid you not only in live?fx manipulations but in programming beats steptime. You know, like an invisible paintbrush. YOU CUT THE AIR LIKE A SWORD. Although this, you see, would have to have some tactile?feedback, you can FEEL how the kicks are mapped differently than the snares by pinching your fingertips in midair, and map it with a flick of the wrist. Even though there is nothing all! It's all in the perception. Another flick would add?a certain?amount of randomization, and you could curl fingers to rotate through sounds like gripping on handlebars of a?motorcycle until the right one sounded — and then you'd release and relax. Ghostly and technical on the insides, but oh-so-natural and intuitive to use. More smooth digital (as in fingers) motions as opposed to herky-jerky shoving. Coordinated actions by both hands could speed up programming while you operated the device, and a?few simple choice lights?could alert you to parameter change status and other essential basics without being overly intrusive.?I'm no technical maven but it's always nice to have tools that work like you do. It's about time.
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Speaking of time, time travel, I saw another book lately called The Time Traveler's Wife. Looks charming. My guess is that, as with many time travel stories, there is tragedy and someone permanently bites it in the end.
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Avril Lavigne still looks like a cat. Watched a video interview with her going *grrr!* Her voice is kind of smoky smooth. I dig that. If I had a cat, I'd likely name it after her.
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"Death is a mystery, and burial is a secret." -Stephen King
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So, August is Death month. And Celebrate Life month. Both, at the same time. You've heard of Christmas in the middle of July, yes? Well, how about Halloween in the middle of August?? I'm full of contradictions. Don't expect it to be the same next year, though =^_^=
