Personal Narrative: Society Swallows

I have often found myself living in an everlasting halloween. While I roam the streets, I see vampires preying on defenseless people without a care. We unknowingly play host to these parasites as they suck out every emotion from our bodies and drain us of everything from our joy, to our depression. They leave us an exhausted empty shell and run off to their next victim who will more than likely play their next host. 

The first time I had encountered one of these vampires, to the best of my memory, was when I was four. I was playing in my room as a child and in walked the undead version of my brother. Without care, he disrupted the happiness I had been experiencing and replaced it with exhaustion as we battled out who's toy was who's and then eventually which side of the room was owned by whom. After several moments, the vampire I'd call brother would sing out for his master to come. Sure enough, my mother entered the room and would lay down boundaries and rules. This caused my exhaustion to become a comatose state of an "I give up!" feeling. 

Home was not the only place these vampires we're found. As I ventured into society and schools, I found I had to battle a battalion of emotion sucking creatures. With my bad attitude and solitude way of nature, I would ward these demons off so that I wasn't burdened with problems that were not my own. My Anti-social behavior had soon started to devolop at a young age and by the time I reached high school, it was now a massive missile ready to defend when the army of the undead would come around. I had survived teachers who would play favorites, fellow students who would attack so they would gain popularity, and even a principal who considered me more of a slayer of his faculty than a student with high expectations.

After I left the campus's that harbored the living dead, I ventured into the world. I obtained a job at the local Jack in the Box, where my weapon of social anxiety would have to be disarmed, and I would have to blend in with these creatures. The drive-thru was packed full of them, life draining vampires in operational vehicles. It was as if they're numbers had been increasing daily. Each time I would deliver an order, another one would pull up to the window with a complaint about something. My co-workers were no better, constantly putting their problems on public display like an audio tabloid. 

Throughout my years of experience after my first encounter way back when, I have tried not to be like these undead beings. I handle my problems on my own and observe the world for guidance and advice, rather than drain my fellow humans for the strength to accomplish this. I try not to share to much of my negativity as I don't want others to feel burdened by my personal issues. I chose not to discuss certain matters with certain people so that I do not drain them of their own aura or energy. Also, I've come to the conclusion that although my energy is being sucked away, it's society who swallows.

What is your favorite movie line?

my favorite movie line has got to be from the movie (originally from the broadway rock opera) RENT. "NO DAY BUT TODAY" which is my favorite quote and what I live by each day. Your not promised tomorrow, or the rest of the day for that matter...so enjoy each moment your alive. Savor each minute that you breath, and live like everyday's your last.

writing about a picture

I chose to write about this picture due to it's gothic nature and winter atmosphere. When people think of death they often think of cold, isolation....this picture represents that. It's melancholy style also shows a sad, sympathetic side of an otherwise horrible situation. I also like the picture because of the way the death is represented, as the iconic reaper. Although this is picture is lacking wings (as the angel of death is an angel) it's still a pretty good representation of how we've been taught he would come to us as.

The Crow: Movie Critique

In 1994, Director Alex Proyas brought comic book character Eric Draven to life. Produced by Edward Pressman and based off a comic created by James O' Barr's own personal tragedy, the film stars Michael Wincott, Ernie hudson, and the late Brandon Lee. I remember watching the film at the local theatre and falling in love with it that day.

The story revolves around a man and his fiance who are brutally murdered. A year later, and through the help of supernatural superstitions, a crow brings his soul and body back to avenge his lover. Picking off the murderers one by one, he relives moments and shows an ironic side of death, love, and life. Drawing his powers from the mythical bird, he finally gets to "Top Dollar," the leader of a ruthless gang and they battle their differences out between good and bad.

There are several characters based on real life as already mentioned. Eric representing James O' Barrr. Shelly representing his fiance. Officer Albrecht was a reincarnation of a friend who helped him cope with the problem, and The Skull Cowboy serves as his "religious" guidance. Real events make appearances too as Devils Night is a central plot to the story. Devils night, in case anyone is unaware, is a night of chaos the day before halloween in which gangs in New Jersey wreak havoc upon society. This all plays a key role in making a surreal story seem more realistic.

The movie has no defined dates, but seems to be set in the mid 90's which was the current decade during filming and releasing. This is brought out by not only the fashion of the film, but it's grunge-gothic like sequences which seemed to have boomed in that decade. Also the soundtrack (which helped the film portray this type of setting and style,) was mostly compromised of grunge artists during that time period. Although the film had a majority of problems, they managed to pull off an otherwise seamless performance. However of r there was the incident of the star Brandon Lee being killed on set due to the irresponsibility and drug use of the prop master. Rather if this helped the film gain it's cult status or not will always be a mystery.

The film will always be a "Cult Classic" and hold a special place in my heart due to it's story line and it's popularity of a comic even before the film was shot. The characters were beyond well played as many of them surfaced from other films and took on roles that stretched their talents beyond their own comprehensions. Although during editing a few characters and key points were ultimately left on the cutting room floor, the film fit together nicely even after it's one year shelved life to sort out the legal problems Miramax was having. The film makes people think about crime, and how it effects people, which is one of the biggest quotes from the film: "Victims, aren't we all." In my opinion anything done to this film hereafter would tarnish it's ability to push it's message of love, hate, pain, revenge and irony. I would defiantly recommend this film to anyone, even if your not impressed with it, you'll walk away with a different view of death.

Which fictional character do I identify with?

I identify with the character Azreal from Leah Wendells' Our Name Is Melancholy (the books of Azreal.) The reason for this is I think in a more spiritual form with science intertwined in my philosophy than the fairy tales in the bible could produce. I'm sympathetic towards death yet understand it's a natural process of evolution.

What are your quirks???

One of my quirks is orginzation of cords, I hate long dangly cords. Wet door knobs get on my nerves. When I drink from a soda can I have to make sure the tab is over the whole so it blocks foriegn objects. I have to have things dangling off my arms or I feel uneven. Sidewalks make me angry so I walk on the road. High pitch noises make me wanna break things to offset the sound. I won't eat MSG or Aspartame so check every product I buy. Doors have to be closed, I hate open doors.

The secret for creativity is knowing how to hid your sources -einstien

what Einstien ment by this was that when you model a character over a person, make sure that person is not to similiar that if people know him or her they'd be able to put two and two together...or that if you inspired by something, you'd put your own spin to it so that people think it's original.