The Sky is the Limit

Funny thing about skyscrapers. The ability to build a really tall building had existed for awhile before the first really tall skyscrapers. But the ability to do something doesn't trigger the necessity to do it. In the case of Really Tall Buildings, several things had to come together. Steel. Cheap labor. A need for such a building (mass influx of people into the cities), plumbing (try turning on the tap on the 84th floor), and ironically enough: the Elevator. Without a sufficient mode of moving people UP to the top of the building, the skyscraper could never be. Usually, its the simple, overlooked technology which propels people skyward.

I would really like civilian space travel to have been commonplace by now. I would really like my flying car, please. I want the Encyclopedia Britannica downloaded directly into my brain. In fact, I want everything I saw in Back 2 the Future 2, except for the Jaws sequel (sorry, Max).

The good news is that I remain optimistic about such novelties. Technology progresses rapidly, and as our resources dwindle, the necessity for new innovations increases. All we might actually be missing is that one little device that will skyrocket our progress.

What do you suppose that is?

Well, waddya know?

I've been told numerously to, "write what you know". There are numerous examples to enumerate that advice. Usually it boils to setting and plot. John Grisham is a former law student from the South. Nelson DeMille is a Long Island inhabitant, most of his work is set in that rich eclectic enclave. Marvel Comics is based in New York City, as are almost all of its heroes. But what about fantasy writers? What world do they inhabit? Tolkien was an expert in linguistics, which is heavily interwoven into the Lord of the Rings, and the settings of that fantasy can be found in the surroundings of Oxford.

Even personal stories, characters and moods seem to be drawn from real-life experiences. The Simpsons were supposedly a distorted reflection of Matt Groening's own family. And the film Moulin Rouge, begs the question, "how do you write a love story without knowing love?"

There are few writers that can jump into diverse story after diverse story. Sir Aurthur Conan Doyle pulled it off, even writing across genres. Micheal Crichton, while mostly on the theme of techno-thrillers, also wrote very diversified narratives. To wit: compare Terminal Man, Andromeda Strain and the TV show ER to his subsequent work: Sphere, Congo, Airframe and The State of Fear.

As an aspiring writer, I would love to be able to jump from book to book, character to character, without being pigeonholed into a series, or a single character (as Doyle was stuck with the popularity of his Holmes titles to the point of resurrection). However, this requires massive amounts of research and a solid, well rounded knowledge base. Ideally, this writer should be a sort-of jack of all trades. But, can the Internet supplant personal experience and instant access to research? If I don't know it, can I google it?

Mini-Blog

Ticketed for going below the Speed Limit
Regardless the outcome of this incident, people should be ticketed for going too slow. Driving slowly can be just as dangerous as driving too fast. Just go the flow of traffic!

What will a Big Mac cost you now?
The Federal minimum wage went up to $7.25. Expect to see higher prices and less workers. We are going to pay for that increase, particularly in a downturn economy, harshly. So, why are we paying higher wages to underachievers? (Note: not talking about students). We are already seeing small retail outlets go bust. Let's help 'em out more by mandating that they pay workers (ideally students) more money.

Heroclix Undead!
I play miniature games. Love 'em. But, my favorite game Heroclix, nearly died last November. Miniature games don't tend to come back after production stops. But Heroclix survives! What's even more amazing is that the new owners of the property, NECA may actually enhance the game with even more licenses (speculative of course). Imagine a miniatures game based on Twilight! (I am seriously kidding, folks). With an Axis and Allies: War at Sea expansion in September and a fall release of Heroclix, my pocketbook is the only one doing any complaining. I may need a federally mandated wage increase. You guys mind buying?

Watchmen: Watch it!

Warning: spoilers below, read at your own risk.

The themes in Watchmen are as relevant today as they were when Watchmen was written over 20 years ago, despite the backdrop of the Cold War. But that is not to say that there aren't other forms of imminent destruction on our horizon. Indeed, Watchmen serves to remind us that even our own Heroes can wrought Armageddon. Although it has many themes, the one I appreciate most is it's the quintessential fall of the hero story. It's the story where Lex is the hero; Superman the villain. It's the idea that good intentions pave the way to damnation.

Warning to the squeamish or purposefully sheltered: it is Graphic. As the graphic novel pushed limitations in the 80's (it purposefully avoids the comic-code stamp of approval), the film delivers that same rawness. It is not a kids movie, nor is it the typical superhero flick. It is a skillfully crafted story of the blurry lines between good and evil. With a rockin' soundtrack.

The DVD/Blu-ray release was yesterday. Although, the faithful will have to wait another few months for an even more 'special edition' release that integrates The Black Freighter into the film. While waiting, I recommended watching the short film (purchase separately I'm afraid) before the main feature, or contenting oneself with the graphic novel and director's cut film until this Uber-compilation is released.

Smart Car: Dumb Idea?

Europe has given the world many funny looking tiny clown cars. The Bubble Car. The three wheeled car, the old British Mini (not the newer German one, although the old VW could be a contender) even a single passenger covered pseudo-golf cart that might be able to attain 30 mph if pushed. Off a cliff. Now they have made the Smart Car, and it is infecting America.

While living in England, I was at first, impressed by the Smart Car. I felt its funny looking, hawkish design were only the result of its battery engine. Sometimes design has to be sacrificed for new technology. Only one problem: the Smart Car isn't electric. Rather more like an underachiever than a savant, the car still runs on petrol, and struggles with three cylinders at that. So, what's the point?

Perhaps in Europe, where $14 a gallon gas, thin windy roads are the norm, town driving is all you are likely to do, the Smart car presents an economic practicality. Perhaps for the rare American where that is also the case, the Smart car is a smart decision. But, America suffers from Urban sprawl, much more traffic, and a need for speed which also inherently causes a need for safety. If it were up to me (and not our government) and I had the economic wherewithal, I would happily get a big gas guzzling monster. If I'm in a wreck, I want my daughter as safe as possible. Are we getting peer pressured to the point where we are now willing to sacrifice peace of mind to save a few bucks at the pump?

So what about the environmental impact? Buying a Smart Car is a delaying action at best. We should be looking for alternative energy sources anyway, and not sacrificing freedom of choice, nor our safety.

Where the heck is my Mr. Fusion-powered-Flying DeLorean anyway?

Sometimes its hard to be Original

I'm a Chipotle lover. Not the pepper, the fast food chain. I can inhale a 1,000 calorie Chipotle chicken Burrito as if it were Ambrosia, becoming more delicious with each bite. One of the things I like about Chipotle is its originality. It's like Subway, but with tortillia's and a funky attitude that doesn't take things to seriously (except for the food).

But then I ate at a Qdoba. Mysteriously, this seemed to be rather the same experience. Same basic food, similar layout, and groovy tunes. I did some superficial research which didn't explain the similarities between the 2 chains. See for yourself: Qdoba and Chipotle's seem to be the same.

Nearest I can tell, Chipotle's started the trend, was so sucessful, that Qdoba opened up in the same general vicinity to cash in any overflow bucks (even Mcdonald's and Burger King are more distinct). It's interesting, because while the ingredients at both places are nearly identical, it's the customers choice what you slab on your tortillia. As a result, I guess there isn't any infringement going on. Unless anyone can provide an insight.

It's hard to be original.

Pure Evil

My view is that evil is unintentional. It is the misdirection of good intentions coupled with either ignorance, or a sense that ends justify the means (see Dr. Horrible for a good example). It is possible to have a stand-up hero become the antagonist quite inadvertently, and as such, is a recurring theme in comics (this theme is explored rather well in Alan Moore's Watchmen or even in something more contemporary like The Authority or even Red Son Superman). For the most part, contemporary literature/scripts have done away with the 2 dimensional evil persona (even Killer Robots now seem to have a deeper purpose for eradicating humankind).

However, where my definition fails, seems to be in the case of the truly arrogant. This is the person who is so self centered and ambitious that they do not care who is trampled underfoot (see Hamlet's uncle, or just about any history book for that matter). Is there something I am missing about this archetype that allows them to exist in such a flat manner? Or is there more depth than meets the eye?

Tpircsunam Yawa!

My manuscript came back to me. It's disheartening, but not entirely unexpected. I don't expect to become an overnight success (but I wouldn't turn it down). I know the folks at Asimov's are hard working, but I would have loved to know what they were thinking when reading my manuscript. Unfortunately all I got was the customary form letter. It would be cool to know if it was the story itself, or a misplaced comma, a cliche, an extraneous line of narrative, that caused them to put it down. It could be so many things.

Well, this means that I can start sending it out elsewhere (publishers no likey simultaneous submissions). It's a slow process, but hopefully, eventually, a rewarding one.

If you've had a similar experience, please share. But more importantly, keep on writing.

Latest Transformers Film Transforms into a Wreck

Most critics hated Transformers 2: Revenge of Poor Scriptwriting. I did too. It's hard to consider a film that contains so little regard for life. It's sad when every death cheapens the story instead of enhances. And what about all of the Military and civilians mindlessly slaughtered, forever dead simply because their character didn't have top billing? There are so many things wrong with this movie, that it becomes easier to write about the good stuff.

I actually enjoyed most of the first 45 minutes of the flick. In fact, with a good re-write, the first act could have been expanded and made into the whole movie. This movie would have been twice as good if it had been half as long. But, after Optimus battles the Decepticons, the movie spirals down into an unrecoverable state that begs viewers to leave the theater before the credits roll. The movie is so unfocused and chaotic, and OVER THE TOP, that it becomes unintentionally offensive. Unfortunately, I gave the film my ticket money. As did enough others that this 200 million dollar failure will probably make a tidy profit. This is why Hollywood can afford mediocrity. If you haven't paid for a ticket, then please, don't.

The Chaos Effect

Normal, every day events have transpired against me. These singularities by themselves could be handled. But, combined, have succeeded in a sort of 'butterfly effect' that completely wrecked my week. Not complaining. But, have you ever stopped and realized that the week was nearly over? Monday I was all set to blog about Billy Mays' untimely passing (notice I've ignored that pop-singer guy [until now]). It will be weird watching Discovery Channel's Pitch Men, with Billy's forward looking optimism, knowing his future before his pre-recorded self does.

Chaos.

It will probably be another week before things simmer down to a point where I can write on my current project again.

Happy American Independence Day!