As I start work on my paper about EmilyDickinson's Puritan background and her links to the heritage of thecaptivity narrative through her masochistic obsession with prolongedpain, I have been running into Gothic imagery of a macabre all day. 

First a taste of Dickinson:

414

'Twas like a Maelstrom, with a notch,
That nearer, every Day,
Kept narrowing its boiling Wheel
Until the Agony

Toyed coolly with the final inch
Of your delirious Hem—
And you dropt, lost,
When something broke—
And let you from a Dream—

As if a Goblin with a Gauge—
Kept measuring the Hours—
Until you felt your Second
Weigh, helpless, in his Paws—

And not a Sinew—stirred—could help,
And sense was setting numb—
When God—remembered—and the Fiend
Let go, then, Overcome—

As if your Sentence stood—pronounced—
And you were frozen led
From Dungeon's luxury of Doubt
To Gibbets, and the Dead—

And when the Film had stitched your eyes
A Creature gasped "Reprieve"!
Which Anguish was the utterest—then—
To perish, or to live?






Then, I ran into the new Manson "If I Was Your Vampire."  I have never been a big fan, but I have always admired his sound.

Then I read this Story.

And new Interpol songs, though they are live and the audio is a little shitty.

Tags: goth, music, work
Current Location: C-Dale, IL
Mood: hungry
Soundtrack: Interpol - Turn on the bright Lights

Sleepbringer Stories is a 78 page graphic novel by artist and creator Ben Farrari and myself. I met Ben over the the internet a few years ago and have had the pleasure of working with him as a writer on the series ever since.

After a lot of hard work, our book is now for sale at Lulu.com.

Sleepbinger features a storyline set in arly 1800's North America. An introduction to a group of trappers who call themselves the Longhunters. A philosophical and political story that introduces Americans who do not want to see the wilderness tamed by the oncoming European settlers. Not wanted by whites and not trusted by the natives, these men are truly without a home.

Order the book Here for the low price of $10.00.

Check out a few of the stories included in the collection at Earthbound Comics.

Tags: slepbringer, work, writing
Current Location: C-Dale, IL
Mood: chipper
Soundtrack: Heroes on the TV

I have been spending the last two mornings in the Monticello public library putting the final touches on my summer Annotated Bib. of Early American sentimental and gothic criticism. I really wish I would have put some more time into this study, but that German class (Which I got an A in - Thank God!) took up most of my intellectual power. Of course, now that I’m out of it, don’t ask me to tell you any German. I might be able to recognize a few words, but for the most part, I am illiterate.

Yesterday, I walked into the library here and asked three questions: Is there a quiet place I can study? (This got a laugh from the librarian, who informed me that this was, in fact, a library. Yet, there are some public libraries where a quiet corner is hard to find and this one is tiny, so I didn’t feel that strange asking). I next asked if I could bring my drink in (yes, as long as I didn’t spill it on the books – SNAP! - elendriel_212, you should really take some notes from these ladies). Lastly, I asked if I could use their wireless, to which they said that they had none. Well, since I am posting this through someone’s wireless, I am happy to say they were either wrong or someone close has a strong router.

We hit Champaign last night for Indian. Why is the Bombay Grille so good? It has to be the most amazing place on Earth! The roti was a little crispy this time, but the dishes were amazing.

We also went to Allerton Park. I wish I would have had my digital camera on me for this place. It’s like something out of Lovecraft. the_archmage, you definitely need to make a trip if you have never been. This place had strange statues of dog/dragons, gods, and other assorted weirdness, sunken gardens, strange towers, and other freakiness!

I have to get back there sometime with a camera and some kind of a device borrow from Egon Spengler.

Tags: days, fun, work
Current Location: Monticello, IL
Mood: chipper
Soundtrack: Belle and Sebastian - The Life Persut

I am in C-Dale this weekend flying solo for the most part. That means: a lot of reading, laundry, house cleaning, Justice League, and maybe a little German if I can get around to it.

Tonight I am heading out to see The Proposition with my SIUC buddy Paul. I have wanted to see this one for a while and Paul rocks, so it should be a great time.

Tags: movies, weekend, work
Mood: thirsty
Soundtrack: Justice League - Maid of Honor

I am in the middle ofprinting my Faulkner presentation out and reading over it to make sure that it makes sense (although, since it is about Faulkner I am sure I could get some leeway). However, Borders sent me a short exceprt from Nathaniel Philbrick's Mayflower that stole my attention for a few minutes.



If you haven't read Philbrick's In the Heart of the Sea, you should take the time. It is an wonderful work. Along with the Mayflower excerpt I also recieved a link to a cool scan of John Smith's map of New England 1614. Check it out. You can zoom in on certain sections.

Tags: faulkner, mayflower, work
Mood: crazy
Soundtrack: B & S - Dylan in the movies

I really shouldn't be happy today. A busy week, student conferences, presentations, papers due. But, I stuck The Cardigans - First Band on the Moon


in my player this morning on the way to school and I was instantly in a good mood. Of course this could be the caffine talking.

Tags: 102, 290, cardigans, happy, work
Mood: bouncy
Soundtrack: The Cardigans - Your New Cookoo