As always, it’s a lot of time not doing the things I would like, but it’s still travel, and movement, and not shitty.
Would that I could find a few more moments for reading, and writing.
And silence.
Silence.
Target: 1600 words
Written: 2218 words, novel: Father Lightning
Read: The Stand, Stephen King (here we go)
Comics: Invincible 57-58, The Astounding Wolf-Man 11, Dynamo 5 19
Music: Freaks, PulpSideways. The last two days have been insane.
Thank god we’re off on vacation. I’ve had it.
Oh wait. That’s just as busy.
Target: 1600 words
Written: 905 words, novel: Father Lightning
Read: The Faded Sun: Shon'jir, C.J. Cherryh
Comics: Brit v2 10-11, Noble Causes 38, Invincible 56
Music: Freaked Out And Small (Demos), Presidents Of The United States Of America (in demo form)Not the seriousness of the situation, but the sensation of being pulled down, to my knees, to the floor, to sink in and let my mind bleed out my ears into insensate despair.
I am fighting.
I am not yet losing, but it’s real fuckin’ close.
The kindness thing I can do for myself today is breathe. Continue to breathe.
I’m not sure what the trigger is – probably the monstrous headache I suffered through all day yesterday, and the copious amounts of Advil required to stave off the smallest part of it, plus all the stress of getting everything ready to go away for a week, which should be joyful and peaceful, but is often too busy and people-filled to be so.
Would that I could live in the woods, and release books for free.
Or hide them away, to be discovered after I’m gone, and released to posthumous brilliance.
To the floor, it be, then.
Target: 1600 words
Written: 2383 words, novel: Father Lightning
Read: The Faded Sun: Shon'jir, C.J. Cherryh (perhaps it's just the knowledge of my inferiority)
Comics: Noble Causes 37, Brit v2 9, Invincible 55, Dynamo 5 18
Music: Freaked Out And Small, The Presidents Of The United States Of America (but hopefully, not this last one)I’m fine with covers if someone does a good job of it, like Melanie’s Ruby Tuesday, or putting their own stamp on it, like Jimi doing All Along The Watchtower, or even weirdo fucked up, but still somehow good like the Flying Lizards’ version of Money.
But like, do it well.
This version of Fastball’s brilliant The Way currently in high rotation on the radio is absolute fucking garbage, by talentless EDM assholes with no concept of what makes a good cover.
It’s connection to the music. It’s taking what connects you to the song and allowing that to emerge into something new.
It’s not about bored (and boring) techno tricks.
Christ, and I thought the last 90s rip-off was bad (I put it out of my head).
This is worse.
Target: 1600 words
Written: 1629 words, novel: Father Lightning
Read: The Faded Sun: Shon'jir, C.J. Cherryh
Comics: Invincible 52-54, Dynamo 5 17
Music: Freak Show, SilverchairAs I start the second Faded Sun book, I am again obliterated by the depth of C.J. Cherryh’s creations, the sensitivity of her character creation, the solidity of her cultures, the fluidity of its machinations.
I’ve read a lot of science fiction, and I have yet to find anyone who creates so much depth, so many instantly memorable characters.
Vanye and Morgaine are breathtaking in their complexity; the mri and Sten Duncan fascinating in their mystery.
C.J., if you’re out there, you are far, far too underrated.
I am lost in your worlds.
Target: 1600 words
Written: 800 words, novel: Father Lightning
Read: The Faded Sun: Shon'jir, C.J. Cherryh
Comics: Dynamo 5 15-16, Brit v2 8, Noble Causes 36
Music: Freak Magnet, Violent FemmesI’m catching up and getting things done. Which is good, because we’re about to go away for a week, and I need to make sure I’ve got it all covered.
Temagami, once more we return.
Once more, I dream of your cold and deep embrace.
Target: 1600 words
Written: 2273 words, novel: Father Lightning
Read: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea, Jules Verne
Comics: Brit v2 7, Noble Causes 35, Invincible 50-51
Music: Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand (yes, the actual guy, back from the dead and ready to do it all over again)I don’t think charity is necessarily a negative or that it’s always motivated by selfishness.
My personal opinion is that all charities should exist to solve a problem (solve, not just mitigate), then close up shop and let donations flow elsewhere.
Where money is involved, there will be corruption. That’s an inescapable fact of money.
Where exists the possibility for greed, there will be greed. And greed has no place in charity or kindness.
That’s the point I’m getting at – after all. the Trump family runs numerous charities and we all know they don’t give a shit about anybody but themselves.
Solve the problem and get out. Exist only on what you need to exist; make sure the bulk goes where it’s needed, not where it’s desired.
And remember – kindness need not cost a damn thing.
Target: 1600 words
Written: 1617 words, novel: Father Lightning
Read: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea, Jules Verne
Comics: Dynamo 5 14, Brit v2 5-6, Noble Causes 34 (reading this version of Brit makes me feel like I'm having a stroke; or the writer is having a stroke, or the writer's first language isn't English, and has used 2006 Google translate to create the English dialogue. The sentences don't even make sense, and if it's for effect, the effect is unintelligible pseudo-babble.)
Music: Frankenchrist, Dead Kennedys (okay, Frank Turner on hold, getting too into it)Is charity the same as kindness? It certainly can be.
It can also be a way of keeping people dependent. Or making oneself look good at the expense of someone else’s suffering.
Is charity truly kindness, or does that depend entirely on circumstances?
Certainly, there are hundreds of charities that exist solely to be someone’s write-off, a billionaire’s scam, a business where the CEO still pays themselves like a Fortune 500 CEO (see Way, United).
An act of kindness does not have to be charity.
It does not even have to be nice. Sometimes, the greatest kindness is telling someone a hard truth. It may not seem kind, but lying to them, or allowing them to continue to live a lie is far more cruel.
Sometimes, the kindness is in saying nothing at all.
Sometimes, it’s not helping at all. Letting someone find her own way.
Sometimes, charity is another word for condescension. Another word for oppression.
Another word for kindness.
Context and perspective are everything.
Target: 1600 words
Written: 570 words, novel: Father Lightning
Read: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea, Jules Verne (here we go again with the cannibals)
Comics: Noble Causes 32-33, Dynamo 5 12-13
Music: Undefeated, Frank TurnerMy baby Sofi is a wicked cute little girl, but she’s fucking gross.
Sami had a reaction to his painkillers and had diarrhea under the bench in our entryway. By the time the smell hit us, Sofi had already eaten every last drop.
Needless to say, face kisses are a strict no for the foreseeable future.
Target: 1600 words
Written: 2585 words, novel: Father Lightning
Read: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea, Jules Verne
Comics: Invincible 48-49, Dynamo 5 11, Invincible Presents: Atom Eve 2
Music: No Man's Land, Frank Turner (the obsession continues)Cat surgery. Hopefully nothing major.
But yeah. Sucks.
Target: 1600 words
Written: 1762 words, novel: Father Lightning
Read: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea, Jules Verne
Comics: Dynamo 5 9-10, Invincible Presents: Atom Eve 1, Brit v2 4
Music: England Keep My Bones Down, Frank Turner (still more obsessed)