Someone else's words

I love when people achieve fame through performing other artist's songs. The song "Used to Know" has been an extremely popular choice for radio stations, given how the lyrics resonate with anyone who has experienced both a relationship and a break-up. I get it. I too have been taken-in by this moody, melodious, breathy song. It is honest and does not flinch from presenting both sides of the argument. I get it. Today I came across this rendition: Again! Lovely, honest, unique in its presentation... but still someone else's song. Gotye (the original performer) loves it, and the amount of people who have viewed and liked it afforded Walk Off the Earth a guest appearance on "reputable" talk shows (yes... I do understand the contradiction of terms). But does a great cover a band make? Example 2: I feel less philosophical about covers if they're rap, and to be honest, this young woman's skills impress me... but it is still a cover... So how do we define talent now-a-days? Comical or "insightful" representations of a third party's ideas? A who-does-better contest? A look-alike joust to the death? I suppose we all need to start somewhere. Let me clarify, at this point, although it may be too late, that I thoroughly enjoy covers... I just don't know that they merit sudden fame and pats-on-the-back as only our society can do in this day and age.

When tales find their wings and take flight

This sculpture is how I would like to view my work... far more than mere words on a page. While the "Book of Life" was commissioned as an award to a Rabbi Yossi Raichik for his work with Chabad's Children of Chernobyl, it encompasses so much more than this... as a writer, I see 2,547 dreams drifting from word to world in a chaotic, mangled, beautiful mess. Isn't that how all wordsmiths like to view their work? As something more than words? Something more than self-centred meanderings spit across a page eagerly awaiting large amounts of payment and accolades?

We want everything we do to "mean" something. Not in an artistic pedantic modern art way where self-ritious titles accompany mindless representations of paperclips, labeled "genious" by self-loathing art critics and described as "a successful attempt to unravel the tapestry of contemporary politics and the mindless nature of human-to-human sex..." in the local newspapers. I mean "mean" something, as in it actually has meaning to someone other than just ourselves. Sure, it looks and sounds profound and interesting in the dark corners of our imaginations, but then so do the spiderwebs that keep our ideas company. I love that sculpture. Everything about it. It is a thing of beauty. Period. The term in Film Studies is "Intrinsic Excellence" so used when a film is beyond artistic perfection... it has a timeless influence over everyone who watches it. This piece is intrinsic excellence embodied in a metallic shell. I want my work to be examples of intrinsic excellence... That's what trial, error, and practice are for. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them. I strive to fall into the middle category.

H. P. Lovecraft?!

As a literary-themed break from writing, I decided to try the "Who do you write like" test again, using my latest copyrighted faerie tale, and this was the result:

I write like
H. P. Lovecraft

I Write Like by Mémoires, journal software. Analyze your writing!

Admittedly, I secretly hoped for Hermann Hesse (given he's one of my most favourite wordsmiths), but apparently my tales are twisted and weird in the same vein as H.P. Lovecraft. Slightly worrying as I would hope my writings are without an indifference to the plight of my fellow human beings. Very fun, nonetheless A short quote from wikipedia: "Lovecraft's guiding aesthetic and philosophical principle was what he termed "cosmicism" or "cosmic horror", the idea that life is incomprehensible to human minds and that the universe is fundamentally inimical to the interests of humankind. As such, his stories express a profound indifference to human beliefs and affairs." And also like Lewis Carroll!

I write like
Lewis Carroll

I Write Like by Mémoires, journal software. Analyze your writing!

In the company of Faerie Tales

I am attempting to finish the manuscript of my collection of faerie tales and ouf... I am not sure who is winning... me or my characters! Tonight will be an all-nighter so that I may finally share these wondrous tales with the world. Perhaps I have been selfish keeping their stories bottled up in my brain for so long. Maybe that is why I have yet to give them their pages... I loath to share them! It is difficult to properly show what fantastical things conspire in my imagination. When I was younger, my mother used to tell me that on a good day, I was on Pluto. But more than that, I was dancing on its frozen surface, staring at the stars, weaving adventures and civilizations far beyond the reaches of modern space travel. Of course... this has not changed with the years as I have grown into my 30 year age stamp. Many of my stories and screenplays involve space; black holes; time travel; interplanetary relations (or lack thereof). Even my "free" time is spent studying Black Holes, Dark Matter Dark Stars and the accompanying theories, equations and speculations (that is... when I'm not reading about my beloved VIKINGS or faerie tales of foreign lands!!). I attribute this to my mother teaching Astronomy, and attending her classes years before I came of school age. I was the epitome of a star gazer, under her watchful, instructive eye. My sister was the genius with constellations, but I was the one who marveled at what lay between and around them! If granted one wish, mine would be to fly through nebulae and experience life in its other forms far beyond the maternal Milky Way. Maybe even slingshot off a Black Hole, just shy of the Event Horizon, still within the Ergosphere. But for now, I soldier on to bring my beloved imagination companions to all of you. I do so love being a faerie tale writer. In both prose and film form! Blessed Wednesday to all of you!

Beauteous Musings

Whilst de-cluttering my blessed old laptop's hard drive I came across this beautiful photo taken in 2009 by the talented Michael Marten (follow his work here: http://marten.org.uk/)

For some time I had an aversion to being photographed. My preferred placement was behind the camera; rarely in front of. But with Michael, I rediscovered the joy of working with an artist where I was the subject of the camera's eye. I had, of course, modeled in Undergraduate during my ballerina years. But as an adult I loathed the idea of "posing" and such. What a gift Michael's photos are. I miss living in the UK where it was easy to wander somewhere and be documented. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do!

The essence of journeys

There is never a tale told of someone who goes no where; who does not dream of placing eager foot in front of eager foot in order to accomplish something that goes against the mundane. There must be trials, magnificent feats and, if Greek or Roman, some hubris that pulls at the strings of the heart to maintain the balance of "great warrior" versus everyone else... meaning... all of us... So who will I be each day? What choice must I make in the name of my journey? Need I say? When small I feared that, because I'm part Italian, I must look over shoulder on each of my travels, lest bound by the necessity for hubris. Thankfully, I have found, my Scottish side is far more powerful. No downfall shall follow. Only adventure after adventure. Thank Odin for that! And now... to plan travels to far off lands that I may find a new feat to write about. What will your next adventure be?

Quick! Tweet that!

I am now in the world of Twitter! Follow my ramblings (and love of the Chicago Blackhawks) here: http://twitter.com/#!/QueendomofMab

The Reality of Faerie Tales

"One day he lost sight of his retinue in a great forest. These forests are very useful in delivering princes from their courtiers, like a sieve that keeps back the bran. Then the princes get away to follow their fortunes. In this they have the advantage of the princesses, who are forced to marry before they have had a bit of fun. I wish our princesses got lost in a forest sometimes."
~ George MacDonald The Light Princess

2010 in review

This past year I:

Spent New Years and New Years Eve in New York City (my first time there) and not only saw one of my best friends ever, but also made new, GREAT friends.

Fell in love with a French Guy

Got over said French Guy.

Found a rebound.

Got too involved with said rebound.

Moved to Los Angeles.

Got released from said rebound.

Moved to a new, beautiful place in West Hollywood.

Removed unhealthy relationships from my life.

Worked on myself and came into my power.

Made three short films.

Got one film into a film festival, and one script as a finalist into two festivals.

Made INCREDIBLE new, grounded, beautiful friends in LA to add to my already massive list of grounded, beautiful friends around the world.

Reconnected with my soul sister, Jennie.

Missed my best friend Jenny, and her daughters.

Missed my family.

Missed all of my non-LA friends.

Started organizing a Broadway show with AWWP.

Wrote a rock opera.

FINALLY got to Disneyland... twice.... :)

Wrote a TON of Faerie tales.

Got a great job in LA and am making it all happen.

Joined a marvelous acting class.

Rang in the new year with my soul brother Chris and thanked the Universe for not only a GREAT year with 2010, but the excitement for an even better year with 2011!!!!

AND.... the Badgers are in the Rose Bowl.... Life is good.