Trees

A comment by Herman Hesse about trees. This really hit me between the eyes.

"In their highest boughs the world rustles, their roots rest in infinity; but they do not lose themselves there, they struggle with all the force of their lives for one thing only: to fulfill themselves according to their own laws, to build up their own form, to represent themselves."

And

"Whoever has learned how to listen to trees no longer wants to be a tree. He wants to be nothing except what he is. That is home. That is happiness."
 


Back to my thoughts... I think given the complexity of social systems, and the unrelenting demand for the convenience of uniformity, within those systems, learning and thriving in the context of Hesse's analogy of the  tree is probably the most challenging thing around. And, 'hell, yes', it's a challenge I am going for because I want to be myself, not someone else's conception of what I should be or something that conveniently pours into and sets in the rigid social mold. I keep on returning to the only line I can remember from the high school prayer: "Lord, let me not bend my knee before willful might."

The larger piece from which I grabbed those Hesse quotes is here...

13 New Year resolutions for horror and speculative fiction devotees

1. The next time I cut my finger I will not give in to curiosity and suck the wound, in case it leads to something I didn't expect.

Movie night: Sebastian's Voodoo

One for all the voodoo fans out there... a poppet has to find the courage to save his friends from being pinned to death. In spite of the premise, it is touching in a demented kind of way. Just over four minutes from Joaquin Baldwin.

Mindset Cafe: 2012-12-28

Mammoth effigy burned for solstice, 'trepidation' is a four letter word, Skyrim is gruesome, Lisa McCourt Hollar's 'Xmas Shorts', some of the interesting Christmas links, rhino solutions and problems and instant New Year resolutions.

Competition for beginners

If competing against outsiders who don’t belong among us is the only way to pull a group together, and if the human race needs to pull together to save the future, my money is on an alien invasion as the sensible solution.

Christmas movie: Ornaments

Have you ever wondered what those Christmas decorations get up to while you are asleep. Here's one answer in just under 6 minutes from Aaron Erimez. Enjoy.

Movie night: Merry Bloody Christmas!

Here's a Christmas slasher. Think of it as a 13 minute tribute to other Christmas slashers. Written by Andy Tromans and directed by Danny Kelly. Here's the redeeming feature. In a time where almost nobody can imagine anything without a green-screen special effect, these guys get it right with tungsten spots, shadows and the power of suggestion.

Mindset Cafe: 2012-12-21

200th anniversary of 'Brothers Grimm', Hans Christian Andersen story resurfaces and something on the nature of happiness.

'Making Music' rewrite

In case you missed my breathless post on Facebook, I managed to rewrite 'Making Music' in a way that makes me want to read it, which means I am pleased as punch. After enquiry, I am told it will make it into a mooted anthology of erotic horror, which pleases me doubly. Read it here...

Checklist for the apocalypse

The world has to end sometime. This will probably be in a couple of billion years, but just in case the schedule does get moved up, here is a handy list of things you might want to do.

The Teenage Apocalypse, Santa is evil and the Krampus

Santa himself is not above bloodshed as many Christmas movies show. He's a furtive figure at best, who hangs around on roofs and slithers down chimneys, rather like  Eugene Tooms in the 'X-Files'. Do the words, 'dangerous', 'mutant' and 'freak', ring a bell? Decent people should show up with a friendly knock at the front door.

Christmas card

From detailed observations, these things are meant to hang around on mantlepieces for a while before Christmas, so here's one for your virtual fireplace or indoor braai area.

Christmas in Namibia

When asked what he or she wants for Christmas, the average Namibian will give the automatic response ‘rain’. This answer does not just mean rain during the coming year. It also specifically hopes for rain on Christmas Day.

Movie nights: Suckablood

Christmas is just around the corner. Here's something gruesome and unpleasant to get you in the mood. Just over 6 minutes from Ben Tillett and Jake Cuddihy. Now get that thumb out your mouth.

Mindset Cafe: 2012-12-14

On today's menu... fairypunk, more drivel from climate change deniers laid to rest and internet muses.

The awful empowerment of gun culture

The gun is a friend to the family. It keeps Daddy secure. Sometimes men need a buddy to tell them they are strong and manly. Viagra only works down there. It doesn't work up here in the head.

A quick note on 'The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey'

I just saw The Hobbit. If you're going to go all purist on this, stay at home with the book. If you are looking for more fun excitement than a sack full of monkeys, with some fun elaborations this is the thing for you.

Tomorrow's nostalgia

Parents routinely shove sauerkraut or some such down the throats of protesting kids, and after the gag reflex loses its force, gradually it becomes the taste of home and is associated with all the love and laughter that a home has to offer.

Piddling into the social network abyss

This week, there are two passages which I can't quote word for word, I can only remember the name of one author and there is a quote which I think is biblical, but I am unsure of its origin, so get ready for an extra big helping of qualitative gonzo goodness with no Einstellung effect.

Movie night: Invasion

Why do aliens visit earth? And what is the purpose of crop circles? The truth is revealed in just over 6 minutes from Clément Morin. Mulder would be revolted.

Mindset Cafe: 2012-12-07

Libraries in stories and legends, not getting turned on by horror erotica, women characters as real people, bloody Doha again and superhero underwear.

Movie night: Jornada del Muerto

Here's something I have been holding onto for a while, a little over five minutes of disturbing surrealism from Belcher and Benway a.k.a. BlackMilk Productions. Let your mind go to town on it. Please don't try to reenact any of these vague realities at home.