On becoming a recluse...of a sort...

Since I took the plunge to focus full time on my writing I have found myself spending more and more time in the dark, dank little area that I have labelled my office. It isn't unusual to see me hunched over my computer, eyes crossed in focused concentration (or the fact that they sometimes like to play tricks on me.) Working on my next masterpiece, or editing through my last one. Sometimes I am walking (pacing actually) talking to myself, often in accents trying to place the right voice for the right character.

Other times you may find me staring blankly at a poster of Serenity thinking WWRD* or WWMD?** Then I realise that neither of them are particularly suited to the task of writing young adult fiction. Then I wonder if I'm suited to the task, aside from the fact that I love writing. Then those thoughts fade away as the next scene comes to mind. And I've gone off track...

I've become a recluse - and, on one hand I don't care because I'm writing and it tends to be a solo career. Then, on the other, I freak out because I should keep up the whole social interaction otherwise I have visions of myself turning into Howard Hughes (not turning into a man...stop thinking like that...). Remember that episode of the Simpsons where Mr. Burns becomes a germaphobe and parodies Hughes - trying to force Mr. Smithers into a miniature plane? Kind of like that though minus the male genitalia...

And there I go, going off track...sometimes I get the feeling that my mind flits over the necessary waves to come up with the most random of conclusions.

As I was saying, I have become a recluse and it is partially to do with my writing and it also has a little something to do with where I am currently living. I live, at best, about thirty minutes drive (at 100k/h)*** away from the nearest town. Then there is the fact that most of my friends reside all over the world but predominantly in the UK. Thus making it difficult to catch up and hang or chillax or whatever it is young people do these days...

Basically, this post was an excuse to use the word genitalia in a story. Well, it wasn't really but it is a funny word, right?

So, in closing, if you think that I have gone to far in my reclusive habits, I want you to throw things at me and tell me to get my pasty white arse outside and interact in reality...

Peace and pancakes...

* WWRD = What would River do?
** WWMD = What would Mal do? If you haven't watched Firefly or Serenity you seeriously need to.
*** 100 kilometres for those of you still using the imperial style...(and the Imperial Death March theme from Star Wars just started in my head.)

Technology hates me and my top five sci fi films...

We interrupt this broadcast with an important announcement - I finally have my computer back. This is the good news. The bad news is the fact that they had to wipe everything because the hard drive was corrupted. For those keeping score at home this is twice in the last two months that computers have deleted my life from them. Before you say anything about an external hard drive I'll have you know that I have one but it was too late in both cases.*

I can only assume that this means technology hates me. Though I have to admit, my first computer was brilliant. It was a Dell Inspiron and worked beautifully until it died. **

Anyway, let's get down to business. Today's top five is going to be my favourite Science Fiction films. I happen to love sci fi with a great passion. I'm a passable Trekkie, love Star Wars and am somewhat obsessed with Firefly. So, let's dive straight in: ***

Oh, before you ask, Star Wars won't be appearing on this list because it is more than just a science fiction. Just in case you were wondering.

Event Horizon
This film was one that really scared me the first time I watched it. There is no alien per se as everything tends to come from the mind of the crew but the whole idea of going into a hell dimension just creeps me out. Plus, Sam Neil as Weir...I still get shivers every time I watch it.

Pandorum
I finally managed to get a hand on this film a few weeks ago and, for the same reason that I enjoyed Event Horizon I enjoyed this film. The enemy isn't clear and it goes to show the power of your own mind. And the atmosphere of space being empty and unknown makes for a great story.

Serenity
Okay. This is a firm favourite mainly because I loved Firefly. It is the crew and the sense of family that actually make this film brilliant. Plus Whedon's witty script. All I have to say is I 'aim to misbehave'.

Alien
The ultimate sci fi. With a tag line like "In space, no one can hear you scream," you know you're in for a great ride. It is chilly, atmospheric and scary. Not to mention the fact that it brought our attention to the fact that women could be heroes. Ripley is the ultimate heroine and she kicks arse!

Aliens
I had to add this one as well because it is very different to the first film. This one ups the ante and introduces some great characters. Hudson anyone? Plus the fact that the colonial marines are no real match for the Aliens...

There are so many other films that I could add to this list so here are some of the runner ups:

Blade Runner, The Matrix, Back to the Future, The Fifth Element, 12 Monkeys, Terminator, T2 ... damn it, this list is far too long. I've mentioned it before but narrowing a list down to five is flipping difficult.

Hope you are enjoying this as much as I am. Also, if you have any requests please let me know.


*Insert sigh or swear word here.
**Add a wry chuckle here.
*** I could have made a science fiction related joke here but I held back. Are you proud?

Random Quotes Part the Second or a tribute to Firefly

So, I feel that we haven't had any funny/amusing/humorous quotes for some time so I thought that I would do a tribute to the brilliance that is Firefly and Serenity. There is also the fact that I have been very busy writing for the last couple of days so this is a back up post.


First quote has to come from my favourite character Wash.

Wash: "Everything looks good from here... (beat...playing with plastic dinosaurs over his console) Yes. Yes, this is a fertile land, and we will thrive."

(as Stegosaurus) "We will rule over all this land, and we will call it... 'This Land'."

(as T-Rex) "I think we should call it...your grave!"

(Stegosaurus) "Ah, curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!"

(T-Rex) "Ha ha HA! Mine is an evil laugh...now die!"

 This is one of my favourite lines from him and it is from the Pilot episode "Serenity Part One". I've even added a youtube clip for your enjoyment. 

Quote the second:

Bandit #1:  "And I think maybe you're gonna give me a little one-on-one time with the missus."

(Husband) Jayne: "Oh, I think you might wanna reconsider that last part. See, I married me a powerful ugly creature."

(Wife) Mal:  "How can you say that? How can you shame me in front of new people?"

(Husband) Jayne:  "If I could make you purtier, I would."

(Wife) Mal: "You are not the man I met a year ago." (they suddenly draw their guns on the bandits, Mal slowly pulling his bonnet off)

Mal: "Now think real hard. You been bird-dogging this township a while now. They wouldn't mind a corpse of you. Now you can luxuriate in a nice jail cell, but if your hand touches metal, I swear by my pretty floral bonnet: I will end you."

This quote is from "Our Mrs Reynolds" and it is a funny little scene between Jayne and Mal. Pure brilliance!

Number Three:

Book: "Yes, I'd forgotten you're moonlighting as a criminal mastermind now. Got your next heist planned?"

Simon:  "No. But I'm thinking about growing a big black mustache. I'm a traditionalist."

A witty little exchange between Book and Simon. And, let's face it, Simon with a big black mustache would look hilarious. (This is from the episode "War Stories" another great ep!)

Onto the fourth:

Book: "What are we up to, sweetheart?"

River: "Fixing your Bible."

Book: "I, um...(alarmed)...what?"

River: "Bible's broken. Contradictions, false logistics - doesn't make sense." (she's marked up the bible, crossed out passages)

Book: "No, no. You - you can't...

River: "So we'll integrate non-progressional evolution theory with God's creation of Eden. Eleven inherent metaphoric parallels already there. Eleven. Important number. Prime number. One goes into the house of eleven eleven times, but always comes out one. Noah's ark is a problem."

Book: "Really?"

River: "We'll have to call it early quantum state phenomenon. Only way to fit 5000 species of mammal on the same boat." (rips out page)

This could be controversial but I love this. River is such an interesting character and the interaction between her and Book is very well timed. This is from the episode "Jaynestown".

Five:

Wash: "Yeah well, if she doesn't give us some extra flow from the engine room to offset the burn through, this landing is gonna get pretty interesting."

Mal: "Define interesting."

Wash: "Oh god oh god we're all gonna die?"

Mal: "This is the captain. We have a...little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and then...explode."

This is from the film Serenity and it is from the opening sequence. 

Gorram it I love this series. I could talk about it forever and never tire from it. I really do recommend it, not only for the great story telling but for the cast, themes and everything in general. 

Anyway, enough of my lolly-gagging around (does anyone actually say that anymore) I have to get back to my writing. Working on chapter three of my new story and it is rough going at the moment. My characters are more than a little uncertain of themselves and that is making me a little nervous. 

Until next time - peace and pancakes.