General-Horatio

It's been a while people, what with the sudden influx of social commentary mixed with gallows humour. I thought I'd let the world know I was still alive.

Anyways, I'm starting my fitness regime again; that is to say, I'm back to doing pushups, stretches, weight lifting and more stretches in my room, but fuck it, it works. It's certainly not going to get rid of all the fat, but that isn't the point. These are toning exercises, not cardio workouts.

I've also been learning a fascinating new self-defense art called Bojuka, which is all about muscle-memory, arm-locks, pressure points, that sort of thing. Of course I can't go to a dojo and learn it; I'd be surprised if there are any trainers in Britain, let alone Guildford, but youtube vids help at least with the demonstrations. It's something to do I suppose, and it helps clear my head, which is good, considering it's exam month not too soon.

But I must go now, my planet needs me...

Essays, essays, essays.

That seems to sum up my November atm.

So when I'm not writing about all sorts of interesting things, I'm working on my mysterious noir project. Will I succeed? Only time will tell.

Hmmm, what else? I'm also exhausted; not getting enough sleep and working till late does that to you. And I've got a doctor's appointment on Wednesday. Fun times.
I could mention how I cannot get 'into' or 'excited' about anything I write either, but that's a can of worms I'd rather not unleash.

I may advertise the page on my FB...could be good...

Ugh, this is just a stream of consciousness now, I should put a lid on it.

In short, no real problems, just lots of bitchy and shitty whining.

So long lads and lasses.

Started second year of uni today.

It was exhausting.
I only got 4 hours sleep.
I have Fresher's Flu.
My throat is sore.
My nose is running...

...and my bedroom light doesn't work anymore.

That about sums everything up.

So I got Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days and...wow...just wow. I know it sounds incredibly lame, but it really has inspired me in many ways (not to become a nutjob criminal obviously) but in terms of characterisation, writing and plot. The entire thing was intense from start to finish, and that's the sort of feeling I want to invoke in my work. It's obviously tougher when it isn't a visual medium, but there was a particular level that really pushed the boundaries in terms of maturity, and I'm thinking to myself "Can I get away with it too?"

I think nowadays writers and directors play it way too safe, which is why we often get mediocre results in terms of new books or films (in my opinion of course). But all the classics, ranging from novel to film, tried a different style, tried to break out of the Zeitgeist that was present when they were created. From 'Gatsby' to 'Godfather' the creators changed the way that books and movies were viewed, and made a great success out of it. I think that today people need to start trying something different, maybe break a few taboos if that's what it takes, and make an effort to show the world in every way possible, from the seedy parts of it to the beautiful parts of it.

Sometimes people need to be shocked in order to remind them that they're alive and well. Otherwise what is the point of art? Hell, what is the point of us, the artists?

In any case, I'm definately using that inspiration in 'Nicolai', which is now nearly finished (just checking through it on my laptop) but also in anything else I write. I'm gonna try to make the endgame as brutal as possible, maybe even experiment with different outcomes or scenarios before I finish it completely.

Let's see what happens then...

(oh, and apologies for my little 'rant'. I might end up doing a few articles about serious stuff, who knows?)

Firstly, Kane & Lynch 2 in about 2 weeks. EEEEEEEEEE!

Secondly, that whole victorian idea? Well it's on the back burner for now, because I've got me a whole bunch of pent up aggression, and what better way to dilute it than to finish the bloodthristy adventures of Nicolai? I had writers block for months after getting to Chapter 3, but I've found some inspiration and now the end is quite clear to me...and I am nothing if not determined to finish the story in as shocking a manner as possible.

Or he could live happily ever after in a villa in Italy with his lovely wife and cute children.

Or he could not.

We'll see I guess.

Oh, and FYI, Christopher Lee's album 'Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross' is absolutely worth getting for many reasons, the first one being that it's CHRISTOPHER LEE.

I'd best get to it then.