Sleepy Hollow's Legend

     I first read Washington Irving’s, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” when I was in Elementary School.  By that time, I had already developed a passion for horror stories so I was thrilled when it was assigned to our English class a few years later.  It has always surprised me that film and television adaptations fell pitifully flat in comparison to Irving’s brilliant storytelling.  So far, Disney’s animated interpretation, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad has probably been the best of the bunch and that isn’t saying much.  Despite my affinity for Johnny Depp’s movies, I found Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow to be a disappointment. 

     That being said, news of Fox’s new television program, Sleepy Hollow filled me with both curiosity and trepidation.  In spite of my mixed emotions, I set my DVR and waited.  The pilot still left me battling the same conflicting perceptions, with trepidation edging into the lead.  It looks like I will need to set my DVR again, cross my fingers and wait for next week.  Here’s hoping Fox will finally do justice to an American Classic.  Nearly two hundred years is a long time for Ichabod to wait and it would be a true tragedy to wait two hundred more… Until then, the Headless Horseman roams the night searching for his next victim.  Sleep well.  

The Aftermath

     With only two episodes remaining in the mega-hit Breaking Bad, last night’s episode was a non-stop adrenaline rush.  Fear not, if you have not seen it, this is a spoiler-free zone.  There’s nothing worse than some imbecile blabbing all of the best scenes before you’ve had the chance to watch it yourself.  I believe there is a special corner of Hell reserved for those people and I sincerely hope their suffering will be legendary!  No, today is all about the aftermath.  Drones of semi-conscious, shell-shocked, Baddicts wandered through the day unable to focus on anything significant.  Blue Meth has us in its wicked grip and we are powerless to resist….we want, NO- we need more.  However, the more we get, the closer we come to the inevitable end.  The supply will die out and then we must seek out a viable replacement.  The purity will, no doubt, decrease and the resulting high will be diminished.  It is a vicious cycle. 

     I think the funniest comments I’ve seen were by fans likening their aftermath to PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  If you’re not watching it, Man, you just don’t know….you weren’t there…..we’ve seen things that cannot be unseen.  They can’t sleep and can’t eat; it’s a bad, bad world.  Videos have been uploaded where people look like zombies shambling around their home, vacant eyes seeking their next fix.  But where is the Rehab to wean us from the drugs coursing through our veins?  Better call, Saul. 

     Will AMC rekindle the magic with their next series based on Saul Goodman?  I sure hope so because none of us want to go back to the pseudo-meth cooked with “Chili P” again.  We’ve tasted the good stuff and there’s no going back.  If possible, try to put down the pipe and step away.  Sleep well.  (If you can) 

My apologies

     This evening, my apologies are two-fold.  First, let me address the lengthy gap since my last post.  The bad luck one typically associates with Friday, the thirteenth, landed on my doorstep a day early.  (It was already the 13^th in Australia, just not here in my time zone)  Anyway, I had a crippling computer issue.  Fortunately, I have a friend who happens to be a computer genius.  Computer geniuses are busy people so I had to wait until tonight but, I am not complaining.  Since I view my laptop as an appendage, I would rather have the best “doctor” fix it up!  So that explains apology number one- I apologize for the lapse.

     Apology number two is for the short entry.  I have a lot of work to catch up on so we will be back on track tomorrow. (baring death and dismemberment, that is)  Until tomorrow…sleep well.

Dance, Puppets, Dance

     Like millions of other viewers, I am addicted to AMC’s Breaking Bad.  I have exercised exceptional restraint, not watching Season Five until it’s over.  The waiting week to week is more agonizing than sitting down and watching the whole season in, say, a weekend.  I’m a big fan of the non-stop marathon when it comes to shows that, not only grab a hold of you, but also consume your every thought.  Like a junkie, strung out on the drug that is Breaking Bad, I can’t “take a hit” then wait an entire week for more.  Like Skinny Pete or Badger, I always want just one more little bump or, in my case, just one more episode.

     I can’t tell what delights me more; its pure, unadulterated, celebration of the antihero or the way the man behind the scenes pulls the string and the puppets all dance.  Manipulation is the key ingredient and no one is immune.  Each and every character has fallen prey, in one way or another, to someone’s deception.  Trickery, deceit, all ingredients in the master recipe that’s been cooked and served up to eager fiends. Yet, it goes deeper still.  We, the viewers, are mere pawns in the game.  The puppeteer has pulled the strings and we all dance.  

Barely Standing...

     There has been much talk lately about making “The Stand” into a feature length film.  The prospect both horrifies and intrigues me.  On one hand, it would be glorious to see an accurate adaptation with a hefty Hollywood budget to delight Stephen King fans.  The reality; however, is that rarely, if ever, does the movie version ever come close to the book.  Case in point: Max Brooks’ “World War Z”.  The only similarity between the book and the movie was the title!

     Let’s assume that someone wants to do justice to, the genius that is, Stephen King and, being a fan themselves, would make a film true to the book.  I don’t envy the challenge.  I agree; it cannot be done in one film-not even a Lord of the Rings length movie.  It would have to be split into parts but moviegoers have already shown they’re open to the concept.  (See: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1&2, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn part 1&2 and “The Hobbit” has been broken up into 3 films, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and The Hobbit: There and Back Again)  Honestly, the number of films is the least of its woes.  Casting would be tricky; fans are especially touchy in this area.  To be honest, I cannot imagine anyone else playing the role of Stu Redman after Gary Sinise did such an amazing job in the mini-series.  I shudder to think who would be cast in so many key roles.   

      If it does happen, I would like to offer my services, to whoever finally makes, “The Stand”, into a movie.  To do what, you ask?  I want to be their book-slapper.  Yes, I stole this concept from the Internet but I firmly believe it should be a real position!  I want to be the person who, when the director or scriptwriter deviates from the manuscript, I get to smack them upside the head with the book.  Since I have the “Complete & Uncut” version, it’s pretty thick.  I could inflict some serious damage with that thing.  Please, if you can’t do it right- LEAVE IT ALONE!!!  The horrors that could flicker across the screen under the title, “The Stand” truly gives me nightmares.  Sleep well.   

     

Into Everyone's Life a Little Monster Must Fall

     I am a firm believer that everyone needs a monster in his or her life.  Mine happens to be a 13-pound puppy with a penchant for gnawing on fingers and toes.  Perhaps you’re incensed, that I would call my baby a monster, but that only means you don’t know her.  She loves playing monster.  Yes, to her it’s a game.  Through her big brown eyes, life is just one big game. 

     Take, for example, the dive-bomb monster.  When you least expect it, (or, when I’m busy writing) she will run, full force, and launch herself at you.  Usually accompanying the “dive-bomb, an attack of smothering kisses directly follows.  If you’re unfamiliar with smothering kisses, she will pounce on your head and completely cover your face with kisses- up the nose, in your mouth-essentially suffocating you with kisses. 

     Next, there is the stealth-monster.  She employs this tactic when she’s not getting your undivided attention.  Softer than a whisper, she creeps up and steals something from you.  Whether it’s the socks off your feet, a pen in your hand or food on your plate, when the stealth-monster comes it will be hers.  Stealth-monster immediately morphs into flash-monster, as she dashes off, quick as a flash, with her spoils. 

     Stink-monster usually attacks my sweetie.  If you witness a seemingly random move, where my sleeping puppy gets up, strolls over toward you, waits for a split-second then disappears…most likely, you were crop dusted by the stink monster.  I’m not sure which is worse, the smell or the blurred vision but either way, you do not want the stink-monster to visit you!

     My personal favorite is the snuggle-monster.  Sadly, the snuggle-monster might be part vampire, as it never shows its face in daylight.  This nocturnal creature craves affection just before bedtime.  Occasionally, in an effort to delay the inevitable, she surfaces first thing in the morning.  This usually inspires a few taps on the snooze bar. 

     Honestly, the list could go on and on but I think I’ve made my point.  Everyone needs a monster in their life.  Snuggle-monster just appeared so I must go.  Sleep well.  

#JTR125

     When I decided to take the weekend off from blogging, I hadn’t looked at the dates.  It figures, right?  In fact, after realizing my mistake, I considered posting anyway but I figured it could wait.  If you don’t recognize the hashtag, you may be wondering what the fuss is all about.  This past Saturday, August 31^st, was the 125 anniversary of Jack the Ripper’s gory but short-lived killing spree that all started with the discovery of a butchered Mary Ann Nichols.  As most of you know, I have a freakish fascination with serial killers.  Serial killers who never got caught…now that’s really captivating. 

     The lore that follows Jack the Ripper ranges from thought provoking to full-fledged conspiracy theories, but I can’t get enough.  I was particularly impressed with a documentary I’d seen a few months ago.  The filmmakers suggested that The Ripper actually emigrated to from Great Britain and ended up in America.  Murders with a similar style had been committed here in the States but, after the suspect was captured, the murders ceased.  Everyone, from bloggers to Hollywood moguls, loves to speculate about Jack the Ripper’s identity.   

     Almost as famous as the man himself, the taunting letters allegedly sent from the elusive murderer to the newspapers, play a vital role in Ripper Lore.  I can’t help but wonder if he had, in fact, sent them or if it was a hoax.  If he did, not only was he ballsy, it means he gave himself the name, “Jack the Ripper”. 

     The elements of the unknown make the legend of Jack the Ripper, truly nightmare worthy.  Sleep well.