Peace, Mercutio
“There is peace and rest and comfort in sorrow.”
→ Soren Kierkegaard
Comfort Foods are not the only outsource. We’ve all got the Comfort Songs which, when listened to, can quell an anxious mood. We have Comfort Toys with which we play or cuddle, and they remind us of childhood - when things were not so complicated. Comfort Clothing allows us to walk with confidence, or nap peacefully.
There are all sorts of comforts in the world, but only one I care to address.
Comfort Films. These are the movies to make us feel good. They’re the ones we turn to when not in the mood for any other. We watch them numerous times without their growing tiresome.
Lately, I’ve been considering my own Comfort Films. In doing so, something has come to my attention which fascinates me to no end…
- The Royal Tenenbaums
- “Bastogne” (Band of Brothers)
- Requiem for a Dream
- William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet
- In Bruges
- Brothers of the Head
- Jacob’s Ladder
- Se7en
- Ils (Them)
- Grindhouse
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
- The Chumscrubber
- Jaws
- Cloverfield
- The Thing
- Brick
- Mysterious Skin
- MirrorMask
- El Laberinto Del Fauno
- [REC]
- Friday Night Lights
- Saving Private Ryan
Most of my choices are renowned for their ability to depress, disturb, or otherwise disquiet. Disquiet? Unlike chocolate or a teddy bear, such films seem to oppose idealism.
The negative feelings can’t possibly be so for me. If I gain relief through the films, I’m not distressed by them — that’s obvious. Or is it? There is a possibility that I take pleasure in doom and gloom — that I find enjoyment in others’ misfortune. Misery loves company, and mine might constantly be on the lookout.
It could be another element, though, which has the effect of calming me. A second common link amongst my films is that of aesthetics. If something looks lovely (whether it be a picture or a room or a person), I feel lovingly towards it; higher quality makes for higher interest.
Still, the tragedy remains blatant.
Am I a cynic at heart, or just a sucker for soft atmospheres?
…As Opposed to Finnish Touches, Which Can Be Cold…
- Hello; my name is not a nickname, as I’ve never had one.
Never in my life have I been dead.
I frequently find myself bothered by the notion of Uma Thurman.
High school was not at all similar to what the on-screen musical makes it out to be.
When I’m nervous, you should be nervous.
The last song I listened to was “Attack of the 60ft Lesbian Octopus” by Does It Offend You, Yeah?
If I were to get married right now, my best man/maid of honor would be less interesting than who the fuck I’m marrying.
My hair is not currently covered by a hat, but has the potential to be as such.
When I was five years old, I participated in the Kindergarten stage of my educational career. Unfortunately, I missed the first two official days (there was a “getting to know you” day where your parents got to come too) due to a stomach virus. When I arrived on the third day, it was to find that my classmates had made paper seahorses while I was absent. Needless to say, I was displeased.
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart. The very next day, you gave it away in the office party grab-bag because you obviously don’t care about my feelings, you fucking whore.
I should be snuggling. :(
When I look down, I see genitals. (They are covered by panties and pants, but I am wearing x-ray glasses.)
My happiest recent event involved bruises all over my body, Faces of Death, and a trip to the hospital in the following. (No joke.)
If I were a character on Friends, I’d be suicidal.
By this time next year, it will be 2010.
lt’s reasonable to bitch and moan about bleeding from the vagina.
I have a hard time understanding why life can’t just be fair to everybody. Also, advanced mathematics.
There’s this girl I know who is just like most other girls — bothersome.
There’s this guy I know who is superior. His name is Robert Downey Jr.
You know I like you when the request, “Erika — get off of me, and put your pants back on,” becomes relevant.
If I won an award, the first person I’d tell would be Jesus. But then he’d be like, “I already know, lol!” Then I’d shake my head, wagging a finger at him as an additive to the gesture — as if to say, “Oh, you.” Then he’d wink like a fucking maverick.
One thing I’d like to buy right now is expensive. See also: illegal.
If you visited the place I was born, I would hope you weren’t there with the purpose of seeing where I was born…
I plan to visit where the Wild Things are.
If you spend the night at my house, you should know that unsupervised drinks often become exposed to roofies.
I’d stop my wedding if J.J. Abrams was producing it. (This is a lie.)
The world could do without dumb bitches.
I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than lick the cock of a bellyroach.
Recently, I bought myself all three Jurassic Park films.
Recently, someone bought me in a slave auction.
My favorite blonde is Hannah Montana.
My favorite brunette is Miley Cyrus.
My favorite red-head is a dead one.
My middle name is Joanne.
In the morning, my sheets are often sticky.
A normally flightless animal I would like to see flying is any of an equine variety. Fuck yeah, Pegasus!
Once, at a bar, this guy walked into the bar, and he said, “Ouch.”
Last night, I was in a paranormal mood.
If I was an animal, I’d most likely be either a horse or a cougar.
- A better name for me would be better only in a subjective sort of way.
Tomorrow, which I will not consider begun until I awaken from sleep, will hopefully be more successful than its predecessor.
Tonight did not go at all as planned, and saw a very lonely little Erika.
…Because Finland Is Very Northern.
How Poetic
Did you even know it - that I’m an incidental poet?
Although I’m more than happy to share my accomplishments in the realm of prose, I tend to keep my poetry hidden.
Of some works, though, I feel too proud to keep them in the dark. The following are a handful of said poems.
“ Today “
Today I saw a man standing with his toes off of a roof.
He said, “Will it get better than this? If so, then give me proof.”
No evidence was given. The man began to cry.
And then with a most fateful step, that man – he fell to die.
Today I saw a woman at the corner of a street.
She said, “Do I even have the strength for this last, dire feat?”
No power made itself known; her knees weakened instead.
And then she ran across the road ‘til a car had hit her dead.
Today I saw a lady with a handgun in her purse.
She said, “Will life improve from here, or will it just get worse?”
No support for either side caused all hope to fall south.
Then she drew the pistol to unleash within her mouth.
Today I saw this guy on a bus with bottles – without pills – in hand.
He said to me, “Do you know? Life really is quite grand.”
This had not been clear to me; I asked him what he meant.
But by the time I spoke the words, that guy was heaven-sent.
Now when I reached my home today, I couldn’t see so straight.
I knew that I was tired and I knew that it was late.
I knew where and who and how I was, though not quite how to feel.
I knew the day, though not done yet, was seeming nigh surreal.
I knew my name and knew my place, but not where I was going.
I knew that thinking long enough would lead to answers showing.
I felt there must be purpose to my encounters and my state.
And I knew that I was tired and I knew that it was late.
” Space Monkey “
Fly on my rocketship.
I’ll take you to the moon.
Orbit around the world.
No one will hear us scream.
No one will hear us scream,
but we’ll be screaming.
” The Shootout “
Bullets wiz by without being seen.
Can’t even think of what that could mean.
” It’s Like That “
Like a blooming bud of rose.
Like a bundle of joy.
Like a fractured spine.
Like a runny nose.
Like a picture frame.
Like a soup d’ jour.
Like a Hallmark card.
Like a favorite word.
Like Rita Hayworth.
Like a paper boy.
Like a fine, fine wine.
Like a stupid question.
Like a shaking orgasm.
Like a firefly.
Like a piece of cake.
Like a damn good day.
Like a juicy, foreign, forbidden fruit into which every man would wish to sink his sharpened teeth.
” The Haiku Haiku “
This is a haiku.
It is very straightforward.
It is a haiku.
” Anatomy of a Lie “
Moving Lips (quite bitter-sweetly) told it all, but spoke discretely.
Their words did much while carried
to and from Lungs rich with bliss;
respire and ignorance to be married,
that way because of all they miss.
Hands would fold – Fingers intertwine, because Nails drum a telling sign.A pattern they would thunder
when too nervous to be stayed
was gone when they, asunder,
had separation amongst them made.
Those Lips were so deceiving, and their audience – believing.The Tongue tied knots by sentence
with an artful grace of tact,
while Teeth smiled away all penitence
to play speech off as fact.
Eyes blinked away all sign of lies. Throat swallowed taste of self-despise.
There never was and never would be any reason to disagree.
Never once came a single sign against the words as true divine.
What foolish thing was there to hide?
Releasing saliva – open wide,
In me, the Lips chose to confide,
“To save myself is why I lied.”
“To save myself is why I lied.”
Spitting on graves of those who’d died.
” Clear Blue “
Today, my mind was busy. I couldn’t think so well.
On days like this, without good thought, I feel like I’m in hell.
Continuously, I wondered if one day I’d touch the sky.
I finally found the answer, but when I did was when I cried.
Feel the sky.
Miles high.
Learn to fly.
When you die.
Magically Ridiculous
Why are Lucky Charms always trying to win us over with special editions? I mean - they are only marshmallows; come on.
When I’m Feeling — Woo Hoo
“The band claims that their music was influenced equally by their religious upbringing and Jack Daniels Whiskey.”
→ Wikipedia : Kings of Leon
Never before have I grown so quickly attached to a band as I have to Kings of Leon. Although I had heard a hit or two over the years — “Molly’s Chambers” and “The Bucket,” namely — I had never really given them a second thought. Not that I didn’t enjoy what I heard; I simply did not, for whatever reason, act upon my tickled fancy.
Then I heard it.
The soulful sound hit me like a fucking semi. I was moved. I was hooked.
It shimmied — shook my bones.
After experiencing “Closer,” I wanted little else than to feel far, far closer to its makers. After experiencing “Closer,” I’ve gotten what I wanted.
Having what I want is terribly frustrating, however. I must admit, I didn’t collect every last song right away. My time was taken; I didn’t rush the new collection. It’s been a gradual process: downloading a bunch of songs, listening to and learning them, then moving on to a new batch — and not so much in album order. One by one, I gained their tracklist.
Here’s the tragedy: now I have them all; I’ve heard them all.
Why is this tragic? Because I am so terribly, terribly desperate for more. Like a crack addict thirsting for a fix he cannot have, I am jonesing. I am not satisfied with what I have; I need more.
“You shimmy — shook my bone; leaving me stranded all in love on my own.”
→ Kings of Leon : “Closer”
There is no way in hell I can possibly survive waiting for their next album. God save me.
Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken.
” Why have I sold out? You think I’m supposed to grow old, beating some trite old protest drum that people don’t hear anymore? Please; protest is now just a backdrop for a Diesel clothing ad in a slick fashion magazine. My goal is to create a metaphor that changes our reality by charming people into considering their world in a different way. It’s time — for me, at least — to be clever and seduce people by entertaining them. I’ll never be heard if I’m always ranting and griping. “
→ Chuck Palahniuk : “You Ask The Questions,” The Independent Review
I wanted to open with my own words, but the truth is — no matter what you have to say, someone else has already said it best.
For me, this is often made clear through a man by the name of Chuck Palahniuk. Famous for being the author of Fight Club, he is far more in my eyes than simply a writer. I cannot count the number of times I have read or heard words from his mouth or his fingertips and thought, “That’s exactly it…” What I mean to say is, he takes the words right out of my head, exactly as I would like them to be. What I wish I could, but haven’t quite been able to say, he says for me.
Those words with which I opened, I chose because they perfectly summarize my own aspirations. I hate to hear words without meaning or read text without substance. I hate knowing that some brilliant things have been expressed, only to fall on deaf ears. Nobody wants to be accosted and nobody wants to be bored.
I want to be a source of entertainment. I want to humor you, without loosing purpose. I want to bring things to your attention and see that you care. I want you to care because nobody cares about anything anymore. I want enjoyment with a backbone.
” What I want is to be needed. What I need is to be indispensable to somebody. Who I need is somebody that will eat up all my free time, my ego, my attention. Somebody addicted to me. A mutual addiction. “
→ Chuck Palahniuk : Choke
Become addicted to me and to my words.
” All I do is track a profane route to something (I hope) profound. Like swimming a river of shit for a kiss. “
→ Chuck Palahniuk : Online Interview, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Assist me in swimming that river, would you? Don’t let me drown; won’t let you down.
