I'm really sorry if this video has the same effect it has on me and turns you into a blubbering wreck but it's really worth a watch, it is sooo beautiful, it's the video for the Sigur Ros song Glosoli from the EP Saeglopur. Just a warning!

(sorry you'll need to turn off the music player!)

Six Word Stories

I've been amusing myself today writing 6 word stories. Apparently Hemmingway claimed the best thing he had ever written was the 6 word story;
For Sale: babyshoes, never worn.
Here are a few more I particularly like written by some fantasy/horror/Sci-fi writers for Wired magazine;

"Cellar?" "Gate to, uh....Hell actually" - Ronald D moore
The Baby's bloodtype? Human mostly. - Orson Scott Card
With Bloody Hands, I say goodbye. - Frank Miller
Heaven Falls...Details at eleven. - Robert Jordan
From torched skyscrapers, men grew wings. - Gregory Maguire
Finally he had no more words. - Gregory Maguire

(There are many more here; http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/sixwords.html)
Okay mine aren't all that good but here you go anyway;

Those careless words changed everything forever.
Was she blameless in his downfall?
Her telltale eyes accidently divulged betrayal.
Was she crazy? She needed proof.
The stake's high, the forecast lousy
Until now she had always obliged.
The lights went out, darkness reigned.
She fled, nobody saw her leave.
Unbearabley hot, he left the kitchen.
Angered by her opposition, he cursed.

Hmmm whilst typing these I discovered if I rearranged them slightly (as they are here) they seem to flow as a whole. It defeats the object a little as it is now a 60 word story but I suppose it can be read either way.
If anyone else is faced with the tiresome boredom that I have been, give this a go, it's good fun and I'd love to hear them.

I'm going to leave alot to the trailer and for that I apologise because trailers always make films look the same, what is it with all the deep voices and booming sounds, why is that supposed to make you want to watch the film? But I'll leave it to the trailer because I wouldn't want to give too much away and I think it may give you a feel of the film. All I will say is that 'Pan's Labyrinth' has become one of my all time favourite films, I saw it for the first time last night but already I know that. It is just stunning, beautifully crafted, layered and resonant, full of earthy symbolism, magic and wonder. And it is such a dark tale, it combines all the gruesome and grisly aspects of fairytales with a sad and brutal reality, and yet somehow their is so much light in it. It moves you, you come away feeling a lesson has been learnt. And the message is one that I think is so relevent, I was going to say at the moment but I think it is a message that is always relevent. I think that's what makes it, in my opinion, a true fairytale.
I should also warn you it is not for the weak stomached or the faint hearted for that matter (although I'm sure you all have very strong stomachs and hearts) but believe me it is far more than the horror flick the trailer makes it out to be. Oh and it's Spanish, well in Spanish, set in Spain but by a Mexican director. Anyway enough already I was going to leave it to the trailer....



In keeping with the theme of escaping bleak reality with fantastic yet dark make-believe, I came across this article about the folktales told by homeless children in Miami;
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/issues/1997-06-05/feature_full.htm
It's a really interesting read, the tales told by the children are complex, inspired and truely chilling.

Warkworth Castle in 1895 & 2006

Happy New Year All!
I've been away from a computer for what must be a record ten days! I have been enjoying the quiet and serenity of the Northumberland countryside, and the not so quiet Christmas and New Year celebrations. Couldn't have asked for a nicer Christmas really, lovely place, lovely people. Northumberland is a very beautiful especially in the winter. The gathering of rooks in an adjecent field, lining the telegraph wires and settling on the ground only to all take of at the sound of a shot in the distance, that was a sight to behold. I've tried to capture it here but it's not the same without the sound of the cawing and flapping. And the sea...arhh...the sea (we don't get much of that round 'ere.)
I hope you all too had enjoyable holidays. I've decided the 07 has to be a good sign and therefore everybody is going to have a particularly good year. So here's to the marvelously fortunate, exciting and acomplishing coming year ( I think I may have to toast with orange juice my kidneys have had all they can take) CHEERS!