luminous writings

Various Luminous Calling Cards... And More!

2012-12-31T10:20:00.000-08:00

Before we get to the actual writings here...
Click on each picture to see a different side of me, please...!

presents:
his Luminous Pro-File!

says:

And if you still don't know me after all that
- well then, the kitty cat I inherited from
my dear saintly man of a Dad
knows me better than a 1001 talent scouts...!
That, in short, is my kind of luck!
:!

A Life In The Day...

2009-03-12T18:10:00.001-07:00

I just had one of these days where NOTHING went RIGHT:

I take the subway - the only train wagon door that doesn't open to let in any passengers is the one I chose to line up in front. Line up, I said? There was no one else lining up for that one - it was only me! Hard not to take it personal here...

When I finally do get into the train wagon, there are so many commuters there that I can hardly fit in. I do not think it will be a problem - until the door closes behind me and threatens to take away both my tote *and* my pony tail...! I fight back, protest - and win. But then I have to maintain my balance the whole trip - having nothing to hold on to. I surf my way to my destination - as grumpy as I can be cool simultaneously, too.

Every second commuter insists to bump into my tote bag. I close my eyes and have visions of pushing, shoving, punching and tripping all of these idiots who don't look where they're going. When I reopen my eyes, I feel much better - until I attempt to twist around in order to make my exit at the next station and trip on a humongous hockey bag deposited right there at my feet while I had my eyes closed and dreamt of retribution.

I accidentally e-mailed myself, and it went straight into the spam filter!
Is this my e-mail provider's way of telling me that I'm nothing more than scummy spammer material in its eyes? Thanks for the consideration, e-mail provider!

Blogger is currently unavailable (I obviously succeeded in posting this after the problem was solved - by that gang of highly-trained monkeys, remember?) Twitter has hiccups and Facebook has serious security issues. What to do - resuscitate MySpace? My Care2Connect page? Multiply? Now that's multiplying the problem, not solving it...

I try and boil water and smoke fills up the kitchen within minutes. I turned on the wrong broiler, nonchalantly...

The smoke detector protests loudly and clearly - I turn violent with it. I fall off the chair I needed to reach it with my clenched fist. Detector 1, Smoker 0.

I call to order some pizza and a sub. They insist on delivering it to the wrong address.

The sub is droopy-disgusting and the pizza is getting colder by the second - I call to complain and, strangely enough, get a wrong number three times in a row. Using speed dial, redial and speed dial again...

I open a two-liter bottle of soda pop, in order to wash down that crappy dinner. It sprinkles the whole kitchen counter for a while before I am allowed to pour some of it into my glass and chug down a bit...

Hours of cleaning fun do not deter my will and aspiration of spending a pleasant evening with the lady who owns my heart and a movie that will be there just for background noise really. As I seek for the ideal movie though, I realize it is no longer in my DVD tower. The ol' memory bank opens up and I come to realize that it is still out on loan to that best buddy of mine. I call him up, plead my case (basically that the movie in question is the only one that will do here: it has the exact amount of sappiness coupled with just the right dosage of nostalgia and the quintessential romantic tunes for an optimized background sound surround of PASSION!) - and, so, I need that DVD and I need it NOW.

He promises to come by and drop it in less than thirty minutes. And he does - I hear his car tires screeching on the asphalt, his meek running pace, his dropping it in my mail box and driving off in a hurry... I wonder what's the hurry...?

I lent him the DVD - so that he brings it back to him all scratched by the trademark claws of his two monstruous cats...!!!
Thanks a million, pal...
And pussycats!

I try and illegally download the film from a certain bad-weather website... I get a trojan for my efforts. Not that I didn't already have one in my pocket - but that's another story...

The neighbors start being noisy, just as my lady arrives. I try and explain the situation but then I lose patience with the noisy neighbors and start hitting the wall with my fists in a sharp, quick succession of jackhammer-like punches that would make any thinner wall crumble. The neighbors come by to discuss things face-to-face.

The evening ends at the police station.

Oh - did I mention that this was on International Peace Day?

And since all throughout the previous week leading to this International Peace Day, I was hearing of wars, rumors of war, political and economical strife worldwide (sic)...

I took the time off (between stimulating conversations with so-called officers of the law) to pen this message for the U.N. on my laptop - as suggested during the International Peace Day, er, festivities...?

To all the great many world leaders -
you must come to your senses, quickly!
Peace is impossible, you've shown this well
but Earth is flawed enough without making it hell.
Time is so very short, weighing upon your shoulders
Try not wasting it all so gallantly!
For all your fine discourses
we see your agendas following other courses...
Remember that you will not take any riches with you
only your sins will follow through...
And so, if you truly value your legacy
and honestly believe that this planet has a future
make it clear to your staff and party
that you are in it for the noblest venture.
+++

The perfect end to the perfect day.

Luminous T-Shirts!

2008-12-20T10:48:00.000-08:00

Be on the lookout for these and tons more like them, luminous fans! The all-exclusive, all-innovative, all-luminous series of t-shirts based upon the scribblings, musings and other ramblings in writ of yours truly will be quality tees that will tease everyone that sees you wearing them - into buying them *and* said scribblings, musings and ramblings in writ! But that is another story that needs concern thee right now - just BUY THEM! And READ ON! Enjoy the preview now...

You read them -
now wear them!
Every blog, part of the TLB PRIME NETWORK
Every Luminous writing project, verily -
All of them will eventually have their own "tee"
And all will be made available to thee!
All in due time - oui!

Luminous Short Story - As Showcased On The Luminous Blog!

2007-12-31T20:26:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time, there was a little girl.
She was gravely ill,
but none would tell her that she was
and just how dire her condition truly was, also...
Her parents would simply tell her that she didn't have to go to school anymore, that she could watch television late now, be home-schooled when she felt like it and never again have to ride in that horrible yellow atrocity they called a bus!
How could she say no to all of that?
Once in a while though, she would grow antsy.
She missed the camaraderie of some friends.
She missed the fresh air too.
And on those days,
no matter what the weather was like,
her mother would dress her up accordingly to it
and take her out,
on the newly-purchased wheelchair.
They'd go to the river front park,
observe the seagulls
and squirrels up on the trees.

Observing one such bushy-tailed little rascal one day,
the little girl asked her mother, innocently;
"what do squirrels eat, mom?"
Her mother, embarrassed she had nothing of the kind,
tried not to say "peanuts and walnuts" right away...
"They eat whatever is given to them, honey."
"Then, the people who come to the park feed them, mom?"
asked the little girl, inquisitively.
"Yes - I am sure that they do just that, honey."
"Every day?" asked the little girl, now with anxiety in her voice
"Every single day... Or whenever they pass by, honey."
"What can we give that squirrel now, mom?"
Hard-pressed to find something, the mother took some pieces of bread from the lunch's sandwiches and threw them in the squirrel's direction
"Here - he will have that when we turn our backs and leave..."
"Why - why won't he eat it while we eat?"
Hard-pressed to come up with some kind of explanation,
the mother simply muttered, with a smile,
"Squirrels are private persons - they do not like to have lunch with us."
Just then though, the little girl's attention was turned towards the seagulls who were making a ruckus further away, over the water...
Their noise sounded like an alarm that was further unnerving both little girl and mother... When both looked at the very spot where the squirrel had been, it was no longer there.
However, the bread had remained, untouched.
The little girl was very disappointed by this.
"Mom - you said he would eat it... But he didn't!"
"He will come back for it when we have gone, honey -
come along now, let's go, it is getting late..."
Just then, one of the seagulls swiftly swoop down and landed near the bread which it swallowed up in a mere fraction of a second.
The little girl's jaw dropped down in shock.
And the mother was now nearly despairing.
But then, as a ray of sunlight shone through
and the seagull took off
inspiration suddenly hit the mother
like a torrent of freshwater
cascading down unchartered terrain...
"Honey - you saw the squirrel, the way he just was there one moment - and gone the next?" asked the mother, hugging her child.
"Yes... But when he comes back, he has no lunch..."
"No - but he will have someone else here to feed him."
"Who's that?"
asked the little girl,
in disarray on this particularly cloudy day
"No one else seems to be coming today."
"The squirrel vanished - like an angel would do."
started the mother, with a warm smile and a gentle gaze
"That's because he's learning
from his very best friends - angels!
Angels come, invisible to all, to feed the birds...
the seagulls... the pigeons...
the rabbits in the wild...
and the squirrels too!"
"They do?"
"Yes - they do."
said the mother, soothing her child.
"They have no more pleasant task than this one -
angels do. You remember Father Paamersson,
on the day of your first communion,
the passage he read from the Bible -
Jesus saying that we should not worry
what we will eat tomorrow;
birds do not worry
and their Father in the Sky
provides for them, always..."
"Yes, I remember..."
"He Sends His Angels to do that!"
The little girl seemed happy now -
her mother gave her another hug
and they went home.

And, for the next few weeks,
each time they went to the park,
the mother made sure to bring something
that the squirrels really liked...

Months passed -
and the little girl's health grew
from fragilized to near-death.
When she passed away
her mother could not stop crying.
The father arranged for the best funeral
such a tiny deceased one deserved.
Father Paamersson,
during the eulogy,
spoke, fittingly enough,
of angels
of cherubim
and how the little girl
reminded him of one
throughout her short life on this earth.

When she found the strength to do so again,
the mother returned to the park.
She went out too late and it was near dusk.
As she passed the exact same spot
where she had once been
with her beloved daughter,
she sensed something different in the air.
She kept walking, past that spot
but she had to turn around and have
one last look
and what she saw was her daughter
standing upright, strong and full of life
smiling a beautiful smile
looking straight at her while she was
feeding the tiny squirrel
something glimmering - not of this earth.
Manna, most probably...
And, in a heartbeat,
her daughter was gone
like the angel that she was.

L.P. ~ 2007 ~ A.R.R.
+++

Discover the playlist Musique Classique with London Philharmonic Orchestra

I so wanted you all to read this latest spontaneous (quite so) luminous short story of mine -that truly came out of left field; or, rather, the right one- and I wanted you to read it with the exact most appropriate music in the background while you did so. For a short time, it worked out perfectly - alas, thanks (or rather no thanks to) Deezer and its new policy which appears to dictate that music does have boundaries and must be kept within those borders, the aforementioned appropriate music is no longer available here. I invite you all to go on Deezer and try your luck seeking it out and playing it while you read or re-read the short story above: seek me out on that service, the profile's name is... Luminous. What else.
If that doesn't work - play anything by Enya or Loreena McKennit; it usually works out just fine.

Of Lore And Time...!!!

2007-07-07T18:59:00.000-07:00

Tis TIME to unveil a project that I have had under wraps (also - aye - as I have a lot of those, just like that!) for a long, long TIME indeed - and TIME being of the essence and all...

This project is all about the fourth dimension too, as it turns out, being an epic of time traveling adventure and a saga with greater-than-great scope in the time-honored tradition of H.G. Wells and Jules Verne! The ramifications of this tale are immense - and I want it that way, evidently, since I've authored it all! I've injected into this all that I could find of significance pertaining to the eternal triad in conflict in each and every one of our lives: past, present and future. The conflict soon takes another dimension, and another and another - until the most thrilling time travel epic of all TIME, truly, emerges at the other end! If I dare say so myself...! Obviously, I am extremely proud of this project and it is one that I have wanted to see be properly developed for the longest... ah, TIME, indeed! Verily, it is right up there with my two or three top pet projects. Alas, one needs to convince the incredulous and the clueless to make it happen - the first category are the preditors, pub-leesh-ers and other assorted critters of the kind... The second category are the slush pile creatures - and their cyber equivalents, whether they are found on a plebiscite forum on sites such as Gather.com or more fanboy-inclined thingies, such as Quantum Musings.com...! In any case, even for the mere casual reader who might dismiss the following as "yet another sci-fi tale" - this is but a teaser. A mere sampler. Only a taste of things to come; as it is but a drop from the ocean that engulfs this awesome saga that I have had in store for you all since... Time Immemorial? Almost...! (It only seems like it to the creative mind, I suppose! But I digress...)
I have kept this under wraps, biding my TIME, indeed... Not dwelling too much on the ultimate direction that this will take. Not focusing overtly or intensely on the main protagonist who is such a key figure in all this. Not unveiling major aspects of it, such as that main protagonist's name and so on - well, NO MORE!
It was briefly seen online, elsewhere, on one or another of the sites mentioned above - they wanted self-contained tales though, hence they primed other tales over this one. I make it as self-contained as I can here, in this admitted TEASER - dropping hints of what is to come without giving away too much, I dare hope... There is much, much more where all that follows herein came from: and for those in the publishing industry who may drop by this place, remember that you do not have to like ME in order to like the saga TIMELY delivered here...! For the time has arrived for this tale, indeed - one simply has to look around the globe to see that much...
Hence, without further ado - here it is: the Time Retrieval Project Saga!
Alternatively known as the Time Trench Saga... "Timestream"... "A Timestream To Negociate", in the case of the first installment anyhow... Another evocative title was "Pimpernels of Time"... "3794 A.D."... "Lore" (read on for further explanation...) Or simply "The Time Travelers".
(Admittedly, I am never satisfied long with any titles and/or labels as it is...! But that is another story...)
Nota Bene: the main protagonist, the redheaded woman with an attitude and talent to match, goes by anonymously throughout the inaugural story. That is for a very good reason: I wanted to keep the name a mystery for greater effect (and selling punch) until later - until, in fact, the TIME was more appropriate to unveil it! Here, today, it stands revealed: the more people know it and see it here, the better; for I'll have all of those as witnesses that the idea -and slogan that comes with it- is all mine! The name is LORE - pronounced "Law-ree" in English and "Lau-rit" in French! (In the future, names like these will be common place, I'm sure - the way things are now, y'know...! But we digress here once more!)
Thus, the name comes with an amusing slogan that is a catchy play on the definition of the original word - verily, NO ONE in Hollywood would be able to resist such a sales pitch (I picture in my own mind's eye Roger Corman salivating upon being presented with such a concept! If we could time travel and present it to him back in the day...!)
The visualizations of the concept and main character that I present here are mere suggestions - with apologies to the owners of the Joan of Ark painting above, and also to Dina Meyer and the producers of the film from which the picture below is excerpted from! Lore is a warrior-woman by temperament. One tempting way to describe her might be indeed "Valkyrie of the Timestream" - for she is one with as much in common with Joan of Ark as with the Norse myth indeed. An actress with a lot of character herself, such as a Dina Meyer, an Uma Thurman or a Tricia "Howlin For You" Helfer, would theoretically be great casting here - but it is, once again, merely suggestive at this stage...
Onwards with the "teaser" now...! ;)

Original art that inspired and fully developed the character -
as well as the luminous promo material found here today...!

A Timestream To Negociate...
By Luciano A. Pimentel

Out of the swirling mires of the timestream, she emerges... Looking as ominous and fierce as an angel of death and yet as graceful and radiantly beautiful as Botticelli's Birth of Venus. Although Aphrodite never carried with her the hi-tech apparel this sulfurous, self-assured lady was packing! Oddly shaped bracelets and the like, so many scintillating accoutrements that seemed to cling onto her every limb; and she needed it all, of course, if only to disperse the eternal mists of time as she went about her quite peculiar routine... She exuded all of this torrid sexuality with every one of her simplest gestures - and yet there was no cleavage whatsoever. She was fully garbed, up to her neck in protective gear even; the sort of suit that seemed fit for a menial worker of the 20th Century. It was a tremendous feat that she exuded such feminity even though so poorly clothed! Truth be told though, she was all business as she stormed out of nowhere -or so it appeared- and stopped only to inspect the surroundings she had materialized into. She quickly assessed the situation and pressed a few vital digits on her wristband's miniaturized console... And time itself froze over all around her.

In fact, as much for her benighted partner as for herself, time had truly frozen. It had stood still for the both of them the moment they had left their homebase in the 36th Century, their actual time period. And, now, they had reached their destination - and not a nano-second had passed. The retrieval operation assigned to them both could begin, finally...

"Spacio-temporal status...?" she inquires rudely, apparently lost in thought and unaware of her lack of gentleness...

"Annus mirabilis, of course...! Yet another truly wonderful year they've sent us to... WHAT ELSE?" chuckled her curlish dark-haired juvenile companion, otherwise extremely qualified...

"Spare me your sarcasm, boy... You're not Curly and I'm neither Larry nor Moe! Just give me the damn facts!" she hissed back through clenched teeth.

"Actually... The fact is, Curly was not..." he began in the exact same tone, stopping cold on his tracks when she gave him the most intense, ice-cold stare he'd seen from her... in hours. Needless to say that he changed his tune right away... "All right now - no more sarcasm! Happy? Just the COLD hard facts... This is Anno Domini 3003-01-03... " he started reciting mechanically, staring at his own wristband mini-console, strongly resisting the urge to marvel at the numerological value of this assignment... "Greenwich Mean Time precisely 22 HRS. 34 MIN. 13 SEC.... LONGITUDE 50°... LATITUDE 25°... And, most importantly for us... Subject is to succumb to internal injuries - which are to be suffered in exactly... 4.7 seconds - in about... 9.2 minutes, and..."

"ALL RIGHT - ENOUGH DETAILS! It's always one of two extremes with you..." she grumbled with discontent, turning towards the street where all the action was to take place... "Tell York that I'm ready to move in... Have him send in the replacement PRONTO! Capisce?" she snapped at him without retenue...

"Whatever you say... ma'am... uh... I mean, commander!" added the youngster, slyly...

She barely glanced back at him -stern-faced, as she always was it seemed- before taking off. She would stop dead in her tracks herself however, as a familiar discomfort quickly grew to sharp pain all over her cranium. The feisty femme fatale lost most if not all of her aplomb and feistiness on the spot... She raised her left hand to her tight headband, for the pain was, as ever, focalized on her left temporal lobe. Her third sight worked that way; left lobe for the past, right lobe for the future. As if her future could be made right, she thought often, bemused... She briefly shuddered uncontrollably, but quickly regained her composure... Too late though, for her often-annoying assistant, Obadiah, had noticed her predicament already...

"Are you all right?" he asked, genuinely worried...

"Of course - I am fine! You just worry about your part of the job - getting that replacement here... Understood?" she barked at him in a most bitter manner, as the visions started assailing her - as she well knew they would...

She began to see, in her mind's eye, her assigned retrieval subject's entire life unfolding as if it were a projected film, out of an old-time projector that is; complete with flickering images at various speeds alternatively. Freeze-frames for adult life. Fast-forward to adolescence. Slow-motion for childhood.

Freeze-framed moments of joy were few and far in-between. Evidently, happiness was scarce in this man's life, and the ordeals, for their part, had been many from what she could get a glimpse at. His dreams had gone, for the most part, unfulfilled. Tears filled up her eyes as her natural empathy kicked in and she began to irreversibly sympathize with ''the subject''. No names were ever used at this stage of the retrieval process by virtue of a decree issued by the Establishment. It was all to avoid any complications deemed totally ''unnecessary''... Of course. Her employers knew her well, also... It was not surprising, thus, that human feelings had to be checked at the door of this ''Time Retrieval Project''... What a hoot, she had always thought of that name for the project, for lost time on such a scale could never be recuperated... Ever.

She managed to shrug off the visions, as the tears, and ran her fingers through her thick red hair in a bogus effort to make herself look vain and dispel any doubt in her partner's mind regarding her well-being... Or mental state.

''I am going to make contact - hold the replacement until further notice now...!'' she utters to her own surprise, this procedure not being at all what was allowed by the ostentatious Establishment's rigid set of regulations - and she knew it all too well.

''Contact? You know it's against the rules...!'' he whimpered disapprovingly

''I do not care. I am field-commander here and this is my call to make... I won't tell them if you don't... Ok?''

''Impulsive, stubborn, strong-willed and unpredictable to boot; they were right about you...'' he muttered to himself, or so he thought...

She'd "heard'' everything, of course - in her mind. Her empathy made her also a telepath; the latter was in fact the least of her abilities though... Her usual reaction to the news regarding ''what they said about her'' was only to grin a semi-grimace of contentment each time she'd get wind of it, either verbally or telepathically... And then she moved forward, pretending not to have heard at all...

She walked out of the timestream and into ''real time'' - or terra firma as she liked to refer to it! The ''subject'', as all other passers-by on the busy metropolitan street before her -including the drowsy driver that was about to send him into the nearby purlieu- were all literally frozen in time. She dialed up the necessary codes on her wristband once more, only to thaw her subject out of -and also insert herself into- the timeframe at this juncture... He immediately came to life when she was done, and was startled as much by the stunning red-haired, oddly-garbed strong woman in front of him as by the fact that everyone else about them was indeed ''frozen''...! She reassured him with an open hand and an awkward smile; public relations or diplomacy had never been her forté. She did not really care either way usually, so it would not factor in now...

''Stay calm - I am a friend. As incredibly, ah, corny as this may sound... I am a friend from the future...!''

Upon hearing that, he didn't say a word; he just stood there, staring at her with obvious incredulity. Thus, she continued, on a limb really...

''I assure you that I am not a figment of your imagination or some sort of lunatic... I am for real! Could I do this if I were not?''

She pressed a couple of keys on the old wristband -that is all it took to turn the trick- and the timeframe ''progressed'' as her boss York would say... All the while they remained stationary! Then she immediately rewinded the action all about the both of them, back to the point where it stood when she had barged into the timeframe and effectively "prickled him out of time'' as they say in the 35th Century onwards...

Seeing as his skepticism had changed into outright bewilderment, she pressed that advantage immediately...

''Before you ask; NO, I am not an angel and NO, you are not dead... not yet anyway... '', those last three words had escaped her lips and though she had barely muttered them, he had heard and she regretted having been so careless on the spot.

''Yet?! What d-do you mean by that...?'' he blurted out with everything but skepticism now...

''I... I am here to retrieve you, mere seconds before your fatal accident... I am from a time displacement organization trying to repopulate a depleted Earth in a time period further down the time stream, as I said before... And you were chosen as one element worth salvaging towards that goal... Your untimely demise being such a senseless waste and all...'' she explained, all in one breath. Seeing as he said nothing and would only gape at her dumb-foundedly, she chose to continue further with her explanation... Going for broke basically... ''Listen... You were to die at some time tonight... And I came to change that - to make sure that you'd make it; make sure you'd survive and live on... Only not necessarily in this timeframe... My organization dispatches many like me, to act as, ah, Scarlet Pimpernels of sorts... Saving the lives of many such as you, throughout space and time itself...''

"You... are saving my life...?'', he finally said, upon snapping out of his stupor... ''But I don't even know you... Why would you do this for me? And if all that you say is true... Why me? Why would you go through all this trouble for me...?'' he blurted out, all in one breath too, before pausing, figuring it out for himself and declaring vicariously ''What do you want in exchange for this huge favor...? This organization that sent you that is...?''

Clearly seeing that this was going to be a difficult sale; and that Obadiah and York -damn them both- were absolutely right in their great apprehension of ''any contact with the subject of retrieval'' - she decided to try a different approach right away...

''Does the year 3797 mean anything to you?'' she digressed all out of the blue...

''W-What? N-no... Can't say that it does... Why?'' he said, even more dumb-founded than before...

''Nostradamus wrote that the world would end in 3797 - or so they say. So far though, the 'prediction' or 'prophecy', or whatever it is, looks to be pretty accurate... For I come from the year 3794 A.D. - and things are certainly already looking as bleak as they get to be, down there... On virtually every level of existence too...''

''What does all this have to do with me?'' he interjected

''I'd like to say that we -that is, The Establishment and the organization that I represent- require your intellect... Or your know-how... Or even your business acumen... That you can be a part of the "rebuilding of the future" - and you can be, but just not quite that way... The sad truth is that agents such as myself are dispatched to retrieve one-by-one or in bulk viable subjects for... Well, reproductive purposes and nothing more really... Anything else is a bonus really... It still remains a chance at a new life for you - a second chance. Take it. Please.'' she recited, with great sadness in her voice. "Take it willingly and consciously. Please?"

''What? Reproductive...?!? And who with...? With you?''

''No... NO!'' she emphatically denied upon hearing it... ''As a matter of fact, we will never see each other again, if the process runs its regular course... Once retrieved, all individuals are to be re-educated, so that you can fully become 36th Century citizens... Fully functional citizens... In more than that way too...'' she further enthused, somewhat embarrassed... "But I am not a... "Procreator"... No."

''This Establishment of yours brainwashes us then?'' he snapped, out of the blue, so unrepentantly that she was completely taken aback by the sharpness of the perceptive foresight that he displayed... 'THAT'S IT - ISN'T IT?'' he shouted

''I am not allowed to say...'' she blurts out in utter and complete disarray now... ''All right - YES! That is exactly what they do... I have come this far with you, might as well tell the whole sordid truth about it!'' She enthused again, with a sudden burst of righteousness... Not a mere side-effect of over-indulging in time traveling, no... She was doing what was right - finally - and ignoring the Directives... ''They block out of your memory all personal memories of your past, of your own time, of your life... It is supposed to be so that you can all start over completely new, with a blank slate... But what it is, really, is them effectively treating you all as nothing more than breeding stock, in a ''mass population'' manipulation program that is meant to be all for the ''greater good'' of the planet...''

''Some Pimpernels you've turned out to be... This Establishment of yours seems more and more like some Orwellian set-up to me...!''

''You do have wits to spare, don't you? Not that it will impress the Establishment much...'' she chimes in almost involuntarily, in her trademark low raspy voice... ''It will be a waste...''

''Maybe - but not as you imagine!'' it was his turn to enthuse, and he added in the same breath, ''I take it that you will let me choose if I want to be a part of all this or not... RIGHT? Otherwise you wouldn't have told me all that you've told me...''

''Your only other option is that I leave you to die here... And your potential worthy lineage would be forever lost to the cause of humanity. That we let time follow its course without interfering equals death not only for you but for the planet too... Surely you do not want that...?''

''It was to be my fate, was it not?'' he assessed sternly, in a roar... ''WHAT'S A GUY TO DO...? I messed up every other opportunity I ever got... WHY CHANGE NOW? A habit of a lifetime...! Have you got a single good reason now...?'' he ended, in a whimper though, his voice reverberating meekly to her by then, as he suppressed the emotions he felt... Emotions that she could feel too, as though her own... But he knew nothing about that...

''Surely you do not mean this... It doesn't have to be like this... I know how hard your life has been... I saw how it went... And that is really why I came to you... To offer you an alternative... You can turn it all around now...'' she further pleaded with some distinguishable genuine concern in her voice... It would fall on deaf ears though.

''You KNOW? You SAW? What do you know about me? You DON'T KNOW ME! I sure as hell don't know YOU! All that you offer me is a chance to live like a slave - in the most degrading manner! I would rather die right now - as the fates seem to have seen fit - and die a free man! A down-on-his-luck slacker, maybe - but a FREE MAN! You offer me the FUTURE? Then I shall choose the PAST - and OBLIVION! I will have none of your bleak future... Your damned Establishment... your... Chinese box offering! Anyway, I have long adopted an old adage from ages ago as my own in regard to the future; THERE IS NONE! I... I've missed out on every other opportunity I've ever had... I relinquish this one - outright! Save the next guy, if he likes it...''

At the end of this long diatribe, she could only agree with the arguments he had presented them to her... Though she knew that went completely against the expense and effort put into sending her where she stood right there and then, she had given a "retrieval subject" the choice to willfully embark on the journey -hardly a joyride- and come save the future too... Now faced with refusal, she took her time though to respond - she, at least, could afford that...

''Very well... As you wish... You won't be missing much, mind you; 36th Century Earth is as dead as dead can get. It really is. It's bleaker than any post-nuclear-warfare-futuristic movie you or anybody else has ever seen... I would even venture to say that it is much worse than that!'' she lets slip out in one staccato, trying to sound as if she couldn't care less - and feeling as though she failed pathetically at it... ''But I want you to know that they've retrieved your mother and grandmother already - our schedule being neither linear nor chronological in either way, you see... Both of them are doing just fine as new citizens of the future... In fact, you've now several siblings and uncles and aunts you'd never have even known about if not for me telling you about them on this most unusual of days here...''

''Why tell me this then...? You think it's gonna change my mind?''

''Likely not - it is irrelevant if it did or not anyhow, seeing how it would have been impossible for you to find out about any of them had you ''gone with this''... The Establishment forbids all that. Still... The thought that your close kins are alive and well and have made something out of their second chance at life should encourage you to perhaps rethink things through and give this ''thing'' a chance...?''

''I don't think so...'' he grumbles in discontent...

''Your mother was retrieved at the age of 33... Right after her major miscarriage complications... You were only 3 at the time...'' she continues, undeterred... ''They fix this sort of problem as so many others easily in 3794! Your grandmother - at age 39, after her car accident... Or rather, just before! They are like sisters now... And they will never know their true kinship because their memories have been erased... As yours would have been... ''

Those last few words she utters them looking down, as if shameful of something done - or to be done shortly. Before he shouts his disapproval of what has been done to his family, she presses one lone button on her wristband - and time freezes over once again for him. She hopes that the knowledge she has given him will stick somehow through the rigorous ''reconditioning'' treatment his mind will be getting shortly... That which will make him, as countless others now, into a ''model 36th Century citizen''... She wipes a tear, knowing full well that the chances of him remembering any of what she said are second to nil - at least she had tried to bend the rules a little... Somehow it wasn't enough and the old adage that had it that what one did not know could not hurt him, was indeed of very little consolation, if any at all.

''Oh... I never got to tell you my name... Never got to ask yours, though I have some idea what it is... It is surely better that way though... No names. They erase them all anyway...'' she whispers to herself mostly, in a daze, before snapping out of that momentary state and barking some more orders to her colleague... ''Obadiah? I'll have that replacement synthetic corpse now, please... And I do mean NOW!''

In the following few minutes - though time stood still - she carries out her duties without emotion, if only in appearance. She entrusts her partner the nameless retrieved-against-his-will ''subject'', while leaving in his place a lookalike, bio-degradable organic exact copy of him, especially put together for that precise moment. The exactitude of the similarities is almost infinite - even down to the minutest internal details, much less the exterior ones... Such elaborate work for a copy only destined to ''take the hit'' for him... Just making sure there was a corpse where there was supposed to be one, historically speaking that is... Never ''sentient'' in any way, shape or form, this ''copy'' was not literally a clone, they were told... Or was it? The Establishment had never given its recipe about that and never would divulge any of its secrets overall... Still, clones had been found to be unable to reproduce themselves the traditional way as early as the 30th Century... They could have been perceived as ''expendable'' thus, in the big brotherly eyes of the Establishment...

A replacement was needed anyhow, for no one wanted another Hoffa... And much less one of those ever-pervading time paradoxes...!

Her work done, she stuck around to see the actual accident take place - making sure everything transpired as it was meant to - but that was only standard procedure and did not stem from any emotional attachment to her poor wretches of retrieval subjects at all... It was what her implacable bosses demanded out of all of their retrieval agents... Obadiah was long gone with the ''subject'' by then...

''He was right... I do not feel like a ''Scarlet Pimpernel of Time'' at all... Something else entirely actually, that is made up of the first four letters of one of those words would be far more accurate...'' she lamented sardonically to herself, turning away in disgust as she prepared to hop back into the timestream... ''I feel like the lowest form of scavenger there ever was in the history of mankind... Even though, technically, I am saving lives here... Transplanting them out of their element...'' she muttered, certain no one could hear her, certainly not any emissary of The Establishment... Big Brother could not eavesdrop through time, yet...!

Just then, a vermilion flycatcher flew by and came to perch itself upon a branch of a nearby elm tree... She noticed the bird right away, as it was quite rare for one born in her era to see such birds at all...
"You are fortunate, little creature, that you are left to die in your own time and are not targeted for 'retrieval' and 'rescue' by the Establishment... Not yet anyway..." she said to the tiny thing, which chirped in response...

And with that, she activated her time travel program in order to return to the dreary dead world that she was trying to salvage through this unsatisfactory work. She served a world-wide governing body almost against her will - and it was starting to weigh down on her very heavily. The vermilion flycatcher would be a silent witness to her departure back to the doomed timeline she was trying to spare - as she was desperately trying to spare her own and others' sanity as well... Thier sanity and, perhaps, their soul as well... She feared for her own.
It was most probably against all hope, no matter which way one looked at it.
Still, she would persevere...

As she finally vanished back into her own time, the timestream started to agitate itself as though alive. And three shadows began to take shape on the exact spot where she had hovered. They thrashed about in sheer anger and frustration it seemed, until finally they settled down and took on more solid shapes... Their wrath was justified, for they were sentries assigned to guard time itself... They had been appointed as such by a far Higher Power than the Establishment too... They were totally in their right to have taken offense at the sort of activity that had once more taken place there; when man was found guilty of having breached the sanctity that separated past, present and future...
And they had seen enough of this...

''THEY HAVE DARED TOO MUCH; THEY CONTINUE TO MEDDLE IN THE COURSE OF EVENTS PRE-DECIDED AND PRE-ORDAINED... ALTERING DESTINIES, REAPING SOULS THEY HAVE NO RIGHT TO COLLECT AND REDIRECTING THEM TO PLACES THEY WERE NOT TO HAVE BEEN, EVER...'' said one of the ominous three, in a most guttural voice that would be qualified to be as deafening as a thousand wails were it to be heard by human ears...
''AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM - NE PLUS ULTRA - CORPUS DELICTI - CORRIGENDA!'' commended his acolyte in conclusion...

A time of reckoning would be arriving soon...

*****************************************

to be continued - tempus fugit!
Copyright ©2006-2007 LUCIANO A. PIMENTEL
First Serial Rights (if applicable on the net!)

As seen on TLB Prime!

2007-04-27T07:20:00.000-07:00

This classic song from a bygone, far more innocent era keeps resonating and reverberating in my head these days... "For everything - turn, turn, turn - there is a season - turn, turn, turn - and a purpose for everything under heaven"...
Ah, the Turtles! Have a chocolate now, why don't you! ;)

That commercial though, the one about "moments" that relates every imagineable kind of moment there is in the course of a lifetime - from momentary lapses of judgement to 'senior moments', whatever those really are - now THAT commercial is royally ticking me off...!

This pundit blogger here recognizes that there is a time, a season, a moment for EVERYTHING conceivable... Aye, there sure is...

However...

That is not a reason to justify just about any kind of behaviour one can dream of...!
Let's not give our blessings to just about anything - leave the door opened like that! No way, Jose!

This latest example of a cheater in the so-called "grandest stage of all" (the 'World Series'...) is a good lesson for all would-be cheats out there... Kenny Rogers (the baseball pitcher, not the country singer) came clean in the second inning and did great while playing FAIR - and me, I thought only a second-rate spare such as Mike Myers (the baseball "not-much-relief" pitcher, not the not-so-great comedy actor nor the halloween guy...) or an over-the-hill closer would do such a thing...

But that is another story...

In other news...

This "let's lay off the excess baggage" trend is not a good omen for the end times... at all! Norsk-Hydro laid off close to 300 employees on this day -their excuse: they can't compete with the Chinese in their field, which is the production of magnesium- and even the mighty Bombardier laid off over a thousand employees in Belfast, Montreal and elsewhere...
These guys will now take up the spots that could have gone to youngsters & neophytes trying to break into the job market, by raking any other "available positions" there are elsewhere... Job offers can only satisfy so much demand though. Then again, one tallies up 30, 35 years of loyal service to a company, only to be forgotten or laid off or dispatched into early retirement... No wonder the Chinese are hard to compete with! They, at least, treat their employees infinitely better - their entire philosophy is different! A job isn't "just a job" - it isn't just to earn a wage that they do it, it is a true vocation! And the employer has a very solid engagement to the masses of employees that it employs - they are NOT just a faceless work force! Asians sure have "got it"... Just ask Jet Li! He is "THE ONE" after all - isn't he? ;)
(Ok - admittedly, he is also a Rogue -a forthcoming film- and, ah, 'Danny The Dog'... But those are other stories... on celluloid!)

I mentioned Montreal a moment ago - makes me think of its rats! They have rats in the chinatown there, the size of fat cats! These rats are found in the Old Port, in Old Montreal (which is so much like Europe - yet assuredly isn't) and on busy streets such as St-Laurent and Ste. Dominique.
The latter used to harbor the local prostitutes, back in the sixties, without being a full-fledged red district per say... Last night, two huge rats were shot dead in an alley there, right behind a trendy lounge bar packed with 160 patrons...
That's an approximate!
Now these "rats" were really from the northern shore - from Laval - and they were involved in drug trafficking... One buzz and they were summoned to their deaths via their cellphones... Ah, cells are such a pleasant commodity to have, n'est-ce pas?

And speaking of cells, now I start thinking of stem cells - and stem cell research making everyone in the U.S. so troubled and bothered... The fact is, there is a tie-in with both rats and Montreal in there too! As reported by CNN, stem cell research, as controversial as it may be, has proven its efficiency already when it helped heal paralyzed rats in 2001 during experiments conducted in Atlanta... One paralyzed human who could have benefited greatly from this research and its applications to humans was Christopher Reeve - who, for some odd reason, loved Montreal when he passed by there in the eighties, during one of those F.F.M.s (Festival des Films du Monde) thingies... He had particularly loved Old Montreal (although Old Quebec City is far more like Europe than it is there...) where the rats thrive today...! All sorts of them.

Speaking of this, we wind up speaking of that, indeed...
That's it for this take on it...

I truly set the stage for a columnist career with this one - or a professional rambler? Back then, I still didn't have a blog for every mood, if you will. Since then, "ramblings in writ" has seen the light of day: it is where I tackle many subjects at once and weave connections between them, giving my readers an insight into my train of thought! No, it is not a train wreck at all!

But there will always be critics, of course...

MEDICAL DRAMA

2007-03-19T03:14:00.000-07:00

There are about a million of them -and that would be just the ones still on the air, worldwide- but since I have had recent first-hand experience in these matters and have something to say about them, I feel compelled to showcase my versatility in this genre as well...

The doctoress walks hurriedly into the reading room, as her schedule is already pressing her. She finds her top intern there - a second-year student who reminds her much of herself when she was beginning. She finds her concerned and nervous - and, instantly, her senses tell her something is not right and that she has to find the time to inquire further, even though her duties call her elsewhere asap...

"What is it, Darla? Something is bothering you - I can see it..."

"I know that I have to tell you everything - as my immediate superior in the staff, you need to know... But I can tell you know right off that it was an honest mistake; everything indicated that it was the right approach to take..."

"What happened Darla - show me which patient it concerns; I assume that is the file...?"

"Yes - I was just citing the facts just as you came in; I prescribed some shots and the patient had an adverse reaction, pretty much on the spot. I was present when it all happened. There were no indications of previous intolerance towards these - nothing in the patient's history that would indicate such a thing would occur now. But it did... I am sorry."

"How is the patient now - where is he?"

"Stabilized - but I am afraid that the shock was too much... The allergic reaction fragilized an already unstable system - I am afraid that... My chosen approach has caused irremediable damage instead and that... We will lose the patient shortly."

"I see that he is not very young - and had a lot of complications already... You may not have to worry about them blaming you; I'll speak on your behalf..."

"But I messed up, Dr. Thales. I know it; I practically... killed this elderly man."

"No - you did not. Don't speak like that - and certainly don't add that to the file!"

"I won't - but I am telling you as my mentor - this is how I see it and how I feel. How... how will you speak on my behalf if you weren't even there whan it all took place? You were busy at the other end of the hospital - and just a little back-up check will bring that to light. If this goes to court... I will be alone to defend myself. And I will admit my guilt then..."

"You will do no such thing. The hospital and the medical establishment are at cause here - not just you. Don't forget that. The entire system in which we operate can be shaken -just as this patient's system was- by one tiny infinitesimal thing such as a minor slip-up like yours today... And we do not want this, do we?"

"But, doctor... It is my fault... I am responsible..."

"The patient was fragile - he was going to go sooner or later, it was only a question of time anyway... I will stop by his room on my way to see my patients. And you - do not admit ANYTHING. You understand me?"

"Yes, Dr Thales. I will do as you say..."

Diana Thales started pacing the corridors within minutes. The room was quite a way from the "headquarters center" of sorts - another point that played against them in this case, she figured... She could only hope that the family of this patient would not question the medical competence of the staff not of the medical care that their patriarch had received; that they would take all the gibberish written in the file, srcibbled nonsense that even the doctors who jotted it down themselves could hardly re-read oftentimes, and not question the validity of all the assessments made in there...

When she entered the room, she recognized a familiar stench immediately.
The pervaded stench of death was permeating the room's atmosphere.

She got closer to the patient's right - he was fading away, clearly.
The heartbeat was low. The blood pressure wasn't good. This was a lost cause.
She had to sound the alarm now - code blue, another one - and she knew the risks of doing so at this time. A young practitioner under her wing, the brightest spot on her team, was going to be put through the ringer for this - if not by the family, by the deontology committee... This could offset both of their careers' aspirations - damage their credibility for years to come. She weighed her options - recalled that at least two nurses and some maintenance employees saw her heading this way - so they would be able to testify, later on, that she was in the vicinity of a dying patient and did nothing about it. She had to obey her deeply-ingrained urge to obey the code of ethics that was, to begin with, what she was all about.

Still, she waited for the patient to drop to another alarming level before she did so. The patient would not last another hour at this rate.

Once code blue was sounded, the staff on hand came in and someone reminded all that the family had already advised to do "everything humanly possible" in order to save the patient... Dr. Thales could not believe it - she saw nothing of that in the file. But, within seconds, they had a family member on the phone who confirmed this. And so, the patient was promptly hooked to a respirator.

Dr. Thales felt a noose tightening around her own neck, rather than her subaltern's.

----------------------- LATER ON THAT AFTERNOON...

The committee assembled summarily - Dr. Byrnes, who had been Diana Thales' mentor, was there. Seated across from him, on the rather tiny table that disappointed greatly for such an important assembly, sat Dr. Matthews, greyer, wiser and far more impatient too. Two other doctors were supposed to come - on top of the head nurse and hospital administrator-in-chief. The latter had taken upon himself to invite a surprising pair of guests to the proceedings: Dr. Diana Thales and the wronged patient's elder son.

Doctors Byrnes and Matthews were the first two to get there though - they had never liked each other and it showed.

"Doctor Byrnes...! And this case we are supposed to investigate, invectivate and castigate involves one of those wussies you had under your wing... jadis... Is she one of the first-year whorey interns that you nailed in one of the disaffected operating rooms back then, hmm?"

"Doctor Matthews... Spare me your disparaging outrageous remarks, will you?"

"Why would I, dear doctor - you never spared the hospital from your outrageous behaviour, did you now? Even now - what is this... this... "look" of yours? It is a disgrace to behold! For the entire profession, not only this beleaguered and much-maligned establishment! That reggae hair... that awful goatee you sport... those clothes underneath your whites..."

"Aw... You are just jealous of my chiseled good looks, as you've ALWAYS been since I came onto the scene here, you pudgy old fart!"

"You foolish inane piece of..."

"Gentlemen - please! Restrain yourselves at least TODAY - we will have guests coming shortly..."

"Who would those be? I told the nurses to steer clear of me today - since I knew old man Matthews would be around..." chimed in Byrnes, slyly

"Not nurses, no - no one from your harem, Dr. Byrnes. Anyway, not anymore... Dr. Thales is coming."

"What for...?!?" asked Matthews, slightly startled...

"I thought it would be a good idea - to get both her point of view right now... As that of the family..."

"WHAT - you are out of your mind!? The deceased's family cannot be here today - this is for us to tend to our dirty laundry AMONGST OURSELVES..."

"Not anymore, it isn't..."

more luminous songwriting

2007-01-17T19:07:00.000-08:00

A new song then - philosophical musings, nothing more and nothing less! Not reinventing the wheel here - just being luminous, that's it and that's all!
;)

"So Now"
by Luciano Pimentel

Now - that we are all down
Now - that we are in town
Now - that you need a tune up
And now - that you can't get up

CHORUS
No one knows how
to live it up
No one knows how
to give it up
No one knows how
to truly live
No one knows how
to freely give

So now - that we are rich
Now - that we're in a ditch
Now - that we dispute
And that we refute

CHORUS
No one knows how
to live it up
No one knows how
to give it up
No one knows how
to truly live
No one knows how
to freely give

And now - don't you want to?
Now - won't you say it too?
Now - life is so cool
but soon - you'll feel uncool

CHORUS
No one knows how
to live it up
No one knows how
to give it up
No one knows how
to truly live
No one knows how
to freely give

Now's the time to make the change
Now's the time to give your change
Now - now - not tomorrow
Now - now - don't wait until tomorrow

CHORUS
No one knows how
to live it up
No one knows how
to give it up
No one knows how
to truly live
No one knows how
to freely give (X2)

Copyright ©2007 LUCIANO PIMENTEL

Not as wordy as "RAISON" was - eh?
I can do it all! ;)

2007: Year of The Pig? Time to unleash a secret weapon then...

2007-01-01T10:02:00.000-08:00

Triple 'B' versus Brat 'The Pig Man' Lard - that is, lard as in a speech interspersed with stranger than strange words!
That's surely something everyone can relate to - everywhere!
Brat is just ONE of a cast of zillions (or so it seems) that populate a pet project of mine (pet in more ways than one!) which I have kept under wraps for too long already! Heck, it was the Year of The Dog (underdog?) and I already had this ready to go! Me and my damnable habit of "biding my time"...
Evidently, from the name, Brat here belongs to a cast, an elite even, that brings together anthpomorphism and sports entertainment like nothing has before...!
Also quite clear here, with my background in history and near-teaching, I strive to make my projects EDUCATIONAL as much as they are ENTERTAINING - and, here, one would learn about the world, all of its species, customs, ecological issues, even political ones and much, much more - all wrapped up, allegorically enough, in a send-up of pro-wrestling!
Nota Bene: Brat is not the headliner of this "show" - he can be dropped at a drop of a hat! I have a long list of 100% original characters to use before I resort to parodies of retired grapplers I don't even admire one iota...! "Amalgam characters", those gems in the rough that incorporate elements from various sources, are always best - for they become walking/talking cornucopias of interest then, rife with wondrous stories to tell and avenues of perennial interest to explore to the infinite degree that children of all ages - from age 7 to 77 - will enjoy and, indeed, learn a whole lot from! ;)

There is no doubt about it on my luminous mind that this little pet project of mine would make a killing as a cartoon, toyline, series of video-games, animated feature, CD-ROM offering, assorted merchandizing items - the works! Alas, I made the boo-boo of trusting a tiny itty bitty agency such as Gary Ahlert's to try and sell this overall concept as a toyline first... I probably should have created word-of-mouth publicity for it initially as a comic-book, à-la-T.M.N.T. I guess, and gone from there...! Generating interest is never easy, no matter the potential of the initial concept! Well then - I shall take the bully by the horns and do it all myself - since Gary never did the job! Onwards with the "WHOO-OH.W. RASSLIN WITH BITE" brand! I'll keep under wraps as much as I want still - to be unveiled only to serious bidders and companies with enough backbone to support this thing to the fullest...!
If you think that's your company - get in touch ASAP! ;)

+++

Thriller Writer

2006-11-30T14:35:00.000-08:00

A little sample of my tentatively titled STORMCHASING SUBMARINE ELITE CORPS - S.S.E.C. as ironic as it may be for those of you who may speak and read French!
This is nothing less than my luminous NAVY S.E.A.L.S./WORLD POLITICS LITTLE THRILLER...! I enjoy taking all the liberties I want with the genre - not taking this as the second coming of anything else! So now, enjoy this sample of it and enjoy guessing what I've got planned for the rest of this thing...!

Where nature is concerned, familiarity breeds love and knowledge, not contempt. - Stewart L. Udall

LONGITUDE 036 19 00 E - LATITUDE 33 30 00 N
1300 HOURS - TEMPERATURE IS CALM

The Navy Seals descend with dexterous precision upon the targeted territory - their parachutes extended like the wings of a bird of prey that has spotted its victim. And this one indubitably has...

Without a word, the Seals quickly gather their spread-out wings upon touching ground and just as quickly seek refuge from any prying eyes.
Time is, as always, of the essence. They are to go in, do their nasty business, and get out immediately. This needs to look like an inside job too - the world has to believe, or want to believe, that there was a military coup here planned, staged and executed by a rival political faction made up entirely of nationals... No hint of international meddling can be left behind. The peace of mind of the free world - as well as the status quo, maintainance of the world economy, American oil interests and the abstract concept of "freedom" - all of it hinges on the fact that no one must know about the American interference here... The whole world can suspect it and, in fact, know that it most probably did transpire - but none must have proof that it did occur. And none would have any evidence, if it were not for the blasé element within the very ranks of the Seals contingent that was hastily dispatched the moment "an opportunity", deemed to be golden, arose...

That golden opportunity, to smite the enemy and reassert the American Eagle's supremacy over most important facets of life, came to be on this Wednesday morning which was cold on American soil but quite warm in the targeted region...

Upon landing and quickly camouflaging every last trace of their arrival, the Seals split up into two groups, as they'd practiced endlessly. They'd been ready for this mission for such a long time - now that they were actually in the midst of it, it felt like yet another mere practice... But this time, it was for real. Corporal Kyle Murdock knew it more than anyone else - and the word "sabotage" was reverberating very fast and very loudly in his tormented mind right about now...

He looked at his Luminox F-117 Nighthawk, a Black Dial, leather waterproof wrist watch that was the standard for the Seals, right about then, as he was supposed to do... He was intent on not giving away any clues, to any of his team members, as to what his true intentions were... The fact was, though, that they all knew of his opinion concerning the policy of deterrence, of what he thought about the law of insidious reprisals and the knack for the U.S. to always stack the deck in its favor... Certainly that was not the ideals he was supposed to champion, he'd always felt. And he'd shared this stance, on numerous occasions. The politics he criticized were never to be lauded. And certainly that was not the 'home of the brave' that he was to fight for, here and now...

He used to be a Marine sniper - he knew exactly how and when to take out his own team if he had to...
He also knew exactly when he'd get the "golden opportunity" for that.
It would not be long, at all, and the enemy would readily be blamed for all the losses incurred - because he'd be damned if he allowed himself to be court-martialed for doing the RIGHT thing...

Copyright ©2006 Luciano A. Pimentel

luminous sampler ~ short and sweet

2006-11-25T10:08:00.000-08:00

More luminous thoughts on a subject of true perennial interest to each and every one of us on this planet... I should write a daily editorial... Everyone may have an opinion - but mine is simply more pleasant to read!

Ghost of a chance... ~~~~~

When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong. ~ ~~ Arthur C. Clarke (b.1917) - thus, a distinguished elderly British science fiction writer has spoken... Close enough to a egghead himself! And he admitted this...! Why won't the rest of them ever do likewise now, hmm? Stubbornness is present right next to erudition as well, you know...

Science will discourage old withered beliefs - not because these are the stuff of archaic and unverifiable superstitious material but truly because science has not "experienced it" - and will never accept something they cannot quantify. Seeing is believing, as they say - and the most stubborn scientist of all would sing a different tune if he had experienced himself a divine apparition - or seen an angel - or a ghost. Proving the existence of these via scientific methods would become secondary very quickly - for the scientist who starts seeing things is either hallucinating (as he would theorize it to be the case - at first) or really, truly seeing something! For scientists are materialists - they do not think their eyes can deceive them, see? They are "free" from superstitious beliefs, their minds are not "clouded" by myth - hence, if they see something, if they experience it, it is truly "there". They might still explain it completely wrong though, but at least it will be certified as having "been" - at long last! It is up to the believer to get them to accept what "it truly was"...

It is the easiest thing to confound a disbeliever, verily - by using their own arguments and methods against them! They are using them against themselves in the first place; blinding themselves to the truth by adhering too strongly to a rigorous, excessively rigid approach that cuts them away from wonderment - and enlightenment.
An open mind is good.
An open heart, as Christ instructed, is better!

Hmm... If Shadow Gallery's Ghost of a Chance is not available -
we always have Rush's Ghost of a Chance to fall back on! ;)
Just scroll down to the bottom of the playlist below...!
(Ok - more like the middle of it now - #18 to be exact -
since I've added a considerable amount of tracks...!)

Clearly the second-best choice in this instance...!
(Sorry, Neil Peart & Geddy Lee!)

More Luminous Journalism... Or Luminous History

2006-10-25T04:09:00.000-07:00

Originally seen on TLB Prime, unedited...
The Historian in me is alive and well - even though he never agreed to sign up with the System and repeat ad nauseam the inculcated, accepted so-called facts to a disinterested audience. I will, however, do some rehashing of those facts - on occasion. And whenever I do, the truth will come out.

There is a monument in the shape of a cross that stands a mere few feet away from the church where I was baptized, lo, not all that long ago...
L'église St-Martin.The cross stands very tall - about 12 feet tall - on the grass that belongs to a school actually; a school I never attended, somehow - l'École Leblanc. I remember my father showing me this monument, in the 70s, one summertime walk... The monument has been there since 1941 - which is the year another dear relative of mine was born... They commemorated with this monument the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Jacques Cartier in the area, in 1541 thus. The plaque that states all that took another 50 years to find its way there though, having been installed only in 1991 by a government anxious to complete unfinished works left scattered all about the province of Quebec by its predecessors who'd briefly gained the power reins...
Jacques Cartier's third voyage of 1541 has been summed up with three words: "failure, suspension & retirement."
Aside from Cartier, the monument has much greater significance for me, personally, and this in several ways too, as can be evident already. There are the childhood memories, of course, first and foremost. The 1970s were golden years to me, for so many good reasons.
I also remember 1991 very well - two out of those three words that qualified Cartier's final voyage apply for that year as well, as far as a certain other person of my entourage was concerned back then...
Well, at some point anyway, it seemed to be that way. However, appearances are always so deceiving - and so it was, there too...
But I digress - and verse nostalgic by the same token there.
Let us rather focus on the monument once more - it is a huge white, immaculate cross, with a crest embedded in its center and the years 1541 and 1941 blazoned across said crest...
It looks very stylish, very elegant and has not changed one iota in all these years...
On the plaque, there is an enchanting hymn that always captivated my imagination, for as long as I can remember - and I would only find out why as an adult, of course.
It is highly interesting, also, that a web search unearthed many different lyrics and versions of the hymn in question - which is titled Vexilla Regis...
+++
Artiste: Noctes
Chanson: Vexilla Regis Prodeunt Inferni

Beware-with the dark I ride as one. When my legacy I reclaim.
As a fallen god, with the lunar legions by my side
On dragon wings I fly. Behold-the etheral shades of night

Pletoric formations of dark dancing past the aeons of the eleusinian vast
Within a dream, my honour to last, to sprout throughout my blood
to strengthen my heart.
The heaven torns apart as twillight shreds and thunder.
With a vampire breath I whirl the frost, to storm within my kingdom to come
Dead winter enthrones.

Vexilla regis produent inferni
As a phantom of night I ride, by thy side

The Archangels revocation of the dead
The apocalyptic revelation
The arrival of plague and death.
The Armageddon revolution-to come

Astral sparks of fire, descending to ablaze
The landscapes drained by sulphur rain
from the canopy licked by flames
Shadows walks the earth, to ravish life and glee
To walk the fields of reverie, sowing dark in dreams to be

Beware-with the dark I ride as one. When my legacy I reclaim.
As a fallen god, with the lunar legions by my side
On dragon wings I fly. Behold-the etheral shades of night

Clamant-the silence-as blood to my ears
The battlescreams echoes has vanished, faded into the past

The black sun is falling into the abyss
with the lakes of dark blood to merge
The sky is aflame, when I ride through the night
as a phantom through fire I fly
Armageddon...The final redemption of wrath

Dies Irae...+++

Despite the gusto and allure of the preceding, the original latin and French version that is quoted on the plaque is much more one of DEVOTION than one so... Apocalyptic! Although I like apocalyptic - aye, I do! Almost as much as I like nostalgic, romantic, antique and antics...
But I've just digressed once again right there, I do believe...
The following is hence the Latin & French *classic* version:
(Not all the latin is translated though - if anyone can help with that, feel free to do so!)
It is to be found in its entirety here:
http://www.vexilla-regis.com/textevr/VEXILLA%20Regis%20prodeunt.htm)
+++
VEXILLA Regis prodeunt ; - Les étendards du Roi s’avancent
fulget Crucis mysterium, - La Croix rayonne en son mystère.
quo carne carnis conditor - En croix, la Vie subit la mort,
suspensus est patibulo.1 - Et par sa mort eut fruit de vie.

Confixa clavis viscera
tendens manus, vestigia,
redemptionis gratia
hic immolata est hostia.

Quo vulneratus insuper - Toi qui reçus le coup de lance
mucrone diro lanceae, - Au fer brutal, pour nous laver
ut nos lavaret crimine,2 - De la souillure du péché,
manavit unda et sanguine. - Tu ruisselas d’eau et de sang.

Impleta sunt quae concinit - C’est accompli ce qu’a chanté
David fideli carmine, - David en des vers prophétiques.
dicendo nationibus : - Il proclamait : « Sur les nations,
regnavit a ligno Deus. - C’est par le bois que règne Dieu. »

Arbor decora et fulgida, - Arbre splendide, éblouissant,
ornata Regis purpura, - Orné de la pourpre royale,
electa digno stipite - Tronc choisi qui fus jugé digne
tam sancta membra tangere. - De toucher des membres si saints.

Beata, cuius brachiis - Bienheureux Arbre dont les bras
pretium pependit saeculi : - Ont porté la rançon du monde !
statera facta corporis, - Tu pesas le poids de ce corps,
praedam tulitque tartari. 3 - Et l’Enfer dut lâcher sa proie.

Fundis aroma cortice, -
vincis sapore nectare,
iucunda fructu fertili
plaudis triumpho nobili.

Salve, ara, salve, victima,
de passionis gloria,
qua vita mortem pertulit
et morte vitam reddidit.

O Crux ave, spes unica, - Salut, ô Croix, seule espérance !
hoc Passionis tempore ! * - Procure, au temps de la Passion,
piis adauge gratiam, - Grâce abondante aux cœurs fidèles,
reisque dele crimina. - Et rémission aux cœurs coupables.

Te, fons salutis Trinitas, - Trinité, source de salut,
collaudet omnis spiritus : - Les vivants chantent Vos louanges,
quos per Crucis mysterium - Victorieux par Votre Croix,
salvas, fove per saecula. - Ils recevront la récompense. Amen ! A tale of Praise and Worship - reeking of a theme thta is dear to me also, now, that of Redemption and that precious Reward that is Promised...! +++

On this link, you can listen to the hymn (or cantique) too - I highly recommend it, evidently.
Oh, and as for Cartier and his failed voyage...
The historian in me would be remiss if he did not add the following...
In Spring of 1542, Cartier abandoned Charlesbourg-Royal and set out for France with a supply of what he believed gold and diamonds gathered from the shores of the St. Lawrence River.
Back in France, the King was ecstatic over the cache of 'gold and diamonds' Cartier had brought with him from the New World. However, the gold turned out to be worthless iron pyrite - fool's gold. The diamonds were nothing but quartz. Canada, apparently, offered nothing which would compensate for the money spent to finance the voyages.
French exploration in the New World would subsequently be suspended.
No more commissions were ever granted to Jacques Cartier. He retired to his birthplace, St. Malo, where he died in 1557.

My father's health really started deteriorating in 1992.
By September of 1993, he was forced into early retirement because of his failing health.
His plans to retire to his birthplace were ruined by all this.
He would live about the same amount of time afterwards, only not in his birthplace and in relative good health, like Cartier, the bringer of fool's gold, would enjoy...

THE LUMINOUS ADVENTURES OF LUMINOUS MAN, VOLUPTUOUS WOMAN AND VOLUMINOUS LAD!

2006-10-25T04:05:00.000-07:00

Serialized fiction for your reading pleasure, L.O.V.s! And at no extra cost to a single one of you! I.S.P.s (Internet Service Providers - but you knew that!) are hurting the L.O.V.s (Luminous Online Visitors - but you also knew that already - right?) enough as it is without me, thy luminous acerbic scribe, master of sarcastic witticisms and sardonic repartee (but the latter is reserved strictly for message boards... Boars? Bores!) and so-very kind humanist overall, adding to your strife and internet surfing costs!
No way! I am kind! I care! I do! I really do!

Okay, enough already of this luminous propaganda - let's save the sappy stuff for the actual piece of fiction here! Chapter one of an uncanny and mesmerizing saga, one that comes to you straight out of nowhere too (the idea for it came when I was bored out of my wits - isn't that promising and exciting, folks, eh?)

It is, evidently, all for laughs that I penned this and the entire saga can thus be found here - in the luminous comments section! ;)
Enjoy!

Miraculous Mini-Essay :)

2006-10-11T23:55:00.000-07:00

As Originally Seen On TLB Prime!
(The "all-encompassing editorial-style coverage of what's happening in many places at many times... with style and substance" luminous quality comes shining through loud and clear here, so to... type!
Read it, weep and rejoice!)

So, what is the purpose of our existence? To even begin to grasp that we have to realize that our very mere existence is nothing less than a miracle in itself! Odds were not in our favor when we were conceived - for us to come out at the other end of that process the way we are is nothing short of miraculous indeed. Granted, some individuals out there, we would have been better off without - however, without evil around, how would we know that we are any good? (Okay, that was borderline Seinfeld logic there - and nothing, I repeat, nothing is as simple as Seinfeld makes it out to be... And no Superman will ever show up when terrorists do, but that is another dreadful -and cantankerous too- story indeed...)

That we came out being fully-functional human beings is only one aspect of the miracle that we are though... We can see, we can talk, we can walk, we can hear, we can breathe by ourselves, we can think, we can reason, we can build numerous things with these hands that God Has Given us... All of that and more are miraculous traits and Divine Gifts - hence, all of that is NOTHING... without God. All of that can be taken away from us - and not only by God either. The Adversary and Death have power over us, for now. God Allows it. For now. The Divine Essence Within Us - God's Presence Within Us - now That Is His and Is therefore out of reach from the natural enemies that God's Creation has... Enemies for a time, not forever, nor for much longer really - only for now. It will not always be like this either - just ask the Drogo fan in my luminous guestbook; he knows more than he lets on! ;) But that is another story too...

Thus, the purpose of existence - with all these factors connecting now and becoming a clearer Tapestry of Truth - should be a little more evident to us all at this point... We exist because God Willed us into existence. We exist because of Him and for Him. We exist to witness of that. We exist to use those Gifts that He Has Given us to do just that - reach out and speak of Him to others not "in" on the evidence! And there are a LOT of those... We exist, hence, to be the Light of the world! We exist to reflect His Light - for we come from it. Those of us who have not hurt our fellow man that is. Those of us who have not been envious of our neighbor in an excessive way (cause, sure, it is only normal to NOTICE that the grass is greener... What is NOT normal, is to go out of our way to destroy the neighbor's lawn! It does not make yours any greener - in fact, it will make it look MUCH WORSE in the only pair of eyes that truly matters; YOUR LORD GOD'S!)

We do not exist to empower ourselves and to achieve splendours in OUR NAMES... For we are ephemeral at best. Nothing that we accomplish will remain for long. The only part of us that is eternal is so because it is of Him - our souls. Don't believe? Die and you'll see then! There is far greater than what we have here on Earth... And we exist to testify of His Greatness - for He made us the way we are and we are better than any man-made construct! Our only true worth -for it is the only aspect of us that will not decay- is our SOUL; that which is 100% of the Creator! The Creator Is Unequalled - and we are His Creation and His Miracle... born, made, shaped and willed into existence out of LOVE. Nothing made in China, in the good ol' U.S. of A. or in Taiwan can come remotely CLOSE. We are talking about production values of the DIVINE. And He Made Us Out of LOVE - not for profit.

The Miracle of Life Is The Greatest Miracle of All.
And Life Is much more than mere earthly existence too...
God's Love And Will for us Have no match and know no bounds.
God's Plan for us is to have us by His Side Forevermore.
Freed of mortal coils... freed of pain... freed from death.
God Has for us the Greatest of Loves.
We were willed into existence for no other purpose than to reflect that Love.
Let us do just that now -
and quit acting the opposite way... hmm?

luminous send-ups to the key of luciano

2006-08-08T09:49:00.000-07:00

More songwriting anyone? But, this time, to the key of... humor?
I may answer you right here and now, and confirm to you all that my cousin, the songstress São, will NEVER sing these! More questions loom though, such as... Is MAD MAGAZINE still hiring? Does CRACKED magazine still exist? (Cause - you better forget about their "French" equivalents - CROC, SAFARIR and the like... I'd have better luck getting hired as a satirical columnist for LE CANARD ENCHAINÉ! But that is une autre histoire...!)
Anyway - my point is, AND I sure as hell will exist in a Lake of the Pit full of Fire and Brimstone DO HAVE ONE, and it is this: I am open, apt, ready and able to spoof any song - at all times virtually!
The evidence follows...

Boston fan speaking a mantra (to the team of your choice - Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics or... Boston Pops?!?) to the tune of a Blue Oyster Cult classic song...

Boston will win
again and again
And if they don't win
I'll bring in my friend...
Gojira!

Another classic - The Doors' "Gloria" - goes right out the door and undergoes a transformation, becoming... "Phobia"!

I am afraid of heights
of dark closets too
Can't stand the look of a spider baby!
Or large crowds like this...
I cannot concentrate
Goddammit - I'm afraid!
I think they call that a
PHO-BI-A
PHO-OH-BI-A!
PHO-BI-A
PHO-OH-BI-A!

Anybody out there still remembers SCTV? SCTV's Dave Thomas? Dave Thomas' singing brother, Ian Thomas? Ian's career went the way the singing careers of Paul Janz, Alannah Myles, Sass Jordan and... *gulp* São's went! :(
All packed with talent but with no luck at all!
Ian had ONE huge hit - "Harmony".
My send-up of that is... "Blasphemy"!

Blasphemy! Get away from me!
Blasphemy! Get the hell away from me!
Cursing - lying - all that prying - into matters that don't matterrrr!

Hmmmm-arrrggg! Don't like that Satan! He's disgusting!
I just renounced him - he comes again!
Charging with problems - he puts the blame
On the Almighty One - No way, Eugene! (Cause that's)

Blasphemy! Get away from me!
Blasphemy! Get the hell away from me!
Doubting ~ Blaming ~ Question-ing-ing ~ name-calling ~ decon-s-craaaaating!

One of the smash hits that got on many nerves in record-breaking time and fashion too was Lonestar's lone hit (!) from the appropriately-named "Lonely Grill" CD - "Amazed". My send-up is... "Disillusioned"!

Wanna see my brains on the floor?
Right by the door - you took to leave meeeeeeee-eeeee-eee?
Wanna spend the rest of your day
finding new ways to irk me to death - or just ignore meeeee?
Just about anything that you do - baby, it's killing me!
Just about every single word that you say
sheesh - I'm disillusioned with you

Even more annoying than that one, was one-hit wonder Right Said Fred's "I'm Too Sexy"... This one, of course, can be spoofed in a myriad of ways... from the stuntman looking for excuses not to jump...

I'm too dizzy for my stunt... too dizzy for my stunt... too dizzy to... punt?

to the false bravado of a Fruit Of The Looms model...

I'm too cocky for my briefs... too cocky for my briefs... too cocky... in brief?

to a puny and punny worthless employee...

I'm too lazy for this job... too lazy for any odd-job... let me go join the... mob!

Well, time to take a stand now and avoid the "easy route"... As a Christian, I believe that homosexuality is an abomination. Sodomy, to be specific. No homosexual editor or publisher will want to work with me once he sees my spoof of the time-honored hit "Another One Bites The Dust" - by the very queer Queen - titled "The Fags Are Back In Town"
(I assure you this is not to be sung to the tune of "The Boys Are Back In Town" - whoever sang that one - at all)
Note though that I have nothing but understanding for the lesbian's choices and taste(s).

The Fags are back in town (bis) (bis = twice)
There's another queer now
and another fag now
The fags are back in town! Ohh... see?
I told ya they'd come back!
The fags are back in town - oh noooooo!

Gay Pride parades and festivals
it's all on TV!
Stonewall bull / fake martyrdom
for all of us to see!
Can't believe that it has gotten to this
since 1969
AIDS is not killing them
instead, they multiply!
OH - NOOOOO!

(Ok - plenty of heteros have AIDS too. But it's too much information in the context of the send-up of a song...! Where's your humor, folks?!? Find it - ASAP!)

Onwards now...!
Classic tunes that anyone can spontaneously sing include the ever-popular summertime tune "Row The Boat". A send-up of it can easily turn particularly ghastly...

Sow, sow, sow the wound
sow it tight and clean!
Deeper, deeper, deeper, deeper
til you hear a scream!

Always loved Tom Petty's song "A Face In The Crowd" - so much that I had to send it up as "Burp In The Crowd" (take heart, it could have been worse... Worse in the order of... flatulences? *lol*)

In on the joke
Into the night
At the Grand Hall
All through the Ball
They heard you
burp in the crowd
They heard you
burp as a dowd
totally out of it
bumping into things
belching some more...!

(What a disgrace...!)

Well, I'm a fan of Robert Tepper's only big hit, "No Easy Way Out" - thus, surely, I am allowed to pay homage to it by having a little fun while turning it into "So Full Of Doubt"!
Hey - imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

You are not a gourmet cook - let's establish that right now
You can't do things by the book - and I feel like eating Dog Chow!
Some days are not as bad as others - but that's only because it's take-out
Understand me, I don't want no seconds - I'm just so full of doubt...
Who said that you could cook? Where is that old coot now?
Who said that you could cook? You have zero clue how...! Owwwww...

The Raconteurs' big hit "Steady As She Goes" gets amalgamated with the classic "There She Goes" somewhat (but sing my send-up still to the tune of the former) - as I rechristen it "Stupid - There She Goes (Again)"

She has not a clue - how to start making sense
She wants to be happy-go-lucky... yet she makes me tense!
Aww - stupid - there she goes!
There she goes again!
Not understanding
Not being a friend!
Stupid - there she goes!
There she goes again!
Not making any sense
Not making amends
Stupid - there she goes!!!

And finally, a fond look back at the eerie Eighties with the Thompson Twins' hit "Lay Your Hands On Me" becoming... quite simply...
"Customer Service"!

You may need further assistance
And you don't quite dare require it right now
Remember that they have untold patience
That alone should make you go "oh wow"
You may be feeling tired already
All will be made to your liking soon
No it won't cost you much
It's all covered in our price already!

Olé - Olé - Customer Service! - Olé - Olé
Ooooooo-oooooo
Olé - Olé - Oh, oh - Customer Service!

Things don't have to cost an arm and a leg
A smile and a question will do well here
We will answer as sharply as we can
In our business, customers are always right
They are the kings - such is our plight
But let's not entirely forget something now
There was a little something called
The bloody French Révolution! So - do not push it now!

Olé - Olé - Customer Service! - Olé - Olé
Ooooooo-oooooo
Olé - Olé - Oh, oh - Customer Service! Ohhhhhhhhhhh!

Now you are feeling oh-so good
You had everything made up to your satisfaction - eh
It wasn't all that long, now was it?
Still, you mumbled all the while you waited...
What you may have said doesn't matter
Not one smile - nothing but hypocrisy and wile!
But that is all fair and fine
Because all of that's in our arsenal too - it's our preferred m.o.!

Olé - Olé - Customer Service! - Olé - Olé
Ooooooo-oooooo
Olé - Olé - Oh, oh - Customer Service! - Olé - Olé
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh Olé
Olé - Olé - Customer Service! - Olé - Olé
Ooooooooooooooo-Ooooooooooooooooooo - Olé - Olé
ohhhhhhhhhhh - olé!
Customer Service! Olé - Olé!
Customer Service! Olé - Olé! (ad infinitum)

Now, TEST these last lyrics on the ORIGINAL SONG!
Works great, you'll see!

Dissertation Sur La Raison... (bon, disons "sur le Rationnel" - meilleur mot fétiche, ne pensez-vous pas?)

2006-07-23T15:37:00.000-07:00

I penned this one quite a few years ago - I was still a lad, neophyte philosopher, slightly wet behind the ears still! Nonetheless, as you will be apte à constater by this, I made quite a coherent point all throughout...! Ah, yes - you will be able to decipher all that if and when you read la langue de Molière - pas avant!

"Le calme sert à se connaître; la raison à se reconnaître."
Voilà, pourrait-on dire, ma philosophie de la vie. Cette vie que la raison a toujours guidé, guide encore et guidera toujours! Il est certain que la question la plus pertinente de toutes surgit tôt ou tard à l'esprit de tous; à savoir quoi privilègier dans sa vie pour être certain d'accéder au bonheur total et durable - ou, à tout le moins, le maximum de bonheur auquel l'on peut espérer accéder. Évidemment, nous aspirons tous à pareil bonheur et y avons tous droit, à priori. Mais la question demeure agaçante; désir ou raison - lequel devrait être notre passion? Car choisir l'un ou l'autre entraîne tout un mode de vie totalement différent de celui qu'on aura rejeté... Car il s'agît là, bien sûr, des deux pôles opposés.

Le choix le plus logique à faire - le choix de cet apprenti philosophe-ci d'ailleurs - est de prendre la voie la plus raisonnable et de la suivre sans trop de défaillance le plus longtemps possible! Et, quand défaillance il y aura, car même avec une volonté de fer il y en aura quand même, on se promet de retourner sur "la voie à suivre" de si tôt! Et ce, pour la vie! Elle semble si longue parfois; mais, en vérité, elle est si courte...

Diverses raisons et divers facteurs peuvent nous faire "prendre pour la Raison", au dépit du Désir et de la Passion... Premièrement, la recherche de la stabilité, richesse si précieuse comme il y en a si peu! Stabilité à tous les points de vue et à tous les niveaux: dans notre vie affective autant que professionelle, familiale et sociale. Une telle stabilité uniforme et même universelle ne peut être atteinte que si l'on mène une vie ordonnée, rangée, bien structurée et, surtout, orchestrée de manière à facilité autant le fonctionnel comme la productivité, avec un jugement logique et rationnel de toutes les facettes de la vie.

Deuxièmement, afin que l'on soit sur-estimé par notre entourage - plutôt que sous-estimé - et pour que l'on nous juge, à tout le moins "capables" et compétents, savoir se montrer raisonnable en tous temps peut nous apporter, en plus de la stabilité, le sérieux qui permettra aux autres de, justement, nous prendre au sérieux! La quête de la "sériosité" servira bien le matérialiste tout comme elle servira le spirituel, car "être sérieux" sera le supplément parfait pour tout être qui a de l'ambition - que cette ambition soit pour l'ascension de son nom dans ce monde ou de son âme vers les Cieux! Effectivement, tous ceux qui ont de l'ambition, qui veulent "être quelqu'un" dans cette société trop compétitive en tout qui est la nôtre, ceux-là se doivent de privilègier le rationalisme et ne pas se laisser aller à leurs désirs frivoles, surtout pas en période de formation... Les années de collège et d'université sont dites des périodes "d'expérimentation" - par contre, il y a danger à se laisser aller alors. Les fondations sont les plus importantes de toute édification; et il n'y a pas plus importante édification que notre propre montée professionelle, n'est-ce pas? C'est ce qui est véhiculé dans notre société, en tous les cas... Autrement, toute faiblesse à résister à la "tentation" pourrait fort bien ruiner tous vos projets à long terme...

Malgré tout, "vivre raisonnablement" a quand même son revers de la médaille; car le sérieux d'une personne, si exagéré ou trop poussé, peut vous rendre impopulaire et, pire encore, vous faire rater l'essentiel de la vie. Et si l'ambition est elle aussi exagérée, elle pourrait éventuellement aveugler éthiquement et moralement tout ambitieux du monde matériel, dans le sens qu'il ou elle ne verrait point à quel point il ou elle est rendu et serait par conséquent porté à tout faire afin d'assouvir sa soif de gloire et de pouvoir. L'histoire est riche de cas comme ceux-là, hélas.

Se prendre pour plus grand que l'on ne l'est; voilà l'erreur à éviter! Autrement, l'ambition ne nous mènera absolument nulle part - ou, en fait, nulle part d'autre qu'à une déchéance morale quasi-irréparable. Sans aller jusque là, néanmoins, ceux d'entre nous qui sont qualifiés de "gens sérieux" ont effectivement tendance à se croire supérieur aux autres; plus disciplinés, plus professionels, supérieurs intellectuellement surtout! Ils ont tendance à pêcher par excès de confiance alors. Ceci, en plus de créer l'animosité des autres envers leur personne, engendre aussi le dédain insultant et condescendant de leur propre part. Ce comportement est à la fois à l'origine du snobisme comme des trois formes les plus malsaines d'associabilité.
L'associabilité de type dégénéré, souffrant ou même actant pèse énormément sur une communauté urbaine comme la nôtre - autant que le snobisme peut le faire! Même les types d'associabilité productif ou producteur peuvent être perçus comme mal venus... Tout dépendamment de la cause véhiculée, bien sûr...

Il reste que, malgré ces quelques défauts ou dangers potentiels au passage, choisir la raison en lieu et en remplacement du désir furtif et éphèmère demeure la voie sensée et logique à prendre... Ne serait-ce seulement que pour la stabilité, tant mentale qu'économique, qu'elle nous apportera avec le temps!

Qu'ajouter de plus? Non, mais, honnêtement; ne désirons-nous tous pas la même chose? Une vie stable du début à la fin, pleine de tranquilité et de sérénité, sans problèmes qui fussent dignes de mention... N'est-il pas pure logique de choisir d'être sage comme une image, tant au travail que dans sa vie privée, ce qui évitera ainsi toute semblance de problématique dans nos vies? Il est évident qu'il faut savoir jongler avec tout cela; un petit peu d'ambition par ci, un tantinet d'inspiration par là... Ne pas mêler les choses est une clé des plus importantes: car l'on a bien vu, historiquement encore une fois, où un semblant de logique dite impeccable mêlée à une imagination fertile, à une ambition démesurée et aux rêves les plus fous a mené un certain chancelier né près de Hister...

Ceci dit, je suis convaincu que c'est en menant une vie rangée que l'on peut vraiment nager dans le parfait bonheur. La stabilité engendre le bonheur; il ne peut en être autrement. On ne peu qu'être récompensés lorsque l'on sait se montrer sages. Et, pourtant, nombre de cas repertoriés partout dans le monde occidental nous laissent perplexes quelques fois; nombre de travailleurs et de professionels qui ont atteint ce niveau de stabilité et de succès tant convoité, plaquent tout. Ils lâchent tout, n'ayant pas connu ce fameux bonheur malgré leurs nombreux efforts en ce sens; tant au niveau conjugal que social ou professionel. On peut avoir gagné le monde parfois - et ne pas se sentir heureux malgré cela! On peut se demander alors "quel est-il donc, le véritable secret du vrai bonheur" - du Bonheur avec un grand B? Et, logiquement comme raisonnablement, la conclusion est simple: la meilleure des ambitions à avoir demeure encore celle de rendre son âme la plus parfaite possible. Peaufiner ce qui nous a été donné; rendre tout son éclat à ce diamant à l'état brut qu'est l'âme humaine.

luminous editorials - vol. 1

2006-07-04T23:59:00.000-07:00

If you can't beat them... Naaaaah!
Only in baseball can the old cutesy (even if erroneous) phrase "if you can't beat them, join them" become true. And only there should it be applied too... Time and again, in many team sports, we have seen franchises add a player swept up from a rival club - in hopes that he will bring some of that rival club's lustre and winning ways along with him! This year as last year, this practice has taken on ridiculous proportions - with the New York Yankees. Being humiliatingly defeated in historical fashion in 2004 by there arch-rivals, the Boston Red Sox, they seem intent on becoming their adversaries... They have added to their club all three former Red Sox players made available on waivers in 2005 - infielder Mark Bellhorn and pitchers Alan Embree and Ramiro Mendoza. Expendable spare parts for the Red Sox they had all become - dependable though they were in the World Series run, especially in Embree's case. When that didn't work, the Yanks wooed Johnny Damon and even ol' Mike Myers (let his killing spree begin now - in the Yankee clubhouse!) So now the Yankees have them and they are hopeful that these players can do for New York what they did against New York... Don't count on it, Yanks.

The Red Sox have other weapons - they have in fact improved their line-up over last year's team. Alas, even they fell into this fad... trend... lure of adding an enemy's former pawn - they also signed former Yankee John Olerud in 2005. At least he did do better for them than Mark Bellhorn was able to do for the Yankees... Oh, my, but, supreme irony it is too, they essentially switched sides these two... As if the Red Sox and Yankees would be trading players - uh-huh, not anymore! The Sox learned their lesson since the Babe Ruth deal...

The fact is that it is also seen in popular fiction - a LOT. However - the core philosophy here is so wrong. To beat your enemy, you do not have to become him! It appears to be the message sent to all, by many mediums too... In popular fiction nowadays, the only way to tell the good guy from the bad guy is if he refrains at the very end from going all the way in his excesses; otherwise, both could easily be mistaken for one another. Both will cause massive amounts of mayhem and chaos - but the so-called "good" guy is excused because he is, allegedly, fighting the good fight. Heroes, today, are edgy, brash and extremely violent. Gone is the era of the whitebread hero - the role-model for all, law-abiding and always smiling gentle giant of a sort. Today, that does not cut it anymore. To be deemed "cool", the hero has to be as much of a misfit as the "villain" of service is. The mentality is thus that, to defeat evil, you have to become like it - in your demeanor and "attitude" at least. Otherwise, you don't stand a chance of succeeding? That is simply wrong. You see it on TV shows as well as comic-books too - the profiler who "thinks like the psychopath does" - and that is professed to be the only way to stop the latter. No warning comes with the advocating of said process though - thinking or trying to think too much like a demented mind could have adverse effects on your own mind... and soul. Even if you manage to refrain from acting like the twisted freak that you are hunting down - your mind has become sullied. And likewise the heroes of old are tarnished when they start acting a tad too much like their usual quarries - what really differenciates the Batman from the Joker anymore? I'll take my chances with the clown if you ask me... What is so heroic about a Wolverine? Or a brute like Hulk? Even Wonder Woman, once a pacifist come to "man's world" (what an obvious allegory it always was) she had come to bring peace and teach us the way to it... Now, she has become the stereotypical Amazon indeed; one thing she is most definitely not, is a shapely version of Mother Teresa! As for the new crop of, quite-frankly, disturbed characters who can only be called anti-heroes and who would be, were they real, absolutely anti-social to the utmost degree and, most probably locked up... Those are NOT "heroes"! If their "last stand" is to be soon, well, it will not be soon enough...! Popular culture has been twisting things out of their proper shape - rather than serve its alleged primary purpose of "entertaining".

In the real world, becoming like your enemy in order to defeat him is the last thing we really want to do. It should be the last thing we would want to do, certainly... Turnabout may be fair play, but making use of the same deviousness in order to outwit thy foe and prevail simply spoils the fun... and taints the victory. One always wants to "prove" that one's ways are "better" than thy adversary's ways - and the only way to achieve that is by sticking to your own guns... not borrowing your enemy's! Becoming evil to defeat evil would be self-defeating anyway - you win and essentially become the evil that you eradicated. Thus, the evil remains - only in another form, under another name! Great going, bright lights (or is that dimmed lights now?). That is, of course, in the extreme case of "good versus evil" - we all see ourselves as "good" - usually, that is... There are those weirdoes out there who actually prefer to wear the "evil" hat - let them, I guess... To each their own - they will learn... If they live long enough, and the scumbags usually do too, they will live to regret it all bitterly. And if they don't, their reward shall be the appropriate one! The fact is that, today, most conflicts are merely "average niceness versus average badness" or "inane smalltime deviousness versus inane and mild malice" - in those cases, only pride can be evoked as a good reason not to want to "become (like) your enemy" in order to defeat him... There is no sillier cause to defend than that! For pride and vanity are sins, not virtues...

Verily, though, tis but a sign of the times that we live in, folks... Anti-heroes are in - for we are in the age of the Antichrist, not the Age of Aquarius at all, my friends! Blasphemy runs rampant - and heresies such as this are seen as the necessary norm and even "food for thought", for whitebread is corny! What a laugh, for we are not offered whole grain here but truly Soylent Green!
There is no convincing the average brat nowadays that an angel - a truly angelic angel now - could mop the floor with a ferocious brawny mutant ten times out of ten. NO WAY they would say... And why would they say that? Because the angel looks "weak" - in comparison! Appearances; that is all that most people need as a barometer for practically everything. From fruit and veggies you buy at the market to who can be trusted and who cannot be... Well, folks, the following adages are to be believed - it is not fair to compare and appearances are DECEIVING! In many more ways than just one, mind you... Angels don't look like much (especially if you don't see their wings - or if you do but they appear to be Ken dolls or boyband members... or have been, in a sick twist of logic, turned into mutants too) and yet just two of those guys -the genuine kind- wiped out Sodom & Gomorrha, at God's Command. They wield more power than you think... And they have more in their pinky finger than Wolverine does in all of his gruffy body - claws included! On the other hand, there's the other extreme; you may trust a charismatic individual only to find out that he is the devil in disguise (the devil being, after all, the Deceiver) *or* you could distrust this poorly garbed, less-than-eloquent and vaguely disturbing person on the street... And then see this person turn into an angel and save you from being run over by a car! That very same person could also simply ask you for change, directions or even rob you, of course... all extrapolation is possible here, sure! My point is - one simply never knows for sure. In order to "know for sure" - one must be capable of making full use of discernment as also to be able to peer into another person's soul... Easier said than done nowadays, when time is simply not on one's side... We no longer take the time to get to know ourselves - how can anyone be expected to bother to know his of her "fellow man"... hmm? That is just too bad; for, in order to "beat them" without "joining them" - we must know who we are first...

The all-encompassing editorial style strikes again! As you were able to perceive, indeed... I do have an opinion about any and every subject there is - and am not shy about sharing it, once it is finely worded and proofread, to boot! More such pieces will coming right up - you just know it. Or you just have to know it!
And, now, you do.
;)

Luminous... parolier!

2006-06-24T18:01:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have no clue and think it the same as a parrot; "un parolier" is a lyricist - not particularly a songwriter (a.k.a. chansonnier), although he can double as that too. Following here, is a song I penned to enter a contest judged by namesake and even lookalike of mine Luc de Larochellière... himself un chansonnier et parolier - oui. But, evidently, a lousy judge...

RAISON
Paroles de Luciano Pimentel

Sans raison apparente... Sans récolte imminente
mon coeur tressaillit pour toi - avec une si grande joie
toi qui m'as jalousé... toi qui m'en a fait tant ragé...
pourtant, moi, je ne t'en veux pas - c'est fou mais c'est comme ça
tu pourrais me faire damner une centaine de fois
que je te pardonnerais tout - et demeurerais fou de toi
ah, mais attention... attention...
il y a une limite... comme de raison!

Tu voudrais avoir raison
Quand la raison ne comprends pas
Mais moi j'ai bien plus raison
qu'une émotive comme toi!

tu émoustilles... et tu gaspilles
tu ne sais pas où tu t'en vas
tu fous tout en l'air - ah, que tu m'exaspères!
tu ne sais qu'une chose - et c'est me tomber sur les nerfs!
tu as du culot - et ça, ça oui, j'aime ça!
tu vas trop loin - oui, oh oui, ça c'est bien...!
tu sais comment me faire en redemander
tu sais exactement quand j'ai envie de t'aimer

Tu voudrais avoir raison
Quand la raison ne comprends pas
Mais moi j'ai bien plus raison
qu'une émotive comme toi!

tu es la sirène... et moi le capitaine
tu es la courtisane... et moi le macaque de matane
tu es l'ensorcelleuse... et moi l'ensorcellé
tu es la petite toute pieuse... et moi le grand débauché
tu es la vierge effarouchée... et moi le séducteur débonair
tu es folle à liée... et moi c'est à l'asile que je suis né!
tu as perdu tout contrôle... et moi... je trouve ça tellement drôle!
tu es un tantinet tannante... et moi je suis ton clown espiègle!

Faut s'faire une raison - on est pris pour être ensemble
Faut s'faire une raison - toi et moi c'est quand même bien, dans l'ensemble!
On ne sera jamais d'accord
Qui a raison - et qui a tort
Tantôt je suis le faible - un autre tantôt, c'est moi le fort
Toi, tu demeures la même - jour et nuit, dedans/dehors
Tu me fais tergiverser quand même - en demeurant si évasive
Et moi je t'adore tout de même - puisque je te sais si émotive

Tu voudrais donc avoir raison
Quand la raison ne l'explique pas
Or donc moi j'ai bien plus raison
qu'une émotive comme toi! (trois fois)

De fait, c'est la passion qui a raison
raison de tout, raison de moi - ha ha
Toi tu as tellement raison - tellement raison
Quand tu laisses triompher l'émotion!
passion... sans raison... (trois fois)

Copyright ©2006 Luciano Pimentel - Tous Droits Réservés

Can't shake the very désagréable feeling that this set of lyrics did not meet with LdeL's approval because of the unfortunate circumstances at the time - the fact that a spoof of the soap that primetime forgot, Dynasty, titled "Le Coeur A Ses Raisons" was broadcast weekly on the local (but also national - now) network known as TVA... Since I took to watching less and less LOCAL TV (thanks to the international portals to the world that are both the INTERNET and CABLE too - to some extent!) I knew not about this irreverent show that spoofs to the extreme all of daytime and prime time soaps alike, when I chose the thematic of my song. It must have played some factor in the decision, surely... Especially considering that I wrote these lyrics thinking that they would specifically match LdeL's style... I even imagined him singing it! (Well, either him or Pierre Lapointe!)
It's got to be those guys - and not my own songstress of a cousin, São! The lyrics would make as much sense if sung by her as it made sense to have Isabelle Boulay cover the old Jean Leloup hit "1990" on that other irreverent show (talk-show this time) - "Belle Et Bum"; which I only caught to watch said cuz's appearance in it! Oh well - so much for all that...! It may have been a tad ridiculous to think that LdeL would sing it so soon - but not as ridiculous as creating the incongruous stage moment by attributing the wrong song to the "unfit to sing it artist" actually is! ;)

Ah - a luminous update now, if you will! ;)
If you may want to listen to the song - as entonnée by yours truly, you may check it out right here. This feature is also found on the sidebar of this very site. It is only the first minute of this song, not one extra bar beyond that, without music per se - but it does give you an idea of what this song would be like if sung by a genuine chansonnier...! Or a funnyman...! ;)

A Speech

2006-05-08T16:00:00.000-07:00

Once more, this is one of those exceptions to the rule here that have the trademark fluorescent smile not making its usual appearance here, at the top or at the bottom of any given entry on this blog/portfolio; for this was in the most solemn of occasions - the gravest of times. I sure wasn't smiling, that day, let me tell you that much - for starters.
Speech writing skills come naturally to me: even in stressful, painful, woeful moments that I have had to get through - that we all have to face, one day, sooner or later in life...
Here it is in striking fashion. The following is a partial transcript (85% of it is there) of the speech that I delivered myself on a most momentous occasion. I had not planned to say a word - but it soon dawned upon me that I simply had to. This was in the church where we held a twenty-minute mass for my dear father's funeral last April. Being on terre canadienne française also known as territoire québécois, I had to say it all in French.
Suspension points underline a pause in the speech - for accentuation and style.
The moment was grave - hence, the tone was appropriately subdued.
I decided to speak upon setting foot in the church, and informed the priest of my intentions right away. He didn't seem excessively surprised, even though it was not planned. He figured he could "squeeze me in". He relied heavily on my information to prepare his speech - but I had omitted a lot of things and I used them all myself. Perhaps, subconsciously, I knew that I would speak that day - only consciously I did not know per say.
I was summoned to the pulpit soon enough - and the priest whispered to me "ça va bien aller" which means "it will go without a hitch". I thought to myself "I know that" and I proceeded to deliver my speech flawlessly - truly, my best delivery ever.
The speech itself would have been even better, had I actually prepared it beforehand... As it is, it was just right:

João... Jacinto... Borges... Pimentel

Je n'ai jamais connu d'homme plus honnête... intègre... patient... dévoué à sa famille...
que João Pimentel... mon père.

Seulement deux personnes ici présentes connaissaient mon père mieux que moi...
son épouse, ma mère... et DIEU
(...)
Ce monde était meilleur - et enrichi - avec sa présence.
Ceux qui enrichissent ce monde nous quitte plus vite.
Ceux qui souillent ce monde durent plus longtemps.

Mon père n'était pas "quelqu'un"... il n'était pas un politicien... il n'était pas un homme d'État... mais on gagnait à le connaître.
C'était un saint homme.
Et le perdre, est notre perte à nous... et le gain du Paradis... qui a d'ores et déjà un ange de plus.

Que Dieu Te Bénisse, Papa

If I can deliver a flawless speech, perfect in every point for the occasion, speak it before a crowd on the day that I was most stressful, heart-broken, sad, dejected and depressed - a crowd that, of course, applauded me with aplomb when I was done - and hit every note that I needed to address in passing... ALL THIS with mere seconds as prep time... IMAGINE what I could come up with actual time to prepare something for you.

Thank you for reading me.

Eu guarderei a tua memoria viva neste mundo, pai - até o fim

+++

saturday morning cartoons

2006-03-18T06:45:00.000-08:00

Boys never really let go of their toys - some will say. Hey - they are precious mementos, I say! And the Good Lord loves us most when we keep that child inside of us alive and thriving... No matter how grown up we get to be, we are but children in His Eyes, anyhow. But that is another story: now, here, some creative ventures that may appear childish to some of you but are, truly, totally and completely serious.
Enjoy.

View my plastic jesus versus satan lego clash comic right where it was made (and make your own HERE)!

Or... forget all that and just admire it right here!
Drum roll, please...

Lest you are like me, and you prefer the *luminous* version...

More creations are forthcoming - less apocalyptic ones too, I assure you!

In the meantime, click on this other cartoony caricature above - for my own brand of humor, cartooning and low-brow luminous satire!
There is much more to come - I promise you!

luminous editorials - vol. 2

2006-02-13T08:25:00.000-08:00

"Statistics Sundays: Alarming Air Edition (Not Just For Airheads!)"
as previously seen on The Luminous Blog (aka TLB Prime)

No can do. I cannot abandon the ol' gloom and doom thing...

Look at the facts:
I'm stuck with a hereditary background that probably has already numbered my days.

I have enemies - more than anyone can imagine.

I am breathing polluted air, inside and outside and everywhere I go really...

I am consuming genetically-modified foods and other products crammed with artificial preservatives...

And this is, I'm afraid, only the tip of the iceberg...

Now really - I simply cannot stop with the gloom and doom!

No freaking way.

Such was my reply days ago to a comment left here; and such is my stance forevermore! It is every living being's right and natural instinct to act towards SELF-PRESERVATION. Granted, some have definite AUTO-DESTRUCTIVE tendencies... I'd rather be the latter myself -or, as I am really, a mix of the previous two here- than being as messed up as, say, a schizophrenic autophagic neurotic empty shell of a human being bent on nothing else but the annihilation of oneself and anyone that might *dare* to try and help out in going the opposite way from that nihilistic proclivity!

Thank The Good Lord, I am not so abysmally concerned! I have some self-preservation sense in me, absolutely - in that, I will not tolerate that another decides when I am to make my exit! No one else will undermine my health either - I shall do that MYSELF! Here comes the "auto-destructive side" into play; that stems from my lack of fear really! I do not fear the Grim Reaper. I said so many times before. I see it not as the end, but as the beginning. Even more, it is the deliverance of the soul, freed from its mortal coil. I liken death, hence, to a prisoner being set free at last. The ball and chain are severed from the prisoner's ankle, and up we go, into the starry ways - sort of like that Red Bull commercial, only the former convict will not ascend with the ball and chain in tow - at all (you see, we're all convicted to LIFE TERMS! Oh, that's so metaphorically rich - is it not? But I digress...)

I strive therefore to be "released early, for good behaviour" - and I have strived for that for years! (Not *actively*, mind you - I am not suicidal! That would not achieve the point here... Only God Will Decide the time and place of my "departure" - ok?) However, I mustn't be such a saint after all, since I made it past the age of Christ... Forces appear to be converging anyway, as summarized at the top of this post here, to facilitate such a hasty departure... Alas, for these forces, I am tougher than they thought! Mercy on those that underestimate me or those that are like me...
Not that I will be showing much of it or any at all really...!

I am still standing - after years of being stuffed with BHT and other unholy substances...

Speaking of BHT, BHA/BHT is short for Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT), both of which are chemical preservatives.

BHA and BHT have been banned from human use in many countries. In the US, they are still permitted in pet foods. Apparently, though, they have also been allowed, for many years and to this day, as one of the preservatives on certain products meant for human consumption. BHA is generally used to keep fats from becoming rancid. It is also used as a yeast de-foaming agent. BHA is found in butter, meats, cereals, chewing gum, baked goods, snack foods, dehydrated potatoes, and beer. It is also found in animal feed, food packaging, cosmetics, rubber products, and petroleum products.
BHT also prevents oxidative rancidity of fats. It is used to preserve food odor, color, and flavor. Many packaging materials incorporate BHT. It is also added directly to shortening, cereals, and other foods containing fats and oils.
I always thought that Frankenberry, Cap'n'Crunch, Count Chocula and especially Toucan Sam were not looking out for *my* best interests at all...
There is a far more positive side to BHA/BHT than the ability to prevent fat spoilage, and it is this: both BHA and BHT have undergone the additive application and review process required by the US Food and Drug Administration. However, the same chemical properties which make BHA and BHT excellent preservatives may also be implicated in health effects. The oxidative characteristics and/or metabolites of BHA and BHT may contribute to carcinogenicity or tumorigenicity; however the same reactions may combat oxidative stress. There is evidence that certain persons may have difficulty metabolizing BHA and BHT, resulting in health and behavior changes. BHA and BHT may have antiviral and antimicrobial activities. Research is underway concerning the use of BHT in the treatment of herpes simplex and AIDS.
Wow - such high hopes for these chemical structures; surely for naught! That'll be the day when man-made compounds can reverse the effects of a bonafide End Times Plague...!
But I digress...

Another source of possible *big time trouble* for me and for you too: genetically-modified foods! Aye - Frankenfoods! Mary Shelley would be proud! Or not. But that is another story...

Once again, the concept comes packed with good intentions; On the horizon are bananas that produce human vaccines against infectious diseases such as hepatitis B; fish that mature more quickly; fruit and nut trees that yield years earlier, and plants that produce new plastics with unique properties.
Hmm... There's truly a little something for everyone in there! All industries would benefit from the full-time instauration of these new norms - and profit is everything, right?
Enhanced taste and quality of the crops - whatever it is, it will also be ripe faster than ever before, and speedier maturation equals more profits! It also would have a longer shelf life... No one stopped to think then about the DIGESTION of these; what of that? Talk about potential catastrophic tummy troubles here...! Not to mention the effects of all this on mother nature; that which surrounds man, the consumer/destroyer, said nature that is only on LOAN to him, but he seems not to grasp that notion very well...?
In this light there comes to mind the eloquent words of the late Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, condensed as follows:

"A year after…a massive spraying…there was not a sound of the song of bird….. What was man doing to…our beautiful world…Who has made the decision that sets in motion…this ever-widening wave of death."

No doubt mechanical patterns in nature are real. But they can be a superficial by-product and not reflective of the deepest or true essence of life.
Just some of the dangers of genetically-modified elements in the food chain - and the domino effect that ensues... At random:
Direct Cancer and Degenerative Disease Links - In 1994, FDA approved Monsanto's rBGH, a genetically produced growth hormone, for injection into dairy cows – even though scientists warned the resulting increase of IGF-1, a potent chemical hormone, is linked to 400-500% higher risks of human breast, prostrate, and colon cancer. According to Dr. Samuel Epstein of the University of Chicago, it "induces the malignant transformation of human breast epithelial cells." Rat studies confirmed the suspicion and showed internal organ damage with rBGH ingestion. In fact, the FDA's own experiments indicated a spleen mass increase of 46% - a sign of developing leukemia. The contention was that the hormone was killed by pasteurization. But in research conducted by two Monsanto scientists, Ted Elasser and Brian McBride, only 19% of the hormone was destroyed despite boiling milk for 30 minutes when normal pasteurization is 30 seconds. Canada, the European Union, Australia and New Zealand have banned rBGR. The UN's Codex Alimentarius, an international health standards setting body, refused to certify rBGH as safe. Yet Monsanto continues to market this product in the US.
Recorded Deaths from GM - In 1989, dozens of Americans died and several thousands were afflicted and impaired by a genetically altered version of the food supplement – L-tryptophan. A settlement of $2 billion dollars was paid by Showa Denko, Japan’s third largest chemical company. (Mayeno and Gleich, 1994).
Near-deaths from Allergic Reactions - In 1996, Brazil nut genes were spliced into soybeans by a company called Pioneer Hi-Bred. Some individuals, however, are so allergic to this nut, they go into apoplectic shock (similar to a severe bee sting reaction) which can cause death. Animal tests confirmed the peril and fortunately the product was removed from the market before any fatalities occurred. "The next case could be less than ideal and the public less fortunate," writes Marion Nestle, head of the Nutrition Department of NYU in an editorial to the New England Journal of Medicine. About 25% of Americans have adverse reactions to foods. 8% of children and 2% of adults have food allergies as tested by blood immunoglobins.
Antibiotic Threat – Via Milk - Cows injected with rBGH have a much higher level of udder infections and require more antibiotics. This leaves unacceptable levels of antibiotic residues in the milk. Scientists have warned of public health hazards due to growing antibiotic resistance.
Plenty more where that came from: here.

Gee... even the milk for the already hazardous cereal! Talk about a lose-lose situation... Add to that eating that dangerous concoction in the morning in a contaminated atmosphere (various contaminants can be listed at this point) with the knowledge that your own metabolism is ticking away on you (no one can stop heredity!) and you get the doomed picture: it isn't just me! All of us: we can't eat, drink or even breathe now, without some hazard to our health being there, oftentimes undetected...

Speaking of breathing...
We all know that co2 emissions are one of the greatest threats to our planet's atmosphere - and that our poor lungs are not up for such abuse for a very long time. Yet, I hear it so often I could puke: "a car is a necessity". So is dying, quite obviously - who wants to live forever? Especially in this mess that we've made... Brazil (I should spell it the way they do down there too: Brasil!) has made a splendid job paving the way to a post-petrol world, with the progressive switch to ethanol, which a zillion times better and all... But the rest of the world - especially we know who - are not following suit. Uncle Sam was always a difficult one - picky when he shouldn't have been (some leader of the free world; if he hadn't been bothered in Pearl Harbor, he wouldn't have done a thing about the Nazis, the Fascists and the Nippons! Sheesh...) and Uncle George's constant flip-flop over co2 emissions and the USA's responsibility is quite the pathetic display of greed mixed in with complete incompetence... The rest of the world does not have to follow Uncle George's example though...
Emissions of carbon dioxide have been falling since 1970. However, there were peaks in 1973 and 1979 because of severe winters, the state of the economy and high oil prices (resulting in increased use of coal) in those years.
The general decline in carbon dioxide emissions is due to increased efficiency in energy use, a switch from coal to natural gas and nuclear in power stations, a move away from coal towards gas and electricity in the domestic sector and a decline in heavy industry. Transport is the only sector that shows an increase in CO2 emissions. This reflects the increase in road traffic, which has outweighed improvements in energy efficiency of vehicles.
Carbon dioxide emissions are expected to rise again after 2005 despite the use of more advanced technology and abatement equipment. Consumption of fossil fuels is likely to increase with increasing energy demands and decreased use of nuclear power for electricity production.
What is being done about it, you asked?
Under the Kyoto Protocol, the UK has a target to reduce emissions of six key greenhouse gases (including CO2) by 12.5% relative to the 1990 level over the period 2008 to 2012. It also has a domestic goal to cut CO2 emissions by 20% below 1990 levels by 2010. Hmm... those years emerge once again as turning points: 2010, 2012... The Mayans would be proud! ;)

Let's wrap this up, cause I feel nausea getting to me (lest it is la moutarde qui me monte au nez... Eh?)
So, in short...
I can't eat to my heart's -or stomach's- content, because the food is not 100% kosher (meant figuratively only, I assure you! Rabbis - don't flatter yourselves!)
I can't drink to my heart's content either - water's polluted beyond belief, tap water has to be boiled, for it has killed before, and bottled water is not all that reliable, as we have seen on this blog weeks ago...
I can't sleep even, because of NOISE POLLUTION...!!!
I can't walk around and breathe to my... lungs content really, cause everywhere I go, there's air pollution of some kind.
Gee... you might as well be dead indeed!
But... I am not! I am alive! I will survive!
So will so many that shouldn't, though - the very ones who are making this mess and others, even more insidious, messes!
It is getting really hard to do as Anna Nalick suggests though - and that is just to "BREATHE".
(Ha - gotcha there, eh? You thought for a second that I was going to post Gloria Gaynor's song, hmm? Nah - disco is dead, haven't you heard? It is better off that way...)

Is it just me or does Miss Nalick remind one a little or a lot of that boastful brunette up in Vancouver, British Columbia who led the way in the lynching murder of Reena Virk...? Miss Virk sure is not breathing anymore...
As for Miss Nalick; it's just a physical resemblance - I hope.

Essay: Our society or fairness

2006-02-11T20:28:00.000-08:00

Our society or fairness - or what we should protect the most

I came, I saw... I became disillusioned.

On a casual outing to the store, we see things sometimes that make us think.
Picture, for example, this elderly woman whom I saw being asked to walk backwards towards the store's entrance which she had just taken as an exit. The store's security system rang at her crossing the threshold, signaling that something in her bag had not been paid for. The man whose job consists of diplomatically harassing customers quickly caught up to her and gently asked her to come back, for another test... It rang again and so the full inspection treatment was on.

At that point, one can approach the man who is doing this and ask him "what are you doing this for, really?"

Is it for the company? Is it for himself? Is it for the "justice" of it? Is it for fairness' sake? Everybody pays, so shall she? No - it is not truly for any of those reasons. It is to protect a SYSTEM. A flawed system as all man-made things are, evidently... The consumerism system. Capitalism. Mercantilism. A mere principle, really - and it comes first, above some poor elderly woman's dignity. Now, it must be pointed out that she was not "poor" in that sense of miserabilism, no. She was well-dressed and well-groomed, wore some jewelry and clearly had enough on herself to pay for whatever she had purchased that day... But the fact that this person's basic dignity has less value than the mere conventions of society cannot be emphasized enough. Sure, it is a crime to steal - but our system has it that the accusers have the burden of proof. Therefore, the dame was innocent until proven otherwise. And as such, an innocent dame should be treated as such. Stealing is a crime, surely - but it is rampant these days to see the so-called justice that is meted out not apply to the measure of the crime. And, again, here there was no evidence of a crime - yet.

(...)
In the end, it was a mistake from the clerk who had not seen that one item scanned at the cash had not one but two striped code bar on it. A ticketing blunder; that was all it truly was. A blunder that had caused a customer to be not only inconvenienced but aggravated as well. She should have sued them - and I hope she did just that.

For in this society where we, as the robots that we are assigned to be, have to follow the rules very nearly blindly, we also have rights. That is correct: not just obligations, but rights as well.

And we must remind the system of that fact sometimes - lest it will forget that and other facts.

And only remember a series of numbers attributed to us - not our names either...

This was but an excerpt, of course. For the entire text, and other essays, you will have to buy the book...!

+++

Stand-Up Comedy - Take One

2006-01-28T19:25:00.000-08:00

Don't you just love it when the songs on an album seem to be telling you something? I mean, the order in which they appear on the album, the jacket - the CD! Each tune is a distinct phase in the evolution of whatever it is that the subject is (usually - relationships!). Personally, I put them together that way too - on any playlist I ever do, customized CD I burn or whatever... THE ORDER OF THE SONGS HAS TO TELL A STORY IN AND BY ITSELF! But it sure is funnier when it already comes that way from the record manufacturer (do they call them that still...? Anyway!)

Like this chick's album... each song came one after the other in a distinctive order that reeked of a... crescendo? Either that or whatever goes the opposite way, y'know...! And you had to believe that it was all trying to TELL US SOMETHING... If it isn't intentional, then this chick needs psychological help... Check out the titles of these tracks! Just look at these tunes - we can almost see the film of this relationship as it went from bad to worse... to worse still!

Track number 01. It's Over Now
Track number 02. Nobody's Supposed To Be Here
Track number 03. Up And Down
Track number 04. Up & Down (In & Out) - that was a remix! ;)
Track number 05. We Can't Be Friends
Track number 06. Get Out Of My Life
Track number 07. What - Still Here?

Yikes! The furniture was flying... then the clothes were flying... then they were back to tossing couches through the window I guess!
There was no need for a song about the police's involvement in this sordid affair or the following lamentably lengthy -not to mention costly- judicial procedures, I suppose... those won't help sales!

Luminous Investigative Journalism

2005-12-01T19:21:00.000-08:00

You've heard of CSI and maybe also of VIJ - now this would be where the two of them meet: LIJ! Don't be scared though; Luminous is here! This is another sampling of a series of articles that I am preparing, as a freelancer, on a subject that I find simply and completely fascinating - spiritism... and more. Take it this way; it is evidence that physical death is *not* the end! Alas (or perhaps fortunately) I have only a sampling in French for you, as it was the language I had chosen to do this bit of journalistic work in. It is a fortunate mishap now, for it gives me the opportunity to offer you yet another sampling of my TRANSLATION work as well; thus transforming this sample into a 2 for 1 deal that showcases my literary prowess - and I am therefore very glad of the double opportunity! The translation, however, will be found in the luminous comments section - thank you! (I do not advise using AltaVista Babel Fish's translation tool to try and translate the text that follows; it will turn it all into gibberish, most likely, and neither you nor me wants this - well, certainly not me!)

Esprits, êtes-vous là? Bien sûr qu'ils sont là!

Depuis des temps immémoriaux, de toute culture, on a voulu croire aux esprits et à l'existence d'un au-delà. Croire, parce que ce serait une question de foi et qu'il faut normalement et vraisemblablement attendre d'être passé de vie à trépas pour connaitre enfin toutes les réponses. Par contre, il y en a certains parmi nous qui prétendent être en mesure de donner, d'ores et déjà, toutes les réponses que l'on peut vouloir - ou presque.

De toute époque dans l'histoire de l'humanité, on a ardemment chercher ces réponses, de même que des preuves convaincantes, et ce sont toujours les adeptes du mouvement spirite et de ses ''sciences'' connexes qui tendent à être ceux qui vont fournir ces preuves estimées nécessaires pour convaincre les sceptiques les plus endurcis. Mais nous ne parlerons pas ici beaucoup de ceux-là, ni de ces spirites ou médiums qui ne font que contacter les morts, d'ailleurs... Non, notre attention sera tournée vers une autre catégorie plus élevée que cela au sein même de ce mouvement de croyance - et de faits bien réels, nous assure-t-on. Car il existe une hiérarchie dans ce domaine-ci également

Nous ne nous attarderons donc pas à cette catégorie que tous savent reconnaître déjà; les médiums quasi-prestidigitateurs qui sont aptes à démontrer l'existence d'un monde spirituel spectaculairement, en produisant de l'ectoplasme à profusion. Nous avons plutôt choisi de nous pencher sur ceux qui sont tenus comme de précieux secrets au sein des communautés culturelles de plusieurs grandes villes cosmopolites. Ceux qui sont ainsi reconnus comme la seule alternative et le seul recours fiable lorsque la médecine traditionnelle ne peut rien pour vous.

Ceux qui communiquent avec l'au-delà - pour trouver plus que des réponses à un simple questionnement existentiel; ils y trouvent solutions aux problèmes de santé des vivants également. "Les gens viennent souvent nous voir pour pallier à l'angoisse d'avoir perdu un être cher aussi, s'assurer qu'il ou elle est bien, là où son essence spirituelle se trouve maintenant," nous avoue Sr.Tomas C. en guise d'introduction, "une fois cela règlé, les gens nous parleront alors de leurs problèmes et c'est là que notre véritable travail commence."

Un fréquent collègue de Sr. Tomas explicite la chose encore mieux en ces termes: "les morts ne sont pas partis, du tout. Ils se soucient de nous et, sans eux, les gens comme moi ne sauraient pas faire quoique ce soit pour les autres non plus. C'est mon guide spirituel qui sait les choses - pas moi," nous confie Jorge S. de son bureau en banlieue torontoise qui est officiellement reconnu comme un centre d'aide unique en son genre.

"Je ne suis que l'intermédiaire choisi pour l'occasion, c'est tout. Et s'il me dit d'aider quelqu'un, je n'ai pas le droit de refuser," précise-t-il tout en mentionnant, par ailleurs, que ce don qu'il lui a été fait -le don d'aider autrui- est gratuit et qu'il ne demande pas de rémunération pour ses services. De fait, ils ont tous des emplois divers qui n'ont aucun rapport avec le spiritisme et ils ne pratiquent leur spécialité que sous forme de bénévolat dans leurs temps libres.

Ceci nous amène donc dans le véritable vif du sujet et la vérité est toute autre que celle que plusieurs imaginent quand ils entendent parler de "séances" et autres formalités spirites; car seuls les amateurs entrent en contact avec les esprits que pour leur parler et s'assurer de leur existence même. Les professionnels, eux, maintiennent un contact constant avec non pas les morts mais certains morts, leurs guides, dans le but précis d'aider la minorité qui demeure de ce côté-ci, dans le monde des vivants. Un monde rongé de tant de maux, que seuls ceux qui s'en sont échappé peuvent nous donner un coup de main pour passer au travers de toutes ces épreuves qui forment un tout et une seule et même Épreuve... qu'est la Vie! Car de fait, en bout de ligne, l'affliction la plus courante semble être celle de se trouver dans la condition fort précaire d'être vivant!

(...)

luminous thesis on genre moviemaking...

2005-11-07T11:24:00.000-08:00

Moviemakers have tried to capitalize on the fascination people have with the unknown... The paranormal... The unexplained... And so was born genre cinema, eons ago it seems. One could say that the fascination was born way before cinema itself was and be absolutely right - for the birth of a new medium only brings forth additional venues to vehiculate the same old perennial obsessions...
Everyone has wanted to visit a reputedly haunted house - or wondered about what indeed does happen once death wins the battle and we are forced to cross over... Ghosts, Phantoms or simply the Dead, in various forms indeed, have come back to thrill movie audiences in a most morbid way to be quite frank - and that genre will never go away.

In movies though, rarely do we see "good dead" - the ghost of the grandmother in Poltergeist II comes to mind... And maybe The Others as well... Not to mention the good shrink (is there such a thing - among the living that is) in The Sixth Sense...!

Aside from that, really, rotten celluloid productions have it most of the time that, once one crosses over, one becomes utterly scary and thus automatically evil! Virginia Madsen's character in CANDYMAN... Alice Krige's character in GHOST STORY... Even that BLUE BOY Emma Thompson ran into... All became, literally "overnight", consummated and shameless evil - driving sensible souls as also quite a few purists to proclaim "enough with that tendency already"... But it falls on deaf (and maybe even equally dead) ears...

One who is good all throughout life DOES NOT BECOME EVIL UPON DYING! Even if the crossing over was, shall we say "traumatic"... But, of course, a horror film has little use for a ghost that is not scary... CASPER was not a hit; was it? Even though the CGI really made Casper come alive, ironically, that feat alone did not translate into a massive turnout at the box office, alas! People love their ghosts and ghouls to be "scary", not friendly - such is my conclusion and that of any other fine observer as well.

Vampires and Zombies (aka the Undead and the Living-Dead - heaven forbid such things to ever come close to "reality" in any way...!) do not count, of course - they are but distasteful fantasy oftentimes, for one thing. And, for another thing, even in the context of their fictional reality and rules, these are not "normal dead" - they are much more like the victims of a plague or a contagion. They become infected, contaminated, and hence they change... They are in effect no longer their true selves. Many films have, in their scenario, NO SOLUTION AT ALL for the problem that such creatures would pose - if they ever were to become a reality, of course! The only efficient and adequate solution it appears would be the ultimate one - the ultimate disinfectation through nuking the whole lot of them - and that is quite excessive. Destroying an evil by bringing back the spectre of nuclear devastation - just the kind of happy ending moviegoers crave too, is it not?

Thank heavens all that is but (im-)pure fiction! And nothing more than that...

One day, I should go ahead and make a movie myself; that will be the day when moviegoers will be offered something that packs a wallop, throws everything at them (including the kitchen sink) *and* manages to teach them a valuable life lesson all at the same time! Plus, as a special bonus, at the end of it all, they will see an end to the evil that was fought so valiantly by the hero or heroes - and the futility of it all because, short of God Almighty Himself eradicating ALL EVIL - when mere mortals stop one evil, a thousand others grow in its place to pick up where it left off...

limerick poetry

2005-10-31T10:04:00.000-08:00

The trick-or-treaters pack up their candy
Into their bags it is thrown merrily
By good folkes near
So seldom dear
Still they prove to be generous and chummy!

Ghouls and Beastlings gather at night
No one doubts their power or their might
Foolishly there are some
who would say it is dumb
to believe in these creatures, especially tonight!

Il était une fois une dame de Dijon
Qui respectait toutes les religions.
Elle disait, "Quant à moi,
Je sais ce qu'est La Foi
et tout ce que l'on peut obtenir si nous prions."

There once was an athlete in Boston
Who liked to win and be a Champion
He kept requesting a trade
Believing to be self-made
And once his wish was granted he found himself wanton!

There once was a woman from Pawtucket
who really would rather live in Nantucket.
For she had six kids,
and they would skid
so she hoped abroad not to hear again "he took it".

I really ought to do more of these - brand them as "luminous limerick/Pimentel poetry" and issue them all on t-shirts during St-Patrick's Day, March Madness or something like that!
We shall see...

the essay that won me 500$ - Canadian, but still...!

2005-10-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

When I write about a given subject and that subject is dear to me, the results are always something else... Here is a striking, beautiful example of this: I hope it inspires anyone and everyone who may read it.

Depuis l'âge de cinq ans, ma respiration est saccadée, plus difficile par moments, beaucoup moins aisée par d'autres... Et j'ai certes appris à vivre avec cela dès lors - bien entouré, bien sûr, par des parents bien informés et une assistance médicale adéquate - mon cheminement et ma progression n'ont jamais été altérés par cette condition. La clé aura toujours été la préparation et l'assidûment - la volonté de vivre une vie comme les autres - sans presque aucun ralentissement dans mon évolution ni dans mes activités quotidiennes.

J'ai toujours refusé les compromis, et ce que je fais c'est simplement mettre toutes les chances de mon côté pour ne pas voir le pire des scénarios se produire. Je connais mes limites et je sais les respecter. J'espace mes activités, je me ménage et je sais prendre toutes les pauses qui me sont nécessaires. En effet, l'asthme m'a fait prendre plus mon temps dans tout ce que je fais et, par conséquent, cela m'a permis d'apprécier toutes les petites facettes de la vie qui sont, de fait, primordiales. Une maladie chronique - mais une bénédiction à cet égard donc - qui m'a vraiment aidé à réaliser que la vie doit être savourée avec son temps; chaque instant compte et se précipiter ne risque pas seulement de nous laisser tous à bout de souffle, mais aussi de nous faire manquer bien des choses qui sont fondamentales.

Aujourd'hui, je fais un métier que j'aime - l'écriture de même que du design de sites sur le net - à mon rythme et à la maison, ce qui me permet d'avoir une vie familiale satisfaisante avec du temps pour toutes les activités qui peuvent me tenter - du ski de fond au patin à roulettes! Et je ne laisse pas l'asthme dicter ma vie. Je l'ai dompté et j'en suis fier.

The URL where the text is to be found... for a time...
http://www.pq.poumon.ca/
concours/cinqcent.html#Luciano

more poetry - from and for gloomy days...

2005-10-11T19:07:00.000-07:00

LOVE AND DAWN - PAIN AND PAWN
What are we all in this world
if not lovers and drifters, hawkers and grifters
who offer themselves up in exchange for bliss
and, if we dare not, would surely be remiss.
From the very dawn of our earthly lives
until the brisk and great beyond - the afterlife
where unseen activity simmers and boils
and makes our earthly activities and toils
seem as trite and insignificant foils
for our own spiritual progress - ahoy
as we roam the seas of kismet and fate
without a sextant; without even faith
Are we doomed to always be
the mere pawns of destiny?
Condemned to repeat over and over again
the same mistakes to the bitter end?
Acting as pawns to our own desires
at the risk of living a life oh most dire
we risk much pain, much dejection
and not merely coming from rejection.
For even in love and passion
one can feel, somehow, depression

Copyright ©2005 Luciano Pimentel A.R.R.

Love can be redundant as well
and so its ring is that of a familiar bell
the chimes of which enchant us, hypnotize
as mermaid chants many a sailor enticed
We are powerless before this encantation
for, deep down, we all crave passion
How do we fight off our own yearnings?
Verily - to do so would be self-defeating!

Aye, the torment a lover feels is unrivalled
As surely as the overwhelming passion itself is
The mere thought of losing the one we love
can only be likened to the abyss
Concatenated are all our desires
Blending in longing, loving, lusting
and when the hope in a void becomes mired
it is then that we begin slowly dying

First time a poem of mine has a sequel... then another... and I feel more coming...

Sorry but, this time, the trademark fluorescent smile present in every other post here will not make an appearance. Not in the mood, see...? There are always exceptions to every rule...

Luminous little article written for another competition - unabridged version here!

2005-10-10T00:12:00.000-07:00

Here is an online article ready-made for consumption - the way we all like them to be, evidently! It was penned for a definite market and with a definite readership in mind - you will quickly understand that upon discovering what the subject is.

Cyber socializing: even better than the real thing
by Luciano A. Pimentel

In this day and age, one does not have to put up with the routines and hassles of going out, dressing up or even putting a brave face on anymore. One can stay in and, from the coziness of one's own home, one can mingle with one and all! Chat rooms, instant messaging, webcams, message boards... Even the old stand-by, the e-mail (with sufficient attachments, surely - whether it is doctored imagery or not is entirely up to you!) - all of these means are safer and may be even far more pleasant ways to socialize! Safer too, for few hassles are involved - although it is debatable if indeed such dalliances are truly more casual than the old-fashioned ones... It all depends on the individual really...!

Fact is, interaction on the web can be taken as seriously as live and in the flesh interaction. And this can be seen all across the palette of cyber-offerings... as that of human emotions too! Message boards routinely see veritable hatred develop and rise sharply between opposing posters championing diametrically conflicted viewpoints on any given topic... Likewise, chat rooms are often the unceremonious virtual grounds of those first few sparks between posters who recognize in each other a kindred spirit. But it does not make the emotions involved any less real necessarily speaking... Nor does it make any sudden break-up any more "casual" per say either! Disappointment is disappointment! It all boils down to the degree to which the participants have immersed themselves into these "unusual" proceedings... These are less and less "unusual" though, for the bar scene is now splitting -pretty evenly it would appear too- the dating scene with cyber-encounters. One leads to the other really… A fine collaboration of sorts...!

On the other hand, for the true conversationalist, these proceedings can be even better to dig out the truth faster... Think about it - in an instant messaging situation, even with a webcam on, the fluff factor is minimalized - in favor of substance. One is forced to actually listen (or read) if the person has anything worthwhile to say. Once that is confirmed -for it isn't always- the expert conversationalist can take control of the chat situation and, by asking the right questions at the right time, get to know the other person better in fifteen minutes than he would have in several dates maybe! One cannot peer into another's soul when preoccupied with the all-important (not) task of winning a lengthy tongue duel... Not much is learned then, aside from the value of the kisser maybe...! Conversation is the key in the courtship stage – and it is no coincidence that I.M. providers call these things “conversations” and nothing less!

Safety is paramount in this day and age. And nowhere else will you find such a combination of utmost intimacy with complete safety - from everything! There are many possible scenarios of "things that could go wrong" during dates... Conversing online, even with perfect strangers -and the old adage is true; we're all strangers, until we say "hello" and get to know each other- lowers the risks practically to nil. Just run a virus and spyware check on your computer afterwards - just in case!

The important thing is to get to know who you are dealing with, before ever agreeing to meet with that person. And, once you do, let it be in a group setting or in a public space, of course. This will be so much better than a mere blind date, simply because of the prior contact. If more than one "chat" was part of the preparatory groundwork, it will feel akin to getting together with an old accomplice already. And if nothing comes from it, you have made a friend, an acquaintance, a possible networking contact as well. Nothing is lost, as long as we have two persons on the same wavelength, open and trustworthy. If both reached out across these wires known as the internet for a bit of human contact, surely they were honest and well-intentioned in their endeavor. One can tell, in the course of several chats, if they are not - that is proven.

Happy chatting, all!

some sports commentary now...

2005-10-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

The sports fanatic is me is another alter ego that thrives and animates itself, once in a while... So many injustices occur in the wild world of sports, for the entire world to see, that one cannot resist the temptation to comment on it and make sure the allegorical sense is driven across to all.

On sports broadcaster Chris Berman during the Red Sox/White Sox games on ESPN...
I like Berman.
All I've heard so far is just him seeing things as they really are: the two teams matched up equally... Don't tell me El Duque is not as over-the-hill as Wells is... And the Red Sox hitting is SUPERIOR INDEED... It only began to be its true self in game 3 (of the first round post-season series)...

Ultimately though, Berman knows that the Red Sox used to be the Pilgrims (not to mention the victims of a curse, of course) and the White Sox have the mark of the Black Sox still all over them!
Evil-looking Ozzie G does not help their image! Terry Francona looked like Francis of Assisi in comparison...

Suddenly I see another evil empire standing, this time in the Windy City...
Sunday, October 09, 2005

On the sad state of the NHL...
Penguins and Canadiens fans especially but likely everyone else in the @#%$ league sighed a collective sigh of relief when CAM "THE MAN" NEELY WAS FORCED TO RETIRE in 1995...

And why did he retire?
Because a haggard tired old coach who had never won anything wanted desperately to win something before he was permanently out of the game (and, incidentally, he didn't know it at the time but he had cancer - and his days were counted already) - and so he sent out Ulf "the chump" Samuelsson to purposefully injure Neely FROM BEHIND in the 1991 playoffs... Otherwise, Neely would have eliminated the Penguins all by himself!

NO ONE CARES FOR NEELY EXCEPT THE FANS WHO WANTED HIM TO SCORE FOR THEM - AND THAT SUCKS - BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENED SHOULD HAVE NEVER OCCURRED - AND IF YOU ARE TRULY GREAT SPORTSMEN AND INTO FAIR PLAY, FOLKS, YOU WOULD WANT TO SEE CAM NEELY GO ON BREAKAWAY AFTER BREAKAWAY ON ROY (OR... HAHAHA... THEO! THEO WOULDN'T STAND A CHANCE!) AND SCORE EVERY TIME... BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT MAKES THE DAMN SPORT ANYTHING REMOTELY CLOSE TO BEAUTIFUL!

IN RE: 1993 - LET NOT VICTORIES STOLEN IN SUDDEN DEATH OVERTIME FOOL YOU IN THE LEAST - THE BRUINS HAD NO PROBLEMS THAT YEAR; THEY WERE A TEAM OF DESTINY, A DESTINY THAT WENT UNFULFILLED BECAUSE THEY HAD ONLY ONE YEAR TO FULFILL IT AND THEY SINNED WITH AN EXCESS OF CONFIDENCE... ALMOST LIKE THE HABS DID IN 1988 AGAINST BOSTON!

I AM MORE INCLINED TO BELIEVE A VETERAN PLAYER LIKE DAVE POULIN OVER ANYONE ELSE - AND I CAN STILL REMEMBER POULIN SAYING THAT AFTER GAME FOUR - "WE HAD THE TEAM HERE..." - MOOG WAS STILL HIS OLD SELF, NOT THE SAP THAT ENDED HIS CAREER IN MONTREAL... WESLEY, BOURQUE, POULIN, OATES, NEELY, JUNEAU (WHO WAS STILL SCORING - UNLIKE THE POOR SAP HE BECAME AS HE ENDED HIS CAREER IN MONTREAL - WOW, A PATTERN DEVELOPING HERE!), KVARTALINOV, RUZICKA, heck even DOURIS and SMOLINSKI --- THIS WAS NOT A BETTER CLUB -- A TRUE CONTENDER, AS OPPOSED TO THE BACKDOOR CUP CHUMPS THAT STOLE IT THAT YEAR?!?

And today - with the parity in the league and the talent being spread so thin... Why did they have to end that lock-out again?
May 5th, 2004/ addendum on October 9th, 2005

time for another poem now

2005-09-24T23:59:00.000-07:00

TO LIVE IS TO LEARN
To live long is to ceaselessly yearn
for the "good ole days" - the traditional ways
to hear again whatever folly grandma says
nothing as prodigiously abysmal as our own fern.
Once nostalgia sets in - it never sways
You will fondly remember, always.
Dreams will never die
Passions will always pry.
To live is to make mistakes
And to try and mend them if we do care
and if we still fail in our wake
we can hope someone will come who will dare
sons and daughters can pick up the mantle
we have but to pass them the torch
hopefully our work they will not dismantle
and of ours they do not just covet the Porsche!
To live is to die progressively
as we improve, paradoxically
To die... is to find serenity
to concatenate at last all of our complexity
in Heaven - before Our Maker
the Lord God Creator

Copyright ©2005 Luciano Pimentel A.R.R.

Not only was it time for another poem - but it was time for another bout with the blues, perhaps? Oh well... I guess I cannot enjoy levity one hundred percent of the time - I would have invented the word "dramedy" if it had not been dreamed up by some network executive somewhere already...! Although I enjoy my moments of whimsicality, there is no denying my moodiness, I suppose!
Carry on...

não hà gente como agente...

2005-09-09T10:17:00.000-07:00

Uma comédia portuguesa... com certeza! ;)
by Luciano A. Pimentel
Dona Aquatela era uma estrela do cinema português quando era jovem - agora, quer ser a Miss Marple do Portugal...! Jovem, parecia-se muito com uma outra actriz da sua época, a Britânica (e agora Dame) Diana Rigg... Dona Aquatela tem mais que mágoa de não ser uma "Dame" também... ou uma Baronesa... ou uma Condessa... ou outro titulo honorífico que ela acha -com razão- que merece... tal qual como a Diana Rigg! Dona Aquatela lamenta-se também sempre que, como a "malvada França" (que ela odeia) o seu querido país, a sua própria querida nação lusitana, Portugal, matou o seu reinado - e já não tem nem rei nem rainha! E é o por isso que ela não pode ser nada tambem... é, de facto, ela mesmo que insista que lha chama de "Dona... Aquatela" se não toda a ferramenta que ela encontra ia lha chamar de "senhora"...
E, de facto, ela encontra muita ferramenta mesmo...
Ferramenta criminosa também...

... Yes, I had to make use of my mother country's language now - although not born in Portugal, I act as if I was (aye; I love seafood!). The preceding synopsis would be equally good for a novel... a sitcom... even a movie! There is no medium that one such as "Dona Aquatela" does not fit in! Thus it should be "all of the above" - and more! Dona Aquatela: the educational CD-ROM! Dona Aquatela: the cartoon series! The sky is the limit, verily - a fact that applies to most (if not all - really!) of my concepts/projects/synopses... truly! Just try me ...! In lieu of Dona Aquatela herself - or her nemesis Zé DasFavas - I will tell you muito obrigado! E... mais uma vez... alembre-se do querido Babel Fish! ;)

some evidence of my multilingualism...

2005-09-08T09:49:00.000-07:00

Il y a quelques années de cela, j'ai eu un rêve...

Souvent, c'est un fait, mes rêves inspirent mes écrits...

Cette fois-là, je ne savais pas pour lequel de mes projets ce rêve-ci était le plus approprié... C'était un rêve plutôt... violent.

Et c'était un rêve d'époque aussi; alors, il me fût aisé de choisir d'utiliser la scène tout de suite, telle que rêvée, ici - mon seul vrai projet d'époque, à l'époque...! J'avais même osé espérer que mettre tout de suite, dès le réveil, le dit rêve sur papier, aurait pu me projeter sur une lancée et j'aurais "commis" ce livre en deux temps, trois mouvements. Tel ne fût pas le cas, hélas...
Et c'est ainsi que je me retrouve, vingt ans plus tard, non pas comme Dumas mais bel et bien... dans l'embarras! Que faire avec ce titre... ce projet inachevé... ce rêve non-assouvi (ça, je les collectionne ceux-là, vraiment...!)

Peut être vais-je le découvrir maintenant, en revisitant cette scène violente rêvée... que les fantômes impliqués de leur vivant m'ont montrée peut-être...?
Car, oui, je le crois - chaque personnage fictif fût un jour réel... il vécut ou il rêvât ces aventures soi-disant "inventées" de toutes pièces et ils viennent, le jour comme la nuit, les inspirer aux auteurs en manque d'inspiration ou de muses (elles sont si rares celles-là; si précieuses - si capricieuses aussi! Mais nous nous égarons maintenant...)

Ils font cela parce qu'ils veulent que leur histoire soit contée...

Nul hasard que les noms d'Athos, Porthos et Aramis soient véridiques - Alexandre Dumas ne fît que broder autour de ces noms une merveilleuse tapisserie. Ce n'est qu'un exemple parmi un milliard d'autres - le plus lamentable étant sans doute le tissu de mensonges brodé autour du nom de Vlad Tepes par l'ex-représentant d'artistes Bram Stoker; il était un vampire en quelque sorte et devait en faire un du premier nom qui l'inspira... Mais c'est une autre histoire pour un autre bouquin celle-là...

Je mets à profit ma formation d'historien de différentes manières maintenant - mais le Boulingueur était voué à devenir cette mise à profit de la façon la plus simplifiée possible; en me concentrant sur le territoire qui m'est, hélas, plus familier; la Nouvelle-France - et le climat éxécrable qui est venu avec! Voyons voir si je ne puis pondre ce bouquin finalement, maintenant, avec le recul des années... le cynisme accumulé... le ton sarcastique emmagasiné... la désinvolture illuminée...! Au pire aller, ce sera une histoire comme tant d'autres déjà parues... disons, comme Le Matou d'Yves Beauchemin...? Mais à une époque plus intéressante - et du bon côté de la nouvelle frontière - du quarante-neuvième parallèle, pour la majeure partie de l'action en tous cas! L'histoire d'un bourlingueur... d'une bourrache... de quelques belles connues ci et là... et de certains adversaires belliqueux aussi... oh, et d'une biquette également - j'allais l'oublier celle-là!

(Notez, en passant, qu'elle est tantôt brune, tantôt noire, tantôt autre chose - la satanée bourrache...! Je ne suis jamais satisfait à ce sujet-là... Des suggestions...? Je suis ouvert d'esprit, mais oui! Pourvu qu'elles soient... colorées!)

Those among you who haven't a clue - to whom French or even the "Frenglish" spoken in Québec, Canada is anathema and so this here is, ultimately, all Greek to you - well, I sincerely hope Babel Fish can help you! For the rest of you - à bon entendeur, salut! Gallimard, J'ai Lu, Flammarion et autres maisons d'édition; demandez-en moi donc plus - tant de détails que d'explications... Je me ferais une joie de vous en donner plus! Tout ça - et aussi des échantillons! Le Bourlingueur(...) et un certain Faiseur de Miracles sont mes deux projets dans la langue de Molière qui me tiennent encore à coeur de compléter et/ou parfaire...

And now, ladies and gentlemen, an excerpt...

2005-09-07T15:33:00.000-07:00

... of a short story meant to be an integral part of a collection of short stories detailing the many flaws of humankind in modern society - one at a time...

MISTRESS OF SUBTERFUGE (SHORT STORY) - AN EXCERPT
It was early in the afternoon still when I decided that I was going to have some fun that saturday night. I was going to barge my way into some party and drink the night away - free of charge. It was not going to cost me a dime, otherwise it would be no fun. I had nothing to lose and all to gain here, really... So I got up, put some lipstick on, dressed up minimally and out I went.

After a few short hours I spotted the place for me to drown my sorrows - this little suburban couple with their little suburban friends coming over... Perfect, gullible prey. The little wifey had left a note on the front door for the, presumably, numerous guests. It read ''come in - it's unlocked- we're in the backyard - Natalie''. How naive, Natalie. In this day and age, no matter how safe and quiet your neighborhood seems like, you don't leave your door unlocked like that, with a colorful note like that to boot, tipping off any predator off the streets! I knew this yuppie couple was only renting the oversized place - multiple bedrooms, front and back yards, all the commodities nearby... They were so well-set, they had to be paying a bundle each month for this place. I wanted a tour inside. So I went in. I'd figure out a reason to be there on the spot, I was sure of it... It always thrills me to challenge myself like that - I am at my best when I'm spontaneous.

-''Hello? Anybody home?'' I said sarcastically, as I went in. I half-expected someone to emerge from the living room saying ''hey - who are you? You're not one of the guests!'' But nothing of the sort happened. I walked through the long hallway, past many rooms, until I reached the kitchen which gave access to the backyard. They were all there; the chubby inane hubby, the chubbier maroccan best friend, his wide-eyed wife and newborn baby - mercifully not as pale as mom nor as dark as dad - the perfect mid-term compromise thus! As "perfect" as it could get that is... And there was the one who had left the note - naive Natalie in the flesh! One look and I just knew that I could fool her with anything I'd say. She was somewhat latino-looking without being it. Found out in no time at all that she had a set of grandparents who'd originated from Italy, Portugal or some place like it! As if I cared! She told me her life in no time, flat out - and I could have yawned through the entire thing - but I didn't. Hadn't had dinner yet... or a case of beer! So I simply had to stick with it a while longer at least; it was a very small price to pay for free dinner and free booze... and maybe more! The inane hubby was the one though to, on one hand, ask the pertinent questions and yet, on the other hand, give me all I needed to answer them... What an idiot!

-''You're a friend of...?'' he asked with a goofy, trusting smile...

-''Uh - my folks were friends with the owner of this place. I called him uncle jose all the time...!'' I said, more to make conversation than anything else... But the simpleton bit at the bait - what's more he picked up the ball and ran with it!

-''Oh, so you're, like - his niece?!? Natalie - this is Mr. Merenguez's niece!'' he shouted to his wife inanely, before turning his attention back to me - all of it too... ''That is your name too, isn't it... Merenguez?'' now he asked - after telling out loud the name I knew not mere seconds prior to that! He was making my deception that much easier - and he hadn't a clue he was being so careless! What was I to answer to such an innocent, neophytical, profoundly careless as witless question, other than...

-''Yes - that is my name! Melody... Merenguez! Nice to meet you...?'' I tried to say without bursting into laughter, extending my hand to shake his - sweaty and chubby as I hated them.

-''Francis! Natalie and I just moved in here two years ago - your uncle is such a nice landlord... And we are having a sort-of party tonight celebrating the arrival of two babies - ours and the couple there, good friends of ours... go and meet them!'' he said like an idiot repeating some learnt speech...

With this short story, I am inching closer, I do believe, to the sarcastic tone that made my ancient Greek scribe (though he wasn't of the "imported Greek populace" of Samosata) namesake of mine quite famous... Lucian employed it to mock the Olympian gods that were popular in his day - I mock evil people, most of whom are popular today; it all boils down to the same thing, don't you think?
His Dialogues and mine are quite similar and essentially the same - that is for sure! And both of us were strangers in our own land...
But all of that is for another blog...

assorted whimsical sayings... and deeper ones too

2005-09-04T07:33:00.000-07:00

"Hope for the best... expect the worst... that way you are fully prepared for every eventuality!" ~~ Luciano Pimentel

Do the best you can - and may the best win. It all cancels each other out and you are left satisfied that you did what you could!

Don't bother merely meeting a deadline - beat the tar out of it!

Forgive - but never forget! You don't want to set yourself up for another one, now do you?

Life is a four-letter word - and so is Pain.

Bliss is around every corner - one has but to dare look for it and not turn away when it comes in a totally unexpected package...

Embrace every event in your life -good or bad- with that same youthful optimism you displayed when you were a child; you instinctively knew back then that it was a mere interlude, and that, sooner than later, the good fun times would be rolling again...

Don't think of what could have been - reflect with that warm fuzzy feeling on what was.

Stop yourself to think about those that are in worse shape than you are when you feel overwhelmed with anger and frustration.

Some good deeds are not as pleasant to do as others are - do them anyway...

Nobody notices you - until you light up their day with a friendly smile.

Everyone wants unconditional acceptance - then why do so few of us give it, even to those we know...?

Do the best you can - and may the best win. It all cancels each other out and you are left satisfied that you did what you could!

Ever noticed how happy and fulfilled one feels after a hug? Then pass it on - hug people!

Look at the birds and the squirrels - they have not much yet they sing and they jump around merrily. Feel free to emulate them.

Thank the heavens above for each new day you are given - and make some noise to celebrate it!

Make sure each day to set aside two seconds during which you will think of nothing else but being happy.
Yes - you may extend it to ten seconds... twenty... thirty seconds... two minutes... but no more! There's work to do to get there...!

Don't dwell too much on what you did wrong - flaunt what you did right!

If all else fails, get yourself some good eagle-eyed legal representation - they'll spot your good qualities for you - for a fee!

Write down the details of your dreams; one never knows, maybe the winning numbers are in there somewhere...

Jot down any good idea you ever have on the spot, for you risk only two things in doing so - the idea will stink upon reading it or it will be a great idea for anybody anywhere... but you. Recycle it then. Pass it on. Whatever you do - don't forget it!

Nothing is ever as bad as you think it is - you are only prone to overdramatize things after too many episodes of CSI in your system.

Exaggeration is the true sincerest form of flattery -not imitation- for two reasons; it is more creative and much more flattering!

The thing about prayer is not being heard...
It is that, eventually, you will get a response
when you least expect it too!

None may choose your path in life.
None but the Council of Two that you form with your Creator, who made you with your strengths and weaknesses, showing you early on what that path might be; leaving you to decide and officialize the whole process of your own free will.

Life is too short to remain angry... or bitter... or vindictive... or resentful... or hurt.

When nothing is going right... write about nothing. It's therapeutic... cathartic... and costs you less than throwing a tantrum!

~~~ L.P.
A.R.R.

Although I sincerely believe each and every statement I made here is true - still and always - I must say that, in hindsight, that last one about writing "costing you less than throwing a tantrum" can apply only most of the time but not all of the time. It very nearly came back to bite me in the rear end as some of my writings were not so-well received...! Every other writer knows it well: libel claims can be made at the drop of a hat. Although I am proud to say that all I ever stated, in writ or out loud, has been the truth and nothing but the truth - those who hear it or read it may feel differently about it, sometimes.
My conscience is clear, though!

from poetry to... sequential art!

2005-09-02T15:33:00.000-07:00

An auld project... Should it get forgotten, I would just cry for it could mean that the boy inside the man is ready to... die? Say it isn't so Luciano! It isn't so Luciano...! ;)

"Q U A N T U M
W A R R I O R S"
F I R S T
I S S U E
S C R I P T (5 pages out of 25)

PAGE ONE (splash)
Establishing shot of the void of space, filled however with all manners of glimmering astral bodies. The alignment of some forms the distinctive shapes of two warriors; muscle-bound barbarians locked in a deadly sword duel for eternity. Ominous signs zoom by; comets and shooting stars. Other, slightly less ominous astral phenomenon complement the tableau...

1. CAP: LEGENDS OF ANCIENT LORE SPEAK OF KINGS AND WARLORDS LOCKED IN ETERNAL COMBAT IN THE REALM OF THE GODS WHOSE DOMAIN THEY NOW SHARE.

2. CAP: MYTHICAL WARRIORS FOR THE MOST PART, WHO FOUGHT THEIR QUARRY BEYOND DEATH ITSELF AND AGAINST ALL THE LAWS OF A STILL UNBORN SCIENCE.

3. CAP: ONE COULD SEE THEM, UNCOUNTED FABLES SAID, IN THE SKY, AFTER DUSK, BATTLING ON AMONGST THE STARS.

4. CAP: THEY WERE THEMSELVES AS INCANDESCENT AS STARS - GIANTS IN THE SKY, IN A SORT OF JOINT BLESSING AND CURSE BESTOWED UPON THEM BY THE VERY GODS THEY WORSHIPPED.

5. CAP: THE ECTOPLASMIC LEGERDEMAIN OF THESE ASTRAL TITANS WAS TO LAST FOREVER, FOR ALL TO SEE AND ADMIRE. A TRULY COSMIC LEGACY. ONE THAT BELIED THE TRUTH.

PAGE TWO
(four panels)
Panel one: Ensemble shot of our galaxy, the magnificent Milky Way
in all its splendor, complete with a medium-size tenth planet...! Comets streak by... The works! No need to milk it any more than that, hmm?

1. CAP: AS MANKIND EVOLVED, PRIMITIVE BELIEFS WITHERED. AGE-OLD SAGAS WERE EVOKED AS NO MORE THAN THE EARLIEST FORM OF FICTION.

2. CAP: BUT WHAT IF THESE ANCIENT ALLEGORIES WERE TO BE FOUND SIGNIFICANT IN A TOTALLY UNEXPECTED WAY? AND WHAT IF THESE EARLY EPICS WERE TO BE FOUND AS CREDIBLE ACCOUNTS OF EVENTS YET TO TAKE PLACE...?

Panel two: Establishing shot. A fleet of awe-inspiring alien spaceships is seen orbiting a tiny yellowish planet devoid of any natural satellites. The ships -one after the other, all in a row- form two rings encircling the planet; one for the northern hemisphere and one for the southern. They are vaguely saucer-like ships, but spiky and embossed in some exotic manner - I leave the final design up to you. A large gap between the two rings is visibly covered by a brimming hot orange-tinted force field, which vaporizes any space debris that may enter in contact with it...

1. CAP: EVENTS THAT WOULD TAKE PLACE IN A REMOTE -VERY REMOTE- FUTURE...?!?

Panel three: Medium shot, zooming in on the spaceship at the center of the northern hemisphere. No activity around it -yet- but details could be added... The important thing is that the focus is on a window which enables the reader to peek inside - though all seems to be quiet and there is nothing stirring anywhere... Much less a mouse...

1. CAP: ONLY THE NAMES WOULD NOT BE THE SAME - FOR THESE WOULD BE REBORN LEGENDS THAT HAD NEVER BEEN ALLOWED TO TRULY BE BEFORE THIS DAY... LEGENDS THAT HAD GONE FORGOTTEN FOR HAVING VANISHED TOO SOON IN THE MISTS OF TIME, BEFORE HAVING EVEN BECOME A PART OF ANY MYTHOS...

2. XALA (off-panel, but clearly from inside the ship!): SIR OLIVER, KNIGHT OF GLASTONBURY...

Panel four: Full shot of the dark room, seen from the inside now, and we discover it full of scintillating machinery. Light emanates from a door at the extreme right end of the panel; a yellowish/orangeish light... The shape of a woman is seen outlined in said light...

1. CAP: LEGENDS THAT TRULY BEGIN TODAY!

2. XALA (the woman): ... ARISE FROM YOUR SLUMBER, FOR YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED TO BATTLE AT LONG LAST!

PAGE THREE
Splash of the room, as the lights come on and a sleeping compartment deploys itself vertically, from the wall on the left side of the panel. Sir Oliver is there all right -awakening from one nightmare onto another. He shakes off the cobwebs painfully, grimacing as he struggles to get out of the apparent custom-made module. He is a typical knight of Camelot - with a vague eagle-like emblem somewhere on his armor... He is dark-haired with some silver streaks running through his locks dastardly... As for Xala, she is now fully seen too and her looks (combining alien facial traits with a stunning bone structure and reddish-blonde hair cascading down her long neck...) are quite astonishingly as paradoxically... stunning!

1. OLIVER: BY THE LORD JESU ALL-MIGHTY...

2. OLIVER: WHO GOES THERE? WHO ART THEE? WHERE... AM I?!?

3. CAP: "Warriors,warriors we call ourselves. We fight for splendid virtue, for high endeavor, for sublime wisdom, therefore we call ourselves warriors." - Aunguttara Nikaya

(THE LOGO & CREDITS ALSO APPEAR HERE; NO OTHER STORY TITLE NECESSARY FOR THIS INAUGURAL ISSUE...)

PAGE FOUR (five panels)
Panel one: Medium shot of Oliver and full shot of Xala who stays on the threshold as the knight continues to thrash about ever so slightly. Her left hand is on a console on the wall - her right hand is extended towards Ollie here in typical ''we come in peace'' FIRST CONTACT pose...

1. XALA: You have seen me before; in your dreams. Or at least you believed to have been dreaming... But I am real. I am Xala of Zurtopia, the peaceful planetary kingdom you are sworn to defend now, against its worst enemies...

2. OLIVER: S-Sworn...? My duty is to my king and to my Lord Alone...

Panel two: Ensemble shot of the room as three other ''sleeping beasts'' (as opposed to sleeping beauties) are awakened through the exact same proceedings... Smoke fills the room, as these cold chambers crack open and out come these giants, one by one... Easy on the smoke though; just enough to shroud in mystery the three other warriors a little while longer...! Ollie looks stunned by all that's happening...

1. XALA: Your ability of recollecting the events that brought you here will return progressively. And that applies to all of you...

2. OLIVER: By Jesu...!!!

Panel three: Full shot of the Musketeer, as he emerges from the smoke dramatically and with panache... but looking less than happy! The huge stylized cross on his chest, the full regalia of a musketeer - complete with feather in hat - he is by far the most stylish of the four warriors present here...

1. XALA: The count du Vallon de la Fère - one of the most meritorious MUSKETEERS ever...

Panel four: Full shot of the well-built (hence beefier) Outlander of service in this case, as he comes forth now... Topless and bald, he appears to be garbed from the waist down with some animal skin that he hunted for himself...

1. XALA: The wanderer who originated from Athens; and whose wish to remain known only as The Outlander we will respect...

Panel five: Finally, a full shot of ''Argon'' (really Harkhon) - the Viking Warrior with a predestined name! He too steps out of the mist dramatically... Has redhair and beard & mustache to match - a muscle tone that rivals Outlander's and more... And he is himself barely dressed really...

1. XALA: And the valiant seafaring Norseman known to some as Argon The Brave...

PAGE FIVE
(six panels)
Panel one: Ensemble shot of the suddenly crowded room, as a visibly ticked-off Sir Oliver begins to think he's fallen into a sorcerous trap and that, quite obviously to him, this ''Xala'' could perhaps be Morgaine Le Fay in disguise...! He draws his sword which was still in its sheath after all this time spent in suspended animation...

1. XALA: Welcome to Zurtopia - all of you...

2. OLIVER: Enough, mischievous lass! Thy lies cannot confound one of the Table Round! Thee art Le Fay - or worse! And these art thy devilish pawns that thee has sent after this knight! At thee, demons!

Panel two: Medium shot of Argon, as HE draws his weapon as well - a double-edged AXE, which was still tied-up to his waist belt too. He lifts it angrily in the air, preparing to swing it at Oliver with lethal force - Sir Oliver is seen from the back in the panel's foreground...

1. ARGON: By Hela! You will pay for what you have just said! Argon the Brave may be many things - but he is not a demon! You will die for this...!

Panel three: Same exact shot, only Argon has stopped his motion and looks rather perplexed moreso than angry now... Oliver is clearly raising his sword, meanwhile, and about to stab "Argon" where it will incapacitate him immediately...

1. ARGON: What are these words that are coming out of my own mouth...?!? How... how am I able to converse in such a strange manner?!? How can I even understand it...? This is not my native tongue... not at all!

2. OLIVER: Thy attempts to further confound are in vain... demon!

Panel four: Close-up shot of Argon as Oliver's sword comes within a hair of his left eye - but it is stopped just short of its trajectory by another (though thinner) blade; the Musketeer's!

1. OLIVER: This one said AT THEE... --- ?!?

Panel five: Medium shot of the Musketeer staring down the Knight - their swords still crossing...

1. MUSKETEER: En garde, mon "ami"! If you want a fair duel, it is I who will engage ''thee''...!

2. OUTLANDER (off-panel): I see no fairness in a fight opposing one to two...

Panel six: Medium shot of The Outlander now - brandishing a scimitar no less and threatening the Musketeer with it... Xala's slender shadow is cast right at his side, partly over him...

1. OUTLANDER: ... truth be told though, I also see no reason for this to take place now. I suggest we all lower our weapons...

2. XALA (off-panel): Wise words, Outlander. I did not expect anything less from one who immersed himself in the great traditions of the Orient...

3. XALA (off-panel): May we calmly discuss this... I beg of you...? Let me tell you all how you came to be here... how you came to be... the way that you are now...

Copyright © 2001-2007 and beyond - Luciano A. Pimentel A.R.R.

And here is some scientific data that would be the basis of some rudimentary research, at the very least, for this project...

And, in closing...

Aquatic Afterthought ~
if I cannot write for comic-books in one of the "Big Two" -
maybe I can become the newest member of their elite group?
Anything And Everything's Possible
In The Four-Color Realms!
;)

It was a dark and stormy night... (sic)

2005-08-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

Let us begin, therefore, with what I estimate one of the very best displays of penmanship that I ever put forth - without getting sidetracked in the least either!
I dedicate this to my father.

The Foreshadow Canticle

Take me out of oblivion
life-giver, heart-maker
Give flesh to my soul
earth-shaker, fire-breaker
Make whole all of my spirits
sea-mover, breath-taker
A part of me all frailties
star-designer, sun-wrecker
So that they counterbalance my pride
Soul-taker, soul-maker
And that shall suffice amply
in taking me out of non-existence
So that I can shine as brightly
as You meant me to shine
from the very Beginning
from the Dawn of Time
Ravish me Greatness Incarnate
So I can shed this mortal coil
and the stench of death
in which I toil

Luciano A. Pimentel

Copyright ©2005 Luciano A. Pimentel

One has to put forth one's best, to launch any enterprise... And so... I admit that I will not always be this serious - but I had to post my first ultra-serious bit of poetry -one might say, verily, outright glum bit of poetry; reflective of that gloom and doom of the times we live in- as the very first example of luminous writing...