On Friday, I quietly posted the beginning of a work in progress. It’s been a while since I’ve posted creative writing on ShindoTV, much more longer than some other things. I started again mainly to get myself writing again. The intro and the list in question are parts of what I’ve dubbed for the time being “Project Mintaka,” but I’ll come up with a better title later. Also, these pieces of the story in progress are subject to revision later and I’ll definitely work them into a more coherent form when there’s enough to get a book going. That’s the intent anyway.
science fiction
13
Feb 10
Fiction: Hlau’s List
In “The Paper,” we meet Hlau and the piece of paper. While his memory is rapidly deteriorating, he writes down this list on a piece of paper. However, with his memory gone and very little context afterwards, Hlau is faced with the mystery of the list.
I HAVE BEEN VIRUSED. I MUST REMEMBER.
12
Feb 10
Fiction: The Paper
This is part of a longer work I’m working on. It takes place on a world that orbits Mintaka, a world 1000 light years from Earth. The people are human, or very near-human, with Itán being one of the dominant nations. Much of their cultures are similar to ours, but it’s also been shaped by the existence of human telepathy and the supernatural. Mintaka here is in their equivalent of the 21st century.
That piece of paper that Hlau held in his hand…
He wrote things down so he could remember, a rough analog backup for the things that were being wiped from his memory. Hlau tried to remember names, places, people he knew at the Agency of Investigation, cases, but more information vanished quickly than he could conjure it and scribble the characters. At the moment, he wasn’t even sure if he knew how to write in Universal.
He looked at the paper and hardly recognized what he scrawled. He was sure there was more he needed to put down, but he also knew he had to get out. He folded the paper, put it inside the inner breast pocket of his jacket, and ran out to the Agency’s lobby. Someone would be after him soon. That was not memory, but instinct cultivated by decades of practice as an agent. He wasn’t even sure someone would come after him, but he had to get to somewhere safe. He stopped, quickly wrote down SEEK SANCTUARY, SCHOOL OF WISDOM, and ran out to downtown street to catch a taxi. If he had arrived at the Agency’s parking structure in a car, he now couldn’t remember what color, shape, and manufacturer. A taxi moved past the Tchon embassy across the street. Hlau frantically waved it down, ran across the street, and was nearly ran over before he crossed the street. He opened the back door on the driver’s side, got in, and pulled the paper from his pocket. “The National House of Wisdom,” he shouted at the driver before he would forget.
21
Jul 09
Torchwood: Children of the Earth (1)
For the people who might chide me for spoilers, this Torchwood mini-series has been downloaded and bit-torrented by lots of American fans a month ago. I’m not guilty of this, of course, but I have come across spoilers here and there. Given that, “The Children of the Earth” starts off with a big bang, very much like the beginning of BSG’s second half of Season 4.
Following the deaths of Owen and Tosh and the thwarted Dalek theft of Earth, there are some new mysteries: racially motivated alien attacks on humans and incidents of children standing still and speaking together on cue. Like Primeval, the Home Office also poses danger. For every Home Office employee who may be of help to the Torchwood team, there tens more who are out to get them for an agenda yet to be revealed. Ianto revels in the developing relationship he has with Jack, but soon find himself and his first male lover in the midst of danger from all the threats mentioned. In the course of the investigation, Gwen soon finds herself in peril along with her colleagues, especially as the end of the episode builds up to a highly personal bomb threat.
There are some deliberate false starts and red herrings, especially with the hospital doctor and his strange death cases. He initially seems to be the shoe-in for the absent Martha Jones, but that turns out to be someone else. Children on remote control by aliens is spooky enough, but the lives of the Torchwood team is at stake, the most urgent it’s ever been. Jack, Ianto, and Gwen display much greater dept here, and I am scared for them. I want more for sure, and there’s four more nights to go.
3
Jul 09
Harlan Ellison: A Dreamer with Sharp Teeth
In an endearing scene, Harlan Ellison explains (and gets worked up over) DVD extras for Babylon 5 and why he should be paid for interviews used. It’s only right
When I was an undergraduate in the first day of an upper-divsion creative writing class, the professor had us write our manifestos as our introductions. Much of what I wrote for mine was “blah, blah, blah” except for one thing—I wanted to be a paid dreamer. Perhaps its the biggest pipe dream I ever had, but the flamboyant, pugnacious, and prolific author Harlan Ellison had been paid to dream and share for decades. Also, he’s known for much of his opinions, solicited or not, and his fights, as seen in A Dreamer with Sharp Teeth.
For any writer, this documentary is a definite must-see. As much as Ellison runs his mouth off, he does a what a writer is supposed to do—write. Also, he’s on point, whether he’s discussing using the mind or what it is to be a professional writer, as shown in a scene where he discusses Warner Brothers wanting to use interviews with him for DVD extras for Babylon 5 without paying him. Ellison puts up a fight, of course, but only because he believes he is right. And he is. Gotta love him for that.
23
Mar 09
Battlestar Galactica: Hitchiker’s Guide Edition
The Battlestar Galactica finale is properly entitled “Daybreak II” and it will be available on Hulu this coming Saturday. In the meantime, here’s Part 1 for your viewing pleasure and to get you up to speed.
I have sufficiently cleared the spoiler zone, but I’m a little late for my taste. However, if you haven’t seen “Daybreak II” on live broadcast on Sci-Fi Channel, on DVR, or on iTunes, then deal with it. You can always watch BSG’s finale 6 days from now.
One of my favorite shows has come to an end. Unfortunately, so has a personal blogging tradition over the couple of years. Thankfully, my blog isn’t completely dedicated to BSG, or else I’d be obligated to follow up on all cast and creative staff of BSG in their new endeavors.
ThePete posted his reaction to “Daybreak II” yesterday and he wasn’t too thrilled. As a creative exercise, he started writing his own finale last week and it is a good read! I half-hoped to see a blog reaction from Brian, but I’ve already seen his reaction on Facebook.We both agree that the ending was very “Hitchhiker’s Guide.”. Throughout the series, the Fleet could have used a Hitchhiker’s Guide to get them through the Galaxy before they plotted their half-baked trek to Earth.
13
Mar 09
Battlestar Galactica: Islanded in a Stream of Stars
Listen to Deadpan Chick catch us all up on last week’s BSG episode.
There is my promised BSG post. Only bummer is two more episodes and the show is finis. C’est tout.
There are still numerous Sixes and Eights in their sexy worker uniform patching up the insides of the Galactica with Cylon tar. No Tyrol this time overseeing the joint workforce. Instead, it’s an anonymous deck chief who’s not enthusiastic to work with the Cylons but is later impressed that a honey-blonde Six gives her life to save everyone else when there’s a hull breach in their work area.
How come there aren’t any Leobens in the sexy male version of the Cylon worker outfits?
Adama soon accepts that it may be the end for the Galactica. The new council of ship captains do as well, but most of them wish to cannibalize the old ship. Adama, however, seems to have other plans for it, which should play out next week. Perhaps we’ll find out more about how Kara Thrace is the Harbinger of Death. The Hybrids, which now include Sam Anders, keep saying it. Some Cylon algorithm keeps pointing them to it.
12
Mar 09
BSG post – delayed
I’m really sorry about not posting the BSG post. I’ll post that on Friday morning, which leads up to the next to last episode.
It’s hard to believe the show’s almost over. The reinvention of the cheesey 1970′s franchise has been brilliant, despite Ronald D. Moore coming up with some half-baked ideas. I’m still appalled he had no idea who the Final Five were from the beginning and that some episodes were downright sloppy. Overall, the show has been intensely more human and dramatic than its predecessor, and that’s quite an accomplishment, warts and all.
I haven’t seen a clip of Deadpan Chick telling us what happened with last week’s episode. I wanted to hear her summarize it, even if she doesn’t say “goo bath.” Hopefully, she’ll do a recap before the finale.
Enjoy Ronald D. Moore’s commentary on “Someone to Watch Over Me.”
