Book Talk: Communion

The other day I finished reading Communion by Whitley Streiber. I had seen this book a couple years ago in Downtown Books up in Milwaukee and was interested, but not interested enough to buy it considering I have too many books at home as it is. So, on a whim, I grabbed it from the library and gave it a shot. Overall impression: it was ok, just ok.

The first half (roughly) of the book was, to me, the most interesting, where Streiber describes the abductions as he recalled them. Not only is it creepy, the language paints a vivid picture in the mind (not surprising considering Streiber is a speculative fiction author). The events that Streiber describes are chilling and gave me the heebie-jeebies more than once.

The second half-ish of the book was hard for me to get through. The author delves into hypnosis sessions to bring his memories more into focus, which brings up still more memories of abductions going back to when he was about 10 years old. There is also a lot of exposition about what exactly the "visitors" are, whether they are real or figments of his imagination. There is also a sequence of Streiber in a sort of support group for other New York area abductees. At the end the author examines the possibility of visitations throughout time and discusses what is that has happened. He does not come to a solid conclusion, but instead acknowledges that he doesn't have the answers.

The author certainly believes in what he says happened to him, and I want to believe as well, but there's one thing that makes it a little hard. Streiber says the visitors, who came to him in 1985, warn of an impending catastrophe or some kind of disaster that will befall mankind and/or the planet. At one point in the book, the year 2000 is referenced as a point by which there will be a great change in the world. It's been 22 years since the book was published. Where's the big catastrophe? What happened with the great change? Have we seen it yet? Did something happen to stop it?

I am glad that I read it, because it was interesting and gave me a couple vague ideas for stories, but it was difficult to get through. If you have the time, go ahead and take a look, and maybe it will grab you in the night and take you places you wouldn't think were possible.

Nothing Much Going On

It's Friday, it's 10:40 and there's nothing much going on around here. The Lovely Mrs. and I watched I Am Legend on pay-per-view tonight. It was decent. Someone already spoiled some of the major plot points for me, but I thought it was okay. Better than what some people had told me.

I've been through a few blogs, reading here and there. There's just a handful that I regularly check, but I'm sure there's plenty more good stuff out there. I played around on my myspace for a little while, sent out a couple friend requests. There are more I could send out, but I'm not really a big fan of myspace. I like facebook better. It's less cluttered and there isn't as much junk on there.

Also, it's freakin hot in the house, which is making me tired. For whatever reason, none of the God Damn windows in the house seem to open. They've either been painted shut or they're broken or who the hell knows what's wrong with them.

The Lovely Mrs. is reading one of her magazines and watching reruns of Home Improvement on Nick at Nite. I'd rather not watch that, but seriously there's nothing else on. I probably won't be up too much later anyway as I have to get up at 5 to go to work tomorrow. I'm working 6-3, yeah me!

Now it's 10:59 and I think it's time to retire. I bid you all adieu. Just turn the lights off when you're done. Thanks.

Can't Talk, Watching Lost

New episode just started. You may go about your business. That is all.

Rattling in My Brain

I've had another story idea that's been bouncing around my brain for a while, but lately it seems like its been there a lot more than usual. I even had a kind of catchy title pop up while driving this week. It's a very foggy idea, more a wouldn't it be kind of cool if kind of thing than a plausable story. But then again, that can be the making of a good story if it's told correctly. So anyway, I've always been interested in the Arthur mythos, you know, Merlin, Excalibur, Gwenevere and all that. There are so many rich stories there, not just of Arthur, but of his nights and the things that go on when they're not off fighting as well. I especially like the theme of the king being tied to the land, where if the king does well and is healthy, then the land is healthy. So I got to thinking of Arthur in different periods/locations. What would happen to him and his knights? Would the stories be the same, i.e. Gwenevere falling in love with Lancelot? Would Arthur have knowledge of his previous incarnations? Is the spirit or soul of Arthur reborn in others throughout time to write wrongs and keep the peace?

Enter Swordfight at the OK Corral, a tale of Arthur in the Wild West! Right off the bat though, from the way I originally envisioned it, the title doesn't work. In my first idea, Arthur still receives the sword Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake, but as swords are impractical in the old west, he takes it to a smith that crafts it into a pair of six shooters. He wouldn't be a king, obviously, he'd be a lawman, I think. He could be the Wyatt Earp character. Maybe the swordfight would happen and then he realizes how impractical the sword is when everyone else has guns and then he changes to the gun.

I don't know, I'm just thinkin' out loud here.

More Walkin' Man

This came to me last night. It's not right, probably because there's no context to put it in, but it's there. The two parts may be part of the same scene or they might not be. Who knows.


The Walkin' Man walked on. And they watched him go. As he faded off into the night they were relieved to be away from his commanding presence, while at the same time missing the protection of his knowledge and experience offered. Jared breathed a sigh and looked around their hastily assembled camp. Melissa shifted closer to the fire and pulled her jacket tighter around her shoulders. Francis kept his back to the fire, his eyes constantly on the darkness around them.


"Boy, you just don't get it," the Walkin' Man chided. "This goes well beyond you and what's chasin' you."

Story Bone: The Walkin' Man

This came to me yesterday and today as I was in the car. Just a couple lines, nothing much. I envision this character as a tall, skinny man. He wouldn't be a main character, more of a guide or advisor to the main characters that pops up from time to time. Anyway, here goes:

Some people recon that there isn't an inch of ground on Earth that hasn't been tread upon by the Walkin' Man. Some recon that he's been walking for a long time, maybe for all time.

What'll It Be Repent or Rape!?!

If you haven't seen The Guild, what's wrong with you? Now, I'm not an MMORPG player (I play board games), nor am I a connoisseur of web videos, but this stuff is freakin hilarious. And episode 9, which just came out is one of the funniest yet. It includes the ultimatum "What'll it be, repent or rape?" What a decision. Anyway, here's episode 9 for you. Check it out.