Experimentalationalism

I enjoy writing stories. Even though it's been hard for me for the last few years (trouble staying focused and whatnot), or maybe because of it, I cherish those moments when I'm able to immerse myself in creating something.

Sometimes, though, I daydream about different ways of writing. In the past year, I have come to really respect the graphic novel as a wonderful vehicle for story, thanks in large part to comics like Watchmen, Y, Cairo, and the new Conan series. I would love to try out this medium. I even have an artist friend who is incredibly talented. He denies the consistency of style, however, to participate.

Bastard.

Ha, I kid. I still intend to rope him into this project, one way or another. In the meantime, I've been considering other media. I'm a big fan of the epistolary novel, when it's done right. (For those who are not hopeless English Lit nerds, an epistolary novel is a story told by the exchange of letters between characters.) Clarissa and Pamela by Samuel Richardson are good examples. Bram Stoker's Dracula also qualifies, though it is formatted as journal entries, as well as letters.

The concept of the fictional journal isn't new by any means, though it is one I haven't had much experience with. I guess you could argue that a first-person narrative is inherently journal based. I've certainly written many of those. But a traditional journal format is something I'm just now fiddling with. I'm even writing it in a Moleskine journal to help me keep in perspective; my wandering attention needs all the help it can get.

Even more than that, I've been wondering about Twitter. If you cast your eyes to starboard, you'll see I'm on Twitter, so I know how that works. Now, I'm aware that fictional accounts already exist. People regularly post as characters such as Darth Vader, Indiana Jones, and Bender from Futurama. What I've been entertaining is a notion of an adventure story, completely told via Twitter. I would have to find a way to justify his using the application, as well as the internet connection this would require, but I think that's the easy part. There would be other problems. Would consequences arise from this? Would such an account be considered fraudulent? Would someone in an authoritative role take the posts seriously, thereby causing an embarrassing international incident?

Actually, that last one would be worth it.

Indulge me

Just wanted to post screenshots from Prince of Persia.

The Elika close up isn't for the reasons you think.

...

...

Okay, it's totally for the reasons you think.

Of Persian Monarchs

Rented Prince of Persia for the 360. Holy damn, is it fun. And pretty! The art style utilizes bright colors and cel-shading, which give the game an almost storybook feel. I love the characters, the voice acting is surprisingly good, although the story isn't the most original (magical prison tree--anyone remember Fern Gully?).

I'm enjoying the gameplay. I can see where people joke about the controls (press A to play game), but there's enough of a timing element to the different stunts (i.e., slide-and-jump, swing-and-jump, wall-run, ceiling-run, grapple) that I'm rather glad I don't have to memorize a bunch of different buttons.

As for the complaint that you can't lose: really, who gives a shit? I certainly don't. For me, challenge and fun enjoy a certain overlapping exclusivity. I'm not necessarily having fun every time I feel challenged. In an event when you would normally fall to your death, you are saved at the last minute by Elika. Likewise, if you are struck down by an enemy, Elika intervenes, and you are pulled out of harm's way. There are plenty of other games I can point out where, upon death, you are returned to the nearest checkpoint. (Hell, in Zelda games, if you fall into a chasm, you are returned to the edge of the precipice, minus part of a heart.) There isn't really much of a difference here. You just don't have to wait on a checkpoint to load. And in cases where Elika saves you from an enemy, there is a consequence--the enemy is returned to full health. Just as though you had died and were starting the fight over.

It's a great game, and I endorse it whole-heartedly. I very much enjoy the 360 version, and I hear the PS3 version looks even better.

Unintelligible Grunt

Ngah.

Roofers came this morning to, well, work on the roof. We had some damage from the big freeze that came through a few weeks ago; lots of limbs came down all over our yard.

But anyway, they got here around eight o'clock this morning. After that point, I couldn't sleep anymore. Now, before you start accusing me of being a lazy ass, I work second shift. I don't get home until eleven o'clock, usually don't get to sleep until three or so. So I have to sleep til about late morning.

They've been dragging aluminum sheeting up and down all morning, making loud rackets. During a few of the louder ones, I stuffed my head under my pillow and hoped it was one of them falling off the roof.

But I suppose that's wrong. Is that wrong?

Nanu-nanu!

Yet another journal (not blog, I'll not dignify that word with use) that I shall probably abandon. But, oh the fun we shall have 'til then!

....well, maybe not.

Um.

Ah, yes! Introductions.

I'm a college grad seeking the next step. I've a BA in English, which means I'll usually post with some form of eloquence (especially after a beer or two--go figure). However, because of my immense fondness for contrasts, I may have the penchant--nay, propensity--for interspersing my loquacious diatribes with words such as "shit" and "fuck".

Just saying, fair warning.

Um. I'm bored now. I'll talk more, later.