The Rhythm of the Heat

That's the title of a Peter Gabriel song, but I'm certain anyone who may read this knows that speck of trivia. What does a Peter Gabriel song subject line mean, though? What does it reference?

Drumming and weather. That's pretty much it.

Later on this afternoon, we're supposed to go to a drum circle. I'm not sure if we're attending the Rainbow Family event in Balboa Park, or heading up to Carlsbad for their brouhaha by the beach.

Whichever one we're going to, I'll still be wearing short-sleeves and sandals with no socks. This is not post-Thanksgiving weather... I've been messing around with a new theory about Southern California and its inhabitants: The area is deeply influenced by alternate opinions, artistic expression, political leanings, and a general rabid hipster/purebred Hippie world view. Why? People gotta stay busy putting the spice usually provided by interesting weather back into a pretty boring, uneventful meteorological yawn-fest. This is the kind of weather most everyone seems to adore, but it's ever single fucking day! Perfect spring/summer weather can be safely assumed when you open your eyes each day. The only way to mark today as being different from the others, is to shake things up in the sphere of your influence. Going to drum with the 'natives' is a perfect way to overcome meteorological apathy.

A while back, when I mentioned once having and playing a bodhrán a few years ago, Matt grew quite curious about it, so much so, he ended up buying a bodhrán! Using a pretty good intro I found on You Tube on how to play bodhrán and achieve "rolls" or "triplets", I showed him how to start slowly and focus on loosening your grip and your wrist as you increase the rhythm. He feels like he will be unable to play the bodhrán, but I think he did pretty well. We'll be taking that along with the djembes and other percussion when we head out later.

Sometime in December, I think, the Rainbow Family is organising a weekend camping event in the desert. Even though I have zero camping gear, I would still love to go to this, mainly to escape the light pollution and be able to see the cradle of creation that is our Milky Way. I don't care what crawls on me, I want to see the Milky Way!

Blood & Ink Interview

dferguson, the word sorcerer who maintains the blog, Blood & Ink, put on the virtual thumb screws the other day, and had me answer a few questions.  This was the direct result.

DF:  Why write about Vampires?
TAE:  I write about Vampires because I was raised on a steady media diet of vampirism, thanks to watching 'Dark Shadows' in my playpen whilst the mother unit toodled about.

(click pic for full interview!)

While you're at it, explore the blog.  Derrick is a fantastic writer and reviewer, so I'm sure his insights will tickle your fancy.

Name Your Favourite...

1. Place: Avebury, Wiltshire


2. Person: Neil DeGrasse Tyson


3. Color: Black


4. Food: Potatoes


5. Smell: Egyptian Musk


6. Book: The Silmarillion


7. Movie: There are too many...


8. Music artist: Shriekback


9. Genre of music: There are too many...


10. Genre of literature: Sci-Fi/Fantasy


11. Magazine: It used to be Starlog.


12. Texture: Flannel


13. Time of day: When there is no sun.


14. Day of the week: Hump Day!


15. Tumblr: At the moment, it would be deanlearnerspixellatederection.


16. Thing to do when bored: Write


17. Celebrity: Whoopi Goldberg


18. Class in school: English


19. Website other than Tumblr: LiveJournal!


20. Drink: Cheerwine


21. Precious stone: Sapphire


22. Animal: Camelids of all shapes and sizes.


23. Flower: The rose


24. Time in history: The Roman Empire, from the rule of Caligula going forward.


25. Font: I am fond of Papyrus.


26. Video game: King's Field II


27. TV show: IMPRACTICAL JOKERS!


28. Play: Stephen Berkoff's Metamorphosis


29. Sound: Smidgen's purr.


30. Fruit: Peach


31. Vegetable: Potato


32. Store/shop: Best Buy


33. Article of clothing you own: The Shriekback Bruxelles tee


34. Fashion/style: relaxed.


35. Pattern: Plaid and Paisley


36. Workout: HAHAHAHAHA!


37. Quote: "Hope for the best, expect the worst." - Mel Brooks


38. Historical figure: Gaius Caligula


39. Boy’s name: Gabriel


40. Girl’s name: Lirit


41. Potato chip flavor: Cheddar and Sour Cream


42. Meal of the day: Whichever I can keep down.


43. Ice cream flavor: Ben & Jerry's Wavy Gravy


44. Soda: Cheerwine


45. Popcorn flavor: Movie-theatre butter


46. Season: Winter


47. Month of the year:  November


48. Word: Inviolate


49. Disney princess: Shenzi


50. Insult: "You're dumber than an idiot."  (As uttered by Craig T. Nelson in the movie, Creature.)


51. Joke: Anything that would make Pun Husky laugh.


52. Cussword: Fuck.


53. Letter: V


54. YouTube channel: Epic Rap Battles of History


55. Eye color: Blue


56. Memory: I forget.


57. Dessert: Cheesecake


58. Candy: Cadbury Caramel Eggs


59. Restaurant: D.Z. Akins


60. Lifehack: I don't have one.


61. Language: Sindarin


62. Thing to learn about: The multiverse.


63. Thing about yourself: I'll get back to you on that one.