History Repeats Itself

I stood on a bridge over a wide river just after dusk. Before me in the distance was a beautiful blue-green waterfall cascading over a dam.

I was covered in blood, having been badly beaten at my brother’s hand. Blood ran a sticky course, some of it like mercury separating and joining together once more in an age-old dance.

begin november

Finally got around to reading a book I'd been wanting to read for 8 years. It is a graphic novel put together by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell called "From Hell." A brilliant work really with long annotated notes relating the historical references on practically every page. The illustrations are frantic and wonderfully crafted. Basically, Alan Moore did tons and tons of research on the Jack the Ripper murders from 1880s London and crafted a story around one of the stronger theories as to who Jack the Ripper actually was. It presupposes that a personal physician and surgeon of the royal family, someone very high in the freemasonry killed the prostitutes on orders from Queen Victoria in order to cover up a scandal involving her grandson's illegitimate child. Very interesting exploration of masonic lore and geography of London in relation to such.
Other than this, had some "quality time" lunch with the Boss today at Todai, the all-you-can-eat sushi buffet. It was a good experience to have real one-on-one time with him and discuss things related to the company and the direction I would like to go. Still, I don't want to stay there much longer.
At least I feel I'm coming out of a slump. Weather had me down a little and so did the job, but all is well in the end. Cool line-up of three Icelandic bands at the Aladdin Theatre tomorrow night should further turn things around. And of course, will be in Chicago a week from tonight. Can't complain about that.
Halloween? Halloween: Party in SE. Dressed up as chemist and drank Drop Top from a 125-mL filter flask. Had plastic test-tubes in my lab coat pockets filled with Triple Sec, Tequila, and Evan Williams Whiskey. It was a pretty good time..

the photograph

I.
"Good to be home, friend."
"I knows it."
"Yeap"
"How's it goin' over't there in Norman anyhow?"
"It's goin.' Haven't made much in the way o'friends o'er there. Tryin' ta stay outta trouble, mostly."
"I see. Nothing like the good ole days, huh?"
"No, def'nitely not. I miss them days."
"C'mon these are the good old days, bud. Look t'us. Settin on this ole bear cage sippm' back 40's. Bullshittin. Just like in high school. Sheeit this moment is... well, timeless."
"Yeap. Though the times they are a changing, as the saying goes."
"Bullshit."

II.
"You know I'm thinkin' if you e'er wrote a book or sumpin', I'd be in one a 'em chapters. Hell, without a doubt I'd be."
"Well, I s'pose you're prolly right 'bout that, but I ne'er thought 'bout writin' no biography, man."
"Naw, man, not like no biography. I'm talkin like a fiction. Some char'cter, you know. Based on none uther 'n me. Ha. Whattaya think?"
"Aren't you sumpin'? Got-damn it , yer right. Hell, we only grew up t'gether, 'course an orn'ry sumbitch like you's bound t' pop up in 'ere somewheres. Sheeit."

III.
"Whate'er happen' t'that ole bear, man?"
"Shit if I know - it died, probly."
"You think they got its ghost caged up in here? Hey, watch yer spittin'"
"Well, I sure 'ope not."
"Don' wanna get haunted by no ghost bear for settin' on 'is rusty ole cage, huh?"
"Nope."
"You ever wonder why they kep' a bear in this cage out here? I mean, in a public park in our town of all places?"
"Naw, never gave 'er a thought act'lly."
"I reckon you will now."
"Mm."

IV.
"Well, then what's got you all hush' up?"
"I was thinkin' 'bout the good ole days, like you'd said."
"What about 'em."
"Maybe I'm drunk, but I'm thinkin' of how much I'm tryna commit this moment to memory. We don't get many opp'tunities like this to hang out no more."
"Wanna keep this Kodak moment, huh? I s'ggest you take a picture then."
"I'm serious man. You been away an' all. Y' should be a'le t' reco'nize the change in this town e'en more'n I can. I mean, back in th' day there 'as a got-damn bear'n this cage and now it's long gone. Hardly a trace 'cept for this big cage out in the middle o' the park. It's a landmark, ya know."
"Well, I got an idea then."
"What?"
"Take a damn picture of this cage, man."
"What, tonight? I haint got a cam'ra with me, fool."
"Naw, man. I mean t'morrow."
"Hmm."
"Yeah."
"What for?"
"I don't know. Keep this moment."
"'Morrow won't be this moment."
"Will be represent've at least."
"Well, yer def'nitely drunker 'n I am"
"A'right, suit yerself."
"Take a pict're of an empty bear cage, sheeit."
"Heh, well just an idear."
"What they doin to you o'er at that lib'ral arts college anyways? Makin you all funny."
"Yer the one gettin all reflective one me, sheeit. Take a picture if yer wantin ta r'member this. Aint nothin wrong with that. Don't have to be all artistic neither."
"S'pose yer right."
"I know. I only s'ggested that 'cause I don' want you 'xpectin' me ta write about it in my book one day. This aint hardly worth writin' about t'begin with. Not fit fer publishin'. No action. You'll have to 'member this moment by some other way, bud."
"Hehe. Well I s'pose yer right 'bout that."
"Damn right I'm right."