Table of Contents RKYV # 26 {July 2009} RKYV ONLINE LOGO - David Marshall {current} RKYV ONLINE LOGO – R.J. Paré {modified} RKYV COMICS LOGO – Roy G. James {original}
Virtual Cover # 25 - Art by Siobhan Calnan - Layout by David Marshall
Interior Art - By Jonathan Biermann, Santiago London, Sam van der Wouden, John H. Drew Jr., R.J. Paré, Josh Bowe, De Tourist, Siobhan Calnan.
Writer’s Column - “Creation in Our World” - By Larissa Gula Short Fiction - “The Leaf Green Cabin” - By G. Waldo
Poetry - By Stephen Campbell, R.J. Paré,
Editorial Column - “At the Outset: A Few Thoughts from the Family Life Editor” - “Drunken Dragon Tavern” - By RJ Paré - By Christina Marchetti Travel Column – “Tom’s Travel Tips” - By Tom Rossini
Featured Artist Review – Siobhan Calnan - By R.J. Paré
Pop Culture - “Comic Book Review” - By Brad Bellmore
- “Raised on Saturday Morning Cartoons” - By Pauline Paré
Rat Daëmon – by Stan Nelson
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At the outset A few thoughts from the editor By R.J. Paré
Somewhere out on that horizon Out beyond the neon lights I know there must be somethin' better But there's nowhere else in sight… Joe Walsh
Summer has always been a time for anthems. In the soaring vocals and power chords we find a corollary for how this season makes us feel - Alive. We revel during this time of bounty; it is our reward for enduring the hardships of winter. Creatively, it is a season for letting loose and transferring that exuberance to paper, canvas, keyboard… This summer, in RKYV, we are fortunate to have contributors that have done just that. Their skills and talents are matched equally with their wit and whimsy. Returning columnists Tom Rossini & Larissa Gula share their insights/advice on Travel & Writing. Christina Marchetti, once again, delights our taste buds us with her recipes. And Brad Bellmore & Pauline Paré have some fun reviewing comics and TV in “Pop Culture”. TMNT Bebop – by Stan Nelson
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Our Featured Artist of the Month, Siobhan Calnan, another fellow SPACE CON exhibitor shares some of her delightful works with us. Ranging from skillful and intriguing acid etchings to her whimsical painted roosters - I am sure you’ll find her art and interview an interesting and entertaining read. And now, I encourage you to READ ON. The rest of our July 2009 Issue awaits you and besides… Ya didn’t download this just to have me ramble on, did ya? Now you’ll have to excuse me, I do believe there is a pool just waiting for me… Cannonball!!! [Editor’s Note: The views expressed by R. J. Paré are indeed the views of RKYV Online E-zine. While RKYV does not recommend Cannonballs after several [sic] beverages and does encourage you to avoid landing on the heads of friends and family - should cause for liability be present – RKYV suggests you get a good lawyer… LOL]
Untitled – by Santiago London
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Cinnamon – by Trevor Yarmovich
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Travel Tom’s Travel tips By Tom Rossini
Proactive Travel Planning for the Winter It’s the middle of summer, temperatures in the 80’s, 90’s and in some places even 100’s. So, why should we care about winter travel plans now? Unfortunately, or maybe even for some fortunately, this is the time to take advantage of some early booking discounts. But where to go…..well here are some options… The biggest of events is the 2010 Olympics being held this year in Vancouver, BC. From 2/12/2010 to 2/28/2010. But what’s really amazing is the immediately after the Olympics the Paralympics will be held from 3/12/2010 to 3/21/2010.
Tickets are still available for many of the events including the opening and closing ceremonies – although by the time you read this they could be sold out. Events include skiing, bobsledding, hockey, figure skating, luge, ski jumping and several more. But what if this is not really your interest, there are many other options including, Ski Resorts, Cruises, All Inclusive Resort and for those really looking for something new how about exploring South America or Australia. Ski Resorts can be found throughout Canada and the Northern parts of the USA and even if your not a fan of skiing many offer spectacular Chalets in which hot tubing, or lying by the fireplace would be a romantic winter getaway….as long as there are no snowball fights.
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Another option would be a lovely vacation on a cruise ship in the Caribbean, the Hawaiian Islands, or even down to South America or Australia and the Philippines. If cruising is something that interests you I would highly recommend either Carnival or NCL if travelling with children who are not potty trained and NCL or RCCL if you have kids and Holland America or RCCL if adults are going. Of note... many of my travel friends have become less and less impressed with Princess Cruise Lines over all and Carnival is no long the “Party Cruise Line”. Over the last 10 years or so they have tried to shed that image for a more family oriented cruise line feel. All Inclusive Resorts are an up and coming fashion trend with many not only offering you all the food and drink you want but many now offering children services, laundry services, entertainment including non motorized water-sports, sports activities and AIRFARE from select airports. What ever your choice is, I recommend you research your plans on www.Tripadvisor.com and www.Cruisecritic.com .
Untitled – by Sam van der Wouden
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Untitled – by John H.Drew Jr.
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Featured artist review Siobhan Calnan By R.J. Paré BIO [by Siobhan Calnan]: Siobhan Calnan is printmaker who recently earned her Bachelor’s degree from the renowned Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia. Her work is focused on etchings, images made from ink applied to acid-etched copper plates. Calnan’s work explores the various ways this medium can be used in portraiture, resulting in uniquely composed and textured faces. Since graduation, she has been working mainly on acrylic paintings, mostly small roosters, and has made about 80 of them to date. Roosters can be viewed and purchased @ www.plasticrooster.etsy.com. Calnan enjoys writing about her work in the third person, making it seem as if she’s important enough to have other people writing about her.
R.J. Paré: Have you always known that you wanted to be or, rather, were an artist? Siobhan Calnan: I’ve always enjoyed art but I don’t think I knew I wanted to make art full-time until my junior or senior year of high school. I liked school and learning, but I found art to be uniquely challenging in comparison to traditional academics. I really like the idea that there isn’t one correct answer to every problem. RJP: Did you study or major in art while in school? SC: I got my BFA at Tyler School of Art, Temple University. My major was printmaking, and I also took quite a few painting courses. RJP: Who was you biggest influence or source of encouragement, as a child, in pursuing art? SC: I don’t think I was more artsy than other children when I was very young, so I don’t know if I have an answer for this. I know I had “coloring parties” with my mother.
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Artist: Siobhan Calnan Title: “Edna” Media Used: Acrylic on canvas Size: 5” by 5” Date Created: 2008
RJP: The first in a series of Rooster paintings from Siobhan that we have for this feature. I am curious about the names. Random? Or were they drawn for specific people? Never the less, these are fun pieces lacking only in any semblance of pretension and tinged with, at least, a bit of whimsy. RJP: What is your favorite media to work with? SC: My favorite type of printmaking is etching. After that, my favorites are painting, drawing, and screenprinting.
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Artist: Siobhan Calnan Title: “Courtney” Media Used: print made from acid etching on copper plate. Size: 3” by 4” Date Created: 2009 RJP: This print making process is intriguing. Siobhan’s exploration of portraiture in this medium has led to striking results.
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Artist: Siobhan Calnan Title: “Kristina” Media Used: Acrylic on canvas Size: 5” by 5” Date Created: 2008
RJP: Do you use any special tools and techniques to create your art? SC: Yes, in general, most printmaking requires some type of press. With etching, various substances are used to block out an image on a copper plate and then the plate is immersed in acid and any unexposed copper is slowly eaten away. Through timing and use of different mark-making tools, myriad textures can be created. The print itself is created by applying ink to the copper, either by pressing ink into the grooves or using a brayer to roll ink over the surface of the plate, and then running the copper and piece of paper through a press, transferring the ink to the paper. Since I’ve graduated from college and I no longer have access to printmaking facilities, I’ve doing a lot of acrylic paintings. Obviously, that’s a lot simpler: paint, water, and canvas.
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RJP: What inspires you to create art? SC: I don’t know what inspires me, exactly. I’m pretty shy, but I think people are interesting. I think art is a way for me to interact with or express my feelings about people indirectly. My drawings and prints almost always deal with portraits and text. My recent paintings are all roosters. I’d been using the name plasticrooster on things for a while and once I got out of school I was struggling to find a way to continue making work without having a studio or being around an art community. With a lot of my work during school, I would stress myself out trying to think of a clever idea or concept. I certainly still want to make work that’s clever and smart, but the rooster paintings came from deciding to pick a subject and paint it and see how many times I could do that, just as a way of getting into a habit of making work regularly, post- art school, without getting hung up on an idea. RJP: How would you categorize your artistic style? SC: I have no idea. I think my prints and drawings are completely different from my paintings, so I don’t think I have a specific style.
Artist: Siobhan Calnan Title: “Max” Media Used: Acrylic on canvas Size: 4” by 4” Date Created: 2009
RJP: Would you say that there is a "message" or "unifying theme" in your work? SC: I think a lot of my work is about observation, about the way people feel or think about themselves versus the way they look. I like exploring ugliness combined with humor. As far as the paintings, the subject is always the same and it’s really an exercise in creativity, continuing to make the paintings new and different and still interesting to me.
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RJP: Which famous artists or styles have influenced you? Why? SC: I like Tim Hawkinson’s work, even though most of it is sculptural and I don’t work three dimensionally. I went to a show of his at the Whitney about four years ago, and was really excited about how the pieces were so smart and yet everyone seemed engaged. I think a lot of art is purely aesthetic and a lot of other art is elitist. For me, the interesting stuff falls in the middle- I like work that looks good (or at least interesting) and makes you think.
Artist: Siobhan Calnan Title: “Tiff” Media Used: print made from acid etching on copper plate. Size: 3” by 5” Date Created: 2009
RJP: If you could meet any living or dead artist, who would it be? SC: I’m shy, so I never have an answer for questions like this. I’d rather just read about people I’m interested in, observe them at a distance. RJP: What is the one question that you would ask him/her?
SC: I guess if I were talking to a famous/successful artist, I would ask him how long it was before things fell into place and art really felt like a career.
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RJP: What do you think of the term "starving artist"? SC: I don’t particularly like it, though I don’t get upset over it. There are successful and unsuccessful people in every industry.
Artist: Siobhan Calnan Title: “Rona” Media Used: Acrylic on canvas Size: 6” by 6” Date Created: 2008 RJP: Do you feel more a sense of community with other artists or a sense of competition? SC: I think there is always a healthy sense of competition but the sense of community is a bigger factor for me. I miss college a lot because of that. Being away from other artists, I realize it’s harder to gauge how ideas or pieces are working, because I don’t have people to critique them.
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Artist: Siobhan Calnan Title: “Victor” Media Used: Acrylic on canvas Size: 5” by 7” Date Created: 2008
RJP: I am particularly fond of this rooster. I am not sure whether it is because of the little smirk/frown and the way he seems to be looking down at us or the fact that Victor has a very “animated/cartoon” feel to him due to the thick lines and shading.
RJP: How do you market yourself? SC: This is one of the biggest questions I’ve been asking myself lately. I have a shop on etsy.com, which is a website that sells handmade and vintage goods. www.plasticrooster.etsy.com It’s a great website and there’s so much cool stuff, but there are also a lot of shops there, so you have to generate your own traffic. I’ve been writing about how I am trying to figure out how to get my work out and eventually be able to make art full time on a newish blog, www.cockadoodledebt.blogspot.com RJP: Do you find it difficult to stay motivated / inspired? SC: I’ve had periods of difficulty staying inspired, which is one reason I started the rooster paintings. Instead of waiting to be inspired or think of an idea, I picked one subject and decided to work with it repeatedly. This way, I am always able to make work even if I don’t have a concept. This has been helpful for me and is the reason I have stayed productive since I’ve gotten out of school.
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RJP: Do you create your art full time or part time? SC: Part-time, but I hope to make art full-time someday. I have a day job where I make enough money and have health insurance. I think with the economy the way it is, many people are putting their dream profession on the backburner. Right now the goal is to still be making progress with art while I have a full-time job. RJP: What other interests do you have, besides art? SC: Road trips, reading, writing, books as objects, yard sales, eyebrows, learning.
Artist: Siobhan Calnan Title: “Betsey” Media Used: print made from acid etching on copper plate. Size: 3 1/2” by 4 1/2” Date Created: 2009
RJP: There is a lot of wonderful texture and detail in this piece. It has the romanticized feel, for me, of a medieval woodcut.
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Artist: Siobhan Calnan Title: “Rycera” Media Used: Acrylic on canvas Size: 5” by 5” Date Created: 2009
RJP: What advice would you have for a young artist starting out today? SC: One of my biggest regrets about college is that I wasn’t as social as I should have been, and now I don’t have the same kind of connections that many of my classmates do. I would say that, in addition to putting a lot of time and effort into your work, you should put a lot of time and effort into going to events and meeting people. Be open to honest critique and don’t think you’re better than other people.
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Artist: Siobhan Calnan Title: “Spokes” Media Used: Acrylic on canvas Size: 4” by 4” Date Created: 2008 RJP: The final rooster for this feature “Spokes” delves, whimsically, into my favourite artistic milieu… the realms of the surreal. Truly, this is a bird that Lewis Carroll would heartily approve of. RJP: Do you have any big plans or shows coming up in 2009? SC: Man, I wish I had something exciting to mention here! I’m working on getting more involved with the art community and showing my work, but I have nothing big to report yet. Keep an eye on the blog, though, maybe I will soon.
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Artist: Siobhan Calnan Title: “Untitled Landscape” Media Used: print made from acid etching on copper plate. Size: 6” by 18” Date Created: 2007
RJP: This is a bold and impressive piece. Siobhan’s “Untitled Landscape” has an almost gothic feel to it. The grainy sepia-like tones of the finished piece are reminiscent of the images modern horror films, like The Ring, flash at you during dream sequences. Are prints available for order? Cool Stuff...
RJP: How would you like your art, and by extension yourself, to be remembered? SC: I would like my work to be something that people think is funny or clever, something they relate to. For me it’s more about the emotion and the idea than the talent.
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Smiling Log [Samut Prakharn, Thailand] – by De Tourist
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Writer’s Column Creation in Our World By Larissa Gula Column 10: Music Setting The Tone Once again she returns, after more of the lovely joys of life we call: work; family responsibilities; family vacations; and worst of all, repeat illnesses. I went to a doctor who told me I was recovering from a sickness only to get on the plane and be told I might have mono. However, it was not mono, and I am now sitting up and typing away some thoughts. I am not quite back on the “creative” track yet, unfortunately. Then I got to thinking. Two months ago, Randy’s posting about musical albums reminded me that sometimes a simple thing in our life can create something great. The inspiration to begin something can lead into an evolved form beyond the original expectations. In fact, I as a musician have the ability to create emotion just by picking up my violin or singing, two things I adore. Music is a grand example of how something short can lead to a grander project. Music has many elements that contribute to the mindset of the listener. The lyrics, the melody and harmony, and the tone of the voice all combine to not only tell a story but to set the mood of the song – and this can be a base stone to kick off from when beginning something of your own.
I decided this month I should make a list of my own favorite albums and see if it spreads on to a few readers. Hopefully, some of these songs will be explored and will lead to personal inspiration and revelation – or at least will encourage you to find some yourself.
Recharge – by De Tourist
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Untitled – by Engin Korkmaz This summer, my five favorite soundtracks are: 1. Sarah Brightman’s “Symphony”. Sarah Brightman commands adoration. As a world selling renowned soprano who had an entire musical dedicated to her (as she was the original Christine in “Phantom of the Opera”), it’s almost impossible to show her disrespect. Her album shows off her opera talents without being too dressy or showy, mingling the talent with a rock style that says singing is hardly dead. You just have to find the talent. 2. Cast In Bronze’s “Best Day Ever”. Cast In Bronze lost to Brightman by just a few points, but I knew that this interesting soundtrack had to stay high. Cast In Bronze is a performing group with two active members now. Each of them travels with their single instrument and some sound equipment from show to show on the road. Sound normal? Ha. These instruments weigh as much as 35 tons. Cast In Bronze features the ancient carillon, an instrument normally confined to bell towers – seeing as the instruments were the bells themselves. These traveling carillons are incredible to see, and beautiful to the ear. The sound equipment I mentioned? Plays the accompanying harmonies and occasional vocals. The bells too have changed with the times in order to survive. Cast In Bronze can be found @ castinbronze.com, on YouTube, and on a fan page and group on Facebook. I highly encourage everyone to give this one a chance at least; its founder is an associate of mine who could use all the support and fans he can get.
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3. Brad Yoder’s “Someday or Never”. Local artists are something to look into to see if they’re worth supporting, because it’s a common observance that local has far more talent and passion than mainstream. Brad Yoder fits this bill, with beautiful poetry for lyrics and quick fingers on his guitar to match. The first time I heard him sing, I wanted to cry – the lyrics and his music were all too reminiscent of my heart. It is not easy for movies or songs to make me cry – especially since I heard him perform after two hours of comedy show. He has a gift and I am excited to return to campus just to see when he returns to our Cathedral of Learning comedy show! 4. Idina Menzel’s “I Stand”. All right, pop haters – I forbid you to insult this one. Idina Menzel is a Broadway star I only recently found myself adoring. She defines the Wicked Witch Elphaba in “Wicked”; she took up the challenge of Maureen in “Rent”; and she brought her talent into her pop album. Idina’s songs, especially “I Stand” itself, demand emotion if not tears. If there is one artist I try to buy sheet music of, it’s Idina. I wish her luck during the remainder of her pregnancy and hope she will return to the Burgh on future tours! 5. The “Wicked” Soundtrack. Are my interests becoming apparent yet? This seems a bit like cheating, but sometimes it’s best to listen to what does exist and see what you can come up with afterwards. “Wicked” is not only filled with talent; it is an incredible story on paper and on stage about the way others view the classic events we thought we understood so well. Sometimes seeing through another’s eyes really is the best thing for us. The best on your own journeys, -Ris
Untitled – by Josh Bowe
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DC2 Cover - [All characters Š DC Comics] – pencils and inks by Steven Howard; colours by Jon Biermann
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Short Fiction The Leaf Green Cabin By G. Waldo Editor’s Note: As published in “Pugwash Memories An Anthology” by Edith McFadden Croft - New Brunswick
I could hardly see my feet for the rain. I could feel them well enough being sucked down into the mud, mud thick like chocolate icing, again and again. Every-so-often, one of my feet would come up out of a mud hole without my Flip-Flop and I would have to stop and pull and pull to free it. If I held it up to the rain and turned it, it would eventually wash clean. Then I'd balance on one leg while I slid it over my rain-cold bare foot. We had walked a mile in the rain and mud and had another mile to go on this southern Manitoba back road. After an hour of fighting to keep his old fourdoor Chevy on the road, Dad had lost control and driven the car into the ditch. We had all piled out in our summer clothes. Me in shorts, a flowered top my mother had bought me for this visit and my FlipFlops. My brothers and sister, much older than I, ran ahead and I struggled to keep up with Mom and Dad.
Muddy Rain Footprints – by R.J. Paré
I remember I was six and had never been to my uncle's farm. My dad's brother owned cows and used work horses to haul logs from the bush to cut for winter firewood. Uncle said he would show me a deer's antlers and let me ride Bonny-Lass, the prettiest work-horse. Wet and muddy to our knees we arrived but instead of walking up to the big white house, we stopped at a small green cabin and washed the mud off our feet in a white basin a nice old lady handed each of us kids in turn.
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Stem N Leaves 2 – by R.J. ParÊ The cabin was painted a green that reminded me of leaves. But not the real kind, the candy kind. Those little green leaves that were covered in sugar and tasted like mint. White and green striped curtains covered the windows and yellow flowers bloomed by the porch door. An old bed spring pressed into use for a hammock hung between two thick trees. A quilt was lying across it, soaked from the rain. When my turn came to wash the mud from my feet, the old woman said to my dad that I should stay with them for the night. I didn't want to stay in the cabin with these two old people I didn't know. I was a bit scared when the rest of the family marched up to the big house, leaving me alone with the strangers. I wanted to shout "No, I want to go with you, Dad!" But the old people's faces smiled at me very kindly so I said nothing. They brought me in and she made sandwiches and macaroni for supper in the small kitchen off the living room. I remember a pink stove. The old man lit a fire in the hearth and spent most of the evening watching television from a red sofa in a room which walls were lined with books. The old woman knitted and I played on the rug with a model of a horse I had found on a side table. When I got sleepy I curled up on the smaller sofa and wrapped myself up with a knitted blanket. The old woman asked, "Don't you want to sleep in your own room? We made it up for you, see?" A huge four-poster bed, one that seemed built for a giant or a monster, occupied almost half of one of the two bedrooms. I couldn't see through to the other bedroom because the door was open just a crack but I wondered if the old people slept in a monster's bed too. I stared at the giant's bed, at the heavy covers and the white, cobweb like fabric hanging over it (that swayed back and forth like a witch's grey hair from the evening breeze seeping through a tiny open window), and felt I might disappear; vanish in the night if I slept there. A giant's bed whose owner would come and steal me in the dark. The bed itself might eat me alive as I slept. "No." I answered. "I want to sleep here."
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I sank into the comforting cushions of the sofa, curling up beneath the warm knitted blanket so they would know I meant it. The two nice old folks stopped trying to convince me, said goodnight and disappeared into their own bedroom, closing the door behind them. I never saw those old people again. When I was nine years old we returned to the farm. The car, a newer model Chevy with tail fins, kept to the dry road and we slowly bounced around on the pot-holed driveway. Dad parked by a leaf green cabin. A memory itched in my mind as I looked at the run-down shack. The paint was peeling off in strips and all the windowpanes were broken. Weeds surrounded it and leaves and moss had accumulated on the tarpaper shingles. The bedspring hammock was still there between the tree trunks; it's quilt ragged and dirty. Dad and uncle led the way inside. "Be careful." Dad warned me. "It's old. Don't fall in the hole." I froze in step at the sight. In the center of the floor of what once must have been a living room was a gaping hole five feet wide. The floor's wood was splintered and jutted out everywhere. It was like staring into a terrible maw with its broken jagged teeth. Like a giant had taken a bite out of it. In the kitchen a tiny pink stove lay on its side, its oven door hanging from one hinge like a torn lip, it's interior back and oily. Straw lay in the corners, along the wall edges and anywhere the wind had chosen to drive it. Animal droppings littered the floor and an old sofa with stuffing oozing out sat against the far living room wall. The fabric was stained and its color faded. The cabin stunk of animal pee and mold. Dad and Uncle flipped through some of the dusty books that still lay on the shelves over a cold, empty fireplace. From my frozen spot, I stared into the bedroom. The one that had held the giant's bed. But the room was empty. Nothing lived there now. I remember thinking that, somehow, between the time I had sat in the kitchen eating sandwiches and slept on the sofa beneath the knitted blanket, the cabin had died. And the old people who had disappeared through their bedroom door, had died with it. I stared at that door. It was still closed. And behind that door...? You could not have gotten me to open that door for anything in the world. Not for a million dollars. "Dad," I asked. "Who lived here?" Dad turned from his discussion of a book on diabetes and looked at me oddly. "My mother and father. Your grandparents."
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He said it in such a way, that I ought to know. The old people who had lived and spoken to me for an evening? And had disappeared behind the door? And when the cabin had died? My grandparents. I never did open that door. The last time I visited my Uncle's farm was seven years later. The first place I wanted to visit was the leaf green cabin. I walked through the tall weeds on the path that would take me to it. The time was summer and the day warm, bright and living. But the cabin was gone. Indian Paint Brush and wild wheat grew in the spot now. All that remained was a depression in the soil. That and the rusty bed spring hammock. Even the tattered quilt was still there. I often go back to the farm in my mind and remember the old folks and the leaf green cabin that lived for a while and died. I smell the wheat and feel the farm air and I am moved by the passage of time. We look with our eyes and things disappear from view in a breath or two. We look with our hearts and time stops.
Lookout – by De Tourist
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Western Cover – by Trevor Yarmovich
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Poetry Selected Poems By Stephen Campbell Lusts' Labour Won A night of love? A night of lust. The fair jingle of flesh The plump supple mush Of sex thrust warmly upon me Filling my appetite, sating my glee. Sated lust needed, denied will grow Lusts’ need abating, withdrew, sudden horror. And lust sorrow filled hollow with echoing hallows Brought my glee crashing upon stone gallows, I hung limp sated with wrathful longing My lust ran round poking at my empty sobbing.
Check [Ban Phe, Thailand] – by De Tourist page 30
African Ambassador – by Josh Bowe Black Sins... Heavenly Shows Black boy sinning at rich worlds bidding, White boy longing for shiny new belonging. Black girl crying whilst mother lay dying, White girl crying, she’s afraid of flying. Black man falling as workday is scalding, White man climbing, rewarded, aspiring. Black woman praying whilst broken baby bearing, White woman laying in work whilst not caring. Black soul stands highly with all the sky smiling, White soul stooping over riches made looting. Black soul pure and cured of all hurt, White soul stained and besmirch in the dirt.
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Pare’s poetic perspectives By R.J. Paré .38 Special The cylinder turns In lascivious wantonness The hammer cocked Prepared, now, to penetrate It pierces like fire Explosive satisfaction Final fading thought As hot slug thru temple rips Bang
.38 Special – by R.J. Paré
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DC2 Cover - [All characters Š DC Comics] – pencils and inks by Steven Howard; colours by Jon Biermann
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Family life Drunken dragon tavern By Christina Marchetti Cheese and Butter – by Cindy Renfrow Medieval / Renaissance Food Clip-Art Collection Hey there folks, Today I have a fairly quick and easy and surprisingly tastey recipe for oat cakes that a friend of mine gave me. Her name is Randi Cartier, and those of you who are in my age group or older and from the Windsor Essex County area know her as the proprietor of the Dragon's Den. Next month, we will be talking a little bit about Japanese food history and table manners for those interested in the far east, and then following will be 4 complete and simple meals from the area Hope you like the oat cakes. Tastefully Yours, Tina The World's Best Oat Cakes 1 1/2 cups flour 2 cups rolled oats 1 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup butter 3/4 cup milk Mix dry ingredients.
Work dough with hands, adding a few sprinklings of flour until the dough is no longer sticky. Divide into 6 pieces. Shape each lump into a disc about 4 - 5 inches in diameter. Put on buttered cookie sheet and cut into quartes but do not separate them. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 -20 min. until browned.
Cut in butter until mixture is like fine meal. Turn over and turn off oven. Leave oven door ajar and let the cakes crisp in the oven for 10 min. You can now finish separating Add milk. them. These awesome little cakes are great with a cup of tea or hot chocolate!!!!
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Zombie Thor
By Brian Typhair
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Pop culture Comic book review By Brad Bellmore
Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time – Eye of the World
Thumb sideways
Dabel Brothers Publishing released the first issue of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series in comic format. I need to come clean up front. Early on in this series of novels, I loved it; I found it innovative and rich in layers of story and character. I quit reading the series halfway through the sixth book. I was utterly confused by too many stories and too many characters and had the impression the author was as well. Certainly, Jordan fans that have read every word of this series will undoubtedly inform me that if only I continued on it would all make sense. And perhaps it would have; but I didn’t.
However, I picked up this first issue with high expectations because the first novel worked well for me. I was glad to get my chance to get in right form the beginning. The story in the comic holds pretty tightly to the story in the novel which always a danger when trying to tell a well loved story in a different medium. Either the creators work with the medium and fail to deliver the story true enough, riling the existing fan base, or they stick too close to the original, thrilling the fan base but alienating the fans of the medium who are unfamiliar with the original work. This comic fails in the latter sense.
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I like that the creators, Chuck Dixon on script and Chase Conley drawing, decided to stay as true as possible to Jordan’s original work. I’m looking forward to the textures of the original that I will experience again. The pacing, however, is way to slow for a comic. As I found myself getting caught back into Jordan’s world a few pages in but when the issue ended, I felt that I didn’t get enough story. I wished that I had a graphic novel in my hands instead of a monthly so that I could get a full dose of Rand Al’Thor and his friends and fellow travelers. Overall, it is a good read. The story is intriguing and it flows well. I loved the art. Conley does a great job of interpreting Jordan’s world, putting is in a very specific time and place with a variety of people who seem very real. I even lied some of his special effects that he throws in. But, as cool as this issue is and I expect the next to be, I think you are better of waiting for the trades to come out. This will be a very frustrating story to digest in such small bites. I plan to wait for the trades myself.
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Raised on Saturday Morning cartoons By Pauline Paré The networks have made the final decisions as to what shows will be returning and on which new shows they will be taking a gamble. I do miss my tv shows and I have chosen the three I anticipate most.
Supernatural was my choice for least likely to succeed when I first heard the show’s concept. Two good looking brothers who solve supernatural mysteries? I thought Hardy Boys meets Scooby-doo and figured it would be the first cancellation of 2005. I am so happy that I was wrong. This show is well acted, well written and it has an amazing soundtrack. It has deep, long running storylines and is refreshing unpredictable. I just can’t wait to see what the Winchester brothers do this season. (…and they really are good looking, nice bonus!)
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My second choice is a show I discovered recently, The Big Bang Theory. Sitcoms rarely make my list of most anticipated shows. They can be pleasant diversions and I enjoy a funny programs but I am not really concerned about what will happen next. I feel the same way about this one… the plot hasn’t left me hanging and waiting for more. No, the reason why this how made my list is that it is addictive. It is too much fun and I want more.
Fringe started slow but it had Joshua Jackson so was worth giving a chance. The season finale had us scratching our heads with the revealing of a shocking secret. I would love to tell you all about it, but I don’t want to spoil your fun if you were waiting for the September 8th DVD release. We were also introduced to a character played by Leonard Nimoy (wow!) and are hoping to see more of him next season. You may have noticed that Chuck is not on my list but this unexpectedly salvaged show will be premiering in January 2010. Way to go Chuck! Although these are my most anticipated network shows, the cable channels still put out the best and highest quality shows. The cable shows I await eagerly are Breaking Bad, Dexter and True Blood. Which returning shows are you most excited about? I will start a topic on the RKYV Facebook page and I hope to hear your opinions. Editor’s Note: just for the pure Dork-gasm joy of it… the actual Big Bang Theory is dealt with in the handy illustration on the page following.
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