Table of Contents RKYV # 27 {August 2009} RKYV ONLINE LOGO - David Marshall {current} RKYV ONLINE LOGO – r. j. paré {modified} RKYV COMICS LOGO – Roy G. James {original} Virtual Cover # 27 - Art by Elisa Féliz - Layout by David Marshall
Music - “Rick Rock” - by r. j. pare; art by Bob Labute
Interior Art Short Fiction - By Jonathan Biermann, Bob Labute, Stan - “Pondering Evil” Nelson, De Tourist, Erin Davila, Sam van der - By Larissa Gula Wouden, Engin Korkmaz, r. j. paré, Elisa Féliz. - “Bad Beat – Part 1” - By r. j. paré Editorial Column - “At the Outset: A Few Thoughts from the Editor” Food - By r. j. paré - “Drunken Dragon Tavern” - By Christina Marchetti World View – “The Forgotten” Pop Culture - By Jonathan Biermann - “Comic Book Review” - By Brad Bellmore - “Film Review – Anatomy of Hate” Featured Artist Review – Elisa Féliz - By Brad Bellmore - By r .j. paré -“Film Review – District 9” - By Larissa Gula - “Raised on Saturday Morning Cartoons” Poetry - By Dexter Betantos, Anna Gehmacher, - By Pauline Paré Frances Vargas, Kieran McGarry
Ice Breaker – by De Tourist
At the outset A Few Thoughts From The Editor By r. j. pare
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Welcome to RKYV ONLINE.
For new readers, I would like to take a moment and explain what this mag is all about. Each and every month RKYV receives submissions of poetry, art, photography, opinions and short stories. We do have our regular contributors, however, anyone is welcome to participate. These submissions are gathered and published over the web in e-book and PDF formats. We also take the time each month to interview a chosen artist and highlight their work on our cover and in a feature article. This month is no different. We are pleased to feature Elisa Féliz, an up and coming comic artist and graphic designer. As you’ve already seen a glimpse of her dynamic work on this month’s cover, you can tell this is a talented young woman. Check out her feature article for more of Elisa’s work, her background and links to even more of her incredibly cool stuff. TMNT Raphael © Eastman & Laird – by Stan Nelson
I’d like to digress for a moment if I may and speak about, what has been called, by some, “The Summer that NEVER was…” – LOL. Okay, so here in Canada at least, folks have been moaning about this past summer and lost opportunities to go to the beach, etc etc. But ya know what? It happens… use this time as a chance to get caught up on other projects. Have you been meaning to clean the gutters or repair some shingles on the roof? Well that can be a drag in 90° + weather, now that things have been cooler it’s not so bad doing such chores. Maybe you have a farm or even just a small garden and you always want your plants / crops to thrive and receive enough water? Well, this summer certainly provided enough rain.
Maybe ya just wish you could have watched more pretty girls walk by scantily clad in the summer heat… well, I guess you were screwed on that one. Anyhow, for me it was a chance to do more writing, some painting [having some fun with acrylics] and devote a little more time to hanging out with the kids [a writer’s block is easily cured by a living room floor tickle fight].
Swarm Bud Concept Sketch - for the Hell On Earth Graphic Novel from Speakeasy Primates - by Stan Nelson
Has this been your experience as well? Has the summer of 2009 been a productive one for you, creatively? Well, in that case I invite you to share the fruits of your imagination with the rest of us here at RKYV ONLINE! You can post your creations on anyone of a number of online sites [Facebook, Xanga, Bebo, Blogger, Google Groups] or you can email me directly and I will make sure your submission gets included in an upcoming issue for everyone to enjoy. This month we received some wonderful poetry from a variety of contributors; one short story from regular columnist Larissa Gula and a second from yours truly that will be published in a series of installments. We’re also happy to direct our readers to some interesting and thought provoking columns from Jon Biermann & Brad Bellmore as well as some entertaining reviews from Brad, Larissa and my lovely wife Pauline Paré.
Food columnist Christina Marchetti embarks on the 1st of a series of articles exploring Japanese Cuisine, its culture and traditions. I don’t know about you, but mouth is watering and my chopsticks are ready! Many thanks, of course, to the continued support and participation of numerous artists who are individually credited throughout this issue. I am awed by the visual inventions of our contributors and inspired to try, in turn, to reach new heights of creativity myself. I suppose that’s quite enough of my blabbering on and on for another 30 days. Take care and don’t be ashamed to daydream. r. j. pare EIC RKYV ONLINE e-Zine
Untitled – by Sam van der Wouden
Untitled – by Bob Labute
World view
The Forgotten By Jonathan Biermann I drive down the street, construction in progress, Jack-hammers hammering. Traffic is slowed down to a crawl. Each and every car filled with someone just wanting to get home to their families. Get home to their couches, their entertainment rooms… to their lives. Some stop off at the McDonald’s or the Tim Hortons and grab something for the drive home. Others listen to their stereos blasting away what ever music they tend to listen to. A mom is yelling at her kids in the back seat, telling them to behave. A man lights a smoke tossing a half-eaten bag of chips out his window on to the street, for what ever reason odds are: just because. Imaginary Portrait – by Josh Bowe I sit there in my car, looking at this world around me. Then I see him. He is only in his early forties. He has a full beard and ragged clothes. He is holding up a sign asking for spare change or for some food. Not far from him, always within sight, is a shopping cart filled with various items. Every car passes him by. Every driver, every professional working man, every mom and her kids and every single person who likes to think of themselves as religious and pure… they all still pass him by. Either they are oblivious of him because their own world is more important to them, or they just choose to ignore him. Every once in a while someone will stop and toss him some spare change, believing in their heart of hearts that they are making a difference.
Or is it just because everyone else is looking and they want to feel like they are better than those around them? A few blocks away a woman in her late thirties sits by a bus stop. All that she owns sits on the ground next to her. Her head is bowed, never looking anyone in the eye. She might ask someone for a smoke but nothing more. Her pride won’t let her. Then, another man, age unknown, kinda hard to tell but he is a big man and thick boned. As he walks he talks to himself aloud, holding a very in-depth and meaningful conversation with someone who is not even there. And yet the world keeps passing them by. They are the forgotten. They are the downtrodden, the lost. So often I hear people making fun of them. Cracking jokes at their expense or yelling at them to get a job. People treat them as something less because they don't have a fancy car, a house to go home to or a family that cares.
Chinese Girl – by Josh Bowe They presume that these people choose this life; that they are lazy or addicted to drugs; that they are not suitable to be a part of society. Many people feel that they deserve the lives they have. Who are we to judge? Who are we to scorn? Who are we to look down on them as less then human? When all it takes is a bit of bad luck, a bad break or making one wrong choice in life, and we too could very well be one of those who are the forgotten. So think about that the next time you sit on your couch or work on your computer. Consider it when you turn on your surround sound system and watch your big screen TV. Wonder about it as you get in your fancy car or head off to your cabin by the beach.
The next time you toss a half-eaten sandwich out the window or can’t decide on which fast food joint to stop at... think real hard on the life you have: • • •
On your job that you bitch about. On your friends and family. On all that you have before you.
Then think on what it would be like if you lost it all. Do you think the world would look at you with compassion or would the world just pass you by? When you see the forgotten see them as yourself. Then treat them as you would wish to be treated: • • •
With respect. With dignity. With compassion. We often talk about what is wrong with this world, and how something should be done. I know I have been a part of many such conversations and I have overheard many others. Yet those who say something needs to be done, when they finish their coffee and get up to leave - the conversation they just had seems to leave as well and becomes just like the forgotten. They can talk about it, but they won’t do anything about it. They are not the righteous and pure hearted, no they are the ignorant and the oblivious. My heart and my respect go out to those who do something. To those who volunteer at the soup kitchens, the shelters, the clinics. My respect goes out to those who don't talk about what is wrong with the world but, rather, try to make a difference in it.
Alone, by the lamppost – by r. j. paré And my heart goes out to the forgotten. Does yours?
My tribute to Batman issue 40 from 1946 © DC Comics – by Jonathan Biermann
Featured Artist Review
By r. j. paré BIO: [by Elisa Féliz]: My name is Elisa Féliz. I'm 21 years old. I'm a comic artist, web developer and designer. I was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, but I currently live in New Jersey, where I attend the Joe Kubert School of cartoon and graphic art. I published my first comic strip in 1998, but my career started years before, when I began to participate in several national and international art contests at the age of 6. I started drawing comic books as a self-trained artist in 2007 and have been working as a penciller and a colorist. I recently worked as one of the artists for the Villikon Chronicles Proclivity series by Silent Nemesis Workshop, created by Bryan Kinnaird. The series precedes the film "Villikon Chronicles: Genesis of Evil". I also did some digital illustrations for the film. Some other comics I've worked on are "Dallas" (Based on the popular TV series), "Intrepid", "Knight Reavers" and "RX Tales". I'm the creator of "Alice in Nightmareland" and co-creator of "Intrepid". I own a clothing line called Elliz Clothing www.ellizclothing.com and a huge network of websites. I'll own a comic company soon, I'm still doing the registration. I started doing web design and programming in 2003, and got engaged in a project for a Dominican social network called "A Tu Nivel" in 2005. Not long after I worked as a CSS layout designer for some UFO Film websites. My personal site: www.elisafeliz.com r. j. pare: Have you always known that you wanted to be or, rather, were an artist? Elisa Féliz: Ever since I was born. I've been drawing for as long as I can remember. My teachers referred to me as a child prodigy and convinced my parents to have me participate in art contests. I couldn't say I had a normal childhood 'cause I was interviewed for Newspapers and forced to be on TV... I hate being on TV. I didn't like the attention but loved being part of the art world. I was never too interested in fine arts, I wanted to do comic art. So I retired for a few years. I always said that I would move to US someday and create comics. From an early age I felt like I was born in the wrong place, 'cause we didn't have a comic industry in Santo Domingo.
rjp: Did you study or major in art while in school? EF: No, I didn't.
Artist: Elisa Féliz Title: Car Chase Media Used: Pencils on Bristol Board Size: 11” x 17” Date Created: May 2008 rjp: This is a wonderful example of Elisa’s skill as a comic penciller. The action is conceived from exciting angles and the panel layout is slick and clever. In fact much of the work, for the inker, has already been done as Elisa has painstakingly rendered the panels fully shaded. An inker receiving such professional work would count themselves fortunate that their main task would be to faithfully accentuate such crisp and detailed lines.
rjp: Who was you biggest influence or source of encouragement, as a child, in pursuing art?
EF: It's hard to say 'cause I didn't really have much influence from artists while growing up. I grew up in a place where I didn't really have access to comics. I knew comic art though, but still didn't know any graphic artists to be influenced by. I was actually encouraged to pursue art by a musician. But when it comes to comic art, I was only influenced by what I understood as comic art style and by the animated shows I saw on TV. rjp: What is your favorite media to work with? EF: I love doing digital coloring or painting in my computer.
Artist: Elisa Féliz Title: Sample Page [X-girl] Media Used: Pencils on Ledger paper Size: 11” x 17” Date Created: May 2008
rjp: This medium is technically known as graphic sequential art & story-telling for a reason. Put simply, it is not all about splash pages. It is not all about fight scenes and action sequences. Sometimes, much as in film, there are moments of conversation and interpersonal drama. Before this piece has even received inking or dialogue it is a fine example of the artist interpreting the script and using their pencil to act as the ‘camera’ and pacing out the ‘shots’ necessary for the characters to have their verbal confrontation and for one of them to storm off. That much is clear without the benefit a single word and thus Elisa demonstrates that the comic artist can have as much impact on the story-telling as they do the graphics.
rjp: Do you use any special tools and techniques to create your art? EF: Well... That would be Photoshop. For most of my work, I first draw in pencil, then do the inking over and scan it to do the coloring in the computer. Sometimes I feel like trying something different like Inkwash or digital painting. rjp: What inspires you to create art? EF: I'm usually inspired by art itself, it could be graphic art, it could be music... art in any form. The work of other artists is always inspiring as long as it's something I can relate to. It encourages me to get better and to try to reach the level of quality of their work.
rjp: How would you categorize your artistic style? EF: I would describe my artwork as a mix of realistic and cartoony style. In most of the cases I try to keep the main characteristics of comic book style and also try to stay away from flat coloring and exaggerated proportions. It depends on what kind of story I'm working on. For example, if I'm drawing comedy I always go for a most cartoony style like when I'm working on comics like "Alice in Nightmareland". In that case I enjoyed drawing goth style spooky toons. In other cases, when I'm drawing comics like "Dallas", I try to keep it realistic. rjp: Would you say that there is a "message" or "unifying theme" in your work? EF: Yes, I try to always keep a message in my work at least when I'm creating comics. There's always some positive idea to interpret.
Artist: Elisa Féliz Title: "Villikon Chronicles: Proclivity" Chapter 2 cover Media Used: Photoshop Size: 8.5” x 11” Date Created: August 2008
rjp: The first of two covers, Elisa has done for Villikon Chronicles, that we will be looking at. This one, created entirely in Photoshop, shows a strong command of the skills and techniques involved in creating highlights, glows and reflective effects. The end result is a very bright and eyecatching cover. Kinda reminds me of a hallway in the Death Star or a Star Destroyer [Star Wars] I half expect a squad of Storm Troopers to come marching around the corner…☺
rjp: Which famous artists or styles have influenced you? Why? EF: I think, since the moment I broke into comics in US I've been influenced by the work of great artists such as Mike Choi and Sonia Oback, Adam Hughes, Stanley Lau, Adriana Melo, Christina Strain and many others. Those are artist who have influenced my work me and inspired me enormously. I think it's not just the beauty and the quality of their work that has inspired me, it's also their passion and dedication. rjp: If you could meet any living or dead artist, who would it be? EF: I've met many of my favorites already, but one that I don't have the chance to meet ('Cause he's dead) is Walt Disney.
Artist: Elisa Féliz . Title: "Villikon Chronicles: Proclivity" Chapter 3 cover Media Used: Pencils & colouring in Photoshop Size: 8.5” x 11” Date Created: July 2008
rjp: Now this cover composition I really like. The foreground figure standing bold before a barren landscape; the hint of a Warrior’s confidence in the slight smirk she wears. I especially enjoy how this is contrast with the back ground of her visage in thought, eyes looking towards the stars and perhaps a boundless existence far greater than the desert plains she currently strides. I may not know anything about the story, as I casually walk past this cover in a rack. But the cover itself would have me stop and pick this book up
Artist: Elisa Féliz Title: Mystere vs the Porphyrian Wraiths [Villikon Chronicles] Media Used: Pencils on Bristol paper & colouring in Photoshop Size: 8.5” x 11” Date Created: February 2009
rjp: An exciting scene of a fierce and beautiful warrior as she is set upon by an overwhelming number loathsome wraiths. The dramatic use of light and shadows in this stormy night attack really adds to the effectiveness of the composition. For more on The Villikon Chronicles and to enjoy the story online, visit: http://www.villikonchronicles.com/home.htm
rjp: What is the one question that you would ask him/her? EF: Well, there would be many questions to ask, but if I had to choose just one.... honestly... I couldn't help myself from asking where his cryogenically frozen head is, really stored? rjp: What do you think of the term "starving artist"? EF: I think it's funny, 'cause most of the people that I hear using the term, are people who think that a career in art means you are going to be poor and unsuccessful. Exactly what my mom said when I graduated from high school and told her that I was going to pursue a career in art no matter what. And I strongly disagree with that. I know most of the richest and successful people in the world are artists and their talent got them there but I understand the use of the term when people refer to how hard and competitive it is starting in the business of art. But still most of the people who are talented and try to have a career as an artist become successful in it. Though I'm not sure if that's the way it is in USA.
rjp: Do you feel more a sense of community with other artists or a sense of competition? EF: A sense of community actually. I always loved meeting other artists and learning from them. There are so many artists out there that I admire and whose work inspires me every single day. I would describe the art community as a world apart where you, as an artist, fit in perfectly with everyone. Like a place you belong to. rjp: How do you market yourself? EF: I have my own website on the internet and I do a lot of networking online. I'm often asked for interviews for the internet, magazines and newspapers and get mentions when people talk about the projects I've been involved with. I don't have an agent or anything, it's like if I work hard and in as many projects as I can, I get enough exposure and the attention comes easily without me doing any effort to get it. I also give away business cards randomly when I meet people who have heard about me and my work.
Artist: Elisa Féliz Title: X-girl and Elayne Media Used: Inkwash done on Bristol Paper. I used India Ink Size: 9” x 13” Date Created: January 2009 rjp: Here we have another image from X-Girl by Elisa… a cover or poster design, perhaps? Either way it is a spectacular looking piece. But that is not what I am going to “review” about it. This piece can be quite instructive to inkers out there and provide them with a fine example of what is possible when they master the use of brush and India Ink. With inkwash techniques think of the ink as you would a B & W watercolour: vary degrees of how “wet” the surface is as you play and move the ink in your brush strokes and you create wonderful textures in the surfaces you are rendering. And for any developing inkers who doubt whether they can create fine clean lines with a brush and would rather resort to pens and markers… take a close look at this piece and how crisp and clean the lines are. Add to that how dark and solid the blacks are when using India Ink and this should prove to you that practicing your brush skills are well worth it. A fine, fine job Elisa!
rjp: Do you find it difficult to stay motivated / inspired? EF: Not really. I'm often inspired by the world that surrounds me, anything in it that has an artistic value and that I can relate myself to. I get inspiration when i read a great comic or when I watch a very well written movie or TV show... When I play videogames... I feel encouraged to create something as cool as what I'm seeing. rjp: Do you create your art full time or part time? EF: Full time. Sometimes I wish I had more spare time to do other things or to work on my own projects, but I don't complain really. Just to think that all of my hobbies have always been related to art.
Artist: Elisa FĂŠliz Title: Elliz Cracked Skull Tee Media Used: Photoshop Date Created: May 2009
rjp: Looking for cool, urban punk/skater-wear? Then look no further. With Elisa’s line of custom clothes you can look the part of the young hipster of the half-pipe regardless of whether you can actually do a kick-flip or just love the style for kicks.
Artist: Elisa Féliz Title: Alice in Nightmareland Media Used: Pencils & colouring done in Photoshop Size: 8.5” x 11” Date Created: July 2008
rjp: This delightful and mildly dark, twist on familiar characters from the Lewis Carroll classic is sure to bring a smile to your face. I highly recommend these amusing strips and they can be viewed by visiting: http://www.comicspace.com/elisafeliz/comics. php?action=gallery&comic_id=21401
rjp: What other interests do you have, besides art? EF: I loooove anything related to the film industry. I watch new movies all day. I was also always interested in music and Skateboarding. I wanted to grow up and dedicate my life to both, and never stop drawing, of course. rjp: What advice would you have for a young artist starting out today? EF: I'd tell them to practice. To draw as much as they can. rjp: Do you have any big plans or shows coming up in 2009? EF: Yes, I'll be in the artist’s alley at the New York Anime Festival in September and I'll be joining the X-con at Myrtle Beach in South Carolina as a guest in October.
rjp: How would you like your art, and by extension yourself, to be remembered? EF: I don't think I've achieved enough yet for my work to be remembered, but I'd like to think that throughout the years, my work will evolve and become something recognizable. I never cared much about being remembered as an artist, honestly, but I always wanted my stories and characters to be remembered.
Artist: Elisa Féliz Title: Music Life Media Used: Vector Art done in Photoshop Date Created: January 2009 rjp: This design demonstrates a fusion of the super-slick technical proficiency of the commercial artist & the graffiti inspired aesthetic of the urban scrawler. I love all of the visual representations of city life distractions & violence pulling at her in different directions… and yet with headphones on… and the sweet-ass, solid kind – the sort that bring back 1970’s style stereophonic dreams and not some impotent, EMO-tech buds… Anyhow, with such headphones on & the tunes a-blaring - the world and all its troubles just drifts away… ☺
[DC2 Fan-Fic Web Comic Cover] Nightwing # 31 – pencils and Inks by Steven Howard; Colours by Jon Biermann – all characters © DC Comics
Poetry Selected Poems By Frances Nichols Vargas
The Glass Gazing upon the glass with the light shining through Light magnifying all the details of the room Familiar emotions rush in All at once All becomes clear The sound of the solitude Brings me tears
Untitled – by Bob Labute
CROSSROADS It seems the two of us have been traveling parallel roads Dusting each other off time and time again When we started this journey A vow was spoken Now, I am bewildered When or how things changed and became broken What is clear after all these years I am never going to be the person you wished For me to be
So much time Since we began on our story The pictures on the wall highlight the chapters But the frown shows the period and the end of the sentence For the first time it is clear I am frozen in motion and looking at a crossroads Not sure where either will go As I begin to move
Untitled – by Bob Labute
Baby Aaron A life cut short for only reasons God knows Now you are our little guardian Angel Looking down from Heaven High Above Spreading unconditional and amazing love You reveal yourself in the clouds As if on cue And beam your amazing warmth upon the heads of those loved Our Little Guardian Angel forever remembered
Heaven’s Light through Stained Glass – r. j. paré
The Feel of the Beach Walking along the foaming edge Viewing couples embrace along the romantic ledge Tasting the oceans salty kiss As it slowly washes up shells and jellyfish Listening to the sounds of the ocean groan Reveling in the warm glistening sun glow Dodging the hungry seagulls While avoiding the mosquitoes The waves crashing upon the beach Leaving behind the cool sand for bare feet The trail left in the sand Quickly washes away with the wave a hand The fragile Starfish lying on the dried up ocean bed Is a reminder to rest my weary head
the rain that fell from my eye By Kieran McGarry stop and stare then walk on by I'll dry the rain that fell from my eye and the sound of the plane roaring over my head reminds me its good to be alive not dead but i just have to stop and wonder why the sky is more alive with thunder and then the lightning flashes down although I’m safe upon the ground but every time I hear that sound I wonder if they're coming down just this once cause we weren’t ever good enough
and though the time is racing by what stays the same is the sky its different every time I look moving faster than my book the plain, washed out light blue sky dries the rain that fell from my eye and now I know that I never knew what it takes to be myself around you and screaming doesn’t make a difference while the rain pours down the suns up high doing their dance down from the sky and the stone will wear with time so I'll hold tight onto my mind and I'll never let it go don’t look now; you'll never know
cause what I think is gone in a blink faster than the water rushing down the sink and though I know I'll never know I have to wonder how the sun blends with the thunder
stop and stare walk on by I'll dry the rain that fell from my eye
fire and water all at once is it ever good enough?
so stop and stare and walk on by while I dry the rain that fell from my eye
Let it Rain – by r. j. parÊ
in my own time hesitate its good enough I wont be late
selected poems of yearning, love & loss By Anna Gehmacher
1 It's over, now I'm breaking the vow I'm letting you go love you? no more The love is gone, it's been too long, it's been too hard, now I'm gonna break your heart I'm breaking free, I have to let go of this anxiety and everything else that's killing me All the things you did, all the things you said, none of that shall remain in my head, none of that shall keep me from going to bed, you're not worth that anymore, I'm way too sore to keep feeling sorry for you and all the shit you keep running into, to keep believing the promises you keep making, the promises you keep breaking You say you're there, but that's not true, you never are you never were stop pretending you're the lover you would like to be You're hurting me, you always have You're bad for me why didn't you warn me? I loved you, once do you remember that?
All those great times we had out in your parents' backyard, just you and me, and everything we could have been I've tried so hard to keep this from falling apart I held onto your every word, turned it around and made it into gold That wasn't enough, you always needed more, you tore out my soul and treated it like your very own private whore That won't happen anymore, I know you too well, now it's my turn to make your life hell I know I made your suffer, I know how much it hurt, but now my soul has been burnt, absolutely nothing remains except this deep, excruciating pain and the only way it'll go away is by messing up your every day so you know just how it feels when the one you love leaves you on your knees out in the cold crying out loud, screaming in despair wishing your love were there, wishing he really cared, wishing it really mattered, hoping your dreams wouldn't be shattered, and then opening your eyes waking up to a load of lies and the one you love is gone and you are completely alone.
2 What more do you want me to say? I love you, I miss you, I wish your doubts would go away What more do you want me to do? I can't love you any more I can't miss you any more I just want to be with you Stop questioning my love, stop doubting what I say, you know I'm there you know I'm yours stop treating me this way My heart's for you and no one else My life revolves around your happiness I'm here for you and there's nothing anybody can say, nothing anybody can do to keep me from loving you
Tarantula Grip – by De Tourist
I know it's hard, the distance is too big and life is so hard to deal with, but stop playing with my heart You say you know you're doing, doing me wrong, you've been making me suffer for too long You want to let your doubts go, you want to make me feel the exact way I make you feel, you want to give me everything and more, the whole love in the world, but then your insecurity comes back and everything you said before seems like a pile of crap I can't do this for much longer and although my love for you keeps getting stronger I keep having to fight stronger against the thought that keeps reappearing and that whispers in my ear "He's not here"
3 Ervino, baby we're in the same place once again, it's like nothing ever changed we're still playing this stupid little game The night is long, the conversations fun, we pour our drinks down and hope it won't go wrong And so the party goes on, our friends go home and we remain alone The talking won't stop, the drinking never does I touch your knee, you take my hand and slowly but steadily the night reaches an end And while I wait for your command "Come home with me tonight" I check my mirror to make sure I look alright We pay the bill, take our stuff and go outside to the parking lot The moon shines bright, it's a starlit night You stare at me, I stare back at you, your eyes so blue your skin so clear Please marry me, right now and here! We walk down the street and you dare not touch me I can feel your eyes wandering around my body "What now?" I ask "I don't know" you say Well I do, so hey, let's grab our bikes and ride away back to your place and there we can remain for days and days, no one else, just you and me and everything you want us to be
But no, I can't, I can't say it out loud, I don't want to say those words, they should be yours and they should be sincere, not fuelled by a few pints of beer It's getting cold, I think I'll go home before I die outside with you by my side I'm all drunk and confused, all messed up and used, my heart bruised, my body in pain and you're standing next to me and don't know what to say "Bye" I say as I turn to walk away You move closer and I can feel your warm breath I can smell your scent I want to grab your head and kiss you 'til you fall down dead But my hands don't seem to work every movement is so hard You're breaking my fucking heart. You want to give me a hug I remain still I don't know whether to cry or to laugh you kiss me on the side of my mouth and I try hard to stay in control, to not let myself go fall over you take you home show you how this is done "Bye" you say, "until another day" I turn around and walk away I don't turn around I don't want to see you again I don't want to listen to the sound of your sweet voice ever again
I'm home I'm done I'm drunk I've had enough I'm going to bed, rest my head,
clear my brain of any part of you that still remains I say to myself "Tomorrow is another day" but deep down inside I know it'll always be the same
Untitled – by Erin Davila 4 So here we are back at the same bar, back in our old place, back in our own little race
the music loud, we're surrounded by a big crowd
We're back to staring, back to not daring to touch eachother in a way someone could see no, we just look at one another and entangle our feet
Again, your friends, they're watching us They know what's up, Again, we sit they can smell it in the air and stare at one another Don't worry, they don't care We're talking again, Again, we drink they're just being nosey as if we were just friends, and dream about being lovers they know this is just our old as if it all were good story as if it weren't hard, It's night again, over and over again as if we were just a boy and a the sun's gone down, my God, will it ever end? girl the lights are on, having a drink in a bar
I look at your friends but they have no idea we're I move my hand holding hands I have a plan I disentangle my feet I'm quiet and move my hand I'm numbed toward your knee I can't believe what you've just I lay it there done I look at you, and you just stare I can't believe we're sitting here drinking beer It's getting colder not knowing what to say I think I'm gonna move closer looking, and then looking away Your body's warm not knowing what to do and on the inside I'm all cold but feeling this is the moment of truth Another round of drinks, some more time to think And again, from this moment some more time to prove on I want to be with you it all starts to go terribly wrong I'm insecure It's your turn now, and so are you you shuffle around Our friends haven't got a clue in your seat but this is nothing new I can feel your heat we've been here before as you grab my hand and hide it and we could do so much more away if we weren't surrounded by this so that nobody can see bunch of bores and if we weren't both so I'm stunned, I'm shocked, fucking scared I'm paralysed of what might happen if we You look me in the eyes dared and mumble a few words
Newt – by De Tourist
The night goes on and it won't be long 'til we all go home Some alone, like you and me and some in company, like you and me could be Again, you're just standing there I'm looking at you in despair You open your mouth but no words come out you give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek as you whisper in my ear "I'm sorry" I say "alright" I've had enough for tonight "Let's get together" you say, "next week" I say "whatever", I'm going home, I want to sleep So there we are back at the same bar, back in our old place, once again, trying to win this race
5
I promise this won't end I promise we will always stay friends"
Are you being serious Tim, you want another chance? You want me to forget about him just so you can have one last dance?
No way, Tim I'm staying with him he's mine, I won't let you win this time
No way, my friend, I'm not doing this again I'm not giving up another man for you again just so you can tell your friends how well your plan of preventing my healing of playing with my feelings is working out and how good you are at breaking hearts Oh yes, without a doubt
Sure, you can try convincing me that I am wrong that you're the one that I was right all along and you're ready to fight no matter what it takes no matter what's at stake to win me back and be it only for one night Yes, you can try alright But you won't make it because you won't be able to fake it in front of me, Timmy, because I know that really you just want to hurt me because your dream never became reality because I wasn't the fairytale princess you wanted me to be You saw yourself in me and that's why you could never see that we two could be together happily
Are you kidding, Tim, you're trying to take him away from me when he's so much better than you ever could be? Face it, Tim, we're done, it's time to move on Now I'm with him and you're alone so go cry your heart out on your own I won't help you anymore Go find yourself a new whore that with your sweettalking you can anchor and with your fake promises you can slaughter Until she loves you just like I did, until she realises you're just hiding from what you heart really desires and she leaves, you just like I did and your game goes on and you go on, inspired by all the girls you sent away all the girls you knew one day all the girls you tried to play all the girls to whom you came to say "Just give me some more time and it'll be okay I promise it'll happen
Tim, I can do so much better than an idiot like you However, I will always remember all the shit you put me through All the tears I cried wishing you were by my side to tell me it's alright, to help me make it through another night But you weren't there and I was scared How could you even dare to ever tell me that you cared? All the times we fought about whether to end it or not All the times you made me wait All the times you made me stay up late, waiting for four call
looking for an answer to fix it all, knowing not that what you sought was someone who made you into someone new I guess my love was too true I knew too much about you and that's what scared you away because you wanted to change you didn't want to hang on to your old face You were angry, self-loathing, in hate We cannot be there's too much of you in me we're like two twins, one Anna, one Tim
Untitled – by Bob Labute
"I still love you" you say, no you don't, go away! Only without you can I ever feel okay "I'll come back one day" no, don't, stay away! Your memory still remains, nothing more than a few small stains on a heart that screams in pain But while you sit around swimming in your sea of doubts I'm here with him, no longer in hell wishing you goodbye Tim, farewell!
Selected poems By DExter Betantos
SIX YEARS DRIFTING She slipped through my hands like a handful of sand slipping from a dry palm. It has been six years since that day; and still I hold on waiting for something I don’t have the faintest idea what is. There is always that coldness every night that I can’t seem to evade. Even on summer nights, cold thoughts still haunt me like I am a fugitive of a terrible crime. Terrible crime it is- I am guilty of it; the crime of not fighting back to terrible Loss. Like a rodent that scurry back to its hole whenever a predator approaches. Maybe I deserve this. I deserve to go on living wishing that things were the other way around. She faded into the night like a shadow fading as light starts to cover the place you are standing. She faded into the hands of another man with a name I couldn’t remember. I lost her to a stranger. To a stranger! She collided with the stars, found her happiness maybe, while I sit here writing this letter. Hoping she’ll find her way back to me; hoping she’ll read this letter which I have written in the sheets of my heart for a thousandth times already. I dug into the past as if there is still something there to comfort me. As if there is still anything else left Other than missing her more each time I remember her. Years is moving like a drifting wind carrying me to more cold nights ahead.
Untitled – by Engin Korkmaz
-CHANGEFive years have passed and yet I am still haunted by your memory. I still look for the familiar contour of your face in the faces of the women I meet. In conversations, I look for you in the words that they utter Hoping to hear you speak to me through the lips of another. There is your shadow everywhere I look. I see your eyes staring back at me in the eyes of the women who are strangers to me.
I hear your voice even in the nights when I could have almost believed to have fallen asleep. You still visit me in the middle of the nights. The thoughts I have of you are still lucid and flowing like life itself that keeps on going around in circles. Repeating a never-ending cycle of loses. I am faced by the dilemma of finally setting myself free from your memory. For everywhere I look there you are. Looking. I am in doubt. Whether if I can really free myself from this despair in losing that fight. Maybe I struggled too much that it only slipped through my hands further more. Forever abandoning me. Maybe I didn’t say the right words. Maybe I am not good enough in keeping these things. There is a message at the door that says, “Stay away, for I know you are only here to bid farewell” it is a sign that grabs them by the neck. These women that have come after you have taken the blows of my incapacity to trust. No longer- it says there. Written in the heart. Written in the cold. It sometimes surprises me. “Change” Do you think one can still change If the heart is still tied to the memories of the lost love?
Solitude I feel like breaking something today Like breaking a glass or something My hands are shaking Like it wants to break something Like it wants something Something
That is what it is Something brewing inside I think it is the thought Of being alone That makes me wanna break something Need to distract the self From realizing the loneliness Solitude brings.
Untitled – by Josh Bowe LIKE BONFIRES After telling stories we turned our backs And walked away from what could have saved us from Solitude. We looked straight ahead, Kept walking Without looking back at the pieces of thoughts left behind, While bonfires burn behind us Which later on died out that night. Just like any other bonfire. It was there that we told our stories to the campers Whom we even forgot to ask the names. But that won’t be much of a problem, right? Because most often than not, we just doesn’t seem to care about details. Faces will do; we hear ourselves say “We’ll remember their faces; we’ll remember their faces. “ It has always seemed to work that way.
Untitled – by Engin Korkmaz
music This month I am quite happy to introduce you to an independent Canadian recording artist, Rick Rock from the Windsor, Ont., Canada music scene. I first became aware of Rick’s music in a round-about way. Bob Labute [featured in RKYV # 16] a talented artist from Windsor shared a pic of a pretty cool recent painting of his, for this month’s issue. Through chat on facebook, Bob let me know that the painting had been inspired by the music of local recording artist he was friends with. Specifically a song called “Starfire”. Well, of course, now I was hooked. Ever the fan of cross medium / mixed medium inspiration and creativity, I had to hear this song! I discovered the sounds of a skilled and mature musician. His work blends the New Age-y trips of Moody Blues and Pink Floyd with an indie cred variation – less ‘wall of sound’ orchestration and more a concentration on the sounds of a smaller ensemble. A good analogy to describe Rick’s sound would be if the aforementioned bands were to perform an “unplugged” or small pub set… that should give you an idea.
BIO: I am a Canadian Songwriter & Recording Artist. I’ve recently moved to Amherstburg, Ontario. Yes it's my REAL NAME. As a Vocalist/musician, engineer/producer, acting/humour, I’ve many years experience in recording and live performances. Currently I am writing new material.
Rick & Carol Rock I enjoy working & collaborating with professional musicians & writers for radio and film. I have expanded my writing to many more styles of music in the past 10 years. I am inspired by good natured people who enjoy and share their voyage of life. I am always shopping songs for radio and film industry and special events. At the moment, I am looking for new management and agent support. Many styles and demos ready for other artists and media to take on!
Inspired by the song ‘Starfire’ – by Bob Labute
Listen to Starfire & other songs by Rick Rock @:
Rick Rock
Eyerock - New Age Rock http://www.showcaseyourmusic.com/eyerock
http://www.showcaseyourmusic.com/rickrock
STARFIRE It's been such a long long day, away from you babe I've been driving all night, crying in the rain Dreaming of your eyes, and going insane Dreaming of your eyes... I want it now, I want your love desire I want our love taken to Starfire…I want us to be free Slipping into Starfire, Taking us to Starfire Slipping into Starfire The neon lights, the highway rolls, marker signs and tolls. I may go on forever, on this endless road Searching for the memories, lost in your eyes Searching for your heart... I want it now, I want your love desire I want our love taken to Starfire…I want us to be free Slipping into Starfire, Taking us to Starfire Slipping into Starfire Break…(Have I lost you...take me to the stars) I want it now, I want your love desire I want our love taken to Starfire I want us to be free Slipping into Starfire, Taking us to Starfire Slipping into Starfire, Taking us to Starfire (to be free...) Slipping into Starfire (to be free...), Taking us to Starfire Lyrics - Richard Hepditch Music - Rick Rock
Contact Rick @: rrock88@yahoo.com
Untitled – by Josh Bowe
Short fiction Pondering evil By Larissa Gula Regretful rays of sunshine abandoned the earth they protected each day, as the tilt of the planet dragged the light behind the community church. Little feet scrambled to run indoors before their names were harshly called into echoing streets. Water ran from faucets inside houses as the families rinsed away the taint of the night before supper. All members of the community spoke an individual family prayer; their houses swiftly filled with family chatter and the clatter of silverware. Yet something was missing inside each set of the supposedly safe walls, a harmony to complete the overall score of small town life - laughter. Inside the community church itself, two children mechanically lifted half-filled spoons to their soft lips as their grandmother spoke to them. The woman had clearly won in her battle against Father Time. Her short body was lean; though she chose to conceal her body beneath floating robes, she carried herself with the air of a woman trained in powerful arts. “There are many beings on this earth,” she told the children, carefully plaiting her silver hair into a braid as she spoke. “Some are good. Some are evil. Some can be either. Now, name some evil things for me.” “Demons,” the boy whispered, dripping red liquid from his spoon. His light eyes, full of fear and tension, contrasted with his greasy dark hair. The woman nodded, a slow and reluctant twitch. The children were young, both under the age of ten. There would be a day they found themselves wise enough for her to explain herself thoroughly. Until they could understand, they had to believe what their pastor taught them – whether the young man was correct or mislead himself. “Mother,” a man called from a top floor. “If the kids are done, they need to come upstairs to do their chores.” The boy and girl groaned. The old woman smiled, her fingers finishing off the stiff braid. “Listen to your parents, children. They are right, of course.” “Ah, Grandma,” the girl protested. Under the stern gaze of their grandmother’s dark eyes, they stood and kissed the woman’s pale cheek before stampeding away.
A younger lady came in to clear the table. “I always wonder about those two,” she admitted with a glance at the stairs. “I wonder how they’ll grow...” “They will be smart, like their mother,” the old woman confidently assured her daughter. The woman shook her head and opened her mouth to wave off the compliment, only to be interrupted by a ringing emergency bell. The sound clashed through closed windows, demanding attention and arrogantly calling away any who would dare to silent it. With a sigh, the grandmother stood up. “I feel my body protesting this more and more every night,” she murmured quietly as she strolled out of the church. Her daughter forced herself to pretend she had not heard the words the grandmother had uttered. The grandmother had no successor, could not even think of aging when no one stood ready to take the protector’s place.
*** Outside, the night had swiftly been clasped between the fingers of a deep chill. Ignoring the icy blasts of a furious wind on her face, the old woman raised a cedar wood cross that hung from her boney wrist. “Demons of the night,” she growled to the wind. “Enough with this! Enough of the crimes you commit in this community! Return to the place in Hell you belong!” A shadowy hand reached from the darkness behind her. She couldn’t see it; she could merely feel it, as well as the arctic grasp colder than the raging autumn winds. The grandmother gasped as the arctic shadow wound itself around her body, a dark chain made to cling and destroy by touch alone. A bubble of panic inflated in the grandmother’s chest. Desperately, the grandmother chanted, the rhythm of her voice interrupted by gulps of air. But the arctic shadow did not weaken at the words of her ancestors. It tightened, clamped around her waist and imprinting its numbing signature into her skin. The bubble in the grandmother’s chest broke as she saw her pale skin beginning to resemble radiant snow drifts. She struck the shadow with a blessed pointed tip of her cross. The shadow did not react with more than a snarl over the wind. ‘Am I going to die?’ the grandmother asked herself within her struggle. Would the next exorcist and protector in training have to take her place too soon, without proper training, preparation – initiation?
The grandmother’s fading vision latched onto a shining movement of silver; the shapeless, floating color slipped among the shadow, breaking the chain-formed darkness into separate strands. The darkness was forced to release its grip, cracking apart with a metallic growl. Along with the freedom of movement came the blessing of warmth, and the return of color underneath the grandmother’s wrinkled epidermis. The old woman surveyed her surroundings; both black chain and mysterious silver had disappeared. Her weak, trembling legs barely managed to support her frame as the relief bubble replaced the panic one. “Is anything truly evil?” she wondered aloud with a shaking voice, remembering the friend she had made in the night twenty-some years ago. How in a stroke of compassion, she had bandaged the arm of a demon in its human form. He had been more charming than any she had found, asking for her love and receiving it in a moment of blind abandonment. He had also been easily influenced and swayed by her compassion. Never again had he committed a crime that led her to exorcise him. “And are the answers ever simple?” the grandmother asked the sky that had swallowed her dark lover and the enemy he had battled. She walked back towards the church that her job and tradition demanded she dwell in; never mind her differences of opinion. Her daughter stood waiting in the door frame. “Are you all right?” she asked. “Yes,” snapped the aging woman, in a tight voice meant to strangle any who tried to protest it. “Mother...this is the third time you have been caught within the last few years. You never had this problem before this decade. Perhaps...” “No!” The grandmother smacked her hand into the wall as she caught her balance. “It’s not the end of my time yet. I will not choose a successor to finish training yet!” Inside her mind, away from the probing of her limited daughter, her thoughts did not agree. It was her time, yes…yet… ‘I cannot let my friend fall victim to an exorcism by mistake. One day, I will die. Until then, I will protect him as he protects me. I will find the way. I will convince the next protector not all the demons are evil. Not all deserve to be locked back to the Hell they sprouted from…
‘We like to think the world is so simple, under our control, when truly we have no power. We only long for comfort, stability, and knowledge. Are even the facts we live by reliable? And who am I, to judge these things?’ She had the answers to none of her questions; the claustrophobia of her attic room could force her to ponder continuously, but never participated in the discussion. A part of her knew she never would understand, no matter how extensive her pondering. Despite her powers of exorcism, her gift to protect, she pondered as much as her relatives just what humanity needed to be protected from. That was her connection to all others – the pondering, the hesitancy to claim one evil was greater than any other forms.
Halo – by Josh Bowe
Bad Beat By
r. j. paré Facedown – from the Painted Aces series – by r. j. pare
Pre – Flop “When the first two cards [hole cards] are dealt, face down.” Croupier “The opening round of betting in a hand of poker.” Gambler “That moment, when any outcome remains possible… ya know, before it all goes to hell.” Recovering Addict
I would like to start this tale with, “Once upon a time…” but that would be misleading. For starters, it infers that the events in this story take place at a distance; that they are the sort of troubles that only happen to “other” people. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is a tale both fictional and brutally real. There is a truth, within the prose, that transcends the bounds of fantasy making its lessons applicable to the flesh and blood, non-fiction world. But, don’t worry it’s not a preachy tale. You will find no Gideon Bibles hidden in the bedside drawers and there won’t be anyone knocking on the door asking if you’ve heard the Good Word. What you will find is an entertaining yarn [hopefully] about a man and his… Well, why don’t I just let the story speak for itself?
* * * There once was a man from the city, let us call him Mr. Grey. That is not his real name, of course, but who am I to argue with the likes of Tarantino. Besides, assigning colours for names is as functional a form of pseudonym as any other. Now one day, not so long ago, Mr. Grey got lucky. He met the perfect girl, Missy White. I did explain the whole pseudonym thing, right? So, just go with it. Missy White agreed to marry Mr. Grey even though he had no job and was voted “Most likely to VEG” by his graduating class [a witty bunch, indeed]. But Missy saw that he had a good heart and felt they could have a good life together. Love may indeed make the world go ‘round but frankly, it rarely makes any sort of rationale sense. They both wanted kids and Missy had a good career… so they decided Mr. Grey would play the role of home-maker, care-giver… Mr. Mom. There was some good natured ribbing from friends and family but his Dad secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He never really thought his lazy, day dreaming son would amount to much in the world of business but maybe he would make someone a good wife… err… husband. Now this would be a “nice” point to end our tale with “and the lived happily ever after.” Mr. and Mrs. Grey grew old together and enjoyed the company of their grandchildren in their golden years. That has a comforting ring to it, doesn’t it? This isn’t that sort of story. One day, while Missy was at work Mr. Grey was relaxing, after putting their bouncing baby boy down for his afternoon nap. While surfing through channels overloaded with daytime soaps and talk shows he tossed the remote onto the couch in disgust. “No way am I going to start watching ‘As the Stomach Churns.’” He says aloud, chuckling at his own wit. “I may be the one staying at home but that don’t mean I gotta act like some bored housewife!” At this moment I would like to ask my patient readers if they believe in Serendipity. Kismet? Fate? Is it pure happenstance that Mr. Grey would see the following commercial at precisely the same moment he was contemplating his boredom? “Are you bored and looking for a little excitement? Have you heard of Poker Mania.com? Sign up today and try your hand at Texas Hold ‘Em Poker. Our online service has millions of registered players, it’s social, it’s fun and most of all it’s FREE! Learn the exciting game of Texas Hold ‘Em poker from the comfort of your own home and see if you’ve got what it takes to go ‘All In’ or to successfully bluff one of the many pros who use our service.”
“I find Pandemonium Poker.com a great place to practice and chat with poker aficionados around the world! I highly recommend this site, so sign up today!” World Series of Poker, bracelet winner. Mr. Grey got up from the couch, turned off the TV and walked over to the desk top PC they kept in a nook between the kitchen and family room. He typed pokermania.com into the address bar and quickly navigated through the colourful and enticing instructions on how to play. He was still playing, much later when the baby woke up. With reluctance he logged off the site, got a spoon and cracked open a jar of Gerber’s. It was time to feed the little fella. Tune in next month For the 2nd installment of “Bad Beat” One that could only be called “Big Slick”
The Lure – from the Painted Aces series – by r. j. pare
Untitled – by Engin Korkmaz
Food The drunken dragon tavern By Christina Marchetti Hi there folks, Here is the first of a long line of japanese recipes. I am a lazy cook, and not afraid to use store bought ingrediants, especially when they are cheaper than buying them and just as tasty. Tossed Salad, Tori No Miaudaki (clear soup with chicken and leek) and Yaki Tori (grilled chicken)
Cheese and Butter – by Cindy Renfrow Medieval / Renaissance Food Clip-Art Collection
A Little Bit on Japanese Cuisine 1. Japanese cuisine developed with strong influences from China and Korea as that is where Japanese ancestry comes from. With them they brought the written language, religion, martial arts, chop sticks, soy rice and tea. Chinese music was heard in Japanese courts, with art and architecture leaving their mark. 2. Of note, the Japanese name for the country "Nippon" comes from the Chinese "tai nyih pung kok" meaning "Great Sunrise Kingdom"
3. Marco Polo transcribed the name as we know it today, Japan.
Tossed Salad •
1 bag of store bought salad that has carrot, cabage and lettluce. Go ahead and add some radish and cucumber to boot. No tomatoes though!!!
•
Zehr's Blue Menu SoyGinger dressing.
•
Mix up your lettuce and add dressing to taste. Refrigerate. Now I am not one for advertising things, but I will say this much, that is some good dressing and all for about $2.50 to $3.00 a bottle.
Yakitori Yakitori Sauce •
1/2 cup cooking sake (yes go to your oriental grocer and by cooking sake, it is fairly inexpensive)
•
3/4 cup soy sauce.
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1/4 cup mirin (sweet cooking wine, also found at your grocers)
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2 tbsp sugar
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2 tbsp of finely chopped ginger.
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Mix all of the above ingrediants, bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let cool.
•
Now take about 2 and 1/2 pounds of chicken cut into cubes and skewer onto soaked bamboo skewers or onto metal skewers.
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Grill meat until half cooked and then brush with yakitori sauce. Finish cooking, but make sure it does not burn. Remember, the sauce will carmalize with the heat due to the sugar content.
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6 slivers of lime or lemon rind.
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Cut the chicken into 12 even size pieces so they cook evenly.
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Trim the roots off the leeks along with loose green tops. Cut into six inch pieces and slice length wise and wash out all the sand. Set aside.
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Bring the stock to a boil and add the chicken. Simmer gently for 15 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer until leeks are tender.
•
Add lemon or lime to taste and serve in six bowls. Garnish with peel.
Tori No Mizudaki •
5oz of, skinless boneless chicken or thigh meat
•
3 young leeks.
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4 cups of chicken stock
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11/2 tbsp soy sauce
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1 tbsp mirin
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salt and pepper to taste
•
lime or lemon juice
NOTE: Mirin and cooking sake are present in just about every recipe I am going to send out. You should just use a couple of tbsp at a time, so buy accordingly. Tastefully yours, Tina PS – A few do’s and don’ts of JAPANESE TABLE MANNERS DON'T start eating until everybody is served. DO say "itadakimasu" (I will eat/drink) before the meal and "gochiso-sama (everything was delicious) after the meal. DON'T pick up a dish with the hand holding your chopsticks.
DO dip your sushi in accompanying sauce using fingers or chopsticks. DON'T pick over your food with your chopsticks.
DO accept second helpings of rice or soup with both hands and place it on the table before you before you start eating. DO lift bowls of rice or soup toward you to DON'T spear your food with you eat to eat. It helps prevent spillage. chopsticks. DON'T use your chopsticks to shift dishes. DO follow a morsel from a dish with a DO slurp your noodles. mouthful of rice. DON'T point with your chopsticks or wave DON'T leave your chopsticks standing them in the air. vertically in the rice. Ref: Asia the Beautiful Cookbook, HarperCollins, 1992; Japanese Cooking, Shunsuke Fukushima, 2001; Yamasa Student Network, www.yamash.org ; Ethnic Foods.com
Piggyback – by De Tourist
Untitled – by Bob Labute
Pop Culture Comic Book Review By Brad Bellmore Elemental Fources
Thumb solidly down
Editor’s Note: For me, partially up, provided you invest enough time to read further into the series. Elemental Fources (yes, that’s spelled right) is an independent comic that I picked up at the Wizard World Chicago Comic Con. The group producing it calls themselves New Baby Productions. The basic concept of this ongoing series is that the Apocalypse is approaching and a secret group known as the Brotherhood wages war against evil, trying to prevent this. Part of this Brotherhood is a team of human half-breeds with powers derived from the four elements: air, earth, fire and water. They battle against demonic forces trying to destroy Earth. The tale, written by Crisman Strunk, in this first issue focuses mostly on these heroes, the Brotherhood’s attempt to prevent the rise of evil and the evil forces trying to destroy humanity. There are a handful of small battles to give you ideas of powers and what the war at hand looks like. This portion of the book feels a little rushed. I think they could have drawn out some of the skirmishes to reveal a bit more about the characters and their powers as well as enjoy the action a bit. At the end of the issue, there is apparently an additional segment, focusing on police investigating the residual damage of the battles that the Elemental Fources fought. The dialogue here was surprisingly more crisp and alive than the rest of the book.
The basic story of these normal everyday cops trying to wrap their heads around what people told them had happened offered a considerably more compelling story than the focus story. Then again, how many more stories can there be about cops investigating the supernatural? At times, the art in this issue really shines, lending the look of standard mainstream stuff on the shelves in your local comic store. At other times, it isn’t as sharp and feels more like it would fit better in an underground drama than a supernatural thriller comic. John Becaro and Ernest Jocson combined to deliver the art. Overall, I wasn’t thrilled with this book. As I said, the afterthought at the end of the issue was more interesting than the rest of the book. The front cover made me wonder if this might be a bad knock off of the Fantastic Four, with very obvious parallels with the heroes’ powers. They did some nice changes in terms of power to separate themselves and the underlying idea for the supernatural side of things is nice too. However, I don’t feel like this issue does anything to distance itself from other comics in any real way. So, sadly because I really like to support independent work and would like this book to be able to flourish, it’s not really worth the effort.
Editor’s Note: I tried this book myself and thought there were some parallels to an old Comico Series called The Elementals and with good reason! After speaking to Crisman at SPACE Con I discovered that early on in the creative process he had looked into securing the rights to create a New Elementals series but was unable to do so. That was part of how the idea for this book came about. However, if you decide to give it a try, by the third issue Crisman’s writing really begins to shine and the art, which for an indie is pretty cool to begin with, develops greater consistency.
For more on Elemental Fources, visit and decide for yourself: http://www.elementalfources.com/
The Anatomy of Hate Film Review By Brad Bellmore The Anatomy of Hate is an intriguing film that looks at hate and the fear that drives it. Mike Ramsdell documents situations in the USA and in Palestine and Iraq, trying to catalyze dialogue about why things are as they are and offer some glimmers of hope in some rather bleak situations. So far this film is not released into theaters but is instead enjoying some grass roots promotion being screened and discussed by community and religious groups interested in pursuing understanding. This is a tough film to watch at times but well worth it. I took some time to connect with Mike about his film and why he made it. Brad Bellmore: Why did you decide to do this project? Mike Ramsdell: I was just out of film school, looking for a project to start on when 9/11 happened. Being raised by a social studies teacher and a Lebanese woman (my parents) I knew that the complexities of the situation were far more significant than “We're gonna go get the bad guys.� It was clear a lot of people were going to die, and I wanted to understand what it was in us Human beings that can make us as a creature, who I believe openly and honestly seek peace, prosperity, and happiness - fail so miserably at these goals on a collective level. BB: How did you track down the people you interviewed? MR: Lots of different ways. In the white power movement it was a lot of e-mails, which were responded to with - GO JUMP IN A LAKE. (not in those words mind you.) But then I got in touch with Tom Metzger, who is a big leader in the movement, and he got me in places - one of which is where I met Billy, who I focus on in the film. WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH - I just called. They like having cameras around. US ARMY - Tons and tons of red tape. And the middle east - just showed up with a camera and an interpreter. BB: How did you get them to agree to be in the film? MR: I told people my intentions, and most importantly spoke with them from a perspective of understanding. They saw pretty quick I wasn't just looking for a sound bite.
BB: Were you ever scared? MR: Yep. BB: What was the scariest part for you to film? MR: Being in the back of a Humvee in Iraq is scary as shit. BB: Did you have any trepidation interviewing the Aryans when you aren’t quite as Aryan? MR: I did at first. I didn't put my interview with Shaun Walker, leader of the National Alliance in the film. But pulling into that compound I had no idea what was going to greet me. When it was a guy in a flannel shirt with his dogs, I relaxed a bit. A little to much, as I got a bit careless in some other interviews. BB: In the cross burning scene, they were singing “Amazing Grace”; was there any sense that they understood the story behind that hymn, that John Newton (the author of the song) was a repentant slave trader? MR: You must understand that people with this type of ideology are people to whom history was written by the enemy, and only they know the real truth. BB: Did you find yourself in disagreement with people you interviewed? MR: On a personal level of course. But that was never my intention. No one cares what Mike Ramsdell thinks - and making a 2 hour film about what I thought of these people and their opinions would be worthless. So my only intention was to understand. I would question them on inconsistencies and such, but only with the objective to better understand. BB: How hard was it to document someone you disagree with? MR: As long as they weren't doing physical harm to another, not hard at all. BB: Did you find yourself having compassion for some of these people even though you disagree with them? MR: Lots and lots of it. I don't believe in evil, or evil people. We are all just struggling to fill the missing piece of the human experience. Once we understand that, the "evil" comes off and the
situation becomes so very human. Which makes it all the more sad, and hopeful. If it's just humans doing this - then humans can also un-do all of this. BB: How did you find the people that had more hope for the future? MR: Luckily, they are just out there. Unfortunately, they don't get as much press. BB: How refreshing was it to hear that? MR: By my last week in Israel I was so depressed I wanted to go home and never think about this stuff again. Then I met Elik and Bassam. (Combatants for Peace) Then the kids at Hand and Hand. It was a complete refueling in my faith and hope and a new inspiration to get the film made.
BB: What are you trying to say with this movie? MR: Not trying to say anything. Just trying to understand. BB: What are you hoping to accomplish with this film? MR: A shift in the collective needle toward a more unified society through Understanding, hope, and action. Nothing can change without UNDERSTANDING, not will change without HOPE, nothing does change without ACTION. BB: How have you been promoting you film? Do you have a distributor yet? MR: We've actually had lots of offers for distribution, (which is awesome!) but we are holding off on that, because we think that the grass roots push of our film is the most interesting thing we can be doing right now, BB: What contest and festival presence have you had so far? MR: We're still pretty new into the festivals, but we've played Boston international FF, won Best Political Doc. at Philadelphia Independent FF, will be playing at the Atlanta Doc. Fest on August 29, and the Cinema City Film Festival on Sept 12. BB: Your website lists a mosque that withdraws from a discussion. Why was that?
MR: They felt that the film didn't accurately speak to the plight of the Palestinian People. BB: Has this happened more than once? MR: I've certainly been told my film is biased one way or another. Interestingly enough - this mostly comes from either Arabs or Jews. There is so much pain and emotion around that topic that even way over here in Michigan I get a lot of very poignant and aggressive comments about my handling of this situation. Although there are lots of very supportive comments as well. Someone once told me, if you ask 2 people about the situation in the middle east you will get 3 opinions. That seems pretty accurate. BB: Who has been most open to screening and discussing your film? MR: Right now we are doing some fantastic screenings, bringing together members of the Gay and Christian communities within different cities and towns - to screen the film and then dialogue about how they can find ways to build a more unifying relationship. We're going to use this model with in the Jewish and Arab communities as well, and hopefully in any way that we can bring 2 disparate groups together. BB: How can someone book a screening? MR: On the website ( http://dev.anatomyofhate.com/ ) there is a contact tab. In there you can let me know about any screening you want to do, and we'll make it happen. BB: What inspires you? MR: Truth. BB: Who or what are your influences? MR: Truth, and all those who have sought it, seek it, or have found it....and Francis Ford Coppola. BB: Are there any works that influenced your work on this project? MR: Rush Dozier's WHY WE HATE and Ernest Becker's DENIAL OF DEATH were the 2 literary works that most influenced the final shape of the film - and Peter Davis's phenomenal documentary HEARTS AND MINDS.
Film review By Larissa Gula Regular columnist, Larissa Gula, invites RKYV ONLINE fans to follow her writing for the Pitt News:
http://trolleygirl13.blogspot.com/2009/08/district-9-film-review.html
She recently reviewed the film, District 9. The following are excerpts from her review:
“Forget every bad demonstration of the science fiction genre that has ever crossed the big screen, because this science fiction film deserves a chance to be seen without prejudice.” *** “District 9 is directed by Neill Blomkamp and also backed up with producing from Peter Jackson, combining the mind of a man who has worked on science fiction projects before with a highly acclaimed force in the film industry.” *** “But the most fascinating aspect to watch might not be the characters and instead might be the ability to create a clash between two societies and cultures, a clash perhaps not very different from a true event on Earth.” *** “Perhaps as audiences watch District 9 they too will see the parallels between our real history and this action packed alternative story.” To read the full review please visit Larissa’s Blog!
Raised on Saturday morning cartoons By Pauline Paré
“V” AND OTHER NEW SHOWS I MIGHT CHECK OUT
In 1983 I watched V: The Mini Series on television and I was just blown away. A science fiction mini-series at a time when most mini-series were marketed for middle aged women was a nice turn and incredibly exciting. This was followed by V: The Final Battle which was just as amazing and V: The Series which was mediocre (the show’s creator left because of creative differences.) It lasted one season (1984-1985). Now, 24 years later, V is back and it appears to be starting over from the beginning of the story. I certainly hope that this series is much more successful than the first and more akin to the mini-series. The special effects in the trailer I watched were certainly good and the cast is interesting as well.
If you have never heard the premise of the series I suggest you check out http://beta.abc.go.cpm/shows/v . It will be premiering November 3rd.
There are only a handful of new series that I might check out this year. Flash Forward appears to be the most hyped series and it looks like a Stephen King novel come to life. Everyone on earth gets a vision of their own future. What will they do with this knowledge? The forgotten looked forgettable until the network replaced the lead with Christian Slater. He and his team will be looking into closed cases and hopefully solving some of them. Boring premise but with Christian Slater, I will be watching. Enjoy the new 2009-2010 television season, my fellow couch potatoes. The summer of television drought is nearly over!