The Echo, Mystery of Stillness and Tony Jaa
TAKING MY OWN advice is never an easy thing to do, but when I wrote several weeks ago about my dissapointment in my own writings, I meant to change it.Of course, a fellow can only do so much, but I went back through The Echo -- which I only had written a five page introduction for -- and smashed it to little tiny bits. Some of them found their way back into the story; the sorts of things I enjoyed too much reading through it to kill of completely, but even they were transformed to bettered in one way or another, if only to change a single word in a sentence. I'm trying to find a balance between my own flowery writing style -- one in which I frequently integrate middle english and grammer -- and the more condensed, accessable style you might find reading Michael Crichton or Stephen King.
I've finished the prologue (which was originally the first chapter, until I realized I got through all I needed to far too quickly, and that it dealt with absolutely zero evolving story) and I'm happy with it. I think. Technically, I'm not allowed to read it until several weeks pass, so that when the words are graced by the presence of my eyes, I will read it as someone else's work, unfamiliar to myself. I'm trying to do that very well, and have decided that at the end of each chapter, I will read through and edit the one before it. Heck, maybe even send it out to someone to read and editorialize it for me -- although the thought really sickens me.
I've also added chapter headings to each post in The Mystery of Stillness, simply because I came to realize that, when searching for particular posts even I couldn't remember which roman numeral pertained to which philosophical essay. They were titled with both Friedrich Nietzsche and the Buddhist Dhammapada in mind (feel free to look those two up).
On a side note, I went and saw The Protector starring Tony Jaa (pictured above) in theatres -- based soley on the avid recommendation of one Darius Jenkins, who was a huge fan of Mr. Jaa's work on his previous film, Ong Bak: Muay Thai Warrior -- and I must say I very much enjoyed it.
Actually, I think that's giving the film too much credit. The movie stunk worse than an old man's colostomy bag. The plot (a villiage's sacred elephants are stolen by the mafia for their magical abilities) is so loose you could fit Ruben Studdard through it and wouldn't even have to butter him up. But then Tony fights, and WHOO! is it worth the wait.
Tony Jaa has been impressing me for the past week solid as I "YouTube" everything he's ever done. The great part is, and I've complained about the need for this for quite some time, he never uses CGI or mechanical assistance in his moves, just like in the old days, and you can't help but marvel at the feats. He has the pure power and stage presence of Bruce Lee, but the acrobatic and imporvisational fighting skills of Jackie Chan. Just for its martial arts showcase, The Protector is well worth the money. That is, if you can withstand the moments when people are just...egh...talking.
But don't take my word for it. See for yourself, and enjoy...
Search Turns Into Chase
Breaking Bones
Tony's Tricks and Skills
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