Short Stories

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fiction, literature, reading, short stories

I cannot be the only person who wanted absolutely nothing to do with short stories after high school english was over. They seemed a positively pointless bit of writing that were forced down the throats of teenagers everywhere for purposes of torture, solely.

Despite my adolescent distaste for short stories, there had been one I was always partial to: Bartleby the Scrivener, by Herman Melville. Something always just stuck with me about his whole “I’d prefer not to” comment. Perhaps it was the fact that I preferred not to be reading short stories?

It wasn’t until many years after high school, when I found myself stuck in a job where I had literally nothing to do for days on end that I rediscovered short stories. I mean, honestly, reading a novel at your desk is just tacky and unprofessional. But a short story on your computer? You look busy! I began with re-reading Melville’s story, and then moved on to others.

Then I discovered that many of my favorite authors and written loads of short stories. Bradbury, King, Gaiman. Uh, hello?! Awesome fiction in quick doses? Game on!

I’ve since acquired a few collections of short stories, for dabbling on during and in between novel, and non-fiction works. These include a collection of Bradbury short stories, a collection of Chekhov stories, and a collection of short stories called The Weird by various sci-fi, horror, and related genre writers. It’s awesome.
How do you feel about short stories? Have you tried any out? Do you sometimes lament about not reading more, but aren’t sure how exactly to get back into it? Don’t want to commit yourself to an entire novel you might not like? Short story-it-up, folks!

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Disappointment

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disappointment, friendship, growing, happiness, let downs, Life, living, positive, realizations

As teenagers, we are inherently selfish. It’s a part of growing up. The teenage years, and even into our early twenties, are years we are most likely to spend self-involved. We will write-off many behaviors of people in this age group as a “phase.” Something we expect people to grow out of, just like any kind, well-mannered adult.

However, as I enter my second full year of “30 something,” I’m increasingly shocked, and honestly appalled, by the selfishness of too many people. I’m not saying that I’m never selfish. All have some inherent some degree of selfishness, but I’m talking selfishness gone wild.

I cannot believe how many people over the course of my life are over-the-top with their selfish entitlement. People who throw family under the bus, people who are so wrapped up in themselves they can’t be bothered to ask a friend how they are doing, people who are so delusional they think everyone is simply “ok” with spending vast amounts of money/attention on them, people who think they can constantly take advantage of someone’s graciousness and generosity and just keep shitting on a person over and over.

Honestly, it’s extremely disheartening. The worst of it is, at this age, you aren’t going to change. Did you make it to 28-32+ years old and you’re still an entitled, narcissistic douche bag? Well, you’re not going to change, and you don’t even know it. I’ve given up hope on these people in my life. Life already has too much stress: I have too much else going on, too much else to live for to feed other people’s delusions any more. I’d rather spend my time on things that are positive.
There is a difference, folks, on being there for a person, and being run over by a person. There’s a difference between being friendly, and being taken advantage of. When it comes to the blatant selfishness and delusions of people who are never going to know better, or realize differently, it is up to you to draw the line and walk away, for your own self preservation.

The Shining by Stephen King

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authors, book reviews, horror, king, Stephen King, The Shining

Wow. Just wow.

This book was quintessential Stephen King. As if you weren’t expecting that going in – but seriously, creep factor: 10.

Now, this was another case of having seen the movie before reading the book, which I think might be the case for many people. Now, the movie is a horror classic. And, I will agree, that Jack Nicholson was a spot on casting call! He was perfect. (Wendy though, honestly, what were they thinking casting that woman?)

Now the basic plot line, if you’ve seen the movie, you know. Nothing shocking on the basic plot. However, what I was most surprised about is that some of the most iconic moments of the movie were not in the book. That’s just the other way around! Usually, the best parts of the book are left out – but they are not replaced with something else awesome. Yet, as momentous as the movie is – the book is still better. Much better. In fact, there were a lot of small things that seemed changed for no good reason. In the book, the creepy, super haunted room is 217, in the movie 237. Why change it? In the book, there’s so much more development of the characters, the setting, the plot over all. There’s so much more to know about Danny and Wendy, and so so so much more to know about Jack. And the Overlook? Don’t even get me started.

I’ll tell you, when Jack sat in the basement, going through the scrapbook of the Overlook’s history (before things got super creepy) and became fascinated with the research and writing about it – man, did I get goosebumps. I do miss that, and it did spark something in me for sure. I just love the research – I love the hunt. I mean, not to the “all work and no play” extent – drinking imaginary martinis and such.

Anyway, if you haven’t read this book yet, and you liked the movie, I would strongly recommend a reading. An insanely awesome twist on a story you were previously familiar with. If you haven’t seen the movie, then you should definitely read the book. With Halloween approaching soon, this is a timely recommendation, if I do say so myself.

Additionally, prior to finishing the book I had been loathe to consider the idea of supporting a re-make of the movie. I mean Nicholson is awesome. But now that I’ve completed the book, I would totally support a remake,  a really good remake, that incorporated some of the crazy creep that King originally put into the story. Who would the get to play Jack though? Nicholson is too old – it would need to be stellar casting, for sure.
I’m looking forward the The Shining’s long awaited sequel coming out this month: Doctor Sleep!

 

Change of Plans

Tags

chicago, chicago marathon, marathon, running, stress, training

There’s been some change of plans in my running game.

I am foregoing the Chicago Marathon this year. I just don’t have the drive. Quite honestly, I just don’t have the desire to do another full marathon at this time. While exercise/running is great stress relief, I don’t believe that training for a marathon is something you can do when too many other stresses are eating at you.

Stress, over the past few months, as really reached monumental proportions. Taking not just a mental toll, but a physical one as well – and in a not good way. Part of the mental toll was a chipping away at my focus, my resolve; especially when it came to training.In addition, something that I used to find as enjoyable, a release, something I looked forward to. Now though, now – it’s become something else that worries me.

“Can I run this race” “Can I sustain this effort” “Can I do this distance again” ???

Worry and anxiety were taking over my hobby. That’s just not right.

The decision not to run the marathon was almost natural. And once I made it, and said it outloud, I felt so much more relieved. A great expectation had been lifted off my shoulders. And, though very slowly, my runs have become more enjoyable. I’ve begun to look forward to my workouts again.

I am still going to Chicago, though. BV is going to run – and he is going to tear.shit.up!
I’m looking forward to spectating. I’ve never been to a major marathon before. I’m super stoked to see some elite marathoners running, in person. I’m excited to see BV run an awesome race. I think it’s going to be a great time. And perhaps just the inspiration I need to to put my running back into perspective.