Clash of the Titans – Navel Gazing at the New Trailer

After having watched the most recent Clash of the Titans trailer, it seems to me that the story has changed thematically from the original myth or at least what I know of it.

As I understand the original story, Perseus, who is the son of Zeus born from a mortal woman, wants to protect his mother from King Polydectes, who has affections for said mother.  The King tells Perseus that he will marry another woman but demands a wedding gift of Perseus.  In a “I didn’t think you’d actually take me seriously.” sort of way, Perseus says, among other things, that he’d offer the head of Medusa.  The King, being a complete jerk, jumps at the opportunity and claims that as the wedding present.  And so, with the help of the goddess Athena (who has it in for Medusa), Perseus begins his quest.

And it’s that “with the help of the goddess Athena” part that has me going after watching the most recent trailer.  From what I’ve seen, it seems that the story has been altered.  It seems now that Perseus is a bit of an angry-at-the-gods sort of guy now.  I”m not sure where all this angst against the gods comes from (that much is not made clear in the preview) but it seems to be there in spades and that rankles me for some reason I cannot quite explain.  And it’s not just Perseus, but mortals in general that are questioning the god and why they should be loyal.

It really seems that they’ve taken the classic hero’s journey story and changed it into a war between mortal man and the gods, and it just doesn’t feel right. I wish I could put my finger on why.  I suspect there’s going to be more navel gazing about this one soon.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Caption Contest

If Im cute Ill get a treat?

If I'm cute I'll get a treat?

Hello everybody – all one of you out there looking at this page.  While I’m feeling a bit better than I was yesterday, I’m still struggling with my creativity.  My muse has definitely fled, leaving a huge wake in the process.  So in lieu of some writing today, it’s another photo from the Flick archives.

Meet Magick.  He is one of the current members of the Furry Horde.  He’s a golden retriever and he’s got some of the most expressive eyes I’ve ever seen.  He’s so full of love too.

So, I’m not too sure I like the caption for this picture, so I pose to you, what should the caption be?  What do those eyes say to you?

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Maybe a pretty flower will help…

A Purple Moment

A Purple Moment

I’ll just come out and say it.  I am in a downright fowl mood right now.  It’s probably a good thing I live alone.  My writing has stopped coming to me.  That’s been a problem with my writing.  I get intriguing ideas and good beginnings but they end up going nowhere, which is currently where I am.  The muse is fickle but at least I know how mine works and have decided that I shouldn’t be writing *long* things.  Short, decisive and to the point – that’s the type of writing I should be doing.

And since I’m in a fowl mood, and I’m pretty sure that no one actually comes here to read (I’m pretty sure y’all just catch it when I cross post to my LJ or DreamWidth journals), I’m just going to re-post a picture from 2007 that I find to be pretty.  If you do actually read my works here, then I hope you find the picture as pretty as I do.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Sunnie – A Bright Smile

A Bright and Wonderful Smile from Sunnie

A Bright Smile from Sunnie

As I am still percolating ideas for where my story goes next, I thought I’d dig through my photo archives yet again.  Today I bring you the most wonderful Sunnie!  For those who don’t know her, she’s the viola player for Bone Poets Orchestra and has played with Vixy & Tony as well.  She’s a singer and performs with the Medieval Women’s Choir too!  Talk about talented! If you get the chance to hear her perform live, I highly suggest it.

If you can’t wait, here’s a video of her singing Fiona Apple’s Criminal and one one singing Peggy Lee’s Fever.

I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Sunnie over the past few years.  She is such a warm and caring individual and has brightened many a day for me and I bet she doesn’t even know it.  I feel VERY fortunate to call her my friend.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Sooj – A Moment of Rest

A quiet moment for Sooj

A quiet moment for Sooj

Today is a day of thought and speculation as to where my current writing is headed.  So, instead of bringing you a sentence that would have read, “Rock fall, everyone dies.” I’ve dug out a photo of one of my favorite people, S. J. Tucker of Skinny White Chick and Tricky Pixie.

She first dazzled me almost 6 years ago now when she opened for Gaia Consort at The Red and Black Cafe in Portland (which, sadly no longer exists).  She stood there, tiny in stature and immediately captured my attention with her amazing voice. I was transfixed and instantly a fan.  And over the course of that weekend, I had the privilege to become more than a fan to this wonderful songstress, I became her friend.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to take MANY photos of Sooj and her traveling band of compatriots.  This photo is from the second time we got together.  She performed at the Portland Saturday Market.  I was lucky enough to catch her in a quiet moment in between sets.

For some  reason, I keep coming back to this photo as one of my favorites.  It’s true that I have many favorites of Sooj, but this one really is something special and I can’t quite put my finger on why.

Sooj is in Denver today with a concert there this evening.  I hope everyone enjoys her performance, and I can’t wait until she’s back in my neck of the woods.

Photo ©Ryan Nutick 2005

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

A Photography First for Me

Jamie Tinney spinning fire

Jamie Tinney spinning fire

This photo is from a set I did last year.  It was my first time shooting fire.  I sincerely hope I get the opportunity to do this again sometime.  You can find more pictures from this set on my Flickr account.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

A Bit of Background

Faerie magic is strong and keeps their world shadowed and hidden from mankind. Mankind’s technology is also strong. It keeps our world shrouded from the fae. Of course there have been incidents of crossover through out history. This is how we know of faeries, but how much do we really know? How much has been embellished? And how much do the fey really know about us? more…

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

An Inauspicious Beginning

I laid back in the deck chair and looked up at the sky.  The air was crisp and cold. As the sky became dark, the stars started to awaken and shine.  I was facing the direction of the nearby butte as it was almost time for the show.  I had a soda in my hand and the radio was tuned to a local radio station.

Slowly, I drank and waited.

The radio signaled it was time and began playing patriotic music. Right on cue the first of the fire blossoms lit the sky. In time with the music, the explosions filled the air and faded from view, slowly building in number and frequency until they had become a frenzy of fire in the sky.

When it was over, the air was filled with the smell of smoke and sulfur.  The chemical cloud was dense. There was little wind, so it hung over the area like a gathering storm. Little did we know the veil was very thin that night.

Little did we know we’d declared a war.

© Ryan Nutick 2010

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

A Morning Haiku

bleary, bloodshot eyes
good sleep is beyond the reach
of my fingertips

© Ryan Nutick 2009

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Gimme a Beat

Cold, gray skies
Dark, wet pavement
Rain on my parade
Boo, man, boo

© Ryan Nutick 2009

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post