I step into the kitchen, and the door rolls closed behind me. Bending down, I turn the switch on the wall socket, connected to an extension cord which leads to a powerboard which leads to a computer, an Internet router and a printer. Three connections working harmoniously to provide a simple experience, one which we take for granted.
I straighten up, and take a step forward. I turn out the lights, then turn to my right, drinking in the darkness. Walking forwards, I open the heavy, sliding-glass door and step onto the threshold.
I pause.
The moon is bright, shining through the window of the "Queensland" room, one of those half-indoors, half-outdoors deal. The silence is complete, every other occupant of the house asleep long since.
Galvanised, I step forward once more, turning to close the door behind me. I click the switch for the powerful outdoor spotlight - off, on, off, on. The intelligent, programmed light circuit switches to sensor and I continue, satisfied in my knowledge that it will switch off once I have passed.
I remove the broom, propping open the outside door of the back room, then step into the night air. Crickets chirp and cicadas buzz. The door swings ajar, until I supply a final sharp pull, in order to bring it fully closed. I walk across the patio, and step onto the grass.
I walk the length of the sloped yard, weaving and sidestepping presents from the dog, canine leaving which are to be left well alone. At length, the sanctuary of my bedroom, the converted garage, is attained.
Entering, I survey the clutter. A guitar amplifier sits just inside the doorway, its companion the guitar resting across the armrests of a chair which serves as a table, a broken string dangling from its slender frame. The floor is strewn with clothing; some dirty, some clean, but the two categories ever indistinguishable from one another. A wooden acoustic guitar sits in the corner, propped against a wardrobe, well loved and well maintained.
The bed, the goal of my quest, sits unmade, surrounded by the clutter of my seventeen-year-old, teenage boys bedroom. I pick up the small device, charging its battery from an extension lead, and begin typing. My stream of consciousness is intermittently interrupted by the sharp, high pitched beeping of the smoke detector, announcing its need for fresh batteries to the world. Finally, satisfied with the nights effort as a wordsmith, I set my alarm and switch the device off. It's after midnight and I need sleep; tomorrow is Monday, after all. I close my eyes and slow my breathing, relaxing myself to counteract the sound of the smoke detector.
Beep.
Silence.
Beep.
Silence.
Beep.
Silence.
Sleep.
And there you have it. The cumulative efforts of a Sunday night spent writing. Feedback, comments, criticism. Whatever.
Cheers,
Chia
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Creative Writing Part 1 - Description
So I was going to bed last night, and started writing in my head. This is the end result...
The soft click of a round, plastic button, triggered by a long, slender thumb with ragged fingernails and quicks gnawed to the flesh. Images fade, colours turn to black.
A metallic ping, as the tiny spot of green incandescence flicks to red.
Silence. Warmth radiates, permeating the air.
The snap of a wall socket switch, halting the flow of the invisible, intangible, ineffable yet deadly power. Soft footfalls, muffled by carpet and a light tread; one, two, three. Four? A sharp click, the sound of a light switch.
A sudden loss of ambiance. Shadow prevails.
The low, rumbling rattle, as the wooden door rolls along its track, juddering and shunting. A hollow thonk of wood on wood.
Silence.
Darkness
Perfect.
So, what do you think? I'm about to type out part two, more of a narrative sort of thing.
Cheers,
Sledgehammer
The soft click of a round, plastic button, triggered by a long, slender thumb with ragged fingernails and quicks gnawed to the flesh. Images fade, colours turn to black.
A metallic ping, as the tiny spot of green incandescence flicks to red.
Silence. Warmth radiates, permeating the air.
The snap of a wall socket switch, halting the flow of the invisible, intangible, ineffable yet deadly power. Soft footfalls, muffled by carpet and a light tread; one, two, three. Four? A sharp click, the sound of a light switch.
A sudden loss of ambiance. Shadow prevails.
The low, rumbling rattle, as the wooden door rolls along its track, juddering and shunting. A hollow thonk of wood on wood.
Silence.
Darkness
Perfect.
So, what do you think? I'm about to type out part two, more of a narrative sort of thing.
Cheers,
Sledgehammer
Monday, October 25, 2010
...And Life Goes On Redux
Song that describes how I feel - El Manana - Gorillaz
Earworm of the Day - Fire Coming Out of the Monkey's Head - Gorillaz
Greetings from Planet Earth!
Well, another period of time passes, and again I find myself bored enough to want to publish another chapter in my life. Not too much has changed this time around. But then again, perhaps it has. I feel as though I've entered into a somewhat more contented phase of my life, now that the emotional turmoil of the previous months has died away.
Some things haven't changed. I'm still this more serious analogue of myself, introverted, contemplative and contented, but not quite glowingly happy. I'm still working at Macca's, still volunteer for the Jets. Still telling people to let me know if they want a free pass to a game, I'll set it up for them. Still have all my friends. Unless they're not telling me something.
Some things have changed. I'm in a band now. Sardonica. The four of us are cranking out tunes like nobody's business, and our EP is in the works. So that's good. Creative expression is a fairly good thing to have, and this might even open up avenues for side-projects down the line. Watch this space.
I entered and exited yet another relationship with alarming speed. I feel terrible over the way I treated her, but I realised in the process that I'm not as ready for a relationship as I thought. I think I did the right thing in ending things early, so as to cause the least possible pain for everyone involved.
As most of my readership will know, I've entered into year 12. Hell, most of my readership has entered into year 12. I'm not sure whether anything much has changed yet, but I've no doubt it will by this time next year. Good grief, I dread those exams. But I feel sure that when the time comes, I'll feel as if I've prepared as much as I reasonably could have.
And so it is that another chapter in the story of the Sledgehammer is brought to a close. I hope you've enjoyed reading about what it is to be me, perhaps even enough so to want to learn more. For there is much to be learnt.
Come, gather round children. I'll tell you a tale, about a boy that lived in the early years of this millennium, now lost to the sands of time...
Goodbye for now, from your pal
Chia L'étranger.
(Ch-EYE Lay-tron-ZHAY)
Earworm of the Day - Fire Coming Out of the Monkey's Head - Gorillaz
Greetings from Planet Earth!
Well, another period of time passes, and again I find myself bored enough to want to publish another chapter in my life. Not too much has changed this time around. But then again, perhaps it has. I feel as though I've entered into a somewhat more contented phase of my life, now that the emotional turmoil of the previous months has died away.
Some things haven't changed. I'm still this more serious analogue of myself, introverted, contemplative and contented, but not quite glowingly happy. I'm still working at Macca's, still volunteer for the Jets. Still telling people to let me know if they want a free pass to a game, I'll set it up for them. Still have all my friends. Unless they're not telling me something.
Some things have changed. I'm in a band now. Sardonica. The four of us are cranking out tunes like nobody's business, and our EP is in the works. So that's good. Creative expression is a fairly good thing to have, and this might even open up avenues for side-projects down the line. Watch this space.
I entered and exited yet another relationship with alarming speed. I feel terrible over the way I treated her, but I realised in the process that I'm not as ready for a relationship as I thought. I think I did the right thing in ending things early, so as to cause the least possible pain for everyone involved.
As most of my readership will know, I've entered into year 12. Hell, most of my readership has entered into year 12. I'm not sure whether anything much has changed yet, but I've no doubt it will by this time next year. Good grief, I dread those exams. But I feel sure that when the time comes, I'll feel as if I've prepared as much as I reasonably could have.
And so it is that another chapter in the story of the Sledgehammer is brought to a close. I hope you've enjoyed reading about what it is to be me, perhaps even enough so to want to learn more. For there is much to be learnt.
Come, gather round children. I'll tell you a tale, about a boy that lived in the early years of this millennium, now lost to the sands of time...
Goodbye for now, from your pal
Chia L'étranger.
(Ch-EYE Lay-tron-ZHAY)
Monday, September 6, 2010
...And Life Goes On
It's been 5 months and 11 days since last I posted. It doesn't seem like an enormous stretch of time, but let me assure you a lot can happen in such a seemingly innocuous duration. I feel as if I am an entirely different person. For the most part, I am a lot more sombre than I once was, although outwardly I may appear just a spontaneous and happy-go-lucky as ever. I weigh decisions more carefully in my mind, and more completely consider the full ramifications of my actions on myself and others. I am, for want of a better phrase, not the person I used to be. This has not been a simple transformation. It has been the culmination of many contributing factors and forces, acting over time.
First and foremost, is something which I, admittedly, have struggled to come to terms with. I am speaking, of course, of that which I have not openly spoken of thus far. I am speaking of the separation of my parents. After years of fighting and arguments, my parents decided it would be in everyone's best interests that they live apart. I has been approximately two months since that event, and the turbulence is beginning to die away. Having said that, the turbulence has appeared to die away a few times over the past months, only to reassert itself more and more forcefully. We children have coped to varying degrees, and in different ways. Personally, I have kept my emotions holed up within, and only expressed them when they became too much to bear. This is part of the reason I am blogging this entry now, the other part being that I feel as though you, my readership, deserve the insight into my life you are promised by this blog.
But alas, there has been another source of emotional turmoil. Some time ago now, my relationship with Emily came to a close. By the time I realised anything was wrong, it was well and truly too late to turn anything around, but by no means do I accept responsibility for the breakdown of our relationship. I was unhappy with her decision to end it, but respected it, as I felt was right to do. We haven't spoken since, so I don't know how she feels about the situation and I suppose I never will. Just one of those things, I suppose. After an admittedly too short intermining period, I started what was to be my shortest relationship of five (yes, five). This short-lived fling was with someone whose name I have chosen not to reval, for personal reasons. She made a certain choice that went against my moral standing, and so I called the whole deal off, at which she became somewhat offended. Unjustifiably so, I would say.
And so, two failed relationships and a familial collapse later, here I stand. A close friend of mine recently told me that he "didn't think I was going to pull through there for a little while." I didn't realise I had reached the point that my friends had become that concerned for my welfare, but this statement opened my eyes. And so it is, that I want to give my thanks to you all. To each and every one of my friends and family who supported me, I say thankyou. To every single person who told my to keep my chin up, I say thankyou. And to every individual who was looking out for me, even if I didn't know it then, I say thankyou. I am more grateful than you can ever know.
I have reached a decision. This blog will serve as an emotional outlet. When I feel upset, happy, angry, or emotional about anything at all, rather than bottling it up I will share it with the world right here. Don't get me wrong, there will still be the fun stories and suchlike that you've come to know and love, but there will also, every once in a while, be an outpouring of emotion, which anyone is free to read as they wish. All that I ask is that you do not judge me by those posts alone. Get to know me first, make an effort to understand who I am, and build a judgement of me based on the nature of my true character.
Finally, I would like to thankyou for sitting through this blather. It means a lot.
I love you all, in whatever sense you want me to,
Sledgehammer
First and foremost, is something which I, admittedly, have struggled to come to terms with. I am speaking, of course, of that which I have not openly spoken of thus far. I am speaking of the separation of my parents. After years of fighting and arguments, my parents decided it would be in everyone's best interests that they live apart. I has been approximately two months since that event, and the turbulence is beginning to die away. Having said that, the turbulence has appeared to die away a few times over the past months, only to reassert itself more and more forcefully. We children have coped to varying degrees, and in different ways. Personally, I have kept my emotions holed up within, and only expressed them when they became too much to bear. This is part of the reason I am blogging this entry now, the other part being that I feel as though you, my readership, deserve the insight into my life you are promised by this blog.
But alas, there has been another source of emotional turmoil. Some time ago now, my relationship with Emily came to a close. By the time I realised anything was wrong, it was well and truly too late to turn anything around, but by no means do I accept responsibility for the breakdown of our relationship. I was unhappy with her decision to end it, but respected it, as I felt was right to do. We haven't spoken since, so I don't know how she feels about the situation and I suppose I never will. Just one of those things, I suppose. After an admittedly too short intermining period, I started what was to be my shortest relationship of five (yes, five). This short-lived fling was with someone whose name I have chosen not to reval, for personal reasons. She made a certain choice that went against my moral standing, and so I called the whole deal off, at which she became somewhat offended. Unjustifiably so, I would say.
And so, two failed relationships and a familial collapse later, here I stand. A close friend of mine recently told me that he "didn't think I was going to pull through there for a little while." I didn't realise I had reached the point that my friends had become that concerned for my welfare, but this statement opened my eyes. And so it is, that I want to give my thanks to you all. To each and every one of my friends and family who supported me, I say thankyou. To every single person who told my to keep my chin up, I say thankyou. And to every individual who was looking out for me, even if I didn't know it then, I say thankyou. I am more grateful than you can ever know.
I have reached a decision. This blog will serve as an emotional outlet. When I feel upset, happy, angry, or emotional about anything at all, rather than bottling it up I will share it with the world right here. Don't get me wrong, there will still be the fun stories and suchlike that you've come to know and love, but there will also, every once in a while, be an outpouring of emotion, which anyone is free to read as they wish. All that I ask is that you do not judge me by those posts alone. Get to know me first, make an effort to understand who I am, and build a judgement of me based on the nature of my true character.
Finally, I would like to thankyou for sitting through this blather. It means a lot.
I love you all, in whatever sense you want me to,
Sledgehammer
Friday, March 26, 2010
A Message to MAVAV
I was recently introduced to Mothers Against Videogame Addiction and Violence (MAVAV). They are an activist group, decrying anything related to video games with lies and slander. I made use of their contact link to send the following.
Their website can be found at http://www.mavav.org/
I'm watching and waiting for their response.
To whom it may concern,
I find the so-called facts published on this website slanderous and offensive. I have compiled below a list of your claims which I find false in my case, and in the case of almost all gamers I know.
Fact: You have described me as socially inept. I find this highly offensive. I have many good friends with whom I am fully capable of communicating.
Fact: You claim that I must surely be failing school. Would you kindly explain my most recent report card, which read:
English - A+
Mathematics - A+
Science - A+
German - A+
Computing Studies - A+
History - A
Geography - A
Phys. Ed. - B
Fact: You also claim that I possess violent tendencies, and the video games are teaching me to murder. As anyone who knows me will know, and happily attest to, I am a sworn pacifist. I believe there is a non-violent resolution for every conflict.
In a similar vein, I would be very interested to hear MAVAV's standpoint on US military actions in the Middle East, as I find the behaviour of soldiers therein to be needlessly violent.
One point you make on your website is based around the release of Manhunt 2, the sequel to popular title Manhunt. You claim that the release of such a game on the "kid-friendly" platform of the Nintendo Wii is inappropriate. Firstly, I would posit that every console in production today is "kid-friendly". Secondly, I would point out to you, that this is the purpose of the classification system. The game is given a rating based upon the level of maturity needed to cope with such themes in a game without adverse effects. The only possible way for a child under this age limit to attain a game containing said violent themes would be for a parent, or other older legal guardian to purchase it for them. This act is illegal. Now, as Manhunt was rated "AO" or Adults Only, it is only possible for an adult to purchase this particular game, making your given example, though regrettably not your entire argument, invalid.
Finally, I would be greatly interested in seeing a list of your sources. I personally have never heard any of the statistics referenced on your website, and have actually heard findings that flatly contradict some of your claims.
While I doubt that you will publish this communiqué on your website, I feel that a refusal to publish this message proves the bias of the claims made herein. It would greatly interest myself, and many others, to see your rebuttal to the arguments I have presented published on this website. A failure to respond would be, in my eyes, a concession that my arguments are true and correct, and a forfeit on your part.
I await your reply with great anticipation,
Yours Truly,
Chris Alderton
Their website can be found at http://www.mavav.org/
I'm watching and waiting for their response.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Should This Be My English Speech?
Good (morning/afternoon) Ms. Albon and class. Today I am going to speak to you about my personal responses to the play “Othello” and the ways in which activities and tasks carried out in class helped in shaping this response.
I will begin by speaking to you about my personal response and reactions to the play, as a responder. I will then explain how tasks and activities carried out shaped this response. This includes tasks such as my personal journal entries and the group oral presentation. As well as this I will talk about the effects of class discussions on the play, as well as information taken directly from the actual text itself.
Now, to my first point: my personal response to “Othello”. “Well, thank God that’s over. That was bloody boring.” The work we id shaped this response by making me more bored. It actually made the play seem more droll than I had originally thought possible. It was a definite struggle to stay awake during some of the particularly boring passages, which include: the entire play. I am honestly surprised that the majority of the class members did not simply expire from pure, unadulterated boredom during the course of our reading. Thankyou.
I'm tempted. I really am. How I hate oral presentations.
I will begin by speaking to you about my personal response and reactions to the play, as a responder. I will then explain how tasks and activities carried out shaped this response. This includes tasks such as my personal journal entries and the group oral presentation. As well as this I will talk about the effects of class discussions on the play, as well as information taken directly from the actual text itself.
Now, to my first point: my personal response to “Othello”. “Well, thank God that’s over. That was bloody boring.” The work we id shaped this response by making me more bored. It actually made the play seem more droll than I had originally thought possible. It was a definite struggle to stay awake during some of the particularly boring passages, which include: the entire play. I am honestly surprised that the majority of the class members did not simply expire from pure, unadulterated boredom during the course of our reading. Thankyou.
I'm tempted. I really am. How I hate oral presentations.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
BROWN
So it's been a long time since I last posted. Quite a very long time. There have been matches and fractures, events and non-events, and some third contrasting comparison I'm sure. The Athletics Carnival happened, as did a school dance, as did the banning of school dances. Oh! There we go, the third contrasdting comparison: There have been school dances, and a forthcoming total absence of school dances.
Anyway, I guess I'll tackle the major events, starting with:
The Athletics Carnival
It was a fine and sunny day on which the Athletics Carnival too kplace. Lots of people were running and jumping and doing other such sporty things. Yours truly took part in seven events. And Baartz won by 5 points. Coincidence? I THINK NOT! Unfortunately, in the process of carrying the house to victory, I attained a wicked sunburn which lasted a full week and was quite painful.
After the Athletics Carnival came...
The Movies
We went on to the movies at Glendale to go see Shutter Island, with the best line from any movie I think I've ever seen. Namely, an old, German guy saying "Why are you all wet baby?" Much fun was had by all involved, and Josef kept my sunglasses for the weekend. Then, of course, came...
Dwyer's Party
Dwyer turned 16, his family was completely insane and there was much rejoicing. We played Truth or Dare and Murder in the Dark, then we all went and slept for 5 hours. During tent-time, a meme was spawned...
IN A WORLD
...
WITHOUT COLOUR
...
ONE
...
CAN ONLY DREAM
...
*neeeeeeeooooooooooww-BOOM!*
Moving on now to...
The Dance
Well, the dance happened ,and people danced, I air-guitared and a few people were naughty and got drunk. This means that school dances have been banned "until this issue is resolved". Stupid Skeletor.
And well, that kinda wraps it up. Not too much else happened. Oh, well there was the minor matter of
EMILY'S BIRTHDAY PARTY!
Be honest. You thought I'd forgotten, didn't you? Well I didn't. Many a person was there who did give many a gift and answered many a trivia question. Also, we all ate many a food and hit many a pinata (well, only one a pinata). And Amanda broke many a shoe. (Again, only one shoe). We were all dressed in many a costume (I was many a Jack Sparrow). Although, I don't really have many a much more to say about it, so I'll move to many an end of this post, I suppose.
I leave you with two things:
Peace out, my adoring public
(Well, maybe not, but when am I ever gonna have the chance to say that again?)
Much love to all,
The Sledgehammer
Anyway, I guess I'll tackle the major events, starting with:
The Athletics Carnival
It was a fine and sunny day on which the Athletics Carnival too kplace. Lots of people were running and jumping and doing other such sporty things. Yours truly took part in seven events. And Baartz won by 5 points. Coincidence? I THINK NOT! Unfortunately, in the process of carrying the house to victory, I attained a wicked sunburn which lasted a full week and was quite painful.
After the Athletics Carnival came...
The Movies
We went on to the movies at Glendale to go see Shutter Island, with the best line from any movie I think I've ever seen. Namely, an old, German guy saying "Why are you all wet baby?" Much fun was had by all involved, and Josef kept my sunglasses for the weekend. Then, of course, came...
Dwyer's Party
Dwyer turned 16, his family was completely insane and there was much rejoicing. We played Truth or Dare and Murder in the Dark, then we all went and slept for 5 hours. During tent-time, a meme was spawned...
IN A WORLD
...
WITHOUT COLOUR
...
ONE
...
CAN ONLY DREAM
...
*neeeeeeeooooooooooww-BOOM!*
Moving on now to...
The Dance
Well, the dance happened ,and people danced, I air-guitared and a few people were naughty and got drunk. This means that school dances have been banned "until this issue is resolved". Stupid Skeletor.
And well, that kinda wraps it up. Not too much else happened. Oh, well there was the minor matter of
EMILY'S BIRTHDAY PARTY!
Be honest. You thought I'd forgotten, didn't you? Well I didn't. Many a person was there who did give many a gift and answered many a trivia question. Also, we all ate many a food and hit many a pinata (well, only one a pinata). And Amanda broke many a shoe. (Again, only one shoe). We were all dressed in many a costume (I was many a Jack Sparrow). Although, I don't really have many a much more to say about it, so I'll move to many an end of this post, I suppose.
I leave you with two things:
- My sincere hope that I have a hell of a lot of fun at the Prodigy concert tomorrow night; and
- A quote from Mooey - "You are the best person in the entire world!"
Peace out, my adoring public
(Well, maybe not, but when am I ever gonna have the chance to say that again?)
Much love to all,
The Sledgehammer
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