Going Back

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The signals for departure had been given, despite the light drizzle that was falling on the plane at the evening. John was grabbing the printed email, with all the emotion that the words written allowed him to have. The news came totally unexpectedly for him, just the morning before. A few lines from his sister telling him, that their father was terminally ill, and that he was calling for him.
It had been almost two years since the last time he had talked to his father. A discussion about the decision to move abroad looking for some sort of meaning, seemed careless in the eyes of his father. However John had a strong feeling in him, a calling of some sort, that impelled him to move away from all his friends, family, loved ones. The need to know himself, to find his place was paramount at that stage.
After he left, the contacts frequency occurred daily during the first weeks, then after some adjustment the news started to come only twice a week, and after that he would just call every fortnight. Eventually one day, communication ceased from both sides, naturally as the routine’s events took place of the thought of who was far. In John’s mind it would be easier to evolve without attachments, worries of some sort, he knew that his path had to lead him away from the family we always knew.
The stewardess came by to ask John to tight is seat belt, however the thoughts were louder in his head than any other colourful action happening around him. Finally, the stewardess touched him to remind him to buckle up is safety belt. In silence, he complied will staring at the words “terminally ill”.
Is mind wondered off to a moment of his childhood.
He was 10, and it was night, as it happened so often, John was watching with his father a late night movie. However, this one was reaching out to the emotions related to death, like no other had done up to then. The story was about an island that had a volcano, that had start it’s activity, killing many people that lived in villages scattered through the island. In the last moments of the movie, the few people that remained were desperately trying to reach the coast of the island, where the last ship would take them to refuge. The main character of the movie, sacrificed himself, so that the group could pass over a fragile bridge, it was necessary for someone to stay behind to insure that the resistance of the bridge. Everybody passed, except that brave person, who eventually was burned by the lava that approached the bridge just at the moment where the last member of the group made it safely across it.
John’s heart was tight, he could not understand the disappearance of the brave man. What was to be of him? Why was he suffering?. A powerful tear eventually came out, followed by a few others, that translated the uneasiness of his feelings.
John? – is father asked, as he looked at him – Are you crying?
Yes. I am sad.
But it is only a movie, the actors do not die. It is only a fictitious story based on events, that did not took place like this.
Dad. What happens to people when they die? – John’s tearful emotion made his voice sound even more sweet.
Well, their bodies are buried, and their soul goes to meet the Maker.
The Maker? – John’s interest stopped the tears, and he cleaned the few that remained in his cheek using the sleeve of his pyjama.
God. Who is everywhere, with all the other souls of people long gone.
How do you know?
Well, I was taught to believe so by my mother, and I would like to think that despite were body stayed here on Earth, buried in a nice old cemetery, were soul is somewhere up there keeping the good Creator company.
Does everybody have to be buried to go see the Maker?
No, some cultures prefer to have their dead people burned, and scatter the ashes through the fields. They believe that they would give back to the Earth a bit of what the person was, what he or she meant.
Are you afraid to die, one day?
His father stopped for a moment, looked to the TV, meanwhile the movie was over, and he started flipping through the channels. Still 10 year old John had is curiosity going for him and insisted:
Dad?
Yes, John! – looking back at him
Are you afraid to die?
Well, ever since I am here, I have never seen anybody lived over 120, so I think that eventually, I will have to die. But, I am not afraid to die, because I believe one the day that I die, I will see my Mother again.
But, do you want to be buried or burned?
Neither – his father replied with a giggle. – Instead, you can just get a big broom and just put me remains somewhere under the carpet… eheh

Another slight touch, brought John back to the present, it was the person next to John, calling his attention to the same stewardess, who now was carrying a cart with a variety of newspapers and magazines.
Would you like a magazine or a newspaper, sir?
No, thank you – replied John, then closing his eyes and turning his head to the window. The plane had already taken off and the rain had stopped, after the plane had crossed the first clouds.
His conscience was heavy on him, the feeling of guilt, isolated him from the world, for a split moment John was alone, gazing upon the despair of his soul. The tears followed each other’s trails spaced, each carrying the guilt of the memories that he had lost from the last years. The pride carried him for the pit of his worse thoughts. Keeping his eyes closed he wondered, upon the reaction of his family, who had not heard from him for months and had not seen him from years.
John’s imagination was running wild, carrying a mix of images that were too strange for the standards of modern society. Still, John felt that the judgment of his brothers, would be similar to that of those in practice in the days of the Spanish Inquisition.
- Would the defendant state is name for the Noble representative of our beloved Church? – a dried voice spoke at him.
John imagined opening his eyes and stared at a member of the Holy inquisition. The place was truly awful in appearance, however all the faces were familiar. He was standing on a wooden pulpit at lower height, while a panel of judges, whose face resembled that of his own brothers were staring at him. The voice that spoke to him, belonged to a man who had been his Math teacher in the University. All the people attending the judgment were people that John had met during the past 30 years, all wearing the proper clothing of the Dark Ages, dirty rags and scratched pieces of colourless clothes.
Are you deaf? – the man shouted back at him
Pardon? – John was baffled
Your name, state your name, sinner!
Sinner, me?
Silence. – the man slapped him and added – sinners will engage no conversation of any sort, it will only speak to answer the questions of our honour the members of the Holy Inquisition. So I ask again, What is your name?
John Phillip.
John Phillip you are here by notified that you are under judgment under the eyes of God, for your sin, of coldness disregard to your community, hence limiting your time to the actions of the devil – the man had a tedious voice, just as John remembered from his old Math teacher.
The devil? – John inquired.
Silence – shouted the man again, slapping him two times – if you keep ignoring the rules of this court, your hearing will be summary with a guilty verdict to be sure.
Meaning? – John challenged the man again
Meaning that you will be burned in the stake to purge you from your evil actions, and allow your soul to sail back to the heavens.
Burn him – the crowd shouted.
The court house was dark and smelly place, lighted by a few candles scattered through the brownish walls. This enhanced the weariness of the folks assisting the Inquisition’s trial. Despite the familiarity of the people’s faces, their appearance with wear out clothes and filthy skins, John was feeling worse by the minute.
- The prosecution may begin – said the main judge, oddly represented by a child. John knew him, but he could not quite identify him.
- You are Jonathan Phillip Livingston? – the prosecutor started, looking like is own brother.
Yes, I am.
Son of Gabriel Livingston and Susannah Walker.
Yes.
Do you know why you are we?
No, I do not!
You are guilty of killing your father by neglect of care.
WHAT? – John screamed – My father is not dead!
Your father died when he needed your assistance, but your pride, your feeling of superiority led you to ignore all that was going around you. You Jonathan Livingston are cold man with a cold heart, whose true interests lie in the dark forces of evil, that take through paths of sloth. You will pay for these crimes
Wait, I can explain – John replied
A sudden bell, brought John back to reality, the plane was approaching the airport, the stewardess was calling John’s attention for the position of his seat and to the belt that was not tied.
The strange nature of the dream left John with a heavier conscience than ever before. All his feelings were telling him that this return home, was going to be even worth than whatever he anticipated.
Upon arrival, John proceed to baggage claims and passed through customs without any worries, his passport was still valid for a few more weeks.
John decided to tell no one about the exact time of his arrival, so that he could choose the right time to face the judging family. A friend of him had told him good things about an hotel called Orion, where he had stayed just a few months before, while visiting John’s home country.
After waiting for his turn for a cab, John talked for the first time in his mother language to the cab driver, asking him to take him to Hotel Orion close to the downtown.
The cab driver engaged John in some casual conversation that helped John take his mind away from worries:
You know that the Hotel Orion is no longer called Orion?
Really? – John inquired
No, they changed the name to Eden Hotel, apparently the management changed a few months ago. I know this because my wife works there as a cook, you know.
Indeed?
Yes. The rich getting richer by buying more and more, and selling it more expensive for anyone that wants to have a crack at a business. This country is a shame, it’s all the government’s fault. They are all the same.
I have heard that there is going to be elections soon.
Yeah! Apparently, the President did not like the discomfort that was happening in the Prime-minister cabinet, with so many members asking to resign. I think the last drop came when the latest minister appointed for office, ask for resignation 4 days after he took the job. The newspapers say it was a stab in the back for the Prime-minister, but I think they are all corrupt anyways, so screw them.
I guess, it is the sign of the times on us.
The conversation continued over some general topics, while the cab passed through streets that are very familiar, though slightly altered, with new advertising. Some trees had been completely remove from some streets, to give place to make park to even more cars to park in the already overcrowded avenues of his home city. Some buildings looked younger, do to some restyling and some work put into them, while others seem older exhibiting the passage of time in its walls, windows and balconies.
The cab eventually arrived to the Eden Hotel as stated by the new signs on the front of the building. The cab driver, helped John with his luggage, and was rewarded with an extra tip for his help, grateful saying farewell to him while adding.
I am going to give you my card, if you need any special services, call this number, I might take anywhere, even back to the airport if you need to. My wife is called Anita, I will talk to her about you Mr.?
Livingston.
You can be assured, that you will be in good hands. I hope your enjoy is stay. I hope you are not too late for today!
Excuse me – John was intrigued by the Man’s speech.
I’m sorry, I must leave, I’m double parked you see. Take care now. You hear! – The cab driver left in quite some strange worry.
John did not knew exactly what to make about all that conversation about lateness. After all John did not mention to any one the exact day of his arrival. No one was counting on him for today.
Those thoughts dissipated while John was checking in at the hotel.
The lounge of the hotel was quite pleasing, having a great width and length, it gave a sense of importance to anyone that was staying there. The number of people moving from on place to the next, gave John a sense of dynamic to the place, feeling that among all those people, guests and workers he would be as incognito as incognito could be.
The concierge asked for John to sign the hotel register sheet, this one looked at him and ask:
Excuse me, are you Mr. John Livingston?
Yes.
Well, I have a package for you. It was delivered not so long ago. Unfortunately, the gentleman who left the package for you left no contact.
John was intrigued. A package for him! How could that be? No one knew that he was staying there, actually no one knew that he was arriving on that specific day.
After completing all the formalities of checking in and being guided through the network of hallways and corridors of the hotel to his room, John took a bottle of fresh water from the mini-bar and drunk it completely.
With his thirst relieved, John turned back his attention to the mysterious package that has left by a stranger.
The package was wrapped with a yellow paper that had bubbles. It was shaped as an envelope baring only John’s name in the front. John open the package, inside was some pictures of John as a very young child, in a kindergarten, playing outside close to some slides and swings. He had never seen this pictures before, they were probably taken when he was 3 or 4. Behind one of them John read in a unfamiliar hand writing James at 4 years old.
Attached to one of the pictures was a small card with a message written into it:
It is important that we talk today, your past is not what you think. Meet me at 9 pm, Café Republika. I will recognize you, signed F.
John sits on the ledge of the bed and looks to back of the pictures. They were reminiscent of a vision that had been taunting him for many years. Something that he never quite understand what it was. Jonh always assumed it as a dream of some sort. However the recollections were so vivid of it, that when he remembers this vision, this dream, he has the feeling that it was an awake dream that he had. John focus on one of the pictures, while stretching on the bed. The picture brings back the memories of that awaken dream.
In that dream he was young, quite young, probably as old as the boy in those pictures. The first image that he remembers was the heavens above. The soft clouds, shaped in many forms under a big blue sky, sometime close to noon. He was lying down in some park. The park was surrounded by buildings, having a street around it. He was not alone in the park. The first sounds that accompanied the imagery are those of children laughing and playing in the park.
Jonh raises himself, but remains sited while noticing that he is also in the playground area of the park. All seems quite peaceful with the gentle breeze in that spring day vision. Suddenly, something change, a certain noise comes, and all the children start to run. John follows the children, having no other reason than his instinct to back him up as an excuse.
They all run from the playground area towards the limits of the park that only have some fences, that the kids easily jump, one by one. Leaving the park behind they begin a frenetic run through the streets, crossing to the left and right of several streets indiscriminately. In his vision, John sees all this in a kind of slow motion flash, while repeating the same movements of the children, following them wherever they might all be going.
Eventually, they reach another park, with no playground, just benches and grass, with a small hill in the middle of it. On the top of it there was a open door, shinning. In the doorstep there was a figure, impossible to recognize due to the strength of the glow that was coming from the door just behind.
The figure seemed to be a middle age male with a bear. The figure was still looking at the children that were running toward him.
John saw the children run one by one towards the door and the man in front of it, as himself was following them to a similar fate.
The children kept on running towards the door, passing the man and eventually disappearing inside of it. John was the last one that approach the silhouette standing, still, unlike all the others that run directly inside the door ignoring the quiet-man in front of it, John stopped in front of him, raising his head to look at his face, still the light was still too bright blinding him. The man stretched his arm to John, and took John’s hand, then both, willingly, enter.
A white noise was heard, and all became dark. John was on the ledge of a roof on a neighbouring building close to his childhood house. John jumped from the building straight to the floor, and just before he reached it, another noise, and this time John woke up from his sleep, realizing that someone was knocking on the door.
It was a woman, a member from the staff.
I am sorry to bother you, my husband just call, I am Anita, the wife of the cab driver who just brought you. I am just warning you that there are no coincidences.
Excuse me!!! – John was not understanding what she wanted to say.
Meanwhile, some guests were passing behind her and she added:
I am just telling you that if you need anything it at all from the kitchen, you can call me at room services, ask for Anita. I must go now. – and she walked fast away from his room and disappeared over the corner of the corridor.

(to be continued)



cocasman@zmail.pt

Shit in… shit out

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In each night I realise that, I slowly let my brain melt a little each day with somebody else’s message carried by the cathode ray tube, that shines behind the view screen in a borrowed living room.
Not a easy thing to live everyday exchanging some words in trade for some food and shelter, or kindness. Where is my kindness?
I think I left it on top of the refrigerator, on a house I once lived. It was quite cold close to that refrigerator.
Colder than the refrigerator itself!
One might think that the purpose of the refrigerator, in the former mentioned mansion was to keep the shadows of the walls from freezing to death, in such an inauspicious environment.
I am not going back there to get it. My self-esteem is also trapped there, somewhere, once some chapter of the past where all was an illusion in the hall of mirrors.
So, I wonder now, in the land of the mortals, who, like myself prey on the souls of those who seek for attention, whose thirst is relieved by sharing a shoulder, a smile and just a few hours of sincere comprehension.
The disease of attention spreads quickly, if one forgets that the road goes both ways, and that what comes in, must go out somewhere.
It is like that process I learn in audio school. You can only improve so much, even with all that machinery at your disposal, there is not a voice enhancer that will make any Joe be an ultimate superstar. Shit in… shit out… they say, the machine can only boost whatever crap you feed into.
And so is life. If for a life a person is fed crap in the form of sentences, we should not expect that the finest heir to Shakespeare thrown is right there, ready to be. We better expect him, not to be.
I have been eating the cathode ray matter for so long, that I can already be the shit spitter. My goodness, I should be careful, or I might be the living proof of such urban legend as the own of the shitty boy, whose head is full of shit. The two possibilities in the legend were, either a fly will enter, or shit will come out thru the hole that was once called mouth.
Disgusting, I hear your skulls shouting. Indeed, it is disgusting.
Do I have any potential than not to complain about life and write about it, sporadically, as if I was a worthy writer?
Who wants to read the words of someone who complains?
Hell, I sure do not. That is why I put them here, so that they live my brain alone, and that if I might see them again, I can feel relieved that the shit the was in, is now out.
I guess I have been enduring with lots of this.
Time to do something about it.
May be a stroll to the bathroom of the mind, where one can purify the thought channels from such revolt.
If only it was as simple as wishful thinking.

cocasman@zmail.pt

Chronicles of the Dark Side - Chapter 2

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Leaving the metal detector area behind, Lord Sidious and Darth Vader proceed to the gate of their flight to Montreal. While, they wait for the call to embark, Darth Vader proceeds to the bathroom.
-Master!
-What is it, Lord Vader?
-I ask to be excused for more pressing matters.
-How so?
-I feel an increase of the force’s influence in the dark side of my bladder.
-Too much information, for my concern. You are excused. However, try not to be too dilatory in your incursion to the mans room on this terminal.
-Yes, my Master!
In the bathroom, Darth Vader, relieves himself from all the needs that his bladder called for, using the mechanical deject extractor (Bladder 9000).
- Bladder evacuation complete. No anomalies found during the procedure.- so said the internal diagnostic unit, which surveys the remaining biological units that are functional in Darth Vader.
To keep appearances, Lord Vader, proceeds to the lavatory to mimic the earthlings custom of washing hands upon finishing their duties in the toilet. After washing his gloves, Darth Vader, looks intrigued to the towel system that is next to the lavatory.
A man who was washing his hands also, notices the confusion behaviour in Darth Vader, while facing the towel system. Trying to help him out, the man says.
-Do you have one of those diseases in your skin man?
-I have no disease. I just want to use the mechanism to try these gloves.
-Oh! I totally understand, you . I can help you out. You must be a latex lover, right? I know all about that you see, my wife was a cousin that he has this obsession in latex, and his always wearing those latex around the house. In your case it must be an Halloween custom right!
-HOW DO YOU MAKE IT WORK?
-Oh! Pull the towel to you!
Darth Vader tries to pull, but he proceeds with care, not to cause too much suspicion and noise. The towel does not move. After a few unsuccessful attempts, the man then adds:
-Not like that! You have to pull it with force. Use the force, man!
Upon hearing these words, Darth Vader immediately turns to the man and grabs him on the neck using just one hand (with a wet glove) to raises him from the floor, asking:
-What are your intentions in this planet? How many Jedi Knights followed us into this system? How did you tracked us down?
The man gasps almost out of breath, while the dark figure in front of him impatiently man:
-Your silence, will not save you, puny warrior.
-I am no puny warrior, I meant force for the towel
-Do not try to deceive me, I am sure that Obi-wan put you up to this. To make a mockery out of me. He can not stand the fact that I am the Master now and he is a weak tutor.
P.A. system starts.
-To all passengers heading to Montreal, the gate of departure has changed, the new departure gate is in gate 9. The boarding for this flight will suffer a small delay. We …
Realising these words, Darth Vader, quickly puts the man down, saying to him:
-You are in luck Jedi, I have a flight to take. Do not attempt to follow us, or you will face your doom!
Rushing back to the previous flight gate where he had been with Lord Sidious, Darth Vader looks for his master, who is looking at the airport plant located at one corner.
-Lord Vader!
-I am here Master!
-Your little expedition to the men’s bathroom took exactly 9 minutes and 4 seconds.
-Yes, Master!
-I am not please. See to it, that you improve your evacuation system. We are traveling on a tight schedule.
-Forgive me, Master.
-Let us proceed to gate 9.
Both of them start a long march through the hallways of the airport, trying to reach their gate still on time. The PA system starts again
-We inform the passengers that the flight to Montreal is now boarding in gate 9. In apologize for any inconvenience.
-Lord Vader, we must hurry!
-Yes Master!
-I will climb on to your back, so that we can move quicker. Use your powers to clear the path, and make us lighter.
-As you wish, Master!
As spoken, Lord Sidious climbed to the shoulders of Darth Vader. Like he was command to do, he used his powers to move people from the way, and even float in some passages. They hovered over a group of 50 nuns who were in line to board a flight bond to Kathmandu. Vader made a whole line of passengers slide to the left, leaving them safe passage. Lord Sidious, from high on top Lord Vader’s back screamed to the crowd:
-Get out of the way, pitiful fools.
They still managed to throw down some more people, when at last they reached, their flight gate. Immediately, Lord Sidious hopped of Darth Vader s back and proceeded towards the lady managing the passengers entrance.
-Hello sir! Good afternoon!
-Oh! Good afternoon! Did you hear that Lord Vader!? The young lady speaks of a good afternoon!
-I am sorry sir! I did not mean to offend!
-THIS AFTERNOON IS NOT HAPPENING AS I HAD FORSEEN. – Lord Sidious shouted with such a loud tone, that people heard his voice on the far end of the hallway. The voice was so powerful that the echo came back as “seen, een, een…”
Finally, both boarded their flight and proceeded to their seats. As they expected, they were separated by one passenger. Lord Sidious, tried to use a diplomatic way to approach the problem.
-Kind sir! My friend and me would like to travel together, since we have pressing matters to discuss, during this flight. Would it be possible, if you move over to one of the sides!?
-Listen Bozo. I bought this ticket, and I ain’t moving, got that. Now, just sit down and enjoy the rest of the flight in the places that have been assign to you.
-Dear sir, I see you have no wish in cooperating with us. I must insist that you relinquish the seat in our behalf.
-I told you old man! You and your black doll there will just have to sit on your assigned places.
Darth Vader immediately, pulls out his light sabre, cuts the obnoxious man into 5 parts, proceeds to the toilet room, and comes back in 5 seconds.
The rest of the passengers observe in shock to all of this. As the first female passenger prepares to scream, lord Sidious focus his energy into a collective trance, saying in a monochord voice:
-HUMANS OF THIS FLIGHT, YOU DID NOT WITNESSED ANY OF THESE EVENTS THAT LEAD TO THE DISPOSAL OF OUR FELLOW PASSENGER.
-WE DID NOT WATCH ANY OF THESE EVENTS THAT LED TO THE DISPOSAL OF OUR FELLOW PASSENGER – the passengers said in a unisons voice.
-YOU WILL GO BACK TO YOUR OWN LIVES
-WE WILL GO BACK TO OUR OWN LIVES
-CORUSCANT RULES
-CORUSCANT RULES – the passengers repeated
-Coruscant rules, Master?
-Yes, Lord Vader! It will not be long that the power of the mighty empire will be felt here, in this pathetic planet as well. I better start my mission sooner than late. Don’t you agree, Lord Vader?
-Yes, Master.
-Excellent! Fetch me a stewardess, my thirst grows with all these efforts.
Darth Vader and Lord Sidious sit, not before pressing the button that calls for the stewardess. After a short while, someone comes to help them.
-Can I help you, sir?
-Yes, you can. Please bring me a glass of fresh water.
The stewardess brings a glass and prepares to pour the water, when Lord Sidious says:
-My poor child! Can’t you see that this glass is not in a proper condition. Bring me another
The stewardess unwillingly goes to get a new glass, repeating the intension of pouring, when once again:
-I am sorry, this glass is perfectly unacceptable either. Please take me to see the cabinet where you have the glasses.
-I am sorry sir, I am not allowed!
-YOU WILL TAKE ME TO SEE THE GLASSES.
-I WILL TAKE YOU TO SEE THE GLASSES.
Lord Sidious examined the glasses attentively and realized that they are all unacceptable for him, and he said to the stewardess in trance.
-WIPE THESE GLASSES. ALL OF THEM.
He waited for her to clean a shelf of glasses and said:
-Ah! That one is much better! Continue, my child!
Lord Sidious brought to his seat the cleaned glass and pour the water from the bottle that the stewardess had left behind.
-This is much better!
PA system
-Good evening ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking, we should be taking off soon. Please keep tie your seat-belts and retrieve from smoking. After take off we will start our entertainment feature STAR WARS. In my behalf and on behalf of the crew, you hope that you have an enjoyable flight.
-Ah yes! I now foresee a most interesting flight! Don’t you agree Lord Vader?
Darth Vader did not replied.
-Lord Vader?
-I am sorry my Master. I had to take a pill of Dramamine.
-Really?
-Yes, Master! I get nauseas in these jet airplanes.
-Yes! It will be an interesting flight indeed!

To be continued.

Monster

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Once, I woke up as a monster…
It was not me…
It could not be me.
My voice, my demeanour had changed.
I was mean to people, everything that I did, I would do it for me, and for nobody else’s interest.
I was trapped inside my own personality, that I had created.
My focus has gone, I would not indulge attention to anybody, based on the fact that I was not interested in hearing nobody.
I grew bigger, fatter, and balder too…
I was the beast from one of Grimm’s tales, brought down to the reality of the common man.
People started calling me Hyde. At first I could not understand why, but then I had realized. It was not may name they were calling… they were looking for refuge, a safe-passage from the path of the monster, from me.
In me he lives, and without control he bursts out, like a rage from the skies, and attacks love ones with no mercy… it feeds on impatience and I call it wrath…
In me I kept the last tear of humanity, that hopeful will drawn the beast within me.
As I look upon the tall buildings, I wonder in awe… who am I? What am I here for? Will I ever cry from high above… or will I pass down to lair of the lord of the flies and spend eternity in abhorrer.
In this, the last drop of mankind in me, I leave my hopes for success… for the beast takes over when I cannot rest…
Today, I go to bed and I take the monster in me, in hopes that tomorrow I will awake up free to be who I want to be.

cocasman@zmail.pt

Chronicles of the Dark Side

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Chancellor Palpatine, finishes another day’s work in the republic, and gets on his overcoat to head back home. !
Upon getting home, the Chancellor heads down to the basement, where we puts a more comfortable set of dark clothes. The feeling of the Dark Side is more present in him now, assuming the true identity of Lord Sidous. He moves toward the entrance of one of his ant-chambers. At the entrance a dark figure awaits him.
-Nice to see you again, Lord Vader!
-I am here, my Master – Darth replies
-Did you took care of everything?
-Yes, Master. The luggage is loaded in to the Tie-Fighter, and we can leave whenever you are ready.
-Excellent. I look forward in completing your training in the realm of the Dark Side.
-May I inquire on our destination?
-Patience Lord Vader. We will soon be at desired coordinates. Our destiny is a pitful planet, in a minor galaxy, in the solar system.
-Earth?
-Yes, Lord Vader. We are going to Earth, where you can experience the full grandeur of the dark side of the force. The humans have a far better understanding of anger and hatred, than anyone else on this system.
-As you wish, my Master!
-I am sure, you will make, a fine apprentice, Lord Vader. Let us proceed to our destination.

Upon arrival to Earth, Lord Vader hides the ship from any means of detection available on Earth. The Halloween season, provides an excellent excuse for the appearance of these two strange looking figures.
-Provide us transportation, to the nearest airport – Lord Sidous asks.
-Yes, my lord!
Seeing a taxi approaching. Lord Vader hales the vehicle to halt, and opens the door to Lord Sidous.
-Take us to the airport – Darth Vader commands.
-Sure thing – the cab driver replies, adding – Where are you two dressed like that? A Halloween party? Isn’t it a bit early to be dressed up for parties?
-You will take us to the airport! – Darth persuades the driver mentally.
-I will take you to the airport! – the driver automatically reply
-You will ask no more foolish questions – Darth insists
-I will ask no more foolish questions – the driver repeats the command

And the car starts his motion to the airport.

-Good, Lord Vader! Your powers of persuasion are complete. We should have great use of that feature among this people.
-The mind of the Earthlings, poses no objection.
On the road, an accident blocks the passage of the taxi. Irritated, Lord Sidous demands explanations.
-We have stopped, Lord Vader! See to it that we are not stranded here. Our presence in the airport is of paramount importance.
-Your will my Lord… shall be respected. CAB DRIVER WAIT FOR ME, LEAVE THE MOTOR RUNNING, AND INSURE THE PROPER TEMPERATURE INSIDE THE VEHICLE.
Darth Vader leaves the cab to go the accident area. A car has crashed into a fuel truck, sustaining minor damage. Despite its fault, for driving intoxicated, the car driver argues with the truck driver for a sort compensation.
-You stupid fuck, look at what you did to my Golf! You must pay for this, you shit head you.
-Pay! You must be insane, you run over to the lane… get back to your car, and let the traffic flow.
Breathing heavily and impatiently, Darth Vader approaches the accident scene, coming from the long line of cars that are unable to move. After listening to a few more complaining of the car driver, Vader decides to levitate the man and ask him of justice.
-What have you done to the passage of this road? – approaching the man further to his body, Vader insists- why are we waiting for you? When you will get back to your vehicle and provides us with the passage we need?
Running out of patience, Vader sends the intoxicated driver through the air in direction of the car. The impact of the now unconscious man is enough to move the vehicle enough to grant the traffic to flow normally. The panic takes an hold of some people, that call for the authorities.
Back in the car, Darth Vader informs, Lord Sidious of the situation.
-You did well, my young apprentice, but we should not let our presence be known, we most restrain from use conspicuous powers in this area. Let us proceed to the airport, where your training will begin.
-As you wish my lord!
The taxi drives on towards the airport. Upon arrival, Darth Vader enforces a memory upon the driver
-YOU WILL FORGET OF ANY EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE IN OUR PRESENCE. YOU WILL NOW DRIVE 1000 KMS TO THE NORTH AT A CONSTANT SPEED OF 65 KM PER HOUR.
Leaving the taxi behind, Darth Vader approaches his Master, who asks of him:
-Lord Vader, we need a lorry for our luggage. Provide one. Kickly.
-Yes my lord. – Proceeding to the area of parked lorries, Darth Vader gets to the last one. As he approaches the lorry, a man runs, and takes the lorry with him, saying:
-Hey! Tough luck, pal! Seems I got here first. You can get more lorries on the other side of the airport.
Making sure that none was watching, Darth Vader pulls out of his light sabre, and performers 3 swift movements into the man. As he grabs the lorry the man parts fall into to ground. Darth Vader disposes of the body parts in a near by recycle dumpster – on the organic session – then proceeding to the airport’s main entrance, where Lord Sidious waited him.
-Ah! Good! Your back! I see you had another victim to the death toll. You should restrain yourself.
-I will do my best, my Master!
-Let’s go now to the Flight departures desk
Proceeding to the West Jet desk, Lord Sidious notes that there is a flight to Montreal.
-Excellent! Everything is happening as I have forseen….
-NEXT! – the woman behind the desk screams, behind her busy desk
-Now let me do all the talking, before you decide to kill more people in the open. We have to be careful.
-NEXT – the woman repeats her cry.
-Hello! I would like 2 first class passages to Montreal on the 6 o’clock flight, please!
-I am sorry, I only have economic class!
-Oh dear… that is an inconvenience, but I guess it will have to do.
-Do you have any preference for the seats?
-Yes, I would like a window seat for me, and my friend would like to seat close to me.
-I am sorry, but you will have to be seated separated, although close to each other, but with a person in between you.
-Isn’t there any way of mending this situation.
-I am afraid not. Do you have any luggage?
-Yes. I do
-Did you packed everything yourself!?
-No, my servants did that for me.
-Please proceed to the guard over there, to make a quick inspection of your suit case.
-But…
-Now!
Unwillingly, both Darth Vader and Lord Sidious go towards the guard, for what it should be a quick inspection of the suitcase.
-Do you have any explosives or corrosive materials in your luggage, sir?
-Well, I cannot really say? – Sidious hesitates
-Why not?
-Because, I am going to Montreal, to build a grand army that will help us defeat the separatist movement!
-I understand you too well sir, those guys of the Bloc Quebecois, make me nauseas. You are free to go…
-But…
-That’s quite alright. I understand you too well…
Confused and dazzled with a revelation of a Bloc, Lord Sidious sees himself back to the desk of West Jet.
-Ok! Sir, now that you are all checked out. The last step is to pay!
-Pay!?
-Yes! The total will be 2053 dollares and 24 cents.
Tired of the airport protocol of checking in!
-YOU WILL LET US GO!
-I will let you go.
-YOU WILL FORGET ABOUT US
-I will forget about you
-WE CAN GO NOW
-You can go. Proceed to Gate 21
After passing Ticket Control, Lord Sidious and Darth Vader are detained in the metal detector area, because of Darth Vader’s light saber.
-Sir, please step into that area. Empty your pockets
Darth Vader complied.
-What is this metal item?
-It is my…
-It is an ordinary flash-light, reinforced in titanium to withstand the cold temperatures. You see, we are explorers of the Antarctic caves!!! AND YOU WILL LET US PASS!
-I will let you pass! They are cleared to go. Have a nice flight sir!
-Thank you.
After leaving the metal detector area, Lord Sidious says:
-Why did you brought your weapon? Their weaponry is meaningless to us. Your sabre could have costed us dearly. We are drawing to much suspicions to us. We can control each of these individuals one at a time, but we cannot control them all… plus it would affect the outcome of our mission… Lets go to our gate.
-As you wish, my Master.

To be continued!

cocasman@zmail.pt

Lesson's end

.

“What a gloomy day it is! Jack how are you?”

The start of a potential commercial that ends, with…
“- The sinus cold calls for Dristan.
-Yes!
- DRISTANNNN!”

I guess this is one of many memories that I hold dear, after my period of study at Recording Arts of Canada. It has been indeed some must interesting couple of months, with a bit of a workload in order to mimic a real life working scenario.
I had a chance to learn many new things, academically and humanly.
Alas, it is finally however. School, with its 7 hours of routine work, divide into 3 and half periods, closed with the same group of people (less than a dozen), while listening some rumbling about acoustics, recording techniques, post-production, audio consoles, or anything else that might fall in an audio category.
For better or for worse, the memory of those fine days is imprinted in my chain of recollections, through time I learned about those people, who six months ago were strangers and now they are friends whose absence is dearly noted in my everyday life.
I guess, I have always been the sentimental one. Of all of them, I was probably the last one to feel joy for the end of the school period. Because, I was aware, from past experiences, that the end of the chapter brings the beginning of a time gap of encounters. Thanks to the technology that all of us have at end, the gap is only translated in physical terms. At any moment, we are allowed to tap a few wards in a keyboard and patiently wait for a friendly response.

One of the most memorable moments in school, was probably the recreation of a Predator scene, using only voice…
“come on, run to the chopper” – I guess you just had to be there to adequately feel the nature of the moment.

Yes. From stranger to friend. What an interest concept to learn, in just 6 months, probably even less, if we give anybody a chance to speak out their mind, to share their views on life. I will not agree necessarily in everything that people might say, but I will grant them their opportunity to state their case.

Friendship, a chain of encounters between strangers that allows the development of a bonding relationship that replaces the concept of strange to known and cared for.
I guess, I have learned the meaning of happiness, in many of the encounters I have been having throughout my life.
I guess, that during this year, with school, with friends, with opportunities to explore my creativity, with love, with sky diving, with canoe camping, with sliding among the trees, with keeping my wits in place, I have realized that in some simplistic way, the meaning of life is made up of encounters and reencounters in the bumpy road of life.
Enjoying the company of former strangers, I can know feel that my field of friends has increased in diversity and quality.

Life is enjoyable. I guess I will bring home that lesson in few weeks!

Listening - to a final mix
Reading - Opium

cocasman@zmail.pt

Misguided Worries

. 
Sweet life!
For many years, I tried hard to find a purpose in life, something that could cling me to this world in a way that made me feel like I had some kind of responsibility to the world.
What am I saying?
Ever since I can remember I look back to myself, and see myself as a sailboat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, without anybody at the helm, leaving my fate in the fortunate blows of the god of the wind. Thus far it was something that was worthwhile to do, after all I manage to survive for the past 27 years free of any harm. 
Does this mean that I am a meaningless person? God, I sure hope not, otherwise I would possible be the front runner for the waste of space award, being only beaten by the bitter weapons that were paramount in shaping a world with the delicacy of a sledgehammer in a field of strawberries. Can I be compared to any kind of weapon? I guess not, my actions have been by far, less destructive or important to the events of our civilization.
So what the heck am I doing in this world?

For the past 4 months have been living bliss in the form of a student type life, in a country that holds more of my attention than my own. Once again, I question do I love Canada more than Portugal? Heck no, I carry Portugal in my heart as a memory of undying mom that always is there ready to receive me. Canada however poses much more challenges for my life than my own nest. What would be my purpose in Portugal now? I would enjoy the company for a fleeting moment of reunion with some friends as they had a little break from their hectic routines, with their eventful jobs, the family weekends and the lush vacations that poses as the main purpose of any kind of job! Yet, after a week or two, I would go back to their shelf of regulars. Then I would be just another friend that might be there just around the corner, to whom there is no point of calling, because we know that he is quite fine and also that we are too busy to even do so.
Can I blame anyone for this? Not really, after all I fell in my own webs of distraction that prevent me from being more aware of this absence of kindred spirits, my friends.
In Canada, I have found what I believe to be Love, a good strong feeling that once again gives me meaning, but by no means keeps me anchored to any specific spot. My good other half is much keener of opening the horizons of life than I do. “The world is a destination where we might end up being” – I sense her.
My obtuse nature of worries however, prevent me from taking chances towards adventures without first being aware where will I land on after the adventure is over. My financial rope is getting somewhat narrow to do any kind of adventures, and I feel weary to try any risky bungee that might stretch me up to a point of parental dependency that thus far I have been trying hard to break free.
I know that risks are part of the game of life, and that sometimes they are the flavor of the moment, that spark that makes us look back in awe to a past and be proud of the risky achievement. I guess life is made up to be fun. And I have been fortune enough to be surrounded with people that make me want to have fun and enjoy my way of having fun.

In a final note, I guess I always look at events as terminal events, and my gloomy spirit is due to this awareness of ending of cycle that draws dreadfully close. As see new friends, anxious to get back to their own friends and family, I see my self wondering much more where will I land after all songs have been sung. I guess that I should face the world with a different perspective now. I have LOVE in my life now, I have happiness for now, and I have a deadline to keep. Anything else can wait for my attention, when the time is right. When all the proper worries have been blown away. However, when this time come and the wind blows once again to carry my ship along the destiny path, I intend to be at helm of my life and use it’s inspiration wisely to stir towards my heart’s content.

 
cocasman@zmail.pt