Getting Away From It All

It had been a long week. Countless meetings, insane overtime, pressing deadlines. I felt some relief as I sped along the highway. My friends had invited me up to their lakeside cabin for the long weekend, a little rest and relaxation. While only being a couple of hours away from the big city, it’s remote location should add to the enjoyment factor of the weekend if not the feeling of getting away from it all.

The sun had set an hour ago so the twilight glow of the sky was slowly ebbing away. The moon had already risen and begun it’s journey across the sky. I caught a glimpse of the exit sign my friends had told me to take just ahead up on the right. Slowing down I came to a stop just before the entrance to the road, a dirt road not much unlike that of a city lane in width, cutting into the thick forest. The directions said to follow the road for a few miles until it would open to a large clearing. The cabin would be on the right with the lake straight ahead.

Turning onto the road, I was quickly swallowed by the rich forest vegetation. Not being a very smooth road, I slowed down a bit, actually I slowed down a lot. At this rate it would take another half an hour at least, to make it to their cabin. The forest was very thick and the now darkened sky was almost completely blocked. Only the occasional moonbeam shone through.

Then up ahead on my right I noticed a faint light. As I continued to drive I realized that the light was from an old lantern hung from the porch of a little shack on the right side of the road. Sitting back maybe ten to fifteen feet from the road, the shack had a small porch across the front of it with a lone rocking chair sitting at one end. Although it looked rundown and abandoned, someone must have been there to have the light on.

I continued on down the dirt road hoping to see the clearing soon when up in the distance I saw another light. A typical situation I thought, little cabins spread out along a dirt road, so rural. As I approached I noticed the light was on the left side of the road. Again it was another little shack, lit by an old hanging lantern. The cabin looked exactly like the previous one, right down to the lone rocking chair. The right cabin, my friend’s cabin should be appearing shortly. After a few more minutes I could see the preverbal ‘light at the end of the tunnel’. There ahead of me was a large clearing lit by the glow of the moon. No forest covering the ground. Smiling to myself I knew I had arrived.

Pulling into the clearing I stopped quickly. The car’s front wheels resting on the edge of some asphalt. To my left was a large sign. I was back at the highway. I had somehow been turned around and had come back to the entrance to the dirt road. Cursing, I stepped on the gas and made a u-turn over the highway and back onto the dirt road. Again I was engulfed by the forest, again I was devoured by the darkness.

As I approached the first shack once again the light was still on, but the rocking chair was now at the other end of the porch just underneath the light. Stopping I took an extra long look at the cabin to see if there were any lights on inside. Getting out of the car I went around and walked through the low underbrush and up onto the porch. Knocking on the shack door brought no response from inside. The only noise I could make out was the hum from my car. Getting no answer to my knock I decided to continue on my way.

For not much more then ten minutes later I noticed for the first time a break in the forest to my right. A small path that lead away from the dirt road.
“How did I miss that. It surely wasn’t here the last time I came this way”
Turning down this pathway I noticed the branches of the trees now almost touched the sides of my car and no light from the moon seemed to break into this part of the forest. The only light was from the car’s headlights and then occasionally a fern branch would get in the way creating a flickering of light and shadow.

Then this pathway came to an abrupt turn to the left. I slowly navigated the angle and quickly stopped the car. Dead ahead was a tree resting neatly across the path. With the high beams on I thought I could make out some shimmering far off in the distance. I knew the lake had to be just down this path.
Gathering up a few things I turned off the car and turned out the lights. Darkness surrounded me immediately but thankfully it didn’t take too long before I was able to get my eyes adjusted. Locking up the car I climbed over the fallen tree and headed down the path.
I had a small pen light but it offered only a glimmer of light, enough just to allow me to see a few feet ahead. It’s lack of power was easily swallowed by the incredible abyss of the forest. Still I foraged on.

Looking back I was no longer able to see my car, even with the assistance of the little light. I figured I was now past the point of no return. I then heard some voices, children’s voices. Only they were coming from my right, from deep in the forest. Flashing the light I wasn’t able to see very far, the foliage was too dense. Then a shrieking noise from down the path startled me and in shock I dropped the light. The noise wasn’t stationary but moving quickly by me. Looking down I saw the light flicker and go dead. Now in the complete darkness the voices turned to giggles and laughter.
I felt down for the light in hopes that it may provide one last gasp of light. The ground had a moist feel to it and I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck rise. Just then something crawled onto my hand. Drawing it back quickly I stumbled. In the process I was just able to right myself without dropping any more of my belongings. Only now I had no idea where to start to feel for the light and I didn’t want to touch any creepy bugs. Without the light I was surprised by the amount I could see. In the distance down the path I could make out some light, a shimmering, a reflection. Quickly I stepped in that direction, my pace now assisted by the adrenaline pumping through my veins.

Then as before more voices came from the forest, now this time from the left. I felt a rush of air blow by me and then more noises from behind. I allowed if not begged my feet to move me quicker down the path. Three loud thumps sounded just to my right assisted with the rustling of the bushes. The path looked to be opening not far off and I somehow increased my pace. Another brush of wind flew past my head only this time it was accompanied by a foul smell. Not wanting to turn around I focused straight ahead. Then it hit from behind, knocking me down.

Grabbing the nearest item, a small bag, I leapt to my feet and begun running as fast as I could. Only once did I turn and look over my shoulder to see what could be there. Unfortunately it was at the worst time. I could see nothing but as I turned back to see ahead the road abruptly ended. More to be precise, the land ended. I stopped myself just in time and precociously balanced on the edge of a very large cliff. I could see the lake below, very far below. The moon bounced off the still surface of the lake. It’s reflection was as good as looking at it straight on. I managed to regain my balance and take a step back. Gathering my wits I thought “it should have been a left turn, cause this isn’t right.”

Kneeling down on one knee I surveyed the surroundings and thought of my options. Behind me was an incredibly dense forest full of questionable entities and creepy bugs, I never forget the creepy bugs. Ahead of me was a rather steep and formidable cliff with a frighteningly dark lake below. I could surmise that daylight was a good nine hours away and any camping supplies I had brought were either spread out on the path being inspected by my creepy bugs or back in the car. The options were limited but something had to be doable.

Then the lake echoed a scream that went up that night for some time. In the clear moonlight birds took flight and a breeze shook the trees. I heard the scream and realized it was coming from my mouth. A burst of wind came out from the forest, ripping into me and knocked me over the cliff edge. Falling into the darkness I screamed what I thought was my last breath. My arms flailed as I reached out for something, anything to grab. When I thought all hope was lost I did grab something. Another arm reached out and together we locked wrists.

“Jim”, a voice cried out, “wake up Jim !!”

Startled, I sat up in a bolt. My face drenched with sweat.
“You were having a bad dream”, my assistant said.

Relieved I lay back. The pressures of directing my first film, ‘Deliverance 2’, were beginning to wear me out,. I thought, “Now I sure wish I could make a movie as scary as my dreams”, and promptly rolled over and fell back to sleep, perchance to dream again.

Moment In Time

In a brief moment of time, my life changed. I must confess to you here and now something I find extremely incredible. In everyone’s life there come a singular moment that defines their existence. I just had mine.

I didn’t plan on it, no one really does. For I just killed a man.

Simple words to say. Only I’m not just saying them, I am feeling their impact. I actually extinguished a man’s life with my own two hands. The look on his face as the knife entered between his ribs and the warmth of the blood rushing over my hand can not be easily described. Any vain attempt would only lessen the impact. I can give you only the tiniest details of my feelings as I felt his soul leave his body, as his eyes lost their sparkle. Sounds echoing in my mind, tearing flesh, gasping breath, pounding heart. It was not as I would have expected.

I didn’t think he would lunge after my throat. I figured he would use what ever strength he had left to save himself, but he didn’t. In his final moments he could only think of retribution and revenge. He would have rather seen me dead then save himself. At that moment I saw and understood the basic element that makes up mankind. I understood there and then that we are all just animals, some a little more refined then others, but animals all the same. We have basic desires and needs, and we need to supply them to live. To live without our desires is to only just exist.

So with his blood on my hands I stood back and looked down on his lifeless body. No remorse, no sorrow, no grief. I actually then felt a warm feeling come over my body. I actually felt my adrenaline surging through my body. My life now had it’s desire, I no longer just existed, I had a life. My life was now to be spent in the pursuit of extinguishing the life of others. If my school guidance councilors could see me now. I don’t think this was one of the selections they had in mind.

Wednesday philosophy

Well it looks like another week has hit it's mid-way mark, half-way there, it's hump. But is it really downhill now and if it is downhill should we coast. Could we not still continue upwards to greater things before the week is over. Maybe the hump is only an illusion on the road to advancing our quest for ever increasing knowledge. Maybe this downhill thing is only a mirage floating on our sea of discontent towards an ever changing world of labour. Maybe this hump is a metaphor in regards to the general populous and their feelings towards the standardized work week.

We may never know the true meaning. It may take millions of dollars in government grants and countless nights philosophizing, but it must be done. Millions if not billions of human lives are depending if not expecting us to enrich their meager existence on this place they call Earth. Millions if not billions of humans are anticipating us to confirm their importance in relation to the grand scheme of life and millions if not billions are hoping their addiction to reality shows truly have meaning and are not just a waste of time.

Now we may have to sequester ourselves to some remote South Pacific island, complete with servants to take care of our everyday needs, so that we may spend our energies on the difficult endeavor ahead. This pampered lifestyle along with a healthy amount of carnal pleasures should bring about the desired results over a period of unknown duration. It is this unknown duration that may be the greatest challenge. The myriad of philosophers over the innumerable years of man’s existence on this planet have yet to answer these key questions, nay inquiries. So the ultimatum put forth by this challenge is a hefty one to say the least.

It is a demanding venture full of risks, and as all the great philosophers have been known to say, “Bugger, last call already?”, or is it, “Nothing ventured nothing gained”. I confuse the two frequently. Should I take this as on an individual or should this sort of endeavor be a group task?

To ponder one last thing, I am happy to report that on this day, May 10, 2006, this is the 2,175th Wednesday I have experienced. Where does the time go.

What To Say Today

I could say I would love more pay, and in a way that would be okay.
I could confess to be a success would be more than wonderful and much less stress.
I will state that I would love to create the greatest movie to this date.
I suppose that as this prose goes, it would be interesting if I wrote it without any clothes.

So you could say, on what may, be a wonderful day that it would be okay to have more pay.
And you could confess to be more of a success, to constantly impress, but I only guess.
You might even state, you might go on a date, find a great mate and procreate.
And I suppose as this prose flows, it would be interesting if you read it without any clothes.

So go out and have fun, enjoy a good chuckle or two,
Good laughter is needed and now I bid you adieu.

Eternity

It was lonely sitting on his balcony that night. It had been some time since he had any serious conversation. He remembered back some time ago when people of all ages scurried about the streets below. Now the noise was considerably less. He liked to think of the days when food was plentiful and easy to obtain.

Of course man in his infinite wisdom had decided to screw things up as usual. Oh sure it was to be a small battle. Nothing but a little skirmish, a conflict contained between two small countries that really only fought for the sake of fighting. They knew no better, no real reason for fighting, only that they had too. Passed on from generation to generation. Only this time it got a little out of hand. Soon other nations had to stick their noses into the fray. Then naturally the various militant groups took up their sides, then the religious zealots and not to be outdone, the classic terrorists factions. Before you know it the whole world was bickering and whining about something. To this day he never did actually find out what it was. But it had to happen, some smart-ass decided to show a little muscle and launched a few too many missiles. That set off a chain reaction and presto-chango, we have ourselves a nice little nuclear fallout on our hands. A self imposed man made winter.

Now the cities didn’t get vacant too soon. There were a lot of survivors. Food was still plentiful at this point in time but not as fresh as it use to be. Law and order was non-existent so it truly was survival of the fittest. He had moved around a lot at this time, mostly following the food. I think he was better suited for the prolonged darkness then the average person. All those long years on the graveyard shift made for an easier adjustment to the lack of sunlight.

So he had wandered until he found a home that would suit his needs best. A lovely 5 story brownstone with a quaint view over a large portion of the city. The iron grate railing surrounded the large balcony which covered the whole front of the building. Nestled on a busy street, he was sure to follow the pace of the remaining people. But tonight, it sure was quiet.

He had lost a lot of weight over the past few months as the food supply became smaller and smaller. Now he sometimes lacked the strength to get up out of bed and forage for some food. It could have been easy enough to skip on down to the local blood bank but after a while, even that doesn’t supply enough nourishment. For a vampire, the blood bank is like a fast food restaurant for humans. You can get filled up but no real nourishment is obtain. No, it looks like another night of fasting, or was it day. So hard to tell with the eternal darkness from the fallout. Sometime eternity can be a bitch.

Me and My

I sat there in my kitchen, in my house, in the dark. I sat there all alone hoping he wouldn’t find me. The moon barely cast any light through the drawn blinds. I needed it dark, it had to be dark. I held the match in my right hand. The single match for a single candle which stood patiently on the table, in my kitchen, in my house, in the dark.

I knew I should light it but feared he would show up. I feared that with the glow of the flame he would show his ugly face and torment me once again. Oh how I hated him. Wherever I went, there he was. Out for a walk and he would tag along. I once went on a date and he decided to appear, naturally at the most inappropriate time. I would try running and he would only follow quicker than before. I knew it was serious when I caught him in my house, uninvited. The police wouldn’t do anything. They said they couldn’t do anything until he did something first. I mean how insane is that. If I’m lying in a pool of blood then they can do something? So that’s why I sat there in my kitchen, in my house, in the dark.

He never showed up when I was in the dark. The only time I felt any comfort was when it was completely pitch black, no light at all. I knew he couldn’t find me, I knew I was safe. But I had to face my fears, I had to face him and show him I was no longer afraid. I had to light the candle, I had to strike that match.

Slowly I placed the match at the end of the striking strip. Gritting my teeth and in one fluid stroke, I lit up the room with a flash. The flame flickered and danced as it sputtered to life only to settle back down and slowly glow with it’s newly found heat. I gently held it to the candle’s wick and it woke from it’s slumber. At first it didn’t want to light but it then caught hold and grew and grew in brilliance.
Blowing out the match I sat there waiting, in my kitchen, in my house, now in the light. Waiting for him to show up.

Then out of the corner of my eye I saw a flicker of darkness on the kitchen wall. I spun to see what it was and there he stood. His motionless body taunting my frozen stare as I sat there petrified with fear. He didn’t make a single movement towards me. The flickering light from the candle danced all around the room but still he didn’t move. Then as I gained my composure and moved to watch him closely he moved ever so slightly.

Standing up quickly I bellowed, “Damn you evil, you don’t frighten me anymore. You will no longer make me quiver in fear or cower in your presence. Stay if you like for I no longer care.” He didn’t say a word. He never moved closer nor did he move away. He just stayed where he was.

I sat down smiling, knowing I had conquered my foe. I had beaten my adversary right there in my kitchen, in my house, in the light,…. in the light. Finally the roles had been defined and each one now knew their place. Finally there was an end to all this madness. For now there was peace between me, and my shadow.

My First Time

Since this is the first of what should be many ramblings, I should keep this to a minimum. But what frame of reference should I use as a minimum. Do I dare speak endlessly, without thought and continue into the wee hours??
Some may say this is excessive and overdoing it. Dare we say this whole blog thing is excessive and overdoing it.
Should I write something that is concise and to the point??
Then some may say this is not the point of a blog.

So I am left with this overwhelming desire to ramble, which might make it annoying to anyone who wishes to read this. So I think for the first blog I will keep it short and worry about all that other stuff later.

But then where would the fun be in that. Would it would be much more interesting if I spoke in riddle and conversed in rhyme. I could write with varying degrees of humour and keep a dry wit in place throughout. Possibly this whole rambling thing could take on a new direction, it could evolve to a higher level of rambling. Think of the possibilities.
Unfortunately time is limited and thus sadly one must end.

In my humble opinion this may be true, but I could be wrong.