Month: December 2009

2009 Wrap Up

Posted December 31, 2009 by Michael @ Knowledge Lost in Literature / 0 Comments

I set myself the goal to read 12 books in the year, seemed like a perfect place to start. Especially for someone that is trying to convert into an avid reader. I achieved my goal, and I found some beautiful treasures. Also for those people that don’t count graphic novels, novellas or short stories in the 12, I did read 12 novels as well as a graphic novel, novella & short story.

You must be away that I never really was a reader in my childhood so this is probably as many books as I’ve read in my life previously. Biggest highlight of the year was Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus, it is now my security blanket (so to speak); I carry it with me where ever I go, in one form or another. I also know own a beautiful leather-bound copy of the book as well as a paperback (for reading) copy of the book. It is now my measuring stick to every other book I read. In Non Fiction I can’t go past Hey! Nietzsche! Leave them kids alone!: The Romantic Movement, Rock & Roll, And The End Of Civilisation As We Know It, this has started a new found passion in all things Culture and Romantic which lead to this blog.

As for my life time reading goals by completing all the books on the 1001 books to read before you die & Modern Library 100 Best Novels list, I have now read 8 of the 1001 and 2 of the 100. Some extremely interesting books on these lists like; Slaughterhouse-Five, or The Children’s Crusade: A Duty-Dance With Death & Nineteen Eighty-Four. Out of all the books on the list of 1001 books to read before you die I was only disappointed in one (American Psycho) but that was possibly due to the fact that the movie is very similar and the book offered nothing new to the story. If I read the book before seeing the movie I’m sure I would have enjoyed it a lot more. Watchmen took a lot of effort to really get into, it was a great story I just felt I struggled at times. Another book that I struggled to get through was Dracula, the story was good but it seemed to drag on and on at times, it could have cut a few sections and still worked.


Learnt from Literature: Multiple Viewpoints

Posted December 28, 2009 by Michael @ Knowledge Lost in Writing / 0 Comments

Frankenstein is my all time favourite book and it is the subject of my first of hopefully many ‘Learnt from Literature’ topics. This book is a shining example of multiple view points. It did this flawlessly and managed to draw the reader in on both sides of the story. At the beginning the villain seems clear ‘Monster Frankenstein’ is the problem, but then you read it from the monsters view point you understand that maybe he isn’t a villain but a victim.

When I do write I think back on this story and wonder if I could replicate a similar scenario, I want to blur the lines and challenge the reader. I believe that’s the makings of a good writer.


Modern Day Romantic?

Posted December 22, 2009 by Michael @ Knowledge Lost in Culture / 2 Comments

Recently I’ve discovered the concept of modern day romantics with the help of a very interesting person, Craig Schuftan. Now he wrote a book about the topic called “Hey, Nietzsche! Leave them kids alone. The Romantic movement, rock and roll, and the end of civilization as we know it.” He released a pretty good quiz on the topic.

My Results were; (which I must admit, think are pretty accurate and was very impressed with)

You are romantic to the core, but like to think you have moved beyond its limitations. You are disgusted by the shopkeeper values of modern society, and have replaced them with your own. You identify with strong romantic heroes like Napoleon, Lord Byron, Satan or Ziggy Stardust – those who push against the limits life has imposed on us, who symbolise our desire and be somehow more than human.


Into the Mind…

Posted December 22, 2009 by Michael @ Knowledge Lost in My Poetry / 0 Comments

In life I am misunderstood,
I am a creature of confusion,
I do not understand the world I live in,
Was I put here by mistake?
Or is there a purpose of me?

In an attempt to understand a mindset I wrote that bit of poetry. Trying to understand I asked myself the following.

What is differing in the mind of a killer?
Are they not like everyone else?
Are they not someone that was pushed over the edge by society?
What makes one person turn out this way is it just a state of mind?
Are we all capable of this?


Tomorrow

Posted December 22, 2009 by Michael @ Knowledge Lost in My Poetry / 0 Comments

I’m not afraid of tomorrow
I’m only scared of myself
Feels like my insides are on fire
And I’m looking through the eyes of someone else

Yes they are lyrics from a song, but there is something about it that just sticks with me, I’m not sure what it is. But it just rings try, possible from past mistakes or just from observing others interactions.


Darkness

Posted December 22, 2009 by Michael @ Knowledge Lost in My Poetry / 0 Comments

Darkness, it swallows me up whole
Covers me in its cool, familiar feeling
Makes me feel safe
In this world I feel unsuited
But in this darkness I feel at home.


I lost my light in my room, and I felt so comfortable with it out, I just felt completely alone and isolated from the world and I wrote the above words, I don’t think it’s a poem but it’s a description of how I felt.


Crush

Posted December 22, 2009 by Michael @ Knowledge Lost in Vignettes / 0 Comments

I stalk the hallway, my steps were light and my breaths shallow. I can feel my heart pounding blood through my veins, the blood feels warm as it rushes to every inch of my body. My finger tips and toes tingled, I felt a shiver run up my spine. Thoughts come flooding in ‘What am I doing?’ ‘Is this a mistake’ ‘What if I fuck up?’ These thoughts taunt me, but I block them out to the best of my ability. I was on a mission, I need to reach that goal, I mustn’t fail.

This hallway felt so dreary and had a smell of musk in the air, it was dusty and yet it was constantly used, not by anyone important, they all seemed like lifeless drones, granted they didn’t dress that way. The men all so casual with the way they dressed, like they didn’t care about anything but themselves and, yes, that was truly the case. The women on the other hand definitely cared, they cared about getting noticed, and they wore clothes that did just that, leaving nothing to the imagination and inviting unwanted remarks which left the males rejected and confused. Not that I cared, I wasn’t paying attention, I wasn’t here for the view, I was waiting for something special. In comparison these people were formless and void.

And then she appeared, almost floating through the door way, a smile the lit up the room, making it feel bright, almost like the sun just woke up. She cheerfully walked down the hall towards me. It felt like everyone had disappeared, and I felt lifeless, scared and clueless. My palms began to sweat as she walked this way. The most beautiful woman I’ve even seen, even though she didn’t show it off, it seemed more exciting trying to imagine what was underneath. She seemed to have dressed so she wouldn’t get noticed, possible wanting to be loved for more than her body, wanting to offer her mind and soul.

I had heard a lot of wonderful things about this woman but until now I was too scared to say anything. She had smiled at me in the past and I have seen her looking in my direction but I didn’t think anything of it, maybe she was just being friendly, maybe she wasn’t looking at me at all. She was getting close. I had to make my move or it will be gone again. All I could hear was footsteps and all I could see was her, her scent filled my nose that unforgettable smell of French vanilla and cocoa. Smelt good enough to eat.

She stepped closer, I had to do it, and it was now or never. My head was spinning and my heartfelt still, everything felt still, I took a deep breath and I managed to get the nerves up and let out the timidly word ‘Hello’


Dreams

Posted December 22, 2009 by Michael @ Knowledge Lost in My Poetry / 0 Comments

I’m only happy when I dream at night,
’cause all I dream is you.
It’s the only time of the day
When I’m not feeling blue.

I dream of your love, tenderness,
And embrace…
That beautiful smile on your face.

I dream of the time we were together.
It makes me feel so good…
Really special.

When I wake you’re not around,
And I feel blue again.
But I know, when I close my eyes
At night…
I’ll dream of you again.

From a very dark place this poem sprouted, looking back at it, It’s not to bad, but I didn’t post it earlier because I didn’t feel it was a good time to post it


Dreams from the Heart

Posted December 22, 2009 by Michael @ Knowledge Lost in My Poetry / 0 Comments

Dreams from the heart… whisper to the soul.
You stay on my mind… wherever I go.

My body aches… to hold you through the night,
to feel you touch my face… at each morning’s light.

I want you near me… all through my life,
with a promise of staying… even through strife.

I wonder if I’ve told you… what feelings will embark?
For then you would know… these were Dreams from the Heart.


I’m not quite sure how i feel about this poem, everytime i read it, i think there should be more, but considering i havn’t posted in awhile, i will post this one


Always

Posted December 22, 2009 by Michael @ Knowledge Lost in My Poetry / 0 Comments

Hiding In My Room, Like It’s My Own Corner
There I Dream, Feel And Drift Into Myself
Through It All I Feel You Against My Skin
Like The Voices That I Hear Seeping Into My Brain
No Matter Where I Go, I Never Escape
I Will Feel All Your Pain And All Your Happiness
Its Like A Poison That Will Never Heal
I Wonder Why You’re Always With Me
Although I Try Numbing Your Pain
Even If I Run In The Hope To Not Feel Anything
No Matter What Happens I Will Always Feel You
I Will Need You Always

Have you ever felt that connection with someone where you feel like they are always with you. I admit this was inspired by the song Always by The Butterfly Effect and it has some similar words