Where Space Ends

—Is where space ends called death or infinity? 


Pablo Neruda, The Book of Questions

BY JULIE CHEN

Every person’s childhood seems to be marked with a peculiar fear. Whether it be snakes, or subways. Or the scary third grade math teacher who had crooked teeth. Mine was a fear of emptiness. Sometimes I would stand in the garden and cover my eyes, and imagine the endless, void universe. Expanding in perpetuity. No air, no emotion. Just miles and miles of darkness and I would be forever drifting, drifting and when I died, I imagined I would be lying in my coffin, but my mind would remain vigilant. And I would be forced to wander forevermore in the infinite vacuity of death. And there would be no stars because death does not permit any twinkling. The thought made my heart drop and I would picture my body collapsing until it was folded into a piffling speck of dust in an interminable vacuum of nil. The tears would fall. And I would run run run away from where the emptiness was, run into my mother’s arms where I could relish a comforting, tangible hug or run into the market where the throbbing presence of people assured me I was not a solitary asteroid — although the unfathomable concept of infinity would come back to haunt me whenever I shut my eyes. There was a period in time where sleep would seem terrifying. I could not lay my finger on the exact moment in time where I would transcend into a state of oblivion. For all I knew it was a secret I would be forbidden to comprehend. And was not death the same thing, I thought. One would gently slide away, and his being would be buried under the earth, where it would disintegrate and eventually become part of a flower, or a bee, or a sliver of wind. But his identity would be forever lost in the Galactic anticenter of time.

Movie musings (V for Vendetta)

"Set against the futuristic landscape of totalitarian Britain, V For Vendetta tells the story of a mild-mannered young woman named Evey who is rescued from a life-and-death situation by a masked vigilante known only as "V." Incomparably charismatic and ferociously skilled in the art of combat and deception, V ignites a revolution when he detonates two London landmarks and takes over the government-controlled airwaves, urging his fellow citizens to rise up against tyranny and oppression. As Evey uncovers the truth about V's mysterious background, she also discovers the truth about herself and emerges as his unlikely ally in the culmination of his plot to bring freedom and justice back to a society fraught with cruelty and corruption."

(Summary by Alex W from IMDB.com)

"A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having." -V            

BY JULIE CHEN

            Rumor has it the Wachowski Brothers remained laudably loyal to the original comic.  I wouldn't know, since I have never been able to get my hands on a copy, but let me begin by offering my greatest kudos to Hugo Weaving for being able to portray V as the passionate, powerful, and uncannily sexy character he is while hiding behind a mask and wig for the whole film. I swear I began to see facial expressions on that silly mask after some time.

            In my opinion the movie was incredible. The producers really managed to pull together a film with just the right amount of humour and romance to keep you on the edge of you seat while managing to preserve the depth and sophistication of Alan Moore's original intentions. Superhero movies usually bore me with their frivolity, but despite having achieved some degree of supernatural kinesthetic power, V's intense emotional conflicts and playful obsession with Shakespeare draws him closer the audience as a more tangible human being.

            James McTeigue did a remarkable job as a director. Large amounts of cuts and sudden transitions did nothing to undermine from the film's clarity. Every scene was vital, anticipated and timed to precision. What I love the most is probably how McTeigue kept only the dialogue essential to support the backbone of the plot because personally, there is nothing I hate more than movies with drawn out conversations. I'm also quite impressed with the echoing symbolism that unified scenes that were chronologically distant. The reverberance was straightforward and easy to digest. 

            The Hollywood romance aspect of the movie softens the somewhat political film up appropriately. It's tender enough to make V seem pathetic at times, but does not undermine from the story's solemnity.

           I would definitely recommend this movie. I've hopped on the bandwagon a little too late as it is a 2005 film, but V for Vendetta is definitely a classic you'll be able to return to again and again.

Wanderlust

Cheery violin tunes drift into your ear from nearby bistros as you lope along smooth paths paved with stone. Medieval architecture frames your view as you cross under pearly arches and stroll past delightfully vintage buildings, complete with beautiful antique carvings of mythical creatures alongside a profusion of Roman monuments. The Adige River gurgles peacefully through the romantic city, spanned by multiple stone arch bridges, each a masterpiece from a medieval architect. So magnificent is this city that Shakespeare based three of his most famous plays here. Also known as the City of Romeo and Juliet, millions venture here to this authentic Italian city every year to wallow in the splendid artistic heritage and history of Verona, Italy.

            Many who have visited the Verona would like to say that one of the most memorable things about it is its people. Verona’s people truly enjoy sharing their city with you, but Verona is much more than that. While you are here, visit Romeo and Juliet’s house, where their love seems to remain lingering in the airy atmosphere. Later, buy tickets for a theatrical performance Verona’s Roman Arena, one of the best-preserved amphitheaters in Italy, and eat dinner at one of the outdoor cafes in Piazza delle Erbe, the rectangular heart of Verona's historic center. Let the charming city of Verona guide you as it showers you with an abundance of medieval castles and towers, cathedrals, museums, and authentic Italian cuisine.

By Julie Chen

Image Source

Forever

Forever is in the peaceful woods

Where the leaves turn gold and the sky is clear

And the branches sit in waiting

For the fresh green buds that will bloom next year.

Forever is in the great blue sea

Where the tide rolls in and the sandcastles fall

And the waves slap onto the golden shore

While a seagull gives a call

Forever is between the night and stars

Where the darkness envelopes the twinkling lights

And the children hug their blankets close

While the breeze whispers good night

Forever is between him and her

Where the words ring out so pure and sweet

And the time wears on, though the ink won’t fade

On the letters stored away so carefully.

The Beach is a Road

The beach is a road

so my car is a boat

and my boat has a sail

and it fills in the wind

and it speaks of my body

it speaks only in code 

it has plenty to teach

so I loosen the ties

and catch up the main

take the tiller in hand

and testing the wind

reach away from the sand

the further I go now 

the farther I am

my worries seem to follow

my thoughts left on land

sheeting in I point higher

parallel to the shore

stretching and leaning 

my length overboard

my rudder it vibrates

and hums out a song

Now, I’m part of the circuit

Now, the struggle is gone.

[Inspiration of the week. Thank you, laughingmaus.]

Sidetalk

I am lying face down on the sidewalk.

The gravel presses against my forehead and the 

smell of gasoline envelopes me.

The warmth of the pavement

seeps into my shirt and under my ribcage.

My back is burning, but whether it is from the

stare of passerby or the afternoon sun I am not aware.

I press my fingers into a ridge between two pebbles.

A car honks in the distance.

Procrastination

BY JULIE CHEN


vision zooms out of focus.
drip of ink remains wet on parchment.
pen softens and flops over the arch of your thumb.
waves of light from a lamp vibrates against pupils but does not enter.
hand of a clock quivers and struggles vainly as it freezes against the force of delay.
work screams and complains beneath a pile of ignorance but indifference clogs the ears.
breeze from an open windows whispers against lips and tries to elicit an utter of focus but fails.
fingers strum away at a rubber band that shakes and trembles, breaking the stillness.
Whiffs of coffee roll around your nostrils, shrivel into dust and drop onto table.
dog is barking out on the sidewalk but somehow the volume is muted.
nails etch a figure on paper, something vaguely resembling a rocket.
wall before the face becomes colorful yet blankly engaging.
pile of work that awaits begins to visually swell.
Despite guilt, sit and spit out irrelevant words
and tap away at a keyboard
writing little verses.

Two Is Better Than One

If two is better than one,

Then I would like another head.

See, it could fit right here,

I have broad shoulders.

And maybe my nose would like a companion.

He's been single for a long time, sir,

The eyes laugh at him.

I tried telling them off

(It's never nice to mock loners, after all.
It's unperceptive.)

But their reaction was quite blinding.

Americano

Some day I may regret this

She thinks to herself

But now she sits at the piano

Coffee in hand with the window open.

Sheets of music dizzy across the floor

And she stares into the distance.

An Open Letter

I've read your letter.
The words swam before my eyes and my tears
were smudging the ink.
Next time, use a ball point pen.
I tried to stop my fingers but they've already
tore the parchment in half.
Don't worry, I've scolded them but they
were too spoilt to learn the lesson.
My mouth was whistling mawkish tunes too.
I had to tape it shut.
Now my lips are complaining though,
they get chapped easily.
My mind knows you aren't coming back,
but my heart is on the line and it tells me
it wants to be a trapeze artist.
Please teach me how I can persuade it otherwise.
Yours truly, me.

Matchmaker

Life is sort of like a blind date

He tells me.

Except fate is the matchmaker

And it lacks good taste.