SumFought:The Silenceof the Lambsby Thomas Harris

Immediately after reading Red Dragon by Thomas Harris, I was into the mist of another serial killer case told by Thomas Harris. The Silence of the Lambs, made even famous by the Hollywood thrilling blockbuster, remained a novel of impeccable quality.

The novel centered around Clarice Starling, a still in-training FBI agent, who took on the call-of-duty assignment from Jack Crawford, in the search of a serial killer--"Buffalo Bill", who later abducted Senator Ruth Martin's daughter. Starling first went to visit Dr. Hannibal Lecter, hoping that the infamous cannibal/psychiatrist could help her with the case. During her visits and her investigation, Starling met obstacles on every path. She also met her nemesis, Paul Krendler, who gave her a hard time here and there. Eventually, after much struggle, Starling was told to return her temporary FBI badge and stop her investigation in the case all together. But she did not obey the order and slipped through the crack of time to continue her pursuit of the murderer. Because of her determination, she had found the killer, Jame Gumb by mere luck and old-fashioned door-to-door swept. And then after some more fight with Buffalo Bill, she defeated him and rescued the senator's daughter.

And that's the story. Very much like the book Red Dragon, The Silence of the Lamb's killer also shared a certain similarity, like both are white male who would undress at times, and both had some kind of deficiency.

The scene are vivid to read, cruel to feel, brutal to see. It gives the chill as much as the thrill. Nothing beats an uncensored gruesome description. But that's also what gave the Hannibal series a unique taste, a style of its own. Is it necessary though, I don't know. If the words were replaced by other less impacting, less sensing phases, could it achieve the same heart-pounding effect? Would you try to shut your eyes to avoid reading one word after another, or would you artfully dodge the painful experience?

I like how simple the book is. It has a small circle of characters that are interrelated, they are distinctively different, very colorful and traumatic at times. It's the sorrow and the challenges they face that urged me to push on. I knew they would find a way to tackle the problems, I just don't know how, because I don't know them as much as Thomas Harris do. But the problem-solving is paced at a way that it doesn't feel boring or slow. The book is a brisk read, it is what you read in the book that drag you down.

Character-wise, let me said I kind of miss Will Graham first, I was kind of disappointed when I finished the book without reading the name Will Graham appearing for more than the fingers on one of my hands. But, Clarice Starling had replaced the mighty Will Graham as she dominated the male elements in the story.

Starling, Clarice. She is a tough girl, she knew how to take care of herself. But Hannibal seemed to know her even better than herself. That kind of overpowering control had shaken Starling down at their first meeting. Hannibal came in so strong that Clarice could barely secure her position as a FBI agent.

Maybe it was the confidence Dr. Lecter gave out that shocked Starling. His all-knowing tone and focused gaze frightened her. He said Quid Pro Quo(something for something, an exchange) as if it was his motto, his belief. He gets to know a little bit about Starling while telling her more about the killer. Hannibal seeks a playmate, and he has got one thanks to Jack Crawford.

Jame Gumb, the miserable serial killer who wanted to transform into a female form by stealing skins from girls and stitch all the pieces he had gathered together to form a human skin outfit. That's totally F-up, but nonetheless, disgusting. It's not that it couldn't happened(or hasn't happened) that scares people, is that it is a possibility that someone could and would commit these kind of crime that worries people the most.

A story is a story, but inside a story, reflect the possibility of what the world could be and would be like. It's not a prophecy of the future, or the alarm of the present, or the reflection for the past, but a constructed thesis of the infinity possibility.

While the name, The Silence of the Lambs, is referring to the experience Starling had when living at her relative's barn, it also meant that one's mind would stay unrest unless one solved the problem at its origin. We all had problems, and every problem adds a little bit of pressure on us. The sooner we deal with it, the sooner we could rest and get the relieve. If not, the pressure built up, and it will explode, causing an implode even, if not taken care of.     

And now, I know what the book is like, I am eager to watch the movie in the coming day. I really want to know why the movie is so critically acclaimed, is it better than the books?  

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Graded Longings

1. Mother told son to avoid the traffic by taking the bus traveling on an alternate and longer route. Son obeyed and reached the bank he worked in time. But he was held back at work by an unorganized robbery crew, and eventually he didn't walk out alive, as he was the second hostage to be popped by one of the robber. He died believing that the man who killed him was the leader. His mother was outside the bank and witnessed the execution through the internal camera feeds. She fainted as her son dropped to the ground. She wished she wasn't smart. If her son didn't listen to her but drove to work, he would otherwise be struck in the traffic for two hours, and thus avoided the robbers. 
2. Teacher told students to bring their parents to the school anniversary ceremony, and they did. One of the student, Annie Beth Kens, forced her father, a local sheriff name George Kens to the party by dragging him off duty. Another student, Jackson Dean Norris brought his legal guardian, his uncle called Joe Maton to the party. Old Kens met old Maton and shook hands at the soda machines, with their child standing behind them. They didn't let go of each other's hand until Annie wheeled his father to her beloved Mrs. Neffein, the history teacher. The second day, Annie Beth Kens was grounded, And also forbidden to watch TV. But the whole town knew, sheriff Kens had made a big bust. Well, the biggest bust the town had ever seen since the 80s. Joe Maton, a.k.a. Willy Ben, a.k.a. the smuggler was arrested in his own home. Annie Beth Kens was send back to school the next day after the bust. She never saw Jackson Dean Norris again until they met again at the hotel ten years later.
3. Bartender told customers that the shop was about to close up, close up in the way that it would never be open again. The owner, Mr. Shelfin, had not been around lately and many had long speculated of his worsening health condition by the look of his balding head and wrinkling hands a few months ago. Most noticeably, his left hand, which shook and tremble, creating a wave of wrinkles. As far as the folks could tell, Mr. Shelfin had nobody, he lived alone out back in the little shack, and owned an old Ford pick-up truck that spit brown gases into the air. That night, after the bartender finished cleaning up the bar and closed up, he went knocking on Mr. Shelfin's door for the last time. Mr. Shelfin looked different, the wrinkles were gone, his hair was grey and short. Mr. Shelfin gave the bartender a letter and told him to read it after he had left. Mr. Shelfin was seen leaving in a Ferrari. The bartender opened the letter and found the spring of his life.

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SumFought:24:Live Another DayEpisode 5

Episode 5 cleared Jack's name, which have also taken him away from the front line until he was called by the president.

I admire how they squeezed every minutes with tension and contents. The multiple viewpoints at different groups had a distinct profile, which separated them apart for the audience and minimized the confusion. The close-up takes are important and genuine, but the dialogue seemed dull and unstressed, except for the terrorist who was going to destroy London. Nonetheless, the ending with Margot gunning down Navid, shows how determined and brutal the Al-Harazi have became. Her actions is irrational and aggressive in a way that is over complicated. She has the brain to pull this stunt, an eye for an eye. She plotted this drone attack to get back what the US government had done to her husband, and it was very brilliant of her to even come up with such an idea. She must have Googled it, and found out that it was possible to gain absolute remote control of the drone by third parties. What a smart, grieving woman.

Take a look at her daughter, Simone. She is exactly what a monster mother would bring up with. Because of her mother's influence, she suffered deeply. Her actions were based not on natural emotional responses, but by the eyes of her mother. She had no control over herself, and that makes me wonder what did Margot do to her before, way before Margot ordered to cut off her fingers. Margot must have done something way worse than physical abuse to get that kind of supreme regulation on her. I feel sorry for her, she could have be so much more, if she wasn't in a limited environment.

On the other hand, the hackers backing Jack retrieved the data in-time to validate the concreteness of the malicious attack as was initiated by Margot Al-Harazi. And at a later time, they discovered the site that the CIA was raiding had been a set-up, and warned-off the leading agent, thus, saved a few life. Hacker in 24 was presented in both ways. One that fallen into crime because they can do it, and one that aided in solving crime because they want to do it. This distinguished the desire and the ability in the same identity, which was kind of criticizing the hackers who work as hired hands, and encouraging them, or even promoting a mutual cooperation with the government. I'm sure 24 has a hidden political agenda I just ain't seeing yet.

Jack was behind the TV for a good chunk of time in this episode, no close-quarter-combat, no gun-shooting, no difficult choices to make. He seemed to have accomplish most of what he had wished for. The reunion between him and Audrey was brief, but needed. I can't judge Jack. No one should judge Jack. He knows what he's doing, and he's going to stop the attack no matter what.

But Jack isn't that guy who will take a bullet for anyone everytime. He would rather let you die and achieve his goal than getting himself the dying moan. He's that kind of soldier who went to the battlefield to kill the enemies but not to serve the country. And he survived after all these years because he knows it works all the time.

We don't just do what others want us to do. We gotta find what's best for us. It mind be a lame thing to say, but it's true. Only you know who you are and what you are make of, your decisions are yours to make, and the consequences are yours to take. Don't believe me? Believe Jack.

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SumFought:The ListenerSeason 5Episode 1

The Listener is back for another summer ride, though the weather in the episode didn't quite catch up yet.

But, surprise, Michelle has a baby (which skips about 10 months from the season four's finale).

Which, to Toby, is a painful 10 months to beg Tia to move in with him. I imagine it would be an awkward conversation when Toby was convincing Tia without using his abilities. Though I don't think Toby could find a house for themselves by simple emotion reading. He must have used his ability somehow during their house hunting to lock in their favorite.

Anyway, Toby the listener has grown up from the wish-fulfilling paramedic at the hospital, to a man who makes his own decision. But Oz still buzzes around him like a fly that sucks. His ability is in control, seemed much stable and useful than before. He also expressed confidence in his own special assessment of the suspect during his confrontation with Michelle. Toby has grasped the root of his mind reading and he is ready to take on the hard cases.

This episode brought back the occasion for the IIB's elites to gather around in a chatter, with mugs in hands, and jokes in the air. Though it would not be the same soon, as Alvin, the boss-figure of this tiny circle will be departing for Paris's Interpol. Maybe there's potential cross-department collaboration in the near future? IIB at Paris? Michelle would be eager to go there.

Back to the case. The episode starts in an office building with a heavyset female janitor, which is not usual, for Castle's standard. But put it here in The Listener, it just gave away the unique Toronto flavour as developed in the previous four seasons. If The Listener is trying to be the Castle of Canada, then I think season five would be the end of its life cycle.

The Listener was about Toby, the mind reader, attempting to make good use of his ability while maintaining control. He struggled with it and that almost costed his life, more than once. Now he is a veteran mind reader, he knows what he's doing and what he's searching for. He has a goal, he has a team, he has a life with purpose. But that brings him to the critical point of challenging tv production. Should Toby stay as he is right now and continue the episodes progressively with the 'case of the week' style, or focused on his ability and character development.

One thing The Listener did right is involving the innocent child. But they didn't show how much a child is going to impact the story as far as the first episode goes. Michelle is still stubborn to bones, though she showed care for her child, she also splitted her heart to her work. Her dedication in fighting crime has surpassed her love to the child, and that's a messy situation to tackle with.

One thing the Listener lacks right now is a character that has impact on Toby. The relationship between Toby and the people around him seemed to grew with distance the farther he achieved in IIB. Toby coops with these people and they seldom gives him trouble. The only trouble he has right now is how to pass the day and how to catch a criminal. If only he has more trouble. Not just ability-wise, but his life, his friends, people he cares about.

The city is not safe, it will never be safe. Toby can help catch a criminal, but he has no connection to them other than listening to their thoughts. His fellow IIB workers often gave him credit but not the conversation he craved. Oz gives him troubles, troubles that no beers can't solve. Tia is a hidden element. We still don't know how will she affect Toby. More romance? Tia seemed manly throughout the episode. Dominate, playa?

Afterall, Toby is too plain. Toby is honest but hide away while he can. He didn't like the exposure, he wholeheartedly love Tia, he has one true friend named Oz, and his colleagues think of him highly. Please, more trauma, more mind melting troubles. Plain is not drama, plain is just life.

More Toronto flavor, please.

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SumFought:HannibalSeason 2 FinaleEpisode 13Mizumono

It's still a bit hard to take in. The fact that Hannibal is in a dream at the end. Just pure speculation. Maybe he went to see Dr. Maurier and killed her, while fantasizing going away with her, fancy style.

At the end, I was right about two things.

First, Alana Bloom get more air time than a few of the previous episodes combined, and her encounter with Dr. Lecter had lured out Abigail, who I assume was living in a dungeon somewhere Hannibal had prepared for her, and that Hannibal had been readying her state of mind for psych-manipulation.

Second, Jack didn't die. He survived Hannibal alright. Though the recovery is not going to be easy.

Ever since I've finished reading Red Dragon and The Silence of the Lamb, I can't help notice how ingenious the writing staff of the show are. They had incorporated the world and characters written by Thomas Harris and presented them in a way that's most suitable for Television development. The story may vary her and there, but it's essentially the same, taken from the same root, sending the same message.

To conclude, Season 2 goes something like this:

Jack tried to prove that Will is guilty --> Jack tried to prove Hannibal is guilty --> Jack stabbed by Hannibal

Alternatively:

Hannibal framed Will --> Hannibal unframed Will --> Hannibal cut Will

I'd say the season finale is indeed the most gruesome and exciting ending for a TV show I haven't seen for quite a while. The last one begin Heroes.

The way Hannibal plays with Will and Jack, that he knows everything, that he's in control, gives him the power to frighten even the strongest heart. Hannibal is a monster. He couldn't bare to push Alana Bloom into the edge of desperation, but he could imagine her suffering just as well as being there. He toyed Alana by sending his patron, Abigail to do his bad deed, and that gives him the satisfaction, maybe even better than eating her meat. Hannibal couldn't let Jack go away unharmed without a feast. So feast he did. He made a killing to justify the dinner.

Jack had been pushed into the corner as well. He walked right into the trap for the hunters, and he knew he had been strangled by the snake up to his neck. And the only way he knows how to escape from the situation, is by brute force. He cut his tongue to save himself, not literally of course. Is just that he lies to achieve what Will meant to achieve makes him even less of a man. He's broken. Bella is going away, and things in the bureau is not what it used to be. Jack is playing his last chip. All in.

Will, playing undercover certainly gives him no such thrill. His actions and words undergoes the mighty scanner of Dr. Lecter, and he plays too safe, too calm, too cooperative. Jack pushed him too far. And Will himself didn't know the boundary. He was in Hannibal just as Hannibal was in him. He didn't dream of Hannibal, he didn't dream of Alana, he dreamed of the monster of himself. The worst person we knew is ourselves. We are capable of all the bad deeds and unconventional thoughts, that we, as human being, should cease to exist (sounds like True Detective dude).

Alana, Alana, Alana. She's so beautiful that I couldn't bare hearing her dying moan. I wonder how many takes they took to complete that shot of her drowning into the darkness. Dark liquid engulfed her naked body, that must be really unpleasant. Alana had the courage to face the monster, but she didn't have the preparation. It was blind rage that drove her to the monster. Blind. Hannibal told her to be blind. Maybe Alana will return on Season 3, BLINDE. (Please don't, I did rather see her die and come out as a spirit or some kind, than look into her soulless, or ripped out eye sockets. Because, god, Caroline Dhavernas has such attractive blue eyes.)

Abigail, the twisted girl. People had long been speculating about her chance of still being alive, and man did they placed a long bet. Though Abigail was featured in some earlier episodes this season as Will's fishing mate, her chance of coming out alive was still a X factor.

But now that all the fun had been released by the mad in-house psychiatrist, what's to expect? (X files crossover please, since David Duchovny is no longer Hank Moody in Californication anymore.)

From the book, Red Dragon. Will was contacted by Jack to solve a case, sometimes after Hannibal was locked in the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. However, based on how the show is killing right now, nothing is for certain, except it will return as a killer show again, that's for sure.

I like what they did with the camera and the post production, the effect of the lights, rain, and blood. It's so dark with fluidity, so smooth with transparency. By combining music with the action, Hannibal has inherited the thrill and horror as seen from its predecessors. It's not what I would expect to see in a TV show, because it offers more than visual excitement, but provoking thoughts that hindered us until now.

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SumFought:Orphan BlackSeason 2Episode 6

Tatiana Maslany continues to impress with her interpretation of her surviving characters, or clones. She has done a excellent job in every single episode, and she deserve something better than the current story. Tatiana succeeded in maintaining the diversity in all her clones, she is gorgeous, she is elegant, she is fancy, she is bitchy, she is manly, she is psycho.

Since the opening of the season premier, Orphan Black have been caught in an inevitable mystery waiting to be solved--the five why, the endless question.

And so we are here again with Sarah Manning, running around, poking the hornet's nest, and getting some puzzle together. Is not that we don't want to know the answer to the question of the clone's origin. But by overlaying the whole intensive depression on the story line, Orphan Black is going on a road of no turning back, or going forward.

The ending will be the big reveals, some questions get answered, but the answers carry even more questions. And Orphan Black will entangle itself into a lost circle, an maze without exit.

I don't like the show as much as Season 1. It was the dawn of discovery, the clones carries a weight as an individual entity. Their personality were shown and made a compelling character. And I love about how their separate life collided together, the messy, girly, panicky plan to resolve the huddles ahead.

Now. Now is a completely different story. The flavor of Season 1 was gone, like a human body with the backbones ripped out. It's still a functioning story, but the characters are as good as dead. Only Sarah got to move about, other characters either tail behind her or ambush her.

The lab thing and the origin is a dead man's drop. That's what I will say about Orphan Black at the moment. With 4 episodes left for later air time, I suspect the season finale will also be the end of the Clone Club, if nothing changes in the current affairs.

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Official Batman: Arkham Knight Gameplay Trailer -- "Evening the Odds"

Take Batmobile Out For A Spin

Ends Up In Gotham.

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SumFought:Black SailsSeason 1

You summer is about to get looted, but you won't even flinch about it.

Black Sails, Starz's Original TV series, set twenty years prior to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic 'Treasure Island', is a short, eight-episode sensational adventure/drama mini-series, featuring Captain Flint and his pirates, which took place on New Providence Island and its surrounding sea.

Unlike the disastrous start of another Starz Originals, "Da Vinci's Demons", which had some catastrophic post-productions issues earlier on Season 1, Black Sails had earned its growing affluence by securing a group of talented actors and filming with detailed, vivid scenes, as though the life of pirates had been revived decades later.

The whole series, which spun around Captain Flint as he forced his way into the hunt of a Spanish treasure galleon--Urca de Lima, based in the goodwill of Spanish Gold and the promise of a well offed life, was filled with unceasing lies and murders. It was also during the period when New Providence Island faced the imminent threat of being overtaken by the England, provided it wasn't overtaken by the harbouring pirates first.

Without saying, the show had managed to steer itself into loosely regulate boobs, sex, and blood-spilling scenes as seen in most cable shows. Black Sails didn't take it too far though. It had excelled in portraying the pirates' daily life without abusing its freedom in involving adult contents.

Other remarkable characters, such as Eleanor Guthrie who control the island's trade and swore an awful lot, Captain Vane who turned its back against his old lovers, Anne Bonny who I had no idea what she was doing, fueled up the life on the tropical island as much as Captain Flint was away on his ship chasing his crown.

Truth to be told, I haven't read 'Treasure Island'. But I'll be reading it in the coming weeks (currently finishing off Thomas Harris' 'Hannibal' and 'Hannibal Rising'). I knew nothing about 'Treasure Island', or Captain Flint, or his pirates, but nonetheless, I've enjoyed the show very much. And I have also learned one thing from the show.

Captain Flint is bad. And he's not just, bad, he's also a murderer and a psychopath. He seeks vengeance and fortune at all cost, even if it meant the life of his crew. He has no planning other than following a blind lead. He has no real power other than delegating and giving orders. He has an ego deeper than the ocean, and he has a heart darker than the skin of those African Americans working under his command.

Overall, the show never had a boring scene. It carried an unique momentum that created motions and responses. The transition from one event to another is crisp and clean, it solved mysteries as way as creating problems. The cinematography of Black Sails is phenomenally well done, the clear blue water and exceptional props design had given the show an authentic slice of piracy at that time. Although some CGI occasionally "empty" the scenes like those cutscenes in a video game, it wasn't really that much of a problem at all considering the intense plot rush alternating between the sea and the island.

The only thing I want to see more now from Season 2 of Black Sails, is how Captain Flint could rebuild his reputation and regain the trust from his crew once again, and that he could survive long enough to make it back to New Providence, to solve that sovereignty issues.

I hope Captain Flint in 'Treasure Island', after 20 years of struggling in the sea, would be a different man. Though we as people don't change much, right?

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The Golden Tree

The old man was lying against the golden tree. His hat, made by hay, was hanging over his face. He had a bottle of gin in his hand, but he dropped it and it rolled away with gravity. An army of ants were marching under the old man's crossed legs. He worn a pair of blue sandals covered in dust, and his legs were smooth as those pebble at the river bank.

It was noon and the day was hot. The old man had just finished his lunch, which consisted of a freshly caught trout and a nick of moonshine. His shoulders were bare and dark, almost purple, and he almost had no body hair. The golden tree swayed in the mild wind. Those that sung on its branches had left. The old man rubbed his hard, flat belly and scratched it red.

The fish lines, resting on the rack that the old man built, was unmoving. The stream ran noisily, washing away the old man's dreams. The moist mist of the water tasted fresh and warm, with a scent of scorched rocks. The old man had his fire stones in the sack. He always travels with his fire stones. Not once had he lost them, not even in the rain and storm.

A flock of birds were spotted upstream two days ago. And the old man was confident that they would depart soon. This was his river, afterall. He would be glad to share the products of nature with anyone, as long as they recognize him as the sole owner of this river.

The birds were leaving. They flapped their wings, the sound of their feathers glided above the golden tree.

The old man slowly opened his eyes. The golden tree was gleaming brightly in the sun. Even the reflection on the river's surface could not have shone more gold.

A line was moving, then another. The fish are coming downstream.

The old man sat up and turned to find his water. His lips were dry and his throat smelled horrible when he breathed. He knew he shouldn't have taken that moonshine. But Robert the Maker gave it to him this morning, and he couldn't resist not taking a sip before the night covered him with a blanket of darkness.

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SumFought: 24: Live Another Day Episode 4

24 is back. Jack is back.

The same progressive 1 hour episode returns with a hot topic on its plate. Drones. And Jack, while doing what he's good at, have to fence off military intervention and cope with the CIA.

More gun play and explosion, more blood and fear. Jack is going back to where he came from. It's just so confusing to see Jack trying to prove something, while not telling the truth at the first place. So he went round and around, going in circle, eventually the cat fight is over and he's the one to blame for all those destruction left after his wake.

However, Jack knew stuff we don't. He's always prepared for the mission. He knows everything about the environment he is in. He makes snap decisions and improvise on where he is. Sometime he gets confused and disorganized but soon he picks up the rhythm and flows with in. Jack is ruthless, that's for sure, but he knew what he is doing. That's better than most of us. He always comes into a situation prepared, and he wouldn't hesitate if something went south on his plan, because he knows if he sticks to the original plan, he would end up in a very difficult situation. Jack is versatile. He knows his strength and his weakness. He cares about people too, but sometimes he just has to make decision based not only on life or death, but the overall situation.

We see riots in 24, and that's nothing new. But riot are often presented in a way that's so brief, it has only taken on the act itself, but not the deeper meaning behind. Sure, people revolt, police arrest. It's a vicious cycle that never ends until we have found a new way, a peaceful, non violent way to protest and express our concerns.

I hate that boss figure in the cyber ring. Nobody wants to work for someone like that. But sometime we just have to work for someone you don't like. Maybe it was for the best, so that we can take that anger and discontent, and convert it into motivation and energy. Though most of it would go into fights and arguments and hatred.

The military always carry a weight in 24. The soldiers are rigid but discipline. They obey orders and execute them swiftly. Although most of the time their actions were seen as stupid and inconsiderate. The show didn't show how urgent a call has to be made every time something disastrous happened or was about to happen. It always give you this kind of feeling that the commander is an utter nut and those under his commands are useless bagages.

Also. How to convince someone to trust you when you first meet him/her?
Jack: Right now the point is that I believe you. From anything that i could see, no one else does. You want to clear your name? I am your only shot.
Create a sense of urgency, give them no choice but to believe you because you give them your trust, give them the idea that you'll vouch for anything he does. Because why we are in danger, we need an ally, anyone would do. Just someone to die, or fight along your side.

24: Live Another Day is short, it's simple, it's tense, it's bold, it's jack.

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Summer in Space

Brok was running. The girl had led him into the mystic forest again. It was a field occupied by giant dandelions and tall grass. It might as well as be a corn field without corn. A dandelion floret flew above him. Brok reached out for its rear end. He jumped and grabbed with his two hands. His hands were trembling when he looked down from the air. The girl was not far away, Brok swinged and kicked, trying to steer himself to the red dress.

The air smelled a mixture of sweet and syrupy scent. Brok gained some distance, but it was not enough. The girl travelled faster on ground than him on the sky. Brok climbed up the floret and twisted the head so as to create a slow and temporarily drop. His hands were still trembling when he hopped back to the ground. The floret, taken by the mild wind, returned to its journey.

Brok ran. His steps firm and rigid. He could hear his heart beating. Sweat ran down his neck. The sun beamed down on him. Not just him, but the whole field. The girl must have felt the same way and was slowing down. Brok was ten steps behind. He called out. His voice disappeared, and was replaced by air bubbles. His mouth was a bubble machine.

Then he saw the girl took a turn to the left. He followed. The trial soon ended and he came out to a field. There was a tree, a tree with steps and houses naturally formed by itself. The girl was inside one of those houses. Brok saw her beautiful blond hair swaying. He walked up the stairs.

The door, locked, hissed open. The room was empty. The door hissed closed.

Someone had lay their hands on his shoulders, shaking him.

Mila woke him. He rolled his eyes.

"How long?" said Brok, sitting up, staring at the icy metal floor. His heart was still racing.

"Two."

Brok swiped the only long hairs on his forehead aside, and rubbed his bald head and pulled his ears lightly.

"It's summer time back home," said Mila. Her face was pink.

Brok looked up. "We'll go back sometimes. Just not now, Mila."

"I know," she bit on her lower lips, "but father-"

"We've talked about this," said Brok. "Come here, I'm cold."

Mila sat on the bunk bed and hugged her father. Their breaths were warm. Space is cold. Summer in space is as cold as winter on Kolon.

Brok had only one daughter, and Mila was everything he had. Mila was twelve, Broke was thirty five. They called each other father and daughter. At least they wanted it to stay that way.

The cafeteria down the hallway was empty of the usual crowd when Brok had finished his sanitary duties. The chef munched his words and gave Brok and Mila their foods in a cold plate.

"Can we have something hot?" asked Brok, "for my daughter, at least?"

"No can't do. They have already shut off the power. You just have to eat what you have. If you want something hot, be early next time," said the chef.

They sat down on the corner, body touching each other and stuffed the foods into their stomach. Brok looked at his daughter and started sobbing. How did he came to become so poor that he could not feed his baby girl a hot meal.

There was only himself to blame.

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SumFought: Game of Thrones Season 4 Episode 7 Mockingbird

[Warning: Strong Language]

I have only one woman in my life. Your sister.

Sure, Game of Thrones is a mess, an essential mess that combine every sorrow imaginable in the most desperate time. And today's episode is no exception.

In the opening scene we have Tyrion Lannister at jail in pleasant clothes. The whole idea of trial by combat had now got up to his chin that he couldn't even speak up with Jaime Lannister. The alleged killer of king Joffrey, though, had some luck in finding a trial buddy, Oberyn Martell, the bad bad playboy, so to speak. But it wasn't unexpected. Well, who expected life to be easy and cheesy like films anyway?

Tyrion, to be fucked.

And then there was the not so father and daughter combination riding horses on the road. One black, one white, what's the meaning of this? Black is evil and white is pure? Then I suspect the horse Arya Stark will soon turn bloody as she continues her killing spree. It seems like once she got blood, there's not stopping here. Maybe she was a born killer, maybe the fall of her family and the man besides her changed her perspective of the world, maybe she just think the Sting she has(for now) give her the power to kill(possessed artifact, maybe?). The Hound, on the other hand, expressed fear that was previously hidden. He kills and he barks, but he didn't want to play with fire. And it's very possibly because of the burn on the upper left half of his face. Why else would he avoid fire as though it was a kid.

Arya, fucked up.

Khaleesi was the only who had a moment of joy and lust in today's episode. But Mr. Mormont wasn't happy, partly because he didn't like Daario Naharis in the first place, partly because he didn't have the gut to say what he truly wants from Khaleesi. And seems like her plan to free slave would have to take a bit of detour from slaughtering the Masters of Yunkai.

Khaleesi, fucked, hard.

Sansa got a kiss from the old man, who's about the age of his own father, might as well as her sugar daddy for now. Ew. Anyway, Sansa slapped Robin, like the slap landed on Joffrey. Well done girl, all grown up.

Sansa Stark, pretty, fuck up.

Now let's move on to the big stuff. What have we learned from today's episode?

1. For starter, karma is a bitch. It's a concept used and reused, but we never got tired. It's so common that we relate to it even without one line of the script saying that thing. But Game of Throne took it too far, and they just have to say it. Karma is a bitch.
2. Next, don't build a death well at your own castle, better yet, don't stand around it. Convenience might also means exposing yourself as an easy target. You are making a loophole for yourself to be a potential target. Just like sticking your 7 inch wallet out of your pocket and flashing that 10 inch smartphone in your hand on the street, that's just as well as asking for trouble. Don't say I didn't remind you when you fall down and land on the rocks.
3. Also, when your friends treat you like dirt in a life and death situation, seek help from those you don't expect to help. Remember, you are the one who has nothing to lose now, your death wish is just as good as a vault full of gold. You enemies want you dead, but not by other hands. They will keep you alive, just as well as torturing your to death. That's the essence of the Game of Thrones.
4. Again, slap those who needed it(Only children are applicable). Especially from an immature girl to a disgusting boy. A slap doesn't mean hatred alone(sometime it does), but also love and care. A slap is as powerful as a curse, only a curse hurts more when applied precisely at a person's most venerable hour. 

Bonus: When you see a woman naked in bare skin, don't go away. Stare at her, don't let her gain the upper hand. Let her feel embarrassed, agitated.(Disclaimer, this does not apply to man or household members at any time)

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SumFought: Primal Fear

Aaron is played Roy, but who's playing Roy? Edward Norton of course.

Martin Vail, the man at the peak of his career, decided that he would do what he wants instead of what he needs. He took the case when he first saw Aaron running away from the cops on live television. He knew it was the case he would be spending a lot of his times on. But little did he know, it was not the simple game of ping pong, nor the logical assumption and deduction.

Amidst the whole trial, there were other events happening that supported the characters' development. Vail with his previous client, Vail with his supporting staff, Vail with Venable, Vail with Alex. All of it contributed to the story as well as the characters, making it even more of a real time progression than a snippet of the trial.

There was one scene that really brought me in. It was at about one fourth of movie, when the trial began. It was not the conventional opening sequences at the court, showing each sides pacing around in the courtroom and giving out their statements and what not. It was a interesting mix and cut, which mixed the visual of the news on tv while playing the voice from court. That along had reduced a lot of foreplay on court and cut away a few good seconds of useless introduction.

The struggle, for Vail, is that Aaron didn't give him a case strong enough. He barely knew Aaron, though he came in strong and forceful. He wanted to be the one with the power, to be the one who control, and manipulate Aaron's life. Maybe that joke he said to Jack Connerman at the bar was true, why gamble with money when you can gamble with people's life? He also said he believe in good and bad, but he couldn't figure out why good people would do bad things. And this bugs him. Maybe this is a general idea that is represented both in the movie and the real world. In the movie, what the Archbishop did was surprising to the public, because people believe in the Catholic Church, they believe in God and they believe in the goodness and kindness of the Archbishop. But the truth was as unsettling as him getting killed.

Now let's talk about Aaron, or Roy, or whatever that was in the body of this person. There is not a bit of good or bad inside him. Aaron is as good as Roy, and Roy is as bad as Aaron. Maybe Aaron is played by Roy, and Roy is played by another personality. But one thing is certain, whoever killed, is the killer. He did not suffer from the other personality, rather he created these shadows that engulfed him, because he was weak in spirit and mind, because he grew up in a traumatised environment. Who doesn't, though? A prince grew up in the same world as well as we did, sometime we just haven't look far enough, into the cosmetic level, to realize what happened to us doesn't justify what we should react. We are easily manipulated, because we are fragile. We are seeker of companionship, as well as other animals. We mate for a reason, and we survive for a reason, but that reason is not for God, or to believe in wrong or right. Our existence is the defiance to the outside force, and we triumph in our timeless achievement for a moment of whitewash glory, just for the sake of repetition.

I think the movie want to talk about the authenticity of this kind of mental sickness. Do we really have some kind of psychological problems like the multiple personality disorder, or did we just invented it because it is so convenient, so handy, to refer to something that shared similar symptoms with a name.

It is also about ego and pride and selfishness as presented by Vail to Venable. People could not bare to risk a bit in gaining an advantage over another. Vail seeks victory and triumph, even though he disdain press and fame--the product invented for celebrity.

Vail came in with a briefcase and a coat, and he left, also, in the same fashion.

Primal Fear, a name that doesn't justify the film. But I haven't read the book yet, so I won't say anything.

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SumFought: Hannibal Season 2 Episode 12 Tome-wan

At the end of the last episode, we had reunited with our very own in house investigator Freddie Lounds, who was resurrected from a certain staged death, as a minor surprise and the material to fill in the crack of Will's weird behaviors in the last few episodes. But today's episode was even better, the brief appearance of Dr. Maurier in the interrogation room seemed to reveal the game Hannibal has been running. And that means, the end is near (Season Finale next week). I suspect Alana Bloom will suffer from her earlier mistake in trusting Dr. Lecter, and become the human sacrifice for Will, in order for Will to ascend to the friend Hannibal have always wanted. But maybe, just maybe, Jack Crawford of the FBI will stop Hannibal and eventually bring us back to the opening scene of Episode 1 of the season, where Hannibal strangled Jack to death--at least it was presented in such a way.

However, the outcome could be different, drastically different, if not for today's episode, Tome-wan.

Tome-wan is a closure to the previous few episodes surrounding the Verger siblings. And it is also where things starting to get interesting. Hannibal in this episode seemed to be reckless, like a pig walking on a thin line. His arts in knife and close combat had both failed him, and led him into a difficult position. Yes, he killed in this episode, although in an entirely different manner. Dr. Lecter is an intelligent player, and he used his environment to his advantage. He used the pig maze, he used Will, he even used Mason Verger, just because he could predict the future of things. Why not? I'm just glad that the Verger's chain event is coming to an end.

Ole Crawford is all work and no play. Old Crawford is all work and no lay. O Crawford is all fork and no ply. Jack Crawford is still controlling Will. Their relationship is like an old police sergeant to a long time undercover cop. Jack cared too much about what's not present, and missed what's in front of him. He is risking everything, even Will, who he had hurted multiple times, to complete what he couldn't. Jack Crawford could be Jack Coward, if you will.

And here is why I think Crawford won't die. Dr. Lecter's special twist close to the end of today's episode. Based on his expertise, he had carefully measured Mason Verger's neck before applying an calculated outside force, thus leading to a misrepresented death. It was not until later when agent Crawford went to visit Mr. Verger at his deathbed, did I know how naughty Hannibal had been. Dr. Lecter is still playing us.

Sadly is the missing appearance of Dr. Alana Bloom. She had not been featured in the most recent episodes after her flirtatious affair with Dr. Hannibal. Maybe this is another hint of her role in the season finale, as mysteries and gruesome killings continues to infest the show, in a good way.

Hopefully, season 3 would be a closure, another well written, paced, and defined show of modern Television.

P.S.

Hannibal should be a part time cook at a restaurant, or just make his home space a makeshift dinner party. His delicacy in food, his passion in flavour, and his commitment in presentation, is just pure pleasure. I wish Hannibal was a TV show teaching people how to cook (not necessarily using human as ingredients).

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Water For Life

You Are Water

Formless

Shapeless

Tangible

You Are Life

Formless

Shapeless

Tangible

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Shrimp

Papa Joe owns a shop down the beach selling shrimp. And he has the best shrimp in town because he buys them from the returning ships everyday at the break of dawn. The shrimps are as fresh and lively as they can be. But sometimes, when there's bad weather, Papa Joe will close up shop and go home instead. He will be sitting on the chair either on the front yard or just under the cover of the house, while reading a newspaper with his large eyeglasses, which reflects light when he looks up.

Sasha Joe lives with his father in this side of the hill, quiet, and distant from the busy streets. She is a junior at Hale High, which is two blocks away from the beach. Every afternoon at lunch break, she will be at Papa Joe's shop. She is a pretty girl, and boys from her school often follow her to the beach, and that makes Papa Joe a happy man.

Mama Joe died in a car accident two years ago, just before seeing little Sasha went to Hale High.

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Puree

Mrs. S stirred her pot of tomato soup for one last time before turning off the stove, and giving her full attention to Alex, who was rumbling with his friend, Max, in the living room.

"Mom!" Alex cried out once more on the couch before Mrs. S came around and stood in front of him with her arms crossed.

"What is it, honey?" Mrs. S said reluctantly, her eyes were on Max, who was eating away the potato chips she had just brought in the day before.

Max stuffed a few more into his already filled mouth before Mrs. S took the bowl from him. He crunched the chips real good, but accidentally bit on his tongue. He could taste the metallic blood, like those plumping out of his gum when he lost his front tooth three weeks ago.

"Max and I want to swim in the pool."

"Have you finished your homework yet?"

"But we want to swim! Let's us swim," Alex continued crying and was crawling on the floor.

Mrs. S covered her ears as Alex ran in circles around her, rampaging, thumping and killing and terrorizing the stuffed animals on the way. "Okay, okay. Stop," Mrs. S put her hands on Alex's shoulders and led him to the door connecting to the pool at the backyard. "Promise me that you two will be nice to each other, and no quarrel about that Leslie boy, okay? I don't want to hear either of you scream, or complaint from Mr. Brevan next door. Do you understand?"

Alex nodded for Max. And off the two ran into the pool.

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Train Track

He didn't think, not even twitch for a second. The girl was about to fall into the train track. He couldn't think, not even flinch for a moment. The girl was at the edge. He shouldn't think, not even blink for a change. The girl was falling.

Jack entered the train with other morning workers. He struggled between briefcase to briefcase and finally stuck between a heavyset man and a well-fed elder. His bruised chest, pressing against his elbow while he held on to the railing, was aching badly.

He looked out of the train from the cracks left behind by people, and saw the girl. She waved at him, mouthing goodbye.

The girl was purely his imagination. No one, not anyone had fallen into the train track or attempted doing so for as long as he remembered at this part of the world. Why would one commit such an act, what was it for, anyway? There are million other ways to die, why the train track?

Jack didn't think. He had always thought about the girl, and her fallings. Jack didn't count. He had always seen the girl, and her fallings. Jack shouldn't stop. He had always liked the girl, and her fallings.

Just imagining the girl who was falling into the train track could get Jack excited. He had only seen things like this happened on TV. And once, just once on the newspaper. It was a beautiful girl, a young lady who wore a red dress and pink lipstick. It was the ghost copy of the girl he saw.

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The Man from Out of Town

Jacky was lifting a crate of mostly hay onto his pickup truck when he saw the man in a brown leather jacket. And Jacky knew at that moment that the man had came from somewhere else but the town. He didn't have to make sure by checking up close, he was sure. After closing up the back panel, Jacky stood leaning against the side of the truck, with arms on the railing, eyes on the stranger.

The man quietly approached Jacky, and the man was not wearing shoes and had a straw in his mouth. Apparently he was chewing it too, because his mouth was wriggling up to the moment the straw disappeared.

"That's close enough," Jacky said, raising his hand, showing his rough, white-washed palm at the man, "can I help you with anything, mister? You don't seem like you came from nearby."

The man casted his sight on the yellow sand, his lips dry and ragged. "May I have some water?" the voice was hoarse, hollow, with a hound-like groan at the end. The man looked up.

Jacky saw the scars on his face, along with the wounds that looked barely a few days old, some were new and hadn't yet to stop dripping red. "Sure," Jacky said, and went to the front wheel where he had a few bottles of water. He probed through the car window and grabbed a bottle of mountain water he had gathered just that morning. People said drinking mountain water could make him last longer in bed, but he doubted it to the pelvis.

When Jacky had the bottle in his hand, and was about to retreat from the window, he felt something stuck to his side, pressing hard onto his ribs. He cried.

A shot.

For a second there, Jacky thought he was dead. His ears was ringing, and his nose had caught the burning smell of gunpowder.

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Rogue Module

Rogue Module

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Tour of the Storm

The only white cloud floated above the storm, uncontaminated, was trying to talk some senses into the storm.

"Hail, storm. Dissect yeself and return to mother nature. Ye shall not destroy lands, nor flood rivers, nor collapse houses, nor harm lives."

"Piss off, skinhead. Mind ya own business. My power is strong and ye is belittled. Run along now, before ya can. Ye cannot possibly stop me. Hell, I cannot even stop myself. It comes as an orgasm, and I don't want to loss the feeling of being in reign."

"Alas! Ye should know what ye would be after this. Why wouldn't ye stop while ye had a chance? Before disappeared into thin air?"

"Quiet! Ya voice is sickening me. I'm going to make a legacy of myself. I'm going to leave my footprints among the people. They like writing about me and my companions, so I'm giving them something to write about. There seems to be more brilliant writing when we devastate them even more. In a way, they asked for it," thundered the storm. "Come down, little cloud, let me give you a tour."

The cloud hesitated. The pull from storm was strong.

"What ya waiting for, little cloud?"

"Ye promise my return?"

"I've not said that. The great storm won't promise that herself."

"Then this is my becoming?"

"Yes, this is ya becoming, now come down, little cloud, join us."

The cloud descended from the height and reached into the eye of the storm. Melted.

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SumFought: Red Dragon by Thomas Harris

Hannibal Lecter M.D. in Red Dragon is a dangling accessory, he didn't posses the power as seen in NBC's "Hannibal", or did anything frightening creepy. He aided the cause of violence, yes he did. He manipulated those who admired him, yes he did. He laid a curious eye on Will Graham, yes he did.

But after watching the re-imagined TV prequel, "Hannibal", I found the Hannibal in Red Dragon was hiding in a subtle corner, waiting as a predator, ready to strike. That's what scared me, I wondered what will happen next when I continued on the story about Dr. Hannibal Lecter.

Most of the reading was easy, though teeth weakening and heart clenching at times, when the Dragon struck. The violent, described in gore, written in blood, had violated even the distanced reader. Thomas Harris didn't hide behind the curtain and tell you what was happening in the shadow. No, he tells you exactly what actions were taken and what drastic measurements and delusional thoughts were in the characters mind. His vivid portrait and the uncensored description unveiled the ugly truth for you, so you, the reader, can stay at a safe location, reading it with him.

Though I find it a bit distracting when it comes to the backstory of the Dragon. It just came out of nowhere, seemed a bit force feed, and carried little value in describing it for such a long and dull length. Yes, it certainly created a slower pace before reaching into the little climax of the story, which I think has several, before leading up to the final confrontation between the Dragon and Will.

By the way, Will is still as weak and vulnerable as in the TV series, that I'm glad Bryan Fuller had taken full control of the prequel. And yeah, Dr. Frederick Chilton is a bit itchy to read.

Also, since I haven't read anything about Hannibal, I was a bit disappointed when Alana Bloom and Freddie Lounds were replaced by Alan Bloom and Freddy Lounds. Again, I'm glad Bryan Fuller had decided to include the female elements in the TV series.

Little off topic there, but all in all, Red Dragon is a book to be forget, but rediscovered, time after time.

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Space Kissing

There was this woman, blond hair, cute face, really nice body. She came to the town about a month ago, and ever so often she would be sitting outside her house on a fancy fold chair with her sunglasses on. Nobody know who she was and where did she came from. Hell, nobody knew what she's called, until Little Johnny over there at the bar asked her frankly on her front porch.

She invited him to into her house and got him some chilling homemade lemonade. My mama said when I've found a girl who can make me a decent glass of lemonade, that girl would be my wife for the rest of my life. And now I've got Donna.

Anyway, she told Little Johnny that her name's Gauli Shedda. That must be some kind of chic language 'cause I've never heard a name so elegant in my entire life. And trust me, I've been living in this town long enough to know that the name's not from the surrounding county.

They then chatted a little, but Little Johnny didn't know what to talk about when he was alone with such a beautiful lady so he just ran off, with good manner of course. I saw him tumbled down the stairs when he came out of the door, saying excuse me all the same when he tasted grass in his mouth.

That's when I met her. I came to Little Johnny and got him up, her eyes was on me. Some kind of a wicked grin, like she enjoyed seeing what was before her.

A few days later when I walked into the same neighborhood, she had already set up a little tent on her lawn. At first I thought she was going to sleep outside but then I realized it wasn't when a guy from the town cross the river rolled out of her tent. He was holding her hands and they were both smiling. I knew there was something fishy going on, so I waited till the guy left, and went over to confront this women.

I know it sounds crazy but I actually accused her of running a whore business, and I deeply regret what I barked into her face. Thankfully the tradition to hang someone of wrongfully accusing others isn't around anymore, or I'd be dead by now.

She was a good mannered and well reasoned woman. She kept looking at me while I pointed my horrible fingers at her. Not until I've finished my speech did she took a hold of my wrist and dragged me into her tent. And my, did she have a strong arm.

She closed the tent behind us and I could see that it wasn't a tent we were in anymore. It was something else. It was dark, although the sun was beating on us just seconds ago. I could barely make out the silhouette of her body in there.

I remembered sweating a lot, and hearing nothing but the silence static ringing in my ears. I was petrified and couldn't escape.

Then the lights came on, and we were no longer in the tent. I reckon it's some kind of an empty space. I was bounded by nothing, we were swinging in the limitless horizon.

She took my hand and pulled me close to her and sucked the air out of me. Our lips stuck together, glued, inseparable.

And that's what I still remember. She's a really good kisser, I could tell you that. God, Donna's gonna kill me for telling you this.

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Tanik Fallen

Dropping down from the sky, Tanik took his time and smoothened his soft black hair before pulling the landing gear up to its mechanical limit. The escape pod began to tremble and groan, and the floorboard was starting to bend against gravity. The interior turned into a hot mess. Tanik held onto the chair with his sweating hands, preparing for the impact.

The drop continued. Wind whirring and air burning, oxygen had ran out of the cabin through dozen invisible cracks, and left Tanik grabbing his throat, looking up for closure. He was sure that would be the end of him. The villain of the city, the terror of the world. The tyrant had fallen to the vigilant, and once again justice had beaten the evil company.

Tanik laughed inside, it was the same cruel laugh he gave out when he was still supreme and mighty.

The irony was on himself. He could have ended the floods of threats, instead he waited and toyed with the heroes for far too long. Their bits and wits worn him out, and a tired fighter could never swing a good slash. Shaking his head, his body was crushed by the air pressure.

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Don't Take It Away

Do you remember the night

When you hold my hand

and placed that ring on my heart

I can see it in your eyes

I can read it in your mind

what we have will never end

And I know

you would

never take it back

'cause it's mine

it's mine

it's mine

it's mine

Now I show it to you

what it means to me

I hang it around my neck

and display its glory

I can see it in your eyes

I can read it in your mind

what we have will never cease

And I know

you would

never take it back

'cause it's mine

it's mine

it's mine

it's mine

I keep it in my drawer

away from your sight

I don't want you take it away

I can see it in your eyes

I can read it in your mind

what we have will never ease

And I don't know

if you would

ever take it back

'cause it's mine

it's mine

it's mine

it's mine

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The New Voice

This is the voice that I'm speaking

it possesses of my intelligence and my weakness

I don't speak this everyday in real life

so it's not the native, authentic voice that I'm looking for

I'm the worst person to consult

I'm the worst enemy to myself

I can't escape from this already molded voice

that had formed inside

it talks to me as much as one could talk to themselves

I crave for a new voice

A voice of a storyteller

A voice filled with ever-growing life and limitless excitement

a voice with ultimate authenticity, but also curiosity

I need a new voice

A voice of a comedian

A voice cramped with bad jokes and silly gags

a voice with humorous originality, but also empathy.

I'm still searching

wondering

creating

the new voice

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Unfollow

Hitting That Button

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Eight Month

How I Write

Mainly on Writebox (It had just redesigned its interface recently, still keeping the same minimalist style though). Occasionally Google Doc.

What I Worked on and Am Working On

Let's be honest. I'd not been writing that robustly. As much as I wanted to, I just didn't feel like it. I find it hard to put one words after another. The sentence was supposed to make sense, but I just couldn't give it life. I'm infested with a deep remorse, about not writing properly, and not earning money for my family. I felt like I was wasting my time.

Is this depression?

lol

Sorry, I just had to do this. I'm fine, just trolling.

I'm a few chapters in on my novel, and I just can't move on. The story I outlined is beginning to have that kind of amateur smell all over it. I don't want it spoiled to waste. So I'm taking my time, reconsidering my options about what story I should really tell--one would interest my readers, and myself.

I'm still working on the story for submission to The New Yorker, let's say it's a story about a group of six hunting rat in Lan Kwai Fong. 

Why I Write

I write to live in the life I don't live, to speak in the voice I don't speak.

Where I Write

In my own room in front of the Acer C720 Chromebook.

And other imaginary spaces I conjured upon writing.

Who Motivated Me This Month

Myself

What Am I Reading

Read merely 3 books this past month. I was reading slow, trying to absorb and learn about how to write better. For more about what I've read, please visit my reading list.

1. Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll[05/04/2014]                           
2. Lolita by Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov[22/04/2014]                                   
3. Three Stories by J.D. Salinger[23/04/2014]                                             

Currently reading Red Dragon by Thomas Harris.            

Am I studying

Obviously YES.

I am currently enrolled into several MOOC(Massive Open Online Course)provided by edX and Coursera.

English Composition I: Achieving Expertise

Songwriting

Nothing serious about these two, just checking out the materials they're offering.

I've also picked up a new language to master this year and is currently advancing my German on Duolingo!

Ich würde gerne der Grund für deine schlaflose Nacht sein.

Continue

It has been eight month. I felt like I've burned out from writing. Maybe what I should do is to write till I bled, then I'll learn the craft tentatively with patient.

Full time writer making no a cent.

~15,000 words short fictions, ~3,000 words blog and other writings.

So long. Peace off.

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Hitting the Bullseye

By ten, the crowded bar down the street corner had another round of cheers that again broke the night's silence.

Wolf, the recurring champion in the game of dart, was stretching his hands and bending his head in preparation for a new round. Undefeated for ten games, he was pushing for a personal record. Jerry gave him a pint of beer from behind and he had only took a sip before pouring it down on the one who had just lost the game to him. "Who's next?" said Wolf, collecting his money from the crowd.

"I'd like to try," said the girl who was being squeezed between two sweaty and chubby bikers in the front row. She took off her red leather jacket and threw it aside on the snooker table.

Wolf looked down at the her, "What's you name, doll," his smile revealed the glaring white teeth.

"Melissa," she shook hand with the Wolf.

"Well, Melissa, do get yourself some tissues first, I'm afraid you're going to need it."

Melissa shrugged. "Not if I hit the bullseye."

"This girl wants to bite, I see. Don't get your hopes up, though," Wolf picked up his darts from his back pocket. Melissa was given the same darts other contestants had used.

The crowd believed there was something sinister with the dart given by the bartender, but Melissa didn't even flinched when she threw her first dart that had struck perfectly at the rim outside the bullseye. There was a loud gasp followed by a second of silence.

Wolf didn't like the silence. He liked it raw and hot and noisy, like his sizzling steak with the bubbling sauce on a red hot iron plate. "Showtime, baby, showtime," he sniped a wink to the beer girl and kissed his dark on the rear. He took his time rubbing the plastic body of his dart, hands jerking slowly back and forth. Finally he took a deep breath, shut his left eye, and threw it right into the board.

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