Lashaan over at Roars and Echoes recently put together a set of questions for a group of bloggers, of which I was one. This is the first time I’ve responded to something like this, and I likely won’t do it often in the future, but they were an interesting set of questions, so after giving them some thought, here are my answers:

If you could do something better than you’re already doing right now, what would it be?

Just about everything! But to be more specific I’ll choose the obvious choice: photography. I’m always trying to learn more, to better use my gear, to develop my eye to see potential I might currently overlook, to create beautiful photographs, whether to document a species or as artwork for the wall.

What would you like this new decade (2020-2029) to bring to your life?

I’m going to be selfish here and say greater freedom from the need to bring in a regular paycheck. I’m always in search of more time (aren’t we all) to do the things I most enjoy, hiking in nature, creating photographs, spending time with family and friends, getting lost in powerfully moving music, and spending quiet time to myself to think, read and write.

Is there a sequel to something that you look forward to?

The third book in Patrick Rothfuss’ The Kingkiller Chronicle. I’m patient, I won’t push him to finish it as some have. And I won’t abandon him because it’s taking longer than I like. I absolutely love The Name of the Wind, The Wise Man’s Fear, and The Slow Regard of Silent Things (a beautiful side story), and I very much look forward to one day reading The Doors of Stone.

What are some of your favourite stories in any medium (comics, books, shows, movies, video games, etc)?

Stories with a more personal perspective, even if part of a larger, epic, world changing storyline. It’s the smaller, intimate details that draw me into a character, that make it real to me. And beautifully crafted language always helps, where it’s clear the author either has an extraordinarily natural talent or, far more likely, they spent a lot of sweat, tears and time developing and crafting their words.

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien: Here’s an example of very personal stories told in world-changing times. A group of small, almost insignificant hobbits who take on a quest of epic proportions. And yet the story always stays focused on the small, personal things that have allowed it to remain one of my favorite stories. I’ve enjoyed the books, the movies, and most recently the audiobooks.

The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss, begun in The Name of the Wind: I love this story for similar reasons to The Lord of the Rings. There is a larger story, one that might be world changing, but the majority of the story is focused on the very small and personal troubles of a youth trying to make his way in the world. And such beautiful prose, I doubt I’ll ever tire of reading these books.

The Kabuki comics by David Mack: Set in an alternate Japan, the larger storyline is of secret government operatives battling corruption. But the real storyline follows Kabuki, exploring how she became who she is, her heritage and family, the horrors and hardships that have shaped her. These stories are so beautifully written and illustrated. The artwork and the words mesh so well, whether in the earlier black and white works, or the later colorful multimedia collages and watercolor paintings. I just love David Mack’s work.

Other examples are the incredible stories told within some musical albums, such as Marillion’s heartbreaking but powerfully inspirational Misplaced Childhood, one of my favorites, telling of a man who’s lost love, who’s lost his childhood, who begins to lose himself in alcohol and other vices, and yet manages to find redemption, the redemption so beautifully described in the song Childhoods End.

Or Savatage’s powerful Dead Winter Dead, telling of the conflict in 1990’s Sarajevo, of a stone gargoyle on a church belfry watching the violence below, and eventually watching two individuals who come together one winter night, attracted by the beautiful music of a cello on the battlefield. But can they overcome their differences, powerfully told in the final song, Not What You See. If you’re familiar with the story-rich music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra you may already be familiar with some of the members and music of Savatage, whose album The Wake of Magellan tells of an old sailor past his sailing days with no family or friends who one night decides to set himself adrift on the ocean, to end his days. But during a violent storm when it seemed his wish would be granted, he hears the screams of someone in need, floating in the water. He now wishes for life, at least long enough to save this other life, culminating in the song The Hourglass. Very powerful music to match a powerful story.

Queensrÿche, in Operation: Mindcrime, tell of a man confined to a hospital remembering the things he’s done, how he was unsatisfied with the world, how he was pulled into a conspiracy, persuaded to join their cause. His life went downhill, drowning in their lies, he was manipulated to kill for them, while he struggled to find something, someone to cling to, to find a way out. When emotional stories and powerful music mix amazing things can happen.

And there are albums that don’t tell a single story but contain multiple stories told in individual songs, such as Dream Theater’s Images and Words.

Television and movies can also tell incredible, personal stories. Shows like Firefly, or movies like Pan’s Labyrinth, Amelie, or the animated Paprika.

I don’t play video games much these days, but I fondly recall the Dungeons & Dragons role playing computer games, Neverwinter Nights, Baldur’s Gate, and Icewind Dale, containing incredible worlds to explore as I became a part of the story. And speaking of Dungeons & Dragons, I also have very fond memories of getting together with friends and exploring the worlds and stories created by our DM.

I could go on and on, with more books like Neil Gaiman’s The Ocean at the End of the Lane, or Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s The Shadow of the Wind. I’m always looking for new stories to add to my ever-growing list of favorites.

What are some of your least favourite stories in any medium (comics, books, shows, movies, video games, etc)?

Stories overly saturated in violence and gore. Stories that just feel like over-the-top Hollywood special effects-laden showpieces where the story feels secondary. There are exceptions to these, though, as I’ve enjoyed books and movies by Clive Barker that were rather dark and violent. And I do sometimes get excited with some special effects laden stories (books/comics/movies).

But I tend to like more stories than I dislike, so I’m far less likely to rate something with a 1 star (hate it) than a 5 star (love it). And thankfully, these types of stories don’t stay with me nearly as much as those I enjoy, so I can’t think of as many examples. I once read a Clive Cussler book and it just didn’t work for me, it felt like an over-the-top Hollywood movie. I didn’t care much for the recent movie, 6 Underground, for similar reasons. I hated the movie Saw.

What does blogging bring to your life?

A slight tug to keep me creating and sharing. Before blogging I didn’t share my photography nearly as widely and my writing was almost always for myself. Now I feel the pull to share, which pushes me to form habits that let me keep creating. And it’s introduced me to some fantastic people and, occasionally, provided opportunities I’d not have had otherwise.

If there’s something you could change of the world, what would it be?

It’d be really nice to lessen the hatred a bit, to move away from divisiveness and realize we each have something positive to contribute to the world. Yeah, I’m still a bit idealistic, at times, though I worry that is slowly being crushed as the years go by.

What do you wish you could eat right now?

Wow, that’s a tough one. I don’t think I could pick just one thing but it would usually be a Vietnamese pork dish, Thai curry (especially green), or Japanese chirashi.

I just love the many and varied subtle flavors of Vietnamese cuisine, lemongrass, pork, Nước mắm (fish sauce), fresh vegetables, rice noodles, the amazing coffee.

I’m in love with Thai curry, almost any kind, but especially green curry. I almost don’t care what’s in it, just give me a bowl of curry and some rice, and perhaps a Thai iced tea or coffee.

Japanese cuisine is also a favorite, and I love the variety seen when ordering chirashi from different restaurants. Such a simple dish, fish of various kinds on rice, but so very satisfying, maybe with a small cup of matcha, and perhaps a small bowl of sunomono.

If there was one mythological creature that could ever exist in the world, what would it be?

I know it’s not a creature, per se, but I suppose I’d choose Yggdrasil, the great ash tree from Norse mythology that connects the different worlds. I like the idea of this huge living tree linking everything together. Perhaps it’s because of my love of nature, but there’s a certain poetry to the idea. And there are similar concepts in other cultures and mythologies, so I think I’m not the only one who finds it appealing.

Do you think there’s a cure for stupidity?

I still have some degree of idealism, so I’d like to think so. But over the years I’ve also become more cynical with regards to humanity and how as a species we never seem to learn. If there is a cure, I strongly doubt it’s any one thing. There would likely be a very different cure for each of us. But I suspect most would contain some level of reading and of exposing ourselves to beautiful things such as nature, artwork, music and world culture. The real question, though, is how many of us would really be willing to take the cure if offered?

Thanks much, Lashaan. This was fun.

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