I have changed what content I post on this blog. I’ll continue posting one film review per week after I finish my current break, which I’m taking to focus on editing my novel. On top of that, I’m adding biweekly periodic updates on what I’ve been working on or thinking about. I’m bringing the ‘personal’ aspect of “personal blog” to a new level. For nearly two years, I’ve considered doing this but kept putting it off. I wanted to avoid adding too much to my plate and burning myself out.
The time is ripe for a tweak. Film reviews are fun to do, but they miss the personal aspect. There’s little outreach beyond whether I recommend a film and my thoughts on it. So, I’m adding this on top. I might occasionally skip doing a film review, but I don’t want to skip these updates once every two weeks. The core sections I’ll be doing include:
- One quote (or passage) from somewhere, whether it’s a book or a famous person.
- Two songs. One will be a western song (likely from an American singer/band), and the second will be an eastern song (likely from an Indian singer/group). My playlist covers songs from late-1950s to today in multiple languages and classical music from Mozart, Beethoven, etc.
- Writing update. I have been writing a novel since 2024, and I’m currently working through the third draft. I’ll add a brief update on where I am, issues I run into, and/or progress updates.
- Inspiration spotlight. Many things inspire me, so I’ll mention one thing that made me pause, reflect, and/or moved me.
- Film update. I run a weekly film night for a writing group. I’ll mention what we watched that week and include a brief reaction.
- The other sections will vary. Occasionally, I might include an update on a show I am watching or a book I read, or a game I’m playing. Perhaps I’ll suggest a media or post a random thought. I created a home server a year ago and sometimes tinker with, so I could share any interesting updates concerning that.
Captain’s log #1: Harshmode, stardate 26-07-23
All systems go, ready for launch
Quote (or passage)
“Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves… It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.” -Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space
A portion of my worldview is inspired by the late astrophysicist Carl Sagan, who was instrumental in science becoming accessible to people of all backgrounds and experiences. He challenged people to look beyond themselves toward the advancement of science and inspired a generation to think big. Often, humans behave as if the universe revolves around us and/or that we control the cosmos through pseudoscience or rituals, but we must think bigger.
What I’m listening to
In the End, Linkin Park
Linkin Park was my favorite band for almost twenty years, and I never tire of their songs. On the surface, this song is about failed relationships, but it holds a second, deeper layer (where I focus). If you study the subtext, the central idea concerns the fleeting nature of time. We wage a battle between trying to hold on to life’s moments while “the clock ticks life away.” “But in the end, it doesn’t matter” because some things are simply beyond our control. We all experience that regardless of what our goals are in life. There’s no stopping time. I chose this song intentionally because it ties in with the next song.
Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana, Kishore Kumar
Kishore Kumar is my favorite Indian singer because of his vocal range, stylistic innovation, and versatility. He was one of the most gifted singer ever and had a larger-than-life persona. Once you understand that music transcends language, it becomes easy to recognize talent. This song is one of his finest, and it resonates with me. It captures the idea that we should embrace and appreciate life’s moments because they’ll never come again. Life is a beautiful journey (Zindagi ek safar hai suhana), who knows what tomorrow brings (Yahan kal kya ho kisne jana), we must strive to rise above the moon and stars. Smile and sing in our time because nobody knows what tomorrow will bring. Death will come, our life will end, but why fear the inevitable? Life is beautiful, so smile and sing today before it’s gone. Full Translated Lyrics
What I’m writing
My first novel is an action revenge in the line-editing stage (third draft). It took me just over a year and a half to draft, and I have been editing it since March. I’ll provide more information and editing details/challenges in the future. Blurb (subject to change):
Kain’s life shatters when he returns home to find his family massacred by a mafia captain. Consumed by revenge and aided by a made man, he infiltrates the Crimson Syndicate, climbing the ranks to reach the inner circle. His goal: challenge the captain to a fight to the death. Along the way, Kain pulls off a heist for mafia initiation, survives a car chase, and burns down a rival mafia’s warehouse. As he courts a girl and protects the don’s kid, he is promoted to oversee a mafia territory as a captain. Kain must navigate through a world of betrayal, violence, and love on his path to vengeance.
What inspired me
I watch the ESPYs each year (awards ceremony for American sports). Each year, they include highlights from a speech by the late college basketball coach Jim Valvano. Before passing away in 1993, he gave a powerful speech on life and his fight against cancer. I believe it’s one of the most inspiring moments (and a yearly highlight) in sports history to help raise money for cancer research. Last week, the ESPYs featured Jimmy V’s speech again, and I never tire of it. Quotes from the speech:
“Cancer can take away all my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind. It cannot touch my heart. And it cannot touch my soul.”
“To me, there are three things we all should do every day. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think, you should spend some time in thought. And number three, you should have your emotions moved to tears. Could be happiness or joy, but think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day.”
“How do you go from where you are to where you wanna be? And I think you have to have an enthusiasm for life. You have to have a dream, a goal. And you have to be willing to work for it.”
“Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”
What I’m reading
This week, I finished reading a craft book on dialogue. Dialogue: The Art of Verbal Action for Page, Stage, and Screen by Robert McGee discusses the factors that make dialogue engaging and provides examples from different media. My focus lies on novel writing. While I have been reading craft books on writing and novels from other fellow writing community members, I want to read a novel for a change. Yesterday, I began reading the Zones of Thought series by Vernor Vinge.
What film I’m watching
For Film Night Saturday, I streamed 12 Monkeys (1995), a time-travel classic about a convict sent back to 1995 to stop a man-made virus from killing most of the human population. The sci-fi movie is brilliant, but the temporal paradox creates a time loop, something I’m not a fan of. Regardless, the thriller leaves you thinking and reflecting on the experience. The acting, script, direction, and cinematography are mind-blowing. I first watched this a decade ago, and I made new observations in second viewing that I don’t remember. This week, the poll options are Almost Famous (2000), District 9 (2009), Looper (2012), Marley & Me (2008), and The Disaster Artist (2017). District 9 has the lead.
What show I’m watching
I have been working my way through Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955). It’s a brilliant, thought-provoking anthology. Each episode presents an original short story filled with suspense, thrills, and horror that keeps you on your toes. It’s similar to Rod Serling’s legendary The Twilight Zone (1959), but hosted by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock.
Looking Ahead
Finish line-editing chapters 19, 20, and 21 before the next update. I also look forward to briefly discussing my line-editing process in the next log update.
That’s it for this inaugural periodic update. I plan to resume my film reviews soon. My focus is currently on novel editing, which I haven’t been able to keep on my self-set schedule (I am only 18 of 46 chapters in). Catch you next time!
