The symbolic significance of forty is generally understood. It’s a time marker, a measure of completion, a cardinal even number. But what does forty suggest in an individual’s life? And why is forty more notable than thirty or fifty? I’m sure arguments could be made for either thirty or fifty at least in terms ofContinue reading “Forty-Something”
Author Archives: Krista S.
Do Better
As a teen, I frequently expressed my opinion without reservation, often throwing caution to the wind. That mighty mouth cost me when it came time for silly little things like induction into the National Honor Society. My high school’s power structure made sure I was “punished” for daring to speak my mind. Humiliating an “overachiever”Continue reading “Do Better”
The More Things Change. . .
It’s World Goth Day again, and I can’t help but want to write something. Although as I’ve noted before, I find May 22 as a marker for Gothdom completely arbitrary—it’s now the established day where all things Goth are celebrated. Would that Whan That Aprille Day enjoyed the same kind of success, but that’s aContinue reading “The More Things Change. . .”
American
Today is July Fourth and although I’m not nor have ever been a reflexive flag-waving, jingoistic American, I have always celebrated the Fourth with gusto. Growing up in the Philadelphia area meant that Colonial America, The Founding Fathers, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution were never far from the collective awareness of the people.Continue reading “American”
Authentic
Today, May 22, is World Goth Day, a day to celebrate and extol goth music (in all its derivations) and the goth subculture. I came upon a post on the Instagram page of The Darkness Calling (https://www.instagram.com/darknesscallingofficial/?hl=en), a page dedicated to goth/darkwave/electronic music. The page is itself the passion project of Jae and raises moneyContinue reading “Authentic”
Growing Beyond
Growing Beyond In Star Wars, Episode VIII, the force ghost of Yoda tells Luke, “We are what they grow beyond. That is the true burden of all masters.”1 Although the Disney trilogy of Star Wars films has been frequently pilloried by diehard Star Wars fans of the “George raped my childhood” variety, it, like allContinue reading “Growing Beyond”
Redeeming Time
“I know you all, and will awhile uphold The unyoked humor of your idleness. Yet herein will I imitate the sun, Who doth permit the base contagious clouds To smother up his beauty from the world, That, when he please again to be himself, Being wanted, he may be more wondered at By breaking through the foul and ugly mists Of vapors that did seem to strangle him. If all the year were playing holidays, To sport would be as tedious as to work, But when they seldom come, they wished-for come, And nothing pleaseth but rare accidents. So when this loose behavior I throw off And pay the debt I never promisèd, By how much better than my word I am, By so much shall I falsify men’s hopes; And, like bright metal on a sullen ground, My reformation, glitt’ring o’er my fault, Shall show more goodly and attract more eyes Than that which hath no foil to set it off. I’ll so offend to make offense a skill, Redeeming time when men think least I will.”1. What would it mean to redeem time? I suppose theoretical physicists could posit an idea or two, but in practical terms, there doesn’t appear to be any way to actually redeem time.Continue reading “Redeeming Time”
Duranie
On November 5, 2022, Duran Duran was formally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Although there are undoubtedly rock purists who would question their inclusion, I believe that their nomination and induction is justly deserved. Without question, Duran Duran is one of the defining bands of the New Wave movement. Their fusionContinue reading “Duranie”
Gothic
It’s almost Halloween— a good time to dust off those Cure albums and apply that black eyeliner, maybe even stream a macabre film classic or two because it’s the spooky season and that’s what Goths do. Or is it? And what is Goth anyway? A marauding people famous for sacking Rome? A medieval architectural style?Continue reading “Gothic”
Not Ideas About the Thing But the Thing Itself (1)
Recently, I found myself in the middle of an online social media battle royale between anonymous posters generally aligned to the q-drop phenomenon (anons) and the lead singer of a rock band. In this instance, the trouble came, as many things often do, from miscommunication, just as Missing Persons highlighted in their classic tune, “Words.”Continue reading “Not Ideas About the Thing But the Thing Itself (1)”
Gen X Calling 