First of our Tsunami stories, complete. Please feel free to donate to Red Cross, as offered on our previous posts. I will try to get a donation number for everyone to use when I have the rest of the cycle finished. Enjoy!
The smell of everything seemed moved around, as though the familiar pathways of scents were no longer. Lucky wags her tail, nosing through damp mud, smeared across a yard of debris.
The smell that so often drifted upon the winds is now coating everything. Wet. Cold. Lucky trots across a long mud hole towards yet another pile of scrap, where a building (which smelled of turpentine sometimes) had stood. For several blocks---Lucky’s roving territory---the wetness, the smell of dirt, wood, and the sea, over rode all other smells, though there was a faint hint of gasoline two blocks from this place. Lucky then spies a friend. It’s Rose. Lucky wags her tail. Wet and cold do not matter so much at the moment. This was a smell Lucky knew well.
But Rose did not get up. Rose, mostly white, but now dirtied, pants for a moment. Recognition passes between the dogs. Lucky wonders: “where are the people who take care of us? I am ready to be petted. Also, I wonder where some food might be. But it is strange not to see anyone.”
“There’s no one around at all,” Rose thinks. “I have not seen the people who care for me and it seems like forever now. I want to look around, but my leg hurts so much. Now I have not eaten for some time, too, and I cannot sniff out anything to eat. It is all covered with this wetness, and I cannot walk without yelping in pain.”
“Let me give you a sniff,” Lucky thinks, and Lucky proceeds to give Rose a once-over with her nose. “You may hurt, but you are not rotten and sick yet.” Lucky nuzzles Rose, who keeps her head up.
“I hope the people who groom my long hair will come find me,” Lucky thinks.
“I am so hungry,” Rose thinks.
“I will look around,” Lucky thinks, “and see if there’s anything.” But wherever Lucky looks, amidst the broken windows, broken boards, and smeared mud, not another living thing. All the things of the workmen are scattered everywhere. Much of the road has disappeared. There is always a chance maybe further on there will be someone, some food. Lucky looks back at Rose. Rose really seems miserable. Lucky’s feelings guide her back over to Rose’s side.
The wind blasts the wet dogs, who sit beside a large drum the color of rust. Fortunately, it begins to blow against the drum, and for a few minutes they are not hit by it. Lucky nuzzles Rose’s hindquarters, and then comes to her head. She puts out a paw onto Rose’s head, and then turns around and sits on her head. “I can think of nothing that would make your feel better,” thinks the dog.
“What are doing on my head?” Rose thinks. She begins raising herself. Then Lucky puts her forepaw over Rose’s neck. They wait.
The person who finds them watches with a camera, and when the human with him sees the dogs move, he comes over and kneels beside them. Lucky’s tail wags.
Essays on creations, life lessons, and many original stories; also visit integr8dfix.blogspot for even more!
Showing posts with label Tsunami. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tsunami. Show all posts
Monday, April 25, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
A dozen to write
We just got another seven sales for t-shirts, with more on the way! How about yours?
Cecil L. Disharoon
542 6th Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
$1.30 covers shipping and handling. The issue itself, DNA #1, retails for $3.25, but you can have it for $3, a total of $4.30.
Meanwhile, our remaining t-shirts are available at Convention Special Price, for $12 each or 2 for $20, plus $5.00 for shipping & handling.
You can do the same over PayPal, at luelyron@gmail.com !!!
AND!! You can use the button provided; the $15 will cover your postage.
or
Integr8d Soul will be appearing at the Anaheim Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention, May 1st, get your tickets online or at the door, come out and meet Lue Lyron and the Marc Kane.
Organize a dozen stories you wish to tell (accepting a reserve slot for the one you just put aside days ago for reflection). Go!
Revisit 1This Star Fallen thinking of Vita as depending on music to live! She has lots of people who like her. She evokes either tolerance or irritation, but is basic ally a nice person, albeit with some edgy notions. The first meeting of several characters is also highly interesting when you know what’s to come. And who says I do?
The Triplets now have aliases they can use easily enough in the United States...they start to learn quite a bit of what the world's like, and when you look at some of it yourself, you see how it's not done the way that makes sense...I think they will find being normal teenagers an adventure. So, Eldon, Annalisa, and Zed are the identities taken by the Trips, Elda, Analogy, and Zero, who are only glimpsed at most in this story, "This Star Fallen." Here, we introduce a continuing cast, to a series of prose stories, all of which I'd like to adapt into comics, of course!
So: A cop meets a school teacher; a mom becomes a new school teacher; we get a bit of what the campus is like, what the day there is like...just before it all goes truly strange.
2Tsunami
The dogs know something spiritually disturbing, but in each other find calm. They express tremendous grief and confusion! They have their understanding of the destruction, but also, of loyalty. If I had a dog right now, bet this would be easier to write.
3 Akuma Shogun (Tsunami)
Having flown a great ways to Japan from a wrecked boat, the vampire sees an elderly woman struggling to survive, some two or three days after the waves (inspired by a real such lady).
Akuma, who says his name is Ken, stays on the rooftop with her, himself hungry. He is impressed with her strength. He cannot truly help her, merely wait for her to pass. But will she survive her encounter with the tsunami, and the death angel?
4 Jinzounigan Kikansei (Tsunami): Nippon's Last Hope stands in the sun, as we find its pilot Sakura reviewing situation: how to shut down reactors. (Even beyond this great robot?)
Inspired, perhaps, by this idea while writing Awesome Android in last year’s “The Spill and the Spider” when I thought, “if only this mechanoid could be used for good in the face of disaster?”
This, storywise, is before the advent of Azuthar, an extra-dimensional monster, antagonist to all gathered. Perhaps I’m jamming in too much (having started with a set of real life human interest stories and going to five intersecting tales of the fantastic), but I feel fine so far. That’s what she said.
5. Subhuman Mutate: I’m starting to get a cool idea what kind of personality this outward monster has. And...remember the four month old baby story, from actual accounts, mentioned in previous posts? She has, in this story, a bizarre savior. Maybe a bit obvious, but you can do some interesting writing with the idea.
6. The Sisters...my story inspired by my collaborator...also considering debuting another new hero, who has to be read to be believed. This one got the most thorough stop and may have to become what it what going to be, but I do have this crazy idea...
7 Finally, I see these solo characters all meeting in a multi-level encounter with some serious unearthly death and badness, vying to be as horrid but more fear inducing even than the natural horrors upon the island nation. This gives me something more brief than simply writing three chapters of TRANZ as I'd planned: this is stuff I can finish this spring!
8Harvester of Eyes: The ending’s been playing in my mind most lately when I think of this story: I think I really got the first two thirds of this story the night I couldn’t sleep coming up with it.
9 Story for “Ghosts We’ve Met” in NOT ANOTHER COMIC BOOK #1. A variation, as it were, on previous efforts. Third time’s a charm---that’s right, third version of same comic book, only, most definitely not the same as anything. Pick it up and see what you think...late this spring.
I haven’t forgotten to work on DNA and STUX, so there’s two more stories, but wait until you hear about the newest member of our team...at least, I hope so. An inker lives across the street.
It’s a complete dozen, then. I also have “Phenomenal Experience,” a story I started late last fall and then...waited. Wondered if I was chicken? Or did I want to seek out some more information in adding to the authentic vocabulary? I mean, life after death...recovery...it’s as though the story could never be good enough unless it reveals to us how to do it, how to seek out the consciousness of the nearly departed and repair their bodies for continuing reception of their selves?
Any other story may leap back into the fray, but I see how I could easily do more than one version of any of these dozen, and over the past six months they are my well spring of ideas. Still, with all the new ideas, and new situations like attending shows, what else will come next? When will I find myself here typing? If I’m alive and well, won’t we see?
I spent the day examining Anaheim Comic Convention as a possibility and came up with two plans. More on which is chosen later. Lots of musical interest as well, made long list of covers.
My new model’s going to flip when she opens these pictures this morning.
Be Chill, Cease ill
Yes, before I'm done with all this, I will be ready to edit a volume of my writing for you to buy for yourself. I will make it affordable, okay?
Options for donors in the United States:
Network for Good's response to the tsunami. They have confirmed that the following organizations are mobilized to provide relief services:
AMERICAN RED CROSS (EIN: 53-0196605); Emergency Operation Centers are opened in the affected areas and staffed by the chapters.
SAVE THE CHILDREN (EIN 06-0726487); Mobilizing to provide immediate humanitarian relief in the shape of emergency health care and provision of non-food items and shelter.
GLOBALGIVING (EIN 30-0108263); Established a fund to disburse donations to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami.
OXFAM USA (EIN 23-7069110); Oxfam is poised to respond if disaster strikes vulnerable countries in its path.
Globalgiving.org has set up a Japan earthquake and tsunami relief fund.
Text “RedCross” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, 24480 Network Place, Chicago, IL 60673-1244.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy is also tracking efforts from charities.
Give2Asia launches Fund for Japan Tsunami & Earthquake.
InterAction has a list of organizations accepting donations for disaster relief.
Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) brings hope to over 4.5 million children in need every year by giving them new clothes, shoes, books, toys , furnishings and baby gear. This is made possible by manufacturers, retailers and licensors who donate NEW product, as well as individuals and foundations who provide financial support.. The agency utilizes a global distribution network of more than 1,000 local nonprofits. You can make a donation to the K.I.D.S. Japan Earthquake Tsunami Children's Fund by texting the word ALLKIDS to 85944 to make a $5 donatoin to KIDS on your mobile phone bill. Because K.I.D.S. has a 10 to 1 system of matching $10 worth of product for every $1 donated, your $5 will provide $50 worth of brand new merchandise to victims in need.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
True to myself...
Okay. Now my tsunami stories have resulted in the creation of three strange new forms of savior in irradiated, devastated Japan. I thought about them in true, realistic human terms, first, and now, a month later, I am beginning to allow some creativity to come alongside my reverence for the loss of life.
I think the three I created this morning may join with some existing characters, Miracalla (a free spirited vampire of two hundred teen-like years) and Corin (a human boy sharing his existence with the cybernetic messiah).
I thought a vampire arriving upon this scene could be interesting, indeed. More on him later. I don't have a name for this old nobleman, don't believe anyone alive knows it save for maybe Lord Dragonvayne. I don't want a repeat of that character or I will decide to do him here instead. Shogun Akuma (demon, fiend) is what I'm thinking. Akuma and Valkyrie Maid will be the key to stopping this Azuthar from crossing over. Someone (Cooper Bloodsworth?) is making a spell at the time that brings Sylvane to carry the battle to Azuthar's dimension, and thus, away from earth.
I haven't forgotten the Harvester of Eyes either, over in integr8dfix.blogspot.com so after some rest I'll practice guitar and work on the next installation of that story, which will go three, four parts, if I don't finish it now...maybe I should make it under 4,000 words and see if Red Stone wants it?
So: Danger Bot, Subhuman (a Russian, changed by Chernobyl), Shogun Akuma, my newest three, meet Valkyrie Maid, Miracalla, and a character whose name I'm remembering, who is my fourth new creation, and my third of the night...and also, Corin, Cybernetic Savior.
Shogun Akuma may meet Miracalla. The story of the 77 year old woman clinging to the rooftop for three days (was it four?) before being rescued will intersect with this new character. Now, it's got something original. Maybe I should've just written about them straight, but I still will, I just might add a twist, in "Meet me by the Sea."
I thought of a mutated subhuman emerging in the waters, after long years of self-imposed exile from man. Subhuman will intersect with the story about the four month old baby.
The two dogs will be as it is. I believe.
Robotto Kikensei, or Danger Bot, is a seventeen foot tall robot created in secret for the purpose of dealing with superhuman catastrophe. Danger Bot's pilot is Kumiko Sakura, and her inspiration is the Fukushima fifty, and the samurai before them. I know they would've welcomed something like Danger Bot to provide shielding and apply superhuman strength to burying the reactors. I do not want to trivialize the lives lost in Japan, but I thought about having something horrible emerge, conjured unintentionally by the sacrifice of their lives...something seeking to ruin the leaking reactors further. I believe Valkyrie Maid is drawn there by the courageous ones who sacrifice their lives for others, and she is also brought to witness (but not yet to accompany) the Fukushima Fifty, that is, the workers who exposed themselves to deadly radiation in an effort to save their country from ruin and further destruction. So, she and Danger Bot will share an adventure.
I will now do my five tsunami stories with my own science fiction flavor involved. I will still present them as a gift to those who have donated to Red Cross but I will check out the many resources and see if there is another suitable one we can help support.
I will then render them in comic book adaptation when I work on Portal Immortal (after Not Another Comic Book one and two, DNA 1 and 2, and Stux 1 and 2 are published).
I don't know where this will fit into my Portal Immortal series, but it will. (Next, I figure out how to thread it through 3, 4, 5, and 6)
I won't even have the first one drawn until the end of the year, though! Maybe I'll revise the early episodes and insert these tales-perhaps as early as issue four. Perhaps even issue three? Valkyrie Maid's services in Japan would trigger her appearance, and would send her children to safety, thus conjuring the Triplets (Eldon, Zed and Annalysa), who then begin figuring out how they might be able to start a more continuous life here on Earth, and theirs is the main plot in three, then the subplot in four (where I can introduce brand new Danger Bot, and perhaps, these other characters...)
I think it heralds something much more terrible, and that is the threat that will bring Corin, our Japanese Shogun vampire, Miracalla, the Subhuman, Danger Bot, and one final character (two? a guest, in Sunstrike and Valkyrie Maiden? or even Eldon (Analogy) Jerasun, Annalisa Kane(Elda Kane), and Zed Jerasun (Zero). Sounds cool!
That final character is an Indian island flavored response to my favorite wall crawler...and his story will be the one my friend suggested, about survivor guilt, and will focus mostly upon sisters and a family full of high standards and little affection, changed forever by natural disaster. I have the name, somewhere.
I can't find it yet, but I'll ask..
At least, this take has me still thinking about the series I've been writing and keeps my word about the tsunami stories at the same time. Dual purpose!
And, Johann's response:
Spiderman = Makul Miniha
Shogun = The name of my 125 Labrador who is afraid of thunder, lightning and fire crackers.
Vampire Shogun = Please read Dr. Who the eight and ninth Doctor ( The collected works ).
Sri Lankan Super Powers = Because he took this to heart
"Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. Do not believe anything because it is spoken and rumoured by many. Do not believe in anything because it is written in your religious books. But after observation and analysis, when you find that it agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and the benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it." ... The Buddha ( I believe that this saying and another is the basis for his power ) ...... or .......
Finds the original Navarathne ( The 9 gems of power a.k.a the 9 gems of renewal) sans 1 ( Debra lost 1 of the gems in the navarathne pendant she had made fer herself). Although I think the navarathne concept is too close to the infinity mitten saga.
Then he offered some inspiration:
Sunstrike = Batman Beyond / old Batman ( the one who was not chummy with anyone except Robin and Alfred; Bats has too many friends these days ). Works with / or against the league ( depending on the agenda or situation) but does not join.
Also look to Warren Ellis for a few hero idea's
Then, he remembered exactly the character for which I was asking him to contribute:
"And I think I have told you about the " Black Warrior " 5 nerds ( from Mallet or Big Bang Theory ) who invent and share a suit of Armour ( the confusion is endless and funny ). Can make two of them women ( I can see it now :- one of the chicks wearing the " Black Warrior " falls in love with Sunstrike and comes on to him and then when he hits on her later it's a guy wearing the suit .)"
(That is a great idea, Johann. We haven't talked about Black Warrior since we lived near the Black Warrior River!)
I think the three I created this morning may join with some existing characters, Miracalla (a free spirited vampire of two hundred teen-like years) and Corin (a human boy sharing his existence with the cybernetic messiah).
I thought a vampire arriving upon this scene could be interesting, indeed. More on him later. I don't have a name for this old nobleman, don't believe anyone alive knows it save for maybe Lord Dragonvayne. I don't want a repeat of that character or I will decide to do him here instead. Shogun Akuma (demon, fiend) is what I'm thinking. Akuma and Valkyrie Maid will be the key to stopping this Azuthar from crossing over. Someone (Cooper Bloodsworth?) is making a spell at the time that brings Sylvane to carry the battle to Azuthar's dimension, and thus, away from earth.
I haven't forgotten the Harvester of Eyes either, over in integr8dfix.blogspot.com so after some rest I'll practice guitar and work on the next installation of that story, which will go three, four parts, if I don't finish it now...maybe I should make it under 4,000 words and see if Red Stone wants it?
So: Danger Bot, Subhuman (a Russian, changed by Chernobyl), Shogun Akuma, my newest three, meet Valkyrie Maid, Miracalla, and a character whose name I'm remembering, who is my fourth new creation, and my third of the night...and also, Corin, Cybernetic Savior.
Shogun Akuma may meet Miracalla. The story of the 77 year old woman clinging to the rooftop for three days (was it four?) before being rescued will intersect with this new character. Now, it's got something original. Maybe I should've just written about them straight, but I still will, I just might add a twist, in "Meet me by the Sea."
I thought of a mutated subhuman emerging in the waters, after long years of self-imposed exile from man. Subhuman will intersect with the story about the four month old baby.
The two dogs will be as it is. I believe.
Robotto Kikensei, or Danger Bot, is a seventeen foot tall robot created in secret for the purpose of dealing with superhuman catastrophe. Danger Bot's pilot is Kumiko Sakura, and her inspiration is the Fukushima fifty, and the samurai before them. I know they would've welcomed something like Danger Bot to provide shielding and apply superhuman strength to burying the reactors. I do not want to trivialize the lives lost in Japan, but I thought about having something horrible emerge, conjured unintentionally by the sacrifice of their lives...something seeking to ruin the leaking reactors further. I believe Valkyrie Maid is drawn there by the courageous ones who sacrifice their lives for others, and she is also brought to witness (but not yet to accompany) the Fukushima Fifty, that is, the workers who exposed themselves to deadly radiation in an effort to save their country from ruin and further destruction. So, she and Danger Bot will share an adventure.
I will now do my five tsunami stories with my own science fiction flavor involved. I will still present them as a gift to those who have donated to Red Cross but I will check out the many resources and see if there is another suitable one we can help support.
I will then render them in comic book adaptation when I work on Portal Immortal (after Not Another Comic Book one and two, DNA 1 and 2, and Stux 1 and 2 are published).
I don't know where this will fit into my Portal Immortal series, but it will. (Next, I figure out how to thread it through 3, 4, 5, and 6)
I won't even have the first one drawn until the end of the year, though! Maybe I'll revise the early episodes and insert these tales-perhaps as early as issue four. Perhaps even issue three? Valkyrie Maid's services in Japan would trigger her appearance, and would send her children to safety, thus conjuring the Triplets (Eldon, Zed and Annalysa), who then begin figuring out how they might be able to start a more continuous life here on Earth, and theirs is the main plot in three, then the subplot in four (where I can introduce brand new Danger Bot, and perhaps, these other characters...)
I think it heralds something much more terrible, and that is the threat that will bring Corin, our Japanese Shogun vampire, Miracalla, the Subhuman, Danger Bot, and one final character (two? a guest, in Sunstrike and Valkyrie Maiden? or even Eldon (Analogy) Jerasun, Annalisa Kane(Elda Kane), and Zed Jerasun (Zero). Sounds cool!
That final character is an Indian island flavored response to my favorite wall crawler...and his story will be the one my friend suggested, about survivor guilt, and will focus mostly upon sisters and a family full of high standards and little affection, changed forever by natural disaster. I have the name, somewhere.
I can't find it yet, but I'll ask..
At least, this take has me still thinking about the series I've been writing and keeps my word about the tsunami stories at the same time. Dual purpose!
And, Johann's response:
Spiderman = Makul Miniha
Shogun = The name of my 125 Labrador who is afraid of thunder, lightning and fire crackers.
Vampire Shogun = Please read Dr. Who the eight and ninth Doctor ( The collected works ).
Sri Lankan Super Powers = Because he took this to heart
"Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. Do not believe anything because it is spoken and rumoured by many. Do not believe in anything because it is written in your religious books. But after observation and analysis, when you find that it agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and the benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it." ... The Buddha ( I believe that this saying and another is the basis for his power ) ...... or .......
Finds the original Navarathne ( The 9 gems of power a.k.a the 9 gems of renewal) sans 1 ( Debra lost 1 of the gems in the navarathne pendant she had made fer herself). Although I think the navarathne concept is too close to the infinity mitten saga.
Then he offered some inspiration:
Sunstrike = Batman Beyond / old Batman ( the one who was not chummy with anyone except Robin and Alfred; Bats has too many friends these days ). Works with / or against the league ( depending on the agenda or situation) but does not join.
Also look to Warren Ellis for a few hero idea's
Then, he remembered exactly the character for which I was asking him to contribute:
"And I think I have told you about the " Black Warrior " 5 nerds ( from Mallet or Big Bang Theory ) who invent and share a suit of Armour ( the confusion is endless and funny ). Can make two of them women ( I can see it now :- one of the chicks wearing the " Black Warrior " falls in love with Sunstrike and comes on to him and then when he hits on her later it's a guy wearing the suit .)"
(That is a great idea, Johann. We haven't talked about Black Warrior since we lived near the Black Warrior River!)
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Danger Bot ? Robotto Kikensei? Jinzouningen Kiken
I listen to my brainstorm:....the hour in Japan was dire indeed.
I overhear this argument, and picture a secret project, created behind the scenes through the years.
"only the activation of the Guardian could save us from greater human suffering.
No it must be human endeavor. We must not have solutions at hand that allow reckless behavior.
Still, within reason of what could be done to secure the reactors, the engineers left nothing to be desired. No, it was only the right thing to do: provide a defense for the humanity which dealt with these problems, at the least cost to life."
For this reason was Guardian (Japanese names: (Hogosha) (Kanshisha) (Kouken) at last put into motion:
perhaps Sentinel (Eihei) would be a better name, as it stands watch for the disasters beyond the scope of man to handle. The worship of Sentinel as a god might arise, for what a feat this robot faces: the burial of the hazardous Fukushima reactors. In the world of this story, this is the most superhuman material power ever devised this side of atomic fusion and fission itself.
I was thinking of a human pilot inside. Maybe two pilots? One in the robot, at least.
I can also see a North American version (based towards the Pacific?) and a French version (specializing in aquatic disasters). Imagine the struggles to take credit for and control these mechanical behemoths. Germans are very mechanically skilled: maybe they will build one. Okay, I hear your jokes back there.
How big should they be? Seventeen feet? Twelve? I foresee man-sized armors in this world's future, but in this story, these three prototypes are about it. I think the Chinese and Russians are struggling to put one together each as well. The idea of a successful Brazil trying to make one of these is appealing, because I think it's about the story in Japan now, but I'm thinking of something fifteen, twenty years in the future, as the possible comes to us from the realm of the impossible. To the people of the country, the Danger Bot has a special meaning of national pride---like a Super Soldier of the century past, a savior from the pinnacle of the man/ machine interface is the hero here. I think my character Corin might well be the North American robot of this world (uncovered while staying in India), but there's something about a mortal teenager mixed into that one and it's for another day.
Then I started doodling earlier, and now I am also thinking about the design I called Danger Bot and wonder if that would not be a cool name, if not a viable starting place for the design? This robot needs to be quite a bit larger than a man, but still within reasonable gravity resistance as a mass, so its servos can provide motion. This is crucial, as the robot is led into the most hazardous parts of the plant and of course must also deal with the mutations by the sea...
I have obviously given thought to writing about post-tsunami Japan, but this is the first wholly original idea that's come to me. I would be embarrassed, but why should I be? Then, i dig into Japanese culture a bit, and give it a noble setting to go with the devastation. This is a symbol of hope.
I would love it if Danger Bot were real. Kiken, Kitai, Kigai, Kinan Kikensei are all words for "Danger" in Japanese. Robot is " jinzouningen robotto, suchi-rukara-
So...Jinzouningen Kiken? Robotto Kitai? Suchi-rukara Kigai? Robotto Kikensei?
The radiation problem is still quite active. I wonder what the future might hold if we create solutions with the worst in mind? Might we find some hope, then, in seeing human ingenuity deal with the trials of nation? Perhaps it will grow beyond my own hands and truly mean something. it's an honor to create anythin, really!
I've been listening to some good cable news reports, and among my reading has been:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shutdown_(nuclear_reactor)
http://theenergycollective.com/nathantemple/53384/how-shutdown-and-core-cooling-japanese-reactors-likely-functions
Situational Report
Google has a real-time information page: http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html.
Crisis Commons has a wiki page covering real-time updates.
The Japanese Red Cross is assessing the full impact of the earthquake and tsunami and has deployed 11 National Disaster Response Teams to conduct assessments, provide healthcare and first aid and plan for relief supplies distribution. The Japanese Red Cross has not made any request for international assistance at this moment.
A high human toll is anticipated in Japan and the number of dead and missing is rising as the impact of the damage becomes apparent. Initial indications that the worst affected areas are in northeast . Japan in Tohuku Region close the epicenter and tsunami impact areas. The Japanese government has mobilized an emergency response, deploying 900 rescue workers to this area.
The U.S. State Department has information on the situation as well as contact information on detailing concerns about specific citizens.
Twitter hashtags to follow: #Japan #tsunami #JPquake #tsunamicharity.
The UN Dispatch has a list of must-follow twitterers on the situation.
Philanthropy’s Response
Options for donors in the United States:
Network for Good's response to the tsunami. They have confirmed that the following organizations are mobilized to provide relief services:
AMERICAN RED CROSS (EIN: 53-0196605); Emergency Operation Centers are opened in the affected areas and staffed by the chapters.
SAVE THE CHILDREN (EIN 06-0726487); Mobilizing to provide immediate humanitarian relief in the shape of emergency health care and provision of non-food items and shelter.
GLOBALGIVING (EIN 30-0108263); Established a fund to disburse donations to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami.
OXFAM USA (EIN 23-7069110); Oxfam is poised to respond if disaster strikes vulnerable countries in its path.
Globalgiving.org has set up a Japan earthquake and tsunami relief fund.
Text “RedCross” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, 24480 Network Place, Chicago, IL 60673-1244.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy is also tracking efforts from charities.
Give2Asia launches Fund for Japan Tsunami & Earthquake.
InterAction has a list of organizations accepting donations for disaster relief.
Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) brings hope to over 4.5 million children in need every year by giving them new clothes, shoes, books, toys , furnishings and baby gear. This is made possible by manufacturers, retailers and licensors who donate NEW product, as well as individuals and foundations who provide financial support.. The agency utilizes a global distribution network of more than 1,000 local nonprofits. You can make a donation to the K.I.D.S. Japan Earthquake Tsunami Children's Fund by texting the word ALLKIDS to 85944 to make a $5 donatoin to KIDS on your mobile phone bill. Because K.I.D.S. has a 10 to 1 system of matching $10 worth of product for every $1 donated, your $5 will provide $50 worth of brand new merchandise to victims in need. To make a larger donation, click here.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Tsunami survival cycle
Philanthropy’s Response
Options for donors in the United States:
Network for Good's response to the tsunami. They have confirmed that the following organizations are mobilized to provide relief services:
AMERICAN RED CROSS (EIN: 53-0196605); Emergency Operation Centers are opened in the affected areas and staffed by the chapters.
SAVE THE CHILDREN (EIN 06-0726487); Mobilizing to provide immediate humanitarian relief in the shape of emergency health care and provision of non-food items and shelter.
GLOBALGIVING (EIN 30-0108263); Established a fund to disburse donations to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami.
OXFAM USA (EIN 23-7069110); Oxfam is poised to respond if disaster strikes vulnerable countries in its path.
Globalgiving.org has set up a Japan earthquake and tsunami relief fund.
Text “RedCross” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, 24480 Network Place, Chicago, IL 60673-1244.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy is also tracking efforts from charities.
Give2Asia launches Fund for Japan Tsunami & Earthquake.
InterAction has a list of organizations accepting donations for disaster relief.
Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) brings hope to over 4.5 million children in need every year by giving them new clothes, shoes, books, toys , furnishings and baby gear. This is made possible by manufacturers, retailers and licensors who donate NEW product, as well as individuals and foundations who provide financial support.. The agency utilizes a global distribution network of more than 1,000 local nonprofits. You can make a donation to the K.I.D.S. Japan Earthquake Tsunami Children's Fund by texting the word ALLKIDS to 85944 to make a $5 donatoin to KIDS on your mobile phone bill. Because K.I.D.S. has a 10 to 1 system of matching $10 worth of product for every $1 donated, your $5 will provide $50 worth of brand new merchandise to victims in need.
In the course of twelve days, we've gone from introducing two sets of ideas and attempting to select story subjects, to however much is complete today. Over on Integr8dfix.blogspot.com, we've been piecing together a seven-part process, leading us to what we have now for Sheer-Zan: One. I've reached a point where all the major plot items are together. I spent some time working on guitar, so Sheer-Zan's put away until the moment strikes me with inspiration.
Over here, on ceaseill.blogspot.com, another process that seems to bear seven steps of output has given us drafts of our Tsunami series. This morning, gigantic waves continued to lap the ruined shores of Fukushima. It is a relentlessly difficult situation, to be sure, yet hope and motivation must continue, for the safety of everyone. Meanwhile, the northern part of the country undergoes an grueling endurance test, with limited basic supplies and sky-high gas prices.
So, to understand, and maybe to encourage a donation or two, we'll continue working on these stories inspired by the tsunami.
We're going to attempt the first draft as a dual effort: myself and the Marc Kane. The post will be up shortly. Looks like we're going to tell the story of the two dogs first. I don't know how many we'll complete before we stop a while.
One other element coming into my time, of necessity, is drawing (and practicing inking), beginning with new pages for DNA #2.
Beyond this lies my goal to take the story "Phenomenal Experience" to the table again, as well as the notion of writing material that will suffice as early chapters of TRANZ, begun (and erased from here) on 4-4-09 after a lengthy absence of new output on the story.
At this point, my goal is to have even one of the tales completed, with some work attempted on each one, so as not to approach a blank canvas later. I want to post another one completely every four days. I will try to complete these, but perhaps not in time to share them at Los Angeles Comic Book & Science Fiction Convention, where I may be able to spread the word and raise some donations for Japan (in addition to your response here, as well) via Red Cross and AmazonKindle. I will try to have one finished, but the cycle is something I need to take with more space and reverence.
I see now, I need to take about another 13 days with this myself. I have not been able to think of anything much outside of music and preparing for next week's show in Los Angeles, and truthfully, to describe the hope I must also circumscribe it with horror beyond description.
So, let's see if I can get to it if I don't rush. Do other things I had planned. Think about this a while longer.
Okay. Check back for this one on April 22nd, and I'll give you an Earth Day Update.
Be Chill, Cease ill
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110405/ts_yblog_thelookout/japanese-nuclear-plant-worker-discusses-choice-to-sacrifice-his-life
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Tsunami one
http://www.yourbabytoday.com/features/dev_fourmonth/index.html
http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/14/4-month-old-baby-plucked-from-rubble-in-japan-after-3-days/
http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/03/15/miracles-in-japan-four-month-old-baby-70-year-old-woman-found-alive/
Nothing was more comprehensive than:
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/0,28757,2058716,00.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1366155/Japan-earthquake-tsunami-4-month-old-baby-girl-father-reunited-Ishinomaki.html
So, this is my source material, along with personal experience and imagination.
For one, I know I'll get it done, and I picture it, at its end, moving people to send donations especially for the Red Cross. This time, if I will just take the journey, it will be worth it. I might help someone. I might help someone help someone. We might all feel a bit less helpless without simply escaping the story by any means.
The other story setting has to do with communication and supplies. Everyone wants to know what's going on. I am including ways such as Google People Finder.
So. WE have an ending. It is a fortunate one, which comes just as things can truly get no worse.
Heading for this certainty amidst uncertainties, we may as well begin with the most dire fear one can have. This has been my beginning point before. I know it is fierce beyond my experience. All my dread, I think, can not yet compare to this: a mother has lost her child, torn from her very grasp by hell on Earth.
A few memories here.
The inner strength to continue is explored. This mother is nearly mad with grief, yet she says little for herself, as she knows every one she sees is experiencing devastation.
Her journey to stay awake, to see the safety of her child, and the eight or nine battles she must fight within.
Or...we focus entirely from the child's point of view. In fact, that is the mother's sole emotional refuge, and in that is the light by which she continues to live. How her heart must break for those whose loved ones are lost!!
The sensations of being the four month old child, then, our innocence reborn alongside this tiny survivor; that is the center of our story.
The elusive cry, believed to be no more than a hallucination, comes amidst the gruesome discovery of many who lost their lives in the waters. Safety, after safety had before fled: that describes the place of the baby's discovery. Also, it describes the mother/ child relationship.
So: faith. Grief. Hope. The capacity of others to use their strength to help the most helpless. Some accounting of the surroundings, hopefully springing from the characters' feelings about what has happened.
Names?
Finally, what of the father? The relationship between the parents is the thing I can use personal experience to imagine. I'd want to completely be there for my poor wife if this were our situation. His needs and worries seemed most invisible to me initially.
I know what I am saying now. Let me think it over, and I'll come back with a rough draft; this is a sort of sequential outline.
Alright. In the meantime, I hope you've already given according to your ability. Thanks to every one of you who has the pride to work and sacrifice, you are heroes each and every one. Always do your best.
I believe this particular story will be "For One Tiny Miracle."
http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/03/11/five-ways-you-can-help-earthquake-and-tsunami-victims-in-japan/
http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/14/4-month-old-baby-plucked-from-rubble-in-japan-after-3-days/
http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/03/15/miracles-in-japan-four-month-old-baby-70-year-old-woman-found-alive/
Nothing was more comprehensive than:
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/0,28757,2058716,00.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1366155/Japan-earthquake-tsunami-4-month-old-baby-girl-father-reunited-Ishinomaki.html
So, this is my source material, along with personal experience and imagination.
For one, I know I'll get it done, and I picture it, at its end, moving people to send donations especially for the Red Cross. This time, if I will just take the journey, it will be worth it. I might help someone. I might help someone help someone. We might all feel a bit less helpless without simply escaping the story by any means.
The other story setting has to do with communication and supplies. Everyone wants to know what's going on. I am including ways such as Google People Finder.
So. WE have an ending. It is a fortunate one, which comes just as things can truly get no worse.
Heading for this certainty amidst uncertainties, we may as well begin with the most dire fear one can have. This has been my beginning point before. I know it is fierce beyond my experience. All my dread, I think, can not yet compare to this: a mother has lost her child, torn from her very grasp by hell on Earth.
A few memories here.
The inner strength to continue is explored. This mother is nearly mad with grief, yet she says little for herself, as she knows every one she sees is experiencing devastation.
Her journey to stay awake, to see the safety of her child, and the eight or nine battles she must fight within.
Or...we focus entirely from the child's point of view. In fact, that is the mother's sole emotional refuge, and in that is the light by which she continues to live. How her heart must break for those whose loved ones are lost!!
The sensations of being the four month old child, then, our innocence reborn alongside this tiny survivor; that is the center of our story.
The elusive cry, believed to be no more than a hallucination, comes amidst the gruesome discovery of many who lost their lives in the waters. Safety, after safety had before fled: that describes the place of the baby's discovery. Also, it describes the mother/ child relationship.
So: faith. Grief. Hope. The capacity of others to use their strength to help the most helpless. Some accounting of the surroundings, hopefully springing from the characters' feelings about what has happened.
Names?
Finally, what of the father? The relationship between the parents is the thing I can use personal experience to imagine. I'd want to completely be there for my poor wife if this were our situation. His needs and worries seemed most invisible to me initially.
I know what I am saying now. Let me think it over, and I'll come back with a rough draft; this is a sort of sequential outline.
Alright. In the meantime, I hope you've already given according to your ability. Thanks to every one of you who has the pride to work and sacrifice, you are heroes each and every one. Always do your best.
I believe this particular story will be "For One Tiny Miracle."
http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/03/11/five-ways-you-can-help-earthquake-and-tsunami-victims-in-japan/
Friday, April 1, 2011
The tsunami stories; an update
This four month old child is one of the featured players of my short fiction cycle about the Japanese tsunami. I would like to broaden this to discuss tsunamis elsewhere in the Pacific in recent years, perhaps even historically.
The ideas have come together; now it's a matter of sitting down with the details and beginning the drafts. I put a lot of time into DnA #1 this week, as the first copies found their way into the hands of friends; they're in the mail!
Today's news involves the leak of irradiated water into the Pacific. Someone's going to have to cement a nine inch crack, submerged in 78 inches of poisoned water. Others are being called back to help with the plant as well. I know of one man who was back here in America when the request came; he was featured in last week's news.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/03/world/asia/03futaba.html There's the necessities of building a viable power plant, bringing jobs, and then, the aftermath of disaster. I am looking for more specifics about the layout of the plant (or any nuclear plant), and details about the town itself. One thing I discovered in that search was this:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110327/ap_on_bi_ge/as_japan_earthquake;_ylt=ApraPXSWZvjyxyu0zPTeGBv9xg8F;_ylu=X3oDMTM3cjlmcXNjBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTEwMzI3L2FzX2phcGFuX2VhcnRocXVha2UEY2NvZGUDbXBfZWNfOF8xMARjcG9zAzEEcG9zAzEEc2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yaWVzBHNsawNodWdlanVtcGlucmE- but importantly, this:
a videolog of the city shot last year by a visitor.
I do not want to make the nuclear disaster too much the center of my research; there are other stories I want to tell, so while we all wrap our heads around the ongoing problem, I really should start with shorter versions of the stories. The tone deserves care. I believe it will write itself. When I am done, I will present an EIN number for those who wish to donate to Red Cross, tax-deductible, to go with the stories.
Listen, I'm still figuring out integr8dsoul.com, but meanwhile, you can do what Jason (and Aimee!) have done. In Jason's case, he sent us $9 at
C. Lue Disharoon
542 6th Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
which was really cool as it covers shipping and handling, at $1.25 each! The issue itself, DNA #1, retails for $3.25.
Meanwhile, our remaining t-shirts are available at Convention Special Price, for $12 each or 2 for $20, plus $3.00 for shipping & handling.
You can do the same over PayPal, at luelyron@gmail.com !!!
AND!! You can use the button provided; the $15 will cover your postage.
or
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tsunami survival and character creations: inspirations don their skins
My exposure of late to the news has taken my attention considerably. The only response is to focus on two finite cycles of writing for the rest of the month. One is set to tie together the common element of disaster with separate characters, while the other is the establishing story for a new character of my own, who's been waiting for the stirrings of real world revolutions.
After posting an abbreviated version of my integr8dfix.blogspot.com column over on the thread I have on IMWAN for Steve Gerber comics, I came across a comment by my pal Monk, who was asking broadly about, what kind of series would you like to read? Not by who, just, what concept?
Monk wrote:
This isn't a creative teams thread, just certain characters or takes on characters that I'd like to see more of.
I'd like to read an ongoing low-tech Batman book where he's the only superhero in his world.
He's right that would be great. What I've been on fire for this morning is this:
I want to do a female character like that, only swap Gotham for the Middle East, at the stirrings of a revolution. The detective part would involve both criminals and secret police. She will need some serious help as she is an outsider...and a vet, not a trained detective.
He mentioned James Bond and Superman (in a similar, only-hero vein), too
I really liked these, so I wrote back:
I love these heroes pared of their multiversal encumberments, too, Monk. Get back to what actually makes the character cool, instead of just saying he's cool cause we're hypnotized to think so.
So, the point I recognized as similar was, Sheer=Zan is the only hero, in a world where, if anyone has any powers, they are not showing up to help the poor neighborhoods that are caught between gangs and police of varying quality. The secret police are the factor that really complicates Sheer-Zan's vigilante activities. I must admit, Steve Gerber only got two real issues to spotlight Red Guardian, and I know in my heart he thought her Soviet adventures would've been breath taking and thought provoking. Thirty five years later, the revolution's alive in Sheer-Zan: One.
But that, you'll see discussed over on integr8dfix.blogspot.com
Meanwhile, here I am beginning to develop the first two or three tsunami stories for my relief benefit book. I really don't worry much about you reading it, so long as you have donated to Red Cross and keep Japan (and Haiti) in your thoughts. Heck, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and more were hard hit by tsunamis not too many years ago; having a friend from there connected my empathy with their plight. It's true, there's always another disaster, there's always another need, and times are tight. I will give up some of my time and creative energy to do some little bit that might help, as well as to help understanding of a situation that is nearly incomprehensible in its constant presence, in the wet, miserable lives of displaced Japanese citizens even today.
Two dogs' loyal bond inspires one story.
50 brave nuclear factory workers inspire another.
I consider elderly people surviving this days on out to be impressive and
interesting.
There was also a baby torn from her mother's arms that is based on a true story, as are all of these.
Anna May Wong, star of Shanghai
But there's one aspect I found today, and how this becomes tied to my fifth choice of story is still mysterious to me. The idea will be based around a Chinese film legend who broke the barrier in Hollywood, while suffering its racial confusion (only to be forgotten in China for decades). The story of Anna May resonates with other tragic Hollywood tales, and leaves me with an idea. I am consulting my Hollywood starlet experts while gleaning my details for this one. It seems appropriate today, as Elizabeth Taylor has passed away.
My tragedy expert number one wrote back with an idea of the story to revolve around sisters. I'll surprise you with the details, but my co-writer excited me greatly. I replied:
never used the word "haunting" above, but you must have ESP.
I was struck by the fact that Elizabeth Taylor survived emotional storms, herself.
Sisters is good because it gets into the idea of people with a similar status in life at the beginning and the choices that differentiate them. It's feminist to me because it addresses how one woman is measured by another, and keeps the spotlight on female characters. The modernization question's been rocking Japan for some time.
I then pitched the story of a Japanese friend who married an American, only to feel obligated to a more traditional, sublimated role, herself, even as a grown woman in America. She really did yearn to be free to be creative and have friends, even *gasp* a guy as a friend. Hand in hand with this however came an alcoholic husband. Modernization brings pain, tradition brings pain---which way will our characters choose to go, and how will they feel about one another as they live their choices? There are, after all, more subtle storms which wreck lives nonetheless, if you will pardon my facile words.
So I wonder if I should reach back 90 years ago to set the stage for how much things have changed? The absence of today's progress, I think, in depiction, strengthens our appreciation for it. yes, this is a great start.
We should do other tragic starlet inspired stories, that's actually something a lot of people would read. A LOT.
I honestly don't know which of these will appear here, first. It may simply be, you will play host to a long discussion of stories that could be written. Actually, I invite you to join me in the odyssey dawn. There will be no bombs, only great stories. We will find them in the process, which I will share as tranparently as possible. I hope it lends an extra layer of meaning to the creative process. I beleive very much in the richness of the creative process, too, in the person reading, echoing words with images and forms uniquely their own.
The refugees will be on my mind, and I don't mind sacrificing my time spent here in relative comfort attempting to fathom the situations of people not myself, but born, like me, and you, and their travels beside the waters of mortality.
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