GloPoWriMo2017: Day V: Hidden

Look around to find it
Over here, perhaps there
Vast like the Ocean
Ever growing and shrinking

Isn’t it powerful
So soft and mercurial

Peer out over it
And take it in
Into your soul
Now let it go

The Voice

“Do you know what the definition of insanity is Joseph?” the voice said, in an almost soothing tone, “It’s trying the same thing over and over, expecting different results.”

“It is in fact one of the most remarkable traits of the human race. We just don’t know when to give up.” The voice said, moving to the far left corner of the room; away from the near limp body secured to a wooden chair, under a single flickering bulb. And as the dark figure from which it exuded stood there, silent for a moment, Joe felt like the room was empty. And for one brief moment he was alone. But sadly only for a moment. “Surely by now you see that you can end this pain Joseph. Just tell me what I want to hear.”

Black is White – Day XXII – NaPoWriMo 2014

I see things that aren’t there                                                           Amidst the shadows
Hidden within your very stare                                                                     There is light
You may not see                                                                      For those who are ready
Past your own hair                                                                              To stand and fight
But I see those things                                                              Never falter, never shake
That aren’t there                                                                      For your very soul’s sake

Madmen speaking heresies                                                                    But never easy
That’s what they called those that did see                                                     Is the road
The things that were                                                                        It is full of hardships
But couldn’t be                                                                                 Stocked with woes
Just because                                                         But if you are strong, you’ll succeed
Their minds were free                                   And reap reward for the blood you bleed

An outsider, maybe, to some                                                                            Open up
Is what, perhaps, you will become                                                   Your fastened eyes
If you refuse                                                                                         And see the truth
To keep mum                                                                                              In its demise
In front of doubters                                           Twisted by those that were to protect it
Who, your way, come                                   But in its name, they went and wrecked it

But this is the price we pay                                                                          Break away
To see not what is, but what may                                          Their shackles and chains
To say we saw                                                                                   And we shall build
That glorious day                                                                              From what remains
When none were blind                                                           A new hope. A new world
To the sun’s rays                                        Where black and white, is a lot less blurred

And thought sometimes I may be scared                                                          Only you
To face those who cannot bare                                                                  And I remain
To see one                                                                                             To fight this fight
Whose sight is rare                                                                               So we must train
I am free                                                                    The day comes, and it comes fast
So I do not care                                                                  When we will be, free at last

High and Low – Day XVI – NaPoWriMo 2014

In a portrait in negative space
Amidst an image hidden in nothing
Behind the veil where eyes do not venture
And perception ends it’s reign

Past human understanding
Beyond history and time
Before all that was
And after all that shall be

Never known
Never to be heard or seen or felt
That’s where
I think my bloody keys are

Easter Egg Hunt

As exciting as it is to find chocolate covered in glitter and paint in the middle of a patch of grass, those aren’t the easter eggs I’m talking about. I’m talking about the virtual kind. A lot of you might be familiar with these, even if you don’t know it. A virtual easter egg is basically a hidden message or image tucked away in a movie, TV show, computer program, video game, crossword, heck anything really. They’re usually left behind by the author as a little joke or just a nod to rivals or deserved predecessors. The term was apparently coined by Atari – legends in the arcade game industry (who sadly filed for bankruptcy earlier this year).

For fans they are a lot of fun indeed. In fact for those of us who just don’t seem to get ever get tired of watching great movies – like the Avengers, Indiana Jones, Kill Bill, Star Wars (the original trilogy), Die Hard, Back to the Future – and a million others, it’s a real kick to catch these little hidden images or references. It’s like an extra dollop of hot chocolate on your sunday or (if you are so inclined) sprinkles on top of your scoop. It’s also fun to see that the creators themselves have a sense of humor. Sure this is phenomenon more common to more light-hearted genres, but easter eggs are abound in movies you wouldn’t have even thought of. I can just imagine a software designer or director chuckling to himself as he throws in a joke most people would not even notice – only the worthy (and the unbelievably obsessed).

Some quick examples of my favorite easter eggs before parting:

• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom – In the beginning of the movie we see our hero visiting a night club called “Club Obi Wan”! Classic example of George Lucas having some fun with some cross-franchise homage.
• Pixar with its constant references to its other movies – The little girl from Monsters Inc. with her Nemo doll and the Pizza delivery car from Toy Story which was in almost every other Pixar flic!
• Thor – Ok this one is pretty subtle. In the movie Portman gives Thor her ex boyfriend’s clothes – his name being Donald Blake. Those more familiar with the Thor comics will realize that this is actually Thor’s alter ego, his human identity.
• Stan Lee – Ok this man is a legend! And if you pay close attention, you’ll realize he’s in like every Marvel movie. He’s the man reading the paper who almost gets run over in Daredevil, he’s one of the security guards leaving the facility in the beginning of the movie in Hulk (along with the original big man himself, Lou Ferigno), he’s in the crowd as the balcony collapses in Spiderman, a mail man in Fantastic Four – ok you get the idea!
• The episode of HIMYM where Marshall’s dad dies – It was somewhere around No. 42 I think that my friend and I realized their was a countdown, prompting us to go back to the beginning and yell out loud every time we found the next number. Great easter egging, though around No. 3 I remember thinking, oh no, oh crap, something bad is gonna happen…

Right so maybe I’ve helped open your eyes to a whole new world! Or maybe I’ve just given you a few funny examples. Or maybe I’ve contributed absolutely nothing to your life whatsoever. Well it can’t all be sunshine and rainbows can it sonny?

Then again, maybe you got more than you know. Close followers of my blog might realize that there may just be a few hidden eggs here and there, if you’re really looking ; )