Nightmare on Bobrich

I have a dirty little secret: I like horror films. 


Not the ones that almost pass into the realm of pornography, but definitely psychological thrillers, some monster movies, a few slashers slashers, and a bunch of zombie flicks. As with most dirty little secrets, mine has its problems. Combined with an already over-active imagination, my appetite for horror can quickly spew yuckiness all over innocent situations. 


Like the time I came home from my job at Hardee's to find blood all over the front step.


And the front door slightly ajar.


And no movement from within.

To be or not to be -- Hamlet and the iPod

My favorite play (and movie) of all time is Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard. One of the best lines in the play deals with the question of being. The two characters find themselves on a boat traveling to England, where they are to deliver a message from the King of Denmark to execute their best friend, Hamlet, as a favor to the Danish crown. They are beginning to have an inkling that they've been there before -- and that it doesn't end well for them.

Rosencrantz: Do you think death could possibly be a boat?

Guildenstern: No, no, no...Death is...not. Death isn't. You take my meaning? Death is the ultimate negative. Not-being. You can't not-be on a boat.

Rosencrantz: I've frequently not been on boats.

Guildenstern: No, no, no -- what you've been is not on boats.

Contrary to Guildenstern's point of view, I've frequently not-been many places. I've not-been while on walks with my dogs. I've not-been while hiking in the woods. I've not-been while eating a meal. I've even not-been during sex. (Oh, yes!) Not-being, in fact, is a widespread cultural habit, against which Eastern religions and philosophies -- such as yoga, Buddhism, Zen, and Taoism -- warn their followers.