In honor of Poe's 200th birthday (actually in January, but I think a 200th can be celebrated all year), and by my friend Bonnie's request, I have chosen to discuss the gruesome subject of being buried alive.
While being buried alive would definitely not be at the top of any one's list of "The Best Ways to Die" it does seem to be a favorite of authors, both of literary works and screenplays. Poe himself used it multiple times.
In addition to the story I have named in the title of this blog, there are many movies, books and episodes of television shows that center around a character being buried alive. A few examples: In Kill Bill: Volume 2, by Quentin Tarantino, the heroine is buried alive and escapes by punching through the coffin. In the 'Lost' episode 'Exposé' two characters are taken for dead and buried alive (in this case not on purpose.) There is a movie actually titled "Buried Alive." Nick Stokes was buried alive on CSI and Dr. Brennan and Dr. Hodgins are buried alive together in one episode of "Bones."
From the criminal's point of view, burying someone alive would seem to be one of the best options. No messy cleanup, and a lower chance of being caught. This crime is not, however, for the faint of heart. The victim of this crime is likely to make quite a racket when they discover their fate, and in general, I find, listening to that can be tedious. Take for example, the hero (antihero?) of The Cask of Amontillado. Montresor actually stops to listen to his friend (I use that term lightly, as I don't think many people would bury an actual friend of theirs alive) plead for his life. He even finds some sick pleasure in listening to the cries for help. Of course, you could always drug the person. or if they were near death when you buried them, there might be less chance that they make noise.
On the other side of the issue, while being buried alive is an awful way to go, it also offers more possibility of escape. Someone intent on murder is much more likely to succeed with a gun, a knife, baseball bat, a syringe of some poison or drug... I could go on , but I think you get the picture. At least if you are buried alive, you might find a way out of the situation. Maybe someone will hear your cries for help. Or if you're Uma Thurman, Buffy, or Dean Winchester, you could just punch your way out of the coffin and dig yourself out of the grave.
Also, if you wake up and find yourself buried, there is a chance it was accidental. Its horrible that someone would be so negligent, but at least no one was trying to kill you. A comforting thought as you suffocate. Or not. It does make a good argument for cremation, as there is no chance you will "wake up" in an urn on your family's mantle.
If anyone has been buried alive, I would certainly be interested in hearing a first hand account of the experience.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Dust Bunnies....we know they are made of dust, but how do we know they are bunnies?
Disclaimer: I let my mother pick my topic today, and this is what she came up with.
I admit when my mom first said this, I laughed but I wasn't sure I would be able to say much on the subject. In fact, if my mom hadn't continued rambling about it I might not have anything to say.
It is curious that we call them dust"bunnies" when I have never seen one larger than a mouse. And given the fact that neither my mother nor I are particularly fond of cleaning, if anybody were to have a bunny size ball of dust, it would be us. Although if I were to come across one so large we would probably send out for help.
They hide every where, in corners, under your bed, in your broom. They are extremely sneaky and can easily escape you on the slightest puff of air. My mom is something of a conspiracy theorist, and thinks they could be spies. Although, she isn't sure which country might be controlling them.
Another suggestion from my mother is that they are just bunny parts, because when they come together they make an even bigger bunny. In fact they are very similar to transformers that way. That would make them aliens from another planet. I'm okay with that as long as they are here for good, and not to take over the planet.
We have never once caught them coming into or exit the house. They seem to appear from nowhere, and they are remarkably similar to their namesake in that they multiply rapidly. In addition, dust bunnies never leave you a basket of treats, hidden or otherwise. Although, it is possible that they are Jewish, and therefore do not celebrate Easter.
On the plus side they never leave their dropping around the house. They are very quiet...no wild parties. And they seem very loving, because we see them all the time. Incredibly despite their effect on humans' allergies, dust bunnies never seem to be sick, as I have never once seen one in a hospital.
There are real gray bunnies, but there are also black, brown, white and spotted bunnies. Dust bunnies on the other hand, only come in gray. Is this because gray bunnies are the best? Or is it because gray bunnies were the low bunny on the totem pole. Perhaps we'll never know.
Thoughts?
I admit when my mom first said this, I laughed but I wasn't sure I would be able to say much on the subject. In fact, if my mom hadn't continued rambling about it I might not have anything to say.
It is curious that we call them dust"bunnies" when I have never seen one larger than a mouse. And given the fact that neither my mother nor I are particularly fond of cleaning, if anybody were to have a bunny size ball of dust, it would be us. Although if I were to come across one so large we would probably send out for help.
They hide every where, in corners, under your bed, in your broom. They are extremely sneaky and can easily escape you on the slightest puff of air. My mom is something of a conspiracy theorist, and thinks they could be spies. Although, she isn't sure which country might be controlling them.
Another suggestion from my mother is that they are just bunny parts, because when they come together they make an even bigger bunny. In fact they are very similar to transformers that way. That would make them aliens from another planet. I'm okay with that as long as they are here for good, and not to take over the planet.
We have never once caught them coming into or exit the house. They seem to appear from nowhere, and they are remarkably similar to their namesake in that they multiply rapidly. In addition, dust bunnies never leave you a basket of treats, hidden or otherwise. Although, it is possible that they are Jewish, and therefore do not celebrate Easter.
On the plus side they never leave their dropping around the house. They are very quiet...no wild parties. And they seem very loving, because we see them all the time. Incredibly despite their effect on humans' allergies, dust bunnies never seem to be sick, as I have never once seen one in a hospital.
There are real gray bunnies, but there are also black, brown, white and spotted bunnies. Dust bunnies on the other hand, only come in gray. Is this because gray bunnies are the best? Or is it because gray bunnies were the low bunny on the totem pole. Perhaps we'll never know.
Thoughts?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Eight Things I Love About Joss Whedon...
I just have to take a minute out of my day and express to you how much I love Joss Whedon. I think that this man is a genius and I would give my left arm to meet him or be in in a show he created. There are many things I love about Mr. Whedon, but I have prepared a short list for you, my readers.
1) Buffy the Vampire Slayer - My favorite show of all time. I own all seven seasons and still watch them. There are so many things to love about Buffy, but the most important is that this was a show that was built around a female superhero. Buffy was no Wonder Woman, she had flaws, but we loved her all the more for them. Over seven seasons she saved the world multiple times, and at the same time dealt with everyday problems. Her mom died, her sister rebelled, friends betrayed her, boys gave her drama, and through it all she prevailed. Buffy gave hope that anything could be conquered if you try hard enough.
2) Dollhouse - I have been waiting for a new show from Joss, and I was not disappointed. This show has everything I have some to expect from Whedon, interesting, conflicted characters, twisty plots, and a compelling main character. Not to mention, it brought Eliza Dushku back to TV.
3) Guest-starring on Veronica Mars - Joss Whedon didn't create the show Veronica Mars, but he definitely paved the way for it. Multiple Buffy alums guested on this show, but I was thrilled when Joss himself made a special appearance as an annoying supervisor at a car-rental place. It was a perfectly understated way for him to show that he appreciated and respected the show.
4) Nathan Fillion - One of my favorite actors, who Joss Whedon made into a star. He started on Buffy as the creepy clergyman Caleb, then became the leading man in the short lived, but much loved Firefly and its companion movie Serenity. Now he is on a non-Whedon show called Castle, but I firmly believe Fillion owes his success to Joss Whedon.
5) Mutant Enemy and the Grrr, Argh - If you have never seen a Whedon show, then this won't make any sense to you at all. Every episode of a show created by Joss Whedon ends with a monster running across the screen and saying "Grrr, Argh!" Not really a genius things in and of itself, but its cute, and it is unmistakably Joss Whedon's.
6) Once More, With Feeling - As a fan of musicals in general, I was overjoyed with the musical episode of Buffy. This gets its own number on the list because it was so spectacular. Whedon wrote all for the music himself, all the stars did their own singing, the opening credits were clever, the Grr, Argh! at the end was sung like opera, I could go on forever.
7) The comics - When fans weren't happy with the end results of Whedon's shows, he didn't argue, he wrote more. Angel, Buffy, and Firefly all got comics that continue the story for those fans who just can't let go. (I'll admit, I am one.)
8) Angel - Angel was a much loved character on Buffy, but it was clear that he couldn't remain at Buffy's side forever. Instead, he got his own show, which made it possible for Cordelia and Wesley to continue in the world of Whedon, and introduced us to more interesting characters in Fred and Gunn. It also provided an avenue for Spike to return from the grave after his spectacular fiery death on Buffy. Pleasing all those Spike fans out there who were sad to see him go. (Again, me!)
I could continue to list things I love about Joss Whedon, but it would probably bore you. Suffice it to say, if you haven't experienced this man's creative genius, you should. I promise you won't be disappointed.
1) Buffy the Vampire Slayer - My favorite show of all time. I own all seven seasons and still watch them. There are so many things to love about Buffy, but the most important is that this was a show that was built around a female superhero. Buffy was no Wonder Woman, she had flaws, but we loved her all the more for them. Over seven seasons she saved the world multiple times, and at the same time dealt with everyday problems. Her mom died, her sister rebelled, friends betrayed her, boys gave her drama, and through it all she prevailed. Buffy gave hope that anything could be conquered if you try hard enough.
2) Dollhouse - I have been waiting for a new show from Joss, and I was not disappointed. This show has everything I have some to expect from Whedon, interesting, conflicted characters, twisty plots, and a compelling main character. Not to mention, it brought Eliza Dushku back to TV.
3) Guest-starring on Veronica Mars - Joss Whedon didn't create the show Veronica Mars, but he definitely paved the way for it. Multiple Buffy alums guested on this show, but I was thrilled when Joss himself made a special appearance as an annoying supervisor at a car-rental place. It was a perfectly understated way for him to show that he appreciated and respected the show.
4) Nathan Fillion - One of my favorite actors, who Joss Whedon made into a star. He started on Buffy as the creepy clergyman Caleb, then became the leading man in the short lived, but much loved Firefly and its companion movie Serenity. Now he is on a non-Whedon show called Castle, but I firmly believe Fillion owes his success to Joss Whedon.
5) Mutant Enemy and the Grrr, Argh - If you have never seen a Whedon show, then this won't make any sense to you at all. Every episode of a show created by Joss Whedon ends with a monster running across the screen and saying "Grrr, Argh!" Not really a genius things in and of itself, but its cute, and it is unmistakably Joss Whedon's.
6) Once More, With Feeling - As a fan of musicals in general, I was overjoyed with the musical episode of Buffy. This gets its own number on the list because it was so spectacular. Whedon wrote all for the music himself, all the stars did their own singing, the opening credits were clever, the Grr, Argh! at the end was sung like opera, I could go on forever.
7) The comics - When fans weren't happy with the end results of Whedon's shows, he didn't argue, he wrote more. Angel, Buffy, and Firefly all got comics that continue the story for those fans who just can't let go. (I'll admit, I am one.)
8) Angel - Angel was a much loved character on Buffy, but it was clear that he couldn't remain at Buffy's side forever. Instead, he got his own show, which made it possible for Cordelia and Wesley to continue in the world of Whedon, and introduced us to more interesting characters in Fred and Gunn. It also provided an avenue for Spike to return from the grave after his spectacular fiery death on Buffy. Pleasing all those Spike fans out there who were sad to see him go. (Again, me!)
I could continue to list things I love about Joss Whedon, but it would probably bore you. Suffice it to say, if you haven't experienced this man's creative genius, you should. I promise you won't be disappointed.
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