23: Realms
School, home, zombie plagues and national parks. The whole shebang.
What Happens AFTER the Zombie Apocalypse?
Like, say you make it through. You find a good weapon and a good hiding spot, full of Spaghettio cans, and you make it through. Then what? Like, after?
I think I know. I think there’d be days when you woke up like “Oh yeah! There’s no more dead people trying to bite everybody! I should go enjoy the day!” But then you wouldn’t go out. You’d have a nap instead, because somehow it would just feel more normal. You’d find out that you’re more comfortable sleeping under the bed.
How do I know this? Because I watched some videos I recorded at the beginning of this COVID nonsense, and I was different, man. I had energy I needed to use up. I did puzzles at the start of this. I had inclinations that pointed towards places outside of my own house. Even five months ago, I was still enjoying indulging in takeout. Now, with pretty gorgeous weather outside and loosening social strictures, I don’t even want to eat. My wife suggests watching something on TV together and I wither and wilt under the pressure. “But that’ll include deciding! No. I’m out.”
My expectation is that this will take time to emerge from. In early September she and I are supposed to be hiking national parks. I currently want to cry while putting on my shoes for a walk. I’m assuming we’ll get there - but this is pretty nuts. How about you? Do you feel like a racehorse waiting for the starting pistol, or like Lazarus after his rude, value-laden interruption? Cuz I’m in the second camp, rubbing my eyes and going “Jesus - what time is it?”
Hard Core Logo Still Rules
Last week I rewatched what may be my favourite Canadian movie, Hard Core Logo (1996, Bruce McDonald). It was glorious. This movie should be more famous.
There were two soundtrack releases: one, a “tribute album,” very in-fashion at the time (late 90s) with Canadian bands paying tribute to the fictional band - I thought it was mostly fantastic. And then another with the songs from the film, including HCL’s Sonic Reducer cover.
Did you know it was all based on a book of poetry? Did you know there was a “sequel”? Never mind. This is the stuff.
I had to get a Prime add-on channel to watch it (DVD’s long since stolen), but just discovered the whole thing on YouTube. It won’t last and has to be watched on YouTube. If you haven’t seen it, you oughta.
Thanks for reading. If you stand up too quick, just sit back down. Have a coffee. You’ll get there.
xo
jep
more always at misterjep.com
We've all found ourselves heading too fast into sharp turns lately, and can't find the brakes. We just have to grip the steering wheel harder. The outside world is not the same, and it's different in subtle ways that, in a movie, would require the danger violins for the audience to notice them early enough for a the purposes of suspense. No wonder it feels like all suspense, all the time.