_www.FantasyLibrary.com [Visit Who Is Joseph Teller?] Synthesis & Synchronicity 019

Synthesis & Synchronicity #19

Bring In the New Behind the scenes we have been busy with some of our ongoing projects, and one that has come finally to fruitation is the acquiring of additional network domains for our use. Added this weekend to our ownership of fantasylibrary.com has been three domains (all of which currently forward here):

kiralee.org
naughtyfaerie.org
naughtyfaerie.com

Very shortly I hope to do a revamp of the website, making it more navigatable and adding more features and content, some of which doesn't fall into the library structure, which is where the concepts of the additional URLs also lead. There will be a 'front end' leading to the various materials we'll be adding. By doing this this way, we keep the visibility of the original fantasylibrary.com website name in all the search engines etc and add in the new directions rapidly and efficiently.

This is also because I have a bit of paranoia about domain name thieves, the folks that swoop down and grab names as they come up for renwal and then hold the domains hostage. By getting additional domains and long term periods, rather then the short ones offered by our current web host, we have some additional safety and flexibility.

Mailing List News For those folks that are subscribing to our mailing lists I have some positive news. Our provider for the lists has added some additional security to the lists to prevent folks who are not on the lists from spamming the lists. This is a long awaited feature, which I've made sure to turn on for all our lists.

The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen With our original plans for the day (a barbacue with our fellow building occupants and owners), I got a chance to go and see the recently opened movie, the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, based on the comic books/graphic novels by Alan Moore. Unlike most action films it was showing at the Harvard Square Theatre, a nice walk from our home, and I got to attend the matinee, which made it financially comfortable as well.

I don't see as many films first run in the theatre as I like, the high price of tickets and other factors often prevent it. This is only the third movie I've seen first run this year (x-2 and the Italian Job being the other two) but I think it was worth the money and effort.

It uses a totally different plot then the comics, adds in two additional period characters (Dorian Gray and Tom Sawyer) to the League and gives Capt. Nemo an interesting proto-type automobile as well as his nifty sub. The action is well choreographed, the story splits work well, and Pita Wilson is definitely an interesting Mina Harker who can hold a stage successfully with Sean Connery's Alan Quartermain. It is cut very tight, which means that I'm anxious for a DVD version with some stuff added in that ended up on the cutting room floor for time considerations.

I know, I'm horribly old fashioned and believe that a movie should be as long as is needed to tell the story artfully and in depth. I don't care for the usual 2 hour limit imposed by modern theatres (I like films that run 3 hours or more to make them work better).

I was also impressed that they did Mr. Hyde right, using a very complex body suit and puppeteers rather than cartoonish CGI (like was done in The Hulk recently). The CGI was used for effects that would have needed tons of model work (large scale buildings and vehicles) where it serves much better and looks far more realistic.

I definitely recommend this film to folks who have an interest in Steampunk, the Victorian Era (and its hero's/villains), action films and the comic. It's differences from the comics make it enjoyable, save that I miss the numerous 'walk ons' and 'cameos' of obscure victorian characters from various novels of the era.

Personal Stuff I'm doing a bit better today, less depressed than in previous days, and a bit more sure of my self and capabilities. The movie helped to raise my spirits, and although I am facing some annoying additional work related to the condo building (as the other owners again have hired workers to do things, told me to supervise the work, and headed off without necessarily giving me full details of what they are supposed to be doing or real authority over who I'm supervising), I shall muddle thru, if all goes well.

Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings.....

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