Swords, Specters, & Stuff
Welcome to My World
I started this blog in January 2012 for one simple reason: I love to write. I named it “Swords, Specters, & Stuff” because I especially love to write about writing, about books and movies in my favorite genres, about authors that mean a great deal to me. But there’s more to it than that, which is why I included “Stuff” in the title. It is “Stuff” that gives me carte blanche to write about anything, which is why you’ll see stories about special trips to Cooperstown, Sedona, and other places; about getting older; about baseball; about the otherworldly way in which I met my soul mate; about the loss of good friends, and so much more. Enjoy! And feel free to leave a comment.
Myths And Legends: Haunted Bathrooms Around The World
You may recall Moaning Myrtle, a rather whiny ghost, who haunted one of the bathrooms at Hogwarts. But Myrtle was a fictional character, not one of the real ghosts that haunt toilets, loos, and lavatories all around the globe, effectively scaring the shit out of unsuspecting users. (Okay, you had to know THAT was coming.) 😊 Let’s take a peek inside a few of them.
Guilty Pleasures: THE RITE
I suppose you could say that any movie, including the 2011 supernatural horror film, THE RITE, will benefit from having the great Anthony Hopkins as its star. While the critics praised his performance as a dedicated exorcist, they hated just about everything else about the flick.
Mr. Spock Had To Start Somewhere
The late, ultra-great Leonard Nimoy (a distant relative of mine) began his acting career in 1951, fifteen years before he achieved well-deserved fame as Mr. Spock, the Vulcan science officer in the original series of STAR TREK. Among his early (and mostly uncredited) roles was that of a Martian invader…
“I’ll Be Right Here”—Memorable Final Movie Lines
The last lines of dialogue in any film should leave viewers with something to remember. Here are a few notable ones.
Guilty Pleasures: DEATH SHIP
“Those who survive the ghost ship are better off dead.” Such is the tagline for the 1980 nautical horror film—and cult classic—DEATH SHIP. I have to admit to teetering on the fence about calling it a guilty pleasure or a guilty displeasure. But ultimately its many laughs—totally unintentional—won me over.
Myths And Legends: Alaska’s Ghost Ship
Given its vastness and minimal population, “America’s Last Frontier” has spawned many a strange tale. But none may be any weirder than the story of the SS BAYCHIMO—Alaska’s ghost ship.
What? It’s Monday Already?
So where’s my usual post? Sorry, but I’ve been so wrapped up with the NCAA Basketball Tournaments (men’s and women’s), and the opening of the baseball season, that the next REAL article won’t appear till the following Monday.
Final Four Times Two? Awesome!!!
I can’t let this week go by without a giant WOW for our two basketball teams.
Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen!
When Neil Sedaka sang this song back in the day, I was a mere juvenile (but not a delinquent). Now, I’m pretty sure Neil wasn’t referring to the NCAA Basketball Tournament, but I am, because—wonder of wonders—two of our teams are still dancing!
“Madness! Madness!”
The title of this post is an actual line of dialogue—the last in the film, actually—from the much-honored classic, THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI (1958). It is shouted by a character called Major Clipton as he observes men destroying one another during a World War II battle and is a strong commentary on the madness of war. But hey, it’s MARCH, the month where MADNESS has another meaning.
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