Eric Arvin's Blog, page 111

November 30, 2010

30 Day Blogger, Day 29: Favorite Historical Figure

I first became obsessed with Alexander the Great when I saw a documentary on him in high school. Since then I have read everything about him I could find, from Robin Lane Fox's book (which was later adapted to Oliver Stone's film) to the primary sources by men such as Quintus Curtius Rufus and Plutarch, right on through Mary Renault's glorious fiction . As a gay man, I was, of course, enthralled by his relationship with Hephaestion, and am waiting for a film that will examine this more fully. (There was rumor of a version starring Heath Ledger, who would have been perfect, but...alas.) Alexander is an infinitely interesting historical figure, whether you see him as hero or mass murderer, because, the fact is, he was both.
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 30, 2010 03:29

Hot Shot: Are Those Antlers in Your Pocket or...

Photo by Sam Scott Schiavo.
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 30, 2010 03:02

November 29, 2010

Free Music!

As you are aware, I'm a complete music slut. I breathe it. I bathe in it. I have filthy, sweet lovin' sex with it. So when a free download is brought to my attention I am eager to share. Misharamusic handles some wonderful artists, including Peter Bradley Adams formerly of Eastmontainsouth. Go HERE and click on "Free songs" to download music by Adams as well as a couple others. You don't even have to sign up for anything! I'm a fan of Peter Bradley Adams, so I'm happy to help out. Independent artists of all kinds should stick together.
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 29, 2010 11:59

30 Day Blogger, Day 28: First CD Ever Bought

Deep in my Twin Peaks craze, I bought my very first CD at a bargain bin - Big Lots. It was Julee Cruise's single "Rockin' Back Inside My Heart", which is featured in the series, as well as the song "The World Spins" (those among you will remember the latter as being the song sung in the bar after Madeline is murdered by Bob). Julee Cruise has the most unsettling and gorgeous of voices, perfectly Lynchian. My first full length CD was Annie Lennox's Diva a bit later.
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 29, 2010 05:15

12 Songs From K

Shuffling madness:


"King of Love" by Mary Chapin Carpenter

"Kathleen" by David Gray

"Killing The Blues" by Robert Plant/ Alison Krauss

"Keep Yourself Warm" by Frightened Rabbit

"Know" by Nick Drake

"Keep Us" by Peter Bradley Adams

"The King & Queen of America" by Eurythmics

"Keep On Loving You" by REO Speedwagon

"Keep Young and Beautiful" by Annie Lennox

"Kiss Me" by Sixpence None The Richer

"The Kids Don't Stand a Chance" by Vampire Weekend

"Kolnidur" by Jonsi
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 29, 2010 04:37

Hot Shot: On the Fence About It

Tim Palen photo of Francois Sagat for Slick It Up. A unique and clever composition.
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 29, 2010 03:38

November 28, 2010

READ THIS BOOK! "Counterpoint" by Ruth Sims

I woke up Saturday not preparing to do much of anything. I picked up Ruth Sims' book Counterpoint: Dylan's Story (Dreamspinner Press), expecting to read a chapter or two.

I couldn't put it down.

It's a marvelous tale, full of romance, tragedy, and, yes, excitement. Something happens in the second part of the novel that made it absolutely impossible for me not to read on. I don't do book reviews, but I cannot recommend this lovely tale highly enough. It's well-written, meticulously researched, and even the secondary characters (the ones who appear in only a couple pages at most) are given humanity. This is a book that stands apart from its genre specification. Don't pass this off as just another romance novel. This is something special and deserves a large readership. When Sims describes the scene you will see it as clearly as if she's designed the film sets.


Here's the blurb from Amazon: "At eighteen Dylan Rutledge has one obsession: music. He believes his destiny is to be the greatest composer of the rapidly approaching twentieth century. Only Laurence Northcliff, a young history master at The Venerable Bede School for Young Gentlemen, believes in Dylan's talent and encourages his dream, not realizing Dylan is in love with him. But Dylan's passion and belief in his future come at a high price. They will alienate him from his family and lead him on a rocky path fraught with disappointment, rejection, and devastating loss that kills his dream. A forbidden love could bring the dream back to life and rescue Dylan from despair and bitterness, but does he have the courage to reach out and take it? Will he deny the music that rules his soul?"
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 28, 2010 14:10

30 Day Blogger, Day 27: A Dream Home

A villa would be lovely, thank you. I love the one Diane Lane has in "Under The Tuscan Sun" or the one featured in "Enchanted April."
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 28, 2010 06:56

12 Songs From J

Shuffled:


"Just Another" by Pete Yorn

"Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts" by Brandon Flowers

"Jesse" by Ivri Lider (very sweet song about a first gay crush)

"Jesse" by Carly Simon (ANOTHER Jesse?)

"Joe" by The Cranberries

"Jacksonville Skyline" by Whiskeytown (a classic)

"Jesus & Gravity" by Dolly Parton

"Jenny Was a Friend of Mine" by The Killers

"Jefferson" by David Berekley

"Joey" by Concrete Blond

"Josephine" by Brandi Carlile

"Just Can't Last" by Natalie Merchant
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 28, 2010 06:15

Hot Shot: Lunch At The Beach

Found this and loved it! The artist is named Rocketman, though I don't know much more about him. Very quirky and faux innocent...
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 28, 2010 05:45

Eric Arvin's Blog

Eric Arvin
Eric Arvin isn't a Goodreads Author (yet), but they do have a blog, so here are some recent posts imported from their feed.
Follow Eric Arvin's blog with rss.