Dark Sentiments 2014 – Day 14: Vandaveer

| October 14, 2014

The macabre has long held uneasy sway over the human condition. From ghost stories to creation myths, from CSI to Shakespeare, from cable news voyeurism to Edgar Allan Poe, subjects of death, murder and all things ghastly have fascinated and frightened for centuries. Songs are no exception. From Old World roots to more recent incarnations […]

Dark Sentiments 2014 – Day 13: With Deepest Regret

| October 13, 2014

The study of any Martial Way that may lend itself to the harming or killing of another human being both broadens one’s horizons and limits options. I speak of limitations because if you are known to be skilled in empty hand techniques, a blade, or with firearms for example, you will be immediately suspected if […]

Dark Sentiments 2014 – Day 12: Fun With the Great Unwashed

| October 12, 2014

Fun With the Great Unwashed By LFM There’s a thing I like to do, Each seven years or so. I spread a rumour that I’ve died Through towns I rarely go. Then off about my business For at least another year, Watching people stop and stare, Then cross themselves in fear. Most fun of all […]

Dark Sentiments 2014 – Day 11: I’d Put You on a Pedestal

| October 11, 2014

T’is not to say all women crave Such ravishment as this. And if you think that’s what I’ve said There’s something that you miss. A Lover worthy of the name Is one who’s come to find That the truest path to heart’s desire Lies through a woman’s mind. ~ Dark Sentiments 2012 – Day 28: […]

Dark Sentiments 2014 – Day 10: An Interview with Canada’s Last Hangman

| October 10, 2014

Before Canada eliminated the death penalty for murder on July 14, 1976, 1,481 people were sentenced to death, with 710 executed. Of those executed, 697 were men and 13 were women. The only method used in Canada for capital punishment of civilians after the end of the French regime was hanging. The last execution in […]

Dark Sentiments 2014 – Day 9: Aubrey Beardsley

| October 9, 2014

The Valiant A ballad The valiant was a noble bark          As ever ploughed the sea, A noble crew she also had          As ever there might be. When once at night upon the deep          The Valiant did sail, Her captain saw a pirate ship          By the moonlight dim and pale. Then up […]

Dark Sentiments 2014 – Day 8: What Does the Fox Say?

| October 8, 2014

I’m not sure how I managed it, but I only first learned of the Norwegian brothers Vegard and Bård Ylvisåker, and their musical talents under the name of Ylvis, in the past few months. Lucky for me, they came into my life just in time to provide the musical introduction to today’s Dark Sentiment with […]

Dark Sentiments 2014 – Day 7: Slenderman

| October 7, 2014

Back in October of 2010, I wrote about the Wendigo – ” … a malevolent forest spirit that comes in winter. It needs human flesh to feed but can only slake its hunger by possessing a human that it then uses to hunt, kill, and devour its prey. The Wendigo comes to us through the […]

Dark Sentiments 2014 – Day 6: The Dark Side of Cuteness

| October 6, 2014

Our SFM Viktor is only a little more than  a month past his first birthday and is already well acquainted with the arts of seduction. At least insofar as it applies to causing everyone in the room to ignore all other children, even their own, as soon as they notice him.  When that starts, the […]

Dark Sentiments 2014 – Day 5: Film Noir

| October 5, 2014

Film noir / film nwär / noun: A style or genre of cinematographic film marked by a mood of pessimism, fatalism, and menace. The term was originally applied (by a group of French critics) to American thriller or detective films made in the period 1944–54 and to the work of directors such as Orson Welles, […]