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We want you.How much more explicit can we be? The Quail Bell Crew wants you and your time and your talent. In fact, we're not even asking for that much of your time. No matter where you live in the world, you can contribute to QuailBellMagazine.com. If you have non-fiction stories and photo sets, you can even post them directly to the website. We give you an OFFICIAL log-in, you follow our simple guidelines, and our editors will review your work before it goes live. Pretty easy, huh? So what are you waiting for, slowpoke? Email us and ask for a log-in! Trust us. You'll be glad you did. Ours is the best cult around.
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Artist Spotlight: Reggie Watts By Ben Harsel QuailBelleMagazine.com Reggie Watts may very well be responsible for some of the most refreshing and captivating performances of our time. Tagged now as a comedian, his performances blend impressive improvisation and remarkable talent, leaving the viewer in awe of such a unique experience. Certainly his performances contain a humorous semblance, but the shear talent Watts is able to demonstrate does not limit his genre to comedy. It’s more of an overall unforgettable live experience. Watts does not come from a comedy background. He went to the Art Institute of Seattle to study art after high school, but soon transferred to Cornish College of the Arts to study jazz. It was there that Watts started playing in various musical groups, most notably with Maktub. His musical talents are certainly at the forefront of his routines today, as Watts works with looping technology to record drum beats and bass parts all with his own voice. Usually after he has these “a cappella rhythm sections” down, he goes on to showcase his extraordinary vocal range with 100% improvised lyrics and melodies. The best parts of these songs may very well be the way he suddenly stops them with the punch of a button and proceeds with his routine as if nothing magical has just happened. Please check out the video of Watts performing live at the PopTech Fest at the bottom of this article to see for yourself what I am talking about. Watts had the privilege of touring the country with Conan O’Brien last year on the “Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour,” where he warmed up the crowd each night with an opening set. After a few shows Reggie began to get some much earned recognition. Many people were probably just paying to see Conan O’Brien perform in his laid off fury, but slowly but surely word began to spread about the opening act, and buzz about this witty large afro man named Reggie Watts circulated throughout the Internet and around the country. Currently, other than gracing various Earwolf podcasts such as “Comedy Bang! Bang!” and “Sklarbro Country” with his guest appearances, Reggie is taking his talents to IFC’s new show, “Comedy Bang! Bang!” which of course is the television interpretation of the aforementioned podcast. Reggie serves as the sidekick/one man house band to host Scott Aukerman. Seeing these two guys riff back and forth on the show is greatly entertaining and those who have IFC should check out the program. “Comedy Bang! Bang!” did a live show at SXSW in Austin this past March, and I’ve been kicking myself for not going to see them perform in the flesh while I was down there. Thankfully, there will be a nationwide live tour starting this July, which I hope not to miss. Check out the absolutely surreal and positively amusing charm of Reggie Watts in the video below and enjoy the unique comedy. The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
Historic Hotspot: Monterey, CA By Julie DiNisio QuailBellMagazine.com As an East Coaster, I don't really give the West Coast much thought, especially in terms of historical value. And while California is often associated with Hollywood, L.A., and good vacation spots, the city of Monterey is an historic hotspot that deserves recognition.
The town was established in 1770 by Spaniards Father Junípero Serra and explorer Gaspar de Portolà, though the land was originally inhabited by the Ohlone tribe. Monterey played a key role in the Mexican-American War as the site of the Battle of Monterey in 1846. The U.S. won and claimed Monterey. Besides its history, the city is also known for its location on beautiful Monterey Bay. If visiting Monterey, there are a variety of historic places to check out. Cannery Row is a water-front street lined with closed sardine canning factories, the muse for John Steinbeck's novel. Restaurants and shops fill many of the defunct factories, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium is located at the end of the historic street. Similarly, Fisherman's Wharf is an historic location turned tourist attraction. Built in 1870 to facilitate the sardine business, it now houses nice eateries and, yes, more shops along with the Custom House Plaza, Monterey's historical center. The Old Monterey Jail also makes for an interesting stop as it was built in 1854 and acted as the city's jail until 1956. Also consider San Carlos Cathedral, the oldest active church in California. It was constructed in 1770, having been founded by Father Serra, and and is a beautiful example of Spanich Colonial architecture. A small museum within the church further explains its history and influence. Thus, Monterey, California makes for a charming place to visit and glean some West Coast history. The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
Boy, Buddha never picks up.By Christine Stoddard QuailBellMagazine.com A monk talks on his cell phone while sitting on a park bench on Federal Hill in Baltimore, Maryland. Imaginary? No. Otherworldly? Mayhaps.
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Bang, bang, you big bad wolfBy Luna Lark QuailBellMagazine.com How would 'Little Red Riding Hood' have been different if the protagonist had been carrying a gun? Just saying.
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Reminisce, Bike JoustersBy Starling Root QuailBellMagazine.com Summer is a time of play and exploration. It is a time of memory-making and reminiscing. People graduate high school/college and flounder/blossom. People get married. People go on long vacations. People bake in the sun and hang out on the beach. Now that summer's in full swing, we quail birds are hopping and flying to our hearts' content. But we're also thinking back to just a couple of years ago, wondering exactly how we landed where we are now. Our minds keep wandering back to 2010. A lot can change in 730 days.
2010 was the last time Richmond, Virginia's bike gang, the Cutthroats, held their famed Slaugherama at Belle Isle, one of the most popular outdoor hang-outs in our little Southern city. By that point, Slaughterama had been going seven years strong. This day of bicycle jousting and PBR slugging usually occurred the first weekend in April. Students at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) needed their last real release before exams and final projects. All other in-the-know Richmonders just wanted a way to celebrate bikes and beer. It was springtime and the lazy days of summer were not too far away. There wouldn't be another break like this one 'til Memorial Day. Now it's summertime and the faster-paced days of autumn are not too far away. It's another crux in our personal timelines. What are we waiting for? July 4th? Labor Day? Something else? The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
For the Love of Trolls By Brooke Covington QuailBellMagazine.com Nowadays, in a sea of electronic playthings, it is easy to forget the past glory of the greatest non-mechanical toys of all time. Think about it—Slinkies, Yo-Yo’s, Matchbox cars, Barbies, My Little Pony—the list goes on and on. And while all of those toys are legendary and a large part of some of my fondest playtime memories, there is one toy that has constantly been put on the top shelf—out of reach for the reminiscences of our inner child. And that toy is…the Troll. I’m hoping that, like me, the image of this cute and quirky bauble unleashes a flood of nostalgia for days past. Clutched by the hair in my sticky, puerile fingers, these pot-bellied, wide-eyed friends helped my young creative mind run wild. I love these things—my all-time favorite will forever be rainbow Troll. But I must admit that the older version of me is left a little bewildered by these creatures. Where did the idea for this odd toy come from? So I did a little snooping. And come to find out—the origin of the Troll is a rather charming tale. As with all good stories, this one is, in fact, a rags to riches chronicle devoted to creating happiness in the lives of children—but it all began with one child in particular. The creator, a Danish man named Thomas Dam, invented the dolls in 1959 out of necessity: One Christmas, too poor to provide a gift for his beloved daughter, Lila, Dam was forced to craft a present with his own two hands. So he carved the tiny figure out of wood, giving her glass eyes and a head of hair made from sheep wool. Popularity blossomed once the children of their small town took notice of Lila’s new knickknack. Thomas Dam was elated. Little did he know that these impish-looking leprechauns would eventually leap to the forefront of the toy industry. I can only imagine how my parents felt about me carting around four or five of these naked, outrageous-looking dwarfs when I was a child. But even now, every time I look at mine, I smile. Hopefully Trolls will continue to bring joy to children everywhere. Even in the face of the Xbox, the Wii, and the iPod. Because as every child knows, the best toy is one that requires zero batteries and no electrical outlets—all you need is a little imagination.
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Tea Party By the SidewalkBy QB Camera Eye QuailbellMagazine.com This coterie of teapots and teacups was found just off of the sidewalk in Bellevue, one of Richmond, Virginia's Northside neighborhoods.
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Achieving the Goth Look for SummerBy Paisley Hibou QuailBellMagazine.com Mysteriously elegant, the Victorian Goth style is popular amongst nostalgic types who long for bygone days and those who simply want to look refined. Unfortunately, as beautiful as they may be, petticoats, heavy velvet, and corsets are impractical, not to mention uncomfortable and even dangerous, additions to summer wardrobes. If your hometown or city boasts a steamy summertime, you simply can’t go Goth the same way as you do the rest of the year without overheating. Many Goths give up over the summer and temporarily adopt another look. But just because the temperatures rise, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the look you love. Here’s how to modify your Gothic outfits for warmer months: • Stick to a specific palette: Carry your gothic color choices into the summertime: black, deep reds, rich purples, silver, emerald green, chocolate brown, ivory, gray, navy, and royal blue. Don’t succumb to tacky colors that stores tend to push as soon as the thermometer starts pushing 70. Remain reserved in your selections and you’ll automatically be halfway to establishing your Goth summer wardrobe. To stay cool, you can still wear summer clothes---tank tops, sandals, mini skirts, and shorts.
• Accessorize with period pieces: Since your clothes can’t be as ornate in the summertime without you suffering from the heat, you can rely on accessories to show your gothic style. Look for cameos, crosses, crescent moons, fairies, skulls, and similar charms. You may also consider temporary tattoos, ranging from unicorns to teakettles to horse carriages to dragons. Very thin gloves, warm weather hats, parasols, and light scarves are other fashionable options. • Tone down the make-up: Summer heat melts off most make-up so apply your make-up sparingly and choose waterproof products whenever possible. Most Goths would agree that eyeliner’s the most important cosmetic product, with powder being a close second unless you already possess flawlessly porcelain skin. Remember to indulge in loads of sunscreen to maintain your pale complexion! • Experiment with unusual combinations: Now that I have explained the basics, you may be interested in how you can further your look. One of my favorite styling techniques involves wearing shorts over fishnets (or similarly textured tights). You can also layer camisoles over one another or put tank tops over short-sleeve shirts. You might want to pair boots with shorts or dresses over jeans, too. The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
I am Prince Charming, hear me roar.By QB Provocateur QuailBellMagazine.com Why is it that modern Western society deems fairy tales 'feminine'? Why are they the stuff of little girls and airhead women? Please discuss!
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Another Way, Another TimeBy Starling Root QuailBellMagazine.com Infinite universes allow for infinite possibilities. Think about all the people who could've starred in your love stories, all the people who could've been more than friends if the right circumstances had presented themselves. Somewhere, everyone who died a graceless death in this universe met an elegant ending in another. They would've finished that M.F.A. or started that topiary business, maybe learned to ride a horse Western-style and crochet like Nanna, too.
Think about all that...and then let go. There is another way in another time, but you must accept the universe you live in now. Though you are capable of making certain changes, you're bound by the limitations of this universe. Dream and reach and then reach some more, but do not spend all your days longing for another way, another time. The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
A Female Romare Bearden/Joseph CornellBy Paisley Hibou QuailBellMagazine.com The gorgeous chaos--stacked and smeared and shattered. The colors and textures colliding in this brilliant, challenging, punky way.
Janice Lowry is Romare Bearden or Joseph Cornell with a vagina, and that's probably why her brilliant collages never garnered the same level of attention as those of her male counterparts. But here at Quail Bell, we're more than willing to celebrate an unsung heroine. These are just a few of Lowry's works; many more are available online. We encourage you to explore her vast, fantastical collection. The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
Kindle? iPad?Imagine a world of Quail Bell delivered directly to your inbox! The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
Appreciation for Historic SuffolkBy Claire Ledoyen
QuailBellMagazine.com I’ve lived in Suffolk, Virginia my whole life. Despite seeing Suffolk as a big lovely playground seemingly saturated with stories, mystery and the smell of roasted peanuts in my childhood, up until recently I’d been considering it to be just barely charming enough to not be considered awful and boring. It moves too slowly for me now, and as I prepare to move to New York for school in August the environment of my hometown does nothing for me except induce cravings of wanderlust and generally make me feel like a really big bird in a really small cage. Or, it did; until I got the assignment to do a photo essay on historic Suffolk - the district my 103-year-old house is located in. At some point between reading first-hand accounts of the Siege of Suffolk at the local library and heading everywhere from down the street to across the largest city in Virginia to snap photos, I discovered the awe I used to hold for my city when I was a child skinning my knees on Suffolk sidewalks. The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
Thailand: Where Beauty AboundsBy Claire Ledoyen QuailBellMagazine.com Thailand is located in Southeast Asia; bordered by Cambodia in the East, Malaysia in the South, Myanmar (or Burma) in the West and North, and Laos in the Northeast. The country is 198,120 square miles in total and comprised of four main geographic regions (North, Northeast or “Isan”, Central, and South).
Through the years, Thai government has given the regions of Thailand a reputation for being one of the most culturally homogenous countries in Southeast Asia. However, regional diversity in Thailand has taken a blow from state-initiated assimilation and a “Bangkok-centered” national cultural identity. In fact, the Thai Feds have made their opinions very clear that they prefer the use of the uniform “Thai” instead of formally widely-used ethnic classifications of its people like the “Khmer” and “Lao”. Despite the attempts of Thai government to squash it out, the true multiculturalism of the state has thrived. Thailand’s absolutely enormous tourism industry, though it places the history & culture of the principalities as a commodity, has been the impetus for a renewed vibrancy of local cultures in Thailand. The surge in ethnic identity is quickly making evident the need for a revitalization of the nation’s aged governmental organization. Understanding Thai culture relies in awareness of each distinct region and its history. However, the full history of Thailand is impossibly long and complicated. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THAILAND Artifacts found at Ban Chiang in the Northeast date all the way back to about 2000 BC and have led archaeologists to believe that the very first agriculture-based civilization in Asia to make bronze flourished in Isan, in or around the Khorat Plateau, five thousand years ago. I gleaned what I could from research on the country from 2000 to 0 BC, and could only come up with this laughable and probably wrong timeline of events down in my notes as some kind of reference:
Things started to make a little bit more sense after I hit the Common Era, but the narrative of the country’s history is criss-crossed with migrating peoples, the rise and fall of empires and especially the addition and loss of territories. Distinguishing the past “Pre-Thai” kingdoms and their complicated relationships with each other through the 13 century was frustrating, to say the least. Thailand was home to the Mon, Tai and Khmer tribes in the early centuries AD. These empires had some of the heaviest influence on contemporary Thailand including Theravada Buddhism (which is practiced by almost 95% of the current Thai population), taken from India by the Mons, as well as ideas and practices of Hinduism introduced by the Khmers. A group of Khmer principalities united in the 13th century to eventually become the kingdom of Sukhothai in 1238. Sukhothai is traditionally accepted by the Thai as their first kingdom, though Thai history began before its establishment. Additional Thai kingdoms Ayuthaya and Lanna Thai were soon created. Ayuthaya experienced a golden age in the 14th century, absorbed Sukhothai by 1448, and finally drove the remaining Khmers completely out – only to be totally destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. The fall of Ayuthaya led to the foundation of Bangkok as capital of Thailand – then called Siam - and the start of the Chakri Dynasty in 1782, which is still in power today. King Chulalongkorn (reigning from 1868-1910) is one of the most famous Chakri kings for preventing the colonization and aiding the modernization of Siam, establishing the country’s 1st railroad in 1901, and abolishing slavery in 1905. 1932 saw a nonviolent political coup successfully overturn Thailand’s absolute monarchy, and create a new constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government. Unfortunately, the decades following (especially after Thailand declared war on the United States in 1942/WW2) up until right now the government has experienced general turbulence such as political collapse, economic crises, corruption scandals, and natural disasters. The best view of Thailand is given by addressing the distinctions of each region instead of generating more of the monocultural identity that is usually associated with the colorful country. For example, Buddhism is the national religion, and has had an immeasurable impact on Thai culture and customs. Still, followers of other teachings such as Islam (primarily located in the South), Christianity and Confucianism thrive throughout the country. In fact, Hindi Sikhs are well known in Thailand for their charity to the poor and elderly. Even Hill Tribes of the North, such as the Lisu, Karen, and Akhu tribes deviate from Buddhism, Animism and folk traditions in favor of Christianity, brought into the country in the 16th and 17th centuries. Buddhist monks are given the absolute utmost reverence by every Thai citizen, and have been respected so greatly for centuries. Sacred Buddhist texts and books written by Buddhist monks concerning topics like family life, astrology, and the performance of rituals make up the most of the literature coming from the Lanna peoples, a primary ethnic group of the North. Buddhist literature is also integral in the South. Nora, a dance/drama that the Southern region is widely known for, usually takes its plot from the story of the kinnanari (half bird, half human) Manora. Taken from her Himalayan kingdom by a hunter who first cuts off her wings, Manora is transported to the hunter’s kingdom where the crown prince falls in love with and then marries her. The story’s villain persuades the king that his life is in danger and to kill Manora while the prince is away in order to survive. As Manora stands on a pyre to be burned alive, her wings suddenly come back and she flies away to her forest kingdom. She is joined by the prince (who has been an incarnation of Buddha in some variations) after he completes a series of tasks and is given special powers that allow him to visit the kinnanari forest. I think the forest kingdom Manora is said to have lived in is part of the Himmapan forest, a legendary forest in the Himalayan mountains invisible to mortal eyes and said to exist below the Buddhist heavens. A famous Indian epic, The Ramayana, is the source from which many of the Himmapan creatures were inspired. Other creatures also originated from depictions in visual art, literature and folk tales of Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia. For example, the Ghilen is a chinese dragon/deer/ox combo whose Thai counterpart has 2 antlers and is seen on many Buddhist temples in the country. Erawan, a figure in both Himmapan lore and Hindu beliefs, is a colossal white elephant with 33 heads. To give an idea of its magnitude, each of its heads has seven 16 million-meter long tusks. Even aquatic creatures are accounted for, such as the Thai Pla Seau (tiger head, fish body) and the Kunchorn Waree, a swift swimmer with the head and two front legs of an elephant and body of a fish (not to be confused with the Waree Kunchorn, an elephant that lives underwater with the help of gills and fins). In addition to Nora dance, the South is known for three other things – shadow puppetry, its people’s bubbly exuberance, and most of all the food. Food from the Southern region is famous for being especially spicy, which is no small feat for type of cuisine known for its heat. Unlike Central Thailand’s main staples of rich and fish and the Northeastern habit of eating whatever edible you can get (green plants, snakes, toads, snails, all birds, all eggs, and buffalo, among other treats), Southern food is packed with beef, pork, and fowl saturated in eye-watering spices and pungent herbs. Though the main dishes of Thai food are present in the region (stir fries, curries, raw veggies w/ dip and soups) the Southern style is so bold and distinct it has to be mentioned apart from the rest of the country’s eats. Here are a couple recipes for signature Southern dishes: Khao Yam: A Southern Thai rice salad Gaeng Som Pla: A sour curry Kua Kling: A dry curry made with beef or pork And so, I leave you with these Thai customs/tips on how to conduct yourself in Thai society just in case you find yourself craving some of that intense fish soup straight from the source…
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Headstones Through the WindshieldBy QB Camera Eye QuailBellMagazine.com Shockoe Hill Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia
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An Expensive Tradition By Julie DiNisio QuailBellMagazine.com I can't help but feel pity for guys contemplating engagement. Sure, finding that special someone you want to spend the rest of your life with is probably fantastic. But footing the bill for the engagement ring seems daunting, especially when the old rule claims that a man should put forth two months salary for the diamond. Fortunately, that trend has died off a little, and fewer men are willing to give up one-sixth of their yearly earnings for an engagement ring. Regardless, the average American engagement ring costs the groom about three thousand dollars. Where and when did this tradition begin? Or if you're of a particular mindset, maybe you're asking “who is to blame?”
We can start with the Ancient Romans. During this time, men often gave their betrothed rings decorated with keys. The circular ring was symbolic of a couple's never ending unity, the key of protection for the future husband's heart and the unlocking of the bride's dowry. The Ancient Egyptians decided that the ring should be worn on the fourth finger of the right hand as they associated it with the heart. Engagement rings became even more common in the 13th century when Pope Innocent III decreed that a couple should have a waiting period between engagement and marriage in order to solidify their commitment. Thus, the ring came to symbolize that. Up until the 15th century, the rings were simple, lacking jewels. The first recorded engagement ring actually featuring a diamond was given to Mary of Burgundy by Archduke Maximilian of Hamburg in 1477. But in the following centuries, only the very wealthy could afford bejeweled engagement rings. This changed in 1938 when N.W. Ayer & Son, first United States' first advertising agency, was commissioned to reverse the falling price of diamonds. The company coined the term “A Diamond is Forever,” brilliantly trying together the idea of diamonds and love. And soon enough, even Average Joes were on the hook for expensive engagement rings. So love it or hate it, the tradition of engagement rings is pretty well-established. And if you're a guy, there's a chance you will have to buy one someday. Just please, please don't spend two months salary on it! If the rings themselves can't go, then that rule certainly should. The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
I once was lost, but now I'm found By Marz Saffore QuailBellMagazine.com I wandered into the wilderness as a lost, unidentified creature searching for a home and a purpose. I found myself migrating from the North to the South. Was I the only one experiencing a void in my life? What could I do to fill this empty space? What could I do to belong? After what seemed like years of searching, I discovered something: I was not alone. There were several of us out there searching together. Eventually, we found ourselves roaming to the same place: Quail Bell Magazine. That’s it! I’ve got it! I am a quail because I was one of many who migrates to where happiness and great things are found. Like a bell, I was hollow and waiting to be filled with new journeys and ideas. I belonged here for sure. However, that is not the end of my story. The leader of our bevy called upon the new additions of the flock to join her along with another high esteemed member in traveling to what would be back up North for me. No one moved. Was I the only one thinking about how great of an opportunity this would be? Or the fact that moving where the work calls is a part of being a quail? I proudly addressed my leader, accepting her invitation to journey up North. And so it was set. I had four days to gather my belongings, thoughts, and ideas and join them on this exciting quest. As the sun peaked its head up from the horizon, we set off on our adventure. To be honest, I was a bit nervous. I had just joined this bevy a few days earlier. What if I didn’t belong? What if I should not have come? But, I was taking a leap of faith. I learned how to fly. The wind of new experiences felt great against my feathers. I was cruising now. We arrived at our destination worn out and beat, yet we still mustered up the energy to explore our new home. We weren’t the big birds on deck anymore; Everyone and everything was bigger than us. I felt overwhelmed, but I carried on with my beak held high and my wings held back. With this mentality, I embraced the new experiences as they came my way. I embraced new birds of different flocks even though their habitat and feathers were not like my own. I embraced my new home even though it was nothing like the nest I was used to hibernating in. Therefore, I left my comfort zone and I adapted to what was put before me. I was no longer nervous as time proceeded on during my time in this new place. Also, I no longer felt as if I was a small bird faced up against a kettle of vultures. Instead, I felt on top of the world. I gained enough confidence in my species to feel bigger than the vultures that lurked over me. I had slowly begin to morph into a natural quail. The time had come for us to migrate back down South and a feeling of nostalgia entered into my spirits. I felt as if this was my new home. I had adapted so well and now I have to leave and start all over again. I looked to my leaders for guidance and they were fine with the move. I realized that I still have so much to learn as a Quail Bell(e). After we completed the journey back home, I said my farewells to my mentors. This was not goodbye forever, it was just goodbye long enough for me to go back to my nest and continue to grow. My hope is to one day be as strong and mighty as them. Until that day, I am happy that I have finally found my home. I am, in fact, a Quail Bell(e). The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
Gearheart the Gentleman: Bye, bye MotivationBy Sir Gearheart QuailBellMagazine.com Editor's Note: It appears we have finally decided upon a consistent spelling for our favorite Regency Gentleman: Sir Gearheart. The QB Crew apologizes for previous inconsistencies.
Dear Sir Gearheart, I feel as if I have fallen into a bit of a funk. I seem not to enjoy the activities, places, things, nor even the people I once drew so much pleasure from. I seem to have lost the energy I once had and as a young man of 22 years of age, I am often depressed by this fact. I feel I need a change in my life. I’d like to develop a skill and feel respected by those around me. I need some motivation to improve my life. Would you have any suggestions for how I can do that? Signed, That’s.Just.Prime. Dear That’s.Just.Prime., I would first like to offer you my condolences. I can certainly relate to your recent issues of declining strength and motivation. It would appear that perhaps the ravages of age have yet to lessen their hold upon a man’s spirit even on into your time. Though perhaps your loss in enthusiasm for your endeavours of yesteryear has less to do with your maturing years and more to do with your maturing sensibilities. Me thinks you may be on a epoch of sorts, Eh Wot? As we gain greater appreciation, and ultimately a greater understanding of life, our interests may change, and often quite dramatically at that. Mankind is very fond of its routines and thus it can take some time for one to realize just how and when he becomes an adult. This can prove to be troublesome when one’s acquaintances have yet to reach the same epiphany about themselves. Still you should not see this change in tastes as a negative thing, but merely as a natural progression into maturity that all must and will eventually reach. When one has seemingly lost his motivations, it can be difficult to reignite them. I should think that I should send you a gift, my boy. Yes, something that may assist in giving you that push you need. You will receive a small, simple box. I want you to open this box, gently. You should find inside said box a single snow white glove of simple hemming. I would like you to remove this glove holding it from the opening at which one would find his wrist were he to wear it. At this point I’d like you to...bat yourself about the cheek with it. Egads my boy, you’re a man!! You are at the prime of your youth, something much of the older generation jest is wasted upon those of your years. Prove them wrong, my boy, and while doing so prove to yourself that you are as capable as I believe you can be. It is good that you seek a skill to better yourself and I’d suggest you take up equestrianism. Gaining a comparable ability in this field would surely bring you the respect of your peers, while displaying your mastery over beast and beauty alike. You’ll find an equally, if not more impressive skill set in the way of the art of pedestrianism. A sport I am personally very well versed in, pedestrianism purports one’s refinement and poise while also displaying a man’s endurance and strength in the face nature. While I am no Robert Barclay Allardice, I did once walk from Brighton Pavilion to Sawbridgeworth in only 23 hours. Needless to say, it took all the composure I could muster so as to remain my gentlemanly self amidst the many women that did approach me in the weeks following my feat, most of whom I had never formally met. In closing, my lad, I believe that your problems lie merely in your mind. You may very well be changing, but I’d advise you to view these changes as the Lord’s gift and not His wrath. With a proper outlook, I have little doubt that you will achieve all that you seek and be a better gentleman for it. With Poise and Encouragement, Sir Gearheart The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
Real Stars Emulating FliesBy Luna Lark QuailBellMagazine.com I am about to tell you three things about fireflies. One of them is true and two of them are false. It is up to you to discern the fiction from the non-fiction, the real from the unreal. May the test begin: I.
When I was ten years old, a firefly crept into my ear and fell asleep there. No one suspected it until in the middle of the night, my sister woke up, rolled over in her bed, and saw my ear glowing. She was convinced that the mysterious light emanated either from an alien or a fairy. To this day, she cannot remember which creature she first considered a possibility. II. The memory is a vivid one. Echoes of cries, whistles, and giggles hit the air. I was kneeling on a dusty patch of lawn by the playground, rifling through my purse. My sunscreen dripped into the tiny folds and creases of my shins, forming creeks and pools. “Ms. Lark!” came a shriek in my left ear. Then little hands gripped my shoulder. I fell onto my heels, twisted at the torso. I pushed myself up with my palm and turned around. “Sorry, Ms. Lark.” She hugged me. It was Maura, age six, the smallest girl in class. Her cyan eyes scanned my face for a beat before she said, “You smell like fireflies.” I scoffed. “What?” “You smell like fireflies.” Maura fingered my hair. My hand leapt to my mane. “Why did you come here, Maura?” She thought for a second. “I don't remember.” I returned to digging through my purse. “Why don't you play with the other kids?” “Why don't you sit on a bench with the other teachers?” Maura asked, innocently and not as a retort to my question. “Because I'm a volunteer, not a teacher. Besides, there's no room.” “Oh.” She bounced one of my curls. “Where do fireflies go during the day?” I seized my sunscreen and started slathering it on my arms. Then I opened my mouth, letting my tongue issue whatever words it pleased without permission from my brain. “They sleep.” I squirted sunscreen onto my legs and began rubbing hard. Maura pressed a blob of sunscreen onto my calf and then spread it. “Don't do that,” I snapped. “But I just saw a firefly. It was flying, not sleeping.” I worked some sunscreen into my feet. A second later, I swatted at something and sunscreen slid off my toes. Maura poked the blobs on the ground. “Stop that.” Maura continued poking. I swatted at my knee again. “It's a firefly!” Maura shouted. Indeed it was---a groggy, red-headed critter hovering over my thigh. Its wings shone bright, not with the look of aged stardust but with a real glossiness. Its antennae sagged with the weight of a sigh. Gently, I clasped my hands over the bug and brought it before Maura. “See, Ms. Lark? Wide awake. Maybe fireflies never sleep.” I grinned and muttered, “Like me.” Then the firefly floated away. The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
Bethany Cosentino comes out of hiding in Best Coast’s new recordBy Emilie von Unwerth QuailBellMagazine.com You know those records that always end too soon? Like, the ones that just leave you yearning for one or two (or five) more songs to the point of frustration? Well, The Only Place, the sophomore album from surf rock sensation Best Coast is definitely one of those. With 11 songs, the recording clocks in at less than 35 minutes, and it’s just not enough.
Fans pining for a carbon copy of the band’s 2010 lo-fi, reverb-filled debut Crazy For You will be disappointed. Front woman Bethany Cosentino focused heavily on her voice this time around, electing to showcase her raw talent in favor of that fuzzed-out sound for which Best Coast is so known and loved. But the result is good. Actually, it’s great, if you open yourself up to it. From listening to the first record, one wouldn’t think Cosentino’s voice anything out of the ordinary, but it’s actually full and beautiful. You can tell that she has been influenced a lot by older country stars with big voices – think Loretta Lynn or even Dolly Parton. Now, I’m not saying she recorded a country album, but all the vibes are there. And, yes, she’s still singing about loving California (a lot. Seriously. She may love California more than any other person ever.) and everything else we expect from Best Coast. But she’s just no longer hiding behind a zillion pedals. Just as in Crazy For You, The Only Place could use a little help in the lyrics department (there’s a lot of repetition), but the music and Cosentino’s voice really carry the album. An advancement fans will notice in The Only Place is the actual content of the songs. Whereas Crazy For You was all about smoking a lot of weed and the art of loafering, Cosentino opted to write songs about her (recently kicked) drinking habit, feelings of depression, and relationship with long-time boyfriend Nathan Williams (the dude behind Wavves). My top picks are “My Life” and “Up All Night.” While the record is laced with summertime bangers like intro track “The Only Place,” it’s the raw, honest songs that take the cake. While this is not the DIY record I was expecting, the polished upgrade is has turned out to be better than anything I anticipated. The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
The Wendigo By Julie DiNisio QuailBellMagazine.com Illustration from Matt Fox's Famous Fantastic Mysteries (1944) There are a surprising number of mythical creatures associated with North America, but not surprisingly, many stem from Native American beliefs and folklore. One of the more famous examples, the Wendigo comes from the mythology of the Algonquian people. This former human turned cannibalistic creature is commonly represented in the contemporary horror genre. Though not all agree on its physical aspects, the Cree, Ojibwe, and other northern tribes agreed that it was supernatural, malevolent, craved human flesh, and could possess humans, especially those who indulged in cannibalism. It was also always portrayed as starving because every time it ate a human, it would grow in proportion to how much it had just consumed. Thus, it was never satisfied. The myth of the Wendigo acted to prevent cannibalism (especially during times of food shortage) and just greed and over-consumption in general.
Today, the Wendigo name lends itself to a disorder: Wendigo psychosis. Those suffering experience an insatiable craving for human flesh, despite the availability of food. No worries though, this mental disorder was most common within Algonquian tribes prior to their urbanization. And supposedly, it only afflicts those who have consumed human flesh in the past. Wendigo psychosis also involves an intense fear of turning into a cannibal. So those Native Americans who recognized the symptoms in themselves often requested to be executed before they could inflict harm on those around them. Though it's uncommon today, Wendigo psychosis is still cited as one of the strangest and most terrifying mental problems. But quite frankly, the myth of the Wendigo is both culturally taboo and hair-raising, making the disorder's name choice a fitting one. The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
Not Your Average Thrift Store By Lucy Sherman QuailBellMagazine.com Bikes, Books, and Beyond, located at 7 W. Broad St. in downtown Richmond, Virginia, is a nonprofit thrift store owned and run by Shelley Briggs. The store was started to serve as a financial back for the nonprofit Books on Wheels, a bus that has provided free books and bicycle repair since 2007. “Both bikes and books are liberating tools that help to empower people” states their pamphlet, which Briggs gave to me when I visited the store to ask her a few questions about her operation. Briggs started the nonprofit a year after she finished grad school when she was 26 with Ward Tefft of Chop Suey Books. She started the thrift store to generate money that could provide the bus with funds for gas and other operational expenses, as well as serve as a grounded office and home base for the mobile organization. The store consists of two rooms; the back full of women’s apparel, and the front housing men’s clothes, accessories, books, bikes, and other random gems you can only find in a thrift store. All books are free, a virtue carried over from Books on Wheels. Perhaps it is the vaulted ceiling or the fact that the door was open when I visited, but there isn’t that musty smell of books or secondhand clothing that is usually associated with thrift stores. The clean scent, light colors, retro decorations, and music from another decade make this store unique and inviting, a good atmosphere for hanging out and searching for treasures that belong in your home or closet. Being a store in which inventory is all donated, there are always a few stories of strange items that they’ve received. Briggs told mentioned a woman who donated bachelorette party items, such as nude playing cards and “more explicit things” as she politely put it. Food is also something that shows up in their donations a lot. Not just canned goods but also food that has been worked on a little, like half a box of crackers. People also tend to accidentally donate things like keys and in one case, a passport. The store is also used as an art space, especially for First Fridays. There haven’t been many this past year but art shows will be returning this summer, starting with July’s First Friday art walk, so be on the lookout for exhibits and events this summer. The exhibit will remain in there until August, and the store will remain open during that time as well. You can find more information about this at their tumblr. They are also on Facebook, and you can follow Books on Wheels news and events at their website. The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
Clear Moon By Ben Harsel QuailBellMagazine.com Phil Elverum, the Washington state musician most known for his work with the indie rock project The Microphones, has been up to much new work as Mount Eerie. His fifth LP release under this new name is titled Clear Moon, and he released it on May 22,2012 through his own record label P.W. Elverum & Sun, Ltd. Clear Moon starts with “Through the Trees Pt. 2,” which I believe is certainly one of its standout tracks. Lyrically, the whole album has a lot to be admired, but in particular this opening track proves to be Elverum’s most successfully succinct effort. About a minute in, he gives us the thesis of Clear Moon with his opening line, “Misunderstood and disillusioned, I go on describing this place and the way it feels to live and die.” He continues “… And it’s hard to describe without seeming absurd. And no there’s no other world, mountains and websites,” giving us an honest look into how he feels as a citizen of Anacortes, Washington. “Though the Trees Pt. 2” slowly but surely picks up layers of reverb drenched instruments as the song rolls on, eventually resulting in an appropriately dense garden of sound, giving us a pleasant preview of what is to come for the rest of the album. Production-wise (and more recently genre-wise), Elverum has always worked under the “Lo-Fi” tag, starting with his days under The Microphones moniker. But I would not necessarily describe Clear Moon as a “Lo-Fi” album. Sure, the production is not something you would hear on a popular radio station but it is somewhere between low and high quality. In fact, it may even be a mix of the two, a technique I have always been fond of. The album is experimental in this way. For example, there is nothing “Lo-Fi” about the quality of the vocals; they seemed to have been recorded with high quality microphones and an appropriate amount of compression for enhancement. But on the other hand, the listener can tell that the drums were not recorded with the same standard of quality, likely having to do with the fact that drum sets are among the most difficult of any live instrument to record precisely without professional studio equipment. But this juxtaposition works and gives Mount Eerie’s music it's undeniable character. In the same vein, the various guitar and keyboard sounds throughout the record are heavily transformed and modulated through effects and editing. Again, their sound qualities may not be technically accurate in the traditional aspect of the recording process, but Elverum’s use of analog equipment and good mixing gives the music a certain poignancy achieved through creative timbre technique. In general, Elverum seemed to be married to a few haunting synth tones throughout the recording of Clear Moon, which can be heard distinctly in tracks like “The Place I Live,” “Clear Moon,” or the appropriately titled outro track “(Synthesizer).” These tones are refreshing to hear in addition to traditional songwriter rock instrumentation, which is usually limited to guitar, bass, and drums. “Lone Bell” is a track that grew on me after a few listens. There is something creepy about this track, yet the way it is able to unnerve the listener is done in such fascinating form. The trippy bass lines in the background hide behind walls and walls of synthesized orchestration, including hooky horn arrangements that harken back to sounds of old spy movies. “House Sound,” another standout of Clear Moon, puts Mount Eerie into the category of modern bands that have delved into the magical abyss of Krautrock (i.e. Deerhunter, Woods, Lower Dens). “House Sound’s” motoric intro consisting of simple syncopated drums, mysterious ambience, and droning electric guitar drives on for the first half of the song. When the cryptically layered vocals come in, the song becomes instantly danceable, containing more accessibility than any of the other tracks on the album. Appearing about halfway through the album, this song, serving as Clear Moon’s primary single release, rewards those listeners who may not want to hear a seemingly lonely guy pour his feelings out into a microphone for 40 minutes. Having said this, the album does run into problems when it drags on, not seeming to change pace enough to keep the average listener enticed for the entirety. The title track, “Clear Moon,” crawls along for over seven minutes at a rather startlingly slow pace. I admire the cinematic drums on this track, made up of sparse booming tom rolls and washy cymbals, but on the other hand I don’t care much for the auto-tuned vocals chanting in technologically enhanced unison. And in the next song, “Yawning Sky,” I found Elverum’s flat vocal style to be a bit distracting. It’s as if his vocals can’t get any quieter, throwing traditional vocal projection technique aside. “Yawning Sky” is a pleasant song, but I do remember beginning to feel a sense of sameness amongst some of the songs when reaching this late point in the album. Of course mixture and variety is not too big of a priority for a project like Mount Eerie, especially within a single album, but at points during my listen I would feel myself being pulled away from the music, resulting in more of an ambient or background music listening experience. However, this lack of song variety does give the album a consistency that I believe was desired conceptually. This cohesion, however dry it may present itself at times, is worthy of praise. Elverum had a message that he wanted to give his listeners via Clear Moon. It’s as if he wasn’t concerned with breaking new grounds musically but rather interested in carefully arranging his words and his instruments into songs that could evoke the certain cry of a modern individual in this world.
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Remembering Ray Bradbury By Julie DiNisio QuailBellMagazine.com This past Tuesday, literature lost a great friend – Ray Bradbury. Granted, he was 91 and had published hundreds of works in his lifetime. That qualifies as a pretty successful life, especially considering how whimsical and otherworldly his stories are and how relevant they still are today. His poignant plots are oddly often set in the United States' Midwest but deal with the supernatural in an Old World kind of feel. And this is not including his very famous Science Fiction works, like The Martian Chronicles, which are obviously not set on Earth. Anyways, the point is, I'll be devoting all my near future reading to Bradbury, and you wouldn't be remiss to do the same. Here are some of my favorite titles:
Fahrenheit 451: This one is a given for any fan of dystopian literature. And in this case, his novel is actually about books and their importance in society. From the Dust Returned: a Family Remembrance: Assembled from some of his serialized short stories, there is only one human character in an expansive cast of ghouls and supernatural misfits. And the message? Never stop having faith. Something Wicked This Way Comes: I've always thought there was something dark, a little eerie about carnivals, and Bradbury enforces my opinion in this novel. The Illustrated Man: In a world in which tattoos are becoming increasingly popular and socially acceptable, this sixty year old set of short stories is especially applicable. A man's tattoos all tell a different story. "Don't think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It's self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can't try to do things. You simply must do things." - Ray Bradbury |
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