Sandman Reflections (Part 3b): How Can I Love Life More Like Hob Gadling?

So do you still wish to live?

Are you crazy? Death is a mug's game. I got so much to live for.

Conversation between Hob Gadling and Dream of the Endless

This is the continuation of the third in a series of posts where I will be exploring some of the themes of Sandman. I am focusing on the Netflix series since I read the comics long enough ago I would not be able to tell the differences lol.

While I am more focused on ideas/themes there will be references that might be considered spoilers. So if you have not seen the show yet watch it on Netflix (Please watch so we have a better chance of getting a season 2)

Loving Life Like Hob Gadling

By Dreaming Ace

I want to love life like Hob Gadling

I want to love life and feel like death is a mug game

No matter if I am riding high or am in the middle of true suffering

I want to love life like Hob Gadling

Sometimes life can feel like nothing

Sometimes life can feel like something we just have to get through

While waiting to head off to the Sunless Lands with Dream's sister

Sometimes life can feel like simply a function 

Hob Gadling knows how to love life no matter what happens

Hob Gadling knows how to love life even as an immortal

I want to be able to love life like Hob Gadling

I want to love life like Hob Gadling

Love Life Like Hob Gadling

There is just something about Hob Gadling and his love of life that makes me feel somehow. I find sometimes I struggle to love life. I forget why life is considered such a good thing. 

Sometimes life can feel like simply a long game of waiting, waiting for something else, waiting for the next part of the journey, waiting for the credits to roll.

But Hob Gadling loves life differently, more deeply than I tend to as shown by some of the conversations he had with Dream over the centuries. 

__________ 

In 1489

Then why aren't I dead long since? Is this some kind of game?

No game.

Why? Who are you? Why are you here?

I'm here because I'm interested.

In me?

In your experience.

What do I have to do?

Nothing. You live your life as you choose. Then on this day, every 100 years, we will meet. 

Because you wanna know what it's like. All right. I'll tell you what it's like. ( sighs ) It's fսck¡ng brilliant. It's all changing.

In 1589

It's funny. This is what I always dreamed Heaven would be like, way back. It's safe to walk the streets. Enough food. Good wine. Life is so rich.

In 1689

Do you know how hungry a man can get? If he doesn't die but he doesn't eat? I lost it all. My land. My gold. My Eleanor. She died in childbirth. The baby too. My boy, Robyn, died in a tavern brawl when he was 20. I didn't go out much after that. ( sniffles ) They tried to drown me as a witch. I'd lived there 40 years, overconfident. I got out with my skin a little more. And then it got worse. And worse and... worse. I've hated every second of the last 80 years, every bloody second. You know that?

So do you still wish to live?

Are you crazy? Death is a mug's game. I got so much to live for.

In 1889

That might be the only thing I've learned after 500 years. People are almost always better than you think they are. Not me, though. Still the same as ever. 

I think perhaps you've changed. 

( breathes deeply ) Well, I may have learnt a bit from my mistakes. But, uh... doesn't seem to stop me from making them. I think it's you that's changed. 

How so? 

I think I know why we still meet here, century after century. It's not because you want to see whether or not I'm ready to seek death. I don't think I'll ever seek death. By now, you know that about me. So, I think you're here for something else. 

And what might that be? 

Friendship. I think you're lonely. 

You dare... 

'No, look, I'm not saying-- 

You... dare suggest one such as I might need your companionship. 

Yes. Yes, I do. 

Then I shall take my leave of you and prove you wrong. 

I'll tell you what, I'll be here in 100 years' time. If you're here then too, it'll be because we're friends. No other reason, right?

In Present Day

You're late.

 
( chuckles ) It seems I owe you an apology.

 
I've always heard it impolite to keep one's friends waiting

__________

And while meeting in a bar every 100 years is not going to work for me I would love to sit down with Hob Gadling to be reminded of all the wonders of living. Because all too often like I shared in part 3a of this series of posts I find myself playing the role of Dream of the Endless:

I'm now more powerful than I have been in eons. And yet ...

Here you are, feeding the pigeons

All to often I find myself in need of companionship no matter if I can admit that or not. All to often I find that I am living like Dream of the Endless. And instead I have to live more like Hob Gadling*.

*Who happens to be played by Ferdinand Kingsley who happens to be the son of Sir Ben Kingsley which means Hob Gadling is Gandhi's son LOL

Sandman Reflections (Part 3a): After The Quest

I'm now more powerful than I have been in eons. And yet ...

Here you are, feeding the pigeons

I'd had a true quest. A purpose beyond my function, and then suddenly, it was over, and I felt disappointed. Let down. Empty. Does that make sense? I was so sure that once I got everything back, I'd feel good. But in some ways I feel worse than when I started. I feel like nothing.

Sandman: The Sound Of Her Wings

This is the third in a series of posts where I will be exploring some of the themes of Sandman. I am focusing on the Netflix series since I read the comics long enough ago I would not be able to tell the differences lol.

While I am more focused on ideas/themes there will be references that might be considered spoilers. So if you have not seen the show yet watch it on Netflix (Please watch so we have a better chance of getting a season 2)

After The Quest

By Dreaming Ace

What is there to do once the quest is over

Once the tools have been collected

And everything is back in its place

What is there to do once we have returned

To our day to day lives and found they 

Have not changed as much as we hoped for

What is there to do once we have completed our task

But now we feel empty inside

But now we feel "like nothing"

We go on so many quests

We go on so many side quests

We go on so many adventures

But sometimes all those quests

Turn out not to be what we were seeking

"I'm now powerful than I have been in eons. And yet ..."

What is our purpose

What is our function

What is our purpose beyond our function

I had the chance to get to an online viewing of this episode with much of the cast and Neil Gaiman himself and what stood out was Neil Gaiman talking about how we don't talk about after the quest as often as we should. 

While I have not gone on any quests as one of the Endless I do know the numbness that can occur once something we have worked towards is done. Whether that is checking something off our to-do list, completing a challenge of some type, or accomplishing something that has meaning for us personally or professionally.

This let down is important to think about. I have often found myself in a position where I could speak Dream's words "I'm now more powerful than I have been in eons. And yet ..." It is important to speak to this feeling because when you are in the middle of it it can feel like there was no reason to go on the quest to begin with. 

It turns out that these feels are typical and normal and experienced by almost all of us. This does not mean that something is wrong, but can mean that we need to reconnect to something. Reconnect to life or death or nature or other beings. 

Sandman Reflections (Part 2): Mourning Broken Dreams

 I do not need a minder. I am Dream of the Endless. 

Yes and Dream of the Endless always has a raven

Jessamy was the last

Conversation between Dream of the Endless and Lucienne

Ep 2 Imperfect Host 

This is the second in a series of posts where I will be exploring some of the themes of Sandman. I am focusing on the Netflix series since I read the comics long enough ago I would not be able to tell the differences lol.

While I am more focused on ideas/themes there will be references that might be considered spoilers. So if you have not seen the show yet watch it on Netflix (Please watch so we have a better chance of getting a season 2)

Mourning Broken Dreams 

By Dreaming Ace

How do we mourn broken dreams

Dreams of the past, Dreams of the future

Dreams of ourselves and our worlds

Do we hold their memory close

And use it to guide us into new realities?

Do we drown in the mourning

And refuse to allow anyone else to touch us?

Do we grow using the soil of our experience?

Do we become stone never to be hurt again?

Dreams can take so many shapes and squiggles

Dreams of what is

Dreams of what was

Dreams of what might be

But no matter what dreams have fallen

We can mourn and move forward

And allow others to watch over us and care for us

The line "I do not need a minder. I am Dream of the Endless." made me giggle a little since that is a clear sign you do need a minder and is almost as bad a harbinger as the classic "It could not get any worst" which guarantees it can always get much worst. 

But on the on the other hand it is powerful to see Dream of the Endless mourning for dreams (Gregory and Jessamy) even if those dreams are different from the dreams of most of us mortals, and more mourning an actual part of the dreaming world itself.

Many of us are mourning a whole host of dreams right now and are trying to figure out what the world will now look like after several years of troubles and challenges. BUT even though we may be mourning some dreams it does not mean that we should stop dreaming altogether because that way leads to even more trouble and tribulation.

Sandman Reflections (Part 1): Letting Our Dreams Free

"See I would let you out if I could ..."

Alex Burgess Ep Sleep of the Just from Sandman (Netflix)

This is the first in a series of posts where I will be exploring some of the themes of Sandman. I am focusing on the Netflix series since I read the comics long enough ago I would not be able to tell the differences lol. 

While I am more focused on ideas/themes there will be references that might be considered spoilers. So if you have not seen the show yet watch it on Netflix (Please watch so we have a better chance of getting a season 2)

What dreams do we each have locked up?

By Dreaming Ace

What dreams do we each have locked up

In the cold basements of our minds

In the cold basements of our lives

In the cold basements of our communities

What is the price we ask for to release them

To change the course of time?

For immortality or youth or wealth?

To be someone who we are not?

What if we let our dreams free without asking for anything

What could we dream into being?

What wonders could we create?

What greatness could we bring forth

Sometimes we find that

Dream of the Endless is gone, or captured

And we have to make our own dreams

Why do they all too often become nightmares?

We all need our dreams

Our dreams for ourselves

Our dreams for others

Our dreams for dreaming itself

On rewatching the first episode the idea of wanting to free our dreams but not being able to popped out for me. How often do we find that our dreams are in glass cages within magic circles never to walk around free?

How often do we have a chance to free our dreams and be our biggest and boldest and most wonderful selves but instead we choose to keep them under lock and key wanting things from them first before we let them go? How often do we grow old before we allow ourselves to set our dreams free to walk the world?

Sometimes the only way we can free our own dreams is by having someone we love free them for us. Having someone who cares break the magic circle that traps our dreams. Having someone else set our dreams free as well as ourselves because if our dreams are not free the entire world suffers greatly.

Welcome Elul Welcome

Fall is a time of fallings leaves, and getting ready to be all cozy for winter. Fall is also a time to go back to our lives. For some this means back to school. For some back to work. For others simply going back to old routines. This also means that this is a great season to celebrate the Jewish month of Elul. This year Elul begins in the evening on Friday, August 26, 2022

As is stated on the Elul Unbound website: 

Elul is the last month of the Jewish year. It is a time of introspection. Time to stop and take a look back at the past year to see how we did. Where did we grow and how do we want to continue to build on that growth? Elul is a time of asking for forgiveness from others in ways we caused harm and offering forgiveness to people who have harmed us.

There are a few traditional practices that some Jews take on during Elul. These include listening to the sound of the shofar daily, reading Psalm 27, and reflecting on our behavior over the previous year.

As someone who really loves taking time to do self reflection I enjoy Elul. Elul gives us good questions to ask ourselves about our year so far as well as wider questions about our lives. I enjoy doing something for Elul each year even if that something changes in shape and form. Elul is a good time to plan on where I want to be going and how I can direct my life in that direction. For everyone who celebrates Elul may you have a meaningful and reflective month of preparation.

GISH 2022 In Review

 

GISH (The Greatest International Scavenger Hunt) is always a wild and fun time. This years theme was channeling our transformational energy to create a portal to a a universe of unlimited joy, compassion, creativity, and possibility.

There is a reason you found us and this community of do-gooding weirdos at this very moment in time and space. There is a reason you were invited to participate or happened upon us. There is something calling out to you. It is The Aperture.

The Aperture is a confluence of cosmic and Gaian forces that could catalyze universal change. It is the meeting point of energies that, when harnessed and aligned, creates a portal to what we have come to know as “The Funknown” – a universe of unlimited joy, compassion, creativity, and possibility. This transformative energy has the potential to change our universe for the better and we must act now if we want to activate its transmission.

Here are some of the items I did this year.

I hope they help bring you into "The Funknown" :)

#25 Son-flower.

#33 GRID ITEM. There are a multitude of species of life that exist only in the Amazon, and our wildlife biologists just found the rarest of all: your team! Show us an old-school natural history pinboard with your team as rare Amazonian insects. Every member of your team should be present and we must be able to clearly see your faces.

#37 Boris Johnson resigned and the race for the UK's next Prime Minister is heated. When he won the first time, he defeated such luminaries as Elmo and Lord Buckethead, continuing the tradition of strange PM candidates. This time, a true dark horse candidate has emerged: draw a campaign poster for Optimus Prime Minister.

#90 They say eyes are the window to the soul, so it's about time we installed window treatments. Show us your best eye-curtains, eye-venetian blinds, eye-shutters, or eye-roller shades.

#122 (UP TO 60 SECONDS) Eurovision is too localized. It's time to go global with GISHivision! Each team will collaborate to create the world's GISHiest song & perform it as a solo, group, or full team band performance. Go all out with props, setting, special effects, the works. Post your video to social media tagged #GISH, #Eurovision and #GISHIVISION. - Kamila B. 

(My video can be found by clicking here)

#132 Bridgewater: The Graphic Novelization. Show us the cover.

#149 Ben & Jerry's newest creation: GISH Food ice cream flavor. Design the container and make it clear what's inside. Post your images and tag @benandjerrys and #GISH. - Inspired by Dane H.

#166 Bend the gravitational lens of the universe toward "kindness."

#167 You've heard about "unbridled" enthusiasm and joy, but what about "bridled joy?" Show us "bridled" enthusiasm or joy.

#171 KIDS MENU. Make a "shellfie" — a self-portrait made out of all sea or nut shells or painted onto a single shell.

#175 KIDS MENU. Draw a fantastical secret city all out of impossible shapes.

#181 KIDS MENU. Sure, being your pet is a rewarding vocation, but did your pet always want to be a "pet" when it grew up? We bet it had other career goals. Show us your pet doing the job it always dreamed it would have when it was little.

My pet dragon Fidget being a writer

C2E2 Day 3 Review (2022)

 

Today I went as: 

Captain Cold (... If Mick Rory Ever Got Him To Aruba) 

And even included a reference to "The Kilt"*

This costume was clearly just for me.

I doubt anyone else understood what it was 

But that seems fitting when it comes to dressing up as Captain Cold

*This is a deep cut reference to a kilt Captain Cold wore 

But when filmed it was from the waist up

In the words of Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

"This has made a lot of people very angry 

And been widely regarded as a bad move." 

(The Photo's are of "The Kilt" where as the GIF is it missing in the episode)

Here is a Photo Dump For Today

(Toy Story Stormtroopers)

(Yes someone dressed as Sandman!!!)

Panels Etc

You Get A Romance! And You Get A Romance

• The com in romcom could be considered community vs. comedy
• Not about romance it is about becoming as whole as we can be
• Some tropes are now dead such as office romance (because #MeToo) and ugly duckling

Art As Activism

Interested panel and I got an free uncorrected proofs at the panels signing later 

Adventure Awaits

This ended up being a very intimate panel since the audience equaled the panelists 

(3 panelists to 3 audience members OR 5 panelist to 3 audience members

 (If you count the moderator and tech guy in the back)

It was cool to hear how COVID has changed peoples writing processes as well as publishing in general

I also got a second uncorrected proof

Until We Meet Again Wrap Up Party

A fun little dance party to end C2E2 on.

And at the end I got a goodie bag of stuff

A tote, a pennant, and what I think is a blue octopus in a cone

(Though officially it is a "Blue Moon Cream Tentacle Kitty")

C2E2 Day 2 Review (2022)

 

Today I went as The Doctor 

(Or at least what a summer version of them would be LOL) 

(And yes I added a bow tie 😀after I took the photo )

Some Random Photos I Took Today

Panels Etc.

Exploring Artist Alley

Today stated out by working through artist alley collecting various cards with art work on them

Stranger Things 80's Dance Party

I have not watched stranger things but enjoyed dancing to the music.

This was a nice break from all the socializing of artist alley where every artist said Hi so I felt like I had to at least say Hi back and sometimes hang out to hear more about their works. Dancing was a good way to get out some of that over stimulation :) I am clearly slowly learning how my brain works and what it needs.

Tor Presents It's Us Against The World

This panel was more each of the authors promoting their current work then an how to but over all it was still a good time. Plus afterwards they did signings and had an uncorrected proofs of a story including the Gullah which is not something I have read before. I have now gotten 1 free book at C2E2 on top of yesterdays 2 free single issue comics. Once again over all fewer publishers are at C2E2 this time around. 

The Psychology of Our Favorite Villains

First this panel was standing room only. Second it was very research based instead of conversational/ fandom based. This group has done this kind of panel over the years and over all I enjoy them but always am surprised since the titles of their panels don't really indicate what they are about. This year instead of discussing the psychology of villains it was about their research on how people with different psychology are drawn to different villains. Again fascinating but not quite what I would have thought from the title. It was interactive and those of us in the room were able to text our answers to some of their research questions and them we compared what the room thought to what their research had come up with. 

Motown to Modern Day Musical Mashup

w/ We are the Wizards

This was a delight end to Day 2. Filled with good music, singing, and dancing.

C2E2 Day 1 Review (2022)

 

Today I went as "Jörmungandr’s Proud Papa Loki Variant"

Well Day 1 of C2E2 got off to an stressful start when I dropped my phone somewhere when I was just outside or entering the building. It was eventually returned to lost and found so I have it now but it was quite stressful. I am really more addicted to my phone than I thought because without it I did not know the time nor did I have the schedule of panels etc., because C2E2 is all app based right now aka no paper schedules to grab nor could I listen to some calming classical music to pause and relax. So the first half of the day went by in a stress infused haze. 

While still unsure if my phone would ever be found I ended up buying a emotional support fidget dragon from pyegames. There have been several years where I have avoided spending anything at C2E2 (besides my ticket to get in of course) but felt like I could use a dragon to calm down. It was reasonably priced and since I got it before my phone was returned (I had checked in lost and found 2 times already at that point) maybe the dragon found my phone so it could hoard it or hoard me?

I have to say since most of the major publishers (Marvel/DC/Various Major Publishing Houses) were not in attendance there seemed to be less free stuff. We will see tomorrow if that is indeed because there is less stuff or just because my mind was elsewhere. 

Some big pirate anime thing. I don't know the details but figured it was picture worthy. 

Panels Etc.

Mutant and Proud: Why The X-Men are so Important

• All about found family 
• There are a lot more X-Men than I thought there were (Though I think many of those that were referenced were from the comics not the "Picard Professor X" original movies)
• Nightcrawler sounds like an really interesting character "The struggle to be a man of faith when no one wants you to be one"
• A multiverse story changes how you see the original universe 
• With absolute power comes a challenge to connect/bond with others
• Women in X-Men often dominate
• I loved one view that Cyclops is Autistic as in his can't look anyone in the eye, he has trouble navigating relationships, does not do well with change ... (Again I don't know that much about the X-Men so I don't know if Autism is a good fit or not but right now I just love anytime Autism is mentioned)

I Love the 90's

This was a random little 90's dance party, and we all ended up with small 90's gift bags filled with a few odds and ends (a magazine and a DVD) from the 90's. I also found someone else with a fidget dragon so there was fidget dragon dancing going on.

Making Specialty Costumes and Props For TV and Film 

w/ Professional costume and prop makers Ian Campbell and Robin Careless 

Ian and Robin were clearly so and so's (aka famous people I don't know are famous before hand) and had worked on lots of shows that I have heard of some of the star trek tv shows, American Gods I think, etc. This was an interesting talk about costumes and props. Loved how they focus on the human aspect of costumes like can the actor eat, pee, etc. or how to manage when an actor is claustrophobic but signed up for a show that involves wearing large masks.

Comic Books: A Literary Tool for social emotional learning

Team Psychocomicology discussed the many ways that comics can be used for social emotional learning. Everything from the power of pictures and colors to communicate to how to use comics as teachers. It was interesting but I was hoping for tips on how to use comics for my own social emotional growth but it was manly focused on kids so I would have to adapt the suggestions.