<![CDATA[The Demon's Den - Blogs

<![CDATA[The Demon's Den - Blogs - swivel]]> http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/blog.php?9-swivel en Sun, 26 May 2013 02:49:46 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg <![CDATA[The Demon's Den - Blogs - swivel]]> http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/blog.php?9-swivel A Killer Query Letter http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?805-A-Killer-Query-Letter Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:24:08 GMT In case you didn't know (and three weeks ago, I didn't) a Query Letter is what you send an agent or a publisher so they can send you a rejection letter in return. Isn't that neat?

After writing dozens, sending a few out, and getting some rejection letters, I wondered: What would be the perfect query letter?

Just so you understand the formatting here, most query letters start with a hook, an explanation of what you wrote and how many words are in the manuscript, why you're querying this particular agent, who the fuck you are, and how they can reach you for rejection.

Without further ado... THE KILLER QUERY LETTER. ]]> swivel http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?805-A-Killer-Query-Letter Dwindling Primes http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?802-Dwindling-Primes Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:55:24 GMT Dwindling Primes
The biographical details are great, but where I'm really getting to know Molly is through her poetry. It comes in all varieties and styles--much of it simple prose. She began keeping a journal at the age of seven, and has been faithful to it for many, many years.

One of the things I'm trying to do is cross-reference the time she wrote the poems with what she was studying at the Academy or going through in her personal life. It provides more insight into what things are permanently her, and which were short-lived muses fluttering in her environment.

The structure of this poem is common in her time. It's called "Dwindling Prime," and it was created by A. J. Howitz, a math professor-turned-poet, in the 23rd century. Molly wrote an entire paper on Mrs. Howitz and seems to prefer this style ever after. [More...] ]]> swivel http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?802-Dwindling-Primes The Impossible Map http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?793-The-Impossible-Map Sun, 31 May 2009 12:05:28 GMT I'll never forget the day I showed Dr. Lisa Robinson, one of my astronomer friends at NASA, what has since become known as "The Impossible Map."

We were having lunch together in the cafeteria near KSC HQ (The hub of Kennedy Space Center's inland industrial area) when I showed her The Reader for the first time.

As I've said before, this project drove me batty from the first week, and I think Lisa was worried about her old friend. I was flipping through documents and talking excitedly about what I'd found thus far when I realized that Lisa wasn't looking at The Reader--she was looking at me.

It's an unpleasant experience, discovering that your close friends think you're crazy. Even worse is the difficulty one has in convincing them otherwise, especially when you are desperate to do so. The absolute worst, though, is when their sincere doubts begin to weaken your own resolve. [More...] ]]> swivel http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?793-The-Impossible-Map A Moment of Panic http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?792-A-Moment-of-Panic Sat, 30 May 2009 20:48:28 GMT Much has been said about my research into Molly, but little about the writing process. If anything, it has been even more manic than my time spent... Much has been said about my research into Molly, but little about the writing process. If anything, it has been even more manic than my time spent with The Reader. Most of the rough draft of my narrative's first entry was written in a mere week. 76,000 words in seven 12-16 hour days.

If that sounds epic, consider that I have become so familiar with this story that it was just a matter of moving it from my brain to the computer. Plus, I have an interactive outline to work with--the documents on The Reader.

As soon as I had this draft prepared, I realized that a portion of the next events in Molly's life deserved to be included as well. This brought the word-count up to 85,000. With only 50 pages left to edit, the final count of my first manuscript figures to be right at 100,000 words. If I were setting out to write a science fiction novel, I couldn't have done any better.[More...] ]]> swivel http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?792-A-Moment-of-Panic Deconstructing the Humanization of Delphi IV http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?791-Deconstructing-the-Humanization-of-Delphi-IV Fri, 29 May 2009 14:27:05 GMT One of the best tools I have for making sure my telling of Molly's story is both honest and compelling is, ironically, her Academy records. I have every paper Molly wrote, from Junior Academy book reports to a pre-action tactical assignment she wrote just prior to the Tchung Affair.

Here's a sample from one of her essays (picking up on the second page). I think it's a fair representation of her unique mixture of iconoclasm, creative thinking, and human decency.

*************************************

It is clear, therefore, that Dr. Glav Jones has made a grave error in linking societal changes on Delphi IV with first Human contact. His anti-consumption bias, noted above, has him searching for causation where there is mere correlation. Did the arrival of Human envoys to Delphi IV spark a revolution? Undoubtedly. Did Delphi society swing to a consumerist base in ensuing years? Absolutely. Was this, as Dr. Jones suggests, a result of a Human conspiracy? I think the answer is clearly "No." But without a grasp on the universal rules of Natural Selection, it is impossible for Dr. Jones to see why.

The Galactic Union has now cataloged over 400 planets that harbor life. More than 80 of these planets had some form of sentience. Almost twenty of those were at least in the industrial phase. In every case, the principles of evolutionary natural selection have been verified. The process is now understood to be chemical, as much as it is biological. We would be just as surprised to find a world which wasn't based on RNA/DNA and the subsequent shortcuts that life stumbles upon, as physicists would be if they discovered a planet on which objects didn't fall toward the center. [More...] ]]> swivel http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?791-Deconstructing-the-Humanization-of-Delphi-IV Digging for the Science http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?786-Digging-for-the-Science Thu, 28 May 2009 12:36:22 GMT *_Digging for the Science_* I apologize in advance to my friends at NASA, who are eagerly anticipating the results of my research. Many of them... Digging for the Science

I apologize in advance to my friends at NASA, who are eagerly anticipating the results of my research. Many of them have taken an interest in what I'm doing, but I believe they are going to be surprised to discover something. I know I was.

Molly's story is about people and relationships, not about gadgets and gizmos. As a geek, (and someone who likely suffers from an autism spectrum disorder) I was confused by the focus of my source material. The vast majority of it recounts conversations, feelings, people and places.

Then, something occurred to me: Would I write the following in my diary?:

5/28/2009 - My wireless personal communicator vibrated to life, sending out a shrill version of a hip-hop song that only sounded decent with the sort of bass impossible with such a small speaker. I grabbed the small device, checking the OLED outer screen that gave me a visual representation of the person calling. It was my wife.

I opened the communicator, admiring the arrangement of a myriad number of buttons. What a marvelous device, capable of snapping pictures that contain over three million individual pixels, store thousands of songs, and even log into the global computer network to pull up maps and satellite photos of any place on the planet.

The power of the small machine was astounding. I pressed it to my ear, all that technology thrumming in the palm of my hand.

"Hello?" I said. [more...] ]]> swivel http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?786-Digging-for-the-Science My First Fans http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?785-My-First-Fans Thu, 28 May 2009 02:38:22 GMT *_My First Fans_* I have fans! Who knew? I would like to thank the two sharp-dressed gentlemen that stopped by this evening. I really wish I... My First Fans

I have fans! Who knew?

I would like to thank the two sharp-dressed gentlemen that stopped by this evening. I really wish I could remember what agency you were from, all I recall is your badges looked like tricky Scrabble racks.

I'm extremely honored that you found my blog and took an interest in my story... it's only been in the public domain for three days! Excellent job in monitoring the airwaves, I must say.

Next time, if you want to come inside, just ask. Really, I mean it. No need to shove a judge's signature in my face and terrorize my wife, just knock on the door and accept my hospitality.[more...] ]]> swivel http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?785-My-First-Fans <![CDATA[My brother's best friend has gone Kraaaaazy...]]> http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?750-My-brother-s-best-friend-has-gone-Kraaaaazy Thu, 30 Apr 2009 22:45:16 GMT Here's the email I just got:

Hello Friends,

I hope you are all well. The following email was written by myself with concern for my friends. This is not a joke. Please do not disregard this email. Follow each link and verify that I am telling the truth. I would hate if something happened to any one of you. This information is vitally important and it is imperative that you read every word and look at the evidence for yourself. I do not want to cause fear or panic amongst you. Stay calm and absorb the information to determine the best plan of safety for your family. Protect yourself naturally by boosting your immune system.
There is a serious chance that this pandemic could bring commerce and travel to a halt. Prepare for the worst by stocking food, water and essential medicines now. WHO has raised the threat level to 5. At level 6, martial law could be instated and forced inoculations would begin, as some have reported in Mexico. I have been keeping up with prominent virologists that are watching this outbreak. They are saying that the H1N1 virus (swine flu) is a man made virus, resurrected from the Spanish flu of 1918 and possibly in the current vaccine being used to prevent H5N1(Bird Flu) infection. The Air Force predicted in 1996 that an influenza pandemic in 2009 would cause over 30 million deaths.
The history of vaccines across the world is riddled with death and sickness. The process for creating many of our common vaccines is quite disturbing and unethical. In 1976 Gerald Ford ordered a nationwide vaccine program to prevent a swine flu epidemic that originated at Fort Dix, NJ. Within weeks 500 Americans developed Guillain-Barre' syndrome (a very rare disease, 1 in 100,000) and 30 died. Thimerosal and other toxins in the vaccines have also been attributed to autism and other immune system problems. Gardasil has reported serious complications including rotting flesh at the injection site, nuerological damage, immune system damage, miscarriages and Guillan-Barre Syndrome. SV40, a cancer causing agent, has been discovered in several vaccines used throughout the 1900's. In Poland in 08, homeless were inoculated with a supposed flu vaccine that was actually an anti bird flu vaccine. Many died from the vaccines. Bayer got caught shipping out live HIV and hepatitis in their Factor 8 vaccines for hemophilia. The drug Tamiflu, that is being hyped as the cure, is certain to make a great profit for the majority share holders. Several reports out of Japan surfaced that teens were hallucinating on the drug. The chemical compounds are identical to PCP. Last saturday night, Baxter, a prominent pharmaceutical company, has said they are working on a vaccine for the H1N1 virus. Yet, just a few weeks ago they got caught shipping out 2 live strains of bird flu, within the bird flu vaccine. There was almost no coverage of this in America. A media blackout. What else is the mainstream media not telling you?
Please use this information to arm yourself. Research before you take any vaccine that is supposed to help against this new flu. Like I said, there are natural ways to boost your immune system. If your body is strong, it will fight off infection naturally. The natural remedies I have linked to have been purchased in bulk by the US government. If you have not heard of it, you may want to question why.
There is more at work here than just men. Please watch these movies for a better understanding of our dire socio-political situation. First watch the Obama Deception. Then to learn the entire eugenics plan watch Endgame. These films document (with bibliography) the connections between our past and current president and politicians to the elitist bankers that are amassing control of all currency and creating a one world government.
This has been foretold by our God, the father of our saviour. Inform yourself and keep your eyes on the Lord. He has promised to protect us and now is the time turn to Jesus and repent. I beg you to educate yourself. Please pass this along to fellow Christians and non believers. May God have mercy upon our blasphemous nation.

Ezekiel 5
Exodus 15:26
Psalm 91:1 (I like this 911)
With Love and Hope,
Name Withheld ]]> swivel http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?750-My-brother-s-best-friend-has-gone-Kraaaaazy I found God in Youtube: Part 2 http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?746-I-found-God-in-Youtube-Part-2 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:46:27 GMT

Hello Hugh,
I'm glad we your still not backing down. I to disagree with the organized religion on the pretence that it leads people astray. The 159 or so denominations have corrupted the teachings of the Bible. And have dumbed down the true believers. The Bible expressly speaks against this, saying many will come to decieve Gods' people. I speak against anyone who uses God or religion to sell there own agenda or make a profit. In Proverbs it says to buy wisdow and sell it not, well that just knocks out almost church out there. I to went through my time of searching for the truth and I saw how corrupt the church has gotten. Still I could not discount God because I have been tryed by fire. I'll be 30 next month and now that I look back on the times that I strayed from God and I see how much time I wasted. Stupid as I was, Gods' patience endured and He chastened me. Now I can never look back. When I was in Iraq I had to kill an 8 yo. boy with my hands, but if I had shot him as ordered I would of blown up 2 vehicals in my convoy. So what happend? Time stopped and I was given the time to mave the right decision. One secound turned minutes. I would be dead if God didn't give me the time I needed. I still grieve for that little boy who was just trying to get water on a hot 134 F. day. I hope God will have mercey on me during my day of judgment. I have three boys myself and I would never put them in harms way. How old are you by the way?
Write back soon----
May Gods' Peace be with you friend---

I'm 33. Sometimes I wonder, though, if I am any more wise today than I was when I was 23.

I'm sorry to hear about your traumatic experience in Iraq. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. My brother-in-law spent his entire military career in the Army special forces and had to kill a lot of people. I know he treated it as a duty, but he has broken down with me a few times, so I know there was strain there.

I respect whatever system of beliefs you need to make it through the crazy existence we have here on Earth. So long as you do no harm to others. It doesn't sound like your religious stance does that, but I worry for anyone that buys into anything Alex Jones has to say. His recent comments on the nature of a virus demonstrates to me that he will speak loudly and confidently about something he does not understand. That calls his entire philosophy into question.

I feel bad for the people who think that our government gets out of bed scheming on how they can stack up American bodies for glee and profit. These people are as corrupt as any of us, no more and no less. They kiss their wives and children goodbye and then go to work and screw things up, just like the rest of us.

Insinuating that the government was responsible for 9/11 makes me feel sick. I was there that day. I lived in the shadows of those buildings. I saw a lot of people leap to their death. A cult did that, not our government. A cult with many of the same features as Alex Jones' little gathering.

I really think the man is causing a lot of pain in the world. He is spreading a message of distrust and hate. He has corrupted my older brother's best friend, turning him into a paranoid lunatic. What do you think Jesus Christ would say to Alex Jones if he were around today? I don't think it would be anything good. Not after he defended a harlot from stones being cast.

That's all Alex Jones does: he casts stones. He accuses people of the most heinous and wicked crimes with no hard evidence whatsoever. The Bilderberg group is likely just a bunch of wealthy white men having fun mingling with others of their ilk. Drinking wine and smoking cigars and wondering what they should invest their money in. The group was formed to link Europe and the United States, not to murder for profit.

Peace,
Hugh ]]> swivel http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?746-I-found-God-in-Youtube-Part-2 I found God in Youtube: Part 1 http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?745-I-found-God-in-Youtube-Part-1 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:50:42 GMT Welcome to my adventures with an Alex Jones-worshiping God-freak on Youtube. I have no idea where this is going, but here it is: ... Welcome to my adventures with an Alex Jones-worshiping God-freak on Youtube. I have no idea where this is going, but here it is:

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Your just a blind as you want to be. If you think that your PREZ. Is so great an why did he open FEMA Camps 1 week before the outbreak? I was in the millitary and we were trained on crowd control and all manner of urban conflicts. The threat is real and if you NEED a histroy lesson ask your Grandparents. Government is never GOOD... REV 7 9-17

Look up Obama sign order for PROJECT ENDGAME and then tell me weather or not the Government is trying to kill us. Do you think the FEMA CAMPS are for the sons of Congressmen or Christians and people that refuse to take the RFID CHIP. Think with your heart NOT the Head between your legs. We battle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and everything that puts it's self above the love of GOD-( Christ)

You are making too many assumptions about me, friend. I practice celibacy. I do not give in to my genetic impulses. I strive to discover which of them are working against me and work to overcome them.

Also, there is no such thing as a god. And no reason whatsoever to believe in one. One of the things we have a genetic urge for is superstition. Taking events with weak correlation and assigning them the power of causality. This works well at teaching us to avoid red berries and spiders, but it also makes us form religions and cults and believe strange things like the power of black cats.

If you want to know truth, learn about the scientific method. All else is the ravings of lunatics.

-Peace

Only a fool says there is no God. Where do you think you came from? Monkeys perhaps? Why are you celibate then? Even if you masterbate this is still wrong... You think these are words of stark raving lunitics... Brother I think not. And I would not lead you down the wrong path. I only speak the truth. I have left this earth twice in my life once by chance and once by choice. I have seen both heaven and hell and these are very real places...
Also NEVER trust a man that calls you friend... Do you know me well enough to call me friend? Thank you writing me back...
Love in Christ-----

And I never trust a person who calls me a fool or a wise guy and pretends to follow in the footsteps of Christ. You seem to have a lot of hate and fear in you, and I hope that you are able to overcome them one day. Best of luck to you with that.

I have a simple disproof of the Christian God, but I'm sure you would not be open to hearing it or even thinking about it.

I wonder if you really think you would be a Christian if you were born and raised around nothing but Muslims or Jews or Buddhists? Don't you understand that you are just absorbing the cult of your local tribe?

And evolution is an observable phenomenon. It isn't a theory, it is fact. Natural selection is the best theory of how evolution occurred.

I'd be willing to bet that I know more about the Bible (something I disagree with) than you know about evolution (the thing you disagree with). If you don't first understand something, you can't claim to know it is incorrect.

Peace, my friend.

Wise guy was a term of endearment, and the reference I made about how only a fool does'nt believe in God comes straight from the Bible.
The foolishness of God is greater than the wisdom of the world... That's Biblical too... How can you disagree with somthing you know nothing about. Do you really know about evolution or God. Who created the big bang anyway? What kind of spirtial beleifs did your parents have? I Know God because of the way HE has reveiled himself to me. So, If your so smart and have all this knowledge of life how can you say there is no creator. I think that you have a high i.q but someone or something in your past has caused you to shut your mind. I can help you find what your still searching for... Hope to hear from you soon!
Love in Christ, My Friend----

I don't think my IQ is all that high, to tell you the truth. And I'm not sure that IQ tests measure wisdom, patience, or open-mindedness. Most of them look for spatial skills and pattern-recognition.

I was born and raised an Episcopalian. I was baptized when I was a few months old and went through confirmation classes, becoming confirmed when I was 12. I went to religious camps every summer, was active in my youth group all through highschool, had a close bond with my preacher, built homes for Habitat for Humanity with my church, and served as an acolyte for 10 years.

I still go to a religious revival for 10 days every summer called Campmeeting at Pleasant Grove outside of Charlotte, NC. Most of my friends and family are religious and we have pleasant debates with one another all the time.

I no longer believe that Christ was a literal son of God, or even that he claimed to be. I think he was a righteous philosopher who had a great message that has been lost over the years to multiple translations and bastardizations of accounts that weren't even first-hand to begin with.

None of the four gospels were written by people that knew Jesus. They were written dozens of years after his death. I've studied the formation of the Bible and I know which translation mistake resulted in the supposed "virginity" of Mary as it went from Hebrew to Greek.

The more I learned about my religion, and faith in general, the more I realized it was a human construct, designed at first to guide human behavior, but hijacked later to control it. The falsehoods that Alex Jones spews are ironic, because it is the religion that he also pushes which does the very things he warns against.

It makes his blind followers seem sad and tragic to me. I have no desire to put them down or hurt anyone's feelings, but I feel that the hate rhetoric and fear-mongering that Alex Jones profits from is pure unadulterated evil. I feel duty-bound to speak out against it.

Peace,
Hugh

***************************

More to come? Who the fuck knows... ]]> swivel http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?745-I-found-God-in-Youtube-Part-1 Room 4122 http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?373-Room-4122 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:40:42 GMT I'm sitting in room 4122 with my old man. I see his pig-headedness in myself, and it makes me feel sorry for my wife. I don't know how she tolerates it.

He had a severe myochardial infarction in his left anterior descending artery. 100% occlusion for over an hour. Two stints were put in (really one long stint, as the two are overlapping each other) and with the catheter cam the doctor checked all three major arteries and noted signs of heart disease.

The nutritionist doesn't think my old man should continue eating Little Debbies three or four times a day (35% daily saturated fats per serving) and should possibly TASTE his food before salting it. Changing his diet and keeping him inactive for the next 8 weeks is going to be like forcing Panda's to fuck in zero-G's.

Listening to him snore and snort right now sure beats the hell out of getting dressed up for his funeral, and I'd rather be typing this than something nice to say at the wake... so even if he won't listen and gets himself killed in a year, at least I kicked his ass in Gin one more time! ]]> swivel http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?373-Room-4122 <![CDATA[My father becomes my "Old Man"]]> http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?366-My-father-becomes-my-quot-Old-Man-quot Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:25:09 GMT What the fuck. My father was just up here visiting me this weekend. Left yesterday to return to his farm outside of Charlotte for a few days before... What the fuck. My father was just up here visiting me this weekend. Left yesterday to return to his farm outside of Charlotte for a few days before returning to Colorado. I was talking to him earlier and we were kicking ourselves for not thinking about how easy it would have been for me to ride down with him and ride back with my brother since he is coming up here for Thanksgiving.

Then I get a call at 6:30pm and my dad is being rushed off to the hospital. Chest pains and passing out. My brother and sister are there, they tell me not to worry, no need to jump in the car right now, further info from the hospital.

So I just got another call and it was a massive heart attack. 2 out of 3 don't survive them. He'll be in the hospital for 4-5 days and will have to stay around Charlotte for regular check-ups for the next 6-8 weeks (it will take that long for the muscle to heal). They've already put in two stints, for fuck's sake!

My father is my best friend and hero. He is a farmer. He is invincible. The reaper fears my father. He will outlive us all, no doubt. And now this... now he is my old man. A mortal. Something I could lose.

I guess I am blogging this to nobody. To the ether. Something to keep my own heart from bursting at the seams... ]]> swivel http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?366-My-father-becomes-my-quot-Old-Man-quot Morning Pants http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?3-Morning-Pants Sun, 18 May 2008 12:13:59 GMT I have these morning pants that I wear around the house on weekends. They are a pale blue plaid and they have a tie waistband. I love these pants. ... I have these morning pants that I wear around the house on weekends. They are a pale blue plaid and they have a tie waistband. I love these pants. They are extremely soft and lightweight, so I can feel like I'm naked without the burden of having my wife faint every time I stroll into view.

Several months ago, the crotch started wearing out of my morning pants. At first, it was just a small rip in the seam. I should have done something then, but like a crack in a windshield on a cold day, the sliver of an opening started to spread.

Now the hole is big enough to pass a basketball through. My morning pants cover everything except for the shit that pants are supposed to cover. They are like anti-pants now. Pants in negative space. If I had the material that would patch the hole, I could just wear that.

So why do I put them on every morning? Just to have something to sit on?

My balls are freezing. ]]> swivel http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/entry.php?3-Morning-Pants