HI - That Is, The Letters H & I

Every thing here, except for Hydra and Ivan and the Magic Pike, are from my own original inspirations. I'm not only proud about that, I'm smug about it.

2021 Diary: Whanne That April

2021 Diary

4/21/2021: Up at 7 AM. Went to bus stop at 8 AM. Very cold. New bus, new driver. Went to Walmart and got a money order for $994. Bought some frozen eggrolls and the Hey Arnold Movie DVD. Made it home by 11 AM.

Eggrolls for lunch. Took a nap and spent the rest of the day doing little chores. Feeling very wore out and my balance not good. Washed my clothes. Switched dogs out at 5 PM.

 

4/22/2021: Well, prayers and Bible, and juggled out the dogs. The day trudged along. Delivery from HEB at 11 AM. Had shrimp with sweet and sour sauce. And so on and on and feeling nearly nerveless and nigh unto the end. Talked to Yen a bit over Facebook Messenger. To bed at 10 PM.

 

4/23/2021: Up at 4 AM and found I was awake. “Pygmalion” then “Quo Vadis” on. Fried some bacon. Made sandwiches. Watched TV until 6 AM when the cartoons came on then promptly fell asleep. Woke up and took some recyclables a little after 8 AM and saw they were home [from vacation], the lights turned off and the big dogs inside. Also that the door on the vehicle open on what must have been Kam’s seat. Closed it.

About 10:30 AM went out to check the front porch and brought Susan’s packages round to the side. She was up and took the stuff and we talked a bit. I suppose it was lucky I did because the rain started a little after that.

I was just getting ready to watch “Rashamon” and eat some scrambled eggs at 11:15 AM when bang crash the top shelf of the bookshelf next to the AC comes tumbling down, spilling my Cabell hardbacks and smashing a little dragon/gargoyle. The damp, I guess. Spent time picking up books then relieving the books on the next shelf down. Now I must find out how to do new arrangements. Really coming down rain now at about 12:30 PM. I guess it will be a while before they come collect Ginger and her things.

And so it was, almost at 5 PM. I went in, and they had brought me a shirt, a cap, 2 Bigfoot magnets, and an alien bobble-head.

 

4/25/2021: Did not go to church today. At 11 AM John came and picked me up. I took a bag of clothes that S&A were sending to Morgandy. Went to Chicken Express and got a 30 piece family meal. Went off to Babeloth. Ate at 12, then watched “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote” (a rather mixed experience – perhaps will improve with more viewings) then “Tolkien” (which seemed to me to have improved on this viewing). Through both movies we made the occasional Babellian comment. Left, stopped by DG to get some soda, the home at 5 PM.

The evening went along pretty smoothly (even painwise) and I went to bed about 10 PM.

 

4/26/2021: After a night of getting up about every hour I arose at 6 AM. Started to watch cartoons, then turned them off. Prayers, two chapters of Mark, then read the missalette for yesterday. Fried chopped bacon and eggs for breakfast. Started wash at 7:30 AM. Gathered trash and recyclables. Took Kam out to bus at 8 AM. Everything back on schedule, I guess. Might even get the controller from Walmart today.

And so I did, at about 11 AM. So tickled was I with having that and the little speakers John had given me for my computer (which allow me to hear my music even when the fan or the AC is on) that I began a project I would have believed impossible just a couple of days ago. That was worming the old recliner out of the corner and moving some bins into its place. Lots of dust and bugs, but I did it, with Kam assisting me (not lifting, but watching to make sure I didn’t get hurt and fetching the broom and scoop. The recliner is now in front of the Tolkien Shrine, but a step closer to out the door.

Made cucumber salad early before Kam came home. At 4 PM made supper and fed pets. More bits of straightening and arranging all evening. Made an HEB order for tomorrow. Kam came in and hung around a bit while S&A at a conservative meeting; he went in a little after 7 PM. Went in at 8 PM and washed up. About 9 PM took a shower, and then prayed the rosary. Bed, with sore legs but a feeling of accomplishment.

4/27/2021: Spent much of the day recuperating from yesterday. Up at 7 AM, prayers and Bible. Things muddled along as usual. Sort of humid all day. For supper picked 2 BBQ half-chickens and mixed them in with rice, mushrooms and broccoli. In the evening played quite a bit of DQ8 (until about 11 PM) then rosary and bed.

 

It's a Bonus, Like

So what I did was take five of the pictures I posted today on Power of Babel, turn them into fantasy paintings on ChatGPT, then animate them on Grok. Some became almost unrecognizable through the process. That one there is The Man in the Moon Came Tumbling Doon. It seemed to need some explanation.

What Is It, My Precious?

I include variations of Gollum, Haroo, and Holger just to have examples of the wayward nature of AI. Who asked for mouth goo or extra legs? Where do you get that stuff? The extra Haroo was my fault; I decided we needed the words to make it work. Speaking of words, for His Majesty Commands I asked for an unknown language, it it gave me something vaguely Sindarin-sounding!

Oh, F and G

Now, I'm pretty happy with this batch. They're good. Nothing heart-breakingly splendid, but ... nicely adequate. No-one spouting out random inanities like "The Mystic Prune approaches! We must be on our way." Ghamen Guard and Groka, of course, are both from Golfire. If you had told me in middle school after I'd drawn Forge that it would come to this, I don't think I'd have any idea what you meant.

Artifial Intelligence = Genuine Stubborn Stupidity

Oh gosh. I must have tried to get Drummer into at least an acceptable form over a dozen times before just leaving it; it was like herding cats. I'm also not very satisfied with Firf (labelled here as [generated video 1]; the long title is Firfinfindlefifflefur). The AI insists on turning long muzzles into big noses. The Face in the Frost you would think to be a simple matter, but no. Still, we got what we got, and I'm too tired for any further edits.

B, C, D: Early Elements

We open and close with Druids, and besides my own concepts there are illustrations from Late for Hallowe'en, The Silmarillion, The Silver Stallion, and Walt Disney's Song of the South comic. Also Borrisk gets a redo, as does Dragon in Disguise, as I learn more about editing. And of course the disturbing Bryan Babel in Oz.

Once and Future

I was thinking lately about how few 'Arthurian' illustrations I have in the files. Lots of Merlin's, yes, from before he was even born until he was put in his magical prison, and the few King Arthurs that do appear often feature Merlin too.  Pellinore and Up on the Tower were inspired by the T. H. White books.

"Can These Dry Bones Live Again?"

I'm only including 'my' bones in this post. I really should include Ogre Bones, but the program keeps straightning them up. A little more tinkering is required.

Sometimes I Even Talk to the Darkness. And I Say "Hi, Darkness!"

Now these are a little more closely curated. Try as I might, though, I couldn't quite get the program to grasp the idea of Challenge. That last animation is an illustration from The Haunted and the Haunters, one of the scariest tales in Great Ghost Stories. I need to make something from the illustration of this scene in our old book.

Into the Archive: Literary Outlaw

Literary Outlaw: The Life and Times of William S. Burroughs, by Ted Morgan – January 1, 1988 (Henry Holt and Co., 659 pp.)

“A comprehensive biography of the Beat Generation icon, written by Ted Morgan. The book details Burroughs's life, from his early years to his final days, covering his work, his struggles with addiction, his relationships with fellow Beats like Allen Ginsberg, and the infamous accidental shooting of his wife, which profoundly impacted his life and writing. Morgan's work is considered the definitive biography, capturing Burroughs's "destructive energy, his ferocious pessimism, and the renegade brilliance of his style".  – AI summation

It came yesterday, a day or two before schedule. The order was $8.26. It is a softcover, which surprised me; I was almost certain they had said hardcover but maybe I was being wishful and overeager. Not insurmountably disappointing; it’s still a good price. What was worse was the damage to the back cover: the last few pages rumpled and a tear in the cover, which I am going to charitably assume happened during shipping, though there was no outward sign on the packaging. I’m right now pressing the book to minimize the crumpling and will patch it with tape later when I feel steadier.

Written and read while Burroughs was still alive (1988; he died in 1997), it proved an invaluable key, to me, both biographically and critically, to understanding much of his rather cryptic work. Morgan’s style (he is a Pulitzer Prize winner) is ‘almost indecently readable.’ Rather than borrowing the book from John for a reread I decided I needed my own copy for the Archives, and here it is. Now I’m interested in Morgan’s biography of Allen Ginsberg. 

Back to the Beginning

I dutifully return to the A's and B's. Thus we have Advisor, Anice (which I can't help think is pronounced Anika), Argola, Argument, Astride Attack, Astronomy,  Ban Ban Caliban, Batrachian, Bookstall, and Brother Blessing. Batrachians have their own peculiar backstory, starting from a dream of finding an ancient square lake which is drained and found to be artificial and inhabited by a warren of frog-like, belligerent, intelligent monsters.

2021 Diary: What's the Deal with April?

4/14/2021-4/15/2021: Much time confounded in the days leading up to the Shanafelt/Babel trip to Colorado. On the 14^th got a load of stuff from HEB. In the evening Amy suddenly reveals to me that I need to let her know if I got a stimulus check before she could finish my taxes.

On the 15^th I scurry around trying to find my Direct Express balance, then finally realize stuff is sent by my phone, and find my stimulus was sent on the 7^th. Send Amy the data. The day was cooler and near the evening a little drizzly. Went over stuff with Susan in the evening, about the pool, the dogs, and her E-bay account. By the evening 10 PM or so all was settled.

 

4/16/2021: Up about 5 AM and went in to bid everyone bon voyage. Left about 5:10 AM, and I went back out and lay down again. Saw a few cartoons and drifted off. Up about 7:45 AM, checked the pool, had donuts fer breakfast, turned off the safety lights. Pretty damp weather, but not exactly raining. Will check mail at 9 AM.

Mail not there at 9 AM; checked at 10:30 AM, and mail and packages on the porch. Various little chores like washing dishes, taking recyclables out. About 11:30 AM laid down for a nap. Awoke as by instinct at 1:12 PM. Started a load of wash, brought Ginger in. Almost immediately she peed on the rug, but so what? Finding the empty World Book shelf a good room divider.

Susan called at 5 PM to say they had landed in Roswell and to keep an eye out for a package coming this evening. Brought Ginger’s bowls in. Made some Knorr noodles with tuna. Spent most of the evening between 6 and 8 waiting for the package. Saw a big old raccoon walking across the driveway. I gave up at 8 PM, came in and finished eating supper. Suddenly about 8:25 PM the dogs started barking, so I went in, saw the box had finally come, set up the lights and closed the house. Came in to find that Ginger had pooped at last. Now almost 9 PM. Prayed, Bible.

 

4/17/2021: Up by 6 AM to watch cartoons, the house open and fan going, and pretty cold! Tried to keep Ginger warm though. Went in about 8 AM to cut off lights. Fed pets.

Rest of the day ate too much, but not heavy things. Cereal, grapes, olive loaf sandwiches, a banana, popcorn. Got packages off porch and then mail about 10:30 AM. About 11:30 AM contacted Kelsey on FB about maybe a visit, but at last, no.

Lost the first auction on Ebay, then won the next. About 8 PM turned on the lights and locked up the house. Ginger pooped at last. Now 8:42 PM.

 

4/18/2021: Stayed home rather than going to church. Prayers, missalette. Pool pump went off. Called Andy, put hose in hot tub. Day draggled along. Got Susan’s E-bay in the evening. Still eating too much; spaghetti in the evening. Nice and cool all day.

 

4/19/2021: Up at 5 AM. Shower. Cartoons. About 10:30 AM the pool guy gets here. Let the Rotts out afterward. Washing clothes. Now 2 PM. Ordered PS2 paddle, Hobbit Trilogy, and The Man who Killed Don Quixote from Walmart.

 

4/20/2021: Got HEB order.

Notes

Well this April seems to be following the same pattern, except no-one is on vacation and I have no elderly and incontinent Chihuahua to care fore. But the weather is that same iffy, neither/nor damp grayness. Everything seems both contingent and uncertain, and at the same time unchanging. 

Sunday Matinee

The idea of female Orcs is actually canonical to the books (at least the later versions of the books, when Tolkien had more time to ponder the matter); it says Orcs reproduce 'after the Manner of the Children of Iluvater' (in other words, they bump uglies). The idea of them springing out of slime pits was cemented in the minds of those who only watched the Jackson movies. The concept of sea-serpents (and indeed other water monsters) has always fascinated and horrified me. They seem to rise up out of the unknown like 'monsters of the Id' from the hidden recesses of the mind.

Fantasy vs. Reality: The Eternal Struggle

Miramon sighed. “That is true. There is no marriage for the maker of dreams, because he is perpetually creating finer women than earth provides. The touch of flesh cannot content him who has arranged the shining hair of angels and modeled the breasts of the sphinx." - The Silver Stallion.

In the Wastelands

Once again, AI supplies legs for a legless dragon (a Wyrm) in the Wasteland. Some of these are more curated than others.

Some Wubble-Yous and a Zed

I decided to start from the bottom of the list today and so we have wolves, witches, wizards, woses, and wogglebugs, and last of all Zeb and Me. Unless you make a strict point of it, the AI seems to think all dragonlike creatures have four legs, and witches and hags tend to be smoothed out into pleasant old ladies, which makes me speculate about company policy. Most of my prompts have to be negative: No Music, No Magic Effects unless specified, No Talking unless specified. Most of the animation generation direction, if left on its own, reminds me of the Harold Zoid school of production.

'Warnie': Into the Archive

Inkling, Historian, Soldier, and Brother: A Life of Warren Hamilton Lewis by Don King

The first full biography of Warren Lewis, brother and secretary of C. S. Lewis (2023, 435 Pages)

Detailing the life of Warren Hamilton Lewis, author Don W. King gives us new insights into the life and mind of Warren’s famous brother, C. S. Lewis, and also demonstrates how Warren’s experiences provide an illuminating window into the events, personalities, and culture of 20th-century England. Inkling, Historian, Soldier, and Brother will appeal to those interested in C. S. Lewis and British social and cultural history.

As a career soldier, Warren served in France during the nightmare of World War I and was later posted to Sierra Leone and Shanghai. On his retirement from the army, he became an active member of the household at the Kilns, the residence outside Oxford that he co-owned with his brother and Mrs. Janie Moore, and he played an important role in the relationship between his brother and Joy Davidman, the woman who became C. S. Lewis’s wife. A talented writer and accomplished amateur historian, Warren also researched and wrote seven books on 17th-century French history.

Inkling, Historian, Soldier, and Brother examines Warren Lewis’s role as an original member of the Oxford Inklings—that now famous group of novelists, thinkers, clergy, poets, essayists, medical men, scholars, and friends who met regularly to drink beer; discuss books, ideas, history, and writers; and share pieces of their own writing for feedback from the group.

Drawing from Warren Lewis’s unpublished diaries, his letters, the memoir he wrote about his family, and other primary materials, this biography is an engaging story of a fascinating life, period of history, and of the warm and loving relationship between Warren and his brother, which lasted throughout their lives. – Amazon.

I ordered it on April 4th, and it arrived on the 9^th; I had not expected it until the 14^th. It is the first new book I’ve bought since February 21^st, so that’s a sort of record for me lately. The first time I became aware of it on Amazon, it was $50; but it finally came down enough for me not to feel guilty about ordering it: $24.87. It is in pristine condition, but being from a university press it is in teeny-tiny, eye-straining typeset. I opened it to discover that it had been signed by the author, Don King (no, not the one who might first spring to mind), and so joins my little collection of autographed copies. Just the name, no inscription.

Warnie has always interested me as being what you might call an ‘ordinary’ adjunct to the Inklings circle, though as this biography points out, that might only be in comparison to such titans as C. S. and Tolkien. Quite extraordinary in his own right, a published author in a time when merely being ‘Jack’s’ brother would have cut very little ice. Though of course it is mainly the Inkling connection that draws me to his biography now.

The Bone Pile

Sorry, no animations today - yet. I'm having some difficulties with my service. Also, I went bed at 11 PM last night, and got up at 1 AM; I haven't been able to sleep since, though I've gone cross-eyed with the need for it. Maybe posting this heap of dry bones will help me relax, one more daily chore checked off. Cue the Ray Harryhausen music.

Rated R for Rip-Roaring

For Mom must be my oldest surviving drawing; it's from grade school and shellaqued on cardboard stock, which probably accounts for its survival. Alchemy is also pretty old, from middle school; a proposed illustration for a book report. 'Ooda thought what we could do with 'em fifty years later?

Nine Short Films in Search of a Venue

The first, Brockhouse, is a remake of the first animation I ever tried, I think, and Weary Gandalf a remake of what could well be the second. Both from my own drawings. Master Belmok's muzzle somewhat degenerates into a huge nose.

Thumbnail Theater: Second Showing

Thumbnail Theater: Eight Short Animations

I basically have two instructions when dialing these up: No Talking (unless I specify some phrases; those automatically supplied tend to be overdramatic and uninspired) and No Twinkly Magic Effects (unless specified; again, the program leans to overkill). Otherwise, I usually just like to see what happens, though sometimes (like the Book Grim and his cheese) I do direct the action a little. Most boring animation? Godfather Death. Eekus turned out unexpectedly 'squamous.' I wonder if anyone else was as traumatized by him as I was at seven?

Lovely Ladies: AI Animations

All here (except for Jennifer Kale) are my own creations, enhanced of course beyond any of my skill for portraying beauty. Edna Yorke has her own special beauties of personality. Couldn't quite get the prim little throat-clearing I was aiming for. Jennifer Kale was one of my icons of beauty for years; I only found out decades later that they had made her (reveled her to have always been?) gay.

Tolkien Tuesday: An Official Announcement

After a month of good intentions (I even made this AI depiction of the healing of Faramir, a scene sadly lacking in LOTR illustration - Eowyn gets the spotlight in the Houses of Healing) I must confess that the Summer Hiatus is upon me. It seems to happen every year. A time of indolent doldrums that forbids any 'homework,' no matter how delightful. Come fall, the urge will stir again, and I'll take up the tale. Someday, if I'm spared, I'll get to the conclusion. Until then - "Autumn is the time for telling of tales, in Summer, 'tis off to the beach." But I will try keep dedicating Tuesday to Tolkien-themed matter.

Oak Tree Tea?

I suddenly had the brilliant idea to illustrate my poem Oak Tree Tea (see elsewhere on this blog). But I rather thoughtlessly wrote in the prompt 'In the style of a children's book illustration.' It produced the third picture first, and while I tried to refine it into a more mature mode, Chat GPT seemed to have it stuck in its mechanical mind that this is what it should be. Not bad, but not what I imagined it could be. Back to the old electronic brain.

 

New AI Animations

I think my favorite of this bunch is Samuel Frobisher. I forget exactly what my prompt was, something like "doesn't speak but gives a little sigh of disappointment" which I think Grok delivered beyond my expectations Frobisher lives! My second choice had to be the charge of Morg Ages.