Paul Schiernecker

Author: Paul

  • Commuter haiku #7.

    Much more of the same
    Than you can ever explain
    Call a doctor now

  • The Bell Jar.

    Last night I finished Plath’s only novel. It was my first dalliance into her world aside from the poetry Kate sometimes frequents upon my ears. It was an incredible book, dark and terrifying in places but with an excellent sense of humour.
    Plath’s barely fictional Esther Greenwood is a surprisingly forward-thinking and empowering character considering the time she existed. The story follows her travelling from her home in Boston to take up a magazine apprenticeship one Summer. Completely separate from the world she is expected to enjoy Esther feels lost and disorientated at the prospect of just being a wife and a mother. Upon her return home she intends taking up a writing course but is instantly dismissed by letter. She attempts to write a novel herself but her fear of her lack of life experience prevents her from doing so.
    Esther’s depression begins to rise until she is institutionalised and then titters on the edge of what is real and what she wants.

    It’s a brave novel, and one I am very glad to have read.
    It’s hard to read completely objectively given Plath herself committed suicide a month after the book was published. There are so many warning signs she is truly suffering and yet it wasn’t a time when such states of depression could be readily identified and dealt with.
    All the same it’s an insight into how sometimes no offer can be good enough.

  • Near year.

    I started this blog at the end of February 2012, the 27th to be precise. Since then I have covered most things that have happened to me. It’s served to introduce me to a lot of people and ideas and things but like all good things it will eventually end. Stop crying.
    I wanted to write a years worth of blogs and I’ve nearly done it. I know what I’ll do with it all after but still have some stuff to sort out in that regard.
    The things writing every day has taught me are incredible, especially to someone who wants to be a writer. I can’t recommend it enough. It doesn’t matter how inane a thought or how dull a day, I write it down and there’s something to be gained from that.
    Just write and see where it goes.

  • Commuter haiku #6.

    Sleep is so pleasant
    When nothing is on your mind
    How often is that?

  • Ison Cometh.

    I just read about the Ison Comet which is due to be visible from the Earth later this eye. It is set to be the astrological high point of 2013, in November possibly appearing brighter than the moon in the night sky.

    I love space. I find the whole unknown of it all fascinating and while I have never held a scientific mind, those incredible points of interest like a comet or satellite footage of planets captures the adventure child within.
    I grew up watching Star Wars and the like. While my birth was a decade behind the beginning of the original trilogy my Dad made sure I was up to (light)speed on all things in the Force. It’s very easy to disregard the incredible things that happen above our heads. I’m hoping the Ison will be visible while I am away from the light pollution in the Sahara in October.
    Maybe I could write to the government and ask them to cut the lights on a particular date so we could all enjoy the show.

  • Blue Valentine – an almost review.

    Last night I watched Blue Valentine all the way through. I’m sure I have caught bits of it over the years but last night was the first time I saw it through from start to finish. It’s so good. It’s stuck with me all through today. I keep thinking about how stupid and young they were and how it all blew up and the risks and the love and everything else.
    I find myself swooning over Gosling more than I do over any other man of late. I must reiterate I am straight. I have to tell myself that sometimes.
    I can’t work out what it is but he just seems like the coolest guy.

    Michelle Williams is beautiful as well. I think that’s why I became so invested in the story. They look so good together.
    For other examples see Di Caprio and Winslet or Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy.
    The trick with making a modern love story is to throw some dirt and some reality into it. There’s no point in fairy tales, we grew up on them, we’ve heard it all. What we want is to see people struggle with their feelings, to be awkward, to get punched in the face, to lie, to fall, to cheat. It’s real. It’s how things are and should be reflected. It’s relatable. That’s what Blue Valentine does.

    You should watch it. Even if it is just for the swoon.

  • Godspeed godson.

    I spent yesterday afternoon with my adorable little godson. He is such a little bundle of fun. His name is Toby and he’s so cheeky and funny and got such a sweet little personality. It’s so good to be able to be a part of his journey. He’s nearly two and he’s already caught up with me in terms of maturity. We both enjoy the swings and the slide and watching films and crushing up crisps and letting them drop on the floor.
    That last one might just be him.

    I think what I like about seeing him and spending time with him is that I knew his parents before they were together and before they were married and before they thought of even having a baby. They’re solid friends of mine and its so good to see them as parents, it makes them so happy and Toby is the perfect composite of them both.
    Very lucky.

  • Commuter haiku #5.

    Noises under breath
    Will never stop stop those things that
    Bother you the most.

  • Square eyed redraft blues.

    I spent much of Saturday locked away, listening to Rolling Stone magazines Spotify playlists and writing.
    Editing your own work is a thankless and arduous task if ever I undertook one. It’s like admitting there was something wholly wrong with the way you went about the task in the first place.
    Looking back with the power of hindsight I can conclude I have made it hard work for myself by not formatting my manuscript correctly on the first putting. It’s a lesson I’ve learnt for the next one (which I couldn’t help starting in the early hours of Sunday morning).
    There’s a lot to be gained from giving your work some space and coming back to it with fresh eyes. I’m a sucker for wanting everything now, now, now but there’s something good in patience.

  • EP Demos.

    In a couple of weeks I’m recording. 
    I’ve settled on the following tracks. 

    1. I Wish.
    2. House Of Cards.
    3. Broken Record Love Song.
    4. The Devil.
    5. Let’s Go Back.
    6. Coming Down.
    7. Tell Me Your Secrets.

    I would love some opinions so here’s a session I recorded of them: