Flow

Go with the flow, and expect the unexpected. Because the unexpected, my young padawan is what you'll get if you do not see that, for better or for worse, you're no equal to anyone in your village. And vice versa. Difference makes the world go round, and one cannot expect to see the world all alligned with one's perspectives. Go with the flow, adapt, endure. It may bring you some good. Or some bad. No matter, you'll learn anyway. We're just a drop in the ocean, and a drop in the ocean has to go with flow, and expect the unexpected.

"Jedi Master" Gunga Dunn

The better man

No certainties.

Definitely no superiority!

Don't obnubilate, innovate!

Acknowledge the inexorable.

Be the better man

Gunther Dünn

The Tower - The Sorcerer King II

And so they did. Sir Maxwell of Urquill did the best use of all of his troops and war machines. He studied and analyzed all piece of intelligence his men managed to find, every scrap of information, every rumour as small and unbelieavable as it may seem, and despite all of that, despite all of the neverending nights trying to find a solution, constructing different strategies, different plans, even then, years after, the tower still avoided complete and utter domination. 

The Sorcerer King was gone by now, yes. Vanquished by the sheer greatness of the standing army besieging him. Vanquished by all the years resisting, preventing the taking of the tower. He grew tired and eventually left, deeming those men not worthy of his attention no more. Yes, a small victory indeed.
But even though he was gone, what he left behind proved to be a not so easy task again. 

The castle itself wasn't the true challenge, now Sir Maxwell and his men found out the truth about it all.
The Sorcerer King wasn't the real force holding them back, keeping them at bay. It was the tower itself, with all its meandering stairs, seemingless neverending, impossible to follow, impossible to map out. Sure, Max had gained access to the tower, but once inside he found out the terrible truth: he may be inside but the tower itself wouldn't allow him to gain control of it. Dozens of men, sent to explore it never came back, other returned but they had lost their mind inside the tower.
It seemed the tower changed every day. The entrance door was always in the same place, but once inside one never knew what to find.
One day a large hall room, the other a long and winding corridor, other still a flight of stairs. Once he was bewildered to find behind the entrance door a strong anf thick stone wall, impossible to break. So, it seemes that the tower had the power to bar their entrance for good....the fact that it allowed their entrance most of the times showed only that it was almost mocking the men, confusing them, in order to prevent their taking over. 

King James X was dead by now, fallen victim of a wild boar in an ill fate hunting accident. But still his words resonated with Sir Maxwell: "We'll be victorious. The first thing is not to lose hope. Have patience my friend. Strive and endure. Get to know the darkness, and the light will soon come". Sir Maxwell missed his King, his friend, his comrade in arms. Together they achieved much, but this particular speck in the map was still defying him, not allowing him to achieve true victory. Altough the entire country, all of its castles, even this castle, everything and everyone was now a part of the Kingdom, this wretched tower still eluded him. 

The new King, the dead King's brother, rose to to power while the young Prince waited for a more mature age. But King Jules I didn't share the same worries about this tower. Thus making it difficult to Sir Maxwell to fulfill the promise he made to the old King. The new King wanted to move forward, he said he didn't need that small tower, neither did the kingdom. But Sir Maxwell couldn't allow himself to forget, to simply walk away. Even knowing that the king was being really patient. Altough until when, he didn't know. 

It was personal now. And more than overpowering the tower, he now just wanted to understand it, he strove to fully understanding it, to simply overpower it with his intelligence, his mind, but all had been in vain until now. Some of his men were already talking of tearing down the tower, so simple as that, but he wasn't ready for such a terminal solution. He had to understand it, anything less than that would constitute a failure to him, a horrible failure.

Gunther Dünn

Failure to communicate

"Life ain't what you reckon to be sonny boy!", said Ol'Timer Willy, while rocking his chair in his porch. "Mmmm, no siree!", he carried on, suddenly stopping as if to appreciate his own piece of advice. His wrinkled and myopic eyes seemed to vanish into the past, as if in some sort of time travelling without moving. 

"You know boyo, «what we've got here is failure to communicate», like they say in that movie whatever it's called..." He shuffled his feet and spat that godawful chewing tobbaco he so much appreciated. I leaned forward lending him all my ears...he was never this talkative before.

"I've been watching you kid.


after the war i was thrown in a Florida jail, unjustly, but that's another story. Well, while i had my bones there i met Cool Hand Luke, you sure must've heard 'bout him, with the picture and all...well, the Warden there, one day told Luke, after another of his shennanigans, that we must conform sometimes to the dice life gives ya... «what we've got here is failure to communicate» he said...

Gunther Dünn

Uma vida à espera

Uma vida à espera do fim do dia.
Uma vida à espera do fim de semana.
Uma vida à espera do fim do mês.
Uma vida à espera das férias.
Uma vida à espera disto.
Uma vida à espera que isto passe.
Uma vida à espera de paz.
Uma vida à espera que a vida se endireite.

Gunther Dünn

Issues

You seem to have major malfunction issues
But it's too late, too late now, or so it seems
The wheels were set in motion a long time ago, while you were looking away
Nothing more to do now than bear the brunt of it
Keep a stiff upper lip and deal with it
Disguise and pretend,
With smiling teeth,  it'll be ok...
Not that there's someone paying attention anyway

Gunther Dünn

trivial things that make you happy

When life is crooked, it helps to list all that is well and fine and happy...

1. Reading a good book and getting lost within it.
2. A hug from my daughters
3. Playing and laughing with them
4. Driving while listening to THAT song.
5. Feeling a special connection, a click, with a particular song or lyric.
6. That time of night when everyone is sleeping and i have all the time to myself.
7. The feeling of duty accomplished.
8. Getting things done, overcoming obstacles.

Gunther Dünn

Three Arrows

Three arrows, defiantly protruding from my shoulder. Shot with amazing accuracy and precision, they stand there upright and rigid, just a few inches from one another. Each with its own color and shape, so different from one another, but so equal in their purpose. Each belonging to a different marksman, plain to see, but all of them seemingly shot with the same objective. To wound, not to kill. Armed with special reinforced steel tips, they've pierced through me like a hot knife through butter. In and out and there you have it, stuck, like a hook in a fish's mouth. Urgent excision required, but no one capable of doing the deed except me. To find the courage, a previous task, conditio sine qua non of freedom.

Gunther Dünn

Brace yourself

Haunted by the past that was, afraid of the future to come, unable to cope with the present that is. Way to go indeed man! Despite all your efforts you never seem to get it quite right. Try again, fail again, fail better, Beckett said. But is that what you have found? No, you cannot say that you have. Not yet apparently. Life took a crooked turn and the path you've found yourself in is narrow and rugged. The apparently well oiled lean mean machine you were conducting so far, has suddenly derrailed, and went off tracks. Brace yourself, brace yourself for the bumpy journey you're about to face.
This is your time. Yours and yours alone. Though you don't walk alone, the Gordian Knot was placed before you only. To disintagle it is proving to be a inhumane challenge, only because it seem you're lacking a sharp blade or, even if you found one, you'll be too fearful to yield it. A problem indeed. Only you have the key. A key whose whereabouts you seem to know not. Sad and terrible. Gotta press on and see what lays ahead. Press on, endure, adapt...survive.

Gunther Dünn

Happiness

Through thick and thin, through storm and hail, we'll gather the wind as it blows on the sails of our future. Onwards, forevermore, onwards in the everlasting and elusive path to happiness! The  gale may strike us from above or below, but we shall not flag or fail, we shall defend our "island", whatever the cost may be. Sticks and stones will only serve to strengthen our foundations.

Gunther Dünn (ft. Winston C.)

O

Don't innovate, obnubilate! 

Don't hesitate, obliterate! 

When stuck between a rock and a hard place, obnubilate, before obliteration into oblivion.
Sometimes out of place, out of time, History keeps resetting itself. A cruel process of astigmatismatic life in which you cannot possibly win or correct. Bare with it.

Gunther Dünn

Book in Face

In the old days some used to say, "Democracy is all about giving power and rights to a vast majority of unprepared nincompups". Or, as we say it in the 21st century: Facebook.

Gunther Dünn

Waiting

You have this weird concept how life, your life, should be lived and enjoyed. It's therefore awkward that you cannot put it down in words or even explain it to yourself, let alone others. You just know it's there, you have a faint image, a blurred drawing of what it's supposed to be or look like, but you can't really grasp the whole of it.

Like Plato's Cave really.

You just know that you have to wait in order to achieve it, wait for the light to shine on it and show it to you... And that's the other weird concept that you have in mind: you guess that if you wait long enough for it, it will eventually come to you. Or you to it, it doesn't really matter. You just seem to have this faint notion that it will come. "To Caesar what is Caesar’s". So you wait. Problem is, you seem to be waiting for everything, forever. You wait for the end of the day; you wait for the end of the week; for the holidays, for the paycheck, for finding the right one, for having a family, for having it all sorted out in its right and supposed order, all placed in a neat little row!

But the waiting is the hardest part, like Mr. Petty said. While you are waiting you may realize that you're missing out so much. And when you're done waiting and everything has come to pass, and all is right there on your feet, you may come to realize that despite the fact that you are in the right place you yearned to be all these years, the truth of it all is that there's nothing more to wait for, and all the yearning and desire and strive has lost all its purpose and it will be IT. You'll realize that it's the journey that matters, not the destination. And most of all, it's enjoying the ride, just for the sake of it!

Gunther Dünn

Jup's Return

Twas that time of the year again. The unmistakeable scent of blooming mistletoe fluttered in the air, as well as the smell of Santa's Little Shop Toy Factory' chimneys starting to heat up. Jup knew or rather, felt it, even before he woke up. He eventually opened his eyes, slowly and realized the obvious: it WAS that time of year again. "Better wake up and smell the coffee!" he said to himself. He got up and reflected on what had come to pass in these last few years. 

Five years ago he felt quite jaded with all the events that surrounded this time of the year, despite all of his years of experience. Back then he had felt quite weary and tired, and not so happy with all of his Christmas chores in the factory. With all his obligations, shedules and responsibilities that burdened him during this period of the year, it came as no surprise then that he felt the way he felt then. But he eventually came through and managed to solve his problems or, better said, issues. He had a long talk with Santa and that helped. Just to take it out of his chest, put it out in the open. It helped. Santa realized he needed a happy, effective and functioning Jup, to solve all the details he couldn't deal with. Mainly because he took a month off before all the Christmas madness. Preparations now started earlier, in order to give everyone time to do all the work in time and peace, and that simple measure did wonders for Jup's state of mind. He could now organize things without that overwhelming feeling of helplesness that possessed him before. And all went well ever since.And this would be a very good way to finish Jup's story if not for the simple fact that it didn't really end there.

This year Santa decided to provide more help. The system was computerized for the first time, and Santa also promoted Jakk, another fellow gnome as Jup special helper for that time of year. But truth be told, Jup thought that Santa may over did it...things were fine and back in order, and probably these two new "solutions" didn't help as much as Santa may have thought. "Too much novelties to cope with!" thought Jup, but he had to make do with what he had.

Jakk was a good worker and willingly and happily wanted to help. But, inadvertedly, Santa burdened Jup with another set of decisions he had to make. Altough he was a good team worker he mainly did everything alone, not because he didn't trust the others, but because he felt things ran smoothly if he did everything. Sharing the burden of task management and organization looked fine on paper, but Jup thought otherwise. He didn't know how to deal with his "co-manager" in an effective way, and that was weighing on him, and making him slow, exactly the opposite of what was needed.
And let's not talk about the time he had to lose trying to learn and understand the computer stuff. "No presents for you Mr. Gates!!"
He prepared himself a hot cup of coffee and drank it slowly. "Nah...i'm ok with Christmas, i'm not tired of it anymore, but like this...it's not the same anymore...too much organization effort needed, and an effort not directed to the real purpose of what Christams should be about...it's not the same. It's different, and i'm yet to know if the difference will turn out to be for the better".
That was the real issue right there. Change. Maybe the fear of change on how things would be done form now on was scaring him a little. Not so much "scaring" in the real sense of the word, but somehing like a tired feeling of having to re-organize everything again, and lacking the energy to do it, and deal with all the new stuff that went by with it...
"Guess that's the way it's gonna be, so i'd better make the best of it, or, at least, make do with what i've got now." He finished his coffee, got dressed, picked up his tiny green spiky hat, and grab the door handle. "It'll all go down well. It simply has to!"
With a half sigh half deep breath, he opened the door and stepped outside, seeing almost immediately Jakk on the curb waiting for him, looking a bit uneasy.
"Let's rock and roll then, my friend, if i managed to get here, i'll manage to get further. I'll manage. We'll manage", he thought, with a faint smile, while closing the door behind him.

Gunther Dünn

Grand stand

Against everything, against everyone. Here i make my grand stand, final as it may be, but my own. Sticks and stones may be thrown but they will only find my broad frown, proud and defiant, standing tall like a mountain. Be gone from here, or try as you may, but what does not kill me will only make me stronger. Here is my final frontier, where i stand fast and draw the ultimate line. From here on only strenght and pain you'll find. So try your best and brace yourself, for Hell may be what you find. My innerself, my fortress. Try at your own will but be warned here i stand self assured and certain of what made me who i am. Rocks may crumble, foundations may shake, but i will not falter. Try your best, and prepare for the worst. Here i make my grandstand.

Gunther Dünn

Friends

"Hey, Richard, why didn't you reply to my facebook addy? I sent ya an invitation weeks ago!!?". This is one. "Add me in your Facebook, will ya? You do have a Facebook right?" This is another. And there's always the "Dude!!!! Check out my Facebook profile, and gimme a few likes, ok?" And who can forget the classy "Richard, goddamn, why don't you fuckin' play Farmville with me? Are we not friends!?". Lots of lines, we've heard them all once or twice, here or there. But what do they mean? Probably nothing. Probably a sign of the times. The thing is why do people tend to over stretch? Overreact? Use and abuse? It was not as if Richard was one of those hipsters who think it is cool to be a "facebook hater", one of those who pride themselves of not even having looked to a Facebook profile, and probably mock the ones who have. In reality those pricks also overreact in a ridiculous way. But at least those usually stay on the back, and as annoying as they might be, at least they keep silent and don't actively bug you with the so called "Facebook friendship". Really a time to say "get off my back Facebook"!

"Friend" is a word that, apparently, has taken new meanings, new boundaries and new interpretations. Such a peculiar, and sometimes, odd word. Probably a word whose meaning we take for granted, but now it's changing. Rapidly changing. To a point where one has to start to reflect of its meaning to oneself.

Who are they? Our friends? Or as some may also question: where are they? Life is quite grim without friends, that's a sure fact. One can't go by without friends. One needs friends, to learn, to share, to give and take. But the funny thing in life is that, if on one hand, friends are all around us, but, in the end, only a few do matter... Along the years one will gather a lot of friends, some more than others, but that's the way it goes. But not every single one of them will survive this day-to-day, month-to-month, year-to-year battle we call life. Some we push away, some disappoint us, some simply go some other way. Life simply happens...and we can't do a damned thing about it. Probably that's why they invented the freakin' Facebook gizmo. A cibernetic way to try to maintain a sweet illusion of having lots and lots of "friends". Probably that explains why some people are so stressed in having more and more friends in their Facebook page. I bet that some would go as far as creating a profile for their pets just to add them to the number.

Some friends, ourselves included, are meant to go away. To vanish in the haze. Some will disappoint us, yes, but the vast majority simply evaporates, they simply move on to other places. A few will return, but the harsh reality is that only a small percentage of those few will still have something that matters to us. Evolution (or de-evolution) goes a long way.

So, accept it. If by the end of your life, when you're too fuckin' old to even care about farting in public, if you have a handfull of friends, just two or three that you know you can't count on, no matter what, then you can say "i have Friends". Those who stick around are the ones who matter. And they will not be many. Accepting and embracing this truth is becoming harder and harder in a World each time less prepared to accept and embrace col true facts of life. Like the oh so dramatic natural process of...getting older. It's there, you can't do jackshit about it, accept it, and enjoy. You may have thousaands of friends in that Facebook thingamajig, but how many do really count?

Gunther Dünn

Greeks & Trojans

And here's something interesting in this world we live in: some people think that they are always entitled to something, sometimes everything, from others. They seem to forget that they owe something as well, in order for this "social contract" to work. They seem to expect, ask, demand everything from others, but forget that there should be some giving from their side as well. Making ends meet is not an easy task, but it's made harder this way. Does it really have to be like this? Should it really be always the same ones who need to give (in)? Why is it that this so called "social debt" seems to fall time again upon the "others" for some people? Awkward but true. And this state of affairs spreads from the small act of waiting, expecting, demanding, a simple phone call from others, while never considering the option of doing it themselves. From the also quite interesting act of counting with the, apparently, always present good will of the "others", almost as if it was some kind of duty from those "others", and a God given right to the ones who ask for it. And it ends in the far more complicated case of not being able at all of making a simple concession, to simply give in sometimes, of not being able to shut down all the aggressive defenses, unwilling to act, always preferring to wait for the others to act. Some think they are in the possession of the "truth", denying it completely to the "others", the "wrong others". They live a "black or white" life, a "whether you're with me, or you're against me" philosophy. They are "entitled", they have a sort of "sacred right", which they demand. The greater grey areas of life are thus left behind. In the surface it's such an easy way to live. So simple. But the World, life itself, isn't that simple, and in the end, who loses more?

As for the "others", they live trapped in between these black and white walls, set upon them by some. It's hard to break free. Impossible sometimes. But it's a war worth fighting for, as much as it costs. It's a hard life, and you're bound to disappoint and be disappointed. It's part of it, apparently. Can't avoid it. Like the "greek and trojans" affair. You can't please them both. Live your life according to your plan. Live carefree, but worry here and there. Life is easy, no need to complicate it even further. Owe nothing to anyone. Demand the same. Be sure of your beliefs, but be open to accept they must be wrong, if proven so. If sometimes this isn't what you find in your path, then, the kitten has a point there.

Gunther Dünn

(www.stuffnoonetoldmeabout.blogspot.com)

Successfull

It´s uncanny how sometimes "less is really more". And also that "sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words". Inspiration falls upon oneself one or two times out of ten, but when it does, it really does hit you, like a piano tossed from the roof of a skycrapper. Throw in a simple, yet effective sentence, and there you have it. It's self explanatory really...impossible to replace it by any other words. I'm loss for words and, like George and Elaine, "i'm speechless, i am left with no speech".

Gunther Dünn

http://www.stuffnoonetoldme.blogspot.com/

The Sorcerer King

"We've stormed the castle walls my lord!", said Sir Maxwell. The King looked at him with a gleam in his eyes waiting for the rest of the news. "Well done Max! With not so many casualties, i hope. The war machines brought by Sir Angus and the armies of the north must've helped i trust". Maxwell dragged its feet and he almost scratched his head, but refrained to do so because of the heavy helmet he was wearing, still speckled with fresh blood. "Yes my Lord. We've sustained a few losses, but all quite acceptable. Sir Arthur's archers provided a quite good cover indeed. The towers and battering rams did their trick alright. Angus and the northern folks fought well for you and the crown, but..." Sir Maxwell of Urquill looked bewildered and somewhat lost, an unusual feature for the most fierce commander of the king's army.

"Well, Max, what do you mean 'but'? Damn it, speak up man, for the sake of my father's bones!"

Maxwell looked briefly through the royal tent and into the field where the sieging forces were still pouring through the holes in the wall and through the thick, charred oak gate of the castle. It almost looked like he was calling for help from someone outside.
"Maxwell, my old friend", said the King slow and patiently, "I believe i saw you taking the point of your men and being one of the first entering the castle, yielding your sword like there was no tomorrow. By St. George, i swear i saw you tackling four swordsmen at once!" He paused for a minute, catching his breath, and went on, "We've been here mounting siege to this god forsaken castle for almost three weeks. It's been a labour of patience, and i, we, owe it all to you, for your almost unhuman commitment, and disregard for your own needs and life. You endured and strove where pretty much all of my men would falter, as courageous as they are, and all of them are. Last week, you, in person, and against my direct orders, went scouting the surroundings of the east wing of the castle, and because of the information you brought i dismissed your desobeyance. Sir Ian Gruffudd made good use of your information! You're an intelligent, dilligent man, a loyal subject, a great comrad in arms and a good friend of mine". The King stopped talking, and raised his eyes directly to face Maxwell's. "And a man capable of all this, an inspiration to an entire army and its King, with the strength and courage more than proved in the battle field is now before me uneasy like a boy away from his mother? Hard to believe my friend. So, speak up, please".
Maxwell couldn't help but smile at the comparison, he could look like anything now, but definitely not like some young toddler. His battle armor was covered in dents and blood, some his own, but the most part of his slain enemies. His sword was red, or more like it, brown, with all the dried blood and his shield was, basically, broken in two, or almost. He was a gruesome, fierce sight, which was in accordance with his action in battle. He put down his sword and shield and went closer to the King, suddenly worried that someone might be listening.

"James, my friend", he whispered, quickly cleaning his throat to get a more sounding voice. "We're friends, we grew up and learned together, and that's why i'm taking the liberty to call you by your first name. And that's because...well, i really don't know.... All those things you said about me...they honour me, and for that i am eternally grateful. My pledge is to you, as is my friendship. My sword, shield and men are at your service and command. I trust your judgement, as i know you trust mine. With that in mind i must say that i'm lost for words. I swear that sometimes it's easier being down there in the field fighting two or three men than here trying to find reasonable words to report to you. I prefer the sword definitely!"

"Well, Max, some say the word is mightier than the sword. Maybe so, but not now unfortunately. Maybe in the future, only God knows. So, even recognizing that we have more need for your sword now, i beg you my dear friend, leave the sword, and don't refrain your words now".

Maxwell sat down and poured himself a chalice of wine. "Well, my Lord, James, we've sucessfully stormed the castle walls. As you said, i was among the first to enter the premises. Me and my men proceeded almost without no resistance to the main tower, but we..hmmm...sustained severe difficulties in overpowering it. It's still out of our hands i have to say. My men, me included, were unable to enter and conquer it. It is some sort of devileech maze in there, to say the least. It's sort of...out of our comprehension, out of our poor grasp of reality. Yes, that's it. You asked me not to restrain my words, and here it is: that tower is out of our comprehension. Dark forces are at work there. It's the Devil i say! Weird sights and things go in there... My men have only iron and steel, nothing more. We simply...can't stand there... We made a superb job indeed, but now, i really don't know how to act. I thought it was best to tell all the men to set up a defensive perimeter around the tower. A second, smaller siege if you want, while we regroup and seek advice...your advice my Lord." He swallowed chokingly.

King James X rose up looking worried through the battle field. "So, despite all our efforts, victory still eludes us. The rumours were true then. The castle was indeed a worthy challenge, but the real deal is inside it. The rumours about the so called Sorcerer King were actually true then. Very well. Take hold of the castle grounds where you can Maxwell. Surround that hellish tower. We'll find a way, as always. Even if i have to travel half around the World to find myself a wizard of ours. We'll be victorious. The first thing is not to lose hope. Have patience my friend. Strive and endure. Get to know the darkness, and the light will soon come".

"Yes my Lord, that shall be done, in your name, and in God's name". We will find a way to victory".

Gunther Dünn (inspired by M.C. Escher and The Black Knight)

cool stuff

Life is like that. Much like some piece of clothing you see in the window of some shop, or simply being wore by someone. You look at it, you like it, you imagine yourself in it and you approve it. "Man, that will look really good on me!" But, when you try it out, sometimes, it just isn't you, "Damn, i look half-witted in this!!" It's not your style after all, much to your dismay. It has everything it could possibly have for you to appreciate it, but not with you in it. Sometimes, some clothing is only good for you to see in someone else's body. Much like life then...sometimes there are certain things that aren't meant for you. Or they just aren't your style. As much as you want them, they, ultimately, don't fit with the rest of your persona. Rather weird indeed. But you'd better get over it. Who knows? Sometimes you may even come to acknowledge that those things aren't the best for you. Some things are bound to be be left behind...

Gunther Dünn

http://www.stuffnoonetoldme.blogspot.com