Rue des Crepes - on the road again

“Publish or perish” a friend told me this summer.
For many, my existence lies in few words in a monitor.
Since there was not much to read the last few months, let’s say that I’m almost vanquished.
Truth might be different.
Writing got too far that period. I’ve managed to complete editing “Fedias” in such a way that it was nearly building it from scrap.
The storyline was amusing enough but there was no actual freedom.
Had to follow the original structure and re-write.
Obviously it was a dumb procedure, especially for an amateur.
A poor little creature was cursed but finally succeeded translating it.
In other words, my first and sole polished worked had just started its quest for a contract. Honestly, I don’t mind how long this publisher’s sucking up will last. As far as I’m free to do other new stuff, regardless deadlines or content, I don’t care much for an outcome very soon.
I’m almost sure that one day, there will come up a positive answer.
Until recently, I used to experiment in different styles, although there was a general idea behind everything.
Always a mocking perspective, well hidden or not.
And a fundamental value: nothing is to be taken for granted!
Usually I fancy those imaginary journeys most. You can categories them in some sort of series. They look as single stories but every time I managed to connect them in some way.
First it was Senegal with Nionios.
Then we visited Dub Adyba along with Ben.
Every trip, a real friend. Every trip, a bunch of unconditional beliefs or perspectives, co-existing in a bizarre fusion.
So far, I’ve made five of them and there is plenty of room for more.
Two had been posted on Thinkpo8, my Greek blog while there is an explanation why I avoided doing so for the next two.
Journey number five will come up in a couple of days, bringing an inactive rotten storyblog to life once more.
It seems that I’m back to monkey business!
The best I can do for you at the moment is providing just a short summary.
All titles are close to the originals.

Lenin in Dakar
(Posted in Thinkpo8, Oct 07)

Time in Dub Aduba
(Posted in Thinkpo8, Jan 08)

Tracing Red Utopia
(Unpublished, created May 08)

Twopast plays dice?
(Unpublished - receive a proposal for graphic novel! Finalized Jun 08)

Rue des Crepes
(Will be posted at the end of this week. In Greek)

* Content of the summaries will be uploaded Thursday afternoon.
Thanks for your precious little time.

Let the Games begin!

soon

So, is she dead?

Yesterday, an ordinary summer Sunday, few moments before another heat wave.
8 o’ clock news.
Something unusual happened. An extreme and bloody murder took place in a Santorini village.
As far as I can recall, my version of the crime:

The murderer is a 31 year old man, who was working in the island as a cook and was described as physiologically unstable.
For unknown reasons, he murdered his 25 years old girlfriend (wife?) and after he beheaded her, he was wondering around the village showing the head!
People were actually screaming, closing doors and windows in panic. They immediately called the police for help.
A policeman was nearby, issuing parking tickets. He reached the murderer alone. The murderer was in amok and the policeman tried to immobilize him. There was some shooting and the murderer was hit in the stomach. He then played dead until the shooter checked him. Then, he wakes up and injured him in the head with his knife!
He took the police car with the keys on and tried to escape (?) until the next roadblock, almost a kilometer ahead. Just before that, he managed to crash into a bike injured heavily two more people. Ironic but true, the bikers were two young doctors practicing medicine in the village!
New gunfire and numerous policemen attempted to arrest him. He was in such a stage that despite shot and unarmed, it took them time to succeed. It is said that some policemen left their guns unreachable in order not to be taken by the unstable killer!
Four people transferred in Athens for extensive care. The murderer, the two unlucky and badly injured doctors and… a female tourist who accidentally got some bullets on foot and chin! Wounded policeman got lucky enough.
Meanwhile, some say that he also beheaded his dog at the same time!

Such things occur! Not very often, any place, any time.
Insanity without frontiers!
Also remembered a similar incident in Canada, few days ago. There might be a relation between those two, as the bus executioner might have inspired the Santorini cook. Always according to my “spectator” view.
Incoming news came exactly when prime time news began.
Wonder why…
Journalists, adding even more suspense to their unexpected rate-pusher, presented parts of that full pack action disorderly.
As I tried to make sense out of their shock lines, telephone links and early Santorini broadcasts, happened to experience the following surreal act:
The main (probably natural) blonde presenter started the body count.
The channel’s police reporter had just announced that a madman was wondering with his girlfriend’s head.
She then made him an award-winning question:
“So , is she dead?”
No fiction can overcome reality!

Anyway, you can find better coverage online.
Point is that holidays in Greece somehow got out of hand.
Every season, many tourists happen to die in different ways.
Drowning, self-road accidents, natural causes… you name it.
Even those (mostly British) who take the “drug & booze” holiday package are responsible for their own death.
Unfortunately, there are some unexcused cases.
I feel ashamed to comment how a young Australian was left in a “vegetable stage” in Mykonos a week ago. He was beaten by a night club’s gorillas. His father decided to unplug him and gave his organs for transplant.
Both locations are popular destinations during summer and visited by millions of tourists every year.
Excellent holiday experiences, in case you can afford it or look less like a tourist! Santorini is best if you visit as a couple while Mykonos in enjoyable most, especially if you’re trendy or gay!
Still encouraging you to overcome any second thoughts and eventually visit Greece.
Just try to avoid the most commercial destinations or peak seasons.

And please, at any cost: don’t watch local news!

(photo: actual famous sunset, copypasted)

Zero expenses

Fooling around almost for a week.
Creativity doesn’t count much when you’re unwilling to work.
My pixels look as empty as my life at this time.
Instead of recycling all the same, I’ll share what exactly was up to lately.
Two “literary” priorities set, but most notes had been taken for:

“Zero expenses”
Shaped two months ago, during some worrying insomnias but never actually focused. Probably because it looks like a big challenge and clarity is required.
If ever completed, expect it to be large enough.
The story is not very interesting. Maybe one of the flattest scenarios I ever came up.
Handucap is a guy close to his mid twenties who has never had one real job in his life. He managed to build his unique and quite eccentric world. Isolated in his rented attic, Handy spent most of his day “working” online. In a strange but effective way, he was living large. Until one day…
Blinded by his fake standards, he never realized that everything around him was turning bad. When he couldn’t even fool himself, it was vital to return (discover) the bitterness of the “real world”. With no actual income, Handy degraded most and was desperate for a job. Tried restaurant delivery, dishwashing and ground maintenance. Nothing lasted more than a week. He looked high and dry since his “imaginary” internet friends were too far to be of any value.
Meanwhile he noticed lots of other look-a-like individuals seeking exactly the same. Dozens of custom-built worlds were brought to reality due to an extensive economic crisis. Soon, those cases were separated from the ordinary unemployed and formed a group. Four lads and a beauty, a variety of personal failure were meeting at the same places. Any job effort was unsuccessful. To reduce their intolerable expenses, they all moved to Handy’s attic and share the rent.
Despite the initial lifestyle shock and taken failure for granted, they strategically reorganized their basics. Instead of sticking to numerous attempts with low chances, they decided to aim towards utopia.
Zero expenses.
After few steps and incidents it seemed that they’ve made it.
While fighting for that ideal stage, Handy fall in love with the beauty in a mutual way. One of the lads locked up in jail for debt while another was attempted suicide while he couldn’t escape mind traps.
…other than that… the crisis was over and somehow managed to move on!
Greek retro movies usually end up with a wedding. Why not then?

Told you before, it’s completely flat and predictable.
My goal is different.
It’s not about highlighting another social cult.
Nor providing misery to the masses.
There is only one great challenge.
The story aims those who feel close or even live in such dead ends.
It’s not an autobiography of any kind although I’ve gained much experience on that recently. My purpose is to remove all that bitterness, which often leads to dead ends.
Mocking a drama into comedy.
Placing rotten lines the wrong way and fitting them where they usually don’t.
Often, I maintain a large story for a long period of time and working at slow pace between all other.
Until now I did it for “Fedias” while I think it’s time to move “Zero Expenses” to the background.
I guess this one looks darker but I’m sure that in dead periods like this one can gradually be transformed into the same exaggerated sense of humor.
Time will tell.

Just remember that money talks and bullshit walks in unlimited variations!
(Photo found in local www.aiolikanea.gr recent issue, taken from an island beach nearby)

Brand new “Neighborhood"

I met Zaro as he entered the bookstore two summers ago.
He was advised to start collecting Steven King’s “Dark Tower” series. That’s good business since the complete series included seven books.
He bought the first part and gave a quick glance to the comic section as he left.
His quiet and shy nature was not appropriate for starting a conversation with a weird looking stranger like myself, at least not in the begging.
Gradually we became friends and talked a lot about strips.
While he was half way to his series, he unveiled that he did a little sketching himself. Many comic relevant people come by my place every now and then. Collectors, artists, editors, you name it.
Mytilene is a small place but there is significant comic activity. There are some related academic courses in the University of the Aegean and Enati Diastasi (a.k.a 9th Dimension) a small but famous publishing house promoting new stuff from Greek creators.
Lucky me, there are not many places you can talk about strips. So it happens to know many people involved. Zaro had just returned from his studies in Rhodes. He wasn’t connected but didn’t seek a career either.
He only mentioned his hobby to me. At our next meeting, he gave me a digital copy of his work called “Separate”. I couldn’t tell that it was made in plain A4 sheets and a regular pen. It was a dark and violent scenario with interesting detailed artwork. That comic category is not my best, but it was obvious that his work was good enough for an audience.
I kept his work and asked for some opinions.
Panos is one of the owners of Enati Diastasi and a regular. I showed him “Separate” and explained him about my (you can say that!) finding. He acknowledged Zaro’s talent and contacted him.
Even though “Separate” wasn’t published, Panos explained to me that the kid (close to his mid twenties) has great potential.
They agree to work in a professional level. Zaro provided a new scenario inspired by a Celtic Frost song, “Obscured”. Panos accepted that publishing material that work and then started working together.
For the first time, Zaro draw in a professional way. From technical to artistic issues, he had any guidance available.
At the same period, Zaro built a name. His drawing skills were highly appreciated and came across new jobs. He even made me some drawings I ordered! Last summer I released a parody fairy tale, “Marmanga” and he gave me an inspired cover. Much appreciated, that cover is still my wallpaper.
Funny thing is that he confessed to me that he sketches just because he cannot find an illustrator for his stories!
“Neighborhood” is already completed and will be the latest Enati Diastasi edition. It will be released at the end of this week. Dark and violent like “Separate”, there will be a parental warning just in case.
I’m glad that somehow helped Zaro’s first work to hit the stores.
Of course I wasn’t part of Neighborhood at any case but the beginning.
It’s only my Forrest Gump syndrome!
I wish them both a good commercial outcome.
And be sure that you will hear about Zaro’s talent further than these Chronicles in the near future.
As mentioned before, Zaro is too shy for a photo.
Instead of uploading his picture, I thought you should have a look to his upcoming release.
Once again Pothas will probably have the world exclusive on this!
Sad but true, there will not be an English version any time soon.

But who knows…

Jiries came to town but the town was gone

Oil price constantly reaches new all time highs. The need of turning into renewable energy sources is already of great consideration.
Therefore, bright scientists are gathering in conferences every now and then in order to provide solutions. Physicists, chemists, mechanics and sometimes you come up to some environmentalists!
There is no interest in defining what actually an environmentalist is.
For reading purposes, let’s pretend that someone who is titled with a degree in environmental studies has the necessary theoretical background for… developing new theories for world salvation!
Since none of them is capable of aiming so high, they just believe that they are only worthy scientists like the rest. They prefer attending to ambitious conferences for two main reasons.
First of all, there must be great catering during the intervals!
Second but most important: the conference is so uncategorized that they can even get paid for participating!
Jiries is almost an environmentalist but is totally different.
Lately, he was enjoying his croissant and black coffee while having a break. Lots of people just heard a mighty professor proposing an innovative way producing fuel from watermelons. He had so passionate speech that was hard to say whether he was drunk or excited for the outcome.
Our man Jiries has an effective method for finding out the importance of such words.
Truth always lies in the interval free croissant.
If it’s fresh, the conference is an EU sponsored pointless show off.
If it’s without any filling, then there is just a waste of time.
He calmly took a diagnostic bite.
The croissant was hard as stone!
No further notice had to be taken! All theories were crap, only covering years of profitable but dead-end researching.
There was not more obvious proof than that filthy croissant, probably out of date!
He was ready to exit the place when someone announced a new high for oil.
150$ a barrel.
Really, can someone give me a descent answer?
“The price includes the barrel or you have to return it after using its content?”
Anyway…
Jiries saw all those overrated scientists acting strange.
Some stared at the sun while others raised their hands to feel the wind.
Everybody looked satisfied since increasing mankind concern would sponsor their future meetings, with greater catering variety and fresher cookies!
He was happy too, but also realized all that crap involved.
There were no real attempts for solutions but only paychecks.
Jiries seemed fed up.
He realized that it was his duty to save the world from energy drought.
So many cars, so many air-conditions, so many electrical vibrators!
“God, someone has to save us!”
He was unable to keep his thought inside and the phrase bounced in room, attracting everyone’s attention.
He looked back, somehow embarrassed.
Angry but shaken, Jiries noticed a disturbed expression on their faces.
Instantly closed his eyes and some seconds were enough for a solution.
As he was spitting that deadly croissant out of his mouth, he looked back. He wiped his lips and when he felt ready gave the most innovative shout of all time:
“Bullshit”
The solution to pollution! An act against decreasing oil and gas reserves!
He never meant exactly bullshit but the tone of his voice was obvious.
Stupid theories, stupid speeches, stupid words.
Always there and never to report a shortage!
That’s something clean and totally renewable!
Jiries visualized an automobile using pure human stupidity!
“Let’s say you’re driving in an empty country road and the car runs out of fuel. No passers-by, no gas stations, no mobile signal. You don’t need any of these! Just hang out the special microphone near the gear shift and say something stupid. Anything! People have the power now! And people are born to act stupid!”
His definition of clean energy for millenniums to come was not appreciated.
You see, Jiries came to town but was too far from his age.
As a result, the town was history!
No problem at all. He was convinced and it was then when he decided to spent the rest of his humble life in order to make it work.
Jiries is an inspired world savior and I’m glad he shared with me that great vision. Relaxed and easygoing decide to help me waste those empty bookstore moments on Thursday afternoon.
Although I was unable to provide him with the descent croissant!

Wish him the best for his Nobel career.

Ben took a photograph of that creative spirit and that’s all for today’s “history in the making”!

Give them a phone list and they’ll kill you!

Aggressive marketing.
What a disgusting social attitude!
Greek telephony has grown rapidly, exactly like commercial banking.
During his “infinite prosperity” reign, Chinaman, a famous but obsolete politician. Flattered by a common stock exchange paradox, Chinaman persuaded almost a country to dig up their life savings in order to invest in a virtual economy.
After the mid nineties, rumors talk about a million individual local entries in the stock market. That could be described as a 10% of total population. In fact, nearly one third of national households where connected to it!
Most of the “investors” had completely no idea of the procedure and lack economy fundamentals. They were just collecting their profits while indexes were constantly moving up. The art of monkey business!
Gradually all this fake prosperity faded. Professionals made a fortune from the unsuspicious. Bitter truth came as a surprise to many who just witness a system collapse helplessly. With their money inside!
There was a lot of talking about “major political scandal” and “deliberately misinformed investors”. In fact, it was their original arrogance, which caused losing great part of their savings. Of course, fraud in Greece is like coffee and sugar!
Always something happens!
But that’s not today’s point…
“Olympic” visions and widely spread stock concern forced a society to experience one of the roughest versions of capitalism. With backup savings lost or shrunk, the majority was vulnerable to emergencies and extravagant consumer needs.
For retaining prosperity fact & figures in a level, Chinaman decided to bring the banks to the game. He extended their role.
Central national bank was loaning capital with low rates and banks provided a variety of unnecessary products such as consumer loans and credit cards. Everything with extremely high interest rates.
It was then when actually started a huge campaign of aggressive marketing. Operators were constantly making random phone calls, trapping hundreds, maybe thousands of unsuspected customers into unnecessary loans.
As a result of that tactic and after a decade of service, over a million households own big time. Greek banking system is described as one of the most profitable in the world!
Someone instructed me to watch prime time commercials in a free-to-air channel. He said that I could learn a lot about a society’s level of prosperity. There are some categories like luxury cars and multinational beverages, but beyond all time classics exists the only (well…) truth.
Once there was a so-called “war of yogurt”. Milk industry fought for the leading market share and few companies spent much with daily commercials of their products.
During stock exchange mania, there were many different advertisements from companies, which never targeted individuals for their products. Their main purpose is to present their real or future activities in order to attract “investors” for their stock.
After the downfall, it was the “selling dreams” industry that rose to the television throne. Lotteries and betting looked as the only ticket to richness. Funny thing to mention: there was not actually a fight. The public monopoly just attempting to increase its profits, supporting struggling airplay and of-course preparing its own way to the stock market!
Every sign of glamour seemed to be lost forever. Mobile phone-related companies took the lead. But the last big bang come from telephony. It was the loss of OTE monopoly that provided another new world of opportunities. Plenty of newly established companies tried to persuade consumers to chose their own services.
Like in banking, none of those companies had their own network infrastructure. They were just buying cheap from OTE and selling pure clean… air. In fact they still do!
I was sick and tired of being harassed by private telephony companies. Numerous times a day, an aggressive operator kept bugging me about “real bargains”. I just couldn’t get rid of those shotgun calls. Gradually, the market shaped its share, situation cooled but never stopped. Nowadays, even OTE follows that kind of aggressive marketing. Even I refused to leave OTE for some monkey competitor, such tactics will inevitably make me reconsider.
Today, I get annoying phone calls from every possible kind. I think I’m very close of my first “thank you and fuck off” reply to the next part-time operator!
God, give them a list and they’ll kill you for nothing!
There must be a law against all those nutcrackers!
At least, something must be done.
I’ll start collecting signatures someday!
One effective way is to make those shotgun calls myself!
But still, I have to wait for the economic crisis to resolve first.
It was yesterday when I made that “prosperity test” on prime time advertisement. I can say for sure that nearly 2/3 of the television spots referred to bank loans. Felt sorry about everything.
Something’s wrong lads!
Well, no news in this, but still, its difficult to vision a world full of beggars.
So, just in case you didn’t realize the exact size of damage:
We are plenty! Doomed but cool!

And an extra rotten wish (free of charge):

Have a nice day!

Day three of an international career!

Sometimes I wonder where’s your sense of humor?
Toughest part of turning global is to let know about it!
Since there is still not much to be found here, I prefer blogging for an imaginary crowd. Fits me better!
It’s been over a month now. Writing became just another obligation. I’ve lost every weekend activity. I leave my pathetic little bookstore on Saturday afternoons and spent time only with my word processor until I face the sun on Monday mornings.
I keep postponing a descent introduction to all this parody you’re experiencing here. I’ll manage to gather every aspect in order you receive a proper presentation.
For now, let’s pretend all this is connected with my upcoming novel:
“Fedias. Forever incarcerated”
For everyone’s relief, original story is in Greek!
When Santa Maria (my holly translator) receives the necessary feedback, there will be a commercial English version.
I add 5 to 6 pages every weekend and with that pace, completion won’t take long. Lucky me, there’s no deadline. Yet.
There’s also a slight possibility for the novel to actually work out!
Estimated about one in a million.
But until that glorious publication date, please consider Rotten Chronicles as a real world mockumentary for a guy who saved his a… bookstore by selling his own book!
Besides all these, I was close of giving you a short story yesterday. About a customer, Clive Miallon. But time is never enough nowadays!
“Nine hundred Riceans of a consciousness”
It’s not much, restricted by language limitations but at least looks like a start.
Hope to upload it before this weekend.

By the way, translating myself it’s quite traumatic!

Kind of an introduction before the original

Once told that the best way of an introduction is to leave it for sometime later!
Seems wise since I’ve only begun experimenting to a completely different audience.
By the way, welcome to Rotten Chronicles.
A series of unconnected short stories mixed with some diary entries.
In case you happen to come across any of these in the near future, there is only one fundamental principle:
Never take these lines serious!
Occasionally, there might be some truth in them. Along with plenty of irony in a manner that none gets offended. Even if such thing occurs, you must take it as an unfortunate coincidence and never feel downhearted.
I just hope to provide you with a couple of laughs, that’s all.
Then, you could be able to built a custom profile of my own, rather than memorizing a few flat lines.
I wish you would enjoy my Chronicles.
It would be a pleasure sharing them.
Spread it to everybody.
From this very moment, Dimitris Pothas turns global!