Natural Born Killers (1994)

 

 

After Dark Watchers, I was able to finish the research on my latest HAARP related piece, the one that draws a line from weather manipulation to martial law. Crazy, right? In preparation for publishing that, and waiting on one of my confidants to get back to me, I decided on something with some violence. My decision was the 1994 Oliver Stone entry Natural Born Killers.

 

 

Plot/ Two victims of traumatized childhoods become lovers and psychopathic serial murderers irresponsibly glorified by the mass media.

 

 

Let me start by saying, when I first watched this, it was not my favorite flick. However, all that changed now that I have aged and finally gave it another chance. Sure, it is a surreal and implausible venture into the depths of darkness, but damn, it is one Hell of a ride. Yes, there is violence, maybe too much, but that is no different from the slasher genre, except for the mainstream ties. The performances are solid, the cinematography and visuals awesome and there is a strong marriage of story and pacing. Is it a perfect movie? No, it is not. However, it is one of the best movies of the 1990s and one that should be seen.

 

What the Judges Thought of Our Creations at the Westmoreland County Fair

Today we made our way out to the Westmoreland County Fair to see how our entries did with the judging. After looking around and seeing the competition, I believe all of us did extremely well considering it was out first venture out there.

Upcycled Birdbath

Bedspring Tree

Washboard Birdhouse

Upcycled Projector Lamp 

In all, four of my five entries placed, with one second, two thirds and one fourth place ribbon. Ironically, the item I felt the worst about (the birdbath) finished with the highest place, and the one I liked the most (the wreath) did not place. But, oh well, it is all in the eyes of the judges. Bren did well, placing with a nice variety of items, including her mixed media piece and her lampshades.

Mixed Media

Vintage Upcycled Apron

The daughters all did well, with Markie taking home the bragging rights with one first, a third and a fifth place finish in her entries including the cool dinosaur planter. Jolene and Jillian also did well, although I do not think the judges quite understood Jillian’s recycled item.

Mixed Media

Mixed Media

Birdhouse

Upcycled Dinosaur Planter

Creations for the Westmoreland County Fair - 2012

Today was finally the day that we would take all of the stuff we created to the Westmoreland County Fair. Honestly, it is nice to finally have the stuff completed, allowing the house to get back to some type of normalcy. In all, there was a lot of cool stuff created (at least, I thought it was cool). Whether or not the judges see some things the same way is another question.

 Upcycled Lamp into Metal Birdbath

Upcycled Washboard into a Bird House

Bedspring Christmas Tree

Bedspring Wreath

Upcycled Movie Projector Lamp

For me, I was surprised that I actually completed all five items I signed up for. While they all did not come out as good as I had hoped, I think that a couple of them are really good. More importantly, all of the materials used were upcycled from different pieces we have picked up throughout different travels. My favorite piece has to be the movie projector lamp (with a cool shade from Bren). Bren created some cool stuff as well (besides my lampshade) and looks to continue her success from the Fayette County Fair.

  

Bren's Mixed Media

Bren's Upcycled Book Christmas Tree

The girls created some awesome stuff in all of their categories. Unfortunately, I think that some of their stuff will not be taken in the same light as we look at it. I guess that is one of the downfalls in regular society for kids that grow up in the horror / zombie walk community. But, oh well, that’s life. These are some of the items created by the daughters. 

  

Markie's Upcycled Dinosaur Planter

Jolene's Birdhouse of Bling

Jillian's Upcycled Candle Holder