Nickel (17)

Nickel

First “white copper” they thought us across the sea

good thing they didn’t bet their tea

In the land of Germania they called us “mischievous sprite”

blinded as they were by our golden tinge of light

but no “Sieg Heil! Sieg Heil!”

we’ve not goose stepped one mile

We’re never no “one ring”

you use us to buy bling

Though you may search high and low

in Russia we caused 30 miles of treeless snow

We’ll fly you to your next meal

and help you eat it with stainless steel

We’re the green in your glass

electric guitar strings en masse

Don’t call us wooden or Joe – we’re fickle

for our five cents we prefer nickel

July 1, 2012

Tressa Lee Breen

Research Notes & Tools:

Silvery white lustrous slight golden tinge

Ferromagnetic around room temperature (iron, cobalt, gadolinium)

Classified 1751 by Azel Fredrik Cronstect

In Use 3500 BC

Corrosion resistant

"White Copper" copper/nickel in China

Named after mischievous sprite of German mythology, Nickel, for besetting copper, Kupfernickel or Kupfer - Nickel alloy- cupronickel

Due to cost US remains one fo few that use metal in coins, five cent, save for exterior plating

Stainless steel, magnets, coinage rechargeable batteries, electric guitar strings, microphone capsules, green tint in glass

Willamette meteorite - iron w/ nickel

Russian nickel works/prison in Siberia, Norilsk, no trees grow w/in 30 miles, 1 of 10 most polluted cities in the world

Nickel-iron super alloys used in jet engines

Joe Nickell

Nickel on Wikipedia

The Disappearing Spoon And Other True Tales Of Madness, Love, And The History Of The World From The Periodic Table Of The Elements by Sam Kean

Periodic Table: An Exploration Of The Elements by Joel Levy

Periodic Tales: A Cultural History Of The Elements From Arsenic To Zinc by Hugh Aldersey-Williams

The Elements: A Visual Exploration Of Every Known Atom In The Universe by Theodore Gray

Theodore Gray’s Elements Vault: Treasures Of The Periodic Table With Removable Archival Documents And Real Element Samples

Platinum Platitudes (16)

Platinum Platitudes

Rarer than an honest man attempting to ford a play to curtain’s close

No nickel and copper deal

Resistance, as it turns out, is not futile

Fit for those with monikers like scrivener Stephen

Plays around a million times

Heavier than thirty pieces

Trendier than the karat rule

Holds your preciouses still and safe

Drives ‘til there’s nothing left to inspect

Reluctant to unite doesn’t mean unwilling to bling

May 3, 2012

Tressa Lee Breen

My Notes & Resource Tools:

Name: Spanish, "platinade pinto", "little silver of the Pinto river"

Dense, malleable, gray-white

One of the rarest elements: 0,005mg/kg

Occurs in nickel and copper deposits as well as native

80% world production in South Africa

Resistant to corrosion, wear, tarnish

Catalytic converters, laboratory equipment, electrical contacts, electrodes, thermometers, dentistry equipment, jewelry

King Louis XV: "The only metal fit for a King"

Album, 1 million copies sold-Platinum

Heavier than silver, trendier than gold

1898, Louis Cartier started the platinum with gems trend

Crude oil to gasoline, spark plugs (last for life of car)

Reluctance to combine chemically with other elements

Wikipedia

The Disappearing Spoon And Other True Tales Of Madness, Love, And The History Of The World From The Periodic Table Of The Elements by Sam Kean

Periodic Table: An Exploration Of The Elements by Joel Levy

Periodic Tales: A Cultural History Of The Elements From Arsenic To Zinc by Hugh Aldersey-Williams

The Elements: A Visual Exploration Of Every Known Atom In The Universe by Theodore Gray

A review of "A. Lincoln: A Commitment To Honor: A Unique Portrait Of Abraham Lincoln In His Own Words” edited by Gordon Leidner

A. Lincoln: A Commitment To Honor: A Unique Portrait Of Abraham Lincoln In His Own Words edited by Gordon Leidner (2000)

From Amazon-

“No U.S. president has espoused and embodied virtues such as honesty, faith, determination, and character to the extent Abraham Lincoln did. In addition to his quotations on subjects such as leadership, honesty, faith, kindness, and liberty, ‘A Commitment To Honor’ includes insights from those who knew him best and photographs of Lincoln.”

My two Lincolns:

This is basically the same type of book as the previously micro-reviewed “The Wit And Wisdom Of Abraham Lincoln” (edited by Alex Ayres, 1992) with better packaging. The quotes are separated into Topics but unfortunately, there are no “when/where” descriptives immediately following (notes are in the back of the book). There are quotes about Lincoln pertaining to the topic by contemporary peers. Again, like “The Wit And Wisdom…” it’s the lightest shadow of Lincoln’s whisper but in a prettier book.

Favorite quote about Lincoln:

“His great mission was to accomplish two things: first, to save his country from dismemberment and ruin; and second, to free his country form the great crime of slavery. To do one or the other, or both, he must have the earnest sympathy and the powerful cooperation of his loyal fellow-countrymen. Without this primary and essential condition to success his efforts must have been vain and utterly fruitless. Had he put the abolition of slavery before the salvation of the Union, he would have inevitably driven from him a powerful class of the American people and rendered resistance to rebellion impossible. Viewed from the genuine abolition ground, Mr. Lincoln seemed tardy, cold, dull, and indifferent; but measuring him by the sentiment of his country, a sentiment he was bound as a statesman to consult, he was swift, zealous, radical, and determined.” ~ Frederick Douglass

A review of "The Wit And Wisdom Of Abraham Lincoln" edited by Alex Ayres

The Wit And Wisdom Of Abraham Lincoln edited by Alex Ayres (1992)

From Amazon-

"’Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves.’ Rather than the dour soul he sometimes appeared to be, Abraham Lincoln enjoyed a fine, often barbed sense of humor as this lively collection of his salty stories, anecdotes, quotes and speech excerpts proves. Also included in this treasury are his famous addresses, a Lincoln time-line, and sections on Lincoln Lore, Gettysburg Gems and Assassination Secrets.”

My two Lincolns:

The wit and wisdom is separated alphabetically and then by topic. Each quote has a short “when/where” descriptive after it to put it into context (no pictures/illustrations). It tries to capture Lincoln’s voice but only emits the lightest shadow of its whisper. Perfect for those who just want to be able to look cool quoting Lincoln or a youngling just getting interested in Ol’ Abe.

A review of "Time: Abraham Lincoln: His Life And Times: An Illustrated History"

Time: Abraham Lincoln: His Life And Times: An Illustrated History (2009)

From Amazon-

“This richly illustrated volume celebrates Abraham Lincoln by exploring the fascinating life and times of the president who saved the Union. Here, in more than 160 little-seen photos and illustrations, is a great nation still young and rapidly transforming. Here is the growth of the frontier and the Indian and Mexican wars; the advent of the telegram and the railroad; the battle over states` rights that erupted into the Civil War. And here in all its passion, complexity and tragedy, is the life story of the wise, visionary President who summoned America`s founding ideals to keep the nation united.”

My two Lincolns:

There are many excellent essays on different aspects of Lincoln but the joy of this book is indeed the illustrations. They cover a huge amount of territory, not just Lincoln & family & contemporaries but places, maps, newspapers, tools, posters, art, etc. “Vivid” is how I would describe this book.

That being said, this is the first book that I’ve read so far that has brought up a rather large issue that Lincoln had to deal with during his Presidency that was not directly Civil War related: the Sioux uprising of 1862. Ultimately, 38 Sioux warriors were hung (the largest mass execution in US history). This was out of an original 300. Lincoln personally reviewed each case and reduced the number even though it could cost him white settler votes in Minnesota (he said he wouldn’t hang innocent men for votes).

There are also excellent “For Further Reading” and “Historical Sites” sections in the back.

(As I’m in the early stages of my Lincoln exploration I do not know how accurate or inaccurate the details of the Uprising story are; a quick Google found numbers at 38/303 and 39/303, no mention of the Lincoln vote quote and another having it has “I could not afford to hang men for votes”. Just an FYI.)

A review of "Abraham Lincoln: A Life" by Thomas Keneally

Abraham Lincoln: A Life byThomas Keneally (2008)

From Amazon-

“The self-made man from a log cabin, the great orator, the Emancipator, the Savior of the Union, the martyr—Lincoln’s story is at the very heart of American history. But who was he, really? In this outstanding biography, award-winning author Thomas Keneally follows Lincoln from his impoverished birth through his education and presidency. From the development of his political philosophy to his troubled family life and his actions during the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln is an incisive study of a turning point in our history and a revealing portrait of a pivotal figure.”

My two Lincolns:

A concise, quick read; perfect for those who are curious but don’t have a lot of reading time to spare (183 pages, no pictures/illustrations).

On a personal note, I have no memory of reading of Lincoln’s “first love” Ann Rutledge until this book (excluding “Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter” in which I wasn’t sure the tale was a “vampire conceit” so to speak). I look forward to learning more.

Unfortunately, as I am still in the beginning of my Lincoln exploration I cannot advise on how accurate, or inaccurate, this book is.

"Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter" movie trailer, book trailer, book review

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter (Movie trailer, Book trailer, Book)

*

Movie Trailer #1 (movie opens June 22. 2012)

From IMDb-

“Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, discovers vampires are planning to take over the United States. He makes it his mission to eliminate them.”

My two Lincolns:

The ticking intro succeeded in capturing my heartbeat. The voice (although not Lincoln accurate according to accounts I’ve since read) was also stirring and visuals were dark and fast for the vampires and iconic for Lincoln. “Wanted” is the only other movie I have seen directed by Timur Bekmanbetov which is the best movie equivalent of a roller coaster ride, taken with excellent actors, that I have ever seen. This film, like the former, will hinge primarily on the actors’ ability to sell the premise, and the director’s frenetic eye-candy style, to the audience.

(Since seeing the trailer I’ve read about some changes and character additions to the movie that make me a bit hesitant. I do still intend to actually go to the theatre and see this one – I usually wait for DVD – but not in 3D, which I think is generally unnecessary.)

Movie Trailer #2

IMDb entry

“Secret Life” Movie Featurette

Set Visit With StarBenjamin Walker

Frees Bloodsuckers To BeEvil Again

*

Book Trailer

My two Lincolns:

I almost hate to admit it but this made me want to read the book more than the movie trailer. Its budget is more commensurate to that of a book than of a movie of course but it captures the feel and visuals that a title like “Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter” could inspire in historical, supernatural and positive senses. The Lincoln voice over (although, like the movie trailer, not Lincoln accurate as I have since found out) is passionate, it’s a nice touch that the vampire resembles Booth, and I like the Lincoln actor’s look and mannerisms (I have since found out that he has done work as a Lincoln impersonator for decades).

*

Abraham Lincoln VampireHunter by Seth Grahame-Smith (2010)

My two Lincolns:

I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did (I mentioned my thoughts on actual historical figures with mythical creatures in “Bitten By the Hat”). It was actually a surprisingly well-done weaving of factual events (from Lincoln’s childhood to his assassination and just a bit beyond...) with supernatural fantasy monsters: I would dub it “historical horror fiction”. No, it’s not “Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter I Am” by Dr. Seuss nor is it Robert Green Ingersoll’s essay “Lincoln’s Axe Proclamation On American Vampire Civil Disobedience”; it’s an entertaining story that is worth an evening’s read, by firelight, alone...

(It also inspired me to read up on the actual man and if it does the same for others I would consider it a successful story.)

NPR article/excerpt

  

A review of "Being Lincoln: Men With Hats"

Being Lincoln: Men With Hats (Documentary, 2008)

Description from website-

“Delves into a national subculture of Abraham Lincoln impersonators and explores why the over 180 Lincoln presenters in the country do what they do. Meet a legion of Lincolns at the annual Association of Lincoln Presenters conference as they ham it up, discuss costuming challenges, share trade secrets and participate in photo ops galore.”

My two Lincolns:

It’s an interesting watch but really for those more immersed in the phenomenon.

Bitten By The Hat: Becoming A Lincolnphile

Bitten By The Hat: Becoming A Lincolnphile

Abrahamic Vampirism + OCD = an eternal obsession...ok, that’s probably a bit of an exaggeration.

Yes, I was aware of the “classic story/classic monster” literary mixing going on but wasn’t really that interested. I have loved monsters forever (or at least for my bit of eternity, all 45 years of it so far) but I hadn’t read any of the classics being remixed. I thought “Jane Eyre” and vampires would be a nice potion. Sure enough, “Jane Slayre” came out and I read and enjoyed it.

“AbrahamLincoln Vampire Hunter” by Seth Grahame-Smith (who started this craze with “Pride & Prejudice & Zombies”) was in a different vein. This was taking an actual once-living being who also happened to be an important US historical figure, and injecting his life, and times, with supernatural creatures.

I don’t know...Lincoln was one of my favorite yesteryear icons when I was very young, vampires have always been my favorite monster, but the mix just didn’t hypnotize me so I didn’t read the book.

Then Facebook sucked me in.  Someone posted a link to the movie, I don’t remember whom, I don’t remember when (probably after sunset), but I clicked on it.

I’ll save my thoughts on the movie trailer, book trailer, and book for a bit later. Suffice it to say that those three things seem to have begun my turn me into a blood-crazed Lincolnphile...I mean reawakened my interest in Lincoln the man...yes (ahem).

This is going to be my chronicle of that obsession, for as long as it lasts, and as many books/movies it absorbs. I’m going to post about each book/movie as I (hopefully) enjoy it, providing a link, an official description of/from the product and my two Lincolns about it.

And if you should happen to get bitten by the hat as well and find yourself perusing online bookstores for Lincoln in the dead of night...make sure your axe is sharp.

The hat Lincoln wore to Ford's Theatre

Cobalt/Goblin Treasure, Goblin Promise (15)

Cobalt/Goblin Treasure, Goblin Promise

You drag me up with the red and the gray
~ an unexpected bonus ~
the silver tint of my stretched flesh
hints not at the sapphire hoard beneath
but my sickening breath warns
of an all consuming fire:
set me loose on the tips of your stupidity
and I'll gobble up your world

February 5, 2012
Tressa Lee Breen

My Notes & Resource Tools:
German: Kobold Ore "Goblin Ore"
Hard, lustrous, silver gray
Source by-product of copper + nickel mining
Color to glass, smalt ceramics inks, paints, varnishes, 
Goblin Ore-name due to blue pigment producing minerals poor in known metals & gave poisonous arsenic-containing fumes upon smelting
Essential trace element for all animals, B12
Active nutrient for bacteria, algae, fungi
Cobalt Floride - pink
Cobalt Chloride - blue
Cobalt Bromide - green
Cobalt Iodide - blue/pink
Anhydrous Dichloride - blue
Hydrate - red
Egyptian sculpture, Persian jewelry, ruins of Pompeii, China
Cobalt-Chromium-Molybdenum alloy = Vitallium, used for prosthetic parts such as hip & knee replacements
Aluminium-Nickel-Cobalt-Iron alloy = Alnico, permanent magnets
Samarium-Cobalt = permanent magnets
Alloyed w/ 95% Platinum for jewelry
Cobalt bomb-dirty bomb-whole human life time for land to recover-doomsday weapon
Cobalt can displace iron from blood plasma
Cobalt steel used for drill & milling machine bits
Pale cobalt blue glass insulators used in old telephone wires, power lines, railroad signals
Azure (bright), Cerulean (greenish), Ultramarine (dark), Glaucous (grayish), Cyan (light greenish), Periwinkle (light grayish)
Bogeyman, Brownie, Demon, Fiend, Gnome, Gremlin, Imp, Kobold, Nixie, Pixie, Spirit, Sprite
Cobalt on Wikipedia
The Disappearing Spoon And Other True Tales Of Madness, Love, And The History Of The World From The Periodic Table Of The Elements by Sam Kean
Periodic Table: An Exploration Of The Elements by Joel Levy
Periodic Tales: A Cultural History Of The Elements From Arsenic To Zinc by Hugh Aldersey-Williams
The Elements: A Visual Exploration Of Every Known Atom In The Universe by Theodore Gray

Immortal Beloveds

Immortal Beloveds   

A voice wailing out of the web

exploding with the consuming sorrow and painful happiness

only loss can ignite

triggered remembrances

of a youthful pixie

and an onyx empress

both long lost to desires gone dark

The surge of old moments made fresh

with the slam of no more moments to be had

constricts the ability to act

the ability to live

Yet who would lose those rich recollections

to avoid the sharp steel of bereavement

and deny those we treasure their bit of forever

If we create a life of meaningful memories

conceived from joyous matings of chosen friends

birthed in exuberant experiences

swaddled in warm laughter

grown and nourished with the exchange of honesty

cared for and cherished with the sharing of finite time

then the cliché can be made truth

Even though death will without exception end each of us

our love for one another

will never die

August, 2011

Tressa Lee Breen