“If The Coffin Hits Anything At All, Death Will Come Back For More.”

A physicist, a mathematician, and an engineer are all found guilty of treason and sentenced to death by guillotine.

The priest reads them their last rites, then the king orders the executioner to kill the physicist.

The executioner offers the physicist two choices: would he like a hood on or off, and would he like to be executed face up or face down. The physicist replies, “I spent my whole life studying the heavens. I would like to face the sky, with the hood on like night!”

The executioner positions the physicist and drops the blade… … and it stops inches from the physicists’ neck.

The priest cries, “It’s a sign from God! This man is innocent! Set him free!”, so the king pardons him, and orders the mathematician executed next.

The executioner offers the mathematician the same choices: would he like a hood on or off, and would he like to be executed face up or face down. The mathematician replies, “They all result in an equivalent state, but hood off face down is the most elegant solution!”

The executioner positions the mathematician and drops the blade… … and it stops inches from the mathematician’s neck.

The priest cries, “It’s a sign from God! This man is innocent! Set him free!”, so the king pardons him, and orders the engineer executed next.

The executioner offers the engineer the same choices: would he like a hood on or off, and would he like to be executed face up or face down. The engineer replies, “I have always loved machines, and there is no more elegant a killing machine than the guillotine. I will spend my final moments marveling in its beauty!”

The executioner positions the engineer and, as he’s about to drop the blade, the engineer shouts:

“I see the problem!”

Encounter 

by Felix Riano

Cantao ocellatus

reasons.

Bookstore in Copenhagen, Denmark. 1899. 

The Sandman (2022)

For those who have read the Sandman comics by Neil Gaiman, watching this adaptation is akin to being Destiny of the Endless and his book, albeit a different variant. We are merely spectators in the grand scheme of things and it is not in our will nor power to change the events unfolding before us. In this variant, The Sandman (2022) adapts the first two collections of the Sandman comics, Preludes and Nocturnes (Issues 1 - 8) and The Doll's House (Issues 9 - 16). There are a total of 75 issues totaling 10 collections, so expect a few more seasons to come for this dreamy show.

Overall, I would say this is quite a successful adaptation of this brilliant series by Neil Gaiman. Each cast member brings their all to make this adaptation a memorable one. Tom Sturridge remarkably plays the physically powerful yet emotionally vulnerable Dream of the Endless, and Boyd Holbrook brilliantly plays the deadly yet seductive serpent the Corinthian. Even Kirby Howell-Baptiste, who played Dream's older sister Death, delivers a stunning performance despite appearing in only one episode. Honestly, the entire show is just brilliant from its cast to its cinematography. I can't wait for the next season to come to Netflix. I can only dream it will be as brilliant as this one.

Sweet Dreams.

I would watch it.

Book Review: Strange and Paranormal Tales of Malacca by Dennis de Witt

Title: Strange and Paranormal Tales from Malacca

Author: Dennis de Witt

ISBN: 9789671668610

For locals and interested international readers, De Witt's compilation offers a unique insight into the type of magical fantasy and monstrous wonders that exists in Malacca and its surrounding areas. From rock-throwing poltergeists to sea monsters and even mystical old men with the power to stop vehicles from working, De Witt weaves short tales around each subject, enough to inspire awe and curiosity in the readers. The entire book is broken down into three categories:

1421 - 1824 (Malacca Malay Sultanate and the Portuguese and Dutch Colonization Era)

1825 - 1956 (British Colonization Era)

1957 - 2019 (Post-Independent Malacca and the Modern Era)

I will admit that some entries looked much too short and a question kept nagging at the back of my mind: Where's the rest?! Fortunately, as a historian, De Witt keeps a meticulous record of his findings and supplicates each entry with a list of references for further reading. Most of it is newspaper clippings but a few of them are interesting for future reads like Malay Magic by Walter Skeat and The Were-Tiger by Sir Hugh Cliffords.

Overall, this book is a good stepping stone into the world of Malay folklore, particularly Malaccan folktales. Some stories are strange, others have a dash of the paranormal, and some just make you want to find out more.

Happy Hauntings!