A bit of a looking back at my years with the timeless legend, and how it eventually changed my life.
Past. "Behold, a sacred voice is calling you;
All over the sky a sacred voice is calling."
--John G. Neihardt, Black Elk Speaks
"Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society -
I call this story: 'The Tale of the Midnight Ride'..."
Little could I have guessed that these very words would mark the beginning of a whole new life for me, when I heard them on the show "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" two years ago.
The episode was all about a young boy...who met a pretty girl....who was already being desired by another boy (quite the show-off), who dares the other to go to the bridge near the forest... and all about the ghost of that town, the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow. Though all these characters bear a propably intended resemblance to Ichabod Crane, Katrina Van Tassel and Brom Bones respectivley, the story took place in modern day Sleepy Hollow.
Ever since then, I was mesmorized. There was something about this ghost that just took me in. The next day, I went to get the book from the library and read it through on a single night - though, ok, that's not a major feat, seeing as it's only 74 pages long - and was even more enthralled.
I bought the Magic: The Gathering card of the Headless Horseman, which has, over the years, gone so ripped up and banged that only the illustration remained intact, and went through countless of monster, ghost and folklore books for more takes on the story and pictures of it.
And now, Tim Burton, God among directors, finally does it - he takes the story, and makes it into the most stunning incarnation of the tale ever done.
Present. "The greatest adventure in life is life itself."
--German (translated) "The Lion King" tagline.
And, all of a sudden, the realization has struck me. There will never be a story I read in my life that will be as compelling as that of the midnight rider of Sleepy Hollow, the Headless Horseman of that little town so far away.
I've had a rather long line of events rush past me the last half year, and already I had given up on the thought that the world still likes me. But this realization, why, this revelation, has changed everything.
Don't give me funny looks, some people claim Tom Jones saved their relationship, I can rightfully claim the Hessian Horseman returned my spirits completely and restored my pride and courage, and kindled the strength of the warrior in me.
Future?
"Is there anything as exciting as the future?"
--Expo 2000 tagline
No one can tell what lies in the future. Neither ghosts nor their followers can, so I'm not sure. But, if I work towards it, I'm quite assured the rest will go according to my ideas.
Some Further Stats
~Age~ 18 ~Horoscope - Zodiac~ Taurus ~Horoscope - Chinese~ Dog ~Nationality & Citizenship~ German ~Current Occupation~ Student ~Ambitions (Occupation-wise)~ Cabaret actress / Freelance artist. ~Hobbies:~ Drawing, reading, writing, roleplaying, internet, acting, TV & Movies, theatre. ~Religion:~ Gaian Faith. Most of it explained in the "Werecreatures" section on my homesite. ~Favorite Music:~ Classic Rock'n'Roll, Swing, Soul, Meat Loaf, Oingo Boingo (thanks, Nina! **hugs**), and various soundtracks. ~Favorite Artists:~ Various ~Likes:~ Naturally, anything Sleepy Hollow related, werecreatures, fantasy, horror, open-minded people, enough time on my hands. ~Dislikes:~ Stress, reality, narrow-minded people, romance movies (sorry.), folks who've got no manners whatsoever, high fashion, and people who believe everybody who's not into fashion or pop music should be exiled from society.
Ah, another German horseman ghost of legend! Seeing a trend here? He he. I just added this in for the fun of it, and since I enjoyed the book a whole lot, it's called "Der Schimmelreiter" (that'd mean "Rider of the White Horse" or "White-Horse-Rider" for the English people out there), by Theodor Storm. It's the specter of a man who supposvley rode his horse into the sea and drowned, hoping this sacrifice would save his people from the crushing tide. Very melodramatic. But I disgress. :)
