Caleb A. Deveraux: L'existence Rêvé

Sorry, We're Still Closed

2014-08-20T01:24:00.002-07:00

I made a promise to myself... that I would blog more often... that I would read more often... that I would review more often.

Alas, the summer has passed by, and every opportunity I received to do all of the aforementioned tasks were swatted away like a fly on the hottest summer day.

Hopefully things shall change once the Fall semester begins... once I have stuff to write about... once I am inspired.

I plan to spend many of my days enjoying the peace of my apartment, the relaxation of parks, and the exhilaration of hiking. Perhaps nature, as the sublime, will empower and spark my imagination so that I can start writing again!

Currently Working on... Genetic Effect, on Loop

2014-07-04T00:14:00.003-07:00

Below is an excerpt from a poem i'm currently working on.

In Finas Res: Sword of Armageddon...

2014-07-03T23:20:00.000-07:00

It's taken me about a week to get through Mathews last installment in the New Kid trilogy: Sword of Armageddon. I'm not sure why it is taking me so long. The other two books in the series took me approximately 2-3 days to complete.

According to my Kindle, I have 93% of the book complete. This means I am reaching what I would consider the climax of the book, as well as the series' climax. Even though I recognize this, there is no force motivating me to finish the book. For example, I'm sitting here now, typing away ABOUT the text on my inability to produce inertia and finish the book rather than actually doing so. The connection I once felt for this book, that connection that propelled me to continue reading even after reading those negative reviews about Mathews writing style and the book's endorsement of provincial cliches, has been subdued by indolence and distraction: i'd rather do nothing than finish this text; i'd prefer to do anything else rather than sit down and read what I am anticipating to be a prolonged disappointment.

Am I getting tired of Mathew's writing style?

Has the illustrious New Kid, low-key demon hunter, Will Hunter, become boring and predictable?

I guess you'll find out in my upcoming review!

P.S. Please forgive my Latin!

Starting....

2014-06-27T15:37:00.000-07:00

The Sword of Armageddon (The New Kid) by Temple Mathews.
I'm moving in for the home stretch! I am now starting the final installment of the New Kid trilogy. A collective review will follow my completion of this series.

father's neglect

2014-06-22T23:31:00.001-07:00

check out my poetic (re)form in my peom "father's neglect!" more revisions to come!

Ode to Imagery and Form

2014-06-09T21:40:00.000-07:00

Currently Inspired by:

Evie Shockley's The New Black

Imagery! Imagery! Imagery!

I scream these words at myself constantly whenever I review my creative work. Imagery is one of the most rudimentary elements of literary form. However, my creative writing endeavors have been lacking greatly in this department. My focus, when writing, tends to gravitate towards diction and its manipulation: utilizing wordplay, irony, and allegory in order to convey and negotiate particular thematic stances.

Form! Form! Form!

To be a radical and noteworthy force within the poetic community, one must take a number of liberties when creating their poetic form and style (poetic signature). Readers of poetry have increasingly become more fascinated with the mutation of classical form through the development of modern modalities and interventions, as well as contemporary formal aspirations. However, similar to imagery, I seem to continually overlook form.

Therefore, I shall be dedicating this summer to the exploration of creative license:
my creative license.
A goal of mine shall be to create a number new
pieces, or work on revisions of old works, which will reflect my
attempts at intervening in my own creative stagnancy.
I wish to ensure that my form and tropes reflects the historical,
social, and political context and content of my work.
I wish for my rhetoric to be considered worthy.
Part of this
will include doing lengthy research on the multitude of forms that
currently exist and how writers use them;

on the other hand,

this process

will also require me to experiment with fo-

in
my

own

individualized way.

(poetic) stanzaic reform
allowing me

to mirror what i see,
to digest it
--test it,
convert it,
transform it.

(poetic) stanzaic reform! (poetic) stanzaic reform!
(poetic) stanzaic reform! (poetic) stanzaic reform!

I will either work on a new piece or a revision everyday.

INTRINSICALLY, I simply am endeavoring to

overcome

overt obstinacy,

the most difficult challenge I've faced

as a literary artist. My triumph shall considerably

improve my work, as well as my understanding

of the creative writing process. I am confident

that once this is achieved, regardless of the esteem

that my writing does/does not evoke, I will consider

myself a successful creative righter.

These are my artistic shortcomings.
Lets see how this goes!

Breathing Genius into the Spectrum of Literary Excellence: George R. R. Martin Exhales

2014-05-23T16:43:00.001-07:00

Artist: Bryan K. Stites

Winter is coming...
Notice the stab of the stag's antler.
Ours is the Fury, still.
--

I recently begun reading Game of Thrones. As an avid fan of the HBO television series, I have been waiting to peel open the pages of the written tale and engulf myself in Martin's genius.

I have only completed about 15% of the first book of the series, or so my Kindle says, and I can honestly state that Martin MUST be deemed one of the Greats of contemporary fiction. Before this literary adventure, there was just Tolkien and Rowling. Now, as the realms of Westeros and the Free Cities latch themselves to my heart, I find myself chanting: Tolkien, Rowling, Martin... Tolkien, Rowling, Martin...

May their words forever immortalize their worlds.

Back at It: Short Story Production

2014-05-11T22:50:00.006-07:00

One key fact about myself is that I have commitment issues. Lets face it: my relationship history proves this, my activity on this blog proves this, and my list of completed literary works proves this.

HOWEVER! I am determined to change.

As I type away at this short story I am writing for my Black Women Writers final project, I cannot help but become saddened by the fact that I have not completed any type of fictional work since I was a child, which I wasn't able to even write independently. Each work that I have started, other than poems, have been unfinished and poorly developed.

While I understand that writing is not for everyone, as well as that it may not be for me, I believe that I need to start anew and actually finish those projects that I begin, regardless of their effectiveness or if it is deemed unworthy of publication.

Therefore, I am making a promise to myself, today and right now, that I will finish every piece of literature that I have begun in the past. I also swear to myself that I will seek out new literary endeavors and complete them successfully. Lastly, I promise to make detailed and up-to-date posts regarding my experiences, discussions, issues, and review of the work.

Starting tomorrow, my social presence will be noticed, whether for the better or worst. Until then, I shall continue to recreate, dissect, and perpetuate the messages constructed and communicated by Toni Morrison in her novel Paradise. I am sure I will be working on this assignment for the remainder of the night in addition to some time tomorrow. As soon as I am finished and have submitted the final project to my professor, a new entry will be posted both here and at A Readers Cavern

Ruby's Harvest: a Literary Response to Toni Morrison's Paradise

2014-05-05T19:33:00.000-07:00

I decided to continue the story created by Toni Morrison by examining the way in which the Disallowing had changed over the town’s history in my short story "Ruby's Harvest." Taking place in Ruby 50 years after the massacre at the convent, the story focuses on three girls who meet a similar, untimely demise because of their inquisitive natures. Nevertheless, these characters are used solely to provide a deeper analysis of the violent nature of the Morgan family and the consequences for a "Rubian" not behaving obsequiously.

After reading Morrison’s novel, I could not help but question why a "family" previously determined to keep everyone safe—a family that underscored communal responsibility—was able to destroy those who their ancestors previously sought out to protect. Moreover, why no one aimed to help protect their neighbors. My story projects Ruby as a town no longer under the influence or protection of its founding fathers but a town of oppression that enforces Steward’s influences and expectations of conformity.

My story also aims to highlight the immortality of the Haven mission. Where Steward Morgan becomes the guardian of Ruby, Oklahoma, Ruby Morgan becomes the protector of Haven, keeping it alive for those in the afterlife, anchoring Haven to the land in which it was originally founded on. Ruby preserves the original mission and reopens Haven as a sanctuary for those souls that were harmed by the wayward actions of the Morgan family. As a result, I believe that I demonstrate Ruby to be a town that abandoned its original vision and submitted to Steward’s reign and influence, which is what allows all of the murders to go unchecked and un-investigated. The people submit and continue to submit until they lose their sense of individuality and their capacity to stimulate change. Essentially, the community’s submission sanctions Steward’s actions in Paradise and Joey’s in this short story, making each person in Ruby an accessory to murder and the cause of the town's stagnancy.

That something great...

2013-07-13T21:14:00.002-07:00

Remember when I said I was working on something great...
That will possibly be in french?!?!

Well ....
Here is a little snippet of my current draft.

Inspiration:
P.O.V of the Low Clergy during the French Revolution ("Les yeux du "high clergy," du "proliterate," et du bourgeoisie est tres froids.)
**Excusez-moi pour mon francais; je parle le francais un peu!**
More edits/revisions to come.

The Works-Factory is Back!

2013-01-17T15:45:00.004-08:00

Working on something great!

Perhaps I'll present it in French!

Quote !

2012-08-20T01:00:00.002-07:00

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." - Aristotle

The Time Has Come...

2012-08-20T00:24:00.002-07:00

For me to continue blogging. Look for me tomorrow!

Lock your Doors and Take Cover!

2011-08-27T14:40:00.000-07:00

There's a disaster knocking on the door of good 'ol Vineland, and her name is Irene. We are expecting a pretty nasty hurricane to catapult through my town, and people are freaking out. Personally, I do not believe hurricane Irene is going to be that detrimental; however, people are boarding there homes up. They're taking this shit seriously! I'm not really stressed about it though. I have my snacks and food, my netflix, and a slew of movies DVRed. Today will be lovely!

Updates are often needed...

2011-08-26T19:04:00.000-07:00

K.I.S.S > What's K.I.S.S stand for, you ask? Well, keep it simple stupid. It's an expression that has been used countless times in the past, and I am using it now. I'm going to attempt to keep this post as simple as possible.

So, what have I been up to recently? Well, taking pictures! I have been doing it constantly. I have a number of new photos that must be checked out, so click the link! Have you clicked it yet? No? Well, click it damnit! :) Other than that, I have just been enjoying my summer. Swimming, stalking, and enjoying the company of some amazing friends. You guys should go do the same, and K.I.S.S!!

Recent Photographs

2011-08-14T13:08:00.000-07:00

Caleb Devearux Photography

A Long Overdue Intermission

2011-08-14T12:50:00.000-07:00

You may have asked yourself at some point during the last two weeks where that fool that calls himself Caleb Deveraux disappeared to. Well, my fellow bloggers, I took a vacation to the world of photography. I've been so busy recently doing photo shoots and editing. I will return shortly though. I promise!

YOU SMELL THAT?! YOU SMELL THAT? That's Inspiration!

2011-08-01T00:21:00.000-07:00

Faeries have always been a source of inspiration for me, and while reading Going Bovine, I was sincerely touched by the character Dulcie- the punk rocker angel. And guess who is camped out in my room right now, refusing to leave? Yeah, that's right. Dulcie! Well, not really Dulcie, but a faerie version of her. She's here to bring me tons and tons of creativity, and dude, it rocks. I mean, God only knows what she's going to help me produce. I have my own awesome muse camped out in my room, and she doesn't want to leave. She says she's mine :). Yeahhh, baby! I don't even know if I'd let her leave after expericing this! She may end up like this girl:

Caleb Deveraux Photography

TRAPPED!
BUHAHAHAHAHAAH!

The surge of creativity she has washed over my brain is otherworldly; I can't stop thinking of various photo-shoot ideas: poses, outfits, scenery, etc. I'm plotting and planning and simply going crazy! I've been at it for hours. My mind is spitting out ideas like a huge hulking machine gun, and I am extremely excited about getting started on all of the various projects... Unicorns vs. Zombies, bedroom scenes, faeries, gothic brides, levitation, angels of death and life, country livin', various portraits, and tons more! I can clearly see myself snapping away with my Nikon at a bunch of different angles- capturing some amazing stuff.

It's time, guys. It's time to begin a new path: a path that is going to lead me to the life of a photographer. I can't wait. I can't effin' wait!

Get ready because I will be a most formidable force. I swear by it.

Click, Click, FLASH!

2011-07-28T20:10:00.000-07:00

Today I actually was able to fully use my new camera. The experience was orgasmic. Like, seriously. Using this camera was such a great experience; I do not have any idea how I survived just using a digital camera before. I took hundreds of pictures (I think 600). Some were good, and some were fantastic. I deleted most, but I saved around 15. The following six pictures are the elite of the group- at least, I believe they are. I hope you enjoy!

BRILLIANT PHOTOS FROM 7/28

Photo by Caleb A. Deveraux with Caleb Deveraux Photography

My Darling Creature

2011-07-27T07:21:00.000-07:00


Photo taken by Caleb Deveraux with Caleb Deveraux Photography

Turtles. Sometimes awfully small or rather large, but always adorable. I've always wanted a turtle, but for some reason, I seem to have never acquired one. I believe they are currently endangered and are not permitted as house pets in NJ? Idk. I could be wrong. I'm going to go get me one though, regardless!

I was sitting in my friends room last night thinking about it- what kind of boy has never had a turtle? They're like the most chilled evverrr. Like, even more than fish. So, the next time I get paid, I am going to run over to Pet Smart and see if it actually is legal to have turtles as pets. If so, I'll have a tank and some turtles set up somewhere in my ridiculously cluttered room by Saturday morning.

Oh! I'll have to think of some names. I've decided I am not going to be ridiculously generic and name one Franklin, so I'm going to need some suggestions guys! Do you have any good turtle names in mind?

Okay, Okay, I'll Tell You About It...

2011-07-25T16:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Advice Columnist probably named Abby or Agony Aunt:

I am at a precipice, and this is why...

Okay, so I am presented with three meals. They all look spectacularly delicious and will put me into a coma and give me the itis like NO OTHER, but I cannot have all three, even though that would be fantastic. I'd probably gain ten pounds and look as if I was ready to squeeze out some twins, but it's still possible. Nontheless, I can have two of these wonderous gifts from the universe. First, there's the pizza with it's cheesy cheese, spicey tomato sauce, array of meats toppings, and the doughy goodness termed crust. For desert, there's cookies. Tons and tons of cookies. I can also have the deluxe bacon cheeseburger topped with bacon (obviously), tantilizing mushrooms, ketchup, mayo, lettuce, and tomato. What's for desert you ask? Well, Good 'ol chocolate cake! That's what. Lastly, I can have the spaghetti with meatballs, with homemade red sauce and celery and peanut butter for dessert. If you know anything about me, you'd know the first two options are my most favoritest meals ever. Ever, you guys. Evveerrrrrrrr. The spaghetti is also a favorite of mine; however, it lacks in comparison to it's counterparts. You're probably thinking to yourself that there's no competition at all. For one, there's cake. Who in there right mind denies cake?! Also, if the spaghetti is inferior to the pizza and deluxe bacon cheeseburger, why even reflect on the dilemma? You have your answer, fool! But, here's the problem. While the pizza and deluxe bacon cheeseburger are both extremely pleasing and desired, the spaghetti seems to be more lucrative. I mean, it's much more healthier. It has presence. It has personality. Annnd you can twirl it all fancy like around your fork and slurp it at the dinner table and annoy the hell out of everyone! This is where the problem lays though. Do I pass up the opportunity to scarf down one of my favorite meals and replace it with the spaghetti? Solely because it has the potential to be more lucrative. Or do I remain faithful with what I love and enjoy, for it will bring me the greatest pleasure of all, kinda like that pleasurable experience I had when I read the last sentence of Breaking Dawn and was like, "Thank you gawwwd for ending this wretched concoction of trite motifs, elementary vocabulary, self-destructive teenagers, and polyamorous relationships involving creatures of the night, creatures of the moon, and palefaces. Thankkkk you."

You've probably deduced that I'm not truly talking about food. This post is all about career opportunities and the education that is involved. At the moment, I am attending nursing school. I am almost finished the curriculum; however, my interest and desire of the field dwindles every day. If I do stick it out, I will not only have a very prosperous career that will present me with a number of venues, but and I can also make others refer to me as Florenco Nightingale: the new and improved, while also darker and manlier version of Florence Nightingale. Why settle though? Why continue down a path that I know is going to bring me misery. I mean, how could I, a being who loves the arts and intellectual conversations about Thoreau and the latest gadgets, be content with cleaning up poopie and treating infections.

I have always had a passion for English and computer science (English represents the pizza and computer science the deluxe bacon cheeseburger). I can see myself performing as an English and Computer Science teacher. I can see myself embracing the role of a publisher or a literary agent. I can see myself working in a career that revolves around computer programming or graphic design. I dream about these jobs daily. I covet these dreams more than I covet a sex slave that plays the piano and violin. However, there is the possibility that I will not have a fruitful career with these majors. There is the possibility that I will not make it through the course load. And if I am unhappy after pursuing English and Computer Science, I will be incensed because I could have just been unhappy with nursing, a job that would have allowed me to experience various atmospheres and still collect a substantial salary.

What should I do?

-Gloomy and Perplexed, xoxo

Where Art Thou, Love?

2011-07-22T13:58:00.000-07:00

Photo taken by Crystal DeJesus

Ah, true love. Such a fantastic occurrence. Many people spend their entire lives searching for "the right one" and that head-over-heels feeling. While some do find it, many often do not. It is tragic when this happens because everyone deserves to be with their soul mate. When I was a kid, Aladdin was my favorite movie. I watched it numerous times each day. It'd be an understatement to say that I loved the film. I was OBSESSED. And not with just the storyline and the prospect of a commoner becoming a prince and winning the princess. The love story as well; it was the most important and exciting part! The relationship Aladdin and Jasmine shared was bewitching. I remember imagining myself on that carpet, singing to a beautiful woman. I remember wanting the chase, the passion, the devotion.

15 years later, I am still the romantic I was when I was a child. The thrill of that magic carpet ride still has me enthralled; however, it also has me weary. Love has done both wondrous and destructive things for people, and it's as if it's a coin. As of now, the only side of that bittersweet coin I've experienced is the destructive one. I know the risk that falling in love presents; however, I love being in it's iron grip. It has me singing, and dancing, and dreaming. One day we will all hopefully find our mates. As for now though, keep living life!

Love is a common motif in most films; however, I have always thought the Disney movies have been the most romantic. Which was your favorite Disney movie/ and or couple?

Let's Change Lives Today

2011-07-21T19:13:00.000-07:00

In the words of Maryanne, the extremeists Jesus freak who stars as the antagonist to the ever so charming Olive Penderghast in the film "Easy A", lets change lives today. There's something about the prospect of helping a fellow human that makes me want to jump up and down and squeal with delight. Even if it's in a simple way, like giving a homeless man half of my Wawa sandwich. The feeling is gratifying. It's... natural. And it's exactly what Libba Bray did to me at 4 a.m on July 21st, 2011.

Last night I finished the book Going Bovine by Libba Bray. I think it would be an understatement if I said that she is a YA goddess. Her writing is so beautiful and original- witty and strong. It's so powerful that I was hooked by page seven and did not eat, rest, or slumber until I was done the book. Even after I finished the book, I couldn't seem to move. I was in awe. I stayed in the same spot, barely managing to tweet my reaction to the goddess herself, for an hour. Now what did I do in this hour besides give into my addiction to Twitter, you ask? Well, I reflected of course. My process of thinking was altered by Libba's masterpiece. In a sense, she attacked my brain cells in a similar way that the condition the protagonist of Going Bovine had attacked his. While I was left still healthy with no hallucinations, I went through a metamorphosis, stimulated by Libba's awesomeness, that turned me into the person I've always wanted to be. For years, I have been attempting to live a joyous and optimistic life. It was a daily struggle, and effort was always needed. Now that I'm a sparkling butterfly though, I no longer need to put in that effort! As I join in on my own thought parade and observe all of my thoughts, I can see that the evil that was once laced around each of them has disappeared. I can feel the silver lining of the universe wrapping itself around me, forming a cloak that glows and radiates love and happiness (Oh my, I just sounded like a hippy -_-). 'Tis my Cloak of Giggliness.

Now, how could a book possibly do this to me in an hours time? What subliminal message did I interpret from the journey of two adolescent boys that was etched in the form of a NY Times Best Seller? Two words: live life. There is nothing more important than living life. Having fun, making friends, meeting new people, falling in Looooooove. It's all necessary. It's all important. TRYING to be optimistic used to inhibit my ability to truly live. I often focused more on trying to get over something horrendous than actually doing it. No longer will I be hindered by these inhibitions though. Because of the tragic, yet inspiring and completely "nuclear", journey of young Cameron Smith, my perspective on life has been altered- which subsequently allowed my thought process and personality to form anew as well. The darkness that once coated my life has been expelled, and now, nothing but a pure bright light of happiness and bliss remains in it's place, begging for me to live life. For, for every awesome experience I have, there are a thousand more waiting to occur, and life is wayyyyy too short to stress about the negative. Who knows when I'll slip away into that in-between place that processes your soul and reincarnates it as a flower, rock, or cockroach.

So, as Libba Bray has changed my life, I tend to attempt to do the same for every being I encounter. It is a personal mission, and I shall do it to the DEATH!

My Favorite Portraits (Taken by Me)

2011-07-19T20:45:00.000-07:00

Photo by Caleb A. Deveraux with Deveraux Photography

2011-07-19T20:32:00.000-07:00


Photo by Caleb A. Deveraux with Deveraux Photography

I will live here one day!