Prometheus Unbound

It's Sunday, and not much to do. I'm kind of looking forward to work tomorrow, as it means I get to go file leave paperwork. This is a good thing. Apart from that, there's not really much to report here- except being back in Oklahoma, in my own apartment. And sleeping on a bed rather than the couch! Tabatha pointed out that in fact the last time I slept on a bed (apart from the barracks in New Mexico, that is) was the last time I was in Connecticut. I also slept outside, on a folding table, in a truck cab, and in the passenger seat of a Humvee- given the option, I'll take the bed. I'm not sure if that makes a difference, but I didn't wake up in the middle of the night anymore. The trend of weird dreams continues unabated, however. I dreamed Tabatha and I were fighting- and aliens were invading. Life is all about priorities.

On another note, if anyone has seen the third book in the Frankenstein series by Dean Koontz, please let me know! I've read the first, second and fourth, and am eagerly awaiting publication of the fifth. Most of the events of this missing book I can extrapolate from references in the fourth, but still, I'd like to see exactly how certain events pan out here and there. It's actually a really good series, Dean Koontz fan or no. It takes place after the events of Mary Shelley's story- Frankenstein's first creation is alive and well, and possessed of unusual powers, due to the fact that he was the only being Frankenstein created to be brought to life by lightning. Frankenstein himself is also alive, having continued his research and developing a way to extend his own life. His designs have grown to god-like proportions, and he can now create living beings from scratch in a matter of months. He imagines himself as a god over this new race of beings, though they tend to go awry on more than one occasion. No longer strictly a human being, he ultimately must deal with the consequences of his actions. Meanwhile his first creation, calling himself Deucalion, is trying to bring him down, despite being unable to harm his creator. The books then span years and most of North America, as well as a few other continents, as things go from bad to worse.

The interesting thing about this series, I always thought, was that Victor Frankenstein becomes the monster. I noticed this in the original book too. His creation became a monster, he was not born (or created) one. The creature was forced to react as a monster would react, as he was made a monster by his interaction with others, and how others treated him. Victor, however, had the option to change things. He rejected his creation, turning away in horror from what he had done. Had he taken responsibility for this unwilling monster, the monster would have become what he was capable of without the intervening death and destruction. The creature ultimately does gain some semblance of humanity, while Victor loses his. We end up feeling sorry for this creature who did not ask or choose his existence, and vilify Victor as the monster for dooming someone to this fate- especially when it was in his power to prevent that. The Koontz books continue onwards from there- at this point Victor willingly throws aside his humanity in his lust for power and control over the world. Yet one more way to make a monster, it seems.

So out of all of this, I get the message- be mindful. Yes, I know that's kind of a Buddhist party line, but bear with me for a minute. Consider all options carefully, not just as far as creating life and raising the dead are concerned. We all to a one have the potential to become monsters- and we all have the potential to be much much more than that.