This is a test.

Perception can be a funny thing. The perception of self, of others, their surroundings, of particular situations. There is belief built upon those perceptions of how one wants to handle certain situations. In the end, only the final actions and how they are perceived seem to dominate the events. Hindsight being 20/20, claims that lessons are learned. That is, until the next time.

Krampus was not, is not about being entertaining. Krampus was and is not about being popular. Sure, there are the festivals, who wouldn't like a mix of Halloween, Christmas, smokes and drinking? Oh, and the beatings and groping of loose women. But I digress. This incarnation of Krampus attempted to give warnings, education and something to consider. Not always in the politically correct format that chokes people's minds today, but ugly truths. Truths that people would have to consider before the worst case happens.

I find it funny about what has happened. Deaf ears turned to warnings, threats, circumstances built more than ever to harsh and brutal consequences. Villains have turned on their own. Heroes have become turncoats. And Krampus had people close to him threatened. Oh yes, threatened. And still no one cares, some continue to mock, and supposed hands of peace continue to reach out, only to renew attacks. This has become the status quo so many have become used to.

This incarnation of Krampus attempted to be one of caution, of warning. But that's not the true nature of Krampus, is it? It's about punishment, brutality, violence, humiliation, torture and death. Attempts to turn others around, to heed warnings. Then when the brutal truths come crashing down, the same people who were warned have the gall to be surprised! How did it get to this? How did this happen? People claim to read and watch stories, looking at the underdogs, the out of place, all warning signs of things to come. Others mock these harbingers, claiming everything from insanity to their indigent status as reasons to ignore them. In the backs of so many minds, people tell themselves 'I wouldn't do that. If I were in that place, I'd do more, I'd listen. The idiots that don't usually die in these stories, right? Who would be that stupid?'

And some people have the gall to wonder why some would rather not look at themselves in mirrors.

The next two years are going to be trying times. Not only from 2012 Apocalyptics, but other phenomena to make people consider whether or not they're right. Illness outbreaks, more unusually strong weather, economic shifts and falls, everyone seemingly going through more and more of their own issues. It seems to get worse. Sure, there are moments of calm, of apparent peace. Everyone hopes it all goes back to 'normal'. And eventually, it might. But the times between trials and calm seems to get shorter and shorter. 'Twould seem that others would simply tell others to shut the fuck up, they have issues of their own to deal with. You're nothing special, get the fuck in line and try not to throw your back out with the shovel when it's time to clean up the bullshit. And even if you do throw your back out, no one cares.

It's funny. Not in a sitcom kind of way, more like watching The Situation at Donald Trump's roast. It's people not caring about NASCAR or trains, but everyone watching the crashes. It's about people knowing how bad it is, and knowing it will get worse. But that's not what we need, we need newer, shinier things and ways to distract us, to entertain us, to keep us diverted while everything around us goes to shit. And if you don't pay for these newer, shinier distractions then well...you're not someone we can relate to, are you? Just something left behind, out of touch while people play Angry Birds on items that give you cancer. So bored of the same-old same-old, people dive in like Scrooge McDuck into his money bin to separate themselves from the outside, from the truth because their own truth is enough.

Does anyone else think that zombies are reaching their expiration date, becoming too overplayed, oversaturated in our market? What will be the next thing to solidify fears into tangible fantasy, to give us that rollercoaster rush? What will be next to slake our thirst for a distraction? Werewolves, giant monsters, killer robots, plays on the mind and our grasps of reality?

Wars with family. Wars with neighbors. Friends becoming foes. Wars with authority figures. Wars with crooked police. Wars with righteous police. City versus county, versus state, versus other countries. Maybe nuclear holocaust items will become popular again, Fallout is a great franchise and war with North Korea or China seems imminent with nukes. Then there's terrorists, the fringe groups within this country and others, people getting fed up with the way things are and starting to snap. Some alone, others in groups. The mob mentality is always palpable and powerful. Wait for the right moments, play to fears, wait...the attack is here. Now lash out, go after them! No more! Stop them! Enough is enough! Kill! Kill! KILL!!

What, why not? Isn't that why we read or watch stories? Don't we all want to be entertained, perhaps educated with scenarios in case the impossible happens and we're confronted with the same problem? Some are likely, others are nearly impossible like, oh I don't know...an earthquake in Florida. Why not? Floods, earthquakes, ARkStorms, Yellowstone erupting during our lifetime, and that's just the ground we walk on and air we breathe. Poisons, bacteria, viruses, illnesses, toxins, animals, people becoming animals, becoming predators prepared to violate their prey in new and exciting ways. Of course, people sympathize with the prey, but they empathize with the predators. No one wants to think of themselves as weak, helpless, victims waiting to happen. Even if that understanding may save their lives one day. Or at least, knowing how best to, and not to react.

Things are going to get worse. Not just for those in the communities that read this. Everyone everywhere are going to go through trials, tests, moments that will push you to the breaking point and beyond, exposing the soft underbelly that is the truth of you, hopefully building you up into something stronger in the process. Many people say that they'd pass such tests if they only knew they were being tested. Other slip into blissful ignorance, Hollywood extras, life imitating art.

Perhaps this is the final warning. Perhaps more could be given if, and only if, people were willing to listen. Krampus knows a bit of what lies ahead, and it will be hellish. But to spare breath on the ignorant who wouldn't listen and for the Schadenfreude of watching everyone's expression for the surprise, I'll refrain from the specifics. Many of you don't care to know it anyway. All that could be said is that there are some things that have already been put into motion. By the time you read this, it won't be able to be stopped. All you can do is try to brace for impact, try to ride out the eventuality. It's not about stopping it, but dealing with it. Some of my readers pride themselves on preparedness. The unknown is the ultimate danger to prepare for, and nearly impossible. But when it happens, it's devastating to those at ground zero. But let's admit it, it's entertaining as hell to watch when you're not in the eye of the storm.

People think that ignoring problems makes them go away, reverting and resorting to the defense of children by hiding, waiting for the monster to go away. Perhaps what is needed is a mix of the wishful thinking of the optimist and pragmatist. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Look to find the greatest possibility, but steel yourself for what, and who may be coming.

It's not just the next year, readers. It's for the next two before it gets better for everyone. Not just a lucky few, but for everyone. Everyone that's left. Treat each day as if it were your last, prepared for something. How would you react? How would you account for yourself? What is your breaking point? Can you pick yourself up again once knocked down?

Live like it's a test. It's one of the only things you can ultimately control.

Elevator music in Hell

There's a song that's growing more popular among the charts today. Personally, I don't care for it per se, not my usual genre. But after hearing edited words on MTV and VH1, I delved further into it. The funniest thing is, it's quite a light hearted tune considering the subject matter.

Mark Foster explained the song's meaning to Spinner UK: "Pumped Up Kicks' is about a kid that basically is losing his mind and is plotting revenge. He's an outcast. I feel like the youth in our culture are becoming more and more isolated. It's kind of an epidemic. Instead of writing about victims and some tragedy, I wanted to get into the killer's mind, like Truman Capote did in In Cold Blood. I love to write about characters. That's my style. I really like to get inside the heads of other people and try to walk in their shoes."

Plotting revenge? Pulling out a gun? Sure, I can relate to that. Check out the song that if your local Hellmouth has an elevator in it, I'm sure this may be the song playing for muzak. Here's Foster the People with Pumped Up Kicks.



Robert's got a quick hand.
He'll look around the room, he won't tell you his plan.
He's got a rolled cigarette, hanging out his mouth he's a cowboy kid.
Yeah he found a six shooter gun.
In his dads closet hidden in a box of fun things, and I don't even know what.
But he's coming for you, yeah he's coming for you.

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet.

Daddy works a long day.
He be coming home late, yeah he's coming home late.
And he's bringing me a surprise.
'Cause dinner's in the kitchen and it's packed in ice.
I've waited for a long time.
Yeah the slight of my hand is now a quick pull trigger,
I reason with my cigarette,
And say your hair's on fire, you must have lost your wits, yeah.

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet.

Seriously, who whistles in a song about killing people? Oh yeah, Foster the People.

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet.

The best part about being Krampus

The best part is, eventually, all debts are paid. It's just a matter of time now.

Imagine that...

Took you long enough. Debt repaid.