Will you stay down on your knees?
May. 15th, 2007 11:22 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
greygirlbeastSo, yesterday I'm slogging through Núrn, just editing and cursing and minding my own bloody business on the fourth day of this goddamn Mordorian Death March thing, when suddenly I'm set upon by a pack of goblin assholes, and who should I find holding their reins? Hmm? A certain nefarious ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
setsuled, that's who. And I'd thought he was still busy down there in Khand. What's more, after relieving me of my paltry few provisions and weapons, he hands me over to the gorramn orcs for "entertainment"! But what can one expect from anyone who keeps company with Easterlings and goblinfolk? Fortunately, I had secreted upon my person an extremely sharp flake of obsidian I'd picked up in the foothills of the Ered Glamoth a few days back. When the first goblin came for me, I opened its throat from ear to ear, then gutted the pair who rushed to its defence. In the commotion that ensued, I was able to slip away, only a little worse for the experience. I think my pride was wounded more than anything. I should have anticipated such an ambush, but hoped not to encounter this sort of trouble until I'd reached the northern shores of the inland sea, at least. Wrong. I did manage the wrest from one of the goblin bastards a decent short sword, better than the dagger this setsuled rogue took from me. So...now I have lost precious time, am likely being stalked, and must make all haste to reach the Gurthrant, which I would have gained before sunset yesterday, if not for the savage attack.
On a brighter note, I found a title for "Untitled 27," which is now "Outside the Gates of Eden." Also, the sf anthology that printed the Czech translation of "Riding the White Bull," Trochu divné kusy 2, has been awarded "best anthology of the year" by the Czech Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror. I should have gone with Czechoslovakia for my death march, clearly.
Yesterday was frustrating enough without the orc attack, thank you very much. I've reached a point where I can edit no more until my editor returns from vacation tomorrow and talks to people at Paramount and certain problems are resolved. Which means that today will be spent on the 100-word Norse/Anglo-Saxon lexicon. Oh, and thanks to Sonya (sovay) for coming to the rescue with Latin translations yesterday. If only she'd been around to help me fight off those gobllins. Have you ever seen an orc penis? Well, it's not something one can soon forget, I'll tell you that for nothing.
A long walk with Spooky yesterday to the market to get stuff for dinner, and that was nice, as this part of Atlanta is a fair bit kinder on the eyes and the feet than the plains of Núrn. Later, we watched Heroes, and I wished the whole season had been as good as last night's episode. George Takei frelling rules. And I fear I may have a crush on Sylar. I think it's those eyebrows. And the fact that he looks a great deal like Burt (on Sesame Street). David called about 10:30 to say he was back from Connecticut. Later, we read more of The Children of Húrin, chapters XI and XII ("The Fall of Nargothrond" and "The Return of Túrin to Dor-lómin"), and then I stayed up too late reading another chapter of the Steinbeck biography.
---
My thanks toextatika for this link, an article at RichardDawkins.net by Dan Gardner about the "backlash" against all us mouthy-ass uppity atheists. This quote:
In the past, I've tried to avoid talking about religion in such sharp terms. It's not that I fear giving offence (which would be something of a limitation in my line of work). Rather, I know, as all humans do, that it's scary knowing you're going to die. And if belief in angels on high eases the existential fears of some, I won't begrudge them. Whatever gets you through the night, as a long-haired prophet once said.
But a series of books doing quite well on bestseller lists — by Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and, soon, Christopher Hitchens — argues it's time to be a lot less deferential to faith, and I have to say I find it hard to disagree. After all, we live in a time when blowing children to bits is an increasingly popular form of worship, the most powerful man on earth thinks he's got a hotline to God, and much of the electorate who gave that man his power would never consider replacing him with someone who does not believe the son of a carpenter who died 2,000 years ago sits in heaven advising presidents, fixing football games, and waiting for the day he will return to the Earth to brutally murder all unbelievers and erect a worldwide dictatorship.
Private, quiet faith is one thing. But when the guy holding the launch codes believes the end of the world could come any day and that's a good thing, those who believe lives are limited to one per customer have a problem.
Anyway, now I must away to explain about Odin and Loki and scops and thanes and the World Serpent and what have you. And I must keep my eyes peeled for my pursuers, if they have not given up the chase. I hope to have reached the Thaur Road by sunset...
Postscript (2:08 p.m.): Speaking of fundamentalist assholes, I just heard the news that Jerry Falwell is dead. This should be a day of rejoicing.
setsuled, that's who. And I'd thought he was still busy down there in Khand. What's more, after relieving me of my paltry few provisions and weapons, he hands me over to the gorramn orcs for "entertainment"! But what can one expect from anyone who keeps company with Easterlings and goblinfolk? Fortunately, I had secreted upon my person an extremely sharp flake of obsidian I'd picked up in the foothills of the Ered Glamoth a few days back. When the first goblin came for me, I opened its throat from ear to ear, then gutted the pair who rushed to its defence. In the commotion that ensued, I was able to slip away, only a little worse for the experience. I think my pride was wounded more than anything. I should have anticipated such an ambush, but hoped not to encounter this sort of trouble until I'd reached the northern shores of the inland sea, at least. Wrong. I did manage the wrest from one of the goblin bastards a decent short sword, better than the dagger this setsuled rogue took from me. So...now I have lost precious time, am likely being stalked, and must make all haste to reach the Gurthrant, which I would have gained before sunset yesterday, if not for the savage attack.On a brighter note, I found a title for "Untitled 27," which is now "Outside the Gates of Eden." Also, the sf anthology that printed the Czech translation of "Riding the White Bull," Trochu divné kusy 2, has been awarded "best anthology of the year" by the Czech Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror. I should have gone with Czechoslovakia for my death march, clearly.
Yesterday was frustrating enough without the orc attack, thank you very much. I've reached a point where I can edit no more until my editor returns from vacation tomorrow and talks to people at Paramount and certain problems are resolved. Which means that today will be spent on the 100-word Norse/Anglo-Saxon lexicon. Oh, and thanks to Sonya (
sovay) for coming to the rescue with Latin translations yesterday. If only she'd been around to help me fight off those gobllins. Have you ever seen an orc penis? Well, it's not something one can soon forget, I'll tell you that for nothing.A long walk with Spooky yesterday to the market to get stuff for dinner, and that was nice, as this part of Atlanta is a fair bit kinder on the eyes and the feet than the plains of Núrn. Later, we watched Heroes, and I wished the whole season had been as good as last night's episode. George Takei frelling rules. And I fear I may have a crush on Sylar. I think it's those eyebrows. And the fact that he looks a great deal like Burt (on Sesame Street). David called about 10:30 to say he was back from Connecticut. Later, we read more of The Children of Húrin, chapters XI and XII ("The Fall of Nargothrond" and "The Return of Túrin to Dor-lómin"), and then I stayed up too late reading another chapter of the Steinbeck biography.
---
My thanks to
extatika for this link, an article at RichardDawkins.net by Dan Gardner about the "backlash" against all us mouthy-ass uppity atheists. This quote:In the past, I've tried to avoid talking about religion in such sharp terms. It's not that I fear giving offence (which would be something of a limitation in my line of work). Rather, I know, as all humans do, that it's scary knowing you're going to die. And if belief in angels on high eases the existential fears of some, I won't begrudge them. Whatever gets you through the night, as a long-haired prophet once said.
But a series of books doing quite well on bestseller lists — by Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and, soon, Christopher Hitchens — argues it's time to be a lot less deferential to faith, and I have to say I find it hard to disagree. After all, we live in a time when blowing children to bits is an increasingly popular form of worship, the most powerful man on earth thinks he's got a hotline to God, and much of the electorate who gave that man his power would never consider replacing him with someone who does not believe the son of a carpenter who died 2,000 years ago sits in heaven advising presidents, fixing football games, and waiting for the day he will return to the Earth to brutally murder all unbelievers and erect a worldwide dictatorship.
Private, quiet faith is one thing. But when the guy holding the launch codes believes the end of the world could come any day and that's a good thing, those who believe lives are limited to one per customer have a problem.
Anyway, now I must away to explain about Odin and Loki and scops and thanes and the World Serpent and what have you. And I must keep my eyes peeled for my pursuers, if they have not given up the chase. I hope to have reached the Thaur Road by sunset...
Postscript (2:08 p.m.): Speaking of fundamentalist assholes, I just heard the news that Jerry Falwell is dead. This should be a day of rejoicing.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-05-15 05:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-05-15 05:51 pm (UTC)Yes, it is.
Some of us who are religious aren't asking for undue deference, but rather a little respect and understanding. We don't foist our beliefs on atheists or condemn them for theirs and deserve the same courtesy.
Dawkins doesn't have the slightest respect for "private, quiet faith." I have a great deal of respect for the man's scientific mind, but his militant attitudes towards anyone who believes in G-d are as much of a problem as religious extremism. He's said that a parent who raises their child to observe religious tradition is abusing them.
I'm a Conservative Jew. We don't proseletyze. We are reluctant to convert people to Judaism, because being a Jew is supposed to mean something. We are fully in favor of separation between religion and government. We don't attempt to impose our views on anyone, and we shouldn't be grouped with those who do.
We certainly don't think anyone should be condemned for their beliefs.
It would be nice if Dawkins felt the same.
no subject
Date: 2007-05-15 06:05 pm (UTC)I'm a Conservative Jew. We don't proseletyze. We are reluctant to convert people to Judaism, because being a Jew is supposed to mean something. We are fully in favor of separation between religion and government. We don't attempt to impose our views on anyone, and we shouldn't be grouped with those who do.
Then you are not necessarily part of the problem.
We certainly don't think anyone should be condemned for their beliefs.
Not even the Nazis?
no subject
Date: 2007-05-15 07:21 pm (UTC)"Not necessarily?" How are we in any way part of the problem if we merely want to be left alone to follow our religion in peace?
Not even the Nazis?
People are entitled to believe what they like. It's what they do about it that makes a difference. It's impossible to control what people think.
The Nazis should be condemned for their acts. For spreading hatred and lies. For murder. For attempted genocides.
no subject
Date: 2007-05-15 06:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-05-15 07:44 pm (UTC)And I'm not whinning because I'm misunderstood; perhaps it's us, the ones who don't believe love between any two adults is a sin, or that we need to protect the earth, are partly to blame. Instead of ralling against the fanatic I've simply been attempting to tend my own garden. I certainly don't blame those who look at me funny when I tell them I bought a birthday cake for Christmas (Hey, my daughter is two and I HATE Christmas and, well, when is cake not ever welcome?), I just wish I weren't lumped in with the freaks.
Sorry about the rant, but it's been brewing for a long time. Loved "Silk" and "Daughter of Hounds". Just bought "Threshold" and am looking forward to it.
no subject
Date: 2007-05-15 08:02 pm (UTC)Sorry about the rant, but it's been brewing for a long time.
No need to apologize.
Loved "Silk" and "Daughter of Hounds". Just bought "Threshold" and am looking forward to it.
Thanks!
no subject
Date: 2007-05-15 08:44 pm (UTC)Very cool.
If only she'd been around to help me fight off those gobllins.
I wish I'd known! I had an appointment to keep with a pair of First Age Falathrin manuscripts.
no subject
Date: 2007-05-16 12:27 am (UTC)Oh, this clever little Mouth of Sauron icon and I don't have a damn thing to add. Perhaps
In other matters, is that a real-life daylight photo of Nar'eth? You come off rather well under this middling yellow sun.
no subject
Date: 2007-05-16 01:31 am (UTC)In other matters, is that a real-life daylight photo of Nar'eth?
It is, in fact. The only one in existence, I think. You can see the full photo here (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=61688519&albumID=0&imageID=7352840).
no subject
Date: 2007-05-16 02:22 am (UTC)Bah! The only hours you have are those between now and your destruction!
I wished the whole season had been as good as last night's episode.
Yeah--it was a nice use of all the characters. There were only a few departures from logic to bother me, but the pace was enough fun to placate me.
"backlash" against all us mouthy-ass uppity atheists.
The debate between Al Sharpton and Christopher Hitchens (http://fora.tv/fora/showthread.php?t=1007) is definitely worth watching, if you haven't seen it already.