Redefining misanthropy for a fresh generation. Standard posts begin with a definition from Ambrose Bierce's The Devil's Dictionary followed by a modern adjustment. Miscellany on Wednesday and storytelling on Saturday.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Shadow
SHADOW, n. What is left of justice in San Francisco.
2006 Update: The visible part of a looming catastrophe.
SHADOW,n. Followers or leaders, contingent on the vagaries of orbital mechanics and planetary alignments. Wind direction added to the mix creates an element of the political decision making process
SHADOW, n. The Dark Side. A place of gloom and foreboding, where predators lurk and black is the color of death. Except in a desert, where it's a place of cooling respite, where saviors lurk and white is the color of death. See HOME OF THE SLAVE.
Desert Storm Desert Shield Desert Vietnam
Doug, you've finally done it. All this misanthropy has broken the server. You should be ashamed of yourself.
For some I have the song from Peter Pan running through my head for some reason "Following the leader, the leader the leader. We're following the leader wherever he may go."
Is it because Peter Pan lost his shadow? Or are the Disney Gods this mean?
Don't know but I'd like the song banished to the shadows of my mind...forgotten because it's hard to concentrate on recreating a calendar when you start to go:
Tee dum Tee dee A teedle do tee day
Hey - if I'm suffering with this song, I'm taking you all with me.
for some reason the word shadow always makes me think of the Bette Middler song, Wind beneath my Wings:
It must have been cold there in my shadow, to never have sunlight on your face. You were content to let me shine, that's your way. You always walked a step behind.
So I was the one with all the glory, while you were the one with all the strength. A beautiful face without a name for so long. A beautiful smile to hide the pain.
Did you ever know that you're my hero, and everything I would like to be? I can fly higher than an eagle, for you are the wind beneath my wings.
shadow: I grew up with a dad and a brother who had a five o'clock one before five o'clock (hairy beasts they are), and I married a man that will never have a five o'clock one (not a hairy beast), and I have a son who is like his uncle and granddad.
Whoa. Heavy stuff here. Unlike shadows themselves.
Although, come to think of it, shadows are just about as real and just about as permanent as thing else. In fact, one could build an entire philosophy on shadows...if only one had a cave, and a fire.
shadow,n. the outer aura people try to grasp when meeting other people, therby often only scratching the surface and never revealing the substance within!
shadow, a good thing to look at when you are too small for your age and it is 5 in the afternoon;)
Wow, this group is somewhat stuck on the dark side today. Shadows are nothing to be afraid of, after all. How do we know the shape and volume of the world around us if we have no contrast to the light? They help us understand depth, offer respite to the straining eye.
And I agreen with Minka...many a time, 5 years old or not, my shadow helped remind me I was there and a force to be reckoned with.
Anybody ever see the Simpson's episode in which Bart sells his soul to Millhouse? He ends up with no shadow. My point exactly.
I recall being asked to jump over my own shadow at age 5 as some sort of reasoning exercise. I don't know why and have been scared of my own shadow ever since. It always seems to outdistance me.
Shadow - the thing in the closet that never moves. shadow=death
The word shadow was never one of my favorites due to the 23rd Psalm and that "shadow of death thing". Little kids should never have to recite that stuff they take things way to literally.
Happy Birthday Star!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Star (Jones that is), she is but a mere shadow of her former self. I much preferred her appearance pre-radical weight loss.
And one more for good measure...
Shadow: In the immortal words of '80s not exactly pop icon Rockwell, "I always feel like, somebody's watching me."
See big brother.
(yes, I admit that deleted comment was me, at my buest.)
SHADOW,n. Followers or leaders, contingent on the vagaries of orbital mechanics and planetary alignments. Wind direction added to the mix creates an element of the political decision making process
ReplyDeleteSHADOW, n. The Dark Side. A place of gloom and foreboding, where predators lurk and black is the color of death. Except in a desert, where it's a place of cooling respite, where saviors lurk and white is the color of death. See HOME OF THE SLAVE.
ReplyDeleteDesert Storm
Desert Shield
Desert Vietnam
Doug, you've finally done it. All this misanthropy has broken the server. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Shadows fall onto me
ReplyDeleteAnd she stands there over me
(Depeche Mode)
the Devil says at the end of "The Master And Margarita", think for a moment, please, what would your world of light be without shadows?
ReplyDeleteShadow... friend of Bear in the Big Blue House...
ReplyDeleteI loooveee your definition dear brotha... but have to disagree with Ambrose on this one... *sigh*
Sar, I don't know whether to bless or curse you for remembering Rockwell. Bless, since it's right on the line.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Duxfine. I wondered how they did it.
O Ceallaigh, I suspect the misanthropy inspired it.
Wow, Ariel. You worked a lot of range into those two quotes. Bless you too.
Thanks, Miz B. It was a different time. THere's a lot more light in Frisco than their used to be.
For some I have the song from Peter Pan running through my head for some reason "Following the leader, the leader the leader. We're following the leader wherever he may go."
ReplyDeleteIs it because Peter Pan lost his shadow? Or are the Disney Gods this mean?
Don't know but I'd like the song banished to the shadows of my mind...forgotten because it's hard to concentrate on recreating a calendar when you start to go:
Tee dum Tee dee
A teedle do tee day
Hey - if I'm suffering with this song, I'm taking you all with me.
for some reason the word shadow always makes me think of the Bette Middler song, Wind beneath my Wings:
ReplyDeleteIt must have been cold there in my shadow,
to never have sunlight on your face.
You were content to let me shine, that's your way.
You always walked a step behind.
So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strength.
A beautiful face without a name for so long.
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.
Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings.
Good call, Jenna. Except the earworm. You're a demon.
ReplyDeleteKyahgirl, there's a song written for nostalgia. Nostalgia is another good definition for SHADOW.
Cowgirl, I'm impressed. Where is that from?
figments of my dreams
ReplyDeletecowgirl-your quotes are awesome !!
ReplyDeleteand happy birthday miss Star :-)
shadow:
ReplyDeleteI grew up with a dad and a brother who had a five o'clock one before five o'clock (hairy beasts they are), and I married a man that will never have a five o'clock one (not a hairy beast), and I have a son who is like his uncle and granddad.
Wonder if vampires have shadows if they don't have mirror reflections.
ReplyDeleteWhoa. Heavy stuff here. Unlike shadows themselves.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, come to think of it, shadows are just about as real and just about as permanent as thing else. In fact, one could build an entire philosophy on shadows...if only one had a cave, and a fire.
But in the end, Only the Shadow knows.
Wow am impressed--was going to use TLP's quote--was very impressed with Cowgirl
ReplyDeleteAll I can come up with is blogger was a shadow of itself today
I'm not very original today--think I forgot how to write over night---and have been leaving very sick comments--this wasn't one of them
shadow,n. the outer aura people try to grasp when meeting other people, therby often only scratching the surface and never revealing the substance within!
ReplyDeleteshadow, a good thing to look at when you are too small for your age and it is 5 in the afternoon;)
Thanks, Cowgirl. I didn't know that one. I'm glad I do now.
ReplyDeleteRio, I've noticed that they're shadowy.
Howdy, Kyahgirl.
Jamie Dawn, I understand. I'm a fur-person myself.
Lammy, you should ask one.
TLP, nobody does platonic like you do.
Pia, there's days like that. Don't let blogger catch you in the penumbra.
Haha, Minka. Many is the time I tried to play basketball that way.
Shad OW! what the shad says as it is plucked out of the lake by a passing bird
ReplyDeleteShadow: black cats of which only glowing yellow eyes are seen.
ReplyDelete{{hiss}}
Wow, this group is somewhat stuck on the dark side today. Shadows are nothing to be afraid of, after all. How do we know the shape and volume of the world around us if we have no contrast to the light? They help us understand depth, offer respite to the straining eye.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agreen with Minka...many a time, 5 years old or not, my shadow helped remind me I was there and a force to be reckoned with.
Anybody ever see the Simpson's episode in which Bart sells his soul to Millhouse? He ends up with no shadow. My point exactly.
Well, Mutha, a shadow is the absence of light after all. That is the dark side.
ReplyDeleteCome see....come to the dark side Mutha....
ok, another positive aspect of shadows; when you're very pale like me and don't 'do sun', the shadows are always a welcome haven!
ReplyDeleteI recall being asked to jump over my own shadow at age 5 as some sort of reasoning exercise.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why and have been scared of my own shadow ever since. It always seems to outdistance me.
Village Idiot, want a second shot?
ReplyDeleteDddragon, woof!
Mutha, all good points but if shadow's are so wholesome, why aren't they in Norman Rockwell paintings?
TLP, you were born to play Darth Vader.
Cowgirl, I didn't realize your dogs were Aussies. Great breed. Nice dogs.
Kyahgirl, it takes a special person to find sunshine in a shadow.
a4g, two more decades of immaturity?
Whinger, that's because you don't run hard enough. A little discipline, lady.
TLP: I thought the absence of light only really happened in black holes...but if you're pouring cocktails, I'm game -- I'll come over...
ReplyDeleteDoug! Of course Norman Rockwell has shadows -- they're just the freckle-faced variety.
And thanks cowgirl, for knowing my Simpsons episode and having good shadow stories.
I've been reading too much Jung lately to think of anything beyond.
ReplyDeleteI learned directions by looking at my shadow, when I was 5 years old.
ReplyDeleteThought, it would be polite to say Hi!!, after your nice visit :)
Actonbell, thanks for being Pennsylvanian enough to bring Punxatawny Phil into this.
ReplyDeleteWell, sure, Mutha, if you're going to get all metaphorical on me what chance did I have?
Aral, read your bible to think of something beyond. Man, I miss Soapy.
Welcome, Mo'a. Glad you did.
ah, my favourite sparring partner. it's an excellent name for a dog, too
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Star!
qpapy: questionable father
Love depeche mode ariel.
ReplyDeleteShadow - the thing in the closet that never moves. shadow=death
The word shadow was never one of my favorites due to the 23rd Psalm and that "shadow of death thing". Little kids should never have to recite that stuff they take things way to literally.
happy birthday star
cooper
SHadow: The one who's really behind things.
ReplyDeleteI must say, as a redhead who is about an allele away from being an albino, I have always regarded shadows as good friends.
ReplyDeleteKarma, I want to start a blog of verifiers. You're wickedly funny.
ReplyDeleteEspecially at funerals, Alice.
Indie, you mean the caboose?
Logo, allelujah. Sounds like you and Kyahgirl have something in common.
Yes, and now we are related, she adpoted me, ya know.
ReplyDeleteI wonder it that means it will be easier get prescription meds across the border now.
You should try Oregon, too.
ReplyDeleteI miss you too, Doug.
ReplyDeleteI knew votive candles would work!
ReplyDelete