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.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
The Mirror
Episode 16 of The Meditations of Diogenes The Cynic.
okay -- i absolutely loveloveloved this chapter. and i laughed out loud at that definition. Carly Simon couldn't have said better...
GREAT reading, too. especially that love-struck/sun-parched Narcissus. well done, Doug! as far as i can tell, the only thing missing was "Mary". (unless there's something you're not telling us about that echo and/or Diogenes.)
Our betters?!? Speak for yourself, chien. I don't have any betters. Bitters, maybe, if I could get a decent pint in this miserable country, besotted with Lite.
VAIN, adj. A principal and defining characteristic of the weather. Whaddaya mean, no? I hear people talkin' about it all the time. They point to the sky and say Weather. Vain..
Feeding + Freeing = Freeding. let the frenzy begin. (and thanks f'reading and not deleting)
what was that you said about pun vanity? is that the same as punditry? and can the same be said of wordplay? horseplay? foreplay?? (wait -- after reading today's story, we already know that vanity is a form of foreplay, don't we? we do. as for horseplay -- well, i'm guessing a vain man would be more than happy to tell us what that means.)
*walks away shaking her head/wonders why she leaves such goofy/obnoxious comments/knows it's not healthy to talk to herself/ponders why she doesn't hit "publish"/thinks she might keep doing this until someone stops her and/or the power goes out/hopes that doesn't happen/suddenly aware all eyes are on her as she continues to ramble like a madwoman/sits in corner, still shaking her head*
Vain: was one of the best sprinting thoroughbred racehorses to grace the Australian turf. He won 12 of 14 races he contested, and ran 2nd in the other two.
Could anyone else have read that ARGGGGHHHH line like you? I think not. Another stellar installment on the path to truth and beauty - fleeting as both may be.
I too look forward to these weekly installments. Kind of reminds me of the good ole days of gathering round the radio (not that I personally lived then but in spirit I did).
Poor Narcissus. Such a sorry state to live his life in. Your reading captured the hopelessness of his plight (especially noticing the flea hopping from curl to curl)
Forty years ago I was not so good-looking. A looking glass then lasted me three months. Now I can wear it out in two days. - Mark Twain's Autobiography
When they start making movies where fat, balding men get the girl ...
Um, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? OK, Jessica was a toon, and stayed with Roger, but I understand Bob Hoskins could have gotten any girl he wanted after that movie ... Maybe start thinking?
To hear the story, listen for the echo.
Good morning you long-sleepers!
ReplyDeletehah! you're clever Penguin, i'll give ya that! ; )
ReplyDeleteokay -- i absolutely loveloveloved this chapter. and i laughed out loud at that definition. Carly Simon couldn't have said better...
ReplyDeleteGREAT reading, too. especially that love-struck/sun-parched Narcissus. well done, Doug! as far as i can tell, the only thing missing was "Mary". (unless there's something you're not telling us about that echo and/or Diogenes.)
I am still trying to unscramble your definition :)
ReplyDeleteJust loved: "In a voice hoarse from dehydration and a tone silly from affection!"
Our betters?!? Speak for yourself, chien. I don't have any betters. Bitters, maybe, if I could get a decent pint in this miserable country, besotted with Lite.
ReplyDeleteVAIN, adj. A principal and defining characteristic of the weather. Whaddaya mean, no? I hear people talkin' about it all the time. They point to the sky and say Weather. Vain..
"I don't have any betters. Bitters, maybe," - OC, if you ever visit East-Europe, you're gonna feel home. another brandy? :)
ReplyDeleteDoug, I loved this part, although I'll never be the same now that I met with YOUR Narcissus, and I am not sure this is good to me.
Doug -- brilliant. That definition definately had a cutting edge. I can't top it. Loved the story, too.
ReplyDeletethat was me, and I cannot tell how I did that.
ReplyDeletestill confused...
ReplyDeleteariel
Ah, yes. Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly's to the bone. Beauty slowly fades away, but ugly holds its own.
ReplyDeleteFurther proof that you don't have to be pretty to be vain.
Great story Doug! I really look forward to these.
Mornin', Minka. *yawns*
ReplyDeleteThanks, Neva. I imagine Mary will come up again.
Thanks, Minka. Maybe if you weren't so humble it would help with the definition.
Amoeba, there's no vanity like a pun.
Ice, Korjovjov, Anonymous, Ariel, thanks! I don't feel bad about spoiling Narcissus for you.
Thanks, Quilly. I'm glad.
And thank you, TLP, for feeding and freeing my vanity.
Feeding + Freeing = Freeding. let the frenzy begin. (and thanks f'reading and not deleting)
ReplyDeletewhat was that you said about pun vanity? is that the same as punditry? and can the same be said of wordplay? horseplay? foreplay?? (wait -- after reading today's story, we already know that vanity is a form of foreplay, don't we? we do. as for horseplay -- well, i'm guessing a vain man would be more than happy to tell us what that means.)
*walks away shaking her head/wonders why she leaves such goofy/obnoxious comments/knows it's not healthy to talk to herself/ponders why she doesn't hit "publish"/thinks she might keep doing this until someone stops her and/or the power goes out/hopes that doesn't happen/suddenly aware all eyes are on her as she continues to ramble like a madwoman/sits in corner, still shaking her head*
Mary?
Vain: was one of the best sprinting thoroughbred racehorses to grace the Australian turf. He won 12 of 14 races he contested, and ran 2nd in the other two.
ReplyDeleteSometimes there´s a reason for vanity and pride.
*oil her flippers*
Could anyone else have read that ARGGGGHHHH line like you? I think not. Another stellar installment on the path to truth and beauty - fleeting as both may be.
ReplyDeleteI too look forward to these weekly installments. Kind of reminds me of the good ole days of gathering round the radio (not that I personally lived then but in spirit I did).
Just laughing at Snuppy's punditry.
Haha, Neva. May the medications never balance.
ReplyDeleteActonbell, that's one of my favorite comments ever. ever. ver.
Minka, you missed a spot, but thanks for filling us in on Aussie horseracing.
G, arrrgggghhh is my principle eloqution. I'm glad you're enjoying these too.
Doug, you haven't spoiled Narcissus for me but have let a look be taken on a terrible misery beyond words. you are one cruel story teller.
ReplyDeleteAriel, you know the difference between a philosopher and a sadist? Nothing, they're both the figment of the other's imagination.
ReplyDeletePoor Narcissus. Such a sorry state to live his life in. Your reading captured the hopelessness of his plight (especially noticing the flea hopping from curl to curl)
ReplyDeleteForty years ago I was not so good-looking. A looking glass then lasted me three months. Now I can wear it out in two days.
- Mark Twain's Autobiography
"You talkin' to me?
ReplyDeleteYou could have said as much in a private email.
;)
Terry, that's a great quote I hadn't heard. Thank you and I hope you had a glorious Earth Day.
ReplyDeleteCooper, you probably think this episode is about you, don't you?
He could have peed in the pond. That would be interesting. You do great reading. When are you going to start try-out auditions for movie parts?
ReplyDeleteMan am I dense. "Step away from my moonlight!" Payback! Payback!
ReplyDeleteOK, I did some research on the Alexander and Diogenes picture. Sue me ...
Icy, I must have left out the pond-peeing. When they start making movies where fat, balding men get the girl I'll think about it.
ReplyDeleteAmoeba, very very good!
when they start to make movies where fat, balding women are taken, I'll think about it, too.
ReplyDeleteWhen they start making movies where fat, balding men get the girl ...
ReplyDeleteUm, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? OK, Jessica was a toon, and stayed with Roger, but I understand Bob Hoskins could have gotten any girl he wanted after that movie ... Maybe start thinking?