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, October 06, 2007
Among The Olives
Episode 40 of 40 (plus an epilogue) in The Meditations of Diogenes The Cynic.
"A name is the first lie a child learns to tell. No more names..."
an interesting conclusion i find very intriguing. it makes sense, in a Doug kind of way...
sometimes i look at the birds and squirrels and dogs and hamsters and know that we could stand to learn a lot more about the true nature of nature.
finis...critics are people who wish they had the ability to write as well as you do, Doug, with soul, imagination, wisdom, wit, insight, grace and humility.
Bravo! It had to end in honesty and a dog (not that I knew that but now I do). But the head of a woman...here's some seltzer to rinse out that bitter lemon taste. It all added perfectly together to make a perfect ending (minus epilogue :).
ahhh lovely. In your case, so many harpies, so little time. The little brown-eared dog and the wolf once again prove themselves your best friends. This was a wonderful piece of writing, D. I am looking forward to the epilogue. xoxo
Harpies are awful - potty mouths and unkempt in every way. I must say the practical, undramatic way Diogenes approaches the situation is remarkable. I would never imagined someone eating such a creature - I've never read about one being consumed by a man. Hope he had lots of lysol at hand.
Love that the thorn came out, and that he succeeded in finding the honesty he had set out to find.
Of course there had to be a good doggie in this journey of Diogenes. I'm so glad Diogenes finally took out that derned thorn!
When I met you in CA, I regret that I didn't ask you about your doggies. !!!??? That oversight plus not taking any pics are two things that irk me to this day. Oh well, Jason has been bugging me to come out for another visit. I will plan it one of these days. When I do, WE are going to take YOU to Chandra for pod thai noodles. DIVINE food!!
Well, I for one never saw this eating-the-bird-with-the-head-of-a-woman coming. It took me aback, as they say. Do they still say that?
The whole saga was a good tale and I've enjoyed it a lot. Too bad it's over. What will I look forward to on Saturday mornings now?
I did enjoy those stories you used to tell about your travels. Although some of them were even more scary than this Diogenes myth. (It was a myth, right?) So I hope you will tell us more of those.
So sometimes a bird is more than just a bird...hmmm. Actually you're right - it was damn funny and perfectly fitting. Back to say excellente! And g'night.
the definition of words is most certainly not my forte but i think of entertainment as something more like going to the circus or the Ice Capades, or walking down Broadway near the 40's or something, but this writing of yours somehow transcends the psychic friends network... and i do understand the compliment challenge. i think when one is immersed in a creative pursuit, compliments dont even enter into the equation... one is simply driven by their passion...it almost has a life of its own, methinks.
Well Doug, I learned something today, thank you. I had to look up 'harpy' as that word was not in my vocabulary. I skipped senior English in high school and didn't do much mythology in college.
I also found a drawing (not a picture, they are harder to come by than pictures of Nessie, the Lock Ness Monster--I did put one on my blog the other day). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Harpy.PNG ..
"A philosopher is animated by curiosity and Diogenes opened one eye..."
I love when your sarcasm is so subtle, yet blunt.
They say that everything that has a beginning must have an end. The middle wasn't bad either.
I was thinking to go back and remember the parts that are foremost in my mind and I loved the Narcissus story, the relations of Diogenes, the assasin was pretty cool; Pan was a whimp and the end of the harpy fleshy. Greek mythology would turn in its grave, and then turn back realizing copyrights weren't invented yet.
I think this was a wonderful collaboration of many, good writing and a decent font that did not hurt my eyes.
I expect my copy of the CD by Christmas, wrapped...of course!
"The philosopher decided forever more to live unworried like a dog, a cynic."
I bet you howl with yours :)
finis:
"My pen is at the bottom of a page, Which being finished, here the story ends; 'Tis to be wish'd it had been sooner done, But stories somehow lengthen when begun."
TLP, I remember "What's the word? Johannesberg!" That's the best I can do.
Thanks, Jim. We're here to make sure everyone knows all the fowlness of the human spirit.
Thanks, Actonbell. I'm afraid fleas are necessary.
JJ, well you keep on educationg us, then.
Minka, it was mainly the readers and the font, I think, but I enjoyed it too. Still one week left, though. That's a great quote and yes, I sometimes join mine in howling. How did you know?
Cooper I'll need an address for the CD (it can be work or your brother's if you'd be more comfortable) as for the book, how about I put the whole thing online as a pdf next week. Maybe after using Find and Replace to change the assassin/architect's name to Olivia.
not sure we shouldn't take a moment to thank teh original "bird" (and certainly not a harpy) who helped to inspire this fabulous epic -- without her initial grand idea/suggestion, we would all have been left significantly less entertained these past many months. thinking someone deserves some pretty flowers, at the very least. (i'm told you can order such things online, in fact someone recently sent us a wonderful arrangement ordered via teh internet, and they're beautiful) ; )
loveloveloved the way you wrapped this up in a bag of feathers, roasted slowly over a hot fire, while seated next to your two happy companions.
Goodbye, philosopher!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe it's over... and I can't believe I was first!
ReplyDeleteBravo! Author, author! This has been great... I'm gonna miss it. Looking forward to the epilogue, though.
Will there be a sequel? A prequel?
"A name is the first lie a child learns to tell.
ReplyDeleteNo more names..."
an interesting conclusion i find
very intriguing. it makes sense,
in a Doug kind of way...
sometimes i look at the birds and
squirrels and dogs and hamsters
and know that we could stand to learn
a lot more about the true nature of nature.
finis...critics are people who wish
they had the ability to write as well
as you do, Doug,
with soul, imagination,
wisdom, wit, insight,
grace and humility.
thank you for inspiring so many.
xo lisa
The head of a woman? Mmmmm....Just a little bitter about women are we?
ReplyDeleteIt ain't over til the fat lady sings, m'boy. Or a thin one, I might add.
Bravo! It had to end in honesty and a dog (not that I knew that but now I do). But the head of a woman...here's some seltzer to rinse out that bitter lemon taste. It all added perfectly together to make a perfect ending (minus epilogue :).
ReplyDeleteYou've spun a wonderful tale here - kudos to you.
ahhh lovely. In your case, so many harpies, so little time. The little brown-eared dog and the wolf once again prove themselves your best friends. This was a wonderful piece of writing, D. I am looking forward to the epilogue. xoxo
ReplyDeleteHarpies are awful - potty mouths and unkempt in every way. I must say the practical, undramatic way Diogenes approaches the situation is remarkable. I would never imagined someone eating such a creature - I've never read about one being consumed by a man. Hope he had lots of lysol at hand.
ReplyDeleteLove that the thorn came out, and that he succeeded in finding the honesty he had set out to find.
Finis: The doorway opening for a new adventure.
Beautiful painting!
ReplyDeleteAral, I don't know. I kind of have a different idea for another serial next year but no decisions have been made. I'm glad you've enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks, JJ. I sure hope I haven't inspired anyone but I'm glad if I've entertained you.
No, TLP, I just like variety in my diet and my eating tends toward the mythic.
Thanks, G. Don't read too much into the harpy. I just thought it would be funny if they roasted one.
Thank you, Mireille. Zockso!
Terry, harpy tastes like chicken.
Yeah, Ariel. I think it's a Van Gogh.
Of course there had to be a good doggie in this journey of Diogenes. I'm so glad Diogenes finally took out that derned thorn!
ReplyDeleteWhen I met you in CA, I regret that I didn't ask you about your doggies. !!!??? That oversight plus not taking any pics are two things that irk me to this day.
Oh well, Jason has been bugging me to come out for another visit. I will plan it one of these days. When I do, WE are going to take YOU to Chandra for pod thai noodles. DIVINE food!!
"Finis" makes me think of fin de semana.
Tick, Tock. Time would limp without Willie and Walela.
ReplyDeletecute, Mr. Humble...
ReplyDeletei said INspired, not EXpired...
Well, I for one never saw this eating-the-bird-with-the-head-of-a-woman coming. It took me aback, as they say. Do they still say that?
ReplyDeleteThe whole saga was a good tale and I've enjoyed it a lot. Too bad it's over. What will I look forward to on Saturday mornings now?
I did enjoy those stories you used to tell about your travels. Although some of them were even more scary than this Diogenes myth. (It was a myth, right?) So I hope you will tell us more of those.
Wow, T&I... That's truly one of the most beautiful lines you've ever written.
ReplyDeleteVan Gogh, yep.
Jamie Dawn, the doggies are well and I'll let them know you're taking us for Thai food soon.
ReplyDeleteIcy, it's only fair. Time gave Willie a limp.
JJ, like the psychic friends network, this site is for entertainment purposes only. (Thank you, I'm no good at taking compliments)
TLP, it kind of surprised me too, I thought it was just a bird. That's an idea. I'll either figger it out or fly by my drawers as normal.
Ariel, that dog is the real philosopher. She even looks a little like the pooch in the picture.
So sometimes a bird is more than just a bird...hmmm. Actually you're right - it was damn funny and perfectly fitting. Back to say excellente! And g'night.
ReplyDeletethe definition of words
ReplyDeleteis most certainly not my forte
but i think of entertainment
as something more like
going to the circus
or the Ice Capades,
or walking down Broadway
near the 40's or something,
but this writing of yours
somehow
transcends the psychic
friends network...
and i do understand
the compliment challenge.
i think when one is
immersed in a creative pursuit,
compliments dont even
enter into the equation...
one is simply driven by
their passion...it almost
has a life of its own, methinks.
So a bird is just a bird.
ReplyDeleteNow I'd like to mention that the philosopher is so much better looking in person than in that picture.
Mornin's G.
ReplyDeleteThat was real poetry, JJ. Me dunno.
TLP, you keep mentioning the bird you're liable to sprout your own feathers.
A-well-a everybody's heard about the bird
ReplyDeleteB-b-b-bird, bird, bird, b-bird's the word
I hope I give you an ear worm. I guess you're too young for that one? *retching noises*
Well Doug, I learned something today, thank you. I had to look up 'harpy' as that word was not in my vocabulary. I skipped senior English in high school and didn't do much mythology in college.
ReplyDeleteI also found a drawing (not a picture, they are harder to come by than pictures of Nessie, the Lock Ness Monster--I did put one on my blog the other day).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Harpy.PNG
..
yes me do's.
ReplyDelete"A philosopher is animated by curiosity and Diogenes opened one eye..."
ReplyDeleteI love when your sarcasm is so subtle, yet blunt.
They say that everything that has a beginning must have an end. The middle wasn't bad either.
I was thinking to go back and remember the parts that are foremost in my mind and I loved the Narcissus story, the relations of Diogenes, the assasin was pretty cool; Pan was a whimp and the end of the harpy fleshy. Greek mythology would turn in its grave, and then turn back realizing copyrights weren't invented yet.
I think this was a wonderful collaboration of many, good writing and a decent font that did not hurt my eyes.
I expect my copy of the CD by Christmas, wrapped...of course!
"The philosopher decided forever more to live unworried like a dog, a cynic."
ReplyDeleteI bet you howl with yours :)
finis:
"My pen is at the bottom of a page,
Which being finished, here the story ends;
'Tis to be wish'd it had been sooner done,
But stories somehow lengthen when begun."
Lord Byron
A more than fitting ending for a dog I think.
ReplyDeleteA CD, of course and a book deserving of the leather and vellum.
TLP, I remember "What's the word? Johannesberg!" That's the best I can do.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jim. We're here to make sure everyone knows all the fowlness of the human spirit.
Thanks, Actonbell. I'm afraid fleas are necessary.
JJ, well you keep on educationg us, then.
Minka, it was mainly the readers and the font, I think, but I enjoyed it too. Still one week left, though. That's a great quote and yes, I sometimes join mine in howling. How did you know?
Cooper I'll need an address for the CD (it can be work or your brother's if you'd be more comfortable) as for the book, how about I put the whole thing online as a pdf next week. Maybe after using Find and Replace to change the assassin/architect's name to Olivia.
not sure we shouldn't take a moment to thank teh original "bird" (and certainly not a harpy) who helped to inspire this fabulous epic -- without her initial grand idea/suggestion, we would all have been left significantly less entertained these past many months. thinking someone deserves some pretty flowers, at the very least. (i'm told you can order such things online, in fact someone recently sent us a wonderful arrangement ordered via teh internet, and they're beautiful) ; )
ReplyDeleteloveloveloved the way you wrapped this up in a bag of feathers, roasted slowly over a hot fire, while seated next to your two happy companions.
*claps ever so enthusiastically*
finis: having the first and last words.