writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia

So. What if I have a legitimate question that wasn't covered during sex ed?

I'm re-reading FotR yet again. Why? Simple. One word: Transfiguration. No, I'm not searching for some magical key to unlock the alchemical mystery of the craft. I'm trying to escape. It's incredibly monotonous to continue in a futile attempt: rather like bashing one's head against a wall time and again and expecting to find a result other than a nagging rattle in my head and looking the fool. At least in escape I don't know that I look a fool. Perhaps that's why they say ignorance is bliss.

In any event, I've rambled away from my point. I've come to the point where the fellowship reaches Lothlorien, and the way Tolkien describes it is fantastic precisely because he leaves so much to the imagination. The group, you might recall, is blindfolded, so our first impression of the scene is through those senses we tend to ignore: sound, smell, touch. I was so intrigued by the technique (because I think it creates picture in the mind's eye that is both more vivid and more open to interpretation) that I did a little exercise earlier. I tried to describe a scene I knew well—the kitchen at Fortescue's—without relying on vision. It was hard, even in a place that's so completely dominated by smells and noise.

Is there a sense—other than vision—you think is the most powerful, in terms of description? I find myself drawn to scents, but I think I'm biased because of my childhood.

Word association game!

Pocket.

"We have come from God, and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of the true light, the eternal truth that is with God. Indeed only by myth-making, only by becoming 'sub-creator' and inventing stories, can Man aspire to the state of perfection that he knew before the Fall. Our myths may be misguided, but they steer however shakily towards the true harbour, while materialistic 'progress' leads only to a yawning abyss and the Iron Crown of the power of evil.” --J.R.R. Tolkien

Warded to Tanner Higgs

So...I don't mean to intrude, and if you're too busy or just don't want to help me or whatever, that's absolutely fine. But uh...I hear you have a knack for charming books?

Warded to Ophelia

Do you know how many people will be helping with play stuff this evening? I'm going to get us dinner to have there, and I thought I'd also make a batch of gingerbread, but I wanted to know how much to make.

Warded to 6th Year Hufflepuffs

So. Uh. I'm bad at this.

Er. Did anyone send me anything? As a joke perhaps?

Best class assignment ever. I love food.


Warded to Corrie, Esmeralda, Nikki, and Katja

Germany, yes? I'm thinking meat and potatoes, which generally defines their cuisine. Maybe some bratwurst? It's pretty well-known, and I've been wanting to try making my own sausage for awhile now. Plus we could maybe marinate it in beer beforehand, if we're allowed. They have some pretty stellar beef and pork dishes though, if you're not sold on the brat. I'm sure there's some sort of potato salad or fried potato dish that's pretty traditional too. And perhaps apple strudel?

I don't know, maybe all that's overkill?

Let's play a game. I start a story with a sentence. Someone adds on a sentence. You add on to the last person's contribution. Get it? Simple. Here we go.

If there was one thing that Ben had learned the hard way in his brief sixteen years, it was that there is always someone who will be offended by sincerity.

( sam carmichael )