RIS

Moby Dick: Chapter IV - The Counterpane & Chapter V - Breakfast

nobody@vox.com(annabethblue) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:19:44 -0800

Chapter IV - The Counterpane

The "counterpane" - this might be one of the more difficult words to understand. To me, it sounds like a window adornment or something, but it's actually the word for a comforter or bedspread or quilt. :)

What a sight to see - big Queequeg with his tattooed arm draped over Ishmael, affectionately hugging him. Heehee. :) I think Melville did a great job describing the phantom hand experience. I've had moments like that - between waking and dreaming and your not sure what's real or not. I think perhaps Ishmael was feeling the weight of his stepmother's hand while he slept. Parents have to discipline, but do feel bad about it. And, parents are known to watch their children sleep. ;) But, regardless - the creepy, dream-like way Melville describes the phantom hand is really well done. I think he achieves that feeling of unease that we all know at one time or another. :)

The rest of the chapter is a description of how Queequeg readies himself in the mornings. It's quite interesting...at least to me. I love description passages (and Moby Dick is full of them). :) We gain some insight into Queequeg, nothing too deep, but enough to have a better understanding of the man standing before Ishmael.

Queequeg is still rather 'savage', but also a little civilized. He wears boots (though he prefers putting them on in private under the bed, lol) - which Ishmael points out. Queequeg seems to have some manners and civility about him. There is still the matter of communication - so we can't yet (through Ishmael), ask Queequeg why he does the things he does, but observation can tell you a lot. :) Queequeg shaves with his harpoon. To me, this is more a sign of a man that is efficient, and less a sign of a man who is 'savage'. No need for extra items or silly frivolities...just the bare necessities. It's also nice that Queequeg gave Ishmael some privacy to get dressed - another sign that he has a bit of civility in him. Whether it's from traveling with 'civilized' men as a harpooner, or some other unknown reason, it's hard to say at this point. :)

We also learn a bit about Ishmael. We already know it, but this chapter proves that Ishmael is a very curious person. And he's fairly open minded. He wants to understand Queequeg better. A prejudiced or fearful man would simply say "you are a savage, this is not the way things are done!", but Ishmael is willing to observe and let Queequeg be himself. Although Ishmael admits that staring at Queequeg (especially after Queequeg offered to give Ishmael privacy) is a bit rude - Ishmael can't stop watching. But he's not watching and saying 'What is wrong with you??"...he's watching to learn. Two different things.

This chapter serves to give us a better understanding of Queequeg, but it also serves to set up the relationship between the two men. They already have a sort of respect for each other. And whaling voyages are lonely. Ishmael doesn't know anyone - but now he knows Queequeg. It will be interesting to see if they gravitate toward one another in the future, now that they have this acquaintance.

Favorite Quotes:

"For though I tried to move his arm—unlock his bridegroom clasp—yet, sleeping as he was, he still hugged me tightly, as though naught but death should part us twain."

"Seeing, now, that there were no curtains to the window, and that the street being very narrow, the house opposite commanded a plain view into the room, and observing more and more the indecorous figure that Queequeg made, staving about with little else but his hat and boots on; I begged him as well as I could, to accelerate his toilet somewhat, and particularly to get into his pantaloons as soon as possible."

"Thinks I, Queequeg, this is using Rogers's best cutlery with a vengeance."

Chapter V - Breakfast

A short little chapter - introducing the rest of the sailors at breakfast. Ishmael sees the landlord and doesn't get upset with him about Queequeg. He goes on to say that laughter is a good thing - if you can laugh at yourself and you can't allow others to have a good laugh, even at your expense, then you are missing out on a great thing in life. :)

I like that there is a brief explanation of Queequeg having dinner. Ishmael doesn't spend to much time on it though, as if to say "it fits in his character...nothing too shocking here." lol Queequeg is at the head of the table - probably looking quiet fierce and royal in his tattooed and tanned skin and beaver cap. And he has his harpoon with him...which he uses to obtain his food from the far edges of the banquet style table. Rather amusing - yet also it seems to imply that perhaps Queequeg is an important man. He seems very at ease.

Favorite quotes:

"A curious sight; these bashful bears, these timid warrior whalemen!"

"But that was certainly very coolly done by him, and every one knows that in most people's estimation, to do anything coolly is to do it genteelly."

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Moby Dick: Chapter III - The Spouter-Inn

nobody@vox.com(annabethblue) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:31:30 -0800

This chapter is best read out loud. It really adds a lot if you read it to yourself with the proper accents of the Landlord and Queequeg. :) This chapter is a bit of a comedy and a horror story and a mystery all in one. :)

First, we are treated to a detailed description of the entry way. The entire place is described as being much like an old ship. There is an odd painting on the wall in the entry that unnaturally steals all of Ishmael's curiosity. Right along with Ishmael, I want to know what that painting represents, so I go on the journey of discovery with him. I love his theories as to what the painting could mean, ranging from the theory that it was a simple painting of a gale on the Black Sea to a deep and philosophical theory that the painting was the breaking up of Time itself. The things that a man's imagination can create... ;)

Also in the entryway is a wall of weapons - ghastly, old weapons with rich stories attached to them. A wall of death to greet you. Nice. ;)

In the main room, there is much description given of the furniture and the design of the bar (a whale's head). I love that Ishmael describes the tapered glasses as deceptively cheating and robbing the drinker of drink. hehe ;)

The rest of the chapter is basically about Ishmael's 'plight' of having to share a bed with another person - specifically a mysterious harpooner. I love how he goes back and forth in his mind about the whole idea of it. Ok, ok, I can share a bed with him. Well, as long as he's a decent sort of fellow. No, no, he's out much too late, he must not be a decent fellow at all....etc... It's comical how Ishmael works himself up about it. He's like a child who just doesn't want to go to bed and fights it all the way, even though he's falling asleep whilst fighting. :) I love that the Landlord KNOWS that Ishmael is gonna freak the heck out when he meets Queequeg, but he acts like it's no big deal (though, grinning the entire time). It's probably some of the best entertainment the Landlord has had in a while, watching this gentle Ishmael fret about a head-peddling harpooner. *giggle* :D

There is also a description of a brawny, tanned, Southern-born, seaman who comes into the Inn, having just stepped foot on land from a long voyage. Though it's a brief introduction to him, I'm just as interested as Ishmael is with him. He's a quiet, mysterious fellow and I look forward to learning more about him. :)

When Ishmael finally decides to go to the room and sleep, he lallygags around and thinks and then thinks some more. He realllllly doesn't want to share a bed with some harpooner who keeps late hours and peddles embalmed heads. But, he resigns to the inevitability of it (though he does talk himself into the idea that the harpooner might just not return to the Inn that night) and gets in bed.

The hilariousness that is Ishmael observing Queequeg when he arrives...I just can't explain how it tickles me. Obviously, it would be a strange thing; can you imagine having to share a room - a bed - with a strange man? AND a large, oddly decorated man with an embalmed head in tow and a large harpoon nearby? Yeah, I'd be nervous too. ;) Ishmael's state of mind goes from curious to terrified (over nothing, honestly) and finally, to an odd feeling of comfort. There is an understanding between the two strangers - which is so enduring. Queequeg was as frightened of Ishmael was Ishmael was of Queequeg - isn't that the truth of life? We are frightened of what we don't know, of what we don't understand - but guess what...those new, mysterious people are just as frightened of us. ;) We are as different to them as they are to us. It's a good lesson to remember while going through life. :)

My favorite quotes from chapter 3:

"A boggy, soggy, squitchy picture truly, enough to drive a nervous man distracted."

"But stop; does it not bear a faint resemblance to a gigantic fish? even the great Leviathan himself?"

"With heads to be sure; ain't there too many heads in the world?"

"For all his tattooings he was on the whole a clean, comely looking cannibal."

"Better sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunken Christian."

"I turned in, and never slept better in my life."

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BEHIND THE SILENCE... Confessions of a porcelain-painter artist

nobody@vox.com(Aszalos Family Art) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 14:29:11 -0800

Dear Everybody,

I am Andrea Angelika Aszalos, writer of the novel

BEHIND THE SILENCE... Confessions of a porcelain-painter artist (published by Bastogi - 2008 - Italy) and I am presenting on this Blog site a very important part of my life: my Mother's, Éva Aszalós and my Sister's, Hajnalka Aszalós', works of art of porcelain-painting, and the oil paintings of my Mother. Synopsis of the novel and link to the story of the Moonlight and the Eosin glaze follow below

My mother and my sister are porcelain-painter artists and have made many sacrifices so that could be born that singular world that I am presenting on this blog-site to you. For these ”sacrifices” and struggles for the survival that are behind this World of Beauty, I’ve written the novel by the title ”Behind the Silence”, which has been published in June 2008 by an Italian publishing house.

I recommend the Synopsis of this revealing Novel and every world of my letter with all of my belief in the moral force, to your attention and to the attention of everybody who has love in their heart and who are thirsting for the rarely appearing pure mirror of the naked truth about a world that is not allowed to seen by some interests.

Artistic Album of the Familiar Collection

Published in November 2009

Artistic Album edited in 2009

The Artistic Album, that includes 148 pages, and many photographs about the Familiar Collection, is published in English and in Italian languages in this month (november 2009) thanks to a sponsors, and I am so gald to can share it with you as for my family it is a very great gift from life and from God!

Over presenting the works of art of porcelain-painting, it introduces also my Mother's and my Sister's oil paintings, some biographical informations about my Mother's artstic career and important words about Feelings and Thoughts regarding some of the works of art of the Familiar Collection. ... and of course through the synopis of my novel "Behind the Silence... Confessions of a porcelain-painter artist" it brings closer to You and to the Readers of this marvellous book including so many miracles, the atmosphere in which these talkative works of art had been born.

It will be possible to order this beautiful Album before this Christmas in Italian book-shops, and from my family as well, and I am so glad to can share it with you.

With much love:
Angelika & Family

Film with music about the Aszalós Porcelains

About three years ago I promised my mother that a day I would take a pen, and write down the situations, that so many times has crossed our life - and also in themselves could be material of a sketch or a short story - and which are derived from my mother's and my sister's rare profession and from the strange social and "art-political" atmosphere, by which is characterized this little country. At that time I didn’t thought that this "moment" would come so early, and could become pressing for our life.

Horse among poppies

I can present on this site only a little part of the work of a whole life, and so the Familiar Collection made up in the long years, which contains more than 700 works of art. Among these works of art that has been being internationally signed on the world for more than 10 years, there are many irreplaceable items, presented at that time also in the National Museum of the Applied Arts of Budapest.

Behind the Silence... Confessions of a porcelain-painter artist

The novel I have written (Behind the Silence… Confessions of a porcelain-painter artist, - June 2008 Bastogi) elaborating real events, is based on documents and correspondences, and touching some personalities of huge influence, presents, through my Mother’s life, the defenceless situation of the contemporary artists of our days for the economic policy, and how do the fights of interests, arising from this, ruin the life of some wonderful artists and persons.

For the last years’ happenings neither for moral points of view nor for other reasons there was no other choice for my family but to disclose to the World all that things that my family had to live through this singular and rare field of art in the peculiar social and ”art-political” atmosphere that characterize Hungary. …and so to describe all those things that are hidden Behind the Silence.

Moonlight

The events written in my novel affect my family’s life even today in a very hard way and I am recommending to your attention the story of the Moonlight glaze – so the story of the pair of the world-famous Eosin glaze, that my Mother after 100 years discovered again and whose technology, just like by the Zsolnay family at that time, also by my Family is kept under a secret.
See more details about the Moonlight-glaze's importance and story :

Moonlight and the Eosin - Paralells and History,

In my Family's collection there are included also the works of art belonging to the category of the art treasures, made with the technolgy of the ”Moonlilght” glaze (so with the pair of the technology of the world-famous Eosin glaze that the inheritor factury of the Zsolnay manufactury of one hundred years ago, by today can’t reproduce in its originally form).

Artistic Album of the Aszalós Porcelains

I am presenting on this blog also some of the photo-documents belonging to our references beside the titles of the chapters of ma novel that you can read below.

Unfortunately by today my mother has been suffering in a serious, incurable auto-immune disease for four years, and she is kept in life by very hard medicines, and so, also due to this fact, many things in her life have a deeper meaning for her.

Many Thanks for your attention and for your comments on a Whole Life's Work filled with heart, lived with the passion of an Artist who has given her life entirely to her work and to her loved Ones:

Andrea Angelika Aszalós Write to me to My e-mail

Synopsis of the novel Behind the Silence, follows below

Message to a kind friend: For a while I can't receive all of my e-mails! I thank you if you try to contact; me in an other way !!

PHOTOGRAPHS & ARTISTIC ALBUM of the Aszalós Porcelains

Words of Éva Aszalós:

I believe that God cares for Everyone and will care for, and think also to us, to my

dear family!

Synopsis of

Behind the Silence…

Confessions of a porcelain-painter artist.

Behind the Silence... Confessions of a porcelain-painter artist

My novel, which I have written on the basis of documents, correspondences and my mother’s memories, stands on a lived life’s real events.

It’s about my mother, about a beautiful, but by today broken person’s feelings, of a peculiar lot, and about the events hiding behind them. In the mirror of these, I show how the Politics – demanding part also from the values of Art – make impossible and sentence to death a family in the country of a tragically incompatible nation with its own sons. Through the peculiarities of the Hungarian society’s different strata, I present the contemporary art’s position in our time; the condition of the contemporary artists, who are at the mercy of the ”Fews’ interests”; and the invisible court of law, that shutters some wonderful artists’ life, annihilating them in their human quality. Within the contemporary art, I introduce my readers into that rare branche of Art, on which nearly three-hundred years ago emperors and bishops spent enormous wealths, and which even now is famous for its prestige all over the world: in the unbelievably colourful World of the Porcelains, full of intrigues, which is honoured by the name „White gold”;.

My novel, as I’ve written, is about my mother, about a delicate woman’s tempestuous course of life full of vicissitudes, whom God has given a present to, with some very exceptional endowements, and filled her heart with many love, belief and spiritual force, so that she could struggle against the dams ruining with slow death of a soured society by its own poison. Her singular sensitivity and the special field of art where her unusual skill has carried her, made her know and see many human faces, which meetings has brought in her life many pleasure, but also many suffering.

In one of the highland villages of a strange and formerly leggendary nation, settled in the Center of Europe not much more than one-thousand years ago, is born in the january of 1956, in the year of the revolution ended in massacre, that young girl, who is forced by her environment to escape already when she is a child, at hardly thirteen years old, so that she could ”arrive” as far as possible from the reality which has conducted her family to tragedy that cost her mother’s life. For her mother’s desire expressed in her ultimate letter, she is raised further on, in a small town at her uncle, where she has to face many cruelty alone. Notwithstanding, this town brings her also those meetings of her life, which give her a spiritual force which seems invincible, and a belief which doesn’t know impossible, for her further struggles. Two loves, lived for a life, carry her on in a two-faced world’s maze: the Porcelain-pinting, whose art she acquire in this place, and a strangely ”double-souled” Man, with whom she forms the most holy bond, and founds a family. Her first daughter, Hajnalka is born here, just like her desire, becoming into decision in her soul, to breake with her past again and definitively.

She moves into the beautifully situated Szeged, in the Great Hungarian Plain’s loveliest town, famous for its cultural life and for the high standard of the musical education, so that she could give to her children everithing that she missed in her youth. Andrea, her second child is born here, and she is seduced by an other very nice profession, by the fashion, which she start in with the same enthusiasm and pleasure, with which at that time she did the painting of pictures and porcelains. After the alternation of relatively balanced and tempestuous periods, after successes and enormous failure at the end, finally she returns to the Porcelain-painting, to that her dream which has been always living in her. The financial conditions to found an independent porcelain-painter studio are given to her only by this time.

Into the secrets of this splendid craft, which preservs tradition, but still includes in itself renewal, she introduces her first-born child, Hajnalka, and in few years is born a promising, fabulous and rich world by their hands. Spellbound by the Secessionist style, she works out colours which, with their profundity and peculiar light-refraction, are entirely unique on the world, and in the years, she discovers the producition-method of the world-famed glaze named Eozin, which has been being kept as secret since one hundred years, and to which she gives the name of Moonlight (Holdfény) because of its mysterious glittering of metallic lustre, shining in the most beatiful tints of the green colour, and for her respect for Vilmos Zsolnay.

She has high hopes for the porcelain-painting: she feels from the ”beginning” that it means for her the ultimate possibility of put in order her daughters’ and her own life. And she doesn’t think that, with the beautiul craft, she is happened in a ”viper’s nest” climbing until the highest social strata, which is invisible, far and maybe incredible for many people, but for her is inevitable, mortal and mortally real. Her Mother-country, this country unable to restore itself to health maybe for ever, whose history was full of vicissitudes, cause her more and more disappointment. In other form: slipped into more decorated garment, concealed behind new faces’ new masks, but she meets the same forces which has exiled her from the little highland village.

Under the burden of an incurable disease, forming in her meanwhile, and because of the glacial air of the shutting doors’ wind, her great belief and spiritual force leave her more and more.

The last year’s struggles mean for her, life or death in the real meaning of the word.

Written and translated by: Andrea Angelika Aszalós Phone: + 36 20 311 3800

Published by Bastogi Editrice Italiana in June of 2008

Chapters and some of the Photo-documentations:

The Tragedy ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The years of Kalocsa: two Loves born to living for a life,,,,,,

Visit of the Premier in 2000, Szeged & Exhibition in 2007 - Szeged

A new chapter in my life

The town of Szeged and my second-born child, Ancsa ,,,,,,

Love: Redemption or Cross ,,,,,,,,

The dream and the reality

The limits of the Nature ,,,,,,,

The Lot sealed ,,,,,,,

A wrong decision and their consequences ……

Foundation of a porcelain-painter studio …

Exposition in the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary, in Vienna …

Ray of hope

Exclusive Gallery of the Aszalós Porcelains …….........

Prize of "Master's of Artisan Artists of the County of Csongrád"

”The_Moonlight” …………

Shine and tears

A beautiful porcelain exposition at the Days of Szeged and the visit of the delegation

of the government …………..

A tiny fruit of the struggle of power: the Prize of ”Honoured artisan-artist’s” of the County

of Csongrád …………………………………………………………………………

The Prize of the ”Honoured artisan-artist’s of Hungary”…………………………….....................................................

Calculations

My life on the ”chemist’s scales” of my husband …………

Newspaper articles and diplomas of appreciation

Touching of the Past ………………

The fatal contract …………………………

A mysterious man or fight for the life ……….

Gift from a person wasn’t known ………

The hand of God ……

The human dignity …

Refusal and Hope ……

A morsel for the Survival !

I offer the works of my life ……

The Madam Judit

An old dear acquaintance of mine ……

Visit of the Ambassador of Mongolia at our exhibition in Kunszállás

An art-patron billionaire in Hungary ………

Cry for help ………………

The Support …………

Questions and answeres ……

The Mask thrown ……

The telephone-call at late in the evening ……

The fight of the Billions ……

The Christmas saying good-bye …........

Memories from the Past

Some present thrown away and some other which cannot be taken away ….......

Dietro il Silenzio...Confessione di un'artista di pittura di porcellane - INTERNET_BOOK_SHOP. it

Artistic Album of the Aszalós Porcelains

Horse among poppies

Death of Christ

"One builds sand-castle on the shore only if he or she believes that waves can be domesticated."

Aszalós Porcelain Art - ALBUM 2009 - Feelings and Thoughts... works of art of a Life

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Interlude: Online Annotated Moby Dick

nobody@vox.com(annabethblue) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:46:48 -0800

Wanna read along with me? Here is an AWESOME online edition of Moby Dick with annotations to help you understand some of the old language.

http://www.powermobydick.com/Moby0001.html

Enjoy! :)

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Moby Dick: Chapter II - The Carpet-Bag

nobody@vox.com(annabethblue) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:57:02 -0800

Chapter 2 - the adventure begins. Ishmael sets off to set sail from Nantucket, but misses the initial boat and must wait for a day and two nights before he can sail again. So, he is left to find some cheap lodging.

I enjoy this chapter because the description puts me right in that street, the sounds, smells, sights...the cold Ishamel is feeling...all of it I sense as well. :)

I like how Ishmael is a traditionalist. He wants to set out from Nantucket, gosh darn-it and he's not gonna settle for anything less. Nantucket or bust! lol He doesn't want to give in to the commercialism of it all.

It's December in Massechusetts. Cold! Since he missed his boat, he has to find lodging in the area until Monday (it's Saturday night), so he's off down the street to find a cheap inn. I love the inner voice when he's investigating how much money he has in his pocket:

"So, wherever you go, Ishmael, said I to myself, as I stood in the middle of a dreary street shouldering my bag, and comparing the gloom towards the north with the darkness towards the south—wherever in your wisdom you may conclude to lodge for the night, my dear Ishmael, be sure to inquire the price, and don't be too particular."

I can see him there, thinking to himself, chuckling darkly, while looking up and down the dark road. "and don't be too particular"...I don't know why, but I just love that line...it kind of reminds me of the Lord of the Rings - perhaps something Bilbo would say? Or maybe the Inn Keeper at the Prancing Pony? :)

He passes various inns along his way, deciding they are too jolly and warm - so they must be expensive. He doesn't even bother going inside. The description of the packed snow is lovely - really gives us a picture of the street he's walking down.

I imagine Ishmael is rather cold and tired at this point - and he's in a strange town. This whole chapter is much like a dream to me, a bombardment of new sights, sounds, smells, and feelings. The warmth of the "jolly" inns juxtaposed against the cold of the snow and wind...the sounds described coming from inside the various buildings along the street - it all flows together and swirls around, like a snowflake on the wind. And he says he finds himself taking the streets that lead toward the water. I imagine cobblestone streets, dark buildings and corners, warm lights shining from windows onto bitter cold snow banks, and Ishmael is a little, unnoticed snowflake, swirling through the air, downhill, toward the water on a cold, dreary, tired night. :)

It's fun that he says the cheapest inns should be the cheeriest - a way of saying that those people who have become too overly worried about how plush their pillow is and how fancy their teacups are, might just miss out on some of the simple joys in life. ;)

I like how, with no warning, we are thrust, with Ishmael, out of the street and into a loud and passionate church meeting. And the way he describes it... "wailing" "beating a book on a pulpit"... all of these things are so alarming when you were expecting a half-asleep Inn keeper and a few tired seaman sitting enjoying a drink. Ishmael is already unnerved that he missed his boat and must find lodging. It's cold. It's dark. And now, he's suddenly in the middle of an excited crowd! No wonder he backed himself right back out the door. haha! I think Melville did a great job describing the energy of an excited church meeting like that one. And certainly, it was through Ishmael's startled point of view - so it was an exaggerated version: the "Angel of Doom" at the pulpit. hehe :)

The Sprouter Inn is described so beautifully - dilapidated, palsied, gable-ended, creaky - and all these things left Ishmael certain it was the best place to lodge and find some good pea-coffee. HILARIOUS. Again, I like this Ishmael. He's a good soul. :D

I love the passage about Euroclydon. Just imagine Ishmael standing there in the cold, his bones shivering, his feet tired, believing he had finally found lodging for the evening - somewhere to put his feet up and rest....his little ode to the wind is like a stomp of the foot in the snow. "I shall stay here! Listen, you cold, whipping wind! I will be warm and cozy tonight despite your attempts to freeze me through! Even if this is the worse place on Earth, I shall stay here! Do you hear me wind? I will not stand in your presence any longer...you are no worry to me on the inside of a window, near a warm fireplace!" I just love that. :D

You know those nights when you just want to get home to your pillow and shut your eyes? This is Ishmael right now. :) And, I'm so charmed by Ishmael that each time I read this, I always hope he gets the fluffiest pillow in the joint. :)

By the way, in case you don't know what Euroclydon is, it's the wind that shipwrecked the Apostle Paul on the coast of Malta. A most mischievous wind, indeed. ;)

Melville also references the story of Lazarus and Dives from the Bible. Lazarus starves to death at the gate of a rich man called "Dives". Dives, in his red, rich robes - ignores Lazarus and doesn't help him and is sent to Hell (where Melville says he has even 'redder robes' - meaning the flames of the fires of Hell), but Lazarus goes to Heaven. Melville uses this story to over-emphasize Ishmael's point - he's cold and tired and he wants to get out of the wind. Again, Ishmael is exaggerating things - but don't we all when we are tired and ready to rest and it seems like it's taking FOREVER to get to the comfy pillow? ;) I like that Ishmael basically says that even Lazarus, if faced with this cold wind that Ishmael was experiencing, would probably choose the fires of Hell over Heaven just to get his feet warm again. LOL Somebody needs a hug. ::hugs Ishmael::

And that's chapter 2 - I love that chapter...but there is even better things to come, notably...Queequeg...whom I adore. He's so fascinating! The next chapter is a longer one, but it's a good one. :)

My favorite quotes from chapter 2:

"So, wherever you go, Ishmael, said I to myself, as I stood in the middle of a dreary street shouldering my bag, and comparing the gloom towards the north with the darkness towards the south—wherever in your wisdom you may conclude to lodge for the night, my dear Ishmael, be sure to inquire the price, and don't be too particular."

"Coffin?—Spouter?—Rather ominous in that particular connexion, thought I."

"...the dilapidated little wooden house itself looked as if it might have been carted here from the ruins of some burnt district, and as the swinging sign had a poverty-stricken sort of creak to it, I thought that here was the very spot for cheap lodgings, and the best of pea coffee."

"Would not Lazarus rather be in Sumatra than here? Would he not far rather lay him down lengthwise along the line of the equator; yea, ye gods! go down to the fiery pit itself, in order to keep out this frost?"

"Let us scrape the ice from our frosted feet, and see what sort of a place this "Spouter" may be."

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Moby Dick: Chapter I - Loomings

nobody@vox.com(annabethblue) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:19:05 -0800

The first sentence (well, second) of this story draws me right in. Ishmael makes a simple statement: a few years ago, it doesn't really matter when, I didn't have much money and I was bored with life in general, so I decided to go on an adventure.

Ok, Ishmael - sounds like a plan! I'll come along. I always love a good adventure! And just the way he stated it, so non-chalant, made me like the character. He wasn't looking for anything life changing, just a little something different. Like those days when you decide to take a different route to work, or try a new cafe. Just something new.

What also drew me into the story was Melville's writing style. I love descriptive, colorful language. I love the old words - 'purse', 'regulating the circulation', 'hypos'. It pulls me into another time and I get lost in the world. And, maybe it's the librarian and academic in me, but I love learning new things when I read. The text is so much richer with the old words - you can get into the head of the character. I understand Ishmael. I can hear his voice, picture him standing there. :)

Ishmael, after making this simple statement about how he decided to go on a little adventure, proceeds to describe why he felt the need for change. He was feeling down, generally uninterested in things, bored with life, in a foul mood. Not really depressed, but not happy. Just...blah. Haven't we all been there? We need something to excite us again? Something to pull us out of our rut? I love that he says that he gets so moody and disenchanted with life that he feels the need to start knocking the hats off random stranger's heads. I've certainly had those days....easily annoyed. I've definitely had days where I've imagined telling someone off, or knocking some sense into them. But, of course, it's just my mood. On a normal day, I wouldn't be so annoyed by someone's little unique behaviors. I know when I need to get away from people and get my mood in order. There is no need to take your bad mood out on someone else.

But, we've all imagined "knocking someone's hat off" at some point or another. :)

And plus, that sentence just makes me giggle: "methodically knocking people's hats off". :D

He proceeds to say how, instead of just giving in to the despair and foul mood and throwing in the towel, he just takes an adventure. He talks about how the ocean is representative of the freedom and adventure all men seek at some point, deep in their hearts. It's funny that I enjoy this book so much, actually - considering I don't like water. ;) But, it's really about the personal, inward journey Ishmael is taking - not the actual journey. :)

It's interesting that he takes paragraphs to point out how people seem drawn to the sea - that no matter where they are, they will end up gazing at the water at some point. It's like when we are in a rut or mood and we can look around and find something wrong with everything around us. Ishmael is doing the same thing. He's justifying his decision. "See?" he says "Everyone is enthralled with the water! Look how they come in droves to look at it."

Then we get into HOW he goes on his adventure. He doesn't go as a passenger. He doesn't just want to observe. He wants to be part of it, to experience it in it's raw and gritty reality. Besides, he says, passengers aren't fixing anything. Going to a movie isn't going to fix your overall situation in life, it will just make you feel better for a bit...but eventually you'll get restless and unhappy again. If you get up and DO something - make actual changes - then you will see results. I love that. :) He also says that he's not an expert. He's not some great seaman - he's just a man who can do a day's work. Nothing wrong with that. You don't have to be the leader to be important. You don't have to be an expert to try something new. In fact, it's a good thing to do something that you're not used to - to have others around you who have more expertise. It might be hard to take at first...being the peon, but if you stick with it, you'll learn something. :) None of us are really the 'best' - we are all below God. It's a good lesson. All jobs are important. All people are important. :)

I love how he discusses how great it is to be paid for an honest days work. Even the person who complains the loudest about how horrible their job is....I bet they still love payday. ;) He also says that the air is better in the front of the ship, where he works as a sailor. :) He points out that the master may think he is getting the best of everything, but really, the servants get the first 'taste' of everything. ;)

I love the paragraph where he ponders why 'the Fates' chose to put him on his path (a whaling voyage). There are many paths in life, we all have a different one to follow - and they are all important and beautiful. :)

In the last paragraph of chapter one, we learn that Ishmael is a bit of an adventurer in spirit...and a bit of a dare devil. He likes the idea of pursuing a dangerous monster of the sea, of exploring parts of the world that are 'uncivilized', and becoming friendly with those around him, even if they are different than him. On one hand, he is a bit of a dare devil, but I think it can also be argued that he's happy to learn new things and take what comes...he's open and curious and kind. :) I like Ishmael.

My favorite quotes from chapter one:

"Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people's hats off—then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can."

"Not ignoring what is good, I am quick to perceive a horror, and could still be social with it—would they let me—since it is but well to be on friendly terms with all the inmates of the place one lodges in."

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Blogging Moby Dick

nobody@vox.com(annabethblue) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:16:53 -0800

Moby Dick is one of my favorite books. Truly, it is my favorite book. I often discuss with friends and online acquaintances how much I enjoy the book. But, I've found that most people are either intimidated by the book, or just simply hate it.

While I'm sure it's not for everyone, I do believe more people could get enjoyment out of it, if they could get past the old language and massive scale of the book.

So, on Twitter last month, I pondered the idea of doing a blog about the book. Nothing too academic or analytical - just a reader chatting about the chapter she just read.

There is such an exciting adventure within these pages and such a wonderful under current of meaning and life lessons...I just love visiting the world Melville created.

And so, I'll blog a chapter at a time (I figure...we'll see how it goes) and try to express what makes me happy about this story. If you decide to come on this journey with me, I do hope you are able to find some enjoyment in this book as well.

God bless you all and thanks for reading!

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What I Did For Love....

nobody@vox.com(Me in a nut shell.....) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:24:45 -0800

What I Did for Love: A Novel

Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Susan Elizabeth Phillips did it again....This is another modern day romance novel (like most of the books that I read). Much like most modern day romance novels, you can pretty much predict the ending from the first few pages...however, like most all of Susan Elizabeth Phillips' books, it's the well written story line that holds your attention and this one is no different.

Enjoy!

Happy Reading....

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Heather's Book Blog

nobody@vox.com(Heather Kay) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:36:56 -0700

Please visit my new blog at

www.RedWineAndVampires.com

all future posts will be located here!

This is a Book Blog focused on Paranormal Romance Novels. I am always look ing for a good book so your suggestions are most welcome.

Thank You -Heather

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The Lost Regiment - Union Forever(Book #2)...

nobody@vox.com(Wilford Tibbetts) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:22:52 -0800

The Union Forever (Lost Regiment) (Book 2)

William R. Forstchen

For the past couple of weeks, I have been working my way through The Lost Regiment series, and I was able to finish the second novel last week. I have read them all before, of course, but it has been several years since my last read through, and I was feeling nostalgic. So I thought, why not, eh?

In the second novel, the Yankees and Rus had already shattered the Tugar Horde in the first novel, which allowed the Roum - decendents of the old Romans to the east of Rus - to drive away what little remained of the Tugars. Sparing the Roum from having to give the Tugars two out of every ten of their citizens as food.

The Merki - the larger Horde of the same species as the Tugars to the South - learn that their ancient foe, the Tugars, had been defeated by the lowly cattle of the North. And the leader of the Merki Horde, Jubadi, has decided it is up to him and his Horde to put down the cattle that dared to rise up against the "Chosen Race".

Jubadi then summons Mutza - the Tugar Leader - to come before him to talk of what to do next. Jubadi now considers the leader of the broken horde to the north as his puppet. With most of the Tugar warriors dead, and the rest busy hunting to provide for the civilian population, Mutza is a leader with few choices. And Jubadi knows this, using it to force Mutza to do his bidding. With little choice in the matter, Mutza promises his two remaining Umens - equal to division size combat unit in the United States Army - to Jubadi in return for food.

There are plans within plans for both Mutza and Jubadi. Each wanting to protect his own, and see the other smashed.

However, for now, they are on the same side, and Jubadi shows Mutza what his cattle have been building for him. Two of the Yankees deserted and are now helping the Merki arm the Cartha - descendents of Carthage - with Civil War era weapons - cannon, ironclad ships, muskets, all the tools they believe they will need to wipe out those to the north.

Once armed, the Cartha sends a fleet of armed cattle to attack the city of Roum. No one is to know that it isn't the Cartha behind the attack, but the Merki. Things go according to plan at first. Cartha attacks Roum. Roum calls upon the Rus to send aid as per their military pact. Rus sends much of its army to Roum upon the recently built railroad.

Admiral Tobias Cromwell, the Yankee who deserted the previous year from Rus, leads the Cartha against Roum. Besieging the city of Roum for days, as the Rus Army force marches the rest of the way to Roum. When Cromwell learns that the Rus Army and his nemesis Colonel Keane are almost to the city, he pulls his forces out and proves how fragile an Army dependent upon a rail line truly is.

Cromwell sends a small force of a thousand men to tear up track and to turn rail into Sherman pins - that's where you heat the rail until it is white hot in the center, then rap it around telegraph poll. General Sherman did it on his campaign during the American Civil War.

Anyway, once the line was cut, the army was trapped 500 miles away from home with no way to get back as Admiral Cromwell and the Cartha move to take Rus by sea. Checkmate.

To find out what happens, you'll have to read the book. =P But, I highly recommend this series of novels for those who love a good yarn, military history, the American Civil War and its tactics, alternate history, and fiction. I don't think you'll regret reading these novels.

Until next time...

-Wil

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