"be the poem"

[eldritchhobbit]

Happy birthday to primroseburrows, and happy early birthday to gbsteve, eowynmaiar, and sally_maria. May you all have an excellent time and many happy returns of the day!

I'm still unable to speak and sentenced to an all-liquid diet in the wake of my oral surgery, which of course means that I'm having elaborate fantasies about singing at the top of my lungs in the shower and, more importantly, enjoying steaming plates of chile pablanos and eggplant parmigiana. Alas!

* My latest "History of the Genre" segment is up at StarShipSofa: The Audio Science Fiction Magazine, and with it I begin a three-part series on "Proto-Science Fiction," from the classical age through to the early nineteenth century. The segment is available for download or streaming here.

* From SFX: "The 10 Most Crucial British Science Fiction Novels." This is not thorough, of course, but it's quite a good list, especially if you count the "honorable mentions."

* Librivox.org has released its Short Science Fiction Collection #18.

* R.I.P., David Eddings (1931-2009).

* R.I.P., David Carradine (1936-2009). Although I watched and enjoyed many of his television and film performances, by far the most moving experience for me was going with my parents when I was thirteen to see the American Indian Theatre Company's production of Black Elk Speaks, which starred a simply brilliant David Carradine, as well as the legendary Muscogee-Creek actor Will Sampson and the excellent Cherokee actor Wes Studi. There have been many times when I've looked back on that intense, wrenching performance and realized what a significant and life-long impact it had on me. He will be missed.


"If you cannot be a poet, be the poem."
- David Carradine

Comments

[gbsteve.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

I'm glad to see MJ Harrison in the SFX list and Stand on Zanzibar as an also ran. I'm not sure Light is MJH's most telling work though and the list is kind of 'yeah, of course' rather than being particularly exciting.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

the list is kind of 'yeah, of course' rather than being particularly exciting

Yes indeed! Well put.

I hope you have a fantastic birthday!

[euclase.livejournal.com]

I bet you're sick of milkshakes, but... *gives you chocolate milkshake and blankie*

Word about David. I really envy that experience you had. <3

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you! *hugs* Milkshakes and blankies are always welcome.

Seriously, I remember thinking "I'm never going to see the world the same way again" as I came out of the theater. I think his serious commitment to the message of the play came through loudly and clearly. I hope the mystery and controversy surrounding his death doesn't overshadow some of the remarkable (and inspirational) roles he brought to life during his career.

[whswhs.livejournal.com]

No Olaf Stapledon? Surely one of Star Maker (religious epic based on modern cosmology ca. 1930), Odd John (the classic treatment of the "superman," complete with the premise that supermen will be indifferent to human morality), and Sirius (perhaps his best novel) deserves inclusion. That's probably the worst omission, though something by Clarke really ought to be on the list too.

[gbsteve.livejournal.com]

Olaf appears on page 11 along with some other also rans.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think some of the "also rans" would have been better placed in the list.

[agentxpndble.livejournal.com]

OHNOEZ! I didn't hear about Carradine! :::cries:::

:::HUGS::: to you - I hope your teeth heal quickly. Ouch!!!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Thank you so much!

Sad news about Carradine, isn't it?

[estellye.livejournal.com]

David Eddings???? Wow. That's a tough one to assimilate. I hadn't heard about that. Belgarath is gone.

David Carradine will be missed, too. There is something very intimate about live theater where actors draw us into the emotional center of a story in real time, so I am sure that experience makes this loss more personal for you. I am somewhat relieved to hear that evidence suggests his death was accidental. I'd hate to think his last days were spent in emotional turmoil.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Yes! The Eddings news is very sad.

There is something very intimate about live theater where actors draw us into the emotional center of a story in real time

This is so true. That's it exactly.

I am somewhat relieved to hear that evidence suggests his death was accidental. I'd hate to think his last days were spent in emotional turmoil.

I agree. My heart goes out to his family, having to deal with the uncertainty and publicity surrounding all of this.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the kind wishes. :D :D :D

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I hope you had a great one!

[peadarog.livejournal.com]

I do love "Day of the Triffids" *and* eggplant parmiggiana...

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

A man of impeccable taste, obviously.

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

*Sends good vibes and gentle hugs your way for a speedy recovery*

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! *hugs*

[vulpine137.livejournal.com]

Good luck on the liquid diet...hope you get free soon :)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! Me, too. :)

[scribblerworks.livejournal.com]

Hope your recovery goes quickly!

I always liked Triffids. Well, the book. Don't think I'd want to meet a Triffid walking in the garden.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

ROFLOL re: triffids. Me, too - I love them in the fantastic book, but wouldn't want to meet one in a dark alley. Or garden. Or, um, anywhere.

[sally_maria]

Thank you very much for the birthday wishes, and I hope everything goes well with your convalescence.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I hope you have a wonderful birthday! And thanks so much for your good wishes. They're most appreciated.

[cookiefleck.livejournal.com]

Unable to speak! Wow. I hope things get back to normal soon and that you're not in any (or too much) pain. H/C is for fanfic, not real life! ;o)

Surprised that Clockwork Orange was only an honorable mention.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! Yes, I'm all for keeping H/C in fiction, where it belongs. ;)

I agree with you about Clockwork Orange; I think several of the "also rans" would've fit better in the main list, and vice-versa.

[gamgeefest.livejournal.com]

I wish you a speedy recovery! There's nothing like singing in the shower!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! And I couldn't agree more. :)

[arymetore.livejournal.com]

Hope you recover soon from the surgery. I'm getting some myself Wednesday and not looking forward to it either... But hey, at least its after the Con :) And you should be well by the next one :)

And ouch... double loss of two notable people.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for the good wishes! YOu're right: I should be well recuperated before the next con. Woohoo! And right back at you: I hope your surgery goes well and your recovery is swift!

Both of those deaths saddened me. Don't these things often seem to come in threes? I hope this time that pattern doesn't hold true.