Monday, December 30, 2002
I went to see the second Lord of the Rings movie. The way the love between the man Aragon and the Elfish princess was portrayed reminded me of the story of Luthien Tunevial and Beren from the Silmarillion. Luthien was a elvish princess who came across Beren in the forest. His king father had sent him on an errand and when he got back he found his whole village had been destroyed by auks. Beren snuck up on them and killed the leader and fled. He was recovering in the forest when he heard Luthien singing and fell in love. A little later when she saw him she fell in love too; after living together in the forest, they went to the kingdom for Beren to ask Luthien's father King Thingol for her hand. But he was loath to give it to a mortal and very foolishly said "Bring to me one of the Silmarils in your hand and you can have her." That was foolish because first one of his kingdom's biggest rivals had sworn that the Silmarils were theirs -- having been taken by Morgoth from their ancestor who created them -- and they would fight whoever had them to get them back. And second because Morgoth had them and did not want to give them up. (There were three).
Well this is a really wonderful heroic love story about how Beren said "When you see me again, a Silmaril will be in my hand" and left to go take it from Morgoth (the King of Evil)'s crown. And how Luthien, held captive by her father, escaped with the help of Huan, the talking dog, to aid Beren. With Luthien's powers of singing to sleep and Beren's unrivalled bravery, they succeeded in taking a Silmaril. But on the way back Carcharoth, one of the horrible wolf monsters that Morgoth had created to protect his hellish underground castle Angband, bit off Beren's hand holding the Silmaril. Later as they went home and Beren was dying from the poison of the bite, Huan attacked the monster and killed it, but died in the process. This incredible huge dog had the ability to speak only three times in his life. He used all these times to help Luthien and Beren. He and Luthien even killed Sauron in rescuing Beren which is why later Sarron is only a disembodied spirit. The Silmaril was taken from the monster's stomach still in Beren's hand; now the king had it and was obliged to grant the marriage. Beren slowly died from the poison even though Luthien worked hard to save him with special herbs. Elves live forever unless they are killed in battle or die from grief.
Men are destined to die, but nobody knows what happens after they die -- if anything. Elves on the other hand had been created by the Valorian and go to a special happy waiting area if they are killed in battle or die from grief. After the worlds’ end, their lives will continue. Luthien died of grief soon afer Beren's death. In Mandos her beautiful sad singing moved the head Valinor, those highest living creatures who are like gods (but had themselves been created). He agreed to help her grief. Luthien was offered a choice -- either come to live in Valorian with the Vala and never remember her love for Beren or become mortal herself and bring Beren back to life too. She chose the latter. She and Beren went to live out their lives in the forest where they lived together in a house away from everyone. They were never heard from again. Or did they have a couple of children? Yes I think so.
Monday, December 30, 2002
Saturday, December 21, 2002
Just back from Southampton -- and I have to report that I saw carolers walking through the village dressed in black capes and red capes and top hats and bonnets. I asked -- they were a group from the First Presbyterian Church called "Treasure the Music" and carol every saturday. Wouldn't you know it . . . two weeks of saying nothing and then I eat my words the same day!
Saturday, December 21, 2002
A couple of weeks ago I went to the fireman's Christmas parade and carol sing in Southampton. The firemen's trucks were covered in colored lights, prancing reindeer and really superlative decorations. Some were antique trucks.
Everyone was excited. The cold weather and the parade had been late in starting; perhaps because of the delay, more and more people had lined the streets. I loved the parade, but was disappointed by the carol sing afterwards.
The carolers waited patiently on stage in the cold for a long while before starting -- I give them credit for that. But the sing was organized poorly. First they had set unloaded trucks of huge speakers six feet tall -- enough for a major rock concert. Sure the singing was loud, but also not at all intimate.
What really surprised me was what they sang -- ten second snippets of the popular Christmas songs in quick succession. It was like we were listening to a commericial on TV for a Christmas song CD: "And here are quick previews of all your favorites." The singers themselves were quite good, but why waste them with mega speakers and a tasteless repertoire?
I thought back to when I lived in Marblehead, a small sea swept town in Massachusetts with a rich history. I remember the Christmas carolers split into groups of three or four and without any microphones walked through the streets, stopping to sing a song or tow in a shop doorway and then moving on a little. They were dressed a bit for the part, as well --- Marblehead is big on marching fife and drum bands walking down the street for any historical occasion -- and the carols dressed like .... well I can't quite remember, but like carolers -- whilte scarves, .ancient look.
Saturday, December 21, 2002
Friday, December 06, 2002
My brother left for Ethiopia two days ago on, you guessed it, Air Ethiopia. He will be making a visit to Uganda on his two week trip. Part of the trip will be visiting a clubfoot clinic in Uganda and attending a medical conference in Ethiopia. The other part -- visitng wild animals at the game parks. He was always much braver than I. Not that I am afraid of wild animals; it's the people who worry me.
FrolickFult is growing older -- count the days -- but I have to admit that I don't visit him often. (You haven't forgotten him already have you?)
Husi has asked for some help getting computer equipment and software to the school at which he is teaching for the Peace Corps. The school is right under Mount Kilimanjaro. Kusi has been put in charge of computer literacy. I suggested that maybe he could get some help from the Computer Clubhouse. I will be trying to contact them on his behalf.
Enough about them, what about you, you ask? Well, not intending to change the subject at all I answer, I have been browsing through other people's blogs. I saw a very interesting one by a teacher at Northfield Mount Hermon School. He is a great writer, really sensitive and thoughful, and teaches the art of blogging, er, I mean, Media Arts.
Today I found another blog by a student who had an excellent long 5 page wish list at Amazon.com. Not that I want to read all these books, but I am glad to know that they exist. I think I will add A Field Guide to Demons, Fairies, Fallen Angels, and Other Subversive Spirits to my own list.
Friday, December 06, 2002
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