Isolated Blurt Thread

[BlackShanglan]

(Interesting, a superficial google does not find that quote.)

I'll spare you some effort by observing that it's the very devil to track down. I have it on the audio recording of Stephen Fry reading De Profundis and "The Ballad of Reading Gaol," but it does not appear in any online version of De Profundis I've been able to track down, including the copy on Project Gutenberg (which is usually a reliable source). I suspect that the issue may be that the work exists in more than one version. Wilde sent the letter from prison and never published it; a friend later edited and published it, after Wilde's death if I remember correctly. My hunch is that the words - beautiful ones - are in one version and not the other. Intriguingly, I can find parts of the quotation online in reference in other works, but not in the full text. It's exceedingly teasing, as I love that passage above all - and it's the one that is so difficult to track down. I can't even just order a copy of De Profundis, as I have no way of knowing if the passages I want are in it.

BTW, there is a lot of sentimentalism expressed here, and it rarely makes me uncomfortable, because I see it as sincere efforts to express real feelings, perhaps in conventional forms that are not the most ideal, but sincere nevertheless. Just don't want anyone here thinking that I'm dissing their sentimental expressions. I usually can intuit the real feeling behind the words, and usually am touched by them.

In the sense that Wilde used it, "sentimentalism" is distinct from "sentiment." Emotions are fine, and Wilde celebrates them. He means only the sort of false, ultimately hollow show of sentiment that is not really there. Anything with real feeling behind it has nothing to fear from him.

Shanglan

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

In the sense that Wilde used it, "sentimentalism" is distinct from "sentiment." Emotions are fine, and Wilde celebrates them. He means only the sort of false, ultimately hollow show of sentiment that is not really there. Anything with real feeling behind it has nothing to fear from him.

Shanglan

Thank you for the clarification. I kind of sensed the distinction, but that helps.

PS. Chasing you onto this thread to extend the sincere apology I have posted on the other thread.

PPS. And still you are the epitome of equine graciousness, responding to my post here notwithstanding my boorishness elsewhere.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Thank you for the clarification. I kind of sensed the distinction, but that helps.

PS. Chasing you onto this thread to extend the sincere apology I have posted on the other thread.

PPS. And still you are the epitome of equine graciousness, responding to my post here notwithstanding my boorishness elsewhere.

Awww shucks. *digs ground shyly with hoof*



Thanks, Roxanne. You're quite lovely.

 

[Equinoxe]

The Old Man: What difference is there 'twixt trolls and men?

Peer: No difference at all, as it seems to me. Big trolls would roast you and small trolls would claw you; with us it were likewise, if only they dared.

The Old Man: True enough; in that and in more we're alike. Yet morning is morning, and even is even, and there is a difference all the same. Now let me tell you wherein it lies: out yonder, under the shining vault, among men the saying goes: "Man, be thyself!" At home here with us, 'mid the tribe of the trolls, the saying goes: "Troll, be thyself--enough!"

 

[Harry Leg]

how the hell do you die happy?

im sure we'll find a way...

 

[Antfarmer77]

An email from her with a subject heading "none". I wonder if it could be that order of salt for my old wound?

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

how the hell do you die happy?

im sure we'll find a way...

There may be a way!

I was moved by a speech this winter by author by Sam Harris, who wrote a book called "The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason." He discussed the role that certain aspects of religion play in helping us deal with painful existential realities of the human condition, and how "not all religions are created equal" in this regard. The West has an impoverished spiritual tradition in this regard, because we have been hamstrung by 1st Century dogmas and superstitions. These are some of my notes:

' There is something beyond the search for pleasure, or avoiding pain. It is consciousness itself. This transcends its content. Meditation is turning consciousness upon itself – what does it "feel" like. The thing that is aware of your experience transcends its content. That thing is not improved by joy or sorrow.

'Meditation reveals that consciousness doesn't feel like a self, or an "I." It feels like we are experiencing something, but are not identical to that experience. '

'Awareness of this can improve one's well being, and make one a better person, because our brains are really quite plastic, they are "instruments" that can be changed by what is played on them. We should do more to understand the plasticity of human experience.

' We need a contemplative science unconstrained by religious dogma. The fact of death is astonishing – if it is possible to be deeply happy in the knowledge that you and everyone you ever know will die, we need to understand this! '


I admit I do not understand this very well, but I think he's on to something, and I hope to learn more. I will get old and sick and lonely and die some day. So will everyone who reads this (maybe less lonely). If there is a way to do that with a smile on my face, not a stupid smile but a wise one, I want to know what it is.

 

[rgraham666]

Damn it! I will not allow envy to bring me down.

 

[Guest]

Wheres the sprightly elfin pixie faerie also known as Nirvana?

 

[rgraham666]

There's a Grand Prix being run in Toronto today.

I'm at least ten kilometers from it and I can still her the cars.

Glad I don't live any closer.

 

[Honey123]

I wonder if that person thinks I'm foolish? Saying what I said....and I swore not to say anything....Next time I will keep my mouth shut!!!!!!!!

*kicking myself in the ass*

 

[Guest]

I wonder if that person thinks I'm foolish? Saying what I said....and I swore not to say anything....Next time I will keep my mouth shut!!!!!!!!

*kicking myself in the ass*

no kicking in the ass. Go to the sex thread. Other things to do with your ass

 

[rgraham666]

no kicking in the ass. Go to the sex thread. Other things to do with your ass

Indeed.

 

[matriarch]

It's 90F here at 7.30 in the morning.
It's 70F back home at 3.30 in the afternoon.

*sigh*.

The vagaries of weather constantly amaze me.

I'm glad to be here with gosling, but I know where I'd rather we both were. The overgrown but secluded back garden, with the wild flowers, overgrown trees, miles of clinging ivy, the birds, the tame robin.....are all calling me.

Soon.

 

[Guest]

It's 90F here at 7.30 in the morning.
It's 70F back home at 3.30 in the afternoon.

*sigh*.

The vagaries of weather constantly amaze me.

I'm glad to be here with gosling, but I know where I'd rather we both were. The overgrown but secluded back garden, with the wild flowers, overgrown trees, miles of clinging ivy, the birds, the tame robin.....are all calling me.

Soon.

and i believe the South has had summer rains

to Mat and her bird

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

no kicking in the ass. Go to the sex thread. Other things to do with your ass

Good idea.

 

[carsonshepherd]

Everything is pretty easy when you don't really give a fuck anymore. *shrug*

 

[TxRad]

Everything is pretty easy when you don't really give a fuck anymore. *shrug*

It makes it harder to find meaning in it all though.....

This too shall pass....

 

[carsonshepherd]

It makes it harder to find meaning in it all though.....

This too shall pass....

coasting.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Everything is pretty easy when you don't really give a fuck anymore. *shrug*

". . . you wanna know something? Every now and then say, 'What the fuck.' 'What the fuck' gives you freedom. Freedom brings opportunity. Opportunity makes your future."
Risky Business

 

[TxRad]

coasting.

Coastings good..... just watch the downhill stretches.....

 

[bashfull]

Does she want me? Does she not? Does she want me and want so many others? Is it me she's talking about? Or is it just hopefull paranoia? And how does one spell paranoia?

 

[Guest]

Does she want me? Does she not? Does she want me and want so many others? Is it me she's talking about? Or is it just hopefull paranoia? And how does one spell paranoia?

That's me 3 months ago

* Huggles Bash*

 

[bashfull]

That's me 3 months ago

* Huggles Bash*

Just my luck...kisses from the gay gals...so what's the male version of "fag hag"? lol.

 

[Guest]

Just my luck...kisses from the gay gals...so what's the male version of "fag hag"? lol.

kiss up and shut up