Evanston: the greatest revenge; Iceland; a compliment
Evanston: the greatest revenge; Iceland; a compliment
On an obscure planet men weave carpets solely from the hair of their wives and daughters of such intricacy that it takes a lifetime to complete just one.
Once a year a trader’s caravan arrives, buys finished carpets, paying enough to support a man and his family for a lifetime, then transports the carpets to Port City, from where cargo spaceships allegedly take them to decorate the palace of the Emperor.
A carpet maker may have many wives and daughters, but only one son. Excess male children are killed.
When his life’s work is finished, a carpet maker gives the money to his son, who then spends his life weaving a carpet.
This has gone on unchanged forever. But a rumor begins to circulate that the Emperor has been overthrown.
During the course of German writer, Andreas Eschbach’s, THE CARPET MAKERS, many seemingly unrelated events occur. In a stunningly original ending they are all explained by what may be the greatest act of revenge ever imagined.
My thanks to Gary for suggesting I read it.
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I did not initially look at the other videos by Bjorgvin Valur, who captured the 231 mph gust hitting a harbor in Iceland, but a reader, Shelton did, and suggested that I view “Photos,” for which I thank him.
With an accompaniment of what I assume is traditional Icelandic music, “Photos” is twenty minutes of Ken Burns style slow panning in and out of often spectacular images of a seldom seen land.
If you can find the time, I don’t think you will be disappointed.
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When she came into the living room Saturday morning, Carol said, “You don’t look a day over 70.” Considering that I was a day over 70, I accepted this as a compliment.
Monday, November 14, 2011