Moving On
That certainly was something. I'll comment briefly and then resume blogging as usual. I have never been able to define myself (or anyone else) conclusively, least of all by my (or another's) blog. The whole concept is preposterous. Most of us are too complex as human beings to be defined by such simple parameters.
Yes, I am Luminarium, a person who works night and day on websites that cover English literature of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. I'm passionate about tomes that many haven't even heard of. But that is only one facet of who I am.
Yes, I am a silly girl who enjoys fluffy quizzes and memes, including "Which Harry Potter Character Are You" and "Who's your Celebrity Love Match" (Brad Pitt, apparently). But that's only part of who I am.
Yes, I'm a fan of pop culture, who enjoys science fiction, fantasy, television, movies, celebrity gossip, and music that makes my best friend cringe. But that's not all I am.
Yes, I'm an actor who is classically trained to perform Shakespeare, but I also enjoy making the odd horror film and playing a vampire queen. And that's not even half of what I am.
Yes, I'm a poet when the Muse strikes. I love writing sonnets and haiku, but sometimes it comes out as a limerick. Sometimes what I write is pretty good, sometimes what I write is so bad no human being should be subjected to it. And still I'm more.
Yes, I'm a gardener who loves to grow roses, but if you came to my house right now you'd see my front yard covered in unsightly weeds. Because I'm also lazy at times.
Yes, I'm a translator, who translates anything from classic poetry to D-movies, and sometimes even Italian opera, when the feeling hits.
Yes, I've been a web designer, a costumer, an oriental rug specialist, a student, a bum, hamburger maker, a world traveller, a homebody, a dog-mommy, a ballet dancer, a real estate agent, a cashier, a producer, a director, a teacher, etc. etc. etc.
None of these things define me. No one person defines me. If anyone does, I define me. I choose who and what I am, and what I'm worth. We're all more than the sum of our parts.
Needless to say, I found the late commenter's ideas lacking, and the attack on my person and character malicious and without merit. Originally, I didn't wish to engage him, because to do so would have conferred upon him and his thoughts more time and effort than he warranted.
But, I was touched by how pissed off everyone else got, so I thought I'd say my piece too. I'm comfortable with who I am and I don't care if someone out there doesn't like it. As Riykere put it, those who don't like this blog don't have to read it. Goodness knows, there are millions of other blogs out there. Something for everyone.
To quote Jimmy Stewart's character from Mary Chase's Pulitzer Prize-winning play (and movie) "Harvey":
"My mother always said, 'In this world, Elwood' —
she always called me Elwood — 'you have to be either
oh-so-smart, or oh-so-pleasant.' Well, for years I was smart.
I recommend pleasant. And you may quote me."
posted by Anniina | 12:40 PM
12 Comments:
Wow, that *was* something! I only just now caught up with those comments. And for the record for your readers who attacked him as a typical academic: Uh, no. Typical *wannabe* academic, maybe. (His writing reminds me of my students when they try to "sound academic.") But please don't judge the rest of us by an internet troll!
And speaking of Luminarium, Anniina, I know I owe you a contribution to that project. I haven't forgotten. I'm working on related things now and should be able to give you something soon. (That's soon in academic terms, meaning by the end of the semester!)
This comment has been removed by the author.
Well said, Princess! I read the comments to the previous post this morning. I think its fairly presumptuous of anyone to comment on people they don't know on an intimate level. But then again, I was brought up on good manners. I'm sure that Riy and I could find Mr. Lee and introduce his face to our friends lead pipe and chain. But only if you want us to. But on a more serious level, I hope you don't take his comments about you to heart in any way shape or form. I think it's pretty clear what kind of caliber person you are by the overwhelming love and support that you received.
Anyway, I love you and many people love you and all that you are. Say the word, Mr. lee doesn't know that Riy is a Galka and I may be an effeminate Elf but I have heart and a blue squirrel at my disposal. <3
well said and done, Anniina.
Trolls are fun. I feed them at every opportunity.
Sweetie, this was amazing and well written. I really enjoyed it.
See, I didn't read the comments of the troll that made you write this. And I won't, regardless if they're still online or not.
But I read this, and you are so right. You are a dazzling, complex, amazing person. Keep on sharing that with us.
I typed up a long involved comment myself, but it went for 'naught' since blogger wouldn't let me in from the comment screen. In short, I tell this troll, "Get thee to a nunnery!" (I love that line since I worked on I Hate Hamlet :)
Oh my. I missed all that (I think Bloglines has not always been notifying me of new posts). I am continually baffled why people bother to criticize any blog writer, rather than just surf on elsewhere. Your response was very appropriate, I think.
Also, I love "Harvey." :-)
Hi Anniina, nice description, I could not agree with you more. And I should know...
I've been gone so I've missed most of what's happened but good for you not letting some troll bully you!
A close reading of Shakespeare, I think, betrays a bias *against* the Machiavellian mindset so popular these days. Liberal-minded, liberal-spirited, and best of all liberal-hearted Anniina, you chose your arts and your literature well.
risa b
Oh, and:
Reality-Based Intellectualist
See, see, a match!
Where the phrase came from:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/17/magazine/17BUSH.html
"The aide said that guys like me were ''in what we call the reality-based community,'' which he defined as people who ''believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.'' I nodded and murmured something about enlightenment principles and empiricism. He cut me off. ''That's not the way the world really works anymore,'' he continued. ''We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality -- judiciously, as you will -- we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.The aide said that guys like me were ''in what we call the reality-based community,'' which he defined as people who ''believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.'' I nodded and murmured something about enlightenment principles and empiricism. He cut me off. ''That's not the way the world really works anymore,'' he continued. ''We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality -- judiciously, as you will -- we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.''"
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