I Salute You, Professor

I just want to affirm loud and clear how much I love J. R. R. Tolkien.

Honestly, The Lord of the Rings expressed some views on race and sex and class that I consider unconscionable. I just want to get that out in the open. It wasn't a perfect book and Tolkien wasn't a perfect man.

But Tolkien just had such skill with English, such a grasp on the intricacies of language, that made my mind soar. His lifelong exercise in world-building is an enduring inspiration to me as a would-be creator and as a dreamer. He is truly one of my heroes.

Thank goodness we had you, Professor Tolkien. You made the world a richer place and English a richer language.

Apologies

Sorry for the lack of activity, folks. I've been in a real funk for the last month, largely due to unemployment and the first anniversary of my father's death this past Saturday. I've been consuming about the same amount of pop culture, but I haven't felt up to writing much about it. I've kept active following my friends' blogs, but mine has gone fallow.

I'm just posting to let y'all know what's up with me and why I haven't been around much. I'm not giving up blogging, but expect activity to remain on the low side for the foreseeable future.

While I'm here, I also felt like sharing this keen portrait I found of one of my favorite video game villains, Porky Minch from Nintendo's classic RPG, EarthBound.


Porky Minch -Practice- by ~Bagatelle on deviantART

Très fly, Monsieur Minch. I find the sheer repugnance of an obese 13-year-old asshole strangely refreshing in a field dominated by whiny, conflicted pretty boys. If you have the time, I highly recommend this guy's playthrough (with commentary!) of EarthBound, one of the shining gems of the Super Nintendo.

So yeah, that's all I have to say for now. Excelsior, y'all.