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thequietabsolute · 10 months

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A poet is what he is in himself. Gertrude Stein used to distinguish between a person who is an 'entity' and one who has an 'identity.' A significant man is an entity. Identity is what they give you socially. Your little dog recognizes you and therefore you have an identity. An entity, by contrast, an impersonal power, can be a frightening thing. It's as T. S. Eliot said of William Blake. A man like Tennyson was merged into his environment or encrusted with parasitic opinion, but Blake was naked and saw man naked, and from the center of his own crystal. There was nothing of the 'superior person' about him, and this made him terrifying. That is an entity. An identity is easier on itself. An identity pours a drink, lights a cigarette, seeks its human pleasures, and shuns rigorous conditions. The temptation to lie down is very great.

— Saul Bellow, from Humboldt’s Gift

pg., 311

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power-chords · 7 months

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The intellectual hit writer of middlebrow literature and the culture-hungry middle-manager gangster, both consumed by ambition and anxiety and ambivalence… ;)

#humboldt’s gift #saul bellow

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philosophybitmaps · 1 year

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#philosophy #quotes #Saul Bellow #Humboldt’s Gift #Bellow #boredom #power #fear #control

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derangedrhythms · 8 months

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Death is the dark backing that a mirror needs if we are to see anything.

Saul Bellow, from 'Humboldt's Gift'

#saul bellow #humboldt's gift #prose #death

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quotespile · 1 year

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It seems, after all, that there are no nonpeculiar people.

Saul Bellow, Humboldt's Gift

#literature #quotes #Saul Bellow #Humboldt's Gift #quote #books #lit

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theblackestofsuns · 5 months

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Humboldt's Gift (1975)

Saul Bellow

Penguin Books

#Humboldt's Gift #Saul Bellow #Penguin Books #Started This Today

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lvthkllr · 11 months

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It’s the opening of season as Anthony, Kate, Benedict, Francesca, Hyacinth, Gregory, Violet, and an extremely disgruntled Eloise break their fast in the drawing room.

*Humboldt walks in with the latest copy of Lady Whistledown in hand making his way to Violet and Kate. The newly minted mother and daughter read the first pamphlet since the end of last season as their eyes widen in shock*

Violet: *trying and failing to sound calm* Anthony dear, might you know when your brother will be joining us?

Anthony: I haven’t the faintest idea Mother, he seemed quite tired after returning from his travels yesterday morning. Maybe he is sleeping.

Kate: *anxiously* Perhaps you should go and hasten him along.

Anthony: Oh for the love of——Colin is a grown man. I will not go to his bedroom to wake him up!

Finally looking up from his newspaper he sees a strained look on Violet’s face and a Whistledown pamphlet in Kate’s hand.

Anthony: God in heaven, what has he done now?

Kate: It seems … it’s seems that Colin may have said something, well he said something——

Anthony: *raising his eyebrows in annoyance* Spit it out Kate!

Kate: I … well, it appears Lady Whistledown may have heard him say that he would never dream of courting Penelope Featherington.

Violet: And he had apparently said so in the company of multiple, eligible bachelors, at last season’s Featherington Ball.

As the elder Bridgerton children hear the last of the details they begin to chime in.

Francesca: Now Anthony, calm down. I am sure that is not what Colin mean——

Benedict: Well whatever else could he have meant Fran?!?

Francesca: *shooting an annoyed look at her brother and speaking in a hushed yell* You are not helping!

Benedict: Eloise, you are uncharacteristically silent. Are you and Miss Featherington not friends? Have you nothing to say?

Just as Eloise opened her mouth to respond Colin walked into the drawing room.

Colin: Good morning family! Now Hyacinth before you ask, I do have your gift however it may take until the end of the day to find it in my luggage, but my valet is on the case!

Looking up from his already full plate Colin was welcomed to the sight of his older siblings staring at him with worried looks, Kate with her face in her hands, his mother with an anxious smile, and Anthony looking angrier than he had seen him in years.

Colin: Is something the matter?

Anthony: *now seething with noticeable anger* Why yes something is the matter. Lady Whistledown has just informed the entire ton of your comments from the end of last season.

Colin: Whatever do you mean?

Anthony: Well, ACCORDING TO LADY WHISTLEDOWN YOU TOLD A ENTIRE GROUP OF MEN THAT YOU WOULD NEVER DREAM OF COURTING PENELOPE FEATHERINGTON!! Have you no care for her reputation, FOR HER FEELINGS COLIN!

Violet: Colin, just tell us that you did not say this.

Colin: Well …

A chorus of groans and voices echoing out “oh no” and “Colin!” rang out in the drawing room.

Anthony: *whispering to Kate and his Mother* I am going to kill him.

#bridgerton #polin #bridgerton s3 #bridgerton s2 #kanthony #anthony bridgerton #benedict bridgerton #eloise bridgerton #penelope featherington #team penelope #colin bridgerton #violet bridgerton #francesca bridgerton #hyacinth bridgerton #gregory bridgerton

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isaactheterrible · 1 year

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TF2 Queer Headcanons

(Disclaimer: These are not realistic or based on canon these are just my personal headcanons on the gender/sexualities of the TF2 Mercs)

1. Pyro (Azar Jamshidi)

•Gender:

-Amab

-They/It

-Non-binary

-Uses to identify strongly with "voidpunk" when they were younger

-Pyro feels a lot of body/social gender dysphoria but hasn't transitioned medically in any way

-Incredibly happy about the amount of privacy their suit provides them with

•Sexuality:

-Pansexual

-On the aromantic spectrum

-Hasnt dated for a really long time

-Has had very few relationships due to problems with intimacy and often times being either fetishized or infantalised

-Love language is Quality Time

•Bonus:

-I headcanon Pyro as being on the ASPD spectrum and also as Persian

2.Soldier (Jane Doe)

•Gender:

-She/Her

-Trans Woman

-Was in the closet until her thirtees

-Had a lot of internalized transphobia and misogyny

-Transitioned fully during her mid thirtees

-Is still really masculine but now fully confident in her identity as a proud, butch, woman

•Sexuality:

-Pansexual and polyamorous

-Has multiple partners and a preference for eccentric people who match her energy

-Likes to have partners that she can rely on but doesn't see too often. She's highly independent

-Love Language is Gift Giving

3.Engineer (Dell Conagher)

•Gender:

-He/Him

-Trans Man

-Came out as a pre-teen

-His dad was supportive but his mom was passive-aggressive about it

-Has faced tons of transphobic harassment and even violence but transitioned regardless

-Started his medical transition in his early twenties

•Sexuality:

-Bicurious

-Likes quiet mellow personalities

-Has mostly been with women and is currently trying out his luck with men (It is not going well)

-Had a few long-term girlfriend but they broke up

-Love language is Quality Time

4.Demoman (Tavish Finnegan DeGroot)

•Gender:

-He/They

-Cis Man

-Has crossdressed a few times for fun but has never given much thought to gender otherwise

•Sexuality:

-Pansexual

-Isn't looking for anything too serious

-Has a lot of fun but doesn't want to be tied down

-He tells himself he'll maybe settle down when he's older

-Love Language is physical affection

5.Heavy (Mikhail Petrov)

•Gender:

-He/Him

-Cis man

-Traditionaly masculine

-Has never thought about gender

•Sexuality:

-Gay

-On the ace spectrum

-Has had a lot of healthy long-term partners

-Unintrested in short flings

-Love language is Acts Of Service

6.Scout (Jeremy Mulligan)

•Gender:

-He/Him

-Trans Man

-Knew He was trans very young

-Came out during his teens and faced tons of transphobia and humiliation from his older brothers

-His mom was supportive

-Deals with a lot of toxic masculinity because he feels the need to constantly prove his masculinity to others

-Started testosterone young and is saving up for top surgery (He doesn't trust Medic)

-Very Dysphoric

•Sexuality:

-Straight

-Still a virgin

-Just wants someone to love him

-Has never has much luck with girls

-Love language is Words of Affirmation

7.Medic (Ludwig Humboldt)

•Gender:

-He/Him

-Amab

-Intersex Man

-Started taking testosterone due to his natural levels being too low

-Has been left permanently disabled by a leg injury that he obtained from a surgery that was done to him in order to "fix" him when he was a baby

-Started his medical journey in order to help other intersex people struggling but then got sidetracked

•Sexuality:

-Gay

-He has had very few but serious relationships

-Wants to find someone supportive and homely

- Love language is Physical Affection

8.Spy (Dominique Delacroix)

•Gender:

-She/He

-Genderfluid

-Pronouns change depending on how he feels that day

-Can be quite theatrical about her gender presentation

-Ignores people who misgender her cause she doesn't feel confident about her gender identity

•Sexuality:

-Wants a confident partner

-Attracted to power

-Likes romantic diners by candlelight

-Love language is Gift Giving

9. Sniper (Mun-dee Shaw)

•Gender:

-He/Him

-Trans Man

-Knew he was trans from a young age but his parents just referred to him as a 'tomboy' and pushed him to be more feminine

-Transitioned medically as soon as he moved out, never officially came out

-His parents know, it's an open secret but they still misgender/dead name him but he's never corrected them

-The disapproving looks and passive aggressive comments are enough for him he doesn't want to get into fights about it

-Very intense body dysphoria but not that much social dysphoria

•Sexuality:

-Bisexual

-On the ace spectrum

-Has had a traumatic dating history

-Very few relationships due to trust issues

-Loves very deeply but also very rarely

-Love language is Acts Of Service

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spaghetticat3899 · 6 months

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I made these refs back for this year’s Artfight, but never got around to finishing the rest of my characters’. I nickname these three “the main trio” because they’re the three splatoon characters I draw and like the most. All three have a thing in common, albeit for different reasons: they all don’t go by their original names! If you’d like to read character ramblings, look below the cut, if not, you may do what you like.

Things to note: My Splatoon characters are stuck in Splatoon 2 purgatory, so the weapons, ages, and all that are stuck in that time period. (R) and (UR) is short for (restricted) and (unrestricted), which is referring to if the height is measured within a canon limitation, or without canon inkfish heights in mind.

Mochi

Dawn “Mochi” Funboruto

cis female (she/her)

Aged 16

5’ (R) - 5’7” (UR)

Mochi is an interesting inkling, not actually originating in Inkadia at all, instead from a far-off city by the name of Arrecife. She’s childhood friends with Slick, and only moved to Inkopolis because he’d shown it to be a hot spot for things of interest. She’s a Humboldt inkling, but cursed with an unusually small stature compared to her relatives, making her appear as an average inkling. Evidence of her ancestry can still be found in her sucker rings, which, unlike most inklings, are still very-much there. She’s described as sisterly, laid-back, and sarcastic, but can also snap to a very energetic, mischievous, and havoc-causing individual. She never seems to stand still, even while relaxed, quite fidgety by nature. She tries not to overthink, which can lead to poorly thought-out choices that result in unpleasant outcomes. She’s easily persuaded by bribes of food or money, which some of her friends take advantage of for her to do stupid dares, tasks, or for her to not blackmail them. She jokes around and doesn’t usually bring up serious subjects unless she thinks it’s important. She often has to be the straight-man around people like Slick, but also can join in on the mischief. She’s also agent 4, but it doesn’t really become super relavent. She goes by Mochi just because she feels like it, nothing else, really.

Slick

Mason “Slick” Stone

cis male (he/him)

Aged 15

4’11” (R) - 5’5” (UR)

Slick is a goofy character, son of a single mother and always trying to get up to antics. He is from the town of Arrecife, childhood friends with Mochi, and forming a chaotic duo whenever they decide to meet up. He’s quite full of himself, exasperates his accomplishments, and thinks he’s practically irresistible. Despite his arrogance, he possesses a heart of gold, and just wants to befriend anyone he can. He may not be the brightest, but he tries his best, even if it doesn’t work out. He has no concept of boundaries, and has broken into people’s houses to give them gifts. He went out of his way to befriend Hachikō, despite the people around him scoffing at him for it. Despite Hachikō’s not-super-great-but-understandable Inklish at the time, Slick was very accepting and thought it was more funny than anything. As their friendship grew closer, Hachikō moved in with him, and they currently share an apartment. Slick gave himself that name because he wanted to sound cool and dissociate with his father.

Hachikō

Hachikō “Hachi” ??

cis male (he/him)

Age unknown (~16-17)

5’1” (R) - 5’9” (UR)

Hachikō, an amnesiac found in a place he feels lost in. He’s agent 8, and his story of venturing to the surface is one that only some know of. His Inklish is practically perfect in the current day, with only the slight hiccup and forgetting some words. He’s quiet, observant, and tends to appear stiff around unfamiliar people. He doesn’t talk much, instead thinking to himself a lot, sometimes staring off into space and getting lost in thought. He can be quite chatty if asked about anything of interest to him (ink weaponry, birds, etc). He tends to fidget, sometimes needing to occupy his hands by drawing. He takes most things seriously, or as they’re spoken, which has led to him not understanding jokes, and not always pinpointing sarcasm. He’s quite paranoid and constantly worried about being outed as an Octoling, or something going horribly wrong. It’s not uncommon for him to get sick due to being exposed to unfamiliar surface pathogens. Upon reaching the surface, he discovered he had a pollen allergy, which has lead to mockery by his friends for “sneezing like Lil’ Judd”. Slick is who he’s often seen with, eventually even being roommates with, almost always being the nervous straightman to Slick’s antics. Roxanne (agent 3) often babies him and comes to his aid, even when it’s made obvious that he’d rather her not. He appreciates her kindness, but not being infantilized. Hachikō picked his name because he had no memory of his original name, picking one that seemed familiar to him (might’ve heard it in a story once).

Bonus xenos!

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lesewut · 7 months

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The "West-Eastern Diwan" by Goethe - A bridged beauty between Occident and Orient. Published by Prof. Dr. Heinrich Düntzer, Berlin and Stuttgart, 1878.

It is said, that Goethe used the "oriental mask" to cover his pantheistic ideas, speaking trough the lips of the newly translated poets. Next to the Hafez' poems, which where published and translated by the orientalist Joseph von Hammer, other literal and scientific sources were used as inspirational impact and to refine the tone of the great masters of Oriental poetry, like the academic achievements of Prof. Wurm, Prof. Paulus (Orientalist in Heidelberg), other translations of cultural impact like Rückert's "Östliche Rosen" (~ Eeastern Roses) the Mewlana-Transaltions of 1819 and the collection of August von Platen called "Ghaselen", Goethe corresponded with Boisserés and with one of the Grimm brothers. Wilhelm von Humboldt praised the authencitiy of Goethe's work.

The "East-Western Diwan" is the last great cycle of poetry Goethe has wrote, his interest for Persian poetry arised in the time of the Rheinbund. It can be traced, that this period of time disillusioned him, the diving into another time and continent is essential for escapism, but as Goethe and his field of interest and curiosity is as deep as wide, he must felt like thrown like a freed bird into new heavenly realms. The "Diwan Atmosphere" was created by reading several works and taking in Oriental elements. So we can find "Madschnun and Leila" interwoven in the heart-shaking correspondence between Suleika and Hatem in the "Book Suleika". Expressions of the Dervish Hafis of Shiraz can be found, Tarafas, Labid (Prophet Mohammad called him the poet, who said the most true words; Labid converted to Islam and wrote eologies, but it is said, that he stopped practicing ?), Zoheir, Saadi and Hafez. Saadi was also known as a sheik and was called "Poet-King" (or King-Poet, if you like :P) and if we would compare the structure of the poems, it is more likely, that Goethe imitated Saadi, rather than Hafez.

Goethe is playing wonderfully with expressions, merging wine and tears, praising the dust of the lover as better than safran and comparing the loved one to a drop of water and the lyrical-I as desert sand. Numerology is emphasising the cultural background, drawing a link between the poet and the priest, pairing mystics and religion into ecstatic relief. This wonderful work is a gift, for everyone, who sometimes had the feeling of getting ripped apart by two forces. It feels like the made-up gap between Europa and Asia is nothing but a fiction, like a forgotten song of our cultural cradle. Let us share the pomegranates of our culture, let us nourish from unkown fruits to break our borders, to sharpen our discernment, to truely lift our feet and recognize the extraordinary.

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afrenchaugurey · 9 months

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So... as I am freezed on most of my WIP where everything sounds wrong to me, I decided to go with this one. I wrote the beginning a few weeks ago and it's directly inspired by one of my current read : Andrea Wulf's "an history of Nature" (I read the French translation as I found it second hand), which is an Alexander Von Humboldt biography (and a total feeder for my "18-19th century history of natural sciences" obsession)

So, as I was blocked, I decided to try something New(t) and the journal form should be freeing as entries are short and it's not "structured" as fiction(I'll see with time, I guess).

For now it's just the foreword.

Rolf Scamander speaking in this excerpt :

A long time ago, when I announced my decision to travel the world to study Nature, my grandfather gave me the most wonderful gift. He offered me his illustrious suitcase, charmed by his own grandfather a century before that. As all the Wizarding World knows now, the magic object accompanied Newt Scamander during his naturalist adventures and played such a role in our History that this case may be as (most?) famous as his carrier.

Let me tell you that this passing of the baton, as I undertook my own expedition (just out – as himself in his time – from teenage years’ hiccups), sounded like a colossal token of trust from him, but as much underlined the expectations that the association between my family name and my personal aspirations raised in our community.

Here is the link

I hope you'll enjoy !

#newt scamander #fantastic beasts #newtina #rolf scamander #fantastic beasts and where to find them #autistic newt scamander #journal #I'm a bit crazy #maybe not a bit #i guess #but that’s fun #fantastic beasts fanfiction #fic : being newt scamander

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thequietabsolute · 9 months

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As a fanatical reader, walled in by his many books, accustomed to look down from his high windows on police cars, fire engines, ambulances, an involuted man who worked from thousands of private references and texts, I now found relevance in the explanation T. E. Lawrence had given for enlisting in the RAF – "To plunge crudely among crude men and find myself ..." How did it go, now? " ... for these remaining years of prime life." Horseplay, roughhouse, barracks obscenity, garbage detail. Yes, many men, Lawrence said, would take the death-sentence without a whimper to escape the life-sentence which fate carries in her other hand. I saw what he meant.

— Saul Bellow, from Humboldt’s Gift

page. 280

#saul bellow #humboldt’s gift #literature #quote #t e lawrence #lawrence of arabia #seven pillars of wisdom #queued #finished my reread of this a month or two ago and was in awe. what an achievement. Bellow’s America’s finest ever writer in my book

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power-chords · 7 months

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sksjdjsaskskfj

#saul bellow #humboldt’s gift #I’ve read this book twice now and I could read it three times tbh

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physically-vampiric-medic · 6 months

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What are you waiting for, Jane? Just knock on his damn door.

Jane stands outside Humboldt's office, hand twitching as he clenches it into a fist and knocks, gently, as to not startle him.

"...Doc? It's Jane. Jane Jamison?" He clarifies, not entirely sure if that other Jane had made nice with him yet. He definitely should. He knew that man had it somehow much worse than he did.

"I um... Brought something for you."

A mug of hot chocolate and a peppermint stick.

- @emotionally-clumsy-soldier

[ The knocking at the door was unexpected, though the polite gesture was appreciated. ]

"Oh- just a moment!"

[ He quickly fixed his appearance to be less alarming. Jane had gone through enough, he certainly didn't need to see the doctor looking so disheveled and mildly unsettling. He then approached the door and answered it, ]

"I am very sorry for the state of things in here, Jane. If I had known you were coming over it would be a lot less of a mess!"

[ It took him a second to process the gift, but once he did notice it, he had not a clue what to say. ]

#emotionally xyz mercs #physically xyz mercs #physically vampiric medic #emotionally clumsy soldier #fragen #rp blog #ooc: he is bamboozled #the gift giver is now the gift receiver #fr tho i love jane sm

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reynita9 · 1 year

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started a book club with like 11 people and I inadvertently chose the book we’re going to read based on a recommendation from someone I met one time- a warm hearted anarchist from Humboldt.. anyways I’m becoming aware that the book will force me to share a lot of my perspective on the world we’re alive in, the moment we’re alive in, the purpose of the time we’re alive in, and also just how anarchist my ideals are. Which often people misconstrue as being conservative because of how distrustful I am of the state. Anyways I confidentially know where I stand.. which I understand can be a controversial position to be in.. I don’t make a lot of space in my life for people who entertain these conversations with me, even tho I love it. Because the way I think is so far out I’ve chosen to be in relationship with people who tether me to the reality we are in, but now I’m seeing this as a moment where I can let my paradigm shine. I resource myself and learn and collect knowledge from every person in my life (we all do I know, but I keep people with different opinions than me close bc of how much they teach me haha) Anyways. I am intelligent, i research, and above all one of my biggest gifts in this lifetime is my foresight. Aaaahhhhhhhy hahahahaha. Well. Baby steps. I don’t think anything will be offensive to anybody, but they may think I’m a massive idiot or something. yolo

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philaretey · 3 months

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A three mile run to Mr. Humboldt and three miles back. Alexander von Humboldt, the great 19th century naturalist, whose statue was gifted to Philadelphia by its German residents.

#philadelphia #park statues #winter run

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