Gilgamesh: Overhyped Story, But Really Cool Names/Descriptions

Four Articles Read Today: "DJ and TV Presenter Jimmy Savile Dies, Aged 84" (England), "Belfast Talent Agent Banned For Not Paying Young Actors" (Northern Ireland), "Scottish Labour Leader Candidates Warned of 'Ugly' SNP" (Scotland), and "Cymdeithas Drops BBC Licence Fee Boycott" (Wales).

Obviously, the above titles retain their UK spelling.

Moving on, I am almost finished with reading "Gilgamesh." That's not exactly saying much; the footnotes and introduction of the book are longer than the epic itself. It's really a bit of a letdown and, in particular, there's one ridiculous section where a heroic figure is caught in what I will tactfully call an "excremental deluge" from a giant bull while he and his friend are trying to kill it. Never piss off Ishtar if you value your hygiene. However, I am getting some really cool names out of it to use in my stories, such as Humbaba, the monster that Gilgamesh and Enkidu kill in the Cedar Forest. Plus, when I'm done, I'll get to brag to everyone that I read "Gilgamesh." I guess that counts for something...

The description of the underworld, however, was really cool, and I'll definitely be borrowing some ideas from that. I already have incorporated Ereshkigal (whom I read about on the internet before starting this epic) and look forward to adding more Sumerian mythology into my series. It's going to be awesome!

Bucking the Royal Trend

While doing my "Four a Day" regimen to keep informed about what's going on in the UK, I discovered that they are changing the law of succession. Now the eldest child is the heir to the throne, regardless of whether they are a boy or a girl, and the royal monarch is allowed to marry a Catholic (although they themselves have to remain Anglican because the monarch is the head of the Church of England). Way to stick it to Henry the VIII, David Cameron! (see the announcement at this url: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15493227)

It's great to see that gender quality is being recognized in the monarchy of what was once the largest empire in world history. This truly is amazing.

I do, however, realize just how ignorant I am about Britain's politics and monarchy. I have no idea who the 16 Commonwealth nations are (I would guess Canada, New Zealand, and Australia are among them, but that's all it is, a guess). Nor do I have any idea exactly how they were involved in this decision. I'm going to need to do more research...

Four Articles A Day Keeps Ignorance At Bay

Now that I remembered that I actually have a blog, it's time that I start using it again. So what have I been up to since September? I discovered Twitter (@blkprincerising), which is freaking awesome! I've also made more progress in my book, "Black Swan Origins: Nineveh." About 105 pages worth of progress! It's awesome! I was also able to sneak in a character called Otter (braces for "Animal House" jokes). I'm actually going more for the Norse myth regarding Otter, a magician-farmer's son who was accidentally killed by Loki. However, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't first hear the nickname from that hilarious movie. I figure I'll be safe as long as I don't wind up with a character named Bluto...

I've also been reading four articles a day about Great Britain, one each from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. To say that I love British culture is an understatement: not a day goes by without me daydreaming about my next vacation in that wonderful country of direct and bluntly honest people. I stay in touch with all of the friends I made there and can't wait to see them again, which will hopefully be sometime next year. I actually read an article tonight about Phil Stead, who won the best overall blog award at the second Wales Blog Awards. I can see why his blog, Ffwtbol, won: it actually made soccer (called "football" overseas) seem interesting. Anyone who can not only get me to finish a whole article on soccer, but actually get me to enjoy it, has God-given talent. Pure and simple. Take a look at it here: http://ffwtbol.co.uk/