Papageno, Papagena

[incandescens]

I need to check my "sources", aka Levi, Barrett, etc, for interesting things which can be done with fire at a moment's notice. It's such fun being a journeyman alchemist stuck in a snowstorm with an automaton trying to kill you.

Ambercon UK closer. Printed off collected character sheets. Really must _read_ them at some point.

Need to work on that list of "reasons for wanting to go back to coding full-time."

Recognition of hiragana on http://www.chipchat.com/NihonGo/protect/HiraganaDrill.html not too bad, but needs more work.

I can hear the rain outside. Good thing I'm not Genjo Sanzou. Actually, I rather enjoy it. From the inside where I am safe and dry, an important fact which should not be overlooked.

I love this poem:

In a garden shady this holy lady
With reverent cadence and subtle psalm,
Like a black swan as death came on
Poured forth her song in perfect calm:
And by ocean's margin this innocent virgin
Constructed an organ to enlarge her prayer,
And notes tremendous from her great engine
Thundered out on the Roman air.

Blonde Aphrodite rose up excited,
Moved to delight by the melody,
White as an orchid she rode quite naked
In an oyster shell on top of the sea;
At sounds so entrancing the angels dancing
Came out of their trance into time again,
And around the wicked in Hell's abysses
The huge flame flickered and eased their pain.

Blessed Cecilia, appear in visions
To all musicians, attend and inspire:
Translated Daughter, come down and startle
Composing mortals with immortal fire.

-- Song for St Cecilia's Day, WH Auden