Reading Gilgamesh

Today I picked up Moomin and we went to the community center pool for the afternoon. I got a ton of work done while he messed around in the pool and read one of the Redwall books, then I played Marco Polo for a while and threw diving sticks for him and some other kids to fetch. For a while they were my robot dolphin transformer superhero assassins and it was the perfect game since all I had to do was sit there and throw things.

Marco Polo was better than boring old physical therapy. I like to play it with more elaborate rules, with “fish out of water”, and the rule where if the person who’s It says “Marco Polo” everyone has to freeze until It moves or calls out “Marco” again. Squid‘s daughter Iz taught me another rule where if someone’s out of the water but touching, you can call “mermaid” and they’re caught.

Moomin had his dance practice, and I was able to work from the dance studio too since I can still work offline. But it was handy to still be online through my phone and tethering! It’s seriously awesome to have reliable net access on my laptop wherever I have phone coverage.

Back on the boat I had to do a lot of tidying and moving things, because the boat owner had come earlier in the week to power-wash the deck, and everything from the deck and pilothouse was in the main cabin and bedrooms. Sleeping bags, jackets, toys, boxes of things, bags full of bags, shoes for me and Moomin and A. and Oblomovka, fishing rods, extra blankets, flowerpots… It is still all over the place. I gossiped with our neighbors, who invited us to sail next week and told me about a new kind of powerful longlasting expensive electric outboard engine with a lithium-ion battery. Another neighbor talked about wanting to learn to sew and make canvas and start a business.

Moomin laid on the couch on the deck reading Whales on Stilts for the nth time, giggling. He laughed all the way through it. Dinner for him was a corn dog, some carrots, strawberries, and bread and butter. I didn’t have dinner because I’m having stomach problems from taking too many Advil-like pills for pain and it hurts to eat and lie down. Walking more and trying to be more active and exercise is going well, but still hurts a lot. Anyway, I’m hungry, but would rather sleep and not be in pain than eat! I’m not sleeping (yet) because I resolved to blog more in the next month (inspired by going to the BlogHer conference and realizing I miss simply documenting what we do, how we live, and what I’m reading and thinking.)

Gilgamesh book cover

Tonight we read from Gilgamesh. I had forgotten that every other chapter talks about prostitutes… oops. Before we read it Moomin noticed that the back of the book said it’s 1500 years earlier than Homer and since we had The Odyssey right there we had fun making the books talk to each other. “Aw yeah The Odyssey I OWN YOU… ” Moomin enjoyed telling me everything he remembered about Gilgamesh from Cartoon History of the Universe (the best book ever!). He pictures Gilgamesh as a tyrant oppressing the people, and kind of a warmonger. He also talked about Enlil, the god of wind. So in the book — the Herbert Mason version — Gilgamesh did sound like a spoiled and horrible king. “Actually, so far, Gilgamesh is a total jerk,” Moomin commented as Gilgamesh slept with all the virgins in the Temple, worked the people to death building the walls of Uruk, and whined about how lonely and bored he was to his mother. “Poor, poor, king!” (sarcastic.)

Gilgamesh continued to be a jerk on the way to the battle at the forest of Humbaba. “It probably wasn’t even a monster… it was just like, he wanted to go to war and pillage some tribes, totally at random!” Enkidu doesn’t want to go but Gilgamesh *was* warmongering and totally careless. “War! Totally fun! Let’s go chop down all the cedars for totally NO REASON!” Then he hesitates to go first and then when Enkidu is being attacked, doesn’t step forward properly to save his friend. Let’s not forget too that Humbaba is made out to be sort of the Caliban of the Sumerian gods, their slave who builds their buildings because of his great strength. “Well, he’s kind of like a superhero going to fight evil, I guess, in his mind.” “Yeah sure mom.. a JERK superhero!” I don’t know if anything can really rescue the story at this point! Why didn’t I realize before what a butthead Gilgamesh was? When I was Moomin’s age (and older) I liked tales of kings and warriors!

I liked the part in Mason’s version about Gilgamesh thinking over his mom Ninsun’s interpretations of his dreams and call for the gods to protect him as he and Enkidu are on the way to fight Humbaba.

Her words still filled his mind
as they started their journey,
just as a mother’s voice is heard
sometimes in a man’s mind
long past childhood
calling his name, calling him from sleep
or from some pleasurable moment
on a foreign street
when every trace of origin seems left
and one has almost passed into a land
that promises a vision or the secret
of one’s life, when one feels almost god enough
to be free of voices, her voice
calls out like a voice from childhood,
reminding him he once tossed in dreams.

Good quote to stick on a mom blog, isn’t it?

Anyway, I think Gilgamesh was experiencing daytime parahypnagogia, along with his obvious sleep disorder!

This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Comments (68)

Loading... Logging you in...
  • Logged in as
So good to see you posting! I love hearing about your life on the boat. :)
1 reply · active 340 weeks ago
Thankyou regarding providing these types of considerably drastically greater certainty. A lot of us wish to reference point which besides the close friends employing national websites. You need to routinely always be up-date along with your web page, we have been basically day-to-day consumer related.
Thankyou regarding providing these types of considerably drastically greater certainty. A lot of us wish to reference point which besides the close friends employing national websites.
Nothing is more relieving if you can handle your work while given an equal amount of quality time to your children. Reading a book along with that is something that seems impossible but is a great usage off time if it could be made possible.
I am definitely enjoying your website. You really have some great insight and great stories.
“There will be pages. Lots and lots of pages. Most of the pages will have letters on them, and a vast majority of these letters will be in the Roman alphabet.”
clash of clans free gems no download
Awesome as always! Thanks!
1 reply · active 481 weeks ago
Worldwide law has had centuries in order to evolve however could very easily fall target to energy if reason doesn't evolve it's journey using the changed conditions. It is essential for internationalists to understand the implications of "change" launched by rising subjects associated with international regulation. Responses which have familiarity along with reality might avoid misconstruing the actual purposes associated with international regulation.healthfreedomlaw.net
Understanding the many types of car insurance can help you find the car insurance exposure you'll need at a cost you are able thereby letting you legally drive within the state a person currently live in. Although while using outlay or even price for the next car insurance document can be a good begin whist comparing car insurance exposure providers it will be shouldn't the only real factor accustomed to determine recognise the business to obtain the next auto record from when you actually decide to create a purchase.noworriesluxuryauto.net
Simply just how much can this type of software program which can be auto prosperity maker cost? The tougher accurate question for you personally is simply just how much do all of us desire the buying price of many becoming? Nicely, whilst consumer, we wish to check out the plan also you want to try away auto prosperity maker In the event that it truly brings cash, you need to can easily make money using it after which we're prepared to spend excellent price for your too.autorentool.net
As for me, Gilgamesh is book wich is difcult for reading. I totaly don recommend this book for people woh read "just for fun" or beacuse they need to waste some time.
I liked the part in Mason’s version about Gilgamesh thinking over his mom Ninsun’s interpretations of his dreams and call for the gods to protect him as he and Enkidu are on the way to fight Humbaba. blog
In regards to pet resources and how we can find what you require there are plenty of options available to you. In fact progressively more pet suppliers are more popular and general audience. Pet suppliers in Portland absolutely are a great method to shop for your personal pets. <a href="http://www.mypetshop.org" target="_blank">www.mypetshop.org
Tear staining is undoubtedly an unfortunate condition that is definitely common concerning dogs. Unnecessary tearing can prove to be not dangerous and it's not resulting in the staining byby itself. Tear discoloration usually appears within the eyes, the corner of your mouth as well as paws, when licking develops. <a href="http://www.petsspark.org" target="_blank">www.petsspark.org
Most dogs - cats and dogs alike - are susceptible to squirm, get, and pace on a trip. They don't realize the possibilities dangers of moving around and normally try boldness feats without warning. It's for you to decide as a dog owner to be sure your pet's safety regularly. <a href="http://www.hotpet.org" target="_blank">www.hotpet.org
Of lessons, before trying many of the suggestions previously, one will want to be certain that the small one's basic needs on the dry diaper including a full tummy were handled. If all those don't compromise a colicky shouting baby, in that case try a person, or all of, of a suggestions previously. <a href="http://www.babyheritage.net" target="_blank">www.babyheritage.net
Thanks for the post, I will share with friends
There are several websites providing lectures on the students on various education subjects and several education experts delivering at no cost lectures to the students, whenever students consult any questions from their website they answer on the students with properly.
It is my very first time that i have a look at this website. I recently came across countless interesting information in your weblog notably this discussion. Among the numerous responses on your writings, I guess I�m not the only one experiencing all of the excitement right here!
The information was very nice, a lot of new things that I got after reading this information you provide
I am very happy to have found such a nice information
Playa Flamenca's avatar

Playa Flamenca · 439 weeks ago

I think Gilgamesh is a great book - Playa Flamenca
entire life obviously what I need to do. I feel like, the fullest and to attempt and respect are my most essential needs. I certainly need to have the capacity to sing and model irrefutably.
It is my first time that i observe this site. I figure I�m not by any means the only one encountering the greater part of the fervor right here! I as of late went over endless intriguing data in your weblog strikingly this dialog. Check this blog - Unibet Bellen
Thanks a lot for the post. It has helped me get some nice ideas. I hope I will see some really good result soon Accounting Thesis Writing Service

Post a new comment

Comments by