Dia de la Muerte

This completely cracked me up:

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2011/10/24/111024sh_shouts_semple?currentPage=all

If you have children or have worked in education or just like laughing at the foibles of multiculturalism, do give this a read.

(Heard through celandineb over at FaceBook.)

(no subject)

Of all the depressing things in this world, thinking that (a) daylights savings time had passed and (b) I hadn't noticed it has to be right up there. Yes, I know we're still on DST, but my sleep schedule has been so wonky that it is entirely believable that I missed out on an hour and didn't notice it. To the point that I looked at my computer (which resets automatically), looked at my alarm clock (which doesn't), and still felt the need to google it to sort the whole mess out. Damn, but I need to sleep!

In other news: I'm playing with the idea of a drabble series with Caranthir post-Alqualonde. Partly because recent political events make me want to play out how someone might react to the might-makes-right mentality I can see the Feanorians struggling against, and partly because I've wanted to write him again since I did a vignette with him last spring (I built up a characterization I want to play with some more). But let's be honest: it's also because I want something to title "Civis Romanus" as much as anything. I've had a West wing quote stuck in my head for three days now, and I want to play with the concept.

Bartlet: Did you know that two thousand years ago a Roman citizen could walk across the face of the known world free of the fear of molestation? He could walk across the Earth unharmed, cloaked only in the protection of the words civis Romanus -- I am a Roman citizen. So great was the retribution of Rome, universally certain, should any harm befall even one of its citizens. Where was Morris's protection, or anybody else on that airplane? Where was the retribution for the families, and where is the warning to the rest of the world that Americans shall walk this Earth unharmed, lest the clenched fist of the most mighty military force in the history of mankind comes crashing down on your house?

Of course, Jed Bartlett is slapped down for that sentiment and rightly so. But it's one I see more and more these days, and one worth engaging. Perhaps a Feanorian who seems more dwarven and less *ahem* suited to court life than his brothers might provide some interesting fodder.