tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571309.post6547451991569437442..comments2023-10-31T07:32:11.739-04:00Comments on Wormtalk and Slugspeak: Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566889846240013567noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571309.post-40018383902488612292011-01-10T10:17:37.407-05:002011-01-10T10:17:37.407-05:00A blog by its nature is a diary made up of first d...A blog by its nature is a diary made up of first drafts. <br /> The value exists in the feedback from commentators.STAGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571309.post-9255064863552185072011-01-06T12:36:19.237-05:002011-01-06T12:36:19.237-05:00I hope you continue blogging from time to time. T...I hope you continue blogging from time to time. There is no one else out there with your knowledge and enthusiasm for Anglo Saxon, Tolkien, etc. I came to your blog from the audio tapes on fantasy and like hearing what you are pursuing with your studies and publishing. Many of us live in places where we have no access to the kind of intellectual community that can exist in a university town. It is nice to have a little of that over the web.Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571309.post-68355357035470606672010-11-16T00:54:24.470-05:002010-11-16T00:54:24.470-05:00Glad to find your blog; I've always liked Midd...Glad to find your blog; I've always liked Middle and Old English. Then to find out you do an SF course is an added bonus.<br />Sorry to hear you're having personal and professional issues. Hope they get resolved soon and well.<br /><br />One thing, though: it's pronounced "Heinlein," not "Heinlen"... at least that's what I heard in the first ten minutes of your SF thingy. First and second syllables are the same except for the beginning.<br />SF authors aren't attempting to be predictors, by and large, though. I remember when Bill Gibson submitted the proposal for "Neuromancer" to Terry Carr at Ace--he wasn't attempting to write a "cautionary tale" so much as to write a fun, well-thought-out book, I believe.<br />That was a very strange period in his life and he's settled down a lot lately, although I haven't seen him for months. Next time I drive out to his house I'll have to ask him if that's what he intended (I can't call--his voicemail is always full up).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571309.post-38375326361431504402010-10-30T12:42:57.726-04:002010-10-30T12:42:57.726-04:00Dear Prof. Drout,
Keep your head up. You are one ...Dear Prof. Drout,<br /><br />Keep your head up. You are one of the best Anglo-Saxonists of our present day. You are a successful, intelligent, good person - don't let lesser people get you down. Be mindful of your glory, take pride in past accomplishments, and recognize that already you've done so much at such a relatively young age. Your fame is spread widely. Enjoy it.<br /><br />-BeowulfAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571309.post-27949348838066123502010-10-29T07:22:30.748-04:002010-10-29T07:22:30.748-04:00I'm sad to read of your difficulties. Your blo...I'm sad to read of your difficulties. Your blog has always been one of the most interesting I've been following so I hope you won't abandon it completely.<br />Sometimes I too have wondered "where discussions have migrated", as mailing lists seem dying, groups and forums are silent and blogs often gives one the impression to be talking to oneself.<br />Honestly I don't think I've ever seen an interesting discussion on Facebook, but maybe I haven't befriended the right people or "liked" the right groups, I don't know!<br />Anyway, I wish you all the best for the future and I hope bad times will end soon.Elenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08872617216503412388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571309.post-28372725729187956992010-10-27T18:06:58.375-04:002010-10-27T18:06:58.375-04:00I am not at all irritated, but only saddened. I r...I am not at all irritated, but only saddened. I read a lot of very low frequency blogs through an RSS reader, so while I'm always glad to see a <i>Wormtalk and Slugspeak</i> posting pop up, there are plenty of other things, each having their own flavor, available for me to read. I feel sad only when a blog is closed and I know there will be no more, and I'm glad you haven't done that.<br /><br />I am all too familiar with the kind of inability to concentrate that kills only your highest and best activities, leaving all routine operations functioning. I've had on-again-off-again asthma all my adult life, and three years ago I spent half a year suffering from a low-level flareup. I could easily walk and chew gum at the same time, but I just couldn't focus enough to do high-quality programming, and it eventually cost me that job.<br /><br />I do think, though, that "blogging" is no longer any one thing, any more than "radio" or "television" or "printed books" are. The medium, that is to say, is no longer the message (as it still is in tweeting): people blog in a variety of styles for a variety of purposes. You blog to share with us, your readers, part of the contents of your extremely interesting mind, and that's always a good thing to have available in whatever quantities and qualities you wish. Nor do I detect either sniping or back-scratching in the comments here. If you are chronically annoyed by the dysfunctional communities that form around certain other blogs, just stop reading them. I have done so many times.<br /><br />Best wishes for the eventual restoration of your equilibrium.John Cowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11452247999156925669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571309.post-25033168118306837212010-10-27T11:26:57.350-04:002010-10-27T11:26:57.350-04:00some of that is largely why I have not being blogg...some of that is largely why I have not being blogging so much lately. Some day, we can exchange stories about thankless tasks :-)Another Damned Medievalisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05231085915472400163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571309.post-73165023347215336282010-10-27T08:35:22.810-04:002010-10-27T08:35:22.810-04:00Sorry to here of the difficulties -- and I should ...Sorry to here of the difficulties -- and I should be sorry to see WT&SS go. I've never been certain about the world of blogging (I am possibly too old-school, and have always felt more at home on email distribution/discussion lists!), but this has certainly been one of blogs that made me think that there was something too it all, after all!<br /><br />But, in any case, I shall hope things take a turn for the better. Darkest before the dawn, and dawn ever the hope of men -- or something like that!Carl Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08088507380154524745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571309.post-20380489951218642052010-10-27T07:53:09.556-04:002010-10-27T07:53:09.556-04:00Well, this reader misses your blog - guess I'l...Well, this reader misses your blog - guess I'll just have to get reading some of your scholarly publications. I'm hoping for a copy of The Tolkien Encyclopedia for a holiday gift, and some peaceful time to read along to Beowulf Aloud. Thank you for all you do.Nichimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07359298496725231902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571309.post-22174406339987055382010-10-27T05:09:38.121-04:002010-10-27T05:09:38.121-04:00oh dear - Professor dude having a rough time. I to...oh dear - Professor dude having a rough time. I too am sorry to read about the turmoil you are suffering from, especially that which you imply but no state.<br /><br />With regard to the nature of blogging, and what you readers are interested in reading; all I can add is my own perspective.<br /><br />I came here having listened to you TTC tapes. I'd be quite happy for your blog to just be quick pointers (with insightful comments)to other people's sites. IMHO that is the kind of thing that blogging has evolved into. Full discourse isn't that common because like yourself (at the moment, at least) sustained concentration isn't that common. Even this comment is far too long!<br /><br />take care - and good luck mowing that lawn.Alastair Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10891217218119758210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571309.post-62141258386811722162010-10-26T22:33:04.927-04:002010-10-26T22:33:04.927-04:00I'm sorry to learn that you've had this bu...I'm sorry to learn that you've had this burden. I hope that Lady Justice does her work expeditiously, so that whatever it is can be rectified (if possible!) and whatever the new normal is going to be can begin. Wæs hæl!Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14894152513746944497noreply@blogger.com