I. MiffyI'm that close to being done with the Netherlands ms.
Today I found my favorite Dutch thing yet: Miffy (left), by author/illustrator Dick Bruna.
Like the Netherlands in general, she doesn't charm me quite as much as Finland's weirder Moomin; but she's pretty OK!
Her dress signifies that she is a member of the royal House of Orange. Or else she has dyed it in carrot juice because the Dutch cultivated the sweet, orange carrot in the 1600s.
Before the 1600s, carrots were mostly white or yellow, and tasted bitter. You can look this up on the World Carrot Museum site.)
II. The End of the World
[I had written here about my work changing, but it was edited for legal reasons. Suffice it to say, I am no longer going to be writing geography books, as I have off and on for the last 6 years.]
Wow, that's a big change for you. It does seem like online ...something...is the way to go for writing skills. Hope you can find something that engages you in the work world.
ReplyDeleteI used to read both Miffy & the Moomins when I was little (English versions). Very fond memories!
ReplyDeleteSometimes a change can be very refreshing.....
A new opportunity awaits you. Very fortune cookie-ish, but I truly believe it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, all.
ReplyDeleteSadness aside, I am kind of excited for a new adventure.
I couldn't figure out why Miffy looked so familiar, so I went to look at Bruna's other work. It turns out that his Christmas book was one of my family's special holiday books. It only came out for two weeks or so at the holidays, so I rediscovered it every year.
ReplyDeleteIf the geography books go online, I think that you would be a great resource for the transition. You're always curious about the connections that lead to and from a topic, and that's what online writing is all about. That's not to say that the frustrations of that particular series wouldn't still be there, but at least they'd be present in an entirely new frame.
Kellie! Hi! Nice to see you.
ReplyDeleteMiffy gets around, eh?
I love what you say about old frustrations in a new frame--reminds me of Jane Eyre saying if she couldn't be free of servitude, at least give her a new form of it!
I'm sorry about the job. From what I've learned this past year about publishing, I'm not at all surprised. Just doing our taxes, and my writing "earnings" for 2009 are too embarrassing to list. But I can't help wondering where creativity will take the world of words next...somewhere good, I hope, though the process may be long and winding...
ReplyDeleteUgh, I am sorry to hear about the job situation. Miffy, however, is a familiar figure here in Japan (Hello Kitty is clearly modeled on her to some extent!), and quite popular with my students.
ReplyDeleteI have been devouring Mortmere's vids like crazy, sniffling and laughing by turns (I'm especially fond of "God Only Knows," so far).
Oh, and I meant to mention that you're very welcome to mention my dream of you and Len and Bill! It's a good-karma dream. It still makes me happy to remember it, I can see the three of you so clearly.
I need to blog again soon, I'm feeling rusty. :) This week is finals week, so maybe after that I'll find some time...
DEANNA: I think we are like the people in Gutenberg's time--witnessing a revolution in the dissemination of words and ideas (and junk)--scary but exciting!
ReplyDeleteJEN: Japan. Of course. A natural home for Miffy. (Are there even "Let's do terrible things to schoolgirl Miffy" anime?)
Oh, Mortmere. The supremely imaginative vidder. I love her so much, and she certainly was my main influence/inspiration, along with "Closer," though in the end my work isn't like either.
I miss your blog posts a lot, Jen--I look forward to seeing one soon!