Hello, World!

[Satan]

I have been a silent lurker for quite some time now, and I took my time for even an introductory post such as this. Far too many electronic and dead-tree distractions, you see. Aye, all the excuses for my laziness.

We are quite an odd couple - literature and I, if a couple at all. She has had lovers aplenty and I never was faithful either. Like a snob she sneered when technology wrung her tactful arms around me--confident that I would come back someday. I did, and now she looks at me with a blank stare that drives even Byronic heroes to madness.

Ah, enough! Why am I even trying in a forum where bookworms are abundant and would gnaw at me with their sharp wit and wisdom? Vanity, vanity! Professionally I am a software developer with a degree in computer science and masters in business management. English is not my mother-tongue, but I do speak and understand what far transgresses written words--the sound and music of life and thoughts. What I do find interesting is how closely knit languages and thoughts are. How often is it that you cogitate not using natural languages but only primitive processes of thought that predate it? I digress!

As absurd as it may sound, Lolita takes the credit of introducing me to the world of literature. I was no more than a nine year old naive school boy who discovered this treasure in a bookshelf--covered with dust and neglected for years. I wondered if the story was true and then I wanted to be a part of it. To me it was an ordinary love story, albeit with a lyrical prose that was to stay with me. Then I grew out of it to become a world-weary "What am I doing here?" teen that found immediate solace in the world of Nietzsche. I cheered for Milton's Lucifer and bowed before the genius of Dostoevsky. I saw myself in Harry Haller and Meursault, then took to Baudelaire to escape the absurd. Rimbaud intrigued me and Sartre made me numb; Celine made me a pessimist and Joyce had me dumb. Ugh! Bad poetry.

Welcome me with thy open arms, comrades. Don't mind my evil presence if you notice me lurking and reading silently again. :lol:

[Haunted]

That's a great intro. Computer programming is yet another language and it's universal. It's what made it possible for us to connect on the Internet.

I welcome your good evil presence and hope you're enjoying the forum.

[Satan]

At least you took the time to read it. I appreciate it, Haunted. Thank you!

[Maryd.]

Haunted, meet Satan, Satan meet Haunted... That sounds so weird and yet appropriate.

[Satan]

I feel guilty already. :P

[zoolane]

I love intro about self, I loves the way you portrait literature as woman alway here when you need her. I expect evil presence.

[Haunted]

Haunted, meet Satan, Satan meet Haunted... That sounds so weird and yet appropriate.

...With a saintly Mary to keep us in line. Talk about irony ;)

[BienvenuJDC]

Hello, Haunted...meet Bienvenu!

[Haunted]

Hello, Haunted...meet Bienvenu!

hi Bienvenu, nice to meet you!




I feel guilty already. :P

You can't say that, it's so not Satan-like!

[BienvenuJDC]

Satan...I find myself to be a unique mixture of logic and creativity. When order is mixed with freedom there is such circumstances that open up, like when light mingles with darkness. Such events occur as 'twilight'. When hot is blended with cold, a more palatable thing is created....warmth.

Welcome. My screen name comes from Les Miserables...the character known as Bienvenu, M. Myriel, is the Bishop of Digne......yes, a man of God whom the people call 'Welcome' for his reputation for welcoming the needy.

We can see what happens when God and Satan are mingled....but beware, I might leave an impression....

[Satan]

I thank you for your words and a short but apt introduction, Bien. My own screen name comes from my penchant for dark humor and the labyrinth of existentialist crises mankind is thrown into. Although I'm an atheist, it has little--if any--repercussions on my name. I do, however, admire his rebellious and curious nature and the refusal to serve unconditionally. Mankind, like Satan himself, is thrown into a mysterious and unsympathetic world with no escape. We too, like him, learn to like and love our prisons, the walls and the bricks. And like the condemned rebel we long for the heavens.

I sincerely hope our interactions will be friendly, warm and constructive. :)

[BienvenuJDC]

But we can all understand, one who has a fear of open places will always love their prison...

[Satan]

Often, what we hold too dearly becomes our prison.

[Haunted]

Often, what we hold too dearly becomes our prison.

Can't agree more.

[Nietzsche]

Hey Satan, big fan of your work. I don't think humanity is quite corrupt enough, though. hahaha

It's funny that you said Hello, World and turned out to be a programmer. In my old C++ Class, one of the first assignments produced the text hello world when executed.

[Satan]

Well, Nietzsche, I have learned a lot from you. Wish you hadn't died of syphilis. :P

[BienvenuJDC]

LOL...
"God is dead." ~Nietzsche

"Nietzsche is dead." ~God

(Sorry...I just had to...)

[Lacra]

Satan, welcome back in our virtual world. You told us that English is not your mother tongue. what about the literature in your native language? Give me samples...

[Maryd.]

So Satan, what is your mother tongue?

[Satan]

My family speaks English, Hebrew and Hindi. It's not easy to explain. :lol: English is my first language though, and I can read/speak a little French as well.

@Larca: I'm only familiar with English and French literature in their native non-translated form, unfortunately. I would love to learn German and Spanish.

[Lacra]

Thank you for the answer, Satan. I am struggling now with the Arabic but as well I would love to know German only to be able to read Th. Mann in oryginal. About Spanish, is very easy to know it. The Spanish Grammar is easiest than French Grammar. In few months you can do it, in 5-6 months you can be fluent in Spanish.

[Haunted]

What's the official language in the Ninth Circle of Hell?

[Satan]

White noise. :P