Words change a lot over time.

Fifty years ago, "gay" used to mean happy and joyful, for instance. Imagine someone translating a 50 year old transcript of dialogue, perhaps some foreign King gave a speech about how happy and joyful he was, or something... Modern translators would use the modern interpretation of the word they're translating, probably without even realising it and bingo - stories about how the King admitted he was a homosexual.

The same could hold true for an ancient Aramaic word used a couple of times, two thousand years ago... a word that could have, back then, meant anything from "potentially unhygienic if not prepared properly" to "not really necessary when you consider your other options".

Sure we know what "abomination" means in today's language, but what did the original word (that people of our culture translated into abomination) mean back in the time of Jesus?

What could a word used in the context of homosexuality ever have in common with a word used to describe the eating of shellfish?

Well back then, people probably weren't too conscious of personal hygiene issues, their women didn't go for regular smear tests of mammograms, they probably didn't wash their hands after going to the bathroom, and so on. They also probably didn't have very good refrigeration technology back in those days either, no fridge/freezers, ice-making machines, etc.

The thing about shellfish is that the outer packaging looks the same whether the insides are freshly caught an hour ago, or have been sitting in the sun since yesterday. A nice shiny shell, just waiting to have it's contents served on a plate with a drizzle of lemon juice. they probably didn't even have lemon juice back then either...

Either way, there was no way of telling if the seafood that looks so inviting is fresh, or could potentially lead to food poisoning. Like there was no way of telling if that cute guy giving you the eye practiced very good toilet hygiene.

So what to do? Best be on the safe side, and recommend people stay away from either (just in case). Better safe than sorry, and all that.

Maybe that's what the word "abomination" used to mean back then - "buyer beware" or some such.

You chose BZ - your Enneagram type is FIVE (aka "The Thinker").

"I need to understand the world"

Observers have a need for knowledge and are introverted, curious, analytical, and insightful.

How to Get Along with Me

* Be independent, not clingy.
* Speak in a straightforward and brief manner.
* I need time alone to process my feelings and thoughts.
* Remember that If I seem aloof, distant, or arrogant, it may be that I am feeling uncomfortable.
* Make me feel welcome, but not too intensely, or I might doubt your sincerity.
* If I become irritated when I have to repeat things, it may be because it was such an effort to get my thoughts out in the first place.
* don't come on like a bulldozer.
* Help me to avoid my pet peeves: big parties, other people's loud music, overdone emotions, and intrusions on my privacy.

What I Like About Being a FIVE

* standing back and viewing life objectively
* coming to a thorough understanding; perceiving causes and effects
* my sense of integrity: doing what I think is right and not being influenced by social pressure
* not being caught up in material possessions and status
* being calm in a crisis

What's Hard About Being a FIVE

* being slow to put my knowledge and insights out in the world
* feeling bad when I act defensive or like a know-it-all
* being pressured to be with people when I don't want to be
* watching others with better social skills, but less intelligence or technical skill, do better professionally

FIVEs as Children Often

* spend a lot of time alone reading, making collections, and so on
* have a few special friends rather than many
* are very bright and curious and do well in school
* have independent minds and often question their parents and teachers
* watch events from a detached point of view, gathering information
* assume a poker face in order not to look afraid
* are sensitive; avoid interpersonal conflict
* feel intruded upon and controlled and/or ignored and neglected

FIVEs as Parents

* are often kind, perceptive, and devoted
* are sometimes authoritarian and demanding
* may expect more intellectual achievement than is developmentally appropriate
* may be intolerant of their children expressing strong emotions

Linky

Picture, if you will...

A story about a New Student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry:

A young girl with long dark curls that reach down to her pert round bottom, hair like tendrils of night itself, curling around each other as if in a loving embrace. Her eyes, like shining emeralds, brilliant and bright, so bright you'd almost think they could glow in the dark. Her lips, full and soft, a deep, rich plum, the colour of dried blood, in a smile that would make the coldest heart melt as if in the heart of a volcano. She reaches out her small, delicate hand, her fingernails dark yet shining, like the shell of an exotic beetle and Harry takes a gulp, almost forgetting to breathe and shakes it tenderly...

"Hello," The mysterious siren-like girl says, "My name is Mary Sue... Mary Sue Slytherin. How do you do?"
"S... Slytherin?" Says Harry, hardly believing his ears. "As in, Salazar Slytherin?"
"Yes." Mary Sue says. "He was my ancestor."
"Wh-Why are you taking to me?" Says Harry, a confused look on his face, his glasses slipping down his nose.
"I'm in Gryffindor." Mary Sue tells him. "The sorting hat thought it was very odd, but that's the house it put me in. So I thought I should make some new friends."
"I'm... I'm... I'm glad you did." Was all that Harry could manage. He was afraid of falling head over heels into her loving gaze...

They don't do proper éclairs here in New Zealand, they have éclairs filled with some kind of custard instead of proper whipped cream.

But they DO do round balls of choux pastry filled with whipped cream and covered in chocolate.

So basically they don't do éclairs that are éclair shaped, they do éclairs that are (just about) bite-sized instead. If you've got a big mouth.

Did you want one from my box of 20? Sorry, *swallow* they're all gone.

Today on NZ TV was the 2nd of the 3-parter of the series finale of Doctor Who.

The oh-so gorgeous John Simm as the Master, but oh-so badly written.

The 3-parter isn't a real Doctor Who story, it's just Russelty using his position as Executive Producer to turn more of his bad fanfiction into Doctor Who stories...

But it's still fun.

I watched Transformers today.

It was fun, but there should have been more science. More theory. The Australian girl hinted at something cool, about quantum mechanics and DNA-based computers, but then they just left it at that and didn't really go into any detail.

I wanted to know more about how the Transformers worked and so on, but then again... Hollywood Science might have ruined any potential cerebrality in the film.

So, as an action film, Transformers was excellent! As a sci-fi... it could have been better.

I just watched Battlestar Galactica: Razor with my housemate.

Yay for Cylonny goodness!

He has the 1st & 2nd seasons on DVD but we've not seen any of the 3rd series, because it's not been released on DVD here in NZ yet... *grumble*

Hey. I'm back.

I forget the last time I used LJ, but not much has happened since wheneveritwas.

I'm still in New Zealand, still single, still underweight, still unemployed, not studying at University, started new medication for depression as prozac doesn't work.

Diana (my Venus Flytrap) has flowered again, so she's looking as pretty as ever.

Um... what else to say?

Went to see the fireworks at Wellington Harbor last night, that was pretty impressive.

Anyway, hey again. :-)

Antony.