Discovered on Burns Night

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Two hundred and fifty years ago, come 25th January 2009, a man was born in Scotland who was to become not only widely celebrated as Scotland's national poet, but also the inspiration for a thousand thousand birthday suppers since of haggis, neeps and tatties - Robert Burns.



The ritual of celebrating with a Burns Supper on the 25th January each year was apparently started by his close friends as a tribute to his memory, and it has grown into something that... well, surely Cowley would never miss... *g* There is a formal order of proceedings for a Burns Supper, which can be found here, for example, but at it's most meagre it should at least involve haggis, tatties, neeps, the reading of Rabbie's poetry, and a wee dram or two of whisky.

We thought we'd join in the fun this year, by throwing a Pros challenge into the mix... *g* If you'd like to take part, please sign up by commenting below as usual - and as ever, anything is welcome! Stories, drabbles, vids, artwork, thoughts for discussion, anything Pros-y-Burns-Night-y-related - the world is your Scottish lobster! We'll give special Burns Night prompts for those who would like some extra inspiration too - just let us know you'd like one in your comment.

Our Burns Night celebrations will begin just after midnight on the morning of the 25th January 2009 - in your own timezone this time! Posting can take place any time from then until the end of Burns Night - midnight in... well, someone's timezone. If you must celebrate in Pago Pago time, that's just fine... *g*

I know it's already the 10th January, but what better way to keep warm this chilly end of the year (*waves to everyone down under*) than to think of what the lads might do on such a braw bricht moonlit nicht the nicht... *g*

Comments

[callistosh65.livejournal.com]

I really, really want to manage something for this because it's Scotland and it's Burns Night - you clever things to think up this! But God knows how because I'm leaving for Canada in a week.. Still, give us a prompt in case, me dear.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Canada - how exciting! Shall cross my fingers you can spare us a couple of days then... *g* I suspect this one might be quiet, to be honest, as everyone catches up with the world...

I can't resist giving someone Wandering Willy (http://www.robertburns.org/works/394.shtml)... *g*

You couldn't by any chance spare a minute to pop to this site (http://www.robertburns.org/works/) and set me a poem for a prompt to my comment below..? Would be much appreciated... *g*

[callistosh65.livejournal.com]

Love ın The Guise of Friendship (http://www.robertburns.org/works/202.shtml) because I love the title so..

Shall try, hon.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much! And yes - great title! *g*

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

Scotland - Robert Burns - sounds good!
I really could imagine a nice wallpaper with Bodie together with a nice shepherdess!!! :-)
(Where the heck is Drayce???)

So please give me a prompt!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

No shepherdesses I'm afraid (especially as Dialj is for slash and gen only, please!) but I did try and find you something that was at least more English than Scots, language-wise! *g* How about A Bottle and a Friend (http://www.robertburns.org/works/163.shtml)?

(Where the heck is Drayce???)
I don't understand - because she's a shepherdess?

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

Come on, I know where I am! Just a joke!
"A Bottle and a Friend" is fine! Just glad that it's not "Address To A Haggis"! ;-)

(Where the heck is Drayce???)
I don't understand - because she's a shepherdess?
No. But I haven't heard from her since days. And we once talked about a shepherdess...
Sorry!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Ah, no wonder I had no idea what you were talking about! If it helps set your mind at rest she posted over here at this CI5hq discussion last night (http://community.livejournal.com/ci5hq/75235.html)... *g*

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

A very good idea and I love the banner at the top.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

The banner is gorgeous, isn't it? So nice to have our empty_mirrors back! And you know how clever she is? That's the McCaulay tartan apparently - specially for our Cow! *g*

[loyseofverlaine.livejournal.com]

Oh, I have an idea! And it's even based on a true story. I only hope it will sound as much fun on paper as it was while it happened.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Yeay! Yeay, oh yeay! *g* And hoots! as well, just to stick with the theme... *g*

[rochvelleth.livejournal.com]

I very much hope to contribute (must write in diary so I don't forget!). Can I have a prompt please?

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Excellent!

How about I Murder Hate (http://www.robertburns.org/works/302.shtml)? *g*

[rochvelleth.livejournal.com]

Ooh, you're spoiling me with all the Classical references! Hmm, I wonder who Cozbi is. I'll have to do some digging now :) Goodness knows what will come out of this! *g*

[rochvelleth.livejournal.com]

Ah:

Cozbi כזבי בת צור ([the] daughter of Zur) is a biblical character in Numbers 25. She was the daughter of Zur, a prominent Midianite, and was romantically involved with the Israelite Zimri, son of Salu. The Lord objected to the mixing of the Israelite with the Midianites, and the resultant worshiping of Baal, and instructed Moses to slay all the Israelite who had worshiped Baal.

"And behold, one of the people of Israel came and brought a Mid'ianite woman to his family, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of the whole congregation of the people of Israel, while they were weeping at the door of the tent of meeting." Numbers 25:6 (Revised Standard Version)

Phinehas son of Eleazar (son of Aaron) picked up a spear and killed Zimri and Cozbi with one thrust.

According to Jewish legend, she was a pagan priestess


(Wiki)

[rochvelleth.livejournal.com]

P.S. Oh dear, the one thrust thing has given me an idea... *g*

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Oh, I could have sworn I'd been back here and said heeee, but I must have just thought it instead... *headdesk* Anyway - interesting! And heeee! *g*

Lagavulin

[heliophile-oxon.livejournal.com]

Do you know Lagavulin? It's an Islay malt, so it's very dry, peaty and probably heathery as well (I've never actually had the chance to taste it, I confess, but I've tasted other Islays) - not like the friendly Speysides we know and love - but I'm betting Cowley would appreciate a drop.It's supposed to be Very Good Stuff indeed.

The thing is, I didn't even comment to accept the Burns Night challenge, I've been so blocked lately and I was so totally convinced I'd never get anything done in time! - but I dashed off this little short short short story (about 900 words) this morning - and then I went back to look at the challenge post, and I realised I'd picked a poem already allocated to the incomparable Callisto. So a) apologies, and b) is it OK if I post this later maybe?

Re: Lagavulin

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Ooh I don't know Lagavulin, but it sounds good... *g*

Please post! Please, please post! Today! *g* I don't think it will hurt at all to have two stories to the same poem - in fact I'm impressed with your brilliance in picking it too *g* Obviously I'm hoping we'll have Callisto fic, because she's fab, but she wasn't sure whether she'd be able to actually get anything written either, and I'd much rather have something from both of you than from neither of you! I'm 99.9% sure that she wouldn't mind either - after all, you're both different writers, so... *g* Please post?! Today?!

Re: Lagavulin

[heliophile-oxon.livejournal.com]

'ere we go, then! *g* I'll be posting my little snippetlet shortly I hope.

Re: Lagavulin

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Excellent! *g*