Mappae mundi
Mary Anne's latest entry ("Looking at these maps makes me want to wander, want to just strap on a backpack and go somewhere no one's ever been, get lost in that wilderness") was an interesting juxtaposition for me, because this morning while getting ready for work I finished reading "Down Here in the Garden," by Tia V. Travis, a story in the latest Datlow/Windling YBF&H about people (specifically the Donner party) getting lost in the wilderness, due to inadequate directions, and horrible things happening to them. It reinforced my belief in staying home. : ) But I'm glad that there are explorers and adventurers out there; just also glad I'm not one of them.
Somehow reminds me of a Greg Simon song, "The Great Out There" (as performed by Susan Werner), about an adventurous friend, from the point of view of a less adventurous person:
"Send an update, Kate, to your old roommate, from your big round world to my small flat state. . ."
And since my mind is skipping around today (perhaps even more than usual), it also reminds me of a bit from "The Hunting of the Snark" that was running through my head the other day:
He had bought a large map representing the sea,
Without the least vestige of land:
And the crew were much pleased when they found it to be
A map they could all understand."What's the good of Mercator's North Poles and Equators,
Tropics, Zones, and Meridian Lines?"
So the Bellman would cry: and the crew would reply
"They are merely conventional signs!"Other maps are such shapes, with their islands and capes!
But we've got our brave Captain to thank:
(So the crew would protest) "that he's bought us the best—
A perfect and absolute blank!"
I do like maps, though.