State of the World/ I love Neil Gaiman

[shesanowheregirl]

I love Tibet and the Dalai Lama. It makes me so sad that when His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, dies that China will most likely select the new Dalai Lama for political gains, as they already have a false Panchen Lama (the Panchen Lama is is charge of finding the reborn Dalai Lama). It also makes me sad that since violence is breaking out over the issue, he is resigning his political power.

I did a lot of research on China last semester and Tibet last spring, and seeing these new developments makes me even sadder than before. When I researched Tibet last spring, I wanted to fly to China and have a word or two with Hu Jintao, the premier of China. Even though China is making a few good steps here or there (erasing Mao from the history books, pushing toward a green Olympic village, small local elections), they seem to be overshadowed by other horrible things (erasing Mao from the history books, not pushing for an better environment in other parts of the country, corrupt local elections, retaining power and land from imperial campaigns by the PLA and Mao despite different ethnic groups that don't want to be controlled by China).

And the saddest part of it all is that the Dalai Lama maintains the hope that there will be a peaceful resolution between China and Tibet, but that possibility seems further and further away every time something like this happens.

In other news, I love France. Even though I don't think that the Olympics is a place for protest, I'm happy that Sarko is showing solidarity with Tibet. See this: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080325/ap_on_sp_ol/oly_torch_lighting

Also see His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's website for more information. I find his biography and teachings very interesting as well.
http://www.dalailama.com/

I wrote that last week and was only now able to get it to post.

In other news, I LOVE Neil Gaiman. I just read Neverwhere and it was amazing. With every new thing I read by him, I love him more. Now I'm off to buy more of his books.

Comments

[dmacabre.livejournal.com]

Neil Gaiman is awesome. :) I just reread Stardust and I still have a collection of his short stories I'm withholding from myself until I get some actual work done.

[sheanowheregirl.livejournal.com]

I've actually been meaning to read Sandman for a long time, and a friend of mine recommended Good Omens about five years ago, so Mr. Gaiman has been looming over me for years. I'm so glad that I have finally indulged him.

Stardust is so wonderful. Do you have the illustrated copy?

[dmacabre.livejournal.com]

Just the regular paperback edition, I'm afraid. I didn't realize there was an illustrated version. :)

I've never read Sandman, either! It's one of those things I keep meaning to do.

[sheanowheregirl.livejournal.com]

This is the version I have: http://www.amazon.com/Neil-Gaiman-Charles-Vess-Stardust/dp/1563894319/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207087910&sr=8-6

The illustrations are by Charles Vess and are very beautiful.

[dmacabre.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's lovely. I may have to put it on my wishlist. :) One thing that sucks about growing up is that one's reading material rarely comes with pretty illustrations anymore.