Words and Numbers and Things

I've been reading a little on Dal's blog regarding people's ideas about how language and numbers and the Golden Mean come into play in the chase.

Also, notice the left and right hands. Maybe important, maybe not.

My thought is that language and numbers may both come into play. I believe you have to figure out the right "translation" to figure out how to use the numbers. There may be a third layer, too. Which may either be certain months, or certain times of the day, or certain days of the week, and even...something else that I can't say. There's a lot to filter through when you start to get close.

I know Jamie has translated the poem into every single language and back. I've translated into a couple of languages. Phonetics are important, in my opinion. Phonetically, it seems as though the poem begs to be translated in Old English, which Jamie and I have done.

19 Lines of Beowulf in Old English...I don't think it's quite as hard as this.

But, I'm finding an even more interesting translation...Middle English. Not Shakespearean English, not even really Chaucer English, but true Middle English. Listen carefully to Forrest recite the poem. Listen to the way he says "where." It's like when Stewey on Family Guy says, "Wil Wheaton." Lol.

After four days of researching Middle English, I'm almost through the letter A with about four pages of notes. I'm not sure what I'll find when I'm done, if anything. But, it's interesting, and things are coming together.

I've done the Golden Numbers thing, and got the same results of some people. I looked at it again yesterday, and noticed a few places where I may have done something wrong. Those numbers may not be what I thought, and having just one number wrong will lead you to a completely wrong solve. I think finding those correct numbers means finding the right "translation" of the words in the poem.

I think you have to consider syntax, context, and grammar. I think those commas, periods, semicolon, and question mark are important.

And I think the comprehensive knowledge of geography is useful, and I think when Forrest said comprehensive, I think he really meant comprehensive. Like know everything you possibly can, which may mean historical place names, current place names, why something was named something, and nicknames of places. Almost every place, town, mountain, street, stream, and river in the world is known or has been known by more than one name. My suggestion: strive to know them all.

Yeah, all 8 million.

For the record, I have done what a lot of you have done: researched the meaning of every single word in the poem, including it's synonyms and opposites.

And now, if you want something to think about if you haven't already thought of it--why was the Romanesque bronze chest perfect for Forrest's treasure? Was it because it may have held a Book of Days? I think so. For those of you who don't know this (many of you do), the Book of Days he's referring to is not a diary or a journal. He italicized it, meaning it is a publication of some sort. I believe he is referring to Ovid's Book of Days, which coincidentally (?) happens to be known as another name: Fasti.

You are wise, Mr. Ovid.

I think it is "important literature" in solving the poem. Well, time to get ready for work. Have a great day!