Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
probably last one before I give up.
A phenomenal birthday present
Posted: 2011-10-27 22:42:40 UTC-07:00
I turned 40 yesterday. It's been a great week - we celebrated at the house with friends Saturday night, then my parents arrived for the actual day and we had a terrific meal at home followed by gifts and cake.
Though I've been fortunate to have received some wonderful birthday gifts over the years, nothing really compares to what my wife coordinated for this year. Earlier this year, we got a letter from my friend Bill's wife April - Bill was turning 40, and in lieu of gifts, April wanted Bill's friends to send him a book that meant something to them, along with an inscription inside saying who it was from and why they sent it. We loved the idea, and I eagerly sent 3 books to Bill.
Robin thought it was such a great idea that she'd do the same for me - and last night I unwrapped nearly 50 books from friends around the country. I don't know what's more incredible: the thoughtfulness that so many dear friends put into the selection of the books (and the messages they inscribed), that I've only read a handful of the books (each of which I'll read again now), or that I now have easily a year's worth of amazing reading ahead of me. Opening the books last night and reading the messages inside of each was the absolute best birthday gift imaginable.
Even better? Apparently more are on the way! To everyone who contributed a book (you know who you are!) - thank you so, so much. This list reflects the diverse personalities everyone who participated, and I am blessed beyond measure to have such remarkable friends.
For those who are curious to see what was sent, the list is below.
Miracle in the Andes, Nando Parrado
Fool, by Christopher Moore
Boss - Richard Daley of Chicago, by Mike Royko
Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea, by Chelsea Handler
Elk Talk, by Don Laubach and Mark Henckel
It’s Your Ship - Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy, by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff
The Devil Drives - A Life of Sir Richard Burton, by Fawn M. Brodie
The Power of One, by Bryce Courtney
Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman, by Richard P. Feynman
Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand
Microserfs, by Douglas Coupland
How to Negotiate Like a Child, by Bill Adler, Jr.
The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog: The Book, by Joss Whedon
A Year in Provence, by Peter Mayle
The Wild Trees, by Richard Preston
All About Elk, by North American Hunting Club
Winston Churchill: The Last Lion Vol. 1 - Visions of Glory and Vol. 2 - Alone, by William Manchester
The Girl on the Fridge, by Etgar Keret
Pastoralia, by George Saunders
A Guidebook to Learning, by Mortimer J. Adler
The Complete Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Heroes of the Hall: Baseball’s All-Time Best, by Ron Smith
Bethel, by Patrick Tierney Wild
Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
Wine & War, by Don & Petie Kladstrup
Neuromancer, by William Gibson
The Lobster Chronicles, by Linda Greenlaw
Going Rogue, by Sarah Palin
The Information: A History, A Theory, A Flood, by James Gleick
I Know This Much is True, by Wally Lamb
The Sparrow, by Mary Doria Russell
Ocean City Volume 1 and 2, by Nan DeVincent-Hayes
Where the Sidewalk Ends, by Shel Silverstein
Set Lighting Technician’s Handbook, by Harry C. Box
The Dispossessed, by Ursula K. LeGuin
This is Water, by David Foster Wallace
The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch
Better by Saturday, by Golf Magazine
Death Comes for the Archbishop, by Willa Cather
Domestic Violets, by Matthew Norman
The Lost Symbol, by Dan Brown
A Hidden Wholeness, by Parker J. Palmer
The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror, by Christopher Moore
False Sanctuary, by Del Gibson
Sailing Alone Around the Room, by Billy Collins
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
Posted: 2011-10-27 22:42:40 UTC-07:00
I turned 40 yesterday. It's been a great week - we celebrated at the house with friends Saturday night, then my parents arrived for the actual day and we had a terrific meal at home followed by gifts and cake.
Though I've been fortunate to have received some wonderful birthday gifts over the years, nothing really compares to what my wife coordinated for this year. Earlier this year, we got a letter from my friend Bill's wife April - Bill was turning 40, and in lieu of gifts, April wanted Bill's friends to send him a book that meant something to them, along with an inscription inside saying who it was from and why they sent it. We loved the idea, and I eagerly sent 3 books to Bill.
Robin thought it was such a great idea that she'd do the same for me - and last night I unwrapped nearly 50 books from friends around the country. I don't know what's more incredible: the thoughtfulness that so many dear friends put into the selection of the books (and the messages they inscribed), that I've only read a handful of the books (each of which I'll read again now), or that I now have easily a year's worth of amazing reading ahead of me. Opening the books last night and reading the messages inside of each was the absolute best birthday gift imaginable.
Even better? Apparently more are on the way! To everyone who contributed a book (you know who you are!) - thank you so, so much. This list reflects the diverse personalities everyone who participated, and I am blessed beyond measure to have such remarkable friends.
For those who are curious to see what was sent, the list is below.
Miracle in the Andes, Nando Parrado
Fool, by Christopher Moore
Boss - Richard Daley of Chicago, by Mike Royko
Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea, by Chelsea Handler
Elk Talk, by Don Laubach and Mark Henckel
It’s Your Ship - Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy, by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff
The Devil Drives - A Life of Sir Richard Burton, by Fawn M. Brodie
The Power of One, by Bryce Courtney
Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman, by Richard P. Feynman
Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand
Microserfs, by Douglas Coupland
How to Negotiate Like a Child, by Bill Adler, Jr.
The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog: The Book, by Joss Whedon
A Year in Provence, by Peter Mayle
The Wild Trees, by Richard Preston
All About Elk, by North American Hunting Club
Winston Churchill: The Last Lion Vol. 1 - Visions of Glory and Vol. 2 - Alone, by William Manchester
The Girl on the Fridge, by Etgar Keret
Pastoralia, by George Saunders
A Guidebook to Learning, by Mortimer J. Adler
The Complete Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Heroes of the Hall: Baseball’s All-Time Best, by Ron Smith
Bethel, by Patrick Tierney Wild
Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
Wine & War, by Don & Petie Kladstrup
Neuromancer, by William Gibson
The Lobster Chronicles, by Linda Greenlaw
Going Rogue, by Sarah Palin
The Information: A History, A Theory, A Flood, by James Gleick
I Know This Much is True, by Wally Lamb
The Sparrow, by Mary Doria Russell
Ocean City Volume 1 and 2, by Nan DeVincent-Hayes
Where the Sidewalk Ends, by Shel Silverstein
Set Lighting Technician’s Handbook, by Harry C. Box
The Dispossessed, by Ursula K. LeGuin
This is Water, by David Foster Wallace
The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch
Better by Saturday, by Golf Magazine
Death Comes for the Archbishop, by Willa Cather
Domestic Violets, by Matthew Norman
The Lost Symbol, by Dan Brown
A Hidden Wholeness, by Parker J. Palmer
The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror, by Christopher Moore
False Sanctuary, by Del Gibson
Sailing Alone Around the Room, by Billy Collins
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
Uncharted 3: Arriving tomorrow
I'm more than a little excited about this: Uncharted 3 comes out tomorrow, and I just got e-mail confirmation from Amazon that my pre-order copy shipped earlier today.
If you haven't played a game in the Uncharted franchise before, you're missing out. I'm not a hard-core gamer (I hadn't owned a console for almost 20 years until I got a PS3 for Christmas a couple years ago), and Uncharted 2 remains the only modern game I've played from beginning to end.
Uncharted 2 is an incredible game - I picked it back up this past week while my Dad was in town, and my Dad (even less of a gamer than I am!) made it through 1/3 of the game over the course of his visit - and loved it. (Side note: playing video games with your Dad late into the night the same week you turn 40 is about as cool as it gets.) It's funny, thrilling, and at times surprising - and easy for a newbie like me to pick up and still feel engaged. As I said to my Dad - Uncharted - not Indiana Jones - is the franchise Steven Spielberg would build today if he were 22 years old. And after playing Uncharted, it's not hard to understand how the video game industry is bigger than the film industry.
I've deliberately avoided watching any of the game play videos or reading the reviews in depth. All I know is that I'm going to have a lot of fun hanging out with Nate Drake again in the weeks ahead.
If you haven't played a game in the Uncharted franchise before, you're missing out. I'm not a hard-core gamer (I hadn't owned a console for almost 20 years until I got a PS3 for Christmas a couple years ago), and Uncharted 2 remains the only modern game I've played from beginning to end.
Uncharted 2 is an incredible game - I picked it back up this past week while my Dad was in town, and my Dad (even less of a gamer than I am!) made it through 1/3 of the game over the course of his visit - and loved it. (Side note: playing video games with your Dad late into the night the same week you turn 40 is about as cool as it gets.) It's funny, thrilling, and at times surprising - and easy for a newbie like me to pick up and still feel engaged. As I said to my Dad - Uncharted - not Indiana Jones - is the franchise Steven Spielberg would build today if he were 22 years old. And after playing Uncharted, it's not hard to understand how the video game industry is bigger than the film industry.
I've deliberately avoided watching any of the game play videos or reading the reviews in depth. All I know is that I'm going to have a lot of fun hanging out with Nate Drake again in the weeks ahead.
滕王阁序
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN0SVBCJqLs
作者: 王勃
南昌故郡，洪都新府。星分翼轸，地接衡庐。襟三江而带五湖，控蛮荆而引瓯越。物华天宝，龙光射牛斗之墟；人杰地灵，徐孺下陈蕃之榻。雄州雾列，俊采星驰，台隍枕夷夏之交，宾主尽东南之美。都督阎公之雅望，棨戟遥临；宇文新州之懿范，襜帷暂驻。十旬休假，胜友如云；千里逢迎，高朋满座。腾蛟起凤，孟学士之词宗；紫电青霜，王将军之武库。家君作宰，路出名区；童子何知，躬逢胜饯。
时维九月，序属三秋。潦水尽而寒潭清，烟光凝而暮山紫。俨骖騑于上路，访风景于崇阿。临帝子之长洲，得仙人之旧馆。层台耸翠，上出重霄；飞阁流丹，下临无地。鹤汀凫渚，穷岛屿之萦回；桂殿兰宫，列冈峦之体势。披绣闼，俯雕甍，山原旷其盈视，川泽盱其骇瞩。闾阎扑地，钟鸣鼎食之家；舸舰迷津，青雀黄龙之轴。虹销雨霁，彩彻区明。落霞与孤鹜齐飞，秋水共长天一色。渔舟唱晚，响穷彭蠡之滨；雁阵惊寒，声断衡阳之浦。
遥襟俯畅，逸兴遄飞。爽籁发而清风生，纤歌凝而白云遏。睢园绿竹，气凌彭泽之樽；邺水朱华，光照临川之笔。四美具，二难并。穷睇眄于中天，极娱游于暇日。
天高地迥，觉宇宙之无穷；兴尽悲来，识盈虚之有数。望长安于日下，指吴会于云间。地势极而南溟深，天柱高而北辰远。关山难越，谁悲失路之人？萍水相逢，尽是他乡之客。怀帝阍而不见，奉宣室以何年？
嗟乎！时运不济，命运多舛。冯唐易老，李广难封。屈贾谊于长沙，非无圣主；窜梁鸿于海曲，岂乏明时。所赖君子安贫，达人知命。老当益壮，宁移白首之心？穷且益坚，不坠青云之志。酌贪泉而觉爽，处涸辙以犹欢。北海虽赊，扶摇可接；东隅已逝，桑榆非晚。孟尝高洁，空怀报国之心；阮藉猖狂，岂效穷途之哭！
勃，三尺微命，一介书生。无路请缨，等终军之弱冠；有怀投笔，慕宗懿之长风。舍簪笏于百龄，奉晨昏于万里。非谢家之宝树，接孟氏之芳邻。他日趋庭，叨陪鲤对；今晨捧袂，喜托龙门。杨意不逢，抚凌云而自惜；钟期既遇，奏流水以何惭？
鸣呼！胜地不常，盛筵难再。兰亭已矣，梓泽丘墟。临别赠言，幸承恩于伟饯；登高作赋，是所望于群公。敢竭鄙诚，恭疏短引。一言均赋，四韵俱成。请洒潘江，各倾陆海云尔！
滕王高阁临江渚，
佩玉鸣鸾罢歌舞。
画栋朝飞南浦云，
珠帘暮卷西山雨。
闲云潭影日悠悠，
物换星移几度秋。
阁中帝子今何在？
槛外长江空自流。
【背景资料】
滕王阁位于赣江东岸，江西南昌西北，与湖南岳阳楼、湖北黄鹤楼并称江南三大名楼。
滕王阁是公元 653 年，唐高祖李渊第 22 子、唐太宗李世民之弟滕王李元婴任洪州都督时所建。
贞观十三年（公元 639 年）六月李元婴受封为滕王，后迁洪洲（南昌）任都督，据说唯一的建树就是在公元 653 年于城西赣江之滨建起一座楼台，此楼便是“滕王阁”。
滕王阁饱经沧桑，历史上屡毁屡建达 28 次之多，世所罕见。现在的阁楼建于 1985 年，高达 57.5 米，占地达 47000 平方米。仿宋风格，临江而立。
滕王阁因王勃的《秋日登洪府滕王阁饯别序》（即《滕王阁序》）名扬四海，序因阁流芳百世，南昌古城也因此平添不少文采风流。
继王勃之后，唐代王绪写《滕王阁赋》，王仲舒写《滕王阁记》，史书称之为“三王记滕阁”佳话。文学家韩愈也撰文述“江南多临观之美，而滕王阁独为第一，有瑰丽绝特之称”，故有“江西第一楼”之誉。
滕王阁为历代封建士大夫们迎送和宴请宾客之处，明代开国皇帝朱元璋也曾设宴犒赏诸臣，赋诗填词，观看灯火。
唐高宗上元二年（公元 675 年）重阳节，洪州都督阎伯屿携文武官员欢宴于滕王阁，共庆重阳登高佳节。此时，王勃因赴交趾省亲探父，乘船路过马当（今彭泽县）遇阻，中原水神以风相助，日行七百里到达南昌，适逢阎都督九九重阳为滕王阁重修竣工盛宴而被邀入席。
酒兴正酣，阎都督请各位嘉宾行文赋诗以纪欢宴之盛况，其实阎公是想让略具诗名的女婿孟学士好好展露一手，孟学士也已经准备妥当，只等当众吟咏，因此在座诸公均再三谦让。
至王勃之末座时，王勃不谙此道，踌躇应允，令得满座愕然。
王勃行文习惯小酌，然后蒙头少睡，起来后挥毫而就，这是王勃“打腹稿”的方式。逢此盛宴，小寐难成，王勃于是端坐书案，神情凝注，手拈墨碇缓慢磨墨，借机酝酿才思。
阎都督和众宾客看王勃不紧不慢，于是登阁赏景，吩咐小吏随时通报。
很长时间，小吏来报第一句“南昌故郡，洪都新府”，阎都督听觉老生常谈，实乃平淡无奇；小吏又报“星分翼轸，地接衡庐”，阎都督默不言语；及至小吏来报“落霞与孤鹜齐飞，秋水共长天一色”，阎都督遂拍手称赞天才之笔，急令众文武返滕王阁开怀畅饮，尽欢而散。
此次盛宴，也因此段佳话而名垂文史。
可惜天妒英才，王勃序后第二年，探父途中渡海溺水而逝。
【层峦耸翠、青雀黄龙等句】极尽缤纷色彩。
【寒潭清、烟光凝之句】水光山色凝重，前人誉为“写尽九月之景”。
【参考译文】
滕王阁地处昔日的南昌郡，现在属于洪州都督府。方位在翼、轸星宿的分野，地理位置连接着湖南衡山和江西庐山。三江为襟，五湖为带，胸怀楚国而指引吴越。物华天宝，宝剑的光芒直射牛斗星域；人杰地灵，徐孺客座陈蕃榻下。洪州城雄伟地排列在雾里，才人志士川流不息。城池座落在夷夏交界的要塞，贤主宾朋均为东南地区的俊才。德高望重的都督阎公远道而来坐镇洪州，宇文作为新州的典范，赴任途中在此勒马暂留。十日休假的日子里好友云集，高朋不远千里来聚。词坛泰斗孟学士行文如龙腾凤舞，王将军的武库里名剑熠熠生辉。家父在做县令，小生探亲途中刚好路过这个名胜之地；虽年幼无知，却有幸参加了这个盛大的宴会。
正值九月，秋高气爽。积水消尽，寒潭清澈，淡淡的云烟凝聚，重重的暮霭泛着紫光。在高高的山路上驾着马车，在崇山峻岭里遍访风景。来到昔日帝子居住的长洲，找到仙人休养过的宫殿。层层的楼台耸立在青翠的山峰，仿佛要直冲云霄；凌空的飞檐闪溢着红色的光辉，仿佛要直插大地。白鹤野鸭尽情地畅游在萦回的小岛，洒满兰桂花香的宫殿错落有致的起伏在山峦。打开绣花的阁门，俯视雕梁画栋的的屋脊，山峰平原尽收眼底，江河湖泊蜿蜒曲折令人惊奇。满眼楼宇巷陌，尽是钟鸣鼎食的富贵人家；舸舰泊满渡口，全为绘有青雀黄龙的大船。暴雨初歇，彩虹方消，空气清朗，阳光和煦。落霞与孤鹜齐飞，秋水共长天一色。返航的渔舟里传来优美的渔歌，回响在整个彭蠡湖畔；南归的雁群在寒风里发出的呼唤，回荡在衡阳的水边。
敞开心怀俯望，飘逸的兴致激荡。笙箫吹起清风阵阵，轻歌曼舞让流动的白云也为此驻足。正如睢园竹林的聚会，杯中豪气直比彭泽县令陶渊明；正如邺水咏莲，诗中风采胜过临川内史谢灵运。声乐美食、文采风流俱备，良辰美景、赏心悦事尽收。极目远眺，尽情欢娱。
苍天远，大地辽，感宇宙之无穷无尽。欢乐尽，伤心来，兴衰皆有命。回望夕阳下的长安，指点吴会于云海间。大地有穷尽，而南海深不可测，擎天之柱不可攀，北斗星辰何其遥远。关山难越，谁来痛惜失意人？萍水相逢，均为异乡漂泊客。满怀的抱负，王宫何时能见？皇帝的召见，又是何年？
唉！时运不济，命里多磨难。冯唐容易衰老，李广难得封侯。贾谊屈尊于长沙，并非没有圣明的君王；梁鸿逃匿在海湾，又岂是缺乏政治昌明的年代？不过都是君子安于贫困，豁达之人知道自己的命运罢了。年纪越老志气更加旺盛，怎能在白发时改变初衷？处境越是清贫情操更加坚定，决不会放弃自己的凌云壮志。喝了贪泉的水，心境清爽，哪怕身处干涸的车辙，胸怀依然开朗。北海虽遥，乘风可达；早晨过去了，珍惜黄昏仍为时不晚。孟尝君心存高洁，可惜空怀一腔报国之心；阮籍为人不羁，怎么能仿效他车至绝路后的哭泣！
我王勃一介卑微书生，虽然同终军一样年方二十，却请缨杀敌无门；空有投笔从戎和宗懿那“乘长风破万里浪”的英雄气概。而今抛却一生功名，不远万里去朝夕侍奉父亲。虽然称不上谢家的“宝树”，但也还能作为孟母的贤德邻舍。不久我将见到父亲，聆听教诲；今天早晨有幸踏上龙门，拜会各位。得不到杨益的引荐，凌云壮志空叹息；倘若幸遇钟子期，弹奏一曲《高山流水》又有何惭愧？
唉！名胜不能常存，盛宴难以再逢。兰亭旧址已为古，石崇梓泽也成墟。承蒙今日盛宴，临别作此序文；登高作赋之雅兴，就指望诸公了。冒昧尽我微薄心意，作此短言。我已写成四韵八句，各位分别按韵赋诗。请诸位各展潘岳、江淹才华，尽舒华彩丽章！
作者: 王勃
南昌故郡，洪都新府。星分翼轸，地接衡庐。襟三江而带五湖，控蛮荆而引瓯越。物华天宝，龙光射牛斗之墟；人杰地灵，徐孺下陈蕃之榻。雄州雾列，俊采星驰，台隍枕夷夏之交，宾主尽东南之美。都督阎公之雅望，棨戟遥临；宇文新州之懿范，襜帷暂驻。十旬休假，胜友如云；千里逢迎，高朋满座。腾蛟起凤，孟学士之词宗；紫电青霜，王将军之武库。家君作宰，路出名区；童子何知，躬逢胜饯。
时维九月，序属三秋。潦水尽而寒潭清，烟光凝而暮山紫。俨骖騑于上路，访风景于崇阿。临帝子之长洲，得仙人之旧馆。层台耸翠，上出重霄；飞阁流丹，下临无地。鹤汀凫渚，穷岛屿之萦回；桂殿兰宫，列冈峦之体势。披绣闼，俯雕甍，山原旷其盈视，川泽盱其骇瞩。闾阎扑地，钟鸣鼎食之家；舸舰迷津，青雀黄龙之轴。虹销雨霁，彩彻区明。落霞与孤鹜齐飞，秋水共长天一色。渔舟唱晚，响穷彭蠡之滨；雁阵惊寒，声断衡阳之浦。
遥襟俯畅，逸兴遄飞。爽籁发而清风生，纤歌凝而白云遏。睢园绿竹，气凌彭泽之樽；邺水朱华，光照临川之笔。四美具，二难并。穷睇眄于中天，极娱游于暇日。
天高地迥，觉宇宙之无穷；兴尽悲来，识盈虚之有数。望长安于日下，指吴会于云间。地势极而南溟深，天柱高而北辰远。关山难越，谁悲失路之人？萍水相逢，尽是他乡之客。怀帝阍而不见，奉宣室以何年？
嗟乎！时运不济，命运多舛。冯唐易老，李广难封。屈贾谊于长沙，非无圣主；窜梁鸿于海曲，岂乏明时。所赖君子安贫，达人知命。老当益壮，宁移白首之心？穷且益坚，不坠青云之志。酌贪泉而觉爽，处涸辙以犹欢。北海虽赊，扶摇可接；东隅已逝，桑榆非晚。孟尝高洁，空怀报国之心；阮藉猖狂，岂效穷途之哭！
勃，三尺微命，一介书生。无路请缨，等终军之弱冠；有怀投笔，慕宗懿之长风。舍簪笏于百龄，奉晨昏于万里。非谢家之宝树，接孟氏之芳邻。他日趋庭，叨陪鲤对；今晨捧袂，喜托龙门。杨意不逢，抚凌云而自惜；钟期既遇，奏流水以何惭？
鸣呼！胜地不常，盛筵难再。兰亭已矣，梓泽丘墟。临别赠言，幸承恩于伟饯；登高作赋，是所望于群公。敢竭鄙诚，恭疏短引。一言均赋，四韵俱成。请洒潘江，各倾陆海云尔！
滕王高阁临江渚，
佩玉鸣鸾罢歌舞。
画栋朝飞南浦云，
珠帘暮卷西山雨。
闲云潭影日悠悠，
物换星移几度秋。
阁中帝子今何在？
槛外长江空自流。
【背景资料】
滕王阁位于赣江东岸，江西南昌西北，与湖南岳阳楼、湖北黄鹤楼并称江南三大名楼。
滕王阁是公元 653 年，唐高祖李渊第 22 子、唐太宗李世民之弟滕王李元婴任洪州都督时所建。
贞观十三年（公元 639 年）六月李元婴受封为滕王，后迁洪洲（南昌）任都督，据说唯一的建树就是在公元 653 年于城西赣江之滨建起一座楼台，此楼便是“滕王阁”。
滕王阁饱经沧桑，历史上屡毁屡建达 28 次之多，世所罕见。现在的阁楼建于 1985 年，高达 57.5 米，占地达 47000 平方米。仿宋风格，临江而立。
滕王阁因王勃的《秋日登洪府滕王阁饯别序》（即《滕王阁序》）名扬四海，序因阁流芳百世，南昌古城也因此平添不少文采风流。
继王勃之后，唐代王绪写《滕王阁赋》，王仲舒写《滕王阁记》，史书称之为“三王记滕阁”佳话。文学家韩愈也撰文述“江南多临观之美，而滕王阁独为第一，有瑰丽绝特之称”，故有“江西第一楼”之誉。
滕王阁为历代封建士大夫们迎送和宴请宾客之处，明代开国皇帝朱元璋也曾设宴犒赏诸臣，赋诗填词，观看灯火。
唐高宗上元二年（公元 675 年）重阳节，洪州都督阎伯屿携文武官员欢宴于滕王阁，共庆重阳登高佳节。此时，王勃因赴交趾省亲探父，乘船路过马当（今彭泽县）遇阻，中原水神以风相助，日行七百里到达南昌，适逢阎都督九九重阳为滕王阁重修竣工盛宴而被邀入席。
酒兴正酣，阎都督请各位嘉宾行文赋诗以纪欢宴之盛况，其实阎公是想让略具诗名的女婿孟学士好好展露一手，孟学士也已经准备妥当，只等当众吟咏，因此在座诸公均再三谦让。
至王勃之末座时，王勃不谙此道，踌躇应允，令得满座愕然。
王勃行文习惯小酌，然后蒙头少睡，起来后挥毫而就，这是王勃“打腹稿”的方式。逢此盛宴，小寐难成，王勃于是端坐书案，神情凝注，手拈墨碇缓慢磨墨，借机酝酿才思。
阎都督和众宾客看王勃不紧不慢，于是登阁赏景，吩咐小吏随时通报。
很长时间，小吏来报第一句“南昌故郡，洪都新府”，阎都督听觉老生常谈，实乃平淡无奇；小吏又报“星分翼轸，地接衡庐”，阎都督默不言语；及至小吏来报“落霞与孤鹜齐飞，秋水共长天一色”，阎都督遂拍手称赞天才之笔，急令众文武返滕王阁开怀畅饮，尽欢而散。
此次盛宴，也因此段佳话而名垂文史。
可惜天妒英才，王勃序后第二年，探父途中渡海溺水而逝。
【层峦耸翠、青雀黄龙等句】极尽缤纷色彩。
【寒潭清、烟光凝之句】水光山色凝重，前人誉为“写尽九月之景”。
【参考译文】
滕王阁地处昔日的南昌郡，现在属于洪州都督府。方位在翼、轸星宿的分野，地理位置连接着湖南衡山和江西庐山。三江为襟，五湖为带，胸怀楚国而指引吴越。物华天宝，宝剑的光芒直射牛斗星域；人杰地灵，徐孺客座陈蕃榻下。洪州城雄伟地排列在雾里，才人志士川流不息。城池座落在夷夏交界的要塞，贤主宾朋均为东南地区的俊才。德高望重的都督阎公远道而来坐镇洪州，宇文作为新州的典范，赴任途中在此勒马暂留。十日休假的日子里好友云集，高朋不远千里来聚。词坛泰斗孟学士行文如龙腾凤舞，王将军的武库里名剑熠熠生辉。家父在做县令，小生探亲途中刚好路过这个名胜之地；虽年幼无知，却有幸参加了这个盛大的宴会。
正值九月，秋高气爽。积水消尽，寒潭清澈，淡淡的云烟凝聚，重重的暮霭泛着紫光。在高高的山路上驾着马车，在崇山峻岭里遍访风景。来到昔日帝子居住的长洲，找到仙人休养过的宫殿。层层的楼台耸立在青翠的山峰，仿佛要直冲云霄；凌空的飞檐闪溢着红色的光辉，仿佛要直插大地。白鹤野鸭尽情地畅游在萦回的小岛，洒满兰桂花香的宫殿错落有致的起伏在山峦。打开绣花的阁门，俯视雕梁画栋的的屋脊，山峰平原尽收眼底，江河湖泊蜿蜒曲折令人惊奇。满眼楼宇巷陌，尽是钟鸣鼎食的富贵人家；舸舰泊满渡口，全为绘有青雀黄龙的大船。暴雨初歇，彩虹方消，空气清朗，阳光和煦。落霞与孤鹜齐飞，秋水共长天一色。返航的渔舟里传来优美的渔歌，回响在整个彭蠡湖畔；南归的雁群在寒风里发出的呼唤，回荡在衡阳的水边。
敞开心怀俯望，飘逸的兴致激荡。笙箫吹起清风阵阵，轻歌曼舞让流动的白云也为此驻足。正如睢园竹林的聚会，杯中豪气直比彭泽县令陶渊明；正如邺水咏莲，诗中风采胜过临川内史谢灵运。声乐美食、文采风流俱备，良辰美景、赏心悦事尽收。极目远眺，尽情欢娱。
苍天远，大地辽，感宇宙之无穷无尽。欢乐尽，伤心来，兴衰皆有命。回望夕阳下的长安，指点吴会于云海间。大地有穷尽，而南海深不可测，擎天之柱不可攀，北斗星辰何其遥远。关山难越，谁来痛惜失意人？萍水相逢，均为异乡漂泊客。满怀的抱负，王宫何时能见？皇帝的召见，又是何年？
唉！时运不济，命里多磨难。冯唐容易衰老，李广难得封侯。贾谊屈尊于长沙，并非没有圣明的君王；梁鸿逃匿在海湾，又岂是缺乏政治昌明的年代？不过都是君子安于贫困，豁达之人知道自己的命运罢了。年纪越老志气更加旺盛，怎能在白发时改变初衷？处境越是清贫情操更加坚定，决不会放弃自己的凌云壮志。喝了贪泉的水，心境清爽，哪怕身处干涸的车辙，胸怀依然开朗。北海虽遥，乘风可达；早晨过去了，珍惜黄昏仍为时不晚。孟尝君心存高洁，可惜空怀一腔报国之心；阮籍为人不羁，怎么能仿效他车至绝路后的哭泣！
我王勃一介卑微书生，虽然同终军一样年方二十，却请缨杀敌无门；空有投笔从戎和宗懿那“乘长风破万里浪”的英雄气概。而今抛却一生功名，不远万里去朝夕侍奉父亲。虽然称不上谢家的“宝树”，但也还能作为孟母的贤德邻舍。不久我将见到父亲，聆听教诲；今天早晨有幸踏上龙门，拜会各位。得不到杨益的引荐，凌云壮志空叹息；倘若幸遇钟子期，弹奏一曲《高山流水》又有何惭愧？
唉！名胜不能常存，盛宴难以再逢。兰亭旧址已为古，石崇梓泽也成墟。承蒙今日盛宴，临别作此序文；登高作赋之雅兴，就指望诸公了。冒昧尽我微薄心意，作此短言。我已写成四韵八句，各位分别按韵赋诗。请诸位各展潘岳、江淹才华，尽舒华彩丽章！
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