Jan. 18th, 2006

squirelawrence: (Chariot)
Well, better late than never, I suppose. Had I been slightly more in possession of a clue, I suspect I would have read Mary Renault's Fire From Heaven some, 10, 12 years ago? Back when [livejournal.com profile] artaxastra was running her role-playing campaign of the same name, and I was desperately trying to keep from being stabbed, drowned, poisoned, or simply thrown over a balcony with a 3 story drop to hard stone. In other friendships, I suppose it might be unusual that one of your best friends would be spending so much energy and creativity trying to kill you. With artaxastra as GM, more or less par for the course.

That said, better late than never, and I'm glad I finally got around to reading this one. As half-remembered and expected from that campaign, I'm much fonder of Haphaesteon than I am of Alexander himself. As was not expected, Renault's story made me a little, tiny bit more sympathetic towards Philip. A truly horrible father, I know. But face it - how easy would your life be if Alexander the Great was your teenage child? And Olympias? I confess a weakness for women with vengeful, dark and deadly streaks in them, but Olympias? Not a prize.

Anyhow, Book 2, accomplished. I see that I was right in holding myself down to only 52 books for this challenge - my copious free time yielding less reading time lately. *sad* But now, off to Book 3!
squirelawrence: (mccoy)
Thanks, [livejournal.com profile] tricksterquinn!

Sonnet 29, William Shakespeare

When, in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state
(Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth) sings hymns at heaven's gate,

For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

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squirelawrence: Teal'c with hands clasped, looking smug. (Default)
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