I'm feeling much better today. Not such a runny nose and a lot less coughing.
I had Chinese for dinner (Pork Lo Mein). How about you? Maybe some smoars? Great weather for camping. Hope you are having a good time.
I finished Coraline today and started Kira-Kira.
Saturday, November 14
Thursday, November 12
When Christ and His Saints Slept
by Sharon Kay Pennman
I never did really well with medieval times history when in school. But if history had been this well written, I would have done much better. My only previous exposure to the conflict between Stephen and Matilda/Maude came from Pillars of the Earth. This novel is an in depth character study of King Stephen and his Empress, told largely through the perception of Ranulf, a fictional character who was supposed to be one of the many illegitimate sons of King Henry I.
The story begins wiith Stephen as a little boy in Blois, overhearing an argument between his mother - the English King Henry I's sister - and father, a crusader who was disgraced in the Holy Land. The novel then cuts to Stephen as a man, showing his magnanimous side at the time the White Ship and its fleet departs from Barfleur to England. The White Ship, as you may know, sank, which left England without a male heir to the throne. King Henry I had prolific fertility amongst his many mistresses. But he only had two legitimate children - a son, who was killed on board the White Ship and a daughter, Maude, who was married off at a young age to the German Emperor. Rather than name an illegitimate son as his heir, King Henry named his daughter Maude. To consolidate her position on the continent, he married her off to Geoffrey of Anjou against her will. Once he dies, chaos ensues when Stephen of Blois seizes the throne at the urging of the barons, who do not want a woman as their Queen (as opposed to simply a Queen consort).
The novel shows the heartbreaking degeneration of violence and Maude's tireless fight for the throne that she believes is rightfully hers. It shows the tremendous personal costs to Maude and her supporters as well as to Stephen who, while a good man, was a terrible king. Penman also does a great job showing how Maude could not navigate her primary handicap - her sex. While Stephen was too weak and vacillating to make a good king, Maude was the opposite - too headstrong - and managed to alienate people who were already wary of being led by a woman.
I never did really well with medieval times history when in school. But if history had been this well written, I would have done much better. My only previous exposure to the conflict between Stephen and Matilda/Maude came from Pillars of the Earth. This novel is an in depth character study of King Stephen and his Empress, told largely through the perception of Ranulf, a fictional character who was supposed to be one of the many illegitimate sons of King Henry I.
The story begins wiith Stephen as a little boy in Blois, overhearing an argument between his mother - the English King Henry I's sister - and father, a crusader who was disgraced in the Holy Land. The novel then cuts to Stephen as a man, showing his magnanimous side at the time the White Ship and its fleet departs from Barfleur to England. The White Ship, as you may know, sank, which left England without a male heir to the throne. King Henry I had prolific fertility amongst his many mistresses. But he only had two legitimate children - a son, who was killed on board the White Ship and a daughter, Maude, who was married off at a young age to the German Emperor. Rather than name an illegitimate son as his heir, King Henry named his daughter Maude. To consolidate her position on the continent, he married her off to Geoffrey of Anjou against her will. Once he dies, chaos ensues when Stephen of Blois seizes the throne at the urging of the barons, who do not want a woman as their Queen (as opposed to simply a Queen consort).
The novel shows the heartbreaking degeneration of violence and Maude's tireless fight for the throne that she believes is rightfully hers. It shows the tremendous personal costs to Maude and her supporters as well as to Stephen who, while a good man, was a terrible king. Penman also does a great job showing how Maude could not navigate her primary handicap - her sex. While Stephen was too weak and vacillating to make a good king, Maude was the opposite - too headstrong - and managed to alienate people who were already wary of being led by a woman.
How Appropriate
The congestion has moved from my nose to my chest causing me uncontrollable coughing fits. Needless to say I stayed home from work again. Still no fever, so that is good news. I have a movie to watch called Choke. There is an ironic joke in there somewhere.
Don't you have a mini half-marathon in Disney soon? I seem to recall you ran that last year. (I could be wrong about the time frame though)
It's supposed to get in the low 50's tonight. Brrrrrrr..
You are going to miss Rib Fest in St Pete's Vinoy Park this weekend. Ooooooo a meat buffet. :-)
Have nice time camping.
Don't you have a mini half-marathon in Disney soon? I seem to recall you ran that last year. (I could be wrong about the time frame though)
It's supposed to get in the low 50's tonight. Brrrrrrr..
You are going to miss Rib Fest in St Pete's Vinoy Park this weekend. Ooooooo a meat buffet. :-)
Have nice time camping.
Wednesday, November 11
Soup
I am home sick today with a bad cold. The boys had it over the weekend and my throat started feeling sore Monday night. Last night I couldn't even sleep I was so congested. So I was in bed today till 11. I think I'll have some soup.
I was going to try and watch the latest House episode on line and found out to my dismay that you have to wait 8 days before they will show an episode. That sucks.
I have now gone through a whole box of Kleenex. (tmi?)
Check this out. What do you think?
I was going to try and watch the latest House episode on line and found out to my dismay that you have to wait 8 days before they will show an episode. That sucks.
I have now gone through a whole box of Kleenex. (tmi?)
Check this out. What do you think?
Tuesday, November 10
Precipitation
Today's word: Chillax (actually it is Christophers)
Last night I missed most of House. There was a lot of "peripheral activity" going on about 8 o'clock that distracted me. (who do I talk to about turning on the dishwasher and clothes washer at the same time on Mondays at 8pm) But I did get to see Hoarders.
While at work today, I got one of those automated calls. You know, the ones that have a voice recording trying to sell you something (not that I could ever imagine anyone buying anything from a robot voice). But this one had the most bizarre product to sell. They were pitching funeral services. "This is an important message for anyone between the ages of 45 and 85. Are you ready for that end of life call?" Who would actually purchase a funeral service from something like that?
As I get towards the back end of the hill of When Christ and His Saints Slept, I am enjoying more the parallels between it and Pillars of the Earth. I believe I have about 120 pages left.
Looks like we are in for some changing weather. It's raining at my office. Should make for an interesting ride home.
Do you like the works of Emily Dickinson?
Last night I missed most of House. There was a lot of "peripheral activity" going on about 8 o'clock that distracted me. (who do I talk to about turning on the dishwasher and clothes washer at the same time on Mondays at 8pm) But I did get to see Hoarders.
While at work today, I got one of those automated calls. You know, the ones that have a voice recording trying to sell you something (not that I could ever imagine anyone buying anything from a robot voice). But this one had the most bizarre product to sell. They were pitching funeral services. "This is an important message for anyone between the ages of 45 and 85. Are you ready for that end of life call?" Who would actually purchase a funeral service from something like that?
As I get towards the back end of the hill of When Christ and His Saints Slept, I am enjoying more the parallels between it and Pillars of the Earth. I believe I have about 120 pages left.
Looks like we are in for some changing weather. It's raining at my office. Should make for an interesting ride home.
Do you like the works of Emily Dickinson?
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