Return to Whatever it is Which Passes for Normal ...

The View from my Hotel Room
OAFS Photo

As you read this, I am back at work. I availed myself of the extra time I worked out in Sandy Eggo to treat myself to a five day weekend. Thursday through Monday (inclusive). I shall be doing the same next weekend as well.

So this week it's just Tuesday and Wednesday. I'd thought to take those two days off as well, but my better half, The Missus Herself thought it would be nice to have back to back five day weekends. I liked the concept, so there it is.

Some people refer to their wives as "their better halves" somewhat ironically, I don't, she truly is the best thing that ever happened to me. So of the two person team we are, she is most certainly the better half. (No doubt the progeny would agree.)

I'm still thinking about which fictional saga I shall pursue next (I know, I know, "saga" is a bit of a stretch, but humor me). I'm leaning towards finishing the prequel to "Almost a Lifetime" but in reality it's a prequel in two parts. I need to come up with a name for Part One, as I called it, it stands by itself but is part of my planned trilogy.

Well, "planned" is a bit of a stretch, I didn't plan it, it just sort of happened, nevertheless, trilogy it shall be. (Maybe, who knows, might be a part four for after the war, and beyond.)

I also need to reread Part One, it's been a while and I need to refresh the story in my own mind before continuing.

My way of saying "it might be a few days."

After all the excitement (not in a good way) of Sandy Eggo, it's going to be hard to go back to the normal day-to-day way of life. But it's welcome, I'm not a big fan of excitement of the type I had out west.

In other news ...

I just finished rewatching HBO's Rome, which if you haven't seen it, I highly recommend.

It's about many things Roman - Julius Caesar, Octavian Caesar and his mother and sister. Marc Antony and Cleopatra, Pompei Magnus, Cicero and a bunch of others.

I don't know how close it holds to actual history, but it's a great story, well told, well acted, and the settings are truly magnificent. It almost looks as if they resurrected ancient Rome for the series. (To some extent, that's exactly what they did, it was a very expensive series which ran for two seasons.)

At the heart of the series are these two fellows: Titus Pullo (played to great effect by the late Ray Stevenson) and Lucius Vorenus (played to perfection with iron and steel by Kevin McKidd). Both are great characters and the series rather revolves around them.

(Source)

But one of the very best characters in the series is played by Polly Walker, Atia of the Julii, Julius Caesar's niece and Octavian's mother. 

Atia of the Julii
(as played by Polly Walker)
(Source)

Lover of Marc Antony, scheming constantly to get her family ahead, she is also at the heart of the series. You have to watch the show to see what I mean.

It's not something for family viewing, lots of sex and violence, after all, we're talking about ancient Rome and Egypt as well. So it's not a "let's watch it with the kids" kind of show. But it is good, damned good.

Now that I've finished watching that (third or fourth time I think) it's time to get back to work. Both at the paying gig and this here blog.

We'll see what happens.

Ciao!