stars and classical garters

[artyartie]

I'm currently circumventing certain state laws, and have, oh, about eight hours to kill (they think people read so damn slow online), so I have no excuse not to post!

This weekend was rather good, in retrospect. I went with my Nana and Mom to a small family gathering, and ended up talking to one of my mom's myriad cousins who is quite the amateur astronomer. We ended up chatting about Shoemaker-Levy (he knew both Shoemakers and a friend of Levy's), comets we have loved, lunar astronomy, and the Hubble Deep Field, among other things. We were both happy to find someone who could share our interest and enthusiasm - ever since I was very young and my parents gave me a telescope and The Astronomy Handbook, I've been enamored with the heavens.

Sunday my mom, dad and I ended up going to a Dodger game, and though we missed the first two innings due to LA traffic, and thus most of the scoring, it was a fun game, despite the heat. ainsley, I took some pictures, and even bought you a little souvenier! Afterwards, we went down to Santa Monica to kill some time, eating at a wonderful restaurant on the Promenade, watching 1408, and doing a little shopping. Borders was open late, thankfully, so I ran in and bought Roman Blood by Stephen Saylor, the first in his Roma Sub Rosa series featuring Gordianus the Finder, who is quite the character himself. I'm 90 some pages in and its a wonderful book, and it makes me wonder, again, about the writers of 'Rome.'

What the hell did they have against Tiro? Everyone else certainly fangirls him madly. He's the speaker of Imperium, Robert Harris' wonderful novel, and everyone loves him. Cicero, Tullia (in an absolutely adorable scene), Caesar, Crassus (in a rather disturbing scene) - everyone wants their own piece of the good secretary. Just from the first section I've read, Saylor has wonderfully captured Cicero and Tiro's early relationship, and even while the young Cicero is haughty and fussy, he has a gentle regard for Tiro, who is described as a lovely man with a mellifluous voice (unlike his master at this point). And Tiro? Oh, he certainly has his fun in a most amusing section around page 80.

And so again, what was up with Batboy!Tiro in the second season of Rome? I know they were out to portray Cicero as negatively as they could, especially in the first season, but why, oh why, did they have to do this to his intelligent secretary (who had been freed long before Cicero's death) who was probably more handsome than his master? It just makes me more angry the longer I think of it. So from now on, any stories with Tiro will be with a Tiro of my own choosing - because these books are starting to make me a Tiro fangirl, too.

And in happy academic news, my adviser finally e-mailed me back in response to my update - and all is good! I rather can't believe it, though he isn't the type to just say everything is fine when things aren't. Now that it's almost the middle of July, England has been on my brain every day - today when I was walking home I was imagining walking down the lush green lawns of Greenwich, beneath the cool columns, besides the Thames. Only two more months! But now I feel more prepared, academically. If only the finances will improve in the next few months...

Comments

[cicerothewriter.livejournal.com]

Yay Tiro! I've never seen Rome so I can't comment on their portrayal, but just from Cicero's letters alone, Cicero loved his slave/freedman/secretary (if in only an indulgent, paternal way). I haven't read Imperium (I really need to now from your description), but Tiro is wonderful!

[artyartie.livejournal.com]

It's amusing how my epistolary Cicero love goes through stages - first it was Atticus, then it was Tullia (and still is), and now it's Tiro as well. But you should definitely give Imperium a read - Harris' prose is a little heavy but he writes the story and personages so very, very well. That indulgent, paternal love certainly comes through, especially in one scene in Arpinum. And the book is a first in a trilogy! The next installment should cover the Catalinan conspiracy, so I'm looking forward to it a great deal.

[otahyoni.livejournal.com]

Oh, I was going to ask when you were going to England! Two months! It's all so exciting.

[artyartie.livejournal.com]

Eeee, I know! Speaking of, have you chatted with your international HR people yet?

[otahyoni.livejournal.com]

I have! He's going to London at the end of the month and said he'd take my resume with him and put me on their radar. So we'll see if anything happens. First they need to have a job opening. ;)

[aoife-hime.livejournal.com]

Less than two months... oh dear I have so much to do! And yet I can't bring myself to worry about it because I'm already focused on my summer course! I have a feeling that the last few weeks of August for me will be quite stressful.

I second the finances issue as well. But, in general, you seem better prepared than me!

[artyartie.livejournal.com]

Heh, I'm still rather unprepared - I haven't gotten my registration from Greenwich yet - things take so damn long to get here it isn't funny, or my housing info, and I still need to buy my ticket! BA is having a fare sale, but it's still pricey from the West Coast - though BA's coach class is ridiculously opulent, so maybe I should just suck it up and buy it. My preparedness is merely an illusion! Or is simply very limited...

[aoife-hime.livejournal.com]

Oh good! I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who hasn't bought a plane ticket yet ^^;;

[ainsley.livejournal.com]

DODGERS! Thank you!

How's the you?

[artyartie.livejournal.com]

The me is good, though I came to Panera with the intention of reading a thesis book and finished off Roman Blood instead. Bah!

And I should get that out soon - I know I just had to pick you up a little something, and Dodger Dogs just don't ship well.