h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The lawn mowing only took 10 minutes. That's as it should be. I've avoided the fallen-leaf problem by planting native evergreen plants for the most part; this saves on water too, which is a Good Thing during a drought.

Another thing about Jasper Fforde - he's solved all religious problems by introducing a Global Standard Deity. Life is much simpler that way. Now, if only Time wasn't such a mess, but that's what the Chronoguard is for...

Good plant choices.
I heard a funny story about Petrarch yesterday. Apparently he would plant all kinds of things that weren't supposed to grow where he lived and so they would constantly die. I felt rather bad for him, but at the same time there seemed something amusing in the persistence.

I may have a good opportunity to sit down with the Jasper Fforde book today, I'm home sick.

I got 83% on my Italian midterm

Petrarch was a strange man. I must read more about him, one day...

83% for Italian is really rather good. Congratulations!

Being sick is no fun, but Jasper Fforde might help. At least, I hope he helps. I'm planning to re-read him sooner or later, maybe over Easter.

You're learning Italian?

Thanks Ivan

I have to confess to not doing any reading while sick. I had a headache most of the time. I think probably from the stuffy nose. I ended up on the couch watching copious amounts of television.

No, X. Not learning Italian. Although I think that might be rather fun. I'm just taking an Italian class that is mercifully in English.

So..... A class on the country of Italy?

No, just on a book written by one of the three literary crowns of Italy.

Right....

Right, so who are the three? Dante, Boccaccio and Someone Else - who's the third one?

Petrarch.

I've decided I don't like him at all though. We're reading the letters he wrote to Boccaccio. He seems awfully full of himself. And he didn't seem very nice to Boccaccio. Some of the things he said.... I decided if I was Boccaccio I wouldn't really want to be his friend anymore.

Ah yes. I forgot about Petrarch. He did have a rather healthy sense of self, didn't he? Of the three, he's certainly the least appealing character; that being said, I think Dante will always be my favourite. While I don't have any belief at all in his theology, I admire him for the sheer scale of his vision...

By the way, your card arrived the other day. I forgot to mention it earlier. Thanks.

I agree, definitely a very healthy sense of self. Dante is my favourite as well. I think the Inferno is my favourite book. Boccaccio is a close second though, he's quite entertaining.

And you're very welcome for the card It was a pleasure. I love sending things in the mail!

Inferno is good. I quite like Purgatorio too... It's another sweeping epic, full of excitement and the occasional mild joke; it's really quite moving; of course, I don't believe a word of the theology but I can still get swept up in the story.

Years ago, when I went into hospital, I took the Purgatorio with me. It gave the nurses quite a turn, seeing it on the bedside table.

I agree. I don't believe it but its a great story. I love the way the punishments seem to fit the crimes in a weird way.

I remember you saying you were reading it in the hospital. It's when you mentioned it that I went and bought a copy of the Inferno and started my journey into the Divine Comedy. I have to thank you for that, it was well worth my time. I'm thinking of taking a course on the Divine Comedy in September.

Oh dear, I'm repeating myself. Must be early-onset senility. I didn't think that would start this side of 40.

But it's all good, if I had the sense to direct you towards Dante. If you do the course I'll be interested (of course) in your perceptions.

I'm pretty sure I will. The only thing holding me back is that I could take an extra History class with my favourite professor. We'll see though. You know what they say about too much of a good thing. I think it will really depend on how the schedule works out.

If you have a choice between Dante and a favourite professor, I don't think you can lose. Ideally, of course, you'd be able to have both.

I must re-read Dante. It must be at least a year since the last time...

I think I will get to have both. I think its just a question of greed: two classes with the favourite professor or one and Dante?

I feel like re-reading Dante but I've set myself the task of getting some other things read first. They're my before bed books. Last night I finished the Odyssey and as soon as I get my hands on a copy I'll be starting the Iliad.

I've never read either the Iliad or the Odyssey. I did try the Iliad once, years ago, but the translation put me off. If you find a good translation let me know. Who translated the Odyssey you read? Was it enjoyable?

I quite enjoyed the Odyssey. I had a Penguin copy and it was a translation by Robert Fagles. I highly recommend it. I mean it wasn't riveting but it it was just right for reading a page or two before bed. I didn't want anything too exciting or it would keep me up. We'll see how the Iliad turns out I've only read three pages so far.