cute advertising from Sweden

Via mazjan: we'd never see anything this obvious here. And yes, yes, I know - tampons aren't the healthiest thing to use, but at least this ad doesn't flinch about showing the feminine product being advertised :P

teevee: Rome

I know I'm very late coming to the game, but I'm finally seeing HBO's Rome for the first time and am quite enjoying it.

For those even later to the game than I am - it's a historical drama that takes place in Rome after the Gallic War and covers the political/martial machinations between Caesar (military) and Pompey (Senate). A lot of the action is seen through the eyes of two of Caesar's soldiers.

The "making of" feature suggests that this series is what happens when hardcore historians are given a budget - my surface impression is that sets, costumes, social/mores, religion, etc. were researched to within an inch of their lives and presented as accurately as possible, with all the sex, violence, and gore that suggests. Even the two soldiers are based on people mentioned in a historical account of the Gallic Wars. If this is true (and I have my doubts, see below), I have to ask - why aren't more historical movies/tv shows as thorough and good as this? Is it funding, or just skimping on the details to appeal to a wider audience?

But, I'm no expert on Roman history so I'm throwing the question out there (aimed particularly at wcg, but anyone who knows feel free to pitch in): are they getting this right? How much creative license are they taking? I'm particularly curious about the role of women, as Atia and the other female characters seem to have a lot more autonomy/freedom of movement than my high-school level "history of the Roman Empire" suggested.

quiet weekend

I deliberately kept this weekend quiet.

Much as I love to go and do, I'm learning - slowly, and stubbornly - that sometimes I have to call a "time out" for my own sanity. This weekend I kept open with no social plans, no errands (except the weekly grocery trip). It was a good one :)

I finished my doublet pattern. Incredibly, given my fiddler crab-like proportions, my arms are alike enough that my drafted pattern will work for both right and left! Let me just say now - I love the smaller/tighter armseyes of earlier periods. Many modern clothes with their great gaping armholes do odd, unflattering things around my shoulders and bustline if there isn't stretch involved, so this is a welcome discovery :)

I also read a lot - uninterrupted, for at least 3 hours. I'd almost forgotten what a decadent luxury it is to just sit and read, setting aside all other priorities! I finished The Trainer - another highly compulsive read by Laura Antoniou, whose full output I can't recommend enough! There's a twist at the end that while not entirely unexpected is vivid and delicious in it's description, yet it still leaves you wondering enough about one repeating character to not feel sure you know everything - yet.

Also finished Queen Isabella - readable history, but I enjoyed the last third or so most, when it got into the evidence suggesting that Edward II may have evaded his assassination and died a hermit in Italy. But then, I do love historic true crime :)

Got some other goodies out of the library: a history of hip-hop, philosophical essays about Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a Christopher Moore, and an Elizabethan-era mystery. I'll review once I finish them if I decide they're worth the effort :P

Meanwhile, to bed because I have a busy week ahead - Tuesday costuming lecture, fencing, and a fully packed weekend with study, party, and possibly more fencing (depending on how studying/party turn out).