Great writing Greg. I laughed hard at "...it’s better to just let the little bastard score." Coffee everywhere! As a big fan of graphic novels, I'll definitely have to check out Accidental Czar. Cheers.
And the US had a chance to weigh in, as I recall, Tom Delay was an arse in negotiations to help struggling Russia, early 90’s I think. Did I dream that?
Probably. It was interesting to hear Andrew talk about the factions within the Bush I administration and how they wanted to deal with the USSR...let it die, or help Gorby and manage it better.
I promise to listen to your interview with Mr. Weiss ASAP, Greg. So far, just reading this excellent post confirms my very uneducated guess all along that this guy - as deadly as he has been - is a straight-up phony.
But forgive my digression, I have to ask about Empress Theodora, and how she is linked to Maria (Mart'a). Was she Maria's mother? I thought her mother's name was Borena. Plus, Theodora (497CE-548CE) and Maria (1042-1118) doesn't seem to fit the proper timeline. Plus, what does CE mean?
Making crib notes as I go along so I keep all the characters straight in my head, but it's not an easy task for me. As well, I'm searching maps of this era as it helps to visualize where these places that you describe are in relation to one another.
Don't get me wrong, Greg. I'm having loads of fun learning about the Byzantine Empire since when I started all I knew about it was how to spell "Byzantine." Thanks for this wakeup call to the past!
I do know that CE means "Common Era," what used to be called AD "Anno Domini" or Year of Our Lord. I can understand that change! Also, BCE is "Before Common Era" or BC, but a lot of people still use all of them interchangeably. The rest will be up to Greg -- I read Empress but didn't read it like there would be a test -- and thank the gods there's no test!
I hardly retain anything, books, movies, TV show plots -- some I do, but most I don't. The silver lining to that is I can go back later and see/read them again and will have forgotten how it ends, so it's almost brand new to me. That didn't serve me well in school, but now, NO TESTS! lol
Theodora was the wife of Justinian, one of the most significant leaders of the middle ages, and one who doesn't get enough credit. He plucked her from either the stage or the brothel, depending on what source you read, but he made her his co-ruler, basically. They were a formidable pair. But they died centuries before Mart'a/Maria and have no relation.
Steve is right about CE. I use it, because it's what's used in academic writing to be more inclusive. Anna uses AD, though...even though the Byzantines had their own dating system.
Also, there are appendices in the back that will hopefully help keep it all straight. I made a big spreadsheet, for myself, to show how old everyone was at various years. I reproduced it in the back.
Oh, my, you made a family tree, and everything! Duh, should've looked there first before asking. This will really assist my travels as I read. Thank you.
I've long thought that Putin, and some of the leaders here, engage in what could be called "performance art" most of the time. It covers a lot of flaws that might otherwise be noticed sooner. The unfortunate thing, FOR THEM, is that when people like the Putin-inspired Donald Trump come to the stage, we learn exactly how it's done, and it's not nearly as effective the next time. When you see how the rabbit is ACTUALLY pulled out of the hat, the trick loses its magic.
Entertaining as hell piece Greg, sadly, that little man complexed Fuck, should have had his gait permanently altered to a dirt nap horizontal position long ago! Slainte!!
Great writing Greg. I laughed hard at "...it’s better to just let the little bastard score." Coffee everywhere! As a big fan of graphic novels, I'll definitely have to check out Accidental Czar. Cheers.
“Yeah, but droids don’t pull people’s arms out of their sockets when they lose. Wookies are known to do that.”
C-3PO “I see your point Sir. I suggest a new strategy, R2. . Let the Wookiee win.”
This sounds like I’m making Putin a Wookiee. But I see him more as Jabba the Hutt.
And yet Yeltsin looked more like Jabba. It's all so complicated...
Thanks, Helen! I think that was the last edit I made to the piece, and it's my favorite line, too!
It's a great book, well worth it.
Oh, Christ. So Putin was more like a contestant on " The Apprentice"
Love you Greg.
Another great guest.
Thank you Mr. Weiss.
Stacy O 💖
🥰
I think he's way smarter than that, but....yes.
And the US had a chance to weigh in, as I recall, Tom Delay was an arse in negotiations to help struggling Russia, early 90’s I think. Did I dream that?
Probably. It was interesting to hear Andrew talk about the factions within the Bush I administration and how they wanted to deal with the USSR...let it die, or help Gorby and manage it better.
Wow. Now I get it. Thanks.
Thanks!
Interesting analysis.
Seems visual?
Not so much cerebral?
I'll try and digest the excellent
scribbling for awhile.
The artwork is quite great.
Greg, i think the world of graphics is great but i failed to make the transition.
As a kid i didnt care for comic books.
I preferred reading without pictures.
Probably a result of being forced to learn to read at three using a well worn copy of a King James bible.
My favorite Artist is Frank Frazette.
My Dad is about to pass. He’s in the final stages. End of an era.
Morning, Roland. Sorry to hear about your dad. Glad you had some semblance of a reckoning with him, little as it may have been.
Thank you Lynell. I’m thanking you personally, and everyone else on HCR. All of you bore witness. That community was my Dad therapy. 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Sorry to hear that, Roland. Stay strong, and remember to take care of yourself in addition to any other things you may be responsible for.
🙏
Sending you good vibes, Roland.
My condolences Roland. Losing a parent is surreal.
Thank you Gail
I promise to listen to your interview with Mr. Weiss ASAP, Greg. So far, just reading this excellent post confirms my very uneducated guess all along that this guy - as deadly as he has been - is a straight-up phony.
But forgive my digression, I have to ask about Empress Theodora, and how she is linked to Maria (Mart'a). Was she Maria's mother? I thought her mother's name was Borena. Plus, Theodora (497CE-548CE) and Maria (1042-1118) doesn't seem to fit the proper timeline. Plus, what does CE mean?
Making crib notes as I go along so I keep all the characters straight in my head, but it's not an easy task for me. As well, I'm searching maps of this era as it helps to visualize where these places that you describe are in relation to one another.
Don't get me wrong, Greg. I'm having loads of fun learning about the Byzantine Empire since when I started all I knew about it was how to spell "Byzantine." Thanks for this wakeup call to the past!
I do know that CE means "Common Era," what used to be called AD "Anno Domini" or Year of Our Lord. I can understand that change! Also, BCE is "Before Common Era" or BC, but a lot of people still use all of them interchangeably. The rest will be up to Greg -- I read Empress but didn't read it like there would be a test -- and thank the gods there's no test!
Thanks, Steve. Meant to say I welcome all comments on my questions.
Test or no, I really want to absorb this story beyond my brain's capacity these days to retain.
I hardly retain anything, books, movies, TV show plots -- some I do, but most I don't. The silver lining to that is I can go back later and see/read them again and will have forgotten how it ends, so it's almost brand new to me. That didn't serve me well in school, but now, NO TESTS! lol
Your comment is more than vaguely familiar to me, Steve. Thanks for the "non-memories!"
Thanks, Lynell!
Theodora was the wife of Justinian, one of the most significant leaders of the middle ages, and one who doesn't get enough credit. He plucked her from either the stage or the brothel, depending on what source you read, but he made her his co-ruler, basically. They were a formidable pair. But they died centuries before Mart'a/Maria and have no relation.
Steve is right about CE. I use it, because it's what's used in academic writing to be more inclusive. Anna uses AD, though...even though the Byzantines had their own dating system.
Also, there are appendices in the back that will hopefully help keep it all straight. I made a big spreadsheet, for myself, to show how old everyone was at various years. I reproduced it in the back.
Oh, my, you made a family tree, and everything! Duh, should've looked there first before asking. This will really assist my travels as I read. Thank you.
Spread Sheet?
Queen size White please
I've long thought that Putin, and some of the leaders here, engage in what could be called "performance art" most of the time. It covers a lot of flaws that might otherwise be noticed sooner. The unfortunate thing, FOR THEM, is that when people like the Putin-inspired Donald Trump come to the stage, we learn exactly how it's done, and it's not nearly as effective the next time. When you see how the rabbit is ACTUALLY pulled out of the hat, the trick loses its magic.
And one begins to feel great sympathy for the rabbit...
Entertaining as hell piece Greg, sadly, that little man complexed Fuck, should have had his gait permanently altered to a dirt nap horizontal position long ago! Slainte!!
Solid gold, this here