(no subject)

I don't suppose it's often that an LJ entry is made to mark the passing of an academic, but having just read his obituary in The Times, I thought it appropriate to note the death, aged 80, of Professor Donald Nichol on September 25.

Once my interest in Byzantine history had been sparked by reading John Julius Norwich's Short History of Byzantium, I started casting around for more information on the subject, and by way of Steven Runciman and Georg Ostragorski - both eminent, but relatively dry writers, I found my way to Professor Nichol. Whereas Runciman concentrated on the early centuries, of Byzantium, Nichol was fascinated by the centuries of decline, and between them he and Runciman did much to rescue a fascinating and intriguing period in history from the academic dungeon in which it had been left by the ever-critical Gibbon in his Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. From his 18th Century viewpoint, Gibbon regarded the ten centuries of Byzantium as a sad and degenerate postscript to the glory that was Rome.

Such was his influence, that historians such as Nichol had something of a Sisyphean task in rehabilitating the subject and period. That it has been is surely a testament to the man's work.

And it seems we shared a birthday as well as an interest.

(no subject)

I don't suppose it's often that an LJ entry is made to mark the passing of an academic, but having just read his obituary in The Times, I thought it appropriate to note the death, aged 80, of Professor Donald Nichol on September 25.

Once my interest in Byzantine history had been sparked by reading John Julius Norwich's Short History of Byzantium, I started casting around for more information on the subject, and by way of Steven Runciman and Georg Ostragorski - both eminent, but relatively dry writers, I found my way to Professor Nichol. Whereas Runciman concentrated on the early centuries, of Byzantium, Nichol was fascinated by the centuries of decline, and between them he and Runciman did much to rescue a fascinating and intriguing period in history from the academic dungeon in which it had been left by the ever-critical Gibbon in his Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. From his 18th Century viewpoint, Gibbon regarded the ten centuries of Byzantium as a sad and degenerate postscript to the glory that was Rome.

Such was his influence, that historians such as Nichol had something of a Sisyphean task in rehabilitating the subject and period. That it has been is surely a testament to the man's work.

And it seems we shared a birthday as well as an interest.

A very British Protest

Quite often something happens, or is announced and the reaction is 'only in America...'

Well, here's an 'only in England' moment to redress the balance.

The Chaps are taking to the streets. Tomorrow, if all goes well, up to 4,000 tweed-clad revolutionaries will congregate at the Oscar Wilde Memorial at Charing Cross, Central London and begin a day of 'Chappist Indignation' at the state of Britain in 2003.

The manifesto of the 'Chappist Movement' "proposes to take a stand against this culture of vulgarity. On October 16, our agents will gently disrupt the societal status quo by politely pointing out the error of its ways.

"Our methods will be stealth, civility and charm, our targets the symbols of corporate banality: fast-food emporia, American-style coffee shops, sportswear purveyors and lager shebeens."

Planned protests include entering fast-food restaurants and asking for a table for two with a pleasant view.

The Chap Magazine

A very British Protest

Quite often something happens, or is announced and the reaction is 'only in America...'

Well, here's an 'only in England' moment to redress the balance.

The Chaps are taking to the streets. Tomorrow, if all goes well, up to 4,000 tweed-clad revolutionaries will congregate at the Oscar Wilde Memorial at Charing Cross, Central London and begin a day of 'Chappist Indignation' at the state of Britain in 2003.

The manifesto of the 'Chappist Movement' "proposes to take a stand against this culture of vulgarity. On October 16, our agents will gently disrupt the societal status quo by politely pointing out the error of its ways.

"Our methods will be stealth, civility and charm, our targets the symbols of corporate banality: fast-food emporia, American-style coffee shops, sportswear purveyors and lager shebeens."

Planned protests include entering fast-food restaurants and asking for a table for two with a pleasant view.

The Chap Magazine

The Laminated Shag List

I should be working, but frankly I can't be arsed. I have a fair idea of what I intend to do and it sounds like a lot, but actually won't take very long. So I get to do things that make me look busier than I actually am.

A few posts ago I also noted that I would never do another meme/questionnaire thing. Well, I never said I was consistent.

Anyway, the upshot of it is that despite my in-built horror of the phrase laminated shag list, discovered courtesy nyarbaggytep I find myself returning to the concept like a little kid prodding something squishy with a stick.

For the benefit of those on my friends list who do not read Baggy's journal, the laminated shag list (which still sounds painful to me) is referenced from that episode of Friends where they agree that everyone can have a list of 5 celebrities whom, should the opportunity arise, they are permitted by their other half to shag - no guilt, recriminations or arguments allowed. This list is laminated, agreed by both parties and is not subject to change at short notice.

So the celebs on my list would, after a great deal of glassy-eyed thought and much mental drooling, be:

Gillian Anderson
Nastassja Kinski
Sophie Dahl
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Isabelle Adjani

Some intrepid souls have listed celebrities of both sexes they would fancy shagging and taken the opportunity to make their lists up to 10 on that basis.

I can honestly say that I cannot think of a bloke that appeals to me. Equally, it would be less than honest of me not to admit that having watched both Stargate and The Crying Game, I have on occasion noted that my English Puritan soul would be a somewhat less troubled if Jaye Davidson was a girl, not a bloke.

The Laminated Shag List

I should be working, but frankly I can't be arsed. I have a fair idea of what I intend to do and it sounds like a lot, but actually won't take very long. So I get to do things that make me look busier than I actually am.

A few posts ago I also noted that I would never do another meme/questionnaire thing. Well, I never said I was consistent.

Anyway, the upshot of it is that despite my in-built horror of the phrase laminated shag list, discovered courtesy nyarbaggytep I find myself returning to the concept like a little kid prodding something squishy with a stick.

For the benefit of those on my friends list who do not read Baggy's journal, the laminated shag list (which still sounds painful to me) is referenced from that episode of Friends where they agree that everyone can have a list of 5 celebrities whom, should the opportunity arise, they are permitted by their other half to shag - no guilt, recriminations or arguments allowed. This list is laminated, agreed by both parties and is not subject to change at short notice.

So the celebs on my list would, after a great deal of glassy-eyed thought and much mental drooling, be:

Gillian Anderson
Nastassja Kinski
Sophie Dahl
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Isabelle Adjani

Some intrepid souls have listed celebrities of both sexes they would fancy shagging and taken the opportunity to make their lists up to 10 on that basis.

I can honestly say that I cannot think of a bloke that appeals to me. Equally, it would be less than honest of me not to admit that having watched both Stargate and The Crying Game, I have on occasion noted that my English Puritan soul would be a somewhat less troubled if Jaye Davidson was a girl, not a bloke.