Meet the Neighbours (PDAP, Chapter Four, Pages 11-14)

Chapter Four continues, as everyone both within and without swarms toward the New Gate of Archipoli. Those within wish to see the approaching threat for themselves. Those without seek the safety of the gates.

Well, most of them.

- - - - -

Anyone need some book recommendations?

I've had Michael Pollan's HOW TO CHANGE YOUR MIND on my shelf since 2018 or so, but had never got around to reading it. Thank goodness for audiobooks from the library. I opened it up to hear tales of psychedelic trips and found myself most fascinated by the history sections, which placed a lot of famous names I'd heard in my youth (e.g. Timothy Leary) in a context I couldn't have understood at the time. There's some fascinating exploration of the use of psychedelics in addiction and other therapies, as well as heavy, heavy emphasis on the importance of "set and setting," the environment in which one embarks upon a psychedelic experience. Worth a listen for anyone wondering, "would I enjoy a psychedelic trip?" or with even a passing curiosity in the subject material.

Continuing the Greek Mythology binge which I mentioned a few months ago, I pulled down a few more modern retellings. My favourite so far has been Natalie Haynes' STONE BLIND, which tells the story of Medusa. I liked Haynes' PANDORA'S JAR, and I'm liking this even more. Where PANDORA'S JAR was a humorous series of lectures/essays, STONE BLIND is more of a traditional novel, and Haynes puts the extra elbow room to good use. I knew she was funny as a comedian and a lecturer, but all I'd heard had been birds-eye-view sort of stuff, so I'll admit I was surprised that her characters are so rich and her ground-level scenes play out great. Her Athena is just the worst (best), and I love the scenes of Athena and Hermes trolling Perseus. Curiously, Haynes airs her grievances against Perseus in authorial interjections, but (so far at least) the way she represents him in the story, he's sympathetic. It's a strange tension. I'm looking forward to the rest of this.

- - - - -

Colouring continues! I worry that I'm overworking the colour in this chapter, but the lighting effects are so specific it's hard not to.

I have felt nervous about sharing this chapter in a way I haven't with previous chapters. Maybe it's a tipping point in the story. Maybe I just hope everyone thinks the scenes and the pirates are as cool as I hope they are. Or maybe I'm just excited to have got this far! I don't know. It's a strange feeling.

Whatever it is, there's still a lot of Chapter Four to go and still a lot of PRACTICAL DEFENCE to go. Buckle up! :)

Until next week,
I remain,
airing my grievances in authorial interjections,

TC