I Can't Think of a Title

'They [the sails] filled, and the Sophie heeled over another strake or two; this coincided with her leeward roll, and the rail passed slowly under Stephen's downward gaze, to be followed by the sea – a wide expanse of glittering water, very far below, and directly underneath. His grip on the ratlines tightened with cataleptic strength and his upward progress ceased: he remained there spread-eagled, while the varying forces of gravity, centrifugal motion, irrational panic and reasonable dread acted upon his motionless, tight-cramped person, now pressing him forward so that the checkered pattern of the shrouds and their crossing ratlines were imprinted on his front, and now plucking him backwards so that he bellied out like a shirt hung up to dry.' O'Brian, Master and Commander, p.88.

Long sentences, masterful use of colons and semi-colons, Stephen's fit and the description. I read this on the subway to uni, and I had to eat my hand to keep from laughing uncontrollably – and inappropriately. The naval jargon is a bit much, but you get used to it. O'Brian's humour is beautiful. I've quoted this so many times we just say 'page 88' and break out in giggles.

I'm going out today, cold and finances be damned! And we're baking a French chocolate tart. It's mostly chocolate, cooked long enough to be slightly raw and runny in the middle. Perfect for rainy days, and for seeing The Merchant of Venice tomorrow.

I Can't Think of a Title

'They [the sails] filled, and the Sophie heeled over another strake or two; this coincided with her leeward roll, and the rail passed slowly under Stephen's downward gaze, to be followed by the sea – a wide expanse of glittering water, very far below, and directly underneath. His grip on the ratlines tightened with cataleptic strength and his upward progress ceased: he remained there spread-eagled, while the varying forces of gravity, centrifugal motion, irrational panic and reasonable dread acted upon his motionless, tight-cramped person, now pressing him forward so that the checkered pattern of the shrouds and their crossing ratlines were imprinted on his front, and now plucking him backwards so that he bellied out like a shirt hung up to dry.' O'Brian, Master and Commander, p.88.

Long sentences, masterful use of colons and semi-colons, Stephen's fit and the description. I read this on the subway to uni, and I had to eat my hand to keep from laughing uncontrollably – and inappropriately. The naval jargon is a bit much, but you get used to it. O'Brian's humour is beautiful. I've quoted this so many times we just say 'page 88' and break out in giggles.

I'm going out today, cold and finances be damned! And we're baking a French chocolate tart. It's mostly chocolate, cooked long enough to be slightly raw and runny in the middle. Perfect for rainy days, and for seeing The Merchant of Venice tomorrow.