Book 21

Today was the day of the contest. Penelope brought out my bow this morning. To finally decide who would be wed my wife they would try to string my bow and with it, shoot an arrow through 12 axe head loops. Impossible. No man could do what I could do, but they humored me anyway. According to plan, Telemakhos failed first. This made the suitors think that Telemakhos was no threat. Then the other suitors tried. All I have to say is HAHAHAHAHA!!! No of them could do it, besides Antinoos and Eurymakhos only because they waited in the back. Just as I was collecting myself from all the laughter, I saw the swineherd and cowherd leaving. After assuring their loyalty to me, I revealed my identity to them. Yeah, that club just keeps getting bigger. I asked them to help me with me plan to murder the suitors. I just told them to lock some doors so that the screams of the dying suitors won't be heard. That way their shrieks and cries for help won't be heard, and their will be no hope for any of them (at this point I let out an evil laugh). I return back to contest, and Eurymakhos was up next. Of course he did not even string the bow. Before Antinoos's turn, he suggests that we all try again tomorrow, and that we will pray for Apollo the Archer to be with us. Then I make the suggestion that I may participate in the contest, and sarcastically said what a good idea it is to rely on Apollo. I have learned that relying on the gods doesn't always work out. That is why I requested the help of the herders. I needed some tangible allies. Antinoos, man I hate that guy, shoots that idea down even faster that I could ever shoot him down. He suggests that I am drunk, and that wine can do bad things to a man. What a hypocrite. He gets drunk everyday, and no one yells at him. After he is finished scolding, my wife sticks up for me. This arguing goes on until with Penelope until, just as planned, Telemakhos takes over. He firmly establishes himself as the master, and send Penelope to do women things. I did not realize how blown back she would be. The swineherd brought me my bow according to plan also. He stopped though when the suitors yelled at him. Then Telemakhos, in a futile attempt to takeover the situation, tells the swineherd to bring it to me for he is master. The suitors laugh. My son, bad orator, good comedian, they are one and the same. So I receive the bow and to my shtick. Hurray I did it, whoopdee-doo. This is the moment though I've been waiting for. I give Telemakhos the cue, and he suits up. All the doors are locked, I am on the field finishing writing this, and its butt kicking time.

Book 20

I went to sleep last night to the sound of my own maids laughing, and heading for the suitor's bedroom. How could they turn on me like that? I just wanted to burst from my bed and strangle them all. However, I did not do this. Instead Athena calmed me by giving one of her famous pep talks. I just loving falling asleep to the thoughts of slaughtering my enemies. When I awoke to Penelope's sobs, I leaped from bed. From there I went outside. I asked Zeus to show me a sign that I was following his heading, and that he was with me. Suddenly a lighting bolt crashed from the cloudless sky. It was awesome, and I knew Zeus was listening to me. One of my own handmills agreed with me. A while later, the swineherd had arrived at the palace for the suitor's feast. I met Philoitios, a cattle herder, who misses Odysseus like everyone else. I assured him that Odysseus shall return. We talked a bit more, and then joined the feast. Then, of course, the suitors started their usual "let's pick on the homeless guy" routine. Telemakhos ignored their foul words until one new addition to the suitor gang threw a cow foot at us. How lame is that?! I just wanted to shove that cow foot up his posterior, if you know what I mean. But I did not. Over these past days, I have learned one important lesson that even surprises me now: Although keeping emotions inside can be harmful to a man, in some circumstances it can be the best possible choice out there. After the cow foot incident, Telemakhos blew a fuse. I never knew what a man he has become. He no longer feared the suitors, but instead stood up for what he believed in. I am only sorry to miss him growing up. It was silent for a while, until the suitors started to talk again. However the visionary Theoklymenos grabbed my attention. He said the suitors were surrounded by darkness so that they cannot see the truth of what is really going on around them. They do not see my plot, or how their presence plagues the country. To this they only laugh and kick the visionary out. At the meal, and even now, I prepare for the slaughter of the suitors. Till that day.

Book 19

How does one do today? Sorry, its Odysseus and I'm just trying to spice things up a bit. I know that it is taking a while for me to kill the suitors, but it will happen sometime. However that day was not today. We took our first steps by moving the weapons into the inner hall for easy access. after we finished that, Telemakhos went beddy-bye, and I had an unfriendly encounter with Melntho. However, if it wasn't for our little feud, Penelope, who looked like a million sun shines upon Mt. Olympos, called me in to her chamber where I sat on a rather comfy bench. She asked me my origins, and I told her I couldn't because it would pain me to much. That was the truth, if I was Odysseus again. But eventually she forced it out of me through a guilt bomb. I told her the lie I had told everyone else about Krete. I said I had seen Odysseus, and he stayed with me for thirteen days, but then left. At this she started to weep profusely. Yes, I had to sit there, while my wife cried her eyes out for something I could grant her right there. It was torcher, but I did not show it. She then asked for proof, which I might have put too much detail into, but after hearing that she cried again. I had to do something. So, I told her the truth, as a third neutral party observer of course. I told though of how I landed in the Phaikian kingdom, and how I would be heading for Ithika soon to slay the suitors. Whe I say "I", I mean Odysseus. Instead of crying she replied in a pessimistic way. She said how lovely it would be if I returned, but how I could never do that. Thanks for the encouragement Penelope! Then she mentioned some dream. She got all excited, and had her maids bath me and oil me. However that sounds swell, I refused. For that might give away my identity. But I allowed Eurykleia to bath me. When I took off my clothes, and she washed my legs, she immediately recognized the scar I attained before the war by a boar. I completely forgot about that. Nothing ever good happens to me when I take my clothes off. I grab her throat and threatened to kill her if she ever told anyone that Odyseus was in Ithika. I'm still working on that whole violent obsession thing. Somehow, Penelope did not hear the shrills of joy Eurykleia let out. She promised not to tell, and after the bath Penelope asked me to join her in her bed. I was astonished. I thought that she was the loyal one. However, like me she was lonely for many years. When all this is over, that is going to be one awkward conversation. Any who, after she complained how lonely she was and how I would never return, she asked me to interpret a dream. The dream was me, as an eagle, swooping down and killing twenty suitor geese. Although she just thought of it as nonsense, I think that this dream reflects Penelope's deeper feelings about the situation. So she does believe in me. And on that dreamy note, we all went to sleep. Which shall soon includes me.

Book 18

It was not such a good day in the life of an old beggar (me, Odysseus). The suitors were their jerky selfishy selves. Oh, and someone threw another bench at me. I know, right?! Well, besides the suitors and smokin' Penelope, I had a little chat with the only perosn I realy felt I could trust at the time, besides my son. This was Amphinomos, son of Nisos. He is clear minded like his father, so I had to tell someone what I had learned, while still maintaining my disguise. I first told him how man is the most fragile of all the gods creations, and how man always believes everything is okay.I said that man relies on god given talents too much. I think I told him this just because I was one of those men. I relied on the gods to give me strenth and set out whether a day would be good or bad. They controlled my life, but I now learned that I have control in my life. The result however of letting them control my life, was the state I am in now (as a beggar and as Odysseus). However, I still like relying on the gods. If Zeus and Athena do not help me slay the suitors, someone be eating dirt from the graveyard if I'm not there first. I reminded Alphinomos something else important. No man is above the law, and yes that includes the suitors. Also I told that one's gifts should be used occasionally and appreciated, but that is it. I learned this by using my strenth in fighting and competition and war as well. These did nothing but cause an obsession within me, one that I cannot stop either. Maybe after I kill the suitors I'll be off the stuff for good. We'll see. Back to the Rule of Law, I advised the suitors to stop their actions and warned them that Odysseus, me, is near and will make them pay in blood. Wow, I realy am obssessed with fighting. Oh well, its not somehting I can cure overnight. So goodnight.

Book 17

Hey, its Odysseus again. Just here to tell everyone how amazing I am at disguising myself! Well it all started this morning when I got up. My son already had his sword tied in and ready to go. What a good boy he is. So, we all got up and Telemakhos decided that should return to sweet Penelope, and that I should also be brought into the city to beg (I wa still a beggar in the swineherd's eyes). So Telemakhos left, and then after we at breakfast we also left. We made our way, but before we did I got myself a walking stick. I was really just trying to play up the part. As we got nearer to the city, we met Melanthios. As soon as he took one look at us both he started to make fun of the odd couple we made. Then he had the nerve to kick me as he passed. I was so angry that I was about to just knock him down with the power of Zeus in my fist. But I had self control, unlike the swineherd. He prayed that Melanthios's flock would perish. Unfortunatly, he was going in the same dirction as us, and stayed with us until we reached my hall. At that point he joined the suitors. I should have known he was one of them. Just as we were about to enter the gate, I saw my old dog, Argos. I loved him so much, and now he lay with the dung. I had to shed a tear, and we moved on. We entered, and Telemakhos gave us bread and meat. However he told us also to go and beg from the suitors. Like Athena said to me, we could see who was decent and who was evil and would be slain first. So we went thorugh the line of suitors, and they filed my bag with bread. However Melanthios had to say somehting, which caused Alkinoos, the worst suitor of them all, to say something about why I shouldn't be there.Some people will just always be evil. Eumaios responded, but Telemakhos saved him the long speech. Alkinoos then tries to impress and calm Telemakhos by giving me a stool. Sarcastically I thank him, but also say how I was burdened with beggars too when I was rich, and was kind to them. Alkinoos did not like that. He just went on and on about what trouble I'll be in with him if I keep going. So I yell at him for his greediness. That was the last straw for him. As I walked away triumfantly, he threw a bench at my back whic sounds worse than it is. I am really going to enjoy this slaughtering of suitors, but the time has not come. I yell at him again, but he stops me and send me off. So I left, but a few minutes later, the swineherd comes out to me saying that the queen wishes my presence. Although I am overwhelmed, I refuse until the darkness and safety. Till then my love, and I waited.

Book 16

Sorry I did not write in a while. I have been so occupied by this whole "returning home" thing. I didn't even recognize Ithika when I finally landed there.Oh yes, I made it back to Ithika. Hurray! Like I said though, I didn't recognize it. Now I am staying with a swineherd who, like most people, were told a lie when they asked who I was. Today, however, something amazing happened. I woke up at the swinherd's house like usual. We stated up the fire, and made some breakfast. Then, right in the middle of our wonderful meal, someone comes walking in on us. The watchdogs don't even bark at the stranger walking up our path. We just hear sniffing and footsteps approaching the door way. That gap is soon fillied with a man I thought I would never see. It was Telemakhos. The swineherd greets him with tears in his eyes like a good father should. Apparently they know eachother very well, and my son has been away from home for half the time I have. And I, the real father, just sit there. Of course my son does not recognize me, which is disappointing, but we have never met before. Eumaios, the swineherd, tries to place me in Telemakhos's care. Telemakhos, clearly not having the fatherly model in his life, complains that he is to weak and young. He does agree to help me through the winter, but will not allow me to stay with him due to the suitors that I have heard so much about. I ask Telenakhos why he does not fight them, and simply responds that he is too young to do anything about it. He then sends the swineherd to tell Penelope of his return. This leaves me and my son alone. Athena speaks to me, and cleans me up a bit. I must admit that I sure clean up good. At any rate, I approach Telemakhos, and reveal to him my identity. He first does not trust my new appearance, but then we both burst in to tears. It was a real father-son moment. We discuss the problem of the suitors. With the help of Zeus and Athena, I'm sure that we can slaughter them. However, when I was informed that suitors roamed my hall, I was thinking around a dozen or two. One hundred suitors though could be a problem. So, we hatch an elaborate plan to defeat the suitors. Although I am a warrior, brains before brawn still applies. When the swineherd returns panitng, he tells us of the other messenger we sent. With a smirk, we both ignore the comment. I think that we are actually starting to bond. And on that note, we all get a good nights sleep, which I would enjoy ot be appart of now.

Book 12

My story continues to King Alkinoos. I pick up after leaving the Realm of the Underworld, and we make our way to Aiaia. There, I kept the promise I made with the shade of Elpenor, and gave him a proper burial. We took off once again, and the next land we saw was that of the beautiful Kirke. She restocked our ships, and all day we drank and ate till we we all swore never to eat again after our last piece of beef. It was great, and quite a change in tone from our trip to the Underworld. Later that night Kirke warns me of the dangers of the Seirenes, and the different paths I could take home. She warns us of Skylls and Kharybdis. We leavave Kirke's paradise, and chose the path of the forked land. We first pass the Seirens,who sing a song that would brainwash even the most shy men into loving them. I warn the men to tie me, and give them wax to plug their ears. We pass, and disoeyhing my usual pattern of self-control, I go beserk for the Seirens. Luckily my men hold me back. By the way, please don't mention this to my wife. After we pass the Seirens with success, we start to head towards Kharybdis's whirlpool. I tell the men to disband their fear and row like they have never rowed before. And it actually worked. Until Skylls stole six of my finest. I can still hear their cries as I sit hear right now. But we did pass with minor losses, and came across Helios's island. I learned from past experience that following your pleasures has consequences you must deal with. So, I told the men to keep rowing. However, Eurylokhos, being the baby he is, convinces the men to go ashore. After we land, a brutal storm hits which keeps us there for a month. Slowly our provision die down, but I know that if we kill Helios's cattle, he'll burn us like rice paper. In a desperate attempt to save our men, I slip away to a shelter where I try to pray for our men. Instead, Zeus puts a deep slumber upon me. Next thing I know, I smell smoke and everyone has stomach's full of Helio's cattle. Now the waters quite down, so I think it was the perfect time to get the heck out of there! We sail smoothly for a while, but then a storm hits. The second to worst happens. Zeus takes one of his white thunder-bolts and hurls it at us. It destroys my crew and ship. Alone I grab some wood an tie it toghether to make a raft. Then the worst happens. The storm starts to bring me back to Kharybdis. I survived her whirlpool, and remained unseen from Skylls. I drift towards Kalypso, and that is where my story ends (Well, not literally. I still amke my way eventually to where I am now).

Book 11

Sorry once again for the interuption, I was just sipping this wonderful wine of Alkinoos. He must have such great vineyard workers. I have to ask him who he uses. Well, I left off leaving Kirke's after hearing that we must venture to the underworld. Thankfully she sent us off with a wind, however it did not last as we entered the land where Helios's light don't shine. We took the animals and equipment off the ship, and made the preperations for the sacrifice for Persephone. We slayed the lamb and ewe, and let their blood drip into the altar. A cold shiver went down my spine as all the shades of the underworld gathered at this beach, all trying to take the sacrfice for themselves. We saw our fallen comrade Elpenor, and he asked for a proper burial. Apparently we forgot to bury him, whoopsie daisy. I distincly remeber kicking some dirt over him or something, but I agreed to bury him. I had to constantly fend off the souls, even my own mother. Keeping the woman who brought me up from what she desired was hard to do. The Prince of Thebes approached and asked me nicely, so I allowed him some blood. He then made a prophecy for me. According to him I'll slay suitors of Penelope, and then die a happy man. Then he tells me something even more interesting, which explained why my mother was ignoring me. He said that she will only speak to me if I allow her to sip from my blood bath, and so I did. She immediately recognized me, and launched a million questions at me like any mother would. I answered that I hadn't been back to Ithika. She told me off how my wife and son longed for me, and the weakening state of my father. I tried to embrace het, but I went through her like air. I guess you can't bake the cake and eat it. With I sigh and a tear in my eyes, I drew my sword again to fend off familiar souls. I recognized lovely ladies and others. Just as I was going to go more in depth, my eye caught the sun dial, and there was no time. It was way past my bed time, and I'm the kind of guy that can say no when my limits are pushed. I suggested that we all retire to our respective areas, but King Alkinoos wished to hear more. So I reluctantly continued. I went on with how I saw some more of my peers now passed. I had a chat with Agememnon, who was violently murdered by his wife. I also got to see Akhilleus, and finally make him proud. His son, Neoptolemos, was quite a debater and warrior. I moved on to see others among the dead. There are some advantages to traveling to the underworld. I beheld the sight numerous others in Death's realm, mortal and immortal. However, just I was fininshing a conversation with the boasting Herekles, all of the shades scattered in a fury. Fear overcame me, for I did not know what Persephone could bring our from the depths of hell. I ran back to the ship like a little girl, and ordered the crew to cast off. They too had no problem with this plan. We sailed on with the wind, away from that terrible place.

Book 10

I did take a break from telling the story to Alkinoos. Well, when a man's got to go, he's got to go. So I left off at us leaving the island of the Kyklops. Our fleet of ships then made port at different places. We first stopped at Aiolia, where for a month I told the story of the war to King Aiolos. He then, being the warden of winds, bagged us some wind to us on our trip home. We said our good-byes and were on our way. Leading a few ships is a very tiring job, especially for nine days. Well I did it. So, like any normal man I took a little nap. All of the sudden I wake up, and we are flying back to Aiolia. Someone in the crew had opened the bag of wind, thinking it was gold! We pleeded to Ailos to give us another bag, but he sent us with are tails between our legs. Back on the open sea again, we found port in the land of the Laistrygon. We were soon chased away from their too after they showed us their cannibalistic ways. However we did not leave without our losses. Their slingers destroyed all of our ships, but mine. Grief haunted us for days until we reached the island of Kirke. We landed in a port, and stayed there for two days. After those days I decided to climb up, and what was inland. I saw red smoke rising from Kirke's Hall. Although the men were weary to go, remembering the Laistrygons and Kyklpos, we drew lots to see who would investigate. My second in command, Eurylokhos, was drawn. He took half our men to see Kirke's Hall. The next I saw of him he was panting with a weary look on his face. He said that the men were turned into animals and locked up by Kirke. Immeadiatley, I sling my broad sword onto my belt, and told Eurylokhos to take me back there. But only a coward showed within him, so I went alone. On my jounrey there, a small boy approached me as if he knew me. It was pretty weird, however he armed me with a flower that would make me resist Kirke's charms. Only a god could have uprooted that flower. I thanked his immortal presence, and made my way to Kirke's. When I got there she greeted me with her poisonous drink, and I drank. The plant though, made me uneffected. When she tried to turn me into an animal, I unsheathed my sword and held it to her throat. Amazed at what she saw, Kirke invited me into her bed. I had to decline. I had seen it all with Kalypso. I swore her from then on not to use her magic on me, and thankfully she agreed. Then four maids bathed me and prepared the room with food and drink. I did not touch either. I still did not trust the fair Kirke. Because I was not eating, she told me to bring my ship ashore and my men to her. Although I did not trust her, I was a gentleman and followed her orders. We stayed with Kirke for many months, and put on a few pounds, until one of my men brought to my attention that we must return home. I agreed with him because I too was longing for home. I told Kirke that we will be leaving her. To this she said we could leave her (very good) but not to home (VERY BAD). We all wanted to go home, but Kirke said we first must travel to the Land of Death. How exciting. There, a prophecy of the future would be made by Teieresias. We were given our sacrificial animals, and Kirke disappeared into thin air. Well, were on our way to cold dark realm of Death and pale Persephone, no matter how hard we cried.

Book 9

After mych anticipation I decided to relieve Alkinoos of his ignorance and tell him my name. So I said to him I was Odysseus, but he did not get a chance to respond because with my name, comes the great tale follows it. I start with my leaving in victory at Troy, and us arriving and almost conquering the island of the Kikones. However when I advised the men to leave with our treasure, they got drunk on almost all our storage of wine. Our enslaved women escaped and assembled the main force of the Kikones. I could not beleive it! Now we had to fight a powerful army, which many lives were lost to as we attempted to ward them off. The emotion of losing many of our best fighters traveled with us as we retreated to sea. For three days we mourned the painful loses of our men. This was not the time to do the "I told you so" dance. Suddenly though, Zeus unleashed a powerful storm which caused us to go ashore for two whole days. We took off again only to Poseidon doings once more. He caused us to drift for nine days until we reached the lovely Lotus Eaters, whose hospitality was endless. Our journey continues as we find ourselves to land upon the shores of the dreadful Kyklops. My cousin's bestfriend's wife's father's grandchild's once removed was eaten by a Kyklops, so I was cautious. Then we see a desert island which we make land on with its perfect pastures, and plentiful hunting meat. Now from where we came, every stare was directed at the smoke coming fromt the Kyklope's Land. The next day, my ship alone embarks for the treachurous land. Me and twelve of my best men went ahead to the cave of the Kyklopes we saw on the way in. I brought a big goatskin full of the drink of the gods to show our graciousness. We arrive at the cave, and to our disappointment the brute we saw earlier was gone. All the men wanted to take his cheese and goats and leave him be, but I wished to see what the Kyklop would offer to us. When he arrived back, he shut the huge rock door and milked his goats for supper. Only when all this was finished did he notice us. Like the leader I am, I introduced us and kindly threatened the giant with Zeus's vengence if he was not hospitipal. Then he says he is greater than Zeus (which cannot be), and ask us where are ship could be. Being the sly fox I am, I tell him we are shipwrecked here. To that no response, but then all of the sudden he grabs two of my men and grinds the in his teeth for dinner. How furious I was. I almost killed him right then, but soon realized if the Kyklops were to die, then not even a thosand horses could remove the stone door. So we all sleep in the cave that night. However, I prayed to Athena to give me an olive tree to help avenge my devoured men. Althoguh two wrongs do not make a right, there are a few exceptions. And so she did, and while the Kyklops was away, my men made a stake from the tree. Then when we all return to the cave I intoxicate the cavman, casuing him to passout cold. Then my men and I go home with the stake in the Kyklpos third eye. It was a succsses! When the giant awoke due to the stab he called for his friends. Cleverly I told him that my name was Nohbdy, so when the giant said nobody attacked me, his friends went home as did we. We all set sail with a victory under our belts, and with a few minor boulder dodges and bragging rights, we sailed off onto the open sea, blissfully unaware of Zeus's terror ahead.

Book 8

Hey, its Odysseus. I have come to realize that me being a light sleeper, and waking up in that olive bush to come here, actually came to my aid. When Alkinoos said he would help me get home, he wasn't joking around. Today, he brought toghether all of his greatest generals and captains. He said to them that they must find a 52 man crew, the fastest sailer in the land, and rig and prepare a blackship for departure. Amazing! I could be back in Ithika in no time at all. And, to top it all off, everyone is invited to a feast in the evening with a fantastic minstrel. I watch them loop the oars and bring up the white sail, and before I know it, it is time for the banquet. Tuskers and oxen are brought out and cooked to perfection. After we all drink and eat for a bit Demodokos, the minstrel whose fingers must be guided by Muse herself, come out with his harp. He plays a song about the struggle between Akhilleus and I. I start to weep, but cover it up with my mantle. When you hear something that caused you great suffering, your emotion sadens even to the extent of tears. Only Alkinoos notices next to me, and thankfully stops the music. Instead he offers that we go to the pentathalon, where the Phaiakians show off their skill in track and field. Although this takes my mind off of the war, it dosn't cure my sulen mood. I watch a the sailers and princes compete who are quite good if I might add. Then, unexpectingly, Laodamas, a prince of Alkinoos, comes up to me and asks me to join in the games. I kindly tell that I truthfully do not wish to be there, and have more on my mind then their silly games. To this he insults my nautical skills and knowledge of sport. How dare he? Doesn't he know who I am? Then I realized that no one knows who I am. But still, so I insult him back and then accept his challenge. I pick up a disk and hurl it through the air farther than any before. Even an onlooker acknowledged the lenth of my throw. I am now all wriled up and ready to take on anyone, besides the host of course. However Alkinoos, seeing I was insulted, decides to stop the games and show off his famed dancers and performers. Demodokos then sang the story of Ares and Aphrodite's affair. After more acrobats gave us a show. I then knew what Alkinoos was saying when he bragged about his performers. When the acrobats were done, King Alkinoos proceeded to give me more gifts for the insult given to me. I was bathed and sent back into another feast once more. I do beleive that the king has repented for Laodamas's insult. Demodokus then told another story at which I weeped at, the Trojan Horse. However, when Alkinoos noticed this a second time he made the music stop. Although I did not say it, my heart was put at rest for this. He asked me for my name, but at this I must stop. There is much to tell him.

Book 5

This Odysseus and I'm back and very sore. I am free from Kalypso, and can now access my neglected blog. I can see that my son has been searching for me, and how he is annoyed by the suitors. Telemakhos, fear no longer cause daddy's coming home. That is if Poseidon permits. His grudge against me has made my jouney to this shore vey hard. Well, I guess I should start from the beggining. I was staring out upon the sea, weeping for home like usual, when Kalypso approached me, and said she decided she would free me. After all these years! I was overwhelmed, but then as she was describing how I must go about the Western Ocean on a raft I had second thoughts. She surely must have been trying to harm me for the Western Ocean is not one which can be easily conquered. However, she told me other wise, so I made a ship and prepared it. On the fifth day of making the ship, everything was ready and I took off. It was sweet sailing for the majortiy of the trip. Poseidon though had other plans for his worst mortal enemy, me. Just as I saw the shorline of Skheria the ocean turned into a strom that would make a tornado look like a summer breeze. As the winds blew from every direction, I pondered on this moment. Would it be my last? Was Kalypso correct when she said that I would come across many lethal problems on my journey? Just as I was thinking a wave washed me overboard and broke my ship to pieces. Poseidon must have surely hated me to cause my ship to crash through th seas like a leaf. Ino, a nereid, then came down and instructed me to swim ashore with her veil instead of Kalypso's robe. At first I would not listen because I had seen the shore, and it was too far away to swim, but when I tried to grab a plank I was just pounded with Poseiden's destructive work. As I swam I felt a swell in the water, and as if a god was carrying me. The swell took me straight to land after three days. It was like a dream that made my pains disappear. I saw land and trees adn rocks. yes I realzed that there was no were for me to land for I would be smashed into the rocks at any point. All I could do was stare, and now decide on what I should do. Once again though, Poseidon was not kind and threw me upon the jagged rocks. Then it pulled me under and out like an octopus. When the sea freed its grip I swam up and along the shore, and I saw one of the most beautiful sandy beaches I ever saw. I crawled onto shore and up land. Making a important decision of what to do with my desamted body cralwed under these twin bushes where I lay now. I must sleep and let my body heal. Good night.

Book 4

Now that I, Telemakhos, have arrived in the domain of Menelaos, I hope to find a reason for me to stop blogging for my father. Pisistratus and I arrived in Sparata to be welcomed by baths, and a feast for the marriage of Menelaos's son and daughter (they didn't marry eachother). As soon as I stopped eating to look around, I see a palace lavished with gold, silver, and ivory. I whisper my amazment to Pisistratus, but the red-haired king overhears me. He explains how he obtained the riches in the Trojan war, and how he misses his companions. He goes on to mention the man he misses the most which of course was none other than my father. At this I can to nothing else, but weep into my fresh tunic. Thankfully, my companion, having the speaking qualities of Nestor, explained who I was to the the captain. Well, it cheered me up to hear all of the great stories of my father's valor, and with that I slept on a good note. The next morning was when I told Menelaos why I had come. He then starts his long story, which I won't get too in detail with, about his return from Troy. His dilema was he was stuck in Egypt, and did not have enough provisions to sail home. So, a fair nymph approached him. She told him Proteus of Egypt could tell them how to atain a route home where they could fish for food. Menelaos listened to the nymph and he captured Proteus and he said some stuff and bla bla bla. The good part is what the immortal wise man said of my father. He said that he lives!!! He is on Kalypso's island, being held there. Wow! I can't actually believe that my father, gone my entire life, could still live. I could truely meet him face to face. What a treat that would be. Though the kind king asked me to stay for another 11 or 12 days I had to refuse. I mustn't delay my crew, still waiting for me at Pylos.I would love to stay in Sparta, but what knews I will bring to Ithika! I must set off at once with my new wine and mixing bowl that is just absolutley beautiful. Now thinking of Ithika, I have not thought of what those nasty siutors are up to. Well, no matter what they have in store for me, Mentor and my crew will protect me.

Book 3

Although I always like to have high spirits, I might be writing on my father's blog forever. After our long sail to Pylos we finally arrived on their sunny shores. To this we found thoasands of the Akhaians sacrificing nine big black bulls to the great earthshaker, Poseidon. Actually seeing all those people just made me more nervous so I was the last to leave the ship. I had to confront a king for the gods' sake! But like he always does, Mentor comforted me. He told me the gods were with me and that my heart would give me the right words to say, since I knew that my brain wouldn't. So, Mentor lead the way, and we started to walk towards the great charioteer, Nestor. We all prayed to Posiodon with wine in hand, and we feasted on the tender sacrifice to the blue-maned god. It was delicious I might add. Well, after we all had our fill of wine and meat, Nestor finally asked who we were and where we came from. I respnded pridefully, and told him why I had come.In response he told us the logn story of the Trojan War, and all he knew of my father. It turned out that my long jounrey to Pylos was in vain. After Agamemnon and Menelaos could not decide to flee or stay and sacrifice they split. Nestor left with Menelaos, and my father eventually tunred back to join Agamemnon. So he did not know anything of where he could be! I did get a few good meals though. Nesotor told me to travel to Menelaos by chariot, with one of his sons and captain, Peisistratos. So this I did after a nights stay in Nestor's palace. As for Mentor, he is watching over our young crew and keeping their young morale up. Oh man! Its getting dark, and its hard for me to see so this is farwell for now. Pray the gods are with me.

Book 2

It is I, Telemakhos, still writing for my father. I am so angry at the ingnorance and stubbornness of this town. I called all the Akhaians to an assembly today to adress the topic of those pestering suitors. Well, do you want to know what was accomplished? Nothing, absolultey nothing. I gave my speech, and others helped me like Mentor. However all the suitors just kept agruing with me. They even went as far as to call my mother a trickster, and said they will only leave if one of them is to marry her. You cannot just betray someone who has shown considerable love and kindness to you. She is still in mourning of Odysseus. How is she to choose another husband, or worse, have her father decide for her? Even though the assembly failed to run out the suitors, I still will continue my search for info on my father. Mentor is helping get a ship and crew while I get provisions for the jouney to Pylos and Sparta. Mentor tells me not to worry about the suitors, and that their doom shall arrive shortly. Well, I am taking off in my ship with Mentor and a crew. A new journey begins tonight.

Book 1

My father, Odysseus has been gone so long I thought I'd restart his blog. I know that I am supposed to be a man now. Even one of dad's old friends said so, who visited today. But I just cannot stop thinking that maybe my own father is dead. I need to be strong though, for my mother. She is the most sad that Odysseus is gone. She was even down enough to stop our amazing minstrel from playing one of his best songs. I mean come on! I was waiting all day to hear that one. I guess that if the main leader of a household is gone, the next one in line must take that position. Well anyway, the visitor, Mentes, gave me some very promising advice. He said to get rid of these suitors, who do not respect me or my father. Then I'll build a raft, and search the seas for any tale or rumor of my fathers existance. I shall vistit the red-haired king of Sparta, and Nestor of Pylos just as fatherly Mentes instructed. Daddy's still got a chance! Now I must rest for I have a long day ahead of me.