Book Sixteen- Reunited and it feels so gooood....

Hey Guys!!
So, when I left off, I was staying with the swineherd, attempting to plot my revenge on the suitors in the form of an old man. It was getting realllyyyyyyyyy boring, but then guess who showed up?? TELEMAKHOS!!! Ohhh my beautiful son! (who I painfully regret leaving at home for the first twenty years of his life...) Of course, I stayed in the form of an old man for a while, just so I could check him out and see what kind of man he had become. He seemed very responsible, grown-up, and seriously, I'm afraid that he's more of a man than I am!! However, that's certainly not possible...I mean COME ON. I'm ODYSSEUS. Anyways, as soon as Eumaios left the hut to go tell Penelope that Telemakhos had come home, I revealed myself to Telemakhos, and he was totally in shock!! He totally didn't believe it was me, AND he couldn't even look at me...Soon however, the boy came to his senses and we embraced. And wept. It was a real Hallmark moment. Ahem. Anyways, then I retold my story again and we tried to think of a way to kill the suitors. Finally, we decided on the perfect plan...We would attack from within the palace... Here's how it's gonna go down:

1. I enter the palace disguised as a beggar
2. Meanwhile, Telemakhos will hide the palace's weaponry so the suitors can't get to it
3. We take all the weaponry and kill all the suitors!!

It's like the freaking Italian Job!! woooot! Anyways, that will definitely be exciting, and I'm looking forward to bonding with my boy over the killing of the suitors! Anyways, I have to go, but Telemakhos recommended this one guest blogger because I really don't feel like writing anymore... So here's Antinoos!

Hey Everyone!
Wow, I guess I'm really new to this whole blogging thing, but I mean being a suitor and having my days basically filled with eating Penelope's food and plotting against her son, I guess there's really not much time for this computer stuff....However, we suitors have just learned some highly useful information, and I thought I would just share it with the world.... So, that ugly swineherd Eumaios came to the palace today to tell Penelope something secretly. Of course we couldn't hear, I mean, we're just her future candidate husbands! Anyways, I have a feeling that I know what the swineherd was going to tell Penelope, because right before he could say it, a messenger came hurrying into the palace, claiming that that no-good bratty child Telemakhos had returned home! UGHH!!! Anyways, he doesn't know that we know that he is home, so we have the advantage in this situation... I told the guys that we could easily pounce on him and kill him before he even knows what hit him, and mostly everyone agreed...But then that turkey head Amphinimous had to go and suggest that we "consult the gods" before we "kill such a noble prince..." Who is he kidding??? We are men and we are hunters!! What happens in the jungle stays in the jungle... We can't go around asking the Gods for advice for every animal we kill!! Anyways, most of the guys agreed with Amphinimous, so I guess I'll just have to wait for my sweet revenge...Alright, I'm going to go get some sleep for the big battle (hopefully) coming up soon...Laterrr!
Xoxo,
Antinoos :)

Okay....so yeah I hope you all enjoyed that, and now I'm going to bed..
Peace Out,
Odysseus

Book Fifteen- GUEST BLOGGERRR (sorry guys)

Hey People!
So recently, since I've been staying with Eumaios, I've decided to test him to see how long he'll let me stay...So, I told him that I would have to leave soon, so that he would hopefully invite me to stay longer. I told him that I would leave in the morning, but he told me that that wasn't acceptable and that I would have to stay with him for a little while longer, which is fine by me! The only thing is that he has taken a strange liking to me, and he won't give me a second alone! Even now, he's calling me downstairs to play backgammon with him...I mean I'm staying here, but I STILL HAVE A LIFE...It's not my fault I would rather be up here being social on the internet than actually interacting with someone....pshh.... Anyways, that's why I'm cutting this blog short, and I'm gonna resume with that guest blogger that we had a while back...Bon appetite!

Hey Guys!
It's Telemakhos again! WOW, I haven't blogged here for a while... Well, just to catch you all up, I voyaged for a while looking for my father, but without luck...Then recently, I was staying with Meneleus and Helen, when Athena appeared to me in a dream, and told me to go back to Ithaka, for there was fear of my mother getting married to one of the suitors!! I mean, I care a LOT about my father who I've never met before, but my mommy is my NUMBER ONE. I need to make sure she is okay before I worry about Odysseus anymore. So, yesterday morning, I set sail from the home of Meneleus with many gifts aboard my boat. Right when I boarded, I saw Helen racing back towards the ship. She told me that she had just seen a sign and told me that Odysseus will soon return home to kill the suitors...Maybe going home will prove beneficial to both my mother AND my father! WOOHOO!!! This morning, we arrived in Ithaka at last!! It feels so good to be home :) I can't wait to see my mom and hopefully meet my dad and OMG this is gonna be soooo exciting! AND AND AND AND get this: we just saw a hawk fly by carrying a dove in its talons, and Theoclymenus thinks that it shows the strength of Odysseus and his bloodline...get it?? THAT MEANS ME!! Wow I'm so stoked to meet my father!! Wow, I feel like Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz," just realizing how easy it was to get home after such a long, perilous journey... YAY!! Okay I'm gonna go now and get a good night's sleep so I can hopefully get a lot done tomorrow. Bye!
Xoxo,
Telemakhos <3 style="font-weight: bold;">


Hmm that was interesting.. okay so me and Eumaios just played pretty much the most uneventful 3-hour game of backgammon I have ever played in my life, and the only way I can get away from him is to go to bed (I swear to god if he asks me to sleep with him too I'M LEAVING I don't care what Athena says...) Anyways, goodnight!
PEACE-
-Odysseus

Book Fourteen- Finding Out What People Think of Me...

What's up everybodyy???
I arrived at Eumaios' hut this morning, and although he didn't recognize me, I would recognize my old swineherd anywhere! I decided not to tell him exactly who I was, so that he couldn't tell anyone I was home. I didn't want to suitors finding out and coming after me before I could launch my surprise attack on them! Anyways, Eumaios told me that he had missed me for a long time (although he didn't know I was me...confusing, right?) and he could not stop praising me. It was a major confidence-booster, and I really wanted to take credit for all of the magnificent things that Eumaios was saying, but I knew I couldn't. Instead, I told Eumaios that I was a vagabond from Crete, and that I had fought with Odysseus at Troy. I told him that I had heard in my vast travels that Odysseus was still alive, and that he would return home very soon. Although Eumaios didn't believe me, and thought that I was only saying this to get money from Penelope, he took a liking to me, and is not allowing me to stay with him in his hut. I'm glad to have a place to stay, even if I have to continue to keep my identity to myself, and take on the form of an old vagabond. I'll do anything to see my Penelope again, and to kill the suitors who have been trying to steal her from me! Here's a picture of Penelope...Isn't she beautiful?? I MISS HER!! But I can tell that my journey is almost complete, and at least I don't have to be at sea any longer :)
YAY!

LATER GATORS
-ODYSSEUS

Book Thirteen- Home at Last!

Hey Guys!
So, how'd you all like the ending to my story?? Alkinoos and his people certainly liked it, and they FINALLY let me go! YAY! Alkinoos loaded my boat with gifts and other stuff ALL morning, and I didn't get to leave till sunset... I don't remember a lot about the trip home, considering I was soooooooooooo tired from all the HARD WORK I did at Scheria, I slept through the whole trip! I feel sort of bad, considering I didn't even wake up when we landed on shore, and my crew had to carry me out onto the land before they set out back for their own homes... The worst part is that I heard that their ship sank like RIGHT after they dropped me off at home... that SUCKS.....ehh whatever it's not MY fault... Anyways, I woke up after being dropped off at Ithaka, although I had NO idea where I was considering I was covered in some weird fog again...Probably that Athena again! She appeared to me and told me that I was supposed to use my cunning to get rid of the suitors, and then she told me to go visit the swineherd Eumaios. Of course, I listened to her (as always) so I'm headed off to Eumaios now! Maybe I will meet my son Telemakhos at last!

P.S. - Here's Eumaios, the guy I guess I'll be spending the next few days with...

Later,
Odysseus

Book Twelve- Not MY Fault....

Hey Everyone!

So last night, as I told you all when I last blogged, I began to tell Alkinoos and his people the story of my voyage... Today, I resumed my story, as I will now...

So, after visiting all of those extremely creepy dead people, we sailed ALL the way back to Aiaia to bury Elpenor's body. Once again,the immortally beautiful Kirke told us what would happen for the rest of our journey.. Anyways, she told us that the first obstacle that we would face would be the Sirens, followed by Scylla and Charybdis (neither of which I really wanted to meet...ew...) So, when we actually set sail from Aiaia, and we came to the Sirens, I had all of my men put wax in their ears like Kirke had told me to. So, while they couldn't hear the Sirens' songs, I was tied to the mast of the boat. I was so curious about how the Sirens sounded I HAD to hear. I had my crew maneuver the boat past the Sirens' island as I writhed on the mast of the boat, trying to escape... Next, we came to Scylla, the six-headed monster. It ate six of my men, but we continued on. Next came Charybdis, the massive whirlpool that almost sucked down my entire boat. We barely made it out alive...Next came the worst part of my journey...We arrived at the island of Thrinacia, which I dreaded. I made sure to tell my crew NOT to eat any of the livestock from the island, but they didn't listen. It's not MY fault they all died! So pretty much that's how I ended up all alone and adrift at sea...Tragic eh?

Xoxo,
Odysseus

P.S. Here's a picture of me and the sirens... Doesn't look like a fun time, does it?...

Book Eleven- I See Dead People

Hey Everyone!

Okay, so after leaving Kirke's island, we continued on the journey that she set for us. I don't really know why I'm STILL listening to her, considering we're gone from her island and she's no longer in control of me, but for some reason I feel obliged to continue to submit to what she wants from me. Either way, when we reached the first realm of the underworld, and Helios took us down to the depths of the sea, I knew that the first thing we had to do was make an offering to the dead, and summon them to help us on our journey. We gave them milk, honey, sweet wine, water, and barley. The first man to emerge was Elpenor, a man from my crew who we had left, dead, on Kirke's island. He begged me to go back to Aiaia after leaving the underworld, to bury his body. I agreed to lay Elpenor's unhappy soul to rest, and he left. I feel as if this first encounter was a test, to see if I would listen to what Elpenor had to say, for after he left, Teiresias, the dark prince of Thebes, emerged. He told me that I would return home safely to find my wife amidst with suitors, and that I would make those men atone in blood! I was happy with this- why, if my wife had ever slept with another man........ Teiresias also told me to make amends with Poseidon, and to make a large sacrifice to him in return for his cooperation and an end to his harassment. Lastly, he told me that unless I wanted to lose all of my crew and face a most perilous journey home, I should not touch the flocks of the Sun when I reach the land of Thrinacia. Ahh, temptation... There must be a reason I should not touch these flocks, but I actually don't much understand it. Anyways, the next person I spoke to was my mother!! However, it was not much of a pleasant surprise to find that she had died out of grief waiting for me to come home, and that my father is indeed very close to the same fate. I sure hope that Penelpope does not feel the same way. My mother told me that Telemakhos has been caring for the house while I've been gone. After an emotional reunion with my mother, I talked to a lot of random people, many mortals with godly lovers, etc. etc. Then, I was approached by Persephone and Agememnon, who told me about how his wife, Klytaimnestra, killed him. Next, Achilles, who asked me about how his son, Neoptolemus. After attempting to speak with just a few more people, I descended completely into the underworld. I witnessed the terrible tortures that were put upon the wrongdoers. There was Tantalus and Sisyphus, who were eternally trying to simply satisfy their needs. (Tantalus was eternally hungry, and Sisyphus eternally attempted to push a boulder up a growing hill.) Suddenly, however, I found myself bombarded by millions of souls, all asking me how their loved ones were doing in the mortal world. It was scary! I felt like Haley Joel Osment in 'The Sixth Sense!' So, I ran into my red tent of a ship, and sailed away as fast as I could.

It was at this point of the story that I decided I had to cut it short. I mean, there is a time for stories, and a time for sleep...It was DEFINITELY time for sleep...

P.S. - Here's a picture of me talking to Teiresias!

Later-
-Odysseus :)

Book Ten- Pandora's Box (or bag...)

Heyy
Mkay so to continue with my story, after leaving the island of the Kyklops, we made our way to Ailolia Island, ruled by the wind god, Aiolos . He kept us there for a month, telling us the story of the Trojan War (as if I need to hear THAT again...) So when he FINALLY allowed us to leave, he bottled up all of the storm winds and gave them to us as a parting gift. Now, we were able to sail flawlessly through the sea with the benefit of the wind on our side. Ithaka was in sight! Everything was going perfectly; it was too good to be true! However, I was the only sailor on my ship who knew what was in Aiolos's bag. I guess the other crew members found the temptation of the mysterious bag too much to handle, and they opened it, releasing all of the winds and sending us all the way back to Ailolia. Just like Pandora's box... It was such a shame. Why didn't I just share my knowledge with the rest of my companions? What made me so special that I felt obliged to be the only one who knew the secret? Anyways, we were sent all the way back to Ailolia, which SUCKED because Aiolos told me that our voyage was "cursed." What great encouragement! But I knew that we couldn't give up and we just couldn't cease our journey to Ithaka. Next, we came upon the island of Aiaia, home of Kirke and her brother Aietes, children of Helios. We drew straws to see who would be the first to check out the island, but they all ended up being turned into pigs and drugged by Kirke. I watched for hours as one by one of of my men entered into her cave, and were drugged up by the devious queen. I didn't know what to do, but then Hermes appeared to me, thank god (literally). He showed me a magical plant that I could eat that would make me unresponsive to Kirke's drugs. Once again, I have no idea why I didn't share this knowledge with my crew...They deserved to have been saved as well... Anyways, I held my sword to her throat, but she begged me to be her lover. I agreed (of course, I mean she was a queen) but only as long as no more ofmy men where harmed. She tempted me with bread and food to tempt me, but once again, my heart did not consent. I was only doing all of this for my beloved wife Penelope.... However, I soon found myself with new trust of Kirke, when she turned my men back from pigs into men. I found myself then drawn to Kirke, and I ended up staying with her as her lover for a year. When my men finally convinced me to leave my beloved Kirke, I asked her how we would ever get back to Ithaka from this island we were on. She replied that the only way we would be able to get back to Ithaka would be to go through the underworld of Hades and Persephone... Upon hearing this, my crew went simply mad. They asked why I was listening to this woman who had at one point fixed to turn them all into pigs! There was no way to explain it, but I knew what I must do it, however out of the way it was. We must go to the Underworld and hear Teiresias tell us what will happen soon. Right before we left, all I remember is seeing Kirke there, floating in the air next to the boat for a moment, and then in a flash, she was gone... For who could see the passage of a goddess unless she wished his mortal eyes aware?

P.S. - Here's a picture of my lady Kirke offering me the drugged drink for the first time...little did she know of my sneaky immunity!! mwahaha!

Peace Out!
Odysseus*

Book Nine- Here's What Happened:

Okayyy time to finish the story-

So, as you probably guessed, I had to tell Alkinoos who I was and where I came from. Not only did I tell him that, but I actually told him my entire story-- I told them exactly who I was, and about my home in Ithaka. I told them about how I was detained by Kalypso for so long, but in my heart I never gave consent. And I told them about my journey from Troy to Ismaros, where my men went mutinous... How Zeus drove us then to Malea, on the coastline of the Lotos Eaters, where we longed to stay forever, tempted by the delicious Lotos of the island... However, we had to leave, and continue on our journey. On the next island we found ourselves, was the home of the Kyklopes, a brutal giant, and son of Poseidon. We quickly and stealthily made our way onto the island, as to not be seen or captured or eaten by Kyklops. Once again, we were tempted to steal and eat Kyklopses cheeses and lambs, but I couldn't let that happen. We sat in his cave until he came home from tending to his lambs, and began to milk ewes. However, in the glare of his working fire, he saw us. He asked us who we were and where we came from, and we replied that our boat had broken down on his shore, and that we were the survivors. He had no pity for us. In fact, he responded to our sad story by picking up handfuls of my colleagues and eating them whole. I then realized that I couldn't even kill
Kyklops, because the simple mass of his gargantuan body would block the doorway so that we could never get out. We needed to find a way to make it through the night, and devise a plan to get out safely. We were completely stuck in the cave. Cut off from the safe world around us. So, while he was asleep, we sharpened a stake out of a six-foot plank of wood, and fixed to stab Kyklops in the eye with it. However, we then needed a way to make sure he would not fight back when we were stabbing him. So, we made an "offering" of wine to Kyklops, and fixed to get him so drunk that he was completely passed out. When he finally asked me my name, I told him to call me Nohbdy. (Get it, like nobody?? I'm so clever...) Anyways, when Kyklops was super drunk, we stabbed him in the eye with the stake! It was actually really gross. Then, since he was blind, he couldn't see us anymore, we rode out of the cave on the bottoms of his sheep, while he flailed his arms around in agony, screaming "Nohbdy's tricked me, Nohbdy's ruined me!" I laughed at how well my trick had worked, and I wouldn't help telling him exactly who had tricked him. I was so proud of my work, I had to take credit for it. So, like a pompous fool, I told Kyklops exactly who I was, oblivious to the fact that he would soon tell his father, Poseidon. Kyklops told his father that he was seeking revenge on me, which is why Poseidon is still so angry at me and insists on shipwrecking me any chance he gets.

-- Here's a picture of the awesome trick that we played on Kyklops. :]

Byebye-
Odysseus

Book Eight- OH NO THEY DIDNT

Helloooooo
Okay so I'm still stuck on this island, and although the people here are very nice, I can't wait to get home!! Today, they invited me to a counsel in which we feasted and listened to a blind minstrel sing songs about my battles at Troy. Although I had asked him to do this, it brought back some very painful memories. I couldn't hold it back much longer, and I started to cry. I cried throughout the whole song, but the minstrel continued to sing until King Alkinoos noticed my pain and told him to stop. When I had asked the minstrel to sing about my time in Troy, I really didn't think that it would bring back such bad memories. I mean, I usually don't get so emotional.. It was quite embarrassing, but I mean he has to have been pretty talented to evoke those kinds of emotions just through his voice... Anyways, when the minstrel stopped singing, we proceeded to the games. We have games in Ithaka of course, and I really didn't want to participate in these games. The people of Poseidon's city already thought I was a god, and I really didn't want to make them love me and hold on to me any longer. So when Laodamas asked me to participate in the games, I had to decline. However, when one of the competitors, a man named Seareach, claimed that the reason I wasn't competing was because I had ever learned a sport and that I was not an athlete, it was like a javelin to the heart. I had to show him that I was not a pansy and that I could compete! Firstm of course, I made an awesome comeback and let him know that he would end up eating his heart-wounding words. Then, I grabbed a discus and threw it as far as I could. It outdistanced the other discuses by what seemed like a mile. Take that Seareach! But I couldn't stop there; I had to show up EVERYONE. I told the city that I would take on anyone (except Laodamas of course) in any event (except running of course). However, before I could take anyone on, Alkinoos took us all to another feast. Once again, the minstrel sang. This time, it was of a love affair between Ares and Aphrodite. It was an interesting song, but once again I asked him to sing about the Trojan horse. And once again, I broke down crying. I thought maybe I would be stronger this time, but I guess not. I have a feeling that Alkinoos was getting curious about who I was, and why I kept crying about the Trojan War songs, so he asked me who I was and where I came from... I knew I could not keep my secret forever, considering no man is nameless, and I knew that as well as I'm sure Alkinoos and his people did. All this means to me is that I should probably get around to telling them who I am pretty soon...TO BE CONTINUED.

P.S. - Here's a picture of me totally owning Seareach at the discus.

Later-
Odysseus

Book Seven- What Great Hospitality!

Hey Hey Hey!
Whats up everybody?? So I think that when I left off, I was about to head off to Nausicaa's house (aka this new island's castle)... When I ended up actually leaving, I found myself approached by a little girl...She offered to take me to the castle, and for some reason covered me in a protective fog on our way there. (I think that this was Athena again...) Why doesn't anyone want me to be seen? I couldn't walk back to the castle with Nausicaa, and now this? I think that perhaps the people of this island are somewhat scared of newcomers. Hmm... Anyways, as it turns out, the people of this island were having a celebration in the honor of Poseidon, the god who has made my journey so perilous and has done me so much wrong. Then, I saw the queen. I didn't know what else to do, so I bowed to her-- Who quarrels with his host? Only a madman-or no man at all-would challenge his protector among strangers. I made sure to be extra nice to her because I didn't know where I was, and I hoped she could help me home...And get this- they thought I was a GOD! I hadn't even told them who I was, (which I don't plan on doing any time soon) and their king asked if I was god or mortal! Haha I guess I DID look good today... So, I explained to them what had happened, and they agreed to let me take sail tomorrow. Yay!!! They also offered me Nausicaa to have for my wife...OMG. She may be young and beautiful, and however much I want to remain here and make a new life for myself, I would feel so guilty leaving behind my family. :( Although I already have left them alone for quite some time, I feel that they know I'm coming home. :) So, tomorrow I set out for home again! I can't wait! To have a new ship, and a new crew; to be sailing once again in the company of sailors, not just the open sea.. WOW. I'm sooooo excited :)
Alrighty, I'd better rest up for the big day tomorrow!!
Bye bye,
Odysseus

P.S. Here's a picture of me and Nausicaa- we WOULD make a great couple, wouldn't we??

Book Six- Nausicaa...A New Love?

Sup Everybody.
Sooooo today ended up being a prettyyy awkward day. I woke up naked (having all my clothes torn off by the INSANE storm yesterday) in the woods of this new island I'm on called Scheria, only to find this young, beautiful princess staring at me. Let me tell you- It really doesn't get much more awkward than that. So anyways, she was washing her clothes and stumbled upon me, sleeping naked in the forest. Thankfully, I awoke not long after her discovery of me.. I asked her for her help, and I'm assuming she took pity on me because she agreed. She said her name was Nausicaa and that she lived in the palace in the city. She also understood the awkward-ness of the situation and didn't really want to make it worse by attempting to walk me to her palace with me still being naked and all... So, she told me to clean up and she gave me the directions to her place. Then she left. Wow. She was beautiful. I washed up really well in the stream so I could hopefully undo the likely horrible impression I've already left on her and hopefully cause her to like me!! I am looking especially handsome today... OMG. What if she fell in love with me!?!? Wow that would be great! It's always such a help to have lovers in high places (like princesses). Maybe she will be willing to help me if she is in love with me... Maybe she will be able to get me a new boat!! Wow, okay, I'd better not get ahead of myself...but I really do want to find out what's going to happen with her... I guess I'm off to the palace!!
Xoxo,
Odysseus.

P.S. - Here's a quick sketch of our first encounter...looks pretttyyy awkward, does it not?

Book Five- Calypso's Island

Hey Guys.
FINALLY I have some time to write to you all!! Basically I've been stuck on this island with this insane goddess named Calypso, who's been trying to seduce me ever since I got stranded on her island! Anyways, as you all probably know, it's pretty hard to deny a goddess...especially one as beautiful as Calypso... I mean look at her!!



I just feel pretty bad that I've done my wife wrong. She probably has tons of suitors flocking to her, asking for her hand in marriage. She's probably denied all of them, because I know that she knows I'm on my way home. If I returned home to find her with another man.....why, I don't even know what I'd do! She belongs to me, and no other man! I only had my affair(s) with Calypso out of love for Penelope...All I want to do is see her again! She will understand. I had no other choice. Anyways, it sure does feel good to be off that island...I wonder what made Calypso let me go! I bet other gods intervened, considering it is very rare for a goddess to hold onto a man for so long. Anyways, I have a crazy story for you all!! So, I had been at sea for a while, when all of the sudden a HUGE storm started to brew up out of nowhere!! I was just minding my own business; it was a beautiful day; NOTHING COULD GO WRONG.....It was insane!! The waves capsized my boat, and I was thrust beneath the water. Basically, I think that the gods helped me out AGAIN on this one, because I was given a weird protective veil that kept me from drowning... I swam to shore with the veil, and felt surprisingly good upon getting out of the water. Once again, I was saved by the gods, and I didn't actually have to face the water myself...Hopefully this will continue to happen...I mean, I'm not saying I don't have the skills to get myself out of these messes myself...I'm just saying it's kinda nice when I don't really have to do anything myself!! Okay, I'd probably get going... I just arrived on this island called Scheria, and I should probably go find somewhere to stay for the night!!
Laterrr,
Odysseus

Book Four- Sorry I Know This Is Getting Old...

Hey Guys.
I just had the worst day EVER. I hit a huge wave and there's like seventy billion new things to fix on the boat...SOOOO, for your viewing (or reading?) pleasure, I've brought back our favorite guest blogger!!! (And no, I still haven't read any of his blogs...they seem so long and depressing.....)

What's up everyone???
OMG I had the best day EVER!!! I went to visit Menelaus and his wife, Helen, and I found out that my father might still very well be alive!! I have also learned of the greatness of my father's courage. He had such a powerful role in the Trojan War that I didn't even realize before now! If it weren't for him, the Greeks surely would not have won the war! I don't know how I will ever be able to live up to him... It's almost as if I'm finding myself afraid to find my father, for fear of what he'll think of me... What if he finds me dishonoring my family by leaving my mother all alone with those horrible suitors? What if he expected me to come for him years ago? Will he be disappointed with me? However, we need him back at home, for things will eminently end up in turmoil if he doesn't come home soon! Either way, Menelaus told me about how he heard of my father, alive, being captured by Calypso on her island, so I have some idea of where he is now! Yay! Also, I really just want to write a little bit about my new friend Menelaus. I am so grateful to him for allowing me to stay with him, for if he didn't, I would have absolutely no idea where my father was! I love the hospitality of everyone around here, and how they all go so much out of their way to help me. They are not getting anything out of it at all, but it is very helpful to travelers like myself. Anyways, I'd better get to bed, there's a long day ahead. Here's a picture of Menelaus so you can all see the face that has done so much for me.

Love,
Telemakhos


Wow, okay. So I'd better get back to patching up this boat so I can get home at last! Sometimes I wonder about my son, Telemakhos. I wonder what he's doing right now... I hope he doesn't think I'm a terrible father for leaving him for so long...Anyways, getting back to the boat... Have a good one, everyone.
Toodles-
Odysseus

Book Three - NO TIME NO TIME

Hey Guys,
Wow, this is probably the worst way to have the beginnings of a blog EVER, but seriously I have been sooo seriously busy lately! I mean, my boat breaks down and stuff at every island I come to! It's ridiculous! Anyway, currently I have a broken mast and a hole in the side of the starbird side of the deck, so I'd better go fix those...BUT, a lot of you have been liking what my guest blogger has to say (although I haven't personally had time to read it) so I'll have that again today! Here goes:

Hello Everybody,
My journey has come to its first stop. Just a few days ago, we were sailing along, when Athena told me to stop at a certain island called Neleus. The people there were all so nice, and they all offered us food and shelter! Maybe I should be more like that with the suitors...The people of Neleus gave me food and they didn't even know me; these suitors have been living with me for so long...but then again they just take my food anyways, so why should I bother to grant it to them? Anyways, upon the island, Athena told me to go talk to a man called Nestor. I was scared at first, because I am sure that I'm not yet ready to face the world alone, but Athena came with me, so it was all good. Anyways, Nestor was an old master charioteer, and he was very wise with age. Supposedly he knew where my dad was, so I went up to his house. With the heart Athena gave me, I had the power to speak to him, and ask him if he knew about my father's whereabouts from their battle together at Troy. He spoke of their terrible battle, and how the wills of the gods had turned against them. I wonder why they would ever do that? I thought that the gods were always good and helpful as long as you respected them... Is it possible to change the will of the gods? He asked me this question and it still burns in my head...What if Athena turned against me? I would easily be dead, with this sea and no Mentor...Anyways, even though Nestor didn't assure me of it, I'm pretty sure my dad is dead...Which, I know, is a terrible thought to come upon, but I just can't see any other solution! Of course, I'll continue my journey until I come upon proof of my theory, but a lot of my hope has been lost after this visit with Nestor, who I am staying with now. He asked me to stay with him for the night, even though he also told me not to remain from home long...He claimed that the suitors would attempt to steal my things! Would real men really do such things!? It seems simply too cruel, but I guess there are things about those men that I don't understand, considering my age...I really do hope that this voyage helps me understand about my own life, for then I actually WILL be able to understand those men...ALL men! Anyways, I'd better get to bed- we have to wake up early to leave tomorrow.
Bye Everyone,
Telemakhos
(P.S. - Enjoy the picture of me meeting with Nestor down at the bottom XD )

Hmmm...okay so I've managed to fix the broken mast, but in the process I actually discovered ANOTHER hole in the deck...This is NOT good. I'd better go again. Fare well sailors! I promise I'll actually get around to blogging one of these days!
xoxo,
Odysseus

Book Two- Guest Blogger [again, sorry everyone :( ]

HEY EVERYONE!!!!! Okay, so considering I'm still afloat somewhere in the ocean where I have no idea where I am, I don't really have a lot of time to blog again today :(. Sorry!! But, a lot of people seemed to like this "gues blogger" dude-- so here it goes again...

Oh, hey everyone,
It's Telemakhos again! So since my last encounter with that stranger, (who I am now CERTAIN was Athena in disguise) I have slept on my decision, and I am positive in my choice to go on a quest to find my father. (Again, please don't tell him that I'm really the one behind this 'guest blog' - I really want to surprise him when I first meet him again..) Anyways, I decided that it was time for me to step into my father's shoes, and take command of my life. This might be really hard for me, but I'm sure with the Gods on my side, I will be fine. So, I brought my idea for this voyage upon a council, and they all seemed to disagree with me!! Don't they have any faith in me? They probably still think of me as the young boy I once was, and have not yet realized my incredibly clear, grown-up mind that seemingly has come to me overnight... Anyways, the only people that really agreed with me were these two old guys... They were wise, I'll give them that, but most people just thought they were crazy!! What ever happened to respecting your elders?? So anyways, I let the whole council know that without strong Odysseus to defend us, Ithaka was going to end up in turmoil, but they STILL didn't believe me. I'm not gonna lie, I truly began to doubt myself :/... I cried for a moment, but then I remembered the strong goddess Athena. I needed to show everyone that Athena was a part of me, and that I could be as strong and composed as she. Apparently, Athena heard my internal call for help, and she came to me, in the form again of the Mentor, and she told me that SHE HERSELF would take me on my voyage!!!! I'M SOOOOO STOKED! Ahh I've never been on a quest before, and Athena told me what to pack, but I'm not sure it'll be enough! Oh well, I'll do anything at this point to get those horrible suitors out of my house... What will it take for them to realize that enough is enough?? Will I have to bring my father back from beyond the horizon to kick them out?? WHY DON'T THEY LISTEN TO ME?!?!? I'm beginning to feel like I'll never live up to what a great ruler my father was... Ooh, I have an idea! Maybe, making a successful journey to find my father will prove to everyone that I really AM grown up, and that I really DO have power! Let's hope so, because however pleasing this trip seems, I'm beginning to doubt if I will be able to complete it alone...
Well, that's enough for tonight...
-Telemakhos.
p.s.- check out the picture of me and my mommy at the bottom-- aww I just love her!!

WOW. That guy writes a lot... I really don't think I'll bother to read it... Anyways guys AGAIN I'm so sorry I haven't had time to tell you all about my trip, it's just been so hectic lately trying to get back to my family at Ithaka...Oh my, theres a 60-foot-wave coming towards my boat, I should probably go... Toodles, Odysseus

Book One- Meet Odysseus (and Telemakhos)

Helloooooo cyberspace! It's Odysseus! And yes, I know that it's really lame to sorta not say anything in my first blog EVER, but please consider that I'm at sea right now, battling through the sweet-talks of Atlas's daughter, all trying to get me to abandon my journey... Although I will NEVER abandon my journey, I have to say she's pretty tempting... For this reason, I'll be having a GUEST-BLOGGER today! I've never met the guy, but my friends are telling me he's pretty cool...So here's Telemakhos!
Ohhh hey guys! It's Telemakhos, and although Odysseus may not know it, he's my father...Yeah, I know it's pretty trippy, but I haven't seen him in many years, and I really didn't want the first time we met to be over IM or something... Anyways, I was just sitting around at my house with all of those insanely obnoxious suitors, when a knock came at the door and I was greeted by an old family friend. How nice! The grey-eyed man told me stories of my father, and assured me that he is alive somewhere, battling the sea and the god Poseidon to come home to my mother and I!! Can you believe it??? NEITHER COULD I!!! Now, I feel like a new spirit has been put into me, and I know that that friend was not just a friend...I realize now that it must have been the goddess Athena! I know that sounds really crazy, but how else can you explain what happened?? I have hope for the future and a new longing to meet my father that I've never had before... It's like I have a new heart and I'm thinking so clearly now...I've been enlightened!! Well, that's all for now guys, I'll keep you all updated on what I decide to do about meeting my father... See you in the future!!

(P.S.: Isn't that a nice picture of Athena?? She looks like she's reaching out to me, and that she'll truly help me in the quest for my father...I'm so excited!!!)


How was he? Ehh, maybe I'll have someone different next time, but something about this Telemakhos guy just seemed interesting...Oh well! Anyways, I'll see you all next time, and hopefully then I'll have more time to write to you myself!


-Odysseus