Rome

We’re watching season one of Rome on DVD.  I’m laughing because some Roman brought his whistle to the battle field.  He’s squeaking for people to get into formation.  Maybe it's me, but I don’t think a whistle is the most effective tool for keeping soldiers in line, what with all the clinging and clanging.  Dad doesn’t seem so amused.  Rome happens to be one of his favorite shows, and laughing in the middle of it is tantamount to carrying on a conversation during Sex in the City. 

Despite the whistling, Craig’s watching on as Romans battle Romans in a good old version of West Side story.  Dad is sitting in a chair just to his left, while Emily leans against Craig’s wall, cringing at the violence.  Erin and I are quietly mocking the show’s set-like appearance, while men in robes argue about Caesar’s whereabouts.  That he’s interested in Rome is no surprise.  Craig is, after all, Dad’s son.  Romans, and specifically Roman battle formations, are like catnip for the Lawler men.  In this way, I can relate to the women depicted in the mini-series, particularly the feeling of having to hold off an eye-roll while getting a puffed-up lecture about crossing rivers and battle formations and what not.  (Love in my heart, Craig and Dad.)  (What's with the promiscuity? Surely there are more creative scene fillers than what they’ve opted for, or is that really how things went down…anyone who’s seen the show knows what I’m talking about).  

That Craig’s awake, however, is a surprise.  Since yesterday, Craig has been more or less asleep.  When he is awake, he seems less present and engaged.  Today, like other days, Craig seems different.  He’s less communicative, and he appears uncomfortable.  His body is twitching as he watches the movie, and he’s sweating profusely.  His pulse has dropped slightly, as has his blood pressure, though not significantly.  Thougth, he’s still speaking and engaging in minimal conversation, in my gut, I feel as though Craig has taken another turn.  What that actually means, I’m not sure.  Earlier today, I thought Craig had taken a turn for the worse.  But now, he seems to be hanging in there.  He’s a Lawler, after all.  I suppose by now, we’re used to the emotional rollercoaster.  -- J