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[17 Jul 2011|11:49pm] |
This time of year is, of course, associated with holly in the calendar from which a great deal of our western wand lore is drawn. I'm supposed to be writing about oaks (and it wasn't supposed to take this long), but there is actually an interesting set of connections between the two. They frame the whole enterprise, in a way - they're sort of the beginning and the end (and of course everything moves in circles, so there's some ambiguity inherent in all of this, which ... is another chapter I need to write), and they're matched in terms of life and death, of victory and defeat. The one overcomes the other, and vice versa. I'm interested in exploring the implications of that relationship for the practical wand-user, but I doubt there are many oak- or holly-toters who'd be willing to just duel for me. Over and over again, so I can get a good statistical sample. Are there?
I remember when all I cared about was getting my hands on a wand so I could finally tie my shoes in under thirty seconds. I've always been awful at tying shoes. I've been feeling really nostalgic lately, and I have no idea why.
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[30 Jun 2011|11:01pm] |
I don't know if it's just down in my corner of the country, but things are suddenly baking. The last time anyone touched up anything on this house was probably eight years ago, and I'm sure I should find some time to solidify the insulation charms. But between writing - and I am writing! - and working out what I'm going to do with everyone for the rest of the summer, it always seems to slip to the bottom of the list.
I tried to escape it by going down to the beach this weekend, and it mostly worked, except that I wasn't paying attention and forgot to move my umbrella as the sun moved through the afternoon, and now my right shoulder is about as red as I've ever seen it.
Just the right shoulder, of course. Symmetry would be too much to ask for.
July's activities will be largely indoors, I think.
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[03 Jun 2011|10:59am] |
I have an almost-free week coming up; all but two of the ankle-biters are off on family vacations til next Monday. It would be pretty low-key with that pair, but I'm considering just closing shop and taking the time to go back to the Białowieża Forest and shore up the research for my chapter on oaks. I don't even want to think about how behind I am on this bloody book.
[Felicity]
I heard about your performance - my uncle brought me a T-shirt. I might have mentioned you to It's way too small. I wish I could have been there. How'd it go?
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[17 May 2011|04:38pm] |
I think I've remembered why I don't go out very much. I always make a complete arse It was nice to see everyone, though. I don't think I've ever been to a party quite like that. Hopefully the sword fighting distracted everyone from the way I was talking people's ears off
One of the kids found my jolly roger bandana on the kitchen floor. I don't remember exactly how it got there, but it speaks to how my students perceive me that he immediately asked me who'd dropped it. Of course it couldn't be mine.
[Private to Felicity]
Sorry about Saturday. I had way too much to drink.
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[05 May 2011|09:37pm] |
My most recent class of 'graduates' is getting ready to sit their first exams at Hogwarts. It's always exciting - some of them owl pretty frequently, and I love hearing from them. So far it seems they're most terrified of Transfiguration and History. They should all be Herbology whizzes, but I know some of them will succumb to nerves in the end.
( Hogwarts Professors )
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[12 Apr 2011|02:20pm] |
I've been thinking of taking the kids out to see Sherwood Forest. I've got almost all of them on Friday, and I think it would be a great trip - there's history and fun stories and some really breathtaking trees. It's not as old or as large as a lot of the growth out in eastern Europe, but for a short trip it's hard to beat.
My only problem is that I haven't got a clue how to tell them to dress. I think I'm pretty good at blending in, but I don't even know if their families have bought them anything like Muggle clothing, or whether they'd be willing to at all. Is that a reasonable thing to ask? Where do you send people to buy jeans for their nine year-old? Is it even worth the trouble? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Mostly I'd just rather not tick off any parents.
[Felicity]
I need to do something with them, because the weather's warming up and none of them want to be inside and I think they're pretty close to mutiny. Is there any chance you might want to come pacify them with your guitar sometime soon? It's no trouble if you can't, of course. I know they'd have fun, though.
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[10 Mar 2011|10:09pm] |
I saw these journals on sale today and thought it was about time I picked one up - I was about to order fifteen more for my students (I can't think of an easier way to check assignments), but I thought I'd spare you all a bunch of five-paragraph essays on Ancient Egypt. I suppose it's too unprotected a medium for the younger set, anyhow. The parents might have complained. The way they go on about a scraped knee, you'd think
I do think it's fun the way they keep spelling papyrus as pupirus, though. There's nothing like a nine year-old for stubbornness. It's a bit like trying to go through a brick wall. It's too soon for spell-checking quills, though, isn't it? They have to work out all that creative spelling, first.
Truth be told, I miss spending time with people who've already passed through puberty. Work's been non-stop, and I don't think I've left Exeter in a week, if not more. If anyone wants to watch me shuffle through lesson plans over a pint and a plate of chips, I'll be in the Port Royal, and will try to be fit for something like adult conversation.
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