A short interlude
Dec. 11th, 2011 12:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_sinistraI’m in New London for two days of YPL meetings. It’s hard to be away from Hogwarts - and a long list of things that need attention - but a change in routine is also surprisingly pleasant.
I’ve never been a morning person, and apparating over distance first thing is worse, so I made sure to get here in plenty of time for a walk to clear my head before we started our meetings this morning. But that’s given me time to be delighted by the shop windows, particularly this year’s fashion for sparkling light charms - so delicate - and the wider color palette.
I saw a gorgeous window in silvers and blues and purples, as well as many with more classic greens, reds, and golds. And of course, the charmed displays are wonderful: my favorite was several windows of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade in winter with a cunningly done Quidditch match in progress. And there’s the smell of pine in the air, and the clusters of little stalls, and banners snapping in the breeze... And of course, a pleasant little pastry at one of the nearby cafes to put me in the best possible mood before we started this morning.
I’m looking forward to being able to make a great deal of progress with the YPL plans for this spring and summer, but also a few chances to relax. I’m eagerly anticipating a performance tonight and then there’s dinner with my parents tomorrow, and a few other errands and tasks to finish getting ready for the holidays.
I’ve never been a morning person, and apparating over distance first thing is worse, so I made sure to get here in plenty of time for a walk to clear my head before we started our meetings this morning. But that’s given me time to be delighted by the shop windows, particularly this year’s fashion for sparkling light charms - so delicate - and the wider color palette.
I saw a gorgeous window in silvers and blues and purples, as well as many with more classic greens, reds, and golds. And of course, the charmed displays are wonderful: my favorite was several windows of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade in winter with a cunningly done Quidditch match in progress. And there’s the smell of pine in the air, and the clusters of little stalls, and banners snapping in the breeze... And of course, a pleasant little pastry at one of the nearby cafes to put me in the best possible mood before we started this morning.
I’m looking forward to being able to make a great deal of progress with the YPL plans for this spring and summer, but also a few chances to relax. I’m eagerly anticipating a performance tonight and then there’s dinner with my parents tomorrow, and a few other errands and tasks to finish getting ready for the holidays.
Tags:
Re: Private message to Rory
Date: 2011-12-12 04:10 am (UTC)I keep telling you I'm not like lots of other women. I'm glad you're patient with me.
And no - we don't have to do anything official. But people will ask, and it'd settle me to be flat out clear on what I say, and how I say it to handle that well. And there are a few people that, if we're being a tiny bit more public, I really should tell before it gets picked up by the papers as a fact.
And you do know, if I dance with you at the Yule Ball (which I certainly would prefer to do, thank you, given the effort involved in what I'm going to be wearing) that it's going to be undeniable to not only our students but our colleagues? I'm not that good an actress.
It helps Minerva took it well, too. (Though now I'm wondering what my parents are going to ask tomorrow. They're being entirely mysterious about why they really must have dinner on Monday.)
On the overwork: unfortunately, not too much you can do without more gossip. It's those cursed etiquette and dance lessons, and the fact that at least a quarter of the girls in the upper years seem to see me me as the nearest convenient agony aunt. I can scarcely turn them away, but it does take time. I've got a plan for getting my lesson plans and marking so they don't take much time next week now though.
As to the stars - quite. (And I've a lousy view from this window, anyway.) But I've got a projection up, and it's quite soothing. Tomorrow will be much nicer.
Re: Private message to Rory
Date: 2011-12-12 04:34 am (UTC)We can sort out what to say and practise our dancing all in one go, if you like. Though I don't know that I can help you deal with the upper year girls. I've had a few of the boys come round asking me about how to avoid the clap (at least they haven't forgotten it went around last year), to which I cheerfully tell them to see Madam Pomfrey, "because there's nothing that gives her greater pleasure than helping a young lad avoid strange oozings from his knob."
Being a teacher is really more fun than it ought to be, on occasion.
And now that I've left you with THAT pleasant image, I suggest you concentrate on your projection for a while...
Re: Private message to Rory
Date: 2011-12-12 04:40 am (UTC)I'd much appreciate the dancing practice, yes. I've had the proper lessons, and brushed up, but I want to do you proud, and that's easier with practice.
I am glad you're finding amusement dealing with the boys - and that's much simpler than what they ask me, as disturbing as the image is. ("How do I know if he actually likes me, or is just saying yes because he'd like to spend time with my best friend?" is not a question Poppy has tremendous patience with.)
But yes. Projection and sleep for me, so tomorrow will go well (and so I'll have plenty of energy left for talking, dancing, and other things in the evening.)