Stars and conversations

[alt_sinistra]

A surprisingly pleasant afternoon in New London yesterday. I handled a variety of errands both personal and professional, had a chance to catch up with my mother over tea, and enjoyed dinner with a couple of astronomer friends.

(Students: I’m working on arranging a visit from one of them, likely in March, to talk about the new telescope designs and related charms. I promise she’s a lot more interesting than that description sounds, and she has some very funny - in hindsight, anyway - stories about ways the charms went wrong in testing.)

I came back to find a draft article waiting for my comments, too. Those of you who’ve helped with data collection for the royal star project may want to have a look, as it talks about the process to date and some of the early results. Copy will be up in my office, of course.

Comments

Private message to Poppy

[alt_sinistra]

Poppy -

Much better day in New London this week. Mum insisted on meeting up with me in between the other errands and tasks - and she passed on a book she thought you might like. Friday, for tea? (I’m sure it was an excuse for her to see that I’m taking care of myself.)

Also, more than a little interesting gossip. First, I’m certainly not the only person under much closer scrutiny at the moment at the Ministry, and I can’t decide if that’s encouraging or disturbing. Second, there’s also this - well, you heard about the gladiatorial games as part of the Frost Faire?

Mum said that Theo and a number of his set have been encouraged to sign up, though he’s scarcely kept his hand in that kind of thing (even less than I have). And I heard more of the same from various people at the Ministry, and from both Dai and Gilly at dinner tonight. Varying incentives and reasoning, depending on who’s being asked, too.

I can’t help but wonder what the goal is of drawing in so many people, a number of whom will clearly have less experience than those they’re facing. I’m sure it’ll keep your colleagues at St. Mungo’s on their professional toes, mind.

(And I suppose I’ll see for myself: Raz obviously has something of a professional interest, and the last night is one of the highlight events of the Faire, so I suspect we'll be there.)

Re: Private message to Poppy

[alt_poppy]

So very glad to hear it was a more pleasant trip down.

Your mother is very kind and has an eye for books filled with useful remedies and forgotten applications for common ingredients. I've learned much from the books she's sent my way.

Yes! to Friday tea.

There are other investigations going? By which, I take you to mean others similar to yours rather than of a criminal nature. (One senses that MLE keep a full slate of investigations going into all manner of things.)

As for this gladatorial business, I read something about there being exhibitions of a semi-professional sort. (Almost anything would be more interesting to me than poorly re-enacted Roman duelling, but then I suppose mine is a minority opinion.) Is there to be a purse for amateurs, then, as well? I suspect you've the right of it when you say that will keep St Mungo's busy.

(Surely you could find something else to do in all the Faire if he really feels a professional need to attend. If it were a joust, I could understand the appeal. As it is, I believe I'd much rather suffer through an afternoon's tea--or worse, another waltz--with Mr Milland than attend that event.)

Re: Private message to Poppy

[alt_sinistra]

Mum's glad to have someone to share them with, honestly. She hates passing up treasures from the used book stalls.

On the other investigations: no idea what about, but I heard about people getting called in last week, and more this week.

As to the gladiatorial games - apparently, some of both. Must be, if Theo and his lot are getting asked, as they're certainly barely professional at anything. (I love my youngest brother, but I do wish he'd settle to something.)

Honestly, I do find Raz's commentary makes things more enjoyable. Certainly worked a treat on Sunday. I'd say it was purely the attraction of spending more time with him (which is certainly a piece of it, mind), but I've found looking at something with different eyes quite intriguing, at least as a break.

Can't say it's the thing I'd pick out of everything in the Protectorate one might do on a Saturday. But there's a certain amount of needing to make a social appearance, and so on. And I might as well make the best of it.