Aurora Sinistra (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
alt_sinistra) wrote2012-09-25 01:24 pm
alt_sinistra) wrote2012-09-25 01:24 pm
A few quick notes:
Office hours Saturday, 2-5, as well as my usual this week. Do stop by, if you’re worrying about your work so far. Or if you just want to chat. (I promise biscuits, tea and tisane, and maybe other treats.)
5th years: I know some of you are worried already about exams. I expect to have all your charts marked by Friday, but so far I’m not seeing any unwelcome surprises - and a few pleasant ones. (Remember you can always arrange to do practice charts, especially as we take a break for a few weeks for other topics.)
7th years: I’ve had a few questions about the topic list. Again, the list is just to get you thinking. I’m glad to consider any project that can be done and written up in the course of the school year. (Can be practical, theoretical or a mix.) Come talk to me if you’re still confused.
All my NEWTs: With the unusually large jump in size of our 2nd year class (especially as they’re starting the complications of chart work) I could really use another pair of hands or two during our practical sessions until they’re more comfortable with the process. If any of you would be willing to help out, (without shorting yourself on sleep, mind), please talk to me. They meet Thursday nights, or see below.
2nd years who’d like more time and feedback than our hour allows, I’m also looking to set up some additional sessions with the projection stones (or the last hour before curfew, if it’s clear) where we can work in smaller groups: please come to class with some times that might work for you.
5th years: I know some of you are worried already about exams. I expect to have all your charts marked by Friday, but so far I’m not seeing any unwelcome surprises - and a few pleasant ones. (Remember you can always arrange to do practice charts, especially as we take a break for a few weeks for other topics.)
7th years: I’ve had a few questions about the topic list. Again, the list is just to get you thinking. I’m glad to consider any project that can be done and written up in the course of the school year. (Can be practical, theoretical or a mix.) Come talk to me if you’re still confused.
All my NEWTs: With the unusually large jump in size of our 2nd year class (especially as they’re starting the complications of chart work) I could really use another pair of hands or two during our practical sessions until they’re more comfortable with the process. If any of you would be willing to help out, (without shorting yourself on sleep, mind), please talk to me. They meet Thursday nights, or see below.
2nd years who’d like more time and feedback than our hour allows, I’m also looking to set up some additional sessions with the projection stones (or the last hour before curfew, if it’s clear) where we can work in smaller groups: please come to class with some times that might work for you.
Private message to Cedric Diggory
I do have a little something for you, but I didn’t get a chance to catch you at lunch. (Chelsea Abbott wanted to talk a little right after their class - she’s all right, just needed an ear.) I’m in New London now till sometime after supper (and I hope to catch up with Raz after duelling club’s over) but I’ll find you tomorrow if not before.
S.
Re: Private message to Cedric Diggory
Re: Private message to Cedric Diggory
As to coming up, don't worry. You're already running around enough (besides, I'll have the 4ths that hour). I'll bring it down to lunch tomorrow, and if I don't catch you, why don't you come up when you're done with Defence? I should be in my office.
And Gilly - who I'm having lunch with - tells me to say she's got some pamphlets about artificing and related jobs with her for me to give you, too. Well, not just you, but you were one we were thinking of particularly.
Do enjoy your plans.
Re: Private message to Cedric Diggory
Look, I just heard, when the fourths came up. You all right? Cadwallader going to be all right? (Well, there, I'm sure Poppy's doing everything.)
You know where to find me if you want an ear.
S.
Re: Private message to Cedric Diggory
Re: Private message to Cedric Diggory
Private talk, I'm guessing? I expect a few people for office hours, but Rohani's said she'll be there to help, so we can find somewhere handy.
Private message to Narcissa Malfoy
I am so very glad you were there today. Watching you in your element is - well, Antosha was on at me on Friday about recognising and appreciating excellence. I am entirely in awe of your ability to get at what I wanted and couldn’t find words for.
Thank you, too, for talking both Mum and Diane out of the piles of tulle and froth. I don’t think I’d have managed it on my own. And once we got through the “No, really, try this, some people discover they like it” and the things that were entirely too young for me, it was incredibly helpful to have your comments about what does and doesn’t work for my body.
Who do you suggest for further conversations? I’m certainly comfortable working with Revati, and there’s something to be said for that. But I do trust your recommendations on how to hit exactly the right note.
I hope Diane wasn’t too wearing. (She means well, just it’s a bit much sometimes.) And Mum has already said how glad she was you were there. I do think this whole thing - now it’s hitting home for her - is a little overwhelming. And much as we love each other and get on well, I’ve always been a bit of a puzzle to her, so we’ve never really gone clothes shopping since I was old enough to buy my own.
At any rate - I hope more time to just chat, sometime soon, without my family along. In the meantime, I am entirely appreciative, and I’m sure Raz will be when he sees the end results.
Re: Private message to Narcissa Malfoy
Tell your mother I found her charming. And as for your sister, I do understand. After all, I've an elder sister as well.
The trouble with family is that they rarely are able to see past what they would select, rather than focusing on your own style and personality, to say nothing of what looks good or not.
As to where to go, since the last two gowns were Joosh and Fairchild, I see no reason not to discuss it with them directly. (Although. I hope you shan't think it indelicate to ask, but the robes you were trying were within the budget you told the associates? They didn't just put you in things because I suggested them, regardless of the pricing? I don't wish to pry; I only ask because if you're arranging with Gerard, in particular, but even Fairchild to some extent, and having either of them design you custom robes to order with six months' notice at most .... Well. I just hope you're prepared to haggle, compromise or otherwise ensure they do not take advantage. On the other hand, I know you require no particular encrustation of lace, crystal or pearl to bring out your own lustre, and the cut, if they do it properly, will say as much or more as any ornamentation to the frock itself.)
Now, I would say that Fairchild is probably more used to working with a fuller figure but Gerard understands the Art Deco period a bit more intuitively. So in truth, it probably would not hurt to ask each of them to draw up a proposed design and see which one comes closer to the right look.
Re: Private message to Narcissa Malfoy
Right. I'll get on to both Joosh and Fairchild tomorrow, and see if I can arrange to talk to them both next Tuesday. (May I say you made the suggestion to ask them both? I suspect it would help a good deal as a comparative bargaining position. Nothing beyond that, of course - I'd never put words in your mouth.)
As to your very delicate question - I didn't want to go into it while Diane was around, because she's being touchy about it, but I've no problems with your knowing privately.
What we eventually settled - my parents and Raz and I - is that they're paying for my robes, and he's handling near everything else. (And he's being stubborn about not letting me dip into my savings, but if the robes need to go above where I think my parents are comfortable, I'll make up the rest myself.) So in some ways, it costing a bit saves them some face, quietly. But at the same time, I've two younger sisters, and - well, mid-level Ministry salaries are what they are.
I'm quite clear that my robes - well, whatever they are, they're one of the major statements of the wedding. I knew going into this that would likely cost to get right. So - as much as today was a bit uncomfortable in places (I have not spent so long staring at myself in a mirror for at least a decade), it was very worthwhile, and I'm much more confident of having the right thing in the end.
Private message to Raz:
Waiting for Mum to do something (supposedly) quick at her office before we have supper, and writing things down so I don't forget them later, mostly.
Survived robe shopping. Well, round one - I’m nowhere near done. But Narcissa was vastly helpful in assuring me I was going the right direction and teaching me how to describe what that is, Diane was a reasonable enough version of herself, and Mum sends her love. Don’t know if you’ll see this in time, but I’ll wander by the tail end of duelling club. I could desperately use a hug and seeing my reflection as it is in your eyes rather than a mirror.
I did stop by Tallie Powell’s office and have the detailed proposal: it looks excellent to me, and more than that, an efficient and not-entirely-terrifying plan and timeline. Did you ever hear back from that last reference?
Looking at the plan does remind me: we’re going to need to sample caterers sometime, and you might actually enjoy that bit. Could we arrange some Saturday in October or November, schedule a visit to several of them and then have a night out, maybe? (Stay over in Spence, even?) October 20/21st or November 17/18th (ending up with us at Dad’s birthday party) both look particularly plausible on my calendar and avoid various school events. Temp would need a little time to arrange to get free, and I do want her input.
Had a late lunch with Gilly, and a very interesting chat about some of what Antosha impressed on me about the projection stones.
Also the frustrating stubborness of mutual friends named Dai.Also, we should talk about some of my conversations with Poppy about managing the various pre-marital diagnostic testing the WRO wants to recommend. (She has an idea for making that far less tedious and difficult for both of us. You’ll approve, I’m sure.) That can wait till we’ve more lesiure, just we should be on the same page about what we tell them.
Right. Mum’s ready now. Love you. I’ll demonstrate how much later.
Re: Private message to Raz:
I'm so sorry that the more tedious bits are falling to you, love. I did hear back from the reference and will look over Tallie's proposal as soon as you show it to me. So long as it meets with your stringent code of organisation and timing, I'm sure it'll do just fine for me.
Caterers, eh? I do like a good nosh (but I do tend to like everything you eat, so you'll have to tell me what's actually nice) and following that with a night out sounds brill, and Spence even better. Cramming it in around your Dad's birthday sounds like it might turn out hectic- would you rather do in October?
Meet up with you in a bit to discuss the rest.
Re: Private message to Raz:
And the reason for bringing Temp along is to tell me all the things I don't know about the food. But I'd like it to be excellent, and there's no reason not to make use of my baby sister who's working her way up to being a first-rate chef. And she had some thoughts about menu that I think would do nicely. (Besides, the kitchen gossip she can share will amuse you, I'm quite sure.)
The tedious bits - well, my robes are rather the one thing I couldn't delegate even if I wanted to, and we've made progress there. (More next week, but, well. Progress. And Narcissa really was amazingly good.) The rest of it's just lists and keeping track and .. well, if we're good with Tallie, then that'll get easier.
It is still easier than herding fifty-odd students around Cornwall.
I'll come down, mmm? Everything's set up here, so I'm good to slide back up at quarter to midnight.
Private message to Gilly Chadwick
The more I think about it, the more annoyed I am. Stars, planets, and falling meteors. Look. If Dai isn’t ready to talk yet, that’s all right. (Well. Not all right, but I’ll cope.) But do not let him beg you to play messenger. He doesn’t get it both ways. That’s no fair. To either of us.
And especially not to you. Bloody
stupidstubborn Welsh badgers.Right. Robes. I am pleased to say that it was better than I was afraid it might be other than me trying on any number of horrible options.
Mum thought it should be ‘look like a princess from a story-book’, and that’s not what I want. (Among other things, I would like Raz to be able to get within a couple of feet of me on our wedding day without managing layers of skirts between us.) Narcissa put her foot down about the ballgown and the layers of tulle - and about one of those mermaid gowns. (Does anyone actually look good in those? Doesn’t matter, I refuse to wear something I can’t move in.) After that, it was sheaths - nearly as bad, just less foolish looking.
But after that, we settled into something a lot more useful. The magic words are apparently ‘bias cut’ and ‘silk’, though we didn’t find anything like the perfect one yet. Narcissa - well, I’m actually not surprised, it’s what I hoped for - but she was wonderful at asking what I liked and didn’t in a way I could mostly answer, and then suggesting specific things she knew they had. (Even if it was more than a little uncomfortable to have that kind of scrutiny. I’m all over insecurities tonight - and before you say anything, I know it’s stupid. Doesn’t make it less true.)
If we don’t manage next week in private - I do need to chat with Campanella - two weeks from now? And please send those adjustment charm notes: I’d be glad to have a look and see if I can find some way to simplify the explanation.