Aurora Sinistra (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
alt_sinistra) wrote2012-11-19 10:17 am
alt_sinistra) wrote2012-11-19 10:17 am
Entry tags:
Onward
Students - I have had a few questions about whether writing up observations about the aurora might be worthwhile (to your marks, that is.) Since I believe in encouraging you to look at the heavens and pay attention, the answer is, as always, “Yes! Please!”
Obviously, greater detail (or additional research) generally earns greater credit, but even brief observations are rewarded as long as they’re thoughtfully done and accurate. To count for this term, you can submit additional reports until the week before end-of-term exams (December 10th, this year.) If you’ve questions, please ask here, or stop by my office hours.
At any rate, I’m sorry I missed Saturday’s aurora, though Tuesday’s was delightful. Quite rare we get two inside a week. Almost makes one think there’s meat to the folklore, really.
On the rest, life does move forward, and now that matters elsewhere have settled down, I admit I’m glad to be turning my attention back to smaller and less urgent needs.
We have, in fact, formed a committee to discuss the possibility of work on an updated and significantly revised astronomy text. Due to a number of commitments for various parties, we expect this will be a lengthy project, with hopes of a new text going to print in time for the 1997-1998 school year. Cantus Deverill is chair for the project, but any of the committee (and that includes me) are glad to take comments. More info in Georg Bright’s journal.
And on a more personal note, it was a particular pleasure to see my extended family at my father’s birthday party yesterday, and an even greater joy that Raz was able to join me, and meet my aunts, uncles, and many of my cousins. (Dad: a very happy birthday and many more wonderful years to you. And to Mum, Auntie Gera, Diane, and my other siblings, brilliant show organising a lovely afternoon.)
Obviously, greater detail (or additional research) generally earns greater credit, but even brief observations are rewarded as long as they’re thoughtfully done and accurate. To count for this term, you can submit additional reports until the week before end-of-term exams (December 10th, this year.) If you’ve questions, please ask here, or stop by my office hours.
At any rate, I’m sorry I missed Saturday’s aurora, though Tuesday’s was delightful. Quite rare we get two inside a week. Almost makes one think there’s meat to the folklore, really.
On the rest, life does move forward, and now that matters elsewhere have settled down, I admit I’m glad to be turning my attention back to smaller and less urgent needs.
We have, in fact, formed a committee to discuss the possibility of work on an updated and significantly revised astronomy text. Due to a number of commitments for various parties, we expect this will be a lengthy project, with hopes of a new text going to print in time for the 1997-1998 school year. Cantus Deverill is chair for the project, but any of the committee (and that includes me) are glad to take comments. More info in Georg Bright’s journal.
And on a more personal note, it was a particular pleasure to see my extended family at my father’s birthday party yesterday, and an even greater joy that Raz was able to join me, and meet my aunts, uncles, and many of my cousins. (Dad: a very happy birthday and many more wonderful years to you. And to Mum, Auntie Gera, Diane, and my other siblings, brilliant show organising a lovely afternoon.)
Re: Private Message to Aurora Sinistra
As to old nicknames - ah, in that case, I will spare the comments on daytime scarcely being my preference, and take the fondness for what it is.
Your fourths - I had all of them last night, and I heard more than a little chatter about it. You did make quite the impression. But - you remember that conversation we had back in September, about demonstrating that you could be pushed to the edge of patience, but yet not become the Carrows?
From what I heard, sounds like this may, in fact, have done some of that for you. (Of course, the less said about how much they weren’t paying attention to me, the better. But that’s their lookout, not mine, if they do badly on their end of term exams as a result.) We're off a week anyway, because of the aurora last week - I could not resist the chance to discuss it in depth - so I'll have to adjust anyway.
Are your fifths better? I gave them a long-term assignment - that meteor observation - and I’m waiting for next hour to see the patterns in who did things on time and who didn’t. But really, they must learn long-term project skills at some point. Or if they're the type to put it off to the very last, how to produce something worthwhile quickly.
On my family, you’re quite right. It’s just - surprising, I guess. It is very generous of them, and very thoughtful, and I - oh, I guess I feel like I’ve not held up my end in the family as well as I might. If that makes any sense at all. (And related, I've been feeling that way with more than one friend, which is why I think I keep coming back to it.)
And speaking of circling back, why are you fretting over me so much? It’s enough to tempt me not to mention things that might remotely worry you, and I’d rather not make that a habit. I’m a grown woman, none of my issues with sleep are new, and on the whole, they are now entirely predictable. And I manage, Tosha, dear, truly. The afternoon nap is a fine thing and an ancient invention.
One part complex schedule. One part that I really do sleep far better when with Raz than otherwise (but it is five months before that can be a nightly habit). And one part, yes, response to stress, but there are things that help, and as responses to stress go, at least this one is easy to keep an eye on. (And when it gets too bad, there are potions, much as I hate them.)
And yes, on wanting to hear about Minerva. I’ve been wondering. Alas, I didn’t get a chance to talk to Campanella last night - she’s still working flat out - or I might have more news about Dolores and her plans to share. If you'd rather in person, I could stop by at 5.