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alt_sinistraI’ve been asked to spread the word that the Astronomy Guild will be hosting a special presentation about the Bright-Deverill comet in February. Discovered last year by Guild Master Georg Bright and Guild member Cantus Deverill, it is expected to be quite bright when it approaches its closest point to the earth this April.
The lecture is intended for a general audience, as comets have particularly interesting implications for Potions, Divination, Herbology, and various subbranches of magic. Several Guild members will present on different aspects of the comet’s discovery, path, and implications. Specific topic details will be announced in Georg Bright’s journal as they are made.
The general presentation will begin at 7pm on Monday, February 10th, at the New London Guild Hall at Burlington House, Piccadilly. There will be some additional smaller topical discussions led by specialists from various fields beginning around 9pm, and if the weather is clear, the country Guild Hall in Cornwall will also be open for observation with assistance from various Guild members. You can reserve a seat by contacting the Guild - someone is by the floo during business hours.
My students know we have been discussing the comet in class this year as relevant to the curriculum. While attending this lecture is by no means required or expected, there is some room for students who wish to attend. If you are interested, please let me know below, or in person by January 15th, so we can consider arrangements.
I do hope everyone has a merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
The lecture is intended for a general audience, as comets have particularly interesting implications for Potions, Divination, Herbology, and various subbranches of magic. Several Guild members will present on different aspects of the comet’s discovery, path, and implications. Specific topic details will be announced in Georg Bright’s journal as they are made.
The general presentation will begin at 7pm on Monday, February 10th, at the New London Guild Hall at Burlington House, Piccadilly. There will be some additional smaller topical discussions led by specialists from various fields beginning around 9pm, and if the weather is clear, the country Guild Hall in Cornwall will also be open for observation with assistance from various Guild members. You can reserve a seat by contacting the Guild - someone is by the floo during business hours.
My students know we have been discussing the comet in class this year as relevant to the curriculum. While attending this lecture is by no means required or expected, there is some room for students who wish to attend. If you are interested, please let me know below, or in person by January 15th, so we can consider arrangements.
I do hope everyone has a merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Private message to Georg Bright
Date: 2013-12-23 11:34 pm (UTC)It's just - well, I told you, last you asked, how to figure out what to say that won't get picked at. Or that I think people won't pick at. And yes, I'll see about bringing along some likely students for you to consider encouraging. (I know I still owe you my seasonal summary, but that's got to wait for my return to Hogwarts.)
I'll definitely be at your party, I promise, and maybe Raz, if his Quidditch mates can ever figure out when they're getting together. It will be a lovely break for me, between the other obligations. (One down. Rather a lot to go, really.)
As to the summer - I'd much rather a consulting role, than anything that would keep me out at the Guild Hall even overnight. Raz and I still get much less time together than I'd like to just relax, and I'm exceedingly reluctant to give it up. Things I can come out and do for a few hours, though, I might let you talk me into.
Fröhliche Weihnachten, Georg.
Private message to Tosha
Date: 2013-12-23 11:50 pm (UTC)I am so very glad we managed a solstice vigil this year (even if it was a day late). It was a delight to host you, and have plenty of time to talk, and a chance to cook properly. I feel much more settled for the rest of the holidays now.
And it was fascinating to hear your liturgy for the Christmas vigil. I keep getting echoes of the text, and yet thinking about how much context I’m missing. (Which, yes, you can continue to explain to me, please.) The language, and the metaphors, and the things that stick in your head when you’re doing something else. Though, I suppose that’s the point. If you don’t think about it between the ritual observances, it can’t do you much good, maybe?
I do also hope you’ll be able to come to the lecture - besides the content, it might give you some interesting contacts outside your usual circles. And, what we were talking about, about my deliberately cultivating those sorts of connections. Georg only sent his note over this afternoon, or I’d have laid out more of who might come while you were here. (Plenty of time to do that on a Friday before the lecture, mind.)
I plan to see if Cedric’s interested, and I’m sure our Mr Moon will be, but if there are students of yours who’d find it useful, please do encourage them to talk to me. Georg says I can bring ten or so without any fuss, and more than that would just take a bit of coordination.
Very merry Christmas, Tosha.
Re: Private message to Tosha
Date: 2013-12-24 01:46 am (UTC)The readers' version of the Vigil is different than that performed when a priest is available, of course, but it is still something. I hadn't realised how much I missed attending services. Christmas is not the liturgical holiday that speaks to me most -- that would be Easter, and its deepest mysteries -- but 'settled' is a good description of how I feel as well. I would be happy to continue explaining; my faith is more syncretic than most, but no less sincerely held for all that.
I would not miss the lecture -- if nothing else, you have shown me there is more to astronomy than the bits I have forgot from my school days. (And, if I haven't said it recently, your assistance in those matters is much appreciated. As are the books you have sent; your annotations are a delight.) I shall think of which students I will encourage to attendance. As will I continue to think of those to whom I ought introduce you. I have told you before, and I will tell you again: you do not reflect poorly on Raz, little star. There is room for all sorts.
Your,
T
Re: Private message to Tosha
Date: 2013-12-24 02:22 am (UTC)Let us add the mysteries of Easter to our topics for Fridays, then. The ever-expanding list that it is. (As you have said, at least we will never be bored.) And the liturgy really was beautiful. I keep rolling bits of it around in my head, but you're right, I suspect I'd find the music even better.
As to the books, it would be a shame if I allowed the astronomy section of your library to linger in the rather distressing state it's been in when I can have any part in solving it. I enjoy doing the annotations a great deal - you've rather improved my teaching on several topics in the process. (Which is to say, I expect to do more for you given time, so if there are topics you'd like, please do tell me.)
On the connections, ah, well. I am becoming more convinced, the more I chew on it, that what I said last night - there being so few models for what I want to be - is the core of the issue. I have no desire to focus on the social circuit, even without the logistical complications (managing the necessary parties, yes, but seeking out more, really not.) And I am clearly not cut from the same cloth as my sister-in-law, for which we are probably all grateful, really.
But among the Council wives - ah, it is hard to find a middle ground. And especially to find a place I can be of use - to Raz, to you, to a few others - beyond my teaching. (Which I think is of great use, but this is rather the season where I am reminded how few people think much of my field.) So, yes, thinking about how I might do more - or more deliberately - is rather on my mind.
As to the lecture, I'm delighted. And I really do want to get you and Georg properly talking sometime, as I think you'd find each other of great interest. He's making noises about a small supper beforehand, just a few people, and if so, I'll make sure you get an invitation.
Private message to Cedric Diggory
Date: 2013-12-24 12:05 am (UTC)The lecture, above, might be quite interesting for you. Chance to meet people from different fields, and I’d be glad to help introduce you around. At any rate, I do hope you have a very merry Christmas, and that the time with your family is as pleasant as can be.
Re: Private message to Cedric Diggory
Date: 2013-12-24 08:57 pm (UTC)I look forward to the gift. I'll be back in Hogsmeade before New Years. December became rather full, so I didn't finish my shopping in time. Therefore I'll be returning with gifts for people. I guess I'll call them Twelfth Night gifts.
Enjoying my time with the littles (Jaspar doesn't like that anymore, but he can't hear me here). I haven't seen anything too extravagant, so haven't had to bite my tongue yet. Dad's still been working, so I've only been reminded five times how honored I need to feel for working with a Council Wizard. Only six times that Dralworth let down the side so of course the Cannons are still interested, and have I talked to Bones this week.
Taking time to go see friends as well, skipping out a couple hours every day.
I also look forward to seeing you at St Mungo's Gala!
Re: Private message to Cedric Diggory
Date: 2013-12-24 10:14 pm (UTC)Tosha mentioned that he'd passed along tickets to St M's. (He was here for solstice on the 22nd, and we had almost enough time to talk for once.) I'm certainly looking forward to having a wider range of people I know I enjoy talking to there (and yes, that includes you.) He's also said he'll be at the Guild presentation, but I expect he'll be charming at least half the Guild once I point him the right direction, so you needn't feel you're be on duty or anything.
We're about to head out for my family's Christmas eve, so I'm rather looking forward to seeing various of my younger relatives as well. (My brother's young daughter is particularly adorable, and I have indulged in the world's most wonderful doll for her this year.) Really, there's nothing like young children sometimes to remind one of simple enjoyment.
Private message to Evelyn Longbottom
Date: 2013-12-24 12:09 am (UTC)You are, of course, one of the students I most particularly thought of. If you’d be interested in attending, I would be delighted to include you. The lecture itself is likely to avoid most of the discussion of the arithmancy, but Guild Master Bright has let me know there’ll be some discussions following that you should find manageable, perhaps with a little prepatory reading I’d be glad to lend you when we get back.
I do hope you have a merry Christmas and happy New Year. And the bookmark is lovely, thank you. I’ve got it in my current book.
Re: Private message to Evelyn Longbottom
Date: 2013-12-24 02:35 am (UTC)It would be a great honour, Professor. I'd enjoy that very much.
Thank you.
Re: Private message to Evelyn Longbottom
Date: 2013-12-24 03:49 am (UTC)It's truly a pleasure to be able to encourage someone who's so interested in the topic.
Private message to Pansy Parkinson
Date: 2013-12-24 12:18 am (UTC)I’m writing both because I think you might find the above lecture of some interest, for its overlap with various fields, and because - well. I missed seeing you on Saturday, and wanted you to know I did. I still appreciate your efforts last year, particularly. I heard there were a few challenges with the opening, but you all seem to have handled them nobly.
I do hope I’ll get a chance to talk to you at the St M’s Gala - congratulations on the Junior Auxiliary, by the by. Or some other event, if not there. And in the meantime, I hope you have an excellent holiday.
Re: Private message to Pansy Parkinson
Date: 2013-12-24 03:42 am (UTC)I missed seeing you as well. My hope is that this entire situation is temporary, and that when we've had enough distance, hindsight will show a sharp business decision rather than petty rebellion. I'll certainly be at St Mungo's, and am very much looking forward to seeing you there, and might have to arrange to bump into you elsewhere for tea some time as well.
And the lecture does look like it would be interesting -- I'd like to go along. I hadn't even thought about the implications for Potions, and would certainly want to hear more about that. I wonder -- since Ron Weasley started the distance flying club last summer, I've been learning more about ley flying -- would it impact that at all?
Re: Private message to Pansy Parkinson
Date: 2013-12-24 03:45 am (UTC)Re: Private message to Pansy Parkinson
Date: 2013-12-24 04:47 am (UTC)I do hope the situation's temporary for you. I never quite went through that estrangement with my parents, but I did with other people in my family, and it is rather difficult, isn't it? But mine wasn't petty rebellion, and I'm sure yours isn't either, but instead a way of finding your own place in the world. Which, really, is what it means to grow up, and certainly part of what I'm supposed to be encouraging you to do as one of your teachers.
(Which tells you a bit about my own loyalties, I suppose, but I've never hid that one.)I'm glad, about the lecture, and I've got your name on my list. You know, there's at something about the ley flying in one of my books that wasn't all idiotic tosh - I'll have a rummage, and if I turn up anything, I'll get Georg to add it as one of the discussion topics after the main presentation. (People have some exceedingly odd ideas about comets, and part of the point of this is to educate them about the actuality. The more variety we can offer, the better.)
As to the exam - ah. I was more than a little
upsetfrustrated, but I really do appreciate the apology, and I know it's exceedingly unlike you. On a far happier note, seeing you will make the St M's gala entirely more pleasant, and I'd certainly love tea if we can arrange that.Private Message to Professor Sinistra
Date: 2013-12-24 03:54 am (UTC)If any of the smaller topical discussions should focus upon locational magic as it might relate to or be affected by the comet, I shall be most eager to attend. Thank you again for the loan of that locational magic text; the intricacies involved in the generation of area effects begin to come clear clear to me, although there is still considerable fog in the farther reaches of the landscape, as it were. And of course comets are all in the foggy bits. I remain in hope that the vista shall clear -- and with such illustrious and capable guidance as you and the Guild provide, I have no doubt that it will.
Really, Professor Siz, this has been the best year ever. I've learned so much. I can hardly wait to see what the New Year brings.
Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra
Date: 2013-12-24 04:57 am (UTC)As to the locational magic, Georg is still settling on the smaller discussions, but I believe that's one of the possibilities. Certainly, you and I can discuss in more detail as makes sense, and I'd be glad to talk over the locational magics, in particular. Or spend a bit of time doing some demonstrations, if you'd like, and we can get a day without rain when we're both actually free.
I am so very glad you've enjoyed your work for me and for the Guild. And thank you again for the extra help you've provided about the arithmancy in class. Merry Christmas, and I indeed hope your New Year is even brighter.
Private message to Professor Sinistra
Date: 2013-12-24 09:17 pm (UTC)Re: Private message to Professor Sinistra
Date: 2013-12-24 09:58 pm (UTC)I would be delighted, and I will make quite sure it is possible. (Pansy's already said she'd like to come, as well.) We - the Guild - are hoping there'll be some more of these, and I hope you'll be just as comfortable asking if any of those are of interest.
I'd be a poor teacher indeed if I thought all knowledge ended in NEWTs - one of my great hopes is that all of you go out and can admire the sky, no matter what else you do with your lives.
I do hope your Christmas is as excellent as it can possibly be, and that you get time with your friends. And you're always welcome to come up for tea and biscuits in my office hours, even if you don't have questions about class any more. I do hope you know that.