Gillian Polack's Blog, page 184
May 22, 2012
gillpolack @ 2012-05-23T13:56:00
I taught, I bought toner, I thought about buying groceries. Now I'm going to fade into a slump for a bit. A pale grey slump. Very elegant.
My class was in fine form today. It's still the best class I've ever taught, in any subject, though I haven't told them so recently. We explored seashells and words and creating plot tension through having two different views of the same character. My students expressed much hope that I was Evil Teacher today, so I obliged, which rather surprised our new admin person. Our new admin person is very tall, and I intend to stir her about it, the way I stir all people capable of looking down on me without meaning to.
One thing I bought on the way home was more storage. I have an ottoman now, that stores files. I'm hoping it will encourage people who like putting their feet on my tables to put their feet on it instead, and that it will make my loungeroom look less like a victim of the Paper Wars. It *is* a victim of the Paper Wars, but it would have more dignity if this weren't so patently obvious, always.
Also, a giant Officeworks is one bus ride from my place. I didn't know this. It was very good for me that I didn't know this. It probably would have been better for me if I had never known this. More stationery than I have ever seen in one place outside Japan.
The stationery end of the burglary is now sorted. If I didn't have a walk from the intertown bus to my place, I would have oversorted it, but I could only buy as much as I could reasonably carry without hurting beyond a certain point. That point kept being pushed when I said "Just this one more item." I finally went to the register when I was less than halfway through the shop, just to stop before it all went horribly wrong. And I did actually only buy things I really need. I exercised, in fact, great restraint. I need to go back there sometime, with more carrying capacity and less common sense.
I am such an addict of stationery. I was so busy shopping for various office items and then (now) talking about them that I completely forgot about lunch. Late lunch it is, since I'm not supposed to skip meals. I'd rather unpack my shopping.
My class was in fine form today. It's still the best class I've ever taught, in any subject, though I haven't told them so recently. We explored seashells and words and creating plot tension through having two different views of the same character. My students expressed much hope that I was Evil Teacher today, so I obliged, which rather surprised our new admin person. Our new admin person is very tall, and I intend to stir her about it, the way I stir all people capable of looking down on me without meaning to.
One thing I bought on the way home was more storage. I have an ottoman now, that stores files. I'm hoping it will encourage people who like putting their feet on my tables to put their feet on it instead, and that it will make my loungeroom look less like a victim of the Paper Wars. It *is* a victim of the Paper Wars, but it would have more dignity if this weren't so patently obvious, always.
Also, a giant Officeworks is one bus ride from my place. I didn't know this. It was very good for me that I didn't know this. It probably would have been better for me if I had never known this. More stationery than I have ever seen in one place outside Japan.
The stationery end of the burglary is now sorted. If I didn't have a walk from the intertown bus to my place, I would have oversorted it, but I could only buy as much as I could reasonably carry without hurting beyond a certain point. That point kept being pushed when I said "Just this one more item." I finally went to the register when I was less than halfway through the shop, just to stop before it all went horribly wrong. And I did actually only buy things I really need. I exercised, in fact, great restraint. I need to go back there sometime, with more carrying capacity and less common sense.
I am such an addict of stationery. I was so busy shopping for various office items and then (now) talking about them that I completely forgot about lunch. Late lunch it is, since I'm not supposed to skip meals. I'd rather unpack my shopping.
gillpolack @ 2012-05-22T22:47:00
All the big stuff on my list is done and I'm about to have an early night. Tomorrow after teaching I'm back to normal. This is, I think, good. What is really very good is that I made my Star Trek joke in the Latin class tonight. There must be a very particular hell reserved for teachers like me.
That very particular hell is probably full of forms. One major set to finish this week and then I'm done until the next lot appears.
My early night can only take place when I've worked out what I need to do before Continuum. Which is many things. Some of which might even be interesting. Most of which *are* interesting but not when I am achy. One of which is going to be quite tricky and take much work. My amazing prediction skills say that my next two weeks are filled with paper. Which means my tomorrow needs toner. I think this means it's time to sing the list song and wave my blog goodbye.
That very particular hell is probably full of forms. One major set to finish this week and then I'm done until the next lot appears.
My early night can only take place when I've worked out what I need to do before Continuum. Which is many things. Some of which might even be interesting. Most of which *are* interesting but not when I am achy. One of which is going to be quite tricky and take much work. My amazing prediction skills say that my next two weeks are filled with paper. Which means my tomorrow needs toner. I think this means it's time to sing the list song and wave my blog goodbye.
May 21, 2012
gillpolack @ 2012-05-22T14:05:00
Today's list of things to do is not extensive (I am slow, but my body told me very clearly the last few days that the dental visit was the last straw and that I should simply not do everything I want to do and think I ought to do) but it's all the scary stuff. Things I want to happen and need to make happen but am really shy about.
I do a respectable job at hiding my shyness these days, but it's there and it makes me slow at approaching some things. What this means is that I shall feel a huge welling of relief from somewhere deep inside when today's tasks are finished.
I think I chose today to face the impossible (but not big) things because it's Latin today. I'm teaching Latin because I can and there was a need for it, but also because I start telling myself "You can't do this as well as you should." The easiest way of facing that particular inner evil is to teach. Despite the mantra "Those who can't do, teach" it's almost impossible to teach a subject without a good understanding of it.
Not a lot of hours in my day, then, but I am facing some curious challenges.
I do a respectable job at hiding my shyness these days, but it's there and it makes me slow at approaching some things. What this means is that I shall feel a huge welling of relief from somewhere deep inside when today's tasks are finished.
I think I chose today to face the impossible (but not big) things because it's Latin today. I'm teaching Latin because I can and there was a need for it, but also because I start telling myself "You can't do this as well as you should." The easiest way of facing that particular inner evil is to teach. Despite the mantra "Those who can't do, teach" it's almost impossible to teach a subject without a good understanding of it.
Not a lot of hours in my day, then, but I am facing some curious challenges.
gillpolack @ 2012-05-22T11:03:00
It appears I may be in program items at Continuum. This means, of course, that I shall have to issue a "How to avoid Gillian at Continuum" guide. I'm very much looking forward to it.
gillpolack @ 2012-05-21T20:09:00
For those who were so enthusiastic about the Phryne Fisher series, I didn't make it to the last episode. I just called it up on iview, for completion's sake, and couldn't be bothered. The historical backdrop wears thin at times, some of the more regular characters (ones I liked) were turned into appearances or bit parts and there was the impossible-to-get-round problems of the tin ear and some really curious directorial choices. It wasn't a bad series, but it wasn't a brilliant one, either. For me, the best part was Phryne's costumes and the worst was when brothers had two different European accents.
I still think that Kim Wilkins would make a perfect Phryne Fisher, but that's not really relevant to me not watching the series.
I still think that Kim Wilkins would make a perfect Phryne Fisher, but that's not really relevant to me not watching the series.
Hot chocolate
I promised
![[info]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1380972883i/3615014.gif)
rachelholkner
an oldish recipe the other day, on the open question thread. I wanted to convince people of the importance of chocolate, from the time of its first major wave of "we must drink this!" in Europe*. When you're convinced it will be a wonderful elixir and that you must have some, then I'll give you a recipe. Our starting date is 1660, and our starting place is Oxford. If any of you live nearby, I would love to know what is now sold (if anything) where that drink was once bought, which was, according to this leaflet at 'James Gough at M. Sury's neare East gate'.
THE VERTUES OF CHOCOLATE East-India Drink.
BY this pleasing drink health is preserved, sicknesse diverted, It cures Consumptions and Cough of the Lungs; it expells poyson, cleanseth the teeth, and sweetneth the Breath; provoketh Urine; cureth the stone and strangury, maketh Fatt and Corpulent, faire and aimeable, it cureth the running of the Reins, with sundry other desperate Diseases; It causeth Conception according to these Verses,
Nor need the Women longer grieve,
Who spend their oyle yet not Conceive,
For 'tis a Help Immediate,
If such but Lick of Chocolate.
Beauty gaind and continued, as this verse speaketh,
The Nut-Browne Lasses of the Land,
Whom Nature vail'd in Face and hand,
Are quickly Beauties of High-Rate,
By one small Draught of Chocolate.
It is impossible to innumerate all new and admirable effects then producing every day in such as drink it, therefore I'le leave the Judgement of it, to those who daily make a continuall proofe of it.
And now, for methods of making this wonderful liquor, just click on this link. Report back on any interesting tastings!
*which doesn't answer
mikandra
's question on Twitter, but maybe helps explain why I found it a difficult question to answer.
rachelholkner
an oldish recipe the other day, on the open question thread. I wanted to convince people of the importance of chocolate, from the time of its first major wave of "we must drink this!" in Europe*. When you're convinced it will be a wonderful elixir and that you must have some, then I'll give you a recipe. Our starting date is 1660, and our starting place is Oxford. If any of you live nearby, I would love to know what is now sold (if anything) where that drink was once bought, which was, according to this leaflet at 'James Gough at M. Sury's neare East gate'.THE VERTUES OF CHOCOLATE East-India Drink.
BY this pleasing drink health is preserved, sicknesse diverted, It cures Consumptions and Cough of the Lungs; it expells poyson, cleanseth the teeth, and sweetneth the Breath; provoketh Urine; cureth the stone and strangury, maketh Fatt and Corpulent, faire and aimeable, it cureth the running of the Reins, with sundry other desperate Diseases; It causeth Conception according to these Verses,
Nor need the Women longer grieve,
Who spend their oyle yet not Conceive,
For 'tis a Help Immediate,
If such but Lick of Chocolate.
Beauty gaind and continued, as this verse speaketh,
The Nut-Browne Lasses of the Land,
Whom Nature vail'd in Face and hand,
Are quickly Beauties of High-Rate,
By one small Draught of Chocolate.
It is impossible to innumerate all new and admirable effects then producing every day in such as drink it, therefore I'le leave the Judgement of it, to those who daily make a continuall proofe of it.
And now, for methods of making this wonderful liquor, just click on this link. Report back on any interesting tastings!
*which doesn't answer
mikandra
's question on Twitter, but maybe helps explain why I found it a difficult question to answer.
May 20, 2012
gillpolack @ 2012-05-21T11:46:00
I'm tired of complaining, so no health updates today.
sartorias
has an interesting post at the Book View Cafe, and it reminded me that I need to do much work. I need to finish this doctorate and finish the Beast so that I can get on with my other project.
People nag me about my other project, but I don't know how many of them know I'm partway through it. It's the project people tell me they want me to finish, even when they have no idea it's well underway.
I'm halfway through a study of how writers use history in their work (not a literary study, a study of techniques) and how writers can access history to write fiction without spending 20 years doing basic groundwork.
I've been thinking for a while that this could be something I write up after my doctorate. It was what I had intended to work on when the doctorate intervened, after all. It won't take that long, because I was partway through it when I detoured (all those interviews I did with writers, looking at their relationship with the Middle Ages, for instance) and I've done basic research on parts of it when it overlapped with the doctorate*.
It would make a good companion for the Beast. One book on how to use the relationship of history with fiction, specifically for writers, and one introduction to the Middle Ages in France and England for writers and others. I needed reminding, though. I also need (not quite yet, I suspect - first finish the doctorate) to find a publisher.
It's going to be a much better book than if I hadn't done this second doctorate, for my time travel novel was a testing ground for a lot of the stuff I derived from the research.
*It's not the same as the doctorate, but sources overlap. It's going to be a lot of fun pulling *those* sections together, I suspect.
sartorias
has an interesting post at the Book View Cafe, and it reminded me that I need to do much work. I need to finish this doctorate and finish the Beast so that I can get on with my other project. People nag me about my other project, but I don't know how many of them know I'm partway through it. It's the project people tell me they want me to finish, even when they have no idea it's well underway.
I'm halfway through a study of how writers use history in their work (not a literary study, a study of techniques) and how writers can access history to write fiction without spending 20 years doing basic groundwork.
I've been thinking for a while that this could be something I write up after my doctorate. It was what I had intended to work on when the doctorate intervened, after all. It won't take that long, because I was partway through it when I detoured (all those interviews I did with writers, looking at their relationship with the Middle Ages, for instance) and I've done basic research on parts of it when it overlapped with the doctorate*.
It would make a good companion for the Beast. One book on how to use the relationship of history with fiction, specifically for writers, and one introduction to the Middle Ages in France and England for writers and others. I needed reminding, though. I also need (not quite yet, I suspect - first finish the doctorate) to find a publisher.
It's going to be a much better book than if I hadn't done this second doctorate, for my time travel novel was a testing ground for a lot of the stuff I derived from the research.
*It's not the same as the doctorate, but sources overlap. It's going to be a lot of fun pulling *those* sections together, I suspect.
May 19, 2012
gillpolack @ 2012-05-20T15:51:00
I need chocolate. And coffee. And pain relievers. I started the day with a pulled muscle in the ribcage area and now I have PMT. Serious things are easier to deal with than little dramas, I suspect. Especially now, when I have just developed hiccups and every time I hiccup it hurts and then I get angry.
Yes, well, there are bigger things in life. I'll remember them when I stop hiccuping. The rhythm is hic-ouch-up *anger smoulders*, hic-ouch-up *anger smoulders*. If you want to play at home along with me, you will need codeine. If you don't want to supply your own PMT, you're welcome to mine.
I'm going to make Ethiopian coffee (the spicy sort without much caffeine) and find me a heat pack and some chocolate. In my next life I'll be male and not have the PMT. In this life, I'm just hanging out for menopause and the end of hiccups.
Yes, well, there are bigger things in life. I'll remember them when I stop hiccuping. The rhythm is hic-ouch-up *anger smoulders*, hic-ouch-up *anger smoulders*. If you want to play at home along with me, you will need codeine. If you don't want to supply your own PMT, you're welcome to mine.
I'm going to make Ethiopian coffee (the spicy sort without much caffeine) and find me a heat pack and some chocolate. In my next life I'll be male and not have the PMT. In this life, I'm just hanging out for menopause and the end of hiccups.
gillpolack @ 2012-05-20T11:23:00
My grand news of the morning is that I pulled a small muscle while coughing. Breathing only hurts from some directions and I can sleep fine as long as I remain on one side. It gives me a wonderful excuse to avoid housework, therefore, with only a little pain (as long as I'm careful) and some mild inconvenience. It's proof I overdid things last week, for that is when such things happen to me. It's my body's way of wagging its finger and sending me to a corner.
This means I have to do sitting down work - no housework. Look at my sad face. Oh, there isn't one...
If I were to book myself in for a roadworthy check right now, I rather suspect I would be pulled up on many points. The teeth, though, are not one of them. They all connect on the right side and most on the left also work normally. I had forgotten that teeth actually connected! This is why we put up with daft situations: we've had them for so long we completely forget what things are supposed to be like. This is why a broken leg is preferable to something that goes wrong so slowly that we accustom ourselves to it. Not that I'm asking for a broken leg. It would cramp my teaching style.
And in real news, I have a steaming hot cup of English Breakfast tea in front of me. It needs my close attention.
This means I have to do sitting down work - no housework. Look at my sad face. Oh, there isn't one...
If I were to book myself in for a roadworthy check right now, I rather suspect I would be pulled up on many points. The teeth, though, are not one of them. They all connect on the right side and most on the left also work normally. I had forgotten that teeth actually connected! This is why we put up with daft situations: we've had them for so long we completely forget what things are supposed to be like. This is why a broken leg is preferable to something that goes wrong so slowly that we accustom ourselves to it. Not that I'm asking for a broken leg. It would cramp my teaching style.
And in real news, I have a steaming hot cup of English Breakfast tea in front of me. It needs my close attention.
gillpolack @ 2012-05-19T21:16:00
Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow - they're all Sunday. And I shall be looking at manuscripts and manuscripts and manuscripts*. My deadlines have switched around a bit unexpectedly. The old ones don't reassert themselves until Monday.
*of the Gillian variety, not of the Medieval variety.
*of the Gillian variety, not of the Medieval variety.
