First Day of School
Jan. 12th, 2004 06:47 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
teleidoplexNothing particularly amusing or interesting to say today, but I'm determined to start writing more or less daily, just to get myself back into the habit.
So, today is the first day of classes. I have this beautiful vista over my desk of all the books I'm going to be reading this semester. It may eventually become a daunting vista, because there are a whole lot of them.
I'm taking a general theory survey class in order to get my thinking muscles going. There's a lot of reading that goes along with it. It's kind of cool to me that I have a rough idea who most of the authors are and what they're talking about. I think it'll help me keep up with the other people in the class.
I'm also taking a class on Irish lit. Most of it is Beckett or post Beckett (Samuel, not Thomas a'). I'm also excited about this because while I have a decent knowledge of Irish social history, I know jack-all about any of the literature except the epics and a little about the Celtic Twilight crew. Still, there's a whole lot of reading.
I've become too used to class readers that are just filled with articles. Granted, journal articles tend to be thicker and slower going than novels or plays, but I'm a little ashamed to be so daunted by the array of books on my shelf.
I'm also excited, however. I really love the beginning of semesters. The classes are rather shroedinger-esque, in that they still have the possibility of being the best class you've ever taken, the one that vault's you -- Dead Poet's Society-style -- into whole new realms of creative intellectual inspiration. You haven't yet discovered that the prof is a plodding pedantic bore, or that your fellow students take on a glazed headlight-staring look whenever anyone talks about the texts.
Come to think of it, I've been feeling a little overwhelemed about things other than reading, too. I still have a few wrap-up things from last semester to take care of, and several grant/course proposal deadlines coming up. Then there's the Changeling game. It's very hard not to feel daunted by all the changeling work that is always looming over me, especially when I've been feeling like no matter how much I do, it's never enough and people are left feeling vaguely dissatisfied. One of my challenges to myself this semester is to figure out a new way to approach the game that is different from my current huddle under my carapace, or I'm going to explode poison over some poor unsuspecting schmoe who just wants me to run an omen for him. A flamethrower or chainsaw would help.
I'm also going to be actively working to get more fit. After the exercise in soul-crushing humiliation over the holiday that was bridesmaid dress shopping, I have come to the conclusion that this body is not for me. Since dieting is also not for me (I am a luxurious fox, and like my good food), less sitting around on my butt is my only option.
So, those are the tails I'm intending to earn this semester. Reading, general school maintenance/professionalism stuff, a new changling head, and a fitter kitsune body...
And maybe a flamethrower. Tourquoise, of course.
So, today is the first day of classes. I have this beautiful vista over my desk of all the books I'm going to be reading this semester. It may eventually become a daunting vista, because there are a whole lot of them.
I'm taking a general theory survey class in order to get my thinking muscles going. There's a lot of reading that goes along with it. It's kind of cool to me that I have a rough idea who most of the authors are and what they're talking about. I think it'll help me keep up with the other people in the class.
I'm also taking a class on Irish lit. Most of it is Beckett or post Beckett (Samuel, not Thomas a'). I'm also excited about this because while I have a decent knowledge of Irish social history, I know jack-all about any of the literature except the epics and a little about the Celtic Twilight crew. Still, there's a whole lot of reading.
I've become too used to class readers that are just filled with articles. Granted, journal articles tend to be thicker and slower going than novels or plays, but I'm a little ashamed to be so daunted by the array of books on my shelf.
I'm also excited, however. I really love the beginning of semesters. The classes are rather shroedinger-esque, in that they still have the possibility of being the best class you've ever taken, the one that vault's you -- Dead Poet's Society-style -- into whole new realms of creative intellectual inspiration. You haven't yet discovered that the prof is a plodding pedantic bore, or that your fellow students take on a glazed headlight-staring look whenever anyone talks about the texts.
Come to think of it, I've been feeling a little overwhelemed about things other than reading, too. I still have a few wrap-up things from last semester to take care of, and several grant/course proposal deadlines coming up. Then there's the Changeling game. It's very hard not to feel daunted by all the changeling work that is always looming over me, especially when I've been feeling like no matter how much I do, it's never enough and people are left feeling vaguely dissatisfied. One of my challenges to myself this semester is to figure out a new way to approach the game that is different from my current huddle under my carapace, or I'm going to explode poison over some poor unsuspecting schmoe who just wants me to run an omen for him. A flamethrower or chainsaw would help.
I'm also going to be actively working to get more fit. After the exercise in soul-crushing humiliation over the holiday that was bridesmaid dress shopping, I have come to the conclusion that this body is not for me. Since dieting is also not for me (I am a luxurious fox, and like my good food), less sitting around on my butt is my only option.
So, those are the tails I'm intending to earn this semester. Reading, general school maintenance/professionalism stuff, a new changling head, and a fitter kitsune body...
And maybe a flamethrower. Tourquoise, of course.
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no subject
Date: 2004-01-12 01:32 pm (UTC)This is one of those reasons for why I wish I lived closer. This dragon is getting to the point where I'm busting my scales and none of my pretty clothes fit anymore. And I think we could keep each other motivated.
I'm glad you're home, I miss you bunches!
mE
oh yeah...
Date: 2004-01-12 01:44 pm (UTC)Re: oh yeah...
Date: 2004-01-12 04:18 pm (UTC)Miss you, Moon-one!
mE
Re: oh yeah...
Date: 2004-01-12 04:38 pm (UTC)Wake up.
Days where I'm in a hury:
Mutter something evil under my breath as I lurch into the living room.
Wake up a bit more, stretch a bit do some random number of crunches (no less than 50, no more yet than 200).
Days where I've given myself time:
Mutter something evil. Stretch, maybe check my email until conscioussness is regained. Do Tai Chi.
All days:
After the exercise part is finished, shower, drink tea and haul ass for the busstop. Work, come home, Screw around on freeweights a bit if I'm not sleepy by midnight.
That exercise regimen combined with fricking walking everywhere and soul crushing depression is the key to weight loss :) I'm not sure what I'm going to do now that I don't have to walk everywhere.
no subject
Date: 2004-01-12 05:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-12 06:39 pm (UTC)Regardless of how much time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears you put in, someone is going to feel as if they haven't gotten everything that they wanted from you. It's inevitable. I've been in games with three other players and a single, monomaniacal gamemaster, and we still felt as if we weren't getting enough of what we wanted. Never mind the weekly five pages of handouts and the stupidly well-planned sessions.
Having said that, you and David (and the other wonderful STs / ASTs) have managed to create an environment where story and character flourish because you've managed to put your time and effort into the bits of the game that matter most. Further, you've managed to do that while juggling a very large set of players, a massive multi-layered plot goliath, and a selection of memorable non-player characters.
I sometimes worry that the best games I've had the pleasure of being a part of threatened a ST / GM / DM / whathaveyou burnout seasonally. That, above all things, is what you should avoid. You shouldn't run a game that you don't enjoy running, at least on some level. ...so have fun, tackle the workload as best you can, and realize that the players are inventive folk, too. My major failing as a GM has always been that I underestimate the creativity of the players and try to tell the whole story; you seem to be avoiding that, by and large, for which you deserve many kudos.
But overall, don't sweat the small stuff. :)
no subject
Date: 2004-01-12 07:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-13 04:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-13 04:57 pm (UTC)