(no subject)
I slept in a lot longer than I meant to this morning, drifting in and out of some fairly complex dreams. I won't try to explain them here, but one feature that I found particularly fun was that in the first dream-scenario I found a book belonging to one of my sisters that turned out to be one of those stories where you make a choice at the end of each page and get referred on to the next thing from there. The sort of adventure books. Anyway, I started to read it and then the plot of the book became my next dream-world - it felt just like being drawn into a book, only more so. Strange, but an interesting sensation.
That aside, I'm not doing anything much today. I've finally conceded, after a bit of a struggle with my timetable, that I'm going to have to give up fencing. So I feel wretched, because every time I find a sport that I enjoy and could be good at there seems to be something keeping me from it. So I can't spend much time sailing because I don't have weekends to spend away from Cambridge, I don't want to let myself get too keen on Gliding because it is both potentially very expensive and time-consuming; fencing did look like an exception, but they keep moving the time slots around and always seem to clash with something. Much as I enjoy it, I can't put fencing above my work. Hopefully I'll be able to come back to it later on, but I won't be able to take my second year of ASNaC again however much I want to. Meh.
I've been tagged by serenasnape - I refer you back to the post where I was tagged by mr_ricarno.
I'm dissertating. Actually writing it up, now. Another curious sensation. I hope to have about two thirds of it written out nicely enough for other people to look at by next Saturday. So far I've got 3413 words, including bits of plan and some bits written up. Reaching 5000 is not going to be a problem. With a bit of luck I'll be able to keep it reasonably interesting and within the 10,000 word limit.
Often the solitary man waits for grace,
for the measurer's mercy, though he is troubled in mind
throughout the sea-scape he must for a long time
stir with his hands the ice-cold sea
travel the exile's way. Events are entirely worked out.
So spoke a wanderer, mindful of hardships
of cruel slaughters, of the deaths of beloved kinsmen
often I must alone, each pre-dawn
cry out my cares. Now there is none of the living
to whom I dare openly speak
my mind. I know for a fact
that in a nobleman it is a very noble custom
that he bind fast his spirit
hold his treasure-coffer, think as he will.
A weary spirit cannot endure what happens,
nor can the troubled mind bring about help.
Therefore those eager for glory often
bind sadness securely in their breast-coffers,
so I ought to bind mine in my mind-safe;
often wretched with cares, deprived of homeland,
far from noble kinsmen, bound with fetters.
Since a long time ago, my gold-friend
I covered with dark earth and, dejected, thence
trudged desolate as winter over the binding of the waves.
Sad for the lack of a hall I sought a bestower of treasure
where far or near I might find
he who might know of me in the mead hall,
or wish to console friendless me,
entertain me with joy. He knows, he who kens
how cruel is sorrow as companion
to the one who has for himself few beloved protectors;
the outcast's track takes him, not twisted gold;
a frozen spirit, not earthly glory.
He remembers the hall-retainers and the receiving of treasure
how in his youth he was accustomed to know
his gold-friend. Joy has all perished.
Therefore he knows, who must long forgo
his dear friend-lord's counsel,
when sorrow and sleep both together
often constrain that miserable loner;
it seems to him in mind that he clasps and kisses
his liege lord and lays his hands and head
on his knee; just as he from time to time
in past days he had the benefit of the gift-stool.
Then he awakens again, this friendless man
sees before him the dark waves;
the sea-birds bathe, feathers outstretched;
frost and snow fall mixed with hail.
Then heart's wounds are the heavier,
sore after his beloved. Sorrow is renewed.
Then the mind passes through the memory of kinsmen
it greets gleefully and eagerly gazes at
the companions of men; they often drift away.
The floating ones' spirit does not bring many
familiar sayings. Care is renewed
for the one who must send his weary heart
very frequently over freezing waves.
Therefore I cannot think for all this world
why my mind does not grow dark,
when I entirely think over the life of men:
how they suddenly left the hall
bold young retainers. So this middle world
each and every day declines and falls.
Therefore a man cannot become wise before he has
a share of winters in the world. A wise man must be patient,
must not be too hot-headed, nor too quick to speak
nor too weak a warrior, nor too foolhardy
nor too afraid, nor too eager, nor too greedy for cash
nor ever too keen to boast before he clearly understands.
A warrior must wait when he speaks a boast
until that stout-heart fully knows
which way his heart's intention will turn.
The clear-sighted warrior must perceive how ghastly it will be
when all the wealth of this world stands waste
just as now, manifold throughout this central world,
walls stand, blown about by wind,
sheathed in frost, the buildings exposed to storms
the wine-hall decays, the leaders lie dead
deprived of their delight, the troop of seasoned retainers all perish
the splendid by the wall. War destroyed one
sent him forth on his way, one the grey wolf
shared out in death, one the sad-faced
eorl concealed his in the grave.
So the creator of men laid waste to this dwelling
until the ancient works of giants
devoid of the revelry of their inhabitants, stood empty.
Then he thought wisely of this foundation
and pondered deeply over this dark life,
wise in spirit, often remembering from afar
large numbers of battles, and speaks this word:
Where has the horse gone? Where has the young man gone? Where has the giver of treasure gone?
Where have the seats at the feast gone? Where has the revelry in the hall gone?
Oh bright goblet! Oh mailed warriors!
Oh mighty leaders! How that time departed,
grew dark under the cover of night as if it had never been.
There stands now in the track of the dear retinue
the wall wonderfully high, stained with serpent shapes,
the strength of the ash took away the noblemen,
weapons greedy for slaughter. Fate is the greater,
and the storms dash against this cliff,
the falling snow covers the earth,
the wintry tumult, when dark comes,
grows black with night-shadow, sends from the north
the fierce hailstorm in hostility against heroes.
The earthly kingdom is all full of trouble,
the shaping of events changes the world under heaven.
Here wealth is transitory, here a friend is transitory,
here a man is transitory, here a kinsman is transitory;
all the foundations of this earth become void.
So spoke the wise in mind, he sat apart at secret meditation,
good is he who holds his faith, never too swiftly shall
the warrior make known the grief of his breast before the nobleman
understands to bring about the remedy
with strength. It is well for he who waits for grace
consolation from Father in heaven, where for all of us the fastness stands.
Your Winter Look is Cute
You always bring color to a dreary winter day!
What's Your Winter Look?
You Are Gwen Stefani!
All guys dream about you
And all the girls want to be you
"Sappy pathetic little me
That was the girl I used to be"
Who's Your Inner Rock Chick?
Hmmm...
You Are a Skin Deep Sweetheart
You may be supermodel gorgeous or a plain Jane.
It really doesn't matter, because you're confident and secure.
You don't go out looking like a slob, but you are low maintenance.
You have better things to worry about than whether your nails are the right shade!
Are You Obsessed With Your Looks?
I'm used to 'skin deep' being a negative quality.
You Are Midtown
You love so many things, you don't fit into any one label.
Your city girl persona goes to a fancy restaurant one night and a dive bar the next.
Are You Uptown or Downtown?
Only took five questions. The first asked if I'd like to eat at 'a funky ethic joint', which sounds like a fascinating place. What do funky ethics look like, anyway?
You Are Right Brained In Love
Bit of a drama queen
Peacemaker, first to end a fight
Good at thinking up creative dates
Tend to fall in love and get hurt easily
Going with your gut instead of your head
Emphathetic and caring, sometimes to a fault
Good at recognizing patterns in relationships
Been in love many times, perhaps too many to count
Wildly passionate and intense when falling in love
Spontaneous with relationships, going with the flow
Overly visual - can play back past dates like movies in your mind
Roses, love poems, and stuffed animals are a good start to winning your heart
Are You Right Brained or Left Brained in Love?
I don't think stuffed animals are going to make that much of an impact on me, really...
You Are Artemis!
Brave, and a natural born leader.
You're willing to fight for what you believe in...
And willing to make tough decisions.
Don't forget - the people around you have ideas too!
What Goddess Are You?
No problem with the idea of Artemis, but the questions were a bit awkward - in fact, most of these quizzes are very hard to answer 'cos they don't ever offer the answer I would really give...
Your Hat Personality Is A
Cloche Hat
What Hat Are You?
Hooray!
Phew, long post! I'm going to find some food...
ælfgifu
That aside, I'm not doing anything much today. I've finally conceded, after a bit of a struggle with my timetable, that I'm going to have to give up fencing. So I feel wretched, because every time I find a sport that I enjoy and could be good at there seems to be something keeping me from it. So I can't spend much time sailing because I don't have weekends to spend away from Cambridge, I don't want to let myself get too keen on Gliding because it is both potentially very expensive and time-consuming; fencing did look like an exception, but they keep moving the time slots around and always seem to clash with something. Much as I enjoy it, I can't put fencing above my work. Hopefully I'll be able to come back to it later on, but I won't be able to take my second year of ASNaC again however much I want to. Meh.
I've been tagged by serenasnape - I refer you back to the post where I was tagged by mr_ricarno.
I'm dissertating. Actually writing it up, now. Another curious sensation. I hope to have about two thirds of it written out nicely enough for other people to look at by next Saturday. So far I've got 3413 words, including bits of plan and some bits written up. Reaching 5000 is not going to be a problem. With a bit of luck I'll be able to keep it reasonably interesting and within the 10,000 word limit.
Often the solitary man waits for grace,
for the measurer's mercy, though he is troubled in mind
throughout the sea-scape he must for a long time
stir with his hands the ice-cold sea
travel the exile's way. Events are entirely worked out.
So spoke a wanderer, mindful of hardships
of cruel slaughters, of the deaths of beloved kinsmen
often I must alone, each pre-dawn
cry out my cares. Now there is none of the living
to whom I dare openly speak
my mind. I know for a fact
that in a nobleman it is a very noble custom
that he bind fast his spirit
hold his treasure-coffer, think as he will.
A weary spirit cannot endure what happens,
nor can the troubled mind bring about help.
Therefore those eager for glory often
bind sadness securely in their breast-coffers,
so I ought to bind mine in my mind-safe;
often wretched with cares, deprived of homeland,
far from noble kinsmen, bound with fetters.
Since a long time ago, my gold-friend
I covered with dark earth and, dejected, thence
trudged desolate as winter over the binding of the waves.
Sad for the lack of a hall I sought a bestower of treasure
where far or near I might find
he who might know of me in the mead hall,
or wish to console friendless me,
entertain me with joy. He knows, he who kens
how cruel is sorrow as companion
to the one who has for himself few beloved protectors;
the outcast's track takes him, not twisted gold;
a frozen spirit, not earthly glory.
He remembers the hall-retainers and the receiving of treasure
how in his youth he was accustomed to know
his gold-friend. Joy has all perished.
Therefore he knows, who must long forgo
his dear friend-lord's counsel,
when sorrow and sleep both together
often constrain that miserable loner;
it seems to him in mind that he clasps and kisses
his liege lord and lays his hands and head
on his knee; just as he from time to time
in past days he had the benefit of the gift-stool.
Then he awakens again, this friendless man
sees before him the dark waves;
the sea-birds bathe, feathers outstretched;
frost and snow fall mixed with hail.
Then heart's wounds are the heavier,
sore after his beloved. Sorrow is renewed.
Then the mind passes through the memory of kinsmen
it greets gleefully and eagerly gazes at
the companions of men; they often drift away.
The floating ones' spirit does not bring many
familiar sayings. Care is renewed
for the one who must send his weary heart
very frequently over freezing waves.
Therefore I cannot think for all this world
why my mind does not grow dark,
when I entirely think over the life of men:
how they suddenly left the hall
bold young retainers. So this middle world
each and every day declines and falls.
Therefore a man cannot become wise before he has
a share of winters in the world. A wise man must be patient,
must not be too hot-headed, nor too quick to speak
nor too weak a warrior, nor too foolhardy
nor too afraid, nor too eager, nor too greedy for cash
nor ever too keen to boast before he clearly understands.
A warrior must wait when he speaks a boast
until that stout-heart fully knows
which way his heart's intention will turn.
The clear-sighted warrior must perceive how ghastly it will be
when all the wealth of this world stands waste
just as now, manifold throughout this central world,
walls stand, blown about by wind,
sheathed in frost, the buildings exposed to storms
the wine-hall decays, the leaders lie dead
deprived of their delight, the troop of seasoned retainers all perish
the splendid by the wall. War destroyed one
sent him forth on his way, one the grey wolf
shared out in death, one the sad-faced
eorl concealed his in the grave.
So the creator of men laid waste to this dwelling
until the ancient works of giants
devoid of the revelry of their inhabitants, stood empty.
Then he thought wisely of this foundation
and pondered deeply over this dark life,
wise in spirit, often remembering from afar
large numbers of battles, and speaks this word:
Where has the horse gone? Where has the young man gone? Where has the giver of treasure gone?
Where have the seats at the feast gone? Where has the revelry in the hall gone?
Oh bright goblet! Oh mailed warriors!
Oh mighty leaders! How that time departed,
grew dark under the cover of night as if it had never been.
There stands now in the track of the dear retinue
the wall wonderfully high, stained with serpent shapes,
the strength of the ash took away the noblemen,
weapons greedy for slaughter. Fate is the greater,
and the storms dash against this cliff,
the falling snow covers the earth,
the wintry tumult, when dark comes,
grows black with night-shadow, sends from the north
the fierce hailstorm in hostility against heroes.
The earthly kingdom is all full of trouble,
the shaping of events changes the world under heaven.
Here wealth is transitory, here a friend is transitory,
here a man is transitory, here a kinsman is transitory;
all the foundations of this earth become void.
So spoke the wise in mind, he sat apart at secret meditation,
good is he who holds his faith, never too swiftly shall
the warrior make known the grief of his breast before the nobleman
understands to bring about the remedy
with strength. It is well for he who waits for grace
consolation from Father in heaven, where for all of us the fastness stands.
Your Winter Look is Cute
You always bring color to a dreary winter day!
What's Your Winter Look?
You Are Gwen Stefani!
All guys dream about you
And all the girls want to be you
"Sappy pathetic little me
That was the girl I used to be"
Who's Your Inner Rock Chick?
Hmmm...
You Are a Skin Deep Sweetheart
You may be supermodel gorgeous or a plain Jane.
It really doesn't matter, because you're confident and secure.
You don't go out looking like a slob, but you are low maintenance.
You have better things to worry about than whether your nails are the right shade!
Are You Obsessed With Your Looks?
I'm used to 'skin deep' being a negative quality.
You Are Midtown
You love so many things, you don't fit into any one label.
Your city girl persona goes to a fancy restaurant one night and a dive bar the next.
Are You Uptown or Downtown?
Only took five questions. The first asked if I'd like to eat at 'a funky ethic joint', which sounds like a fascinating place. What do funky ethics look like, anyway?
You Are Right Brained In Love
Bit of a drama queen
Peacemaker, first to end a fight
Good at thinking up creative dates
Tend to fall in love and get hurt easily
Going with your gut instead of your head
Emphathetic and caring, sometimes to a fault
Good at recognizing patterns in relationships
Been in love many times, perhaps too many to count
Wildly passionate and intense when falling in love
Spontaneous with relationships, going with the flow
Overly visual - can play back past dates like movies in your mind
Roses, love poems, and stuffed animals are a good start to winning your heart
Are You Right Brained or Left Brained in Love?
I don't think stuffed animals are going to make that much of an impact on me, really...
You Are Artemis!
Brave, and a natural born leader.
You're willing to fight for what you believe in...
And willing to make tough decisions.
Don't forget - the people around you have ideas too!
What Goddess Are You?
No problem with the idea of Artemis, but the questions were a bit awkward - in fact, most of these quizzes are very hard to answer 'cos they don't ever offer the answer I would really give...
Your Hat Personality Is A
Cloche Hat
What Hat Are You?
Hooray!
Phew, long post! I'm going to find some food...
ælfgifu