Bearshorty's musings

What I like about January 1 is that is tends to be a nice and quiet day, usually quite relaxing, like a breath you take before a new year starts.

We drove over to my parents' yesterday in the morning for the New Year celebrations. We always celebrate at home as it is a family holiday for us. We Skyped with relatives in Minsk and in California to wish them Happy New Year and just to chat and chilled a bit. Around 5:30 we all dressed up, mostly in red and pink colors, for the upcoming Rooster year, (except Bear who was a black rooster), and took lots of annual photos around the New Year fir tree. Then we had our holiday dinner. So much yummy food! My Mom made the usual olivier salad and pod-shuba (beets with herring), crab salad, fish liver salad and beets/plums/nuts salad. She also made regular veggie salad and cabbage/egg pie. And for main course there was meat french style (meat covered with potatoes and dried apricots). And there were open faced sandwiches with salmon and also with caviar. And bread, of course. So much food! (and lots of leftovers for today). In the past, I wasn't always a big fan for beets and herring classic, but I'm really into it lately.

After this giant meal, we did bedtime for Tanya and I put her to bed. I was pretty much falling asleep with her but my Dad made sure to get me up by 10:30pm to sneak out of the bedroom so I could come downstairs and have some desert - they got fruit tart cake, and there was zefir (marshmallows in chocolate), and dried fruit, with tea, of course.

Then we mostly watched TV and hung out until midnight and watched the ball drop while drinking some sparkling juice. Then I just went to bed, I was very tired. But, of course, I couldn't easily fall asleep once I was in bed and the night was a bit restless. Still, it was a good calm new years, full of deliciousness and family time, just the way I like it.

In the morning, Tanya slept in until 7:30am, but then we all got up, got dressed and went downstairs to the New Year tree to open presents that Ded Moroz (Russian Santa) left for Tanya (and a couple for Bear and I) under the tree. Tanya got 4 books (2 from me - Crocodile Gena in Russian and one of the Elephant and Piggie books in English, and 2 from my parents - both in English - 5 minute Princess Stories and When the Tiger Came to Tea). And she got a little magnet fishing game, which is also a puzzle, and a nice tea set with toy dishes, cups, tea pot, forks and spoons. She is playing with all her new toys. I got Bear a Deadpool graphic novel he wanted (we split our presents to each other in two - some for Christmas and some for New Year) and my parents got him an Amazon gift certificate. I got "Star Trek Beyond" from Bear and the last Leonard Cohen CD and a book by Stefan Zweig from my parents. I was very happy with my presents. I'm listening to Leonard Cohen right now - which is a little bittersweet.

Around 9:30am, Bear, Tanya and I went to the playground. The weather was beautiful today, not too cold, and sunny. Tanya went on her little tricycle, which she actually pedaled by herself a little bit today. It felt like the whole world was still asleep. There was no one about and very little cars on the road. We had the playground to ourselves. Well, and the three squirrels who kept chasing each other. I had fun watching them. There was also a field full of geese right outside the playground - we watched them walk around a bit in the little puddle. They had black necks and white faces with black beaks and white bellies. Tanya really liked watched them. It was just very relaxing to spend time together, chase Tanya a little around and go down a few slides. It was only when we were about to leave after 11 when someone else came. New Year is definitely a nice quite day.

I even got a little nap in when Tanya went for a nap and read my book too. I'm reading "It's hard to Be a God" now and the main character's attitude to the culture he's studying is driving me a little crazy. I go from liking the book to slowing down in wanting to read it because of the whole "civilized" attitude of the protagonist. Reading Strugaski brothers is always strange though.

We came home after all the naps, I unpacked (including all the holiday food my Mom passed along, yum), paid the January bills (at least for this apartment, still have to do the new one), and just catching up online a bit. Overall, a nice day.

I don't do New Year resolutions but I guess I want to try to be more present and not waste too much time online. And read and write, of course.

I'm not very concerned about LJ issues, I don't write anything that should matter to any government, and I have been cross posting from Dreamwidth for years - in fact it remains my face. But if anyone wants to add me on DW for back-up, I have the same username .

My Remus/Sirius Small Gifts story was posted a week or so go. It's called Christmas in July. If you are curious you can read it here.

And finally my Book List 2017 is here with books I would like to read this year.

I was supposed to meet a friend for lunch today but she called me this morning to tell me she has a cold. The day was rainy anyway so it wasn't terrible to stay home but I was looking to get out of the house a little. At least tomorrow, we have a social gathering so that would be nice. And my parents are planning to come over on Sunday.

I mostly spent the day finishing Season 2 of "Supernatural." I want to finish Season 3 before new semester starts since I won't have much time to watch after. It is only 16 episodes, so I can certainly do that next week.

I signed up fro Black Circle DJ fest again - it's Remus/Sirius fest based on music and last night I listened to a pretty nice 16 song playlist made by the mods. The third song in it, "Wishlist" by Pearl Jam really stood out to me. I never heard it before but I really liked it. So I'm going to write a story based on it.

On Friday, I went to see “Les Miserables” with Yeva. I walked over to her place and we drove to get tickets and then we had about 30 minutes to get desert. That desert place is so delicious. Yeva’s new boyfriend Sergey joined us for the movie. He wasn’t really interested in the movie, he just came along to spend time with her (ah, new relationships!) and it was also the first time I got to meet him. They are getting a bit serious now - I’m just very glad to hear Yeva so happy again. Her break up seven month ago was really hard on her. But when she called me right after the New Year to recount their recent trip to Vegas, she sounded like herself again. Of course, I’m hoping for dinner soon so we could met Sergey properly, with conversation.

( Thoughts on Les Miserables )

I also spent the first week of the new year, finishing the 14th book of the Dresden Files, “Cold Days” by Jim Butcher.

( Spoilery thoughts on Cold Days )

( Downton Abbey S3E1 US )

Tomorrow, Bear and I are going on our real delayed honeymoon. We just going on vacation really. We are going to Arizona to Grand Canyon. I’ve never been to a desert environment so I don’t really know what to expect. Pictures and TV and movies are not same and I’m looking forward to seeing it live. I did decide to have an internet break. I will put pictures up when I come back.

There is a new LJ community – RS Library –and it has compiled a list to all Remus/Sirius fests and their masterlists.

Title: A Lifetime
Author: bearshorty
Challenge answered: 20 years: The Immortal View
Characters/Pairings: Richie, Michelle, Joe, Duncan, Amanda, Methos.
Rating: PG
Word Count: 2,146
Summary: Twenty years can be a whole life or just a moment. Six characters reflect, sometimes reluctantly.
Notes: This story isn’t betaed so forgive any typos. I take prompts too literally sometimes and I apologize for that. Thank you to the organizers of this fest for making us remember all these wonderful characters and to reflect on this show.


( A Lifetime )

Last week really ran away from me, since I had to set up the new computer and grade way to much. So I was not in the writing mood. I still have lots and lots of work but I really need to try to catch up.

I posted the History Big Bang story today – I still haven’t heard from the artist but I’m just glad I got done in time. My lovely beta got back to me this morning. Big Bangs are too stressful for me, I think – I prefer shorter stories. Still, I’m happy it is done.

Today was the day of our annual Passover Seder feast at Marianna’s and, as usual, it was a lot of fun with all the cooking and hanging out. And Galya looked all pretty and cute at 10 month old. She is walking already and she basked at all the attention since all adult were playing with her at some point. I got her a little stuffed owl.

Getting to the Seder was a little adventure. Originally, after visiting my grandparents, my parents were supposed to drop me off at Yeva’s but, as usual, Yeva was going to go to an appointment and she forgot to tell me about it and it was just so much easier to call Bear and get him to pick me up at my grandparent’s house. It would be faster for him to drive straight there, and he also has a tendency to come an hour late but it was still the least frustrating option. And it is always much more fun to travel with Bear and talk about religion and other things, especially since we need to have that conversation with his mother about the ceremony.

At Marianna’s, there was lots and lots of cooking – we made chicken soup (I was much more active in really making it this time – it is really time for me to master soups), cutting up a lot of vegetables, making Passover plate and haroset, roasted potatoes, chicken legs, salad, mazza bread with mushrooms, boiled eggs etc. Bear actually could barely finish his plate which was very surprising.

So great time was had by all and we only got to Bear’s house around 11:30 or so.

Title: A New Life or Something Like It
Author: bearshorty
Artist: viviantanner
Fandom and Time Period: Highlander: The Series; 2012 and 1347-48.
Characters and/or Pairing: Methos, Rebecca, Duncan. Mention of Methos/Rebecca and, if you squint really hard, Methos/Duncan.
Disclaimer: Highlander belongs to Davis-Panzer Productions. I’m just playing with the characters for fun and not for any profit.
Summary: In 1347, Methos was looking for a new life. He found it in Norfolk, of all places, in a midst of a court case. And he should always listen to Rebecca.
Word Count: 10,000+
Warnings: none
Author’s note: The case in this story is based on a real trial including the names of the litigants, the judges and the sheriff of Norfolk. If Methos was there, his name mysteriously vanished from the record. Thank you so much to heartofspells for the last minute fabulous beta.

( A New Life or Something Like It )

I finally finished Pratchett’s “The Color of Magic” – I read the second half of the book in one weekend. Overall, I liked it, especially the second half but I’m not really inspired to pick up other Discworld novels. To me this book seemed to be a cross between Douglass Adams and the Princess Bride. On to “Stardust” next. Hopefully, I’ll have more time to read it.

My computer occasionally cooperates, even as I have to hold it steady sometimes, but I did manage to put together mysticism lecture for tomorrow with Powerpoint. But I did get frustrated with it in the evening and went to edit my History Big Bang story on my parent’s computer. I still need to write about 3,000 words but I think I can make it to deadline.

Did some grading this morning and afternoon. Mostly midterms for writing class and the hagiography response papers for the “Sex, Power, and Identity class.” After grading half of the hagiography papers I decided that I’m going to make my students rewrite them for after Spring Break. The assignment question asked them to pick a biography written before 1300 – so mostly a hagiography or life of a saint - and analyze it in terms of medieval gender norms. I even listed questions they could answer right on the assignment sheet. And half the students just did the summary of the saint’s life and stories. Analyze not summarize is such a foreign concept to them. I think making them rewrite might make them learn something – at least I hope so.

Bear picked me up around 5 since tomorrow is his Grandmother’s 95th birthday party so I was going to his place for about 24 hours. We stopped by the Russian store and I got some deserts like chocolate covered cheesecake type bars and hamantaschen and things.

It was great to discover that “8: A Play about the flight for Marriage Equality” was live on YouTube at 10:45, so I watched that. It was really really good.

And because I stayed up late watching it, I ended up going to sleep at 1:30 because after the play, I was writing for another hour – History Big Bang will not defeat me even if it won’t be my best writing. I’m writing about a chapter a night since 75% of rough draft is due March 8. It will be about 12K, not that bad. Next week is Folder Review week and, of course, this is due too – I won’t sleep much.

Bear proposed today!

We were on the hike on the Waking Dunes and it was a very bright, sunny but really windy day and the sand on top of the Dunes was a little too active. But that spot with the view of a the valley leading to the ocean on one side and high hill of the floating sand island overlooking tops of trees on the other is a very beautiful and original view. That hiking trail is one of my favorites. So Bear decided to give me the ring there. Because of the wind I almost didn’t hear him ask me the question! The ring itself is beautiful and perfect for me because it is not tiny but not huge either. Just the right size diamond. And the sides of it (the ring is white gold) are decorated in art deco style.

I kind of knew it was coming over this holiday season and I hoped for the Montauk proposal. I really didn’t want a public Christmas one. I did think he might put the ring under the New Year tree. I thought he might do it yesterday with the lighthouse, but this spot today was perfect and it did catch me slightly by surprise until the couple of minutes before.

I’ve been thinking since how strange it is that having a formal proposal and a ring changes my emotional state even though it really shouldn’t and I’ve been trying to figure out why. I mean, we’ve been together thirteen years and we talked about marriage for a long time and it has been a committed relationship already and all that a lot, and one would think the ring really wouldn’t matter, but it kind of does. Yes, it is just symbolic but it does represent a nice symbol. Maybe tit is about social conventions and how others respond to a relationship where it is taken seriously with the social conventions of engagement or marriage. It in the time Bear and I have been together many people I know met, got married and got divorced and their relationship is treated as more ‘committed’ or ‘significant.’ Perhaps, having a ring just feels like a step forward. And yet, it is not like anything really changed in terms of job prospects and being realistic about it all. We are still the same.

In addition to the hiking in the morning, for we also went to the wood until lunch time, I also went on a step machine to work out. My legs are going to kill me.

I finally signed up for Archive of Our Own, no more anonymous kudos. But it was time and in the new year I will post all my stories there too.

And I finally finished “Slynx” today after taking a break for “Good Omens.” All I could say about the ending is WTF was that. I loved the first 25% of this book – it does built an interesting post-apocalyptic world but then the plot drags and the main character is a bit unlikable and by the end the plot just got really weird like the author was on drugs.

I was up at 6am grading and then went to teach. The students were discussing the final exam reading today. One of my classes had real trouble with connections to Goodall while the other class just sailed through it. We’ll see how exam goes.

In the afternoon I was grading map quizzes while listening to Wicked soundtrack. My Global History students did really well! Yay, studying. That is what happens when you get all answers beforehand and actually prepare.

My RS Small Gifts story got posted today and my recipient left a great comment on it. Yay. I was a bit nervous writing specifically for someone and hitting their like points.