December 3, 2010

[sugarandice]

Today is the last day of finals. The only test I have left is History, which should be all right. I've studied as best I can for it, all things considered.

Tomorrow I'll pack up and head home for the break. Not that home is all that far away for me.

It's always seemed a bit odd to me that we have such a long break in the winter, particularly considering that there are quite a few people who've nowhere else to go during it. It seems like it places a rather unfair burden on the teachers to be around and making sure that there are things to do for those staying. Wouldn't it make more sense to have more, shorter breaks throughout the year? I daresay it's easier to keep people, particularly the younger ones, entertained for a week or two rather than a month with no classes to attend.

On the other side of that, there are those for whom home is farther away, but who do travel for it, and for them it might be more difficult to make the trip more frequently for less time.

I wonder what the proportion of people in one situation or another is? I hadn't ever really much thought about it, since home was just down the road for me. Perhaps it would be something to bring up in Student Council.

In any case, Happy Holidays and for those who'll be in the area, I'll very likely see you on Solstice.


[Private to Doyle]
Did you get a chance to talk to Peter? I know with finals things have been busy, so if you haven't, I understand. I haven't really seen him much, but then I haven't really sought him out, either.

Also, if you get sick of being at school during the break and want to come visit, you know where I live.



[Private to Peter]
Just wanted to say I haven't been avoiding you or anything; I've just been busy with finals. I know you'll be busy with the younger kids some of the time during break, but if you get lonely or just want some company that actually stands taller than your waist, you know where to find me.

I'll be working at the shop quite a bit, but if you have any days where you could use an extra set of hands with the younger ones, if you're doing a big project or something, just ask.

Comments

[gentlegiant]

I think there are enough staff who don't travel that it's fairly easy to handle. To a lot of us, this is where we live.

[Colwyn]
I've been busy, too. My final project for Art History is due tonight, and I've been keeping the little ones entertained. I think I'm going to be late on the Art History project. I'm going to ask for an extension so I have the weekend to finish it up.

I have several projects planned, and at least one field trip for the third through fifth graders down to Springfield to shop for presents. We're going to help them personalize their wrapping and shipping to send gifts to their families.

I think it is going to be a very busy break. I'm doing an independent study in Photography in the spring semester, so I might use the break to get started on some of that and get ahead. Teaching and doing classwork at the same time has been difficult.

[sugarandice]

Even so, keeping everyone entertained for a month has to be hard. I'd imagine people start to go stir crazy after a while.

[Peter]
Sorry I didn't get back to you yesterday. I hope that your Art History final went well.

If you're in Springfield, you can stop by the shop. Plenty of things that might make good presents, and I'm pretty sure we can manage a discount for the little ones.

Do you have something in mind for the independent study?

[gentlegiant]

It's hardest closest to the holidays, because everyone's excited. With Hanukkah so early this year, we've got something going on just about all month, because that winds down and Christmas winds up. It's not so much that they're stir crazy, but that they're little insane people bouncing off the walls.

The week between Christmas and the New Year is best. Everyone's got new things to play with. Although there are the most fights then, too. At least that's what I've been warned about.

[Colwyn]
It's alright, like I said, I've been busy. I did get the extension, so I'm spending most of the weekend in the library downtown finishing things up for the final.

I'll see if I can bring my group by the shop.

I'm going back and forth. I wanted to do portraits originally, then I realized how many of them I'd need to do, and the different styles, and how many people that would mean. I thought about landscapes, but around here, that can get dull in the winter. So I'm considering color and shadow studies, which means I can photograph anything, as long as the final product suits the theme. I've got the filters I need for it, and part of it will be done in post-processing. I might include a comparison of techniques -- filters vs. post-processing -- as well.

Private to Colwyn and Peter

[sugarandice]

Are there any kids whose parents don't send gifts and things? What happens then?

I'm sure whatever you decide to do for your independent study will end up brilliant.

Are you planning to go to the Solstice celebration in town? Not as a chaperone, I mean. I'd like the company if you'll be there.

Re: Private to Colwyn and Peter

[gentlegiant]

I'm told we try to get donations, plus there's a fund for purchasing gifts for them. No one's left without.

I don't have as much faith in it. I can see what I want to do, but it's easier to do things with my hands than to convince the camera to see what I see.

I'll be there, but I'll probably have a group of kids to watch. And my camera. It ought to be a good opportunity for getting interesting pictures.

Private to Colwyn and Peter

[sugarandice]

That's good, then, about the kids.

I guess that's why it's called a study - you have to work at it.

Maybe you could come back after you've taken the kids go to bed. There's a group who keep the bonfire going all night, although most people go home to bed after midnight. I'm thinking I might try and stay up 'til the sun rises this year.

But then you'll probably have duties in the dorm.

Re: Private to Colwyn and Peter

[gentlegiant]

You. I... I can try to do that. Maybe take some night shots. Or some long exposure night shots for fun. Why. I don't. You. You can't I'll let you know when it gets closer. Just in case they tell me I need to stay with the kids. But. Um. Hopefully yeah I can come back once they're in bed.

Private to Colwyn and Peter

[sugarandice]

Definitely let me know. If nothing else, I'll try to find you when you're there for the kids, just to say hello.

Re: Private to Colwyn and Peter

[gentlegiant]

I'll see you then.

And, well, maybe some other time over break as well. The towns not all that big. Right?

Private to Colwyn and Peter

[sugarandice]

I'm sure we'll see each other. I tend to go for walks when I can't stand to be around my siblings any longer. It wouldn't be that difficult for me to end up at the school for a visit.

And as I said, if you need an extra set of hands or eyes with the little ones, you know where to find me.

Re: Private to Colwyn and Peter

[gentlegiant]

And you know where my door is.

Thank you.

I'm glad we've become friends, Colwyn.

Private to Colwyn and Peter

[sugarandice]

I'm glad too. It'll be nice to have someone to spend time with who isn't family. Although Doyle will be around, too, so that's two people.

If you have a day off, maybe we could all go into Boston or something for a day, for a change of pace. (I'm thinking Mike would want to tag along as well.)

Private to Colwyn and Doyle

[not_quite_there]

I did, but... I think I might have screwed thinks up. I might have pushed too far and... I've been distracted, sorry, family crap on my end, and I think I pushed too hard, but I do think he likes you.. I think he's scared shitless of liking you though.

Not sure I'm making much sense. Sorry.

Private to Colwyn and Doyle

[sugarandice]

What's going on with your family?

Private to Colwyn and Doyle

[not_quite_there]

Parents thinking they know best and not giving a damn about what I want.

Private to Colwyn and Doyle

[sugarandice]

What is it they think they know best about, that's the opposite of what you want?

Private to Colwyn and Doyle

[not_quite_there]

They're moving back here. With the twins.

Private to Colwyn and Doyle

[sugarandice]

I was never clear on why they left in the first place, only that it happened the same summer that you had your accident, and that it always seemed a pretty horrible thing to do, leaving your son to fend for himself after something like that.

Private to Colwyn and Doyle

[not_quite_there]

The two are related.

Private to Colwyn and Doyle

[sugarandice]

They left after your accident because of the accident? Why?

Private to Colwyn and Doyle

[not_quite_there]

It wasn't an accident.

Private to Colwyn and Doyle

[sugarandice]

One of them did that on purpose? Why?

Re: Private to Colwyn and Doyle

[not_quite_there]

Deirdre and I got in a fight.

After, everyone thought it'd be best if the twins and I were separated. They moved to Michigan. I got to stay here since I was older.

[traveling_trickster]

Stuck here. Hoping not to be bored out of my mind. Maybe the student council could plan like week long trip sorts of things to do over this long break. Give people a change of scenery and all like that New York City trip.

[sugarandice]

Week long trips would likely be cost prohibitive, but maybe a few three-four day trips during the longer breaks might be possible. I'll have to bring it up.

Unfortunately, it's a little late to plan something for this break, but it's possible one of the teachers already has something in the works that I'm not aware of.

[Mike]
Do you know what's going on with Doyle? He said something about family stuff going on, and I get the feeling that he hasn't seen his family much in the past four years. I'm just concerned.