She had a pretty gift for quotation, which is a serviceable substitute for wit.
– W. Somerset Maugham
The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. But the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth.
– Niels Bohr
There are some half-written posts in the queue, like the one about the Loreena McKennitt concert last week and a thoughtful post on three interests of mine that Fearsclave asked me to expound upon, but I don’t have the time to either finish or polish them. I add bits as I wait for my e-mail client to load on the home computer every couple of days, which means they should be done in, oh, May sometime.
In the meantime, here’s today’s scratch pad for posterity (hullo, posterity!).
11:15:
I’m really tired of life kicking my husband in the career, in the sense of self-worth, and in his self-confidence. It’s great that this chance was offered to him out of the blue, and horrible that it was pulled away before he got to the interview. It was awesome that they thought of him; I’m only sorry that those in charge didn’t take the opportunity to interview him, to see the potential he could have brought to the project. If our friends were in charge of hiring for everything, everyone would be doing the right thing, be paid what they’re worth, and be happy. That’s a nice utopic thought.
11:19:
“Amputate — to cut off part of the body.” But: “amputee — someone who has had an arm or leg cut off.” So… amputation includes the head, then? If so, how odd that we do not say “He’s having his head amputated” when the guillotine is being employed. (Gives a whole new meaning to *headdesk*.)
11:37:
I love how in review I change my mind about things. “No, this doesn’t need to be rewritten, no, this should be this other level, I think I’ll include this word after all, I think I’ll take this one out…” I would never finish this dictionary if I didn’t have to hand it in.
11:57:
Why is “apostacy” here, but not “apostate”? Why?
14:29:
More changing of my mind. Sigh.
14:41:
I should probably take “bastardize” out of this dictionary, as it is gunning for an all-ages rating.
14:47:
PUNCTUATION COUNTS! “A method of printing patterns on cloth, in which wax is put on the cloth before it is put in the dye or the cloth itself” does NOT make sense. Yes, we know what it’s trying to say; but it is WRONG. (Batik, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the method.)
15:07:
I am so dead. they sell Jersey Milk chocolate bars down in the cafe. These are so hard to find!
15:09:
Every time someone says “DS” in French, I think they’re saying “Goddess”. Wrong work environment. I think I can be forgiven after working in the alternative spirituality field for seven years running.
15:17:
PUNCTUATION COUNTS!!1!!eleventy-one!1!! *tears hair*
15:20
Huh. The Lipton Earl Grey tea is slightly peppery. Not unpleasant, but also not exactly what I was looking for, as I wanted to soothe an irritated and slightly swollen throat. (Apparently I have a sensitivity to Mexican red sauce.)
16:20:
I CAN START EDITING! Woo-hoo! (After I finish the self-imposed task of checking for doubles, that is.)
New words today: archimandrite, biota, birefringence.
In today’s mail: First paycheque for this contract! Woo-hoo! I could get used to this. (No, I couldn’t. Well, the regular receipt of large cheques bit, I could.)
Saturday:
Band practice: awesome, awesome, awesome. Then assorted errands.
Sunday:
Spring/Earth Day/various godfamily birthdays etc. celebrated by visiting the Butterflies Go Free exhibit at the Jardins Botaniques. I teared up as soon as we stepped into the greenhouse; there were that many tiny fragile beautiful creatures flying around or feeding or just perching on leaves. It was incredibly magical. Liam loved it.
Yesterday afternoon I practiced for a while, then picked up t! and Jan and my amp (who does not have an online journal), and went to test that electric cello. After taking about a half-hour to tune it and set it up properly (long story — suffice it to say I was moderately appalled) I played it for a while, trying out various themes and riffs from band stuff. Then I picked up my own cello to hear its sound again. And you know, I love my cello so much; I just need to be reminded of why every once in a while. The electric is missing the depth and richness of the acoustic. I’d be spending a lot of time trying to mess with amp settings to get it to sound like a traditional cello, and why do that when I already have one?
It was a valuable experience. It was interesting to feel the differences in playing, how the body of it felt in my hands and against my knees, particularly while playing. I’m not used to an absence of vibration felt in my body as I play. It wasn’t a bad instrument, although certainly not one I’d recommend for a beginner… but it wsn’t technically a cello, either. If I played a lot more than I do, and travelled, I might seriously consider it. But I don’t, and I don’t particularly want it. What I have is better in every way for what I need, and meets my desire for sound.
Heartfelt thanks go out to Jan and t! for their company and feedback (and navigation through the traffic-clogged streets of the east Plateau, despite my surprising sanguinity about it). I didn’t need to be talked out of a bad decision (be that leaving it or taking it home!), but it was good to have support with me and to hear their confirmation of my opinions.