Today is Very Okay

[yuuago]

alksdjf. OMG. NEW NORDICS STRIP. AHHHHHH

I predict I shall be up quite late tonight, considering the fangasm that broke out at various locations.

... Anyway. My presentation this morning, for those who noticed my weeping and sobbing and gnashing of teeth, actually went really well. Even though I had not written out ten pages to read from, I did have two pages of very good lecture notes, and I managed to deliver a lecture at a reasonable pace, with minimal fumbling, for the required amount of time. Those who know me will know that I am absolutely horrible at giving presentations, so I'm glad that this turned out okay. The professor said that it went well, so I'm happy. I still need to do a writeup for it, but at least the bad part is over.

By the way, La Grande Illusion is an amazing film, and those who can get their hands on it should see it.

I did absolutely NOTHING this evening. I took a nap and did a tiny bit of homework and fagged on the internet and, uh, that's about it. Yet, I don't feel too bad. I was due for a bit of rest. Anyway, one thing I did end up doing was, I had my Equinox supper. I'd considered saving it until Friday, but I found myself less stressed today, and I figured it would be a good way to celebrate finishing the first presentation of the year. And it was REALLY GOOD. I made squash, and this was my first time cooking it this way, but it turned out really well. Here's what I did:

-Use 1 smallish butternut squash. Wash it, poke some holes in it, then put it in the microwave for 3 minutes. After that, peel it and scoop out guts. Cut into 1-inch cubes.
-Put in a casserole dish. Mix in 2 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and whatever herbs you want. I used 1/2 teaspoon garlic, basil and chives.
-Bake in oven at 400F for 50 minutes

And oohhh gods was it ever good. So very worth it, ahhhh. Had it with salad, and it was delicious <3

Tomorrow will consist of class and more homework and various other things. And possibly laundry. There is always laundry.

... Ah. I just received an e-mail from Raylene. This is odd. But good. I sent her a facebook message last December, because it was her birthday and I wanted to wish her well, though I hadn't heard from her in ages and ages. Strange, that she would contact me now. On the one hand, it's good to know she's alive. On the other hand, I've fucked up so badly in the past, I don't even know what to do. The prospect of reading that e-mail frightens me, to be honest.

Well. We'll see how I feel about it in the morning.

Comments

[noonish.livejournal.com]

/insert nordicfagging too tired to capslock



i knew your presentation would go well

♥

and i'm glad you had a good dinner

and yeah i am making this comment dumb zzzzzzzzzz

[yuuago]

Too tired for everything. *drapes on* <3

Mm, maybe you knew it, but I was... very worried.

I'm just so happy today, aaa.

[noonish.livejournal.com]

i figured you were because you seemed stressed but yeah. ♥



nrrrgh too tired to nordicfag who would've though nrrrgh

[yuuago]

Noon? Too tired to Nordicfag? Say it ain't so! But so am I, so... yeah. *snuggles*

I'm alive! That's the main thing.

[m4n14c.livejournal.com]

[yuuago]

I'M JUST PLAIN HAPPY

I wish I had someone to dance around the room with. <3 This is a most excellent day!

*LOVES ON*

[m4n14c.livejournal.com]

I'M DANCING WITH YOU IN MY MIND

MENTAL DANCE PARTY

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA <3333

_{lol my bus to school goes in ten minutes
and i'm not even dressed yet
this day is going to be awesome!}

[yuuago]

MENTAL DANCE PARTIES ARE THE BEST

Also, I hope you got to school on time, young lady. :|

[chikotori.livejournal.com]

GDI WHY DID THE NORDIC STRIP COME OUT THE WEEK I HAVE NO INTERNET.
askjhsdfkajg I want to read and geek out over it but I'm on the uni comp now and have a gazillion other things to sort out ;_____; damn it why is my timing always so excellent can I order a new one ;______;

[yuuago]

YOUR LUCK
IT IS AWFUL

*patpat*

[chikotori.livejournal.com]

I KNOW
CAN I GET A NEW ONE


...I just screwed up something again OTL

[(Anonymous)]

Oh god, Finland is so cute.
Even though the strip doesn't actually focuses, on him... but... it's just... *flails*

Also I see that you've just updated with a fic <3 I shall read it and then go to bed.

[vocarosia.livejournal.com]

Oh! Good to hear you did well with your presentation ♥ I feel you though, I am not very good with giving lectures - mainly because I'm so shy and have stage fright, eep. ;;

And yesssss, that Nordic strip made my life. *_*

[(Anonymous)]

WHOA
WHOA
WHOA

SINCE WHEN DID YOU START USING TAGS




i don't even know you anymore

[yuuago]

Since maybe three days ago. I was thinking back to a conversation I had with tl;dr anon about it, and figured... I might as well get with the times, hah.

I'm still figuring it all out, pfft. And I'm only going to tag back until Jan 1 09 - no way in hell I'm going to tag all of my nearly 4000 entries. :|

[(Anonymous)]

Your tl;dr anon is a wise one, then.

How on earth do you manage 4000 entries. I've had my journal since 2006 and I'm only just approaching 300!

why on earth are you missing a laundry tag :(

[(Anonymous)]

my html fail ruined everything :(

[yuuago]

They are indeed.

Well, I've had my journal since 2002, and I tend to write every day - sometimes even two or three times per day. So, it's no real surprise that it would add up!

And I haven't gotten around to tagging everything yet. There will be a laundry tag, surely. ;p

[(Anonymous)]

NORDICS! \o/

I still snicker to myself over Norway's shirt. Such a disaster. Iceland surely did not pick up his fashion sense from Norway.

It's good your presentation went well! I had a feeling you'd be just fine. I'm sure it gives you some practice at being a professor (although I realize the situations aren't quite the same).

I'm happy your Equinox supper turned out so well! <3

Hmmmm. If she's gone out of her way to email you after all this time, I can't imagine it being anything terrible. Don't let the guilt over something that happened eat at you. She might have written something that will make you feel better about whatever happened! (Ha, maybe you already read it by now and my advice is useless. It's probably useless as it is.)

[yuuago]

NORDICS NORDICS NORDICS

Come dance with me, dear. I'm still happy about it. 8D

Norway's shirt is just like... shit, son. Did he get dressed in the dark? I can't believe his fashion sense is that bad. :| (Maybe he just doesn't care what he's wearing because he had to meet up with these bums, hah...)

True, true, it did go well, but I just, ahhh, freaked out. And in a way it gives practice for being a professor, but not the way that you might think. Aside from teaching (which I already have experiences with), an important part is going to conferences to give papers and so on. So, that is a parallel here, and it's really something I need to get better at.

And the letter.... Ah. You're probably right. I'm just nervous and stuff. I still haven't read it. I'm just kind of, nngh, I don't know. ._.

[(Anonymous)]

*DANCES LIKE MAD* I love dancing~! I read the translation earlier and had to have another squee fest. <3

Maybe. The sailor suit, though. Sorry, Nor, but I seriously have to doubt your taste in fashion. It almost seems like the oblivious quirk to Norway. Like he really does believe he dresses nice and has a certain fondness for such terrible outfits. The others never say anything because they long ago realized Nor is thoroughly convinced it looks fine and any further disagreements will be met with trolls.

It's natural to freak out! You're standing up in front of your peers and colleagues to talk about ~intellectual~ topics. Conferences. Oh man. I know all about those in the science realm. Poster presentations where others in the field come by and grill you with questions over your topic. Yick!

<3 Read it when you're ready, but don't wait eons. She might want to hear from you!

oh gosh, I'm rambling, sorrysorrysorry

[yuuago]

I think I'm going to be re-reading it quite a bit over the next few days. Ugh, I should read over the old stuff that we have for the Nordics as well... and re-familiarize myself with Eesti's canon materials too. You know, I used to re-read all the material relating to a character before I started on a fic about them, but I haven't done that in months and I find that I'm forgetting things. ... Anyway.

;~; I like his sailor outfit (Maybe me 'n Nor have equally bad taste, hah). Well, I guess maybe he is oblivious. Haven't decided yet really ;p

~Intellectual~ topics indeed. I try my best to remind myself that it's 9:30 in the morning and they're all probably more concerned about what they're going to have for lunch than what my presentation is on, so they won't care or judge me if I screw up (if they even notice) but it's still hard. SIGH. But even so....

I might try to read it over the weekend. It's just difficult. But I'll get over it, pfft.

It's all right. No worries. <3

[(Anonymous)]

I need to re-read the strips as well. I know there's some I haven't read at all. It's not as easy to sit down and marathon a comic strip like it is anime and manga. You have to click through each individual strip, and I find I lose attention span trying to read such things on the computer. I'm a horrible fan. If you're forgetting things for fic though, it might be good to give it another read through then! This may be a stupid idea, but would typing up some comments in notepad as you read the comics help? When you don't have time to reread the strips, a quick peek at what you scribbled down might spark your memory.

Maybe you do! His sailor outfit really isn't that bad. Just. He only gets away with it because he's Norway. I think I'd like to consider him oblivious in that particular realm. When all other things Norway are sexy, bitchy, badass and don't fuck with me, having oblivious fashion!fail is just too humorous and cute.

Even with such things in mind, it's hard not to stress. You have a grade on the line, and even if no one else is paying attention you know your professor most certainly is. Nameless kids in a class you likely won't see again (and do you really even care what they think anyway? most likely not). It's hard to keep in mind when the pressure is building, but deep breaths and reminding yourself over and over will help! Someone once recommended to me yoga to ease and relax before stressful things like presentations. (I can't say I've tried yet. I'm terrible at getting around to things.)

And you'll live! <3 When I don't want to read something, or as is more often the case send something, I just click open/submit and cover my eyes or run away. After some breathing I come back to peek at the screen and realize it's okay. (In the case of submit, what's done is done!) I digress!

asoiasoi <3

[yuuago]

You're right about strip-marathoning being a pain in the ass. Fortunately for me, most of the characters I write about are minor, so there isn't a lot to catch up on... Your idea is actually pretty good. Whether I will actually do it is another story. ;p (I am so, so lazy)

He only gets away with it because he's Norway
... Yes. Oh yes. This. He can totally WORK IT. Nobody else would be able to. ;p

Though the class is all nameless and etc etc it's like, well, there are only around 20 grad students in this department or something, and the classes are small, so fail is definitely noticeable. But they don't care. hard to remember that though. I guess I'm just really fixated on making a good impression, even if the person I'm making an impression to doesn't give a fuck, hah. Usually what I end up doing is PACING LIKE WHOA before I have to go in and do it. Like... through the hallways and up and down the stairs and so on. I dunno, helps a little. Sigh.

[(Anonymous)]

Just getting all the strips in the first place is a pain! I downloaded the massive html collective file thing whenever that was posted ages ago, and while it helped I'm still terrible about sitting down and reading such things. I had my chance in summer and blew it doing petty things like, erm, nothing! Ha! I suppose it is good you mostly write minor characters then! (Apart from you contributing to the small pocket of pairings and characters underwritten about! <3 That reminds me I still need to sit down and read that one Est/Fin fill you wrote not too long ago! Maybe that's what I'll do this weekend.)

I used to take notes like that when I intended to write fic or RP, but those days are mostly long gone. It was sort of like a quick reference book on character interpretations. Always good to go back directly through the source material though to see what else you might pick up on another read through!

Lazy is lazy, and we're sadly all so lazy. At least I feel that way. If I had to name my Sin, hands down it would be Sloth. I'm not horribly so, but I certainly feel as if I'm seldom getting anything accomplished. (LIKE RIGHT NOW.)

You saying WORK IT just conjures crack images of runway Norway striking poses. Not that this is a bad image, all things considered. He's quite pleasant to imagine and even more so when imagining him being extra sexy. Mmmm. Yes. And slipping off his tie so slowly and deliberate. You know he could put that tie to good use.

That's right! Graduate classes! I forgot those would be a bit smaller and more upscale than undergrads. At least you care about making a good impression! I've seen some really horrible presentations because it seems like some people can't even be bothered to try. Physical activity is good for you before presenting. It helps work off the adrenaline(is that right? been ages since I read up on this) your body is producing so when you go in to present you've spent some energy that could otherwise make you shake and fret. Pacing is okay as long as you aren't hashing over how horrible you'll do! Think positive or just don't think at all and focus intently on the small task of breathing or going up stairs. Aiiiii. I should shut up here. How many more presentations do you have for this class?

[yuuago]

OH MAN ... I wonder if I have that file. I think I do. You know, that would make it SO MUCH EASIER. YOU ARE BRILLIANT and I am not. ;p Argh, summer, though. I had planned to write SO MUCH FIC. I have no idea what happened. I just... didn't. Derp. (Ahh, that fic! When you do have a moment, it shouldn't take long. It's very short.)

I am so lazy and I NEVER DO ANYTHING AHHHHHH. Well, okay, I do things, but rarely the things that I should be doing, and doing anything takes a really long time and and and ;~; I don't know.

...
....
.....
That mental image. With the tie. Good lord darlin' what you tryin' to do to me I don't even. *hides face*
I like it. Very much. So much that I forgot what else I was going on about. 8D

... Anyway. Yeah, I do try, because - well, these aren't just my fellow students; I see the more as colleagues. Something more professional. So I try to do my best, ahhhh. For this class, I don't have any further presentations, but I still have one for another, and then two (IIRC) for the third. In addition to the essays of course. SIGH.

[(Anonymous)]

If you don't have it already, a recent update was posted. It already includes the new Nordic strip! <3
http://ispeakpew.livejournal.com/11523.html (I'm so slow, you probably already looked this back up if you were wanting it.)

I should probably just redownload the damn thing and start fresh. Maybe one of these holidays. (I saw that it was short. I just want to be able to sit down and read it in peace! The house hasn't been so quietly lately ((has it ever been quiet??)) and I hate getting interrupted when I'm reading things or just after when I'm still beaming about them. Aiai! There's also been school, but when is there never school breathing down your neck! SO MUCH! But eeeee what am I going on about. I'll definitely read it this weekend! I'm sure it will make an excellent reward for once I've finished this dinky assignment! <3)

That's exactly my problem as well! I just spent a good hour or so cleaning. I definitely should have been working on my assignment or preparing for tomorrow's classes. Admittedly, the cleaning needed to get done, but I seem to use it as an excuse for not doing other things quite often. What? Don't want to write that paper? I think I'll pick up the dirty laundry instead! That's still productive! So that's okay, right? RIGHT?

What am I trying to do? Get you in bed for some hot nordic sexings, maybe. Just enjoying the view, dear! He saves the hat for once his top has come off. (He's Norway, he can finagle a shirt off without disturbing a hat.) This way he can trail it down his skin as he drops it to the floor, knowing all the while your eyes will be following. Tracing. Your own fingers aching to do the same.

It's always good to do your best! I lucked out and don't have a single presentation this semester. I'll get to cruise by with just two essays. Not thrilled though. I'm a terrible writer and these are creative writing assignments (one of them is, at any rate). Eekeek. I'm not creative! I'm blander than vanilla. So bland I'm probably not even a flavor. Things would be simpler if I could write my essay over personified countries!

[yuuago]

Haaa, thank you for that! I didn't fetch it because I am lazy (do you see a pattern here?)

Ahhh, I see, quiet time. I totally understand that. My "unread" fic list is huge, and I haven't even gotten around to reading fic by an author I'm a huge fan of, as I've been waiting ages for a truly quiet moment, and it's just... ridiculous. Bah. Well, I hope you get to mine eventually. <3

Argh, CLEANING. That's a problem I have - there is always cleaning, and I am always getting distracted by cleaning. Generally I go out to places like the cafe to get my work done, so that I won't get distracted by the cleaning, but I can't stay there all the time and... well, it's difficult. But I do try.

OH MY ... Whatever you are trying to do, it is working. You know, it sounds almost like you're trying to get me to want to write porn. Tsk tsk, if so!

I envy you, not having to do presentations. Here, it's always at least one per class, ughhhh. I hate it. But at least I have one down. But creative writing assignments, ech, awful. To be honest, I don't know if I'd be able to handle that. It's hard to do things like that when you have to. My honours thesis was to write a book of poetry, and that indeed was a pain in the ass...