The Happy Thread IV

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Originally Posted by GrayMouser

And just as I wrote that on a blistering hot afternoon, in about two minutes it clouded over, huge lightning flashes, a tremendous clap of thunder and the heavens opened with a tropical downpour- the temperature dropped about 10 degrees in a couple of minutes- nice!

*envy*

[Rían]

Originally Posted by GrayMouser

Anyway, nothing like a night swim, when the water feels like velvet.

Good description - I never thought of that word ... but it sure fits! And this might sound goofy, but we got lights put into the pool and they change colors, and it's like swimming in liquid light sometimes ... I esp. love this mysterious blue shade ... very Middle-Earth.

And big hugs to Rian- nice to see you back more.

Oh, thank you! A hug is always welcome - and I always enjoy seeing you! *hugs back*

[Rían]

Yay - our neighbors' former exchange student from Germany (she lived with them last year) is visiting for a few weeks. My daughter just decided to teach herself German (she's really smart - got all the brains in the family!) and I'm not bad, although I learned it 35 years ago , but there's nothing like hearing a native speaker! We're taking her out to coffee on Wednesday where we'll just practice pronunciation and phrases 'n stuff. My daughter was too shy to say anything to her, but she should be able to relax after a bit on Wednesday. I was kinda shy, but after everyone was telling me to do it, I told her my German story that I learned over 35 years ago - and she understood it all, and said that I only made about 2 or 3 gender errors! (the story is about a page long). Pretty darn good! So I'm very happy that my daughter will get to hear a native speaker and get some corrections early on. I was running some phrases by her, and some phrases have certainly changed in 35 years - not too surprising! (like how you ask how old someone is - I learned basically "how many years do you have?" and it's said differently now).

My daughter wants to teach herself Russian next!

[Earniel]

I'm back!

The holiday was awesome, even though getting ready for it was not unlike torture. Once there I did practically nothing, which was the most excellent past-time. Well, apart from some sun-bathing, a visit or two to the beach, a couple of mountain walks, reading my twenty-odd books, taking some 500 nature photographs, and even a night-time swimming accompanied by a chorus of somewhat-rare treefrogs, I barely did anything.

Just wish the weather back home was a trifle better, no more bathing suits or shorts for the moment, and just when I finally had acquired some healthy tan to show off! Ah well, at least the cat still remembers me.

I trust you've all been nice when I was away?

[Jonathan]

Oh that's sounds like a lovely holiday. La Corse, of course? I wanna go back there someday... For how long did you stay there this time?

I've got a month of work left until I get to visit my own paradise on earth (that is my summer cabin). It's a record - I've never had to wait till this late in the summer to go there.
But then, finally getting to call myself and work as a physician at a big hospital is quite satisfactory...

[Earniel]

Naturellement. I stayed a little more than three weeks.

Originally Posted by Jonathan

But then, finally getting to call myself and work as a physician at a big hospital is quite satisfactory...

I bet, it's no small achievement.

[Mari]

*TACKLE* Welcome back! Good to hear you had a great, relaxing time

Rian, that's awesome! And so is studying Russian. That one is also on my lingo-list.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

My Russian in terribly rusty; I should do something about that.

[Rían]

Originally Posted by Eärniel

I'm back!

Yay!!
That sounds like an awesome vacation!!!

I trust you've all been nice when I was away?

What makes you think that?

Originally Posted by Jonathan

But then, finally getting to call myself and work as a physician at a big hospital is quite satisfactory...

That is quite an achievement, Jon! Congrats, and enjoy your upcoming vacation!

My goodness, the Mooters here certainly do quite well!

Originally Posted by Mari

Rian, that's awesome! And so is studying Russian. That one is also on my lingo-list.

Yes, it went well - got a few pronunciation corrections (always good to get early on!) and some handy phrases. And she said that JFK's famous "Ich bin ein Berliner!" line was funny, because a "berliner" is some kind of pastry... I hadn't heard that one!

It's always interesting to hear about languages.

Originally Posted by Gwai

My Russian in terribly rusty; I should do something about that.

Yes, it would be a shame to lose a language learned while living in the place where it's native ... that's always the best way to learn. Maybe find a website somewhere where you can at least keep it a bit dusted-off.

[Tessar]

This afternoon I made some recordings, like I always do when I practice, and I thought they were terrible... I wasn't hearing what I wanted to hear.

I forgot to delete them, so I noticed them this evening and I listened to them again and realized they're actually pretty okay! Not amazing, and still needing a great deal of work, but definitely listen-to-able .

[Rían]

do you have a recording here for us to listen to? That would be nice!

[Earniel]

Seconded on that recording!

Originally Posted by Mari

*TACKLE* Welcome back! Good to hear you had a great, relaxing time

Heheh, I can't remember the last time I was tackled, it makes for good welcoming.

Originally Posted by RÃ*an

Yay!!
That sounds like an awesome vacation!!!

It was!

What makes you think that?

Mod sense tingling...

And she said that JFK's famous "Ich bin ein Berliner!" line was funny, because a "berliner" is some kind of pastry... I hadn't heard that one!

We heard that comment in German class too. I believe he should have said 'Ich bin Berliner', and it would have been alright, however with the 'ein' in it, he basically called himself a nice round pastry-dish.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

I got it from Eddie Izzard.

[Mari]

We were told about it in German class as well

[Tessar]

OMG! OMG! OMG! YOU GUYS! DRAGON AGE 2! DRAGON AGE 2! HOLY CRAP! AAAAH!! AAAAH! AAAAAAAH!!!!!!

I am SO FREAKING EXCITED, YOU GUYS!! Dragon Age was my mostestist favoritest game EVER in the history of EVER and now THEY'RE MAKING A SEQUEL! AAAAAAAH!!!! AAAAAAH!!!!!!!

The first trailer comes out August 17th. o_O I can't wait!!!!!

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Since my bottom-of-the-line MacBook prolly couldn't handle something like that, I'll stick to classics, like Final Fantasy. Plus, the grapes are probably sour, anyway.

[Tessar]

Originally Posted by Gwaimir Windgem

Since my bottom-of-the-line MacBook prolly couldn't handle something like that, I'll stick to classics, like Final Fantasy. Plus, the grapes are probably sour, anyway.

Oh Gwai, fun games are reserved for people with real computers....

I kid of course. My computer is a piece of crap. But luckily it's good enough to (just barely) handle Dragon Age!!!

[Varnafindë]

Originally Posted by Tessar

This afternoon I made some recordings, like I always do when I practice, and I thought they were terrible... I wasn't hearing what I wanted to hear.

I forgot to delete them, so I noticed them this evening and I listened to them again and realized they're actually pretty okay! Not amazing, and still needing a great deal of work, but definitely listen-to-able .

So when do we get to listen to them?

[BeardofPants]

No kidding. For a music student, there's like no videos on facebook! /facebook stalk

[katya]

I have been running a lot lately, and longer and more frequently than I did before. I'm working up to running for an hour and however long I can run in that time (sounds like about the amount of time I would devote to running every day). Doing about 3 miles right now. I liked it when I first started because of how it made me feel after running (more in shape, better energy, etc.) and because I liked seeing the neighborhood. But now I am starting to really like just plain running.

And this way, if I ever have to chase down any Uruk Hai I will be ready.