Always listen to your elders.
Sirius is really wretched at billiards. I hardly had to play at all. Pretty certain I fell asleep, at one point. It would take a magnificent lack of talent for someone to lose to him, methinks.
In all fairness, Sirius's only problem with the game is that while he is able to line up his shot well, his confidence fails him at the last minute and he sabotages himself. All he needs to do is learn to be patient, to trust in himself and his abilities, and without a doubt he could overcome whatever challenge before him - whether it be an eight-ball in the side pocket, or something a bit loftier.
Hm. That was deep.
Still, it was nice to get out of the castle for a bit, spend some quality time with Sirius just chatting and not being Professor Lupin for a while. Am feeling a bit of ennui about my position here at Hogwarts. Perhaps it is brought on by the fact that most of the Ravenclaw and a good number of Hufflepuff fell asleep today in the middle of a lesson in the Diricawl. Now, I know they're not the most fascinating of creatures, but what does it say about my teaching skills that I can't still manage to keep my students interested?
Not to say that I haven't tried. I've done everything I could think of, from interesting assignments and in-class discussions to hands-on experience with rare beasts, and always with the same result: terminal apathy. Sometimes I think I'd be better off attempting to debate with a Fwooper.
I shudder to think what may happen on Sunday with the Dracology lecture; student enthusiasm has been at best underwhelming, to say the least. I'm at a loss as to what to do about it. Perhaps teaching my classes in the nude? Lessons entirely in verse? Full-contact Care of Magical Creatures? Who knows?
Perhaps I am just not cut out for this teaching business. My grandmum did want me to be a barrister, after all.
The weather has also decided to be contrary, raining nonstop since this morning. I do hope it clears up before Saturday. Additionally, I left my wand in my rooms, spilt scarlet ink all down the front of my robes and had to go round the school looking like I'd mauled someone, frightening the socks off the first-years (much to Severus's entertainment, I'm sure - I believe I saw the threat of a smile on his face as the poor little things fled past me in tears).
Then the house-elves had the nerve to serve vegetarian fare at supper today - I suspect someone's been lecturing them again. There are few things in this world worse than a werewolf forced to eat pebbles, twigs and lawn-clippings. I was not amused.
Since then, I have broken three brand-new eagle quills while marking essays, burnt my tongue on hot tea, and recieved a nasty parchment-cut on my thumb.
Just a bad bloody day all round.
However, I think there's an owl tapping at my window, so perhaps things will improve a bit from here.
One can only hope.
I don't see how it could get much worse.
My thumb bloody hurts.
In all fairness, Sirius's only problem with the game is that while he is able to line up his shot well, his confidence fails him at the last minute and he sabotages himself. All he needs to do is learn to be patient, to trust in himself and his abilities, and without a doubt he could overcome whatever challenge before him - whether it be an eight-ball in the side pocket, or something a bit loftier.
Hm. That was deep.
Still, it was nice to get out of the castle for a bit, spend some quality time with Sirius just chatting and not being Professor Lupin for a while. Am feeling a bit of ennui about my position here at Hogwarts. Perhaps it is brought on by the fact that most of the Ravenclaw and a good number of Hufflepuff fell asleep today in the middle of a lesson in the Diricawl. Now, I know they're not the most fascinating of creatures, but what does it say about my teaching skills that I can't still manage to keep my students interested?
Not to say that I haven't tried. I've done everything I could think of, from interesting assignments and in-class discussions to hands-on experience with rare beasts, and always with the same result: terminal apathy. Sometimes I think I'd be better off attempting to debate with a Fwooper.
I shudder to think what may happen on Sunday with the Dracology lecture; student enthusiasm has been at best underwhelming, to say the least. I'm at a loss as to what to do about it. Perhaps teaching my classes in the nude? Lessons entirely in verse? Full-contact Care of Magical Creatures? Who knows?
Perhaps I am just not cut out for this teaching business. My grandmum did want me to be a barrister, after all.
The weather has also decided to be contrary, raining nonstop since this morning. I do hope it clears up before Saturday. Additionally, I left my wand in my rooms, spilt scarlet ink all down the front of my robes and had to go round the school looking like I'd mauled someone, frightening the socks off the first-years (much to Severus's entertainment, I'm sure - I believe I saw the threat of a smile on his face as the poor little things fled past me in tears).
Then the house-elves had the nerve to serve vegetarian fare at supper today - I suspect someone's been lecturing them again. There are few things in this world worse than a werewolf forced to eat pebbles, twigs and lawn-clippings. I was not amused.
Since then, I have broken three brand-new eagle quills while marking essays, burnt my tongue on hot tea, and recieved a nasty parchment-cut on my thumb.
Just a bad bloody day all round.
However, I think there's an owl tapping at my window, so perhaps things will improve a bit from here.
One can only hope.
I don't see how it could get much worse.
My thumb bloody hurts.