is this thing on?

Maybe this is insensitive..

Maybe that’s what they were going for all along. There’s a strategic advantage to being perceived as the underdog in some fields, and if Russia thought they were guaranteed the win because New Zealand is New Zealand it could have affected how the game played out.

I went into Muggle London...

It was such an iconic piece of architecture, it’s hard to imagine London without it...not to mention it seems like it would be so disheartening to have such a constant physical reminder of the attack even after things have gone back to relative normalcy. 

It’s definitely a tough topic to cover, but really? What have they said about his writing style? If anything, the writing style I have a hard time with is Hemingway’s. It’s so… direct, and I suppose I end up being too flowery.

Nothing too bad, just that the sudden shifts in perspective and the sentences that spanned several pages were difficult to parse at times. Hemingway seems to be one of those authors people either love or hate but no one is indifferent to. Do you write? Or are you talking about writing styles you prefer in other authors?

Another year older

Happy belated birthday; according to Oliver it is, in fact, against some sort of birthday rules to do boring work-related things on your birthday. It’s a little late to do you any good now, but it’s something to keep in mind for next year, I guess. Did you manage to find a way out from under all your paperwork to do something fun in the end?

You were there when we picked him out; Rajah should’ve known what he was getting into, he’s quite intelligent, after all, but we both appreciate your involvement all the same. Maybe the right name will come after we find the right dog? In which case, we’d better get looking as soon as possible. Practice for reserves is optional this weekend, so we could take Saturday or Sunday to sniff around?

I think I can find a way to make time to go looking; it’ll be nice to finally be able to cancel my future dognapping plans for good. Do you have the entire weekend off? I just realized with getting thrown into moving and your practices starting we’re incredibly overdue for a real date.

Oh! Garcia-Marquez is such an amazing writer, although I personally found The Autumn of the Patriarch to be the most fascinating read, as strange as that may seem. Rosencrantz and Gildenstern are dead is such a great addendum to the Hamlet story, I’m so glad it exists.

Is that the novel about the dictator? I’ve never actually read it, but the only negatives I’ve heard had more to do with Garcia-Marquez’s writing style than with the subject matter itself. 

If you’re saying you’re one of those people, thank you! Becks says that people have different types of intelligence so I believe it. What kind of intelligent are you, dude?

I was, but there’s really no thanks necessary. The idea that there’s only one way to be intelligent and that it obligatorily involves being book smart and being at the top of your classes is pretty unfair to anyone who doesn’t fit within such a narrow definition. Have you ever looked into the different types she mentioned? Uh...I’m not sure, actually. I’d like to say logical, but I’m not sure how objective that would be.

That’s a step up from a surprising amount of Ravenclaws I’ve talked to so I’ll take it. Hey, I’m not knocking their Seeker, she’s going to be amazing when they put her in the game. But there’s only so much a Seeker can do if I totally shut down all the Chasers on her team, ya feel?

I’m surprised more of them don’t appreciate it even just for the strategy involved, actually, but to each their own. Do you already have a team in mind that you want to play for? 

I think a part of the reason he agreed so quickly is precisely because of the attention that you afford to him while I’m away; Rajah recognizes a good pet owner when he seems him. As long as Rajah isn’t forgotten in the new dog rush, I’m almost positive he won’t resent us, though who can really guess at a cat’s headspace? There aren’t many great dog names from that movie, so we can expand our selection pool, for sure. Although…Sultan or Genie don’t sound like horrible names at all.

It’s only fair, really; he didn’t ask to get stuck with a second owner when he was used to it just being the two of you. Giving him attention when he demands is the least I can do to make up for having disrupted his life. Ok so maybe there are more good options there than I originally thought. I also like the name Shreya if we wanted to keep with the Sanskrit theme...but maybe I should stop getting ahead of myself and wait until we’ve actually found a dog to put much more thought into it. 

Books are just so irresistible, they can’t help it! And they never go out of style; you can buy one now and not read it for a decade and it’s still just as wonderful as it would have been if you’d gone home and read it the day you bought it. Have I asked you before what’s your favorite?

My favorite book? It changes a lot, so picking a single favorite would be difficult. But the books I most consistently go back to are One Hundred Years of Solitude and Rosencrantz and Gildenstern Are Dead.  

Oh, because I like to hold what I consider to be the best ideas far from people until I’m ready to drop it on them - and also because (1) I needed to secure enough income to be able to help out with both the home and a financial responsibility with another pet and (2) I needed to get Rajah on board and it took this long to get him to agree to sharing, but he’s now very much open to the idea so long as you don’t forget to say good morning to him every day. He’s a very needy cat, you know. If you’re sure and I’m sure and Rajah’s sure, then it’s settled. Our home is getting a dog! Happy birthday, and homecoming, and whatever else we need to celebrate.

The things I’m willing to forgive in the name of responsibility. I’m surprised Rajah came around as quickly and with as few demands as he did. His neediness is a trait I’m very aware of, don’t worry, especially since he’s developed a tendency to demand attention while you’re away at practice. That’s an easy enough compromise, though. I think I can follow through on my end of the deal. We don’t have to continue the Aladdin naming theme, do we? Because unless the dog ends up being a particularly nefarious addition to our home, Iago may not be the most fitting name. 

Sometimes hedonism is worth rationalizing– especially when you need a bitta selfishness.  I think the difference is one you actually get older– I never been to an Unbirthday yet where someone actually celebrated gaining any time.  If there’s a real difference between the two parties besides that though, you got me on what it is.  Yeah?  Brilliant– I could do with someone who doesn’t drink like a fish as company.  I adore my wife, but she’s rough on the liver sometimes, you know?

To some extent, but who’s to say if anyone needs selfishness? Unfettered hedonism doesn’t make for the most functional societies. That makes sense as a distinction; kids seem to be the only ones who count their age in any increments smaller than years. Sure, just let me know when you’re free, yeah? Most people can’t drink quite like Dom can, so I’d say you’re pretty safe there.

I wonder how that came about. I’ve never considered the origins of flipping a coin to make a decision, though for some reason I feel as though it originated in ancient Greece.

I always assumed it originated as a way for people to take the pressure off of themselves when faced with a hard decision, but I just looked it up and you’re right; it’s believed to have started out as a game in ancient Greece. 

Hey, I was thinking about having a late birthday party – presents but I don’t need your presence! 

Probably not something I’d say myself, but I appreciate the play on homophony.