moments are a lifetime, nothing in a straight line

( Private to self )

Private to Jay
March 12. Arrows versus Puddlemere. Want to go? Because I have tickets for us (finally).
End Private

CONGRATULATIONS RAVENCLAW. ESPECIALLY CLARE.

One other thing, COMPLETELY unrelated: has anyone heard of Knokkers? Because I think I need to have played it, like, yesterday. Giant-sized pool played like bowling. It's amazing.

( Cut for picture )

I'm asking because if someone's already built a gigantic pool table somewhere, I'll TOTALLY take advantage of it instead of constructing one myself. But I also mostly kind of like the idea of building one of my own. (Or our own. GROUP PROJECT.) But absolutely NOT until this summer.

Private to Clare
CLARE. Do you have plans for the week after you get out of Hogwarts?
End Private

You should come to GG if you want to sing! Michaela, that probably means you.

SLEIGH BELLS RING
ARE YOU LISTENIN'?

Okay, what IS the Eskimo way in which one might frolic and play? Does that just mean IN THE SNOW, or is there something more to it?

( Private to self )

Private to Wand & Quill
This is not the space to talk about any of that confusing stuff about whatever's happening at Hogwarts. I care, I do! This is just not the space to talk about it. This is the space to talk about WHEN and WHERE and WHAT we should all do together in two+ weeks, in a Happy-Holidays-And-Hi-Actives-Who-Have-Been-Stuck-In-Hogwarts-For-So-Long way!

So. If we met on the afternoon or evening of Sunday December 19th for laser tag and/or dinner and/or a movie (people going to whichever combination makes them happy), would this be an appropriate holiday outing for us to reacquaint ourselves, enjoy each other's company, and plot any revenge that might be necessary to plot?

If it's not, someone else should organise some other activity, because I'm out of ideas that are not "quiz Ace on the material he needs to know for his next exam."
End Private

I got the highest score of my entire class on last week's terrifying anatomy exam. My reaction was to laugh so hard that now I think everyone in the programme is worried about my sanity.

Anyone else do something recently that caused other people to question your sanity? Please share! It'll make me feel better about my own experience.

( Private to self )

Private to Jay
Okay! I am still trying to get QUIDDITCH tickets. Who are you most interested in seeing?
End Private

GOOD LUCK AT THIS WEEKEND'S MATCH, HUFFLEPUFF. AND CLARE.

As for things-that-are-not-news, these are things people should ALWAYS do:
• wash your hands on a frequent basis (at LEAST 20 seconds each time)
• not lick things in public
• cover your mouth when you cough, cover your nose when you sneeze
• and again, wash your hands
• be really nice to me next week because I have exams both written and oral each day next week and I'm probably going to die
• smile

( Private to self )

People should help me (and Gavin) move the weekend after next. It'll be AWESOME. I'll give you sandwiches!

( Private to self )

Private to Logan, Gavin, and James

Mis amigos. I need help. (I'll pause here for ONE joke about how obvious that statement is, and then I'm MOVING ON.)

And first I require your word that you keep every letter, word, and sentence in this conversation between ourselves.

You're all in relationships. Bafflingly. Tell me how normal people know they should be in a relationship. (For whatever definition of normal you can consider yourself, thanks.)

This information is TOTALLY useful for my healer schoolwork, so thanks for the help.

End Private

( Private to self )

Hi. And hey.

Hey.

Hey!

Guess what. I am totally MADE for healer training. I am going to take this place by storm.

Just so you know.

I am going to have no life outside of the reading and the memorising and the LEARNING, but I think I'm okay with that. I'm good at that stuff. I've never been good at having a life, anyway. Or

Though. "Gross Anatomy"? Totally a weird term, right? Right.

Having the time of my life,
Ace

( Private to self )

Private to Clare
Told Mum and Dad I was worried about you. Have fun. Just so you know.
End Private

Private to Jay
I took the button with me when I went to turn in a bunch of paperwork. In my pocket. I didn't wear it, because I didn't want to have to answer questions about it, but I took it with me. So, thanks.
End Private

Private to WAQ
FORGET the book and the whole Bloxie thing. Let's do something, this weekend like, before the kids (ha ha, SORRY) head back to school. Bowling? Karaoke? Crazy golf? Taking over a small foreign country (we'd portkey or something, as I realise it's too soon for some of you to even CONSIDER a road trip again)? Laser tag?
End Private

Bonjour, mes amis! I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm kind of sad I'm not going back to Hogwarts. There are lots of things I already miss. People, the routine, lessons, homework, people, quidditch, the castle, having roommates, people, all of Hogwarts' awesome secret places (who cares about the Hidden Hogwarts thing? I bet the secret societies don't know half of how awesome the school is), and oh, did I mention the people? If not, I better mention it: I miss the people.

( Private to self )

I'm ready to drive again!

HELLO, I've missed you all, and I've missed my journal, and I've missed home, and I've missed my bed, and I've missed being able to flown up anyone and everyone, and I've missed English, but the road trip was AWESOME anyway. The open road speaks to me. It speaks to my soul, in fact, and now that I've had a taste of its beauty, I will never be the same again. This is true love, mates. True love.

Who's up for round two?? Also, if anyone knows what happened to my sunglasses, please inform me. I want them back, because they are the physical essence of my awesomeness.

( Private to self )

The time has come, mis amigos. Nearly come, rather. The r.t. embarks (debarks? barks?) Monday. I have a few words I'd like to say, now that we are approaching the momentous moment itself:

This was a dream I had. This was a dream that I could not keep quiet, that I had to share with apparently the whole school. It was a dream I thought might not come true. There were times I doubted. There were times my courage failed me. There were times I was convinced Mr Sperry was never going to let us into the bloody car. There was a time I thought I never wanted to learn another road sign or road marking AGAIN.

But I prevailed. WE prevailed.

And here we are, at the start of a grand adventure.

May it be the road trip of my dreams, your dreams, all of our dreams.

P.S. I love you all and am sure someone will crown themselves Road Map Expert, but I am STILL bringing a Magic 8 Ball so that we can consult it when trying to decide which exit we ought to be taking, etc. Just to warn you now!

( Private to self )

Anyone who thinks the existence of the Harpies is sexist is just intimidated. And as one of the primary theorists behind the "Girls are vio aggressive" philosophy of life, I can understand being intimidated. But that doesn't make the Harpies sexist.

Also, according to the letter in today's newspaper (don't faint, Michaela, I am STILL reading the newspaper even if the WWN is back to normal), Hufflepuff would've been the least sexist team at Hogwarts last year. I also suspect we were the most sexiest. Where's our Cup for that?

The WWN is back and I could hug the wireless I'm so happy and the world is less quiet now! THREE CHEERS.

JAY this means I won't have to keep you on the flown BUT I can still ring you to give you updates.

Aaaaand I had something to say about the road trip but in all this excitement, I've forgotten what I was going to say. I think it was important, too. I will keep you all updated when I remember what it was.

Private to Clare
Soooooo I have tickets to the finals Saturday. Want to go and cheer on the Harpies?
End Private

I actually have to read the newspaper in order to find out what's happening in the world. WHAT IS THIS MADNESS?

As for good news, I don't have to worry about the WWN strike being over by Saturday, 'cause I'll be at the match myself. If the strike isn't over by then, I can promise to ONE of you that I'll flown you up and let you listen to as much as the match as possible. This is because I'm both IMMENSELY generous and also in possession of an unlimited amount of flown sticks.

Falcons supporters need not ask, 'cause the answer is NO.

Happy birthday, Jay! Hope it's a good one, many happy returns, congratulations on finally joining the rest of us in the world of Being 18, and if there are no plans for amazing parties tonight, then we should come up with some STAT.

In less interesting news, I don't have enough things on my to do list and I think I've been thinking too much, and that's never a good thing. I miss homework.

( Private to self )

I'm going revision-free after dinner tonight because it is my last Saturday night as a Hogwarts student, and I'm going to be absolutely slaughterous on Monday's Transfiguration NEWT anyway, so I can spare one night of exam-focus. I am also going to let the night take me WHERE IT WILL, except I would like to be sure I do the following things:

• show off my tattoo to anyone who hasn't seen it
• see something/go somewhere at Hogwarts I've never seen/been before and may never see/be again
• climb something
• and do this without losing any points for Hufflepuff, I PROMISE

If anyone can provide any assistance, LET ME KNOW.

( Private to self )

Private to Jay
How are you doing?
End Private

Now that I am a licensed driver (or I will be when they send me the thing), I can focus my INTENSE CONCENTRATION on the upcoming road trip.

First things first! Those who are going! Who needs to be added to these lists? Who needs to be subtracted? Who needs to be persuaded one way or another?

People who explicitly requested to be on the list: (if you are able to drive, and if you'd like to drive, please also tell me, and I will put a star by your name to indicate your AWESOME DRIVERNESS)
• Gavin B. Cattermole
• Jay Price *
• Ace Boot *
• Michaela Boot *
• Louis Summerby *
• Logan Snell *
• Frankie Fenwick
• Delia Clarke
• Paige Gumboil *
• Natalia Rookwood *

People who may be going and need to confirm! or who asked to be kept informed:
• Paige Gumboil (your other half aka Jay suggested you were going, need confirmation)
• Lucy Weasley

People who need explicit parental permission to go because I suspect they're underage:
• Cate Summerby

Second things second! Where are we going? I know we talked about a GRAND TOUR OF EUROPE but keeping in mind a) our limited funds and b) the fact many of us need to head off into the real world and c) some of us might get homesick, maybe we could not cross over to the continent? Would anyone be terribly disappointed if that's how it went? OR we can figure out ONE COUNTRY AND/OR REGION to explore in a road triply fashion. What do people say?

( Private to self )

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH.

I feel better now. By this time Saturday, I will have passed the driving exam, and after that, the rest of my exams will be a breeze. A BREEZE.

Any last minute driving tips/advice? GO.

( Private to self )

Private to Clare
Anytime you want to practice this week, let me know.
End Private

My last real Hogsmeade visit EVER is coming up. I think I might shed a tear.

Also, if anyone remembers any Charms I've used in their presence this past weekend, let me know, because I TOTALLY forgot about that assignment. I know I mostly lived in the library this weekend BUT if you remember anything I did, PLEASE tell me.

( Private to self )

I know I'm only hearing this story secondhand, but for the love of all things merciful, how can committing to someone you love be throwing your life away? How can it be anything less than making the MOST of your life?

Terrible attitude to have, being dismissive of love, even young love. TERRIBLE.

( Private to self )

Are you familiar with a badger named Ace
Who today wore a smile on his face?
He can be found grinning
(A look that's quite winning)
'Cause Hufflepuff's back in first place!

You might as well start calling me Shakesboot, because poetry is probably my life calling.