![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_lanaWhat a great holiday! I'm ready to get back to a more regular schedule, though, and of course I can't wait to start in on surveillance. Not that the archival work I've been doing in the records department at St Mungo's hasn't been interesting--it was, and it was deeply important, which makes any task rewarding.
Before we sweep the holidays finally into the realm of fond memory, however, I want to applaud Mr and Mrs Burdett-Coutts on the New Year's Soiree they organised here in New London. It was not only masterfully planned, it was in all ways spectacular! The Tower was utterly transformed, and they used its spaces so cleverly! Craftsfolk and vendors of all kinds were tucked into its apartments and cells, chapels and dungeons, halls and corridors and towers: there were designers and jewelers, bands and chamber ensembles, artists and performers of every kind.
The first thing we enjoyed were the ice sculptures along the approach from the Thames, which were the most magical I've ever seen. Next, we had a lovely hour skating on the moat, and when we were tired, we stopped in at one of the kiosks for pasties and piping hot tea. Later it was wassail and caroling on the green, and after that we explored and shopped and danced and had a truly magnificent feast in the great hall--there was wild boar, of course, Scottish salmon and roast pheasant, pigeon and rabbit pies, and a stew made from Our Lord's finest red deer from Richmond; there were wild peas and Christmas beans and wild mushrooms from the Forest of Dean all prepared by Fresher's Feast; there was aloo gobi prepared by the chef of Meerut, M Duchamp's pommes de terre soufflées and his asperge béarnaise--each dish was prepared by one of New London's finest chefs; and there were soups and fruit platters and sweets you've only dreamed of. Honestly, it was a feast for all senses!
After the last course was cleared, we all climbed to the top of the White Tower for the Loyal Toast and dancing until midnight when they set off fireworks over the river and we all pledged ourselves to give our best in every endeavour in service to Our Lord's fair realm.
Vani, it was so great to see you. As I told you then, I really love the earrings you gave me. They are so delicate and just really suit me. You have such a good eye for beautiful things!
And Sarah: my goodness, it seems to me that everyone I've come across has been talking about how incredible your work is! It was utterly nift that they invited you to set up a teaser for your exhibit. You were definitely the youngest artist they asked, and I really think it was very exclusive: they only asked the very best. I can't wait for your opening. 1 February will be here before we know it! I couldn't help noticing you'd written it in the diary you gave me. That was a perfect present, by the way: my schedule is so much more complicated than it ever was at school!
While I'm mentioning gifts, I should say that I had the most gorgeous cloak pin from Padma Patil to go with the robes her mother designed for me. I wore it Friday night, and loads of people commented. That was really so thoughtful of you, Patil. Thanks.
And Orion: you're still the best brother I have. Ha! But truly, thank you for the tickets for the Frost Fair. That's going to be utterly fantastic. I'm only sorry you'll be away at school and can't come. Maybe it will be an annual thing if it's the success it ought to be! Anywiz, Ned and I are really looking forward to it, and it was so sweet of you to think of it.
And actually, before I finish this, I should give a shout out to Mr Ned Pennifold, the best escort ever and a really, truly special friend. Ned, thank you for the present. I don't think anyone's ever given me anything quite so special before. And thanks for, well, for being you. For all of it, you know.
Now before I go all soppy and embarrass everyone I know, I should stop.
Happy New Year to all of Our Lord's good subjects. Here's to the dawn of the best year yet!
Before we sweep the holidays finally into the realm of fond memory, however, I want to applaud Mr and Mrs Burdett-Coutts on the New Year's Soiree they organised here in New London. It was not only masterfully planned, it was in all ways spectacular! The Tower was utterly transformed, and they used its spaces so cleverly! Craftsfolk and vendors of all kinds were tucked into its apartments and cells, chapels and dungeons, halls and corridors and towers: there were designers and jewelers, bands and chamber ensembles, artists and performers of every kind.
The first thing we enjoyed were the ice sculptures along the approach from the Thames, which were the most magical I've ever seen. Next, we had a lovely hour skating on the moat, and when we were tired, we stopped in at one of the kiosks for pasties and piping hot tea. Later it was wassail and caroling on the green, and after that we explored and shopped and danced and had a truly magnificent feast in the great hall--there was wild boar, of course, Scottish salmon and roast pheasant, pigeon and rabbit pies, and a stew made from Our Lord's finest red deer from Richmond; there were wild peas and Christmas beans and wild mushrooms from the Forest of Dean all prepared by Fresher's Feast; there was aloo gobi prepared by the chef of Meerut, M Duchamp's pommes de terre soufflées and his asperge béarnaise--each dish was prepared by one of New London's finest chefs; and there were soups and fruit platters and sweets you've only dreamed of. Honestly, it was a feast for all senses!
After the last course was cleared, we all climbed to the top of the White Tower for the Loyal Toast and dancing until midnight when they set off fireworks over the river and we all pledged ourselves to give our best in every endeavour in service to Our Lord's fair realm.
Vani, it was so great to see you. As I told you then, I really love the earrings you gave me. They are so delicate and just really suit me. You have such a good eye for beautiful things!
And Sarah: my goodness, it seems to me that everyone I've come across has been talking about how incredible your work is! It was utterly nift that they invited you to set up a teaser for your exhibit. You were definitely the youngest artist they asked, and I really think it was very exclusive: they only asked the very best. I can't wait for your opening. 1 February will be here before we know it! I couldn't help noticing you'd written it in the diary you gave me. That was a perfect present, by the way: my schedule is so much more complicated than it ever was at school!
While I'm mentioning gifts, I should say that I had the most gorgeous cloak pin from Padma Patil to go with the robes her mother designed for me. I wore it Friday night, and loads of people commented. That was really so thoughtful of you, Patil. Thanks.
And Orion: you're still the best brother I have. Ha! But truly, thank you for the tickets for the Frost Fair. That's going to be utterly fantastic. I'm only sorry you'll be away at school and can't come. Maybe it will be an annual thing if it's the success it ought to be! Anywiz, Ned and I are really looking forward to it, and it was so sweet of you to think of it.
And actually, before I finish this, I should give a shout out to Mr Ned Pennifold, the best escort ever and a really, truly special friend. Ned, thank you for the present. I don't think anyone's ever given me anything quite so special before. And thanks for, well, for being you. For all of it, you know.
Now before I go all soppy and embarrass everyone I know, I should stop.
Happy New Year to all of Our Lord's good subjects. Here's to the dawn of the best year yet!
Re: Private Message to Lana Sandoval
Date: 2011-01-04 06:26 pm (UTC)I think you will need to decide for yourself what's appropriate. You could, of course, go once more to the display and pay the proper respect to Our Lord's wishes in this matter.
The important thing is that you conduct yourself from here out as an exemplary citizen, a model for others. You are in a unique position to make a positive impression on your peers, and I've always expected that you would take up the duties (and burdens) of leadership in your set.
I shouldn't compare myself to Hydra Lestrange if I were you. Hers is a very special case and not one any of us ought to presume to understand or comment on.