Written By Nurie
Aug. 24, 2020, 6:51 p.m.(11/24/1013 AR)
Written By Nurie
July 27, 2020, 2:42 a.m.(9/23/1013 AR)
Written By Nurie
June 23, 2020, 12:27 p.m.(7/12/1013 AR)
Here I experienced what it was like to be more than /what/ I was, because the world was so vast only a few people cared. I could be valued for the work of my hands, my conversation, what I contributed to others, not the mark of my name or from where I came.
And yet, even here, that is not the case for everyone. We have generations who are born, live, and die within these walls that are still looked askance at when they venture into other areas of the city. And there are more out there beyond it. So many who slip through the hands that are able to catch others. Not everyone has a powerful guild, a family, a patron, or a liege who knows them to offer protection and help.
The Commoners Council has been charged with a task that seems impossible--to be able to hear and raise the concerns of all of the commons throughout the Compact, as an advisory to the King. From wealthy merchants, respected artisans, staff and servants of the peers, shopkeepers, laborers, sailors, hunters, peasants, prodigals, and refugees--from every domain within the realm. It is a sobering thing, especially when as many things seem to threaten to tear us apart as they do keep us together.
I think that the council holds great promise, and has. I can think of no one who has served in the past or who is running now that I would not be proud to serve alongside, or support even if I do not. I know there has been an effort to recruit a wide range of people to run to reflect those differences amongst us as a whole.
I would like to see more visibility, the sponsorships of festival celebrations and opportunities for those too shy perhaps to initiate a conversation by themselves, amongst other ideas. These I can help do, as a council member. I look forward to seeing what ideas others have as well, and to support them. I would like most of all to help others who feel like their voice is not as strong or heard as they would like it to be to change that. We can, together.
There are few times where we have such a direct voice and vote, regardless of our group or station, as we hold in an election. So I would urge all to please remember to do so. Vote for someone that you feel best represents your interests, but I also urge that you consider voting for someone whose perspective is something that is often missing as well. I know that is what I will be doing. And I welcome any ideas and conversation you might have about my own, or about my reasons for wanting to run.
Sometimes people have things to say that we would rather not hear, and that goes for both sides of the conversation. But it is still important to listen. That is the first step in making it easier to move forward together.
Written By Nurie
June 14, 2020, 2:18 p.m.(6/22/1013 AR)
But oh the joy of creating something for someone that you love, that has walked with you through the most tumultuous darkness, and has celebrated your every triumph, and who has encouraged and pushed just when needed, and has allowed you to do the same. I think my dreams for her are different that what she chooses to dream for herself, but isn't that the way of things? And I don't know him well, but as I have tatted and sewed, I think of welcome and promise, and belonging. There's nothing wrong with adding a pinch of different hopes to the mix. I think about all the contrasting dreams and hopes that others have held for me--lovers, friends, siblings, mentors, and even those who have wished me ill. Whether or not I'll ever know what they were or are, I do think there's something in it that has helped to shape me nevertheless.
This tapestry of life with threads too numerous for me to touch and know, but that covers me nevertheless. It is a thing of wonder.
There's still a few more things to make. They won't be quite so grand as those to be wed, but I hope that those that wear them will be able to feel that love and care when they wear them as well. There has been so much fracture and division and pain in the past. Let us perhaps take a new path of rooting into shared soil, and blossoming anew.
Written By Nurie
June 8, 2020, 4:05 a.m.(6/9/1013 AR)
May your next turn on the wheel be even brighter.
Written By Nurie
May 30, 2020, 3:38 p.m.(5/20/1013 AR)
Though it's not always possible, I know, I wish that every man or woman on their wedding day could feel beautiful, and perhaps more than a little hope for the future. I try to sew a little of those wishes into everything I make for another, trying to imagine what might bring them happiness or pleasure, or a little comfort when they wear what I make. But right now things are woven and stitched and smocked and spun with as much love as I can manage.
Written By Nurie
May 22, 2020, 9:11 p.m.(5/4/1013 AR)
It's easy to look and see all the choices that you could be making, all the imaginings of how it might cascade into what others decide and how they choose to act. All of our threads woven and tangled together, and I am trying to make sense of the grand picture while my nose is but a mere inch from the tapestry.
I feel very small. There's so much to do, and sometimes there really isn't a choice that will not harm somebody, or cause them grief. It doesn't mean that I won't keep putting one foot in front of the other and doing what best I can. But sometimes it is hard to know if I am the tiny pebble in someone's shoe that will just cause them a hurtful stumble, or if could be one of the many in the hand to be added together to make a better path forward for those who come after.
I wish I could be less selfish and more at peace. I can keep trying.
Written By Nurie
May 19, 2020, 10:54 a.m.(4/26/1013 AR)
Written By Nurie
May 13, 2020, 2:33 a.m.(4/13/1013 AR)
If one has happiness in their arrangement, however, whatever that may be, perhaps it's better to be grateful for that, since there are many who do not have it in theirs. There's always going to be someone who looks down their nose at anything. If stung pride that everyone doesn't share your joy distracts you from the happiness that you have in your love or companionship, then that's a very sorrowful choice, but really no one's fault than your own.
Written By Nurie
March 30, 2020, 7:49 p.m.(1/10/1013 AR)
Written By Nurie
March 22, 2020, 6:16 p.m.(12/22/1012 AR)
My Constantin is chasing me about and getting into higher and higher shelves, and calling after me now, so I've had to make him a space in the workshop so that I can get a little more studying in and experiments, and he can have castles and creatures to destroy!
And those around me are heavy with cares and worries for what goes on in the world at large. Spring and Summer and most of the Autumn fled before I knew it. I have spent more time amongst my people, in the mills and farming villages, and in the Fortezza and beyond than I think I have ever before! It feels strange to be more a Minister now than a Tailor.
But I have been working on things to being a smile, and something else to concentrate on than the battles that loom before us. Something to bring people together, hopefully in laughter, and a brief reprieve from the heavier weights on mind and heart. And also things that can be shared with others.
Very soon, just in time for Year's End, I hope, I'll have them ready in the shop. It always brings butterflies to my tummy, trying something new. But I hope that people will like it. The dresses and costumes will be back again in the display cases in their time.
But for now, something different.
Written By Nurie
Nov. 30, 2019, 2:06 a.m.(4/15/1012 AR)
Written By Nurie
Nov. 24, 2019, 2:27 p.m.(4/4/1012 AR)
Written By Nurie
Nov. 9, 2019, 3:46 p.m.(3/2/1012 AR)
Written By Nurie
Nov. 7, 2019, 10:52 p.m.(2/27/1012 AR)
Written By Nurie
Oct. 31, 2019, 12:15 p.m.(2/12/1012 AR)
I would never begrudge another their own choices. It is one of the joys of my life now to work for whom I please, when I please, and how I please, and I think that supporting others in doing the same is something to uphold.
But I find that I cherish my interactions with those that challenge me or find me challenging as much as I do with those that are kindred spirits. I like to think of it as building ties step by step. Maybe over time it will make a difference, or perhaps not.
I suppose it is a good thing that I am not in charge of anything important.
Written By Nurie
Aug. 27, 2019, 3:18 a.m.(9/21/1011 AR)
My beloved sister is safe and well and resting, and while she does I hold the most beautiful boy in my arms. He is so perfect, and he settles when I sing to him. Less than a day and already it's just impossible to imagine life without him.
Between the sweet little noises he makes, and the radiant happiness of his mother, for the moment the world is so very blissfully perfect.
Written By Nurie
Aug. 3, 2019, 3:46 p.m.(8/2/1011 AR)
I think this is a painful truth. There are times when you will think yourself friends or close with someone above (or below) you, but something happens and the raising of those tiers will be especially painful even if perhaps it is not even purposeful.
For it is true--we are given different means to put hurt feelings and pride or even property or physical harm to rest based on the station of our birth or elevation and sometimes there is no way to bridge it in an efficient manner when it happens across commoner and noble lines.
How I have wished for an clear way to settle an insult and right a relationship as being able to call for a duel quickly and be done with it afterwards. I have thought if were that to be an option perhaps I would still have a friendship lost to me now, had I been able to express the weight given to their words and their impact with something other than my written notes...but that too is wishful and stupid thinking I know; it isn't as if duels always lay aside the animosities that bring them forth either.
It is a hard dance to know just how to measure one's steps beyond and back from that divide.
Written By Nurie
July 28, 2019, 6:07 p.m.(7/18/1011 AR)
But I caught a glimpse of you only recently, and it stole my breath and broke my heart just a very little bit. I wonder if you would be proud of me. Or if you would just shrug and give that small smile, and turn back towards your mirror. The latter I think. But I love you still. And them. Them most of all. And the one to come.
Written By Nurie
July 23, 2019, 10:39 p.m.(7/9/1011 AR)
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.