text; un: li_min

[kiss_it_better]

I've found myself with more free time than I know what to do with in the evenings.

[Which is to say, he's sleeping as little as humanly possible for the foreseeable future.]

I may as well do something productive with that time, right?

So I was thinking that I would be interested in learning a new language. Or maybe two, though I feel as if learning one at a time may be better. If anyone would be willing to teach me theirs I would appreciate it.

I am also interested in taking up new hobbies if anyone has any suggestion. I have a special interest in engineering and medicine, but in truth my interests are fairly eclectic.

Oh, and I was considering building a new chicken coop for our two hens. I don't suppose anyone has any advice on that? Or on raising chickens in general. I've done a bit of reading but I would enjoy hearing from people who might have more practical experiences.

[He just wants things to do to pass the time since he doesn't have enough to do here compared to back home where he had so many schemes going...and he needed the distraction.

Also, despite his attempts at depriving himself entirely of sleep, he's posting this at a very reasonable hour in the morning...or rather, he's purposefully posting at a reasonable hour so hopefully no one will suspect anything was wrong.]

Comments

un: lian

[holycurse]

If it's languages you're interested in, I know a few! Admittedly I'm a little rusty with some of them, but there's certain to be at least one you're unfamiliar with.

[kiss_it_better]

I'm certain there would be.

Why did you learn those languages? Was it purely scholarly interest or was there a reason for it?

[holycurse]

I learned them out of necessity. It's important to know the language of the countries one stays in, after all, and I've traveled quite a lot over the years.

[kiss_it_better]

I'm certain you must have many stories to tell as well.

When would you be available to start?

[holycurse]

I suppose I do, at that.

How about this weekend? That seems like a good time for it.

text; un: idontknow

[huaisang]

Why are you raising hens? That seems so odd to do.

[kiss_it_better]

Why is it odd? Many people raise hens.

[But not, he knows, in the city and not people who look like young masters like him.]

Besides, they give fresh eggs.

[huaisang]

Well, yes but

[ ... definitely not someone who looks like him. ]

I don't know. Is someone making you do this? Did you lose a bet?

[kiss_it_better]

Hauisang-xiong doesn't need to worry so much. I promise it's nothing like that.

[The answer is: Gu Yun suggested it.

But since the whole point of this exercise was not thinking about Gu Yun he doesn't mention it.]

Chickens are surprisingly in intelligent. I read somewhere they could be taught to do tricks.

UN: TachibanaS

[triggerhappytraitor]

Mechanical engineering or another type?

And what branch of medicine?

[kiss_it_better]

Mechanical and civil engineering, mostly. But I believe there is no such thing as knowledge that is worthless. Even lies have their value at times.

Mostly acupuncture, herbal medicine and basic first aid. I studied under the next head of the Chen family which were well known for being a family of doctors. Though, compare to many here, my knowledge could be out of date.

[triggerhappytraitor]

I have far more experience on the mechanical side, especially small engines, both petrol and steam powered.

The bulk of my medical experience is from a much different time period, yeah, revolving around DNA and similar structures on a cellular and microcellular level. Although I did spend some time working as an herbalist in another world.

[kiss_it_better]

I have some passing familiarity with engines, though I haven't had any chance to actually work with them. Petrol powered engines are a complete unknown to me before I got here.

Or anything about DNA for that matter though I have read a little about it here.

I would be eager to learn more if you'd be willing to teach me.

text; un: shigeru

[mysophobic]

I'm offering to teach people sign language, if that's something you'd like to learn!

But as for medicine...what types are you familiar with?

[kiss_it_better]

I know the sign language used where I'm from. I'm curious to see how different it is from the one you know.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine. I'm afraid the place where I'm from is considered the past compared to some other worlds.

[mysophobic]

You do?! That's great!!

I mean I don't run into many people here who know it right off the bat, so I get a little excited when I meet someone who does!

It seems like there's a few words that my sign language has that the ones from Earth don't have. But everyone I've talked to with sign language who knew it didn't have any trouble understanding me. But are you from...Earth too? Or another planet like me?

[ This is so exciting! ]

Maybe you could...teach me acupuncture and I've never worked with herbs before so...we can both learn something new!

[kiss_it_better]

I have a friend where I'm from who uses it. It is surely more convenient than him having to write everything out.

I am from Great Liang. I do not know if it is on another planet. Our technology hasn't progressed past airships yet. However, according to a few people I have met, the country I am from resembles they have known called China. Though with a few key differences.

I would be happy to teach you, though I should warn you that I am still a learning myself.

text | un: druidic

[arrowroot]

I raised all sorts of animals back home! Chickens can be finicky about silly things but if you're patient with them and give them lots of room outside their coops to roam they turn into big content fluffs.

[kiss_it_better]

I see. What sort of things might they be finicky about? And how much room do they need? We only have a small courtyard.

[arrowroot]

For two? I would say about twenty square feet outside, at least six in the coop. And feed is usually the largest issue - you want to ensure they're getting a high fat, low salt diet. Other things can be anything that might cause a source of fear in them, like presence of known predators, sudden changes in environment, extreme temperatures, and insect infestations.

[kiss_it_better]

[...he's going to have to measure their courtyard, isn't he? He's good enough at estimating but they used completely different units of measurement in steampunk ancient China.]

What would you recommend for food?

I think most of that list should be easy enough to keep from them. I am less confident about preventing insect infestations, however.

( text, un: lavieenrose )

[affectueux]

Have you considered learning an instrument? I’ve thought about teaching piano again, but I’m not sure that there are any willing students.

[kiss_it_better]

[Why not? It's not exactly something he can practise late at night but it can help take up his free time during the day.]

Then, please consider me your first prospective student. Though I must confess that I have never heard a piano before coming here.

[Because you know, 1) he comes from steampunk China and 2) pianos probably hadn't even been invented yet in the countries that would have them.]

[affectueux]

I’m sorry? You’ve never heard one?

[ it is utterly inconceivable to him that someone hasn’t heard the sound of a piano. ]

[kiss_it_better]

Is it such a surprise? With people from so many places, isn't something like this within expectations?

I say that, however, I was similarly surprised the first time I experienced something similar.