Dealing With Stupid People [Monday, May 14, 2nd period]

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Josh was obviously uncomfortable with the whole "being outside" thing as he perched on a picnic bench and smiled at the students as they assembled.

"Okay, one of the most annoying things you will encounter in your life will be other people," he began, rolling his eyes. "Most of us -- in my universe, anyway, some of you might have other experiences -- can't kill them by using our brains, so we have to come up with different coping methods. We'll get to the more advanced techniques -- sarcasm, the strategic use of an eye roll -- later, but today we'll start out with something that gives you a lot of chance to practice before you send out the final product."

He pulled out a sheaf of papers and dropped it onto the table. "Writing back to stupid people!" he said triumphantly. "In this exercise you need to reply to these obviously deranged letters in a polite way without asking if they've thought to seek professional help for their delusions. There are five different letters so pair up with a partner -- it's better to double check your language against someone else, at least at the beginning -- and write back to these completely insane people."

Josh grinned. "Questions? Problems? I don't really care, but ask anyway."

Comments

Re: Talk to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"No one could ever hurt a bunny," Josh agreed.

He grinned. "Did you bring me a present? Other than your presence, I mean."

Re: Talk to Josh

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

"Well, I have this blue poodle," Aly teased.

Re: Talk to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Josh cracked up, then leaned in for a kiss. "I missed you."

Re: Talk to Josh

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

She kissed him back. "I missed you too. And I do have a present for you. I won't even be mean and pretend it's just the t-shirt from the West's Biggest Ball of Twine."

Re: Talk to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"Good thing," Josh said. "I've got three of them already. I just love balls of twine."

Re: Talk to Josh

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

"Only thing better would be the butter cow," Aly said enthusiastically. "But we couldn't get to go see that."

Re: Talk to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"That's because the Iowa State Fair isn't for months," Josh said, bouncing. "You have to go to a State Fair. They are such an experience in horrifyingly wonderful badness. We'll plan a road trip."

Re: Talk to Josh

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

Gleeful was really the only word to describe Aly's expression. "Yes! We must! When?"

Re: Talk to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"It's a little early for State Fair season," Josh said, "but I'll look up the schedule and get back to you. How do you feel about deep fried things on sticks?"

Re: Talk to Josh

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

"I am all for fried things on sticks," Aly said with a nod. "Especially if they are followed by elephant ears or cotton candy."

Re: Talk to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"You are going to love State Fairs," Josh said, eyes lighting up. "What are your feelings about potentially unsafe carnival rides?"

Re: Talk to Josh

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

She laughed. "Spy? It's not possible for me not to be a fan of potentially dangerous situations."

Re: Talk to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"Excellent. And then you can go rip off a carnie and win me a giant stuffed bear," Josh decided.

Re: Talk to Josh

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

"What would you do with a giant stuffed bear?" she asked.

Re: Talk to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"What wouldn't I do with a stuffed bear?" Josh countered with a grin. "I'd name it Charlie and have animated conversations with it and all of my students would think I'm nuts. And then one day it would come to life and eat me while I slept...I don't want a bear now."

Re: Talk to Josh

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

Aly giggled and leaned up to give him a kiss. "I could win you a giant stuffed herbivore?"

Re: Talk to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Josh returned the kiss with a smile. "That's probably a better plan, yes."

Re: Talk to Josh

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

"A stuffed horse?" she grinned. "And I want a big sparkly Princess hat."

Re: Talk to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"As long as I don't mysteriously end up wearing said sparkly Princess hat, you can have whatever you want," Josh promised.

Re: Talk to Josh

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

"I can't imagine why you would wear it," she said innocently.

Re: Talk to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"Under no circumstances will I wear it," Josh declared.

Re: Talk to Josh

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

"None at all?" she asked. Because now the schemes were beginning to build.

Re: Talk to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"...there are very few circumstances under which I would wear a pretty Princess hat," Josh amended.

Josh was a soft touch when it came to Aly.

Re: Talk to Josh

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

Aly chuckled. "I will do my best not to exploit the circumstances under which you might wear the hat."

Re: Talk to Josh

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Josh leaned in for another kiss. "I know you too well to believe that," he said.