Basic Cryptozoology - First Period - Wednesday, 7/23

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

"One of the most well-known category of cryptids," Abigail Irene began as the students began to file in, "are shapeshifters."

She waited until they were all in their seats before she continued, smiling brightly at them. Her clothes were now straight, her eyes bright and cheerful... and there was still a rather telling red spot at the side of her neck from a lovely sort of pirate lout who'd gotten a bit feisty with her. Her short hair, as helpful as the length usually was, did nothing to hide it, though she'd ignore any looks at it she got. Or smile.

Mike, her small patchwork terrier, padded out to sit at her feet just as she continued.

"This might be a reflection of the array of creatures which vastly change their appearance in the natural world... or perhaps just an explanation for the wildly varying accounts available and shoddy research."

She paused for a smile.

"I'll be covering a few of these creatures today in class and asking a couple of questions. And make sure to listen at the end of class, as there is a very small assignment for each of you due next class."

[ocd coming up!]

...or how not to get caught, Period 2, 23 Jul '08

[offthelisthero.livejournal.com]

Mohinder stood by the classroom door, handing out earmuffs as the students walked in. "You'll need these. But not until after the lecture."

The Dangershop resembled an open field. Mohinder leaned back against a table with an assorted range of projectiles - and a pyramid of limes - while a range of targets littered the near and middle distance. "How many of you have fired a gun?" he asked, looking around for a show of hands before continuing. "Ballistics is where we study projectiles. This usually means identify the gun or bullets by impact pattern, bullet path or striation of the cartridge or casing. The bullet's shape, composition, calibre and casings can all help find not only the type of gun, but the weapon itself." Mohinder carried on in more detail.

"There are targets," Mohinder pointed them out - round and humanoid, "And weapons." An array of handguns, crossbows and slingshots as well as things totally moddable that were more sports-related - javelin, discus, hammer and a tennis pitching machine. "Take a look at the damage, the identify marks that they leave behind. And I hope I don't need to say this, but be careful with these."

OCD is up!

Informed Investments -- Wednesday; Third Period -- 07/23

[perfectmissyork.livejournal.com]

As usual, the students would come into the classroom to find a treat. This week, it was cupcakes, but Charlotte half wondered if she should have even bothered because somehow she had accumulated a large collection of citrus fruits, as well, which she found in the drawers, and under desks, and a few in her purse. The students were welcome to help themselves to those, too, especially since Charlotte, who was not in the habit of eating random food, certainly wasn't.

( Blah blah blah blah blah )

"Essentially, then," Charlotte concluded, "when it comes to sales, it pays to be smart, know what you're looking for, and how the system works, and then you'll find all sorts of great deals to save you money. Now, if there aren't any questions, we'll head down to the danger shop and you guys can try your hand at finding some good sales."

[[ OCD is a coming has been marked 75% off! ]]

[[ Syllabus and Roster

Merc'ing 101: How to Make it as a Mercenary and Still Stay in One Piece, Wed 7/23

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"Mercenaries ain't anything new." Once again, Murdock was strolling around the Danger Shop. Seemed he could hardly ever keep still. "It used to be you could hire whole troops of 'em. That's not so much the case nowdays, at least here on Earth. Or in my version of Earth anyway. Don't know about the rest of y'alls."

"According to ol' Mr. Webster, a mercenary is one who is hired; a soldier who is hired into foreign service. Let's look at that 'foreign service' bit. Back in the old days, people in power would hire mercenaries when they were low on troops. Like a Lord or a Baron, sometimes even Kings. A lot of times, mercenaries were hired so the so that the locals, who were often the farmers of the Lord's holdings, wouldn't be forced into serving. That way they could keep their lands running while they waged battle elsewhere."

"Most of these merc troops, or companies as they were often referred to, operated just like a military unit. One overall leader, several sub-commanders and the grunts. So for today's class we're all going to be part of a merc company." He started up the Danger Shop, which turned into a peaceful, rolling countryside. But it wouldn't stay peaceful for long. "Welcome to The White Company."

(some discussion bits in the OCD, as usual. please wait for the OCD up!)

How to Blow Things Up: Week 3, Period 5

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

Today the class wasn't meeting in the Danger Shop.  Following the directions in the note handwavily delivered, the students would find themselves in a clearing with sandbag 'bunkers' at one end facing a large pile of stones and twisted metal.  On the other end, several rows of different types of grenades were laid out carefully.  Aly stood in the middle, trying not to be nervous over her students' first experience in class with live explosives.  She was mostly failing, but the nerves weren't showing through to her students as anything other than a bit of tenseness.

Once everyone was assembled, she spoke up.  "Morning, everybody.  As I hope you've noticed by now, we're not in the Danger Shop.  Which means that the grenades over there are live.  Today is so not the day to fool around or be in less than your absolute top form or you'll be lucky if detention is the least you get."

Confident she had everyone's attention, she nodded.  "This is going to be fun.  Those of you who haven't handled live rounds before, don't be nervous, just be very careful.  You'll be fine."  She gave a short and thorough lecture the development and uses of different types of grenades before going on to the proper procedures for arming and throwing the weapons.

"No explosive we try is going to be the best possible choice in every situation," she said, wrapping up.   "For grenades, the delay between pulling the pin and the explosion means you can throw it, but the enemy could throw it back at you or it could bounce off a wall and roll back towards one of your allies.  So what I want you to do today before trying them for yourself is discuss with a partner or two the tactical advantages of grenades.  Why use them and not a Molotov cocktail that can't come back at you?  Or a gun which has a longer range?  Or would you use them at all except as a last resort?"

"After that, come over and try them out for yourself."

Aly had positioned herself so only one person at a time could approach the bunker with its firing position.  No need to for more chaos to impinge on some of the students.

[OOC:  Things go boom!  Aly's completely serious about the penalties for horsing around in this class.  If you want to get detention ping in the OOC thread, otherwise I'll give you a heads up if your character is skirting the line.  Please wait for OCD!  And this always was in the right comm.  Yes.]

Lunch; Wednesday [ 07/23 ]

[senor-chado.livejournal.com]

Chad was feeling pretty glad that he decided to go down to the cafeteria for lunch today, since it looked like there was meatloaf and mashed potatoes, which was a good meal when you were as hungry as Chad was feeling at that moment. He filled up his plate with a lot of that, and then went to go have a seat.


[[ okay, so maybe I just felt like using this icon today, shhh. but, anyway, yay cafeteria! ]]