Computers 101, 1st Period [Friday]

[likethegun]

When the students arrived to class today, they'd have found Sam looking a bit like crap, sitting behind the desk at the front of the room, instead of sitting on top of it.

"So, uh, I'm going to let you guys kind of play around on the computers today," he said, rubbing his forehead like that would make his headache go away. "Another way that technology has really improved things for people, besides the ones we've already talked about, is in photography. Pictures have come a long way from the old black and white stuff, and there are places all over the internet where people share the pictures they've taken, sometimes just to share them with family, and sometimes to share them with everyone in the world who wants to see them. What I want you to do today is search for pictures that interest you, and see what you can find. You might be surprised by what's out there."

Especially since, in his tired and weary state, Sam had forgotten to mention how to turn things like Safe Search back on. Oops.

Life's a Circus, Friday, Second Period

[exboywonder.livejournal.com]

"We've talked about this a little this session, but each of you has your own special skills that might not directly apply to your typical circus act," Dick said to kick off this week's workshop. As the students looked around, they probably realized they weren't in the normal big top tent, but in a smaller tent with stages all around the perimeter. "And when whatever you can do just doesn't translate to big, flashy death-defying stunts, you can always come to the sideshow."

"A lot of the time, the sideshow ends up being filled with people who are very gently called 'human oddities.' Historically, that can be anything from giants (really tall people), midgets (really short people), tattooed freaks (not much of a sideshow act these days), fat ladies, human skeletons (extremely thin people), wolfboys (men with conditions where they're covered in hair all over their face), and many more," Dick said. "But as society's progressed, a lot of those acts have started to become more uncomfortable for the customers. Also, there's the fact that you can see a lot of those act on the trashier talk shows or reality shows, so the interest isn't necessarily there."

"But one thing that you don't get on TV and that never goes out of style is people doing insane things like swallowing swords or eating fire. Really, those are skills you can learn, but most people don't bother suppressing their gag reflex just so they can shove a sword down their throat and risk a crazy kind of death," Dick said. "But that's kind of the point. The best stuff on the sideshow is just a strange talent you have that you can demonstrate in an entertaining manner. Double jointed? There's a place for you. Do you have good aim and a good arm? Try knife throwing. Do you have enough confidence in weight distribution to lie on a bed of nails and know you're not going to get hurt? It looks impressive."

"So what I want everyone to do today is just pick some random, weird thing you can do, get on one of the stages, and demonstrate it. If you need props, there's plenty over in a box by that stage," Dick said. "That should give you pretty much anything you need. And remember, safety protocols are on, so if you really want to try swallowing a sword, you can't slash up your insides and you won't choke to death."

Library [6/17]

[wesleynotponcy.livejournal.com]

This week having contained the pleasant surprise that it had, Wesley was in an excellent mood at the library today. No surprise there. He didn't waste a moment of time before he began shelving things. And whistling, too. It felt like a whistling kind of day. It was sunny, it was a good temperature, Katniss was alive and making propos... yep. This was going to be a great day.

Advanced Astrophysics (and Arts and Crafts), Friday

[notawoodwind.livejournal.com]

There was no Reed in the classroom today. After a call from Sue concerning the Baxter Building, Johnny, Ben, and a prank war... Reed thought it prudent to check in on the damage. Because there would be damage.

He didn't even need to use that giant brain of his to know that.

So there was a show waiting for the students. At least this one wasn't fictional and didn't make science cry.

Damn you, Super Nova.