How to Start a Business, Monday, Period 3

[cataclysmicluck.livejournal.com]

"Okay, last week was kind of a thematic break from putting a start-up together. I hope you took a little time during that extra week to solidify your thoughts on what specifically you want to do in this class because we're going to be moving forward as if you have," Zayne explained.

"The two things you need before you can really do anything in business are an idea and funding. I don't want to say that coming up with an idea is easy, exactly, but getting funding might make it feel that way."

( Funding, investors, and crime )

A Tale of Two Lions, Monday, 9/10

[atreideslioness]

"Today we discuss power through military might," Ghanima began crisply. "This does not always mean strength through numbers - a small, well-trained force has advantages that a larger army does not, although the reverse is also true."

"The important thing," Tyrion began, "is knowing what you need to accomplish. You wouldn't send a small band of assassins to cow a city into submission, and you wouldn't send an army of five thousand men to take down a king in his chambers. Start with your goal, then build the army you need from that goal." He paused, paced. "I'm assuming, of course, that you have access to the forces you need. If you don't, find them. Buy them, rouse them with speeches, conscript them, but only a fool would set out to battle with less than the numbers he needs."

"To decide what those numbers are," he added, "I'm afraid you'll have to read. War is ancient; it's likely the city you want to sack, or one very much like it, has been sacked before. Learn from the mistakes and the successes of those who came before you. Take a class on military strategy, if it's an area of particular interest. Today we can discuss the topic in only the broadest terms.."

"If you've sat through my Art of War class, you'll know what Lord Tyrion is talking about," Ghanima added. "Although another thing to keep in mind is that no would-be ruler commands their army alone. There are advisers, generals, individuals...and no plan survives contact with the enemy intact."

"Not to mention that to hold power once you've gained it through military might, you will need to continue to fund and feed that military. You cannot simply disband an armed force after you win; there will be little rebellions, large rebellions, borders to defend...not to mention that for many of your soldiers, this is how they earn the money to feed their families. Suddenly putting them out of a job will not make you popular."

"And if you killed a beloved -- or at least widely tolerated -- leader, you won't be popular to start with," Tyrion added. "Your plan cannot end with winning the battle."

"It can, however, start there," Ghanima noted cheerfully. "So pair up. Congratulations, you are all would-be heroes and/or well-beloved leaders trying to hold territory. The game is called 'Risk,' and you get to learn how to operate an army without unlimited funding and while trying to settle on a strategy with another person."

Library, Monday

[faithandscience.livejournal.com]

William had spent the weekend- quietly, and largely by himself- as a girl, yes.

He was rather relieved once Monday rolled around and he was back to his normal self.

When he arrived at the library, it was to find everything covered in bubble wrap. And it really was everything, from the floor (which meant a cacaphony of popping noises whereever he walked) to the furniture to every single book.

William sighed and unwrapped the computer and chair at the circulation desk before deciding that anything else would just be futile. Chances are it'd all be gone by tomorrow anyway, and if anyone needed anything in particular- well, he'd cross that bridge when he came to it.

Combat- Tuesday- 2nd period- Class #3

[solo_sword]

The class was in the Danger Shop today, even if it looked just like the gym, and Jaina was standing with two similar objects in her hands. "We're going to get back to hand to hand," she promised, "but today we're going to do something a little different.

"This is a lightsaber," she said, igniting the violet blade of the real weapon in her right hand and holding it up as she spoke. "For those of you who don't know, it's a weapon used by the Jedi... and others." The Sith didn't deserve mentioning, and she didn't know about the Imperial Knights, so there. "For those of you who know how to use swords, even light ones, you're going to be in for a surprise here. They're a lot lighter than what you're used to, which is going to change how you fight with it. The beam is plasma, and it's capable of doing this." With that, Jaina plunged her lightsaber downward, cutting easily through the Danger Shop floor before she switched it off. "If it can do that to a floor, it'll do a lot more damage to a person. Which is why you'll be skipping the real thing and using these."

And on went the practice lightsaber in her left hand, which looked and sounded just a little different. The snap-hiss wasn't quite the same. "These are practice sabers. You'll each get one for class. They're good substitutes for the real thing, but if you hit someone, instead of chopping off an arm, you'll shock them." And because she never expected people she bossed around to do anything she wouldn't, she tapped her other arm with the practice blade, and if it looked like it hurt, it's because it did. "Go ahead and pair up, try these out, and don't aim for any sensitive areas on purpose, okay? Seriously."