The Art of Pacifism; Monday, Second Period [02/03].

[sake_shinigami]

"Good afternoon morning it always said morning *whistles*, ducklings ♥!" The classroom was in its usual state of desks pushed back to make room for a comfy circle in the middle with the requisite hot cocoa, but there were also several other boxes scattered around, and Shunsui had in front of him a pile of paper with something that looked like a list.

"So far in this class, we have had the opportunity to discuss a lot of the methods and ideas behind pacifism, and so today will be more activity-based ♥. It is, after all, one thing to be able to know a bunch of rambling thoughts and philosophy on a subject, and an entirely different thing to put some of these beliefs into action in our every day lives ♥. Now, we're starting very very simply today: one of the best ways to help live a life of nonviolence is to have a nice, nonviolent hobby ♥! Perhaps even something that one can channel any aggressive energy they may have and turn it into something beautiful in the end ♥. That way, one is actively adding to the beauty of the world rather than contributing to negativity and anger and hate ♥.

"Now," he continued with a faint chuckle, a small, serene smile on his face as he ducked his head slightly, "I'm sure you can all take a guess as to what my hobby is ♥!"

If you were thinking drinking or sleeping or womanizing, you were wrong.

Those were lifestyles, not mere hobbies.

"Writing ♥!" Shunsui announced proudly. "I am the author of two published books, you know, and I am working on a third ♥." The same third book he was working on last time he taught this class, no less! "To me, writing is like releasing the poetry of the soul onto paper so you can share it with others ♥. But that is just one example of a peaceful hobby, or a hobby in which one can engage as a sort of self-meditation, as a centering technique to remove oneself from the insanity of life and absorb themselves in the tranquility of creation ♥. One of the kindest and most peaceful women I know, for example, is an expert at Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement ♥. One of the less peaceful women I know turns to organization to calm her down ♥. One could maintain a zen garden, or knitting, I hear, is still quite popular! Make scarves, not war ♥! There are, of course, traditional forms of art, from painting and drawing to sculpture work and pottery. And, speaking of women I know," of which there were clearly many, "I can think of at least two who would insist wholeheartedly that shopping is a hobby, though having seen one of them engaged in such actions, I would argue that it is hardly a peaceful one ♥."

Here Shunsui chuckled, and started to pass around the papers.

"On these papers is a list of various hobbies to give you some inspiration ♥. Of course, you are not limited to these options, and you are to avoid any of the violent ones, such as hunting or lawn darts..." The latter of which eventually had to be outlawed at Shinigami picnics... "But these boxes in the classroom today have anything you might need to get you started on exploring a new hobby, and that is what today is for ♥! Try to find something that you think sounds relaxing, meditative, productive, and most importantly new to help keep you away from the ever present sway of negative influences ♥!"

"Go forth, my little ducklings, and discover something new ♥! And, of course, if you've got any questions, I'll be happy to help if I can ♥."

He wouldn't even fall asleep while they all worked today, either!

...probably not, anyway.

[[ ocd incoming, natch! is up! have at it! ]]

Criminal Justice- Monday- 1st period

[throughaphase]

"Good morning, class!" Kitty greeted them, and gestured towards the coffees and tea and pastries spread out on a table. "I brought stuff, because I e decjded I cannot pose today's question to you without giving you the opportunity to be caffeinated."

So buckle up, kids.

"Ahem," she said, pulling out the notecard. "This is the story of a very hungry coyote and a swift, flightless bird.

Reports state that the coyote has been chasing a pretty darn unique breed of roadrunner with blue feathers that can run at extremely high speeds. The coyote has resorted to technology- guess it's a special breed of coyote, too- often purchasing products from the Acme company in attempts to catch this roadrunner. He hasn't even come close to succeeding.

Over the years, the coyote has proven to be less than keen with his plans. He rolls boulders at the roadrunner and gets squished by them. He throws dynamite down and gets blown up himself. The number of times he has fallen off a cliff is undetermined, but it's a lot of times, chums!" Kitty looked up. "'Chums' is on here. Anyway. Sometimes these plans backfire on the coyote through sheer bad luck. Other times, this roadrunner actively turns the situation around. He breaks universal laws by running through a solid mountain and taunting the coyote to follow, which ends in a concussion. He purposely leads the coyote off a cliff where the coyote will surely fall to major injury. And there have been several instances where the roadrunner ran the coyote over in a truck, at least once when the coyote was held in place by glue (it's a wacky story).

If we treat the coyote and roadrunner as citizens - and since they have at least one credit card, one driver's license, and one university diploma between then, and were born in America, it is probably a fair treatment - we could apply the American legal system to their conflict. Keeping in mind that the coyote has repeatedly attempted to murder the roadrunner over the years (and not out of simple hunger - if he were just hungry, he could theoretically buy food with his credit cards), and that the roadrunner has not only not pressed charges but also has reportedly mocked the coyote openly and to his face as a challenge, we apparently have some questions to answer. I guess."