Focus on Photographers; Tuesday, First Period [03/04].

[hashtag_chocobro]

Prompto had been a little worried that what they assumed had been a touch of food poisoning that Liz had picked up on vacation might be a little something more, but both he and Noctra seemed to be feeling okay, so maybe it was just the oppressive weight of having to return to somewhere less sunny and tropical again. Forget the fact that Liz definitely never had a prob--

--nope, no, he was in class, he couldn't let himself be distracted, especially since he was really excited about today's lesson, because he had been working on it a little bit over the last week, too!

"Hey, guys!" he greeted everyone with his usual excited brightness. "And welcome back! I hope you all had a good time in Barbados last week; I know I sure did! And if you took some pictures you want to share, I'll save a little bit of time at the end of the class to do that, because you guys are all photographers worth focusing on, too! But today, I actually am going to be focusing less on a specific photographer, and more a specific group of photographers, because I had some time to check in with the Barbados Photographic Society while we were down there to get a feel for what sort of photography scene is going on down there. A lot of people clearly can make a good living with wedding photography or other sorts of commercial work, since it's such a popular destination for that sort of thing, but capturing all the vibrant life and beauty of the islands is a big pull for people with a love of the art.

"And it turns out? We actually just missed their big 20th Anniversary exhibit that hit just earlier this year, at the end of January and the beginning of February, which is such a bummer on timing! But I was able to snag a good presentation of some of the works that were featured! So today, we're going to have a look at the exhibit, and, as usual, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it! On pieces that stand out to you, something you notice about the technique, if you notice a trend in the photos, things like that! I've also got more info on some of the artists and more from them if there's anything you'd like to explore more. So, without any further ado, let's have a look at some Barbados-based photographers and focus in on their work!"

Friendship is Magic!, Tuesday, March 4, 2025

[sith_happened]

Anakin was at the front of the classroom looking tanned. Ahsoka was looking exactly the same. "Hopefully you also enjoyed your week off," Anakin began, "but now it is time to get back to learning."

Yes, learning about friendship. The most difficult of classes.

To teach, maybe. "Earlier in the semester we talked about making tokens of appreciation for the friendship of others," Ahsoka said. "But sometimes you may need to do something a bit more extravagant."

Anakin nodded. "Some friends or relatives might expect a gift, for example, if you went on vacation without them." And left them alone with two children while you went to Barbados for a week, maybe.

"Or you may be expected to provide a gift to the host if you're staying with someone," Ahsoka said.

"My grandmother-in-law is very particular," Anakin said, "which is why we just don't stay with her." Problem solving, students! Problem solving.

That was one way to put it. "Of course, you don't always have limitless funds to procure these gifts," Ahsoka said, and didn't sigh but had a definite air of wanting to about her.

"Very true," Anakin agreed. "Now is the time when you need to think about what you know about your friends or relatives and find budget-friendly gifts they will still appreciate. Or in the case of Emily Gilmore, just stop trying."

"Which leads us to one of the more...ethically murky areas of gift giving."

"When you get a gift you hate," Anakin said.

Ahsoka actually did sigh now. "And give it to someone else instead."

"But not in front of the person who gave you the crappy present," Anakin said. "Because that's rude."

"To who?" Both of them, the answer was both of them.

"I didn't ask any follow up questions," Anakin admitted. "Rory looked pretty angry."

"Did she?" Ahsoka did not sound surprised at all.

"Very," Anakin said, "but that was years ago. I'm much better at getting rid of presents I don't want. Today, come up with your own strategies! And make sure to account for that weird aunt that remembers every weird thing she has given you and will be very upset if you've given it away."

"We've provided example gifts for you to use to try these out." And by 'we' she meant Anakin.

Yes, enjoy the moddable Barbados-themed enrichment toys for dogs that Aphra had given him during their week as roommates! Because she'd decided Jedi were a lot like puppies. (She wasn't wrong.)

Mad Kings & Queens: Raving Royals and How To Survive Them [Tuesday, 2nd Period]

[atreideslioness]

Trebor was entertaining himself with a pile of books today - stacks of brightly colored titles, all for children slightly older than him, but not by much, while Ghanima watched from her perch on her desk. Literacy was so very important, after all. And flexible young minds would hopefully not end up like...

"Isabel of Portugal!" she said brightly the moment everyone had arrived. "Was a beautiful young princess who fell in love with a king, but her marriage was tainted by his weak nature, and her possessive behavior, obsessions, paranoia, and her chronic depression. She ended her days alone, hidden away in a bleak tower."

( It is sometimes an appropriate response to reality to go insane. )