Nathan Algren (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
shiroi_tiger) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomhigh2009-06-11 12:07 am
shiroi_tiger) wrote in fandomhigh2009-06-11 12:07 am
Entry tags:
Culture Shock, Thursday, 6/12, Period 2
Really, the students of Algren's Culture Shock class ought to be getting used to their teacher showing up looking disgruntled by now.
And Algren didn't even have any particular reason to be disgruntled today. He just figured that it was better to be prepared for any potential Fandom-being-Fandom moments by behaving as though he was the island's most cranky man well in advance.
"Today we're covering the last stage of culture shock. We've been amazed, confused, annoyed, frustrated, defeated, depressed, and hopelessly lost. It's about time we get around to actually coming to terms with the fact that we're here." No, he wasn't at this stage yet, himself. He wasn't planning on ever being at this stage himself if he could help it. "Reaching this stage doesn't mean that you've necessarily mastered the new culture. It simply means that you've accepted that you're here, and you're as comfortable as you're ever going to get. It's an acceptance of the fact that, though you might not understand everything, you really don't need to understand it all in order to be able to get by. You might not fall in love with your new surroundings, but you'll survive, and you know it."
He nodded at a random student in the room.
"You. Name one aspect of Fandom that you thought you were never going to overcome when you got here, that you've learned to deal with, since. For me, it would have to be the technology. I won't ever understand why everything from an oven to a toothbrush has to be electrical nowadays, but at least I've come to terms with the fact that it all seems to be."
Electrical toothbrushes. Honestly.
[OCD ison the way up! Have at thee!]
And Algren didn't even have any particular reason to be disgruntled today. He just figured that it was better to be prepared for any potential Fandom-being-Fandom moments by behaving as though he was the island's most cranky man well in advance.
"Today we're covering the last stage of culture shock. We've been amazed, confused, annoyed, frustrated, defeated, depressed, and hopelessly lost. It's about time we get around to actually coming to terms with the fact that we're here." No, he wasn't at this stage yet, himself. He wasn't planning on ever being at this stage himself if he could help it. "Reaching this stage doesn't mean that you've necessarily mastered the new culture. It simply means that you've accepted that you're here, and you're as comfortable as you're ever going to get. It's an acceptance of the fact that, though you might not understand everything, you really don't need to understand it all in order to be able to get by. You might not fall in love with your new surroundings, but you'll survive, and you know it."
He nodded at a random student in the room.
"You. Name one aspect of Fandom that you thought you were never going to overcome when you got here, that you've learned to deal with, since. For me, it would have to be the technology. I won't ever understand why everything from an oven to a toothbrush has to be electrical nowadays, but at least I've come to terms with the fact that it all seems to be."
Electrical toothbrushes. Honestly.
[OCD is
Re: Talk To Algren [06/12]
Re: Talk To Algren [06/12]
Re: Talk To Algren [06/12]
"Apology accepted," Algren replied, trying not to seem too terribly amused by the barrage of an apology that Merlin had just lobbed at him. "Would you mind telling me what exactly happened, there?"
Re: Talk To Algren [06/12]
Re: Talk To Algren [06/12]
"Considering it disrupted the flow of my class, I would really rather you did," he mused. "Although I'm certain you don't have to go into gory detail. I am just as aware of the effect the island was having on its inhabitants as everyone else, Merlin."
Re: Talk To Algren [06/12]
"She was--removing clothing. In front of Arthur." Merlin found a nice spot on the wall behind Algren to stare at as if it would get him out of this situation. "I understand that I was acting a bit--oddly." Possessive. The word was possessive.
"It won't happen again."
Even though she was a trollop.
Re: Talk To Algren [06/12]
Amused, and trying to figure out what to do about a TA who toyed with her shirt-straps in the classroom in front of other students.
Oh, he hated this bloody island.
"Thank you, Merlin."
Re: Talk To Algren [06/12]
Merlin took this time to flee the classroom like any sane student would.
Re: Talk To Algren [06/12]
Oh, students were fun.