Build Your Own Philosophy, Period 2, 3/8/10

[tyler_gone]

Our fathers were our models for God. And, if our fathers bailed, what does that tell us about God?

Unlike in most weeks, there's no attribution to go with the quote.

"So our theme of the week," Tyler said -- and if he seemed a little grumpy, it was the natural aftereffects of a weekend spent in diapers -- "is parental issues. How badly mommy and daddy screwed us up, and how badly we're going to screw up our own kids in turn."

"I don't need to hear about how your mommy never bought you the cool sandals, or whatever your actual issue is. I don't care if you never knew your parents. But one thing about building a philosophy is, you gotta live with it. And your children will be the most helpless beings you'll ever get to inflict your philosophy on."

"I admit, that's big. Most of you won't have to think about it -- not counting the weekend after prom -- for ten years. At least. Some of you won't have to think about it ever."

"But today, I'm asking you to think about it. Take some time and decide what you want to teach your kids. It can be a religion or the golden rule. It can be leading by example. It can be never quitting. And, statistically, for some of your kids it'll probably be what you teach them when you take off -- for divorce, for a job, because you die." A pause. "I hope you're all exceptions."

He gestured to spur the class into action. "Pair up and talk about it. If you can't talk about it, sit alone and write about it. If you don't want to talk or write, sit and stair at the ceiling."

"Also," he added as an afterthought. "Speaking from recent personal experience? Whatever else you decide today, find a philosophy that bans strained green beans. They taste like crap."

Comments

General Class Stuff [3/8]

[tyler_gone]

Chat, pass notes, take notes, wonder what the prof is on this week...

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah had that facepalmity feeling of post-weird-weekend going on, with extra thoughtfulness for having been yet *another* Dinah Lance.

...actually, this was really appropriate. Given Black Canary's interactions with Roy and Jaime and Karla.

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[trigons_child]

"Dinah?" Raven asked quietly. "Are you all right?" The squirrels notes had told her all about Dinah not being herself over the weekend.

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah rubbed at her face, then straightened. "Yeah, I'm fine. Nothing too bad this last crazy weekend." She sighed. "Actually, kind of familiar. You?" She smiled a little. "I heard your podcast from Saturday this morning. At least you weren't nuts like the rest of us."

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[trigons_child]

"I was fine," Raven said, nodding, "though concerned about what was happening to my friends. I am glad you are well now." She frowned a little, wondering if the people she'd spoken to Saturday had actually not been themselves or some other version of someone she knew. She should've realized something was wrong.

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Aside from some really awkward conversations I need to have, I'm fine." Actually, the one with Jaime was going to be the most awkward. Talking to Roy might be just mildly uncomfortable. And Hayley...

Yeah, not going there. Not yet.

She tilted her head at Raven's frown. "What're you thinking about?"

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[trigons_child]

"I am not certain," Raven said. "I spoke to Sam Saturday, and he seemed different, much more confident. And he tried to advise me about how to use my gifts. And he was in a white suit and really hot. And I met someone in the park, David, who resembled Professor Skywalker a great deal."

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Didn't run into any of them," Dinah admitted, then said, "Although I'm seriously wondering who the the girl in the ballgown with ADD was, on the boat out in the harbor... I wonder if that's still there?" She shook her head. "Was the guy who looked like Professor Skywalker a Jedi?"

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[trigons_child]

Raven shook her head. "No, but he had the ability to teleport," she said. "He called it 'jumping.' He was younger that Professor Skywalker, and his hair was not as nice different."

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Griff called his abilities 'jumping'; but that might be a coincidence, since well, obvious conclusion to 'jump' to, if you could teleport. "What I wish would happen with these weekends is a little warning." Dinah sighed. "Then again, I don't know that it would help, 'cause Layla's said stuff before, and you never get what it means 'til afterward. Context is everything."

She bit her lip, thinking of being Black Canary. Thinking of secret identities, and another Dinah Lance. "Did the radio notes say who I was?"

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[trigons_child]

Raven had been avoiding thinking too hard about that particular question, because the notes and seeing what Dinah had done in Baltimore made her come to conclusion she wasn't terribly happy about, but it made sense with what Dinah had hinted to her before. "They did," she said quietly.

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah kept herself from wincing with an effort, then very carefully said, "It might sound like an excuse. But I couldn't tell you the secrets of someone who's almost me, but not all the way. Especially since I don't agree with the decisions she made when she met you." She bit her lip. "I meant it, before. When I said they weren't fair to you."

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[trigons_child]

"You are not her," Raven said with a half-smile. "Not truly. An aspect...an aspect I like much better."

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[lovemykilt]

Priestly's head was way the hell down in class, today, but he figured he could at least get a start on working through some of what his asshole self had gotten up to.

He flicked a note in Dinah's direction.

I am SO sorry.

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah caught it, read it, then shook her head, scribbling fast.

SO not your fault! Island crazy, remember?

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[lovemykilt]

Priestly snorted softly. Was a smarmitron. SUCKS. Still sorry.

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah shook her head.

I know. Wanna recreate last year? In memory of other weirdness?

She might not sing 'boom di yadda' as loud, but it still might be fun.

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[lovemykilt]

Priestly thought about this. No froofy drinks. Ever again. Cheap beer and bad liquor = awesome

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah had to put her head down on the desk to conceal the giggling, then wrote back: Drinking with Jack, Jim and Jose'? That manly enough?

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[lovemykilt]

Not about manly, about not being a smarmitron.

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

That's a good word. But it's not you! Eddie G-for-Goofy, not Priestly!

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[lovemykilt]

Would rather been lost in a closet.

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah shot him a concerned look from her desk, and wrote: You okay? Seriously?

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[joan-notjane.livejournal.com]

Joan was grateful to have avoided most of the weird, though she was still freaked out by the past life chick.

She also wasn't sure how she felt about discussing this topic in a class with her boyfriend.

Re: General Class Stuff [3/8]

[onlysmokesnics.livejournal.com]

Hayley looked a lot worse for wear. Ignoring the fact she'd woken up in jail in an outfit even she thought was trashy, she had a bandage over her nose and a black eye and she was pretty sure some of her ribs were cracked.

It had not been a good weekend.