| the chronic argonaut investigates. |
[02 Nov 2009|04:38pm] |
[LOCKED TO: Jacqueline Frost, James Snopek II, and Xandros.]
Hello, students. I am "covering all my bases", as it were. I seem to have inherited some adaptations involving manipulation of water particles, and all three of your names appear on a faculty search for powers of that nature. Would you be so kind as to describe your abilities to me? I find myself uncertain as to whether the ice-manipulators can affect water as well.
Much obliged,
T.F.R.
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| the chronic argonauts learns this cultural tradition. |
[28 Oct 2009|01:43pm] |
Back in my day -- and I'm well aware how that makes me sound like an old codger -- this practice of "Halloween" had not developed itself fully. I hear that its current incarnation is heavily due to the American cultural influence. To the contrary, our All Saints' Day and All Souls' Eve observations consisted of some apple snap games, religious silences, and children going 'souling' for soul cakes:
A soul, a soul, a soul cake.
Please good missus a soul cake.
An apple, a pear, a plum or a cherry,
Any good thing to make us merry.
Up with your kettles and down with your pans
Give us an answer and we'll be gone
Little Jack, Jack sat on his gate
Crying for butter to butter his cake
One for St. Peter, two for St. Paul,
Three for the man who made us all.
So suffice it to say, I find myself rather bemused by this new tradition of indecent faintly scandalous costumes and alcohol, though I vaguely recognise the door-to-door aspect of trick-or-treating -- though it was merely known as begging or souling. How, exactly, is Halloween observed today, if I may ask the populace? Is it safe for children to go out alone? Does everyone distribute candies? If dissatisfied, how does one conduct a 'trick'? Is it common? These practices of 'egging' and 'toilet papering' -- do they constitute an urban myth, or do they actually happen? Ought I to protect my apartment?
Do teachers dress up in Friday?
Regardless, for students in my "ABCs of Culture Shock: Assimilating, Blending In, and Coping" course, I do encourage you all to come to Friday's class in your Halloween costumes, as clothing is an integral part of cultural assimilation. We will follow it up with an exercise in disguises next week.
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| the chronic argonaut moves with the times. |
[26 Jul 2009|04:16pm] |
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After extensive conversations with multiple teachers and students over the past two months, I have gathered that having a personal computer is invaluable for research and communication. I must admit that the small portable devices aren't entirely to my liking, and that unfortunately, a clockwork messenger may only move so quickly before winding down. Therefore, I have taken the opportunity to remedy this.
My sincerest thanks go to Ms. Matthews and Ms. Marsh and your programming teacher. With the assembled experience of all of the above, I was able to put my blueprints to use over the weekend. One may consider custom modifications to be an outside hobby of mine; this is merely an aesthetic outer casing for what is, essentially, still a modern "laptop". But the aestheticism appeals to me and I find myself at home with this device. It has been optimised for the calculations that I tend to employ, and as a quaint added bonus, requires the the turning of a winding key to power on.
I have attached some photographs of the end product, if any students are curious.
( Other photographs. )
For students in either of my classes, please recall that next week will be another practical assignment for both groups. Those in "Exploration, Escapology, and Social Anthropology" will have to practice the art of escaping from entanglement and confinement, using the rope slip techniques I have taught you. Similarly, those in "Professional Spelunking" will need to extricate themselves from a pit with nothing but their original equipment. I will send another reminder when the day approaches.
( PRIVATE TO PATIENCE LETHBRIDGE. )
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| the chronic argonaut is vaguely horrified. |
[22 Jul 2009|11:27pm] |
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I beg to query, why is there a sudden influx of eerily stony-faced animatronic infants in the school?
On a less terrifying note: are there any students with an aptitude for hardware upgrades and modifications for personal computers? I require some aid.
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| the chronic argonaut assigns. |
[14 Jun 2009|11:32pm] |
[OOC: These aren't emails or locks! It's just a simple public entry. Because Renfield is modern technoretarded.]
Dear students in Exploration, Escapology, and Social Anthropology.
Please recall that your mini-essays are due by the end of this Friday. The assignment description follows, in the event that any of you have misplaced your paper copies:
A broad-minded understanding of other societies and their cultural practices is imperative for successful escape in foreign climes. Please locate a person/being/entity from a markedly different culture and write five hundred (500) words on a queer socio-cultural practice of theirs. Other countries or planets acceptable. Magic or gothic cultures encouraged, such as trolls, mermaids, demons, Atlanteans, et cetera.
The same consulting source may be used by several students, as long as each of you summarises a different custom.
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Dear students in Professional Spelunking: Exploring Caves & Caverns.
Your caving gear has arrived from the specialists at Core Incorporations. Please stop by my office any time between 1 and 5pm, from Monday to Wednesday, to retrieve your equipment and to be properly fitted with your new clothing.
The field trip I mentioned earlier has been scheduled for next Monday. Please pack reasonable food and supplies as outlined in the second week. We will have a picnic if the conditions inside the cave permit.
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My acclimatisation to this time has been going very well, and I find myself enjoying the teaching more than expected. I am, as always, available for consultation or questions.
Yours,
T.F.R.
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| PROFILE. |
[15 Mar 2009|01:19pm] |
"The past is but the beginning of a beginning, and all that is or has been is but the twilight of the dawn."
H.G. Wells, ( —The Discovery of the Future. 1901. )
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