<@Grysar> [Date: Sunday May 2nd, 2004.] <@Grysar> [Defying earlier prediction, it looks like it's going to be quite nice today.] <@Grysar> [Satoshi, of your Maine friends, are there any that you've been particularly trying to get some time with before you seperate for the summer?] <@Grysar> [Start Q&A!] * @Satoshi is hanging with Liam and Grant. Possibly Joshua will show up later, 'cause that's how he do. At any rate, it's a nice day, and Satoshi's wearing a dark gray t-shirt and jeans, with his hair pulled back. He technically is studying because his geometry book is right there. So's Grant's. Okay, they're not *open*, but. They're there. * Grant is looking a little frazzled. One of his history classes apparently has been quite clear on the fact that there's a *lot* of history man, and you have to know the basics before you can get to any real scholarship. He distractedly tosses an apple and catches it one handed as he looks at the book. * Liam doesn't have a text book with him, just his binder of notes. It both has seperator tabs, using primary colors, but when you let him focus for a few minutes in a row, he's also been adding day-glo half inch long sticker tabs to the top and bottom to allow for proper cross-referencing in some system knowable only to himself. * @Satoshi has long since given up on understanding the Liam Gavin Campbell System of Arcane Cross-Referencing. He lets out a breath. "So I'm feeling better about finals this semester." * Grant snorts but doesn't comment. You change, or your classes change? * @Satoshi reaches for his geometry book. "Both? I mean, I've had almost a year here now and I feel like I'm starting to get the hang of things. Also no Chemistry this semester. Next year, though... it's going to be a *lot* of reading. And writing." * Liam nods, "I recommend figuring out what time of day your retention is best. Readings can be a form of training." Also, study partners aren't helpful in all fields. * Liam raises an eyebrow but doesn't comment. * @Satoshi grins. "Oh?" Well, two don't really read any faster than one. Sometimes much slower-- * Liam ducks a flying apple. * @Satoshi laughs. "I'll keep that in mind." So, what are you most looking forward to when you get home? * @Satoshi smiles. "Oh, that's easy. Seeing my friends." He pauses for a moment. "And then food." * Liam retrieves the apple, polishes it with his shirt, and then tosses it back to Grant. "For me, the feel of home is just a bit different. The forest, the islands and the sea. We're more inland, so that's part of it." * Liam gestures around to the campus as he says that last bit. <@Satoshi> The Pacific Northwest does sound really nice. <@Satoshi> Maybe I can come visit someday. * Grant nods. "That and his strength slowly drains when he's not touching Canadian soil." * Liam nods eagerly. "You have to come. You'd love it. Maybe you could stop on your way when flying to or fro sometime. We'd... I'd definitely find a way to put you up." * @Satoshi laughs. And then smiles. "That'd be nice. Probably not this year, but..." He sighs. "I know it's a longshot but if you guys ever ended up in Japan for some reason..." Canuck tickets come with the offer? My brother's firm actually has a set of terrific seats. He doesn't really use them but sometimes passes them on. <@Grysar> * They both look over and ponder that invitation. <@Satoshi> Well, you'd definitely have a place to stay in Tokyo. That could be a lot of fun, are there like any tricks to buying tickets a year in advance or something? And thank you for the invitation. * Grant nods in agreement. * @Satoshi looks at Grant. "Well, it's also only fair given that your entire family is insisting you bring us for Thanksgiving this year." He grins again. * Grant grins, "Have to make sure the guests of our nation truly enjoy its hospitality." * Liam nods, "Thanks for that, it's not even Thanksgiving back home, so nothing special to return for." <@Satoshi> Hey, we don't even *have* Thanksgiving. * Grant just shakes his head. They don't even know it's Thanksgiving. So what's your favorite Japanese holiday then? * @Satoshi thinks for a moment. "New Year's, maybe? Start everything fresh and clean." <@Satoshi> I know you guys have New Year's, but you don't have shrine visits, and I kind of like those. * Liam nods, "New Year's his fine, but it suffers a bit in Christmas's shadow. The focus is much more on the night before." * @Satoshi stretches. "See, Christmas is way more a couples' holiday in Japan. Also, man, KFC scored the biggest marketing coup *ever*." * Grant hmms... "I guess if I do come, I could then hit South Korea, wait, what?" * Liam hmms. "I think we had some odd custom requests at the teahouse along those lines." * @Satoshi nods. "Yep. Japan's KFC has convinced everyone that fried chicken is *the* big traditional American Christmas dinner. And, well, I'm sure that there are some families where it's true. But not the entire United States." * Grant laughs. "We've got some holidays like that, but not Christmas man." * Liam ponders a bit. "So, is there any Christianity in the celebration? Or is it a secular chicken eating day?" <@Satoshi> Hmm, I mean, some people probably go to church, but mostly secular chicken day. And presents. And really pretty light displays. * Grant hmms. <@Ardweden> [Right about now, Joshua comes walking by, wearing half-tied sneakers, sweatpants, and a next to destroyed t-shirt with a ghostbusters logo on it. He's super scruffy, even for him. It looks like he hasn't showered in days.] <@Ardweden> [He's eating small round candies out of a bag. M&M's or Skittles or something like that.] * @Satoshi waves. "Hey! Joshua!" <@Grysar> * Grant and Liam wave as well. <@Ardweden> [He stops. Looks over. Half-raises a hand. Changes course. Keeps eating candy.] <@Ardweden> [And before long Joshua is with you. "Hey guys," he says.] <@Satoshi> Hey. Finals look like they're treating you pretty rough. <@Ardweden> [Joshua grunts, then yawns. "Got some sleep last night," he manages, before sitting heavily down on the bench. "Two hours. Probably shouldn't take a break, but."] * Liam looks between Grant and Joshua. You gotta, man. Trying to be on 100% of the time will just burn you out. <@Ardweden> ["Don't say that you got eight hours of sleep, Campbell," Joshua growls, reading Liam's expression. Who knew that he could do that. "I swear to god, I will *murder* you."] Well-- No one ask you about your productivity theories either, Campbell. * @Satoshi bites his lip to keep from laughing. He mostly succeeds. "So, um, Joshua, I actually have a question for you." * Liam glances back and forth again, "On that note, I should be going. Show them what we're made of." <@Ardweden> ["Hm?" Joshua holds out the bag to Satoshi and Grant (and Liam, if he sticks around - really it's towards the middle of the table). "Candy?"] * @Satoshi reaches in and takes some. "Thanks! Anyway, uh... what, exactly, are you majoring in?" <@Ardweden> [It's a clear plastic bag with what looks like M&M's, Reese's Pieces, and Skittles.] * Liam is out! He's used his time dedicated to social revitalization for the day. * @Satoshi distractedly waves to Liam as he heads out. <@Ardweden> ["CS," Joshua answers easily. Which may or may not make sense to Satoshi.] * @Satoshi thinks. "That's... that's computer science, right? Okay, yeah, Paul's got some friends who do and he says they've pretty much been living in the labs. Or not coming out of their rooms." <@Ardweden> ["Pretty much how it goes. Final projects are due, got tests too..." Joshua scratches at unkempt hair. "Just how it is." He puts more candy in his mouth.] * @Satoshi sighs and looks at his geometry book. "Yeah, maybe we should be getting back to this?" He glances at Grant. * Grant looks over at Joshua, "Yeah, I suppose." <@Ardweden> [Joshua looks over at the book. He squints, reading the title. "That your last math class?"] <@Grysar> I might do some statistics later. Depends on what track I pick. * @Satoshi shakes his head. "Nah, I've got one more semester." <@Ardweden> ["Cool. And the first stats class is rough. Lemme know if you guys need help with any of that." Joshua stands, stretching, popping some joints in the process. "I've tutored some."] * Grant smiles, a little relieved. "I'd like that." * @Satoshi nods. "Yeah, thanks." He blinks. "I mean, I'm not sure I'm going to end up taking that, but I appreciate the possible offer." <@Ardweden> ["Never know," Joshua says with a smile. He stretches again, then hops a bit in place. "Okay. Gonna get back to it."] * @Satoshi waves. "Good luck!" <@Ardweden> ["Thanks, you too!" And he leaves in the direction he was heading before.] * Grant snags a couple small circular candies before calling out, "Joshua!" <@Ardweden> [He stops a distance away and looks over at Grant. "Yeah?!"] * Grant properly seals up and then tosses the bag. "Can't have you face planting in the lab for lack of stimulants." <@Ardweden> [Joshua catches it and laughs, giving a thumbs up. Then hurries off to the lab.] * @Satoshi takes a deep breath. "Well. Those angles aren't going to find themselves." <@Grysar> [So Grant and Satoshi get to work finding them!] <@Grysar> [End!]