Phyllis Sidheuaine

We awoke to some excitement around 4 this morning (luckily none of us were involved.)

There was a four-alarm fire not that far away from us (an entire block was closed off due to it) and the building was destroyed. Four businesses are gone, including an "icon", along with several apartments (luckily nobody was physically hurt.) Alas, the politicians are now posturing, accusing each other for the fact that the fire got as bad as it did. I just want to "flip 'em all off".

Yogi's sleeping right now (the stuff the docs gave him for his allergy has pretty much knocked him out, complicated by the excitement this morning of fire trucks passing by.) He's got living weights pinning him, too.

Ah, gotta go. Several girls from the all-girl Catholic high school are causing trouble. The Mother Superior's going to get an irate call from me.

Phyllis Sidheuaine

Phyllis Sidheuaine

Asami caused a bit of a disturbance today in his business class. I guess the professor asked for it, though.

You see, Asami has real world experience in running a successful business (both legitimate and, um, "questionable".) The professor was presenting his personal "theory" on what makes a business successful which Asami politely called into question. The professor asked what the yakuza boss knew about running a business and Asami answered that he has several successful businesses that remained successful throughout the economic turmoil in Japan.

From what I understand, FeiLong covered his mouth to hide a chuckle since he has knowledge about a few of the "questionable" businesses along with many of the legitimate businesses. Kei and Suoh sat like statues, waiting for the possibility of violence from their boss, yet Asami just explained calmly and respectfully what he thought were the problems with the professor's "pet theory" of economics (which, from what I understand, is "Tailor your audience's desires to your product, not the other way around.")

"Sensei, if that worked, then Iceland would still have a McDonald's. The requirement of importing the ingredients from the European continent made the products too expensive for the population, especially so soon after the national bank had actually gone under. If the corporation had kept the costs down by letting the country use some native ingredients for their restaurant's menu, more people might have been able to trade what little money they had for a quick meal outside of the house."

Asami had the attention of everybody in the classroom with that example. One of the students asked why he felt that way and Asami replied that, as the owner of several successful clubs in Japan, he understands the need to tailor the product to the client. A patron closer to the student's age would be more comfortable in his dance club than in Club Sion, which is tailored more towards an older clientele. And, if the client wanted to take his family out for the evening, there was a club for that, too.

By this time, Asami was teaching the class. The professor got angry and threw him out, but most of the students followed the suits. Unfortunately, the class is a requirement for a business degree. Anyway, I got a call and had to go down there to straighten out the mess (that prof owes me big time for transportation and several other things.)

I found the class in the student union discussing one of my "clan"'s marketing strategies with FeiLong and Kei (the fundraisers, which most of the kids had heard about) as well as other ideas. Asami was talking with a young lady about her desire to open a fashion boutique, which he suggested that she first figure out who her clients would be.

"It's best to be somewhat exclusive, but not too exclusive or you won't be able to pay the necessary bills to your landlord, the utility company, the bank and your suppliers. You need to understand who you are dealing with, not just your clients, but also your employees, your landlord, the person who holds your business loan, everybody you deal with. Once an unscrupulous person has his claws in you, he won't let go willingly, and it's your name that will be attached to everything associated with your business."

Oops, gotta go. Emergency. To be continued.

Phyllis Sidheuaine

Phyllis Sidheuaine

There's going to be a new professor for the business class. No, it's not going to be anybody from my "clan" but it won't be the reject from yesterday.

FeiLong got a note from Tao's school, asking him if he'd allow the youth to enter the AP program. I explained that Tao could be considered to be similar to the marksman in a class filled with those who never even held a gun before and the teacher is offering him a chance to learn elementary gunsmithing. The Baishe leader was beaming with pride (very much against his culture and training.) I think we might see more of the boy on campus. Might have to let campus security know the young man is to be allowed into our "lunchroom" due to his classes.

The only subject Tao's behind in is English, but I think he'll be wonting assistance (probably inundated with tutors.) Several female students on campus would like to help both the father and son (the father in more ways than one, I guess. )

Uh, oh. I'll be right back.

We had a quick visit from the former business professor. I was a naughty little girl, calling him "Canceled section" ("No Class!") Ah, the old Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids show. . . Taught me several euphemisms for "no class" that I use occasionally. I wonder if any of the guys have taken notes.

Oh, well. Gotta go to class. *open "questionable" singing* Put on your daaaan-ciiing shoooes. *close "questionable" singing*

Phyllis Sidheuaine

Phyllis Sidheuaine

Some of the guys are taking dance classes through the sports and recreation department (Takaba's taking belly dancing [much to Asami's perverse delight] as is Clare [she's making the instructor nervous due to how scrawny she is {just this side of skeletal} but she's healthier than pretty much anybody on campus].) She's working on an idea for her dance costume to give the illusion of a bit more meat on her bones.

Clare's also helping the karate instructors teach their classes (she's black belt and can spar either playfully or like she really means it [took down someone who was following her with "questionable" motives on his mind {disarmed him, nearly dis-arming him, as in removing his arm, knife and all, without drawing her claymore}].) Asami, Kei, Suoh, FeiLong, Hirato, Yogi and a few others were about to come to her rescue until they saw her pulling the assailant's arm out of its socket, ready to pull further. She's signed up for dance classes to compensate for the fact she's never just danced socially, so she's taking disco, ballroom, hip hop/club and belly dancing in sports and recreation.

Ryogo's toned down his teasing of Clare after witnessing what she's capable of doing (he's still cringing.) He's still friendly towards her, but he's a tad afraid of her and what she's capable of. Clare's done something that not even Shigure's done! Now, if she can only do that to Keigo. . . .

Anyway, getting back to those of us taking belly dancing, we've been invited to present the last Saturday evening of February, hopefully with our costumes all sewn and such. I might do mine in red and black, but that's still up in the air (as is whether or not I'll be able to take the class due to a few physical things.) Oh, well.

Ah, gotta go. :kitty: time.

Phyllis Sidheuaine

Phyllis Sidheuaine

Today was the first day of class with the new business professor. He introduced himself, then asked for the so-called "disruptive student" to reciprocate. Turned out that the professor just wanted to chat after class if Asami had some spare time.

One of my former professors has several new students (you guessed it - from my "clan".) By the time we're finished with him, he'll be "too multi-cultured" and "too broke". We have invited him to spend some time in our "lunchroom", though (all he has to bring is his lunch, we'll supply the rest.) Can't wait to see if he accepts the offer. I mean, he has studied Russian Mafiya, now he can talk with both yakuza and triad.

Oops, gotta go. A new :kitty: moved in, and she's quite gravid.

Phyllis Sidheuaine

Phyllis Sidheuaine

Another litter in the cattery. Had to keep most of the ailurophiles away (Nekoyashiki's set up temporary "housing" to prevent any humanoid incursion until the new mother says something to the contrary.)

The deejays who interviewed Yuki, FeiLong, and a few other members asked us if we're going to have another fundraiser for Children's Hospital. Their reply (albeit cleaned up a bit): "FOOK YEAH!" Everybody's already working out a rough sketch of what's going to be going on along with who's doing what/what's being served/etc.

We're also getting ready for the Stamp Out Hunger "program" (where the postal workers pick up food donations to help the food pantries help those who would otherwise go hungry.) Found out that Yuki's little boy is the "donor poster child" at the local post offices and he might be again (although he isn't as small as he was last year, as a lot of you grand/parents know firsthand with your own offspring.)

Belinda's having a bit of difficulty with her "P.E." teacher at school ("The girl's not performing up to standard." "She had a fooking stroke last year! She could've died!") Anyway, Yuki's contacted her doctors and physical therapists to see if they could get her out of that class and back with Children's for that period. Perhaps they can get some of her classmates to join in her exercise period.

Oops, gotta go. Looks like Suoh's about to throw somebody out the front way (luckily for the "throwee", Suoh asked Tao to hold the door open.)

Phyllis Sidheuaine

Phyllis Sidheuaine

Found out why Suoh tossed that one person out the front door last night. Seems he takes his duties as a body-/security guard rather seriously and the "tossee" was following one of the girls from the vets' group, then changed over to Shouko when she was spotted. The "tossee" should be grateful that Suoh didn't use him as a pile driver before throwing him out the door (and that the big man asked Tao to open the door first, especially since the front entrance is glass. ) Now none of the females are allowed to go anywhere without a male escort ("Old Man"'s orders.)

Tsukishima, Kuroda, and Seya are kinda happy that they can carry their swords for a good reason. I wish they could've seen what Clare did to the guy she took down at school (oh, he's recuperating nicely from nearly being torn limb from limb, and she's gonna have to undergo "anger management" classes.)

Ah, gotta go. Another pig-out (I was asked to make fried tofu for the kitsunes.)

Phyllis Sidheuaine

Phyllis Sidheuaine

My guys have set up something interesting (with the blessings of many official agencies): a winter storm rescue "team" with Daiba coordinating all rescue efforts from his "cave". The snow spirits are enjoying the storm immensely but know that they have to make way for the rescue teams if they're called out. I might suggest that they be included in any rescue efforts since this is their element.

The "quadrupedal" wanzer has already gone out several times (left the missile launcher behind for safety reasons) with two doctors and rescue equipment (a$$hats disregarding the snow/ice situation and driving the speed limit for good weather. ) I don't believe there were any fatalities, but that's beside the point. Good thing that the crashes were early in the storm because with an expected foot of snow by the end of it all. . .

Gotta go. Refueling stop at the grocery store.

Phyllis Sidheuaine

Phyllis Sidheuaine

We had some minor indirect excitement this morning: an earthquake.

Yes, you heard me correctly, an earthquake. The epicenter was about 7 miles west of Elgin, Illinois, but we felt a slight tremor here. Crazy, eh? Add to that the fact most of my "clan" are from Japan. . . it was, um, interesting.

Chii has a message for [member] (translation follows): please post something here. I miss you.

Ah, gotta go. A couple of guys found a cedar plank that I was given, and they want to try it out.

Phyllis Sidheuaine

Phyllis Sidheuaine

YouTube - Jimmy Buffett: Cheeseburger in Paradise

We had a real feast yesterday (cedar-baked salmon, cheeseburgers/cheese"burgers", fried tofu, etc.) Before you ask, it was because we had to do a "clean out the refrigerator" feast before we get the "care package" for Chinese New Year from America's friend/colleague. Yoh wants to invite her family to our celebration (as a "thank you" for all of their help when he first arrived.) Later today we're going to a fundraiser/meet-n-greet breakfast with the deejay who participated in our fundraiser for the Hunger Task Force and Humane Society (Suoh's debating about showing her how much Tiger Lily's grown.)

Al found himself in an "interesting" situation yesterday. One of the students from the Catholic high school accused him of following her home (don't worry - he had plenty of witnesses that he was elsewhere and not from "the clan", but from his class.) Anyway, after a long lecture from both the police officers and the Mother Superior, the girl was escorted to the police station for filing a false police report and Al received a heartfelt apology from the Mother Superior for all of the trouble he had undergone. Anyway, Al will chat with her after Mass Sunday.

Ah, Chii's still waiting for a hello from [member], her cute eyes staring at the computer screen, so, won't you just do a "drive-by" [member]? Make her happy.

Oops, gotta go. A neighbor's causing trouble with Clare, and her eyes are an interesting gold. The guys refuse to step in (smart men!)

Phyllis Sidheuaine