never would it be night but always clear day

Hey, I'm Elliot Oak. I'm twenty-six, and chances are I've got you in one of my classes. You've most likely seen my cousin Garrett around campus—he's kind of hard to miss.

[meredith-ketchum]

Okay, Winter Weather

[elliot-oak]

That will be very handy, thank you! And I also appreciate your thoughtfulness. Nobody wants bad news… Haha, there have been a few of those dark moments, but not enough to commit yet. Nah, it could be far worse.

Well, I think you’re making improvements! You remembered to get everyone’s gifts this year at the holiday gathering. If that’s not planning ahead, I don’t know what is. Hmm, well definitely a few with a Professor Oak that I’m looking forward to! What about you, looking forward to any classes in particular?

You’re very welcome! Nobody does, I figured it’d just be adding insult to injury. Good! Hopefully it’ll warm up soon.

Really? You think--thanks! That was a first, I suppose. That’s always good to hear, especially considering you’re one of my hardest-working students. Oh, well, physiology is always one of my favorites. I also enjoy all of my travel courses, it’s interesting to see how students do when faced with challenges that aren’t necessarily of the battling variety.

[meredith-ketchum]

Okay, Winter Weather

[elliot-oak]

Oh please keep me up to date on their answers. I’m desperate for a silver lining. Ah, good to hear that it’s improved a bit at least. Although, it always depends on the night.

That’s good to hear! I’m sure that’ll end up paying off nicely for you. I’m doing– well! Break was pretty great, all things considered. And now I’m just looking forward to a fresh new term!

I’ll stick a whiteboard outside of my office and write down the forecast for the week. Unless it’s grim, no one wants bad news of cold weather flashing in their face every day. So long as you don’t feel the need to buy your own space heater, you should be good.

Here’s to hoping! I’ve never been able to get the whole ‘plan ahead’ thing to work. That’s good to hear! Taking any particularly interesting classes?

[meredith-ketchum]

Okay, Winter Weather

[elliot-oak]

It certainly does. Oh, yes, most of the time. As long as I have an extra blanket and a good pair of socks at night, I’m golden.

How are you, Professor?

I’m checking with Xatu and Absol at least twice a day to see if they feel like predicting any warmer weather in the near future. Good, I remember when I studied here, we’d occasionally have bouts of, ah, brisk indoor weather.

I’m doing well, all things considered. Trying to prepare lesson plans in advance, so we’ll see how that goes. How are you, Meredith? Did you have a pleasant break?

[meredith-ketchum]

Okay, Winter Weather

Christmas is over… Your services are no longer required.

[elliot-oak]

It always seems to overstay it’s welcome.

Are they at least keeping the dorms at a livable temperature?

[elliot-oak]

Hm...

[elliot-oak]

Well– little plastic cards never were the best invention for something that’s supposed to be important. I wouldn’t blame yourself.

Yeah, I’m sure it will. Have– you been having a good term so far, Professor?

Nope, I feel like they could have done much better.

Me? I suppose I have. Nothing unusual has happened recently--fingers crossed--so I’ve been great. You? How are classes going?

[elliot-oak]

Hm...

[elliot-oak]

Oh…. dear. Um…

Well, while Houndoom is on the search, let’s– start with your books. Which ones have you been reading? …Or is the better question which ones haven’t–you been reading…?

Ask me to remember a twenty-character password and I can do that no problem, but hold onto a little plastic card? It’s madness.

Haven’t is probably the better question. It’ll show up eventually though, you don’t need to worry yourself, Meredith.

[elliot-oak]

Hm...

[elliot-oak]

meredith-ketchum

Where was the last place you had it?

 Well, I needed it to scan into the library earlier this morning. Other than that, though, it could be anywhere on the road from my apartment to the library, or the library to the labs, or the labs to this tree that Ringo likes to climb, or possibly in one of my books...

I have Houndoom on the trail now. We’ll have this figured out in no time. Or at least until I have to purchase a new one.

[elliot-oak]

Hm...

I seemed to have misplaced my ID...

[joshbrynes]

Even during the Summer

[elliot-oak]

joshbrynes

It’s pretty interesting I think. Though I have read a few books just about the basics of flying ships in space and their mechanics. They’re pretty interesting. Yeah, I do actually, back in Mistralton. 

You almost have to plan for it in advance just to make sure.

If you ever want to share some or borrow some, let me know. My office is a miniature library. Ah, that makes sense. You all are well known for air-travel.

I’d say it’s best to make it a Friday night, but people always seem to have plans then.

[joshbrynes]

Even during the Summer

[elliot-oak]

joshbrynes

I can’t say I like any particular writer, though that sounds pretty interesting. I like to read about planes and flying. It’s what I used to do at home.  

I definitely can’t argue. The day after is usually pretty brutal, but sometimes it’s worth it

It is! Really? Huh, now that sounds interesting. I went through a phase where the only physics I studied involved space travel in some way, shape, or form. It was highly informative, though a little too specific to be of any use to me now. Did you fly your own planes, then?

So long as you don’t have anything big planned for the day after, you’re in the clear.

[joshbrynes]

Even during the Summer

[elliot-oak]

joshbrynes

I don’t think I had any teachers that cruel. These are just books I’m reading for fun I guess.  

Those are the only two things you need. Those days are usually the most productive.

Those are the best kinds of books! What do you like to read? I’ve become quite partial to existential writers from the last century, they’re much less post-modern and nihilistic than who we have now.

Indeed. They’re my favorite--but the fallout is usually the worst.

[joshbrynes]

Even during the Summer

[elliot-oak]

joshbrynes

Yeah, I have a pile of books in my room I need to read before classes start. It’s practically mocking me.

At least we still have a little time left to get something done.

For fun, or for classes? I don’t remember assigning any for mine. I wouldn’t be that cruel, unless someone wanted suggestions.

Too true, and you can get a lot done in a day with no distractions and an ample supple of coffee.

[joshbrynes]

Even during the Summer

[elliot-oak]

joshbrynes:

I swear there aren’t enough hours in the day

 Tell me about it.

I haven’t even started lesson plans.

[elliot-oak]

Elliot’s Jams

Futile Devices - Sufjan Stevens

King of Spain - The Tallest Man On Earth

Words - Gregory Alan Isakov

You Are Your Mother’s Child - Conor Oberst

Plasticities - Andrew Bird

Ode To Sleep - 21 Pilots

Too Much - Sufjan Stevens

DNA Bank - Freelance Whales

To Build A Home - The Cinematic Orchestra

Where Is My Mind? - The Pixies

Wrapped Up In Books - Belle & Sebastian

Threnody - Goldmund

Everything in its Right Place - Radiohead

Childhood’s End - Majical Cloudz

Brainy - The National

[officer-elena-jenny-blog]

Social media will be the death of me

[officer-elena-jenny-blog]

Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle with him. Something tells me the “scared straight” approach wouldn’t work too well with Garrett.

As long as they don’t come back for a reunion and fuck shit up, I can live with that.

[elliot-oak]

He would just get more defiant, I’m sure. Although it might be funny to watch.

Reunions are usually just for people to brag about their new jobs or cars or spouses, they’ll probably be too busy with that to worry about demolishing any buildings.

[vincent-razzo]

Well then!

[vincent-razzo]

Well, that I blame myself for. After all, your nephew and my cousin’s son were equally involved in concocting this foolish party. Whoever started the fire has something against one or both of them. It’s gotten ridiculously out of hand if you ask me. Joking is the only way I can cope with it all until I find more answers.

[elliot-oak]

Maybe this will get them to stop throwing all these parties. Well, hopefully the Jennies can get to the bottom of all this.

[officer-elena-jenny-blog]

Social media will be the death of me

[officer-elena-jenny-blog]

That’d be something.

At the end of the day, we’re all dealing with kids who think they know better than us.

[elliot-oak]

Yeah... that whole interrogation thing might be more your speed.

They’ll realize their mistakes in a few years. Maybe two. Maybe ten.