The X-Project

So after last weekend's fun, the Professor got in touch with some emergency relief folks what work in Manhattan, and they're having sort of a training symposium thing this weekend. What with the work you guys did in dealing with the mudslide, it got decided that you're all attending this as a group. Jono Starsmore's agreed to chaperone you all into the city, he'll be leaving with the van this afternoon. You guys are going to be staying at a hotel tonight, since the training stuff is starting early Saturday morning.

Betto, you're excused until Doc Voght clears you from your chicken pox.

Meggan, the Professor's said you're more than welcome to come along and get acquainted with the program.

The rest of you - behave yourselves and remember to learn something.

Anyone who wants, there's going to be a fish fry out back around dinnertime tonight. Fried, grilled, barbecued, me and Dani went down and picked up a bunch at the local market this morning. Anyone who feels like helping out can come meet us out back - but anyone who tries tossing those little marshmallow birds on my nice clean grill is taking a swim, if you get the drift.

As some of you might have noticed, we're starting to have fall weather here. The National Weather Service is saying we should be getting heavy rains starting this weekend, and those of you who've been here for a while know that means it's time to put up the storm windows.

And yes, for those of you who have counted, there are over one hundred windows in this house, although not all will need the storm shutters put on. Starting this afternoon and working until we're done - which (weather permitting) should be Friday afternoon - I'll be needing volunteers for a work crew.

No, you may not volunteer for a time you have class, Gibney.

Yes, Miss Amaquelin, you've already been volunteered.

As usual, folks who volunteer to help out get a few hours of extra credit from participating teachers, and get to come along to the Mr. Marko-sponsored pizza feast this weekend.

See me or drop a note in my box if you're interested in helping out.

Specifically you younger folks - this "news" is a program on the television that lets people know what's going on in the world. Some of us old farts actually read it in a print form called a "newspaper", but that's because we're apparently old and behind the times.

But for those of you who were paying attention this morning, you might have noticed a lot of talk about what happened in San Diego last month. While there's still a lot of blood drives and relief stuff going on - and believe me, it is, even if the news isn't covering it - what you're going to see in the next few days is going to probably have a lot of people talking.

This morning, Magneto made a statement taking responsibility for the earthquake. For those of you who weren't there, that's the truth. And just like that mess at Liberty Island a few years back, this is going to get people all heated up about mutants. Only probably more so.

Some of you might hear people talking when you leave here. Some of you who're more open about what you are might get some harsh reactions from people. All I can say is this: don't be stupid.

No, I can probably say a bit more than that. You all know that I'm technically old enough to eat off the seniors' menu at Denny's, and while that's kind of a joke to folks, this is where it comes in a little handy. See, when I was younger than most of you, we had this thing going on called World War II. And I was only a toddler when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, but I grew up seeing how they got treated afterwards - because people were stupid. Something like that, it took years to get fixed. I'd like to think people are smarter now, but there's always going to be that loud bunch that ain't.

Don't be part of that loud bunch, from either end. People might try and tell you what happened in San Diego is something you're responsible for, or you ought to pay for. You're not, and it ain't.

But it might be wise the next few days to take things a little more cautious. Because there's people out there who'll probably be itching for a fight. And trust me, you don't need to give it to them.

All right, children. Some of you have parents visiting today and tomorrow. Some are even staying for the graduation ceremony Saturday morning. So for the next 48 hours or so, let's make sure everyone's on what passes for good behavior.

I know it's tradition to be going out and doing stupid things for the end of the school year, but let me be the first to reiterate the official zero tolerance policy for fooling around with stuff you shouldn't. No one wants another check for contraband, and this time I might just draft Logan into it. And if you thought Headmaster Summers was hard to deal with...

For those of you who're staying over the summer, graduated or not, and you want something to occupy your time with; see me after graduation on Saturday. I'll have some projects that can keep folks busy through the summer.

Standard common sense stuff still applies even when class is out. If you're going to go swimming in the lake, take a buddy who can swim. Don't go swimming after dark, and don't go poking around the boathouse making a ruckus unless you want to see if Mr. Dayspring can throw you across the lake. The canoes have been moved over to the tool shed, see me if you want to take one out on the lake. Yes, there is a good fishing spot on the north side. No, I won't tell you where it is. It's mine.

You kids survived another year. Someone should make a cake.

Well, seeing as the past few days have been more than a bit blustery and today we've actually got some sun for a change, there's a lot of outdoor work that needs doing.

This is going to be volunteer work - mowing of the lawns, helping make minor repairs, cleaning out the fountains, that kind of thing. Anyone who volunteers gets the usual invite to Mr. Marko's back porch barbecue. Anyone who's hanging around where they're not particularly supposed to be, especially bothering some of our doctors or folks in that area may find themselves volunteered for the stables.

Anyone who's got a pollen allergy, there are masks in the tool shed. If you have any questions about what work needs to be done, find Jamie, he has the list.

If you kids (or adults - GUTHRIE!) have powers that do any of the following:
-make noise louder than the average TV set
-make any kind of fire, plasma, or anything else inherently property-destructive
-warp reality in any way
-leave behind scorch marks, slime, or other debris

CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF!

Or use them outside. After having to replace a good chunk of burned carpet this afternoon, it should go without saying that I ain't happy.

All right. Some of you little monsters may have noticed that it's spring again around here. That means everything's nice and green, and it's also nice and growing. Which in turn means there's a couple hundred acres of lawn out front and back that need mowing. Since at last count we have a wolf, a cat, a dragon and now a monkey as part of the student body but no cows or other large herbivores, this in turn means that some of you will need to become acquainted with the mowers.

Sunday is Lawn Care Day, for those so inclined to volunteer or those less inclined, to become volunteered. There's two ride-on mowers, don't bother volunteering for those if you're under fifteen. There are also six gas-powered push mowers, and one old-fashioned ribbon-wheel push mower for around the flowerbeds. The more volunteers I get, the quicker it'll get done. And if by some chance everyone's done by mid-afternoon, good ol' Mister Marko has a reputation of rewarding his labor force burgers and beer (if you're of age).

Call dibs here if you want, or find the sign-up sheet by my inbox in the foyer.

1: For those of you to whom the quarry is not off-limits - consider it so until this rain stops. There was an erosion-influenced rockslide last night, and stuff's not quite stable around the edges. It's about a two-hundred foot drop and there's lots of hard stuff on that quarryside to bounce off of and make you go splat.

2: When the FBI comes to call, they do not need the good china.

3: Deliveries should start today for the new kitchen appliances and furniture that got all banged up from last week's events. If you're driving, don't park in front from noon until eight p.m.

4: For those of you who've been hunting deer, this is applicable. While on-grounds, there's an open-license standing with the county to allow you to hunt what's in season. See me if you need details on either hunting season specifics, or where the property boundaries end.

5: The big chair at the dining room table is, as you may have guessed, mine. Sit in it at your own risk, I'll likely arm-wrestle you for it if you try and snag it during meals.