THE FANDOM HIGHTIMES: SEVENTH ISSUE!

[mycanonhatesme]

CHLOE SPEAKS:
Is it just me, or does it seem like the school year has just started? And yet, here we are with only two and a half weeks left until the holiday vacation. I know there are quite a few people who are probably looking forward to the break, and to putting this entire term behind them. With everything that's happened, I certainly can't blame anyone for feeling that way. But my advice is, before we all shuffle home - or wherever we're going for the holidays - we should try to make the best out of the time we have left. For those of us who are seniors, our time before sweet, sweet freedom graduation is rapidly dwindling. Shouldn't we make sure that the time we have left is enjoyable, and not filled with fighting and anger and pounds of emo? It's just a thought.


SOULS AND SOULLESSNESS -- ARE THERE ETHICS INVOLVED IN THIS ARGUMENT?
by Phoebe Halliwell

We all know that Fandom High isn't your normal, everyday high school. There are things that happen on this island and in this school that we wouldn't ever run into someplace else. We know this, and we accept this.

However, there seems to have become a disturbing trend lately wherein people blame their actions on the lack of a soul, or of an evil soul taking them over.

In one case, a supposed evil soul took over a student and when her friends tried to help her, she told them to let her be and to let the evil soul do what she wished to do. This led to a lot of anger from said friends, and a feeling of betrayal by them. This person seems to have hurt a lot of people during this time, and when the "evil soul" was removed, the girl still had to deal with the consequences of what she had done while "possessed" by the evil part of her soul.

In another case, a vampire killed one student and attacked others before having a soul put inside him. However, unlike the other case, this person freely admitted that he knew what evil deeds had been done by the soulless version of him and that he planned to atone for what he had done.

In comparing the two cases, I find one very large and glaring difference between them. Person "A" sought to make excuses for what had happened and expected apologies to make everything she had done while possessed by her evil self fix everything. Person "B" knew that apologies meant dick and that he would have to work very hard to atone for everything his previous soullessness had done.

In looking at both cases from a purely scientific and emotionless point of view (meaning I have to try very hard to detach myself from the argument as I have been close to both cases) I am forced to ask myself which case is the more ethical in their way of dealing with the consequences of their actions.

Person A: Made apologies to those she had hurt and then was upset and hurt because her apologies didn't fix everything like she thought they should have.

Person B: Made apologies, but then started following up with actions and didn't expect anyone to take his apologies seriously.

My question to you, both students and faculty members is this:

"Can the question of having a soul, not having a soul, or being possessed by an evil soul, be allowed to be an excuse for our bad behaviour?"

In my own opinion? I think that no matter what soul or lack of a soul you have, you still have to take responsibility for your actions.






ARE YOU A GOOD WITCH OR A BAD WITCH?
by Veronica Mars

Many of us grew up with images of witches being portrayed in popular culture as wicked and devious. From the fairy tales we were told by our parents to the movies we watch, there is a negative portrayal of witches in society.

Coming to a multidimensional school where we have witches as our classmates, teachers and friends can seem daunting, especially to those of us from non-fantasy fandoms places where magic doesn't exist. Luckily, several of the practicing witches at Fandom High consented to interviews and explained their view of magic.

According to Professor Tara Maclay, magic exists in everything and everyone. "'Powers' and 'spells' and 'potions' are just applications of the magic that weaves through all living things. The more powerful a witch you are, the less you need in the way of trappings to make a given effect happen - so a rank beginner usually works entirely out of spellbooks, letting the magic come from the ingredients he or she uses."

Professor Maclay grew up in a family of witches and started learning the craft at an early age. "The women in my family have been witches for generations, and I've been learning the skills since I was six. I'm lucky that way - but the most powerful witch I ever met didn't have a family history of it at all."

The Halliwell sisters, on the other hand, are also hereditary witches, but only recently learned of their powers. "I did not always know I was a witch," Piper Halliwell said. "I started to figure it out when I developed strange abilities like freezing an entire room full of people." And by freezing, she means stopping time, not ice.

Her younger sister, Phoebe, has premonitions and is an empath. The sisters are both very committed to using their powers for good. "It's our responsibility to protect and defend...and sometimes comfort. We're tasked with what could seem like an impossible task --- especially for two high school girls. However, we have a gift and we have a responsibility," Phoebe said.

Piper agreed. "For me, being a witch means protecting innocents and helping people. I feel it's my duty to protect people."

All three women agree that their powers must be used responsibly. "You've heard the saying that power corrupts? Well, magic is a kind of power, and it can be a heady one. Any witch with training will have learned rules about not using their powers for selfish purposes, and never casting spells on others without their permission - and most witches don't raise their power enough to become addicted to it without some training," Professor Maclay said.

Professor Maclay went on to say that magic shouldn't necessarily be a witch's first course of action. "When help can be provided by mundane means, it should be," she said. "Magic should never be used lightly. If you do a spell without thinking through the consequences first, you know you're in trouble."

TEACHER PROFILE - LORELAI GILMORE-DANES
by Callisto

Coming to Fandom via the town of Stars Hollow is Small Business teacher Lorelai Gilmore-Danes. Proving that the old adage "Those who can't do, teach" does not always hold true, Professor Gilmore-Danes is also the part-owner of her own business, the Dragonfly Inn back in Stars Hollow.

Professor Gilmore-Danes reasons for coming to Fandom were her desire to remain close to her daughter, Student Relations Officer Rory Gilmore, and the need for a change of pace from Stars Hollow, a town that sounds like it's only a zombie invasion and a couple of gremlins away from being Fandom's sister city. Zero, you ever need anywhere to send the little frakkers...

While liking her students, Professor Gilmore-Danes has some mixed feelings about Fandom, with events such as her husband Luke Danes's diner getting blown up during Zombie Weekend casting a shadow on her time here.

TEACHER PROFILE - THE TICK
by Angela Chase

At Fandom High, the face of Criminal Justice is big, blue, and a superhero.

Professor The Tick came to the school from The City, where he was a superhero -- a common career in his world, he says, and one Destiny had called him to. He saved people, stopped robberies and thwarted evil schemes -- once, he says, even stopping a child from pulling the moon into the Earth. "On the Wheel of Crime, I was the Brake," he said.

But one day, Destiny spoke again, telling the Tick to become a teacher. When asked about his teaching philosophy, the Tick says his goal is to get students to think and talk about Justice and Crime. "There's so many views you can take on those things and you need to take a gander at those views before you can give an appropriate response to a crime," he said. "So what I want to do is get the students thinking and talking. Share their views. Teach things to each other! I can only show them one path, so they need each other to help them find the other paths!" In the end, Tick hopes his class will help students hone their judgment so as to make the best decisions.

Tick praises his students highly, saying they "honestly care about Justice." However, teaching sometimes troubles him, as it sometimes conflicts with his superhero duties. "My focus is on my class when part of me feels it should be out there ... It's not pleasant to know that I can't save someone because I'm busy preparing a class. It's really kind of difficult."

In the future, though, people in trouble will take precedence, Tick says. "If I know that someone is in danger here, I'll do anything I can to help them. Especially now. That is the most important thing."

Professor Tick plans to offer an Advanced Criminal Justice class in the spring semester.






(As Beka Valentine is currently a hamster, Phoebe Halliwell has recruited the assistance of Veronica Mars for the column for the foreseeable future.)

A certain blond bad boy has now become a certain blond brooding boy. Hrm...that doesn't flow as nicely. V? We'll have to come up with a new name for him in future columns.

The Corellian stud muffin is now a chick...uhm...wait, what?! Han Solo is a girl? *looks at her notes* Yeah, Veronica, that's what it says, Han has somehow been turned into a girl. I wonder how Beautiful is feeling about that?

Caritas is the new "In" place to be in Fandom Town...and there is lots of singing. Apparently there are also virgin drinks being served.

Beka is a hamster...Cam is a puppy...Zero is still a kitten and Barbossa hasn't been a parrot for a long time.

Jaye and Tara have joined the staff of Fandom Radio...and Tara forgets sometimes that the microphone is on.

My favorite couple of all time seems to have worked out their differences and our back together. I am very happy for my Geology partner.

Rory and Logan are still together and out of the clinic, thank god.

Wednesday seems to have left and poor Six is brooding about it...or what passes for brooding with Six.

Also, Callisto seems to have moved in with Six. Do her blonde roommates know this, I wonder?

Cally and Anders are still the reigning cuteness champs of Fandom High.

Strip Triad? I don't know what Triad is, but why wasn't I invited? I would have loved to learn a new game...although the part where the Gremlins steal my clothes and the Dean makes me take part in a pageant? That wouldn't have been so enjoyable?

Veronica is helping Angel set-up voice mail and select hair gel. (No, Veronica, look, that's what it says.)

My favorite hero of Fandom High, Lockheed the Dragon, has been rescuing clothes from the evil gremlins. Go get them, Lockheed!

Paige and Sawyer are...arguing, then making up, then arguing, Paige is drinking, Paige destroys his room, then they make up and then... Oh, come on, people, you know how this goes already.

My partner in crime, Veronica, keeps getting flowers. This is a good change. (V, you're blushing.)

Locker 327 has been singing, and writing a novel for National Novel Writing Month. Thus far, only Duce has been brave enough to read it.

Xander and Buffy seem to have become coffee addicts, and the arrival of the not-so-dead Jenny Calendar has thrown both of them completely for a loop. Buffy is full of emo and I suggest she go see Anakin as he seems to be the only one who can deal with emo of that nature.

The Gremlins seem to have a new hobby...decorating Study Hall with stolen clothing -- mainly underthings. Remind me to teach Seraphim and Valkyrie how to hunt Gremlins.

Barbossa has decided not to watch so much Fox News network, and believe me when I say that it's a very good idea, Barbossa.

Contrary to popular belief, my Geology partner and I were not do anything dirty in that empty classroom, we were merely talking.

Duce and Faith seem to have gotten married over the Thanksgiving holiday. Duce? Where are the two of you registered and why was I not invited to this wedding?

Tara and many students and friends of hers participate in the great "Crowley Day" gift exchange and scavenger hunt.

Beloved Lord and His Bright One have their first fight...but they've made up, and I am relieved. (You're smirking, Veronica.)

Teachers have been seen being loving and snuggly and cute...no, I am not naming names. I like my high GPA, thank you very much.

Lana spends the night in the common room due to a fight between her roommate and her boyfriend...the roommate's, not Lana's.

When did Draco become a redhead?

Gob has a fear of swans.

Tom Servo is using the radio to teach us new words. Is this allowed?

New student Talkytoaster is very popular --- and flirts with every female he meets. He's adorable.

Two witches spent an awful lot of time in Study Hall arguing with each other about responsibilities and romance.

That's all the gossip for this issue, folks. Drop a note in my e-mail if you know of some gossip that should go here next time!

Love,
Phoebe and Veronica

Coffee Pin-Up




credits:
editors: Jake Gavin jr & Chloe Sullivan
layout: Chloe Sullivan
words: Chloe Sullivan, Phoebe Halliwell, Veronica Mars, Callisto, Angela Chase
pictures: Jake Gavin jr, Chloe Sullivan, Google
coffee pin-up artist: DECOstyle