opnet [OpNet] It's not what I had in mind... but...

[Sakurako Hino]

Yeah, it's surprising what I agree to when in a funk. It's actually sort of exiting, but I got an acute case of butterflies for it.

The High School I was in before, and a little bit after my eruption, asked me to speak before the entire student body. That's roughly 450 to 500 young folk.

Now, I'm not exactly the eloquent type at times, but I think I can hack it. The whole thing is... What could I say to a bunch of kids who had pretty much everything handed to them? It's as close to a private school as a public school gets in Japan. 90% of the students there are the top eschelon.

I mean, I know some sort of moral lecture won't work, and this is a serious address. At least to the point I'm supposed to motivate and inspire this batch of younglings.

So, what do you guys think? Pep Talk, Sermon, or Philosophy tinged with comedic irony?

I guess one thing that did draw me in was a little secret.

All this time I've been getting honorary doctorates and what not, and I don't have a REAL High School diploma yet. I came close, and the GED I got while in Chicago was nice, But I want a diploma from my alma mater!!!

I was talking with the principal of that school to see if I could get in some testing and wrap that part of my life up... That's where the whole speech deal came in.

I guess simply put, I make a speech, he'll see what he could do bureaucracy wise...

-.-;

What I do to feel complete...

[Hugin]

With all of your accomplishments and experiences you hunger for a high school diploma from a baseline insitution?

Look at everything you've done and seen since you erupted. How can a simple piece of parchment but pale in comparison to that?

[Sakurako Hino]

To me, it's a missing peice of a puzzle. Sort of like... Hmm... how can I say it...

Making it official. I like to dot my i's and cross my t's.

Yes, it is insignificant, but it is more of a situation of coming full circle than anything else. Actually, now that I think of it, it is about personal pride. Of completing something I started. Yes, it's minor and silly, but hey, when I get something started I complete it, damn it. ^.^

Besides, I get to see Mrs. Fujiami again. She was, back in the day, my science teacher. She's a wonderful woman. Perhaps I should introduce her to you sometime.

[Juri 'Salamander' McClendon]

Hino-san, trust me on this. It ain't worth it. I mean, if you want to do the speech and talk to some nova-worshipping fucktards in sailor fukus, that's your business, but you shouldn't have do it for a diploma.

Don't cave into pressure. If you can get your diploma without doing the speech, fuck it. They aren't requiring anyone else to do a speech for it. If you want to have your moment in the spotlight with all these students who will shout kawaii and sugoi over and over again until you feel like you're in some bad anime, go ahead and do it. But do it because you want to, not because the principle will grease the wheels for you.

[H. 'Machine' Mann]

Motivation? Spin a tale and tell them where you've gone as a nova. Rub their collective noses in the dust of alien moons, frozen seas of methane and through the depths of the oceans.

Then challenge them to follow you. They'll either grasp the enormity of the future or ask for your autograph. You'll have done your part regardless.

[Sakurako Hino]

Juri, you're operating under a misconception.

These kids I'm going to be talking to aren't fans. Well... there might be a couple hardcore Otaku no Novajin there, but that's typical of any school anywhere. There's just those that just are... weird.

Although, if they were fans of me... I'd be sort of ashamed. I'm not exactly a role model.

I've flipped my gourd, chickened out at every perceptible danger, and generally feen a failure as a Nova.

But, ordinary Humans go through similar (but far less over the top) situations through their lives.

*shrugs*

You know, I'm just going to do it because it gets under the skins of people who think just the way you do, Salamander.

[Juri 'Salamander' McClendon]

Doesn't bother me one way or the other, Hino-san. Just didn't think you should do it to get a diploma. As long as you want to do it, and you're not caving to any pressure, all's good in my book.

[Sakurako Hino]

"I guess simply put, I make a speech, he'll see what he could do bureaucracy wise..."

Actually, Juri, when I said that I was making an assumption. He didn't actually hold it over my head or anything. There is no "Whip and Carrot" situation here. But, it all could be a publicity stunt for the school anyways, even if it is the best of intentions in the process.

You see here was the conversation in a nutshell.

I asked about the diploma situation.

He agreed to help me get it done.

The speech gig was a sidebar unrelated to the conversation, but it was his idea.

Hence, my earlier remarks.

I should have made a clearer explaination, but I was multi-tasking between writing my speech (now on it's 50th draft) and that post.

And really, what's so wrong making a speech infront of a bunch of teenagers? I welcome the opportunity actually. It's just that I'm not good at speeches.

Oh crap, I just about ignored Mr. Mann!

Okay, I'm not shooting for anything grandiose, I don't think they want me to brag. Although I do have a few little ideas in mind. Thanks for the tip. You just inspired Draft #51!

[Juri 'Salamander' McClendon]

My bad for assuming there was pressure, Hino-san. In that case, ignore all I said.

[Sakurako Hino]

Juri you had a point. Don't feel bad at mis-assuming anything. I've done it many times before.

It was sort of my fault anyways for misrepresenting myself there.

[Williams]

Good luck to you.

I did a school speach once. The head of a local school discovered there was a nova in the area, and asked if I could do a demonstration/inspirational speech. I said yes, because the idea struck me as interesting. Well, the demonstration went wonderfully. They loved it when I levitated the entire first row ten feet up into the air. But the speech, on the other hand, was.... interesting. I'd decided to do good ol' vintage self-reliance and personal achievement, with a bit of 'novas are just a different kind of people' thrown in for good measure. The looks on their little faces was enlightening, to say the least. When they realised I was telling them novas don't just exist for the express purpose of ushering each baseline into a land of milk, honey and sports-entertainment, waited on hand and foot by their own personal gods, six hundred little mouths dropped in unison.

[Preston]

Endeavor, good luck. I suggest you find a subject that you are comfortable with, and is relevant to your audience. Don't try to be "one of them", unless you are, of course. Talk to them as if they are capable of intelligent discourse and you will be surprised.

When they realised I was telling them novas don't just exist for the express purpose of ushering each baseline into a land of milk, honey and sports-entertainment, waited on hand and foot by their own personal gods, six hundred little mouths dropped in unison.

I'm stunned. Were was this?

I've done hundreds of talks to children, both as a baseline and nova.

My few experiences doing graduation speeches have gone nothing like what you described, Williams. The baseline's I've talked to don't feel that novas owe them anything.

They do feel that novas are high-paid celebrities. If we aren't, we are doing something wrong. They have a harder time relating to us as people. The fact that we have lives outside of the Op-bytes, that we have kids, families, friends. That we take downtime and vacations, just like other people.

Perhaps your audience was more suprised that you, your thoughts, and your concerns weren't earth-shattering, but things that they were very aware of already.

Or, perhaps they were complete idiots and you were their wake-up call.

[Great Monster C]

Well, we also have no idea as to the tone or specific wording Mr. Williams used. There is a world of difference between "Go out and make your own paradise" and "We're not here to make it for you, you little ingrates."

[H. 'Machine' Mann]

There is another possibility, GMC. I'm told Mr Preston is a policeman. What is the first question any victim of a misfortune generally asks when they feel there's someone that should have been there to prevent it?

Perhaps the difference between Mr Preston and Mr Williams has less to do with the audience than with their personal experiences. A policeman may be accustomed to certain assumptions while a civilian is not.

[Alex Craft]

I used to teach high school, before I erupted. I'm not sure I'd ever go back - it's the most numbing job I ever had.

But then maybe I was just a bad teacher. Can't complain - I might not have erupted if I had actually enjoyed my job.

Preston:

I'd like to talk to you about something. I'll send you a PM sometime soon, once I have a couple of issues worked out.

[Sakurako Hino]

Well, thanks for the support, everyone. It helped aleviate the butterflys.

The more I look over this final draft of the speech, the more confident I'll be in saying it infront of an audience.

Perhaps after the event, I'll post it up so you guys might read it.

Again, thanks. ^.^

[Sakurako Hino]

Well, one more additive post before things get rolling.

One thing odd about growing up, is that you never forget your way around your old high-school. Which serves to your detriment when it gets remodelled. >.<

I got to sit in on one of Mrs. Fujiami's classes, and even helped in a demonstration. To my embarassment. She was notorious for making her students messy after a "demonstration". Especially ones that don't pay attention.

Tomorrow is the big day. ^.^

Man I'm lying, I'm scared pale. I'm nowhere near ^.^ about this. >.<;

That's more like it.

[Sakurako Hino]

Well, just a little something before I pop off.

It comes with a story. You might have a laugh.

You see, remember when I said I got messy after my former science teacher's demonstration to her class? Well, she always carried some spare clothing. Unfortunately, it was the school uniform...

I had the little blimp-bot I had with me taking some photos of the events I participated in to take a snapshot at a subway terminal.

You wouldn't beleive the round of applause I got wearing the schools uniform at my speech! Talk about an easy cheap pop.

In any case, it was all good, and I'll post the speech in the next couple days.

[Great Monster C]

Congratulations Ms. Hino for taking the time to speak to the children of your nation. We all should make an effort to share our insights with the next generation and help them develop a greater understanding of concepts like responsibility and civic pride. I hope your talk is chock full of positive messages, life can be a wonderful thing and bless thoughs who teach others the truth of it.

[Jager]

She didn't show up naked, or throw-up on the Head-Master/Mistress. Always a plus.

[Sakurako Hino]

That would be Headmaster, Jager. Great guy. A little Naive, but a nice guy.

[DigiGeist]

*sees picture... gets nosebleed*

Excuse me...

(connection lost...)

[ronin]

Geist.

I know how you feel.

[Wakinyan]

And to think I almost ate her. What a loss it would have been. For some reason I kept thinking she would taste like strawberry taffy. I dunno why.

[DigiGeist]

I think Sakurako is making a mental note not to wear pink around ya.

*sees picture again... another nosebleed*

Curses! Women are my foil!

(Connection lost)

[ronin]

Totem.

I do hope you're joking.

[Hugin]

Probably not. Totem is experiencing the transhuman experience an a far more seperated way than many of us. The way he processes data and incoming sensory information will very likely take some time getting used to.

He seems to be doing admirably so far.

[Wakinyan]

Well she got out of the way first and Codex managed to settle me down. I probably wouldn't have ate her just trampled her and dozens of others in the process. I have yet to actually have a craving to eat people. I tend to go for bigger animals anyway.

[Sakurako Hino]

Back on task:

I had to improvise a couple changes to the speech just before the speech began. Leave it to me to make 100 revisions an hour before the big event. -.- Here's a snippet of an edit I made. I'm sure that the video of the speech I made will soon be on some kid's website.

[font:trebuchet ms]"There are as many opportunities a person can have to achieve their goals as the stars in the heavens and the grains of sand on the beach. One cannot afford to just stay with what they are comfortable with. Explore new possibilities. There is just too much there for one to ignore. Reach out. Grab something completely unexpected. IMPROVISE. BE SPONTANEOUS!

Such things are the spice of life. Keeping a youthful and energetic approach to life will keep you in the running for years. One should not throw away their ambition or energy just because they are at a 9 to 5 job in a comfortable and safe cubicle. At every opportunity, you should... no you must, completely change your point of view. Approach life from a new angle.

Stagnation kills.

I've seen people grow old, and comfortable with their ways as I grew up. Eventually, the life they had just ebbed away. Fading away is not something we should do. We should always try to shine in our own ways."

Juicy huh? Trust me, I got more where that came from. ^.^

[ronin]

A woman after mine own heart, it more ways than one, Sakurako. A shame I could not have attended myself.

[Sakurako Hino]

*giggle*

I wonder how you'd look in a boy's school uniform...

Just kidding, ronin. ^.^

[ronin]

Rather dashing, I'd guess. Perhaps you'll yet have the opportunity to find out, you cosplaying fiend.

[Sakurako Hino]

*grins*

Hey, that's me. ~.^

[Great Monster C]

Sakurako, I like it. Challenging children to excel is a noble effort.

[Preston]

Well said. Well targetted.

[Sakurako Hino]

And that's just a piece. I should just post the whole thing, but at the moment I'm multitasking between this, a couple TKI projects, a debugging of my secondary server, and listening to some music on the side.

I'm starting to wonder if I'm becoming a computer. >.<

Just kidding. I'll get to it soon. ^o^

[Jager]

Or, you can go to one of Sakurako's fansites and see the whole thing on video. Not the best angles, but it captures the message and the crowd's enthusiasm very well.

[Sakurako Hino]

That is official fan sites, Jager. The unofficial ones are only interested in the FanService provided through didigal alteration of photographs. Or worse, from those with an artistic side.

Besides, all you have to do is dig a little through the NHK/Fuji OpNews feed archives. Although I did request that the press not be there, I did allow the media club of the student body film the event for those interested. Bang-up job I say. The fan videos are less... proffessional, but never the less are just about true to the event.

[Ashnod]

Please post the whole speech, Sakura-chan. I am intrigued by what you had to say to them.

[Sakurako Hino]

>.<

I'm doing a data recovery process right now. Don't worry, I will post it soon.