Today I talked with a student who was close to the murder - in fact, he almost got killed himself. Apparently the assailant swung the knife around behind him, narrowly missing this student and hitting victime in the hip with a very long knife. Seeing his general demeanor, the demeanor of those who helped carry the victim, and those who saw nearly nothing, it's easy to see that people are used to dealing with death as long as they don't see it. It's something else to laugh at when it's not their kin.
And seeing where they're coming from, I understand it pretty completely.
I played some volleyball with some of the students this afternoon. They have some interesting habits. The setter is permanent, but takes his serve and runs back into position. If a ball is going out, people will get it if they can, regardless of whether it's clearly out. This is because it's a pain in the ass to chase the ball, and what's the sense in being so overly competitive? Setting is always done from the center, the back line isn't really obeyed, feet are used as a third arm, and the spiking is pretty weak because there aren't that many tall players. Once I figured all that out, I had to go, but now I know for next time.
Peace
John
