Your housemates were speechless for once. You were talking about pop culture while pretending to drink a can of Chang. Michael was backpacking in Thailand a few months ago, with his family, and you were green with envy. But he did kept his promise on comparing liquor brands. You were tired of arguing about the chances of England in the UEFA Euro this summer. You decided it was time for a serious topic, and it had something to do with the coursework. But your mates never expected the Kardashians.
You must admit that they really knew what social media was for. You may be a hypocrite for telling everyone that you wouldn't want to be in the same room with them, but this was about pop culture. Simon rued the possible decline of Western civilization, but he was excited at the thought of riding the double-decker bus in Vietnam soon. Michael didn't want to repeat the experience, as he thought the sleeping bed was too small for him. (He was six feet tall.) Pop culture deserved a study, even with repeated protests from Simon. You were the kind of lad who wanted to have the last word, as you wanted to prove that you could be a leader. (Your parents thought you were a passive person. You needed to show your assertiveness, and this would be the right moment.) You named a few authors:
J.K. Rowling and her world of magic. You dismissed Simon's claims that Hogwarts was an inland version of Earthsea. In fact, he was slighted when you told him that he wouldn't pen a bestseller. (And you might not be able to write one either.) It wasn't hard to relate the world of magic to pop culture. Anyone could identify with the teenagers who came in and out of Hogwarts. Not Harry Potter, though.
Rick Riordan and his Olympians. You laughed out hard after reading "The Kane Chronicles". You wanted to meet this former instructor from San Antonio, Texas who was passionate about myths. And how the demigods seemed like high school students. You have second thoughts about another series on Greek mythology, as you wondered if there was more to tell about Percy Jackson. Maybe you should ask Michael, as he was a huge fan of the author.
Stan Lee and his superheroes. You were excited when your tutor told you that the faculty was thinking of creating a module on comic books. You haven't told your mates, as there might be a change of mind. But you were keeping your fingers crossed. After all, these superheroes would be the antithesis of students. Stan Lee, who would be approaching the centennial mark, could be young at heart.
The conversation was cut short by Greg, who found out that Roger Federer decided to postpone his return to the ATP tour. He thought the Swiss player would have a good chance of winning the Monte-Carlo Masters for the first time. Simon objected right away.
