Don't Judge

It's only the third day of the semester and I already know which classes are my least favorite. Now, I did give them a chance. Before the semester started, I had foreboding feelings about them. The reviews I had heard concerning the professors were rather disconcerting, but knowing that I often differ greatly from popular opinion, I resolved to give them a chance. Similarly, the material, in my opinion and experience, is less than well presented and received in a college atmosphere, but still, Miracles Happen, and I'm open to them happening.

Or, well, I was open to them. It’s been three days, and my mind is closed. Spanish and Morality/Ethics are my least favorite classes. They are also the only classes I have four days a week, consequentially ruining my Tuesdays. Religion is a bullshit department and Spanish cannot be taught in a full classroom through a writing-based syllabus. Of this I am sure.

Take that, Michel de Montaigne! I have not only judged my classes, I have condemned them. The teachers are intelligent, they are passionate, and they take roll. But I think that these classes will benefit me no more than the credits they will endow upon my transcript in their completed form. They will (hopefully) harm me no more than a "B" calculated into my GPA. And life goes on...

Sub-Zero Weather Isn't Really That Bad...

The high for yesterday was Zero. The highs for today were in the single digits below zero. Tomorrow: -5 F. Sunday: +2 F. Welcome to Minnesota in the wintertime. The air is crisp, clear, and, of course, cold. There isn't a cloud in the sky, and the wind is vicious. The college had to send out an email warning people to make sure and dress warm, wear many layers, cover your head, and leave no square inch of skin exposed when you venture outside. The symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite were repeated many times. It’s nice to see that the college is looking out for the 30% of its students who are not from this barren Siberian wasteland, otherwise poor Texas wouldn't have known to cover her face up until her nose turned black!

My car started on the first try yesterday!!! Thank goodness for that new battery I had to spend $60 on last month. On the flip side, it took me four tries to start it today. Last night was substantially colder, and I had a substantially lower level of fuel in my tank. Good ole Gus, reliable as heck even if the windshield wipers don't work. I woke up this morning and there was ice on the inside of my window. Well, okay, there's always ice on the inside of my window since I never turn the heat on, (though that might change since I rearranged my stuff onto the cold side of the room) but there was a far greater amount than usual. Proof that Minnesota is humid, even in winter? Everyone had ice on their windows. It’s mostly gone now, but that might change again tomorrow morning. I'll let you know then. Well, not really, I have to go to work tomorrow, and I'm not getting up 'till the last possible moment, dust mopping the floor at basketball game half times doesn't require that much co-ordination. Ok, time to clean. I've been putting this off all evening, and now, its time to put my life back together after the move. {YES, our room has been rearranged again!}

Never Trust an Idiot

Never trust an idiot. You never know what road they may be leading you down.

An ice storm occurs when the ambient temperature is higher than the ground temperature. Usually this occurs when the ground is frozen and the air is not cold enough for snow. During an ice storm, rain or sleet falls to the ground without turning to snow or hail. If the ground is frozen (as it is in Minnesota between November and March) the sleet or rain will freeze and become a very obnoxious layer of non-translucent ice which is dangerous to walk and drive on, impossible to get off your car, and stays around for a very long time.

Broomball is a sport played on a hockey rink with slightly taller goals, a relatively soft ball about the size of a size 3 kids soccer ball. It is played with teams of about six, who wear helmets and whatever pads they can scrounge up. The really dedicated buy suction cup shoes, similar to the "shoes for crews" that custodians often wear. The bludgeoning instrument resembles a cross between a broom and a lacrosse stick. Its is about 3 feet long and has a isoceles rubber triangle at the end which is used to send the ball across the ice in the fashion of a golf drive. Pictures and more information are available at broomball.com.

If stupidity were genetic, I think there is cause for a wholescale genocide. However, I am confident that the members of my village will escape the impending doom of ignorance with confidance and speed.

The Stuff Legends Are Made Of

Last night, I found an old and battered hockey puck in one of the Custodial closets by the rink. Inspired by this, I thought of all the fun times we could have on the ice that was so near to our cleaning project in the stands. Thus, when we finished half an hour early, instead of leaving early and heading to the nearest party, a few of us wheedled our way into playing on the ice.

Nick, Brad, Allison, and I kicked that puck around and had a blast! Though falling hurts, you look funny while you do it. And though ice is slippery, you can still run on it. The boards are always there to stop the puck you are chasing, and they will stop you when you fall running after the puck. Hockey sticks, brooms, or skates are very helpful when you wanna be productive, but a sense of reckless abandonment is all you need to have fun. Too bad we can't really sneak into the building after hours and play for longer. {Those darn security people, making their rounds...}

That's the nice thing about working Custodial in the Lund Center, building closed, after hours fun. The foam pit in the Gymnastics studio and now the ice rink could cost us our jobs but they also are free and boundless fun. All you gotta do it take a little time and let your inner child out. It just angers your supervisor if you forget to punch out first.

New Advice from an Old Friend

It has been a while since Clippit has said anything of merit when I open windows. Not that I have been avoiding opening Microsoft word, since I have indeed completed many papers recently {too many}, but Clippit has not told me anything worth remembering. Yesterday, my patience was rewarded, and the tip of the day said:

Never dive into murky waters.

Now I have yet another reason to NOT go swimming - other than fitting into a bathing suit, going through the unpleasantries of getting in and out of the water, and messing up my hair while doing so.

And so, always remember, if you can't see the bottom, don't dive into the water. Instead, Jump feet first.

If You Give a Teacher Tequila...

...He'll get in trouble. Mouses like cookies, and mooses like muffins, but my teacher doesn't like getting tequila for Christmas. It doesn't go over so well with the authorities in the Dean's office.

It would be a good joke though, giving this man tequila. Almost as good as getting him some cocaine. He jokes about the stuff all the time. Its a Columbian thing... Drugs and alcohol make the world go 'round. It doesn't make college go 'round, though. Its a straight line through the door there.

Pain builds Character?

I put my retainers in this week. I have not worn them since last fall, and consequently, my teeth have moved out of the beautiful positions into which my orthodontic work placed them years ago. Moving teeth hurts. Braces or retainer, the result is the same: pain, pain, and more pain. Combined with the inability to eat solid or hard food, I think my current experience will have a four-fold result.
1. I will have a pretty smile :)
2. I will lose weight as I eat mashed potatoes and Ibuprofen this week.
3. The imbalance of money in my cafeteria account will increase since I'm not buying anything.
4. I will build character. Many characters. And then I will keep them locked up in the trunk of a Volkswagen Beetle.

If you once suffered from braces- wear your retainer habitually! *Or be prepared for pain*