Observing people. They're unpredictable, mostly intelligent (or so we like to hope), and utterly fascinating. Observing buildings and objects, which are made by people, becoming as unpredictable and strangely fascinating. Observing all the other things that could possible happen on a University campus.

20 November 2009

Doughnut Chairs.

With the new remodel of the library, new furniture was part of the improvements. The old desk chairs, arm-chairs and couches were acceptable and functional, though definitely showing wear. Now, the new chairs at all of the computers are ones that you can sit in without feeling like you're sitting in a chair for hours on end. But what I am so keenly interested in are the new "arm chairs". I dubbed them the "doughnut chairs". The basic concept is a half-sphere, with a slightly pushed out bottom and back with cushions to seat a human. On a tour of the library, it was revealed that the designer calls them "The Womb." One full grown man could easily curl in a fetal position and fall asleep (the down fall of studying in these chairs: sleeping comes easily). Each chair is built to withstand decades of wear, costing near $3,000 (yes a comma in the price) each.

We don't skimp here when it comes to a student's education (or comfort).

23 October 2009

A Letter.

Dear Math Tutoring Center,

  1. Get more tutors who know Stats.
  2. If you do know Stats, please help me to do the problem correctly.
  3. If you come to help me with a problem, please wait until I understand. Explaining a concept and walking away does not count.

Sincerely,
A Stats student.

15 September 2009

Parking Meters

On a lovely, sunny afternoon in September, I parked my car near a large lawn on campus where a friend loaded his bike into the back of my car. We discovered a frisbee. We both had things to do that afternoon so I loaded the parking meter with some change, enough for about 26 (do I really remember that?) minutes. Of course, once one is involved in a game such as this, time fades away. I realized we were there considerably longer than planned and paid for, but with no parking attendants in sight, we kept playing. Finally, our arms exhausted, we wandered back up the hill to the car, where lo and behold, there was a man on a bike in a uniform, looking at my flashing red "EXPIRED" meter. As I approached the car and opened the door, he said to me "You know you're meter ran out." My relpy, "I do now" and shut the door.

More such meters line the restaurants near campus. The row of parking spaces was empty, and I pulled into the last space. Collecting change, I walked to the meter. The slot for my space read:














and the slot was jammed full of coins. I used the next meter over to pay for my parking.

24 August 2009

First Day Drool

When one has the chance to peek into the full and active classrooms of others, especially on the first day of class, there is almost 100% of the time, a uniform expression on the faces of the students. Stupified "what-the-heck-am-I-getting-myself-into-and-paying-for-it", mouth open (or at least the jaw is apart if the lips are closed) blank look at the teacher. To these people: I know. Take luck.

13 August 2009

Driving Machines

Walking through a college parking lot can be quite the museum. Clunkers that are being held together with team memorabilia, scooters, every once in a while a lucky student with a European car, but most are just cars that have 7-10 years on them already that run well enough for transportation, naps and restaurant seats. One thing they all have in common - Dirt. My car is no exception. Out all night next to sprinklers, the morning brings nice pollen coat of fuzz. With papers, exams and work (to pay for that car) the last thing on a student's mind is the outward condition of their car. Every car in sight had water spots, road dirt, or pollen. We should look at this as the way the rising generation is contributing to the environment by saving water and not polluting the ground with cleansing chemicals.

24 May 2009

All Brands of Nerdiness

Post Written By James Dixon

It takes all kinds to make the world. I learned that a lot in Germany, and I'm still learning that here in Utah. I also found out that the more people you get to be around, the more likely you are to see and understand that. Singing in institute choir has provided one such opportunity. As soon as it was publicized that we were going to be singing in General Conference, the flood gates opened, and everyone and their dog came out to rehearse.

I remember one such rehearsal where all the choirs in the valley meet together at one time. We had around 400 people in that rehearsal, so it was very warm, noisy, and everyone was getting a little impatient. While the director was working with the women in the choir, I took the opportunity to stretch and survey my fellow tenors. Sitting directly behind me was a tenor who looked like he could be fresh out of high school. He was very intently working on a project, and after some careful observation, I could see he was working on a cross-stitch. But this wasn't any cross-stitch. This was a cross-stitch of a Pokemon. I started jumping to conclusions about the level of nerdiness that this kid, now in college, must be at. I then reassured myself that maybe he was making it for a younger brother, and thought, "gosh, what a nice guy." Then he looked up at me with his bottle rim glasses and gave me a smile that will go down in the annals of my memory for time and all eternity as one of the nerdiest smiles I think I've ever gotten. There was no longer any need to jump to conclusions. The cross-stitch was for him, and only him. I smiled back, trying to suppress a laugh, and then turned around and tried to laugh as silently and with as little movement as possible. Have you ever tried to do that? It's painful. But you know, probably the most painful and frightening part of the experience is, for a split second right when I saw his cross-stitch, the name of the specific Pokemon he was needling came flashing into mind. I thought "Hey, that's a Vulpix."

I learned that it really does take all kinds to make the world. But be careful what you think or say... you might just be one of them.

07 April 2009

Cold Season.

A university campus should also be known as a breeding ground for germs. Students feel they have to be in class, though they are seriously ill.

It should also be noted that students are poor, and it is not unusual to see a long stretch of toilet paper emerge from a student's pocket rather than tissues.

26 March 2009

EEBO.

Early English Books Online.

The type used for the letter "s" used in the early days of the printing press looks much like an "f". (though only in the intervocalic or interconsonatal instances) When one reads through this type, the first impression is that these people spoke with a lisp. "..in moft pointf of ufuful knowledge."


Note: Is there a word that means a letter inside a word, that applies for both interconsonatal and intervocalic? What about for the letter at the end of a word?

Novels.

As I was slaving away this morning, finishing a paper that was due later that day and simultaneously contemplating the other assignment due Monday, as well as the Annotated Bibliography that is due Tuesday, and remembering the things within the *other* category of tasks to accomplish before these due dates, I glanced over at a man in a chair reading a book. Closer inspection of the book revealed that it was most likely NOT a homework assignment, but a simple, pleasureful, fun, treat for the eyes, relaxing read, fantasy novel.

Either he's one of the luckiest guys on campus that has a) no homework or b) finished homework with no additional studying to do or c) a guy who knows who to procrastinate properly.

25 February 2009

You know people are in your office when you aren't, when....

  • The full candy dish now only has 6 pieces left.
  • Papers that were in your box, now are outside of it.
  • The paper from the printer now sits on your desk and the printer drawer is open
  • The photo is lying flat instead of standing.
  • There is a nearly empty bottle of Organic Raw Kombucha sitting next to the mailboxes, that obviously wasn't there before.
  • A power strip that was once on the floor, is now on the desk.

19 February 2009

WEB

In the WEB building, there is a staircase on the south-west corner. Between the 4th and 1st floors of this staircase, is a plastic tube full of water.

I'm guessing this has something to do with the earthquake monitors that are on the 8th floor of the same building.

Cow.

Above the TRAX line near the hospital, there is a full color statue of a cow.

03 February 2009

Student Union

For those who infrequently visit the Student Union building would do well to in the near future. The Union houses the following, but is not strictly limited to:
  • Jukebox (There's even a Radio Disney CD in there)
  • Pool table.
  • Big Screen TV.
  • Food. Food. Food.
  • Ping Pong table.
  • Bowling.
  • Quarter Basketball machine.
Plus all the things you'd expect, like a computer lab, a totally rad bathroom (see here), discount tickets for Lagoon, movies, sports events, offices, and a big wood floored dance room with a chandelier.

05 January 2009

To MFA Applicants

Dear Applicants,

If you want to be accepted into the Film Program it might help if:

A) You sent all your letters of recommendation in.
B) You put an application with your DVD sample.
C) Sent all the requirements in ON TIME.

If you have made it this far, graduated from an institution with a Bachelors Degree, one would hope you had learned to follow instructions, and be on time for deadlines. But one can only hope.