Entries for October 2005
Reverse Halloween-ing
Who knew that dressing up and randomly (and not so randomly) knocking on people's doors and giving them candy (or throwing it at them) would be so much fun? It's a pity that this is my last year at Case, otherwise, I would have to make a tradition out of this reverse trick-or-treating.
Many thanks to Brooke, Melanie, and the Clocktower Suite for offering us candy in return for our efforts!
Hundert's Fireside Chat
President Hundert had an informal "Fireside Chat" (oh the historical references!) in the Village yesterday, and, though I hadn't intended to go, I stayed for the entire time. Part of my motivation, I suppose, was going for old time's sake: I still think the SAGES seminar I had with him and Timothy Beal during my sophomore year was the best class I've ever had. Topics of discussion during the chat ranged far and wide; we hit everything from curriculum changes to how to bring students in the Village closer to our neighbors on E. 118th.
Of course there were moments where Hundert got a little too deeply into his role as foreteller of the future of the University--a stance that doesn't go too far with the 3rd and 4th years who were his audience. The concern in that crowd is really more of "What can be done now?" All the same, I think some excellent topics were brought up. I was especially intrigued by extending the services of alumni to current students for networking and interning opportunities.
In addition to being a sounding board for such ideas, students expressed their own gripes. When asked about life in the Village, the topic of our keyswipe cards immediately jumped out of several mouths at once. "I had no idea key cards were such an issue!" Hundert exclaimed. All that I could think was, "Well, you asked." Glenn Nichols attended, too, and was busily taking notes the entire time, so hopefully some of the student suggestions and reactions will be acted upon.
Hundert ended with a word of advice for those of us getting ready to head out into the world. With the background that most of us have had, he said, we are excellent at rationalizing decisions and creating complicated pro- and con- lists for every decision from what to eat for dinner to how we should write our essays. But there are two decisions in life where we should avoid that and go with our gut feelings: deciding what to do with our lives and choosing with whom we are going to do it. For those two major decisions, sixteen variable regressions aren't going to work. As I was sitting there with the pressure of the German decision sitting on my shoulders again, I realized that that was exactly what I needed to hear.
On Homecoming
Having had my eyeballs assaulted for more than a week now by chalkings screaming for various parties to be elected as Homecoming King or Queen, I have to say that it is extraordinarily tempting to vote, out of pure spite, for anyone whose name I've never seen before.
Seriously, where are these people finding the willing hordes to go out and spend all that time defacing sidewalks and sculptures? I know I'm not the only one with a horrific midterm schedule around here.
A Reason to Head to the Movies
So. Serenity. I think anyone who knows a fan of the original Firefly show has pretty much been ordered to go see the movie. As someone who knew nothing about the show going into the theater, I want to give my side of the story, and hopefully convince a non-fan or two to give the movie a try.
I saw the movie at a special preview during the first weeks of class, having been offered several passes by Film Society members. I was skeptical, to say the least, because I am in no way, shape, or form a fan of Joss Whedon's other works. If anything I am anti-Whedon; that's how greatly I dislike Buffy and Angel. To make matters worse, the trailer didn't look all that great. My friends and I couldn't even figure out what the plot was supposed to be. But none of us cared to pass up a free movie.
So Mark, Eric, and I headed over to Shaker Square one Wednesday night to join a theater full of excited Firefly fans. We laughed at their antics; the lights went out; and the movie started.
It didn't take long to get sucked in. Did it matter that we hadn't seen a second of the TV show? Not one iota. Within the first twenty minutes, we were fully engrossed in the plot, and, more importantly, we cared about the characters. Because, in the end, this movie is not about action--it has plenty of it and it's great stuff--but the movie is really about the characters, and it's been done in such a way that old fans and casual moviegoers both get a lot out of it.
I believe Mark's first words upon exiting were: "That's what the Star Wars prequels were supposed to be." No one could argue with that.
Since then, we've gone and gotten the DVDs of the original show and had a blast watching those, but that's another story altogether. My point here is to urge people who know nothing about Firefly to go give Serenity a chance. Check out a matinee this weekend. It's well worth the ticket.
And, if my recommendation doesn't do it for you, try this: Universal has put up the first nine minutes of the movie as free streaming video. Consider it a test drive.
Apartment Living
Just when you think that you couldn't possibly have any more silly little arguments with the people with whom you live, you move into an apartment and all sorts of new silly arguments pop up!
- Arguments such as:
- whether it is permissible to use Kraft Parmesan in lasagna
- whether you wrap banana nut bread in foil or in plastic wrap
- whether the apartment door should be left open
- what constitutes "good beer" (or any alcohol, really)
- if it is dishonorable to buy pre-sliced cheese
And, finally, the ever important question: taco seasoning or chili powder?