As you may or may not know I am what the world would call a student. Personally I find it more of a temporary career choice. I pledge my current career of academia to Florida State University. College is certainly an interesting place and you are certainly guaranteed to see interesting things. Not only that, but for some its a place that will define the rest of their life. There's a reason why your parent's college buddies are the one you hear about more than their High School buddies. It can be a very confusing place for those of us who approach it the same way that we've approached school in the past i.e high school/ middle school. In a way you can argue that is a completely new culture surrounding college there are new traditions, new collective beliefs, and for some completely different behaviors. Sounds a lot like a culture to me. So what do we do? Well, as now you have found yourself literally an immigrant to a college campus. There's a certain amount of fitting you will or won't do. Are you still an Eagle or a Bear ( or in my case a 'Cane) or are you a LSU Tiger or a FSU Seminole, or whatever other college you may belong to that is obviously not worthy enough to be mentioned ;). So, just like any other culture there is a lot of assimilating to be done and it can become quite overwhelming especially when coupled with being away from everything you left behind. Just some mind candy to ponder.
Personally I find the greatest challenge of college is parking. Here's one of my amplified stories that I'm sure you've missed sooooo much! "It's 11:00, I may just make it to class at 11:15" I say to myself as me and my appropriately named car, Sherrie, turn down the street en route to the parking garage. Sherrie is an older but very attractive women and even though the skirt suit isn't her apparel of choice she still maintains a very classy look. However in her old age despite the level of desirability she holds with the male cars around her there are certain things that just don't work like they should. Most people call it over-heating and probably call a mechanic. I call it hot flashes and remind myself that hormones are something that you can't really do much about. So after ten minutes (which makes it 11:10), of circling the parking garage like I am playing bumper cars Sherrie says "Oh Todd..?" "Yes Sherrie, What is it? Can't you see I'm trying to park?" If Sherrie were more of a typical women she'd see a gynaecologist instead of my mechanic Rick. "I just wanted to let you know that I am aware that it's over 90 degrees outside. However I am having hot flashes and the only way to alleviate that is to turn on the heat to get it out of my fluids... dear". "Sherrie, I kid you not I'll just die." Needless to say just like any women she got her way. This did not solve the parking issue, and it was closing fast on 11:20. "Sherrie, Sweetie... I'm sorry but I'm going to have to leave you here" "Here!? Well, that says tow away zone!??" Before she could say any more i shut the door and ran to class drenched in sweat, and actually kind of relieved because the air outside was now cooler than the heat pouring air in my car. I was worried about Sherrie though. After class I ran back to the parking garage only to find that I was not towed, but instead boxed in by a bunch of other cars. Most people would say I started a trend for other late students (or in my case my co-workers) who also decided to leave their cars in a tow away zone. However, I know what's really going on. I wouldn't describe Sherrie as promiscuous, but she does have some commitment issues which is something all relationships encounter. We are still working on our issues. I never did find a spot you could say I was sad... I am not looking forward to seeing her tonight to move her so I don't get a ticket.
Even though its coming to a close, I did have a fulfilling summer. It's always good to know when you feel like shits hitting the fan theres always a group you can turn to and it may not be the same group, but that at least someone(s) is(are) there to help you forget about stuff and continue being a somewhat productive member of society. I hope that you've encountered this as well and that you also had a summer full of stories and laughs that one day, you'll sit in the horribly colored electronic lazyboy 3000 as you sip on pressurized food derived from some new technology to harness nutrients that are healthier to break down. You and your 600 year old self sit in front of your old beat up panoramic TV and crack somewhat of a smile as much as you can to not allow the energy saving motion sensing (heat sensing is too expensive) light system flash in your eyes, and for that one moment and maybe for the last time for the rest of your life you again feel the same joy you did this summer remembering all the faces and stories of past.
I leave you all wishing you a great beginning to your school year as I suspect the demographic is all students, correct me if I'm wrong. Same old thing though I love comments and I love even more than that, suggestions (Because they require you leave a comment too!).
Hope you enjoyed reading, Thanks.
-ToDD
