Well, folks, it has begun. Yes, the first week of Alumni College is underway. The lack of posts from the past couple days clearly indicates that we RAs have been quite busy. There’s a SNu conference going on and we had to distribute linens to every single room in Gilliam, Davis, and Graham Lees. White the task. We spent Saturday finalizing preparations for the first batch of Alumns. We made beds, distributed towels and set up their little display that consists of a wine bottle, wine glass, flowers, box of chocolates, and other classy kitsch things.
First we all had to pass the Rob Fure room inspection which was no easy feat…I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only one who was super nervous. Luckily that happened without too much disappointment on the part of Rob and Susie and we filed over in our little blue Special Programs Polo Shirts to the registration table. Registration was a funny experience because Rob, Susie, and Tracey (our three AC bosses, if you didn’t figure that out, we’ll refer to the three of them as RST) know pretty much EVERYONE. A program participant would walk up and RST would see the person, know who it was, have their nametag ready, and tell the RA’s their life story. RST seriously know everything about every one of these participants. The alumns have been coming to these programs year after year and they’ve all struck up quite intense friendships. It’s really interesting. Pretty cool, actually.
Our first real event (other than my campus tour that was kind of lame but fun) was a reception before dinner. There was an open bar with many kinds of exotic alcohol which was entertaining because there was also wine with dinner and tons of beer in the lounge (and wine in their rooms…apparently people don’t lose their affinity for alcohol after they leave W&L). we got to chat with a number of different people: an ’07 grad who is now a high school teacher in New Jersey who was anxious to talk to some other young people, a ’62 grad who was on the EC when he was here (fascinating guy), and a few others. The oldest person we have is a law school grad from the class of 1949! Pretty old. It’s a sprightly and really interesting bunch and I’m looking forward to getting to know them better as the week goes on. We already know a lot of them by name and hometown and they’ve already shared some great stories, so it should be a great week. Now off to lunch (oh yeah, the food is amazing. Last night’s dinner was unbelievably delicious and even breakfast was kind of exquisite….delish). More to say later.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Oh the gems you find at Goodwill.
Danielle and I went to Goodwill this morning to rescue one of her sorority heirlooms (long story). While we were not able to successfully complete the mission we set out to accomplish, we did find some sweet shades. That cost us each a grand total of $1.56. I feel I should show them to you now.
Settle Down, Now
Alright I've had some complaints that this thing hasn't been updated in a few days. I would like to say it's because we've been uber busy doing really cool things but in actuality it's because we have done nothing even remotely exciting that's worth writing about. However, there are a few things I guess I can say.
1. I have been asked this several times by several individuals so I'll just put it out on the internet to set the record straight. Yes, Stephen M Wilson has deactivated his facebook. If you want to know his reasoning, send him an e-mail (don't call him because he's mentioned to me several times his hatred for phone conversatinos) and he will tell you. He gives a different reason every time I talk to him. No, he has not contracted swine flu. No, he has not locked himself in his room mourning the fact that his governor is a freakhead nut job. No, he has not been eaten by a deer. He is perfectly well and healthy, unless you think not being able to move on account of a new weight-lifting program to be unhealthy.
2. For those of you who know about my phobia of pickles, I would like to broadcast the fact that twice in the past few days I have eaten a sandwhich off a plate infested with pickles. And i did not complain. I dealt with it. Of course I could taste the pickle smell on my sandwhich, which definitely made the experience less enjoyable, but I believe this means I am making great strides with my legitimate fear.
3. We had "AV training" the other day in Stackhouse Theater and the woman training us (who's name escapes me, but we'll call her Connie, she looks like a Connie) freaked us out by warning us about a phenomenon called the "blue screen of death". Unfortunately, she only sort of told us how to get ride of this monochromatic screen that supposedly brings about the apocalypse. It had something to do with pushing certain buttons with your middle finger (she made it VERY clear that the middle finger part was a very necessary step). So all us RAs are hoping and praying we don't come across the blue screen of death. Keep your fingers crossed for us please. Ohhhh Connie.
4. Although I have yet to see Transformers 2, the RA's had a nice bonding session the other night, watching the first installment of the series to prepare for the sequel. Danielle and I bonded over Shia LeBouf while Mike and Stephen bonded over Megan Fox. It was great.
5. In order to kill half an hour and get ourselves out of our rooms, Stephen and I took newly-acquired van 94 out on a little spin. We aimlessly drove around Lexington singing rounds and patriotic songs (since we couldn't find a good radio station) and discovered some interesting things. For instance, who knew we had a little planned community for old people out in the country? I certainly didn't until we happened upon it and immediately left after the old people standing outside their houses gave us death glares. I think they were robots. They looked really angry. Others might disagree.
6. Mary Murphy needs to take a few sedatives. That is all.
Well I think that's all I have to say for now. Tomorrow and Saturday we have 400 Sigma Nus arriving from accross the country for a SNu conference so things should get interesting. Until then we have to distribute pillows, blankets, linens, etc to all 300+ rooms in Gilliam, Davis, and Graham-Lees. And then our lovely Alumns come on Sunday. I think we're all looking forward to the alumns getting here so we can interact with some interesting people and have more to do in our day. Although it's kind of nice being paid for a full day when we only do about 3 hours of work max, we're ready to get started doing the job we're here to do. Until later, hope life is good with all of you. I'll get the wilson kid on here at some point with some pictures or something else exciting, if he isn't sleeping or doing something of that nature.
1. I have been asked this several times by several individuals so I'll just put it out on the internet to set the record straight. Yes, Stephen M Wilson has deactivated his facebook. If you want to know his reasoning, send him an e-mail (don't call him because he's mentioned to me several times his hatred for phone conversatinos) and he will tell you. He gives a different reason every time I talk to him. No, he has not contracted swine flu. No, he has not locked himself in his room mourning the fact that his governor is a freakhead nut job. No, he has not been eaten by a deer. He is perfectly well and healthy, unless you think not being able to move on account of a new weight-lifting program to be unhealthy.
2. For those of you who know about my phobia of pickles, I would like to broadcast the fact that twice in the past few days I have eaten a sandwhich off a plate infested with pickles. And i did not complain. I dealt with it. Of course I could taste the pickle smell on my sandwhich, which definitely made the experience less enjoyable, but I believe this means I am making great strides with my legitimate fear.
3. We had "AV training" the other day in Stackhouse Theater and the woman training us (who's name escapes me, but we'll call her Connie, she looks like a Connie) freaked us out by warning us about a phenomenon called the "blue screen of death". Unfortunately, she only sort of told us how to get ride of this monochromatic screen that supposedly brings about the apocalypse. It had something to do with pushing certain buttons with your middle finger (she made it VERY clear that the middle finger part was a very necessary step). So all us RAs are hoping and praying we don't come across the blue screen of death. Keep your fingers crossed for us please. Ohhhh Connie.
4. Although I have yet to see Transformers 2, the RA's had a nice bonding session the other night, watching the first installment of the series to prepare for the sequel. Danielle and I bonded over Shia LeBouf while Mike and Stephen bonded over Megan Fox. It was great.
5. In order to kill half an hour and get ourselves out of our rooms, Stephen and I took newly-acquired van 94 out on a little spin. We aimlessly drove around Lexington singing rounds and patriotic songs (since we couldn't find a good radio station) and discovered some interesting things. For instance, who knew we had a little planned community for old people out in the country? I certainly didn't until we happened upon it and immediately left after the old people standing outside their houses gave us death glares. I think they were robots. They looked really angry. Others might disagree.
6. Mary Murphy needs to take a few sedatives. That is all.
Well I think that's all I have to say for now. Tomorrow and Saturday we have 400 Sigma Nus arriving from accross the country for a SNu conference so things should get interesting. Until then we have to distribute pillows, blankets, linens, etc to all 300+ rooms in Gilliam, Davis, and Graham-Lees. And then our lovely Alumns come on Sunday. I think we're all looking forward to the alumns getting here so we can interact with some interesting people and have more to do in our day. Although it's kind of nice being paid for a full day when we only do about 3 hours of work max, we're ready to get started doing the job we're here to do. Until later, hope life is good with all of you. I'll get the wilson kid on here at some point with some pictures or something else exciting, if he isn't sleeping or doing something of that nature.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
6/23/09 Question of the Day
You've won yourself a double feature today.
Context: I am verbally accosted 2 DAYS IN A ROW by 14 year old girls in the dining hall. Yesterday, I was the first of the RAs to sit down for dinner and so for about 3-4 minutes I am sitting alone. I can feel the harsh and unabashed glares of 3 giggling female specimen searing into my left frontal lobe. I can see through their high-pitched cackling and into their very innards where harrowing, puerile ideas form. I hear an asinine outburst.
"Want to come sit with us?," says the girl dressed as a soccer player.
"No, but thanks," I respond. "The other RAs are coming."
(Here is where the script flips.)
"Okkkkk, Mr. Popular," says the girl who is beginning to look like a Bratz Doll.
I laugh of this moment of immense awkwardness and continue with my meal while I hope (read: pray) for my fellow RAs to join me.
------3 more minutes where no one has come. I'm under the impression that conversation with Soccer Barbie is over. That is until I hear....
"You're just so popular"
WHAT IS THIS?! Is this even REAL?! I didn't even know what to do. I just sat there, put my head down, and laughed uncomfortably.
Finally, Danielle came and I was saved.
---Or so I thought.
The next day, we RAs sat at a table very close to the one we sat at yesterday. I sit down, notice no Bratz dolls in sight, and breathe a sigh of relief. Lunch is certain to be uneventful.
All of a sudden it gets loud, and then louder and louder. And before I know it, the girls soccer camp has taken over the dining hall and the same group of girls sit as close as they possibly could.
And then it happened.
"Hey, Mr. Popular!," slips from her mouth all too intentionally. I ignore although I am shaken to the point that I just wonder what the hell I have done to be the victim of their foul play.
The meal ends soon after and I make my escape.
Q2: "What if the deer eat us?"
I suppose Shiri's post is enough explanation for this tidbit.
Star Starring Adventure, because "I'm just not in the mood for star gazing"
Stephen iChatted me around 6:30 yesterday evening informing me that the forecast foretold clear skies for the evening and that if I wasn't going to be back too late from my prior engagement we should go "star starring". I thought that sounded lovely so when I returned to lovely Gaines around 9:30 PM I went to the male RAs' suite and woke Stephen up from what I learned was a 2 1/2 hour "pseudo sleep". We headed out to the Ruins in our trusty golf cart with blanket, camera, and Stephen's recently-purchased-from-the-wal bag of Twizzlers in hand. This was approximately 10:30, by the way (we had made a Wal-Mart run previously). On our way up we saw about 4 deer chillaxing off the road up by the Pavillion and around the Ruins, and each time we saw one Stephen literally screamed. Apparently he doesn't like deer? I proceeded to tell him to chill out, but he insisted on informing me of the danger to us the animals signified. "There's got to be a buck around here somewhere" is probably his favorite phrase because I heard it several times. I calmly informed Stephen that the deer are more afraid of us than we are of them, but he still pleaded with me to go back to Gaines and abandon the star starring adventure. I refused. Now, one Stephen M Wilson might be upset that I am broadcasting news of his irrational fear of cute forest animals on the world wide web, but I think since his fear is so ridiculous he can get over it. Anyway, we finally got to the ruins, and after taking a few pictures and making sarcastic comments about the place being haunted (which, needless to say, Stephen took seriously) we laid out a blanket and attempted to look at stars. Although the sky was beautiful, it was difficult to enjoy the stars because every second Stephen would sit up and gasp with a “What was that?!”
“Did you hear that?” “There’s a car coming! What if they’re here to kill us, our getaway vehicle isn’t very fast or menacing!” (which was actually a valid, quite terrifying point). Whilst lying out there we saw some bats, which I informed Stephen generally eat bugs and fruit, not people. We took note of the big dipper in the sky but realized that we should have “pre-gamed” for the adventure, if you will, by reading up on our astronomy knowledge. Oh well, next time. After lying there for a bit, attempting to explain to Stephen the necessity of using stargazing as a chance to clear your mind, connect with nature, contemplate your place in the universe, get to know your fellow stargazers, etc (all my theories about the personal development that can occur under the stars were wasted on an unwilling Stephen) we finally left. This was pretty much because more cars started showing up in the freshman parking lot right next to us (even though it was 11:30 at night, which I admit was kind of sketch). So after once again discussing the fact that not too long ago, certainly not when the ruins were an actual building, neither of us would have been allowed up there (I being of the female species, and he being African-American) we got back in Patty the Putter (as we affectionately call the golf cart) and headed back to campus, fears of ghosts of the confederate past coming to haunt innocent stargazers behind us. On our way back we passed a few more deer (I named one Felix and another Frances, because Bambi is far too cliché), and made it back to Gaines safely. And thus ends our stargazing adventure. Good times were had by all, here’s hoping that next time Wilson is much more mentally prepared. Perhaps we’ll find a better location, one that isn’t so overrun with wildlife that sdub is distracted by illogical fears. We shall see, though.
“Did you hear that?” “There’s a car coming! What if they’re here to kill us, our getaway vehicle isn’t very fast or menacing!” (which was actually a valid, quite terrifying point). Whilst lying out there we saw some bats, which I informed Stephen generally eat bugs and fruit, not people. We took note of the big dipper in the sky but realized that we should have “pre-gamed” for the adventure, if you will, by reading up on our astronomy knowledge. Oh well, next time. After lying there for a bit, attempting to explain to Stephen the necessity of using stargazing as a chance to clear your mind, connect with nature, contemplate your place in the universe, get to know your fellow stargazers, etc (all my theories about the personal development that can occur under the stars were wasted on an unwilling Stephen) we finally left. This was pretty much because more cars started showing up in the freshman parking lot right next to us (even though it was 11:30 at night, which I admit was kind of sketch). So after once again discussing the fact that not too long ago, certainly not when the ruins were an actual building, neither of us would have been allowed up there (I being of the female species, and he being African-American) we got back in Patty the Putter (as we affectionately call the golf cart) and headed back to campus, fears of ghosts of the confederate past coming to haunt innocent stargazers behind us. On our way back we passed a few more deer (I named one Felix and another Frances, because Bambi is far too cliché), and made it back to Gaines safely. And thus ends our stargazing adventure. Good times were had by all, here’s hoping that next time Wilson is much more mentally prepared. Perhaps we’ll find a better location, one that isn’t so overrun with wildlife that sdub is distracted by illogical fears. We shall see, though.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Tools of the Trade
Every few days (whenever I feel like it), I will post some sort of feature. For now, I will focus on the tools necessary for success in working with the Office of Special Programs. Today's installment focuses on what is perhaps most important is our "Fleet". That's right, we rely on a pretty sick fleet of motor vehicles to transport supplies, old people, and ourselves. We picked up the keys to our Chevrolet SportsVan and our EZ-Go golfcart last Thursday and since then we have used our new wheels to take us anywhere (and everywhere).
This all leads me to our question of the day: What other summer job offers you 24/7 access to a 15 passenger van and a 6 (Thats right! 6!) passenger golf cart?
So here is a picture of our fleet:
And here is a picture of Shiri being a super safe driver:
Saturday, June 20, 2009
It's a beautiful Saturday afternoon. We just spent some time outside attempting to fly a kite (and failing to do so), reading on the lawn in front of Lee Chapel (and arguing about whether Jane Austen is worthy of literary merit), determining cloud shapes (I taught Stephen all about cirrus vs. cumulus vs. stratus clouds and why the sky is blue...Mrs Brady, my 8th grade science teacher, would be proud), and otherwise basking in the beautiful weather. Stephen thought it was too hot but it was in fact glorious. Now we're back in air conditioned Gaines watching soccer games on a TV acquired by questionable means. I can't think of a better way to spend a day (unless Disneyland or the beach is involved). Now, while Stephen cleans and I watch future husband Fernando Torress kick some South Africa tookus, I shall fill you in on the events of the last few days:
We started work on Thursday with a short staff meeting. We quickly learned that the five of us RAs would have little to no structure or supervision during the next few weeks. We basically got a list of tasks to complete and were set loose to do them in whichever order and at whatever pace we wanted. We picked up our University credit cards (legit), acquired keys to the golf cart and huge 15 pasenger van we'd be driving (also legit), and completed "Ed Bulger Driver Training" (which consisted of Ed telling us that people have a natural tendency to want to steal golf carts and informing us that if an alumn wanted to bring alcohol onto the cart we were to inform him that "either you go, or the booze goes"). Ed was the first of many "characters" we met during the first two days of the job. He's the head of security at W&L and enjoys pretending like he's bffs with people even though they've never actually met. He mentioned to colleague-Tyler that they had met several times and while talking about speed limit policies said "This kid knows what I'm talking about", a comment which still baffles Tyler--he asserts he has never seen the man before. Ed excitedly exclaimed to head-RA-Mike "You ride Traveller, don't you?!" Yes, Ed. We all ride Traveller. He also enjoys making fun of people for where there from by making unneccessary comments like "You know how they parallel park in Michigan! harty har har" Danielle from Michigan has no idea what this comment means. So yes, that's Ed. We really like him. He's fun.
Our first 15 passenger van adventure (the van has yet to be named. I'll think of a good one soon enough) was to the storage unit behind Taco Bell to get all the supplies for AC that were put away for the school year. Tracey (one of our trusty bosses) told us that we'd be overwhelmed by the amount of stuff in there. We assumed she was overexaggerating. Oh no. That little storage unit was literally filled to the brim with lamps, bags of pillows, crates of light bulbs and vases, boxes of hangers and Kleenex, and tons of other random crap (for lack of a better word). It took 4 trips back and forth with the van (a great chance for each of us to practice driving) to get all the stuff into our inventory room in Gaines and that took most of the rest of the day.
Our final task of the day was a trip to the Wal (you know how giddy we get about the Wal). Toilet paper and trash bags in hand, we five BA RAs returned to the hill and were done for the day.
This is when sdub and I decided to "practice driving" the golf cart. For details on this adventure, see our two facebook videos.
Well co-author of this blog just informed me that this is "a long-ass post" so I guess I should stop. I'll turn it over to him for the question of the day and maybe if you're lucky, another little surprise.
We started work on Thursday with a short staff meeting. We quickly learned that the five of us RAs would have little to no structure or supervision during the next few weeks. We basically got a list of tasks to complete and were set loose to do them in whichever order and at whatever pace we wanted. We picked up our University credit cards (legit), acquired keys to the golf cart and huge 15 pasenger van we'd be driving (also legit), and completed "Ed Bulger Driver Training" (which consisted of Ed telling us that people have a natural tendency to want to steal golf carts and informing us that if an alumn wanted to bring alcohol onto the cart we were to inform him that "either you go, or the booze goes"). Ed was the first of many "characters" we met during the first two days of the job. He's the head of security at W&L and enjoys pretending like he's bffs with people even though they've never actually met. He mentioned to colleague-Tyler that they had met several times and while talking about speed limit policies said "This kid knows what I'm talking about", a comment which still baffles Tyler--he asserts he has never seen the man before. Ed excitedly exclaimed to head-RA-Mike "You ride Traveller, don't you?!" Yes, Ed. We all ride Traveller. He also enjoys making fun of people for where there from by making unneccessary comments like "You know how they parallel park in Michigan! harty har har" Danielle from Michigan has no idea what this comment means. So yes, that's Ed. We really like him. He's fun.
Our first 15 passenger van adventure (the van has yet to be named. I'll think of a good one soon enough) was to the storage unit behind Taco Bell to get all the supplies for AC that were put away for the school year. Tracey (one of our trusty bosses) told us that we'd be overwhelmed by the amount of stuff in there. We assumed she was overexaggerating. Oh no. That little storage unit was literally filled to the brim with lamps, bags of pillows, crates of light bulbs and vases, boxes of hangers and Kleenex, and tons of other random crap (for lack of a better word). It took 4 trips back and forth with the van (a great chance for each of us to practice driving) to get all the stuff into our inventory room in Gaines and that took most of the rest of the day.
Our final task of the day was a trip to the Wal (you know how giddy we get about the Wal). Toilet paper and trash bags in hand, we five BA RAs returned to the hill and were done for the day.
This is when sdub and I decided to "practice driving" the golf cart. For details on this adventure, see our two facebook videos.
Well co-author of this blog just informed me that this is "a long-ass post" so I guess I should stop. I'll turn it over to him for the question of the day and maybe if you're lucky, another little surprise.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Welcome to the lives of "Residential Assistants at the Office of Special Programs" aka "unsupervised workers with little to no structure whatsoever"
Hello from Lexington, specifically Washington and Lee University Gaines Hall Suite 297 Room C, via Granny Smith (the computer of one Shiri "syad" Yadlin). We're two days in, still going strong. Since our lives are so terribly thrilling (so thrilling, in fact, that we have nothing better to do on a Friday night than create our own blog), we decided to tell our story so you lowly civilians can anxiously follow us this long, epic summer. For those of you who don't know, we Sophomores are spending just over 6 weeks of our summer vacation in good old Lex Vegas, working for the Office of Special Programs as Resident Assistants for the Alumni College and a few other small conferences taking place on campus this summer. The Alumni College is a program for always-exciting-and-adorable Alumns of W&L who have nothing better to do with their money and would like to come back to school for a week of their summer to take classes, hear lectures, get boozed up, and participate in other such events. As RAs, we help set everything up for the alumns (rooms, beds, TV equiptment, coffee breaks, socials, etc), mingle and schmooze with them during meals and receptions, and otherwise help them out with everything they need. Should be a good time. Until June 28th, when the first AC (as Alumni College will henceforth be refered to) session begins, we are setting up for a Teacher Conference and Sigma Nu conference. Other than that we don't really know, but we shall see soon enough. Anyway, that's just a brief overview of what is to come this summer. We hope to conclude each post with a "question of the day". We plan to sprinkle in a few other feature surprises as well, so be sure to stay tuned and follow this blog religiously. That's right, bookmark it. Don't just put it on your menu, but on your actual bookmark bar, so our witty banter is only one click away. Until later, peace.
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