Heat Wave

First we got dumped and now we are in the middle of a heat wave. By heat wave I mean we have a high of forty and people are running down the JAYwalk in shorts. It is definitely a bit better than zero with a wind chill in the negatives, but even that was somewhat enjoyable. Just the plethora of winter wear was enough to bring a smile to your lips. The first picture is an example of such.

Beyond that, the snow is melting and then refreezing at night so you need a pair of ice skates to get to class. But watching people was funny. I'm sure I looked hilarious slipping and sliding along the sidewalk. At least this time I didn't fall. In our last massive snow dumping I couldn't keep my butt off the ground. Take a step, fall down. Take a step, fall down. There was falling in the road and falling on the sidewalks and falling down steps, but no injuries thank goodness.

With all the puddles it is now like walking through a lake. A lake that is not that deep and not that big but still a lake. This blog started with puddles, jumping in them and then coming to the realization that I had to do my own laundry. It was no longer magical or free. I haven't jumped in any of the puddle-lakes yet, but I have desired it. Just, when carrying a book bag with books and other things that shouldn't get wet located inside puddle jumping doesn't have the same satisfaction. I might have to jump today though. It's so nice out (meaning 39 and somewhat sunny) that the day wouldn't be complete without a puddle party.

Have yourselves a great weekend.

Pictures: Picture the first is of me, trying out a different style of winter wear. Picture the second is of the first massive snow dumping and example of the walking conditions. Sadly, I do not have pictures of the falling, but the walking is pretty impressive as well. Picture the third is in Bishop Cafe, on a couch, with a lot of people. On the couch: me, Mery, Mike, and Christ is across us. Out the windows, it is snowing, a lot. Picture the fourth is of me, in Bishop, confused by the camera nearly jammed up my nose.

Dumped

The snow arrived in full force Monday night. It was enough to cancel class Tuesday afternoon and then all day on Wednesday. I believe the final count was around ten inches, which, compared to the New York snow is merely a dusting, but for central Ohio, if felt like we were buried.

both the Smith dorms and the Welch dorm have a billiards table and equipment that you canTuesday was spent decompressing for the snow with pool and movies. I know for certain that rent from the information desk. Our crew has our own set of balls that Megan purchased from a local antique shop and there are three sticks that rotate turns. The selected movie for the evening, Aladdin.

Wednesday, we (Geoff, Ryan, Megan and myself) went romping through Blue Limestone Park which is about a ten minute walk from the OWU. There are a whole collection of parks in the area, two that are within walking distance and others that are a quick drive away. Mingo Park, also within walking distance, has a cut path if you like to walk or run.

All the pictures come to from out Wednesday journey. First, the walk took us past the hill outside Stuy dorm. The snow as so pristine and pretty. Then Geoff got the idea that they could do body prints in the snow and that is exactly what happened. Geoff started with just falling backwards. Megan, decided to jump forward and do a face plant. Picture number one is Megan's face place and picture number two is Geoff and Ryan just after they fell backward. The third picture in this collection is Megan, Geoff, and Ryan and back-printed in the snow.

The final picture is of snow romping. Geoff collapsed again in the snow so Megan and Ryan helped him up. It ended in more of throw because both thought they needed more force than they actually did and Geoff came flying toward me. I was able to get out of the way and get a picture.

Enjoy your weekend.

Off Campus Exploration

Yesterday, Saturday, Megan's parents came to visit and they took Megan, Geoff, Mery, and myself to dinner at Buca di Beppos. It is a maze of a resturant that serves the food in group proportions; one dish, small in size, will feed two to three people. This was my first experience with the place and it was wonderful. Bread, salad, spaghetti with the biggest meatballs ever, cannelloni, and there was a lovely chocolate cake for dessert. I am not a chocolate fan and this was really good. It is definitely a worth a while experience. Just a get a large group and go.


As far a eating closer to campus there are some great options. OWU has connections in Delaware where some eateries accept food points and therein, one hundred points from the meal plan are donated to off campus eating. One of those places is Mean Bean, a coffee shop. They have wonderful hot chocolate because I am not a coffee person. They also have giant cookies that they will heat up in the microwave for you. So good.


It is a hop, skip, and a jump down Sandusky St. and also worth a visit. Beeghly, which is the OWU library, is also fun toI spent a bit of time in there today after visiting the Delaware Public Library. explore. Up the steps, down the steps, around the shelves; it's worth while just to find a secluded place to study or read.


Have a great start to your week.


Pictures: First is of Megan, Geoff, Mery, and myself at the restaurant. Second is of me, but more importantly, notice the wall behind me. That insanity of pictures covers the whole restaurant. I don't think there was a uncovered spot. Third is the destroyed cake. Fourth and last is Megan, Mery, and myself in the back of Megan's parents truck.

A Pondering on Words

I am sitting in the dark; blanket wrapped around my body, computer on my lap. The head phones are plugged in but I'm not listening. They can't dull the key taps for my sleeping roommate. I like the clicking; each press of a key makes me feel like I'm doing something important. But at the same time, I really enjoy the sound of pen scratching paper. All my first drafts are written that way. I keep them in a scattered mess about my room-- binders, notebooks, sheets of black pen defaced paper.
"And a thought crosses my mind", as Garth Brook's says in his song If Tomorrow Never Comes, but it isn't really tomorrow not coming that I'm pondering. I'm thinking about words really. How the simplicity of them is beautiful, but their interpretation changes based upon every reader. I think I am finally understanding why authors chose their words so brilliantly and so carefully.

Snow

Ah, I believe we have reached week three of the semester. There is still snow on the ground. We've entered into a loop where it snows, then gets just above freezing, then dips below and snows again. I am especially fond of the days that you stand outside in the middle of the JAYwalk and the wind whips up your jacket, the snow swirls around your head, but the sun is shining. It is a pretty and surreal experience. That is probably my favorite time.

But this weekend, I will not be able to experience such because I am traveling north to Vermilion Ohio. I didn't know this, but Vermilion is actually a color-- red. Vermilion received its name from the red clay in the area. It was the color vermilion. Geoff lives there and he is taking Megan, Ryan, and myself home with him. There should be a bit of snow north, probably lake effect snow.

This vacation is a chance for the lot of us to take a break from classes. There will of course be
studying but it is amazing how much more seems to get done out of dorm. OWU does have some great places to study. The dorms all have study rooms and the library is nice. Plus, the university leaves classrooms unlocked for student use. Also, scattered throughout the buildings are chairs, like in the Fish Lounge of the science center. When the weather is warmer there are also tables outside that are popular to studying. It's really about finding your place and doing your thing. I prefer my bed.

I'll catch everybody later.

Pictures: again, these a courtesy of Geoff so a big thank you goes to him. Picture one: The street that leads to Stuy (a dorm on campus) and some of the SLUs (small living units- another housing option for students). Picture two was taken on the four floor of Ham-Will looking up at the roof. Picture three is of a piece of artwork outside the library, and those tables in the background are the ones I was talking about studying at. Picture number four is something that I thought was cool. Megan is holding the camera and on it is a picture of Ryan.

Enjoy!