Have you ever been single? Have you ever been stuck in the presence of two romantically involved individuals? Did this situation make you feel uncomfortable or slightly awkward? Do you enjoy answering rhetorical questions? If you answered yes to the first three, you’ve been what’s colloquially known as a third wheel. The process leading up to the position of “third wheel” usually goes something like … Continue reading The upside of being a third wheel

As the leaves of many text books flip by, let’s admit, pre-mature flurries have arrived atop the Hill! Freshly sharpened pencils and skills, new smiles and old remind us that it is a time of renewal and illumination of new paths. Leaves tumble down from their branches; one unique one nudged itself like a note between a car’s windshield wipers. These intricate shapes, created with … Continue reading Leaf a note

If there were to be one thing that could make me believe in God or a higher power of some sort, or to at least inspire some intense spiritual thought, it would be an unadulterated, uninhibited view of the night sky. When I see a great view of the stars, I am inspired to ponder life more intensely. The night sky faces us with a … Continue reading If Thomas Edison hadn’t invented his infernal lights I might still believe in God

For some reason fall is a time of pondering the meaning of life. Maybe it’s the falling leaves, making us wonder why everything dies. Maybe the cold keeps us inside and makes us read more. Maybe, for college students such as myself, the end of a lazy summer cusped by the onset of forced critical thinking sparks primordial pondering. Or maybe I’m just making baseless … Continue reading Fall saddles

Anger has received a pretty bad rap in our society. The best example that I can think of is the Emperor from Star Wars: “Give into your hate Luke … let your anger give you strength … something something dark side …complete.” When you think of evil characters, fictional or not, there is hardly anyone else that is so purely evil (without sadistic tendencies or … Continue reading The value of anger

I have a confession to make: I belong to a quasi-exclusive, hardly secretive organization on campus, one that is shrouded in mystery and misunderstanding. Like other quasi-exclusive, hardly secretive organizations, we members have books and sayings by which we recognize our brothers and sisters, and incoming members are subjected to rigors and challenges that no ordinary person would dare to complete. No, I am not … Continue reading Monastic Moments

The recent fervor sparked by Rep. Alan Grayson’s comments about the Republican health care plan have created quite the buzz in our 24-hour news cycle. Replay after replay of Grayson’s comments have turned the phrase “die quickly” and “holocaust in America” into a rallying cry for the GOP. But wait a second; the whole “the other side wants to kill Americans” concept seems to have … Continue reading Why do both parties want to kill Americans? Refocusing the healthcare debate

Since the day Jack R. Ohle was announced as President of the College, his actions have been steeped in controversy. This commentary is meant to inform those who are unaware of those effects and spark the attention of the student body as whole, especially first-year students who are unaware of the College’s recent unease. We cannot let the wrongs of the past to be swept … Continue reading What’s happening at Gustavus?

We can all agree that we are paying too much, or not getting paid enough, by this institution. I pay almost double now than what I did for my first year (which was only two years ago, mind you) as tuition, fees and residence costs have gone up, while state and college financial aid has diminished. At the same time, faculty members are paid half … Continue reading Of students and teachers at Gustavus

Minnesota Nice is a definite piece of Gustavus culture. During my three years here, I have come to conclude that Minnesota Nice is perhaps a complete representation of Gustavian culture; the good and the bad aspects of Minnesota Nice define the Gustavian identity. But what exactly is “Minnesota Nice?” It is a term that can be used positively or derisively, alternately implying genuine politeness or … Continue reading Minnesota’s niceties: staring at the floor