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
It’s a gorgeous day atop the Hill, the Old Main clock ticks away steadily, and the question flies out of our mouths: Howareya? As the wind brushes up the autumn leaves, this salutation is immediately overtaken by a mission to beat the clock. Hanging in the air is a conversation about someone’s unique and present well-being. How do we treat the answer—as if we’ve heard … Continue reading Take a moment to breathe in the present
The printer purrs as the 50 page article your professor posted on Moodle is slowly churned out. Your GAC printing account quickly depleted, you walk back to your study area to begin reading. What happened to the good old days when printing was free at Gustavus? I understand that Gustavus and the rest of the world are trying to be more earth friendly and want … Continue reading Of printing and printers at Gustavus
You’re lying in your bed at around 9:30 am in that half-waking, half-sleeping state on the morning that you don’t have class until 11:30, trying to bring back that dream you were just having in which Dr. Zaius from Planet of the Apes revealed Michael Jackson’s death to be a giant hoax and then joined him onstage for a rendition of The Way You Make … Continue reading Damned Fire Drills Early In The Mornins
