The Fright of Finals

Sitting on my bed,
The noise of the clock- tick tock,
The pen remains still.

Try, Try Again: A Classic Tale of Bike Riding

I was seven. Perhaps I was the only one in the second grade who couldn’t ride a bike without training wheels. Yup, it was a difficult time in my puny little life. Heck, my younger brother who was five at the time was riding without training wheels.

Finally, one spring, I decided to dedicate an entire weekend to learning how to ditch the ‘wheels. My grandmother lived down the street from us on the same development in Albuquerque at the time. The bike was bright pink and green and had rubber wheels (perfect for riding over thorny prickers the tumble weeds left behind). I practiced riding back and forth from her house to ours with the training wheels on, trying my hardest not to let them touch the ground. When I thought I had mastered that it was time t have my dad take me out for some real training.

So, like any parent trying to teach their kid how to ride a bike, my dad would start with one hand on the handle bars and one hand on the seat, pushing me down the street. He’d count “1, 2…3” before he let go. Time after time I would never get too far. It wasn’t long before my frustration got the best of me (an attitude I would later revert to when my dad was teaching me how to drive).

A cooling period was in order. My Dad and I went inside where my brothers and grandma were eagerly waiting to here how things were going. Fed up, I exaclaimed, “I’m going to be in college before I learn to ride a bike!” Being the tiny drama queen I was, my family just grinned.

A few hours later I snuck outside to do some solo practicing and low and behold- I did it. I finally made my first full run without training wheels and without a helping hand. At that moment all the anger, frustration, and embarrassment I had felt before became obsolete. I had finally caught up to my brothers and the rest of my class.

When I ran inside and told my dad he looked at me, smiled, and exclaimed, “I’m gonna be in college before I ride a bike!” Although seemingly scornful, it was my dad’s sarcastic remark that made me see just how silly it was to ever doubt myself.

Warm Weekend in November

I've counted two convertables with tops down this past weekend and friends have noted others. I mean, it is November, right? I didn't think it was necessarily THAT warm out but, sure, I guess we never really had a summer. Let's just hope its a good, cool and cozy Thanksgiving!


There, I've given you at least three potential topics to comment on in case we've tired the topic of "Goats". Wish you all the best over the long Thanksgiving weekend. :)

The Men Who Stare at Goats

“The Men Who Stare at Goats” is a comic story of a young Michigan reporter, Bob Wilton, played by Ewan McGregor who finds himself in a desperate need for new adventure. He is soon taken through the Middle East with psychic army veteran, Lyn Cassidy, played by George Clooney. Cassidy takes Wilton on an epic journey where he meets eccentric comrades, Bill Django (Jeff Bridges), and Larry Hooper (Kevin Spacey). Although a great plot with a remarkable cast, the movie doesn’t live up to its potential. Fortunately for those who haven’t seen the movie, all the best sequences can be viewed in the trailer.

Bed & Breakfast

For the past three summers I’ve been working at a bed and breakfast on Martha’s Vineyard. Through my experiences there I’ve come to learn a lot about how sustainable living applies directly to businesses. Already the Ashley Inn has made many renovations (energy star washers and dryers, buying local food, etc.) and even influenced guest’s habits while they stay at the inn.

I’ve decided to run with these great ideas in the pursuit of my own themed bed and breakfast (name pending). After seeing how gentle persuasions help build a family-like atmosphere that attracts most guests to small inns I have realized how beneficial and fun it could be to bring more education and planned programming could be to a business and our beloved environment. Plans so far include partnerships with local farms and transportation services.

Greensleeves

Painting by Lisa Rae Winant

Mr. Bixby was feeling for his flask before he could even reach the tall doors of the bank. If only these doors could do a better job of keeping men like him from bothering the tellers with, yet another, foolish need for a loan.

“God damned know-nothings!” He shouted just as he pulled the dripping flask from his chin. Mr. Bixby was trying to get a loan so he would have enough money to start his new business- selling another one of his wacky inventions. Too bad the town already had a great inventor, a mighty successful one at that. The man was known to be a genius. Yes, he was among the most successful men in Centerville. Mr. Bixby hated him for it.

So on his way home from the bank it was no wonder that Mr. Bixby wouldn’t even give it a second take when the genie appeared next to him on the side-walk, standing side-by-side as he waited for the light to turn so he could cross the wet, dark street. Mr. Bixby would believe in anything if he thought it was an easy way to overtake his rival’s fame and success. The light turned to “walk” and everybody crossed except for Mr. Bixby who stood starring at the old women, his body rocking side-to-side.

“I get one wish.” He arrogantly told the woman. The old woman slowly nodded her head. “I want to be the wealthiest man in my town!” He exclaimed.

“Okay,” the old women said with a guilty grin. “If that’s what you want, I’ll make it so." The next thing Mr. Bixby knew, he was waking up to the bright sun shining on his face as he lay on a barren, sandy hill. As he got up he quickly fell back onto his knees as he looked at the sign that read "welcome to White Sands: population 1".

Healthy Habits

While my first official blog may not be the most refreshing topic it is something I’ve always felt strongly about-- environmental consciousness. For me, it’s a habit that has been drilled into my head since I was very little. Even as a kid my brothers and I were held responsible for the unnecessary lights that we left on in the house. Recycling was always practiced, and we were taught to use as little water as possible (although I still to this day challenge myself to take shorter showers). Growing up it was just routine and I rarely thought twice about it-- muscle memory more or less.

That is why I am a supporter of UNH's Energy Waste Watch Challenge. The Energy Challenge in a nutshell is a month-long competition between all the residence halls and apartments on campus to save the most water and electricity. With the help of the Housing Department and the Office of Sustainability, the amount of electricity and water used by each individual building is calculated. At the end of the competition the numbers are calculated again and the dorm with the highest percentage of waste reduction wins $300 for a pizza party, a trophy, and, of course, bragging rights. Each dorm is appointed an Energy Captain who is responsible for informing residents of helpful tips and reminders to reduce waste throughout the month of the challenge.

Cheesy? Yes. Logical? Yes.

While it seems like such a silly competition that is because it is. The real purpose of the Energy Challenge is to get residents to rethink the habits they have and ask them to form new, more eco-friendly ones. The thought of bearing a shorter shower for only a month isn't so bad if it means your dorm gets the funds for a free pizza party or ice cream social. The idea then is that after practicing things like shutting off the lights when leaving the room, taking shorter showers, and not letting water run when brushing your teeth for a whole month residents have formed new, more sustainable habits.

Effective? Yes.

The amount of waste reduced from the first Challenge back in 2006 was outstanding and the overall amount of money that UNH saved was in the thousands! Since then UNH has continued to have remarkable success. This just proves to me that it doesn't take a special person to care about the world we live in, it only takes a little practice forming new habits.