Things that Crank My Gears:End of the Semester Edition
I am officially over half way done with college. It seems like just yesterday my Dad dropped me off and told me don’t come home pregnant. This was a long semester. Two part-time jobs, an internship, and on top of that I moved a few blocks off of campus so there would be no more waking up at the last-minute. I am glad this semester is over but it did not end without a few woes. Those woes that only occur after Thanksgiving and before winter break.
1) EVERYTHING is crowded. There is no place to sit in the library or the tech center (which is the country’s largest computer center). The lines at all the on campus spots are crowded as people need to get their caffeine and food fix at 3 am. Plus there is a line to the shuttle which turns a typical five-minute wait into at least a half hour wait.
2) Piggy backing off of number one, EVERYTHING is crowded so you see EVERYONE. I mean EVERYONE. Remember that person whom you gave your fake name & number? Yup, he’s at a table with people who know your real name and number. Remember that person who lend you her book? Yup, she still wants that book back. Remember that person you’ve been avoiding all semester? Yup, he’s with the other three people you’ve been avoiding this semester. Advice? Avoid eye contact and walk fast, that way everyone sees you, but you see nobody.
3) Everything is due and you do not have time to do anything so you begin making crucial decisions: Do I save time to print out that ten page paper or do I do myself (and society) a favor by running a comb through my hair?—> Wear a hat, print the paper. Do I hurry up and go to campus to turn in this last assignment to my teacher by the deadline or do I put on deodorant?—-> Avoid Eye contact and walk fast, that way everyone smells you, but no one sees you smell.
4) Since everything is packed, when you finally do find a place to sit and crack open a book, WHY do people insist on walking up to you and making small talk? Do you not have any finals? And for the small chance you’re finished why are you here talking? Go home and clean your self because that whole rugged look is not working for you.
5) Its the end of the semester in the academic Advising center. The last day to withdraw from a class was the first week in November. No, you cannot withdraw after you have already taken the final and do not lie to my face talking about well you didn’t know you were failing. It is simple: If you do not know you’re failing you obviously were not going to class, if you don’t go to class, you’re going to fail. Now, go brace your parents for that report card.
6) I don’t understand how teachers can demand everything be turned in on time but they never turn in grades on time. On top of that, you have the gall to email me the day grades are due claiming you do not have my work when I have emails that show I sent you the work two months ago? Hoe, I’m not the one.
7) I already mentioned this in number one but I really hate how overcrowded the library is at the end of the semester. Well maybe I don’t hate how its overcrowded as much as I hate those who are overcrowding it. Usually when I go to the library it is me, another african american, a few whites sprinkled here and there and EVERYONE else is asian. Now, there are all of these non Asians here taking up spots and not even being productive. They’re just being loud, using all the tissue in the bathroom, and wasting valuable oxygen. Just because you’re here the last week in the semester does not mean you’re going to pass. Where were you during those other points in the semester (and no midterms do not count).
Things I Wonder About…Volume I
There are some things in life that I just don’t understand. Whether it be people, cars, or just situations some things I just don’t get. Maybe not everything is meant to be understood but if anyone has the answers to any of these ponderings I currently have please, do tell.
1) Why neighborhoods that seem to have the highest teenage pregnancy rates, have their drugstores carry contraception in a locked case? I am not a proponent of premarital sex but I am also not a proponent of idiocy. If teenagers are going to be stealing stuff at least give them the option to steal something that not only prevents pregnancy but also prevents STIs.
2) Why do people think that just because someone wears their hair “natural” (dreadlocks, afro, basically non chemically processed hair) that person is automatically seen as evoking “positive energy” and that person can do no wrong. I don’t care how many two strand twists a person wears or how many poetry lounges they frequent, they could be named “Langston Hughes” for all I care, that person is still human and capable of having human tendencies.
3) Why girls do not know the difference between tights and leggings? Leggings are opaque. Tights are sheer. Tights are what you wear to Easter Sunday under a skirt. Furthermore, I don’t understand why girls who wear stights with a shirt that barely comes to their waist insist on wearing lime green panties. 5 Words – Victoria’s Secret 5 for $25. If you insist on wearing tights (which you shouldn’t) at least buy some black panties.
4) Why do people not only know, but have been counting down the days to the release of Lil Wayne from jail but are unable to keep up with the current state of affairs of this country. Whether Lil Wayne is in or out of jail has nothing to do with us and don’t use the excuse “well I’ll miss out on his music” because even while he was in jail he released some singles and I’m sure he has a volt full of unreleased songs. The state of this country directly relates to how much money you will make, whether you will go to school, how much your bills will be etc and the fact of the matter is, your bills are not going to stop because Lil Wayne is in jail.
5) People who didn’t vote in the midterm elections and their reason is because “Obama is still in office his seat wasn’t in trouble.” To all of you who don’t know how this country’s government works, quick lesson: There are three branches of government – Executive (President), Legislative (Congress), Judicial (Supreme Court). The Legislative Branch passes bills. They pass bills into law that are introduced by congressmen and bills that are introduced by the president. Obama is a democrat. If he has other democrats in congress, they are going to support him because even though every democrat is different, in the long run they want to stick together to make their party as a whole look united on a national level. If there are more republicans in congress, they are going to give Obama the most difficult time to pass any bill into law. The bill could be about helping victims of sexual assault and the republicans are going to retort “that’s what happens when you’re dressed like a hoe and Obama just like his predecessor (B. Clinton) is more concerned about these hoes than this country’s well being” and then not pass the bill. Then when it is time for Obama’s reelection republicans are going to argue, “he couldn’t even help victims of sexual assault, what type of monster is this?” This is not just how the republicans treat the democrats, its how the democrats would treat the republicans if the tables were turned. In short – Obama needs all the people on his team he can get. Before these midterms he was like the Celtics, stacked and ready for any situation. Now he’s a one man show so to all you Obama supporters, pray this one man show is like the Lakers (Kobe-5 rings) and not like the Cavaliers (LeBron – 0 rings and now a permanent side hoe on the Heat).
Things that Crank My Gears – SEPTA edition
For all you non-PA residents – SEPTA: Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority.
AKA the bus, the subway, the train.
The only type of car I’ve had in my entire life is a BMW (Bus, Metro, Walking) so I am used to public transportation or calluses. But, since being in college I’ve found myself using my BMW a lot more often. Especially this semester as I am an intern in downtown Philadelphia but I live in North Philadelphia. So three times a week I join thousands of other workers, students, and parents and board some form of SEPTA. Even though we’re all boarding together, here are a few things that CRANK MY GEARS about the service, passengers, and other things.
1) WHY does every form of SEPTA ALWAYS smell like urine? Every day I burst off of the subway yearning for fresh air. Then I get off and what do I smell? The stench of Philthadelphia. But, I’ll take that over urine any day.
2) Headphones were invented for a reason so why am I listening to Lil Wayne on my ENTIRE ride to and from my internship?
3) Why did the price of tokens go up by twenty cents yet nothing about my ride has changed? At least use the twenty cents and by a car freshener so I don’t have to smell urine.
4) To the man selling…EVERYTHING on the train. No I don’t want a pair of socks, that new Tyler Perry DVD, that stuff in the bottle that you claim is perfume, or a pack of starburst. But, it will be raining later in the week and my umbrella broke so catch me on the orange line at 7:45.
5) I don’t mind conversing with other passengers on the train but how come when I don’t wanna give you my number NOW I got a big head? #imjustsaying
6) To the people who hear the train coming and they’re STILL walking dirt slow. You obviously have nowhere to be but you’re slowing down the rest of us who do have places to be and things to do. Move.
7) While I don’t mind conversing, I also know how to keep my conversation volumes and topics both limited. Some of other passengers should learn the same. I.E. : The girl who was telling her friend her boyfriend gave her VD on friday, the ninth grader (I know because she said it) who was bragging about all of the guys she had sex with (I’d say the number but I’m going to have respect for her seeing as she didn’t have respect for herself), The older woman who was telling all of her neighbor business (apparently he has three baby mamas, he’s not paying child support, and he telling them he trying to get a job even though he lives with soon to be baby mama number 4).
8) The fact that the SEPTA machines now only take dollar bills and no coins. So let me get this straight, you raise your prices from 2.90 (then I would put three singles in and get a dime in change) to 3.10 and now I have to put a five dollar bill in and get 1.90 in change. That;s annoying and noisy.
Things that Crank my Gears – First Week of School Edition
1) People who have been at the school for multiple years and still have no idea where anything is located. No wonder you’re a super duper senior.
2) I hate how the first week of class you meet a really nice guy and you’re thinking to yourself “this is going to be a great semester”. Then at the end of the last class of the first week he says those words: “You are a really great person, you’re JUST like my girlfriend.” -__- Well at least there are some interesting readings in the syllabus you can look forward to.
3) Teachers who assign a quiz for the second day of class on the first day of class. I WILL be dropping this class.
4) STUPID people in general.
5) The long line in the financial aid office. IDK why they insist on holding the refund checks making the entire university go in the office and request their funds to be released.
6) How there are 80 students in a class, and the teacher only orders 30 copies of the book and then has the gall to be upset because no one did the reading.
7) When teachers don’t show up. WTF its the FIRST DAY OF CLASS what do you mean sorry you wrote the wrong day on your schedule?! When I don’t show up halfway through the semester trust I WILL be giving you the same excuse.
8 ) Seeing the same super duper seniors who creeped on me as a freshman creeping on the new freshmen. GRADUATE ALREADY!
Things that Crank My Gears – Academic Advising Edition
“The concept of school seems so secure, sophomore three years ain’t picked a career…” – Kanye West All Falls Down
I work in the Academic Advising Center and these are a few things that crank my gears there.
1) Students who have NO idea when school starts and come into the office two weeks after classes start LIVID because no one told them when school started. (btw temple sends numerous letters, emails, and Temple’s calendars are available 3 yrs in advance #imjustsaying).
2) Parents who call and yell at ME because THEIR child is failing. Parent – “What do you mean they’re on academic warning? He does all the work how is he failing? I need you to tell me how my child is failing.” Me – “Idk how YOUR child is failing. Now Len & Jacqueline’s child I can tell you about…she’s on the dean’s list.”
***DISCLAIMER*** Just because your child tells you that he/she is doing the work, does not mean that it is happening. Maybe mommy’s little princess is a liar? Just a thought….
3) Lazy students. i.e. “Huhhhhhhhhh you mean I have to fill out this form to change my major?! Can’t YOU just tell the advisor and have them do it?” No I can’t and I’m going to lunch.
4) Irrational students. i.e. “I didn’t know I needed a math credit to graduate. That’s privileged information that I didn’t have access to…there has to be some way to get that waived and I’m not leaving until someone waives that requirement.” Privileged information??! When you enroll at Temple you sit through a 4 hour orientation telling you you need a math credit in addition to the Liberal Arts Website, the GenEd Website, and the Undergraduate Bulletin Website telling you you need a math credit to graduate. That’s not privileged information that’s YOU being oblivious.
5) People who DONT have their TUid number. OMG!! For all of you non Temple Students, the TUid number is a special number given to each student upon enrollment at Temple University. TUid number for Temple is Social Security Number for the US Gov’t. Every office at Temple has an automated voice message which states: Please have your TUid number ready to give to the next available party. So do NOT put me on hold so you can go find your purse which has your wallet which has your TUid card with the TUid number on it. I WILL hang up on you.
6) People who call and say, “What do you mean thats the policy? Because my friend said blah blah blah so that means I can do it.” Umm, unless your friend’s name is Ann Weaver Hart (the president of Temple University), your friend is irrelevant to this conversation.
7) Parents who call and in the middle of the conversation start yelling at their kids while on the phone with me. (angry black woman’s voice) “Umm she saying you aint complete all your credits! (calm voice) What’s your name sweetie?”
Me: My name?? ehh…Nairobi
(back to angry black woman’s voice): “Nairobi said you aint got enough credits to be a sophmo’ and I aint paying for no ‘partment if you ain’t a sophmo’.”
…awkward.
8) People who call the ACADEMIC office trying to figure out why FINANCIAL SERVICES (a totally seperate office in a totally seperate building) won’t give them any loans. WE DONT KNOW!
9) People who show up 28 minutes late for a 30 minute appointment and get upset that no one can see them. Also, people who show up for the appointment and instead of checking in at the front desk (which is what the HUGE sign when you first walk into the office says) stand in the hallway and then complain about having to reschedule. NO ONE KNOWS YOU’RE HERE IF YOU’RE STANDING IN THE HALLWAY!
10) People who call and ask to speak directly to an advisor…please tell me WHERE DO THEY DO THAT AT?! When you call the doctor’s office are you put through directly to your Dr? No! (sn: if you are can you give me your dr’s number? Im in search of a new physician). I don’t care how well you THINK you know the advisor, people who share common ancestry with the advisors don’t get put through so why would I put you, one of thousands of students to come into this office through? I don’t care how unique your mom told you you were, you’re not that special and you can’t speak to them on the phone. Here’s their card, shoot them an email.
Things that Crank my Gears – Facebook Edition
I read this (http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/20/facebook-survey/) article and it got me to thinking so I created a little list about things that urk me about Facebook (really more how the people who use fb urk me).
1) People who have 20 albums and all 100 pictures in each album are pictures they’ve taken of themselves in the bathroom. (But then complain they don’t have time to do anything)
2) People who make statuses posting their ENTIRE life story, followed by a status complaining that “people are always in their business.”
3) People who pass by me everyday in real life without saying a word but comment on ALL of my pics and write ALL over my wall.
4) People who post a status every 5 minutes of what they’re doing/how they’re feeling/where they’re at/what they wanna do etc. Guess what, NO ONE CARES!
5) People who look NOTHING like their profile pic in real life.
6) The ginormous (yes I created a word. My blog = my rules) amount of fb apps & request to use those apps. Stop sending me all those hearts!
7) The party promoters who send a message every half hour leading up to and during the party. Why are you still sending me messages?! I mean come on I know you know I’m here because you hugged me when I walked through the door!
8 ) People (females specifically) who take half naked pics of themselves and then complain when people send them raunchy messages.
9) People who argue on facebook. If you have a problem take it directly to the person. Fb is not the place.
10) This guy who keeps poking me. Even after I took him off of my friends list.
11) Fb chat is always messing up.
12) People who friend request me and I don’t know them, we have no mutual friends, and no common networks…HOW DID YOU FIND ME?!
13) How FB has taken up so much of my time that I could’ve been writing a paper, being productive at work, sleep, etc. Why is it so addictive?
Out of all the things I dislike, just like in the article I’ll probably continue to be one of fb most loyal users and encourage other people to get one too.
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