Firsties

[gorgeouslywrong]

They're all foot-shuffling and that odd, stiff lounging of pretending to be casual. One of them, sporting an earring and an abscence of shirt, is an actual jerk. Some are so young they doodle hearts and armadillos on the table-paper in resturants without irony. Some (and I have never before viewed such behavior with such distanced amazement at the

Comments

"Time: 2:55 am"

[snowyyama]

- I hated, hated that about first year. I hate having to talk expositorily about myself ("Hi! I'm Andrew! I like maps and journalism... and when I grow up I want to be a professional blrgamfrhg!"), and that's so much of what it is, goddamn introductions that are all tell and no show. I mean, I also dislike people in general and the thought of having to exert effort to meet MORE of them is not exactly pleasing, but my first explanation was more literary (which totally takes precedence over accuracy

Re: "Time: 2:55 am"

[gorgeouslywrong]

Your second paragraph has indiscernable tone,which you should work on, but really, I've come to the conclusion that being "nice", in the meaning of "not being condescendingly, assumptively judgemental,not being a presumptive ass, and not being incapable of following the normal rules ofhuman decency" is rather more worthwhile for the world than anyone's critical faculties, genius, or pompous self-image.

I sound nothing like a grown-up. I don't know what kind of grown-ups you know, but I doubt I'll end up like them. In my hubris, I can say Idoubt I'll end up like anyone.

Though on the third count, you're probably very correct about my pride, and thier abilities.

Re: "Time: 2:55 am"

[snowyyama]

Then again, the evil forces of the University of Chicago will probably do far more to turn them into "condescending[], assumptively judgmental … presumptive ass[es] … incapable of following the normal rules of human decency" than your valiant efforts to avert it (although they must be praised). See, for example, John Mearshimer's Aims of Education address, which, though he had one or two good points, made me want to vomit.

No, you DO sound like a grown-up, which I tried to compliment you at first for (I really did), but on further reflection the type of grown-up you sound like is a middle-school teacher repeating shallow and un-thought-through maxims to an impressionable audience (rather than teaching critical thinking skillz)... like a middle-school teacher. I dunno, perhaps you went to a good middle school (the Montessori years?) and that's a compliment, but I'm afraid that I don't mean it as one (anymore).

I did like this, though.

Re: "Time: 2:55 am"

[gorgeouslywrong]

Right, I'm always the type to mold impressionable youngins with brainwashing. What the hell, Andrew?

[priyankipedia]

I really, really wish I'd been there for this O-Week.

[priyankipedia]

I like to think somewhere in Snitchcock, my spectre zooms through the halls and, cackling, drops furniture on unsuspecting firstie heads.

[fshfsh]

Pranks the Poltergeist.

[gorgeouslywrong]

Or Dungbombs. Or Scav stories.

In all, all honesty, though, I've started about a billion stories with "my friend Pranks . . ." so they kind of knowwho you are already. No worries there.

[fshfsh]

Hey, people do things differently. I don't even remember what I was like as a new first0year, which means I've completely blocked it out iof my memory. I can only assume I was just as trying-to-be-impressive. (Winter Q I slowed down and made better friends.) But then, I'm not sure if I just have a natural desire to impress (because I'm needy like that) or if it's just a persona.

[anonymous]

Lee, I liked this a lot. (Yes, I still read your journal from time to time.)

We had a preventative meeting in Salisbury about how it is absolutely crucial that the first-years get the chance to form their own opinions about the returning upperclassmen. It didn't cut out all the negative comments and "funny stories," but I'm glad we said it. Of course, this is easier in a smaller house, since we don't have any pho-aides or whatever they're called.

Watching the interactions during O-Week is always fascinating.

Also, they were totally talking about Scav yesterday. Yay!

Alyssa

[amuntari]

Mmmm, nice description. I had the most interesting conversation with a girl at a friend of mine's housewarming party the other day. She is starting 9th grade next year and can't wait to start going to the high school. She seemed self-aware enough that I felt safe mentioning that a lot of kids find it a weird transition, from being the oldest kid around to the bottom of the food chain, just like that. She nodded, and thought about it for a second; "But it gives me a chance to try out a new side of myself." Perfectly matter-of-factly...