Just a Little Something Sweet Inside that Cup

OK, I'm right in the middle of finals week, so I'll make this quick, but I saw another thing on the Today Show only a few minutes ago that again made me think, "What the...?"

I posted a few weeks ago about a segment on the same morning program that suggested ways to "go green." This is an even dumber idea.

Today's bit discussed ways to wrap oddly shaped gifts for the holidays (Christmas). I didn't really understand the premise behind this one. Well I guess I did, but the whole idea overall was just really sad.

As I said, the topic was gift wrapping, and they got to small shaped gifts, like gift cards. It was suggested that you should reuse old coffee cups (you know, the ones you drink out of, put your mouth on) and put the gift inside it. Add a bow and you are the biggest cheapskate on the block.

Somehow, these coffee cups were all holiday decorated. I don't drink coffee all that often, so Starbucks may have themed cups this time of the year, but really, is that even relevant? You're putting a gift in a piece of garbage. Literally.

The only reason the host had behind this odd technique was that it supports the whole "reduce, reuse, recycle" mantra. There's gotta be a better way to do this, other than give your trash to the people you care enough about to get gifts.

Now, I wouldn't really mind getting a gift card or something like that in a coffee cup (that sounds so weird, doesn't it?), but here's what takes the cake (yum, cake): they actually suggested putting jewelry in there. What? No, I'm not kidding. Doesn't most jewelry already come inside a case? If it doesn't, did you just buy it from some guy in an alley? How would you display that inside the cup? What an awful idea!

Imagine this: you and your sweetheart and cuddled up next to the fire to stay warm. You hand her what appears to be a piece of trash and she says, "Honey, the garbage can is in the kitchen." You give her a look and she finally figures out that there's something sliding around inside.

Tada!

You have just created an overly-awkward situation because you were too cheap. Or else you were just too dumb to keep the original case.

It's Not the Writer's Strike

Sometimes things happen that you just have to write down after they are over. When things don't go as you planned, they make a pretty good story much of the time.

To keep some sort of sane overall college schedule,I need to get in to this class I really need. I decided to spend the wee hours of the morning in the Journalism office to get on the "Wish List" for said class. I am always the earlybird and thought I could get there early enough to get high enough on the list to get a good chance of getting a seat.

It was to be a good cold walk to Haley Center, so I called the Night Security Transit to get a ride. I have never been on the "Drunk Bus," but I've heard that it can get pretty interesting.

It lived up to its expectations.

I got on and explained where I was going and why, then realized I was the only sober person on that van. Besides the driver.

A few minutes into the drive, I recognized a guy on there who I graduated with from high school. "Duuuude I didn't recognize you man, you've lost a ton of weight, whats uuuup?" It was good to catch up, but I don't think he'll remember me in the morning.

I was finally dropped off in front of Haley Center nice and warm a little before 2:00 am. A short trip up the stairs leads me to notice that every single door is locked. It's cool, there has to be a card-swipe somewhere so that students can get in, right? Score, there's one on the other side. Swipe. Green light. Plus a red light. Access denied.

Something just had to go wrong. I really didn't know what to do, but I had to decide fast because I was getting cold. And staring down at a final exam for two hours is sure to induce many-a runny nose, especially fall semester.

I thought about going to the library and coming back in a few hours, but it didn't seem worth it. What if it were still closed then? What if there were lots of people gathered? What would I study in the library? How did I think of all this in less than one minute?

I decided to walk back to my apartment on the chilly Auburn night. There was a breeze that made the lightposts cry. I did a lot of thinking on the way back and realized that my life is great as of now, and that I should focus on what is at hand. Pace yourself, young grasshopper.

The whole night was a sham. The sugar and caffeine I consumed during the hours leading up to the affair is kicking in right now, when I need it least.

I have never really stayed up all night (besides a couple bus rides from hell), and it's funny, because at this point, I feel more awake right now than I have been all night.