Tree near University + Euclid (map).

Today in Human Geography discussion, we were given a blank map of the U.S. (it had state boundary lines) and a marker to draw where we think the U.S. Southwest is. We all drew on the same paper, and the idea was to have 25 different outlines showing the perspectives of 25 different people. So after the paper made its way around the room, the T.A. took it back to look at.

“You guys, it looks like you all copied off the person next to you. Why does it look like that only one person drew an outline even though all 25 of you were supposed to draw something? Why did everyone draw along the state boundaries? Let’s start over.”

He passed around a new map and we all re-drew our outlines.

“This looks the same. This is not how the other class’s map looked when they were done with it. Okay you didn’t all draw on the exact same line this time, but you all drew around state boundary lines! That’s not the point! So you guys consider northern Nevada to be in the Southwest, even though it’s all pretty and green up there?”

Everyone was staring at the table, so I answered, “Well, if I were driving through there, I wouldn’t consider northern Nevada to be the Southwest, but if someone was talking about Nevada as a whole, then I would consider it the Southwest.”

“So why didn’t you draw a line around where you think the Southwest stops in Nevada?”

“Um… because it looks prettier to follow state boundaries.”

“Because it looks prettier. Does everyone here agree with this?”

Everyone stared at the table.

One guy looked up and proffered, “I’m anal retentive, that’s why I did it.”

[Phone transcription] 

Me: How would you like me to get these photos to you?

Photo Editor: Could you email them to me?

M: I shoot in RAW.

P: So can you email RAW?

M: That would be kind of hard. Each picture is like 3 MB.

P: … oh. Well, can you shrink them?

M: I’m not allowed to do post-processing. That’s your job.

P: Call the editor and see what she says.

M: (banging head on desk) Okay. Will do.

Scottsdale, Arizona– A city known for its wealth, its snootiness, and its world-class Arabian horses. The men of Scottsdale are business owners and investors; the women are trophy wives whose duties are to look great, make the house look great, and to make friends who are also great (according to the Scottsdale definition of the word). The children of Scottsdale are raised with Beverly Hills style extravagance– the latest, the greatest, and the most expensive are things that just can’t be done without.

That being said, guess who’s in my Art and Politics in Latin America discussion group?

You’re right! The City of Scottsdale and Mattel Inc. proudly present Scottsdale Princess, UofA Edition! Now equipped with Tucson driving skills, a Gucci bag big enough to hold all those college textbooks, and bleach blonde hair because summer just recently ended.

“So like, did you do the reading?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh… Like, I totally don’t get this class.”

“The reading helps me a lot.”

“I just, don’t have time, you know. Like with everything going on.”

“Yeah. Sorority bid weeks are tough.”

TA announces that homework needs to be turned in.

Scottsdale Princess leaves.

Follow-up question, extra credit: Guess who’s going to be doing the whole entire group’s work when project time rolls around?

No, this is not about my reading of The Odyssey (which, but the way, I think I did well on that quiz). This is about the fact that yesterday was Sorority and Fraternity bidding day.

Basically, this is how it works: the student tours all of the Greek Houses and learns about why that one is better than the one next door. Students write down their top 5 choices. The next day, they tour those 5 places again, and select their top 3. In the mean time, the Greek societies are notified of which students want to join. On the final day, if a Greek club puts your name on their acceptance list, and that same club is in your top 3, then you have a match.

Today all the new acceptees were wearing Greek shwag. Everywhere I looked was a girl wearing a shirt that said Phi Delta Pi Gamma Kappa Theta Tri or something. I was almost jealous when I saw the shwag bags. But then I remembered that sorority girls aren’t referred to as “sorostitutes” for nothing.