© theother press e¢ Opinions

Summer School Blues

Kerry Evans
Opinions Editor

I have many excuses for a lot of things. I can
say that I am going to school in the summer
semester because I want to finish my
Associate Arts Degree and it would be true.
I could say that it’s because I want to keep
working at the Other Press and I have to be
a student to do so and that would also be
true. But, the real reason is out there and it’s
pathetic really.

Instead of hitting the pavement and find-
ing a job after graduating from my first
diploma, I filled out an application for
ty w another student loan and registered for some
. courses. While I legitimately need them to
, finish my other diploma, it’s not a pressing
\ issue. Now because of my lack of confi-
dence and laziness, I am stuck in school
all summer long.

Not only am I stuck in school but
I am also taking three classes that
hold absolutely no interest for me—all
reading intensive, all with midterms and
finals, and all with strangers. In my other
program I had friends. I had people who
shared my dislike for learning in such a
structured manner. It’s going to be lonely
in the back of the class. Playing tic-tac-toe
and hangman all alone. No one to write
notes with and to snicker about what the
teacher is wearing. I know now you are
probably thinking that my other diploma
must have been from kindergarten. No, it
was college. Sadly, I am just really immature

  
    
 
 
   
  
  
 
   
 
 
  
 

 

J.R. Mints
OP Contributor

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 

May 2003

and lack discipline.

Yes, I have the summer school blues.
When others will be frolicking at the
beach, I'll be at school. When others are
going on camping trips, I’ll be in class.
When others are hungover from the big
BBQ bash they attended the night before,
Pll studying—wishing I had really just
gotten a job. You know what my real prob-
lem is? I am sure many things spring to
mind but I'll point one out for you. It’s
that I am stuck in a rut. I have become a |
professional student. I like being a stu-
dent. I like bitching about homework,
assignments, and major projects. I like
the pressure of working all night before a
deadline. I like the freedom of only having
to go to school a few hours a day. Another
thing is that I live very close to the school. It
is so convenient. I don’t need a car or have to
take transit. Its just a hop, skip, and a jump
away.

Maybe, just maybe, I will find a new
“school boyfriend,” because the other
one graduated and went to SFU—the
nerve of him. After a mere two years, I
was almost ready to talk to him. Stay —
tuned next month when I dish all the
dirt about how I unsuccessfully stalked
this poor fella. Until then you will find me
moping around the school. I can often be
heard complaining so you'll know it’s me.

One of Vancouver’s least appealing
aspects is the number of aggressive pan-
handlers and beggars. Many people
consider them lazy and nothing more
than a nuisance. The usual tactics for
handling beggars, which include avert-
ing the eyes, lying that you are broke, or
simply ignoring them, can actually make
them more persistent and aggressive.
But rather than trying to avoid the situ-
ation, take advantage of it!

Panhandlers are a mostly untapped
wealth of amusement. Just think, a
potential oasis of fun in an otherwise
dilapidated part of town. Many people
never consider beggars to be much fun;
so to take full advantage of it. Allow me
to divulge a few tactics.

The first tactic is to learn creative ways
of answering panhandlers. You will not
only amuse yourself, but you may dis-
orient the poor soul so that they cannot

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Photo by Kim Meie