My Little World: Collegiate Sidewalks

“Do you have any questions?” they asked at my interview for the position of Psychology and Sociology instructor. I had been told that potential employers ask this question at job interviews so I had been rehearsing intelligent-sounding responses. “Where do you see this college going in the future?” David Cothrun, President of Taft College at that time, prophetically responded, “I don’t see it moving from where it is right now.” True to his prediction, it hasn’t budged an inch in the last seven years.

Time passed and we got a new president, Roe Darnell, a visionary leader. His motto was, “If you don’t want change, don’t hire me because I can guarantee there will be changes.” He was right too. Although the campus is still located at 29 Emmons Park Drive, it’s presently undergoing a face-lift.

We’ve been under construction now for… Gee! Has it only been 136 years? It seems longer. But I’m not complaining. The Administration Building is something to behold, the Library is a wonder, even the temporary buildings are longer, lower, and wider.

It’s just that I’m kind of tired of walking in the street. Six weeks ago I asked a worker when we might be allowed to walk on the sidewalks again. He said (and this is a direct quote), “As soon as you get tired of walking in the street.” Imagine my joy to hear that it was fixed last December!

As an aside, I have discovered that there are certain people in this world that you must kiss up to. These include anyone that touches your food, for obvious reasons, and all secretaries because a boss can only fire you but a secretary can mess up your paperwork for life. Also on the list is James Benzick (a Skilled Maintenance Worker at the college) unless you don’t need heating or air conditioning.

The other day I saw James talking to a person who looked rather important. Since they were both looking and pointing at the fenced-in construction area, I assumed that the stranger wearing the gold chain was the Grand Poobah Contractor and introduced myself. (I think his name was Doug.) Then I asked him when we might get our walkways back.

Here is another one of life’s little lessons: If you ask a contractor when a project will be completed, he will tell you more than you want to know. “First we have to…, then there’s the…, and they were late delivering the… so that pushed us back another seven weeks...” Sometime later, I smiled and asked when we might get to walk on our beloved sidewalks again.

“Two weeks!” He actually said that! Just like in the movie the Money Pit, starring Tom Hanks and Shelley Long. In the movie, the contractors and workers always walked off laughing after delivering this line. Because Doug didn’t, I made a mental note of the date and waited on baited breath. Two weeks came and went. At this writing, it has been three weeks and I am still treading the asphalt of Emmons Park Drive. However, our sidewalks, located on the other side of the chain-link fence, are the best looking walkways I have ever seen. And I suppose if they continue to keep people off of them, our beautiful sidewalks will last forever.

My Little World: Pre-Halloween Depression

Here it comes. It wasn’t always like this for me—just since the Taft College Book Store personnel started playing dirty. I remember when a costume was a costume. Students, who were mostly broke, spent an entire month’s junk food money on an outfit, usually settling for the co-ed look or wearing a hula skirt. The women usually took the high road and put on wings and halos, witch outfits, or other elaborate attire. My personal favorite was the stout lady who painted her face green, donned a really authentic dress, and went as Fiona, Shrek’s babe.

Of course I used to dress up too. What could be more fun than weirding out my students? My first year at Taft College, I wore a hand-made Native American beaded dress. In my buckskin creation with my dark hair braided and adorned with feathers, I felt and looked beautiful; I was beautiful. Of course I won first prize and a free dinner at the Outback Stake House.

Gone are the days and all hope of ever again winning. One year the Bookstore Bunch came as nerds. (Who would have thought of letting white glue dry under your nose to simulate snot?) The next year they were Hillbillies. Where do they get this stuff? Now they just win out of habit.

I imprudently gave it one more chance last year. But the Bookstore Bunch showed up dressed like Mad Dog the Bounty Hunter’s posse. Then they grabbed the mic away from the judges and told everyone they were looking for the person featured on their fake wanted poster. Just as a girl jumped up and ran for the door, one of the guys in the Bunch chased her down and tackled her. The audience went wild—everyone but me, standing there pathetically in my authentic taffeta, pre-Civil War, Scarlet O’Hara gown.

The Psych Club could come up with something cool too, given half a chance. Snow White and the Thirteen Dwarfs? Thirteen Dalmatians and Cruella Deville? Thirteen Blind Mice? Naw. The Book Store Bunch has probably already bought up the last cane and pair of dark glasses in the Bakersfield area. I’m so depressed!

Great day for the Caseys

Today Thom Casey was ordained as the bishop of the Delano Ward. This is him just before the ordination. The man in the background is Leon Reyes, Jennifer's husband.

I was very pleased to have been there to see it. These are Thom's first and second counselors. Distinguished looking, aren't they? Although I've always known that Thom has a testimony of the Restored Gospel, I got to hear Thom say that he knew that this was the Living Church of Jesus Christ on the earth. It was very moving.

Granny used to say, "Thom is such a sweet boy." Yup. He is. He's just a sweetie. And Bonnie will be a great bishop's wife. I made this icky joke, "Now that Thom is the bishop, Trevor can take up smoking." OK. I expected and deserved the dirty looks. The delightful thing is that Jennifer and Trevor and such wonderful people too. But then, that is what Thom deserves--a very good family.

This is Sam, sitting on Bonnie's lap. He is Thom and Bonnie's second grandson.

This is Max, The Casey's first grandchild. He is eight years old now.

Here we have Bonnie and Trevor who has grown up. He's a good guy too.

And here is a mug shot of most of the Casey family. Conspicuous by the absences are Sam and Leon, who were in the other room sleeping.

Funny thing: While Thom was speaking in Sacrament Meeting he promised that he would learn Spanish. And he insisted that the Spanish speakers learn English too. Best of Luck!

New News

Wow! Two entries in two days? Steven finally did something interesting and I thought I'd share it. He went on a trail ride with his buddy with all the horses, Bro. Dansie. They went up into Yellowstone armed for grizzly (we're talking very large bullets). Although they actually saw none, they came across three different indications that the grizz were definitely in the area. Enough of that. Here is a lovely picture of a camp sight Steven just had to take a picture of.

During the excursion, Steven discovered many great and important things about horses. The primary learning being that horses do "horse" things like refuse to move. Bro. Dansie finally got off his horse (the one on the right) and persuaded Smoke (the one on the left) that moving on would be a good idea. That was about the same time that it occurred to Steve that perhaps the horse had a good reason for refusing to budge--like bears. But as explained earlier, there were none. Smoke was just being obstreperous (go look that one up in your Funk and Wagnalls).

Later on Steven got a primo opportunity to experience the joy of free flight. Smoke stumbled and went down and so did Steve. Luckily, Steve broke is fall with his face so no new marks will be evident. However, he is quite proud of the gulpa on his thigh (picture below). I suppose he'll mend. The important thing here is that he did the "Cowboy up" thing, got right back on his world-champion, fox-trotting, klutz of a horse and got back to Cody.

Ten ice packs later, the leg still looks like this. Steve is coming to visit on the 22nd. I am looking forward to poking at it just to tick him off.

Have a lovely day.