As one of the wealthiest universities in the world, Princeton undoubtedly treats its students well: less than half the student body pays full tuition, grants for travelling abroad are readily available, and its per-student endowment is the highest in the country. However with what critics call “one of the most concerning economic situations we have seen in decades,” the financial situations of all universities and colleges are facing unforeseen pressures.
Intellectual awakening can often seem an accident in Princeton. It is an accident a number of people never has the misfortune of suffering. Inherent to the structure of the liberal arts system is an unlikely conflict between the academic and the intellectual, cast crudely, the conflict between getting a good grade and finding your passion (and discovering the tools which can help you communicate that passion to the people around you.)
It was a story of college rivalries, of angst, of failed attempts, and finally, of defeat. From the moment the curtain went up, the audience knew that Princeton was the underdog in Saturday night’s football game against Penn: their fans were more enthusiastic, their costumes more aesthetically appealing, heck, even their band was slightly more organized. Unlike the outcome in those heart-wrenching football movies where the team without a chance beats the ten-year state champions after an inspiring pep talk by some famous actor, however, this story did not have a feel-good ending.
This weekend, Terrace had the honor of presenting the one and only Dj Altitude Sickness. Besides being the new Social Chair, Dj Altitude Sickness is the wonderful and talented Raymond Weitekamp – a sight for sore eyes and a sound for sore feet – and yet obviously someone somewhere in the whole wide world of Terrace was so selfish to feel the same way, and so rang the fire alarm.
This Nov. 4, 2008 will always be synonymous with all kinds of significance, but tonight I reflect on something small, soon to be submerged by the symbols. The way I saw John McCain’s concession speech received was unworthy of the occasion and the man.
But 40 years after the Summer of Love and Woodstock, a black man–a young, educated, liberal black man–was elected president. And hell, that means something.
But come on, let’s be serious, here’s probably what happened. We all get it in our heads that we’d be better off missed every once in a while, contract supply to jack up the price a little, you know, like OPEC does every once in a while. Dude’s just tired of being taken for granted, tired of being somebody just by being there. So don’t be there for a few days, he says. Go west, young man. Return to the sea.
Songs like “Crying” and “Love Dog” are the highlights of the album, fusing the classic feel of TVOTR with innovations that are simple, yet foreign enough to excite the listener.