Sorry guys... but I'm so dang proud of myself and in a good mood for the first time in a LONG time that I had to share!!! So normally I hate the way my brain works. I tend to just see the bad part of ADHD and the learning disorders I got, like it taking me so much longer to learn stuff and finish tests than everyone else. But I'm starting to realize my brain is pretty darn cool. I don't think many others would be as creative as I am. Usually that creativity and impulsivity is getting me in trouble, but not this time.
One of the guys who works in the dna nanotechnology research lab with me really loves to encourage my half-baked ideas that are always getting me in trouble. Those ideas make his life interesting cuz he says he'd never think up the stuff I do, or even if he did he wouldn't have the guts to carry them out. I was able to get him to take a risk and join in with me on this one.
So last night, neither of us slept. We spent the night sneaking around campus, locking up all the administrative offices by wrapping up chain link around the door entrences and doing it in such a way that after we put the padlocks on there, they were unable to obtain entry into their offices. Then we left them a note. With the key. I'll put the note at the end of this so ya'll can see just how poetic and well-written it is (obviously the guy from my lab helped right it). We weren't expecting many administrative people to show up, because well... frankly we thought they wouldn't care, and would be pissed off. We figured if they did show up, it'd be to try to find out who locked up their offices and suspend us from the university (but damn, it woulda been worth it!). Oh, btw all this was in protest to the decisions that the university has been making in regards to how to spend its money (in very unwise ways that are affecting students negatively). Well, there were OVER TWO DOZEN administrative people from EVERY college in the university, plus even the university president showed up!
That like made my day. I was hoping that the university president would show, but I didn't think it possible,. Even when we've had q&a sessions with the president, if he does show he has a representative to speak for him. In his 5 years at this university, he's NEVER been known to answer a single question directly himself. And he came. And he answered a LOT of questions directly. That's what I call making an impact and putting all my excess energy to good use! :)
Oh, and we didn't even get in trouble... in fact, they're putting an article about it in the campus newspaper, giving me and my partner in crime credit for our creative protest, and said they were really happy that students took a positive action and did it in a friendly way that wouldn't get out of control.
Okay, so here's the note that was left for them... maybe later I'll post a picture or two of how we locked up some of the offices... it was just purely amazing. And now if I ever get asked "what's your most unique undergrad experience" "tell us about a time when you had to be resourceful" "what activities have you organized or been a leader in" or any other number of questions for graduate school interviews, I've got one heck of a story to tell!
To our most respected administration:
Enclosed you will find the key that will unlock the lock and chain preventing your entrance into your office. As you can see, we obviously mean you no harm. However, we felt it necessary to bring to your attention the artificial barriers put in the way of our education. Unfortunately, it seems none of you have been very willing to offer us a key. We’re hoping that in imagining the difficulty that not having this key will cause you, you will better understand our situation. We are hoping that this peaceful protest will come to mind any time a student comes to you for aid.
It would be most appreciated if you or a representative could make an appearance to talk to the students about their concerns. There is supposed to be a gathering of students today at U-hour in front of the campus market place to discuss various concerns about the administrative problems that (school) has been having recently. Your appearance at this gathering would be showing your commitment to the students of this department and your willingness to work with us and help us find the keys to continue our education at (school).
