Sometimes the way things are is tiring. Sometimes you just want to “throw caution to the wind.” That is what I have done. I don’t know why, I think it is a good thing, but it is scary as hell.
No comment.

In a landmark ruling, the supreme court has reached a split verdict on affirmative action at the University of Michigan. The case involved the Law School as well as the Undergraduate University. The court ruled that while the Law School's admission policies where legal, the Undergraduate's point system wasn't. Personally, I've never liked the undergraduate's admission point system anyway. In this system, the Essay only counts for 1 or 2 points, if it is a standout essay. While it gives 20 points to the applicant if they are part of a minority group, or had parents who attended the University. There is something in that policy which is inherently biased, and if you ask me, against the University's stance for a diverse campus. The fact that they use affirmative action in the first place suggests that they didn't have a diverse campus in the past, or at least not to the standards the University has wanted, and the fact that they use so called "Legacy Points" to admit applicants sharing the same genes somehow doesn’t register as completely logical. Also, the fact that one's parents attended the University sometimes points to the fact that the applicant's family is well off, which creates a whole new facet of this point system's discrimination. I believe that the court made the correct decision in banning the use of the point system, as it really is a misguided quota system, meant not only to bring the brightest and best, but also minorities as well as money from affluent families who are likely to contribute more than just tuition.
I support the ruling of the supreme court, but I cannot help but feel that it is a lot like the horrible cafeteria food they serve at U of M. The decision feels kind of luke-warm, mild, and meant to please just about everyone except for extreme meat eaters or vegans. It is a lot like those "Smashed Potatoes" that still leave the skins in the potatoes. They may seem alright at first, but when you work it around your mouth, it just doesn’t have that completely satisfying taste or texture you've been waiting for. While it all seems promising, in the end all it is is real mashed potatoes substitute, because the kitchen staff didn't want put fourth more effort to make true mashed potatoes. They will just argue the skins left in are nutritional.... Remind anyone of a certain university's arguments ?

Matt Milligan tells me to tell everyone that the whole subject is a waste of breath. That humans should first look at their own problems before criticizing others. If we would fix the problem of racism and prejudice itself, we wouldn't even need affirmative action at all, or these arguments.

"Don't get me wrong, I can handle a worm, well, I wouldn't want to handle one, but I could if I had too. All I'm saying is that I wouldn't want to be one. I mean, what kind of a life is that? You live underground, in the dark, and eat dirt all day. I mean you literally eat dirt. No showers or anything, cause let's face it, you could drown. Why do you think those puppies come up when it rains? Now, see the thing that I really don't get about a worm, is that fatter part, the thing that looks like a ring around their necks... I think it is where there vital organs or food processing center is, but who knows? I'm sure a worm wouldn't be able to tell you. Which brings me to another point, education. The educational discrimination in this nation against the average dirt eating worm is horrible! Do you know they are not even allowed to eat lunch with us humans? Now how do you expect the worm species to make any kind of progress if we are holding them back by barring them from our schools and dinning areas? Now, don't get me wrong, I don't find them appealing either, but you've just got to have respect for a creature that will cross the sidewalk, risk certain death by dehydration or bird, just to get to the other side. I mean, who in their right mind would want to go under that sidewalk? What if there was a flash flood, then the worm would be stuck there and drown. Now, do you want to be responsible for a worm's death? You think about that good and hard, cause worms are people too. Well, what I mean to say is that they are capable of all the emotions and worldly ties the way that we are. And when I saw that they are capable of all the emotions and worldly ties the way that we are, I mean that they have that mysterious ring around what I can only suppose is their neck.”

I saw a worm while running today, struggling under the hot sun across the sidewalk. Poor worm.

"I don't think the bears ate me, but I could be wrong..." Stated an unsure and travel weary Melissa. She recently got back from two weeks in sunny, and sometimes not so sunny, California. There she spent time with Allison, Krin, and Heidi from U of M. Stops along the way included a stay in a beautiful guest house in San Diego, or more correctly in Rancho Santa Fe. Other points of interest included Irvine, Newport Beach, Catalina Island, San Luis Obispo, San Simian and the Hearst Castle, Big Sur, Fremont, San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and back again to San Diego.
A total of three bears were spotted along the way, and despite Melissa's lack of certainty, we believe she didn't get mauled by any of them. "I did get the opportunity to touch a squirrel's tail though." Stated a still dazed Melissa. She saw the most beautiful scenery that she has ever set eyes on, which isn't saying a whole lot considering all of the places she has been in her lifetime. However, she will still assert that there was breathtaking scenery. She is anxiously awaiting the development of her seven rolls of film, hoping to uncover a picture of a bear eating her arm or something. When we told her that all her limbs were still attached, she just mumbled unintelligibly and went back to bed. Then we told her that her jet-lag was backwards, and that because of the time difference she should be awake all the time instead of sleeping, and she began to throw luggage at us. Fortunately her reflexes are still slow from the high mountain air. When asked about her favorite place in California, she got excited and shouted, "Ranger Tom!" before realizing the question and then replying, "Yosemite was pretty."
Now she must get back into a Michigan routine, which includes working, and of course, job hunting, all at the same time. We feel that once she has slept for a few months these debilitating disorders affecting Melissa will calm down and only one or two will be noticeable.

California was tons of fun. Thanks for everyone who helped and has wanted to hear my stories. Be prepared for pictures soon!

"It's been difficult getting out into the sunlight." Stated a pastry (and yes, we mean pastry) Melissa. She just finished her tough exam schedule at that college she attends. Surprising even herself, she pulled some miracles out of, umm... that place where the sun doesn’t shine. This is inside the classroom, obviously. "I plan on giving away brain cells soon, then heading to California." The two-legged wonder will be headed to the coast to try and catch the pigment which has eluded her for so many long years. "Yeah, the only thing I'm worried about are bears." Stated a very serious and pastry pale and sickly Melissa. "I mean, I'm going to try and leave some honey and food out every night for them, but I just don't know if they actually exist or not. I think they are kind of like the Michigan Wolverine or something. How often have you seen a wolverine? Never! Well, ok actually I see hundreds of them a day, but we aren't talking about students! Duh!" It was at that point that Melissa asked what she had been talking about before continuing, "Anyway, I think they might be one of those myth thingies. I'm not certain... but I know Pooh Bear is awfully cute. Well, actually, I think he is fat and yellow, and ugly. And my God! Can someone please take him to Target? I mean, how many years has he been wearing that red shirt? Like a bilzillion! Any way, catching these mythical bears in California should be fun." Then Melissa saw a flower and was distracted while we poured the remnants of her brain into a measuring cup for observation. Oddly enough she acted the same, with or without brains....

I don't know what came over me. It doesn’t make sense, but dammit, it doesn’t have too.

"F@*k it is cold! Why the hell am I out here? Why am I up this early anyway? Why didn't I wear more shirts? How come I thought it would be warm?" That is what Melissa yelled as she started her "spring" running season this morning at 7:30. Apparently with temperatures at record lows, she should have waited a week. When she arrived back, neighbor Julia reported the temperature to be -4. Such a lovely start.
Wondering why and how Melissa managed to get up an hour early to run? So are we. She met up with other neighbor, Heidi to run to the CCRB (the athletic place on central campus). They ran, and Melissa simply thought that she wasn't "warmed-up". "Oh, I'll be fine once I get warm." Stated an overconfident and underdressed Melissa. While Heidi was biking in the warmth of the CCRB, Melissa was freezing as she ran two miles in Ann Arbor. She had originally planned for 3, but found that as the weather was dangerously cold she was slowly freezing. That is the only explanation Melissa can think of for why her pace seemed to continually slow the longer she ran. When asked if it can be tied to the recent discovery that she is out of shape, she poked the reporter with her finger and then took off running. Though, I caught up with her easily enough, she still wouldn't answer the question.
When the girls ran back to East Quad, they vowed (actually only Melissa) never to do that again. As a result of the morning's adventure, Melissa got many comments on how tired she looked. Melissa plans to declare the first spring season finished, until she can get more sleep, or until it "warms up a bit."
Seriously, my hands really hurt when I got into the CCRB building to get Heidi. Runner’s gloves don’t cut it in negative temperatures, apparently. Though it would have helped had I checked the temperature first, but hey, it was my first day.

Yes, spring break has finally arrived. Where can you find your precious Melissa? On the beach in some tropical locale? Well, if you want to call the Ortonville tri-county area "tropical" then yes (minus the beach part)! She will be spending the week at home with her family and visiting her friends. "It should be fun!" Stated Melissa. "But I still have a lot of work to do too. This French stuff is killer!" If you would like to reserve Melissa for a period of time, just call ahead and let us know! Beware though, times are already filling up and space on her schedule is limited! Call today!
This will be nice.

Yesterday, with press on all sides of her, Melissa signed her contract for the 2003-2004 school year. "Yeah, this is a big day, but I was prepared to make my decision final." Stated an overconfident Melissa before the ink had a chance to dry (even though she used a Bic ball-point). Last Tuesday she chose her room in East Quad. Getting overexcited and perhaps a little crazy, she chose a single room based on how big it seemed on the map (which obviously isn't drawn to scale, or even using a uniform system of units). This resulted in one of the smallest singles in all of East Quad! Melissa decided to stick it out though, stating that the location was ideal. "I won't have to smell the ass from the half-ass inn, and I won't get nearly as many drunks walking past my door, and the salt will be kept at a minimum too. Also just about 80 percent of my current hall is in that section of the building, so things should be fun. And even though I don't have a sink, the bathroom is right there." She said pointing to the third door down the hall. While initially disappointed, she is growing excited and impatient. "It is my very own room! I can't wait to decorate! I already have my color scheme picked out!" When we pointed out the fact that move-in is still six months away, she said, "Don't crush my dreams!"
Spring Break is this next week!

Early this morning at about 2 am Melissa finally made the time for the dishes. Yes she tackled the monstrous pyramid, swaying with the breeze from the passer-by. "They've just been sitting there for about three weeks now, and I finally had some free time that I felt comfortable devoting to washing... dishes I mean. Of course I take a shower monthly, I mean daily. Wait, can you not quote that?" A sleepy Melissa stated when we knocked on her door at 6am this morning, as soon as the word had reached us. "I always knew she had it in her!" Stated a shocked roommate. "She also cleaned out her computer cubby hole. I was amazed." Melissa says that she tentatively plans to clean the rug too, though I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you. "I have to re-rake my Zen garden which got messed up when I was cleaning." She said as an excuse as to why the rug might not get cleaned.
I'm really excited. I want a single room next year, wish me luck. I'm number 130 in the drawing.

Yesterday was Melissa's 19th Birthday. To celebrate this event she had a few calls, a few cards, and lots of East Quad friends over for dinner at Goodtime Charlie's. This blessed Groundhog's day all began in typical Sunday style, with a trip to the newspaper's arts meeting. After that Melissa was surprised with her third favorite flower, tulips, by her roommate Jennifer. The day went by causually enough, with homework to do. Coach called and Jon sent an e-mail. At 6:45 the real fun, and food, started with fifteen people, not including Ted and Chris from Hayden hall, who were unfortunately left behind in the melee of excitement. Since it was also Amy's birthday they had a joint birthday dinner. The birthday girls' meals were free (although Melissa had to go back to East quad to retrieve her license) and after only an hour wait most of their meals were delivered. Once back at East Quad, most of the gang split up. However, two groups of people stuck around to lavish Melissa with more gifts. From Andy and Chris she received the "Amelie" dvd, and from those special hall peoples she received "Sexual Palmistry" a how to guide on reading palms to find out all about a person's compatibility and sex life. Though not as pornographic as it first seemed (Krin looked for pictures and disappointedly only found lines and palms) Melissa was able to find a few passages worth reading aloud to the group.
Thanks for making a great birthday!

Perhaps you’ve been wondering about the news lately? Well, while on a team-building vacation in the ever popular Maui, the news crew was taken hostage by merciless francophones. They made them speak French for eight hours each day, made them correct basic French grammatical mistakes, along with demanding the correct subjunctive conjugations. Held hostage in Maui, with nothing but a head of yellowing lettuce for the whole team per day, the journalists were in hell. It wasn’t until one figured out that the locking code was simply the French word for “open” “Ouvre” and then spelled it correctly before the writers could escape. The francophone rebels have vowed revenge though, and swear that there will be an attack on the site’s journalists again soon. To quote Jean-Paul, “These American ecrivians have offended us too much. They have gone too far. We must make them embrace, how do you say, our culture and our language. We will lure them to us with our sexy sexy accents….” When asked to comment on weather they really did have sexy accents one reporter stated, “Well, yeah most of them did. But the problem was when you looked at them they were always smoking or doing things that were just slightly feminine. I mean, Jaques tried to explain the masculinity in wearing a scarf and tight pants… but I just didn’t see it.” Another stated, “Yeah, they had sexy accents, but I got the feeling that they were somehow stuck in an eighties funck-a-delic time warp."
Melissa has been very busy with French. (Melissa etait très occupée avec le cours de franÇais)

The site has been renovated (and is still in the process too). This page being of the most interest to our readers, we would like to know what you think. Too flashy, too dark, or do you miss the music? E-mail us with how we're looking.
I apologize for my virtual dust.