While last quarter was the Contenders, this quarter is the Dominators. What gives someone the distinction of having a �dominating� name? They are more memorable, more salient, or maybe just more attention seeking than anyone else I know who answers to the same call J. Here they are�
It is true that Ben Ranz is the only �Ben� that I know, but there are still other characters that are trying to get in on the action, therefore counting him out as an original. Uncle Ben�s rice, for example has a strong presence in my mind. Also, a roommate of a friend had a hairless dog, named Ben of course, that the friend liked to kick when the roommate wasn�t looking (yes, I wonder about my friends too, but I have to admit, the dog was absolutely irritating.) Nevertheless, Ben Ranz has a stronger presence than all of these impressive images, making him the dominator of the Ben domain.
With such an unparalleled love for student organizations and alcoholic beverages, how could there be another Josh in the world that has a stronger presence than that of Josh Harraman. I doubt there will ever be another Ohio State student with so much capacity and interest for student organizations, after all, Josh himself makes up at least 18 of the �20%.�
There are several David�s sprinkled here and there, but none of them have the open book face of eagerness and absolute bewilderment about dinner orders that David Tynan does. If there is ever an election for university registrar, mark my vote for Tynan (assuming of course that Brad is not running�;)
Like David�s, there are also several Robert�s in the world that I have known. None, however, have the same aura as Ohio�s Tate. No one else could have the same determinedness to have the most difficult position in the organization, and still be nice to the rest of us when we complain about selections discussion lengths. Three cheers to our ever patient, ever diligent Sergeant At Arms.
In middle school I knew a pair of twins named Kristi and Krista. Thankfully, Kristi Martinez has no family counterpart with one letter name difference of which I am aware. What I do know, is that Kristi has very versatile talents: she can play hard and cause despair to almost any opposing intramural team, she can dress to impress and serve on the homecoming court, and she has an uncanny ability to appear in almost every OSU honors publication that exists. Just think, someday she will be combining all of these talents and more to be your doctor. Say ahhh.
I have known several Becky�s in my time including an Aunt Becky who makes the same jello-mix cherry cheesecake for every family gathering, a high school Becky who put the �geek� in band geek, and an elementary school Becky who pulled a pot of boiling water on her head and had no hair. None of these, however, can compare to the Tippster who remains remarkably unconvinced that deadlines are real, that dishes will mold, and that people will make up quotes about bananas and trick her into believing she actually said them.
Next time: The Originals
However, humor is not really my strength. And, as paradoxical as it might sound, the humor is really better left to these two engineers. So instead, I will use my column inches in 97th Heaven to say briefly that Daniel Jaynes and Joseph Ranz are much more than a unique opportunity, they are two of the best people you will ever meet. I have awakened to the sound of one blowing his nose in the other room and I have listened to the other attempt to grumble an audible greeting before he has had his shredded wheat. I have also laughed more than I ever knew I could when around two guys that should be paying more rent for Robinson Lab and the Universities Libraries than for their own place. The 97th Class is lucky to have Ben and Dan and this humanities major is even luckier to have lived with them.
With wood, nails, glue, hinges, blood, sweat, and tears, Robert set out to build a box. And build a box he did. He himself admits that it�s not the most attractive box in the world (the man�s an archaeologist, not a carpenter). But the box, complete with a padlock, certainly filled its purpose and will hopefully be passed along through years of links to come.
Now, I don�t know what you think about this box. Maybe you think it was obvious and should have been done years ago. Maybe you think it�s a sign of paranoia that it was even suggested. Maybe you think Robert just wanted an excuse to play with power tools. Maybe you�re right. But here�s what I think. To me, that box is an incredible level of receptiveness to one�s fellow links. To me, that box is going above and beyond the call of Sergeant-At-Arms duty. To me, that box is dedication with a capital d (Dedication).
To me, that box is SPHINX love.
