I don’t think I ask for too much in life. Most people would say the same thing. What is it that you really need from life? Don’t confuse this what you want, but think of what you really need. You need sleep, food, exercise, and a good hot shower. "Shower? " you’re saying? Well, that’s right. Think of how much a nice hot shower when you wake up gets you going. Or how it feels great after a good workout. It’s a great way to warm up after being out in the cold. And it’s just a great way to relax, just to let the water fall on your body, hot enough to turn your skin a slightly redder color than it was, but not hot enough to burn. Showers have become a pretty significant part of most people’s lives. Without the shower what would we do?
So, what one thing do I ask for above all else (well, besides happiness that is)? A nice hot shower. Once a day is fine with me. Either to get me going in the morning, or to relax me before I go to bed. To soothe me after a hard workout at the gym, or to warm me up after trudging through the snow coming back from wherever. When you are at home, you know that your shower will be perfect. On vacation, in a hotel, motel or B&B, you expect it to be great. At school however, you get what you get.
This really disturbs me. Granted there are many dorms on campus, and many bathrooms in each dorm, and at least two showers in each bathroom. Maintenance has their job cut out. That’s a lot of showers to service. But how hard is it really to have a shower that keeps a steady temperature? To have a shower that always has at least some hot water, and at least some cold water? I don’t even mind having to jump out of the way when someone flushes the toilet and yells "shower!". I do, however, mind showering in water that ranges from 70º-120º Fahrenheit. No joke. It all depends on what mood the shower is in that day. Every once in a while you’ll get a good shower, but more often than not, you come out with 3rd degree burns or icicles on your hair. And if you’re really lucky, half of you will be burnt, and the other half frozen.
How many maintenance requests do you think it will take to get this problem fixed? I personally think it will never be fixed. The law probably requires showers to be in the dorms, and that hot water is provided. That’s as far as the law goes. Maintenance has far bigger problems than students with 3rd degree burns. And you know Health Services won’t do anything about the burns, or the frostbite. If you get a nice doctor/practician, maybe you’ll get a note being excused for class, but more likely than not, they’ll assume you’re pregnant and are getting hot and cold flashes.
So, even though I don’t feel I ask for much, I still don’t get it. As the saying goes though "Life’s not fair". Seeing as it would be fair for me to get a nice shower, it won’t happen. Therefore, I will continue my battle with the shower. With my shower shoes on, I will stand in the corner of the shower, trying not to get hit by the water while I hurry to change the temperature. And the showers will act their normal selves, changing from freezing to scalding at the slightest nudge of the knob, or if the knob is left still too long. At college, the short shower is the best shower. I’ll save my relaxation for home.