Friday, November 30, 2007

Lights, Lights, LIGHTS!...

Last night, Mirror Lake across from my building was holding a holiday lights ceremony. There were to be refreshments and then the lighting of the holiday lights around the lake. The event was open to students, faculty, and staff. I attend this event with Ms. H and her munchkins. The lights were to go on at 7pm; Ms. H picked me up at 6:45pm with a quick drive to campus we were in the parking garage and walking to the lake by 7pm. The lights were still not on, but we assumed they would be quickly. In almost total darkness we made our way to the stage and waited, and waited, and waited. No lights were going on, my hands were beginning to forget they were connected to my arms and my breath was almost frozen at the same time it escaped my body. Still no lights, the kids were amused dancing to some interesting holiday music. It was just bad, bad I tell you. It was holiday music not Korn or something like that, but really crappy holiday music.

Finally close to 7:40pm, we heard a student announce Dr. Gee is here. Oh, of course, that’s what or better who we were waiting on. A bit of movement in the crowd, candles finally lighting the darkness, Dr. Gee says welcome, basically that’s it and go to the lake to sing “Carmen Ohio” and turn the lights on. The crowd of people walked down to surround the frosty lake. The crowd of about 200 gave the poor ducks in the lake a bit of a fright as they surround the lake with their candles. Many moments later, wind blowing out candles, people re-lighting them, the wind taking control again, people not giving in- lighting again---FINALLY they start singing “Carmen Ohio”. Well-singing is a stretch, I don’t know that many actually knew the words. They needed the football team there to lead or a couple of band members to at least drown out the sad “tune” the group was producing. Lights finally were produced and it was a nice start to the holiday season—but a frozen one, back in car and headed home around 8:15ish.


Dr. Gordon Gee--the Pres himself. He's in the red ball cap in the far back of the picture. I was right next to him, but didn't have the camera out, and then it was so dark, I could not find him in the darkness. The only light was the little set of holiday lights you can see on the left.

No wind, we must have light!


Ms. H and the munchkins


Finally-the lights--ah how pretty--now get inside it's freezing!

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