what we talk about when we talk about the honor code

[It's academic integrity week on campus, and to get students thinking about honor, the university decided to have an essay contest on the benefits and the effects of our honor code. There is a prize- $500 cash to the winner (and publication in The Battalion!!!). I'll be honest, I was thinking more about money than honor when I wrote this, the night before it was due, but I think it's pretty good. I'm also under the impression that undergrad entries were few and far between, so maybe I have a little windfall coming my way. Also: I get my ring today! This would seemingly be more interesting grist for the mill, but I'm still kind of tired and the following is already done. If you've ever wanted to know how a journalist thinks, the preceding sentence ought to do the trick.]

When someone thinks of Texas A&M, they inevitably think of the culture on campus that makes A&M one of the most unique and respected universities in the world. People everywhere are enamored of the 12th Man Spirit that pervades our campus- our traditions, our friendliness, and all the other things that make our school special. I would argue that the Aggie code of honor is just as integral to what makes us who we are as hallowed events such as Silver Taps. Although it ostensibly only deals with academics, the honor code in fact lays the groundwork for an entire mindset. One simple, powerful sentence is all it took to lay the foundation for Aggieland as we know and love it.

The honor code’s benefits are as plain and clear as the language used to write it. “An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do”: that isn’t just an honor code- it’s a mission statement. By knowing perfectly well what not to do, we are able to understand what we should, and must, do. It is elegant in its simplicity. The honor code’s repercussions go far beyond plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty, although those problems were the cause for its creation.

In a perfect world, our honor code would eliminate all forms of cheating on our campus. Even though that clearly isn’t the case, it remains an important goal to strive toward. Most all students are at least aware of the honor code, and this cannot help but foster increased academic honesty. After all, the dishonest student is in all likelihood perfectly aware of his or her indiscretion; they’ve read the honor code, and they are aware of its significance. It follows that they would be cognizant of its powers. It is not something to trifle with.

Academic honesty is a necessity at any institution of learning, especially at a world-renowned research university like Texas A&M. The honor code remains an essential part of what makes us Aggies, both in our time as students and in our years thereafter. All of that in one simple sentence- may we follow it well.

good news for people who love bad news

Okay, so honestly it really was good news that was merely masquerading as bad news. This morning, after RPTS and a lovely breakfast of eggs, hash browns, and beans, I went deep into the bowels of the Koldus Building to retrieve my Muster Committee letter.

A note on the application process: I first turned in a copy of my written app (I was supposed to give them three copies but failed to read the directions all the way through) and was granted an interview. Business attire was required for the interview, which automatically threw me off. I wear a t-shirt and jeans to work; I am so far unaccustomed to the world of blazers and neck ties. (I wouldn't last a day on The Apprentice for this reason, among many others)

The interview itself was alright, but therein lies the problem- it was just alright. I said the right things, but something failed to click. The interviewers seemed distant. There was no spark. My mouth was dry and my palms were not. While I don't mean to make this all seem more dire and terrible than it was (because in fact it wasn't all that bad of an interview, really), but it didn't seem comfortable to me. It just didn't feel right, and the interview is a fairly good indicator regarding the tone of an organization. So this was my read: too formal, stuffy, and just sort of uncomfortable. They're swell people I'm sure; they're just not really my style of people, is all.

This realization makes it much easier for me to swallow the fact that, essentially, I'm not really their style of person either. Discomfort is usually a two-way street, and with that in mind, I was a bit relieved I didn't make the cut. Another group I applied for has its meetings on the same night; I find out about that one on Wednesday. If the letter is similar, I'll be a little more upset. Then again, the bars are open every night, and I've got a great girlfriend.

"Life - is - good!"
- Craig Kilborn

the sixth borough

New fiction on the op-ed page of the paper of record by none other than Mr. Jonathan Safran Foer. (registration required, but it's well worth it).

After reading Everything is Illuminated I became a strong supporter of JSF, and this new piece shows the further development of his much-remarked-upon promise. JSF has an innate ability to write fiction that is both startlingly fresh and yet comfortably familiar- this new story in particular has the feel of a well-worn fable. And once again JSF's work has an air of magical realism about it, but written in a way that is totally sure of itself. Definitely a nice surprise this morning.

Also, this is the first time I've heard a title for JSF's next novel. According to the Times, it is to be called Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Although comparisons to Dave Eggers are pretty tired by this point in time, and though I did in fact enjoy DE's sophomore novel You Shall Know Our Velocity!, here's hoping that JSF doesn't hit a similar slump with his upcoming tome. Both Foer and Eggers's first novels were very personal and in different senses autobiographic in tone, so it will be interesting (to me, at least) to see how Foer handles taking on a more completely fictional tale. There's no good reason not to expect greatness- especially after his latest work.

long, long, long

Another busy day, 8-8. Here's a basic recap, with elaboration where I deem it appropriate.

8-9 AM - Foundations of Tourism class. A haven for football players and RPTS "students."

9-10 AM - I eat a breakfast of runny (but at the time, good- I was hungry) eggs, hash browns and salsa. Healthy!

10:20-11:10 AM - HANDBALL class. Fun, but I'm definitely still learning the fundamentals. Felt like a girly man (schwarzenegger-esque) when attempting to use my left hand for anything at all.

11:30 AM - take bus home, shower, change, head to west campus for a quick lunch of Chick-fil-a before

12:40 - 1:30 PM - Intro Accounting with the ever-enthusiastic Professor Stasney. Am a little bit lost due to skipping class on Friday (hey, I was hungry and Ashley made me)

1:30 - 2:00 PM - Get sports passes to Marlena for the Clemson game, and sign up for an interview for Muster Committee. The info in the cube said I was to wear "business attire." I may be out of my league, and I think about half of the 40 or so people given interviews will be cut. My interview is this Wednesday.

2:00 - 5:00 PM - Work at the Foundation. Ran errands, delivered mail, worked on my project. Boring, but at least it passed fairly quickly.

5:00 - 5:45 PM - Went to Qwik Kar to get my car inspected and the oil change. This trip deserves a post of its own; anyway, the credit card was repeatedly denied- I was able to put $10 on it. That left $30 or so to be accounted for. I had a ten in my pocket, and the rest was put on my debit card, which I knew would be cutting it pretty close. How close you ask? I now have just over two bucks in that account. Very close, I answer. Once again- I need money.

6 - 8 PM - Football at Simpson drill field. Teams seemed a little bit mis-matched, but I was on the better one, so who's complaining? I had a number of receptions, three or so for touchdowns, and maybe only one big mistake on defense. It was fun; we have a game on Thursday, as we're in a preseason tournament. The winner of said tournament gets to take on the champ from t.u.- we're a veeeery long shot, but hey, it's not totally out of the question. Mostly, but not totally.

In a few minutes I'll be leaving to meet Michelle at Freebird's for dinner. I will be redeeming a coupon for a free burrito and drink; I'm not sure how far you can stretch two bucks there, but odds are it'd get me little more than water with a side of lemon wedges.

p.s. the new version of "Heroes & Villains" is pretty darn awesome. Maybe I'll have some money by the time "Smile" finally comes out. It's impossible to say whether or not Brian Wilson's well-publicized trials and tribulations are a good price to pay for the transcendent music he has occasionally* been able to produce. I do know that the world is a better place for his melodies and those killer harmonies. William Faulkner once said that the "Ode to a Grecian Urn" was worth "any number of old ladies;" I don't know Mr. F's musical tastes (probably genteel and Southern, with a hint of gothic), but along that line of reasoning, Pet Sounds alone is worth a whole ward full of lunatics.

* Where "occasionally" = "ever" but actually pretty frequently, whereas for mere mortals such great heights (on the winamp as I type in fact) are simply unattainable and not ever an at all realistic goal

oh, inverted band

Although James Mercer's soaring tenor is typically the focal point of Shins records, keyboardist/occasional bassist/hype man Marty Crandall was hands down the highlight of the night (excepting, of course, the band's intricately constructed melodies). This was clear by his spot, front and center, on the stage. To the left bassist/occasional guitarist Dave Hernandez hammered away during the band's more up-tempo tunes as if he was in a hardcore band.

But Crandall was hilarious, at times seemingly channeling Jack Black. Does the idea of one-half of Tenacious D providing interstitial banter at a Shins concert? Of course, and that's why it works so well. He promised that the concert, chock full of "mind melting" songs, wouldn't be held up by anything, be it rain (the show was being made up; it was originally scheduled for June, and yes, we made it through pouring rain only to be told by Stubb's staff that the show was cancelled. But the bar-b-q was excellent. Less excellent was missing an impromptu in-store at Waterloo by mere minutes) or terrorists.

After about 80 minutes of expertly crafted power-pop, the band left but was soon back for an encore of "Kissing the Lipless," a bizarre heavy metal tribute to the band's home state of New Mexico ("505! It's weird!" - this sung by Mr. Crandall), and finally, "Know Your Onion!"

So if you get the chance, check 'em out. On a more upsetting note, the Friday Modest Mouse show (with I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness and Explosions in the Sky - a mouthful of a bill, but 100% awesome) is sold out. We need two tickets, and as MC Pee Pants told us so long ago, when you need something, it's a responsibility.

Please give me money

I am in college:

17 dollars in the bank account
54 dollars to be added on Friday (paycheck - I am making FAT STACKS dudes)
(20 dollars) to be spent on Modest Mouse ticket* for myself
(20 dollars) to be spent on Modest Mouse ticket for Michelle

And then the wait starts anew, as I'll be in about the same shape, working my fingers to the bone for enough money to shell out for a Pixies ticket. It's kind of amazing that we were considering going to Austin City Limits next weekend; where the hell were we going to find eighty bucks apiece? I need a raise dammit.

But in any case- first home football game this Saturday, and the Shins in concert that night. It's going to be grueling but what's this swell body for if not abuse? Legs and back still sore from football two days ago.

Tomorrow: a recap of Silver Taps for the uninitiated.

* this should be totally worth it, by the way, as apparently Explosions in the Sky will be opening for MM, who are fantastic in and of themselves

memo to college station's fox affiliate

Enough with the Treehouse of Horror episodes! I've seen the one that aired today, featuring an Island of Dr. Moreau takeof at least four or five times. I make a point of watching The Simpsons at 5 every weekday afternoon and I know the show has an extensive back catalogue that goes beyond the spotty Halloween themed episodes.

I don't think I've ever felt more like the Comic Book Guy than now, having written the above paragraph. Within moments, my disgust will be registered upon the glorified bathroom wall that is this Internet.