EPISODE 3, in which the waiting is the hardest part

undertook my first research project this week. It wasn't a big thing -- the actual research took about an hour of sitting at the Union and people-watching -- but we had to write a one-page paper for 658 that demonstrated an understanding for the process of data analysis. As a result, I have now written one of the sentences I never thought I'd get around to: "I have defined 'alone' as sitting at a table by oneself."

The purpose of this research was to test a theory that cellphone users are more likely to be alone than not. I felt this at least bested the project my TA did when he was a student in the course, determining whether bicyclists in the bike lane were more likely to wear a helmet than those in the car lanes. I mean, at least there's some communication going on. My results did indeed support the theory, cellphone use among groups of four or more seemed to outpace groups of two and three. If I can't think of anything better, I figure I'll use my thesis to explore that further.

The real good news of the week is that my car is once again hale and hearty. My alternator diagnosis was correct and the battery needed replacing, as well. Thankfully, the initial $435 estimate was a bit overblown. That's right, I got these repairs furnished for just $434.40! Maybe I could have shopped around and found something cheaper but the place I got towed to is literally right across the street from where I live and convenience trumps hauling the thing (and myself) all over town. Plus, the new alternator comes with a lifetime warranty, meaning my alternator-eating Grand Prix can feel free to go nuts with it.

The bad news is that summer's over. Monday is the Equinox and the weather is suddenly reflecting that. We had to move 901-D, the unofficial J-school Friday evening drink-up, indoors when the rain and cold started to become a problem. Since the entire population of Union Terrace was moving at once, the group apparently got split in half and set up camp in opposite ends of the indoor drinking area. What was left of us wound up discussing the willingness of various political groups to surrender civil liberties and, later on, the best way to get the Super Bowl into a cold weather city. Perhaps not surprisingly, empty pitchers began appearing on our tables that we didn't remember having ever been full.

I spent most of Saturday waiting to go see Mates of State play at the Catacombs. I'd seen a sign for the show on Friday that said it started at seven. Come to find out it was really starting at nine. I did really want to see it -- I couldn't get to Madison last time they were here, in the spring -- but I didn't really want to sit around on campus for two hours when I was hungry and cold. I think it's probably not a big deal; Mates tour all the damn time and Madison's pretty firmly entrenched on the standard indie rock tour schedule.

Hopefully something exciting will happen next week. I'm seeing the Mr. Show live extravaganza on Saturday but that's barely still part of the week. I need something good on a weekday. Wish me luck.

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Aaron Veenstra is the managing editor of Etc. House Productions and a Master's student in Journalism at the University of Wisconsin.
Matriculation Reloaded appears weekly.