Whoo Hoo! We have survived the first week of school! It alwaysseems so simple, sign up, pay fees, buy books and attend class.However, as most of you who are new probably have discovered, goingto class is not as simple as one, two or three. The trials of thefirst week of school can make a person want to drop out, notbecause classes are hard, but because the run-around can feel likeit’s more trouble than it’s worth.

Dealing with this campus is like a lesson in futility. Thereseems like no way into the campus for starters. Correction: justget behind the other hundreds of cars waiting in traffic. We arestill in Sacramento, right? Not San Francisco, L.A. or NewYork?

I avoid some traffic by turning left at Chevron for coffee.I’m a student; therefore I have regressed from a deliciousvanilla latte at my local Starbucks, to a $0.99 cent House Blend atthe gas station. That, in itself, is a little scary. I don’twant to think about what “House Blend” really means ata gas station.

I have done the reduction to accommodate, at least for the firstweek of school, the correct change for a daily parking permit.It’s better to be in a five-minute line in the parking lotthan the hour plus wait for the semester pass, which will just haveto wait. I drive on looking for a spot to park keeping my dreams inmind, and the ever-beloved degree, except I again wait, almost anhour for an open parking spot.

After dealing with the drama of passes, traffic and bad temperedindividuals in the parking lot, I finally leave my crappy crackedwindshield no rear view mirror expired plate “92 FordEscort/Ferrari in a place where I’m likely to lose a stereo,get keyed, or have a cracked and broken something when I come back.Finally, I am on my way to class where the people who make thisworld into a better tomorrow will teach me.

I may be overly optimistic at this point because there are morehurdles to come. People traffic. Here is the deal, if youdon’t know where you’re going, ask someone. If yourphone rings, move to the side, and answer it. If you’re aslow walker or just like spacing out, try and remember that theperson stepping on your shoes and breathing down your neck is notstalking you, but trying to get around you.

Once I grab a desk in my classroom the morning will be better.The last obstacle to endure is the elevator. I am stunned as fivepeople get in with suitcases. Does anyone know where these peopleare going? When did the roller suitcase replace the backpack? Ifyou’re a professor, or old, I can understand the need forthem, but if you’re the average student, chances are youdon’t need that much stuff!

Sitting in class is as suffocating as the rest of my morning. Inthe end, class only lasts for roll and to receive a syllabus, whichan apologetic professor proclaims there are not enough foreveryone. After 15 minutes, I am free to leave with a “Pleaseuse this free time to go buy the ridiculously pricedtext”.

Finally, I can go and find my Ferrari. My morning ends with a$24 parking ticket because daily passes are not accepted in ParkingStructure II. Thank you, Sac State. I could have had a lottalattes, but I do look forward to the rest of the year anyway.