Now my Mom is ill

The most indestructible woman on the planet.  The one who has nine lives.  The one who has lived through multiple car accidents, rare diseases like Ludwig's Angina, renal failure, double pneumonia, already went into and then out of a nursing home from age 58 to 60, is sick.  This time, it is probably for real.

But if there is a 1% chance that anyone lives through this nasty organism in her lungs "Pseudomonas Aeruginosa", it will be Yvonne King Wood.  I was just down in Texas for a visit.  She is pretty thin and pretty tired.  She can hardly walk.  But she will be damned if she doesn't get her cigarettes.  She is also quite unapologetic about it, and does not care to try to quit.  Like everything else she does, it is her call for sure.

SMUdents Unite Again May 3, 2008 at Connie's House

We are looking forward to the big Cinco de Mayo party at Con's. Those who RSVPed will avoid the payback of the more frightening photos that have not YET been posted to this blog. But we can post this one for now, as a threat, a promise and a joke :)

And more broken rules (you know who you are)

Blah, Blah, Blah... more rules that many of us broke routinely... this is the edited version, there are many other rules

From SMU Handbook-

Situations in which persons cannot make free and informed decisions to engage in sexual behavior such as unconsciousness, being asleep or disabled by drugs/alcohol constitute sexual conduct without consent.
Public Urination.
Endangering the safety of others or violating their rights.
Individual or group activities that intentionally or recklessly cause serious disturbance or distress to others.
Gambling: under no circumstances are students permitted to gamble on University property

Refusal to vacate a building, street, sidewalk, driveway or other facility of the University when directed to do so by an authorized officer of the University having just cause to order the evacuation; failure to evacuate for a fire alarm or re-entry prior to return signal.

Intentional possession or use on University property of a dangerous article or substance as a potential weapon, or of any article or substance that could injure or discomfort any person;

Starting a fire, participating in an unauthorized fire;
Intentionally false reporting of a fire; intentionally false reporting of a bomb or other explosive having been placed in any University building or elsewhere on University property; tampering with fire-fighting or fire alert equipment.

Falsifying information submitted to any University office or agency; offering a false statement in any University disciplinary proceeding.

Deliberate disobedience or resistance of an identified University official acting in the line of duty.

Using, or attempting to use, University property in a manner inconsistent with its designated purpose. Includes possession of/misuse of residence hall furniture, University property, etc.
Intentional or reckless damage to or destruction of University property or of property on University premises belonging to others. Includes graffiti, destroying/removing advertisements.
Littering.
Trespassing or unauthorized entry.
Intentional or reckless interference with any class, other University function, or campus activity by means of noise, projectiles, or other form of disturbance or disruption.
Rioting, or aiding, abetting, encouraging, or participating in a riot or rioting, or inciting a riot, including food fights, when conduct occurs on University property or in the course of a University activity.

Violation of residence halls rules and regulations.
Violation of civil law.
Conduct that is made a crime by the criminal law of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or of the United States of America and that takes place on University property or in the course of University activity.
Guest Policy
Quiet Hours
Aiding or abetting any conduct described above.

Which of these rules was not broken by third floor green?

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Student Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct Policy

I. General

Presumably, students working toward degrees are mature, responsible, and committed to preparing themselves for their professions. One manifestation of that maturity is a highly-developed sense of self-respect coupled with an equally high regard for the rights and privileges of others and for the rules that regulate society.

It is hoped that students realize the extent to which personal growth depends upon the development of self-discipline and the exercise of it in getting along well with others and maintaining high standards of honesty and moral conduct. Therefore, although minimal rules exist so as to create the atmosphere for a truly liberal education, all students are expected to act in a way that does not infringe upon the rights of others or upon the educational process.

The university respects the laws and ordinances of the civil jurisdiction within which it lies. The university does not stand in loco parentis for its students, nor is the campus to be considered a sanctuary from civil law.

II. Unacceptable Conduct

Students found guilty of unacceptable conduct will be subject to the complete range of sanctions and penalties provided in the Student Judicial Code. Conduct, occurring on or off campus, that violates generally accepted standards of good behavior and is adverse to the University’s purpose or interests or presents a danger to the health and safety of the University community may be subject to discipline. The University has special concern for incidents in which students are subject to physical assault or harassment because of membership in a particular racial, religion, gender, ethnic, cultural, or sexual orientation group.

Unacceptable conduct includes, but is not limited to:

Violation of alcohol regulations. (See Alcohol and Drug Policy)
Use, possession, or distribution of illegal and/or dangerous drugs. (See Alcohol and Drug Policy)

And here are the rules about cleaning...

Services

Cleaning Services and Equipment

"Lobbies and multi-purpose areas are cleaned periodically during the week.Bathrooms within each wing are cleaned at least twice each week. The cleaning of student rooms and the common area is the responsibility of the students who reside there. This includes proper placement of refuse in the receptacles provided, bagging of all trash, and prompt removal of trash to a designated trash room."

All I can think of is that poor woman who cleaned our building- was it... Bev?

When my Dad came to pick me up at the end of my freshman year, he went into the "Green Swamp", basement suite to use the facilities. Someone had gone into the bathroom and bowled a bowling ball into the toilets (smashing them of course). He really hated that, just couldn't understand it...

This is what they now call our former dorms

How Stupid is This? The Colors Weren't Good Enough?????

From the Website:

Chestnut Hall, was built in 1971 and opened a year later. It has a basement, 3 floors and follows the suite style of living. Each floor contains a common area, which has a kitchenette, a dining area, and a living area for the residents to share. There are 2 bathrooms per suite (one with a bath/shower and one with a shower).

Chestnut Hall has 62 singles, 114 doubles, and 21 "A" room triples, and 9 quads for a total capacity of 389 residents.

Chestnut Hall was renovated the summer of 2003.

Suave Bob Packert

I will be posting better ones of Bob, but by the look on Connie's face, he is charming her, like he charmed all of us. Bob is a successful photographer running a great business with his partner (business only) Sharon? White. Bob married Laurie Killim (spelling?) after college and lives in Danvers, I think. I hear they have a wonderful kid, Kyle. Back in the good old days, Bob was the one wearing the three piece white suits to go to disco night. Every girl crazy bout a sharp dressed man...

Hear No Evil? Speak No Evil? Come On!

This is one of my favorite photos. Elaine is responsible for this one. On the left is a character not yet discussed, Tom Dickhaut. Another "Guy Across The Hall". He was a lot of fun (wink, wink), but, alas, he left a little early from the scene. That's Tim in the middle and Michael on the right.

Michael and Mela Dutka

Michael Armstrong and Mela Dutka- she was another girl from our suite. This foggy picture is pure CLASS. A tribute to youth!

Nancy's Wedding

I wish I could say that we all behaved well at this event, but I guess not. I know Connie often quotes me, as I apparently said to Mr. and Mrs. Mattila, Nancy's parents "And these aren't even a quarter of Nancy's friends". Hey they doesn't sound so bad to ME. But Con always says, "My roommate, fine upstanding symbol..." Of what? This is Con and the Liver, drinking through the wedding...

Remember Nancy's brother, Peter?

Elaine's roommate, Nancy

Nancy Mattila. The person who is sitting to my right on the couch at Connie's Cape house. She was Elaine's roommate for the first two years. She was really nice to me. I liked her a lot. She was very mellow, but she was fun! She got married while we were in school (She must have just graduated), to a guy from her hometown (What was that town?) and I have heard a few updates about her life since SMU, as she sometimes corresponds with Elaine. It has been a tough few years for her health, etc., but I believe she is currently healthy, so I hope she reads this and chimes in! Nice photo, huh? Could we look any more...

Bad Attitude

Michael Armstrong- looking pensive on the balcony of third floor green. This attitude was the precursor to a variety of bizarre behaviors, such as the "funeral" for a fish. We have photos of that and will be adding them. Michael is now a marine biologist, so his reverence for fish developed into a rewarding career.

Glen Foster

Glen Foster = Neil Young Fanatic.
And since we all loved (and still love) Neil Young, it was always a pleasure to listen to every song that he ever recorded! Glen was a very cool guy. Low key, but absolutely would get involved in the mayhem whenever he was available. And his brother David is one of the funniest guys in the world- he was also a SMUdent. I don't have a photo of Dave from that period, so I will have to scan some of Connie and Elaine's photos. The song that reminds me most of Glen is:

TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT
-------------------
Tonight's the night, tonight's the night
Tonight's the night, tonight's the night
Tonight's the night, tonight's the night
Tonight's the night, tonight's the night.

Bruce Berry was a working man
He used to load that Econoline van.
A sparkle was in his eye
But his life was in his hands.

Well, late at night when the people were gone
He used to pick up my guitar
And sing a song in a shaky voice
That was real as the day was long.

Tonight's the night, yes it is, tonight's the night
Tonight's the night, yes it is, tonight's the night.

Early in the mornin' at the break of day
He used to sleep until the afternoon.
If you never heard him sing
I guess you won't too soon.

'Cause people let me tell you
It sent a chill up and down my spine
When I picked up the telephone
And heard that he'd died out on the mainline.

Tonight's the night, tonight's the night
Tonight's the night, tonight's the night.

Bruce Berry was a working man
He used to load that Econoline van.
Well, early in the morning at just about the break of day
He used to sleep until the afternoon.

Tonight's the night, yes it is, tonight's the night
Tonight's the night, tonight's the night
Tonight's the night, tonight's the night
Tonight's the night, tonight's the night.

Liver

This is Don "Liver" Livesy! Doing "The Liver Dance"- only done when he acheived a certain blood alcohol level. He was a very studious guy, with a great stereo system. He was somewhat less cruel than the others... but could be enlisted to the type of "mob mentality" we feared in the girls suite. This photo was taken at Connie's Cape house in 1977. In an odd turn of events, Liver and I shared two apartments on Beacon Hill in the early 1980s! I forget how we got together at that time. We were very compatible roommates as I recall. I know he is living in Northern California with his wife, Kit, and two adorable children. He never writes, he never calls... we need his e-mail address, damn it. A couple of things I specifically remember about Liver, is that he had a girlfriend with the name "Mullette?"- not sure if that was spelled correctly. But the guys had a lot of fun with the name... and I remember a night where Liver, Tim, Elaine and I (and maybe Michael?) took a drive over the Bourne Bridge late one night, driving recklessly and laughing hysterically. Stupid kids! We could be arrested, or dead- but we did not comprehend such things. In fact, I relished the idea that I was an emancipated girl, no parents paying, so if something happened, nobody ever had to know. But nothing did. It WAS the late 70's, there was much less concern for those issues then. It was the best time to be alive.

The Guys Across The Hall

This innocent looking guy is Tim Fox. He looks nice enough, doesn't he? But he could be mischievous...
Who were these guys? Why were they so arrogant? There was not a "sensitive" one among them. Why did they believe that they could abduct Connie and Elaine and have their way with them? They terrorized us, yet we were strangely drawn to them. They had great taste in music. They were generally filthy in their habits- and they were "available", and so were we, and proximity did the rest. I don't mean to underestimate the influence of alcohol etc. etc. etc., the legal drinking age was 18. This did play a role. You may notice this in some of the photos. But there was a strange "tribalism" among these boys/men... Tim Fox, Don "Liver" Livesy, Bob Packert, Michael Armstrong, Glen Foster, Tom Dickhaut and others who will be added and discussed later (Sean, Delude, Wild Bill). There were those who came before I was there, but I did meet them too. John Natz and Stew Dick among them. There were the legends I never met, like "Big Glen". Please comment on others, we would not want to miss anyone... but they were a strange breed, these guys, very strange.