Working at Notre Dame with the Lady on the on the Dome

Well folks I thought I would pen some random thoughts. Funny thing about blogging and writing in general. I suppose it takes a bit of ego to think that what you think is worthy of someone's time, however since life itself takes a bit of ego, we are off.

I had a few suggests for blog topics ranging from Astrophysics to the misuse of the English language. I decided to misuse the English language in answering a request from someone else who wanted me to give a glimpse into working at the University.

Let's start off with Yogurt. I eat this yogurt at lunch called yoCrunch. It is some really good stuff. It has a little compartment of granola on the top so that you can mix it in with the yogurt. It actually has me wanting to eat yogurt which is quite an achievement.

I work in sort of cramped quarters. Sort of like an elongated horse stall. I have three co-wokers that I share the area with. Which could be a very bad thing. Luckily for all, we get along really well. My boss is an excellent mix of nose to the grindstone and pull back and have fun. I can't complain about that in the slightest.

My good services a majority of the departments in the college When I say service I mostly mean bail their butts out. You know those things that have been on their desks for three weeks and they hand over to us with two-days lead time. It can be frustrating but it puts us in a position where we are respected and needed. Can't ask much more than that I suppose.

As far as the general environment, there is always an expectation of doing things not only correctly but the right way; no that wasn't meant to be redundant. It makes for an excellent long-term work environment- very sports like. Normally I think of academics as eggheads who sort of get caught up in the sound of their own voice. I would say that I have only met one or two that would fit into that category. The rest are very genuine and hardworking for the most part. If I had to pin one to the work environment it would be pride.

The biggest surprise has been the isolation between the colleges and especially the isolation between academics and athletics. When Juniper Road still existed they said that the athletic program was referred to as "the other side of Juniper." Working there for a year I can say that I sort of see why that phrase exists.

I wouldn't say that the academics and the athletics are oil and water. I would say that it is more of a big brother, little brother relationship in some ways. The academics realizes that the athletics is what many know the University by and they are determined to get the word out and make a name for themselves.

There is a lot of construction going on around campus ranging from residence dorms, to the new Eddy Street Commons which will be awesome, to the new Nano-technology building which should have little impact..........you get it....little...impact...you see because nano means....... I think the nano technology research and new technology park will be a great addition for Notre Dame and South Bend.

As far as the perks go, there are a few but if I start complaining about that Jem will be all over me. I have tried to take some time out on occasion to take in some of the campus atmosphere. I ate lunch one day in the North Dining Hall. Had I been an undergradLat ND let me just say I would have put on the freshman 15 that alluded me in college. I made sure to hit the Hesburgh library and found a Jem of a view on the 12th floor. I have been to the grotto more than once and have taken in the main building a time or two. The school oozes its history. There is truly something special about the University of Notre Dame. I very much can see why they say you either feel it or you don't. I can't say there is one part of the campus that is THE over the top magnet pulling people there but the sum of the parts is pretty tough to deny.

Go Irish!