When I saw how damaging last week’s rain and windstorms were, I couldn’t help but ask, “So, how many mathematicians does it take to get a tree off of Fenton?”
– I have to give it to the weather for its impeccable timing. The harshest of storms last week didn’t hit until Thursday at 1 a.m. when it all came crashing down. Almost no one was on campus, with students and staff trickling out of town for break, so the only things that were hurt by the fallen arbors were non-living. Fenton Hall was a victim of the violent rain and winds last week when a 100-year-old California incense cedar toppled onto the building. As of last Saturday, the tree has been removed. Fun fact: according to UO Communications Specialist Laura McGinnis in an article by the Emerald, whenever a tree falls on campus, the wood can be claimed by students, or really anyone, for a wood-intense project. In Oregon, we even reuse and recycle in times of natural catastrophe! *Pats self on back*
– Throughout Eugene, the recent weather conditions caused Governor Kate Brown to declare a state of emergency in 13 counties including Lane County last Thursday evening. Cars were crushed, neat yards ravaged, sidewalks blocked and worst of all to the Eugene locals, bike lanes hindered. An article by the Register Guard includes descriptions and pictures of some pretty major damage that has happened throughout the city because of the storms throughout the week.
– The Boston College campus didn’t experience any recent windstorms, but it did suffer from another disaster that was similar to what several Oregonians and Washingtonians went through earlier this fall. On Tuesday, Dec. 8, it was reported that 80 Boston College students got sick from eating at the same Chipotle restaurant near their campus. Officials don’t think this was related to the big E. Coli outbreak that had occurred, but something along the lines of a norovirus. Among the 80 affected was the school’s men’s basketball team who had to cancel practice last Monday. Eat the Chipotle, but practice due-caution, folks. No one likes a tummy ache.
– Speaking of b-ball, our neighbors down south in the Bay Area were experiencing a (gold) rush this entire season up until they played the Milwaukee Bucks (I’m sorry, who?) on Sunday. Steph Curry is so sad, and I know this because he’s gone three solid days without tweeting #DubNation. The Golden State Warriors are now 24-1 this season after their loss of 95-108. Counting the last four games of the 2014-15 season, the Warriors were on a 28-game winning streak, the NBA’s longest run since the 1971-72 season when the Los Angeles Lakers (gross) won 33 straight games. Fun fact: both of these winning streaks were cut short after games against Milwaukee. Rude.
– And now that school is out for the next few weeks, you will finally have time to enjoy your morning cereal with some new Serial! The crazy-popular podcast show released the first episode of its second season on Thursday. If you haven’t listened to Serial yet, or Sarah Koenig’s tranquil voice, you should. The first season about Adnan Syed and the murder of Hae Min Lee was absolutely addicting, for me and for the roughly 3.4 million others who downloaded each episode of the show. This new season is about a completely new subject that looks into U.S. militant Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl who has been charged for desertion and misbehavior due to his actions back when he was stationed in at an outpost in eastern Afghanistan. Bergdahl’s case, like Syed’s from last year, has two sides and is controversial to say the least. If you don’t want to feel FOMO once school starts back up in early January, make sure you’re up-to-date with the episodes! Since Serial is completely free to download and listen to, there’s really no excuse.
– I’d like to end this week with a congratulatory note to German Chancellor Angela Merkel for becoming the fourth ever woman to become TIME’s 2015 Person of the Year. Prost, m’lady! Side note: SNL’s Kate McKinnon as Merkel (and everyone else she plays) is fire.
I will continue to pond(er) the news for you all through break, sans podcast, though, so stay tuned for continuous weekly updates on current events by yours truly. Happy almost-winter! Don’t get blown away.