Our Perspective ...

Appreciate art around campus

Almost everywhere around Appalachian State University, art abounds.

Only a century old, Appalachian does not have the large, picturesque buildings and classical works of art that dominate much older schools such as the universities of North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia have.

However, we do have an ever-changing display of art featured throughout campus.

It is a difficult venture to walk and not see art in Plemmons Student Union, where paintings and sculptures prevail in Tradewinds Coffeehouse, Blue Ridge Cafe and even in Mt. Mitchell Fitness Life Center.

In the student union itself, we even have a gallery which rotates student work every few weeks. In there we see photography, sculpture and other varieties of work in plenty of mediums in a voice close to our own as students.

The greatest aspect of Looking Glass Gallery is perhaps the book in which a passerby can write reactions to work, providing student-to-student feedback.

Catherine J. Smith Gallery in Farthing Auditorium is featuring faculty and staff artwork from 28 members of the department of art right now.

This gallery also hosts a variety of works from many artists which, toward the end of spring semester, will include student work in an end-of-year art judging and exhibition.

If that is not enough for you, we have sculptures all over our campus. Appalachian has statues of notable chancellors and markers for prominent university figures like many other universities have, but we also have larger pieces of sculpture such as "Orion" next to the Chemistry, Astronomy and Physics (CAP) Building in front of Justice Residence Hall and "Hephaestus," which welcomes visitors driving down Rivers Street in front Herbert W. Wey Hall.

Additionally, we enjoy a new set of sculptures each year with the annual Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition.

The competition, part of An Appalachian Summer Festival, showcases work from artists across the nation and proliferates itself across lawns in front of buildings on the west side of campus. No doubt, we have a campus dedicated to creativity and expression. As you walk to class or wherever you happen to go, appreciate the displays of expression around you, as these are what make Appalachian unique.

COMMENTARY

Dishwashers deserve more than dirty dishes

Being what I assume is a typical college student, my daily sustenance is derived by maintaining a steady diet of Ramen noodles supplemented by the occasional bowl of Kellogg's Rice Krispies to keep things interesting.

However, whenever I am able to scrape together a few extra bucks or have the good fortune of finding a few dollars stuck in the pocket of the shirt that I haven't worn because I couldn't find it for the last four-and-a-half weeks, I like to treat myself to a meal I can actually taste.

In this respect, I suppose I am not too much different from the rest of you. Now to the point where our dining practices most probably diverge (and the point of this article): I suggest that the next time you go out, you tip the dishwasher.

"Tip the dishwasher!?" you say. Yes, tip the dishwasher.

We have all been conditioned by years of eating out to tip the waitress, but what does she really do?

She brings you food you have already paid for! And then she has the audacity to expect you to fork over more money.

We are supposed to tip them for this?

These sly sirens exist solely to separate you from your hard-earned cash. I mean, if they want us to pay them, they should do a good stand-up routine or at least a Britney Spears number.

What these girls do instead is flirt and tease and arouse false hope that will only be dashed against the rocks like a baby seal in ... well, IÕll not get too graphic.

The point is, let us not fall prey to these vile temptresses any longer. Leave that to the middle-aged executive types who come to Boone for business and/or pleasure. After all, these are the people who were made to harbor such illusions.

Instead of the waitress, invest your money in the dishwasher. After all, his job is the most important in the restaurant. It is certainly more important than the craft of deception practiced by your waitress.

But what about the cook? Is the dishwasher more important than the cook? By all means!

You can be brought the most delicious-looking meal you have ever seen, but if it is served on a dirty plate I don't expect that you would relish your meal all that much.

You may be served the most scrumptious looking desert ever created, but if you are expected to eat it with dirty silverware, you are going to get up and leave right then, and you are not coming back-- ever!

So, to show your appreciation for having an enjoyable dining experience, let the dishwasher know that you acknowledge his effort and craft.

As a former dishwasher myself, I can attest to enduring countless hours of labor over a steaming sink and the endless discomfort and embarrassment of dishpan hands. So, the next time some syrupy-sweet svengali tries to mesmerize you with her charms in order to separate you from your money, just say "No thanks, ma'am" and send her along with a fiver and your compliments to the dishwasher.