Happy Days in Random Chatter 10

[Shrinky Dink]

You can get the bindings on the skis adjusted to fit the boots you have. I would go to a ski shop and see what they say about adjusting them. I just bought some used skis that are from the 90s but are in really good condition and the bindings were able to be adjusted for some boots I rented for the day.

hmmm, okay. You're not worried about the materials on the skis being deteriorated because of their age?

Not really. Modern bindings are supposed to release the boot under certain conditions. Skiing with bindings that won't come off the boot can be really dangerous and result in torn ligaments and broken bones. I'm not concerned about the material because the bindings are supposed to come off at certain times, and the person I bought the skis from had only used the a few times, mostly cross-country stuff, and I don't think they put a whole ton of strain on the bindings. I also think that the repeated strain of well used skis over the course of a few years is more detrimental to the material than sitting in the garage for 10 years.

I didn't have boots, so I rented some from the Outdoor Resource Center at BYU-Idaho. Anyway, when I did this, they did a test to make sure that the bindings were working properly.Any ski shop should be able to test the bindings (although it might cost a small fee) and make sure that they'll release the boot at the appropriate time for your weight, height, and skill level. I currently have my bindings set pretty loose because I'm still a beginner and I fall more frequently than advanced skiers. Just make sure your bindings have 'breaks' on them the breaks come down when the boot is off and makes sure that your ski doesn't go down the mountain without you.

[the anglophile]

I'm in!! I'll be attending BYU starting summer term!! I couldn't be happier. Is it too early to apply to be a board writer?? (Half joking but also totally serious)

[Whistler]

not too early! if they think you're too young you can always reapply later I think.

[Portia]

I'm in!! I'll be attending BYU starting summer term!! I couldn't be happier.

Congrats! What classes are you signed up for? And don't forget to have random adventures. (No better time for crazy dating/friend group stories, in my opinion.)

[the anglophile]

Thanks! For summer term I'm registered for ASL 101, First Year Writing, and BOM 121. I am SO excited to start classes, especially ASL because I've been wanting to learn that for as long as I can remember. Fall term I plan on taking all the prereqs for my major (nursing) and American Heritage (wish me luck...). I'm stoked. Finding out was one of the best things ever!

[Violet]

Unsolicited comments on course load: 9 credits during summer is a lot. You can probably handle it academically, but make sure you have time for a social life and any job you might want. Summer on campus is one of my favorite things because people are always doing something. It can make it hard to do well if you're taking a high credit load if you're also working. If you're not working, take on the world.

But also, congratulations!

[Whistler]

I've done 12 credits during summer before--it really depends on the classes. As long as you don't get behind you should be fine.

[Portia]

I had far more success with 8 in summer than 15 in fall. Fewer things to juggle, and I could get by on less sleep as a freshman. :)

[the anglophile]

I won't have class on Friday which is nice!! I hope I'll be able to handle it. I'm just trying to get generals out of the way so I can apply for nursing.

[Zedability]

So today I woke up from an on-campus nap to find a note next to my face that said "Sleep well, Zed!" I was in a pretty out-of-the-way area, too. It was awesome in a slightly creepy way

[Katya]

Unsolicited comments on course load: 9 credits during summer is a lot. You can probably handle it academically, but make sure you have time for a social life and any job you might want. Summer on campus is one of my favorite things because people are always doing something. It can make it hard to do well if you're taking a high credit load if you're also working. If you're not working, take on the world.

But also, congratulations!

More unsolicited comments: I would not take a foreign language class in spring or summer term if I could avoid it. Foreign languages generally require a lot of memorization and you end up cramming all of that memorization into short-term memory instead of into long-term memory. (When I took Russian 201 in the fall, about two thirds of the students had taken 101/102 the previous fall and winter and about a third of the students had taken 101/102 as an intensive summer term class and you could really tell the difference. Those of us who hadn't had any Russian over the summer had to work a bit to get back into the groove, but once we did, our knowledge of things like cases was much more solid.)

However, your mileage may vary and because of its structure, ASL may not rely as heavily on certain types of memorization as Russian does.

[the anglophile]

I actually talked to owlet about taking ASL summer! She said it definitely wouldn't be too bad and that ASL classes tend to go slower. I would never take any other language because it would be so difficult but I have some background in ASL so it shouldn't be too bad. What I'm really afraid of is Writing... :/

[Marduk]

What I'm really afraid of is Writing... :/

Well, you're in the right place. I'm pretty sure there's like a dozen English grads here.

[Whistler]

yeah, I taught first-year writing for three semesters at BYU while I was a grad student

[Portia]

Has anyone tried this? Because it looks disgusting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_cake

[the anglophile]

It's so gross. It's dry and stale and tastes like the tears of small children.

[Emiliana]

Has anyone tried this? Because it looks disgusting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_cake

I've had it a couple of times. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's not.

[Katya]

I actually talked to owlet about taking ASL summer! She said it definitely wouldn't be too bad and that ASL classes tend to go slower. I would never take any other language because it would be so difficult but I have some background in ASL so it shouldn't be too bad.

Sounds good, then.

[Digit]

I have never, ever seen a hidden image in a stereogram. I wonder if there's some biological/anatomical factor that makes it literally impossible for some people with regular, 20/20, full-color vision (like me, if so).

[Tally M.]

If you've ever seen New Girl, we played True American last night Mormon style with soda. Really grateful this morning that it wasn't any stronger than caffination.