Re: blah center & hours

[bobbie silk <bsilk@keller.clarke.edu>]

I'm enjoying picturing everybody's writing center.  

We're located in the architecturally-striking atrium building on campus. 
Since the building also houses the administration offices and is the
prez's pride and joy (understandably), any sort of decorating is supposed
to be consistent with the design and decoration of the structure and it
must be "approved."

Our Writing Lab was intended to be a small classroom, so we have a
blackboard on one wall and a huge bulletin board on another.  We have
three narrow windows that overlook the atrium.  Surprisingly, we still
have a lot of wallspace.  Right now there's a huge, rather cold-looking,
hyper-realistic painting of empty salad dressing cruets next to the
windows.  (In spite of the quality of the technique in the painting, every
time I look at it I can't help but think of all those Good Seasons Shake
'n Pour cruets that clutter garage sale tables all over the country.)  The
whole thing is pale blue and grey.  I think of it as art to quiet the
thoughts of insomniacs.  It is the antithesis of either stimulating or
cozy.

Katie and I are moving in big plants, and we're negotiating for new
artwork and a couple of nice wingback chairs.  We may eventually get the
artwork, but I think the chairs will never make it through the budget cuts
and red tape.  In the meantime, we may have to make an after-dark visit to
a used furniture store and smuggle in some "temporary" chairs.  (Picture
us carrying furniture into the Writing Lab--an activity for which
we'd be dressed in black clothing, with black stocking caps pulled down
over our heads and our faces smudged with night combat paint.)

  --Bobbie