Amusing Advice

This isn't the usual kind of frivolous entry I would use Xanga for but I'm sitting in USC's Leavey library doing my best to procrastinate so writing an entry at this moment seems entirely too appropriate.  What prompted this absolutely slapdash thought?  Walking through the Leavey doors tonight was somewhat nostalgic just because I haven't been here in some time and I've avoided having to be here most of the semester since I spend so much time on campus as it is.  Nostalgia begets Xanga-ing.

Leavey services are nice because the library is open 24 hours.  Since the day I started my undergraduate degree here, it has been a 24 hour library.  However, it was not until today that I'd heard what I'll call the 10PM announcement.  Leavey is only open from 10PM to 7AM to current USC students and faculty.  In the past, the only evidence of the enforcement of that rule was that you would have to show a USC ID to enter after 10PM.  When I started my graduate degree, I recall a night when I had entered before 10PM, but was later asked to display my USC ID at the desk where I was working.  Finally, tonight, I heard an announcement about the rule.

At about 9:59PM, a male voice came on over the loud speaker and addressed the building.  I'm going to try to remember his speech verbatim but I'm making no promises.  Of course, you'll see where I thought this was a funny announcement and why I might even write about it.

"Attention Leavey patrons.  The time is now 10 o'clock PM.  The library is now closed to the public.  Only current USC students and USC faculty will be permitted to enter and remain in library facilities.  If you are not, we kindly ask that you clear your area at this time.  That means if there are any Duck fans still around, please get out.  Thank you."

Yesterday was Homecoming around here and USC's football team played the Oregon Ducks at the Coliseum (defeated them 35-10 by the way).  Thus, the reason for the Duck reference.  At the end of the announcement, you could hear the announcer chuckling to himself and perhaps a co-worker or a friend of his laughing in the background before the mic went offline.  I thought it was funny myself even though it was highly unprofessional and only somewhat inappropriate.

Speaking of inappropriate, that's what this entry has become so I'll terminate my diatribe here and begin work on my short paper.  Enjoy.