Life Stories: December 2004 Archives
Since I'm going to give a tour of UCLA today, I figure I may as well post a secret treasure map of the university's soft underbelly: the steam tunnels.
The sweet adverturous nectar your departmental overlords don't want you to see!
Legend has it that the tunnels have been sealed since my conspirators and I last explored them, but I'm sure an enterprising urban adventurer could find her way in. There's all sorts of treasure to be claimed and mysterious chambers to explore, like the Toilet Graveyard, the steam plant, and the Royce Towers (as seen on the seal of UCLA).
Dangers await as well, such as certain expulsion (so we hear), rats, burning hot steam pipes, exposed electrical wires, and zombies. Haha, just kidding about the rats. Also: Shelob. Take a flashlight, because the tunnels are mostly pitch black; wear long pants and sleeves, despite the sweltering heat, because there are lots of hot and sharp things that will hurt you. Occasionally the tunnels are flooded with up to a foot of water, and maybe more if it rains a lot. Remember: water + electricity == fun + zombies.
If you go, write up an account of your quest and leave a comment here to let me know how it was.
Here's are a few accounts, some with pictures: one, two, three, four.
My life is so unbelievably difficult sometimes... I've got a coupon for 10% off any one item from Barnes and Noble and I don't know what to use it on! I've got all my gifts taken care of, so I want to buy something for me. The problem is that most of the books I want are pretty cheap and I don't want to waste the 10% coupon. I want to get Almanac of American Politics 2004 by Michael Barone, but it's not discounted at all and I can't pay full price when it's 40% off at Amazon! Any suggestions?
Merry Christmas!
(Not to scale.)
It's past time that I issued a special thank-you to Director Mitch for services rendered -- though even he may not be aware of it. Check out his site; his recent posts offer quite fascinating glimpses into his business-related tour of Asia.
