Third (and ½) Pit from the Sun

We declared tonight "Faculty Night" and set up camp in the courtyard of the West Campus. The idea was that all adult staff would sit 'round the fire pit with libations of choice, while the students relaxed quietly in their quarters.

I am pleased to report that the students all cooperated beautifully..... NOT!

They came to the door at least 500 times, with silly questions like "How do you clean up a gasoline spill?" and "What is fire made of?". All designed, no doubt, to get us to come back inside. I wasn't biting. One after another the questions came, like a pajama parade. To the point that I had to spray the door hinges with some WD40 to stop the squeaking. They simply couldn't stand us being outside, and them being inside. At one point, a female student began appearing at the door with only a shirt on, trying to shock us into shutting the party down. Sorry honey, I've seen all the Girls Gone Wild videos."

So, at precisely 29 minutes into "Faculty Night", and only one day into our "Holiday Shopping Season", we officially kicked off Christmas by offering one of the gifts as a bribe - a brand new "Justice League" DVD was unwrapped and spun up on the dormitory television.

That worked for 10 minutes. Giving in, finally, one of the faculty went inside to keep the students in line while the Headmistress and the Headmaster continued their vigil 'round the campfire, drinking all the more heavily.

I can't wait for "Student Night". Revenge is sweet....

The photo of the firepit was taken from directly above, and a photo of the 5-day, waxing quarter-moon (courtesy John French, Planetarium Production Coordinator, Michigan State University) was superimposed.