Gotta love those people of ann arbor

Jennifer Petlinski Daily Arts Editor

It's no accident that the people here in Ann Arbor get voted the best thing about this place every year. With people, every day becomes a new experience. Every morning and say to myself, "Gee, I wonder what these lovely people will have in store for me today." In most cases, it isn't just the people-watching that gets my interest going; rather it's the people's interaction, the human relations, that makes this University a place I want to call home for one more year.

Needless to say, I am always pleasantly surprised sometimes more than in others. Here, I will share with you a few noteworthy people who I've encountered on my junior-year exploration of good ol' A2.

English Prof. Ralph Williams: Gotta love him, right? Now, I am taking my second class with Prof. Williams this term, and gosh darn it, I am still as impressed as I ever was. Talk about human relations - the man knows every face (and many names) of all students who have taken his classes. And who else do you know who would actually go up and down the aisles of lecture shaking hands and saying "hello" to anyone ready to talk to him? He is one of the people at this University who adds personality and life to a sometimes impersonal, lonely place.

What did I tell you? Are there some great people here in Ann Arbor or what?

My housemates: Girls - maybe I don't tell you often enough, but you are certainly the best. Sure, you get mad when I don't clean my room (which is more often than not), when I don't do my chore (which is more often than not), when I don't pay my bills until the day before they are due (ditto on the last parenthesis). But how about those human relations? No, not the disagreements, sillies - the other times. The good ones. You know when they are. Thanks.

Again, the people. I can't say enough about them. But the list rambles on ... .

My Neighbors: Well, it's sure been a great adventure living across the street from this rowdy group of guys. Boy, are they "people people." And boys, remember the time when you tried to scare us with the whole "squirrel tail and pocket knife" incident? It worked.

Gee, these people are incredible. As for the neighbors - well, I said human relations, not animal and human relations. So they still count. OK?

So many more people, so little space.

Meijer Check-out Girl, Aisle 9: OK, fine. So I'm not sure that it's Aisle 9, but it sure does sound good, and it's not really the point of my honorable mention. But if you, dear readers, are loyal customers of Meijer, then you better hope you get a check-out person like her - someone who will make you happy that you are living in Ann Arbor and eating such great food. On my last trip to Meijer, as I was on line, this lady told me that the $0.45 bean burritos I was about to purchase gave her gas once. Well, let me tell you, I still bought them, but boy, was I on the lookout for any possible side effects. In addition, I knew to leave the kitchen any time my housemates decided to eat theirs.

People in Ann Arbor - so damn friendly. And so willing to help me out, ready to give me advice on gas. What a place.

Drivers Who Almost Run Me Over: Gotta love these people too. I mean, where else but a crosswalk in Ann Arbor will you find drivers who come so close to running you over and then make sure to gun their engines when they don't? I am certainly grateful to these kind folks because I know they are just trying to test my reflex skills. Thanks for the practice.

Again, people are always looking out for my best interests. And there's more ... .

The CRISP Lady: Now, I don't know if anybody knows her like I do. If not, allow me to document our personal relationship. She's so nice, almost like we're best friends. After I CRISP every year, she reminds me what classes I am taking and their times - just in case I already forgot! I think it's because I ask her about her life, too. Learn from my example. The CRISP lady just loves to interact.

Oh, the people. I LOVE THEM! Does anyone else feel the same?

You: That's right. You. I love you. And maybe if you e-mailed me a little more after each column, I would love you as much as the CRISP lady. Well, almost as much.

Talk about human compassion, relations and understanding. Nowhere else but here, in A2.

- E-mail Jen at petlinsk@umich.edu

04-17-97