People who need people ...

The people of this town that we call home for a few years really can make or break our college experience. The nice and the nasty all make up our little neighbors, and become fundamental facets of who and what we remember when we leave.

I'm not talking about the locals here. No, see, the local folks are kind of a permanent fixture of Ann Arbor, like the Bell Tower or the stadium. Even if one's experience with a local resident is not so hot, locals are still great because they symbolize this town.

I am instead referring to the students, those whom many of the locals might rather see go away, but who come and go, and every once in a while make a profound impact on life in Ann Arbor.

Kristin Long Daily Arts Editor

Now, I am not going to sit here and dwell on the worst, because there is really no need to reinforce the stereotypes and frustrations that we all share. But I think that you all know who I am talking about.

You know the worst people are those who never say a simple "Thank you" when you hold the door open for them when walking into Angell Hall or some other campus location.

And you know very well that these are the folks who like to let the door slam in your face as you struggle with your belongings to make you way through the crowded doorways between classes.

These are, for sure, among the worst. And then there are the people that you encounter on a day-to-day basis. The people who casually pick up your newspaper, foolishly thinking that it has no value to you whatsoever, proceed to rip out the crossword and then give it back. All the while you're thinking, "I hope he doesn't touch my crossword," and sure enough - rip. What unpleasant thoughts I have about this person.

And then, of course, there are the domestic worsts, like those who live in your house and always manage to leave one, yes, one, ice cube in the tray. Ah yes, now you see who I am getting at. One cube. Who in the world is going to sit there and really use one, single, lone ice cube in any drink, when they could have four or five. Let's be realistic here, folks. Sure, there are other trays, but could someone please explain to me why it is so difficult to fill the tray with water instead of leaving that one cube all by its lonesome?

I didn't think so.

Now, like I said, I am not going to sit here and dwell on the worst kind of people. Not only is there no need, but I don't need any more people not talking to me for my final year in residence.

The whole point is that all of those people who for some reason do one of the above actions actually constitute the best of Ann Arbor as well. I know it's almost a double standard or something paradoxical, but it's true, nonetheless.

I'm sure that the person who didn't say "Thank you" when I held the door for him is deep down a genuinely decent person. Granted, I never looked at his face because at that time I was annoyed, but still, he got this far, didn't he?

And the other person who let the door slam in my face when I was carrying all the stuff I really don't need - I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she was late for class or something.

To the creep who ripped my paper, as rude as I think that was, I am sure that you have friends somewhere - don't you?

But the best example of all these characters, the one that I know for sure, is that of my beloved housemate who left the single ice cube in the tray, not once, but on countless occasions.

If we look at the core of the situation, I never would have become housemates with the culprit, if I never thought that she was someone worth befriending. Think about all of the housemate stories you have ever heard in your life, and then think about how at one point, all those troubles were like bubbles and the whole relationship wasn't about cleaning the kitchen, but about being friends. Think hard if you have to.

See, amidst all of the worst people that we encounter each day, there are a few exceptional people who make it all worthwhile, even when sometimes we forget the overall worth of that relationship.

This doesn't relate only to those with whom we live, but to those who have made us laugh every once in a while, at the times when we needed to laugh most. And those who pushed us to do something different, even when we wanted to stay the same. These, too, are among the best.

Within the next couple of weeks and the next couple of months, there are going to be a lot of fine and fantastic people who depart from the University of community, and I am not so sure that a lot of people really realize that.

As a freshman, I surely didn't know, or care about, any seniors who were leaving. It's not that I was heartless, it's just that my personal knowledge of the class of '96 was rather limited.

Even as a sophomore, there was really only one person whose departure made a substantial impact on my life, and only a few others with whom I had a close friendship that made a difference.

But now, as a junior, there is something distinct about this situation. There are a lot of people, good and bad, who have defined my Ann Arbor days, and soon these acquaintances are going to leave. I recently came to the realization that I never really got to say good-bye.

Many of these people, from famous athletes to the friend with whom we have shared the same classes for the past three years, will leave, and look back at the University as a memory, while those of us left behind will still be making our memories for use in the future.

And looking back at the times that I have shared with these folks, I have to say that it'll be sad to see them go - both the good friends and the not-so-good friends, and even those who I only know by name.

The people of Ann Arbor have a tremendous impact on the way we feel about college. Through my ups and downs, I don't know where I would be without many of these folks who probably (hopefully) won't be around come fall term. I know it's time for you all to move on, and I wish you luck.

So, I guess this is good-bye for now. Thanks for everything, and, for the next year at least, you know where you can reach me.

- Kristin Long can be reached over email at klong@umich.edu

04-16-98