Currently, I am on the University of Cincinnati’s campus … on the 8th floor of Baldwin Hall … in the Engineering Library … at a desk located on the west end of the TP 155.C54 - TP 159.M4 book stacks.
I love this desk!
For the past four years, I have made my way up here to the library to enjoy good times watching YouTube videos, Hulu, play games such as Euchre or Settlers of Catan … and I have even been here to do some homework! But during these past four years I have always sat at a particular desk near the Heat Transfer books. There isn’t much importance related to that desk, I just liked it. It is located by a window, has the chair’s back to a wall, and is behind some shelves. A good desk.
No more than an hour ago I walked into the library and made my way to my desk. I saw that the library was a bit more crowded that usual, so I had my concerns about the vacancy of my desk. My concerns were quickly realized when I rounded a book stack and saw someone hunched over papers, hard at work. Well shoot …
Typically, when this happens, I just find the next available desk and settle for the circumstances. But not today. Today I decided to explore a little bit into the other ‘options’. This is when I found the desk that I am currently sitting at. And let me tell you … it is amazing!
First and foremost, there is an electrical outlet right next to the desk for easy charging of my MacBook. Second, it is in the back of the library where it is actually quiet. You would be surprised at how noisy this library gets at times. People come in herds looking for a study room, someone takes a phone call, or people just decide to have random conversations not using their inside voices. Third, is the view I have now out my window. At my old desk, I viewed the roof of Baldwin Hall. Not much to look at, but I had no complaints. No complaints until I found out what I was missing out on that is!
The view from my new window overlooks the Hermann Schneider Quadrangle. This area is filled with people walking to and from class and socializing with others. Lots of potential for people watching.
A few minutes after I took my seat at this desk I found myself turning sappy while looking out the window and watching the people pass below. I was imaging myself sitting at this desk through all four Ohio seasons. Right now all the trees are filled with leaves of brilliant oranges, yellows, and reds that sway with the breeze and gently twirl towards the grass below.
I then imagined it being a blustery winter day. I would no doubt be grateful for the walls surrounding me, guarding me from the chill and snow that gently falls from the sky and covers the ground. People would be walking on white sidewalks all bundled up and the trees would be naked and sparkling as ice forms on their branches.
Spring would be next and people would start emerging from their winter slumber and congregate with frisbees and conversation. The sky blue and sun shining bright would illuminate the budding trees and flowers. Squirrels would be scattering around, looking for their long ago buried acorns. New life would be all around.
And then the best thought of all … Summer. I had no visions of summer.
As much as I wish I found this desk earlier so that I could enjoy all the seasons this window has to offer, I graduate after Spring quarter. And there is no desk in this library that could keep me here any longer :-)