I was writing like a bandit stealing through the night, like a dumpster-diving raccoon bathing in Crisco by moonlight, whose eyes - as sullen as Zeus's third wife, Tracy - peered through the dark like the wise glare of a mariner, hell-bent on seeing this thing out like Jesus did his fate.
Halloween was just a couple of days ago, and people seemed to take the whole weekend to celebrate. While I was out at night, I saw that matching costumes were clearly all the rage among couples.
Sterling Payne, a local Charlottesville kindergarten student, was busy using a stick to stab colorful leaves among the dozens of pumpkins spilling across the grass. "Look, Mom!" he shouted.
I wasn't sure if I had the right place when I pulled into a warehouse parking lot. It was dark, kind of empty and the only entrance that was open looked like it was straight out of a B-grade horror movie - fluorescent light flickering and all.
"Where are you from?" "Bangladesh." "Don't Bangalis love eating fish all the time?" "I hate fish." Then again, I am an abnormality among my people.
Imagine an online network of people so generous and resourceful that they lend and lease their unused belongings to people in their communities who actually need them.
If you have more money than you know what to do with, then this column is not for you. If you, however, have had trouble making ends meet or wish that you had more money than you do, I invite you to continue reading. For starters, you can take comfort in knowing that your situation is not unique.
When asked what makes the University unique, many are quick to point to Thomas Jefferson, the Lawn, the honor system or Division I athletics.
Looking up at the night sky, one can see a plethora of stars scattered above Charlottesville. While adding to the sky's visible splendor, this vast sky also raises curious questions, such as how certain stars and planets were born or when galaxies were formed in the early universe.
At every stage of life, certain acts are deemed permissible that would not be at any other time. College is probably the most noticeable phase of life during which we can engage in activities and behave in ways that will be taboo thereafter.
Tell me if this sounds familiar: you turn on your computer, but instead of hearing the nice, happy startup music you're hoping for, you see the dreaded blue screen of death.
Each morning, I wake up and begin a journey of adventure and adrenaline. Most Americans refer to this phenomenon as a "commute." I have been spoiled by living on Grounds during the past two years; my commute always revolved around a simple 10-minute walk to class or on the occasional chilly day, a five-minute bus ride.
When Australian Aborigine males reach adolescence, they have a rite of passage called "walkabout," during which they leave their homes and journey across the wilderness to forge a deep connection with the Earth.
I could certainly write a novel about my import-riddled American life. I drive a Japanese car to the local farmers market, write my American political theory essays with Chinese ink and dance around my bedroom to country music in my Sri Lankan underwear.
When times are tough, it is comforting to know that there are people in your corner to support you, be they close friends, relatives or members of the community.
Virginia football. It was on the verge of becoming an oxymoron after that infamous opening loss to William & Mary.
"It sounds kind of rugged," Range Chair Erin Kallman said. "You don't have a bathroom that's indoors, you don't have a kitchen, and for people who are in professional schools, at first, that might cause you to pause." At first glance, the University's 51 Range rooms are not that dissimilar from the 104 undergraduate rooms aligning the Lawn.
Ahh, la vida Valenciana. Lounging on the beach by day, discovering new dives by night. These first eight weeks studying abroad in Spain have been some of the best of my college career - and mainly for reasons outside the classroom.
Fall is a time for harvest and generous offerings. October in Charlottesville offers no exception. Oct.
A couple of weeks ago I visited Monticello, and as it turns out, Thomas Jefferson was a pretty impressive individual - a beast at life, if you will. I know, I know.
