A Sad Commentary

I guess I will do these posts somewhat out of order. Just go with me on this one.

I got an alert from the Hawkalert System today. It's an automatic system around campus that let's us know if there is some sort of danger or something present. Today's alert said,

"An active shooter is in the Iowa City Area. White male, mid 40s in 98 Tan Toyota Sienna van. IA plate 501 BLO. Call 911 if seen."

Then they called back later to say that there was no specific threat to U of I buildings or people and to only call the police if you had seen something.

I found out then that there was a shooting on campus here in 1991. Not really confidence inspiring. Additionally, can I just mention that it seems a bit strange that so many shooters that I hear about lately are graduate students? I'm not saying this as a cry for help or anything, but I am just mentioning that it does seem strange. And not that I would ever be driven to kill, but I do understand the sense of desperation. I have taken to beating puppies to relieve the feelings of anxiety, self-doubt and general horribleness brought on by graduate school. Just kidding, I'm not beating puppies. I could never do that. I do verbally berate them. But I don't think they really get what I'm saying and I use a nice friendly tone, so I think they think I'm being nice.

At any rate, I sort of feel compelled to stay in the office for now. I want to go run some errands so that I don't have to keep writing this horrible paper, but I don't know if it is worth taking my life into my hands. I guess I will go for now and work on this paper. Feel free to check back soon and I will try to get back on the posting.