Something about February

By Coasterman1234 at en.wikipedia (Transferred from en.wikipedia)
[CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

If the academic year was described as a roller coaster, February would be the ascent to the largest hill.

That time when the cars jerk as the chain catches and struggles to pull thrill-seekers to the apex. It’s been a while since I've ridden a coaster, but I’m imaging the Millennium Force at Cedar Point.

This morning as I worked through the emails that accumulated in the inbox since last night, there were many – MANY – tweets, retweets and favorited tweets hoping – begging – for snow day.

“It's not too late to cancel classes tomorrow, @BlufftonU. #wishfullthinking @BlufftonDean”

For only having 28 days, February always seems to be the longest month. While this may be universally true, it is even more so on a college campus where cabin fever and a lack of sunshine is compounded with projects, mid-terms, etc.

Hang in there. As sure as a coaster will reach the top and gravity will take over. Spring will come. As of today, there are:

• 8 days until Spring Break
• 17 days until Daylight Savings Time begins
• 21 days until the Beavers’ home opening softball game
• 23 days until the Beavers’ home opening baseball game
• 29 days until the first day of spring
• 51 days until the Riley Creek Festival
• 73 days until graduation

Yes, February is a struggle. But just like a coaster after that split second where those in the front car feel suspended in mid-air when the cars finally make it to the top, the chain lets loose and gravity takes over. Then it’s up, down, spin right, through the tunnel, spin left and pull into the station. The ride is over.

Then we jump out of the car, a little breathless, definitely exhilarated, and run to get back in line to do it all over again.