TCU News

 What's REALLY happening on campus
New Couch at Cockrell House
SOURCE: Stuart Harrison & Wabash brothers
DATE: early Tuesday morning, the 17th of September
Last night, after I finished watching an exhilirating ending to the LA/San Fran game, Stu calls me, and says there's a blue couch for Geoff, Dustin, and I sitting on the front lawn of the Wabash House. Rather than let the morning dew soak it, I decide to move on it quickly. I walk to Stu's house, and we load the couch up in his truck and drive it to Cockrell. About that time, Geoff wakes up (it is about 1:15 am) and the three of us move it into the living room.
VIEWS: This blue couch served the Wabash House well...nearly three years. It is a perfect addition to the eclectic look our living room has.

There's a Thief in Waits Hall...
SOURCE: Beth Sims
DATE: September 7
LIKELIHOOD OF MORE CRIMES: moderate
Beth Sims and her roommate Emily Jones were in their dorm room, just like any other night. But this was not any other night. As they prepared to retire for the evening, Beth went to her sink. She noticed something was missing...her toothbrush! Emily's was missing too. Apparently the thief entered their room while they were out and took only the two toothbrushes. Nothing else was reported missing.
VIEWS: This looks like an inside job. Either one of the girls' friends is playing a practical joke, or Beth and Emily staged the whole event for media attention. Well, they got it.

A Run-in with the Police
SOURCE: Ian, Eric, Geoff, Derek (see below for an Anton-sketch of Derek's likeness)
DATE: Friday, September 6, 7:30pm
I recruited some prospective BYX members to go out to dinner at Chipotle. As we made our way across the Clark parking lot, a woman in a red Audi starts calling toward us. It sounded as if she were saying "Derek" or "Eric" (both of whom were with us). There is a police car behind her. Suddenly, he gets into his car and speeds over to us. (We were only standing about 30 feet away, this was highly unnecessary.) The woman is notably angry, and gets out of her car. Earlier, she was saying "Jared", we find out. "Any of you guys skateboard?" the cop asked. We all shake our heads. The woman is giving the evil eye to Derek. With his long blond hair, scraggly facial hair, backwards hat, and earring, sure, he MUST be a skateboarder. The cop asked the woman if "these are the guys". She keeps up with the evil eye, and we notice that her car has some major scratches on the side, as if someone vandalized it (with a skateboard? who knows). Her daughter, probably all of 8 years old, comes over and points at Derek saying, "I think that's the guy!" Anyway, long story short, the woman couldn't positively identify any of us (which makes sense, since it wasn't us anyway), so she and the cop drove off. All in all, a very positive way to present BYX to these freshmen with us.
VIEWS: This is a great story to tell. This was my third run-in with the cops in the past several weeks, all three times, I get suspicious glances even though I am completely in the clear. Maybe it's some vibe I exude...or it could be the drugs (joke).

Not really news, but a funny story
SOURCE: Camille
DATE: September 7
This is the rumor...Camille crushes on Nick Fishbaugh? Why is this even newsworthy? Well, on Saturday night, we're playing "Catch Phrase" (a party game much like Taboo). Camille's word that she must get the girls to say is "fishbowl". Her methodology to win: use Nick's last name to spark something in their heads. It didn't work.
VIEWS: Nick Fishbaugh is a crazy cat. When the posse he rolls with includes Blake-Dogg, Jayson, and Dietz...you know there's gonna be trouble.

BYX's Homecoming Plans
SOURCE: Abby Crawford, TCU Homecoming Chair
DATE REPORTED: September 1
Homecoming is the first week of October. Due to several circumstances that worked out in our favor (the decision of HIS to forego homecoming, and the suspension of Kappa Sig) BYX has been paired with Alpha Chi Omega for the festivities. It will require a lot of work on behalf of our fraternity, and the Sons of Voorn new member class, but i guarantee it will be exciting. It's a great opportunity to be more visible on campus, and to be a witness to a part of campus that needs it.
VIEWS: It WILL be a lot of work, and I may make homecoming preparations mandatory for the new members, but this is a good step for BYX.
UPDATE! Sheena informs me that because HIS did not have a homecoming chair, they were placed with other organizations. Apparently I received false info from the BYX Prez and Secretary (who should be informed, since their girlfriends are HIS officers) that HIS "was not participating in homecoming." Hmmm, a real mix-up, but hey, this is the RUMOR Mill. Hard facts are not guaranteed.

BYX Rush 2002
SOURCE: Ian
DATE: September 1
NEW MEMBER ESTIMATE: 56
As New Member Captain, my job got busy really quickly. We've had 6 rush events at press time, and I've been working closely with two darn good helpers, Eric and Derek. Potential pledges just keep coming back, liking what BYX is about. I am pumped about a stellar semester.
VIEWS: I think it's cool that one guy who wants to join is from Anchorage, Alaska. Oh yeah, for awhile, I used to say that I wasn't competing with the likes of Pi Kapp, Fiji, and Sig Ep, but I think I am now, and I think we can win.

House Update
SOURCE: Ian
DATE: September 1
The house is doing fine. Yes, it's old and small, but just fine for three college men. Geoff decided to move into the dining room because his room was too small. Dustin bought a window a/c unit for his room, and I think we actually pay rent to the cat colony living under our house, but as with any dwelling, it has its eccentricities.
VIEWS: I like my room. It's the farthest from the front door, closest to the bathroom, has a fan, and my furniture is very cool. One thing: a full sized bed is the same length as a twin. I think there should be such a thing as "extra-long full."

Geoff and Whitney: on the outs
SOURCE: Spoof himself
DATE: late August
Apparently after a summer apart (Geoff in Daytona Beach, Whitney in Coppell) there were some differences of opinion regarding their "relationship." Details are sketchy at this hour, but all I know is Whitney won't come visit our house if Geoff is around.
VIEWS: Things will get better, I know it. We'll all be friends again someday.
UPDATE! Things are getting better. There is civility among Geoff and Whit. However, negotions took a step back when Whitney says, "Have I told you how much I really miss you?" and Geoff responds, "yes, you have." Smooth, man.

Jen rushing?
SOURCE: Blake-Dog
DATE: late August
Yes, the first ever Girl of the Week decided to go through formal Greek rush. It was a shock to us all, especially since she didn't tell anyone, not her roommates, and not even Eric. Camille knew, and she said Jen had good reasons. I'm sure of it. Turns out, though, she dropped out about Round 3, and decided to stick with HIS.
VIEWS: It made for a funny anecdote for about a week, but in the end, I'm satisfied with the decision she made (or didn't make).

Eric and his "lady friend"
SOURCE: Blake again
DATE: it's been an ongoing thing
When Blake asked Eric about Jen's Greek rush, he put it this way: "Hey, you know that girl who's your girlfriend, but not really your girlfriend? Yeah, well, she's rushing." What does Blake know? Well, for one, he lives with Eric at the Odessa House, and apparently Jen made more than one trip over there this summer.
VIEWS: There will be another chapter to this story, I'm sure. Eric's put up with her for this long, why not for the stretch run?
UPDATE! Eric has issued a press release. Find it on the front page of Eric's Big Ol' Homepage. He claims that Jen is NOT his girlfriend, he is STILL single, and he did NOT buy expensive Rangers/Mariners tickets for her birthday because the Mariners are her favorite team. Wait, that last one is true.

The Life of Ian

 What's going on in MY life

Another Surgery Update
SOURCE: Dr. McFarland
DATE: August 26
Yes, the braces are off. The doc came through and followed up on what he promised. Of course, Dr. McFarland couldn't be torn away from his golf game, so I got the lackey orthodontist again, but at least I'm metal free. Now I can brag about my $50,000 smile. Wow, that $25,000 smile from a year ago seemed so ordinary.

Wow, classes are hard
SOURCE: the TCU e-Business department
DATE: August 28
I have two e-Business classes this semester - one all about databases, one all about info systems and planning. Hooray, it doesn't get much better. They are big on group projects, or to quote Dr. Bridges, "in the business world, we call them teams."
VIEWS: I've got to buy MS Office this year. I have a mishmash of Excel 97, Word 2000, Access 97, and Outlook Express. It's just not getting the job done.

FM Connection

 news and notes from the old Flower Mound crowd

Freddie still working at Build-A-Bear
SOURCE: Freddie
DATES: late summer
ODDS HE'LL LAST UNTIL DECEMBER: 45:1
Freddie lost his pizza delivery job at the Hut when he got 3 traffic tickets in the span of a year. He set out in search of a new job, and he found it at the so-happy-it-makes-you-sick Build-A-Bear Workshop. There's even a soundtrack, and all the positions have names like "Chief Executive Bear". Wow, gag me. Freddie seems to have a good time with it, especially the stuffing of the bears.
VIEWS: I don't think I would last. Children are great, but children in multitudes scare me. I don't think I would have the enthusiasm necessary.

Mr. Skinner goes to college
SOURCE: Matt
DATES: late August
The amazing Matt Skinner finally graduated from Marcus. He was my last link to that school, so it's official: I'm definitely older, now that all my MHS friends have graduated. With his graphic design skills plus his webbuilding expertise, I would expect a website from him very soon.

The Andrew-Rob-Joe Crib in Austin
SOURCE: Andrew
DATES: September 1
Andrew is digging his new pad in Austin. Each of the guys has his own room and bathroom, so it's a wonder they even need roommates. They are just a bus ride from campus, and as Rob says in the morning, he's "Gone to Texas." It should be a sweet visit when I come.

The Homefront
oh sweet Flower Mound

Family Weekend 2002
SOURCE: Hans and Pam
DATE REPORTED: September 17
DATE ARRIVING: September 21
Yes, some of the Voorns will be making the trek to Fort Worth to visit their oft-forgotten firstborn son. The clan will include Hans, Pam, and Evan. Adrienne has to "work" and go to "drill team practice" so she won't be attending. Plans include a brief stay at the Cockrell House (they haven't seen it since we actually got furniture), a pre-game tailgate barbecue with BYX, and that's it. They would stay for the game, but...oh, that's right, they are indifferent toward football.
VIEWS: Dustin won't be in town to see them, but that's all right. Adrienne weasels out of another chance to visit her future college...whahahahaha.

Adrienne's visit to TCU
SOURCE: me
DATES: August 22-23
Adrienne and her friend Melissa came to TCU to visit a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, they chose a summer weekend, so there were few people in Fort Worth at the time. Nevertheless, we had a good time, eating at Chipotle with Geoff, Allisa, and Camille, then spent some time at the Odessa House with Eric. Melissa is really good at Contra for the old NES. Eric taught us a game at Four-Star Coffee called "Cinch." It was...interesting.
VIEWS: Adrienne doesn't like our house. What does she know anyway? The only houses she's lived in were practically brand-new, much, much larger, and cleaned by my mother. Of course this is going to be a step down! But it is very livable, especially for three college guys. Wait until she's in college...

THE VOORN PROJECT
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