"No, I don't have any money. No, I don't have any interest in your organization. Yes, you are wasting my time. Leave me alone (please)."

Freshman:
"What a wondrous place this plaza! Someone is always handing out free candy - this blow pop is amazing - and everyone here is extremely friendly and hospitable.

Complete strangers say hello to me, and we end up conversing at length about important issues. Within the first half hour of the conversation, I feel like we already connect on a deep level; so much so that we could talk about anything!

Who cares if such encounters make me late for class? Making a connection like this is a fabulous opportunity to broaden my social circle. Maybe instead of getting only four party invitations this weekend, I can rack-up five - talk about unsolicited fun!

Today, I forgot to bring a writing implement with me, and low and behold, I came across a table full of pens on my way to class.

The pens say "Rams for Christ" on them. Personally, I'd prefer a more basic pen, but I haven't the heart to be picky in the face of such compassionate service.

When I'm done, I'll definitely dispose of it, and no one needs to know. However, for the time being, it's nice to have something to write with on the rare occasion that my professor utters something noteworthy. Anyway, I'm glad to have been saved from mooching off a neighbor, whose pen would probably be infested with the swine flu or some other virus.

Come to think of it, the guy sitting next to me is smokin' hot. Maybe I'll pretend I that I wasn't so fortunate as to acquire a pen this morning."