Oh, the anticipation of the forthcoming November election. How exasperated I’ve grown with all the hype surrounding it.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’ve got political pride through and through. Indifference can be bliss indeed, but indifference can also allow power to fall into the wrong hands. The worst thing we can do both individually and as a society is refuse to take a stand either for or against something. Issues will get taken care of more efficiently if we speak up with some purpose, and ultimately, we can all sleep better at night. And I value my sleep, ya’ll.
Anyway, I’m sure I’ll eventually get to my point.
I’m a new student at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. “Belmont University…,” you may be repeating under your breath with some familiarity. Well, before last night’s televised presidential debate, little Belmont University was fairly unfamiliar territory to anyone uninterested in the music biz or anyone living beyond Tennessee’s state line. But as many of you probably know by now, the second presidential debate came right here to good ol’ Belmont’s campus last night.
Ever since I decided to attend Belmont back in May, there has been endless talk surrounding this “historical” and “epic” presidential debate. Ironically catchy, “Debate ‘08″ adorns anything and everything on campus, right down to the parking tags all students and faculty members must plaster on the rear windshield of their vehicles. At first all this debate talk was exciting. But then came the eight-foot tall chain-link security fence that was installed completely around Belmont’s perimeter. And then came the Secret Service surveillance at all entrances to anywhere and everywhere Belmont-related. And of course, the Beaman Student Life Center, which contains the Curb Event Center (the debate’s home base), was closed down a week or two prior to the debate. As a side note: Belmont’s workout center is also located in the Beaman Center, so any gym forgoers who wished to blame their indolence on the debate could gladly do so. I enjoyed using this particular excuse frequently.
Despite these minor setbacks, I didn’t mind all the various preparation measures that were taken prior to the Obama-McCain brouhaha. That is, until the very day before the debate when I needed to enter my dorm but failed to bring my trusty Belmont Student ID along with me. Uh oh. I would have to encounter my first (and hopefully last) negative experience with event security.
I thought maybe the nice (but equally intimidating) female guard at the front gate would be somewhat understanding towards my forgetfulness. Maybe?
Not so much.
“I’m just lookin’ for my ID,” I casually say to the guard as I ineffectively sift through my purse, even though I know I must have forgotten it at the off-campus location at which I had been staying to get away from all the debate hoopla.
“Mmm hmmm…,” the guard says without interest. Yeah, she’s definitely not having my bullshit at all. I might as well give up the good fight.
“Is there any way I can get in without my ID?“
Just a blank stare.
Crap.
I’m never forgetting that [approximately] three inch-by-two inch piece of plastic ever, ever again. That’s one good thing I was able to dig out of the heap of craziness associated with the debate. And considering all the planning, all the money, and all the hard work that went into making the debate run smoothly, it’s hard not to appreciate the publicity that was generated for both Belmont and the city of Nashville. But whatever.
At the very least, maybe it will pack some more punch to my Belmont degree.
Now that the debate has come and gone, some of us can finally let out a deep sigh of relief as things start transitioning back to normal. Although…I can still see that lovely eight-foot tall security fence and a half-erect media tent from my bedroom window…
