SCAD Year One: Transportation Part 1

One of the most important things to figure out when you get to SCAD is how you are getting around.  There are three primary ways to get around Savannah: by car, by bike and by SCAD bus.  There are obviously pros and cons to each of these, and I'm happy to share them.

1. By Car
1. I would consider this the best way, but even it has serious shortcomings.  I don't have a car, but I have friends who do and understand the situation.  Basically the car is useful for anything except getting to class.  Freshman aren't allowed to park on any SCAD property except the dorms, so you can't drive to class.  You also have to navigate Savannah.  In terms of layout, Savannah is not a car-friendly city, it has lots of squares and one way streets and confusing sort-of intersections.  Once you're used to it, I'm sure its fine, but then you have to contend with the tourism.  Because it's a historic city, Savannah attracts a lot of tourism.  Be prepared to contend with lots of slow moving trolleys, horse drawn carriages and tourist cars (tourists who drive slowly to look around, sometimes the wrong way).
2. Now driving within Savannah isn't great, but the car can go beyond the city and carry much, and this is where it's usefulness exists.  The malls, most grocery stores and other useful things (like movie theaters) are at least a ten to twenty minute drive away.  Most of these places can only be reached by car, and the some of them that can be reached by SCAD bus require a serious time commitment.  The usefulness of the car's extended flexibility will become quite apparent momentarily.
2. By Bike
1. The bike is my favorite way to get around, because Savannah really is a beautiful city, a fact often ignored by people enclosed in cars.  It also is, relatively, the best way to get to class.  Usually I can leave for class fifteen minutes later than I would if I was taking the bus and still get there in plenty of time.  Also, most all of the academic buildings have bike racks, all the ones that I've been to do.  It's also nice for getting around on the weekend, when the buses are fewer and less reliable.
2. In Savannah, bikes are largely considered vehicles by law and are required to follow the road and obey all traffic laws.  You can be ticketed for not obeying this rule.  There are a few exceptions, namely Forsyth Park, the large park in the center of downtown.  Bikes are allowed to ride around the edge, but not through the center, so as to avoid the two extremely busy streets on either side.  Please wear a helmet and unplug. So many SCAD student don't because it "isn't cool."  In my opinion, you only get one brain to source that creativity from, you lose that and your tuition money was wasted!  You're riding in traffic, where you are comparatively slower, smaller and harder to see, being less observant by plugging in music and less safe by not wearing a helmet is foolish.
3. The issues with the bike mostly come from its range.  It loses its appeal if you desire to leave the downtown area, unless you are a super in-shape biker who doesn't mind biking a ridiculous distance.  It's also less desirable if you're trying to get to an out-of-the-way dorm or building like the Terrace or Montgomery Hall.  Most people also don't like to carry projects when biking.  This I agree with.  I always ride my bike to lecture classes but only to studio classes if I don't have to carry a large project.  Biking is also affected by the weather.
3. By SCAD Bus
1. In terms of getting to class, this is fairly reliable but also extremely overused.  Most buses get crowded, so the best option is to leave your room one hour to forty-five minutes before you scheduled class and beat the rush.  Fortunately there are bus routes to every SCAD-owned building, I usually take a bus to a new building to familiarize myself with its location before biking there for the first time.  I'm going to break this category  down into weekend and weekday buses.
2. During the week all the regular routes run to all the classes, usually multiple buses per route.  These are reliable and usually timely.  The Silver Line bus/van runs to non academic buildings like the medical center, library and admissions building in addition to the local Kroger, which is the only grocery store in downtown.  As long as you give yourself enough time to get to the bus stop and the bus enough time to run it's route to your building, you should be able to get to class just fine.
3. The weekend is when things get screwed up.  Silver line still runs normally, usually with two buses instead of one.  We get an additional route courtesy of the fantastically unreliable Shopping bus.  The shopping bus runs out to the two malls, the local Home Depot and stops at several dorms.  The only other way to get to these places is by car, which is better in every way.  If you are taking the shopping bus anywhere, be prepared to dedicate your entire day to it.  It takes at least an hour to run its entire route, probably longer, and they only ever have a maximum of two buses running.  Waiting for it is usually a half hour at least, because it's never on time.  Other weekend routes are usually modified versions of weekday routes, they stop at more locations and run less buses per route.  I hate busing anywhere on the weekend.
4. By Foot
1. Mostly reserved for weekends, not for class; most academic buildings are to far to walk to.  Savannah is beautiful, and you should enjoy it.  Also all the art stores where you get your supplies are within walking distance, as well as Broughton street, which is the big shopping street of Savannah.  You won't get anywhere fast, but it can be nice

Most people don't use just one way to get around.  One of my friends has a car, a bike and uses the buses.  Most people use the buses at some point during the week.  I use the buses and my bike, and sometimes carpool with a friend who has a car.  I have to stress to you guys, don't bring a bike if you aren't going to use it.  So many of the bike racks here are filled with brand new bikes that students brought but never used.  They decided they were going to use the buses like most people.  Sometimes I want to pin a note to one of these bikes and ask them for it, its not like they're using it.  My bike is probably at least ten years old (I got it in a garage sale several years ago), and I'd love a new one.  In short: know yourself and what you'll do.  Try out different ways to get around and you'll find the way that works for you!

SCAD First Quarter: Food

Many Freshman at SCAD frequent only two locations for using meal plans: the Hive and the Artisan Deli.  I'm going to share with you everything you need to know about meal plan usage at SCAD.

Basic Meal Plans:
Full residential meal plans                Fee / quarter    Dining Dollars
A-MP18: 18 meals / week                    $1625                  $75
B-MP14: 14 meals / week                    $1650                  $150
C-MP10: 135 meals / quarter               $1600                  $125
D-CART: Deluxe 18 meals / week      $1950                  $325

Now, the default meal plan is meal plan B, so if you don't choose your meal plan by a certain date, SCAD defaults that meal plan to your account and you're stuck with it.  It's a good meal plan to start with though, because it calculates to about two meals a day.  You can always change the meal plan for the next quarter if you require more or less meals.  The meals themselves can be used at any SCAD dining hall and Artisan Deli.  On per week plans, the meals reset every Friday with no carryover, so use them or lose them.  Dining dollars are more flexible, and can pay for a meal if you use your meals up, or you can use them at the Starbucks café (if you're a coffee drinker) or Turner convenience store.

Where to Use Your Meals:

1. The Hive
1. The main dining hall for freshman, and as a result becomes overcrowded at certain times of the day, most notably right after a class gets out.  This hall has a pizza bar, a soup bar, a salad bar and a deli running at all times when open.  During primary meal hours they have a surprisingly decent menu spread under several categories.  Savannah Comforts carries local and classic meals, Global is self explanatory but usually carries Asian or Latin food.  Earthen Fare is vegetarian dishes, and I usually get my vegetable portion from there or the salad bar.  The last section is the Grill which carries hamburgers and hot dogs as well as a different grilled meal each day.
2. Artisan Deli
1. A deli located in the center of Turner House.  The hours are 4:00 pm to 2:00 am, because college students everywhere stay up late and sometimes require that extra midnight meal.  Due to the hours, the only regular meal you can get from here is dinner, but this place is especially good if you have a 5:00-7:30 class, since The Hive is only open until 9:00.  With the bus system being what it is, most people don't get back from that class until 8:00, and therefore the Hive is extremely crowded and out of food because it is only open for another hour.  The sandwiches are worth it though, this place is not overrated unless you eat there all the time. 
3. JO's
1. JO's at O House is everything the SCAD tours promise you get at the Hive, but don't.  It is essentially the Hive (in terms of menu and selection), but since it only serves O House, which is an upperclassman dorm, and not four freshman dorms, it is never crowded and never runs out of food.  Instead of the barely palatable frozen yogurt that the Hive's machine offers when it decides to work, O House usually has actual soft serve ice cream with toppings.  Also, the dessert selection besides that is admirable compared to the Hive's.  It's within walking distance, but a bit out of the way, so I usually hit it when I'm picking up art supplies at Ex Libris or Blick.  Most freshman don't know about this place, but I encourage you to check it out.

So this is everything I have to say about meal plans for now, if you have any questions, post in the comments!

SCAD First Quarter: Dorms

There are four primary Freshman dorms at SCAD and I am relatively familiar with all of them.  I'll give you my report of each in alphabetical order.

1. D at the Hive (Formerly Dyson House)
• From my research I think this used to be a Howard Johnson hotel, which SCAD originally started leasing in 2004 to accommodate dorm overflow.  The name was only changed this year, so students who lived there previously still refer to it as Dyson.  This is probably the worst dorm of the four, and was formerly know as Dirty Dyson.  That's not just a rumor either, it was/is actually called that by people, as I've met some upperclassmen who call it that.  The rooms vary in size, from probably an average dorm size to tiny: the smallest I've seen was probably only 10-12 feet wide and the same distance long and double occupancy.  It has the smallest rooms in general and in several places is known for cockroaches.  Also when the dorms have Internet or network issues, the back half of Dyson seems to be the slowest to recover.  However, I have several friends who live in Dyson and are absolutely fine with it, and it has a pool.
• In terms of convenience, this dorm is second closest to the dining hall and the package center, and attached to the only locally situated computer lab for Freshman.  It has the farthest walk to the bus stops though.
2. Turner Annex
• I believe this used to be a Best Western hotel, but I've only heard that from word of mouth and am unable to confirm it.  I lived in this dorm over summer break for one night.  The rooms run from average to large, and unlike the other three dorms, the doors access inside the building.  The other three dorms have rooms that access covered walkways exposed to the elements, whereas "Tannex" has an internal hallway like most modern hotels and windows that face out.  Tannex also has a pool.  I don't know much beyond this, as I don't have friends who stay there.
• In terms of convenience, this dorm is only slightly closer to the dining hall, computer lab and package center than Turner, so still a bit of a hike.  However it's a pretty short walk to the bus stops.
3. Turner House
• The property where Turner sits used to hold two rows of dilapidated railroad sheds, which SCAD tore down.  Turner was the first building owned by SCAD built from the ground up and was completed in 2001. Because it was built as a dorm, it comes with some perks.  It has a convenience store, the express office and card services, a weight room in the basement (which I'm pretty sure not many people outside of sports teams use), and the Artisan Deli.  All the rooms are generally the same size, and because of an accident in 2008 and the resulting inquiry, I can say with confidence the railings are safe.  This is usually everyone's' first choice for a dorm, it was mine, but I didn't realize how bad the trek was, so I'm glad I ended up where I did.
• This is probably the most inconvenient dorm to stay at, as you have to make a bit of a trek to get to the dining hall, the computer lab or the package center.  And don't underestimate the trek either, you have to traverse the "smoking bridge,"* the equivalent of two or three flights of stairs, and whatever the weather decides to be.  However, the bus stops are directly adjacent to this dorm, so it has the shortest walk.
4. W at the Hive (Formerly Weston House)
• This is  the one I live in!  Also a former hotel, and I believe the oldest of the Freshman dorms by virtue of being the first of the four owned by SCAD, Weston has the largest dorms in terms of square footage.  We used to have a pool, but it was filled in and replaced with a sand volleyball court.
• This is probably the best dorm in terms of convenience.  The dining hall and Weston share a wall, so we are literally attached to it and therefore the closest.  Weston also contains the package center, which again makes us the closest.  We are right across the parking lot from Dyson, so it's but a short walk to the computer lab.  The bus stops are not convenient and we probably are only slightly closer to them than Dyson.

Shared Qualities
Do note that all the dorm rooms have their own bathrooms, there are not community style bathrooms at SCAD.  All the dorm buildings have paid laundry facilities, although Turner has one on each of its six floors.  All the buildings also have individual mailboxes, but if you get packages you must pick them up from Weston at the package center.  Because three out of the four dorms were hotels and the other was built by SCAD, parking space appears plentiful; I say "appears" because I do not drive here, so I have no firsthand experience with the parking situation.  Also, if you bike (like me) there are plenty of bike racks and you don't have to worry about the bus stop issue unless its raining.

*: The "smoking bridge" is a former railroad bridge that connects Turner to the complex where the dining hall, Weston and Dyson are.  It gets its name because it has smoking poles so all the SCAD students that smoke can do so out there.  I hold my breath when I walk across it.

Technology Part 2: The Computer Curse

This second part of the technology series is more personal, and I have no idea why it's happening.

This past year my interaction with computers has seemed to kill them.  My laptop, which worked fine for years for my father, then was passed to me, started freaking out.  It was unable to sleep.  I put it in sleep mode, closed the lid then later, when I opened the lid, it would have shut down.  At first I thought it was weird but tolerable, I would turn it on and that screen that offered safe mode would start up, which I would ignore.

But then it started moving slower, taking longer to boot up, and still shutting itself down from sleep mode even when it was plugged into the wall.  It got to the point where whenever I turned it on it would default to a "Windows Start-Up Repair" mode and that would run before my computer restarted and would then work fine.  In it's entirety, starting my laptop would now take anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour.  I gave up and moved to my desktop.

My desktop is special.  It's got a super great processor and lots of storage space because it was designed with PC gaming in mind.  I wanted it to go with my art tablet and any animation or editing software I might use for SCAD.  My dad got it on sale for me with an awesome printer/scanner on Black Friday, and I spent a year paying him back every cent.  It's the first computer that I've ever owned that was undeniably mine and not a hand-me-down.  For two years it worked fine, but come this year, it started acting up too.

It now has almost the same start up problem my laptop has.  Every time I turn it on it defaults to the "your computer was shut down improperly, would you like to access safe mode?" screen.  Because it was shut down properly most of the time, I click on "start normally."  It starts up really slowly now.  Sometimes I can't wake it from sleep mode.  I'll move the mouse, and it'll start to wake up until I can see the arrow and a black screen, but then get stuck.  I've left it like that for hours to see if it will resolve itself, it never does, it just burns away the electricity bill, at which point I have no choice but to force shut down with the power button.

The other big problem with my desktop is what I like to call "ghost ads."  I'll start up my computer, intending to listen to music from YouTube or my iTunes account while writing or drawing or browsing, but instead my ears will be assaulted with several audio tracks from video ads that you see in the margins or in pop ups sometimes.  The problem is, I won't have any windows open.  Sometimes I even shut down the internet access because I don't need internet to use the drawing, writing or iTunes programs.  The ads continue.  I sadly moved on from my desktop to the kitchen computer.

I don't even remember the issues that computer had.  The computer in the kitchen is touch screen and self-contained.  The monitor contains the computer, you just have to plug it into a power source.  We have a wireless keyboard and mouse to go with it.  And sure enough, when I started using it, it went haywire.  My dad had to completely reset it.  It took several days to fix because he had to reinstall every program.  Now it remains my primary computer because my other two are still broken.

What scares me is that my computer use is hardly scandalous.  I frequent websites that our antivirus software labels as safe, with limited exceptions.  I don't download strange software or sign up for random giveaways.  Any pop-up ads are immediately closed.  Also, even though the two desktop computers' antivirus software was expired at the time of the problems, so was every other computers' in the house, including my parents' desktop and my siblings' laptops.  The only computers with issues were the ones I interacted with.

I'm going to have my dad reset my desktop like he did with the one in the kitchen, which is a shame since I'll lose a lot of stuff.  Hopefully I can get him to do this before I leave so I can take it with me to SCAD, since that was the original plan.

Technology Part 1: No Integrity

This is going to be incredibly shocking for some people, but I just got my first "smartphone" a few weeks ago.  Up until then I still had a flip phone with 12 keys.  I used it sparingly for talk and text, it had no data.  Now I have a windows phone and I use it a whole lot more, but not as a phone.  The only reason I updated at all was because no one sells good phones anymore without data plans.  The normal cell phone has been phased out and it's frustrating.

I needed a phone.  I didn't need a touch screen device with games, apps, internet, GPS or music that also happens to have a calling feature.  I have my iPod touch for that (sorta).  I love my windows phone, but it's more than I needed.  And Google doesn't support it, which means I can't update this blog or watch YouTube on the go, at least not with an app like I can do with my touch.

The other issue I have with modern technology is how cheaply it's made.  I have three iPods.  My oldest one is a 16GB 1st generation touch, the second one is a 6th generation nano, and the third is the 5th generation touch.  Do you want to guess which one works fine and which ones have given me issues?  Don't bother, I'll tell you.

• My 1stGen touch is my most reliable.  All his buttons work, even though the sleep/wake button requires a bit of a harder press, which probably means it will stop working soon.  That's ok though, he's probably about 5 years old and looks brand new.  Unfortunately, his OS doesn't support any newer apps and he doesn't have a camera.  I still use him regularly for music, internet and music.
• My nano has given me the most trouble.  I got him free about one and a half to two years ago after they recalled a batch of 1stGen nanos, of which my older nano was listed.  He stopped working at the three month mark.  His design is touch screen with sleep/wake and volume buttons and a clip on the back.  I used him, clipped to my shorts, for running and on trips for music as he was incredibly portable.  It was on one of these trips when his sleep/wake button stopped working.  Research revealed Apple uses only one small piece of double sided tape to hold the button shim in place and use eventually wears it out, allowing the shim to shift and the button to stop working.  Because this model has no menu button, the only way to wake it was to plug it into a power source, which is no use when running or traveling.
• I just got my second 5thGen touch in the mail today.  My first one was gifted to me last Christmas and had a warranty.  It was perfect until about a month and a half ago, when the menu button stopped working.  We sent it in and got it replaced.  We'll see how this one does.

Now I know a lot of kids whose phones and iPods have taken a beating.  I've seen cracked screens, heard stories of devices dropped in water and even one flip phone completely broken in half.  My own brother went through two more phones than me. All of my devices, phones or iPods, are still in pristine, box-worthy, functioning condition.  The number of times I've dropped all of my devices combined (Three phones, 4 iPods) can probably be counted on my fingers.  I've never ruined a device.  The only reason any of them were replaced was necessity, for example:

• My first phone wasn't supported when we switched networks.  It has been donated.
• My second phone worked fine, but siblings complained about their phones, so we upgraded and switched networks again.  I still have this phone, the only thing wrong with it was some of the paint was chipped.  This phone was dropped the most and went the most places, it was well loved.
• My 1stGen nano was replaced because of a recall.  I regret returning it because my second nano was such a failure and now I don't have a comfortable, portable device to take on runs.
• My 1stGen touch was not replaced, I still use it.  The reason I got a second touch was because I was going off to college and my parents wanted me to have a device I could facetime and message with, as well as take pictures.  Plus I wanted newer apps that my 1stGen didn't support.  This was before the idea of a new phone was considered.

 Now I've bounced this idea off some friends and family, and most of them agree with me: today's devices and appliances are designed to fail.  They're designed to fail reliably, right after the standard warranty expires.  This is true of our previous TV, this is true of my 6thGen nano, and it's likely true of my 5thGen touch which my father covered with an extended warranty.  Food for thought if you're unsure about this: there's a setting on modern touches and iPhones called "AssistiveTouch."  It causes a small round button to appear on the screen that functions like the menu button.  Unfortunately, it is annoying and gets in the way, I used it on my 5thGen touch while waiting to mail it.

But why would we even need this setting?  We have a physical menu button.  The only reason I can think of for this setting is that Apple expects the menu button to fail, and it expects it to fail when most people don't have warranty, because most people don't pay extra for the extended warranty.  This fact is what most modern companies are counting on.  We pay them a lot of money for something, and if we want extra protection we pay more money.  That extra money would probably cover standard repair costs in the future anyway, which mean we're paying them to repair something before it breaks.

As consumers, we don't want to spend the extra money.  We tell ourselves that we'll take good care of it, use it properly so it won't break.  But if my iPod troubles are any example, it won't matter if we lock it in a waterproof safe and only take it out for intended, proper use.  It's going to fail.