Max Arts 2011

Max Arts 2011 is now in the books. Hoover, as in years past, was all over the festival. I apologize if I don't name them all, but the list of Hoover performers went on and on. Lots of art in the gallery. Acoustic performances and bit of musical theater on Monday's cafe night. A video entry that brought together Plato and Peart. Bob Dylan was given a unique interpretation on the cello on Thursday night. And we rocked folks' out of their socks on Friday with a series of acts, including the uplifting, organic happiness of the Hoover Family.

Thanks to everyone who performed.

Winter 2011: the Year of the Thunder Snow

So two days without classes might be celebrated somewhere else. Here at the University of Chicago, it was just another chance to reflect, and imagine the snow through the lens of our particular intellectual preoccupations. For example, walking across the midway at the height of the Blizzard, I ran into a Hooverite majoring in American Literature, and he said:

Once in a while the thought reiterates itself that it is very cold and that I have never experienced such cold. As I walk along I rub my cheek-bones and nose with the back of my mittened hand. I do this automatically, now and again changing hands. But rub as I can, the instant I stop my cheek-bones go numb, and the following instant the end of my nose goes numb. I am certain the cold will frost my cheeks; I know that, and I experience a pang of regret that I have not devised a nose-strap of the sort Bud wears in cold snaps. Such a strap passes across the cheeks, as well, and saves them. But it doesn't matter much, after all. What are frosted cheeks? A bit painful, that is all; they are never serious.

I wanted to ask who Bud was, but it was too cold so I hurried on.

Later, back in the warmth of Max Palevsky, one of our Hoover residents, who comes from South Carolina, pointed out that the Blizzard, while it might shut down the city and cancel classes, is really nothing if you take an interplanetary perspective:

Oh your boots are wet? You know, Steve, compared to the storm that produces Jupiter's Great Red Spot, which has been going on for hundreds of years, and at a magnitude your mind can't comprehend, this blizzard is nothing. I'm just sayin'.

My complaints about the weather appropriately rescaled, I went inside and took off my wet socks.

Jonah and Ellie had fun with the snow, and they'll remember it for a while.




Another way to remember the blizzard is to buy a Hell Does Freeze Over t-shirt. See the link in the upper right hand corner of this page. Buy several. So when one fades, you'll have a fresh one waiting in the drawer.

The O-Book

The O-Book is here! The O-Book is here! O boy! It's not as great as last year's O-Book. It had a picture of a wee Ellie in it. Now she is huge. And ready to help you move in.

Welcome to Hoover

Welcome to Hoover! We’re the Hoover Resident Heads, Steve and Rebecca. We live in an apartment on the second floor of Hoover with our two children: Jonah, (4 ½), and Ellie, (2 ½). This is our fifth year in Hoover and we love living here! Jonah and Ellie are particularly fond of playing in Hoover’s hallways and are always looking for Hooverites to hang out with them. Guitar jam sessions with Hoover friends are one of our favorite afternoon activities.

We’re excited that you’ll soon arrive at the University of Chicago. The University has played an important role in our lives. We met here. Steve earned his Ph.D. here. We got married in a beautiful historic building on campus. Jonah and Ellie were born at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Steve now works as an Associate Dean in the Graham School, the continuing education division of the University. Rebecca is Director of Events and Conferences at the Law School. We have spent many years in Chicago (Rebecca grew up 6 blocks from the University), but also, between the two of us, have lived in Ann Arbor, MI; Oxford, OH; Cleveland, OH; Ithaca, NY; and Brooklyn, NY.

Hoover is a great house filled with spirit. Hooverites like to study hard and have fun. We enjoy going on all sorts of trips, whether it’s to a Sox game, the Art Institute, apple picking in Indiana, or the north side for shopping and Ian’s Pizza (ever tried Philly steak or S’mores pizza??!). Closer to home, we like to go to U of C sporting events and cheer for our Hoover athletes. The photo above where Steve is wearing the yellow shirt and shark hat, yes, shark hat, was taken during Beach Night at the women’s and men’s varsity basketball games. Hooverites also like to play intramural (IM) sports: water polo, basketball, soccer, touch football, and broom ball to name a few. Participating in “IM’s” is strongly encouraged, although purely optional. BTW, Hoover won the Men’s IM Basketball Championship last spring. Go Hoover! Go Hoover!

Hooverites are really fond of hanging out in our lounge for weekly study breaks and movie nights. Speaking of study breaks, it’s a good idea to bring a small plate, bowl or mug, fork, and spoon to campus. They come in handy for eating study break snacks. Hooverites love to try all kinds of food and are big fans of traveling to Chicago neighborhoods to dine at different ethnic restaurants. Last year Hooverites prepared an International dinner in our lounge. The menu featured dishes from: Thailand, Egypt, Greece, India, Korea, Colombia, and the Southern United States. Throwing Super Bowl and Oscar Night parties are annual house events. So is the Hoover Concert, when Hooverites can show off their many talents. Making S’mores at the nearby “Point” (a beautiful park along the lakefront) or in our courtyard is also a favorite activity. We can’t seem to get enough S’mores!

Hoover has two great RA’s (Resident Head Assistants): Claire Stamler-Goody and John Paul Thompson. Claire lives on the third floor, while John Paul’s room is on the first floor next to Hoover Lounge.

Hello! My name is Claire Stamler-Goody. I am a third year majoring in biology with a minor in Spanish. I’m from a small suburb just outside of Detroit in Michigan. On campus, I like to participate in cultural shows, take walks to the point and make late night snack runs. I also enjoy exploring nature in the city, visiting art museums and going to the gym. This summer I’ve been reading a lot of short stories and watching Korean dramas. My goal for this fall is to learn how to play the guitar, so if anyone wants to teach me, just let me know! My door will be open next year if you have any questions or if you just want to talk. I can’t wait until September and I look forward to meeting all of you!




Howdy! My name's John Paul Thompson, I'm from Dallas, Texas, and I'm a fourth year majoring in Anthropology and minoring in Music. Speaking of which, hope y'all like music because I play guitar, piano and violin, and would love to jam! I also love to cook, so hopefully we can swap recipes once we all get to Chicago. Even if you don't play or cook, my doors will always be open so be sure to come hang out, chit-chat, play scrabble, or whatever. Can't wait to meet y'all! Safe travels!

See you in a few weeks!

Sincerely,
Rebecca, Steve, Jonah, Ellie, Claire, and John Paul
Hoover Resident Staff

On Tour

Jonah is taking his act on the road. Sure, there's a lot of music out there competing for your entertainment dollar. Lady Gaga. Justin Bieber. And festivals like Pitchfork and Lollapalozza. But look at it this way. When Jonah's show comes through your town, it'll be like reconnecting with Hoover, for just a few minutes, in the middle of a long, depressing summer. It'll be a reminder: summer will end, and you'll be able to get back to your books, and A-level, and, of course, Hoover.

We hate goodbyes

We hate goodbyes. But every year some percentage of Hooverites decide they want to graduate and move on into life - going to graduate school, earning six-figure salaries, getting married, playing video games without homework getting in the way. That's fine. (Sob!) We'll be okay. (Sniff.) Really. Can I have a tissue?

We'll miss all of our graduates. Send us postcards from the big time. We'll be right here.

Of course, some people leave a bigger hole when they leave. Like Caileigh. We did everything we possibly could to prevent her from graduating. But she steered around all the obstacles we put in her way.

Why did we love Caileigh? The obvious answer is: for her caileighness! Yeah, that's a word. Look it up! Of all the things we'll remember about Caileigh, perhaps the most memorable thing was the time she reversed the orbit of the earth to go back a week so Hooverites could have a second shot at all those Spring Quarter finals they messed up. Hurray Caileigh!

What I did on my Spring Break

Welcome back everyone! Spring break is brief, but restorative. Winter Quarter drains the batteries - awful weather, the unrelenting back and forth between Max, Bartlett, and the Reg, all unrelieved by a bit of sun, a gentle breeze, a glimpse of green. But now the trees are covered with new buds, the daffodils are blooming, and we're splashing through the puddles in our flip flops.

Our Spring Break was spent in America's Eden, Cleveland, Ohio. Over the past 10 years the city has lost over 100,000 people. Over that time period Cleveland has lost more people than any city in the country. But we look on the sunny-side of things: that just means shorter lines and more room to run. No pushing and shoving at the kielbasa stand.