Flashmob at Clemons

Another UVA post this morning: fun video of a midnight flashmob rave at Clemons Library, the 24-hour hot spot that's packed with undergrads at all hours during midterms and exams. The flashmob idea isn't anything new, and this one gives credit to UNC, but still pretty amusing. The best late night Clemons shenanigans I ever saw was a streaker or two, not quite as funny or lengthy as a rave. Impressive that they pulled together 1,000 people in an hour...then again, anything's possible with the viral powers of Facebook.

UVA Nostalgia-Fest

Ah, the holidays. Time for warm fires, family and friends, presents under the tree, and the yearly holiday email from UVA President John Casteen III (and our pals who work in Development, a challenging and thankless but essential job in this economy). As usual, they have created a video slideshow of images from Grounds, this time including some great pictures from the past. The music is somewhat melodramatic, but then, it's UVA. We take our own majesty very seriously. Overall, a cool collection of old photos and recent ones. Having been away from Charlottesville for several years now, I forget how gorgeous Grounds is in the snow (well, it's gorgeous all the time, but especially when covered in white). Well done, Development video people. You have successfully made me miss UVA (minus the ostentatiousness), and I will send you $20.

Wahoowa!

Foamhenge

Thanks to Leslie W.'s facebook status for alerting me to the eighth wonder of the world: Foamhenge. I can't believe I went to college only an hour away from this and never knew of its existence! I'll have to visit on my trip up to Charlottesville in May.

Al Groh on Facebook

Great phony Al Groh Facebook ("Coachbook") page, complete with posts from Pete Carroll, Steve Carrell, Lane Kiffin, Kim Jong Il, etc. The mini feed items are awesome, including my favorite: Al added the "I Can Has Viktery?" LOLCats Piece of Flair.

Oh Al Groh. Glad I have another team to cheer for, even though there was more crying than cheering last weekend in their case.

How Open Are We? Race & Gender in Politics

As a former intern and staff writer for my alma mater's Arts & Sciences magazine, I'm certainly biased, but I always enjoy the timely features about the ways UVA students, alumni, and faculty are making an impact in their communities, in the nation, and in the world. The feature article in this latest edition discusses the roles of race and gender in politics, specifically exploring how implict and explicit bias affects our publicly stated versus privately cast votes. Several professors in the department of political science are doing fascinating research on different facets of this topic.