I received a matching set of candle holders as a parting gift from a friend back home when I was leaving for Messiah College. Though I'm not a big candle burner, I brought them along for the sake of decoration. When I got to the school I took them out of their boxes and placed them on a bookshelf, where they sat undisturbed for quite some time. I had the good fortune of keeping the same room for several semesters and summers, so they never had to be packed and unpacked. One semester the housing director changed, and with that came a sudden crackdown on rule-breakers. Rooms were searched (in absentia), contraband removed, and warning letters/fines mailed. I was shocked to receive warning of an impending fine for having candles (contraband) in my room. "What candles!" was my first thought, then my eyes rested on the candle holders. I rushed over to inspect the offending items - one candle holder was empty with just a thick ring of dust surrounding a perfectly clean circle, where they had removed the contraband. The other had a still plastic wrapped mini-candle covered in a thick layer of dust, which apparently they missed. I couldn't believe they planned on fining me for some obviously unused candles, but rules are rules and inadvertently or intentionally broken, the offender must pay. I took the option to write a 1 page paper on Fire Safety in lieu of a monetary fine, which, I'll have to admit, was written with quite a bit of sarcasm.
3/5/11
I Never Get in Trouble!
I received a matching set of candle holders as a parting gift from a friend back home when I was leaving for Messiah College. Though I'm not a big candle burner, I brought them along for the sake of decoration. When I got to the school I took them out of their boxes and placed them on a bookshelf, where they sat undisturbed for quite some time. I had the good fortune of keeping the same room for several semesters and summers, so they never had to be packed and unpacked. One semester the housing director changed, and with that came a sudden crackdown on rule-breakers. Rooms were searched (in absentia), contraband removed, and warning letters/fines mailed. I was shocked to receive warning of an impending fine for having candles (contraband) in my room. "What candles!" was my first thought, then my eyes rested on the candle holders. I rushed over to inspect the offending items - one candle holder was empty with just a thick ring of dust surrounding a perfectly clean circle, where they had removed the contraband. The other had a still plastic wrapped mini-candle covered in a thick layer of dust, which apparently they missed. I couldn't believe they planned on fining me for some obviously unused candles, but rules are rules and inadvertently or intentionally broken, the offender must pay. I took the option to write a 1 page paper on Fire Safety in lieu of a monetary fine, which, I'll have to admit, was written with quite a bit of sarcasm.
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reminds me of....I had an apartment that only had window units and if I lit too many candles, the black smoke (soot)would coat the wall.
ReplyDeleteI love candles.....what was I supposed to do?
I burn the real cheap candles purchased at IKEA. They are the best. They don't run everywhere when they are burning. I burn them during the winter. Its like a fireplace in front of me. Nice glow and warm. Gotta love it!
ReplyDeleteGuess these housing directors have cart blanc on rooting around your things? Inspection with out you there. hum.... guess they dont need a search permission agreement?
I guess so....I never asked. They supposedly had two people present when searching - so what if they're both dishonest? hmmmm....
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