Double Dutch

two ropes spin in opposite directions around a single void and alternate hitting the ground at an even pace.  Standing within this void enables a jump-roper to alternate jumping over both ropes while performing stunts.

Trying to find a place to sit on the fourth floor of the library today was like trying to jump into a Double Dutch formation.

There haven’t been this many people on the fourth floor since the first week of school!

Now, I know that finals are coming up, and that papers, projects, and presentations are soon due.  But why should those of us who have consistently studied on the fourth floor suddenly have to find a new way to sit down at a table so as not to distract all the new-comers?

I’m not trying to complain—these new-comers are quiet and respectful and they have a right to be here too.  I’m just saying things have gotten a little complicated.

This is why I felt like I was trying to enter a Double Dutch formation when I really should have been sitting down at a table.

Please note the similarities:

Entering a Double Dutch Formation

1) Decide on point of entry. Double Dutch can either be entered perpendicular to the spinning ropes or from the side at a near-parallel to the ropes approach.  If desired it can also be entered from a full parallel approach by doing a leap-frog kind of jump over one of the people turning the ropes.

2) Get the rhythm.  If you have no clue at what speed you’re going to jump after you’ve entered there’s no point in even making an attempt at an entrance.

3) Enter. Be sure to clear that first rope that takes most people by surprise.

4) Jump at the established rhythm.  Jumping too fast or slow will mess up the ropes within three seconds.  I find it easier to jump by alternating feat, rather than jumping with both feet at double speed.

Sitting at a Table Today on the Fourth Floor

1) Decide on a table.  This was extremely strange for me because usually there are open tables everywhere. And not just everywhere.  EVERYWHERE.  For example, last week there were only two or three tables that were taken by one person each.  Today, not a single one was empty.  To make matters more difficult, Unspoken Rule #1 on the fourth floor is that if there are open tables one must find and sit at his or her own table.  It’s not that we can’t share our tables, it’s that we don’t like to.

2) Get the courage.  Basically you’ve got to figure out how to sit down casually, but not so casually that an I’m-already-sitting-here kind of person gets the vibe that you have no knowledge of Unspoken Rule #1. Courage and casualness has to be well planned, especially if the selected table has an attractive person of the opposite gender.

3) Enter.  Be sure to clear that first angry glare by giving a nice smile.

4) Sit down and get to work.  No eye contact with or staring at the person already at the table or else they’ll think you’re a creeper.  You’d be outta there within three seconds if someone were to keep staring at you. I found it easier to work at double speed so that I didn't feel like I was intruding on their table for too long. There are few things worse than an uninvited guest who overstays his welcome.

With all these complicated procedures I think next semester I’ll just go outside and work on my Double Dutch rather than my research paper.

Or maybe I’ll go find wherever these people came from.  They must have left someplace on campus completely empty to be able to pack a room this big completely full…