The Adorable Starship

Robyn Sepko — Sat, 18 Sep 2021 02:37:59 +0000

The Adorable Starship Robyn Sepko Fri, 09/17/2021 - 21:37

While launching our FlutterBuy website today at Purdue, we noticed a larger presence of the Starship Fleet than ever before! Even in the smoldering heat, they were very busy and extremely polite. Each little starship bringing a smile to someone’s face as they trek on down the sidewalk, coming to a complete stop at the bustling crosswalks and street corners, they seem to be wagging an imaginary tail while waiting to cross. Images of Chip from Beauty and the Beast, and of a favorite puppy waiting to be called by his favorite person before running and jumping into outstretched arms are conjured up each time a little starship is sitting at a crosswalk. After a while one nearly forgets they are not human.

Making our way home from campus, we slow down as students are crossing all different directions. We notice a little starship patiently waiting then suddenly pull out to cross the street in front of us. Breaking quickly, our driver is prepared to let the little guy cross the street, but the little starship backs up to the sidewalk, unsure if he should stop or go. Looking forlorn – like he has just made a big mistake and is in real trouble – I resist the urge to jump out of the car, grab him up, cuddle him and assure him that everything is just fine. Maybe it is the heat, or maybe I’m just a tad bit crazy, but those little guys sure seem real and I, for one, think they are simply adorable!

Comments

Couldn't agree more

After a couple years of having these adorable starships on campus, it still amazes me how they always bring smiles to people walking past them. In some way, it's like a reminder to me to enjoy these little moments in life :)

Really enjoyed reading this blog!

Battle of the Bike Path

Robyn Sepko — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 00:59:04 +0000

Battle of the Bike Path Robyn Sepko Mon, 09/13/2021 - 19:59

The yearly invasion of freshmen and newcomers on campus inevitably brings about a fresh skirmish over rights on the bike path.

Understandably, bikers get a little annoyed when an abrupt change in their cadence is necessary due to the sudden appearance of a pedestrian ahead. Whether newly acquired freedom, headphones, excitement, ignorance, or an attitude of superiority are reasons behind walker’s obstruction to cyclists on or crossing bike paths is little understood or particularly of any biker’s concern. Even the most seasoned roadies can find themselves entrenched in a ditch or going head-to-head combat with a tree while trying to avoid the alternative of continuing with projectile force toward the “dear in the headlights” look of a pedestrian.

Walkers may equally be challenged when trying to cross a bike path. Roadies, whether seasoned or newbies, are rather intimidating and are often themselves distracted or have forgotten that “wheels yield to heels” in their eagerness to expose their opponent’s weakness and take back control of the bike path.

To keep the rubber on the road (and avoid ‘civilian casualties’), be sure to check out the Purdue Bicycle Guidelines here: Bicycles - Purdue University, and don’t forget to register your bicycle with the Purdue Police Department. You can read about registration here: Bicycle Registration - Bicycles - Purdue University.

The war isn’t over, but the 2021 battle will be won! Walkers, use your sideWALK, turn down the headset volume and look before crossing a bike path! The bike path is not a place to hang out, avoid your ex, or get ahead of the crowd.

Be safe out there!!