Not my photo, but here's the source

School is back in session, and while it would be easy to complain about the crowds and the long wait times for elevators, I'm trying to be positive.

I'm trying to think about the things that I first learned, as a freshman, when I arrived here on campus 20 years ago, in the fall of 1988.

I learned about how to cross a street. Instead of waiting for the light, I learned that people waited until they could dart across at the first opportunity, judging how to do it to not get killed.

I learned about State Street Halloween. Even in 1988, there were murmurs of "it's totally bogus; nothing like it was in the old days." I wonder what those people are saying now.

I learned about the Pipefitter.

I learned about Capital Center Foods, and I remember juggling a couple of bags of groceries a long couple of blocks back to my room. I also learned about Discount Den. Ah...the Den.

They had meal tickets back then. $10 tickets that you used to buy food at the cafeteria. For a variety of reasons, I didn't live in the dorms my freshman year, and I'd buy these $10 tickets from people who wanted to get rid of them. $6-$7 would get you a $10 meal ticket. I should have written my Econ paper on my successful entrepreneurship.

I learned that I really really hated ramen noodles. I think I ate more macaroni instead.

I learned how to stay up to write a paper. I have fond memories of discovering a fledging computer lab that was open all night (the only one!) and staying there until my paper was done. I wrote it on a Mac, using a program called MacWrite.

I learned who had a car, when I could borrow it, and how to use it to venture out from the campus.

You had to register for classes by foot. I remember trying to figure out where to register for my math class, in Van Vleck Hall. I remember climbing the stairs of my current building, Van Hise Hall, to the 9th floor to register for a class.

I learned how to buy my books at University Bookstore. I had no idea, arriving here, that I had to buy books for my classes. So much for my careful budgeting. And then lugging that bag of books home again? Ouch!

I lived down the street from the Black Bear Lounge. What is lesser well known was the awesome taco counter they had in there, and I visited it often.

Johnny Depp was on 21 Jump Street. I watched that on my black and white TV with my neighbor. Using an antenna.

My freshman year, I passed up the opportunity to see Midnight Oil so I could write a History paper. I've regretted it ever since.

I learned not to register for 7:45 classes. After spending a semester trying to take one.

I learned I was doomed to not be pre-med.

I had my first hangover. No more fuzzy navels, ever. Followed shortly by screwdrivers, tequila and a bad bad Ouzo experience.

I drank my first wine cooler. Bartles and Jaymes was really big back then!

We had a Halloween party, and there was a Coors Party Ball. Oh, what a bad idea.

I learned where all of the TYME machines were. Back then, you didn't have automatic deposit, and you'd have to deposit your paychecks yourself. I used the TYME machine sealing my check in an envelope and feeding it into the machine's depository.

I learned that you could sell your plasma for money. Twice a week. I only fainted once.

I learned where to order cheap pizza. Pizza Pit, if I recall.

I discovered Ragstock. $1 clothing? I'm there!

I experienced my first spare change guy. And my first street musician.

I met Scanner Dan. Yep, he's been around a LONG time.

I discovered that your friends from high school will never be the same, and neither will you, and you can't look back, because nothing will be the same again.

I learned a lot that first year. I was probably too young, and too naive, but I learned quickly.

I learned that I really loved Madison.