There are certain quintessential things all Carleton students should experience at some point in their time here. As I was talking through this list with some of my friends, I realized that as a junior I am dismally behind on my "Experience Carleton" checklist. I have not yet gone traying, nor made cookies at Dacie Moses house at 2 am. I have never actually participated in the Silent Dance Party, or secretly climbed to the top of the Chapel. And so, admist a flurry of papers, exams, and problem sets, I decided that I should make these events a priority. So this is my new goal: Every week (or as often as possible) do somethine new at Carleton I haven't done yet, and then write about it for all of you. 

Adventure #1: Studying at the Cave.

The Cave is the country's oldest student-run pub, and conveniently happens to be located in the basement of my dorm, Evans Hall.  Its many functions include concert venue, dance party locale, snack/espresso bar, pool hall, and general hang-out spot. While I have attended concerts and dances there, never have I taken the time to go there to study. And oh my, what I have been missing. Check out the menu at the link I posted above, and see if you are as impressed as I. Soda for 50 cents? Coffee with unlimited refills for $1? Quesadillas? Nachos? SMORES? I have now deemed the Cave as my favorite studying/pool playing/ conversation holding site. The atmosphere is concurrently hipster and inviting, the staff are friendly and knowledgeable about the best ratio of cheese to salsa on a quesadilla, the soundtrack is laid back and a little indie, and the decor is inspiring-- vintage games, original concert posters, 50's era furniture, and black paint on the walls.

Gettin some quesadillas. 

This is my room mate. She is very good at pool. 

Having a little too much fun. 

The Cave has an excellent selection of Boylan sodas. I highly recommend the creme soda and the root beer.

The artsy environment of the Cave inspired me to also be artsy. Look how beautiful my calculator looks!

So. Scores for Adventure #1: +2 cool points, +1 food point, -1 productivity point (I got very distracted from my Stats problem set and may have played pool for an hour instead of working on conditional probabilities. Oops.)