Mel Sundquist’s portfolio

Originally Published in the UVU Review on June 30, 2008.

In the past, UVSC students were always able to act out and rest on the excuse ìIt’s okay, they’re just college students.” Well, that era is over, and now it’s time for us to collectively evolve into something much more intimidating: university attendees. Here’s how:

1. Take your education seriously. UVU is no longer a stepping stone to bigger and better things because it is bigger and better. Now, you can actually graduate a Wolverine, and bring your degree with you to a very successful career. It is no longer necessary to go to another school after graduating here, so treat these years like they are the last years of formal education you will have.

2. Keep staying up late, but do it with a textbook instead of a group of drunken friends. Sure, universities have great parties, but UVU isn’t quite to the point of the fraternity yet. Basically, imagine the stereotypical university student and try to act more like that stereotype.

3. Communicate with your professors. Class sizes may be growing, and the days of the adjunct professor or lecturer may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean that your professors aren’t still one of the people. Besides, what’s more like a university student than conversing with a professor over a cup of coffee?

4. Take on large projects for more than just the grade. University students create experiments that change the face of their field, write novels for their dissertation, and create works of art that are used for their final project and then put up in a public museum. So, for your next big project, try to make something that will influence the community.

5. Wear clothes that say “University” on them. Maybe invest in some reading glasses and keep a short pencil behind your ear. Because looking the part is a big aspect of becoming something new.

6. Seriously, decide on a major. A university is no place to wade your toes in the General Education pool. If that’s still what you want to do, take your toes to SLCC. University students have a long-term goal in mind, and their major is useful to them in reaching that goal.

7. Become more arrogant. You’re part of a university now, and you deserve the pomp and circumstance that goes along with that. Also, now is a good time to get away with being a little conceited.

Published in The College Times on June 16, 2008.

Media credit: Amber Drake

There are certain things that college students do. They do these things not because they are expected to, but because at this time in their lives they just feel the need. We stay up too late, we make drunken fools of ourselves in parking lots and camping grounds, we pompously talk about poets and politicians, and we get tattoos.

These actions stem from the same basic instincts that tell a toddler to ride their Big Wheel and a middle-aged man to buy a motorcycle — they are part of the human process. But for today, let’s focus on the experience most relevant to this writer: getting your first tattoo.

Before

1. Find the perfect design. Whether it’s something meaningful or something that’s just nice to look at, your first tattoo should be something you’re going to be happy with for more than just a few days. You should think of a tattoo as a permanent accessory: If you were going to wear one watch or bracelet every day for the rest of your life, you would want it to look nice. If you’re not an artist, you’ll need to outsource your design. I highly recommend going to doverpublications.com, buying a few clipart books, and finding your inspiration there. The designs are original and most can be easily translated to a tattoo.

2. Find the perfect placement. No matter what, your tattoo is going to hurt. If you’re willing to make it through any amount of pain, then finding the right location for it is going to be easy. However, if you want your first to be as painless as possible, try flicking potential locations with your fingernail as hard as you can. It’s a good way to see where it would hurt the least. Also, take into account any possible weight gain in the future — a stretched pinup girl tattoo just isn’t pretty.

3. Find an artist you can trust and make an appointment. Ask friends who have had tattoos, visit local galleries, talk to artists, and find someone you’re comfortable with. Call in beforehand to make an appointment because getting a tattoo doesn’t mean you no longer need to be polite.

4. Physically and mentally prepare. I’m sure you remember the instructions your high school teachers gave you on how to prepare for a big test. Study, get a good night’s sleep, come prepared, and eat a good breakfast. The same guidelines apply here. Try to familiarize yourself physically with the tattooing process. If you will be sitting in an awkward position, stretch what muscles you need to, to make it more comfortable. It is important to eat a balanced meal before your first tattoo. Think of it like your first ride on a roller coaster — you don’t want anything weird going on in your digestive system. Be sure to bring cash, as most galleries won’t take credit or checks.

During

1. Focus your energy as far from the tattoo as possible. For example, if you’re getting a tattoo on your wrist, you want that entire arm to be very relaxed, so the artist doesn’t draw outside the lines. Place all of the tension that the pain is causing into your calf or foot, so you can keep that arm free from twitches.

2. Latch on to a distracting thought. If it weren’t for all the pain and excitement, tattooing would be a very boring process. There is really nothing for you to do but lie still until the process is over, so be sure to pack along something to think about. You can plan out the decor for your apartment, ponder the techniques of your favorite writer — anything to keep your mind occupied.

3. Bring something to hold onto, Lamaze style. If you don’t have a friend to hold your hand, ball up your sweater and squeeze it as hard as possible. This will be a natural reaction to the discomfort, and it will be easier if you prepare for it.

After

1. Keep it clean. Tattoo parlors have differing views on post-tattoo hygiene, but according to the Eleventh Street Electric Gallery in Sugarhouse, you need to keep your tattoo bandaged, free from bacteria, and covered in ointment for the first three to five days. After this, the tattoo needs to be kept out of the sun and moisturized until it is entirely healed.

2. Prepare yourself with some ammunition against people’s reactions. Try to predict how your acquaintances will respond, and think of a reply to every possible thing they could say. If they say, “But it will be there forever,” reply with, “That’s the appeal.” Because the bottom line is, you’ve already made this decision, and unless they’re about to pin you down and take a laser to you, there’s nothing they can do about it. Don’t let them try to make you regret it.

3. Work with your tattoo, not against it. At first, it can be difficult to dress around your new tattoo. Now, you have to start thinking of this new aspect of your appearance, one just as important as body size or skin tone. Add this new variable into your calculations when shopping for clothes.

Without getting evicted

Published in The College Times on March 3, 2008.

Published in The College Times on February 4, 2008.

One of the best ways to prove your loyalty to a friend is to act as his or her wingman. Invest a single evening in finding your friend exactly what they want and you may just illustrate your commitment to the friendship. Also, it can be a lot of fun.

1. To be a good wingman, you really can’t have anything better to do. If you’ve got your own affairs on the brain all night, you’re not going to find the perfect date for your friend – who we will now refer to as the pilot. Save your ventures into the dating pool for a night when you have nothing else planned. Get your homework done beforehand and set your Tivo to record anything you might miss. This will help with the next step.

2. Keep your mind in the game. This can be tough. You’ve got to remember that you’re not there for yourself, but simply as a tool for the pilot. Be sure to continually play the role of intuitive personal assistant, and don’t step into the spotlight. Never point out a merit of your own, keeping your focus on the pilot’s strengths. Try not to let this persona slip even once during the night.

3. If you just can’t find the motivation, remember that if you find your friend a good date, he or she will owe you something. Think of it as collecting points. If you do this favor for them, they are much more likely to do one for you in the future – especially if they find an ideal mate.

4. Don’t make yourself too attractive. You’ve got to be sure that the pilot is just a bit more resplendent and alluring than you are, or a terrible reversal of roles might occur. If you’re the one who winds up with a date at the end of the night, and the pilot goes home alone, you’ll just grow further apart.

5. Be honest with the pilot. If they want you to reel them in a fish that you clearly see they’ll never hook, tell them. Don’t be blunt or rude, but politely recommend that they start out fishing in shallower waters. Point out prospective mates that are a more reasonable match. This is true in the opposite situation as well: If the pilot is only shooting for minnows, tell them that they deserve a swordfish, at least, and encourage them to try for one.

6. Finally, don’t take any of your metaphors too far. You’ll regret it a second later.

Published in The College Times on November 19, 2007.

This month, UVSC’s intramural department has created a challenging scavenger hunt for athletic students, with a grand prize of two hundred dollars.

For the purposes of clarification and for those of us who admit Wii practice to be their favorite sport (after all, this is the life section), a definition of “intramural” should be given. It means sports, kids. The P.E. building is holding a scavenger hunt.

Here are the terms: Find some impossible items (a D.I. receipt for exactly $7.42), some simple ones (a one-cent stamp), and a couple outrageous objects (a picture of you kicking Bo Earls in the butt). Bring said items to the intramural office on Nov. 30 between one and four p.m.

Each object on the list (which can be found in the intramural office) is worth a set amount of points, with a total of 250 points possible. If anyone turns in the entire list before the due date, they will be rewarded with two hundred dollars.

After the due date, the first prizewinner will be given one dollar per point, and there will also be metaphorical silver and bronze medals given.

If ever there was a chance to make that pirate fantasy of yours real, this is it. Find all the pieces of hidden treasure, and visit the intramural office to collect (or pillage) your reward.

Students stick to their literary comfort zone

Published in The College Times on October 29, 2007

Lately, there has been a noticeable inclination in the minds of fresh young college students when concerning literature: they are sticking to what’s familiar.

It seems that most students can fit into one of three categories: there are those who read only religious compositions, those who read so-called “intellectual” or classical literature, and those who stick to Sweet Valley High romance novels or sci-fi.

On one hand, it is great that millennials are reading; developing a mind for literature in any form is very important. However, adding some variety, the personal library can make for a more cultured and universal thought process in everyday decisions.

True, reading Poe isn’t going to help twenty-somethings deal with their “maybe, someday I’ll have a girlfriend” problem. It won’t help them get through a salacious romantic scandal (although flipping through a couple of Gossip Girl books, by Cecily Von Ziegesar, may give you a few ideas).

On the other hand, spending a couple afternoons with Whitman may actually help students to walk down a path that holds the answers to life, the universe and maybe even love.

If “variety is the very spice of life,” as the author of some first-rate poetry William Cowper said, adding some of that variety into an average student’s lettered life can improve not only their repertoire of books but other aspects of their existence as well.

So, Keats enthusiasts are double-dog dared to head to the library and check out a couple books with bright pink covers and titles incorporating the words shop, love, gossip and/or boy-trouble. The same goes for those who read bodice-ripping chapters-check out some Yunque or Dickinson, and be ready for a pleasant surprise.