By Matthew Fowler, Managing Editor
Achoo!
Newman has a problem. A tissue problem.
My nose has been in constant aching for the soft, supple relief of a simple tissue, but there are none to be found on campus.
Where are the tissues?
In search of relief, I am constantly left running to the restroom between classes in desperation while vigorously sniffling to hold back an hour’s worth of runny nose only to find a rough, dry paper towel that leaves my nose in agony. And tests only make my ailment more frustrating. Focusing on a test while fighting the urge to tear off a page and blow my nose can be quite the challenge.
Now don’t get me wrong: I think paper towels are pretty cool. You should, too; their simple design and ubiquitous, disposable nature should not fool you because they are extremely versatile.
In addition to drying my hands after washing them, I have used paper towels like the ones in Newman’s bathrooms many different ways in my life; folding an origami crane after trimming off the wavy ends, shimming a table leg to fix a wobble, jotting down some quick reminders in a pinch, putting them into a Ziploc bag with some water for an ice pack, and about a thousand other unique uses. But they just don’t cut it for blowing your nose.
And my nose is tired of it.
I have not been in every classroom at Newman, but none of the ones that I have been in have had any tissues.
It was a rough cold and flu season for me, and it is shaping up to be a rough allergy season, too. I don’t think my nose can take another bout of congestion.
When I was in middle and high school in the Wichita public school system, a box of tissues could be found in just about every classroom.
Tissues are a luxury I will never take for granted again.
If you have any creative uses for paper towels you would like to share or know where I can find a box of tissues, I would love to hear from you. Vantage.nu@gmail.com.
PHOTO: Dannicka McGrath, Photo Editor
