“All right stop, collaborate and listen, Ice is back with my brand new invention.” — Vanilla Ice

While I don’t normally associate myself with “artists” whose claim to fame is stealing the work of others to create a sub-par anthem about waxing a chump like a candle, it was too good to resist. Yeah, I’m back for another quarter as PLAY editor.

I will admit, at the onset of my reign, I was a mess. If you’re an avid reader of my periodic ramblings (Dad?) then you may recall the column I wrote this time last quarter, in which I discussed how the stress had caused my stomach to reject food. To the delight, I’m sure, of my several disturbed friends and family members, the situation has improved.

The stress from the beginning of Winter Quarter nearly killed me, but I think I’ve got it under control at this point. I still don’t sleep much, but that’s pretty much just me. (It takes me about an hour to brush my teeth; I get distracted easily.)

But despite any longing I had for the simpler days when I’d come back from class and just crash on my bed instead of confining myself to the Daily office, I don’t think I could escape from PLAY just yet, even if I tried. I realized this over spring break when I woke up at 3 a.m. and found myself asleep by the computer at my home in New Jersey, having passed out in the middle of emailing press people for potential interviews for the cover story I wrote this week on the Internet and the music industry. To me, choosing work over rest (during spring break, mind you), is a good sign that I’m hooked to this damn thing.

And when I woke up with the words “Take Meds” smudged across my cheek, rubbed off from the Sharpie message written across my hand to remind me of what often falls short on my list of priorities, I knew there was no turning back. Lucky for me a good scrub took it right off, so I didn’t have to wander around having people be fearful that I forgot to take my anti-psychotic medication that morning. Just kidding. I’m not psychotic. And people saw it on my hand anyway. For the most part the message splayed across my hand was greeted with laughter; sometimes nervous laughter.

Even though I decided to edit again long before the Winter Quarter ended, my time at home confirmed the resolution. I kept trying to relax but all I could do was mull over cover story ideas. Too bad PLAY isn’t based on the Monmouth County area of New Jersey because I had some great ones. (For example, a local mafia family has their house on sale!)

And maybe, just maybe, my final decision to become a repeat offender on the PLAY editorial staff was influenced by the fact that no editor has done it before. If I accomplish nothing noteworthy at this publication, at the very least I can say I edited the longest; I’m going for the record. 4

Weinberg junior Lindsay Sakraida is the PLAY editor. She can be reached at [email protected].