Hello, my name is Aries Indenbaum! I'm a senior from Point Reyes, California, though I did most of my growing up in New Rochelle, New York. As a creative writing major at Oberlin College, I try to write speculative fiction; prose that describes the future to discuss the present. To do so, I try to take as wide a course selection as possible from politics to art, history, physics and neuroscience.
In my time here, I've been involved in vast spectrum of activities- from choirs to improvised comedy, volunteering at a local farm to co-producing a noir radio show. Right now, my main passion is OCircus, Oberlin's Circus, involving about a hundred jugglers, hula hoopers, composers, acrobats, dancers and musicians. As a first year, I started as a clown, the next year, I was a House Manager, and now, I'm a Ringleader. When I'm not circus-ing, I'm active in the Storytelling Club, telling tall tales on the radio, at the local elementary school or whoever's close by.
Since my freshman year, I've been a tour guide for Oberlin Admissions. This past summer, I worked as a Senior Intern, conducting interviews, exchanging emails with prospective students, and learning how Admissions works. I'm also a Creative Writing Intern, giving information sessions for prospective majors, and an Academic Ambassador - a mentor for first years in terms of class scheduling, registrations and adjusting to college.
In my mythical free time, I go to fourth meal at Dascomb, lift weights, and attend as many student bands and recitals as I can. I love to dance and make new friends. Like you.
This week, I gave a tour to the direct descendant of John F. Oberlin. In my head, I pictured an irritated blond, infuriated by my foolish blathering and my inability to discuss Oberlin achievements in conversational French. (Warning: Entry includes bears.)
"You have to want to be a creative writing major." Featuring: Aries fails, the creative writing application (how, what and why), what alums do, and why classes are really hard.
The truth behind one of the best reputations in the country. Featuring: fangirling over professors, cursing, fear, what a workshop is, and Writing versus English.
"If we had duct tape, we'd help Klebanoff know what's good for him." - Prof. Paul Dawson speaking about Ben Klebanoff (Student Senator and wunderkind).
I love being a tour guide. The job is to share what you love while walking backwards, connecting with people from across the country and the world. What's more rewarding than that?
The job search is one of the most stressful experiences I've ever had. The only time I've ever felt so confused and overwhelmed was writing my college applications.
Until this summer, I'd never spent a full day in Cleveland. It was time to change that. It was time to get to know Cleveland, to see if I wanted to deepen our relationship.
Say "commencement" and I think of the iconic hats in the air, traditions, pomp and circumstance, formality... But Oberlin students don't really DO traditional.
College has been better than any other time in my life. When I think about who I was when I arrived here, and who I am now... I am a fundamentally different person. I grew up in Oberlin.
Oberlin students have a certain spark. It's not snark or cynicism, it's more of a slightly pointed... silliness. Weird implies non-functionality; uniqueness is too bland. Eccentric? Zany? Jaunty? Quirky? .... Does anyone have a word for us?
Building a circus can be outrageously different from theater. Circus creates issues you don't have to worry about with theater: like insurance, or fire permits. And not having a script. Or a stage manager. This makes everything even MORE exciting than normal!
This is my old livejournal entry from when I visited for All Roads as a prospie. Wiggle your fingers: it is 2005, I have really long hair and wear a green military coat.
As I am employed as a tour guide, admissions intern, and creative writing intern, "All Roads" is pretty busy for me. Besides tours, info sessions, and panels, I saw Reefer Madness, sunbathed, and contra danced.
Tonight: Music party at Harkness, with Andrew Gombas, Birthday Kids, and Dos Mil Días De Fuego. Before that, I saw Spring Back, a dance show, so it's been... a long night. My ears hurt. My thighs hurt. I am super-duper happy.
One of the questions I get on tours is "What's an average day like, for an Oberlin student?"
This is, of course, one of the most difficult questions ever.
"Bloggers don't have to be introspective," I protested. She put her hands up, "It's not a bad thing. You just... might want to think about stuff. Sometimes. You don't have to, but it's good. Sometimes."
Some people speak Spanish, French, Chinese. My friends speak Science. If I didn't speak at least some pidgin Science, I couldn't understand them at all.
When I got the note, I started dancing in the library and letting out some jubilant obscenities. I hadn't expected to win, especially for a story I hadn't workshopped, in a style I was new at.
Once we landed at Cleveland-Hopkins Airport, I woke up and raced for the bus stop. After waiting outside for 10 minutes, I huddled indoors and discovered I had missed the last bus by 15 minutes. Gahhh.
Right now, I'm in Seattle, studying at SANCA, the School for Acrobatics and New Circus Arts. To put it succinctly, this school is going to kick my ass.
I went as Bettie Page, which is hard to do.... in public. For the sake of Oberlin College, I won't do too much description. Suffice to say, I looked classy.
