In praise of the little kettle that could
Jancy Nightingale
Issue date: 9/18/08 Section: Opinion
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Realistically, you can't survive a lifetime on a diet of cheap noodles, gallons of caffeine, and the occasional pint of Ben and Jerry's. Over the course of four or so years, you come to depend upon and use items that you'll have no use for after you enter the real world.
Take the hot pot.
It is merely an electric kettle that acts as a compact substitute for both an oven and microwave. At times, it gets quite the beating from students for its appearance on the limited approved-appliances list.
Instead, students should embrace the little plastic electric kettle that could, for it has a deeper, symbolic meaning: it embodies the way of college life. Just like all collegiate customs, the hot pot is simplistic, communal and most importantly, cheap.
In the realm of simplicity, the hot pot takes the straightforward concept of boiling water to the next level.
What began as tap water from the dorm sink is transformed into a life-saving concoction of instant caffeine, a delicious batch of Easy Mac, spaghetti or even freshly scrambled eggs.
Edibles bring the family together, and in this case, they unite roommates, and over time, entire dorm halls share in the love.
People gather from all over to behold the spectacle of spouting steam, partake of the edible result or even both.
Lastly, but most importantly, the hot pot proves very thrifty. Most any instant edible is cheap to stock up on (hello, ramen noodles), and who would be so half-baked as to turn down such a frugal option? And its little plastic form is cheap to acquire.
So next time you, or your friend down the hall, is fixing up a steamy study pick-me-up, or midnight snack, remember what the hot pot represents.
Rejoice that the administration saw fit to place the little electric kettle on the dorms' approved-appliances list.
Savor its economical and communal simplicity, and enjoy that third helping of mac and cheese.
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