Ratty Challenge Banner 2016 DRAFT

Ratty Challenge Banner 2016 DRAFT

Saturday, January 28, 2017

An Early Morning Elegy for Seltzer

Hi folks — we're 55 minutes in and I've been taking some time to appreciate the recent changes that the Ratty has delivered for us on this cozy Saturday. Mostly, I've been fuming about why these changes had to happen the year I went off meal plan, but that's neither here nor there. Like most changes in Brown policy, they Ratty's "renovations" are almost entirely superficial. But there are some nice things that the Ratty has gained, including expanded fruit offerings, better pizza (which I experienced a couple days ago when a friend swiped me in), and a better salad bar. Stay tuned, because Kyle will be posting later on with a photo rundown of all the exciting changes that the youngins will get to take for granted long after we seniors have walked through the gates.

My wonder and slight jealously at the new Ratty offerings is punctuated by a sad loss that I must report. The new and improved drink stations no longer offer seltzer in the soda machines. It always tasted slightly off coming out of the old soda machines, and is hated by many as much as it is loved by some. But seltzer was always there for me during my Ratty years.

Call it what you want: seltzer, club soda, soda water, sparkling water, carbonated water, or the devil's bubbles (probably), and feel how you want about it, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that seltzer is amazing. Seltzer fulfils a very specific niche in my palate. It is there whenever I want something cold and fizzy but not sugary. It's simultaneously healthier than soda but more interesting than boring old non-carbonated water.

In addition to fulfilling a niche, seltzer is also versatile. It's perfectly refreshing to drink plain or with a lemon slice from the tea station. It's readily mixable with any of the Ratty's juices (I liked cranberry the most). It's an integral ingredient in the bizarre-yet-delicious egg cream, which I've discovered this year works well with both chocolate milk and coffee milk. And there are any number of delicious cocktails that rely on seltzer to provide carbonation (the mojito, to name just one).

Whether you love seltzer or you hate it, it's undeniable that its loss at the hands of the Ratty's renovations (ed-"renovations") is a big blow for seltzer fans. Join me in pouring one out for a lost soul of the new Ratty.

The Challenge Begins



Good Morning Bikini Bottom!

The jellyfish are chirping, Squidward is practicing his clarinet, and the Brown Band has begun their brave assault on the Chum Bucket Sharpe Refectory! At 7:30am sharp, a school of seniors entered 144 Thayer St. to begin their day of food, friends, and fun!

"Hello, I'd like 15 Chocolate Chip Pancakes"
"I can't *blhhh* understand *blhhh* your accent *blhhh*"

The day started nice and cold with 9 seniors accompanied by brave underclassmen souls to swipe them in. 

Here are the seniors:


Ratty Challengers 2017; Gabe, Daniel, Sarah, Peter, Kyle, Caleb, Hayley, Lainie




Charlie Gleason! He missed the group photo.


And here are the brave underclassmen souls:


Dana "I'm already bored" Leichter



Gaby was hiding in the lobby from the cold.


Oh Tim, have you ever seen someone so happy to be up at 7:30am?


Mia may look happy and awake, but she went right back to bed.


Zack G. slipped away before I managed to get a picture of him.
Here's an artist's portrayal of his ethereal form.




Peter's Ratty Survival Gear

You've got to be well equipped to survive the Ratty Challenge. Here's my armament of choice:

  • Lots of bored games so we won't get board. Also, cards.
  • Power strip and power cords, because electricity.
  • Laptop and laptop paraphernalia, because I could keep myself entertained with just this if I had to.
  • Backpack, because I need some way to carry everything else.

Friday, January 27, 2017

Stuff Hayley Is Bringing

Hey everyone!

I'm keeping it simple and bringing only a few items to the Ratty, although they will provide much entertainment:


  • Laptop + charger: my favorite way to surf the web!
  • Mouse: Speeds up the web surfing!
  • Headphones: For when I will be watching movies or listening to music in the lull of the Ratty Challenge.
  • Lumbar pillow: An amazing invention, this will hopefully keep the Ratty comfort level high.
  • Book: The Shift -- I'm excited to read this, it was a gift from Abby Muller '16 (previous Ratty Challenge Winner) about nurses so I know I'll be entertained reading it. Thanks Abby!!!!

See you in the Ratty in about 8 hours!

Stuff Kyle is Bringing


Hi everyone!

Following in our predecessors footsteps, here is a list of the things I plan to bring to the Ratty Challenge 2k17.


Pictured:
  • Laptop 
    • 3.4 pounds of endless amusement
  • Laptop charger
    • Because we're literally spending all day in the Ratty
  • Mouse
    • In case of video games
  • Deck of cards
    • I know a magic trick! Ask me to show you!
  • Sweatshirt
    • Gotta stay comfy
  • Headphones
  • Water bottle
    • The key to any marathon is hydration
  • Chap stick
    • I'm addicted to this stuff
  • Ibuprofen
    • For emergencies
  • 3DS
    • Yes I still play Pokemon
  • Phone charger
    • Because I am a trash millennial and if my phone battery dies I will lose all meaning in life
  • External battery
    • In case of outlet hogs
  • Columbia (Columbia) Football
    • Just kidding
    • Shoutout to Natalie for helping me steal find this at the Brown Stadium
  • Backpack
Not Pictured: Myself, other comfy clothing, a mouse pad, and the will to eat as much food as possible.

-Kyle





Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Season 3, Episode 44: Nasty Ratty




Oh, a dark and stormy night. It's nights like these that remind me of the time Mr. Krabs and SpongeBob fed a health inspector some really bad food. [Laughs evilly. Stormy night becomes calm day]. It was a bright and sunny morning. [Scene cuts to the Sharpe Refectory where a fish drives up and stops in front of the restaurant. The scene zooms into his badge that reads 'Health Inspector'.]

Mr. Krabs: [Taking a bath in bear bucks.] Ah...That smells like... [gasps] ...the health inspector! [Mr. Krabs runs up to SpongeBob in a yellow towel.] Wash your hands, clean the floors, change your underwear, hide the Hermione cut out! The health inspector's here! [Both are peeking out the kitchen window at the health inspector, who is writing on a clipboard.] If he finds one health violation, he'll close us down for good. We've got to do everything in our power to make sure he passes the Sharpe Refectory.


Health Inspector: I'm going to need you to bring me one of everything on the menu. 

SpongeBob: [Walking backwards back into the kitchen.] Excellent choice, my darling. Coming right up! [SpongeBob enters the kitchen, where Krabs waits.] He wants one of everything.

Mr. Krabs: Then we'll give him a smorgasbord! [Holds up a tray of breakfast and lunch food.] The future of the Sharpe Refectory is at stake! [SpongeBob and Mr. Krabs run up to the health inspector.]

SpongeBob: Try the Chocolate Chip Pancakes, sir! [stuffs it in the inspector's mouth]

Mr. Krabs: The Tater Tots are a touch of heaven. [stuffs it in the inspector's mouth]

SpongeBob: The Croissants are exquisite. [stuffs it in the inspector's mouth]

Mr. Krabs: Fresh Spiced Pork Chops? [stuffs it in the inspector's mouth]

SpongeBob: More Steamed Broccoli? [stuffs it in the inspector's mouth]

Mr. Krabs: Some Ginger Chicken Pasta?[stuffs it in the inspector's mouth]

Health Inspector: Please, gentlemen! [Swallows all the food in his mouth.] Leave me to finish my work in peace. [Clicks his pen, which is actually a fork that comes out. Later, the health inspector has eaten everything on the table and burps.]

SpongeBob: And did the voluptuous inspector enjoy his meal?

Health Inspector: [Writes on his clipboard.] So far, so good. I just need to try dinner and my inspection will be finished.

SpongeBob: [Open kitchen door.] He says if he gets dinner, he'll pass us for the inspection!

Mr. Krabs: [Picks up SpongeBob.] Do you know what this means, dear boy? We're in the clear! [Both dance off then leapfrog over each other, across the screen then do the can-can in dresses until a news report comes on tv.]



A. Realistic Fish Head: We interrupt this can-can for a special news bulletin. Be on the lookout for a man who's been passing himself off as a health inspector in order to eat three meals for the price of one. That's all for now. [Mr. Krabs gets angry]

Mr. Krabs: Free food?

SpongeBob: Maybe we oughta tell our guy about the phony impostor.

Mr. Krabs: You loony loofah, he is the impostor! We've been duped!

SpongeBob: Duped!

Mr. Krabs: Bamboozled!

SpongeBob: We've been smeckledorfed!

Mr. Krabs: That's not even a word, and I agree with ya! [Both look through the kitchen window at the health inspector, who is wiping his mouth off, finishing his drink (coffee milk), and cleaning his teeth with a toothpick.] Look at him. I bet he never washes his khakis.

SpongeBob: I bet he bites tiger tails.

Mr. Krabs: I bet his mom bought him that blazer. [Holds up some pasta.] If that impostor wants dinner, then by Elrod, we'll give him one. [Takes a plate of ginger chicken pasta and puts some braised red cabbage on the patty] You're dancin' with the crab man now! Join me, boy, or you're fired.

SpongeBob: It doesn't seem right... [holds up a bowl of Saturday night jambalaya] ...but it feels so good! [dumps a spoonful on the patty] Jambalaya: the gnarliest stuff in the ocean!

Mr. Krabs: Ohh, hold on, I've got a ton of stewed cauliflower in my office! [runs off as SpongeBob drops the food in the toilet]

SpongeBob: Oops, I dropped it in the toilet! [Mr. Krabs runs in with a smelly sock]

Mr. Krabs: Well, fish it out, and I'll dry it with me gym socks! [scene cuts to showing a disgusting plate of food with what appears to be pimples and green meat] Why that's the most diabolical dish ever spawned! [both are wearing clothespins on their noses

SpongeBob: I call it the 'Nasty Ratty'. [both laugh]

Health Inspector: Hey, hurry up with my dinner! [SpongeBob runs in with the Nasty Ratty]

SpongeBob: [speaking quickly] Here you go sir, enjoy. [runs back into the kitchen]

Health Inspector: Ah, hello, delicious. Come to papa. [He eats a spoonfull and starts to choke.] This stuff is horrible, I'm writing you a terrible review! Just wait till I publish to the Blog Daily Herald, you'll be ruined!





Saturday, January 30, 2016

WE SURVIVED

We made it! Nine seniors stayed straight through. Here are our last words of the challenge. May they live on.



Sid: "I did not make it to desserts #2 or #3."
Ben: "Put me down as 'stares.'"
Brooke: "I don't know what my last words are yet."
London: *puts head on table* "Sleep please."
Ken: "Oh man. I'm gonna need some time to think about this."
Amy: "Weeeee did it." *waves arms demonstratively, almost falls over*
Chris: "Shia LaBoeuf is still a threat. His physical form may have been disintegrated by Charlie's jumper cables, but he will return."
Charlie: "We made it! Hashtag no regrets. Hashtag hashbrowns."
Abby: "GO TEAM."

2016 out!