Dear Disgruntled,
Regardless of what it is, I get the impression you're pretty angry about it. Any particular reason?  I sent your letter on to the Traffic Bureau, and here is Peg Landau's response:


        "Uncle Ezra forwarded you letter to me about the definition of a life safety zone.  Cornell University Parking and Traffic Regulations (section 1.6.10) gives this definition:


        'Any vehicle parked in such a manner as to create or as likely to create hazard to life and property constitutes a violation of the life safety regulations.'
        "'Life safety zone' implies areas that are important to protecting life and property.  Examples are parking in a loading dock, near a fire hydrant, blocking an entrance or exit to a driveway, etc.
        "I hope this helps your understanding of the meaning of life safety zone. If you observe 'no parking signs' you should avoid violations of life safety zones."

                     Sincerely, Margaret Landau, Assistant to the Director


        If you find a Life Safety Zone that is not marked as such, please contact the Traffic Bureau at 255-PARK and they will do what they can to correct the situation.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Have Three,
Folk tradition for Groundhog Day corresponds to the European Candlemas when spring planting is done. Sunny skies foretold bad crops; cloudy skies healthy harvests. In Germany the prognosticating amimal is a badger. Formerly in the US and Europe it was a bear. The earliest useage of the term in the literature seems to be 1840.
        In 1986 it precipitated for 145 days in Ithaca. For more information, contact the Northeast Regional Climate Center in Bradfield Hall or browse the Mann Library stacks in the QC 925.1 U8 N7's for Hourly Precipitation Data.
        There is no fine for sledding on Libe Slope. That activity is prohibited, however, and if you are cited you will be referred to the Judicial Administrator.
        Have you any more questions?                       Uncle Ezra

Uncle Ezra   

Dear AE,
Are congratulations in order?  I really enjoy weddings!  Cornell has a plethora of places where you could hold a wedding reception. The A.D. White House, the Straight Memorial Room, Martha Van Rensselaer, Robert Purcell Union, and Anabel Taylor Hall are a few of your options. Call Central Reservations at 255-3513 for more information. Another idea is to contact the Residence Life main office at 255-5511.  They will let you know if you can use one of the common areas in a residence hall such as Balch or Risley for a reception.  Best wishes to you!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Chained to Conventionality,
I would like to compliment you on both your vocabulary and ability to string words together in a pleasing way. It doesn't happen as often as I'd like it to here at Cornell.   Congratulations on finding a friend whom you find attractive in many ways. You are correct that beauty and intellect are not mutually exclusive categories, and neither are intellectual and physical attraction.  Active hormones are a fact of life during the college (and other) years; maturity arrives when you learn to respect the rights and space of others.  That's very important and I think you've learned it already.   The best way to avoid the classic dominant male role is to share your feelings and interests. You have already built a foundation of friendship based on mutual trust, interest and respect. Now you need to find out if she is interested in beginning a sexual relationship.  If so, the subtle blending of your two minds may blossom into a romance.  If not, it should be clear to you that your restraint under the stars was appropriate and probably saved a friendship as well as a possible charge of attempted rape.



  You speak of your physical desires for this woman as though they could destroy your intellectual enjoyment of each other.  But in truth, physical desire combined with a blending of two minds does not destroy anything: it's one of the best combinations people have going for them. It's called love, and it's wonderful.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Confused,
Zaps are intended to make you think, and this one obviously made you think hard about some difficult issues.  However disconcerting your thoughts may feel, it's important for you to know that the questions you are asking are not at all uncommon ones for women in college.  In fact, many women wonder at some point if they might be lesbian.  Why is this so?




        I can't claim to have a complete explanation, but here are some thoughts. Women often share their thoughts and feelings more readily with other women than with men.  Intimacy leads to feelings of closeness that are part of love. Women also can recognize the beauty of other women - not simply physical beauty, but the beauty of spirit and personality people display.  It is natural to be attracted to beautiful qualities in other people.  Also, in our society it is more acceptable for women to display affection for each other than it is for men to do so.  Think of the difference in the way the public responds to two women with their arms around each others' waists and two men in the same position.  All of these factors may lead to an awareness for a woman that she feels attracted to and loving for other women. In our homophobic society, these feelings of attraction to other women can become frightening, and that fear makes it harder to sort out whether you are lesbian, bisexual, or straight.
        The stereotypes people have about lesbians and gays may make it even more difficult and frightening to sort out your feelings, even though most of the stereotypes have very little basis in fact, as you noted. Sorting through the issues will take time.  It is fairly common for people to worry about and/or act upon their attraction for the same sex and then go back to being heterosexual.  Similarly, some people have a number of heterosexual relationships before coming to an understanding of their lesbian or gay orientation. Men go through the same experiences as women, often with even more fear than women express.  The statistics say that 10-20% of adult Americans are gay or lesbian, and those numbers do not include the people who consider themselves bisexual.
        All of this information makes sense, but where does it leave you? While it is important for you to know the facts - like the things that you are feeling are not unusual - it will be more helpful for you to talk to someone about all of the fear and confusion you are feeling. There are several people I recommend. First, talk to the zap presenters that you heard.  They have chosen to facilitate zaps because they are interested in educating and helping people. Your feelings are not stupid, so you need not worry so much about offending anyone. Also, the presenters are accustomed to and ready to handle questions or thoughts that may seem offensive to you.  Don't forget that the presenters were very likely once in shoes like yours. No matter what you finally decide about your sexual orientation, they will understand the feelings.
        Here are some other people you can talk to, along with the numbers you can call in order to make an appointment:   Roz Kenworthy, a sexuality counselor at CGSS (Contraception, Gynecology, and Sexuality Service), 255-6448; Stu Hayes, the Residence Hall Director for the Townhouses, 255-8101; and Mick Ellis, the Director of Robert Pucell Union, 255-6220. You might also try calling Psychological Services at 255-5208, or making an appointment to see Sharon Dittman at Cornell United Religous Work, 255-4224.  All of these people will listen to your concerns and fears without trying to tell you what you should do or how you should feel.
        I hope you will talk to someone, and soon.  The thoughts you are having are obviously taking a lot of your energy and causing a lot of confusion, and having someone to help sort things out may make a lot of difference.  Thank you for writing about such a personal topic.  I'm sure your letter will touch many people.

Uncle Ezra