[[Theme music "Medusa" plays]]

 

Pandora: Hey, everyone! You're listening to 73.9, Mount Olympus University Radio. I'm your host, Pandora Wordsworth, back again in my natural habitat: a dark room with the door closed, rambling to a nonliving thing. The six-year-old version of myself that held intensive conferences with her stuffed animals would not be surprised by this outcome.

 

However, this situation is ideal for me with this weather. It’s starting to get chilly now, which means you’re gonna have to start bundling up for those MOU Titans games. And also tell me what our main sport is, cause I still haven't figured it out. I'm staunchly refusing to go to a game until Zeus stops asking me to because, you know, we make our own fun out here. But my righteous stubbornness has really left me in the dark about the nature of the Mount Olympus University sports sector.

 

I've narrowed down our biggest draw to either American football or lacrosse. I don't really have proof in either direction it just...feels like those are the sports happening here. Really, I just need someone to tell me what we are playing here, or at least explain why it is not more immediately apparent. [Pandora sighs] Oh well. Go, non-Zeus Titans, I guess. I know I'm starting to sound pedantic but this is a hill I'm prepared to die on. The hill called “Zeus Sucks. And he should treat people better. Especially his girlfriend even if she's mad at me instead of him.” That hill.

 

Something else comes with the change of weather. Apparently the dip in degrees causes some alarm to go off in people’s heads that signal it is party season! Science has yet to explain why this is. If I had to guess, I would say the fall weather reminds people that they are no longer bound to their childhood homes and circumstances and they now roam hallowed halls in pursuit of education. Therefore, it's party time.

 

According to a snippet from President Gaia, “things have been rambunctious on campus lately.” Pandora translation: loud and belligerent. I get that I'm probably the closest approximation to a grouchy old woman that a college student can get, but seriously, why has it been so loud on campus? It's not like people yelling in conversation, either, it's just senseless noise. Whoops and hollers to let everyone on earth know they are still kicking. It's wild. And I'm not here to call anyone out or name names but it is DEFINITELY the juniors. Thor, if you're listening, please tell me what your degree is in. Is it in partying? I feel like it has to be partying.

 

Old grouchy granny bits aside, I guess it isn't harming anyone, per se. I just request that the student body consider that there are folks less enthusiastic about the wee hours of the morning, even when there is that party-worthy chill in the air.

 

I guess that's why I always liked it in here. In the radio room. It's...quiet in here. Aside from how many people waltz through the doors, of course. Besides that. The soundproofing isn't perfect thanks to the wears of time and education’s iron-fisted grip on the arts budget, but overall it’s...quiet.

 

Ok, not now, obviously, because I'm talking, so like there's obviously noise. But, honestly, I think silence is different from quiet. Silence is...oppressive and consuming and scary. But quiet just feels like stolen bits of peace in the world. Quiet is like...not gone. Just...quiet.

 

Ugh, this isn't coming out right. I'm just trying to say I think there is sort of a preciousness in finding quiet whether the Juniors are inexplicably chanting outside your window or not.

 

Though honestly silence isn't the same to everyone. My definition is probably pretty baffling to some people. But those people probably lack the acute sense of anxiety that I have. Yes, ladies and gentlemen and all else, I come with all this and anxiety too. Please, try not to be jealous. I know I have so much going for me. It’s almost not fair!

 

So, yeah, it's quiet here, but never silent. I make sure of that. But if I had any appreciation for silence, this radio show probably wouldn't even be here! Which makes no sense to anyone, because no one was here for the initiation of this project. It was a lot of me talking myself through things, and-- anyway, that's what I've been thinking about lately, I guess.

 

The absence of quiet is the curse of a robust campus in the fall. Sometimes I get overwhelmed by the sheer sound around me, you know? Not even just the audible, but…with writing, and ideas, and, and things wanting your attention. It gets loud in ways that are hard to define. But when I'm in here, working on the radio…talking to you, there is something powerfully still about that. And it's probably only in my head, but...that doesn't make it less important, does it?

 

I hope it's quiet wherever you're listening. Not silent, of course, since that would mean you turned off the radio and that's not like super great for me, but...there it is, anyway. And, if not, maybe think about finding your own sense of quiet somewhere. Somehow.

 

I don't know. I'm not a therapist. Talk to a professional. Why are you listening to your college radio for advice, anyway? Weirdo.

 

Well. On the opposite side of quiet, an announcement from Athena! I forced her to narrow her list to one, under great pain and scrutiny, so you have to promise to listen or else she is going to start sending me binders of events again. This upcoming Thursday, the MOU student council is hosting a bonfire at the fire pit behind the dorms. Which sounds like a lot of fun. However, I'm not fully convinced it isn't a trap for Athena to try and form more clubs she can be president of, so take that or leave it. Either way, can't say I didn't warn you.

 

Also, a new issue of our school newspaper, The Mighty Pen, will be released next week. If your attention span will allow it, try out the written word! I...know people have worked really hard on it and will appreciate the read. [Beat] You can also tell that stuffed shirt Arthur Pendragon that I did this because we are not competing sources, and I was the first to rise above. So he can bite me! Ha!

 

[Pandora laughs]

 

Anyway, that's all for today. I'm glad we could catch up. Things have been hectic and...well, maybe another time we’ll cover that, huh? Now, let's try some silence. Just a little.

 

Thanks for listening, everyone.

 

[[Theme music "Medusa" plays]]

 

This is Pandora Wordsworth, signing off. Bye!

 

 

​Raeanna Nicole Larson: Mount Olympus University is an original story conceived and written by Raeanna Nicole Larson. Sound editing done by the intrepid Luuk Van Hoomissen. Our icon was designed by the incomparable Jess Reed. Music by the industrious Teddy McKrell, whose works can be heard on soundcloud under teddymackerel.

​The role of Pandora is played by Raeanna Nicole Larson. Aphrodite is played by Sydney Rose Hover.

You can send us an email at mtolympusuniversity@gmail.com, or find us on Twitter @MtOlympusU. You can also check out our website for extras, including transcripts of every episode, at mountolympusuniversity.com. Please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a comment to help more students find us.

[["Medusa" fades out]]

​

Transcript typed by Jess Reed