With the spring semester already in full swing, Monday's holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. couldn't have come at a better time.
As tests and term papers creep closer into view, we welcomed the extended weekend to mentally prepare ourselves for a semester free of football games and an NCAA tourney appearance.
Just think - spring break is less than two months away!
Until then we offer you the consolation prize of this week's history-making editon of…Darts & Laurels.
For the typical UF student, the time-tested act of tossing back a Natural Light or two has nothing to do with preference.
Heck, the Editorial Board dreams about the days in which we are gainfully employed - equipped with bank accounts able to withstand the purchase of brews like Anchor Steam or Newcastle. To the woman who left her purse behind after robbing the local Sweetbay, we pour her a why-couldn't-she-have-sprung-for-the-good-stuff DART for stealing a few cases of Natty Light.
We can only shake our heads and wonder what she drinks when she actually pays for her booze.
The Editorial Board would like to take the opportunity to LAUREL the Academy for heeding the outcry of the general public in giving the Joker his due. For his efforts in "The Dark Knight," Heath Ledger stands to compete for Oscar glory with a posthumous Best Supporting Actor nomination.
We hope the recognition for his performance will bring a semblance of solace to Ledger's family as Tuesday marked the anniversary of his death.
With all the positive attention UF receives from its athletic conquests on the basketball court and football field, you have to admit we were bound for a misstep. For his arrest Saturday evening with a bag of coke, we toss a say-it-ain't-so DART at UF professor Michael Heckenberger - an otherwise talented researcher who garnered the respect of his peers.
We can't help but frown whenever anyone from The Gator Nation ends up in jail, but it's especially disheartening when the individual has made an otherwise positive impact in the community.
The image of two 8-year-old boys with baseball bats conjures imagery of Little League Baseball and overzealous parents - not saving the life of a woman in distress.
Responding to the screams of his mother, a local child along with his pal grabbed their baseball bats and started hitting the woman's armed ex-boyfriend. The Editorial Board presents the two young heroes an always-swing-for-the-fences LAUREL for their courageous actions in deterring a would-be killer.
Somewhere the Tampa Bay Rays are mulling a contract offer.
Anytime our cell phones notify us of a new text message, the Editorial Board tends to light up with excitement. Maybe it's the news of a raging keg party down the block or a potential booty call; regardless, we welcome the distraction. But when you misuse technology intended to warn us of threats on campus we don't exactly crack a smile.
For his oh-so-funny joke Tuesday evening, we send a we-forgot-to-laugh DART the way of the mystery mass-texter. Couldn't he have just spent his night watching inauguration coverage like the rest of us?
The streets of Washington overflowed with glowing faces as the masses gathered to share in the joy of Tuesday's inauguration of President Barack Obama. For coming together in celebration of an historic moment, the Editorial Board awards a we-can-all-just-get-along LAUREL to America.
If but for one day, people from all walks of life put aside their differences to recognize the strides made by our great country.
That's all for this week. You stay classy, UF.
