Six Offices – No Keys

In preparation to teach a Saturday seminar on digital video at San Diego State yesterday, I had to acquire a key and security card to the computer lab. Seemed easy enough so I brought my six year old with me – I was going to make it an adventure. I parked off campus to avoid a ticket or paying for parking and hiked over to the Ed Tech office. There I got the form that would allow me to check out the key. It is a pretty hot day, so to head my son’s complaining off I bought him a small box of candy. Then I headed FAR across campus to the security office only to find out that I needed a faculty ID card to get a key. Now I had to get to the ID office, which was near where I parked. The candy was gone and we still had a lot of walking to do, so I gave him a piggy back ride. At the ID office I was told that I needed an authorization form from the department. Now my son was out of candy and patience. As we lumbered back over to the Ed Tech office, I now offered a treat from Starbucks. This bought me more time (my 45 minute errand was already over an hour and a half).

We got the authorization to get an ID card, headed back to that office. Took a picture – complete with with a sunburned face, and went to Starbucks to split a strawberry smoothie thingy. Next we walked off campus to the car, drove a little closer to the key office. Walked up a hill, got the key and security card and finally headed home.

But here’s the kicker. I show up and the security card doesn’t work. A SDSU police officer had to come turn the alarm off before I could unlock the door. Now I have to go back and get a new card.

Using Gmaps-Pedometer, I figured my six-year old and I walked about 2.5 miles to get into a classroom that still required someone to let me in. Here is our route.