University of Nebraska Omaha - Tomahawk / Gateway Yearbook (Omaha, NE)

Page 32 text:

Robert Noriega really lives out — in a used Corvair van. He considers living in a house a luxury. Living Out Keeps the Tigers and Gorillas Away The fight to be your own person while attending a university can be a real hassle. Robert Noriega (he calls himself Roman) retains his individualism by living in a small van instead of a house or an apartment. (He also retains more of his money.) His story is worth sharing. ONCE THERE was a man trapped in a long narrow corridor. The exit at one end was blocked by a man-eating tiger and the other exit was blocked by a blood- crazed gorilla. The two animals saw the man and charged with homicidal intent. The man seemed to have two choices, getting mauled by the tiger or being pulled apart by the gorilla. Acting fast, since he did not like either choice, he braced his back against one wall and his feet against the other and climbed out of the way. While the ani- mals were fighting he escaped out of one exit. With other students going to a commuter-college, I was faced with a decision, to live with a relative or to get an apartment. Neither of the choices appealed to me. The trivial questioning about activities, friends, hours, etc, that I get when living at home upset me. On the other hand the expense ($30-100 de- pending on your style of life) the many rules and regulations of landlords and the difficulty of finding a location that is convenient is another consideration. Having experienced the difficulties connected with both choices, I have found a third choice. Last summer I bought a used Corvair van. Slowly and inexpensively, with scrap wood, card- board, cloth, and odds and ends I have fixed it up for living. It is not large, but it will serve for studying, sleeping, some cooking, and other limited activities. Most of my acquaintances know what I am doing and have asked me why. There is no simple reason; in fact I don't know all of the answer myself. I have never liked anyone telling me what to do, but it turned from a general dislike to an almost pathological hatred in the army. I used to see red when an incompetent, bigoted, conceited, stupid sergeant ordered me to do something. The only reason that he kept on ordering me around instead of me sending him to the hospital is that the law will squash me if I say anything except Yes, sergeant. 30