The Urban Legend Of The Tulsa Center Of The Universe

For over a year and a half now I had heard about the Tulsa Center Of The Universe, which is an acoustical anomaly in downtown Tulsa. There is a spot where there are stones in a small circle surrounded by a larger circle. According to what I have been told and read online if you were to stand in the smaller circle and speak anybody standing outside the larger circle would not be able to hear you, no matter how loud you raised your voice. Also, if the person standing outside the larger circle were to speak it would be distorted and you would be unable to understand them. That was the rumor at least.

Last weekend my wife, son and mother-in-law and I were in that general area so I decided that the time had come for me to find out what the truth was. As it turned out the truth was something altogether different. I first told my family to see if they could hear me and then I stood inside the small circle and began to speak. Immediately I did notice that my voice had a strange echo but much to my dismay they understood me clearly. I then told them to talk to me and I encountered the same from them, I could clearly understand everything they said even with the echo. They all took turns standing in the small circle and the result was the same.

I couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed. Perhaps I had built the whole thing up in my head and was expecting this marvelous, mystical experience that was unexplainable even to science. Instead I found that while there is an acoustical anomaly it is minor at best. Still, it was fun to do as a family and at least now I know the truth. If I ever have the chance to investigate another urban legend I know I'll do it in a heartbeat however perhaps I'll be able to lower my expectations to a more realistic level. Nah, probably not. 

Written and Published by Don Leach. May not be used without permission from the author.

On Saturday night I was able to see Will Hoge for free at Mayfest in Tulsa. To see an artist of his caliber let alone for free at an event like this is incredible. I missed the first few minutes of the show because I couldn't find his location. As it turned out there were two separate areas in downtown Tulsa that had streets blocked off and I wasn't in the one I wanted to be in. After I found where he was playing I was finally able to reach my wife by cellphone and she and our son found their way to me. My son enjoyed the music but by the time it was over at 11 PM he was more than ready to go home. 

 

At that point we had been there for about five hours and even though we missed the hottest part of the day (92 degrees) it was still plenty hot and we had walked around a good bit. There were lots of vendors there selling everything imaginable under the sun and lots of interesting looking people as well an exhibit of cars as art. After the sun went down it cooled off nicely which made listening to the music all that more enjoyable. This was the first time I've ever gone to Mayfest but if they keep bringing quality musicians like Will Hoge I guarantee it won't be the last.

Written and Published by Don Leach. May not be used without permission from the author.

Ever Been Called For Jury Duty?

I'm halfway through my first day of jury duty and I thought I'd share my thoughts so far. While I'm not extremely familiar with downtown Tulsa normally I can find my way without too much trouble. Not today though. The street I wanted to turn down was closed for construction which led to a lengthy detour and as a result I wasn't too sure of where I was. In the end I parked (illegally) at DHS and had to hoof it back over there on break so that I could park in the correct place.

Checking in took a long time as there seemed to be at least two hundred people here, if not more. We were given instructions about the process and then people were chosen for three groups to go upstairs (we're down in the basement, just like at work) for the voir dire. That's where you are questioned and either chosen for the jury or returned to the bowels of the building to await another potential selection. At some point if not chosen and there are no more juries to be selected for the day we may be released. Basically just like the Army it's a lot of waiting.

Good points so far:

We were sent to lunch early and actually had an hour and thirty five minutes which is thirty five more than I get total for the night at work.

I was able to eat my lunch outside in the open air where the sky was blue and the temperature wasn't too bad. Well, maybe if you're walking it seems hot but not when you're sitting in the shade. Thankfully it's not as hot as it's been in recent weeks and the forecast (for what that's worth) doesn't call for a return to triple digits.

If it does get too hot while on break the wonderfully sweet air conditioning at the Central Library is waiting right across the plaza. The walk is so short you won't even break into a sweat.

I don't have to pay for parking which can really add up in downtown Tulsa and that's money I don't have to spend.

My employer pays me to be on jury duty and I don't have to use vacation time. Bonus!

I get to spend time writing (like I am right now) and reading without being constantly bombarded with questions. So while it's not exactly a vacation it is a vacation from work.

Bad points so far:

I have to get up really early in the morning to get ready, get my son ready for school and then make it here in traffic on time. I've never been mistaken for a morning person and it's a bit rough for me to be up so early.

There is a lot of waiting. After a while even writing and reading can get boring. Perhaps I'll be able to doze off for a bit and get a little rest.

That's it so far. Time will tell if I am to be chosen or if I sit here in the lower level, rejected by all suitors. Sounds like the story of my life.

Written and Published by Don Leach. May not be used without permission from the author.