Neon

So I have a hangover. From two Cactus cups. That is downright embarrassing. My sojourn to Boilermaker territory last night was fabulous, however, so today's headache can suck it. Angela graciously agreed to venture with me to the Cactus, Purdue's piano bar/Indiana's largest dance club, and off we went! Getting out of the county was a bit of a struggle (stubbed two toes within two minutes and hit my head on my car door upon departure; sat at the pay window at McDonald's drive thru for an awkwardly long time before I realized there was a separate pick-up window; dropped a melty orange M&M on my white tank; and nearly collided with an SUV who turned into my lane) but the rest of our drive was filled with great conversation. When we reached West Lafayette we parked and headed onto campus for some sightseeing. I was in serious dork mode--I could have teared up looking at nearly every building I'd been in or hill I'd laid on. I honestly felt a sense of warmth for the nasty Union couches on which I used to nap between classes.

Anyway, we stopped for a few pictures (see below) and then met up with Kaveh, an amazing poet who student taught in our department this year. We grabbed Thai food, got ready, and walked down to the Cactus. We promptly turned around and walked back because we'd forgotten the two forms of I.D. rule. We found that ironic because we were maybe the oldest people in the bar, but the doorman was a stickler for rules. Lame. Once validated and inside, we rocked out to Piano Man Bruce, sat a few tables away from some Boilermaker basketball players (Robbie Hummel and Chris Kramer, to namedrop a couple), and had silly, college fun. We also spent some time on the dance floor, my home away from home. I like to think I'm a good dancer, but even if I'm not, put some good music on and you will find me shaking my tailfeather, getting my groove on, and a third reference for symmetry sake that I cannot think of right now. Angela and I have both mastered the art of dancing away from people we don't want to dance with, so with no creepers attached we laughed and bounced around and attempted to learn the wobble. I don't know where I've been for the last two years but it seemed like everyone in the club but me knew the moves. I'm working on it for my next dance club outing. I'm sure Zach will be thrilled. **Sarcasm**

Purdue's Bell Tower

Then we ventured up to campus for a Green Dragon at Harry's. I don't particularly like Green Dragons (melon liquer among other things) but it felt like a very Purdue way to end the night. There, next to the popcorn machine, we ran into some Sigma Chi guys we'd met earlier in the night. A giant conference was going on with representation from fraternities across the nation, so there were even more dudes than usual at Purdue. The two gentlemen by the popcorn were very friendly. Earlier, one of them (Jordan) had taught me to shag. Before you think I went all Kristen Stewart on my husband, rest assured. This type of shagging was done on the dance floor to southern music. Alex, the other gentleman, was nursing an amicable breakup with the girl he loves. Angela and I made it our mission at Harry's to find Jordan a girl and keep Alex from getting sad about his. Angela concocted a back story that we were two pairs of siblings, Jordan and I and she and Alex, all four of us were cousins, and I was in town interviewing for a new teaching position. Quite convoluted, but a sweet girl celebrating her 21st totally bought it and thought we were very nice sisters to be hanging out with our bros at a bar.

We made it safely back to Kaveh's for a short sleep before heading back home to return to our busy adult lives. It was a short but incredibly sweet walk down memory lane, a night to just have fun and make memories, and I am so happy we made the trip. I also relearned the chant piano bar patrons scream at someone caught texting. Sadly, there are zero words in the chant suitable for use in my classroom.

The next week is chock full to the brim of things to do. Cheerleading, dentist, parents' anniversary, waterpark, school prep, school prep, school prep. I'm tired just thinking about it all! And, I'm still hungover.




Me naturally posed atop the Engineering Fountain

Angela modeling ever so kindly for me

Heavilon Hall, home of English majors and countless hours of my life, soon to be torn down. I almost stole something from one of the classrooms but thought better of it.