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Monday, April 20. 2009
Party Walk
Ever been in that netherworld when you’re too foggy to do anything substantive yet too awake to fall asleep? It’s like being on small doses of narcotics; not enough to get you high, just enough to dull your senses. At this moment, my mind is blocked, thick with nothingness and the only remedy seems to be … well, nothing really.A few days ago I ran out of the Vicodin so this isn’t the narcotics having an effect. It’s just a routine blah. Curious because earlier on Sunday my mind was racing with ideas. My brain needs physical stimulation to be active, as in physical activity. Back when I was on the Trusty Trek everyday the ideas seemed to flow constantly. Now, somewhat confined in my lifestyle, my brain mirrors that dull reality.
This just woke me up: Playboy released its Top Ten Party Schools for 2009 and two of my favorite schools ranked! Wisconsin-Madison at #6 (#1 on the previous list in 2006) and San Diego State University at #3. Now, most parents who spend their hard-earned dollars might look askance at such designations — especially if they went to college and suffered the indignity of trying to navigate an 8:30 a.m. class after a night of shots — but for those who are entering college, it’s all about the night life baby!Ah yes Wisconsin! Anybody who’s been to Madcity knows the nickname is not false advertising. Back in the day when my eldest brother Carl was attending during the height of the Vietnam War, when Wisconsin was a bastion of anti-war protest, I loved visiting for the weekends just to soak up the drug and beer addled throngs massed on State St. agitating for an end to the war. As I recall, it was the May Day Riot of 1970 that I first experienced the pleasures of being tear-gassed! I had arrived!
Then, in 1978, the Pail and Shovel Party won control of the Student Government and gave student political affairs the seriousness they deserved — which was none. Probably the most memorable stunt performed by Pail and Shovel: they put a life-size replica of the top of the Statue of Liberty on the ice of frozen Lake Mendota, one of the two lakes that border the campus. Now that was funny! They also filled Bascom Hill with thousands of pink flamingos, the lawn decoration variety.The student body has been desperately trying to live up to that reputation ever since with great results! I can’t think of a time when Wisconsin hasn’t made Playboy’s Top Ten Party School list. I’d be a terrible parent ‘cause if I had a child looking to attend Wisconsin, I’d be promoting the party scene! My siblings who are parents assure me that wouldn’t be the case—and all of them were, at one time, hellashis partiers themselves, but I like to think I’m … err … different.
Academically it ain’t for lightweights either. Don’t bother applying if your GPA isn’t NASA grade.
And then there’s SDSU. I might sign up for classes just to soak in the ambiance. Here’s the best part about San Diego State: it’s so nice and warm for eight months of the year the coeds walk around in various stages of undress all day long. How effin’ bad can that be! “Jeez Tim! Grow up!” I did that once but decided to go back to having fun. Last year I lived pretty close to SDSU and would often get on and depart the trolley from the SDSU trolley station. It was a feast for the eyes in April and May!When I’m given the OK to jump on the Trusty Trek I will get on down to SDSU just to check it out! Unfortunately, that won’t occur until after spring classes are concluded. On the other hand, it’s a great place to start a weekend journey to the beach since many of the coeds attending summer classes board the trolley with their beach cruisers and head for Mission Beach. Met some nice, studious coeds last summer!
Just an example of how hard they party at San Diego State: last year several fraternities were kicked off campus after getting busted for dealing drugs. Seventy-five students were arrested. Now that’s hardcore.
Summer is near, the weather is getting warm and these sorts of rankings are important. At least for some of us. Sunday, we had record high temps in San Diego so my friend John took me to Pacific Beach for my recuperative walk. And it was great! We walked for an hour!
We parked on Cass and Law Streets, just three blocks from the beach and shuffled on down. Once we got to the beach walk, we headed south to Grand Avenue, about six blocks, taking in the sights. It was like a summer day! The place was packed. You want to know why many people live in San Diego? Check out the beach at Grand Avenue!
The downside of the walk was that heading to Grand from Cass and Law was all down hill. You see Law Street ends on a bluff overlooking the beach. So the return was uphill, but we did it. Three months ago I couldn’t have walked half that distance. Today, even with my stamina being low, I was able to make the stroll easily enough, no chest or leg pains whatsoever.
As much as I might bitch about the pain and droopiness of my present state, the operation was worth it; the suffering is worth it. Typing on this keyboard still tightens up my pec muscles a little painfully, but it is worth it. By the time I’m given the green light to pedal the Trek, my stamina should be much improved and then I’ll be pedaling everywhere. Won’t need to call people for rides.It’s really my intention to lose a lot of weight again, get down to 150 pounds and continue living a healthy life style. This bypass operation has given me new vigor and I plan to take advantage of it. “We only live once,” the saying goes and I don’t intend to live the end of my life as a cardiac invalid. There’s too much of the naughty boy in me for that.
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