Well I’m all checked into the University of Louisville, unpacked, organised and at a diner having some salad and a small pizza for an early dinner/late lunch. This place is huge. Bloody huge. And I am thoroughly over-excited!
Starting with a late checkout at the hotel, enabling me to watch repeat episodes of ER and The Family Guy from the comfort of my King Size bed.. today is a good day indeed. I caught a cab here (expensive!) and had a completely mad driver who lectured me on American politics from the moment I shut the passenger door.. he was overweight with very long grey hair, a lazy eye and glasses – and waxed lyrical on the downfall of the republican party, explained that he was a conservative, not a republican and George Bush had personally let him down by being a Republican in Conservative clothing.
Once finished on that rant – half of which I didn’t understand – and during which I nodded encouragement as he swore and spat on the steering wheel.. he launched into the gun ownership debate – and whilst staring at me with his lazy eye.. and concurrently watching the road.. he said “If you were a burgler would you break into a guys house who HAD a gun, or the guys house who didn’t!? I mean.. sure – the guy with the gun will have nicer stuff.. but at least if you burgle the no-gun house you’ll come out with something AND your life.” – it was logic I couldn’t dispute and so I continued to murmur support and encouragement.. at least to get him to train both eyes on the road (as impossible as that seemed to be).
Just prior to settling into this restaurant I visited the University Bookstore for a bit of a lark. I love stationery and thought maybe (as if I don’t have enough crap to carry) I could pick up something freshly pressed, lined, and ruled with spiral binding.. But instead I walked into the store only to find it open up inside like a giant stadium with two young guys behind the counter who reminded me VERY much of the comic book store guy in The Simpsons, crossed with the guys in Clerks.
I had a look around and chanced upon something most extraordinary – which really prompted me to sit my ass down and tell you about it.
They have SORORITY AND FRATERNITY merchandise. MERCHANDISE!!
Not just a book cover.. we’re talking colour coded nail files, shot glasses, cosmetic items, post it notes, pens, diaries, hair accessories and car license plate covers. Apparently it’s big business, and according to Clerk 1, and Clerk 2 students don’t think twice about dropping buy to pay $200 or so for their colour coded greek items. I’m going to sneak back in there, and chat with the geeky boys to see if I can take a photo of the stand as really?! Its ridiculous.
Apparently the Delta Zeta girls are the slut blonde sorority – so I’m going to buy some of their merchandise to support the whoring and show my appreciation for bimbos who can comfortably rest their ankles behind their heads for hours.
