April 22, 2005 - 2:20 p.m. I went to a frat party last night. Well, actually, I went to a concert last night. A nice band called Caroline's Spine was playing outside on the field where the football/soccer teams practice. Spencer likes them (I'd never heard of them except from him) and so we and our friend John decided to go. We took our picnic blanket and spread it out on the nicely groomed grass. Now this field is directly situated between the backs of the fraternity houses and the backs of the sorority houses. So naturally, all the frats and the majority of the sororities showed up in full swing. They brought the couches out from their houses and their 12 packs of Cherry Coke in which the cans were printed Bud Light (how'd that happen) and their lemonade bottles that were only half pink lemonade and half vodka. It wasn't so bad until it started getting dark when more people came out and the intoxicated roar grew steadily louder. Eventually, the wind started to blow cold and John abandoned us and Spencer and I wrapped up in the blanket and talked to each other sitting on the grass in the middle of this rock concert gone awry. It was the weirdest feeling to look up and realize that we had our own little enclave in which there was no alcohol or yelling. Eventually we left when the din of the crowd overwhelmed the music. I had a great time, but it had nothing to do with who was there or what we were drinking. I can't help but look disdainfully down on the fraternity types. I don't want to pass judgement on them, except that they seem so shallow. And I don't mind a little responsible social drinking, but I don't understand the frat party mentality where drinking is event of the evening. The band was just background for them as they alternated between standing in groups and drinking and just sitting and drinking. It seems pointless and not very fun. But maybe that's just my naive sober little eyes looking out. Maybe it's just a personality difference. Whatever it is, I'd rather stay the way I am. ...before & after...