COLUMN & CREATIVE WRITING
THE ROAD TO CHINESE DRAGONHOOD Rebecca Brothers Columnist By week four of fall quarter, things have usually settled into a comfortingly familiar state of panic. The first set of colds has made the rounds just in time for midterms, and the farmers’ market forces you to consider how many varieties of pumpkin you can put on your doorstep before you turn into the gourd equivalent of a crazy cat lady. The daily apparel decision has gone from “sundress vs. shorts” to “sweater vs. coat.” The most commonly heard question on campus is no longer “What’s your major?” or “Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?”, but “What’s your costume for the Barn Party?”
“She rejected string theory as ‘too nerdy,’ then suggested that I go as a hydrogen ion.”
GYC
The Barn Party is one of many things that has stamped WWU forever on my heart, partly because I enjoy any chance to stop studying and go out with friends, and partly because you’ve got to love a place where pumpkins can be a theological issue. The costume decision, however, does present a bit of a pickle. When I was a freshman, my sister and I went to Goodwill for plaid skirts, borrowed ties from obliging male friends, and went as British schoolgirls. The year after that, two friends and I bought tulle at Le Wal Marté and dressed up as teabags. Last year
PERSPECTIVE
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CRAYOLA EYES Jalynn Berglund
I ran several ideas past my sister (Freudian slip, Emily Dickinson, string theory, Betty Crocker, Emily Webb) and watched them all go down in flames. (She rejected string theory as “too nerdy,” then suggested that I go as a hydrogen ion.) In the end, I dithered until fifteen minutes before the Barn Party, got out my old British schoolgirl costume, and finally arrived at the WEC dressed as a homeless English major before getting recruited to be one-ninth of a Chinese dragon. This year, I’m still conflicted, but at least I’ve narrowed it down to a ceiling fan or a short-haired Amy Pond.
Contributing Writer Blizzard Blue, Cerulean
Denim and Caribbean Green. I try to create your eyes Using my box of Crayola, But it turns out so dull, a Sad replica — after twenty tries.
Here are five costume ideas that I’m betting we’ll see at this year’s Barn Party:
No way to color in
1. The Avengers. You can’t earn $207 million in the U.S. on opening weekend and not have doppelgängers make an appearance at the ASWWU Barn Party. It simply isn’t done.
The way you whispered “you’re mine,”
The laughter, the mystery,
Just by looking at me.
When staring in your eyes,
2. Obama and Romney. Extra points if you accessorize with the respective dogs.
My whole body would tingle. Maybe if I add Manatee,
3. Gru and some Minions, from Despicable Me. You just can’t go wrong with Minions.
A touch of Periwinkle.
4. Psy. I won’t pretend to have an in-depth understanding of “Gangnam Style,” but from what I’ve heard, it’s the 2012 equivalent of the hula hoop.
The tip crumbles. My frustration Crushes the little crayon. You were never going to leave.
5. Meme characters. The easiest options are probably Bad Luck Brian, Ermahgerd, and Conspiracy Keanu, but if you want to go the extra mile, there’s always Philosoraptor, Joseph Ducreux, Sarcastic Willy Wonka, and Socially Awkward Penguin. Group costumes, I’ve noticed, seem to be the way to go. They solve that ticklish problem of walking into the gym by oneself, and they tend to open up a lot more options. Star Wars characters, the Wizard of Oz group, meteorological phenomena, the food pyramid, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs ... the options are infinite, assuming you don’t wait until 7:59 on Saturday night to decide.
Remember? That was the plan!
Blizzard Blue, Cerulean Denim and Caribbean Green. Baby, I miss your eyes.
Photos by ASWWU (Barn Party 2011)