I feel sick and sore. The "Summer Birthdays" party last night in Rock Show Girl's room was probably a bad idea, or at least drinking at it was. Though, for what it's worth, I met a few music students and talked to my neighbors from freshman year, the D.J. and Nick-From-Next-Door.

The rest of the weekend was less regrettable. Lawrence grad and would-be author Elizabeth K. Bates was up this weekend, and I defied expectations yesterday afternoon by accepting a casual invitation to watch the football game with her and Representative Man. It's a long walk from here to the Banta Bowl, and we had some decent conversation.

(I probably should have broken off then and there, but I met them — after an awkward car ride with two trivia masters I barely know — at some restaurant which that set is always making a big deal about. The Politician showed up soon enough and things were less strange. But I was done, after that.)

On Friday night, once we got around to entertaining ourselves, the Politician and I took Freshman Matt to the Viking Room, our campus bar. They played darts, and I made a scene by leaving through the fire door before joining them for a round of cutthroat on the free pool table. Lax enforcement be praised.

New rule: No drinking more than two nights in a row.