We Are (I am) Penn State!

Rarely, does a game of pure sport, bridled in the role of spectator, engage me. Rarely, does the televised version of anything light such a fire in me as to force monumental emotion to erupt from the inside, and rain down on the outside world. But tonight ladies and gentleman, tonight, the game of Penn State (my alma mater) vs. Florida State was un-f–king believable.

PSU, the place of pristine joy and partiness which i fondly look back on as the pinnacle of my free spirited life. FSU, the monstrousity of a university which both purported to engage in philosophy, and kicked me out for my style of it, and is the place of the first meeting of the infamous D.

It was a fight, a battle, and something reallytrulydeeply was on the line. These teams never play, and whenever we had a friendly North-South disagreement, I always touted PSU’s football prowless.

But more importantly, PSU hadn’t been in a bowl game in years, and hadn’t honestly been "up to par" since the year i graduated. I think back to those years, to going to those PSU games; to squeezing into Beaver Stadium and its 110,000 fans, cheering for PSU, so much that im sure the 4 corners of PA could hear us. The tailgate parties, the roaring/cheering and utter madness of the event….and a real, true understanding of being a part of something great, of having pride in something spectacular, and loving it.

I havent gone to a game since i graduated; and i would be lying if i said i didn’t miss it.

But sitting in my familys house tonight, watching the game on tv, watching the seesaw action of wearewinningohnowearelosingohyeswearewinningagain!

Triple overtime, an almost 5 hour game, and finally victory.

I was shouting during the whole game "YES!" "DAMN!" NOOOOO" and the like. I felt it. the old magic, the heart and soul of PSU and what its about.

It brought back memories of the Cremery, of dates with B, sex in the stacks of the library, wonderous philosophical debates and parties, my best pal Bob, my consistent gaming group, the downtown arcade where every game, no matter how new or fancy, was only 25 cents, 23 bars in a 3 block radius, cheap shots, hard drinks, and a bus that runs until 2:30 am, and which was the most fun public transportation vehicle i have ever ridden on. From moments of philosophy class, professors and compliments, madness and arguments, drunken fights with B, abortions and drives to pittsburgh, skiing on mount nittany, my god i could go on forever.

And it all came back, it was all so real, as i watched and screamed, and my mother, and grandparents looked on disinterested. "they are gonna lose, i know it" the curmudgeons reeked, but NO is screamed, "they will will, they must win." For all that is good in the world, they had to. I muttered how my family never once came up for a game, and mumbled how "they could never understand until they go to one."

And they won, and at 1am, in a house full of sleeping old people, i screamed out in triumph; justice once again served.

So many people from here, my mothers-friends-children, talk to me about "where to go to school." Always, i spout of the joy of PSU. Its like nothing else, 50,000 students, people and individuals learning, partying, and at just the right level of academics to be serious, intellectual and worthwhile, but not snotty enough to be full of the inane behavior and ego tree that saturates law school.

Grats to PSU on its fine Orange Bowl victory, well earned, and well fought.

I still bleed blue and white, under all this black. Always good to know what this flesh hides, what pride and power still prevails.

Pennsylvania Pride, B—ches.

Oodles o’ love,

Erotique