I mentioned in my previous post that I got a laptop. Right now, I’m sitting in the library, at a table in the middle of the room. No wires, no cords, but still an internet connection. Wonderful. I’m told that he Campus is in the top ten finalists for a grant that will allow the entire campus to go wireless. That would mean that I could go anywhere on campus, and still check my e-mail, write a Blog post, and so on.

Funny thing I noticed last week–someone viewed my website from the University of Portland about two days before I got here. The referring link was from the forum on my free webhost-someone else here must be using aloofhosting. It’s a small world..

Went to the game, where the Pilots won 1-0. I got there about halftime, and joined up with the drum squad. I don’t remember if I’ve mentioned the squad yet, so here goes.

Basically, lots of Villans bring lots of drums to all the home soccer games. We beat out rhythms, encourage the players, and heckle the other team. Today, #4 from the other team (UAB, which I think is University of Alabama Birmingham) kept having his shoe come untied. We looked in the program and found out that his name was Jason. And so every time his shoe was untied, we’d all yell for him to tie it, etc. Then came the offers to buy him velcro shoes, and so on. When a player subs out, we all chant Right, Left, Right as they walk off the field, and then ‘Sit down’ as they do. The two games I’ve been to, both times at least one player has gotten frustrated by us and taken a funny hop step, or several small steps in a row, or faked us out as to when he’s going to sit down.
Then we have the cheers. This game, towards the end, when we were up 1-0, we sang, to the tune of “Sweet Home Alabama”, the following. “Go home Alabama/Jason tie your shoe.” and so on. Every goal results in the Pilots flag being run down to the goal and dipped once for each point we have, as we count off each point. Then if their score is zero, we line up and sing , to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, something like the following: “One-nil, one-nil, one-nil, one-nil/one-nil, one-nil, one-nil/…”.

In general, we try to rattle the other team, and support the Pilots. I’m told that the legacy of the Villa Drum Squad is that no one likes coming to Portland to play. Apparently, the word is out. I’m told that Good Day Oregon, a morning talk show in the region, is intending to do a segment on the Squad, and may do an interview Wednesday. We’re going to be out in force for the first ever night game this Friday, and they may also be there to film us in action.

Lots of reading to do tonight, so that’s it until later.

–Nathan

PS: Not all technology is smart. While spell checking this post, Blogger Spell Ckeck didn’t recognize the word Blog. And Blogger’s only product is blogs!

For the first time in a few weeks, I’m using a computer that I can do anything I want to on. My Dad and sister came in Sunday with my loft, and my laptop, which had been delivered to my Uncle Pete the a day or two previously. I’m having lots of fun setting it up properly. (Take that sentence literally, or with a hint of sarcasm, either way, you’ll be correct.)

My dad had built the loft at home, and then disassembled it for delivery. It took less than an hour to set up and everything. Then we went through all the stuff I had asked for, and all the stuff that Mom had decided to send out with them. I now have a fairly large stockpile of food, mainly crackers, granola bars, and fruit.

On my way back to the dorm after my last class, I noticed that the Men’s Soccer was playing again. I think I’ll make this a short post and wander over to see the rest of the game–it started at 2:30. I may even join up with the drum squad.

Go Pilots!

–Nathan

Currently sitting on bench outside quad. Lots to say, let’s see how much fits in.

We recently (11:00) finished with the traditional Mehling serenade. All the boys of Villa (men’s dorm) get together and serenade the girls of Mehling Hall (girls dorm). This time we sang “Too Good To Be True”. The girls really seem to love it. You would not believe the amount of screaming coming out the windows looking down on the quad–you would think they were at a concert or something! We added to it by doing the theatrical gesture of getting down on one knee and extending an arm upward as we sang the final line, “Let me love you” More wild screaming. Then we had a social on the quad. Otter pops and glow sticks were provided, and music courtesy of the Villan Sound system. I ‘mingled’ for a while, and repeated lots of people’s names (“I’m Ryan.” “Ryan. Nice to meet you, I’m Nathan.”), but all in all, not my cup of tea.

I’m told there’s a midnight showing of a highlights video of Villan activities from last year. Should be interesting. Notable activities I already know about, which I will undoubtedly expand upon later, are the Villan Drum Squad, the Man Auction Fund Raiser, and a relay.

The arrival here was an experience. There were signs all the way down from the freeway in, directing you to the dorms. The dorms seem to have had a competition. Various things, like the fencerow of Corrado signs and the Burma-Shave style Mehling Poem. Villa clearly lost the sign competition (if indeed there was one), but by no means does that indicate a lack of spirit.
As we arrived, we heard this dramatic, crashing music. Turns out, Villa Maria has christened themselves the Villans, or more descriptively, pirates.

[Edit: Actually, the pirate – Villan correlation was a coincidence. This year’s theme was pirates, last year’s theme was road construction. Most doors have a pirate themed label, and everyone has a skull and crossbones flag on the door, with their name and hometown. A few doors in the basement still sport the construction themed signs from last year, though.]

End of this entry, as I moved inside to watch the video.