By Bro. Bill Parrish 9-GE-87
If you can recall the original Virginia Beach parties at the far end of the beach long before all the out-of-towners arrived and the car shows started to take precedent; it was nothing but good food, fine honeys, real partying and the best of fun. So look around and you’re on the beach, but hurry ’cause school is about to start. If you weren’t there for football practice in early August then you probably hadn’t been exposed to the Bruhs who were already wreckin’ shop on-campus and off. Guess who? It’s Thomas Gosier and Kevin Bettis who actually got the party started, if you know what I mean. You’re a sophomore, its early September, ’bout 90 degrees every day and cold brews cool your palm when you’re not studying or reaching out to touch something hot… Got the info packet and actually started studyin’ freshman year after the ’86 Bruhs ripped up the block one February night.
From the Inside Out, Then…
10/29/86 – There is a smoker1 in the Early Childhood Cafe2. So you can go, but you know how it is. Those things are usually just for show, ’cause by now you know all the Bruhs; but don’t fugg up. You were traveling by two’s to that huge oak tree at the far end of campus weren’t you? You did elect a president for that special group of guys you started hanging out with; trying to get to know them including they’re names, mothers’ names, fathers’ names, and other important facts about those same guys you might have the opportunity to spend 4 weeks with in January dressing alike and marching around the yard together bonding, correct? I’m sure you did, but what kind of medical coverage do you have? You won’t have the answer if you aren’t there on that night. Who do you know? You hope there are all 30+ active Bruhs in the chapter not including all the visiting and grad Bruhs in the area, and transfer Bruhs in school finishing credits. You know why? ‘Cause it’s the 75th anniversary of the frat and you should be working hard for Omega. You should, by now, feel the presence of slurred speech as you desperately try to remember things you need to know, or maybe even taste the sweat dripping from your ever frowning brow as you summon the strength to get through the night and still have energy to carry out the day’s errands, prepare the chores for the night, and still make it to class and excel in your studies ’cause, after all, that’s what its all about right? Yeah, I thought so. But by now its only November of ’86 and your plate is full, but you realize there are fewer and fewer of you each day. It’s difficult to spread the wealth when the volunteers appear to be bowing out of the contest – gracefully, leaving a steadily dwindling number of dedicated but unproven characters who said they wanted to be down. “Well, prove it,” you always say! How are you’re resources? Do you have any cash? Good, ’cause you’ll need it. Better yet, do you have any skills? ‘Cause you’ll need them, too. “Resources are resources,” you always say, but can you get me a color television? Be creative and let me see what you come up with. Oh yeah, and a 2-piece. Do you need any cash? Well here is $20. Make certain you bring my $19.95 change back, unless you need a loan. Then that’s different. You know my rates are high and well above prime, correct?
I don’t know any KFC in the world that would sell you 2 chicken legs and no biscuit in a 2-piece. But you know what? That was creative. But you still have to pay damages. Finally, midterms are about to be over and you can’t wait to go home for Thanksgiving. What? You’re going home? Damn. Too bad you live in Hampton. Anyway, I hope you know how to cook and stretch $5.00 into enough food to feed like 30 people. “Spaghetti,” I always say, “with very little sauce and lots of water; and bread for that filling effect.” Oh, yeah, I hope yall can fit into one room because you really should be that close already. And know everything about each other; and about what you say you want to be down with. “Yeah, but I’m tired of sleeping with you guys and being in this room. I want to go take a shower and sleep in my own bed in my dorm room,” one fellow says to the group. As the group replies, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you and also you realize it is safer to be where you are not ’cause sometimes people run into the wrong types at night. Especially when they’re supposed to be with others and the leave the security of the group for personal reasons.”
Well, now it’s on! And out of you 25 guys there happen to be 12 available spots, so who’s down? How bad do you want it and exactly how long did it take you to return from X-mas break? And since you’ve been back, where have you been? What does the letter say, if you were able to read? And hurry ’cause time is of the essence, if you know what I mean. Got matches? And I hope you can strike them sheitz with your fingers ’cause you will need it. Did I hear you say you wanted this? Are you sure? Well, you can’t be sure ’cause you really don’t know what you’re getting into. And if you did, I guarantee you would retreat.
Have you ever felt you’re eyes burn with anger; tremble with tension? Or has your desire darkened? Have you seen the days, the hours roll on end until they make one huge week, or month? I thought there were only 24 hours in a day, but then again, what’s a day? That’s all I’m going to say about that. But I will say: If you didn’t wish for it to end, or try to reason on why it was all occuring, or even pray to God for deliverance, than you really were not there and the actual Hostage Crisis is occuring now!
And you actually happen to be a BCT3 major? If so, you would do something about that open bin with all the spare wood used for framing houses. But in the meantime, we’ll just make use of this stuff to inspire you onto greater heights. How many push-ups can you do? You don’t know? Want to bet? I do know that you should invest in some lemons and also honey just in case you need it.
By the way, what day is it, anyway? When is the last time you ate/showered/slept? Can’t remember? Then you’re on the right track. Just remember that your reward will last a lifetime, if that is what it truly is. Did I hear you say you’re hungry enough to eat glue and glitter, or do you chew on words of the day for encouragement? Does you’re brain have the capacity to remember all of this stuff? Or has it been shredded by now due to faulty thinking, or too much thinking because you actually don’t think about anything you do? If you’re doing it right; that’s the beauty of it all. Hey, what are you reaching for #4? And what do you see in the air in front of you? Where is your back, #2? And #1, where have you been? #9, can you swim? I do hope you’re telling the truth. We’ll see anyway. But be strong. If not, #11 or #6 will pay your damages if they’re caught. “…Go to class,” you say? Who me? With these shades on after that #12 leather jacket incident? Is it really butter or parkay? That is only for #10 to know and for you to find out. But if you are smart you would add #3, #5, and #8 and end up some where near Richrock. Lucky #7 will follow you if you keep the charm, though; unless someone else is missing again. ‘Cause I’m getting tired of this. Have you ever hated a day like Valentines’s Day? It’s such a beautiful day. Or is it? Roses are quite prickly, but cab tickets have to get sold. So can I write you down for a book of (10), my friend? It’s okay if you cannot pay, because you’re credit is good with me if you need a loan or even if you need to pay my rent. Am I Blue? Why? ‘Cause soon there will be a huge gathering of folks to see you get down and bend your back to the latest tunes. And I hope you really do well because if you don’t then I don’t know what I might sell to pay the damages.
From the Inside Out, Today…
You all know what I’m saying, you all know what i mean. But the joy experienced, after the Earth cooled caused my soul to scream… in agony, pain, restlessness, triumph, and victory.
But you were there. You remember, don’t you? Or were you missing also? Seems that there has been a lot of that going on. It has been sort of like a Hostage Crisis, you know? One is captured and then released. Then 3 more are captured and while negotiating release, yet another is captured. Or they are all missing. That can happen too. But, then again, that would never happen because it’s a Hostage Crisis 12.
It was real and I hope you can remember!