Keeping up with the Joneses

"Never keep up with the Joneses. Drag them down to your level. It's cheaper." Quentin Crsip

When I graduated high school and began at UChicago, I thought, "Ohh, this is the crazy party scene I've always hear about."

When I transferred to IU from Chicago, I realized, "Ohh, no, these people really know how to party. This is the crazy party scene."

But, today, when I read about Dune Southhampton, I discovered actually, that this is really a crazy party. Thousands of dollars being spent on cars required to arrive in, clothes required to get in and drinks required to stay in.

I cannot imagine spending $50,000 in one weekend just to party. That's a lot of money. I mean, you couldn't go to the moon or anything for that price, but it's still quite a hefty sum.

Last night, we decided we would not begin our evening at Kilroys because the drinks were $8 a piece. I fear that those charging a $2,000 drink minimum in Southhampton would not welcome us with open arms (but hey, you never know).

But I guess you do what you have to do to stay in. At Chicago, it didn't take a lot of effort to stay in. I just had to dress the part. When I came to IU, it required a little more money and a slight wardrobe enhancement, but it's easy to keep up. At Dune Southhampton, it takes a whole lot more money, clothing and schmoozing. But if it's worth it to them, it's their choice. They're just keeping up with the Joneses. I guess I just didn't realize the Joneses were models and millionaires...

...maybe keeping up with the Rockefellers is a little more accurate.

I spy a newbie...

There are the ones that are easy to spot (lanyards around their necks, campus maps in hand).

There are the ones that would blend right in but are still easy to spot because of their parents (running around Bed Bath & Beyond with the actual checklist the store offers online, pen in hand, wondering out loud if the outlet strip or the outlet with flexi-arms is really better...and in which color?).

And finally there are the ones who think they blend in, but are actually act so apathetic (oh too cool) that they stand out. Really, it's OK to care about your bedding, you are going to sleep on it most nights. And it doesn't make you cooler if you mock your parents when they ask you if you want a minifridge or a microfridge.

Without a doubt, they're the freshmen.

Because I remember my first day on campus (someone pointed me about a mile in the opposite direction of the most well-known class building...), I have a lot of sympathy for them. It's hard being alone in a new place, especially living in the dorms. And while the pictures of friends and family cover the walls and the rug on the floor covers the stains on the (kind of) carpet, you still remember the depressing image of the tiny cream colored room when you first unlocked the door. It's that sinking feeling of: I'm living here? Where do I put my stuff? Is that the closet?

We've all been there. We've all been a freshman. As classes start, I'm definitely going to keep my eyes peeled for any lost-looking little soul. I'll certainly help him out, by pointing him in the correct direction. I might even drop him a hint about wearing the lanyard around his neck. I mean if someone would have told me that lanyards were not OK a little sooner, I would have appreciated it. But I guess sometimes you just have to learn the hard way.

Sorpresa!

After a bittersweet departure from Atlanta on Saturday, I was quickly rewarded with a wonderful surprise on Sunday.

Jim made the journey from Georgia to Indiana to come visit Zionsville without telling me.

It was such a great and unexpected treat to be able to show him all around town and for him to meet my friends and family.

After he left, I couldn't help but become skeptical about those strange people who say they hate surprises.

I admit that I don't love it when someone thinks they are surprising me but I have actually already discovered the event. Because then I stress over how I should act when they unveil the "surprise" and I get all worried I won't seem grateful(/excited/surprised) enough.

However, a real live surprise is so wonderful.

Although it wasn't the same as Jim's arrival, I was also surprised to learn about Gap's third attempt to revitalize their stores this fall with designer Patrick Robinson.

I knew something was happening at Gap when the cast of Gossip Girl was recruited for a Christmas ad campaign in 2007. However, I didn't really see much of a change until I saw their new line this fall.While Gap is known for having strength in staples, I will be interested to see if Robinson will be to them what Lyons was to JCrew. (Think: Jenna Lyons made JCrew cool again, Patrick Robinson brought Gap out of the red...almost as catchy.)

With the right determination, I think it can be done. I mean, I'm not one for khaki, really, but I have found a slew of cute dresses there in my day. But don't tell anyone I shop there; it's not that cool yet.

Poor Mikey

"My goal is one Olympic gold medal. Not many people in this world can say, 'I'm an Olympic gold medalist.'" Michael Phelps

I feel bad for Michael Phelps.

I mean I'm not losing sleep over it, or anything. There are definitely people in this world I am more worried about.

But, at the same time, I do feel bad for him. I've felt this way most of the summer, as the United States has prepared for Beijing. However, last night, it reached an all-time high.

As I was watching the women's volleyball, I noticed a smiling face pop up in the corner of my TV. Below Phelps' grin, it read, "Countdown to Phelps: 30 minutes".

A bit later, NBC switched to men's gymnastics. Although the U.S. men's team was doing exceptionally well, exceeding all expectations, the focus was elsewhere. Again, the corner of the TV told me: "Countdown to Phelps: 9 minutes".

It seems that no matter what, the nation's focus is on one thing: Phelps winning eight gold medals. Even the standard competition schedule for swimming was changed to the morning, just so Phelps would be on prime time. And although he has never mentioned the idea of winning eight golds, the idea seems to have stuck (to say the least).

The reason I feel so bad for him, though, is that the whole world is watching, waiting to see if he'll win eight golds. If he only wins seven, does that mean he's a failure?

Most medal winners would kill for seven golds.
Most Olympians would kill for one gold- or even a silver or bronze.
Most athletes would kill to go to the Olympics...

...and yet, if Phelps doesn't win eight golds, he's failed us. If he wins seven golds and one silver, he didn't accomplish his(/our) goal. Even if he breaks his own personal record when winning the silver, he doesn't get the million dollar bonus Speedo has promised him.

Granted, he'd still receive $190,000 in bonuses for seven golds and one silver, but that seems like pocket change compared to a mill (he couldn't even take a trip to the moon with that amount of money. Please.)

I realize that the fame, endorsements and excitement surrounding what he is doing is probably well worth the pressure of winning eight golds, especially for someone so capable of doing so. I just want Michael to know that even if he only ends up winning the golds he currently has, I'd still be impressed. I'd love to tell him this myself, but he's been hard to reach lately. He must be busy.