So our House’s biggest and most fabulous construction party, also known as OPI, also known as the reason why I didn’t go to class the last two weeks of term, came down with a persistent bronchitis-like cough, investigated the short term effects of extreme sleep deprivation (3 hours in 3 days? right on!), and helped to build–or more like paint–the most awesome thing I’ve ever been lucky enough to help create.
I was an Art Iguana (and a Propaganda Iguana), and thus at least minimally in charge of putting together the artistic side of the party. The theme for this year’s OPI (stands for our Own Private Interhouse, as opposed to the schoolwide Interhouse we had earlier this year) was Gothic Cathedral, which seems like a weird idea for a party but was an excellent idea in terms of construction and artwork, in my opinion. Hey, grey is my favorite color, and I adore repeating geometric designs, so I was happy.
We’ve been working on this for months, at least us iguanas, but we had a real surge of volunteers the last few days, which made our 13-15 hour workdays bearable, haha. Provided I passed all my classes (certainly NOT a guarantee, but that’s for future updates), I’m confident I can survive much harder terms even on grades, as long as I don’t have to build OPI again. But hey, that’s what pass/fail is for: spending ridiculous amounts of time on foolish things. At other colleges, it’s going to big parties and video games. At Tech, it’s building big parties…and video games.
I did, in fact, go to the party–at the very beginning (9pm), to hear people’s first impressions and get food, and then again at the very end (2am) to participate in the traditionally awkward Librarian dance and sing the traditionally garbled rendition of American Pie. I had a very good time, probably the best time I’ve had at a party since that sock hop in junior high. Even beat Interhouse, though there was distinctly less swing dancing. I do have to say, though, the best part was the sheer relief of not having to build it anymore, and maybe even getting some sleep. I believe I consumed upwards of 20 cough drops, and a bottle of advil during that last week. Probably did not go into finals at 100%…but again, provided I passed my classes, it was totally worth it. 
Below, it’s me in the overalls–my dad’s, from his college painting days–in front of the really tall thing that I helped design. It was fun to paint, especially since people seem to have the mistaken impression that I actually have artistic talent. And I don’t mind laboring under the delusion, haha.
